The Richmond Times-Dispatch has an article about a new executive order signed by Governor Kaine dealing with energy uses at state buildings and by state employees.  I’m glad to see our part-time Governor has solved all Virginia’s other pressing issues and again can take a spin at making a legacy for himself.

Among the executive order requirements:

• Use of recycled paper in copiers/printers.
• No bottled water
• Requiring new state owned/leased buildings in metro areas to be located within a quarter of a mile from mass transit stops
• Declaring August 3, 2009 a tele-work day for state employees

On the surface these appear to be good ideas.  However, being a person who works in the IT field I too often see copiers and printers experience more problems than usual after the use of recycled paper.  This will result in more costs for service calls for state agencies.  Bottled water is not always the luxury it is thought of.  Oftentimes people will prefer bottled water over water in pitchers for meetings just because it has a lid and I think that bottled water does have a better taste than tap water.  The statewide tele-work day is suppose to save energy costs, but the impact will be very minimal.  These employees will still be using their computers, phones, lights, and air conditioning at home.

Kaine should get back to being either a)   a full-time governor, as he was elected by the people of VA, and resign as DNC Chair or b) resign from being Governor and go to the DNC full time.

In this time of economic crisis, the least pressing thing should be state government energy usage. Thousands of Virginians are out of work and need jobs.  We need better jobs and education for the people of Virginia.

Well, I am finally getting around to posting this, albeit a week late.

The 2009 RPV Convention was definitely exciting!  Republicans are fired up and rallying to take back VA in November from 8 years of Democrat misguidance.  The energy of the convention was amazing.

One disappointing thing for me obviously was that John Brownlee did not receive the nomination for AG.  Ken Cuccinnelli bested Brownlee in that fight.  I hope that we have not seen the last of Brownlee as he is such a great and inspiring candidate.  Even though my guy didn’t win, I will do everything I can to support Ken Cuccinelli in his battle for AG.  Republicans must retain control of the AG’s office as it is such an important post in the direction of state government.

While there I met Kilo from Spark it Up of Wise for the first time.  The Wise County delegation was seated behind us, in just about as far up as you could go in the Coliseum.  While I did not sign-up to participate in the “bloggers row”, RPV sure did provide them with some great seats near the main stage.  In hind-sight I wish I would have signed up and joined them because they were right in the middle of all the action.

Sean Hannity grave a great keynote address on Saturday morning.  Somebody should convince him to run for office.  I was also amazed at the speech that Jim Gilmore gave during the vote counting intermission.  I think it was the best speech Jim Gilmore has ever made to date.  It was very powerful.

One thing I did not like about the Convention was the lunch.  VIP delegates, those who paid the $35 voluntary fee, were promised a “boxed lunch” to be available around Noon.  With around 8000 people in the building, it took around 30 minutes for me to even get through the line.  By the time I had gotten back to my seat, the candidate speeches were almost done.  I think a 1 hour recess for lunch should have been taken so that people could have heard the candidate speeches.

All in all it was a great convention and I am excited for the November elections!  I predict the Republicans will sweep all three statewide offices again for the second time in history and build on the majority of seats in the House of Delegates.

A few hours ago I arrived here in Richmond for the Republican Convention.  The Convention starts on Friday and ends on Saturday with the nomination of candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General.  Also a new RPV chairman will be elected.

Bob McDonnell is unopposed for Governor.  Current Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is being challenged for re-nomination by Patrick Muldoon, a patent attorney from Northern VA who is originally from Giles County in the 9th District.  I have no idea why Patrick Muldoon is running such a side show in challenging our sitting Lt. Governor.  He certainly isn’t gaining anything other than ill-will.  Patrick is a smart person, but this has been such a royally pathetic and ill-advised maneuver.  He should suspend his campaign immediately because nothing good is coming out of the process.

Early on I threw my support to former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee for the Attorney General nomination.  I think Brownlee has all the experience and personality to make a great AG.  Also in the nomination race are Ken Cuccinelli, state senator and patent attorney from Fairfax County, and Dave Foster,a lawyer and school board member from Arlington.  All three of the candidates are superb with their credentials.  However, I think Brownlee stands out above the rest.  Cuccinelli and Foster have been mostly civil lawyers while Brownlee has been a criminal and civil prosecutor, managing large budgets, investigations, and many staff members.  This is the type of experience needed to run the VA AG’s office.

On Wednesday evening I along with a few other delegates from Smyth County had the pleasure of having a dinner meet-and-greet with current RPV chair Pat Mullins.  The meeting went extremely well and all of us had a good time discussing politics and other issues.  Pat is such a great person and seems to have things at RPV under control and getting back on track.  I see no reason to remove him, so I will support Pat Mullins for a full term as RPV Chair.  I hope he is in it for the long haul as the revolving chairman’s door at RPV must be removed.

Regardless of the vote outcome, I hope that all the candidates supporters come together and go forward toward November as a unified force.  We must win all 3 statewide offices and show America that Virginia isn’t ready to be counted in the reliable Democrat column.

In the last few weeks I have sensed a major enthusiasm among Virginia Republicans, something I haven’t really seen at this level in years.  Republicans seem to think that we have such great candidates and are going to march to November and put Virginia back on the right track.  I think the candidacy of Bob McDonnell for Governor can be compared to that of George Allen in 1993 in many ways.  McDonnell is going to be picking up the mess that Democrats Warner and Kaine have made of Virginia in the last 8 years and take us forward to better days in Virginia.  Maybe a new Virginia Renaissance?

It is reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Russell County businessman and supervisor John Bowerbank has dropped out of the Democratic race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor.  This is after he sank record sums of his own money (around $400,000) into the campaign.  Bowerbank is reportedly throwing his support to Jody Wagner.

My guess is that the Democrats have pressured Bowerbank to drop out in exchange for an appointment in the Deeds, McAuliffe, or Moran administrations should the Dems win the Governorship.

Today the Bristol Herald Courier has a good article on the costs of the use of special prosecutors in Southwest Virginia to fill in for regular Commonwealth’s Attorneys in conflict cases.  While the rest of the state as a whole spent $144,000 over the last two years, the 29th and 30th Circuits spent collectively $236,000 during that two year period on private lawyers to prosecute.  The 28th Circuit spent $0 during that time period and relied on Commonwealth’s Attorneys from other parts of Virginia to handle conflict cases.  Those other Commonwealth’s Attorneys only billed for mileage and incidentals, a significant cost savings.

Interesting indeed.  Maybe there should be a state law that says when a special prosecutor is needed, another Commonwealth’s Attorney must be used unless there are special circumstances.

The 1st Annual Jerry W. Kilgore Winter Gala hosted by the 9th District Republican Committee was held last night in Abingdon at the Martha Washington Inn.  The Gala was a HUGE success.  The event was sold out and some even had to wait on seating for dinner.  At least 200 people were present according to my estimations and the Martha Washington was packed to the maximum.

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, former AG Bob McDonnell, RPV Chair Jeff Frederick, Delegates Carrico and Kilgore, along with other numerous local elected officials were present.  John Brownlee and Ken Cuccinelli also made appearances.  Patrick Muldoon also attended. 

The highlight of the evening was the roast of Jerry Kilgore.  Bolling, McDonnell, and several other good acquaintances/staffers of Kilgore took turns roasting him and telling funny stories.

 The Gala is definitely now going to be an annual event for the 9th District.  I was worried about the turnout but it greatly exceeded expectations.  It was excellent getting to meet fellow Republicans and catch up with friends from around the district and state.  Great job to the committee members on planning the gala.

The 9th Congressional District Republican Committee will be holding its first social gathering.  The event has been named the “Jerry W. Kilgore Winter Gala.”  It will happen on Saturday, March 7th starting at 6PM at the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon.  Tickets cost $35 per person or $65 per couple.  Various sponsorship levels are available.  The invitation and response card are posted on the 9th District GOP web site at http://va9gop.org  Dinner, dancing, and a silent auction will be held.

It should be a very fun event.  Invited guests are all the candidates for statewide office and many members of the General Assembly along with other notables. 

In 2009 all 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates are up for grabs.  One district I am particularly going to be interested in is my district, the 4th.  The 4th District after 2001 redistricting includes all of the City of Bristol, most of Washington County, and four precincts in Smyth County.

It is represented by longtime Delegate Joe Johnson who has served presently from 1990 and served previously from 1966-1969.  Rumors have persisted for awhile that he may not seek re-election.  This brings up an interesting question as to whom on the GOP and Dem sides would run.  I am convinced with the right candidate this seat can go back to the GOP officially, although Joe Johnson is generally Conservative and usually votes with Republicans on most issues.

Thoughts or names of prospective candidates?

I’ve been meaning to post my thoughts on 2008, so here goes.  2008 was a bad year for the Republican Party simply put because people were not happy.  Voters voted for the Democrats in most cases simply because, pardon the redundancy, they wanted change.  It was more of a protest vote.  I believe this was a large part of the reason why Virginia voted Democrat in the Presidential Election.  Additionally, the Virginia GOP has much, much work to do in the suburban areas of the state as the party has been drifting dangerously further and further out of power to a level that may put the GOP back to where it was prior to the 1970’s.

2009 brings many new opportunities in Virginia.  We have a great chance to actually put a compentent person in the Governor’s Office and hold onto the Lt. Governor and Attorney General positions.  Building our majority back in the House of Delegates should also be a top priority.  I look forward to the work.

Just a quick post.  I wanted to let everyone know that I am still around and alright.  The past several months have been a very chaotic and busy one for me.  Let’s just say that being young and trying to be a “grown up” have many ups and downs—especially in today’s world.  I hope to begin making more regular posts soon.