OUR VIEW: Chairman’s praise shows just how far we’ve come
Published: October 17, 2009
» Bill Chase’s positive feelings about new Superintendent Bobbi Johnson signal a refreshing change in county government relations.
Like him or not, County Chairman Bill Chase tells it like it is.
So when Chase gave his praise for new Culpeper County Schools Superintendent Bobbi Johnson, it made us take note.
In his campaign interview with the Star-Exponent’s editorial board, Chase had great things to say about Johnson, echoing what we’ve heard from other educators, elected officials, parents and even students. Johnson is a people person who has spent her time wisely, listening and learning and taking action when needed.
Chase’s comments show much progress the Board of Supervisors and School Board have made, personnel-wise, since the tenure of former Superintendent David Cox. And while we won’t get into an analysis of who was right and who was wrong in that touchy situation, it’s refreshing to hear that relations have improved under Johnson.
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Paying bills with the town of Culpeper is about to get easier thanks to new software that allows online billing for utility and taxes.
A link on the town’s Web site will be available for those who want to pay their taxes online. The new program will combine administrative, utility billing, budgeting, purchasing, human resources and payroll functions. It’s expected to be fully functional by early December.
It was an expense of about $165,000, but it will result in more efficiency and convenience for town residents. The only downside is a “convenience fee” users must pay.
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The Town Council will consider a noise ordinance that finally puts some specifics with what has been a vague law. Previously, any sound that “endangers or injures the health or safety of any persons” or “disturbs reasonable persons of normal sensitivities” could be cited.
The new law would set acceptable decibel levels. Some argue that it would be hard to enforce. Could be, but at least people would know what’s legal and what’s not.
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Reader Reactions
I agree that Dr. Johnson seems to be doing a good job, but an endorsement from Bill Chase is probably short lived. When she has to tell him no to a political favor is when that will change, like what he did before, asking the superintendent for his cronie’s kid to get into the National Honor Society when the kid didn’t qualify otherwise.
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