Monday, June 8, 2015

Primary Vote on Tuesday June 9th

Dear Neighbors,

 

This is just a reminder that tomorrow June 9th is the primary leading up to the November 3 General Election.   Also, I want to remind you that citizens in the Commonwealth of Virginia do not register by political party and therefore, every registered voter can cast a vote in tomorrow’s primary.  This year the Commonwealth of Virginia will conduct only a Republican Party Primary Election.   You can cast your vote at the voting precinct listed on your voter registration card, which will be the same location as last November’s General Election.  The polls open at 6 a.m. and close promptly at 7 p.m.  To obtain information about your voting status, go to www.elections.virginia.gov.  When you reach the Department of Elections Webpage, click on the “Check Your Voter Information” banner.   If you would like to see a sample ballot for your precinct, go to www.yorkcounty.gov and in the middle of the page click on “June 9, 2015 Republican Primary,” then click on the sample ballot for your precinct. 

 

Rarely do I become involved with political endorsements.  However, this year I feel it is essential for the good of York County and the City of Poquoson to throw my full support behind Kristen Nelson for Clerk of the Circuit Court.   Kristen has 18 years of experience in the Clerk’s office, has served as a Deputy Clerk, and was appointed by three judges to serve as the Clerk of the Court when the previous Clerk resigned from office.   Kristen’s outstanding expertise in dealing with approximately 800 duties of the Clerk’s office has received praise from many prominent leader in our government to include the Commonwealth Attorney Ben Hahn, Sheriff Danny Diggs, and Delegate Gordon Helsel.

 

I strongly encourage you get out tomorrow and vote.  When you do, I recommend voting for Kristen Nelson for Clerk of Court.*

 

Regards,

 

Tom Shepperd, Chairman

York County Board of Supervisors

 

Home (757) 868-8591

Mobile (757) 903-1875

shepperd@yorkcounty.gov

tgshep@cox.net

 

*  The endorsement expressed in this email is mine along and has not been approved by any candidate for office other than myself.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

York County District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update - June 2015

Dear Neighbors,

 

The District 5 Report for June 2015 is designed to keep you informed of local activities and government actions that might impact your family, home and neighborhood.*  Crime Watch information is included as an addition to your neighborhood Crime Watch Program.  Comments and questions are always welcome.  I greatly appreciate your help in disseminating the report to other residents in our community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Tom Shepperd

Chairman and District 5 Representative

York County Board of Supervisors

 

Home (757) 868-8591

Cell (757) 604-3079

tgshep@cox.net

shepperd@yorkcounty.gov

 

------District 5 and Crime Watch Report June 2015*------

 

Report Content:

 

     - Crime Watch Report

     - Announcements

     - Transportation Updates

     - Questions from Residents

     - Development

     - Board of Supervisors Actions

 

1.  Crime Watch Report

 

a.  In analyzing Sheriff crime reports in and around District 5 over the past five months, I can state with confidence that we live in a pretty safe area.  The murder case in January near Windy Shores that involved the shooting death of a minor is an anomaly for York County.  Two individuals involved in the case, one from the Greenlands neighborhood, are facing numerous felony counts.  The case is in the hands of our Commonwealth Attorney.  Other reported crimes of importance over the past five months are:

 

     (1)  Champions Path in Woods of Tabb, a neighbor noticed a stranger opening a neighbor’s car and called 911.  The Sheriff’s Office caught the individual after a foot chase.  This led to charges of not only tampering with a vehicle but also obstructing justice.

     (2)  Lake Dale Way in Woodlake Crossing, an individual accidently shot himself.  The individual was charged with reckless handling of a firearm.

     (3)  Home break-in occurred on Collington Run in  the Victory Estates subdivision.  Resident called 911 and reported hearing someone rummaging around downstairs at 3:30 a.m. Entry into the home was through the garage.   Several days later a 19 year old male suspect was charged with the break-in.

     (4)  Home burglary in Tabb Lakes subdivision.  The glass on rear door of house was shattered.  Electronic equipment was taken.  The investigation is ongoing.

     (5)  A neighborhood reported possible drug use by three individuals sitting in a parked car in the Meadowlake Farms subdivision.  The Sheriff’s Office responded and issued citation for possession of Marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

     (6)  A women suspected of shoplifting at the WalMart on Route 17 was followed to her car and confronted by deputies.  In an attempt to escape, the woman backed up her car at a high rate of speed nearly hitting a deputy.  She escaped the scene but law enforcement had the license plate number.  She was later arrested and charged with reckless driving.  This was a third offense, which makes it a felony.

     (7)  A resident on Creek Terrace off of Lambs Creek Drive reported coming home from vacation to find that the home had been broken into.  The burglar forced open a living room window.  A 33 year old male suspect has been charged with breaking and entering.

     (8)  A car was broken into on Kinnakeet Run.  The owner reported that $60 was taken from a purse.  There were no marks on the car.  This indicates that the car was left unlocked.

     (9)  A window was broken out of a car parked on Saint Clair Circle in the Belmont Apartments.  The owner reported that his wallet was removed from the car.

     (10)  The Tabb Exxon at the corner of Big Bethel and Hampton Highway was broken into after store closing.  Video captured the incident and a 15 year old has been charged in the case.

     (11)  We are seeing more and more panhandlers in York County.  The Sheriff’s Office believes the increase is due to more aggressive policing in the surrounding cities.  The Sheriff’s Office will issue citations for panhandling when such actions becomes too blatant or aggressive.  Recently, an individual was cited for panhandling in Washington Square.

 

b.   Domestic violence is an ugly situation in any household.  Sometimes the violence can turn deadly.  Normally, I do not publish reports on domestic violence because such activity is internal to the household and the Sheriff’s Office is really good at handling such cases.  However, due to the number of domestic violence cases we are seeing throughout the County, I thought it appropriate to point out a few things.  Domestic violence cases occur in all neighborhoods regardless of wealth.  When a domestic violence report is received, the responding deputy will assess the situation and arrest the aggressor.  The remaining spouse will receive guidance for contacting social service and court action as required. 

 

2.  Announcements

 

a.  June 9th Primary Elections.  This is an election year for all 15 local government positions in York County.  This includes the Board of Supervisors, School Board, Commonwealth Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue and Clerk of the Court.  Also, our state senators, delegates and the Soil and Water Directors will be up for election.  Before the November 3rd General Election there will be a state-run primary on June 9th.   Since the residents of Virginia do not register by political party as is the case in some states, the Primary on June 9th is open to all registered voters in York County.  You will vote at the precinct listed on your voter registration card. The deadline to register to vote in the June 9th Primary was May 18th.  You can verify your voter registration by going online to www.yorkcounty.gov and under “Government Services,” selecting “Voter Registration.”  For additional information, call the Registrar’s Office at 890-3440 or visit the website, www.yorkcounty.gov/voting.

 

The York County and City of Poquoson Clerk of the Court position is the only local government contested position that will be listed on the June 9th ballot for the Republican Primary in District 5.  There are two candidates running for the Clerk of Court seat.  They are Kristen Nelson and Tu Ritter.  I, along with Senator Norment, Sheriff Diggs, Delegate Helsel and Commonwealth Attorney Ben Hahn are endorsing Kristen Nelson for the Clerk of the Court position.  Mrs. Nelson has served in the Clerk of the Court office for18 years, was the Deputy Clerk of the Court and in August 2015 was appointed by 3 judges to serve as the interim clerk when the previous clerk resigned.  Kristen Nelson has served the public well and is the right choice for the Clerk of the Court position.

 

b.  I want to thank everyone for the tremendous support during my candidate petition drive, which has allowed me to stand for election as the District 5 representative on the York County Board of Supervisors.   I greatly appreciated your willingness to sign my petitions.  Since I am unopposed in the primary election, I will not be listed on the June 9th Primary ballot.  I will be listed on the November 3rd General Election ballot.  Again, thank you for the support.  It is an honor and privilege to represent the citizens of York County.   

 

c.  The French ship L’Hermione is scheduled to arrive at the Yorktown pier on the morning of June 5th.  Lafayette’s reconstructed ship Hermione set sail from France on April 18th.  The President of France and U.S. Ambassador were present for the sendoff.  Yorktown will be its first port of call for the ship in the U.S.  The $31 million dollar 18th century warship will be docked in Yorktown until June 7thThe county has launched a website dedicated to the ship’s visit – www.HermioneYorktown.com.  The site contains information about the history of the ship, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Yorktown, as well as a schedule of events, shopping and dining information, and more.   For more information about the ship’s visit call the public information office at 890-3300.

 

d.  NASA gate closure.   Starting May 1, the NASA Gate to Langley AFB will only be opened from 0600-0900 & 1500-1800.  This is an indefinite change, and isn't expected to change.  The change to the gate schedule is not a surprise in light of funding limitations.  Recently, the Joint Base Langley-Ft. Eustis Commander stated that the Langley AFB King Street and the LaSalle Avenue gates would soon be opened on a limited basis in the evenings.  The NASA gate on Commander Shepard and the Langley AFB gate on Armistead will be the only gates opened 24 hours/7 days a week.

 

e.  Outstanding Youth Awards.  The winners of the 2015 Outstanding Youth Awards were selected by representatives from the York County Youth Commission, Board of Supervisors and School Board.  Each winner received a Jefferson Cup with the County’s logo, a resolution of congratulations from the Board of Supervisors, and a $500 scholarship.  The winners are:

 

     1.  Community Service Award – Hannah Speight, a junior at Tabb High School

 

     2.  Compassion Award – Julia Smith, a senior at Tabb High School

 

     3.  Courage Award – Kourtney Warr, a senior at Grafton High School

 

     4.  Overall Achievement – Megan Crow, a senior at Tabb High School

 

We are very proud of your youth. 

 

3. Transportation

 

a. Potholes.   This past winter was really tough on our neighborhood streets.  Potholes seem to be popping up everywhere and VDOT is struggling to keep up.  You can help VDOT with their repair efforts by reporting the location of potholes and other transportation related problems.   Here are four options for reporting roadway issues.  (1)  Call the VDOT Williamsburg Residency Office at 757-253-5138.  (2) Call the VDOT Statewide Customer Service Center at 1-800-367-7623.  (3) Go online to the VDOT Report a Road Problem site at  http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/citizen.asp and submit a work request.  (4) Send an email to me at tgshep@cox.net and I will contact VDOT Williamsburg Residency Administrator.

 

b.  Widening of Victory Boulevard.  Nope!  Not yet.  The good news is that Victory Boulevard will be included in the Hampton Roads 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.  Getting Victory Boulevard included in the 2040 Plan is quite an accomplishment.  It took support from the Cities of Poquoson, Hampton, Newport News, York County, NASA and the Langley-Ft. Eustis Command to make it happen.  I, along with Mayor Hunt of Poquoson, solicited the support of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs.   The bad news is that Victory Boulevard did not receive the highest priority for Primary Road funding from the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization.   To put Victory Boulevard into perspective for funding, projects such as improvements to I-264 in Norfolk, Rte. 17 (not the current construction project) in York County and improvements to US60 near Ft Eustis are just some of the major road projects that received higher priority.  Now that the 2040 plan has identified the prioritized road projects in Hampton Roads, the next step will be to develop a financial plan.  Once done, we will have a better idea as to when Victory Boulevard can be widened.

 

c.  Wythe Creek Road.  I was informed by the City Manager of Hampton that adjustments to the Wythe Creek Road Project have now put the Project within available funding.  This means that an environmental study and preliminary engineering can begin once the project contract is awarded. The Project will include the building of a new elevated causeway.  I am uncertain if the project will include a traffic light at the intersection of Wythe Creek Road and Carys Chapel Road.  The schedule for the Wythe Creek Road Project has not been established.

 

d.  Mowing of VDOT Roads.  According to VDOT, a contractor will begin mowing the shoulders and medians of our primary and secondary roads on June 10th.

 

4.  Questions from Residents

 

a.  Question:  Why is Dominion not also removing the ash mountain that it is building here?  The ash mountain that your board approved a few years ago, over my fervent protests?   Maybe only because we have a "mountain" rather than a "pond"?  Surely, if Dominion can remove its other dangerous sites, it can remove this one too -- before it ends up the  Chesapeake Bay, which some members of your board are trying so hard to protect.

        Response:  The Yorktown Power Station Fly Ash disposal area is an engineered structural fill where slightly moistened fly ash is deposited in a controlled manner over an impermeable base (liner) that includes a complex leachate collection system.  The material is placed in the facility in “lifts” that are compacted to an extent that the surface of the fill, once covered and graded with a soil cover, would be capable of supporting building construction.  Because the Yorktown Power Station’s coal burning units have been operating only  as a “peak load” facility, the quantity of fly ash byproduct needing to be disposed of has not exceeded the capacity of the fill area that has been in use since the 1980s and Dominion has not found it necessary to begin filling on top (building the mountain) as was proposed in the Special Use Permit application approved several years ago.  Given that the two coal-fired units are scheduled to be retired no later than April 2017, all indications are that the “mountain” will not be needed.

b.  Question:  Hi, Tom--I have noticed a few flashing yellow arrows for left turns here in the county and in N. News.  This is a big trend nationwide, actually (I travel a lot) and I am glad to see it here.  Any chance we could get a flashing yellow at the intersection of Victory and Caltrop Neck?  I feel so unsafe as I sit at the red light waiting to turn left onto Caltrop Neck, with no oncoming traffic, and people whizzing past me on the right at 55 mph.

 

          Response:  The VDOT Resident Administrator tells me the intersection is under review as part of a Region-wide left turn phasing review.

 

5.  Development

 

I received several inquiries concerning the development of the Big Woods along Victory Boulevard in Poquoson.  Mid-Atlantic has submitted a plan to develop a subdivision near City Hall and behind the Woods of Tabb neighborhood.  The new subdivision will consist of apartments, townhouses, detached homes, cottages, and a pool area.  Total housing is just over 500 units.  The York County Board of Supervisors submitted a letter to the Poquoson City Council stating its plan to close off Champions Path, which runs through the Woods of Tabb neighborhood and not would serve as alternative entrance and exit for the new Poquoson subdivision.  Two aspects of the new subdivision are attention getters.  First, the proposed apartments along Victory would be 4-stories high and could have a setback of just 25-feet.  Second, the estimated traffic to and from the new neighborhood would be about 5,600 trips a day.  If Champions Path were to be connected to the new subdivision, I estimate the traffic through Wood of Tabb would increase to between 1,000 and 2,000 trips per day.  This would be an unacceptable increase in traffic for any neighborhood.

 

Concerning the 7-acre cleared area north of Victory Boulevard across from Poquoson City Hall.  This area is also part of the Big Woods.   I’ve been told by the Poquoson City Manager that the City’s Economic Development Authority has established a contingency agreement with a developer that specializes in mall development.  At this point, the developer has not submitted plans for the area.  I’ve heard rumors about a WalMart development on the property but again, at this time the City has received no indication of any development whatsoever. 

 

6.  Board of Supervisors Actions.

 

     a.  Approved Application No. UP-853-15 authorizing a Special Use Permit for a electrical contractor’s office as a home occupation with non-resident employees on 1.05 acres of land.

 

     b.  Authorized the County Administrator to accept $2,113,428 in funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to implement the housing choice vouchers program in York County.  The program provides rental subsidy for low-income residents. The County has operated the rental subsidy program since 1979. 

 

     c.   Approved a concession services agreement at the Sports Complex.  The new five year contract will result in the County receiving 12.5% of the gross revenue.

 

     d.  Approved Application No. UP-856-15 authoring a Special Use Permit for a home occupation mead production business.  Mead is an alcohol drink made by fermenting honey and water.   The business will be located in the Seaford area.

 

     e.  Authorized the County Administrator to execute a lease agreement with Yorktown Sailing Charters, LLC for the berthing of the schooners Alliance and Serenity at the Yorktown piers.  Yorktown Sailing Charters, LLC will pay $1,300 per month for the berthing.  The 105-foot Alliance has three masts and the 65-foot Serenity has two masts.   The two schooners have been plying the waters around Historic Yorktown since 2005.

 

     f.  Authorized the purchase of new voting machines at a cost of $232,095.

 

     g.  Authorized the renaming of the York County Sports Complex.  The complex will be renamed the James “Mac” O. McReynolds Sports Complex.  Mr. McReynolds passed away suddenly on October 19, 2014 (Yorktown Day).  Mac, at his death, was York’s longest serving administrator and had been with the County for over 35 years.    He was instrumental in the successful development of the Sports Complex.

 

     h.  Authorized the hiring of Mr. Neil A. Morgan to be the County Administrator.  Previously, Mr. Morgan was the City Manager for the City of Newport News and is well known throughout Hampton Roads for his administration and leadership skills.  He was selected from a list of 106 applicants.  Mr. Morgan will assume the Administrator’s job on June 15th

 

     i.  Approved the Fiscal Year 2016 budget and tax rates for York County.  The General Fund Budget is $133.4 million and the real estate tax rate remains at $0.7515 per $100 of value.  This means your real estate taxes for the year will remain the same as last year.  New real estate tax assessments will be mailed to you in December 2015.

 

     j.  Approved Application No. UP-859-15 to authorize a Special Use Permit for a video arcade and an outdoor commercial amusement center (miniature golf course and go-karts) on 3.6 acres on Route 17 near Washington Square.  The electric powered go-karts create almost no noise.

 

So, how does York County compare with other Hampton Roads and Peninsula governments?  Our tax rate is the third lowest of 13 local governments.  York County has the second fewest number of employees per 1,000 residents.  When you exclude roads and education, York County has the lowest per capita cost of any local government.  Over 45% of the County’s budget is allocated for schools and the allocation jumps to 68% when you add in our fire department and law enforcement.  What makes the low taxes and conservative budgeting standout is that our school system is one of the best in Virginia.  Out of over 134 school systems, York County is only one of 22 that are fully accredited.  We have the number one ranked high school in Hampton Roads and two of our high schools are ranked in the top 400 out of 27,000 high schools in the nation.  Our crime rate is low and the quality of life throughout the County is the envy of many.

 

* Comments and opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the position of other members of the York County Board of Supervisors.  If you wish to obtain comments from members of the Board of Supervisors, please visit the York County website at http://www.yorkcounty.gov.  Supervisor contact information is located on the website under the title "County Government."  Homeowner Associations are encouraged to use portions of this report in preparing their association newsletters.  All email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and to the Virginia Public Records Act, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

 

 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Fw: Middle Peninsula Tea Party concerns:

In response to Gary Porter's remarks on a constitutional convention.:
 
I will make my comments  highlighted in yellow  and in italics  below – but I will be brief.   To do otherwise could result in a tome and require more time than you want to spend. If you want more information the resources abound but here are a few. 
 
A ten minute overview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za8_pdJ1dPo&feature=channel_page

A collection
https://www.scribd.com/collections/3016281/Constitutional-Convention-Stop-the-Con-Con

On the Balanced Budge Amendment
https://publiushuldah.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/balancing-the-budget-or-adding-a-national-sales-tax-to-the-income-tax/

A more in-depth overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ip_rvYGRTw

Sue Long
"Abide By The Constitution, Not Change It!"
From  Gary Porter:
Sue and Others,
 
I feel it incumbent to respond to the claims made in Sue Long's email:
 

Claim: "You know full well the results if we lose our Constitution.  And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block."

 

Truth: This is a false claim that panders to emotion. An Article 5 Convention has no power to "chop" anything, it only has the power provided it in Article 5, which is to propose amendments to the Constitution, which then must be ratified by 38 states.  As to the first sentence, I'm not sure I "know full well" the effect of "loosing" a Constitution that is being routinely ignored, as those opposed to a COS claim.

 

Amendments would change the Constitution.  There is no guarantee as to what the amendments would be. Once convened the delegates decide what amendments to propose and vote on.   

 

Claim: "And, after all, his vote affects not just…Virginia but all Americans."   

 

Truth:  Senator Norment's vote affects only Virginia's application for an Article 5 convention.  To suggest otherwise is blatant fearmongering and patently untrue. 

 

Yes,  his vote affects only Virginia's application for an Article 5 convention.  But that is not what I said.   If  Virginia petitions Congress to call a convention,  this affects every American. 

 

 

Claim: "…in 2004 [Senator Norment] voted for a resolution that states:

"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection of

delegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified in Article V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all past applications for a convention to amend the Constitution

 

Nothing has changed since then.  So why the flip flop?"

 

Truth: Everything has changed since 2004.  In 2004, the Convention of States Project had not yet been initiated.  The COS Project plan places limits on what types of amendments will be deemed in order at a convention: only amendments which serve to place fiscal restraints on the federal government, which reduce the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and/or which set limits on the terms of its officials.  Without these restrictions the convention delegates would be free to discuss and propose whatever amendments 51% of the delegations deem appropriate.  Nevertheless, such amendments would still require ratification by 38 states.  With these restriction, however, the 34 delegations associated with COS Project-compliant applications, which will constitute a super-majority, will determine whether a proposed amendment comports with the aforementioned goals and will be entered into the agenda.

 

Sounds good –but the Constitution does not say that. What it says is that the states petition Congress to make the call -  period.  No mention is made of anything the states can do other than that. 

 

 Ratification could be changed as it was with the 1787 convention when it changed the rules about who ratifies (from legislators to conventions) AND the required number for ratification from ALL states to 3/4. What could happen in a convention today? Ratification by a simple majority?  The president's signature?  

 

It is important that both sides of this important issue be heard, discussed, and considered.  I am happy to debate this issue with anyone at anytime.

 

Gary Porter

 
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/27/2015 5:40:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, suesherrill8159329@gmail.com writes:
You know full well the results if we  lose our Constitution.  And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block .
 
In Virginia, Senator Tommy Norment is key because he is the Senate Majority Whip.   He could be the deciding factor as to whether Virginia does or doesn't apply to Congress to call an Article V convention.  
 
So please contact him in opposition to a constitutional  convention, aka Article V convention, Convention of States, Balanced Budget Amendment  et al.
You don't have to be an authority.   Just print out one of the attached articles  and get it to him with a note asking him to consider the matter.  
 
VA Senator Tommy Norment's district covers Gloucester County (All); Hampton City (Part); Isle of
Wight County (Part); James City County (Part); King and Queen County (All); King William County
(All); New Kent County (All); Poquoson City (All); Suffolk City (Part); Surry County (Part); York County
(Part) but he is amenable to getting messages from those who just sign their name without their address.
And, after all, his vote affects not just only all in Virginia but all Americans. 
 
As a member of the Senate Rules Committee in 2015, he voted twice to pass constitutional convention bills out of committee instead of leaving them there to die.
One was for Mike Farris' Convention of States and one was for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
This was in spite of the fact that in 2004 he voted for a resolution that states:
"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection of
delegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified in
Article V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all past
applications for a convention to amend the Constitution …"
Nothing has changed since then. So why the flip flop?
 
His contact information is:
 
P.O. Box 6205
Williamsburg, VA 23188
 
Please let me know that you have contacted him so I won't be bugging you any more !
 
My most sincere thank you for helping to save our Constitution.  Sue Long

Monday, April 27, 2015

Re: Middle Peninsula Tea Party concerns:

Sue and Others,
 
I feel it incumbent to respond to the claims made in Sue Long's email:
 

Claim: "You know full well the results if we lose our Constitution.  And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block."

 

Truth: This is a false claim that panders to emotion. An Article 5 Convention has no power to "chop" anything, it only has the power provided it in Article 5, which is to propose amendments to the Constitution, which then must be ratified by 38 states.  As to the first sentence, I'm not sure I "know full well" the effect of "loosing" a Constitution that is being routinely ignored, as those opposed to a COS claim.

 

Claim: "And, after all, his vote affects not just…Virginia but all Americans."   

 

Truth:  Senator Norment's vote affects only Virginia's application for an Article 5 convention.  To suggest otherwise is blatant fearmongering and patently untrue.

 

Claim: "…in 2004 [Senator Norment] voted for a resolution that states:

"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection of

delegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified in Article V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all past applications for a convention to amend the Constitution …

 

Nothing has changed since then.  So why the flip flop?"

 

Truth: Everything has changed since 2004.  In 2004, the Convention of States Project had not yet been initiated.  The COS Project plan places limits on what types of amendments will be deemed in order at a convention: only amendments which serve to place fiscal restraints on the federal government, which reduce the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and/or which set limits on the terms of its officials.  Without these restrictions the convention delegates would be free to discuss and propose whatever amendments 51% of the delegations deem appropriate.  Nevertheless, such amendments would still require ratification by 38 states.  With these restriction, however, the 34 delegations associated with COS Project-compliant applications, which will constitute a super-majority, will determine whether a proposed amendment comports with the aforementioned goals and will be entered into the agenda.

 

It is important that both sides of this important issue be heard, discussed, and considered.  I am happy to debate this issue with anyone at anytime.

 

Gary Porter

 
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/27/2015 5:40:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, suesherrill8159329@gmail.com writes:
You know full well the results if we  lose our Constitution.  And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block .
 
In Virginia, Senator Tommy Norment is key because he is the Senate Majority Whip.   He could be the deciding factor as to whether Virginia does or doesn't apply to Congress to call an Article V convention.   
 
So please contact him in opposition to a constitutional  convention, aka Article V convention, Convention of States, Balanced Budget Amendment  et al.
You don't have to be an authority.   Just print out one of the attached articles  and get it to him with a note asking him to consider the matter.   
 
VA Senator Tommy Norment's district covers Gloucester County (All); Hampton City (Part); Isle of
Wight County (Part); James City County (Part); King and Queen County (All); King William County
(All); New Kent County (All); Poquoson City (All); Suffolk City (Part); Surry County (Part); York County
(Part) but he is amenable to getting messages from those who just sign their name without their address.
And, after all, his vote affects not just only all in Virginia but all Americans.  
 
As a member of the Senate Rules Committee in 2015, he voted twice to pass constitutional convention bills out of committee instead of leaving them there to die.
One was for Mike Farris' Convention of States and one was for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
This was in spite of the fact that in 2004 he voted for a resolution that states:
"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection of
delegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified in
Article V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all past
applications for a convention to amend the Constitution …"
Nothing has changed since then. So why the flip flop?
 
His contact information is:
 
P.O. Box 6205
Williamsburg, VA 23188
 
Please let me know that you have contacted him so I won't be bugging you any more !
 
My most sincere thank you for helping to save our Constitution.  Sue Long

Middle Peninsula Tea Party concerns:

Friends and Patriots: 

Several issues we would be prudent to take PRO-ACTIVE looks at coming to us whether we like it or not!  

First
 A new 'WATER Resources Plan' is being proposed by the state and they are asking for COMMENTS until the 8th of MAY. We don't want to get in to a RE-ACTIVE situation as we did with our county COMPREHENSIVE PLANS.  Fore-warned is Fore-armed!  
It is suggested you review the State Water Resources Plan, found at www.deq.virginia.govThis is available for Public Comment through May 8.  In the Plan you may find it interesting to look at the "snapshot" for your local counties.  Obviously, DEQ is using models to guide them to 2040.  Just how good is the information being fed into the computer for it to spit out the desired information??? Are the issues we were told impacts our water quality on the middle peninsula being addressed?  Are the solutions appropriate to the expressed concerns? Are the concerns realistic?  

Is this something people feel we should investigate further? We have heard so much about water from: 
Where does the TRUTH lie?  Would it behoove us to learn more BEFORE the Water Plan is adopted? Is anyone interested in pursuing this further? Let me know what you think  ~ Sue Sherrill 804-815-9329 <suesjerrill8159329@gmail.com

 Second

Sue Long has asked me to pass the following along. Your input to Senator Norment is crucial if you believe opening the Constitution to change could be a Pandora's Box! Pleases let him know how you feel.
 
You know full well the results if we  lose our Constitution.  And, a constitutional convention would put it on the chopping block .
 
In Virginia, Senator Tommy Norment is key because he is the Senate Majority Whip.   He could be the deciding factor as to whether Virginia does or doesn't apply to Congress to call an Article V convention.   
 
So please contact him in opposition to a constitutional  convention, aka Article V convention, Convention of States, Balanced Budget Amendment  et al.
You don't have to be an authority.   Just print out one of the attached articles  and get it to him with a note asking him to consider the matter.   
 
VA Senator Tommy Norment's district covers Gloucester County (All); Hampton City (Part); Isle of
Wight County (Part); James City County (Part); King and Queen County (All); King William County
(All); New Kent County (All); Poquoson City (All); Suffolk City (Part); Surry County (Part); York County
(Part) but he is amenable to getting messages from those who just sign their name without their address.
And, after all, his vote affects not just only all in Virginia but all Americans.  
 
As a member of the Senate Rules Committee in 2015, he voted twice to pass constitutional convention bills out of committee instead of leaving them there to die.
One was for Mike Farris' Convention of States and one was for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
This was in spite of the fact that in 2004 he voted for a resolution that states:
"The operations of a convention are unknown and the apportionment and the selection of
delegates, method of voting in the convention, and other procedural details are not specified in
Article V… the prudent course requires the General Assembly to rescind and withdraw all past
applications for a convention to amend the Constitution …"
Nothing has changed since then. So why the flip flop?
 
His contact information is:
 
P.O. Box 6205
Williamsburg, VA 23188
 
Please let me know that you have contacted him so I won't be bugging you any more !
 
My most sincere thank you for helping to save our Constitution.  Sue Long
3 Attachments
 
 








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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

FINAL REMINDER: NEC Concall with J. Christian Adams, author of "Injustice: Exposing the Racial Agenda of the Obama Justice Department"

National Emergency Coalition
S.T.A.N.D.
On our next NEC conference call

Tuesday, March 10 at 12:00 PM
Dial-In Number: 712-432-0900
Access Code: 199176#


J. Christian Adams, Founder
Election Law Center Virginia

J. Christian Adams served in the Voting Section at the US Department of Justice from 2005 to 2010. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller,
Injustice: Exposing the Racial Agenda of the Obama Justice Department. Adams, who has represented multiple presidential campaigns in election litigation, continues to litigate election law cases throughout the United States. He brought the first private party litigation under the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, resulting in the cleanup of corrupted voter rolls and successfully litigated the first case brought under the Voting Rights Act in U.S. v. Ike Brown, in the Southern District of Mississippi, a landmark case involving discrimination against a white minority. He received the DOJ's Justice Award for outstanding service and numerous other DOJ performance awards. Prior to his service at DOJ, Adams served as General Counsel to the SC Secretary of State. He serves as legal editor at PJMedia.com, is a frequent commentator on FOX News, and has appeared at National Review, Breitbart, the Washington Examiner, American Spectator, Washington Times and other publications.

Click the button below to let us know that you plan to attend!

 

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Dear Patriot,

  

On Friday in a radio interview, President Obama said that Ferguson is "not an isolated incident," and that a big chunk of the problems that remain are "dealing with civil rights and civil liberties in respect to law enforcement." Despite the President's comments, however, we know that the biggest problem is not protecting civil rights, but promoting civil responsibility and addressing the problem of black-on-black and urban violence. The President's remarks are an obvious dodge after having prejudged the Michael Brown case.

 

Relations with law enforcement are not as good as they could be because of demagoguery by Eric Holder. Yes, those relationships can be improved, but through leadership that brings law enforcement together with the communities they police. Unfortunately, Obama, Holder, and Sharpton have formed an unholy alliance to attack law enforcement. They are clearly engaged in a war on cops.

 

To the President's assertion that deporting illegal immigrant minors is not "true to the spirit" of Selma and equating the battle over illegal immigration to Selma is ridiculous. What about the father of Jamiel Shaw Jr.? His son was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant. The shooter who had been released from jail after a gun charge, had been instructed to kill a black person as part of a gang initiation. He was a beneficiary of the Dream Act, but Obama's dream is the Shaw family's nightmare.

 

Attorney J. Christian Adams, Founder of the Election Law Center Virginia will be joining us for this week's conference call to to discuss Eric Holder and the Obama administration engaging in racial politics in the justice system, and ignoring the principle of impartiality.

 

Join us this Tuesday March 10, 2015 at 12:00 PM EST for our National Emergency Coalition conference call.

 

Dial-In Number: 712-432-0900
Access Code: 199176#

 

As always, thank you for your love of country and your support of STAND.  We look forward to your participation on Tuesday's call.

For God and Country,

  



E.W. Jackson
President, STAND
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Dial-In: 712-432-0900
Passcode: 199176#

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Dial-In: 712-432-0900
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E.W. Jackson Upcoming Speaking Engagements
SAT MAR. 14, 2015

Seminar

"America: A Miracle that Changed the World"

Smith Mountain Lake

Moneta, VA

 

WED, MAR 18, 2015

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

GMU School of Policy, Government, and Int'l Affairs Student Assn.

Fairfax, VA 

 

THU MAR 19, 2015

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tea Party Meeting

Washington, NC

 

TUE APR 7, 2015

Poquoson Republican Group

Poquoson, VA

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER REGARDING NONPROFIT AFFILIATIONS

Please be advised that the National Emergency Coalition (NEC) is not a formal organization, but a Coalition of individual leaders. It is convened by STAND (Staying True to America's National Destiny). The weekly conference calls held under the NEC banner are primarily for purposes of information and political strategizing on the advancement of certain principles and not the endorsement of or opposition to particular candidates. However, at times there are discussions which involve lobbying, recommendations for political and electoral activity and expressions of support for or opposition to particular elected officials based on their policies. Individual participants have full latitude to lobby on any policy or to endorse or oppose any candidate or elected official. However, nonprofit organizations are circumscribed by the Internal Revenue Code and related rules and regulations regarding activity of organizations tax exempt under IRC Sections 501(C)(3) and (C)(4). NEC is a coalition of individuals only. Listing organizational affiliations on NEC notices is strictly for purposes of identifying individuals and in no way implies - nor does NEC require or accept - the participation of any nonprofit organization in political activity or contributions in violation of any IRS rules. The general rule is that nonprofit organizations may not endorse or oppose candidates and may not engage in a "substantial" amount of lobbying or political activity. Nonprofit organizations should consult with an attorney or accountant for specifics to assure compliance.

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