March, 2010

Virginia Young Democrats Call On AG To Drop Frivilous Law Suit

The following message came into our email and it is from Monica Wiley, a Farm Team member:

I, Monica Wiley, a member of the Farm Team who has a physical deficiency, would like for the organization to please post the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus to call on Attorney General Cuccinelli to drop frivolous lawsuit against the recent federal passage of healthcare reform. The ridiculous lawsuit has an significant if not detrimental affect on Virginians disabled populace. As your member, I would ask that the organization please post and disperse this action. I thank you for your attention. The statement is copied and past below for your convenience.

Respectfully,

Monica Wiley- Disability Rights Advocate/DisAbility Votes PAC Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26th, 2010
Contact: Isaac Sarver
Email: evp@vayd.org
Phone: 540-616-8393

VIRGINIA YOUNG DEMOCRATS CALL ON AG TO DROP FRIViLOUS LAW SUIT
Cuccinelli Ignores Needs of Virginia’s Uninsured

Virginia Young Democrats have called on Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to stop his frivolous lawsuit against the federal government concerning the recently passed health care legislation.

If Cuccinelli continues to wage a fruitless war against health care reform, 1.2 million Virginians will remain uninsured, 1.8 million children in Virginia will continue to be denied for pre-existing conditions, and families and businesses in the Commonwealth will continue to see their premiums skyrocket.

Yet again, Virginia Attorney General has decided to seek the front page instead of doing the job he was elected to do. Instead of fighting for Virginia, consumer rights, Ken Cuccinelli tried to force his will upon Virginia’s colleges and universities in their hiring and admissions processes,VAYD President Sean Holihan said. Instead of protecting Virginians from high utility rates, Ken Cuccinelli would rather waste taxpayer money, the staff‚ and time by filing frivolous lawsuits against the federal government.

Visit http://www.dropthelawsuit.com/ to sign the petition and tell Ken Cuccinelli to stop wasting our tax dollars.

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Liberty secretly videotaped meeting with mayor

A discussion about Liberty University’s zoning status heated up during a City Council meeting Tuesday when LU officials revealed they had secretly videotaped a recent meeting with the mayor and city manager.

“This is pretty shocking,” Vice Mayor Bert Dodson said.

“I have a knot in my stomach that wasn’t there 10 minutes ago,” Councilman Michael Gillette said, adding he was dismayed by the lack of trust this demonstrated.

Dodson and Gillette both criticized LU for recording Mayor Joan Foster and City Manager Kimball Payne without their knowledge. LU officials, in turn, said they made the recording in order to ensure there was an accurate transcript of the conversation and to guard against future misrepresentations.

They revealed the tape’s existence during Tuesday’s meeting in response to a disagreement over whether or not they’d been told their request for a zoning amendment would likely be met with unanimous approval by council. The tape was not played at the meeting.

Councilman Jeff Helgeson, who opened the door to the issue during council’s deliberations over the zoning request, defended LU.

“I think Liberty’s been somewhat vilified for trying to rush this through when they were led to believe that there would be a 7-0 vote,” he said.

The recording in question took place during a March 23 meeting organized as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen relations and improve communication between LU and the city.

That meeting, which included the mayor, city manager and about five LU officials, dealt in part with LU’s grievances with the conditional-use permit system. In interviews, several participants have agreed that it was the city manager who first raised the idea of LU petitioning council directly for a zoning amendment that would free it from the CUP requirements.

LU officials said they subsequently made such a request solely because they were encouraged to and because Mayor Foster told them she thought it would be met by a 7-0 vote from council.

The mayor and city manager have both since denied that any statements were made about how council would vote. Councilman Helgeson, noting there’d been some confusion, pressed them on that point Tuesday and asked several times whether certain expectations had been raised.

“No, I think I said I hoped it would be a win-win situation,” Foster said.

“Absolutely not, no,” Payne answered.

Helgeson later invited Bill McRorie, LU’s general counsel, to come forward and McRorie revealed the existence of a video recording.

“The mayor suggested that, in her opinion, it would get a 7-0 vote,” he said.

McRorie then faced intense questioning from Dodson and Gillette about how this had transpired. McRorie was present during the March 23 meeting, but said he was not aware a recording was being made and did not know how it was done.

In Virginia, it is legal to record a conversation as long as one party involved consents to it.

Foster said she was disappointed with LU’s actions, but was not angry.

“It bothers me they taped us without telling us,” she said after the meeting. “I went over there with a huge trust factor and a sincere heart. I’m trying to build our relationship. But I don’t think this means you give up on the process or you stop trying to build relationships.”

Foster said she never intended to convey during the meeting with LU that she knew how council would vote on the matter.

Council’s discussion on LU’s request for a zoning ordinance amendment began relatively sedately with members in agreement that they would not attempt to settle the issue by the May 4 elections as originally requested by LU.

Council instead voted 6-0 with one absence to hand the matter over to the planning commission so it may begin the regular review process.

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Joan Foster 2010 Campaign Alert!

Quick Links

 

 

 

Joan’s Involvement in the Community!
(click below to see)

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http://joanfoster2010.com

 

 

 

 

Join Our Mailing List

Foster Campaign 2010 Updates!
(03-30-2010)

The weeks keep rolling by and the Foster Campaign team has much good news to report!  Take minute to view all the things that have been happening, and find out about the myriad ways you can get involved.

In case you haven’t noticed yet – this election is going to be a big one for all of us in Lynchburg…Your involvement will make the difference!

Sincereley,
Citizens United for Foster

 

IN THE NEWS – KUDOS FROM ALL SIDES!

Launch  BlastMayor Foster’s reputation of collaboration and bridge-building continues! 

Mayor Foster Endorsed by Lynchburg 1st!

Falwell: Mayor Foster is a "Different" Kind of Council Member!

Mayor Foster Endorsed by Lynchburg Democratic Committee!

Mayor Foster Endorsed by Lynchburg Voters League!

 

 

Campaign Notes! (New Items Highlighted in Red)

Launch Blast

NOW!
Neighborhood Canvasses Have Started.  Want to get involved?  Email Campaign Manager Mike Lucado!

04.01.10
Joan Foster for Council Signs Available!  Email Campaign Manager Mike Lucado to get yours!

04.12.10 (7P-9P)
Lynchburg Historic District Coalition City Council Candidates Forum @ St. Paul’s Episcopal (7th & Clay)

04.12.10
Last Day to Register to Vote!
Click here to learn how!

04.15.10 (4P-6P)
Chamber of Commerce City Council Candidates Forum @ Lynchburg College, Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center

04.19.10 (7:30P-9:30P)
Liberty University College Democrats City Council Candidates Forum @ Liberty University, Towns Alumni Auditorium

04.27.10
Last Day to Apply for Absentee Ballot by Mail!

05.01.10
Last Day to Apply for Absentee Ballot In Person!

05.04.10
Election Day!  Polls Open 6A-7P!  Click Here for your Precinct Info!

 

 

How Else Can I Get Involved?

Launch Blast1.  Volunteer Your Time!  Email Campaign Manager Mike Lucado, or contact us through our website!

2.  Donate!  You can Download the Form to Pay by Check, or Donate Online!

3.  Join our Facebook & Twitter Pages – and Share Them With All of Your Online Friends Never underestimate a Powerful Online Presence!

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Krystal Ball: Victory!

Friends,

We did it! I am happy to announce that I am the presumptive Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District! With the concession of our primary opponent this afternoon, we are now moving swiftly into the general election.

But our work is just beginning! We are now fighting against incumbent Republican and rubber stamp for Eric Cantor, Rob Wittman, and Tea Partier Catherine Crabill, who in 2008 campaigned against, “the socialist power-grab of B. Hussein Obama.”

Rob Wittman and Catherine Crabill do not stand for our values! Join us in our fight for Democratic representation in VA-1! Contribute $5, $25, $50 or whatever you can afford today!

On behalf of my family and my entire staff, thank you. I am overwhelmed by your hard work, generosity and dedication and I look forward to continuing this fight with you by my side.  Thank you also to our primary opponent Scott Robinson for his service to our country, and a race well fought.

March 31st is our first filing deadline as the presumptive nominee. We need to put forth strong numbers to show we are united and ready to take on Rob Wittman and Catherine Crabill. Help us raise $10,000 by midnight on Wednesday, contribute $5, $25, $50 or whatever you can afford today!

Again, thank you. I am honored to have your support.

Most sincerely,

Krystal Ball, VA-1

P.S. Help us celebrate this great victory! Join us in raising $10,000 by midnight on Wednesday. Donate $5, $25, $50 or whatever you can afford today!

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We’re On A Roll – Join Us! Statewide Meeting

The Farm Team Invites You To Our
April 2010 Statewide Meeting
in Lynchburg, VA
April 16-17, 2010

AGENDA

Friday, April 16th

3-5 PM Registration at Craddock Terry Hotel
Lynchburg

This beautiful, renovated shoe factory in Lynchburg has rooms for Farm Team members – king or double queen room at $119, which includes breakfast in the restaurant or delivered to your door in a shoe box

Hotel space is limited – a number of local women have offered their homes to interested TFT members free of charge.  TFT will make hotel reservations for you once you indicate your preference.  No need to call the hotel directly.

3 PM Poplar Forest Group Tour for interested parties

6 PM  Cocktails and buffet dinner at the home of Del. Shannon Valentine with  Mayor Joan Foster and other local elected officials

After Dinner:  Discussion of Current Political Climate in Virginia and nationally with Tom King, Award winning International media/political consultant

Saturday, April 17th

9 AM Business meeting at Craddock Terry Hotel

10 AM Disbursement for local activities – more information upon confirmation of your attendance

With the passage of health care reform on Sunday, Nancy Pelosi, who The New York Daily News notes is a “San Francisco grandmother, who turns 70 Friday”, illustrates to all of us the power of women and what we can do when we work together. 

Democratic political strategist Mark Siegel said this about Nancy Pelosi: “She’s Lyndon Johnson in a skirt.”   Siegel continued, “She was patient, tireless, persistent and cajoling — and she pulled off what no one else could.”

In Virginia, we have elected two Democratic women in special elections earlier this month – Eileen Filler-Corn to the House of Delegates and Sandy Evans for Fairfax County School Board.

We’re on a roll, and we hope you will join The Farm Team on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17 in Lynchburg for our spring statewide meeting.

Our next challenge is the May municipal election in Lynchburg.  Mayor Joan Foster is running for re-election and The Farm Team is committed to helping her win this race.  Mayor Foster will be attending our Lynchburg meeting – come meet her and learn about the challenges facing candidates in the Lynchburg area and how you can help.

The full agenda can be found in the bar to the left of this note.

As a member, there is no cost to attend this meeting, meals are included.  Hotel reservations are the only expense if you choose to stay at the Craddock Terry.

To RSVP, please just respond to this email and let us know you would like to attend.

Upon your RSVP, you will receive a survey to indicate your choices for various events and lodging during the two-day meeting.  Hotel space is limited – a number of local women have offered their homes to interested TFT members free of charge.

Please RSVP before April 5th to guarantee your spot. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to respond to this email and we will get back with you as soon as possible.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Susan Platt at 202-255-3455.

ABOUT TOM KING

Tom King is an award winning International media/political consultant, previous political director at DCCC, done campaign work internationally ranging from South Africa, Haiti, to the former Czechoslavakia.  He has worked for many state caucuses, congressional candidates, senate candidates and gubernatorial candidates and has extensive experience in Virginia campaigns. He currently represents 2 Virginia incumbent Congressional campaigns.

ABOUT POPLAR FOREST

“A visit to Poplar Forest will deepen your understanding of Thomas Jefferson. It is at this getaway that he focused on his personal pursuit of happiness- and created a distinctly personal place.

“Witness meticulous historic restoration in progress at the house Jefferson considered his best design for the life of a private citizen. Tour the house to learn about architecture, preservation and life in the early 19th  century. See ongoing excavation and view artifacts from the plantation community that lived and worked at Poplar Forest. Discover Jefferson’s vision for his gardens, ornamental plantings and farm at Poplar Forest as it emerges through archaeology. Enjoy special events each year, including musical performances, historical theater, and lectures.

“We invite you to explore the house and grounds at Thomas Jefferson’s retreat.  Each year, visitors come to Poplar Forest to see the newest discoveries and latest restored features… as well as to sense Jefferson’s presence in the house and feel an emotional connection to the man, his ideas, his boundless energy, and his ingenuity.”

Visit the Poplar Forest website here

View the flyer here.

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