Sheryl Holmes Abbott Kicks off Campaign

If you are recieving this message in duplicate, I apologize. Just trying to be sure subscribers are linked to the new site address. (Newport News Politics) the blog was moved to the new address because the readership is growing so fast I had to move to a platform that can handle the flow. This will now be the permanent addres of the blog. Thank you for your continued readership.

Sheryl Holmes Abbott kicks off her campaign for the City Council South Seat, Dr. Angela Herring formally announces her campaign, and the SCLC conference and Banquet is on as of 11:45 Saturday morning. They’re over at the Omni setting up now.
I will be there to cover the event.

Click here for the link.

Thank you for reading Newport news Politics.

Passenger Rail and a New Look.

Went over to City Center and attended the Passenger Rail Public Hearing to see if it’s anything that might affect us here in Newport News.

About one hundred people showed up from all over the region. Among the crowd were Councilwoman Sharon Scott, Sharyn Fox, and candidate for Mayor McKinley Price.

Our own Mayor Joe Frank was the first speaker. He wants us to have three Amtrak runs from Richmond daily and then let the other trains run from Richmond to Petersburg to Southside.

Seems as though we are having a hard time getting the three trains to Newport News because CSX is running a tremendous amount of coal to the piers and they don’t want to share the line too much. (It is CSX’s line) 

Hope they get it all figured out.

————————————————————

The next time you see the blog, it should have a new look. The blog is changing to a commercial platform. (WordPress.org)

Never in a million years did I think this blog would become so popular. Thank you so much. The hit count is there, the viewership is growing, and it’s time to devote all of my time to bringing the people of Newport News the political information.

Some sponsors are already committed to the blog and I will of course be seeking more.

Wish me the best, okay?  Never been more excited or happier in my life.

Neil Morgan Not Confirmed as City Manager Tonight.

Ashleigh Peterson came to represent the Girl Scouts.

The Boy Scouts went up front for a Proclamation. The Girl Scouts said the Pledge of Allegiance. It was kind of nice because I knew a lot of the children and their parents.

After the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts left, we had about twenty-seven people in the room, including Shaun Brown.

Quick meeting tonight. Not much on the agenda anyone could really do anything about.

Neil Morgan was not confirmed as the City Manager tonight. Well, let’s wait and see.

The Reverend who comes to City Council to speak out for the homeless (he gave up his home and lives with them now) said thank you to City Council and the City Manager for leaving the homeless camps in our city alone. The folks are now able to clean up their camps and live a little better.

City Council will  start at 7  p.m. beginning in March.

 

News from the City Council Workshop – In Brief

Summary of a two hour meeting.

Our water bills are going up. And the bills are going to be redesigned.

Did you know 1000 people work down at the Seaford Industrial Park? That’s that place under I-664 where you see all the fishing boats.

Saundra Cherry, candidate for City Council South District, was there for the whole meeting.

Councilman Bert Bateman wins for asking the most questions today.

Watch for Neil Morgan to be comfirmed as City Manager tonight.

Sharon Scott Announces Re-Election Bid

Left: Tina Vick Right: Sharon Scott

Last night, at her monthly public forum, Sharon Scott formally announced her intention to seek re-election to her City Council North Seat. 

 About seventy people showed up for the event, including  Gabrielle Stevans, a student at Richneck Elementary, worked extra hard to help make the food drive a big success. She came with her Dad and her School Principal  Cheryl Flemings. Miss Stevens received an award from Councilwoman Sharon Scott. 

Also in the room was Councilwoman Pat Woodbury, Councilwoman Tina Vick and Sheriff Gabe Morgan. Police Spokesman Lou Thurston, his wife, and North Precinct Captain Grinstead made it as well, along with Shaun Brown, and Wendell Braxton, who is the Executive Director for the Office of Human Affairs. 

Watch for Sharon Scott to have a very well run campaign.

Safe Schools in Newport News?

Newport News Politics is not a place where we search out reasons to attack elected officials.

The blog is however,  intended to be a place where our local government is brought into the open. The hope is to  inspire citizens to become more  involved in our local government. To realize that they can be a part of making our Newport News an even better community.

We all hear the stories about violence in some of the Newport News public schools. It’s no secret. Teachers and parents talk about the problem, but nobody really wants to come forward publicly. There are many reasons why, but nobody wants to come forward. And so, not much could really be done to address the issue.

Until now.

Yesterday, a parent openly made a comment on safety issues in the Newport News public schools.

The following comment was made  by Sharon L. Sherman  in response to Jeff Stodghill’s announcement to run for School Board.  I have spoken with Ms. Sherman and do have permission to move forward with her statements.

In her comment, Ms. Sherman is referring to Menchville High and Gildersleeve Middle School.

Hi Mr. Stodghill,
Thank you for taking the time to peel back the layers of educational needs in our school system. An area of major concern in our schools is bullying. It has increased because of the technological advancements that are in every students hands each day and that is the, ” cell phone.” I have experienced personally with my children the destruction it plays in the class room each day. Not only from fellow students but teachers alike. I am willing to work with you or anyone to reveal the private matters of this horrific problem. I have served on several committees for the PTA in the past. I would love to volunteer to help you succeed in getting your agenda’s addressed in the communities of Newport News. –  Sharon L. Sherman

Now that someone has come forward publicly, perhaps we can all acknowledge that there is a problem and work quickly and effectively to make all of our schools a safe enviroment.

 Want to get involved? Call your school board representitive. Encourage them to resolve the problem of  violence in our schools immediately.

Carlton Ashby Announces for Re-Election.

Carlton Ashby (School Board South District) has formally announced his bid for re-election this May.

Click here for the link.

Sheryl Holmes Abbott to Make Formal Announcement

Sheryl Holmes-Abbott will make her formal announcement to become a candidate forNewport News City Council South District. (the seat now held by Vice Mayor Joe Whitaker)

 The announcement will take place:

 Friday, January 29, 2010

Newsome House-Museum & Culture Ctr

2803 Oak Avenue

Newport News, Virginia 23607

 

For more information call (757) 593-6763

Or visit www.sherylholmesabbott.com

 

I will be there. Hope you will too.

Sharon Scott to Make Formal Announcement Monday

Sharon Scott will make her formal announcement that she is seeking re-election for her City Council North District Seat in the upcoming May election.

The announcement will be made Monday, January 25, at 7 p.m. at the North District Town Hall meeting.

Location:

American Legion Post 368
368 American Legion Drive, Newport News, VA 23608
(Off of Lucas Creek Road, behind U-Haul)

See you there.

Kids First! Dee Johnston Announces

 Sent in By Dee Johnston at Dan’s request.  Thanks.

Johnston Continues Quest to Support Students—Seeks 4^th Term on Newport News School Board

 

Debbie H. “Dee” Johnston submitted initial paperwork to seek re-election to the Newport News School Board. Dee, as her friends know her, is a native of Bedford, Virginia, but has resided in Newport News since 1986. A mother of three and grandmother of one, Dee is a lifelong public servant who believes in the power of knowledge, and the awesome impact the teachers and administrators can have on the lives of students. This reason, along with many others, is the centerpiece of her decision to run for a fourth term on the board. Outside of her twelve years on the board, Dee is a past President of the Newport News Council of PTA’s, and she also offered her enthusiasm and vast knowledge to various school improvement teams. All of Dee’s children are products of Newport News Public Schools, and she wants the present students and those of the future to be beneficiaries of reform that encompasses sound policies of the past coupled with fresh, bold, ideas requisite to meet the demands of a changing economic structure.  Dee classifies herself as a “servant leader”, or a person who is always present to further needs of those who may not be able to speak for themselves. Her pleasant demeanor coupled with her vast experience in budget related issues makes Dee the wisest choice for a position on the Newport News School Board. Since becoming a board member, Dee has seen the Newport News Public School division go from absolutely no schools accredited to last year with all 42 schools fully accredited. In Dee’s eyes, this monumental achievement is not the work of one individual, but many. Dee wants to encourage debate and consistency to make sure that our schools keep this grand record for years to come. Her outside work as a medical technologist and Support Analyst for Bon Secours Health System, Inc. has led Dee to believe that Newport News’s children must be equipped with skills that will make them a success in this ever changing world—that our students need to be technologically competent to compete for jobs that have yet to be created. With your support for a fourth term, Dee wants to make certain that Newport News is overflowing with 21^st Century learners . It is through the board’s efforts, and with Dee’s personal touch, that Newport News won the National School Board Association’s award for technology this past year. Likewise, Dee wants to use her vast knowledge on the budget, one that she has helped to maintain and work on for the last twelve years, to help lead the discussion on fiscal responsibility that preserves Newport News’s work force, while simultaneously cutting costs, promoting effectiveness, and guaranteeing efficiency. Simply put, Dee believes very much in the motto: Kids First! As a faithful public servant, Dee believes in transparency while campaigning for elective office, and encourages the Newport News populace to turnout for open debates. Two debates are scheduled by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) are April 8^th at the City Council Building, and April 15^th at the NNPS School Board Auditorium—both 6-9pm. Dee is dedicated to a selfless leadership that pursues the interest of our students above all else. Dee invites you to join her in her quest to make Newport News a beacon for other divisions across this great commonwealth. Vote Debbie H. “Dee” Johnston for the At-large seat on May 4^th 2010—with your help Dee will continue to promote, protect, and support our students, and our schools.