Month: September 2012

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Campaigns

Two constitutional questions on the Nov. 6 ballot

Be prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 6.

In addition to choices for president, vice president, U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress, you’ll be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on two changes to Virginia’s Constitution:

Question 1:

Shall Section 11 of Article I (Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended (i) to require that eminent domain only be exercised where the property taken or damaged is for public use and, except for utilities or the elimination of a public nuisance, not where the primary use is for private gain, private benefit, private enterprise, increasing jobs, increasing tax revenue, or economic development; (ii) to define what is included in just compensation for such taking or damaging of property; and (iii) to prohibit the taking or damaging of more private property than is necessary for the public use?

Question 2:

Shall Section 6 of Article IV (Legislature) of the Constitution of Virginia concerning legislative sessions be amended to allow the General Assembly to delay by no more than one week the fixed starting date for the reconvened or “veto” session when the General Assembly meets after a session to consider the bills returned to it by the Governor with vetoes or amendments?

The Virginia State Board of Elections has prepared a document explaining the issues involved with these two amendments. It can be viewed at this link.

Reviewing these provisions in advance can help you make an informed decision at the polls.

Categories
Meetings

Delegates agree DNC was a thrilling experience

Matthew Rowe and Janet Payne, delegates to the DNC

To Matt Rowe the biggest surprise at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte was the animated, fist-pumping speech by former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.To Janet Payne, the most suprising thing was an early morning pep talk by Donna Brazile, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.But both Virginia delegates to the convention Sept. 3-6, it was a week they will never forget.

Ms. Payne, a member of the Fredericksburg and First Congress District Democratic Committees, and Mr. Rowe, chairman of the Caroline County Democratic Committee, enthralled club members at the Sept. 20 meeting with stories of their personal experiences as convention delegates.

The delegates confessed that they didn’t get much sleep during the convention. They had to be up for 7 a.m. delegation breakfasts, where they obtained their credentials, and usually didn’t get back to their hotels until well past midnight.

Ms. Payne said it rained in Charlotte every day of the convention and each day she had to use an umbrella. But when she arrived at Time Warner Cable Arena the security officers would confiscate the umbrella.

Ms. Payne said the convention program was exceptional, but her favorite was the speech by First Lady Michelle Obama in which she said, “The presidency does not change the man; it reveals the man.”

Mr. Rowe said he was moved when looking out over the arena full of all types of people, united in a common set of beliefs and values. He said the reason he became a Democrat is because, “We have the facts on our side. We don’t have to twist and distort the truth. That makes it a lot easier.”

Ms. Payne complimented the Democrats of Lake of the Woods for having such a dynamic and involved membership. “I applaud you for what you are doing,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see your strength and your energy.”

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Campaigns Club events

Powell objects to big money in politics

About 80 people attended a reception of Wayne Powell

Wayne Powell, Democratic candidate for Congress from Virginia’s 7th District, told an audience of about 80 at a club-sponsored reception Sept. 12 that the vast amounts of money being spent to influence elections is a threat to the democratic process.

“The takeover of government by corporate interests, multinational interests and those people who fund people like Eric Cantor is real,” he said. “We can’t let the money take over our country.”

Powell, 62, is a native of Richmond and owner and proprietor of the Powell & Parrish law firm. He is making his first bid at elected office by challenging six-term Republican congressman Eric Canter in the wide-ranging district that includes all of Orange County.

Powell particularly condemned  the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which held that political contributions from corporations cannot be limited by law.

“I own three businesses, three corporations, and none of those corporations are human beings, and they don’t deserve the same rights as human beings,” he said. “I don’t put any of them to bed. I don’t hug any of them. They make money; that’s what they’re there for.”

Powell said that as a congressman he would work to overturn the Citizens United decision through a Constitutional amendment if necessary.

Powell said his campaign is reaching out to both Democrats and Republicans, seeking out voters don’t like the extremely partisan culture in Washington.

“These people who think that either you’re a communist if you’re a Democrat or that you’re a Nazi if you’re a Republican are just wrong,” Powell said before a group of about 80 attending a reception sponsored by the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club. “Both sides are wrong. They need to sit down and do what’s right for the country.”

Powell admits that his candidacy faces an uphill battle, but he draws hope from a June poll by Hickman Analytics, that showed that 43 percent of 7th District residents said Cantor should be replaced.

“I have the audacity to think I can make a difference if I’m elected to Congress,” he said.

Powell and Cantor are scheduled to debate economic issues in Richmond Oct. 1 in a debate sponsored by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and local chambers of commerce.

The reception, which took place in the lower level of the LOW Clubhouse, featured a lovely array of refreshments provided by the Special Events Committee.

Categories
Campaigns Meetings

A rare look behind the scenes at the DNC

We watched our television screens with great pride and enthusiasm as delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte nominated President Obama and Vice President Biden and charted the future course for our party. But a fortunate few got to see history being made firsthand — the delegates to the convention.

The Lake of the Woods Democratic Club will hear personal accounts of the week in Charlotte directly from a panel of Virginia delegates at its meeting Sept. 20 in the LOW Clubhouse.

Janet Payne of Fredericksburg, Thomas H. Francis of North Cumberland and Matthew Rowe of Bowling Green have accepted invitations to be at the meeting to share their experiences and answer questions. Other nearby delegates may also be present.

This program will provide club members and others with a rare opportunity to learn what happens at a national political convention in a way that the television cameras can’t show.

The meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Clubhouse. As always, visitors are welcome, regardless of political affiliation.

Categories
Campaigns Club events

Wayne Powell to be club’s guest on Sept. 12

Wayne Powell

Wayne Powell, the Democratic candidate for Congress from Virginia’s 7th District, will visit Lake of the Woods on Sept. 12 as a guest of the LOW Democratic Club to meet with citizens and to answer their questions about his plans to improve the way the region is represented in Washington.Mr. Powell’s appearance will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Lower Level of the Clubhouse. The event is open to all, regardless of political affiliation. Refreshments will be served.

A native of Richmond, Mr. Powell is owner and proprietor of the Powell & Parrish law firm.

He served in the U.S. Army for 30 years — five years of active duty and 25 years in the active reserves. He was called back into active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, to command a specialized Army intelligence unit. He was highly decorated during his military career and awarded the Legion of Merit when he retired as a full colonel in 2002.

Mr. Powell was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Richmond in 1972, and received a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1973. After his full-time military service, he attended the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond and graduated in 1980.

Mr. Powell served as staff clerk to the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, was appointed assistant attorney general by then Attorney General Gerald Baliles, and served as deputy commissioner of the Virginia Worker’s Compensation Commission for six years. He entered private practice in 1991, and founded his present firm of Powell & Parrish in 1999.

He served for two terms as chair of the Lay Advisory Committee to the Henrico County School Board, where his children were educated.

Mr. Powell and his wife Katherine live in Chesterfield County. They are the parents of a son, Sean, a major in the Army currently serving overseas, and a daughter, Michelle, a legal professional, and the proud grandparents of five.

“Gridlock and partisan obstructionism are hurting America and Congress is broken,” Mr. Powell said. “Eric Cantor is the poster-child for what’s wrong in Washington. I’m running to get Congress working for the people again and to end Eric Cantor’s culture of corruption.”