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Rachel Rifkind  We just emailed our first newsletter, and look forward to staying in touch with you now both through our web site and newsletter. If you are not yet on our list, please fill in the request to be added below. cforms contact form by delicious:days With the recent resignation of Jennifer McLellan, there is an opening in the DPVA 1st Vice Chair position. The seat will be filled at the next State Central Committee Meeting on June 12. Two Virginia Democratic Women have announced their candidacy: Gaylene Kanoyton and Susan Mariner. We have pasted below recent emails from both Susan and Gaylene announcing their intent to run for this position. Continue reading Two Virginia Democratic Women Running for DPVA 1st Vice Chair Solicitor General Elena Kagan: ”Her Passion for the Law is Anything But Academic” — President Obama on announcing his pick for the High Court. For more about the nomination from the White House blog, click here.
The Blue Divas are a running club comprised of democratic women throughout the Commonwealth who want to stay fit and raise money for the Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus (VaDWC). This year our goal is to run the Richmond Marathon and Half Marathon on Saturday, November 13, 2010. The marathon and half marathon have a limited capacity so follow the link and register NOW! www.richmondmarathon.com. Registration fees are $80 for the Marathon and $65 for the half marathon.
First Timer Marathon Training in Northern Virginia will begin Saturday, May 15, 2010 at East Falls Church /Washington Old Dominion Trail Basketball Courts. We will meet at 7:15 am to discuss our training schedule and training method. Half Marathoners will be expected to attend this meeting. Half Marathon training will begin August 7, 2010. We will run our first 4 miles for Marathon Training at 8 am leaving the 3rd mile marker. You will need to register on-line at www.richmondmarathon.com prior to our training kick-off. Seasoned runners are welcomed. First time runners are supported, welcomed, and encouraged—this a great camaraderie and campaign team work exercise! RULES
The VaDWC is not a sponsor or an affiliate of the Richmond Marathon or responsible for injuries sustained as a result of training or participation in the actual event. All runners will follow the rules and guidelines established by the Richmond Sun Trust Marathon.
Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus Executive Board Members, Gaylene Kanoyton, Linda Brooks, and Deloris Thomas present Congressman Bobby Scott with a letter from the Caucus thanking him for his support and vote for Health Care Reform. Passage of Health Care Reform was historical and the Caucus knows the impact this legislation will have in improving the lives of women and children throughout the Commonwealth. We are deeply appreciative of Congressman Scott’s unwavering support.
This license plate, “Trust Women. Respect Choice.”, will be available soon for Virginians. Continue reading Trust Women Respect Choice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CAUCUS Statement regarding Governor McDonnell’s Proclamation declaring April as Confederate History Month The Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus condemns Governor Robert McDonnell’s proclamation honoring confederate history. We are outraged by the historical inaccuracy and the exclusion of slavery in an official government manuscript. The women of the Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus believe this Proclamation and the Governor’s defense of it, is an insult to people of color and an attempt to disregard the sacrifice and struggles of the events leading to Civil Rights. No last minute apology will make up for the pain caused by this error. This Proclamation attempts to dismantle a collective admission of the many atrocities of slavery and perpetuates the myths that the Civil War was a just and noble cause. We believe Governor McDonnell is pandering to the interests of a narrow but excessively loud group of right wing extremists rather than the combined well-being of all Virginians. Once elected Governor, Robert McDonnell represents all the people not just a segment of the population who share his incorrect opinion of Virginia history. We encourage Governor McDonnell to stop glorifying errors of the past and try to lead the Commonwealth into an equitable future.
### Lynchburg needs your help Lynchburg is arguably facing the most important City Council election in its history on May 4, and we need your help re-electing Joan Foster. Why? Last November, Liberty University used student muscle to steal the House of Delegates race from one of our own, Shannon Valentine, and the citizens of Lynchburg. By controlling access and information, Liberty’s chancellor, Jerry Falwell, Jr., convinced Liberty students of their power to “dominate in local elections,” and he has become increasingly vocal and aggressive about electing officials who will allow the university to do exactly as it pleases – seeking “special treatment and special exemptions”. Most recently, Liberty University and Jerry Falwell, Jr. secretly taped a meeting between the school, the city manager and Mayor Joan Foster. The University then used this secret taping to challenge Joan’s integrity – accusing her of promising a future vote on a zoning issue important to Liberty. The truth is the tape actually supports Joan, clarifying her statement and intention. While Joan is emerging as the strong, effective leader that she is, it is outrageous for any institution to seek preferential treatment, conducting government business in such an unethical manner. The Farm Team stands on the principle of electing outstanding women. Today, we have an outstanding candidate in Joan Foster, who is standing on an eight-year record of excellent service, working for the good of all citizens in Lynchburg – treating everyone fairly and not allowing anyone to expect to be “exempt” from the rules and “expect special treatment”. As members of the Farm Team, we cannot stand by and allow one of our best to be defeated using such deplorable tactics. Stand with us and help re-elect Mayor Joan Foster May 4. Statement from Joan F. Foster on the secret taping of her meeting with Chancellor Falwell, his staff members and the City Manager, April 3, 2010
1. The quality of the recording is poor. Key pieces of the meeting are missing which I will outline later. The general tone of the meeting was positive. The major objectives of the meeting were accomplished: A. Educate the administration of the funds currently allocated to the Pedestrian Walkway. B. Hear the concerns of Liberty University regarding the Conditional Use Permit Process (CUP). C. Offer options in addressing changes to the CUP so they could seek fewer restrictions dealing with growth on campus. D. Build positive relationships with one of Lynchburg’s key stakeholders, Liberty University. 2. Both Chancellor Falwell and staff member Lee Beaumont have admitted clearly that I never stated that I could deliver a unanimous vote to change the CUP as quoted in the News and Advance in an article on April 2, 2010. However, they have both stated that this was implied in the meeting and point to one section of the recording to make their point. Clearly, they misunderstood my comments. When I said, “that would be a 7‐0 vote in favor of what he (City Manager) just said,” I meant that all of Council would want to know how an internal college project impacts the outlying community. 3. One of the options presented to Liberty University during our meeting which was not present in the recording, was to write a letter requesting a change to the CUP process to City Council. If a letter was delivered to me on behalf of LU, I assured them that I would share the letter with Council and then it would be turned over to the Planning Commission. This would begin the process, which is currently in place, which would take 60 to 90 days. This is exactly what occurred at City Council Work Session on March 30, 2010. The process was initiated and referred to the Planning Commission.
In public service, there are a lot of demands, and people have varying opinions which is what makes a democracy work. It is very important to be slow to anger when you are in a leadership role and to be very tolerant and open to a variety of views. However, when a person’s integrity is challenged, that must be addressed clearly, quickly and assertively. So, let me say very clearly, quickly and assertively, that I have spoken the truth throughout this process. As is verified in the partial secret recording of the meeting, and with statements from Lee Beaumont and Jerry Falwell, Jr. in an article in the April 2, 2010 News and Advance, I never promised a guaranteed 7‐0 vote on changing the CUP process. Lee Beaumont was quoted in this article as saying, “The Mayor never directly said that a request for a zoning amendment would get a 7‐0 vote.” Later in the article he is quoted as saying, “She did not say: We will give LU back its 1991 by‐right use.” I think these words speak for themselves. *** If you would like to help re-elect Mayor Foster May 4, please visit her site and/or click here to contribute to her campaign. |
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