Transparency News, 8/10/21

Democrats in control of the General Assembly on Monday announced the names of their eight choices for the eight open spots on the Court of Appeals of Virginia. The slate includes four women, three of whom are African American, and four men, one of whom is African American. The candidates will be interviewed at public hearings that are largely for show because Democrats did the bulk of the work behind closed doors, a tactic that brought criticism from Republicans. Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said senators are willing to hear from Republican-backed applicants, but delegates in the House are not. Edwards called the vetting that’s already happened “the most extensive, comprehensive vetting ever,” saying Democratic lawmakers held phone calls and Zoom meetings with applicants to narrow the field. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, said last week on the Senate floor that he learned of the secret interviews through the press.
Richmond Times-Dispatch

As Rockingham County School Board Chairwoman Renee Reed attempted to get Monday’s meeting underway, an unmasked member of the audience stood up and said, “I have an announcement to make. If you wearing a mask, take it off. We are Americans.” The outburst led to raucous applause, laughter and a chant of, “We won’t cave.” Monday’s regular meeting was held at Spotswood High School. Approximately 300 to 400 people were in attendance. It was standing room only. Due to the large crowd and the inability to social distance, attendees were asked wear masks, which were made available to them. Many went without masks and mocked attempts made by Reed to have them put one on. Reed even made a secondary location available for attendees to watch the meeting without masks to protect public health. Reed said they would be allowed back into the auditorium to speak when their turn was called. A number of children who do not have the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine were in attendance. No one left the auditorium and a number of people claimed “segregation.” It took Reed several minutes to get the crowd under control to be able to start the meeting.
Daily News Record

“I wouldn’t even walk across the street with those people.” It was one of many visceral remarks former Staunton City Manager Steve Owen heard from a city official about their coworkers.  Owen didn’t hear such snide comments during his time as city manager in Staunton, but he learned about the nature of retreats in the city and participated in three of them since he was hired in 2007 and knows why they’re so important. “Everything starts with relationships,” he said, adding that unified visions and goals can be difficult to accomplish until the council establishes stable relationships. According to Owen, all the Staunton City Council retreats were public, but he didn’t recall people showing up to watch and listen to the events. Even media didn’t often stay for too long, he said. Another former Staunton city manager, Bob Stripling, facilitated retreats before COVID-19 hit and said that the publicity of government retreats adds a different dynamic to the conversations.  He also mentioned that council may have a more effective or open conversation without eyes on them, but that it’s critical that government is open to the public and it doesn’t appear that there is any secrecy, so the tradeoff lay in the publicity. 
News Leader

Federal prosecutors are trying to show the jury the connection between former Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe and Correct Care Solutions. McCabe is on trial in federal court in Norfolk and is accused of taking bribes from the jail’s vendors. Former deputy Chris Walz spent almost 30 years with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. He testified in court on Monday in the corruption trial. In 2010, he oversaw fielding the proposals for the jail’s medical provider. Walz said, at first, CCS didn’t come in with the lowest bid, but then the company dropped its bid more than $250,000. CCS was awarded the $7-million contract. Prosecutors claim someone from the sheriff’s office tipped CCS off about the other bids. Walz told the jury on Monday there were provisions written in the process that wouldn’t allow companies to talk with the sheriff during the bidding. He said that provision was there was to keep information from leaking out and giving someone the upper hand.
WAVY

According to The Virginia Star, the Loudoun County School Board has issued new procedures for its public meetings that improperly restrict the right of Virginians to comment at public meetings. Citing “ongoing security threats” the school system website declared: “Only people signed up to speak to the School Board will be allowed to enter the building. For everyone’s safety, no public viewing area will be open during the public comment portion of the meeting.” Also: “Although the School Board is committed to public input, there remains concern about the safety of all participants in the public-input process. The safety and security of all staff, students and visitors remains our highest priority.” Public comments by the public, including criticisms of governmental officials, are an important means of expressing grievances and holding government officials accountable. By unduly restricting the ability of Virginians to exercise their constitutional right to make public comments about the actions of the School Board, the board is improperly trying to reduce its accountability to the public. 
Emilio Jaksetic, Bacon’s Rebellion