Date Archives January 2011

Is Hollymead Poised to Grow?

in Politics Transportation on

More growth on the 29 North Corridor without infrastructure improvements – not enhancements like another deceleration lane and a stop light (or whatever other bandaid is proposed) but real improvements – is irresponsible . … The news has gotten out to the incoming DIA and NGIC folks that buying/living/moving to areas on the other side of Charlottesville is a bad idea due to traffic in Charlottesville; the infrastructure/traffic scenario in our area is continuing to grow/deteriorate.

…However, at a subsequent work session in December, Boyd said his mind was changed by “additional information,” but he did not further elaborate at the meeting on the specifics. … Boyd went on to say that a rezoning would allow the county to receive financial support, in the form of proffers from developer Wendell Wood, to pay for needed infrastructure.

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Get Ready Virginians – The General Assembly is Poised to Reconvene

in Politics on

Here you can learn about and track the fate of the thousands of bills that will be proposed , voted on, and the few that ultimately become law. Some of the bills are inane, some seem to be designed to implement gridlock , some are a waste of taxpayers’ time and money , and some will absolutely, positively affect your daily lives if they were to become law . … I tend to look at the newest bills every day or two, but so long as you’re looking and letting your legislators know that you’re watching them. … While you’re spending time at Richmond Sunlight figuring out who your legislators are , head over to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) to see who’s giving them money. (note: the “Map Donations” tool is mighty cool ).

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What I’m Reading this Morning – Housing Prices, Title Worries, Uncertainty

in General Real Estate on

As I look back at 2010 and forward to 2011 and beyond with respect to the Charlottesville area real estate market, I’m reading national news and opinions as well so as to buttress my perspective. … Key to Real-Estate Rebound: Solid Economic Growth – WSJ Housing faces additional uncertainty because the government is set to reconsider how aggressively to support homeownership. Deficit hawks have their sights set on scaling back the mortgage-interest deduction, and the Obama administration later this month will put forth a proposal on how to revamp Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the broader mortgage market. … And perhaps the BIGGEST “I don’t know” of 2011 : There may indeed be serious and significant title issues that could affect millions of properties, millions of buyers, title insurance companies, and lenders for years to come.

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Good For Him

in sideblog on

From the Times Dispatch : A Charlottesville man who stripped down to his underwear at Richmond International Airport to protest security-screening procedures was charged with disorderly conduct Thursday, airport police said. … The incident occurred at 2:17 p.m. at Checkpoint B, the busier of the airport’s two checkpoints, said airport spokesman Troy M. … Bell said police reported that when they arrived at the checkpoint, they found Tobey, “absent of pants and shirt in full public view, exposing language regarding the Fourth Amendment written on his chest and abdomen with marker or crayon.” The message read, “Amendment 4: The right of the people to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated,” Bell said.

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