Comments on: Manassas City Gives In To Extortion http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/ Blog-Fu for Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park politics. Thu, 24 May 2012 05:02:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: CitizenofManassas http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75185 CitizenofManassas Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:23:25 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75185 Peter G, I have a respect for the law, that is not hate. I suppose if I dislike killers, I am a hateful person? I understand the process has to be followed, and in fact posted here a couple of times to let the City do their job. However, once it entered the legal system, the City should have pushed for punishment. I doubt he even had to pay for the court costs that were incurred by the City. Peter G,

I have a respect for the law, that is not hate. I suppose if I dislike killers, I am a hateful person?

I understand the process has to be followed, and in fact posted here a couple of times to let the City do their job. However, once it entered the legal system, the City should have pushed for punishment. I doubt he even had to pay for the court costs that were incurred by the City.

]]> By: Peter G. http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75126 Peter G. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:58:38 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75126 anonymous, Peter F. Graver, you're up pal. anonymous,
Peter F. Graver, you’re up pal.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75096 anonymous Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:27:43 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75096 Hey Peter G - you post your name and I will post mine - big talk indeed!!! Hey Peter G - you post your name and I will post mine - big talk indeed!!!

]]> By: Peter G. http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75087 Peter G. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:09:36 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75087 COM, The sign is down, yes it took too long but that is the process set by law. It is a difficult situation with overcrowding, I don't have an answer except that it has to be done lawfully. Fire code maybe? YesJesusLovesYou, Please pray for COM too, he has some real anger and hate issues. COM,
The sign is down, yes it took too long but that is the process set by law. It is a difficult situation with overcrowding, I don’t have an answer except that it has to be done lawfully. Fire code maybe?
YesJesusLovesYou,
Please pray for COM too, he has some real anger and hate issues.

]]> By: CitizenofManassas http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75059 CitizenofManassas Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:56:52 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75059 Peter G, Did the City do right by letting the "sign" guy off the hook? Tell me how illegals will now stop living in overcrowded homes. Peter G,

Did the City do right by letting the “sign” guy off the hook? Tell me how illegals will now stop living in overcrowded homes.

]]> By: YesJesusLovesYou http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75048 YesJesusLovesYou Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:01:18 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75048 Emma, I pray for you and for your soul. God bless you, and may he bring you peace. The Bible will show you the way and will lead you back to path of rightousness. You are forgiven. Emma,
I pray for you and for your soul. God bless you, and may he bring you peace. The Bible will show you the way and will lead you back to path of rightousness. You are forgiven.

]]> By: Peter G. http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75024 Peter G. Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:33:42 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-75024 anonymous, You talk a big story of courage then post behind a fake name. The council did what was right for the city. Emma, Whose spouse are you talking about? I can think of any of them that will gain personally from this action. And you too talk a big story about knowing what is going on. The next council election is less than two years away, you spew a lot of opionions and facts, how many more are wrong? anonymous,
You talk a big story of courage then post behind a fake name. The council did what was right for the city.
Emma,
Whose spouse are you talking about? I can think of any of them that will gain personally from this action. And you too talk a big story about knowing what is going on. The next council election is less than two years away, you spew a lot of opionions and facts, how many more are wrong?

]]> By: Emma http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74925 Emma Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:58:14 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74925 I hope others follow the lead in taking note of this idiocy and remembering it in three years for the next Council election. We don't need council members who sit on the board partly to protect their own or their spouses' interests. They need to be representing the legal, taxpaying citizens. I hope others follow the lead in taking note of this idiocy and remembering it in three years for the next Council election. We don’t need council members who sit on the board partly to protect their own or their spouses’ interests. They need to be representing the legal, taxpaying citizens.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74923 anonymous Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:40:48 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74923 This issue is an example of the lack of leadership and courage in our electeds, pastors, and other public servants. It is easier to give money then deal head on with a problem. Johnny cries in the store for a sweet, you give in because to really parent the little brat is too much work and you don't want a show down. The "poor" want more even money and benefits even though their lifestyle is the cause of most of their problems, pass the plate because if you dare say anything you get called "intolerant" or "judgemental". As long as we contiune to elect men and women who are not courageous but at their very core weak and godless, we will in fact reap what we sow, pray for our country and its leaders and pastors and civil servants, they need them! This issue is an example of the lack of leadership and courage in our electeds, pastors, and other public servants. It is easier to give money then deal head on with a problem. Johnny cries in the store for a sweet, you give in because to really parent the little brat is too much work and you don’t want a show down. The “poor” want more even money and benefits even though their lifestyle is the cause of most of their problems, pass the plate because if you dare say anything you get called “intolerant” or “judgemental”. As long as we contiune to elect men and women who are not courageous but at their very core weak and godless, we will in fact reap what we sow, pray for our country and its leaders and pastors and civil servants, they need them!

]]> By: Emma http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74876 Emma Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:56:25 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74876 Mark Wolfe, we'd be happy if you would spend more time concerning yourself with ballet and less time buying off extortionists. The City should have made a statement to the Feds, loud and clear, by fighting off this special interest group, not paying them off to buy some ephemeral protection. Perhaps the expenses of multilanguage forms, additional personnel, etc. that the settlement mandates can be taken from your precious performing arts center instead. No conflict of interest there, hmmm? Mark Wolfe, we’d be happy if you would spend more time concerning yourself with ballet and less time buying off extortionists. The City should have made a statement to the Feds, loud and clear, by fighting off this special interest group, not paying them off to buy some ephemeral protection. Perhaps the expenses of multilanguage forms, additional personnel, etc. that the settlement mandates can be taken from your precious performing arts center instead. No conflict of interest there, hmmm?

]]> By: Moving to Gainesville http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74794 Moving to Gainesville Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:22:31 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74794 The real shame is the very folks who broke the law in the first place by overcrowding got rewarded with money! Prepare for more overcrowding in the city as it is open for business! The real shame is the very folks who broke the law in the first place by overcrowding got rewarded with money! Prepare for more overcrowding in the city as it is open for business!

]]> By: concrete4 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74770 concrete4 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:00:25 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74770 no spin zone said on 24 Sep 2008 at 4:32 pm: OUTSTANDING POST! This is just the BEGINNING. And our brilliant elected officials thought they'd be saving the city money by paying off these crooks. Now we're paying for everything you mentioned in your post. What a flippin' joke! Shame on all of you, except for Councilman Marc Aveni, of course. no spin zone said on 24 Sep 2008 at 4:32 pm:

OUTSTANDING POST!
This is just the BEGINNING. And our brilliant elected officials thought they’d be saving the city money by paying off these crooks. Now we’re paying for everything you mentioned in your post. What a flippin’ joke!
Shame on all of you, except for Councilman Marc Aveni, of course.

]]> By: citizenofManassas http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74751 citizenofManassas Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:30:16 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74751 No spin brings up some good questions. Since the Council is so concerned with not spending too much money, I expect the overall budget to go down. We should withdraw from the George Mason elitist arts center, we need to stop funding Manassas Next, particularly in light of the City schools not being up to grade. However, come budget times, the Council will spend money like drunken sailors making the cave in even more of a mockery. No spin brings up some good questions. Since the Council is so concerned with not spending too much money, I expect the overall budget to go down. We should withdraw from the George Mason elitist arts center, we need to stop funding Manassas Next, particularly in light of the City schools not being up to grade.

However, come budget times, the Council will spend money like drunken sailors making the cave in even more of a mockery.

]]> By: no spin zone http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74737 no spin zone Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:32:11 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74737 Andy is saying there is a hiring freeze on, so will the "housing advocate" still be hired? Is insurance paying for that new position? How about all those new forms in multiple languages? Or the training by the people who sued you to city employees? What about the fact that you are letting an outside group with questionable motives dictate city policy. So why do we need you Mr Wolfe?? Andy is saying there is a hiring freeze on, so will the “housing advocate” still be hired? Is insurance paying for that new position? How about all those new forms in multiple languages? Or the training by the people who sued you to city employees? What about the fact that you are letting an outside group with questionable motives dictate city policy. So why do we need you Mr Wolfe??

]]> By: Naughtius Maximus http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74726 Naughtius Maximus Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:45:48 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74726 Mark Wolfe, thanks for that info. I really believe this case is a sick example of Bush's White House and his Justice Department encouraging illegal immigration. He/they did it right here in our own backyard and I think we should have raised hell about it. Mark Wolfe, thanks for that info.

I really believe this case is a sick example of Bush’s White House and his Justice Department encouraging illegal immigration. He/they did it right here in our own backyard and I think we should have raised hell about it.

]]> By: CitizenofManassas http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74718 CitizenofManassas Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:42:02 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74718 Mark, Everyone thought OJ was guilty too. The jury had the final say. We simply do not know how the case would have turned out. It is not scoring points, it is standing up for what is right and fair. Mark,

Everyone thought OJ was guilty too. The jury had the final say.

We simply do not know how the case would have turned out. It is not scoring points, it is standing up for what is right and fair.

]]> By: Mark Wolfe http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74697 Mark Wolfe Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:58:59 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74697 The folks that have posted before me have made many interesting points regarding the ERC settlement. Please allow me to explain the reasoning behind my vote. To me, this was ultimately a business decision to make. The choices were to settle now or to go into the deposition and ultimately trial phase of the case. By settling now, we secured the backing of our insurance company who is paying the entire settlement cost and the bulk of our attorney’s fees. The actual financial cost to the citizens is very small. By continuing the fight we ran the risk that our insurance carrier would cut and run on us. (They could actually agree to settle the case without approval from the City.) The cost in attorneys fees and staff time for the depositions and trial would be huge. At the end of the trial there would be the risk of a large damage award. And possibly most damaging is that if the other side prevailed in any one issue, the City would be liable for ALL of their attorney fees. That number alone would be in the millions. I could easily imagine a total cost to the City of over $5,000,000. And expense that would somehow have to be borne by the taxpayers. We might have won. But the odds (and ALL legal advice) suggested otherwise. I absolutely agree that there are times where it is vital to stand on principle (hence my vote on the BPL issue). I agree that a system where one part of the government provides funding to a special interest group to sue other parts of the government is flawed. But I could not ask the citizens of Manassas to run such a staggering financial risk to score debating points with the ERC, DOJ or HUD. The folks that have posted before me have made many interesting points regarding the ERC settlement. Please allow me to explain the reasoning behind my vote.

To me, this was ultimately a business decision to make. The choices were to settle now or to go into the deposition and ultimately trial phase of the case.

By settling now, we secured the backing of our insurance company who is paying the entire settlement cost and the bulk of our attorney’s fees. The actual financial cost to the citizens is very small.

By continuing the fight we ran the risk that our insurance carrier would cut and run on us. (They could actually agree to settle the case without approval from the City.) The cost in attorneys fees and staff time for the depositions and trial would be huge. At the end of the trial there would be the risk of a large damage award. And possibly most damaging is that if the other side prevailed in any one issue, the City would be liable for ALL of their attorney fees. That number alone would be in the millions. I could easily imagine a total cost to the City of over $5,000,000. And expense that would somehow have to be borne by the taxpayers.

We might have won. But the odds (and ALL legal advice) suggested otherwise.

I absolutely agree that there are times where it is vital to stand on principle (hence my vote on the BPL issue). I agree that a system where one part of the government provides funding to a special interest group to sue other parts of the government is flawed. But I could not ask the citizens of Manassas to run such a staggering financial risk to score debating points with the ERC, DOJ or HUD.

]]> By: DPortM http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74696 DPortM Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:05:14 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74696 Anonymous Liberal said on 24 Sep 2008 at 10:03 am: Anonymous, please take your ball and go home! Anonymous Liberal said on 24 Sep 2008 at 10:03 am:

Anonymous, please take your ball and go home!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74694 Anonymous Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:03:50 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74694 Indigenous_Elvis, if I lived in your ideal country (I believe countries like China, North Korea, and Iran have policies like this), I would amuse myself by making prank anonymous calls to the authorities about neighbors I didn't like, asserting that they had illegals in their homes. This would be win-win. I would be amused, and the innocent people who had police enter their homes and force them to prove they're citizens wouldn't mind, because after all, if you're not doing anything illegal, you've got nothing to hide, right? Yaaaayy! Police state FTW!!! Indigenous_Elvis, if I lived in your ideal country (I believe countries like China, North Korea, and Iran have policies like this), I would amuse myself by making prank anonymous calls to the authorities about neighbors I didn’t like, asserting that they had illegals in their homes. This would be win-win. I would be amused, and the innocent people who had police enter their homes and force them to prove they’re citizens wouldn’t mind, because after all, if you’re not doing anything illegal, you’ve got nothing to hide, right?

Yaaaayy! Police state FTW!!!

]]> By: Emma http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74661 Emma Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:20:26 +0000 http://www.bvbl.net/index.php/2008/09/22/manassas-city-gives-in-to-extortion/#comment-74661 Thanks for depressing me. I think I'll have that glass of wine now... Thanks for depressing me. I think I’ll have that glass of wine now…

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