One of reasons the reasons I started blogging was to change the nature of the conversation about economic development in the Roanoke Valley. It’s easy to complain about lack of opportunities, but complaining doesn’t change anything. Opportunities start with ideas, and sadly, original ideas have been have been few and far between.
Two organizations have put [...]
I am not a particularly enthusiastic supporter of the Rockledge Inn proposal by Valley Forward, but only because I do not believe that it has as much potential to attract people to the valley as the group suggests. There are legitimate pros and cons to consider, and these have been debated vigorously over the last [...]
There has been a great deal of discussion over the past few years about the need to attract young professionals to the Roanoke Valley. In spite of all the talk, we’ve made little in the way of actual progress. Roanoke is looking down the barrel of a demographic crisis similar to that faced by our [...]
Let me begin by saying that I’ve never been a fan of Councilman Brian Wishneff. Pomposity and spite are not the hallmarks of a good public servant, and Wishneff possesses these qualities in spades. His steadfast refusal to give up on the Victory Stadium issue after the last round of council elections reminds me now [...]
As another election season approaches, I’m reminded of one of my pet peeves. Even though it’s an all too common occurrence, I’m always dumbstruck when I see an office building or storefront plastered with campaign posters. Business owners have the same rights as anyone else to support candidates and causes of their choice, but as [...]