Recap of the 3/14 School Board Meeting

While the meeting was lengthy, the issue that parents may want to know most about is that the last day of school, June 7th, will remain a half day. IF we have more snow days, I am praying we do not, then we will have to revisit.

Another item on the agenda was the school visitor policy. The division has proposed a modest change by adding the bolded words to the policy:

"Visitors are welcome in the schools as long as their presence is not disruptive. Upon arriving at a on school grounds during normal school operating hours, all visitors must report to the administrative office."



We had an interesting discussion, I welcome feedback from the public about this change. The discussion centered on the high school. The change would require anyone using the playground/track or walking through any of the grounds of our schools to stop and get a visitors pass at the office.

I tend to agree with the policy at the elementary schools, especially in the case of folks using the playgrounds while students are at recess. However, I have some concerns as it relates to CHS. CHS is sprawling and surrounded by lovely trails, a park and a neighborhood. The easiest way to get to the park from the neighborhood is to go through the grounds of CHS. Under this policy change, during school hours only, a passerby should let the office know that he/she is walking through (perhaps with his/her dog). I am not sure this is the best use of our staff's time. I would love to hear what you think about the potential change.

We also discussed summer school enrichment funding at length. The 2013-14 budget reduced the summer school budget by $20,000. To make up some of that difference, the division recommended charging an additional $30 for an orchestra camp to prepare rising 5th graders for orchestra. The class costs $25 for instrument rental if the student does not have one of his/her own. The discussion was interesting and led to a 3-3 tie since one of board members was away with an ailing family member tonight. In the event of a tie, the policy is to pass it by until the next meeting. Unfortunately, time was of the essence. Happily, I hope, a resolution came to pass when another funding source was suggested for the relatively modest cost of the camp ($3200). I had a lot to say about the fee at the meeting, so I wont go into it more here.

We had other discussions. Feel free to contact me if you have comments or questions. 

PS- minor editing changes made to this post in the light of day.

Miscellaneous items

I attended Wes Bellamy's campaign announcement yesterday at Tonsler Park. I really appreciate Wes' energy and enthusiasm; the assembled were just as enthusiastic, I loved it. Of course, Ryan and I spent most of the announcement wandering the new playground at Tonsler. If you havent had a chance to visit Tonsler, you should, it is a great new playground. Ryan loved it.

Baseball practice started this week. Chris is coaching and practice time is from 5:15-6:45- prime dinner and homework time. This is an adjustment. We purposely decided to limit our winter activities, so this transition has been a little rough for mommy. I like to have dinner together as many nights as possible and now we are down two nights a week. If I have school board (like this week), then we are down three nights a week, then if Chris has a meeting, or there is a church thing, we are just out of luck. We will adjust, but this week being the first week has thrown me for a loop.

Baseball starts back soon, but if you have a chance, go see a UVA or high school baseball or softball game. The games are far cheaper and very exciting.

I am super excited about the new Pope. I suppose I have been carried away by the media coverage of the event. I appreciate as an example for me a Jesuit whose commitment to humility and the poor has been so obvious. I also appreciate that he speaks Spanish and is from Argentina.  I went to Argentina in the nineties. I was able to help out at a Catholic Charities in Buenos Aires and had the opportunity to speak to a priest who gave me a Spanish language Bible, a Bible I still have. I treasure the experience.  I know people have a lot of views, this is just mine.

Campaign Announcement Season- Democratic Candidates

For the third Tuesday in a row, I will be attending a campaign announcement. Today, I am happy to attend James Brown's announcement. He is seeking reelection to the office of Sheriff. So far he is running unopposed for the seat, it is early in the season. Sheriff Brown has done a great job in his first term as Sheriff.

Last Tuesday, I attended Todd Diver's announcement. Todd is running for Commissioner of the Revenue. Lee Richards is retiring after twenty years as Commissioner. Todd is running in the primary for the Democratic nomination. The primary is June 11, 2013.

The week before I attended Jonathan Stevens announcement. Jonathan is also running for the Democratic nomination for Commissioner of the Revenue. I encourage everyone to learn more about the two candidates and VOTE in the primary on June 11, 2013.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend Jason Vandever's announcement.  He has been the acting Treasurer since Jennifer Brown retired early due to health concerns.  The ELECTION for Treasurer is on APRIL 2, 2013. (Absentee balloting is already under way if you will be out of town- it is Spring Break for Charlottesville Schools). I am proud to support Jason in his run for Treasurer. Please vote for Jason on April 2!

I also missed Kristen Szakos announcement for City Council.  She is running for reelection for City Council. She is seeking the Democratic nomination. The primary is June 11th.

Finally, on Monday, March 11, Dave Chapman will announce he is seeking reelection to the office of the Commonwealth's Attorney.  Dave has been a strong and steady Commonwealth's Attorney. I am proud to support Dave for the Democratic nomination. While I personally like his opponent in the primary, I think the office needs Dave's continued leadership. The primary is June 11th.

I suspect March will see more announcements- including more candidates for the Democratic nomination for City Council.

IMPORTANT DATES for 2013:
APRIL 2- Special Election for Treasurer (vote Jason Vandever)
June 11- statewide and local primary
November 5- ELECTION DAY

CARS and cost recovery

I do not live in the County. If I did, I would be a lot more upset about the changes to the delivery of emergency services. As it is, we have a long time relationship with the Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Department as Chris remains a volunteer there. Interestingly, we spend a lot less time there since Chris has been promoted, but our commitment to volunteerism and the department remains strong.

When the City wanted to implement cost recovery for ambulance service in order to support the expansion of the fire department into ambulance service, I balked. I support Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) as an institution in our community. I think having CARS in our community saves taxpayers money in two ways: we dont pay for people and equipment to expand emergency services and we dont pay for the increase in health insurance premiums and copays as a result of localities billing for the service.

The County has not been transparent with the change from supporting CARS to implementing a very expensive ambulance service.  The public did not have an opportunity to weigh in on this change. Where do the supervisors stand on this expansion of paid ambulance service? What was the hurry in implementing this change? Why does the County believe that billing health insurance companies for service is a win win situation for taxpayers? Do they honestly think that health insurance companies wont pass that cost onto users? What about increasing copays (our copay for an ambulance ride is $150.00, and we are told it is relatively good insurance)? I also worry about whether folks who are unable to pay are being harassed by collection agencies or the billing departments of health insurance companies who dont receive their copay.

CARS and the other volunteer emergency service departments in the County are very professional, they have served our community nobly for many decades. I remain convinced that the County should work with the organization in a way that serves county taxpayer and supports the volunteer organizations. I am not saying that just because things have always been this way nothing should change. I am saying these decisions should be made more transparently and the process should be inclusive of all stakeholders.
Please ask your County Supervisor where he/she stands on this issue and demand answers to these questions.

The lawyer in me

Today a client told me that Cuccinelli is a treasure. As a lawyer I can see his point. I have represented clients that others abhore. I remind those who judge that I represent people, I do not speak for myself as a lawyer. The thing is I actually separate my politics from my legal career- in that I do not promote my own political agenda through legal methods, I represent clients, luckily I do not venture into criminal law.

Today I read the account of the motion to quash hearing in the Love murder, and I thought "his lawyers are what make lawyers look bad." In my non-legal opinion, the defendant's strategy is despicable. I have to remind myself that the attorneys are doing their job, as I have done before in ways that other attorneys have thought abhorrent. While there is much to discuss I will save those issues for another day. My point is the defendant's attorneys are doing their constitutional obligations to protect the defendant's rights.

I recognize that Cuccinelli is politically motivated in the health care reform lawsuit but this lawsuit asks a question, an interesting one. Does the federal government have the right to tell every person in America to buy health insurance? I am not such an expert in the commerce clause to argue the nuances. I do however think Congress has a good reason to want Americans to buy health insurance since it costs billions of dollars every year to keep the Medicaid system viable, if it is viable and the un/underinsured weigh down our world class health system. The lawyer in me can see the benefit of answering the important question answered.

It is a funny when I clearly distinguish my political and legal instincts and they are so at odds. I can see both sides of the issue(s)- it doesnt make me any less passionate about what I do believe, although sometimes it means I have to find better reasons for those beliefs. I doubt that is so bad.

Political times

My good friend Peter Kleeman is on a 20 day Semester at Sea cruise. He will be going through the Panama Canal on Christmas Day, it sounds so awesome.

Peter participates in a weekly "Crossfire" type segment on ABC 16 on Tuesdays at 7:00PM newscast. I will be filling in for him while he is gone. This week's topic is Webb's reelection potential based on the Clarus poll that was released yesterday.

Senator Webb has not announced his intention to run for reelection at this time, so my first point is this discussion is that it is a wee premature. Having said that, I hope that the Senator will run again. I have only had a brief opportunity to see Senator Webb in person in 2008 when he came to Charlottesville to endorse then-candidate Tom Perriello. Senator Webb has impressed me with his independence, his willingness to take on issues no other Senator will and his unwavering commitment to veterans.

The poll and media accounts suggest that there may be a hard road for Senator Webb if he seeks reelection. To be fair, his first election was not an easy road. The only race that Sen. Webb was not winning in this hypothetical poll is to Governor McDonnell. Governor McDonnell is wildly popular in Virginia and democrats are not, so that Sen. Webb appears to win in two other hypothetical races I think shows strength. Sen. Webb knows how to fight for Virginians and w/ his track record in the Senate, I think Virginia voters will see the good work and know that he represents all of us w/ distinction.

To see what Joe Thomas thinks of this poll and find out more of my thoughts on the subject, tune into tonight's 7:00 news on ABC 16!

Am I in trouble?

Today I got a call from Terry McAuliffe- himself. I wasnt home, so he left a message. I have heard from potential candidates/candidates Jody Wagner, Jon Bowerbank both have tried to reach me via telephone because of my role in the City Committee. I do sense I am in trouble and the whole Clinton world may come down on me because of my post yesterday (I am kidding, I hope). Stay tuned...

Perriello eeks out victory in the 5th CD

Tom Perriello is now responding to "Congressman Perriello". Congratulations to him, his family, volunteers and the 5th CD. I firmly believe Tom Perriello will serve his all constituents in the 5th district in a meaningful and important way- a path not defined by party, but by hard work, research and leadership. We won, but we will continue to win by having Perriello serving us in Congress.

Anger

Post politics tweeted an article about the anger at a McCain/Palin rally.

Those irritable rally-goers (enlightening Rolling Stone article on McCain)helped elect Bush twice- their anger is completely misguided. The country has not gone to hell because of Nancy Pelosi (she has been the speaker for 22 months), I dont think she and Harry Reid are strong or effective leaders but they didnt get us in the really critical situation we are in now.

I am angry- angry that Bush lied to us about why we needed to go to Iraq, angry that that I got a rebate check when we needed to pay the debt down or for the wars we are involved in, angry that thousands of our troops have died and are wounded, angry that Republicans dont make Veteran's issues a priority, angry that we let a genocide happen in this decade, like we did last decade, angry that we are no longer the country to mirror, angry that freedom now means unwarranted survelliance, angry that 9/11 is so politicized, I am angry at anyone who wants to tell me what to do w/ my body, well I could go on.

As angry as I am at everything that McCain stands for including the awful way he is running the campaign (we dont call him McSame for nothin'), my side has lost a lot of elections- we will still have to call the winner, Mr. President, come January 20th. I see McCain/Palin hate speech and rally-goers anger very dangerous and indicative of how they would run their administration (the rest of us dont matter- just like GW).

Vote Obama!

Tom Perriello for Congress

I have the privilege of serving on a board w/ Neal, news director for NBC29. As much as I loathe the negative ad put out by Perriello's opponent, I recognize it is not the media's problem, it is the opponent. Dont call Neal and yell at him, feel free to watch channel 29 just remember to VOTE and remember to VOTE for Perriello on November 4th! Seriously, Neal isnt the problem, the guy who put the ad up is and if you are angry about it, VOLUNTEER/DONATE and tell your friends in Pittsylvania County (which has a huge population) to VOTE for Tom Perriello.

One thing about Tom I like- the guy is more Virginia than most people I know. I went to high school with him here in what was rural western Albemarle County (before Old Trail and Master Planning Crozet). His father is a doctor and runs a business here in Charlottesville (that employs a lot of people and cares for many of our children).

BTW- having a license to practice law that is in NY does not make one a NY lawyer, in Perriello's case it makes him a lawyer who works internationally against people who are complicit in genocide and terrorism cases. Something I think the incumbent forgot to put in his commercial (among the many other misleading statements in the commercial, the incumbent doesnt rely on truth, or even think the voters deserve it for that matter).What I despise about politics is what the current congressman does- distorts and misinforms. The incumbent does that- he appeals to the worst from people.

Perriello is different in so many ways- but an important difference is his expectation on the best in people.

From his own website: "Washington is broken because for too long, politicians in both parties have been bought and paid for by the special interests. I'm not taking a dime from lobbyists and corporate PACs so that I can fight for you in Washington. Join our people-powered movement."

One person's account: Rural Access Medical Care

My Sorenson classmate Aryana Khalid works for the Governor as a Deputy Secretary in the Health & Human Services Agency. Our class has a listserv where we randomly diss each other or have interesting policy discussions. A Newsweek article from about two months ago on health care led to a dialogue on the listserv. I asked if I could use her comment so here goes (Aryana represents herself in the following views):

"We [her husband and her] volunteered at the RAM clinic in Wise this year and I can personally tell you of the joy and tremendous sadness I felt. How wonderful to see so many people give of themselves so willingly and with so much kindness; how sad to see something that I thought would only exist in the Third World. My husband, who isn't necessarily the biggest health person (which is why I took him, I wanted him to see what healthcare is really like in the US), said to me, I can't believe this happens in the United States. I thought we were the most powerful nation in the world, but we don't even begin to take care of our citizens.

I am so very troubled as he is. Most of these people work for a living. They suffer tremendously until something like this comes along. Appalachia is one of the most depressed areas in the country. If you all have seen in the paper recently, life expectancy in this area is going in the wrong direction. Everyone keeps talking about it, but what do we actually DO.

The Governor came out, as did some staff. Dominic came out with Delegate Moran, which was a great. And Delegate Bowling came out as well. But that's it (well I should say, that is all I saw and anyone I spoke to saw), for the entire House and Senate of Virginia. I am scheming ways for how to get more State Reps to come and see this…smile.

There are 6 Mission of Mercy RAM clinics across the Commonwealth each year. Wise is the biggest. There are just so many needs. It seems that whatever side of the aisle you are one, we can all probably agree (I hope) that we shouldn't be treating our working citizenry this way. Their should be options out there. This would include Medicaid and Medicare, but also public-private options to create new and innovative types of health insurance products (like the one coming out from Riverside Hospital System Foundation in Tidewater/Northern Neck). You just cannot fathom how bad it is until you see it with your own eyes.

Finally, there were numerous stories that touched me during my weekend adventure. I will share just one. There was a women who used her brother's frequent flyer miles to fly from NY to Bristol, then hitchhiked to Wise to have what was remaining of her teeth all pulled out. She was going to hitchhike back to Bristol to catch her flight back. Her mouth filled with bloody gauze and in tremendous amounts of pain after having numerous teeth pulled. I worry for her…I hope she made it back ok. And it makes me wonder an even bigger question, how did she get in a situation where the RAM Mission of Mercy Project in Wise, VA was the only place she could get the services she needs. I wonder what that says about our society."

When I asked if I could use her comments, she replied yes and followed w/ this:

"I was OUTRAGED to see what I saw. My husband was horrified. You just don’t expect it in this country. It’s not right, no matter what side of the aisle you are on. And if you think it is right, then I just don’t have words…I just hope that those folks never experience what these people go through day in and day out. I have felt so guilty the since that weekend anytime I complain about my life. I have no idea what it’s like to have a difficult life. One day, I truly believe, things will change. We will make healthcare a priority in this country…it may not be in my lifetime…all I know is there are a lot of health advocates out there, including me, who will die trying. We should not leave people on the outskirts of society alone…we should help them."

Yard Signs

Campaigning is three things- identifying your voters, persuading your voters and getting those voters out to vote. The Obama campaign has strategically focused on increasing the number of voters identified. The voter registration aspect to his campaign has been phenomenally successful and exciting to watch.

One thing the Obama campaign does not care about is signs, bumper stickers or loot in any way. Here is a silly blog post on the Obama campaign's disdain for swag.

As some may know, I love signs, I love signs so friggin much that I have 89 in my trunk (and 99 wire thingys). Do you want a tri sign? Let me know, if you are close I may just drop it by your house. The signs have Obama, Warner and Perriello on them. I love it because I dont have to have three signs in my yard.

Still I am not having luck w/ tri-bumper sticker, my car is officially a Charlottesville car w/ the gazillion stickers. Actually I decided to take two of them off to emphasize my Obama/Perriello love. Creigh's bumper sticker can go up after November 4th and Mark Warner will go up again if for some reason he goes down in the polls.

Single Obama signs are hard to come by in the ville. The grassroots campaign office has ordered them intermittently and sold them to pay for their expenses, which many did out of pocket for months. The campaign says feel free to buy them but we are not giving them out because we are trying to buy air time, commercials and pay for the many field offices registering voters (three in our area alone). Understandable, at least I know that is their stance, but I love to win sign wars AND elections!
I appreciate this austerity.

Do signs matter?

FV pt 2 w/ qualification

Having expounded on Palin and her choice to pursue the Vice Presidency, I do agree with the Obama campaign and those who believe private matters are private. I do wonder about Palin's judgment, and if she rightly doesnt address my concerns, then I will look at what she says/does to see whether she otherwise has poor judgment. I am not voting for McCain, I proclaim no neutrality. Instead I am just curious and trying to determine what McCain is thinking.

Family Values

Being a mom is the great joy of my life, it is one of the great challenges of my life. Growing up in a nontraditional family made me long for a traditional family, a family that would not be judged harshly. I worried about these things when I was little. I am better now, but I seem to have a traditional family. What the hell is traditional? I have no idea. I know now all that teenage self doubt was irrelevant.

Having said that, I feel pretty strongly about Sarah Palin's private choices. I remember discussing Obama's choice before he decided to run and the worry that Michelle had and the concern him and Michelle had about the children being in the spotlight. Of course the couple prayed about the decision and certainly were guided by a higher purpose.

I have not had that context w/ the Palins. I imagine there was significant prayer involved in her decision-making and that the prayer led her to take McCain's offer. So I assume she must feel strongly she is doing this for God, or a higher purpose. I am not demeaning that, it is a legitimate way to make decisions.

I really want to know though- WHY? Why is she forsaking her family for the selfish pursuit of politics?

As some know, I received a neighborly phone call while pursuing the democratic nomination to run for City Council. This person demanded I stay home with my children and not pursue local politics. I tried to tell her reasons why I was running (primarily to benefit my children and their peers) and that my husband is an engaged and active father who supports my decision. She would not hear my explanation. So I understand to a degree that many will judge, and often harshly no matter what a mother is doing or worse, NOT doing.

I want to hear, and I promise to listen and be respectful, why does she believe it is ok to leave her troubled family and campaign for Vice President, a 24 hour a day job?
During the RTD panel, a woman stated strongly that a choice to run for office inherently is not putting your family first. I disagreed, as I can be quite disagreeable, but we came to common ground- I can understand her point, and she could understand my point.

I am a mother- I understand work-life balance, I cannot understand a mother taking on such a terrific challenge when there is so much at home to be taken care of (nevermind placing the 17yo in the media spotlight). Fathers? I expect they too would recognize the need and be present and available for the children. Ultimately, parents must work together to protect and nurture their children.

I am open to constructive feedback and may change my mind if Palin and her family explain this in a non-Stepford way.

Imagine the conversation:
"Good Morning Gov. Palin, nice to meet you."
"And you Senator McCain. Thank you for choosing me to be your running mate, I will work hard to get you elected."
"Thank you for agreeing to be my running mate, now tell me a little more about yourself."
...
I have no antipathy for the Governor or the Senator. It does however strike me odd that these two who barely know each other will be running mates. I hope its a good match for their own sanity and to keep the media from getting its claws out thereby distracting us from the important work of electing the next President.

Picnic at the Park

The Park is a wonderful place for a picnic for 200+ of your friends. The Charlottesville Democrats gathered today for its annual outreach and awards picnic. Mark Warner was the headliner, alas he did not attend as a result of a flare up of a sports injury. He had to cancel his appearance at all of the events which was at least 5 events that I knew about.

Creigh Deeds did an able job in Mark Warner's place, he noted the work that lay ahead and the importance of the work. Senator Deeds knows something about getting out the vote, so he is very keen on the registration efforts of the Obama campaign.

Delegate David Toscano and Tom Perriello spoke towards the end of the event. Tom Perriello was really inspiring- bringing about a new brand of politics to Washington, DC, this is something to be proud of, and Tom is the real deal.

Thank you to all of those who attended, I had a great time meeting all the new folks in town and catching up with those I hadnt seen in awhile. Mel's Diner did a fantastic job catering, everyone loved the food, and the sweet potato pie is ... sublime, thanks to Holly Edwards for reminding us to get dessert.

Perriello Fundraiser in Bedford Wed 8/20

Jim Webb is doing his part to support Tom Perriello! Thank you to the Senator and all of those who are helping Perriello in his bid to be the Congressman from the 5th District of Virginia.

Please join Senator Jim Webb in support of Fifth District Congressional Candidate Tom Perriello Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:30-6:30pm

The Historic Avenel House 413 Avenel Ave. Bedford, VA
Your support will bring a new culture of service and economic renewal to Southside
To attend please bring a check payable to Perriello for Congress
Supporters of Tom - $50 Friends of Tom - $100 Patrons of Tom - $250
Please RSVP to Perriello Bedford Headquarters at (540) 586-6133

Georgia Atrocity

I saw Bob Costa's interview with the President the other night during the Olympic coverage. The first time I have seen the President as likeable in quite some time- but the political topics he seemed as clueless as ever.

I am not expecting much from the Russians with respect to Georgia. Its clear Russia is following the approached espoused by many warmongers- watch what we say, not what we do.

So President Bush is hitting back with his famous "because I say it, it must be true" (but we wont do anything to actually try to make it happen) speeches.

Russia is belligerent, Georgia is our friend (or a country with a relatively democratically elected government as compared to, say, Russia). Russia has demonstrated NO interest in what the USA has to say, and why should they? But the US insists.

One thing is clear, if we insist, Russia will tell us they are doing what we ask, but that doesnt make it true.

"The United States stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia and insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected," Bush said sternly during brief remarks in the White House Rose Garden.

I have a low threshold for President Bush, but this conflict is really important and he is the face of the US stance on the situation. I pray the worlds leaders can find collective wisdom in resolving it. The people of Georgia deserve better than to have their country torn apart by the Russians again.

Clarification

Now I guess I have to watch the videos, I have been trying to avoid them.
The short story- video of Virgil Goode walking in the Scottsville Parade surfaced shortly after the 4th of July. The video seemed to suggest that Virgil Goode came with the Hummer and that Goode was in favor of a do anything approach to obtaining oil for our gas guzzling vehicles. However, turns out as with most things, there is more to the story. But that would be the end of it, except for John Stewart featured some of the video on the Daily Show last night in a segment called Rapper or Republican (see above link).

My friend Chris, a Sorenson classmate, owns the Hummer in the video and is deeply offended by the inaccuracy of the video. Virgil didnt come in the Hummer, the Fluvanna Republicans came in it. I was at the parade, there is nothing remotely interesting or funny about the Hummer or Goode walking in the parade.

I know perception is reality, but in case anyone is interested in the reality here- Virgil Goode, someone I loathe to defend in any arena, simply did not bring the Hummer to the parade, nor did he ride in it, in fact he walked the entire time. The day was fun-filled, full of small town cheer and patriotism. Tom Perriello had nothing to do with the video, he is too busy running an outstanding campaign (find out more here)

If this video hadnt made it to the Daily Show I would never have mentioned it. But my friend Chris' point is that the video is "intentionally misleading their
constituents, and stating that a good man, whether you agree with his
politics or not, wants to kill people from other countries for greed." The video and the song that overlays are wrong.

There are MANY (Keith Ellison) real (legislative record) reasons to vote for Tom Perriello and to vote against Mr. Goode, the Hummer is not one of them.

Perriello and Goode to hold a forum

From the Daily Progress:
The candidates for Virginia's 5th congressional district will present their views and field questions at an Aug. 13 forum at the Senior Center.

U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, is facing challenger Democrat Tom Perriello of Ivy in the Nov. 4 election.

The forum, sponsored by the Senior Statesmen of Virginia and the Senior Center, will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 1180 Pepsi Place.

The event is free and open to the public.


Senior Statesman puts on great events. Come out and support Tom Perriello with your insightful questions.