Terry Ellen Carter    540.558.9507   tec@terryellencarter.com

The State Board of Elections Shirks Their Responsibility

Terry Ellen Carter, at the Capitol building in Richmond.

22Nov10 - The State Board of Elections, three part time volunteers with no particular experience or knowledge, has publicly stated that they want me to do all the work. When I spoke about my formal requst to dismiss the Montgomery County Electoral Board and the County's Registrar, the SBE essentially said they couldn't do much and that I could complain to my Commonwealth's Attorney if I think laws were broken. Based on previous discussions with Brad Finch's office (He has a wicked gatekeeper - you don't talk to Mr. Finch. Ever.), the Montgomery County C.A. doesn't address issues regarding elected officials.

During the agenda item "Ascertain the results of the November 2, 2010 Election" I raised the issue of those pesky illegal votes cast in several districts throughout the County. The SBE Chairman, Ms. Cunningham, instructed me that a) what I was talking about wasn't on the agenda (?!?) and b) that I must file a written complaint that they may consider at the next meeting.

Can you see the problems there? If illegally cast votes are not germane to "ascertaining the results" then I just don't know what is. And, nowhere have I found the "rules" for making a complaint to the SBE. Ergo, where do the rules say "written complaints only"? Or, is Ms. Cunningham making crap up as she goes?

One interesting tidbit learned at the November 22 meeting is that "Montgomery County" will be on the agenda of a specially called meeting in December. Stay tuned.

Another Montgomery County Election Embarrassment

02Nov10 - Montgomery County, Virginia has done it again: screwed up an election. This time, the crux of the problem was that the electronic poll books wouldn't open. Or, they wouldn't accept the password. Or, the instructions were missing a step. There were at least four disparate descriptions of the problems that morning. If there were consistent problems, I would try to find an alternate source of the trouble. That there were so many variations enforces my belief that the problem was a "top down" problem, starting in the Registrar's office. Ineffective training comes to mind.

(Note: In one place where the electronic poll books wouldn't open, the poll workers had the brilliant idea to try plugging them into a different outlet. Believe it or not, problem solved - in that location only.)

Ignoring, or Ignorance of, The Law

Mysterious computer problems aside, the real issue is that voters were allowed to vote WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY VERIFIED as registered voters. At SEVEN districts, folks just wrote down their name and address - to be verified later. That's 2.9% of votes cast in Montgomery County that were not cast in a legal fashion.

Virginia law clearly says that if you cannot verify a voter's name in a poll book, that person must vote with a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots were NOT used in any of the districts where electronic poll books were not opened or openable. One district where the electronic pollbook wouldn't open had a paper backup, and voting went lawfully there.

Again, the Montgomery County Electoral Board doesn't see anything wrong with this violation of state election law. They heart Randy Wertz, and the job of Registrar is his for life, no matter how many laws are broken, votes are inappropriately verified, illegal petition signatures are collected, absentee ballots are sent out late, polling places are unlawfully moved, and results inacurately posted.

If you, too, think this is wrong, here's what you can do.

Historic Landmark Sold!

04Nov10 - Mt. Woody, the unsightly and dangerous heap of dirt at the corner of Cambria and Providence in Christiansburg, VA, was put on the auction block on November 4. Roger Woody, the dirtpile's owner and namesake, says he's retiring and that he wants others to have the opportunity to be just like him: a developer.

In all, 28 parcels of land were up for auction. A source close to the auction company handling the sale says that not all parcels sold, and that it's up to the bank if they want to finance for the full selling price. Interesting...

On a Related Topic

The Christiansburg Town Council finally appointed Meghan Dorsett, a planner by training, to the Planning Commission. She's applied twice before. They also appointed another professional planner, as if to make up for years of poor planning decisions. These appointments are directly connected to the election of Cord Hall to Council earlier this year.

Mr. Hall brings the additional brain cells and vote needed by Henry Showalter to actually get some good work done. Swing votes from Brad Stipes and Steve Huppert will more likely swing into the "sensible" column with Showalter and Hall leading the way.

The addition of professionals to the Planning Commission, and the alleged departure of Roger Woody from the overdevelopment scene may be paving the way for a halt to the madness and idiocy that has been the hallmark of construction approvals (anything goes!) in Christiansburg.

Twistin' By The Pool! Not.

13May10 - My recent editorials (in the NR Current and in the News Messenger) hit so close to the target that the Mayor felt the need to rebut them! Except that he hid behind the Town's "public relations officer." The Mayor claimed she used nicer language than he would have. That comment is on video - I'll link when I find it.

Here's the link to her rebuttal. Really, I feel sorry for Ms. Hawkes. She probably hasn't read the contract, and only knows the back story that she's been told. Plus, she just doesn't write very well. Think of the handicaps Ms. Hawkes overcame to write this! Somehow I can't imagine Sir Lance and the Mayor "letting" her write it. Imagine those two hovering, "NO! Say THIS instead!"

The challenge is understanding all the comments if you haven't read the contract. The contract is not available on the Town's web site. So...

HERE'S THE AQUATIC CENTER CONTRACT!!!
Also known as the “Comprehensive Agreement By and Between The Town of Christiansburg, Virginia and S. Lewis Lionberger Construction Company.” It's a big pdf file, so don't expect a quick read. That pdf includes the one and only change order that applies to the building itself - that authorizes building out the rooms on the first floor and putting partitions around toilets. (phew! I prefer partitions.)

Pay attention to:

The Council meeting minutes aren't on the Town's web site, either. Go here for old Council Meeting Minutes. (and say "Thank you Carol Lindstrom " after you are finished.)

About Me

VP Marketing for Service First Webmasters

Treasurer for the Montgomery County Democratic Committee

Graduate of the Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, Candidate Training Program, 2010.

Political Campaign Manager for Cord Hall for Council, Spring 2010. Election won by a wide margin. Future implications for Council and Planning Commission have been ignored by the local media, which is a bummer. The Town will benefit from this new Town Council mix more than they can know.


terry ellen carter

Making political history!


terry ellen carter

No injuries, just laughing.


Historical Stuff

Details of the Recent Unpleasantness