Blog Williamsburg

Politics

A Conservative’s Perspective on McCain vs. Obama

The following was sent ot me by a friend. I post it here as food for discussion. - Joe Hertzler

A Conservative for Obama
MY PARTY HAS SLIPPED ITS MOORINGS. ITS TIME FOR A TRUE PRAGMATIST TO LEAD THE COUNTRY.

Leading Off By Wick Allison, Editor In Chief

THE MORE I LISTEN TO AND READ ABOUT the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, the more I like him. Barack Obama strikes a chord with me like no political figure since Ronald Reagan. To explain why, I need to explain why I am a conservative and what it means to me.

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General Discussions

A Strong Sense of “Lack” in the World

The following comment was sent to me by a friend as we shot some political emails back and forth:

In reading all of these articles and watching some TV, it seems there is a strong sense of “ lack “ in the world.  Lack of trust, lack of oil, lack of money, lack of jobs, lack of peace, etc.  It makes me wonder, do I want to get sucked in a sense of “lack” or live a life of abundance ( not necessarily material things, but in all things of my life ).  If you look at the world with a sense of lack, it seems to me it is going to stretch in other areas of your experience as well.  Lack of love, lack of honesty, lack of patience, etc. etc.

So I’m trying to replace these pictures with a counter position.  A war in one part of the world is bad, but in comparison to the other 90% of the world that is living peaceably it is not.  I prefer praising the 90% and supporting them.  Instead of dwelling on the 6% unemployment, I’d rather applaud the 94% that is employed.  Make sense?

I’m not articulating this well as I could—just some thoughts that I’ve been wrestling with.
-David S.

I think he articulated something very well. - Joe

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City of Williamsburg

Affordable Housing in Williamsburg

The following letter was sent to the Planning Commission. I am posting it here in its entirety. - Joe Hertzler

December 17, 2007
Dear [city of Williamsburg Planning] Commissioners:
The city of Williamsburg is fortunate to be a place where people want to live. Young people move here to go to college; some decide to stay, work and raise families. Others see this as a vibrant and inviting place to retire. Along that continuum, families and individuals have varied needs in the type of housing they choose and the services they require. In meeting those needs, Williamsburg must find a sustainable balance for growth in both housing and business development. 

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City of Williamsburg

Empowering Neighborhoods

By Brad Reed, Townsman Staff
Thursday, March 08, 2007

Let’s say you’re upset because a developer has proposed building an enormous house next door that would block sunlight in your backyard.

As long as the proposed building conforms to the town’s zoning bylaws, you couldn’t do anything to stop it from being built.

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City of Williamsburg

Let’s Be Clear on Density, by Roger Guernsey, AIA

Our community is growing. People who have grown up in Hampton Roads are having families. Those who moved here to go to college are staying to work, continue in graduate school, and raise their families. Others are moving here to retire. Still others are buying homes where their children can live while they attend college, since student housing is scarce. Growth is a fact that we must plan for in a reasonable way as a community. As jobs are created in various sectors, we must be able to provide an array of housing types to accommodate those who need housing here. 

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