Posts tagged ‘Stafford County’
Barbrow: “Justice is not like a baseball cap where one size fits all”
Barbrow does a great job of highlighting the current lack of prosecutorial discretion in Stafford’s Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. As Barbrow so eloquently states, “Justice is not like a baseball cap where one size fits all.”
In citing the now infamous “McMissile” case, Barbrow states in no uncertain terms, “there will be no McMissile cases on my watch.” Thank goodness!
Under his watch, he pledges to fully participate in the Drug Court Program. Stafford County is the only jurisdiction within the area that doesn’t participate in this program. This program allows a first-time offender to avoid a felony conviction by participating in a yearlong, rigorous drug court program. If they fail to complete this, they are then convicted of a felony and receive a six-month sentence. Statistics show that the drug courts work, “Virginia’s Drug Court felony recidivism rate is 5.9% as compared to a 50% felony recidivism rate for other Virginia drug offenders handled in traditional ways of probation or incarceration.”
Not only do they work, but they are also way cheaper than incarceration. On a side, I previously wrote a post on how Stafford County pays $60 per day for each inmate versus $21 per day on each student. Participation in drug courts should be a no-brainer.
He also highlights the fact that there has been a 300 percent increase in the office’s budget over the last decade. We are now spending 54 percent more, per capita, then Spotsylvania County. The size of the staff of the commonwealth’s attorney’s office has also tripled over this same time period. Barbrow concludes that “despite these huge increases in funding crime continues to rise in Stafford County.” He pledges to better maximize the resources of the office in order to save taxpayers money and get results.
He also talks about the need and benefits of a more culturally diverse office, which I covered at length recently. One new tidbit that I didn’t know is that in 72-years there has only been a single African American employed as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney – currently there are none.
Barbrow also stresses the importance of hiring attorney’s who live in the area. Barbrow explains, “Currently, more than three-fourths of the Commonwealth Attorney’s employed by Stafford County do not live in Stafford or the surrounding areas. It’s important because prosecutors should reflect the values of the community.” I couldn’t agree more with Barbrow.
He also notes how important it is that Commonwealth’s Attorney’s don’t “play fast and loose with the rules.” He points out how his opponent was forced to “take down campaign ads because they infringed on someone’s trademark,” how he “accepted an illegal contribution from a foreign national,” and how questions continue to swirl on his residency.
Tim Barbrow is just the sort of fresh voice we need after 72-years of the same family controlling the office. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office shouldn’t belong to one family, but all the residents of Stafford County. On November 8, let’s vote for a new direction in Tim Barbrow for Stafford Commonwealth’s Attorney!
Sheriff Jett’s Nightmares Come True, Thriller Flash Mob Hits the ‘Burg
Geez, when I suggested that Sheriff Charlie Jett’s visions of flash mobs looting Stafford County convenience stores were affecting his policing strategy, during the #BananaMan brouhaha, I had no idea that several weeks later that Fredericksburg would be the sight of a “dangerous” Thriller flash mob at Quaker Steak & Lube in Central Park.
If this happened in Stafford, we could only imagine the response by Sheriff Charlie. We know how he treats kids in banana suits (especially in an election year). How about teens dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller?
It’s clear that his policing strategy can use a major reboot. Stafford County has seen five consecutive years of increased crime, including a 47% increase in violent crime. It would have been even higher, but recently Sheriff Charlie suddenly found a six (6) year old “glitch” in HIS 2005 crime numbers – how convenient right before an election.
It’s time for a new policing strategy. On November 8, you can help Stafford County change course and move in the right direction by voting for Chuck Feldbush for Stafford County Sheriff!
Harry Crisp Endorses Charles Latimer for George Washington Supervisor
George Washington Supervisor Harry Crisp has strongly endorsed Charles Latimer for the seat he will be vacating later this year, as he chose not to seek re-election. Per the Free-Lance Star:
It has been my a pleasure to serve the residents of the George Washington District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors for the past four years. The experience has been rewarding; however, I chose not to run for re-election in order to spend more time with my family.
Charles Latimer has my full support in the election for this seat. Mr. Latimer is a retired Marine master gunnery sergeant and is currently employed as a human resources program manager.
He has been an active member of our community as a coach for youth football, as a mentor for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and as president of his homeowners association.
Mr. Latimer will put the well-being of residents above partisan politics. He will work hard to preserve the remaining open spaces in the George Washington District, to invest in our kids through strong support for our schools and parks and recreation programs, to fix our roads, to provide good public safety, and to protect and preserve our natural and cultural resources.
Charles Latimer is the best choice to continue the tradition that the voters of George Washington District have strongly preferred for the past 12 years.
Very well said by Harry. Enough can’t be said about the great job Harry has done representing the George Washington District over the last four years. Thank you, Harry!
Filling Harry’s shoes will be a tall order, but Charles is clearly the right person for the job! On November 8, 2011, let’s continue the “tradition that the voters of George Washington District have strongly preferred for the past 12 years” by voting for Charles Latimer.
You can learn more about Charles by visiting his website.
Former VA Republican State Senate Finance Chairman Endorses Puller for Senate
Former State Senator John Chichester (R-VA) has endorsed Toddy Puller (D-VA), per the following press release:
Former Virginia Republican State Senate Finance Chairman John Chichester endorsed Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller for reelection to the 36th Senatorial District of Virginia. Senator Chichester said: “We need more senators like Toddy Puller. She is fair, has integrity, listens and has no agenda except to represent the people of Virginia in the best way possible.”
Senator Chichester represented the 28th District of Virginia in the Fredericksburg area for almost 30 years. He also served eight years as the President Pro Tem of the Senate.
“During my service in the Senate,” Senator Chichester said: “Senator Puller did not approach issues as a Republican or a Democrat but considered what would work best for the people of Virginia. She carefully considers the facts about the issues and works to keep the state fiscally strong by ensuring Virginia is able to provide the core services government is tasked to do. Her common sense, effective approach to government has helped to make Virginia the ‘best governed state, the best state in which to do business, and the best state to raise a child.’”
“Senator Puller is well respected for her leadership on veterans issues, education, and transportation. She has been very successful in addressing concerns and supporting legislation to make great strides in these areas.”
In conclusion, Senator Chichester stated that: “it was a pleasure to serve with her in the Virginia Senate and I am pleased to endorse Senator Toddy Puller for reelection to the Virginia State Senate. I know she will continue to serve the 36th District and our great Commonwealth well.”
I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Toddy is the consummate professional. I couldn’t agree with Chichester more, “She is fair, has integrity, listens and has no agenda except to represent the people of Virginia in the best way possible.”
Go Toddy!
Cord “Not So” Sterling and Mudslide Mark vs. StaffordCo Schools
I think it’s fairly well documented on how Mudslide Mark Dudenhefer has voted to cut millions in funding for Stafford County Public Schools and in 2011 he voted against increasing funds to the school board by $1 million. We’ve previously talked about Mudslide’s chain-sawing of the school’s operating budget and the resulting effects on our school system.
What we haven’t discussed is the self-purported myth that Rock Hill Supervisor Cord “Not So” Sterling has fought to increase funding to our school system. Let me say this very clearly: Cord is no friend of our schools.
As the 7th richest county in America, Stafford County pays its teachers 13% below the national average – according to the U.S. Census Bureau and Stafford County Public Schools. Prince William County, our northern neighbors and the 9th richest county in America, pays its teachers 18% more and the City of Alexandria, the 39th richest county in America, pays its teachers 38% more – according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education. Our other neighbor Spotsylvania County, which isn’t even one of the richest counties in the nation, pays its teachers 4% more. According to Stafford County Public Schools, the average teacher salary is $50,692.
How are we supposed to keep our outstanding teachers, if we can’t even pay them competitive salaries? You know it isn’t cheap to live in the 7th richest county in America.
I’m sure that Sterling and Mudslide will try to further slice and dice the numbers and ask county staff to develop some sort of report to show just how supportive they are of our schools. Maybe they can claim a computer “glitch” like Sheriff Jett.
Just how bad have things gotten for Stafford County Public Schools? Sterling and Mudslide cut school funding back to 2006/7 levels as the percentage of schools making Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) fell from 95% to 33%. That’s what I call results?!
Worse yet, according to Independent Rock Hill Supervisor candidate Dean Fetterolf, the amount of funds transferred to schools as a percentage of total county spending has fallen more than 16% since 2006. Yet, in 4 of the last 6 years schools saved and returned nearly $8 million to the county general fund. During this recession our neighbors increased their funding above their existing required local effort levels by an average of 20%. Stafford cut its by 30%!
These draconian reductions in funding have had a direct impact on our classrooms. Stafford County now sports the 5th highest K-7 student ratio in Virginia.
Sterling and Mudslide are either in denial about our schools or intentionally trying to mislead voters on the state of our schools. It’s an election year and they really want your vote.
It isn’t only our teachers and students that Sterling and Mudslide have turned their backs on, but also critical school support staff that keep our schools running smoothly. Back in December of 2009, they voted to deny salary increases to certain categories of school employees (including bus drivers and cafeteria workers).
Stafford school cafeteria workers that have been on the job for 10 years are making 11% less per hour (18% for those on the job 20 years) than their counterparts in Spotsylvania County. School bus drivers that have been on the job 10 years are making 8% less per hour compared to their counterparts in Spotsylvania County too.
If I were Sterling and Mudslide, I wouldn’t be sitting down for a school lunch anytime soon.
We need representatives who show their support for our schools through actions and not empty rhetoric. We need representatives who understand that a top-notch education system is an economic incentive for attracting new businesses and families. We need representatives who understand offering competitive salaries to teachers (and those other support personnel) are essential in attracting and retaining them.
We need representatives like Dean Fetterolf (I-Rock Hill) and Esteban Garces (D-2nd VA House District).
Sheriff Jett’s 6-Year “Glitch”
It seems that Sheriff Jett wasn’t a big fan of our recent post about crime being up big in Stafford County.
So instead of fighting crime Sheriff Jett did what any reasonable person would do: he set out to slice and dice the numbers to try to change the narrative. The problem is that it didn’t work.
I find it interesting that a month out from Election Day that Sheriff Charlie suddenly finds a 6-year old “software glitch” in HIS 2005 crime numbers. Glad to see Sheriff Charlie is on top of things. One has to wonder what other “glitches” he’s overlooked?
Despite his “new” numbers, crime is still on the rise in Stafford County. Jett’s recent attempt to mask 5 consecutive years (2006-2010) of increasing crime in Stafford shows just how serious he is taking the disturbing uptick in crime in the county – he ISN’T!
If we discount the 2005 numbers because of Jett’s 6-year “glitch,” per capita crime in Stafford County is up 13% and violent crime is up 47% from 2006 to 2010. For comparison’s sake, Prince William County’s overall per capita crime rate has fallen 10% and their violent crime rate has also fallen 20%. During this time period we’ve had more overall and violent crime, per capita, then both Spotsylvania and Prince William respectively.
Source: Virginia State Police
Source: Virginia State Police
Crime isn’t the only thing that’s been on the rise in Stafford over the last 5 years as his department’s budget has also increased a whopping 42% over that time period. I wonder whether Jett used HIS faulty numbers to justify huge increases to his department’s budget?
Jett is clearly more interested in playing with the numbers then keeping us safe. Maybe if he spent more time in Stafford County instead of pursuing his political career the last several years, he could have done more to address the rather disturbing increasing crime trend. Of course, he would first have to admit that there is a problem.
Admitting there is a problem is the first step to recovery.
Is Sheriff Jett’s 6-year computer glitch an oops on the scale of Marilyn Monroe’s dress blowing up over her knees by a passing train? Can we expect MM’s patented pout on Charlie’s face next? Stay tuned…
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