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“It’s not like we’re trying to restrict anybody at all.”
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A series of articles written within the past year about the Southampton County Courthouse has earned staff writer Stephen Faleski recognition by the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. As he stated in his introductory letter when submitted the stories, “The series investigates claims that plans were hatched to merge Franklin’s and Southampton’s courts without Franklin’s City Council having taken a vote on the matter, as well as claims that the county’s courthouse referendum education brochure misled voters as to the consequences of voting “yes” or “no” to relocating the Southampton County Courthouse. Essentially, the series asked the classic journalistic question, “What did the County know and when did it know it?” as well as, “What did it tell the city government and voters prior to the referendum?” Megan Rhyne, executive director for VCOG, said, “There’s so much good work that’s being done year in and year out by all media levels, and we want to make sure we were recognizing people using public records to inform their communities to uncover coverups and tell truth to power.”
The Tidewater News
Caroline Glickman has been appointed regional editor for the seven BH Media daily newspapers in western Virginia, headquartered in Roanoke. Glickman will be based at The Roanoke Times and assumes the newsroom leadership role formerly held by Executive Editor Lawrence McConnell, who is retiring Friday, said Terry Jamerson, vice president and regional publisher for the group of newspapers.
The Roanoke Times
(Note: McConnell currently serves on VCOG’s board of directors; Glickman will take a seat on the board on Jan. 1.)
Former Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe appeared before a federal magistrate judge on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all 11 corruption charges that a grand jury issued against him last month. McCabe and co-defendant, Gerald F. Boyle — the man accused of providing the sheriff with illegal funds and gifts — asked for a jury to decide their case. The two will be prosecuted together, with a trial set to begin on May 27. The date is well past the 70-day speedy trial deadline required for federal court cases, but it is needed because of the complexity and the massive volume of information involved, according to the prosecution and defense.
The Virginian-Pilot
Without giving a reason, the Clarke County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to terminate county Economic Development and Tourism Director Len Capelli’s contract effective in 90 days. The termination came following an approximately half-hour closed session held at the start of the meeting to discuss a personnel matter. Capelli was working Tuesday afternoon, but he did not attend the closed session and was unaware of the vote before he was contacted by The Winchester Star. He said he had no hard feelings. After the board went back into open session, Chairman David Weiss called for a motion. Berryville District Supervisor Mary Daniel made that motion, reading a prepared resolution. Following the unanimous vote, Weiss said publicly “we thank Mr. Capelli for his services, and we wish him well.” Weiss, the Buckmarsh District supervisor, would not say after the meeting why Capelli’s contract was terminated. When pressed for a reason, Weiss said, “I don’t think that’s important.”
The Winchester Star
The long-awaited presentation of Martinsville reverting to town status finally occurred Tuesday night with little fanfare. A gathering of about 50 people filled most of the available seats in Martinsville City Council chambers. City Manager Leon Towarnicki stepped through the process of reversion supplementing his words with PowerPoint slides projected onto the wall. If an agreement between the Martinsville’s and Henry County’s governing bodies could be ironed out, a costly reversion process would be avoided. If discussions between Martinsville and Henry County fail, the city council will have to call a public hearing on the matter and then formerly vote to revert to begin the legal process.
Martinsville Bulletin
The Front Royal Town Council during its Monday work session discussed developing a public information office to better communicate with citizens and the media. Todd Jones, the town’s information technology director, presented a plan to the council that included a proposed four-pronged approach for better public relations. First, he said the town needs to “find and promote a clear message,” which would include a heavy social media presence and ensure that news releases and public notices are clear with consistent messages. Regarding the press, Jones proposed a scenario in which media members request to talk to council members or town officials through the public information office.He said the media would submit specific questions to the office “so that you have a heads up as to what you’re getting into.” “I don’t expect us to allow questions beyond what was given to us,” Jones said. Jones said over the phone Tuesday that the idea would allow questions to be answered properly, adding that “it’s not like we’re trying to restrict anybody at all.”
The Northern Virginia Daily
New Market Town Council members decided Monday to give its town manager a raise. Council members voted unanimously at their regular meeting to adopt the employment agreement with Town Manager J. Todd Walters and to increase his annual salary to $98,200, both effective Dec. 1. Walters previously worked for Christiansburg before council members appointed him as town manager in October 2017 at a salary of $75,000. Members approved a salary increase in November 2018 from $78,795 to $86,674. His new salary of $98,200 represents a roughly 30 percent increase over his starting salary of two years ago. Members met in closed session to discuss the performance of a specific government employee. Council members reconvened in open session and approved a change to the meeting agenda to add the matter of the town manager’s salary. Members then voted on the salary increase.
The Northern Virginia Daily
This month’s General Assembly elections brought in huge fundraising hauls for candidates. Now November 5th’s winners and losers are left with a difficult decision: how to spend the leftover cash. Virginia election law gives the former candidates lots of options, ranging from work-related meals at Arby’s to five-figure donations to a favored political action committee. Winners can dish donations to statewide leaders or key lawmakers who might help their political careers, according to Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. Or they can spend it on non-campaign ads, staffing, charity, or Assembly-related meals — just about anything that doesn’t constitute personal use for the candidate or their family, and that is vaguely related to their work in the General Assembly. Election law allows similar latitude to candidates who lose. There’s no requirement for candidates who lose to close their accounts, though most do so within a few years to avoid reporting requirements.
VPM
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“Transparency is [not] bad or good, but rather that it cannot be an end in itself.”
“Collecting public opinion can be tedious and unforgiving. But it ensures everyone is working from the same set of facts.”