Manassas Business Men's League Holds Rousing Booster Meeting
-Audience Alive With Enthusiasm!
The most stirring and effective meeting in the history of the Manassas
Business League was held in Conner's Hall on Friday evening last.
The meeting was called for the purpose of increasing local pride and
welding the citizens in a campaign to boost Manassas.
… A serious indictment was brought against the "Town Knocker"
and he was admonished, in the interest of future development,
to change his tactics.
… Dr. C.R.C. Johnson discussed the work of the Town Council and
gave illustrations of thoughtless criticism of the Council.
I know my daughters math class didn't fare well on the tests. About 4 kids passed. However, I don't know all of the facts around the situation. I've read that the test changed substantially and some degree of difficulty was expected but other than that I don't know.
Was wondering why Wellington Road in front of Metz which is 4 lanes/divided has a speed limit of 25 that reduces to 15 in the school zone but S Main St which is 2 lanes, much tighter and a speed limit of 25 reduces in the school zone to 25?? Yes, no actual reduction in speed but a sign and only in front of Baldwin not Osbourn which has far more walkers than the elementary???? Inquiring minds are wondering the logic…..
What type of business is opening up at the former Botkins Sign property? I have been big beer barrels on the property. today I noticed fencing went up. Not very attractive. Is it going to be a warehouse? Too bad something a little more attractive could not have been placed at this location.
Big D – regarding the Prescott House: If you go to the May 21st Council Session replay on the Media Center, around time stamp of 7:20, you will hear the report to Council by City Attorney on deadlines past (90 day deadline is May 27th), the request to Council to begin soliciting bids for demolition, the approach to go back to Bank of America to see if there is a way to resolve it without demolition, and bid solicition for two items – one for porch (first 30 day thing) and then for entire building. Bid would also include remediation for abestos and lead. Money not to be appropriated until Council sees cost for demolition; and any funding would be placed as lean on property. Mayor to send letter to owners and Bank of America. But do watch the replay starting at time stamp 7:20 and ending around 13:15 to hear all the discussion I just summarized.
Steve, on moving local elections: the article has it right where that one Councilman says voting is an individual thing, and first find out WHY less people vote in local elections vs. a November Federal election. Same holds true here….and I know it is always a question pondered by the locals involved directly in politics. Personally, I see no sense in it as if you look at places that did shift to November, they really did not have a higher number voting local election when you compare to the number that voted on Federal election. Those who vote, vote and those who don't, well, don't.
On moving local elections: I'm not hard over either way. My preference would be for May elections as I think they keep our issues from being lost in the noise of Federal elections but it isn't the end of the world either. I suspect it would have a negative impact on independants running for local office.
At the end of the day, if a group of folks feels strongly about it I would encourage them to get the required signatures and put it on the ballot for the citizens to decide. I'd sign the petition. That's what it's all about….
Hi Andy, I don't really have anything much to say, but I finally registered for you site so I thought I should say something. About the math SOLs – I think I mentioned to you the last time we spoke that when I was looking over the stats for all of the schools in the City of Manassas, it was pretty clear that the math scores on the SOLs really fell apart in middle school. I think it would be a good idea for somebody in the system to check into middle school math – particularly 7th and 8th grade – and find out what is going on then. Without a good foundation in middle school math, high school math will be impossible.
Hope all is well with you.
My OHS daughter says that only 8 students passed the Alegbra 2/Trig SOL given at OHS and a teacher at Metz says that so far only 26% of all students statewide are passing the new math assiessments this year.
Michele, my son is at SJHS, and he said 40 percent passed Algebra II there. In his class of about 30, there were only 7 pass advanced, but 90 percent of the class passed. I guess some of the other classes must have performed pretty poorly. I'm just glad he had that particular teacher.
Having viewed the video of the meeting, my question is…….Mr. Crim mentioned that the City is reviewing the next steps, including contacting Bank of America. Why wasn't all this done during the 90-day time period so that definitive action could be taken at the end of the 90 days?
Big D, you ask why nothing done in the 90 day process…and I know give you some more background:
In part, please remember the loss of one of our classic homes located in the Historic District is a sad note to many, especially on the Council. There is also the many letters, emails and phone calls working with the owners and Bank of America. As that also had a Reverse Mortgage on it, now you got Federal HUD invovled too since the Bank slipped in their monitoring of it. Council and City Staff involved trying (in vain) to get the owners to do something, with no left to no choice. It has been a yeoman's effort on the City's part – and much was actually being done after the first 30 days was up…and all the rest done leading up to May 21st report as the 90 days come to the inevitable finale.
I see that the bloodsuckers from the post have shown up, now that there's a controversy to report on. If they did a better job reporting what the hell is going on, stuff like this wouldnt' happen.
I watched the City Council meeting Monday night and like the new ordinance regarding fines for code violations. I know Andy that you want to make sure that citizens understand the new fines and the utility newsletter would be the perfect place to inform citizens of the changes. Also, I did not hear anything about what would happen if citizens do not pay these fines. Would we be spending money for attorneys to take them to court? Would the City place liens on the property? What if someone is renting. How would you collect overdue fines. I see violations of the City code everyday and it is about time that the City start recouping some of the cost of enforcing the code. Law abiding citizens should not have to continue to pay for those who do not respect the codes in the City and continue to violate them over and over again.
Andy,
It appears there has been a spike in crime in the City,mostly it seems to be related to car break ins and assults on kids and adults. Do you have any thoughts or concerns on this?
There seems to be some problems at the Olde Town Inn. There have been several incidents at that location. I am wondering if the owner is renting out the rooms similar to his other establishment on Cockrell Road.
COM: you know I do brother. I'm the guy that lead the effort to add more cops and I was happy to take the heat for it. I'm well aware of the assaults in Wellington and the car break-ins. I think what you're seeing is that, as the heat has been turned up in GTS, the crime is moving elsewhere. I'm not a law-enforcement expert but I know the police are working on ways to deal with it. They're obviously not going to disclose what that looks like publicly but I will tell you that I've talked to the Chief about it and am satisfied with their focus.
msmary: I'm not aware of anything out of the ordinary at old town inn. What are you referring to?
June 4, 2012 at 9:48 pm
What is happening with the Prescott house? I believe that the deadlines they were given have passed.
June 5, 2012 at 8:21 am
Hearing that the math SOL at Osbourn is a disaster….anyone else hear that?
June 5, 2012 at 9:01 am
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/309749
Interesting to follow the debate across Virginia over moving local elections
from May to November.
What do you think?
June 5, 2012 at 9:19 am
Manassas Business Men's League Holds Rousing Booster Meeting
-Audience Alive With Enthusiasm!
The most stirring and effective meeting in the history of the Manassas
Business League was held in Conner's Hall on Friday evening last.
The meeting was called for the purpose of increasing local pride and
welding the citizens in a campaign to boost Manassas.
… A serious indictment was brought against the "Town Knocker"
and he was admonished, in the interest of future development,
to change his tactics.
… Dr. C.R.C. Johnson discussed the work of the Town Council and
gave illustrations of thoughtless criticism of the Council.
Manassas Democrat (1-22-1914)
June 5, 2012 at 11:25 am
I know my daughters math class didn't fare well on the tests. About 4 kids passed. However, I don't know all of the facts around the situation. I've read that the test changed substantially and some degree of difficulty was expected but other than that I don't know.
June 5, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Was wondering why Wellington Road in front of Metz which is 4 lanes/divided has a speed limit of 25 that reduces to 15 in the school zone but S Main St which is 2 lanes, much tighter and a speed limit of 25 reduces in the school zone to 25?? Yes, no actual reduction in speed but a sign and only in front of Baldwin not Osbourn which has far more walkers than the elementary???? Inquiring minds are wondering the logic…..
June 5, 2012 at 2:35 pm
What type of business is opening up at the former Botkins Sign property? I have been big beer barrels on the property. today I noticed fencing went up. Not very attractive. Is it going to be a warehouse? Too bad something a little more attractive could not have been placed at this location.
June 6, 2012 at 8:52 am
How's the garden, Andy?
Food Lion still has fresh vegetables, just not the flair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM7b9w-T6LI
June 6, 2012 at 9:20 am
Big D – regarding the Prescott House: If you go to the May 21st Council Session replay on the Media Center, around time stamp of 7:20, you will hear the report to Council by City Attorney on deadlines past (90 day deadline is May 27th), the request to Council to begin soliciting bids for demolition, the approach to go back to Bank of America to see if there is a way to resolve it without demolition, and bid solicition for two items – one for porch (first 30 day thing) and then for entire building. Bid would also include remediation for abestos and lead. Money not to be appropriated until Council sees cost for demolition; and any funding would be placed as lean on property. Mayor to send letter to owners and Bank of America. But do watch the replay starting at time stamp 7:20 and ending around 13:15 to hear all the discussion I just summarized.
June 6, 2012 at 9:28 am
Steve, on moving local elections: the article has it right where that one Councilman says voting is an individual thing, and first find out WHY less people vote in local elections vs. a November Federal election. Same holds true here….and I know it is always a question pondered by the locals involved directly in politics. Personally, I see no sense in it as if you look at places that did shift to November, they really did not have a higher number voting local election when you compare to the number that voted on Federal election. Those who vote, vote and those who don't, well, don't.
June 6, 2012 at 9:37 am
On moving local elections: I'm not hard over either way. My preference would be for May elections as I think they keep our issues from being lost in the noise of Federal elections but it isn't the end of the world either. I suspect it would have a negative impact on independants running for local office.
At the end of the day, if a group of folks feels strongly about it I would encourage them to get the required signatures and put it on the ballot for the citizens to decide. I'd sign the petition. That's what it's all about….
June 6, 2012 at 11:59 am
Hi Andy, I don't really have anything much to say, but I finally registered for you site so I thought I should say something. About the math SOLs – I think I mentioned to you the last time we spoke that when I was looking over the stats for all of the schools in the City of Manassas, it was pretty clear that the math scores on the SOLs really fell apart in middle school. I think it would be a good idea for somebody in the system to check into middle school math – particularly 7th and 8th grade – and find out what is going on then. Without a good foundation in middle school math, high school math will be impossible.
Hope all is well with you.
June 6, 2012 at 4:19 pm
My OHS daughter says that only 8 students passed the Alegbra 2/Trig SOL given at OHS and a teacher at Metz says that so far only 26% of all students statewide are passing the new math assiessments this year.
June 6, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Algebra
June 6, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Michele, my son is at SJHS, and he said 40 percent passed Algebra II there. In his class of about 30, there were only 7 pass advanced, but 90 percent of the class passed. I guess some of the other classes must have performed pretty poorly. I'm just glad he had that particular teacher.
June 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Thanks Ray. Since the birth of Little D, I have missed what is going on.
June 6, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Having viewed the video of the meeting, my question is…….Mr. Crim mentioned that the City is reviewing the next steps, including contacting Bank of America. Why wasn't all this done during the 90-day time period so that definitive action could be taken at the end of the 90 days?
June 7, 2012 at 6:53 am
SOL retakes were yesterday…should be interesting. Has anyone heard about the supertendant search?
June 8, 2012 at 11:34 pm
Meanwhile, in the greater land mass that surrounds our fair City, it just keeps getting more interesting:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-state-of-nova/post/prince-william-discretionary-funds-issue-erupts-into-battle-between-supervisors/2012/06/08/gJQAwfaEOV_blog.html
June 8, 2012 at 11:42 pm
Big D, you ask why nothing done in the 90 day process…and I know give you some more background:
In part, please remember the loss of one of our classic homes located in the Historic District is a sad note to many, especially on the Council. There is also the many letters, emails and phone calls working with the owners and Bank of America. As that also had a Reverse Mortgage on it, now you got Federal HUD invovled too since the Bank slipped in their monitoring of it. Council and City Staff involved trying (in vain) to get the owners to do something, with no left to no choice. It has been a yeoman's effort on the City's part – and much was actually being done after the first 30 days was up…and all the rest done leading up to May 21st report as the 90 days come to the inevitable finale.
June 9, 2012 at 10:39 am
I see that the bloodsuckers from the post have shown up, now that there's a controversy to report on. If they did a better job reporting what the hell is going on, stuff like this wouldnt' happen.
June 9, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Thanks Ray!
June 20, 2012 at 10:06 am
I watched the City Council meeting Monday night and like the new ordinance regarding fines for code violations. I know Andy that you want to make sure that citizens understand the new fines and the utility newsletter would be the perfect place to inform citizens of the changes. Also, I did not hear anything about what would happen if citizens do not pay these fines. Would we be spending money for attorneys to take them to court? Would the City place liens on the property? What if someone is renting. How would you collect overdue fines. I see violations of the City code everyday and it is about time that the City start recouping some of the cost of enforcing the code. Law abiding citizens should not have to continue to pay for those who do not respect the codes in the City and continue to violate them over and over again.
June 27, 2012 at 6:48 am
Andy,
It appears there has been a spike in crime in the City,mostly it seems to be related to car break ins and assults on kids and adults. Do you have any thoughts or concerns on this?
June 27, 2012 at 4:23 pm
There seems to be some problems at the Olde Town Inn. There have been several incidents at that location. I am wondering if the owner is renting out the rooms similar to his other establishment on Cockrell Road.
June 28, 2012 at 7:21 am
COM: you know I do brother. I'm the guy that lead the effort to add more cops and I was happy to take the heat for it. I'm well aware of the assaults in Wellington and the car break-ins. I think what you're seeing is that, as the heat has been turned up in GTS, the crime is moving elsewhere. I'm not a law-enforcement expert but I know the police are working on ways to deal with it. They're obviously not going to disclose what that looks like publicly but I will tell you that I've talked to the Chief about it and am satisfied with their focus.
msmary: I'm not aware of anything out of the ordinary at old town inn. What are you referring to?
June 28, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Andy,
Thanks for the update, lets hope whatever the police have planned it will work. It does appear at least in Wellington, it's a spill over from GTS.
June 29, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Andy, please read the police news releases for June 20th and June 21st. There were two incidents at the Old Towne Inn.
July 12, 2012 at 6:11 am
I suppose we could be in worse financial shape.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-bernardino-bankruptcy-20120712,0,2433019.story