It’s an economic development tool and an emotionally explosive topic; it’s “easy and fast” and it keeps you “driving around the block till hell freezes over.” It’s … parking in Roanoke.
Read the full story: What’s Your Parking Beef? (Or Non-Beef?).
Local Government
We Shrink, They Grow. Why?
Five North Carolina cities have at least doubled in population since 1960; five Virginia cities have contracted. What’s going on?
Read the full story: We Shrink, They Grow. Why?.
Green Ridge Rec Center: Fiscal Success or Financial Failure?
Figures cited from the center’s first year of operation do not include the largest cost – the mortgage.
Read the full story: Green Ridge Rec Center: Fiscal Success or Financial Failure?.
Roanoke, the “Industrial Core?”
The Roanoke metro, according to a Brookings Institute study, is a lot more like Norfolk than Austin- a “Next Frontier” metro. We’re old, under-educated and not diverse enough, according to the study; and not projected to grow much more than Danville or Bristol over the coming decade.
Read the full story: Roanoke, the “Industrial Core?”.
Roanoke: Economic Failure or “Just a Small Metro?”
The view from Salem Memorial Ballpark is emblematic of the valley’s anguish over economic development over the last 35 years: “$12 million for a stadium?” we collectively asked 15 years ago. Now, as an anchor in Sportstown, USA, it’s a little engine that helps fuel Salem’s sports train; that helped bring the Boston Red Sox to town as a partner.
Read the full story: Roanoke: Economic Failure or “Just a Small Metro?”.
Why Court Rosen Proposed Upping the City Meals Tax
In late winter one of City Council’s newest members – 31-year-old Court Rosen – did something few politicians would dare by proposing a tax increase in the middle of a recession. Read why.
Read the full story: Why Court Rosen Proposed Upping the City Meals Tax.
Roanoke County Ranked #2 in Real Estate Taxes
Here’s a top-10 list that Roanoke County doesn’t want you to know about: Of Virginia’s largest counties, Roanoke ranks lowest in population and per-capita income, but 2nd highest real estate taxes. Take a look!
Read the full story: Roanoke County Ranked #2 in Real Estate Taxes.
Who Is Ed Elswick And Is He About To Turn Roanoke County Politics Upside Down?
What would cause Ed Elswick, a 68-year-old retired General Electric finance manager, to run against a long-standing incumbent for Roanoke County Supervisor from the Windsor Hills District?
Read the full story: Who Is Ed Elswick And Is He About To Turn Roanoke County Politics Upside Down?.
Is Ed Elswick the answer to big government in Roanoke County?
Just who is Ed Elswick? In the September/October 2009 edition of The Roanoker, we take a look at this surprise win of this political newcomer over three-time incumbent Roanoke County Supervisor Joe McNamara. “It is time that people stood up and said let’s stop this and put common sense into how we should run our [...]
Read the full story: Is Ed Elswick the answer to big government in Roanoke County?.
City Council: The Glass is More Than Half Full
Roanoke City Council, characterizing our May/June 2009 cover story about taxes and “Queen Darlene” as “excessively negative and certainly misleading,” defends the city as “one of the best places to live in the United States.”
Read the full story: City Council: The Glass is More Than Half Full.
Whither The Amphitheater?
What if we’re thinking about it all wrong? What if it shouldn’t be at Riverside or at Elmwood Park, but on some acre-sized plot we haven’t identified yet?
Read the full story: Whither The Amphitheater?.
Winners and Losers in Queen Darlene’s Exit
In today’s edition of The Roanoke Times, columnist Dan Casey provides some interesting insights into the winners and losers from city council’s decision to force Darlene Burcham to retire from her position as city manager on March 1 of next year. Among the winners are council member Gwen Mason and our own Roanoker magazine. The [...]
Read the full story: Winners and Losers in Queen Darlene’s Exit.
The Queen Prepares to Relinquish Her Throne
Breaking news from city council: City Manager Darlene Burcham will retire on March 1st, 2010. Roanoke city council announced the decision after meeting in closed session for several hours Monday night. Burcham says she will use her final 272 days to wrap up some unfinished business. Burcham – who said she hadn’t even contemplated retirement [...]
Read the full story: The Queen Prepares to Relinquish Her Throne.
Queen Darlene on the Radio
A lot of folks are talking after reading the article, perusing this blog or watching our television commercial. Bet you didn’t know we’re also on the radio. Listen to our radio broadcasts below and then get involved in the conversation. [display_podcast]
Read the full story: Queen Darlene on the Radio.
Roanoke Real Estate Developer Weighs In
There are two other City projects initiated and strongly supported by Mrs. Burcham that have not been mentioned but I feel need to be investigated further. The first is the acreage behind Berglund Auto on Williamson next to VDOT’s road maintenance facility that was to be a new stadium site. This investment totals approximately $3.5 [...]
Read the full story: Roanoke Real Estate Developer Weighs In.
