Government Transparency in Virginia: How Localities Compare

Is there some reason why the report is no longer available on the TJI site?

Marty Work I can’t believe that you have asked this question “tell us where we can get a copy.” Marty why don’t you spend just a little time and contact TJI. I am sure they will send you a copy upon request. It really isn’t that difficult.

GIVEMEABREAK2M: your sarcasam continues to fill the room with your absurd arrogance, but what good would any of us be without your voice in the background, cheering us on to yet another vacant lot?

Since you can’t bring yourself to join US without your anonymous moniker in place, how credible do you ever expect to be taking pot shots from cover and adding absolutely nothing to the conversation other than sarcastic condisention and a willingness to grumble loudly without say anything.

You really should get out more often and suck in some fresh air, instead of this spit you keep regurgitating.

I have, but that’s another story in the telling. But you already know that. What I appear to have left behind is the likes of you, whoever you are. And no, I’m not going any where. Just because you’re one of the bullies on the block, doesn’t make your spit any better or worse than the next County blog bully?

Besides, what’s so negative about asking questions you certainly don’t have answers for. But, neither does Spotsylvania County government and their elected officials, for which all I know you are one in the same.

Is it because the questions produce such negative results and consequences, or, you can’t stand the thought of being found out? What’s so negative about about securing transparency from local government. What kind of contributions have you made toward this end in the past 5 years?

Maybe you should take another read of “Government Transparency In Virginia.” How Local governments Compare. Do you really think Spotsylvania County’s score of 55.5, with the top score being 80 is something to brag about
or would you prefer Spotsy to continue along with its “business as usual’ business practices and ethics?

Just what are you bargaining for in the name of positive government, without transparency or accountability.

Page 12 of 15: Spotsylvania County BOS April 20, 2010 minutes.

Paragraph 8: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors does hereby request PRTC (VRE) to budget and appropriate the following amounts for transportation expenditures in FY 2011: $2,537,434 from Spotsylvania County’s collected gas taxes ESTIMATED by PRTC (VRE) to be $4,317,142 FROM WHICH Spotsylvania County will put ASIDE (somewhere) $431,714, to guard against fluctuations between ESTIMATED and ACTUAL revenues.

From this remaining amount Spotsy will pay PRTS (VRE) $1,207,340 AND $51,200 in administrative fees/expenses
of VRE/PRTC.

SIMPLE MATH:

The BALANCE of $2,537,434 will be distributed to Spoptsylvania County for transportation expenditures and allocated to”

Transportation-RELATED POSITIONS?…….$470,574 or the equivalent cost of two (2) traffic lights.

FRED bus service…………………………………..$421,332

DEBT SERVICE on “Previous” transportation ISSUES?
…………………………………………………………..$1,620,528

AND

Annual allocation to “Rural Additions” projects:
$25,000, or the equivalent cost of 4 truck loads of asphalt.

Is it any wonder that Spotsylvania County has a transportation fix in the works or is the County, under REGIONAL planning thru GWRC/FAMPO and in collaboration with the County’s “Focus Groups” in charge of changing the County landscape? I don’t know. You don’t know. The public doesn’t know. So, your telling US, including myself, our best bet of ever knowing anything about local government, and how it really works is to take a hike and leave town. Isn’t that pretty much what the South told the North when the first shot was fired?

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Another relic of the Civil war?

If you are afraid of open government and prefer closed doors maybe you should take a hike to the 21st century and see what it has to offer, You can leave the bully behind. It really doesn’t work. See you on the other side.