First and foremost, less money comes into the Federal coffers.

This is followed by cuts in the money going to the individual states.

The states either have to raise taxes at the state level or pass the problems off to County and Local jurisdictions.

In areas such as road maintenance, a systemic approach is required if major roads are to be keep at a minimum safe standard. (If you have ever driven down a road where it is great for a while, then suddenly becomes full of potholes and rough spots on the surface, you already know why a statewide approach to road maintenance is necessary.) This is why the Roanoke Times article today is so important. Governor Kaine is asking for increases in tax revenue needed to maintain roads in Virginia.

I do not enjoy paying taxes any more than any one else. However, until I can figure out a way to get something for nothing (a life-long unfulfilled quest), I think it is only reasonable to set the taxes in such a way that the people who use the service (car owners like myself) should chip in to help keep roadways safe and usable.

Perhaps if unasked for tax breaks had not been given at the Federal level, increases here would not be needed. If you are one of those people who will take the time to contact your legislators about these tax increases, consider asking them some of these questions:

1. How have Federal tax cuts affected the State's ability to provide necessary services?
2. In the year 2006, Virginia got back $1.66 in Federal money for each $1.00 paid in by Virginians. What was that figure for 2007 and what is it projected to be for 2008?
3. What Federal funds coming into Virginia have changed in the last 2 years (either up or down) and how are those funds required (Federal regulations) to be spent?
4. How have Federal tax cuts specifically affected the State's financial resources for road maintenance and construction?
   

I am sure there are a lot of other questions that will come up as I reread the article and ponder the implications. Please feel free to let me know what you think and what questions come to your mind.

http://historiccambria.com/Town%20Information.htm

I have just added these items which the Town provided via FOIA request:

2008 Minutes and Documents (Planning Commission and Town Council)

Last sections of the Town Code (Town Code is now complete)

• Comparative Table 1972
• Comparative Table Ordinances
• Charter Index
• Code Index

As I have noted to some of you in private conversations and as Randy Wingfield (Planning Dept.) has been notified, I will be making all of the scanned files available (free of charge of course) to the Town of Christiansburg for use on their new website. I do not see any need to 'recreate the wheel' and waste taxpayer money when I have the resources to help.

If any of you have ideas for additional resources or modifications to make my web site more user friendly or more informative, please let me know. I will do what I can with the limited knowledge I have concerning web site design. One person has already asked for a breakdown in the Town taxes in a chart form and I will try to get that information from the Town and set it up.

My thanks to the many who have written with encouragement and support in my public information endeavor. Those notes are what make it all worth while.

On the average, 24 people per day are using the site as a resource. The most frequently viewed pages are the Codes and audios of meetings.

http://historiccambria.com/Town%20Information.htm

It looks a bit different but that is to make things easier to find and to prepare for a lot of other information that will be coming in the near future. The website remains a work in progress and will be updated as I am able to do so. Thanks for your patience.

"A right delayed is a right denied."
Martin Luther King, Jr.