Archives for the ‘Stafford’ Category

John Chichester Endorses Pollard for Delegate

Author: From http://fred2blue.com • Oct 16th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Stafford

Pollard and ChichesterSen. John Chichester represented Virginia’s 28th Senate district, (which is comprised of the Northern Neck, Stafford County, and part of Fredericksburg),  from 1978 to 2007.

Former Republican State Senator John Chichester has endorsed Delegate Albert Pollard in his re-election effort this year in the 99th District.

“I appreciate his support and I hope to continue my tenure in the House of Delegates as a legislator who puts policy over partisanship” said Pollard. “More than ever, we must look for independent, practical answers to the problems facing the Northern Neck and Virginia as a whole.”

“Albert has the dignity and the intellectual horsepower to lay aside partisan difference and work across the aisle to handle the budget problems facing the Northern Neck and Virginia today” said Chichester. “I look forward to voting for him on November 3rd.”

Albert Pollard for Delegate



September 2009 Market Statistics

Author: From http://sarahiouslyspeaking.com • Oct 9th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, RealEstate.Local, Spotsylvania, Stafford

Fredericksburg City:

  • 133 days on market – this is 40 days more than in September 2008
  • Sellers received, on average, 84.67% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 8.89 months of inventory on the market
  • 19 homes sold in September 2009 – this is 8 more than in September 2008
  • The most popular price range was $250,000-$299,999.   
  • The median sold price was $250,000, compared to $258,000 in September 2008
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 13, FHA – 1, VA – 1, Assumption – 1, Cash – 3

Orange County

  • 114 days on market – this is 60 days less than in September 2008
  • Sellers received, on average, 88.92% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 13.09 months of inventory on the market
  • 32 homes sold in September 2009 – this is 2 more than in September 2008
  • The most popular price ranges were $140,000-$159,999
  • The median sold price was $159,000, compared to $213,450 in September 2008 
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 7, FHA – 10, VA – 4, Assumption – 2, Cash – 7, Other – 2

Spotsylvania County

  • 83 days on market – this is 40 less than September 2008 
  • Sellers received, on average, 93.24% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 6.42 months inventory on the market
  • 140 homes sold in September 2009 – this is 21 less than in September 2008 
  • The most popular price range was $200,000-$249,999
  • The median sold price was $193,500, compared to $225,000 in September 2008 
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 38, FHA – 45, VA – 20, Assumption – 10, Cash – 26, Other Financing – 1

Stafford County

  • 57 days on market – this is 59 less than September 2008 
  • Sellers received, on average, 95.22% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 5.50 months inventory on the market
  • 145 homes sold in September 2009 - this is 4 less than in September 2008 
  • The most popular price range was $200,000-$249,999
  • The median sold price was $220,000, compared to $250,000 in September 2008 
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 37, FHA – 49, VA – 43, Assumption – 2, Other – 1, Cash – 13

Prince William County

  • 50 days on market – this is 59 less than September 2008 
  • Sellers received, on average, 96.15% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 4.31 months inventory on the market
  • 683 homes sold in September 2009 - this is 433 less than in September 2008
  • The most popular price range was $300,000-$399,999
  • The median sold price was $205,000, compared to $189,900 in September 2008
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 165, FHA – 260, VA – 106, Assumption – 24, Cash – 121, Other – 6, Seller Financing – 1

Statistics provided and calculated using data supplied by MRIS.



Just Plane Crazy

Author: From http://fred2blue.com • Sep 18th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Stafford

airplaneUSA Today:

Airplane owners in Stafford County, Va., got a huge break in April. The county eliminated its tax on airplanes. That was done to match the policy in place at nearby Leesburg Executive and Manassas Regional airports.

The 29 people with small airplanes at the Stafford Regional Airport will see an average tax break of $655 a year, airport manager Ed Wallis says.

The main beneficiaries, Wallis says, will be owners of expensive jets that he hopes to draw by exempting them from taxes of $180,000 a year in the case of a Gulfstream V. That break will lure business, Wallis says.

Stafford Economic Development Authority member David Beiler calls the tax break “a wealthy, powerful special-interest group getting what it wants.” Stafford County this year increased the tax rate on automobiles by 25%.

“It’s ridiculous that someone with a car that’s 10 or 20 years old should be paying more tax than someone with a $1 million airplane,” says Stafford Supervisor Joe Brito, who opposed the tax cut.

The measure passed on a 5-2 vote

.



Jody Wagner in Stafford Saturday

Author: From http://fred2blue.com • Sep 10th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Stafford

Stafford Democrats:

Join the Coordinated Campaign and Jody Wagner, candidate for Lt. Governor, as they celebrate the Grand Opening of this years Coordinated Campaign Office in Stafford! The Grand Opening and Kickoff Canvass will be taking place this Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10:00 AM.

The office is located at:

2063 Jefferson Davis Hwy,
Stafford, VA 22554

(It is a couple hundred yards south of Courthouse and Route 1 – on the right hand side driving south)



Stafford Dem Chair Asks Speaker Howell for Transparency in Hamilton Probe

Author: From http://fred2blue.com • Aug 31st, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Stafford

The Phil Hamilton ethics controversy is getting weirder. Recently the House GOP Caucus removed Hamilton from their website… but then put him back up a few days later. There’s a rumor out there that House Speaker Bill Howell and RPV Chair Pat Mullins tried to set Del. Hamilton up with a $100k a year job to coax him into dropping out of the race. And to top it all off, Howell is refusing to return $125k in contributions from Hamilton. It’s becoming ridiculous.
bill-howellpre2

August 31, 2009

The Hon. William J. Howell
106 Carter Street
Falmouth, VA 22405

Dear Mr. Speaker,

Over the past week, disturbing details have continued to emerge about Del. Phil Hamilton securing work with a teaching center at Old Dominion University even as he sought funding for the center in the state budget.

You recently stated that you don’t want a public ‘show trial’ for Hamilton, but you have yet to explain how or if these proceedings will be made public. Given the lack of any new information, I request that you disclose what actions have already been taken and how exactly the investigation will proceed as it moves forward.

As Speaker of the House and the recipient of $125,000 from Del. Hamilton’s Political Action Committee (PAC), you hold a unique position of influence over this matter. I ask that you to return the $125,000 to Del. Hamilton’s PAC, in order to remove any appearance of impropriety or favoritism as the ethics probe continues.

Very Respectfully,

Marc K. Broklawski
Chair, Stafford Democratic Committee



Obama’s Tactics to Round Up the Dissenters, not Unlike Stafford’s Own Who can Go Flag Themselves

Author: From http://rappahannockred.wordpress.com • Aug 13th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Politics, Stafford

Obama wants you to turn on your friends and neighbors and report them to the White House especially if they send you an email talking about not liking the new socialized healthcare plan.  The White House would then have a complete list of every name and email account for anyone who dissents from the party line and could take action behind the scenes to make their opponents and friends of their opponents simply go away.  Not unlike maneuvering we’ve seen locally if you’re not a purified brownshirt of a Republican faction du jour.

Today, I’m sad for America, I’m sad for loss of our freedoms and I’m sad for our Republic. But I’ll never wear a brown shirt for any candidate who asks me to do things against my better judgement, no matter how many of my friends she calls a “coward” for not acting as a private henchman. Not all Republicans are drones. Some actually believe in democracy still.  If you don’t- go FLAG YOURSELF at least- for the Fatherland of course.

Posted in Barack Hussein Obama, Barack Obama, blog, Communism, Conspiracy, election, Fredericksburg Regional Republicans, Free Speech, laws, National Security, politics, Republicans, Socialism, stafford, The White House


POLL: Filler, Osborn or Stimpson for Falmouth?

Author: From http://rappahannockred.wordpress.com • Aug 12th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Politics, Stafford

So we’ve got a conundrum … We’re a right of center blog—”clearly”, I know.

In the Falmouth District of Stafford County, VA, there’s a three-way race for supervisor this November 3.

Doug Filler is out for our endorsement not solely because he’s a Democrat, but because he’s George Schwartz’s hand picked successor to this throne of power, and because Filler ardently supports imposing the BPOL tax on businesses calling it “revenue” for his vision of a bigger stronger government. Republicans are simply for minimal government and more personal decisions and freedoms so he’s an easy nix for our endorsement.

Thus, we would typically endorse the Republican slate of candidates, but in this particular district race, there’s 2 that fit the bill:

Susan Stimpson, a newcomer to Stafford County, has earned her GOP credentials in spades having served on several winning campaigns’ staff and as the county GOP Chairman for the past 2 years. She makes no apologies about being labeled the Republican nominee and despite having no public service experience, knows how to campaign hard and has the support of most of the behind-the-scenes party faithful.  Whether that’s a positive or not depends on your perspective.

Mark Osborn, a lifelong Stafford resident and local employer has served as the supervisor already from 2002-2005 and had earned the full backing of the exact same GOP party faithful last time he ran for the seat under the Republican banner until he was narrowly defeated by 200+ votes by “It’s always some developer’s fault” George Schwartz. Osborn has always considered himself a Republican according to the core values and creed, and says he chose to not run under the label this time because he’s tired of the party bickering that is so prevelant on the current board and hopes that this gesture will prove that he’s willing to listen to all sides of an issue and make the best decision for the residents.

Both candidates oppose the BPOL tax and both consider themselves Republicans when it comes to decision making. In the true spirit of democracy, you the voter get to choose!

Who would you vote for if the election were held today? Would you choose experience and a record of service or a political party’s superwoman with a clean slate?

May the screeds against me for even asking the question begin now!

Posted in blog, BPOL Tax, George "Stalin" Schwartz, Mark Osborn, policy, politics, Republicans, stafford, supervisor, Susan Stimpson


Market Statistics July 2009

Author: From http://sarahiouslyspeaking.com • Aug 11th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, RealEstate.Local, Spotsylvania, Stafford

Fredericksburg City:

  • 64 days on market – this is 107 days less than in July 2008
  • Sellers received, on average, 89.65% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 7.48 months of inventory on the market
  • 23 homes sold in July 2009 – this is 1 more than in July 2008
  • The most popular price range was under $100,000 and $300,000-$349,999.   
  • The median sold price was $218,000, compared to $317,950 in July 2008
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 9, FHA – 5, VA – 2, Assumption – 1, Cash – 6

Orange County

  • 155 days on market – this is 10 days less than in July 2008
  • Sellers received, on average, 87.73% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 11.97 months of inventory on the market
  • 36 homes sold in July 2009 – this is 10 more than in July 2008
  • The most popular price ranges were $200,000-$249,999
  • The median sold price was $209,000, compared to $202,950 in July 2008 
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 13, FHA – 11, VA – 1, Assumption – 2, Cash – 6, Seller Financing – 1, Other – 2

Spotsylvania County

  • 99 days on market – this is 44 less than July 2008 
  • Sellers received, on average, 89.72% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 5.80 months inventory on the market
  • 162 homes sold in July 2009 – this is 28 more than in July 2008 
  • The most popular price range was $250,000-$299,999
  • The median sold price was $218,450, compared to $252,500 in July 2008 
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 47, FHA – 54, VA – 29, Assumption – 8, Cash – 21, Other – 3

Stafford County

  • 74 days on market – this is 61 less than July 2008 
  • Sellers received, on average, 94.32% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 5.06 months inventory on the market
  • 156 homes sold in July 2009 - this is 13 more than in July 2008 
  • The most popular price range was $300,000-$399,999
  • The median sold price was $238,250, compared to $290,000 in July 2008 
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 48, FHA – 42, VA – 37, Assumption – 11, Cash – 18

Prince William County

  • 61 days on market – this is 51 less than July 2008 
  • Sellers received, on average, 94.83% of their list price when the home sold
  • There is 3.93 months inventory on the market
  • 787 homes sold in July 2009 - this is 225 less than in July 2008
  • The most popular price range was $300,000-$399,999
  • The median sold price was $200,000, compared to $214,000 in July 2008
  • Financing Terms:  Conventional – 181, FHA – 299, VA – 129, Assumption – 37, Cash – 133, Other – 7, Seller - 1 

Statistics provided and calculated using data supplied by MRIS.



Gov. Kaine Announces 1,100 Acre Addition to Crow’s Nest Preserve

Author: From http://fred2blue.com • Jul 29th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Stafford

Kaine Save Crow's Nest

www.SaveCrowsNest.org

“Brings total to 2,870 acres of protected coastal habitat.”

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the purchase of more than a thousand acres for preservation as part of Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford, Virginia. The $14.2 million deal finalized this week adds 1,100 acres to the 1,770 acres already purchased in the first phase of the preservation effort, resulting in the permanent protection of 2,870 acres of highly significant coastal habitat. Funding for the purchase of the second parcel of land was provided by the Commonwealth in the form of grants and low-interest loans. The purchase results from a partnership between the Stafford County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

“Virginians strongly support conserving significant natural and historic lands,” said Governor Kaine. “This purchase brings us 1,100 acres closer to my goal of preserving 400,000 acres statewide by 2010, while also improving water quality.”

To date, more than 340,000 acres statewide have been preserved.

“I am pleased that Stafford’s citizens are now collective owners of almost 3,000 acres of a local treasure,” said Chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors George Schwartz. “The preservation of this tract will allow us to continue enjoying all that Crow’s Nest has to offer, including rare wildlife and plants.”

This purchase will preserve 138 species of migratory birds, bald eagles, 750 acres of wetlands and 2,200 acres of hardwood forests. In addition, many historically significant events occurred in the area, including Pocahontas’s kidnapping and Civil War occupation by the Union Army.

The peninsula will be used for recreation, including bird watching, canoeing and hiking. Eventually, Crow’s Nest will serve as an educational hub for the area’s natural resources and history.

“We have been negotiating to save Crow’s Nest for years because we were committed to preserving this priceless and environmentally sensitive area for visitors today and generations to come,” said Supervisor Paul Milde of the Aquia District, which includes Crow’s Nest. “Our hard work will pay dividends to our citizens and visitors, and hopefully, will be an inspiration to other groups who seek to preserve natural and historic treasures.”

For several years, citizens groups, county, state and federal officials have worked together to negotiate with Stafford Lakes Limited Partnership to purchase the land. Phase One of the purchase was completed in December 2007 for $19 million. Crow’s Nest is Virginia’s 54th natural area preserve.

“Acquisition of Crow’s Nest Phase Two is a critical step in ensuring the protection of the original 1,770 acres purchased in 2007,” said Joseph H. Maroon, DCR director. “This tract is also an important property in its own right, with 73 acres of wetlands, more than 1,000 acres of upland forest and nearly six miles of streams.”

Virginia natural area preserves provide access to the public for activities such as hiking, wildlife observation and canoeing. DCR staff has begun planning limited access improvements such as parking areas, trails and a canoe launch. Staff is also looking at scheduling weekends this fall when the preserve will be open to the public. However, Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve will remain closed on a regular basis until funding for staffing is in place and access improvements have been made.

Today’s announcement comes as Governor Kaine continues to move his “Renew Virginia” initiative. Renew Virginia is focused on promoting renewable energy, creating green jobs, and encouraging preservation of the environment.

For more information on Renew Virginia, visit www.governor.virginia.gov.



Laura Sellers, 24, Running for Garrisonville Supervisor in Stafford Co.

Author: From http://fred2blue.com • Jul 28th, 2009
   Category: Blog Entries.Local, Stafford

Recently a local right-wing blog mocked the fact that someone as young as Laura Sellers would run for a seat on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. In response, Garrisionville Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer emailed his fellow Republican, blogger Eric Martin, asking him to not engage in personal attacks. His response to Dudenhefer’s email was: but, Fred2Blue does it!…. and he still has the post up as I write this.

Can’t imagine why only 6% of Americans age 18-29  have a favorable view of the GOP.

Laura A. Sellers, a 24 year old North Stafford Alumni, Department of Defense contractor, graduate student, and youth advocate, announced today her decision to challenge the Republican incumbent for the seat on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors representing the Garrisonville District.

“My generation has an important stake in the future of our county, and it is important for us to have a voice in making the decisions affecting our quality of life and future –- our county needs a leader with a vision,” Ms. Sellers said. Seeking new and creative solutions to the issues of public safety, education, transportation, parks and recreation, and economic development she is committed to building community by encouraging citizen involvement in all aspects of county life. “It doesn’t take a lot of money to create stronger communities. It will take time and the individual commitment of our citizens to build a better place in which to live and raise our families.”

Ms. Sellers has called Stafford County home since July 2002. She graduated from North Stafford High School in 2003, received her B.A. in Sociology from North Carolina State University in 2006 and is currently a part-time graduate student at the University of Maryland. Currently, Ms. Sellers is a social science researcher working for a defense contractor in a high security environment focusing on national security and law enforcement issues.

Laura A. Sellers’ commitment to families and children began in the eighth grade where she volunteered with the local Head Start program by reading to young children. While attending North Carolina State University, Ms. Sellers developed and implemented after-school recreation programs for the youth population of Raleigh, NC. A former student athlete herself, she is a strong advocate for recreation programs helping to keep our young people active and busy as an effective antidote to juvenile crime.

A commuter herself, she believes that families are adversely affected by the traffic problems faced by Stafford commuters as parents have less time to spend with their children; less time to participate in parent-teacher partnering; and, less time to spend supporting family activities. “Our traffic problems are a family values issue. Families must have time to spend with one another,” Ms. Sellers stated.

Laura A. Sellers is a member of the North Carolina State University Alumni Association, North Carolina State Wolfpack Club, Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, and is currently working to start a Stafford chapter of the Young Democrats. With her parents and sisters, Ms. Sellers is a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Dumfries, VA.