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The Issues

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The Amphitheatre Stays on Track

Well perhaps I am not a great blogger- I should have had a post on this topic over a week ago and my posts are still too long! In retrospect what I write today is much different than probably what I would have written after the latest vote to keep the Amphitheatre A and E design funding in our capital budget. I was glad we returned the project to our... 

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The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Amphitheatre

Certainly I am disappointed with today’s council vote. I believe in my heart of hearts- with all the arguments presented over many years and all the consultant reports (costing upwards of $800,000) in previous council meetings and on this blog- that a downtown Roanoke Amphitheatre in Elmwood Park coming on line in three to four years will... 

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The Amphitheatre (again!) and Roanoke’s Capital Improvement Plan

The Amphitheatre was approved and added to the city’s capital improvement plan two weeks ago. Over the last week there has been some thought to revisit the issue again and possibly re-vote on it. Much study has been done over numerous years along with much public input regarding the Amphitheatre. I have now been convinced it can fit into Elmwood... 

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Amphitheatre Revisited

The process for Roanoke to add a commercial amphitheatre to our cultural and quality of life mix took another turn last week and I went with it. A clear goal of mine on council was to help prevent victory stadium type sagas by encouraging decisive and progressive decisions on potential capital projects. I pushed too early on this one and have learned... 

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The City Budget and School Funding

I always relish the opportunity to work with and in support of the Roanoke City Public School System. Over the last month, I was able to participate in a work group with school board member Jason Bingham and our respective Financial officers to help figure out the budget gap for the schools and an amount that the city can and should transfer to the... 

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The Decision Not to Run for State Office

Several people have asked for the full press release I used for my decision not to run for the House of Delegates seat that William Fralin will be vacating. Probably should have posted earlier, but please see the full release below- Press Release 3-8-09 Certainly for me, and I would think for most, the idea of running and winning a House of Delegates... 

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The Budget Crisis: City and the Schools will work Together

While this is absolutely about a crisis and the decisions at hand will impact our community for a long long time- the one piece of good news I believe is how City Council and the School Board have committed to working together on minimizing the impact of this financial crisis on our great city. Perhaps the other piece of good news or even better news... 

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Prayers at Council Meetings

Well this is one issue I did not intend to wade into. Certainly an emotional issue, a hot button issue and valid points on all sides. It is a vitally important issue for all of us. My concern was fairly simple: this is not a Roanoke City Council issue. This issue involves national politics, constitutional law and many judicial opinions on the issue.... 

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