LONG overdue, especially considering the debacle with Cedar Springs and the impending debacle with the Holtzman property.
attribution: Seattle Municipal Archive and flickr
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Monday, February 24, 2025
taxes and inflation
https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/strasburg-council-to-advertise-4-5-cent-tax-hike/article_0ef5a848-8868-590b-b972-ba9e4735c3d9.html
In 2022 real estate taxes went up a whopping 22%.
The town is advertising a 29% increase as part of its effort to balance the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Talk about inflation!
Hey, town council, have you ever considered reducing spending? Have you ever considered the council's reckless spending--e.g. buying the vacated bank building before evaluating the cost of renovating said building? and failing to address the need for two entrances and the high pressure gas pipelines that run through the business park property? like running up a half million dollar deficit? like ignoring the needed $1.4 million capital improvements program?
If we ran our households like you run the town we would lave been bankrupt a LONG time ago.
attribution: Ralph Daily and flickr
Thursday, February 20, 2025
more nonsense from town hall
https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/strasburg-residents-responsible-for-clearing-sidewalks-after-snowfall/article_16ef5e3c-dcf0-5011-bdda-41dac549d01e.html
The snow removal ordinance says that business owners and residents must clear sidewalks after it snows.
"The law also prohibits residents from shoveling snow onto sidewalks or streets, ensuring that cleared pathways remain usable."
"The law also prohibits residents from shoveling snow onto sidewalks or streets, ensuring that cleared pathways remain usable."
Take a walk along King Street. Go south from Massanutten Street. Sidewalks in front of many buildings have NO space between the building and the sidewalk and NO space between the sidewalk and the street.
Town council, what are business owners supposed to do with the snow that they shovel from the sidewalk? Eat it?
C'mon, town council! Look before you leap!
attribution: Tom Wachtel and flickr
Thursday, February 13, 2025
SHOCKING!
Here's the shocking part... It's not that the sewer is overflowing. It's that the town hasn't fixed this problem. It's simple physics--more specifically, hydraulics and fluid mechanics.
attribution: Diceman, via Wikimedia Commons
CC BY-SA 3.0
The potential energy of impounded water at the top of this dam is enough to drive turbines to create electrical energy. When the water is released at the bottom of the dam the potential energy has been spent.
Consider Niagara Falls.
attribution: Eheik via wikipedia
The potential energy of the relatively slow moving water at the top is released at the bottom of the falls when it crashes into the rock bottom.
Sometimes bolted manhole covers are used to keep sewer lines containing sanitary sewage from overflowing. However, this can result in sanitary sewage popping up somewhere else--like in someone's basement or someones' basements.
Besides damage to property, needless to say, there are serious health hazards for people who are exposed to raw sewage.
attribution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Also needless to say, it's up to the town to fix serious problems with its public utility lines.
attribution: Sokwanele - Zimbabwe
Saturday, February 8, 2025
voice of reason
Thank you, Jonathan Price. Finally, a voice of reason comes to town council.
Thank you, Northern Virginia Daily, for covering this.
"... $500,000 deficit in the general fund and $1.4 million in capital improvement plan (CFP) requests."
Town council, what are you doing? is this what you consider to be good stewardship? spending on signs and flower baskets? the time for ACTION is WAY overdue.
attribution: Tim Evanson and flickr
Thank you, Tim Evanson, for your photograph and for sharing it with the public. And, thank you for the story of Adolph Weinman's statue. And, thank you, flickr and google blogger.
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Once again the town of strasburg, the largest in Shenandoah County, is using facebook to notify its citizens of changes in the regular trash collection schedule.
facebook is NOT adequate because:
The REAL problem is with the town--NOT with its citizens.
C'mon town! DO YOUR JOB.
- The town's citizens pay the town to collect trash.
- It's the town's responsibility to provide each citizen with timely advance notification of changes to the regular trash collection schedule.
facebook is NOT adequate because:
- not every citizen has, or wants, 24/7 access to facebook.
- for those who do have facebook, the town places the burden on its citizens to know when there's a change in the regular trash pickup schedule.
- how are citizens supposed to know when there's a change to the regular trash collection schedule???
- does the town think that its citizens are clairvoyant???
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
see something, say something, DO SOMETHING
The first major snowstorm of the season may have been uneventful for first responders, First responders say first snowstorm of 2025 was 'uneventful', but the same can't be said for the cleanup.
I spent the better part of the day yesterday shoveling snow from my driveway. Yesterday evening, after dark, I noticed that plowed snow that I had removed from the entrance to my driveway earlier had reappeared. I also noticed the culprit--a blue SUV was driving in the snow that the plow had piled along the curb. After several circuits I flagged the person down and asked her what she was doing. She replied "I'm making it easier for folks."
I informed her that she wasn't making it easier for me as I had removed the snow that the plows had plowed to the curb that blocked my driveway and she had blocked my driveway again with her vigilante snow plowing antics. I told her to stop. She refused to do so. I told her that I was going to call the police and she said "Go ahead".
I reported the incident (including her vanity tag number) to the police. Later I observed a police car drive up and down the street, and then disappear.
It reminds me of when I was walking on Strasburg River Walk and a shotgun blast came from the direction of the river. I thought that someone was shooting at me. I reported it to the police. They responded to the scene and spoke with a man at the boat dock. The shot gun in his row boat was clearly visible. It turned out that firing a shotgun from a boat on the river isn't against the law. Go figure.
Apparently vigilante snow plowing isn't against the law either.
With recent incidents of vehicles being driven into crowds in the US and elsewhere, we've heard "see something, say something" frequently. Needless to say, a woman who would use her POV as a snow plow at night, driving her car through already plowed snow "to help her neighbors", needs help and supervision. She's a danger to herself and to the community. "seeing something and saying something" only works if there's follow through. If there's no follow through, then why bother to report what you see? https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title37.2/chapter8/article4/
- see something. check.
- say something. check.
- DO SOMETHING! ???
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Holtzman's revenge for the truck stop in Tom's Brook
I've been wondering... What's going on at the large parcel (44 acres) in the northeast quadrant of the I-81 interchange with John Marshall Drive? heavy construction equipment, excavation, grading, dump trucks, etc.--but no signs.
Thanks to the Northern Virginia Daily we have an answer:
“The current zoning is B-2, which permits automobile service stations. The M-1, General Industrial, code allows for truck stops through a special use permit process,” Hancock wrote in an Aug. 21 email. “Truck stops are currently defined as having five or more diesel fuel pumps along with provisions for parking and/or servicing five or more tractor-trailers. Depending on the intended design for a travel center and internal customer use (i.e., truck stop vs primarily passenger vehicles), we may need to ensure zoning is in place the way you need it.”
brace for impact. this truck stop, along with the one at Cedar Spring in the southwest corner of the interchange, will permanently establish the area as "truck stop alley". Good luck to all of the nearby homeowners.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Friday, November 22, 2024
Food Lion: Why haven't recalled Grimmway Farms carrots been removed from the shelves???
note the yellow banner at the top:
UPDATE 11/21/2024: GRIMMWAY FARMS EXPANDS RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL E COLI CONTAMINATION
Sunday, November 17, 2024
stinkville
It's just like town hall to blow off the PERSISTENT stink from the milk plant. Town hall has a history of blowing off problems (as this blog has documented).
The fact is that anyone who drives through strasburg can attest to the foul smell that surrounds the milk plant. Depending on the daily winds the noxious smell can spread for blocks. It makes you want to hold your nose.
attribution: Charles Williams and flickr
As much as the town would like to blow off the persistent stink from the milk plant (along with its many other problems), they're not fooling town residents, tourists or anyone else who may be looking for a place to live or move their business.
Who wants to live, visit or work in stinkville?
PS Some comments to the NVD article suggest satisfaction with the status quo. Town hall has a manager job for you! In the words of author Warren G. Bennis, "The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it."
Sunday, November 3, 2024
is strasburg the next union level?
maybe. maybe not.
strasburg is located in a more populated region than union level. however, strasburg has been losing businesses over the last decade.
it depends on the town's leaders. will they be able to buck the trend and attract businesses to strasburg? will people be attracted to make strasburg their home?
time will tell.
Union Level, VA
attribution: Kipp Teague and flickr
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Strasburg planners delay UDO vote over approval process dispute
"Strasburg's new Unified Developmental Ordinance (UDO) hit a roadblock at last week's Planning Commission meeting, as members delayed a vote in order to resolve disagreements about shifting approval authority from the commission to staff.
At Thursday’s planning commission meeting, a key focus was a proposed shift in the UDO that would delegate by-right development approvals from the planning commission to staff. The change, intended to cut red tape, raised concerns about transparency and accountability. It's made possible because by-right developments, by definition, meet all legal requirements.
Director of Planning and Public Services Brian Otis said the change could could speed the application process up by 30 days.
'Just so we don't get caught up on the street and asked what's going on someplace and we don't have any idea whatsoever,' Poling added.
Otis proposed sharing staff reports at multiple stages, such as when applications are received and before final signatures, ensuring transparency. McCorryn welcomed the adjustment, but both parties agreed to finalize the language by the next meeting in November.
The Planning Commission chose to defer the approval of the new Administrative Procedures Manual until November.
Poling said he would have voted no if a vote was called, but recognized the difficulty of redrafting the town's UDO.
'500 pages of stuff with a bunch of changes,' Poling said. 'That's a lot of documents to cover.'"
At Thursday’s planning commission meeting, a key focus was a proposed shift in the UDO that would delegate by-right development approvals from the planning commission to staff. The change, intended to cut red tape, raised concerns about transparency and accountability. It's made possible because by-right developments, by definition, meet all legal requirements.
Director of Planning and Public Services Brian Otis said the change could could speed the application process up by 30 days.
However, commission members expressed concerns that this change could leave staff isolated in decision-making.
'You'll be a man on an island,' Planning Commission Chairman Vince Poling said.
Vice Mayor Emily McCorryn asked if a compromise could be reached.
'Can we formalize some kind of communication even if it is not approval?' McCorryn asked.
Otis proposed sharing staff reports at multiple stages, such as when applications are received and before final signatures, ensuring transparency. McCorryn welcomed the adjustment, but both parties agreed to finalize the language by the next meeting in November.
The Planning Commission chose to defer the approval of the new Administrative Procedures Manual until November.
Poling said he would have voted no if a vote was called, but recognized the difficulty of redrafting the town's UDO.
'500 pages of stuff with a bunch of changes,' Poling said. 'That's a lot of documents to cover.'"
So, citizens of Strasburg, what do you prefer?
- "red tape" (e.g. a 500-page UDO. Has anyone at the town ever heard of the KISS principle?)
- speed
- transparency
- accountability
- town staff making planning decisions
- town planning commission making planning decisions
- town council making planning decisions
It seems to me that all of these issues should have been addressed well before a vote on the UDO was called for.
What do you think?
attribution: Jegi and flickr
Friday, October 25, 2024
yada yada
yada yada.
Does the performance of either of these two candidates merit another term? Is Strasburg better off or worse because of them?
Unlike mathematics, multiplying two negatives doesn't equal a positive.
attribution: QuotesEverlasting and flickr
Monday, October 7, 2024
Noise update
Well folks, it's been more than three months since I updated you on the earsplitting noise coming from Shenandoah Valley Drive. That makes more than six months since it began. Birds and wildlife are gone. Folks who used to enjoy being outside have retreated indoors.
I can report that some kind of borrow pit operation is going on. Huge piles of soil, topsoil, gravel subbase, and construction debris are moving nonstop in and out of the area. The noise is deafening.
From the looks of it, the end is nowhere in sight.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
if only...
- the north fork of the shenandoah river was cleaned up
- strasburg's water supply problem was solved
- strasburg didn't have a smelly and dangerous milk plant and industrial buildings in the center of town
- huge tractor trailer trucks and farm equipment had routes other than US 11 and US 55 to get around the center of town
- children, elderly and handicapped could get safely to and from the madison heights area to town park
- west king street was more pedestrian oriented (eliminate parking on west king and massanutten streets and widen sidewalks)
- adequate parking was provided for shops in the historic district
- the noisy, archaic, 24/7 siren was replaced by one of several modern alert systems, e.g. Active911 or IamResponding smartphone apps, automated text messaging, digital pagers, etc.
- the noise ordinance was enforced
- birds and wildlife returned
- strasburg had more than one grocery store
- strasburg had a zoning plan that made sense
- strasburg's town council stopped granting zoning exceptions
- town staff and town council were more visionary
then maybe strasburg might become all that it can be.
North Fork Shenandoah River at Strasburg Park public boat landing in Shenandoah County VA. E. coli levels on Wednesday June 22 versus Thursday June 23, 2022.
source: FSSP NF Shenandoah River E. coli levels on Wednesday June 22 versus Thursday Jun 23 - FOSR - FOSR
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
three juveniles arrested for making bomb/school violence threats
On Wednesday, September 11 the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office responded to two bomb/school violence threats in Strasburg.
Today, on Tuesday, September 17 [sic], 2024, the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident, regarding school threats.
The incident pertained to a suspected 16-year-old female, from Edinburg, VA, at Central High School. The juvenile made two (2) separate verbal threats, involving school violence/threats, which was then reported to school officials and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office.
This juvenile female was charged with:
Two (2) counts of 18.2-83: Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings, etc.
Two (2) counts of 18.2-83: Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings, etc.
The individual has been taken to a Juvenile Detention Center and is awaiting a detention hearing.
The Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office responded to two incidents Wednesday in Strasburg.
The first incident involved a Snapchat post created by a suspected 15-year-old girl concerning school violence/threats, according to SCSO. The post was then sent to other students. SCSO filed two charges against the suspect:
WHSV report: https://www.whsv.com/2024/09/11/three-students-apprehended-separate-school-violence-threats-across-valley/
The first incident involved a Snapchat post created by a suspected 15-year-old girl concerning school violence/threats, according to SCSO. The post was then sent to other students. SCSO filed two charges against the suspect:
- §18.2-83: Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings, etc.
- §18.2-60: Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or member of his family; threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property; threats of death or bodily injury to health care providers; penalty.
- §18.2-83: Threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation; false information as to danger to such buildings, etc.
attribution: Brent Moore and flickr
Thursday, September 12, 2024
strasburg town council caves
strasburg town council ignores the citizens of Cedar Spring and caves to the developer.
attribution: Maayan Windmuller and flickr
Monday, September 9, 2024
corridor h
Following is from https://shenandoahalliance.org/project/corridor-h/:
Although sections of the highway are built and operational, Corridor H continues to be controversial in West Virginia as residents question the massive cost of the road to taxpayers and the damage it has caused compared to its modest economic impact. If completed as envisioned by West Virginia legislators, the road will bulldoze through the Virginia state line, into the George Washington National Forest, through the Cedar Creek drainage and create a huge interstate exchange where the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park now lies, while offering almost no benefit to Virginians.
Thankfully, Corridor H isn’t and has never been in any of the local or long-range transportation plans for the state. And, Virginia doesn’t have any plans to build its section from the state line to I-81 or I-66. Still, the Alliance remains vigilant as the project moves forward in West Virginia.
Alliance comments in opposition of Corridor H
Dec 12, 2022
The Alliance agrees with and supports the resolutions recently adopted by Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors and the Strasburg Town Council opposing construction of Corridor H in Virginia.
Strasburg signs on in opposition of Corridor H
Dec 09, 2022
“There appear to be no benefits to the citizens of Strasburg that would result from constructing a Corridor H Highway to connect with I-81 and/or I-66 near Strasburg, Virginia.”
Thanks to Shenandoah Supervisors for Action on Corridor H
Nov 16, 2022
Community members in Shenandoah County are concerned about West Virginia’s proposed continuation of Corridor H to connect with I-81 near Strasburg.
A long history of opposition in Virginia
– 1993: “BE IT RESOLVED that plans to construct the Corridor H highway through Shenandoah County, heretofore described, are opposed by the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors.”
– 1995: “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commonwealth of Virginia adamantly cannot support the four-lining alternative of Corridor H in Virginia.”
– 2022: “NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Shenandoah opposes the plans heretofore described to construct the Corridor H highway through Shenandoah County.”
Partners in Opposition
– Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance Conservation Hub
– Stewards of the Potomac Highlands
QUESTIONS:
- On December 9 and 12, 2022 Strasburg's town council "adopted a resolution by Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors opposing construction of Corridor H in Virginia." Did the strasburg town council vote unanimously in favor of this resolution? If not, who dissented?
- Is there a connection between the proposed Cedar Spring rezoning and Corridor H? If so, are there those in strasburg who are working to make the connection between the West Virginia line and I-81/I-66 a reality?
- Likewise, is there a connection between corridor h and west virginia's proposal to annex counties in virginia? https://apnews.com/article/d9ee8611eb59aedff84160ae1be27d14
inquiring minds want to know.
attribution: Bill Benzon and flickr
Saturday, September 7, 2024
could the developer kill the project from hell that the community can't?
"Claytor previously indicated that rejecting the highway sign could cause developers to abandon the project."
- community concerns
- VDOT concerns
- phase two?
- 25 ft. high highway sign
- outdated (20 years old) traffic analysis
- emergency exit?
- crime concerns
- corridor h? (https://shenandoahalliance.org/project/corridor-h/)
Mayor Brandy Hawkins Boies asked if the trees could be removed, but Otis said they are on VDOT property and cannot be removed.
Council member Dane Hooser said "the design of the neighborhood was flawed from the start."
Council member Brad Stover said he wouldn’t interfere as long as the proffers are met. “I’m not going to dictate what you’re going to do with your commercial property,” Stover said.
Council member A.D. Carter IV urged a straightforward approach when the council votes, and asked members not to be side-tracked by residents’ wide-ranging concerns. “We have to be single-minded and say this is what it is, and this is what has been met,” he said. “Here it is.”
“I always thought phase one was residential and phase two was the commercial component,” Otis said. “To me, this is phase two. There is no development left to take place. Now is the time to do it.”
From the looks of it strasburg town government is trying to make the I-81 interchange at Route 55 the next south of the border.
attribution: Doug Kerr and flickr
Despite the mayor, town council, and town staff continuing their efforts to push ahead with this project, and despite the community's continuing opposition to it, this project may collapse of its own weight.
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