Rocket Club Grounded in Augusta?

In the News Virginian today is a story about the Augusta county rocket club, Valley Aerospace Team "VAST". Apparently, the clubs launches have been grounded after complaints to the Augusta County Board of Zoning. The complaints were of noise, that the launches scared their livestock, and that the Croft farm wasn't the appropriate site for the clubs activities. The Croft farm spans 500 acres and Mr. Croft, who supports the clubs activities, states, "The cows don't pay no attention to it." Watch a VAST rocket launch here.

Mr. Neff, the clubs president, stated that he nor Mr. Croft had received any complaints in the past about the clubs activities. Mr. Neff states that the first he heard about it was when the clubs permit to engage in rocketry was denied by the county. Mr. Neff is arguing that the club is operating with in the regulations of the state, county, and the National Association of Rocketry safety codes.

I love rocketry, I was a member of the rocketry club when I was in middle and high school. It fueled my interest in science and mathematics. Rocketry is an amazing avenue for young people to engage in rewarding learning activities. It would surprise the average person to learn just how much science and math go on behind the scenes with rocketry. It really gets fun when you design and create your own rockets.

I was surprised by this article especially in reference the Board of Zoning. I am as puzzled as Mr. Neff is on the grounds for the permits denial. I wonder if the Augusta Board of Zoning actually tested and investigated the complaints made by residents before denying the permit.

The club appears to have been founded in 2004 and is a member of the Tripoli Rocket Association and a registered member of the National Association of Rocketry, click here to view their required safety codes.

The "Sledd Compromise"

Today in the Richmond Times Dispatch is an article of compromise in reference to the appointment of Robert Sledd as a senior economic advisor to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

Originally, Gov. McDonnell wanted Sledd to serve as Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Sledd is a successful businessman who sits on multiple corporate boards. The Democrat controled Virginia Senate opposed Sledd's nomination due to, what Senate Democrats called, a conflict of interest.

In light of the Senate's inability to confirm Sledd, the choice deputy secretary of commerce and trade has been promoted to the Secretary spot and is generally seen to be an easy confirmation. Gov. Bob McDonnell is quoted as saying that the solution was, "win-win," for the commonwealth, but was disappointed about how the matter played out.

Mr. Pelosi...

Someone emailed this to me, it said, "When you are down in the dumps and think you have real PROBLEMS, just remember: SOMEWHERE IN THIS WORLD, THERE IS A MR. PELOSI....."

I feel better already.

The Richmond Capital preparing for inauguration.

The Richmonder has some great pictures of the Capital in Richmond being readied for inauguration day. Thanks for the great pictures.

The New York Times misses the point.

A good friend of mine forwarded me an editorial from the New York Times. In the article, the editorial board says that the country needs health care reform and supports to some extent the bills going through Congress. However, one key element of the article caught my eye. Here is how it reads,

"Both bills would broaden eligibility, and their requirement that everyone obtain insurance should also push more currently eligible people to sign up. That is a good thing."

The fundamental principle that is ignored here is the American citizen's individual right to spend their money as they see fit. It is important to point out that the idea of mandating away a free person's will runs rampant in the current Health Care Reform Legislation. I am disappointed in the New York Times, because apparently it is okay with them that health care reforms be forced on the American People.

Iron Man 2!

Here is the new Iron Man 2 Trailer. Definitely going to see it. May 2010.

Augusta County Government Announcements.

I have an email subscription with the county for public announcements. Here is what is new.

Augusta County Board of Supervisors Meeting:

Wed. Jan. 13th 7pm @ Government Center

Augusta County Board of Supervisors Ordinance Review Worksession

Wed. Jan. 13th 1pm @ Government Center

Augusta County Planning Commission Meeting

Tues. Jan. 12th 7pm @ Government Center

Augusta County GART/Tourism Meeting

Tues. Jan. 12th 3:30pm @ Government Center

You can sign up for the Announcements Directly by clicking here.

You will be taken to the Augusta County Government Website.

C-SPAN to U.S. Congress, Can you hear us?

YankeePhil has this up on his Blog today.

Virginia Sen. Mark Obenshain talks budget.

Virginia Senator Mark Obenshain spoke in Harrisonburg about the budget and a new license plate he is backing for Virginia. I would love to get one for my vehicle. SwacGirl has all the details.

Former Va. U.S. Senator Byrd Criticizes Senator Warner!

This appeared in the Richmond Times Dispatch today. Wow, this is something profound from Former United States Senator Harry F. Byrd of Virginia. He criticizes Freshman U.S. Senator Mark Warner and his recent vote on Health Care Reform. Byrd said he was compelled to speak out against Warner because the freshman senator had campaigned on a platform of grounded fiscal discipline. Sen. Byrd is quoted as, "being shocked by his [Warner's] votes." Senator Byrd went on to say, "When a Virginia Democrat is elected to the Congress --Senate or House --he or she must decide whether to vote the party line or vote the Virginia tradition of finiancal responsibility." Senator Warner's office did respond to Senator Byrd, read the article for more.

"No one will be spared."

"No one will be spared." Delegate Dickie Bell is right. The economic environment in the Commonwealth of Virginia's budget is bleak. The General Assembly must find more than $4.2 Billion dollars in spending cuts in order to balance the budget.

However, we can look at the bright side. This climate of conversation will force our state government officials to become more efficient and get back to the basics of running the commonwealth. We can start to cut programs that are no good and should never have been started. It will give Virginia the chance to review state agencies and audit how they do business. It will cause our state government to become more lean and efficient. Something that has been needed for a long time. Lets get back to small limited government.

Great LTE for Sen. Webb and Warner.

The Letter to the Editor in todays NewsLeader was great. Mr. Eagan echoes the sentiments of many in Augusta County and Virginia. The Letter to the Editor is open ended to our U.S. Senators, the question is, "Where is our sweetheart deal?" I agree, where is our ridiculous sweetheart deal? If the Health Care Reform Bill were so great and would open all these doors for people to obtain Health Care insurance than why all the outright ridiculous bribery to get Senators to vote for it?

I would also like to know where the Health Care Town Hall Meeting is from our U.S. Senators to get the opinion of Virginians on this bill before it goes to a final vote. I also want to hear from Virginia's U.S. Senators in response to the ridiculous amendment made for the state of Nebraska? The spokesman for U.S. Senator Warner last year during the fall break said that a Town Hall from the Senator was not going to happen because the Senate didn't have a bill. He also said that once the Senate had a bill he was sure the Senator would have some Town Halls to get the input from the citizens of the Commonwealth. Well here we are Mr. Senator, where are you? Or did you think we forgot?

Gotta Laugh!

BOS Nancy Sorrells is already campaigning!

Well, its clear that the Augusta County Supervisors see re-election on the horizon. The NewsLeader had an interview with Nancy Sorrells, BOS of Riverheads District. The interview gives a brief question and answer from her. The notable quote of the interview for Sorrells was, "I guess I drew the short straw when we were deciding who to run for local office." She faces a tough re-election next year as rumors swirl about locals gearing up to oppose her in 2011.

Augusta County Superintendent to Retire.

Gary McQuain, 13 year Superintendent of Augusta County Schools, will retire at the end of this school year, the NewsLeader reports. McQuain said that it is time for someone new, with fresh perspectives and ideas. He stated that "its time." With the economy and state budget in such dire straights, McQuain acknowledged the challenges still ahead for this year. McQuain complimented the outstanding staff that he has worked with over the years and believes they will weather these tough times ahead. Now the task will begin to find a new superintendent for Augusta County Schools.