For the Roanoke Valley ES members

[Toe Jam]

Yeah! Can someone explain that to me? Before I worked at Lewis Gale and spent time in Roanoke, we went to the new Best Buy. So, when we are finished, I hang a right out of the parking lot. Much to my dismay, I had to turn left then circle back on Orange Ave. To this day I don't get it?

Simply put, our city council is too busy with their hands up their asses to help get anything done.

I was at Patrick Henry the year we had to go out of town for our homecoming game because Victory Stadium had flooded so bad. That was unbelievable. They sat around for years waiting to tear that thing down. It was way past its time. Then, we almost didn't get stadiums at PH and Fleming because there were "concerns within the community." Translation: all the old, spoiled rich people in the neighborhood didn't want to put up with any kind of noise, traffic, etc. Hell, if they had their way, we would have still been in the old PH, which leaked and was impossible to get around at during rain, snow, etc..

Something finally got done but it took way too long. Then, they decide to build this ugly ass museum that costs millions of dollars when, right down the street in Southeast Roanoke, houses are crumbling and the homeless rate is skyrocketing. Violence is increasing and kids roam the streets more and more. The only thing they've done to Southeast is put medians in the middle of the roads to slow down traffic.

If you want any kind of change, don't ever live in Roanoke. Their flood control program didn't even start until a couple of years ago. I don't know how it took them 20 years after the flood of 85' to finally do something.

If you're under 60 in Roanoke, you have no say in anything. Period.

[Tastes Like Chicken]

I used to cover all of VA as part of my sales territory. I miss the road trips. Virginia Tech, occasionally Roanoke (there was one biotech there that I covered), then UVA and back up 29. The mountains and grassy hills were gorgeous, and I ate way too much Waffle House food.

The other tour would be Norfolk-Richmond then back up 95. College night at Bar Norfolk. :thumbsup:

[IronMike]

Dear Jabird:

You said:

Having said that, my father's college roomate has been the C-burg city planner/urban development specialist for the past 15 years or so. He has many of the same gripes you do about city council and its doings. My dad is the zoning administrator for arlington county, according to him SOVA John Lawmakers havent bothered to adhere to the statewide zoning laws and is the reason why that part of the state feels off. At one point, when he was supposed to be helping me move, he counted over a hundred zoning violations on my block alone. These violations range from anything to safety issues like proper walk ways leading up to homes, to blatant disregard to where commercial and residential areas meet. According to my father, who is an expert in zoning and urban planning, the only way things could operate in this manner is through kickbacks and small town corruption going unchecked.

We are WAY OFF Redskin football topic here! But I respectfully disagree with your quote, and your father's opinion (if that really is his opinion). In my professional life I am an attorney who has lititgated numerous zoning cases in NOVA and in SWVA over the past 33 years.

Simple: zoning ordinances are local legislative enactments/laws. The state wide laws provide a framework for local ordinances. The statewide laws provide a range of discretion for each locality to adopt to meet that locality's unique needs. Unless your father was intimately familiar with C-burg's or B-burg's local zoning ordinance (which I doubt) he could not know what was and was not a violation. Each locality's ordinance is different. What may be permiotted by right in one locality, may not be permitted by right in another locality. And talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Arlington's ordinance is confusing, incoherent, contradictory, and wallowing in political-correctness! Perhaps your dad should drive thru his own county first, before rendering such foolish, uninformed opinions!

Interesting point: a large NOVA county (not Arlington) was the last one to have a major prosecution for corruption in zoning decisions.

If your dad has proof of corruption, let him bring that proof to the Attorney General or Commonwealth's Attorney. Talk is cheap, back up that talk with proof. The ignorant and uninformed always allege corruption when events or decisions do not go their way. It is a wonderful substitute for real knowledge and intelligence.

Finally most planners come out of college with their heads full of BS and theory. They have never been taught that the strength (and weakness) of zoning laws (as well as all laws) is in the enforcement. Most localities have an army of "planners" but only a handful of enforcement officials. Typically they are swamped with work, and most often they spend the overwhelming part of their time responding to citizen complaints.

Back to Football: anyone from the Roanoke or New River Valley going to Canton for Monk and Green? We will be!

HTTR!

[TK]

Yeah! Can someone explain that to me? Before I worked at Lewis Gale and spent time in Roanoke, we went to the new Best Buy. So, when we are finished, I hang a right out of the parking lot. Much to my dismay, I had to turn left then circle back on Orange Ave. To this day I don't get it?

Way I heard it when I moved back here from Gloucester, (and yes, Hampton Roads IS completely different. FM99 anyone? )they ran out of money to build the other ramp. I moved back here 2000. Eight years later, still no North bound ramp. Also don't get me started on that mess of on/off ramps for 460/581. That HAD to have been designed by retarded monkeys. Which is really sad, because I like monkeys.

[TK]

Simply put, our city council is too busy with their hands up their asses to help get anything done.

I was at Patrick Henry the year we had to go out of town for our homecoming game because Victory Stadium had flooded so bad. That was unbelievable. They sat around for years waiting to tear that thing down. It was way past its time. Then, we almost didn't get stadiums at PH and Fleming because there were "concerns within the community." Translation: all the old, spoiled rich people in the neighborhood didn't want to put up with any kind of noise, traffic, etc. Hell, if they had their way, we would have still been in the old PH, which leaked and was impossible to get around at during rain, snow, etc..

Something finally got done but it took way too long. Then, they decide to build this ugly ass museum that costs millions of dollars when, right down the street in Southeast Roanoke, houses are crumbling and the homeless rate is skyrocketing. Violence is increasing and kids roam the streets more and more. The only thing they've done to Southeast is put medians in the middle of the roads to slow down traffic.

If you want any kind of change, don't ever live in Roanoke. Their flood control program didn't even start until a couple of years ago. I don't know how it took them 20 years after the flood of 85' to finally do something.

If you're under 60 in Roanoke, you have no say in anything. Period.

Dude, I may be 16 years older then you, but A-****ing- men.:applause: :notworthy

[F-16 CHIEF]

Iron Mike, I'm going to Canton. Got our tickets last week. Can't wait!

[KCJDLJ]

We should put together a fund raiser to pay for the costs of changing the stars colors to burgundy and gold. That would help. If there's money left over we could use it to errect a neon Redskins emblem near the H&C coffee and DR. Pepper signs downtown.

[KCJDLJ]

Don't even get me started on Victory Stadium. Or the resort/restaurant that was proposed for Mill Mountain. Or the museum downtown that looks like Picasso threw up.

What about the Imax theater that was supposed to be built downtown?

[TK]

I've got a fifth of Jack & a Tahoe with 4WD. Who wants to get together & pull the star down the mountain?

:2drunks:

[skinsince72]

I've got a fifth of Jack & a Tahoe with 4WD. Who wants to get together & pull the star down the mountain?

:2drunks:

Spoken like a true SOVA man!

I used to drive to Abingdon and Roanoke for business meetings. Love the scenery. I don't know how you guys even find a flat patch of earth to put a football field on!:laugh:

I didn't realize Roanoke had so many issues. At least its not like the uber liberal, ultra high cost of living, take the state's money to build a bypass but never build it Charlottesville.

[phatSkins27]

We're nice.

And we're tired of how slow you 'clowns' drive, who does the speed limit?

At least go five over.

And don't forget, if it weren't for my school your town wouldn't have half the stores it has. You're welcome

PS-Have you seen the construction at 1st and Main in Blacksburg? Hows it coming?

when did this thread go from being i hate the cowboys star on mill mountain to NOVA vs SWVA???

Here is an idea, NOVA can be kept to those up ther who like it and SWVA can be down here for those that like it down here....

[phatSkins27]

Spoken like a true SOVA man!

I used to drive to Abingdon and Roanoke for business meetings. Love the scenery. I don't know how you guys even find a flat patch of earth to put a football field on!:laugh:

I didn't realize Roanoke had so many issues. At least its not like the uber liberal, ultra high cost of living, take the state's money to build a bypass but never build it Charlottesville.

who said we play football here on flat land?

watch most HS teams south and west of roanoke and speed is not the name of the game!

[DarrellsMyHero28]

when did this thread go from being i hate the cowboys star on mill mountain to NOVA vs SWVA???

Here is an idea, NOVA can be kept to those up ther who like it and SWVA can be down here for those that like it down here....

Someone made a comment that he couldn't wait until those 'spoiled brats' (college students) went back to NOVA.

I love Southern VA, its beautiful country, the people are very nice, its slower than the 'city' but its a nice change.

No humidity, good places to hike, the communities are very close-knit etc.

The smell of the cows takes a little getting used to but the smell of brats outside Lane on a Saturday afternoon makes up for it.

[Jahbird]

We are WAY OFF Redskin football topic here! But I respectfully disagree with your quote, and your father's opinion (if that really is his opinion). In my professional life I am an attorney who has lititgated numerous zoning cases in NOVA and in SWVA over the past 33 years.

Simple: zoning ordinances are local legislative enactments/laws. The state wide laws provide a framework for local ordinances. The statewide laws provide a range of discretion for each locality to adopt to meet that locality's unique needs. Unless your father was intimately familiar with C-burg's or B-burg's local zoning ordinance (which I doubt) he could not know what was and was not a violation. Each locality's ordinance is different. What may be permiotted by right in one locality, may not be permitted by right in another locality. And talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Arlington's ordinance is confusing, incoherent, contradictory, and wallowing in political-correctness! Perhaps your dad should drive thru his own county first, before rendering such foolish, uninformed opinions!

Interesting point: a large NOVA county (not Arlington) was the last one to have a major prosecution for corruption in zoning decisions.

If your dad has proof of corruption, let him bring that proof to the Attorney General or Commonwealth's Attorney. Talk is cheap, back up that talk with proof. The ignorant and uninformed always allege corruption when events or decisions do not go their way. It is a wonderful substitute for real knowledge and intelligence.

Finally most planners come out of college with their heads full of BS and theory. They have never been taught that the strength (and weakness) of zoning laws (as well as all laws) is in the enforcement. Most localities have an army of "planners" but only a handful of enforcement officials. Typically they are swamped with work, and most often they spend the overwhelming part of their time responding to citizen complaints.

Both my parents have worked in urban planning and zoning administration for most of their lives. They are not fresh out of college with heads full of bs and theory. They are dedicated professionals with decades of experience. Respectfully, your opinion on arlington's zoning, is strictly that...opinion. I think most would agree that you don't need a law degree to smell **** when it stinks. If you read carefully you would have noticed that my father's old roomate and best friend from college serves C-burg in the exact same capacity that my father serves Arlington. They talk about their experiences not only as friends would but as professionals sharing what works and what doesnt. My fathers opinion then was based upon his 30 odd years in planning, and the opinion of his C-burg counter part, with the same amount of experience and an ear to the local problems. Typical of most lawyers, your "numerous" zoning litigations still only makes you an expert in law, not zoning. My father never alleged or levied specific allegations of corruptness, per se. He just remarked that small town systems don't adhere to statewide zoning ordinance which implies corruption. Regardless, if the laws are written to allow locales to apply them as they see fit. Standards, like safety issues are state wide, and they are ignored in SoVa. Finally, guy, who the **** are you? My dad drives through his county every day on his way to work. Nobody says arlington is perfect, but at least there you wont break your ankle stepping off your porch because your landlord refuses to build a responsible walkway to your front step. You chastise my dad for leveling allegations without proof and then proceed to do the same calling him ignorant and uniformed, when you clearly have little clue as to the exact circumstances of the situation. Whats the difference between a lawyer and a catfish? One is a **** eating, bottom dwelling scum sucker, and the other is a fish.

[fansince62]

yes...but I do believe that is a burgundy (ok....work with me!).....outer border bounding the whole thing.

[fansince62]

when did this thread go from being i hate the cowboys star on mill mountain to NOVA vs SWVA???

Here is an idea, NOVA can be kept to those up ther who like it and SWVA can be down here for those that like it down here....

or NOVA can keep to those living off gov'ts teats and the rest can live elsewhere and earn a real living........

j/k...of course.

[Rocky21]

The Mill Mountain Star was there long before the Cowboys picked it as their emblem.

**** the Cowgirls!

[ZRagone]

::Feels akward as a Botetourt County native transplanted into Herndon due to his job::

[DarrellsMyHero28]

::Feels akward as a Botetourt County native transplanted into Herndon due to his job::

What a great name, my friend is from Buchanan and most people just call her "Badatat"

[pvkeeper19]

I never really made the connection, but now it's forever etched in my mind. So thanks for that.

I live in Salem while I'm going to Roanoke College, and I can actually see the star from the front yard of the house I rent. I guess now I'm going to have to plant a tree.

[pvkeeper19]

Don't even get me started on Victory Stadium. Or the resort/restaurant that was proposed for Mill Mountain. Or the museum downtown that looks like Picasso threw up.

I have a buddy who is a fundraiser for the museum. He told me he was in a meeting once where the potential donor refused to write a check because he thought the museum looked "like a plane crashed in the middle of downtown."

I think it's actually a neat looking building, but it's pretty out of place in Roanoke. Not the type of architecture I'd expect to see in an old Southern city.

[DarrellsMyHero28]

I have a buddy who is a fundraiser for the museum. He told me he was in a meeting once where the potential donor refused to write a check because he thought the museum looked "like a plane crashed in the middle of downtown."

I think it's actually a neat looking building, but it's pretty out of place in Roanoke. Not the type of architecture I'd expect to see in an old Southern city.

I'm working with a Tech student leadership group to help a local developer in Roanoke who wants to build a club or restaurant in Roanoke that will attract college students, and when we left I noticed that building.

I think it was still under construction...or maybe it was just because it was a really different looking building but I liked it too.

Probably not a great choice for a southern city like Roanoke, I bet it doesn't sit well with some of the good ol' boys but I think its cool.

[TK]

I have a buddy who is a fundraiser for the museum. He told me he was in a meeting once where the potential donor refused to write a check because he thought the museum looked "like a plane crashed in the middle of downtown."

I think it's actually a neat looking building, but it's pretty out of place in Roanoke. Not the type of architecture I'd expect to see in an old Southern city.

You put it in NOVA or Hampton Roads & it'd work better. Downtown Roanoke by the City Market just isn't the place for it. It just sticks out like a sore thumb. Hell, it'd work in better across town around 419.

[TK]

I'm working with a Tech student leadership group to help a local developer in Roanoke who wants to build a club or restaurant in Roanoke that will attract college students,

Don't we have enough Awefull Auther's?

[DarrellsMyHero28]

Don't we have enough Awefull Auther's?

:laugh:

I can't eat seafood so my review of AA's is that they have good chicken and the beer is cheap (especially when you know the waitress, and she doesn't check ID).

He owns what used to be an old pawn shop and a store behind it that has an upstairs, and there's some famous (by Roanoke standards) place downtown that is a pretty big restaurant/bar that has a dance floor and can be rented out for parties, I'm blanking on the name but I think he's going to sort of model it after that...but target it towards college-age patrons etc.