VDOT Must Take Another Ax to its Budget

VDOT must find another $851 million in cuts in the six-year transportation plan to balance the books, according to NVDaily.com.

These cuts could result in more transportation projects around the state being abandoned. This could affect property values if traffic congestion makes certain neighborhoods less marketable to new residents.

"The news wasn't as awful as it could have been, but it was still plenty bad.

The Virginia Department of Transportation needs to find another $851 million in cuts in the six-year transportation plan to balance the books, officials said Thursday.

Falling tax collections in almost every source have the agency looking to trim its construction and maintenance budget yet again, this time to the tune of $851 million.

Agency officials had warned in August that the cuts could be as high as $900 million, in addition to $1 billion already sliced this year.

Commonwealth Transportation Board members have cut $4.6 billion in spending from the state's long-range plan since spring 2008.

'VDOT is working to address these revenue reductions by executing long-term strategic changes to our business that will allow us to better address the available resources and demands of our customers,' said David S. Ekern, the agency's commissioner."

Read the full story about VDOT's budget cut.

 

Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 1:26pm

Lynchburg City School's Enrollment Drop Shows Signs of Slowing

Enrollment in Lynchburg City schools has jumped this year, contrasted to enrollment over the previous two years, according to the Lynchburg News & Advance.

The quality and appeal of schools is important to all homeowners, regardless if you have children attending the school. A school with a great reputation can have a positive impact on property values as families with young children desire to move into that school's district. And, the opposite is true for schools with bad reputations.

Changes in a school's enrollment, programming or location is of importance to homeowners.

"The enrollment drop in the Lynchburg City Schools may have slowed for now.

This year’s enrollment figures show an increase of five students, a departure from the drops in enrollment seen in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. The numbers, compiled by school staff, reflect enrollment as of Sept. 30 of each year.

'I would like to think it’s because we are a wonderful school system, and so people came,' said Superintendent Paul McKendrick, laughing. More specifically, McKendrick cited new housing developments, the economic downturn, and the draw of unique Lynchburg City Schools programs.

At Tuesday’s joint school board and city council meeting McKendrick shared projections that Lynchburg high school enrollment would decline by almost 350 students through 2014, while elementary school enrollment would increase by 288 students. McKendrick said he wasn’t sure what reasons might be behind the projected decreases at the high school level and increases at the elementary school level. He shared the figures as a way of demonstrating that the system should not look at closing any of the elementary schools.

As far as the 2009-2010 figures, one of the biggest increases came at Heritage Elementary School, which gained 52 students this year and 123 students over the past four years."

Read the full story.

 

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 6:42pm

BVU Lays Groundwork for Community Broadband in Bristol

Newly formed committees are working to identify how broadband Internet technology could improve the quality of business, education and health care in the Bristol area, according to the Bristol Herald.

This effort could have a drastic impact on making the area even more appealing to businesses, help institutions provide more services without raising costs and boost the local economy. It could result in great applications of technology to help improve the quality of life for all Bristol area residents.

"A new committee designed to advance regional broadband use took its initial steps Tuesday.

Established by Bristol Virginia Utilities, the community broadband integration group began laying the groundwork for a review of technology uses and applications in the region.

'This is a good start,” Chairperson Beth Rhinehart said after the hour-long meeting. “We’re gathering information and next time we’ll work to define our mission.'

BVU established the committee earlier this year after being named to the 2009 Intelligent Community Forum’s Smart 7 for its deployment and use of high-speed broadband technology. BVU CEO Wes Rosenbalm said the idea is to identify new ways that broadband Internet technology could improve the quality of commercial, educational, health care and other applications.

'You are already outside the box of what BVU is usually thinking about,' Rosenbalm told the group. 'We’re usually out here trying to sell something. It’s encouraging.'

On Tuesday, the group established three sub-groups to gather information about existing partnerships and technology initiatives and to review the programs of other communities named to the Intelligent Community Forum’s Smart 21 for 2010, which includes Bristol, Va.

The third subgroup is to gather existing needs assessment surveys conducted by area human services agencies and other data pertinent to Bristol and Southwest Virginia.

Lisa Meadows, CEO of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and a member of the broadband committee, will oversee the needs assessment sub-group."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 6:32pm

Verizon to Lay Off 1,000 Employees

Verizon Communications is laying off more than 1,000 employees in the DC area, according to the Washington Post.

The layoffs could affect the local economy, but also might affect the service Verizon customers in Virginia receive.

"The largest union for Verizon Communications workers said the company is laying off more than 1,000 employees in the District, Maryland and Virginia.

Verizon spokesman Alberto Canal said the layoffs are part of the already-announced plan to cut 8,000 jobs before the end of the year. Canal confirmed that there have been layoffs this week but could not confirm the number given by the union.

The Communications Workers of America criticized the company for the cuts, pointing to its profit. Canal said the layoffs are a last resort after buyouts."

Read the original story.

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 6:07pm

Fairfax Schools May Change Bus Boundaries

Faifax County students who typically ride the bus, may be walking to school, according to the Washington Post.

In effort to reduce childhood obesity, reduce transporation costs and ease traffic, school officials want to encourage more students to walk or bike to school.

The idea is fondly supported because the cost of putting a school bus on the road is equal to keeping a teacher on staff. This small change could greatly impact the strength of schools and health of the students.

As for homeowners, it is a win-win situation because any improvement in the school system positively affects home values, and less buses on the roads could improve traffic conditions.

"Almost everyone has a grandparent who claims to have walked two miles to school every morning. Uphill. In the snow. Etc.

In Fairfax County, it could soon be your 12-year-old trudging to school.

Hard times have a way of making old ideas seem new. With nothing but grim budgets ahead, some members of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors want the county's schools to save money on buses by encouraging more kids to walk to school, perhaps by moving back the boundaries for bus-riding eligibility.

It's an idea that has received more attention nationwide in recent years as a way to fight child obesity, reduce air pollution and ease traffic. It became especially popular when diesel fuel prices climbed to $4 a gallon a year ago, and it's popular now as governments struggle through the worst recession in generations.

The cost of putting a school bus on the street is approximately equal to keeping a teacher on staff, said Linda P. Farbry, director of transportation for Fairfax public schools.

It also doesn't hurt that the campaign -- especially the 'Walking School Bus' that encourages parents to coordinate neighborhood routes, wear safety vests and share escort duty -- fits with the baby boomer habit of reviving childhood practices. An oft-quoted study found that in 1969, 41 percent of students walked or bicycled to school. By 2001, that figure had dropped to 13 percent."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 5:55pm

Albemarle County Panel Supports Wind Turbines

Albemarle County Planning Commission members agree that wind turbines provide environmental benefits, and chief concerns have been the noise that turbines create and the potential for eyesores. But, those concerns didn't seem to outweigh the benefits, as the Planning Commission sent a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisiors that called for wind turbines to be allowed in the county.

Officials have created guidelines that generally restrict the height of wind turbines to the allowed height of buildings. Also, some experts have ensured officials that newer model wind turbines aren’t disruptive to neighbors and in some cases hardly make any noise.

This is great news for homeowners because if the Board approves this recommendation, then Albemarle County can become move forward with a new source of reliable, sustainable energy. It could also lead to new jobs and boosting the local economy.

"With little hesitation, the Albemarle County Planning Commission sent a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that called for wind turbines to be allowed in the county.

Planning Commission members hope that by allowing small power-generating wind turbines, the county will encourage renewable energy use.

Local environmentalists spoke in favor of allowing wind turbines in Albemarle at Tuesday’s public hearing.

Kathy Rash of Forever Albemarle said the group has met with county farmers and their neighbors, who are 'very much in favor' of allowing wind turbines.

It was nearly two years ago when supervisors asked Planning Commission members to put their heads together alongside county officials, to provide supervisors guidance about whether wind turbines should be allowed in Albemarle.

Planning Commission members have spent little time debating whether turbines should be permitted, focusing instead on what kind of turbines should be allowed, where they should be restricted and what kind of regulations could reduce nuisances to neighbors."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 5:24pm

Va. Might Have to Cut $2.9 billion More by '12

This week it was announced that further budget cuts may be in Virginia's future, according to the Washington Post.

An additional $2.9 million will need to be cut by 2012. After making nearly $7 billion in reductitons, most of the "fat" is gone and now services to residents may be cut or reduceds.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will introduce his proposed two-year budget in December, a month before he leaves office. The General Assembly and the incoming governor, Robert F. McDonnell, will use that as a blueprint but will make changes based on their priorities and the economic forecast.

This is important news for homeowners because the cuts may reduce services currently being provided, which could place a higher burden on homeowners.

"State agencies might need to cut up to $2.9 billion more from core services, such as education, law enforcement and health care, by mid-2012 to accommodate Virginia's financial crisis.

The bleak forecast announced Tuesday at a House Appropriations Committee retreat comes on top of nearly $7 billion in reductions to the state's current two-year budget since last year.

'These budget numbers are scary, and they're stark,' Del. Clarence E. "Bud" Phillips (D-Dickenson) said. 'They're going to have a grave impact on the citizens of the commonwealth.'

The forecast reflects a $300 million shortfall in this fiscal year and a $2.6 billion shortfall over the next two fiscal years. The numbers are based on the state receiving less tax revenue than it had anticipated and being required to spend additional money on certain mandatory programs, such as Medicaid."

Read the full story.

Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 5:08pm

Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Depends on NCI's Future

As Martinsville looks to revitalize uptown, the future of The New College Institute is a key factor, according to the Martinsville Bulletin. In the 2012-13 school year, the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia will decide whether to let NCI evolve into a branch campus of a university or — what local leaders are hoping for — a university itself.

That decision will have a huge impact on the area because it could result in developing more space for classes and student housing, as well as more employment opportunities.

"The New College Institute (NCI) is an important part of efforts to revitalize uptown, according to city officials and community leaders.

As NCI has added degree programs and its student population has grown, it has expanded into three buildings uptown. People have noticed that growth, and it has helped them see that progress is occurring, according to Jeffrey Mansour, senior program officer for The Harvest Foundation.

He called NCI 'a catalyst' for revitalizing uptown.

Due to NCI’s presence, the district has 'a new identity,' said Lee Probst, executive director of the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association.

As a result, how the institute evolves will greatly influence how uptown evolves, said Wayne Knox, the city’s director of community development.

NCI’s administration is in the Pythian Building on Jones Street. Classrooms and offices are in a former furniture store building on Franklin Street and on upper floors of Jefferson Plaza on East Church Street. Both buildings were renovated to accommodate the institute.

Because it occupies three buildings on different streets, NCI is 'integrated uptown' and has made itself part of the district’s identity, Mansour said.

That, he said, is unlike many institutions of higher education that are 'off secluded someplace away from the urban center' of their localities and, in turn, seem like separate communities.
NCI educated 347 students during the past academic year and expects to have at least 400 students in 2009-10, officials have said. Most students attend classes late in the day and at night, after most people who work uptown have gone home.

Executive Director Barry Dorsey said NCI has become 'an economic engine' for the central business district. For instance, he said the owner of a nearby coffee shop has told him that the restaurant often is full of students around NCI class times.

The institute provides local access to courses needed to complete certain bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by universities statewide."

Read the full story.

Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 6:41pm

Southside's First Solar Power Project Coming to Danville

Southside's first solar power project will be coming to Danville's Community Market, according to GoDanRiver.com.

The project is funded by federal stimulus money, and being used by Danville Utilities to purchase and install the panels. This is a great beginning for a long-term and sustainable clean energy economy in Southside.

Homeowners can appreciate this news because it is the start of a new industry in the area which can bring in new jobs, boost the local economy, increase the tax base and increase property values.

"Danville’s Community Market will be the recipient of the first solar power project by a utility in Southside, thanks to $202,000 in federal stimulus funds, according to a letter from the city manager to City Council and Mayor Sherman Saunders.

Danville Utilities will use the funding to buy and install solar photovoltaic electric generation panels on the Community Market building at the Crossing of the Dan. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Danville the 'Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant,' which was distributed to the largest cities and counties in Virginia and other states as part of the federal stimulus bill.

According to the letter, 'this will be the first solar power generation project undertaken by a utility in Southside Virginia.' The funds must be spent so as to create and/or retain jobs, 'while laying the foundation for a long-term and sustainable clean energy economy.'

Funding for the project is included in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

The electricity generated will both supply the Community Market building and supplement the city’s purchased power.

City Manager Lyle Lacy and Mayor Saunders could not be reached for comment Sunday. City Council will vote on the ordinance Tuesday."

Read the original story.

Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 6:24pm

United Way Celebrates New Location in Danville

The United Way recently opened a new location in Danville's downtown Tobaccoa Warehouse District, according to GoDanRiver.com.

This is great for Danville homeowners because it brings stability and services to the area that can help improve the quality of life and strengthen communities, which can positively impact property values.

"The United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County celebrated its new location in Danville’s downtown Tobacco Warehouse District on Monday with a ribbon-cutting and open house.

Patrick Jinks, president of the local United Way, opened the festivities by thanking the various partnerships that made the move possible — and didn’t forget to thank Dan River Inc., who rented them space on West Main Street for almost 25 years at the price of one dollar per year.

'It helped your dollars stay where they needed to stay,' Jenks told a crowd of about 50.

As the afternoon wore on, the crowd doubled in size, with guests touring the portion of the Lindsay Lofts project at 308 Craghead St. that the United Way now owns. Bronx Boy Bagels provided an array of food that could be found in offices and meeting rooms throughout the site.

'We bought two condo spaces,' Jinks said, adding that the United Way and several tenants share the space. The tenants are Zinc Salon, which leases about half of the building next door, and four other non-profits — The Alzheimer’s Association, Dan River Center for Voluntarism, Big Brother/Big Sisters of Danville Area Inc. and the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce — which share office and meeting space with the United Way."

Read the full story.

Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 6:14pm