Politics

City Attorney Gave Green Light to Hensley Before All Documents Were Reviewed

Federal grant from 1970s provided barrier to private development of public land.

Recently unearthed documents from city and state archives show Joseph Hensley Park is protected by the Land and Water Conservation Act, which financed development of the city-owned property in the late 1970s.

Opinion: White House Bound

Commentary

While studying diesel engines at school in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1954, Thomas* received the highest class grade — which came with the promise of getting to serve in the White House. And though the Army’s promise never came to fruition, Thomas and his two best buddies (who happened to receive the next two highest grades) did get to accompany a group of scientists at the North Pole for experimental work.

Candidates Agree on Amendment for Voting Rights, Disagree on Executive Order

Restoration of civil rights on the agenda for next governor.

Should nonviolent felons have their right to vote automatically restored? What exactly is a nonviolent felony? What kind of process can be considered automatic?

What Is ‘Dillon's Rule?’

Authority rests with the state.

Every so often, an issue will break out between one of the more liberal local governments in Northern Virginia and the state government in Richmond. The locals say: "We know what is best for our residents." Richmond says "As a local unit of government, you have not been given the authority to act in the way you wish."

City Attorney Determines No Impediment to Hensley Lease, But Record Remains Unclear

State officials are still digging through archive to trace federal funds from 1970s.

The history of Hensley Park has become a battlefield in recent weeks, as city leaders clash with opponents of a proposal to hand over open space to a developer who wants to build a sports complex.

Silence of the Court

Justices deny public access to shield personal conversations.

The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments. Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, which denies video recordings but allows audio recordings, the commonwealth's top appeals court has a complete blackout on public access to proceedings. In a written response to questions from Connection Newspapers, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court explained that audio records were once public, but the installation of new equipment in January 2008 created new concerns for justices.

Silence of the Court: Virginia Supreme Court Denies Access to Audio Recordings

Lack of transparency is explained as effort to shield personal conversations.

The Virginia Supreme Court operates in silence, denying public access to audio recordings of its oral arguments.

On the Campaign Trail

Year after year, members of the General Assembly consider efforts to restore voting rights to nonviolent felons. But year after year, the effort is killed — usually by House Republicans.

Week in Alexandria

The murder trial of Florida neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman may be hundreds of miles away, but emotions are running raw in Alexandria.

Wasteful Spending: Alexandria Faces Difficult Decision on Raw Sewage

Cleaning out of Hunting Creek could cost $100 million to $300 million.

Every year, Alexandria dumps 10 million gallons of raw sewage into Hunting Creek.

New Buses Join Springfield Service

Local and state officials gathered on the penthouse terrace at Metro Park in Alexandria last week to announce the addition of six new state-of-the-art buses to the Springfield Circulator Service.

Kincaid Wins Democratic Nomination for Sheriff

Kincaid promises to push for pay parity and reach out to diverse community.

Stacey Kincaid, a 26-year veteran with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Department and self-proclaimed “rookie politician,” handily won the Democratic nomination for sheriff during a special election Tuesday night, July 23 at W.T. Woodson High School. The final vote was 605 to 315 votes, according to Democratic officials who counted each ballot by hand.

Streetcars on Track in Arlington, Despite Massive Pushback

Arlington strikes new agreement with Fairfax as opposition to streetcars mounts.

A majority of Arlington County Board members describe the new agreement with Fairfax County as a routine matter, just another step in an ongoing process that's already been approved and is moving forward at full speed ahead.

Brief: Anne Gruner Appointed to the GMU Board of Visitors

Last week, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced appointments to five boards of visitors.

For First Time in Recent Memory, No Competition Open Commonwealth's Attorney Seat

No Democrat challenges Bryan Porter in primary; no Republican steps forward for general.

Back in 1979, the competition to become Alexandria's next commonwealth's attorney was fierce.

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