Jenkinson's Aquarium Seal Tank Dive...

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I had the opportunity to dive with the Point Pleasant NJ First Aid Rescue Dive Team this past weekend when they did a promotion at the Jenkinson's Aquarium. It was a dive in the aquarium tank with the resident Seals to show interactions between the divers and the seals as well as examples of SCUBA skills...

Busy weekend for the Mannasquan inlet...

United States Coast Guard station Mannasquan New Jersey...

All good Tiki-bars come with appropriate decorations...

Who to "Call" when we get to $5 a gallon...

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Mark Levin mentioned this on his show yesterday and RED STATE provided this information on how Congress is working on the energy issue.

When gasoline reached $2 then $3 a gallon people began to “complain” but did little to cut back on consumption. At $4 a gallon the consumption has been cut back 5-7% and people are complaining that much louder.

Wait until it gets to $5 a gallon and I predict people will be calling on Congress and telling them that they do not care one bit which party they belong too and they will be voted out at next election…

The interesting thing is let’s look at “who has voted for what” in the past and who is actually keeping technology, private industry, and the free market from increasing energy sources being added to the inventory and market…

In a breakdown of top energy issues, you'll find the GOP is in favor of more options for energy than the Democrats.

ANWR Exploration

House Republicans: 91% Supported

House Democrats: 86% Opposed

Coal-to-LiquidHouse

Republicans: 97% Supported

House Democrats: 78% Opposed

Oil Shale Exploration

House Republicans: 90% Supported

House Democrats: 86% Opposed

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration

House Republicans: 81% Supported

House Democrats: 83% Opposed

Refinery Increased Capacity

House Republicans: 97% Supported

House Democrats: 96% Opposed

Free Gas for Votes?

Finnegan over at H-burg news has a post about Democratic Candidate Sam Rasoul and his plans to pay a dollar per gallon, up to 10 gallons, at the pumps on June 4th at a Harrisonburg Texaco station… Sam will be doing this for forty minutes, on the 4th, and at 4pm…(?)

There was no listing of this event on Sam’s website but Finnegan has been a reliable news source in the past and says this came from a press release issued by Rasoul’s campaign…

Free Gas at the Pumps for what?
Is it a classic Bill Clinton “I feel your pain” stunt?…
Will it show the people, and potential voter, that Rasoul will do something for the gas consumer if he is elected to Congress?
Will there be more “relief” like this if Rasoul is in fact elected to Congress, as a Democratic Congressman, and part of a party who loves to make the “Evil Oil Companies” out as the enemy?
Or is this just a stunt for buying votes in the form of paying part of your gasoline bill while slapping a Sam Rasoul 2008 sticker on your forehead and a bumper sticker on your car?…

Will Rasoul have some more substantial solutions to the energy situation we are facing or will he and his party find more ways to avoid the problem with media stunts like this?

ConcreteBob has an interesting post about the Chinese drilling for oil just 50 miles south of Florida showing that the Democratic Party continues to stonewall efforts of American companies from delivering our own resources. I find it interesting that the Democratic Party which Sam Rasoul is campaigning for a position with, continues to side with the environmentalist groups who claim imminent disasters if we drill off our own shores. Yet the Democratic representatives and Environmental groups ignore the actions of China which by far is not the most “environmental friendly” in the world. How comfortable are they with China drilling in the Florida straits? How confident are they with the French, who produce 80% of their electric via nuclear, with the disposal of their radioactive waste?

Also, nice choice of Gas station in picking TEXACO…
Chavez kicking in with some more discounted fuel ?…

Call for Unity?....

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It appears that after five years of being a member of the Augusta County Republican Committee, this same committee has determined I am no longer a Augusta County Republican as they see fit. Self proclaimed Chairman Kurt Michael held a ACRC meeting last week, May 19th, to elect and position a new executive committee of the Augusta County Republican Committee.




The local newspaper reports that Kurt Michael advised that the meeting was announced 10 days in advance as compared to the seven day notice required by the committees bylaws. During my five plus years as a member of the ACRC I have always been notified by mail, or email, of all upcoming ACRC meetings as required by the same bylaws. The only form of communication that I have received since the ACRC mass meeting from the Augusta County Republican Committee vice-chairperson of communications, Lynn Mitchell, was the word “Traitor” which Lynn Mitchell text messaged me on two separate occasions.








Several phone calls provided that Kurt Michael only acknowledged and informed the 59 people that signed up and remained at the second meeting Kurt Michael held after the announced and original ACRC mass meeting. This in itself shows that Kurt Michael and his select few do not acknowledge or recognize the 141 Augusta County Republicans, including myself, who voted against and in majority to remove Kurt Michael from the Chairmanship. And what about the 44 people who did vote for Kurt Michael but also left after the first meeting? Are they recognized by the new ACRC leadership?




Both Kurt Michael and vice-chairperson of communications Lynn Mitchell have publicly called for unity within the party but have done little to promote such unity. Shortly after the Republican primary election between Scott Sayre and Emmett Hanger both Michael and Mitchell stated that they were supporting the candidate elected by the voters of Augusta County. The candidate elected was State Senator Emmett Hanger who went on to defeat both the Democratic and Libertarian candidates. This was not the candidate supported by the M&M Leadership team and it was evident after the Republican primary election. I did support and worked to elect Sayre during that primary and believe him to be a strong Conservative with views and opinions we need in Richmond. But he was not elected during the primary and I then supported Hanger for he was a much better choice then the Democratic Party candidate. I have spoke with State Senator Hanger several times about the "Large Bloated" Virginia state budget that has doubled in the past decade and his votes to raise taxes on the Virginia taxpayer in the past. The Senator has spent substantial amount of time discussing and explaining why he voted the way he did and even if we do not agree on taxes at time, I do have an avenue to express my opinions and ideas...




It was noted by many that after the Republican Primary the Augusta County Republican Committee did not operate and maintain a Republican headquarters as in the past to support ALL republican candidates prior to the election. The ACRC leadership in Michael and Mitchell also chose not to operate and maintain a Republican Party booth at the Augusta County Fair. The Resulting Republican Party booth that did appear at the Augusta County Fair was organized, developed, staffed, and maintained by ACRC members who became aware that ACRC leadership was ignoring this important event. Many of these same ACRC members who rallied behind the Republican Party booth have also been excluded from the same ACRC executive meeting noted above. Numerous ACRC members and Augusta County Republicans, without the ACRC leadership team, also provided a Republican Party float in the annual Staunton 4th of July parade. They also provided a float in the Stuarts Draft Fireman’s Parade which was attended by Congressman Goodlate, State Senator Hanger, Delegate Saxman, several elected Republican candidates, and Board of Supervisors candidates. All of these events were ignored by the ACRC leadership of Chairman Kurt Michael.




Since the 6th district Republican convention held recently in Lexington where the 6th district committee decided to recognize Kurt Michael as the ACRC Chairman, both Michael and Mitchell has once again called for unity within the Augusta County Republicans. The 6th district committee voted to recognize Michael as chairman by disregarding the majority of Augusta County Republicans who voted at the mass meeting to elect Dr. Larry Roller as new chairman of the ACRC. In a straight up vote before any procedural infractions were noted, the Augusta voters attending the mass meeting voted by a 60% to 40% in favor of Dr. Roller for Chairman of our party. Only after this up and down vote did anybody bring up procedural problems and after the voters of Augusta County had made their clear choice for chairman. By over riding and ignoring the clear choice of the Augusta County voters in attendance at the mass meeting, the 6th district committee practiced a procedure not unlike the “Super Delegates” of the Democratic Party may face in the next few weeks. The “Super Delegates” may have to decide if they know what is better for the party and disregard the clear votes made by the voting public. Is this the same “Unity” desired by the ACRC leadership that the 6th district committee has recognized?




After last weeks ACRC meeting it is apparent what and who the new executive committee acknowledges. Will the new executive committee continue to call for “Unity” within the Augusta County Republican Party and does that include all members of the party or only the 59 members of the second meeting? It is apparent the ACRC leadership does not recognize many who voted against Kurt Michael at the mass meeting as members of the Augusta County Republican Party including myself. My question is does the Republican Party of Virginia as well as many of my elected Republicans Representatives such as my Congressmen, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Delegates, and many local elected republican officials still recognize myself as a Republican of Augusta County?



The Republican Leadership in Virginia needs to acknowledge, respect, and value the votes cast by the Republican voters of Virginia...

NewsLeader Letter





Steve Kijak



Augusta County Republican?...

Plane Wreck on Humpback Mountain... T-28 Trainer...

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Last week, while talking politics with friends & eating shrimp at the local pub, I picked up a copy of the Nelson County Life magazine and read an article about a lost T-28 Trainer on Humpback Mountain. As I read the article I found it interesting where the wreck is located and so close to the Appalachian Trail that I have hiked numerous times in that area.




The article described information researched by Henri Weems of Nellysford where he found that the plane wreck occurred in 1964 during a training flight. It appears it was a training flight with two Marine colonels flying from Andrews Air Force base to Memphis, Tennessee and the T-28 developed engine problems. Both Colonels bailed out when the engine began to fail and lost oil pressure 15 minutes east of their checkpoint in Montebello. Both Colonels survived while the plane crashed on the eastern side of Humpback mountain. The article also described confusion with another plane wreck in the area of Humpback Rocks which I have already done a post here on Rightside at Dobie Mountain Wreck. It turns out that these wreck near Dobie Mountain was also in 1963 but was a civilian Beechcraft Bonanza where the three men aboard perished.


After corresponding with Mr. Weems by email he provided me with a website that provides information on both military and civilian wrecks. http://wreckchasing.com/ This site also provides information on several other plane wrecks along our mountain range and future hikes are already in the planning.

Upon approaching the wrecksite area I came along members of Scout Troop #735 out of Glen Allen Virginia who were hiking the Appalachian Trail. Knowing that I was in the general area and after talking with the Troop leader, it was decided to turn the "Scouts" loose on a search pattern. It took little time for the Scouts to locate the wreckage on the side of the mountain....

Before hiking up to the T-28 site I asked around the county here for information from any of the “Old-timers” at the local 7-Eleven and heard stories of several other wrecks over the years.

T-28 Trainer

Max Range 1,706 km / 1,060 miles

Dimensions: span 12.22 m / 40 ft 1 inlength 10.06 m / 33ft 0 inheight 3.86 m / 12 ft 8 in

Weight: empty 2,914 kg / 6,424 lbmaximum take-off 3,856 kg / 8,500 lb

Powerplant: one 1063-kW (1,425-hp) Wright R-1820-86 Cyclone radial piston engine

Armament: none; the T-28D features provision for up to 544 kg (1,200 Ib) of disposable stores, including Minigun pods, rocket-launcher pods and light bombs, carried on six external hardpoints.

Update   Unfortunately this site has been PICKED over by people who have taken instead of preserved the site. I hiked it a few weeks ago and sad how some people have taken items and left graffiti in their place.... Almost sorry I posted this.....

Both sides of the coin...

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I found this mornings blog reading interesting and as usual if you read the entire story or dig a bit further 'The Rest of the Story" comes out. This is the problem of just reading headlines or just skimming the post titles for your information. Roanoke Red Zone has a post about what he saw at the recent 6th District Convention in Lexington last week. Some of the information was reported in other forums, but with a little more investigation, "The Rest of the Story" or the flipside can be found...


"Kurt Michael was confirmed as Augusta County Chairman. Congratulations! I was able to sit in on the credentials subcommittee on Saturday and he is an impressive and detailed man. This should be the end to this disruption in our party. Let's move on."

Now looking at the otherside of the coin the "Rest of the Story" can be found...

"Well not quite so fast. What disappointed me was the argument pressed by Dr. Micheal from Augusta that those attending the 6th District Convention that were not certified in his half of the April 10th Augusta County mass meeting should not be seated as delegates. My understanding it was a total of 5 people--come on. Whether or not these 5 were handled properly in the Augusta mass meeting, it was clearly their intent to be a delegate. They were allowed to vote by provisional ballot. That means their vote doesn't matter unless the count was close enough for a challenge. Regardless of these 5 individuals reasons for being there on Saturday, what does it say about us a party? This was a great opportuntity for Dr. Micheal to take the high road and argue they be allowed to participate if they gave up their Saturday to be in attendance. It bothers me that citizens outside our difficult to understand process are given the message that we don't want them to join us. Too bad."

Red Zone did well to provide both sides of the story as he saw it and it is important to view the entire story when possible instead of "one sided" tidbits provided at some sites. In fact Red Zone brings up a good point regarding how the party has gotten caught up in so many rules, regulations, agendas, and procedures that it is getting to a point where we are ignoring the intentions of the voters and their votes. The Augusta mass meeting had obvious procedure issues but the fact is that when given the clear choice between two candidates for the Augusta County Republican Chairman spot they elected Dr. Larry Roller over Kurt Michael by a obvious 60% - 40% split... It is very important that we do not lose sight of the clear intention of the voter by arguing over procedures and rules. If we disregard the clear intention of the voter and change the outcome for technical reasons, we will be in clear danger of not seeing the voter come out again in the future and participating in the election process...

Do we really need concealed weapons in State Parks?... YES!!!

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The Department of the Interior has opened a 60 day comment period for people to comment on allowing persons with valid Concealed Weapons Permits to carry concealed weapons within National Parks and wildlife refuges... The vast majority of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia runs through National Forest areas and some areas designated as Wilderness....

Interior Department Opens Public Comment Period on Proposed Park and Refuge Firearm Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced the beginning of a 60-day public comment period on updates to regulations regarding the carrying of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. The proposed update to existing regulations would allow an individual to carry a concealed weapon in national parks and wildlife refuges if, and only if, the individual is permitted to carry a concealed weapon and is authorized to do so on similar state lands in the state in which the national park or refuge is located. The proposed update is available in the Federal Register and on http://www.doi.gov/

I have almost completed the entire Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail and have met many different people along the trail and in shelters. The vast majority have been day hikers and thru-hikers and interested in enjoying the natural resources provided and protected by the Department of the Interior. I have also assisted on mountain rescue\first aid assists on the trail and have had the opportunity to talk with several Rangers and National Forest personnel. While the majority of incidents discussed were of positive nature, they have been reports of unfortunate incidents along the trail as well. Following is a report of a incident that just took place this past weekend.

Randall Lee Smith, who pleaded guilty to the 1981 murders of two hikers on the Appalachian Trail, is in custody after a double shooting Tuesday night just a few miles from the site of the previous crime.

The shooting occurred between Giles and Bland counties around the Dismal Creek area, authorities said.Virginia State Police apprehended Randall Lee Smith after he crashed a black 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck that matched the description of one possibly involved in the shooting, said Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Conroy.
Sheila and Melissa Miller, sisters who helped the injured fishermen call 911, identified the victims as Sean Farmer of Tazewell, who was shot in the chest and face, and Scott Johnston of Bluefield, Va., who was shot three times in the neck. Johnston is in serious but stable condition, said Carilion hospital spokesman Eric Earnhart.

Some people have commented against allowing persons with valid Concealed Weapons Permits to carry concealed firearms within the parks. They feel this will contribute to incidents and the parks are not an appropriate place for guns to be carried. The fact is that by allowing valid CWP holders to carry "Concealed" weapons they will not be seen by the general public and will also put that doubt in the mind of the shooter described above. The simple fact of allowing Concealed weapons within the parks will deter criminals like the above from taking action without knowing who else in the crowd might be armed. Imagine if valid concealed weapon permit holders were allowed to carry at Virginia Tech last year before that incident happened? The fact is that criminals DO NOT obey gun laws and the private citizen, with a valid concealed weapons permit should be allowed to protect himself, his family, and other innocent bystanders in public...

As of yet security precautions as shown in the above photo is not needed...

Old Middlebrook Day ~2nd Annual~

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Today was the 2nd annual "Old Middlebrook Day" put on by the Middlebrook Ruritans of Middlebrook Virginia.

"Middlebrook had probably been a crossroads since 1750's when the first Scots-Irish and German settlers arrived, and early churches in the area which date to the mid-1700's reflect these cultures".

~The Middlebrook General Store~

Beekeeping by Fred Hollen of the Shenandoah Valley Beekeepers Association...

Local resident Hannah provides music with her "fiddle" and is also an accomplished piano player...

19th Virginia Infantry,

Company G,

Living History Re-enactors...

The "Wall of Honor" maintained by the "Middlebrook General Store"...

Let the Super-Delegates decide?...

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While waiting for the election results from Indiana concerning the Democratic Party primary between Hillary and Obama, there was a report on how the Clinton campaign will be concentrating more support on the Super-delegates for a victory. It seems that the campaign will begin special focus on convincing those considered Super-delegates to commit, maintain, and switch support to Clinton for a victory over Obama.

We are approaching and witnessing a uniquely tenuous time in politics and current situations promise to change how many citizens view their votes in the future. Imagine if the Democratic primary results come in and one candidate receives a substantial majority of the votes of the citizens who came out looking for a “Change” from the current leadership, only to have their votes disregarded and ignored by those who “know what is best for the party”. Enter the “Super Delegate”. The voting public watches as their vote, opinion, voice, and educated choice is changed by a “Super Delegate” chosen by the party hierarchy.

As the final election approaches we also begin to see a “paranoia” develop within the ranks of the party as some people view opposing or somewhat different opinions as a challenge to the party or people in leadership positions. This has in the past and will likely progress to a point where some even stand up and claim that they are more party oriented then others in the crowd. Here in the 6th district of Virginia Republican party we have seen some claim that others do not support or endorse the party’s candidates as they could or should publicly. The fact is there are many levels and ways of showing support both publicly and privately and a party that incorporates all forms of support for the Republican candidate benefit’s the candidate and the party.

Unfortunately the focus changes from convincing a large number of voters and constituents to convincing a super delegate who’s vote is more valuable and subject to “Spin” influence at times. This leaves the voting citizen questioning the political system as they see their efforts and vote overruled by a committee member. This past weekend in Lexington there was meeting of the 6th district Republican committee at which time the committee members voted 15 to 8 to recognize Kurt Michael as chairman of the Augusta County Republican Committee. This committee was assembled to review “facts” of the Augusta County mass meeting where the majority of voters in attendance chose Dr. Larry Roller over Kurt Michael by a margin of 141 to 103 votes. Michael claimed that the meeting was not closed properly but that is all after the fact that the voting public chose Roller in a up and down vote over Michael. The closing of the meeting happened after the voters had cast their votes for Chairman and was not an issue at the time of voting. After the committee met to review the “facts” and listen to comments by Michael, Roller was not allowed to speak to the committee, they voted to recognize Michael as their Augusta County Republican Chairman. These 6th district committee members decided that they understand the workings of the Republican party better then the citizens of the 6th district and that they knew “best” for the party and disregarded the recorded 141 to 103 vote of the citizens in attendance at the mass meeting.

If the 6th district committees vote is allowed to stand how will the voting public view their vote when compared to the “Super-delegates” vote? It will be interesting to watch the fallout if Hillary is able to steer away enough Super-delegate votes to overrule the citizens vote for Obama…

Lets not forget past history and the possible future use of legal actions when some people do not get the results they expected or desired. Al Gore took legal action to change the way votes were counted in Florida when it appeared he lost that state. It is sad when a presidential candidate, or chairman, feels it necessary to take legal action when the results of the voting citizen does not agree with his agenda or game plan. This is but another way of devaluing the citizens vote while claiming they are doing the will of the people or “for the good of the party”…

Remember the bumper sticker after the 2000 election “Selected not Elected”…

Conflict of interest?...

Today in the blogworld the question has been asked should a newspaper owner\editor be running for a public office?

Today is the local election for City Council in Waynesboro and Chris Graham is seeking that office. He is also the owner\editor of the Augusta Free Press media website and has been active investigating and reporting local news events for the community over the years.
Questions have come up why Graham has not been confronted about this issue by other candidates or the local newspaper. The truth is this may not be such a big issue for this “unique” situation has happened in the past and a well educated public can and will decide for themselves if there is any bias in the news service they choose.

A little research finds that Louis Spillman was the founder, owner, and editor of the Waynesboro NewsVirginian and also held the office of city council. In fact the ability and understanding of asking the proper questions when needed as a news reporter should provide valuable in depth knowledge of the workings of the local government. This could be a valuable tool and viewpoint needed as a member of the city council…

Bringing prior training and business knowledge into a government position is a valuable and beneficial asset and should be viewed that way. In fact the attractiveness of sending a experienced business owner and operator to Richmond to represent the taxpaying citizens of Virginia is something many of us worked for in the recent past…

Another unique advantage and benefit of the Free Market system is that if the media owner\editor brings an unfair bias to his news service the reader and subscriber will see that and the business will fail…