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.
Bench Warmers
Local judge spearheads Substitute Judges Institute.
Attorneys from across Northern Virginia gathered July 9 at Manassas Regional Airport to participate in the Institute for Substitute Judges, a seminar designed by Alexandria General District Court Chief Judge Becky Moore to provide intensive training to better prepare attorneys to serve on the bench.
Developer Wants to Lease Public Land for Private Gain
Should Alexandria approve a 40-year lease for Hensley Park?
Should a stretch of public land in the Eisenhower Valley be transformed into a private sports complex?
On the Campaign Trail
Back in 1979, the competition to become Alexandria's next commonwealth's attorney was fierce.
Video
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