Editorial: The True Miracle of the Day: The Peaceful Transfer of Power

By Peter Roff
Conservative Commentator/Former Senior Political Writer for United Press International

Inauguration Day 2009 is as important as everyone says it is. There’s no escaping it. It is, as most of those covering it have already observed, an historic day, full of meaning for people all across the world. That a mere half-century after a time when blacks in parts of America were routinely prevented from voting we inaugurate an African-American president of the United States is a time of celebration for us all. It is a tangible symbol of how far the nation has come on race, one of the thorniest issues we as a nation have ever had to confront. We must not, however, lose sight of the fact that this is a subtext of the real story.

Today’s the Day…Tomorrow’s the question

Today America ushers in the 44th President of the United States. With that, a promise of a better America for all
Americans will be put to the test, not in the first 100 days, but in the first 100 hours.

Augusta Co. Republican Chairman, Kurt Michael, resigns

Dear Republican Friends,

I am grateful that the State Central Committee confirmed my election as Augusta County Republican Chairman. As I stated publicly on April 18, I will be stepping down as Augusta GOP Chairman.

Michael survives; now what?

Kurt Michael, the embittered Republican Chairman for Augusta County, survived a second appeal launched by Larry Roller who proclaimed himself Augusta County Chairman after a vote at Augusta County’s mass meeting seemed to have handed him a victory.

This, however, is politics and not everything is as it seems…

Walker resignation not his fault; not unexpected

After five years of service Waynesboro City Manager Doug Walker announced his resignation this afternoon. The move should not come as a surprise, but it didn’t need to come at all.

Walker was fond of pointing out that he “worked at the leisure of council,” which is to say he worked for them and under their direction. There are plenty of people who will point to fiscal challenges and a ballooning budget as reasons to push Walker out. Others will point to the newly elected city council in Waynesboro and say the writing was on the wall. At the end of the day, however, both statements are irrelevant.

The departure of Walker rests solely on the shoulders of Nancy Dowdy, Lorie Smith, and Tom Reynolds.

Michael responds to Roller’s plan to appeal

As published in the Staunton News Leader

By Kurt Michael

I am grateful the 6th District confirmed my election as Augusta Republican chairman at its convention last week. By a clear margin, the 6th district upheld the results of the Augusta Mass Meeting held April 10.

In Waynesboro: A United Conservative Front Destroys Opposition

On Tuesday the Republican Party was provided a sound example of what can happen when conservative ideals meet a passionate contingency of volunteers.

It was not only a clean sweep for conservatives in the election for Waynesboro City Council, but an overwhelming and dominant performance to boot. Bruce Allen and Frank Lucente both garnered more than 60% of the vote in their individual campaigns while their closest competitor earned less than 27%, and when added to the uncontested election of Tim Williams, Waynesboro will be led by a strong conservative voice for at least the next four years.

Rancor continues in Augusta County; they just don’t get it

Much has been said these past few weeks to address the actions of Republicans inside the Augusta County Committee. The battles have been ugly and public and they aren’t over yet. On the one hand I have heard that this website doesn’t have the facts and the only thing that matters is the removal of their identified enemies. On the other hand I have heard that the ill will and divisive tactics used by Augusta County Chairman Kurt Michael are unwanted, unnecessary and unproductive.

Augusta County Republican “leaders” are leaving a sad legacy

There’s not much to say to add to the tabloid coverage of the spectacle that is the Augusta County Republican Committee. Most of us just want the ugliness to end, and most importantly, to simply go away. What is lost, however, is the damage their display is inflicting on the image of local Republican politics and the ability to get every day citizens involved.

Lucente supporter responds to Taylor letter

I was disappointed to receive a letter from Jeremy Taylor, at-large Council candidate, making false statements and misleading allegations against Frank Lucente.