by Douglas R. Johnson
May 18, 2009
We are at the beginning of our local election cycle. Last year was the federal election cycle where we elected representatives to the federal government. Now we deal with the election of representatives at the local level.
This may be the last local election we ever have! This is because we are about to hand over all local issues to bureaucrats in Washington. Once we do that, we will not get it back.
by Patricia Phillips
April 4, 2009
I regret to report that today the Republican State Central Committee has voted to remove Jeff Frederick as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. The meeting was conducted in closed executive session, but I have heard the deliberations were fair and civil. The vote was very close.
by Douglas R. Johnson
April 5, 2009
I make no apology for supporting Jeff Frederick as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV). But now the RPV State Central Committee has removed him from being Chairman and the best I can ascertain is that it was done according to the rules of the RPV as specified in the official Party Plan.Perhaps the rules are wrong, but that is a debate for another day. I support the RPV and the now new leadership. I did not join the RPV because of Jeff becoming Chairman so I will not be leaving the Republican Party because Jeff is no longer Chairman.
I do, however, intend to find out just what Jeff did wrong and make sure I do not get caught in a similar situation.
(The official RPV “Party Plan” can be found online at www.rpv.org under “About RPV”.)
by Douglas R. Johnson
January 28, 2009
On the evening of 9-11, I got a phone call from someone from our church saying there would be a special service. We all turned to God in this time of trouble. But now with this “surprise” financial crisis, we seem to be turning to government instead of God.
by Douglas R. Johnson
January 15, 2009
Last evening, January 14, 2009, I attended the Fluvanna School Board meeting which went from 7:00 PM until well after 10:00 PM. I sat in the back but still recorded the session on my digital recorder.
by Douglas R. Johnson
September 22, 2008
Here in Fluvanna County, we are plowing ahead with a massive debt program. Debt is free money. Municipal bonds are the best thing to happen to small governments so they can build all sorts of infrastructure. Can we identify some very strong assumptions here?
by Douglas R. Johnson
July 23, 2008
Some use the term, “holocaust”, for other than the German attempt to destroy the Jews as Hitler’s final solution.
I dare say, if even one member of one’s own family is killed and mutilated, it is a personal “holocaust”. But using the term in such a way profanes to meaning of the word and does disrespect to those who suffered in the 1940’s.
But the proponents of globalization and the UN’s IB curriculum seem to be saying that all the world’s ills can be corrected through understanding, seeing the other side as those see it.
So how about understanding what Hitler was doing? How about seeing it from their point of view?
by Douglas R. Johnson
July 8, 2008
Our Fluvanna County Republican Fourth of July Parade Float was pulled by a Hummer that was donated by a successful Fluvanna business owner.
Some people criticized the action as putting our candidates “squarely in the elite class who can afford such a luxury…” as “most of our voters aren’t in that elite class.”
The Fluvanna business owner grew up in Fluvanna County and went to the Fluvanna Public School. That is a definite success story that should be used to inspire others. It is a true Horatio Alger story.
PALMYRA, VA. The Fluvanna Taxpayers Association (FTA) reports that the Saturday, May 10, 2008, Lunch Barbeque was a terrific success. Congressman Virgil Goode, State Senator Frank Ruff, Delegate Watt Abbitt, and State Delegate Rob Bell all addressed the crowd and answered some very difficult taxpayer questions.
Citizen Carrie Wigal really quizzed the elected officials on local issues. She was one of the first to speak at the Domino Plan’s new High School construction public hearing, as she is quite concerned on the tax consequence on young families.
Lee True, Chairman of the FTA, emphasized that the organization is a non-partisan taxpayer association that provides information, as well as seeking input from the taxpayers on their thoughts, needs and position on taxpayer issues in the county.
Supervisor Don Weaver had informational questions for our state officials concerning how state programs effect local decisions as many requirements designed for high density northern counties do not seem appropriate for the rural counties such as Fluvanna.
Supervisor Mozell Booker sent her regrets as she had a conflicting church function.
The event was hosted by Doug and Peg Johnson in their home in the Cunningham District. Doug is on the Steering Committee of the FTA and it was in that capacity he volunteered his home for the event.
Doug said: “While I would like to report on the actual questions and answers, the thrust of the gathering was the one on one interaction with the elected official. Watt Abbitt sat down with his constituents from Fork Union and Columbia Districts while Rob Bell spent his time with those from the other Districts. My wife had a long discussion with Frank Ruff while my daughter spent considerable time with Virgil Goode.”
Doug continued: “While the FTA purpose is strictly taxpayer issues, every conceivable concern came up in the small group discussions. Virgil was asked about border issues. Frank was asked about cluster subdivisions, Rob dealt with the VT shooting, and Watt mentioned being officially Independent.”
Lee True said: “Unfortunately, I was not taking note of all the answers. Some specifics stuck out regarding local taxes currently and in the near future appear to be on the rise, as are the state taxes if left to the legislators to drive on blindly (without asking the taxpayers).”
Note: There are two pictures included, the first 
shows left to right, Lee True, Rob Bell, Frank Ruff, Virgil Goode, and Doug Johnson. The second 
shows Rob Bell in the foreground talking with Carrie and Ty Wigal and Frank Ruff in the background talking with Al Colville and Bert Brittain.
by Douglas R. Johnson
May 29, 2008
The most sacred documents of Moslems, Christians, and Jews consider sodomy a capital crime against society. It is not a religious issue. God is not the one offended. It is so totally bad for humankind than it is included in these sacred documents for our protection.
New York, with a stroke of a pen by a single individual, nullifies the wishes of the vast majority of Americans. The new Governor of New York, who got his job when his (more…)