Remember...

D-Day



WWII



I single out the Soldiers who fought bravely for the freedom of the world from tyranny in World War 2.



What about the other soldiers? The Vietnam Vets, Korean War Vets, Gulfs 1&2? 



I honor them as well, but we are losing the World War 2 vets at a frightening rate. 1200 a day by some estimates. And very few of us know their stories - that side they rarely talk about.



I realize I am putting this up early, but when you come across a video (via YouTube) of this high caliber.. how can you ignore it's message.

How much?

I guess technically, I've been out of service since Thursday afternoon - so I have missed a whole bunch of news.



Let's start back in yesteryear (at this point) - A reader asked for my thoughts on the reports of David Diaz leaving DRI, Inc. for a position in Raleigh, NC.



Do I blame him? Or envy him. I look at it this way. He is going to be charged with doing the same basic thing he was doing here, although I can bet you (considering Raleigh is already one of the premier cities of the south) he will not find the same difficulties there as he did here. Let's see - more money, a bigger budget, and a city actually willing to work with you?



Heck - I'd be there in short order myself. However, according to the Roanoke Times article: "His departure may coincide with a new marketing strategy for Roanoke's urban core."



New marketing strategy? What strategy? You mean the whole "Roanoke is one of the top places in the country to retire" thing? In case the city has not noticed - the new retirees, the Baby Boom gang - they are not exactly shuffling off into the sunset. They tend to be quite active, and look for active things to do. Not just a place to sleep, eat, and read the paper. They also like things that they liked where they are moving from... Population of Roanoke right now - Im going to guess, informally and based on what I've seen - 30-35% out of town born, mostly from the North.



And growing rapidly.



Anyway, moving on.. The historically accurate Patrick Henry Hotel hit the newspapers with a Fire Marshall's report that either they install sprinkler systems soon, or they close. And for a place that cannot rent a room anymore, and has probably rented one a month since 2000 (and from what I hear, it's the same room each time - and it's barely cleaned), is operating at a "loss" and really keeps the power on for a few functions a month.. well, this just goes to show what kind of a state the city is in.



Even the ownership of the building is beyond troubled - near-foreclosures, legal troubles (before the first nail has been paid for at that), money troubles... the list just builds. And all for one of the most important locations in all of Roanoke. The only TRUE downtown Hotel.



Sorry folks, you can try to call the Hotel Roanoke downtown, but it's on the other side of the tracks. With nothing else around it. Not even a damn CVS. Some economic benefit to the community over there huh?



In other, more level-headed cities - when they say Hotel Downtown, they mean it. Among and between all the other downtown amenities and attractions - there's the hotel. Not over an enclosed; but unheated or air conditioned bridge where you get the thrill of the russian-roulette escalators, a 2 story walk, or the elevators. That's not downtown by anyones definition of the word.



The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center is a great concept, but the promised returns have yet to be realized. The city passed on the partnership to get the Patrick Henry back up and running.



Well, you make your choices. And now, sources reveal something not discussed in the Times article. Affirmative Equities Co. has a history that has not been talked about. They have a track record for buying properties, and flipping them.





So what's the real story of the Patrick Henry? The premier hotel downtown, the grandest lady of them all - is a tumbling wreck. In any other city, EVEN Lynchburg - this hotel would be restored and marketed properly. Here, we are content to wait and see if it ever becomes a retirement property.



Oh I know I've only touched a tenth of the stories I missed, but there will be more.



There will be more.. oh yes.

It lives!

Made it back.. are you people lucky?

Too much to do right now to put together a full post on all the news that fits the print, but it's coming up later today...

for now, enjoy a remix of the Disturbed cover of Land of Confusion. It's a bit more graphic in visuals, but that was the point of the song itself back when Genesis wrote it.

The guy who remixed it specifically chose certain images for the gut-punch reaction. See how many you remember personally witnessing on TV.

My final message.

I'll see you around. If I survive this weekend.

Go ahead, start asking. Will I be back? What is going on here? Everybody panic?

Not telling... nope.

Ever have one of those moments?

I've been having a lot of them lately, as I deal in various ways with the city.



I said a few months back to someone that this next election is going to change things - and that the current city council has absolutely no idea how badly it is shooting itself in the foot.



Between the budget, the sudden change of the Star back to RWB after allegedly it was turned white for Virginia Tech (not the 125th which would make sense.. leave it white all year for the entire celebration), the introduction of a fee for parking on the formerly free nights and weekends.



It's a train wreck of epic proportions, and it's on going.



The 125th Celebration, aside from being the least reported public screwing and betrayal going, is lackluster at best. The next event is in June, and has to do with emerging artists at the Main Library.



This is the best the city can do? Maybe they spent so much time on the logo for the 125th they ran out of ideas and capitol for the rest of the year.



I am at a loss folks.



And now, on top of all this - comes word that the big Roanoke sell-off might not be limited to Station 1 (in the future), but could encompass Buena Vista in Jackson Park, Old Fire station #6 in Southeast, and several other key structures the city wishes to divest itself from.



I think it's time to examine whats going on here, start asking the hard questions and looking deep for the answers.



Who is running our city, and how? And to what end?



Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Voters of all ages- you thought Victory Stadium was bad? Wait till you see the next election cycle.



The Sentinel is watching, and waiting.

For Southeast Roanoke...

Today, between 1:30 and 3:30pm at the Police Substation (old firestation #6) at 1015 Jamison Ave SE.

The Southeast Action Forum will be holding a free Ice Cream Social..

Games for kids, Sno-Cones and Ice Cream for all, and a great way to come meet the New Forum.

Come on down, especially if you are a resident of Southeast. Come meet your neighbors.

The shortest one yet.. which makes it unnerving..

ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL

MAY 14, 2007

2:OO P.M.

COUNCIL CHAMBER

AGENDA

Call to Order - Roll Call.

The Invocation will be delivered by Council Member Alfred T. Dowe, Jr.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America will

be led by Mayor C. Nelson Harris.



NOTICE:

Meetings of Roanoke City Council are televised live on RVTV Channel 3.

Today’s Council meeting will be replayed on Channel 3 on Thursday,

May 17, 2007, at 7:OO p.m., and Saturday, May 19, 2007, at 4:OO p.m. Council

meetings are offered with closed captioning for the hearing impaired.



ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE NOW PROVIDES THE MqJORITY OF THE CITY

COUNCIL AGENDA ON THE INTERNET FOR VIEWING AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.

TO ACCESS AGENDA MATERIAL, GO TO THE CITY’S HOMEPAGE AT

WWW.ROANOKEGOV.COM, CLICK ON THE ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL ICON,

CLICK ON MEETINGS AND AGENDAS, AND DOWNLOAD THE ADOBE ACROBAT

SOFTWARE TO ACCESS THE AGENDA.



Statement of Purpose. Mayor Harris.



Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions:



A Certificate of the Director of Finance advising that funds required for the

2007-2008 General Fund, Civic Facilities Fund, Parking Fund, Market Building

Fund, Department of Technology Fund, Fleet Management Fund, Risk

Management Fund, School Fund, School Food Services Fund, and Grant Fund

budgets will be available for appropriation.

1. Amendment of the City’s Fee Schedule (Compendium) in connection with certain fees for training at the Police Academy, Fire/EMS inspections, parking rates, and Civic Center rental, effective July 1, 2007.

2. Amendment of the City Code to exclude complimentary tickets from the

assessment of the Admissions Tax, effective July 1, 2007.



3. Amendment of the City Code to eliminate the motor vehicle decals and

City’s motor vehicle license tax structure, effective January 1, 2008.



4. Amendments of the City Code to establish a program for special

taxation of certain energy-efficient buildings and to set a special tax

rate for such buildings, effective July 1, 2007.

5. Adoption of the Annual General, Civic Facilities, Parking, Market

Building, Department of Technology, Fleet Management, Risk

Management, School, School Food Services, and Grant Funds



6. Appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending

June 30, 2008.



7. Adoption and establishment of a Pay Plan for officers and employees of

the City, effective July 1, 2007, and providing for certain salary

adjustments and merit increases; authorizing annual salary increments

for certain officers and employees; continuation of various programs;

payment of a monthly stipend to certain board and commission

members; salary of the City’s General Registrar; salaries of the City’s

Constitutional Officers; and salaries of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and

Members of Council. Approval of certain supplemental benefits under the City of Roanoke Pension Plan, effective July 1 , 2007.



8. Endorsement of an update to the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal

year 2008-201 2; and appropriation of funds.



9. Appropriation of funds for the YMCA Aquatic Center, in the amount of

$200,000.00; and Greenway Development Projects, in the amount of

$200,000.00.



10. Appropriation of $335,000.00 in connection with local incentives for

Enterprise Zone Projects.



11. Approval of the 2007-2008 Annual Update to the 2005-2010

Consolidated Plan and authorization to submit the complete Annual

Update to the United States Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) for review and approval.



12. Adjournment.



By the by - you can view the entire budget yourself, online here. (.pdf)



have fun with the "lack of information society."

New Roanoke 5 - Part 2

Somewhere in this 42 square mile city, someone sits.. gnashing teeth and grumbling about the City council, the "piss-poor" jobs in Roanoke, the general misery of being here - now.



That someone sits in an apartment, or a house left to them by a long dead relative. The lawn has not been mowed in months or years, the apartment not cleaned in ages.



Why bother? No one else cares. Not my problem, let the landlord deal with it.



And they leave to go to work - with the same miserable attitude, apathetic outlook, and free from responsibility - they amble through the work day, putting in a half-assed effort. Not stressing about work except to find a way to get out of it.



Where is the drive? The motivation? Is it any wonder why we are represented by who we are represented by? I'd be willing to peg it at 65% of Roanokers have absolutely no interest in anything the city does, with the exception of grumbling about it.



Wonder why a substantial majority of our City Council members come from certain sections of the city? Because they are the only ones who bother organizing.



If Roanoke were a nation, it would out-do France in "We Surrender" jokes..



For lack of a better concept - it's as if the city and it's citizens were neutered.



Well, somewhat anyway. More than happy to play Brutus, or even Bluto..



I know you cannot change society, but you can ask them a simple question..



Why the complete and utter lack of drive?



Where is the cities cohones?



Ambition? Anyone?



This is the only New Roanoke post that does not offer solutions, because that's not why I wrote this one. This is something to take back and think about, think about the kids who are born and raised to people like this, think about the loss of the "brains" of Roanoke and realize perhaps that this is why.



Is it a liability to have a sense of determination and drive in Roanoke?



Answer that.. thats the challenge of New Roanoke.



Sometimes the answers are fine, it's the questions that are ugly.

NewRoanoke #5 - Part 1

You all know the song.. this is just a newer version of it I happen to like.

I said the next NewRoanoke would be about class - and I meant it.

When you don't work to better yourself, show a little ambition, and make something of yourself - you lose. And in that regard, there's a good number of low-class citizens in this town. Symptomatic to the civic problem is the civil one. Even our leaders have shown a penchant for being guttersnipes and engaging in beyond-political back-stabbing.

It's easy to see too. Trinkle lost his Roanoke-Political virginity rather quickly - when he soon found that he was one man, standing alone.

But thats the easy side of the equation.. the much harder side will come tomorrow.

When we get down to street level.

And this is how it begins...

Back room dealings and shaded motions.



I clearly remember just months ago hearing that Station 1 (the historic one) was NOT going to close..



And of course, this act defies ALL logic considering the concentration of businesses (in high buildings) that are downtown. You have now removed the main ladder truck from the immediate area.



Yea, sure it's not that far out.. but hey - it's not where it was.



Anyway.. once again - this relates directly to that NewRoanoke post on class. Where it would be classy for the City Council to stand up and be honest, tell the FF's exactly what they were planning on doing - and the rest of the free world.



But no.. sadly you need to read it here.



Station #1, the longest-active fire house in Virginia, will eventually be sold. It's part of the City's effort to divest itself of properties, a kick certain contract employees seem to be on as of late.



Anyway - everyone check out RoanokeFire.com as I am sure there will be much to say about these things.



I've got a very long day today - so I make no promises.

I know I've been quiet

There is due reason behind it though. Things going on behind the scenes, a project long due coming soon (but only for residents of SE - HA!), and other general depravity.



As I said, the Sentinel is watching. Roanoke is turning.



The stalled New Roanoke post has direct bearing on the latest news.



It's about class, outside of school that is. Self-respect and the flailing municipal self-esteem.



But that's coming soon. I promise it.



And for those of you who were able to read the psychic post, thanks for your comments. Glad to see I'm not alone in this world.

This post is only for psychics

The future is now

I'm putting off the New Roanoke post another 24 hours as I want to give you all the chance to check out this new website.



OurValley.org



This is the future of news folks, the community-driven media you have heard so much about.



The site is in it's infancy, so give it time. But register now, and start sending in those news tips.



Well - I should say this is one of the futures.



The other one I will not go into much detail about, except to say that yours truly will be very much involved.



The Sentinel is watching already.



The first stab at the heart will strike harder than expected, and will come faster than you realize.



And before you know it, the great all-destroying whale will be humbled. And unable to react.



Did you feel that? The wind just shifted directions...

Careful now

listen

These words may mean something...

"I just hung up the phone and cried, nothings ever going to change down there"...

How many times has this been said?

New Roanoke #5 is on the way. 48 hours, as usual.

New Roanoke 4

Did you see the Star?



White again. Brilliant white.



The star lit in red, white, and blue was nice - but white is defining.



White Stars can have bad reputations, however. The White Star Line was mother to some of the grandest, and yet most ill-fated ships in history. Roanoke's own White Star has always been a beacon, of sorts - and yet now - there is question as to weather it is a beacon lamp, or warning lamp of an iceberg ahead.



As Roanoke, and the rest of the nation, struggles with misplaced identities from the past - we wrap ourselves in retail - franchise, the safe route.



Roanoke has been bubble-wrapped and sanitized for your protection, but the system is falling apart.



In years past - Roanoke has had the opportunity on numerous occasions to set itself apart from the pack of cities it is normally held to as comparison.



Still to this day, it misses those opportunities.



Now the Lake will have an amphitheater, while Roanoke - which has had a location for one for years now, does not. And yet still Roanoke investigates the option of an amphitheater.



Unless ours will be larger than the one at the Lake - there is no reason for building one. We missed that boat. Perhaps we should look into building something larger - maybe a stadium - football style, which could house both concerts AND sporting events.



And yes, I know we had Victory - but in all fairness, for what Roanoke really needs Victory Stadium could not provide.



Right now, on Reserve Avenue - there is a hotel being built. A $10 Million dollar hotel, complete with meeting space, restaurants, and the like. It will exist, in part, for Carilion's new Biomedical Park. But what of the people who come to stay there. Will they stay local to the hotel and Carilion? Or will they wish to venture out and discover Roanoke?



And if they should, travel Jefferson rather than Franklin into Downtown - what will they see?



Where will they go, aside from the single destination of "Downtown" or the Star. Shopping is decidedly not a destination, so that rules out Valley View and Tanglewood. Explore Park would be great if they could find it. And really, other than a nice stroll - whats to do there? (this from an avowed fan of historical recreations)



Tourist dollar plays directly with the non-tourist dollar. If the locals can't find something to do, the tourists will have a hard time finding it. And I'm thinking the average Roanoker would more appreciate a lazy river and a fishing hole rather than a kayak park...



But we paid good money to a specialist to tell us we need these things. I guess it's easier to dismiss something you pay for as opposed to ignoring the will of the people. Maybe it's just me.



If we expect to advance, to grow and prosper as a city - we need to realize that the population is in decline. At the rate of 200 per year, we are losing people. Even the city schools are losing, as enrollment rates are dropping.



We need to drop the safety net, and get dangerous. Engage in some deep thought, activate the communities and get into some serious change. And no paid study is going to do that.



It comes down to two things, the city council and the citizens. Both need to demand more of each other, and work together more.



The White Star shines again, but does it shine for the bright promise of tomorrow, or the warning of whats ahead?

Hey ya!

It's been a rough few days, and today should be no different - but I had to share this with you all.



WARNING: Its a German forklift training video, so be warned. They are Germans after all.

New Roanoke post comin' at ya in the next 48 hours.. sorry for the delays.

we will return with a New Roanoke post over the weekend, but for now - peace to the hokie nation.

Never.

The first thing to realize, in all this calling for security and laws and accountability - is there is no way to stop this.



You will never stop something like this. And you will never understand the root causes.



At best, all you can do is stay ever vigilant and hopeful.



This can happen in any school, anywhere, at any time. Sometimes, if you are really unlucky, lightening can strike twice. But that is also when you realize how lucky you truly are.





"It's just a farm school... community college... elementary school... It's Princeton.."



Does not matter. It can happen.



But what made this time so different was the use of "teh internetz" to communicate during and after-wards. Apparently Mr. Cho-nutz even harassed a woman using Facebook.com. It will be interesting to see when that shows up on the radar fully.



He was most likely severely dissociated from the world that surrounded him. Uncomfortable in his own skin. Over time, this developed itself into an entirely new persona - one public, one private.



So far, I am leaning towards the "Call me Ishmael" angle.



But thats neither here nor there. The United States, Virginia, and people in general received 2 wake-up calls on Monday.



The first was: It can happen anywhere, at any time. Regardless of how small and safe you like to think you are.



But the second, and more important lesson: People want to communicate, the networks (facebook, myspace, ...) would not exist if they did not. The people were just as informed as the news networks.



The Roanoke Times has succeeded in its coverage by emulating the style of blogs.



But I digress..



Remember that "whole new world" everyone talked about after 9/11?



Welcome to it.

One last post

A good deal of the news coming out now is rehashed and speculative. Sure I have information on the meatball who did this, but it's nothing that has not streamed around the internet a million times already.



Speculative myspace pages, livejournal (people still use that??) pages, theories and more crap than you can poke with a stick.



But I want to give special thanks to one person who has kept a clear line with all this going on, Rob - of Rob's Window.



I had the chance to meet Rob at the WDBJ/Roanoke Biz2Biz blogging conference - and he is a good guy. Nice to see someone rise above the hype and drama and just keep it simple and to the point.



Oh, and Rob - I was that guy you saw. You just happened to have bad timing as I was getting off my shift. Stop by some evening for a cup o joe and say hi.



I will say this much about the whole shooting thing.



After the blackout in 02, 9/11, tornadoes where they should not be, and so much more - I learned one thing. It doesn't matter where you are, it can happen.



Life is funny that way. You just have to learn from every experience, and move on.

Sorry for the delay

Well, I guess between the wind, the shootings, and the fire at 3rd and Highland.. It's just another boring news day.



I had to change a lightbulb. That took an hour. Do not ask.



I have independent confirmation on certain aspects of the tech shooting, which I am waiting for "official" confirmation on. However, the "broken heart" angle, as stupid and juvenile as it may seem - is correct.



To all those who have been affected by this, I am sorry.



Love is love is love, except when it's murder. But you have to be some sort of special knucklehead to make it mass-murder.



/not sure if I'm happy he's dead, or angry.

//ps- dawn jeffries - a little helpful note. When 30+ people die, you do not have 2 shootings. Unless you subscribe to the "magic bullet theory." You're a professional, act like it.