Kudos to Manassas Park for their impressive school performance as covered here. They also just got a bunch of money to build new sidewalks so their kids can walk to school! We’re patching ours with asphalt nowadays.
Oh, in Manassas news, our prostitutes are so straight-up gangsta that when their “clients” don’t pay, the “clients” call the cops for protection. Although sometimes they don’t bother and just rob them.
Happy Tuesday.
February 14, 2012 at 10:20 am
I should probably cry because this is where I live BUT back to back moron stories…..I had to laugh. BTW, I wonder if the owners of the Waterford home realize they are renting to a prostitute? Then again, they moved to Haymarket so they probably don’t care.
February 14, 2012 at 10:44 am
I rest my case….you can’t fix stupid!
February 14, 2012 at 11:08 am
Its another great day in Manassas!
February 14, 2012 at 11:53 am
Thanks for telling it like it is and giving us some credit, like the Keith Walker (MJM) recent article. Facts, not fluff.
February 14, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I forgot to add this morning as I was leaving our home, I was greeted by a guy “dumpster”diving a number of garbage and recycling cans.
February 14, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Done laughing and have moved on to crying because once again I am reminded that I am the fool. These morons can’t help themselves but I should have know better, I moved here, shame on me.
February 14, 2012 at 2:09 pm
There, there FKND…it’ll be alright…some of us have been here for EVER and can’t get out…cry for us!
February 14, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Always amazing what the Park’s Schools can do that we have trouble doing… For less cost per student then us and without uniforms (as far as I can tell) to boot…
February 14, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Delegate Marshall’s HB1: “Rights of unborn children. Provides that unborn children at every stage of development enjoy all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of the Commonwealth, subject only to the laws and constitutions of Virginia and the United States, precedents of the United States Supreme Court, and provisions to the contrary in the statutes of the Commonwealth.”
Passed the House 66Y – 32N. Take a look at all those fine folks who stand up and SHOUT about illegals, and yet passed this bill. Since the “unborn child” includes “offspring of human beings”; and since it allows “other persons”, makes ya kinda wonder WHY they are shouting when they just passed a bill allowing ALL PERSONS to have rights. Yes, I know what the Federal Law says about automatic rights of a child born in the USA, just does not match all their shouts about illegals, in-state tuition for illegals, receiving benefits, etc etc etc.
February 14, 2012 at 4:33 pm
So when do they issue a unborn certificate?
February 14, 2012 at 4:41 pm
SO tell me this…If a mother is convicted of a crime and sent to jail, who’s rights come first? The “unborn child” shouldn’t be in jail just because the mother is that’s not fair to the unborn child. Can the unborn child have a bank account? Can the unborn child have a ss#? Can an unborn child own a gun? Thanks Elder for getting my blood pressure up to the boiling point! LOL
February 14, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Nettie, your welcome! Now you see why I raised the point – may this bill die in the Senate since today is crossover day!
February 14, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Andy you need to get a “like” button on here, just like FB! LOL
February 14, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Machine & Tool Tax: the proposed legislation (HB512) which would have exempted manufacturers from paying the M&T taxes on new equipment put in place for three years died in the House. In looking at the vote, why is it those Delegates representing areas north, south and east of the City voted it down, and yet, our own votes in favor? M&T is worth somewhere around 3 to 5 million to our fair City.
February 14, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Noticing all of the dollar stores, consignment stores and car title loan stores popping up around Manassas, I found this article in The Atlantic timely: “What Dollar Store Locations Reveal About America.” Not a big surprise, but a little discouraging nonetheless.
But, just as as surely as observers might see the rapid proliferation of dollar stores as an indicator of accelerating demographic decline here, I know they would also see better-maintained streets, more modern school facilities and more green space as an indicator of a City actively fighting back against such decline… and while Manassas can’t wave a magic wand to attract a Wegman’s, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s (representative of the “private amenities” associated with an economically healthy demographic), the City certainly can do a lot better (and can afford to spend a lot more) to create the kind of outstanding “public amenities” that will be a necessary prerequisite for attracting a more economically healthy demographic to Manassas.
Though our capital improvements and maintenance budgets have been badly starved in recent years, I am hopeful that the upcoming City budget cycle will demonstrate that we have not fully lost the political will to invest in ourselves. Otherwise, the proliferation of dollar stores is just a preview of coming attractions.
Link to The Atlantic story here:
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2012/02/what-dollar-store-locations-reveal-about-america/1115/
February 14, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Raymond said:
“may this bill die in the Senate since today is crossover day!”
Ugly choice of words and punctuation. Furthermore, I don’t recall anyone who objects to a flood illegal aliens who can overwhelm a community’s ability to welcome them, stating that they should be denied the right to life.
February 14, 2012 at 8:17 pm
I would also add I suppose these same folks would be fine with lining our Southern border with machine gun nests and shooting illegals as they try to cross the boarder. Or, rounding up illegals already here and using them as target practice for our military. Extreme yes, but it does prove a point.
February 15, 2012 at 9:14 am
Doug, you should know by now when I write or speak, I do it with intentionality…that little hyperbole had nothing to do with Pro-Life/Pro-Choice (I stay off those topics for multiple reasons). And, since I wrote it on Valentine’s Day, had nothing to do with an “Al Capone” style approach to the border.
It is a cynical statement toward the Electorate over two words in that bill – “other persons” – and all the various statements about illegals to include “anchor babies”. Nettie at least saw the sarcasm and intent of what I wrote….since “other persons” is not defined, a reader can view that meaning “anyone and everyone”…hence, the hyperbole.
By the way, over at Moonhowlers, one of her posters on this same bill gave a long list of instances this bill could be applied to. Makes interesting reading.
February 15, 2012 at 9:18 am
@Steve Hersch – great article and thanks for the posting! Those three graphs are fascinating. Your points on planning are ones that should be considered.
February 15, 2012 at 10:18 am
Ray,
I took it as a shot at Jackson Miller who is pro-life as oppossed to pro-choice. You like to take shots at Jackson Miller I understand that, the shots concerning the M&T tax are usually valid and pointed. On the M&T tax I agree with Jackson on a theorectical level but on a practical level (which seems more convincing) I agree with Andy, you and others in Manassas that if you are going to strip that kind of money from the city budget you better being doing something to replace it.
However, your shots on the pro-life , abortion clinic regulations, etc., topics are not so pointed and you are simply not as careful as you claim in staying away from the topics.
February 15, 2012 at 11:38 am
Anyone know how the Prescott vote turned out?…since DB is on here.
February 15, 2012 at 11:41 am
Haven’t been paying strict attention to this thread – cool it with the rhetoric or I’ll lock the thread.
Prescott house vote tied. It’s up to the Mayor and he has until the next Council meeting to announce his decision.
February 15, 2012 at 11:52 am
I don’t feel any tention between anyone…this is why “blogging” can be difficult…one person’s way of interperting postings, isn’t the same as the next person. That’s why ST always thinks I’m “poking” him…
February 15, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Manassas Park amazes me and I have never figured it out. Their kids have a lot of pride. I believe it is like Stand and Deliver. Someone has convinced them that they can do it and by George, they do!
Ray is speaking of Marinm leaving some food for thought on the negative impact of HB1 on IVF. It was informative and another reason that this is an absolutely horrible bill that if it passes, should immediately be declared unconstitutional.
February 15, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Feelin a little cynical, Andy? 🙂
February 15, 2012 at 1:02 pm
a shade….
February 15, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Hey Andy – different topic…just saw the recent N&M article on the Prescott House and have a question. If so many people want that house, and the city apparently has the authority to tear if down, why can’t the city put it up for auction and let someone else bear the expense of either tearing it down or restoring it?? Can that stipulation be put on the winning bid? Just curious.
February 15, 2012 at 1:41 pm
The city cannot sell that which it does not own. We can order the demolition of a property when it becomes a danger to public safety but that’s not the same as compelling a sale.
February 15, 2012 at 2:52 pm
I am surprised anyone on the council wants to save this home. If this house were demolished it would free up .40 acres in the city. With the recent approval of 58 townhomes on 3.3 acres and the large number of condo’s going up on the corner of PW Street the council appears to support high density housing. My guess is that the city could approve the cramming of 6-7 condos on that .4 acres and increase their tax base. BTW I am being sarcastic. I do NOT want to see anymore high density housing in the city our schools are maxed out already.
The owner of the property should connect with The Sunshine Lady Foundation. Doris Buffet is intent on giving away her 100 mil before she dies and she has been known to preserve historic homes and has helped numerous causes in Fredericksberg.
February 15, 2012 at 3:25 pm
There currently is a bill in the General Assembly that would allow for more school choice for children. It’s amazing how the liberals who proclaim to care more about kids than non liberals always come out against such bills. Why? Teacher unions, plain and simple.
February 15, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Andy,
Do you know if the owner or the City has exploried bringing in a private group or organization to take over the ownership of the house? It seems to me if the City can’t force the owner to fix it up, and or force her to sell, why there is even a debate over spending taxpayer money on it to just fix it up but not have some say in how the issue should be settled.
February 15, 2012 at 4:19 pm
COM are you speaking of Senate Bill 241? SB 241 passed the Senate Finance Committee.
Please tell me if I am missing something BUT it seems to be leaving out the middle class. Also, certain words jump out at me “nonprofit organizations providing education”…..this bill will likely benefit religious k-12 schools more than other private schools. What about separation of church and state?
THE BILL
Summary as introduced:
Tax credits; assistance to low-income families, scholarships for K through 12 students attending private schools. Establishes a credit beginning in taxable year 2012 for certain business entities making monetary donations to nonprofit organizations providing education improvement scholarships to students whose family’s annual household income is not in excess of 300 percent of the current poverty guidelines and certain students with disabilities, in order for them to attend nonpublic elementary or secondary schools. Nonprofit organizations to which donations are made would be required to distribute at least 90 percent of their tax-credit-derived funds in the form of scholarships to such students. The credit would equal 84 percent of the donation made by the business entity and any unused credit for the taxable year would be refundable. There is an annual cap of $50 million in tax credits for the scholarship program. The Department of Education would administer the tax credit program.
The bill also expands the current Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit program by increasing the tax credit percentage from 40 to 64 percent; expanding the eligibility criteria for programs qualifying for tax credits to encompass programs providing services to certain students with disabilities and individuals whose family’s annual household income is not in excess of 300 percent of the poverty guidelines; and repealing the July 1, 2014, sunset for the program. Current law provides that programs qualifying for tax credits must provide services to individuals whose family’s annual household income is not in excess of 200 percent of the current poverty guidelines.
February 15, 2012 at 5:39 pm
From the Virginia Municipal League Bulletin – Education:
Virtual education bill raises concerns
A Senate bill before the House Education Committee would change the way the state pays for students enrolled full time in schools that provide instruction over the Internet. A change in the policy would have implications statewide.
Currently, Carroll County is the only school division in Virginia to operate an online school that offers a full-time education to students outside of its boundaries. In the 2010-2011 school year, the virtual elementary and middle school program operated for the county by K12 Inc., a private provider, enrolled four students from Carroll County and 353 from 69 other localities. (Of these, 122 were previously home schooled and 31 were in private school.)
Up until now, Carroll County received state funding for all 353 students based on the county’s composite index. Under SB 598 (Newman), virtual schools will receive state and local funding based on where students live. For example, if a student from Fairfax County enrolls in a virtual school offered by another school division, the Fairfax County School Board will have to send state and local money to that division to pay for the virtual education.
Effective in the 2013-2014 school year, any student in a school division that does not have its own full-time virtual school program may choose to enroll in any virtual school program served by an approved online provider. The online providers have lobbied intensely in support of the legislation, which is part of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education initiative.
Specifically, SB 598 requires that the entire state per pupil amount and 76 percent of the local per pupil amount would be sent to the school division through which the virtual school is offered. There is a provision that the combined state and local funding cannot exceed the actual cost. In short, under SB 598, local tax dollars could be sent to another school division to defray the cost of the tuition for the virtual school program.
Another problem with the bill is that the state has not established standards of accreditation for virtual schools; indeed, another bill, HB 1215 (Richard Bell) would require the development of those regulations. This bill has been passed by the House and will be heard in the Senate Education and Health Committee.
It is premature for the state to be deciding on the funding stream for virtual schools prior to any staffing or other requirements being set under standards of accreditation.
SB 598 will be heard in the House Education Committee. Local officials are urged to call their member of the committee to voice their opinion.
Earlier this session, similar legislation, HB 1272 (Richard Bell) was approved by the House Education Committee, but failed to be reported by the House Appropriations Committee.
Staff contact: Mary Jo Fields, mfields@vml.org
February 15, 2012 at 5:47 pm
@COM: on bringing in a group to fix up the Prescott House – all the isssues with that house would take about 1/2million bucks to bring it back to livable and fix the two outbuildings. As I understand in talking to Council Members and City Staff, it has reached that point the total costs to do remediation for asbestos & lead plus bringing electrical & plumbing up to current building code would make it almost impossible to just have a group come in.
Prescott House is a symptom of another issue in general which AndyH states with his “losing one every two years”. We have an Historic District, lots of properties there on the National Historic Registry, and yet no detailed policy or plan for not only managing it, but also assisting homeowners so things like this five-year long back-and-forth can be avoided. I have an idea which I have run past a couple of people, but research deeper on that idea is needed before I can try to sell it.
February 15, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Fourkids,
If non profits and or businesses are providing the funds and not the Government, there is no seperation needed. Besides, the “seperation” rule only applies to the Government establishing a National Religion.
Ray,
Thanks. Surely though, taxpayer money should not be used to fix up the house at a cost of a million plus, or whatever is the final cost estimate. At this point, given the cost associated with this particular house, it might just make since to raze it. If your plan and or another one that comes up for other similar homes where the cost can be held down and paid for by private funding, then by all means it should be done. I’m just not comfortable with taxpayer money being used and having no control over the house.
February 15, 2012 at 8:18 pm
RE Prescott Street
Mr Wolfe was wise to propose what he did, and I thank Mrs. Bass and Mr. Aveni for supporting the motion. This has gone on long enough, and as Mr. Wolfe stated, this still gives the owner (after 5 years) one last chance to make repairs or have the house demolished. Could we be any more fair?
As for members of council voting to spend taxpayer money to simply halt the deterioration for a while, I can say that their hearts are in the right place, but I think we should decide this one based on our wallet and not with the heart on this one. Schools and public safety are where we need to stay focused. If no other votes are changed, I hope the mayor will support Mr. Wolfe and finally get this five year old issue dealt with.
Effective code enforcement means dealing with derelict houses just as efficiently as the houses with derelicts living in them.
February 15, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Another example in the City of a historic property where a group tried to raise funds and buy it:
When up on Fairview Avenue, right next to the Police Station, is that stately mansion and small apartments all making up a former neurological rehab center. The gentleman who built it (forget his name) is buried over in the Cemetery with his family plot surrounded by the same iron fencing you see on Fairview. About six years ago, Dr. Ross’s wife was leading the charge to form an organization to buy the whole property and convert it to other uses by a nonprofit.
Property then was for sale around $3million. But when wandering through the main house and those small apartments, all the issues of lead & asbestos remediation, plus renovation, was fast tipping over a million bucks to do it all. Sadly, the efforts by Mrs. Ross have not gone further, and the place remains empty. Without planning, someday that property too will be in front of the Council.
February 15, 2012 at 8:32 pm
I need a new roof. Will the city use other people’s money to fix it for me?
February 15, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Under-utilized resource for city homeowners:
City of Manassas Home Repair Program
The mission of the City of Manassas Housing repair program is to provide financial assistance for repairs for low to moderate income homeowners in the City of Manassas that otherwise would not be able to maintain safe, sanitary and accessible housing.
Applications are available through Prince William County’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) 703-792-5927 or at http://www.pwcgov.org/housing. Applications may also be obtained through the City of Manassas Neighborhood Service Program at 703-257-8240 or on-line at http://www.ManassasCity.org. Send applications to: PWC OHCD 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite 112, Woodbridge, VA 22191.
February 15, 2012 at 10:14 pm
And that program is paid for with federal block grant….if anyone’s interested…:)
February 16, 2012 at 7:17 am
Our tax dollars, in other words.
February 16, 2012 at 7:28 am
Yes, our tax dollars. Interestingly, this “Block Grant” program was created Ronald Reagan as a part of his shrinking gov’t initiative.
February 16, 2012 at 7:50 am
The Home Repair Program is under-utilized for several reasons:
Home Repair Program is a great option for repairs when the individual owns AND uses the home as their primary residence AND are Low-to-Middle Income (LMI) AND fail the HUD Housing Quality Standards AND needs emergency repair services or exterior improvements up to $10,000.
LMI is generally 50% of the Manassas Median Income so to be eligible, Income Level starts at $37,586 (which for a family of four is around 133% above the Federal Poverty Level for 2012 – above that for a single person). Considering the City has about 13% of our population in Poverty, the Home Repair Program is an excellent option.
Funding available to the City for Fiscal Year 2012 was enough for 7 individual units, or could be used for more units depending on need (i.e. a waterline broke between the meter and the house; sewer backed up in another house, etc etc).
Under-utilized for several reasons; largest being the rule the person must own the home, and many of our LMI residents are renting or are on the HUD Housing Voucher Program.
February 16, 2012 at 11:47 am
Just goes to show how even those that promoted smaller Government found a way to spend money on Government programs.
February 17, 2012 at 5:59 am
Delegate Marshall’s HB1: “Rights of unborn children. Provides that unborn children at every stage of development enjoy all the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons, citizens, and residents of the Commonwealth, subject only to the laws and constitutions of Virginia and the United States, precedents of the United States Supreme Court, and provisions to the contrary in the statutes of the Commonwealth.”
Though it’s confusing, I think I get it now. Delegate Marshall has absolutely no problem with gay fetuses, and its only AFTER the birth that he wants their rights to be constitutionally denied. Maybe not denied, but umm rationed.
February 18, 2012 at 9:23 am
Has anyone followed up on the rumor that the reason the low bidder on repairing the house came in at a price of $88,000 is because they use ‘illegal alien’ labor? Is the major aware of this? If so, that is one more reason why the mayor should end this pathetic melodrama. This never-ending soap opera has lasted like ‘Days of Our Lives,’ and is less entertaining and more expensive.
February 20, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Ray Beverage,
Regarding virtual schools as a viable option to standard public school education, the Wash Post published an article maybe a couple months ago about the Carroll County program. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. I haven’t rechecked my facts yet, but what I remember standing out was that the state funds for each student were indeed directed to Carroll County, which was a small windfall to them (no extra bricks, no mortar), profit to the operator of the program, but the program has a dismal (far below MCPS) record of kids passing the classes. I cannot remember whether they were at a point where any type of graduation was measured.
Mr. Sutherland,
By all means, lets not provide any fodder for further pathetic melodramas in the city. I hope all citizens concerned with how Manassas distributes its funds will call on the Mayor to make this the last chapter written on city involvement with the Prescott House. As far as following up on ‘rumors’, I’ll assume the mayor has better things to do. The request for bids on this house were not to repair it for habitation, but did include the replacement of the roof, the removal of the chimney below the roof line, removal of the front and rear porches (and installing code compliant stairs/landing to the entries), and the re pointing of the mortar of the foundation. None are what I’d call small ticket items, but 88K is not a number that would make one immediately suspect that illegal alien labor had to be involved. If the city should move forward with a stabilization contract, I’m just happy that this is a right to work state where we don’t have to pay $45 an hour plus the normal payroll burdens to have a guy lean on a sledgehammer.