Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education
Martin Jeffrey- FB photo
Martin Jeffrey, a write-in candidate for Roanoke City Mayor, will join others, including some homeless Roanokers to sleep outside tonight – raining or not – in the 100 block of Church Avenue downtown. Jeffrey says the event is meant to highlight the city’s homeless crisis as winter approaches. He also says Roanoke HAS the resources to solve the homeless problem. According to Jeffrey, more than 400 of the city’s homeless citizens are children and he says Roanoke’s Homeless Assistance Team – HAT – needs more funding to help lower that number.
Many will recall that during David Bowers’ long tenure on Roanoke City Council and then as the 4-term Mayor, there was always a “D” after his name – but if Bowers is to secure a win in another bid for Mayor on Tuesday, it will be as an independent. He spoke live with us yesterday morning, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Photo: David Bowers Facebook
Former long time Roanoke Mayor David Bowers is back in the arena – again seeking his old seat against incumbent Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. Live on WFIR this morning Bowers – running as an independent – chided Lea, a Democrat, for a rally yesterday that featured Governor Northam. Hear our complete conversation with candidate for Roanoke Mayor David Bowers below. Mayor Sherman Lea joins us on Friday morning.
(from Virginia AP) The superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute has resigned. That’s according to a statement Monday from the school’s board president. The announcement came a week after state officials ordered an investigation into what they characterized as a culture of “ongoing structural racism” following a reporting in The WashingtonPost. Retired Army Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III tendered his resignation Monday. Board President John William Boland said in a statement that the Board of Visitors accepted it “with deep regret.”Delegate Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) released the following statement Monday on the resignation Virginia Military Institute Superintendent General J.H. Binford Peay, III: “I want to thank and congratulate General Peay on his service to the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“After an extraordinary career as a highly decorated military leader who served his country with bravery, devotion and skill, he turned his talents to the education of young citizen-soldiers and made a lasting positive impact on the Virginia Military Institute he guided for nearly two decades. I very much enjoyed working with General Peay and always knew him to be a person of great character and a generous spirit who treated everyone with respect and earned the admiration of students and colleagues alike.
“I am deeply disappointed that General Peay was not afforded the respect he deserved by the Governor and the other elected officials who saw fit to demand his resignation only days after calling for an investigation of incidents alleged in the news media. The Governor, in particular, should understand the importance of withholding judgment until the facts are in and should treat others with the same grace he once sought for himself. “The incidents at VMI alleged and described in the media are abhorrent and unacceptable, and there is simply no excuse for such behavior. A fair and complete investigation is merited and should be pursued vigorously. In the process, VMI’s own actions in response to the incidents should be fully considered. The findings should be made public and appropriate action must be taken when the report is complete.
“It sets a very dangerous precedent, however, for the Governor and other political officials to take precipitous actions in response to news stories, especially when those actions preempt the considered judgment of the governing board entrusted to manage the institution under our laws. Nothing will undermine the quality or reputation of our nationally-esteemed higher education system faster than for our colleges and universities to become political footballs tossed about by politicians who apparently lack the judgment and discretion to respect proper process and wait for the facts.
The West End Center for Youth has served lower income families for 40 years with afterschool and summer camp programs. A new mission it has taken on since COVID-19 means this year’s 10th annual “Spooky Sprint” 5K race fundraiser is more important than ever, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Earlier this week we heard from 5th District Republican Congressional candidate Bob Good, and now we heard from his Democratic opponent Cameron Webb who joined WFIR Morning reporter Clark Palmer by phone this morning.
(UWRV release) United Way of Roanoke Valley is working to raise $2.7 million in the 2020 Campaign to help provide area nonprofits the funding they need to meet increasing needs in the region. “Even before COVID-19, hit, about a third of our neighbors were already struggling to make ends meet, despite being employed,” said Abby Hamilton, President & CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley. “Now, with the economic and health ramifications of the pandemic, more people are in need of assistance for various needs. We have a tremendous opportunity to step up to strengthen the network of services that individuals and families will rely on. It’s going to take individuals, businesses, and nonprofits coming together to help our entire community recover, rebuild and be resilient. “
UWRV’s traditional fundraising model of in-person meetings with workplaces has been expanded to include a virtual platform where people can learn more about the organization and its impact in the community. Visitors to uwrv.org/donate/ can then make one-time or monthly recurring donations without contact. More than 10,000 Roanoke Valley residents, half of whom are children, were impacted by United Way dollars last year, even before the organization began providing COVID assistance grants to help growing community needs resulting from the pandemic. UWRV has also launched Small Business United, a charitable sponsorship program that also serves as a promotional investment for members.
