Lt. Governor Bill Bolling ~S.A.W. Breakfast~

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Lt. Governor Bill Bolling attended the monthly S.A.W. (Staunton-Augusta County-Waynesboro) breakfast at Mr.s Rowe’s restaurant this morning to a full room of local Republican grassroots and elected representatives…

Delegate Steve Landes

The event started off with comments from several people including Delegate Steve Landes, Delegate Chris Saxman, 6th District Scott Sayre, Staunton Chairwoman Ann Taetzsch, and Augusta Chairman Bill Shirley…

Delegate Chris Saxman

Lt. Governor Bolling is one of those speakers who can speak for 45 minutes but still holds your attention as if it was only 10 minutes. He can also present an incredible amount of information and facts, as evident of NewsVirginian reporter Bob Stuart who had multiple pages of notes, but yet he does not bog down the speech with a overabundance of information.

Scott Sayre

The Lt. Governor spoke about many topics regarding the actions and policies being developed, maintained, increased, and “Dreamed Up” in Richmond by the elected representatives. With the present economic situation here in Virginia and nationwide that issue received considerable focus. He spoke about how Virginia has gotten itself into a deep deficit because of the economic downturn but also because of Richmond counting on unrealistic revenue projections in Governor Tim Kaine’s (D) budget. And we will be looking at even a higher deficit due to the budgeted projection of 4-½% revenue increase projection for this year. Fortunately for Democratic Governor Tim Kaine (Also Chairman of the Democratic National Committee at the same time) he will be getting a substantial “Bailout” from Washington and his buddy President Obama, but what happens when that “Magic-money” runs out?…

Augusta County McDonnell \ Bolling coordinator Chris Green

Lt. Governor Bolling then spoke about the letter to the Secretary of the Interior that Governor Tim Kaine wrote requesting a suspension of the efforts to explore and develop known Natural Gas and Oil reserves off the coast of Virginia. Lt. Governor Bolling responded by sending a letter of his own stating the economic, energy, and jobs that this exploration and development will bring to Virginia if allowed. He include projections of the millions of tax revenue that this energy would bring to Virginia which could be used to help solve the States transportation issue. He also spoke of the challenge that Attorney General-Governor Candidate Bob McDonnell made to the three Democratic Party Candidates for Governor to support these important efforts to develop American sources of energy off our coasts and the refusal of the Democratic Candidates…

Energy will sure to be a major topic in the near and far term future and we must develop our own sources of energy for the obvious reasons. Like President Obama and many from the Democratic party side it would be foolish to ignore our known sources of Natural Gas and Oil only to focus on Wind, solar, and other new technologies as they are. Democratic Governor now Senator Mark Warner sidetracked efforts to develop Virginia offshore energy sources when he had a bill on his desk and now Democratic Governor Kaine is doing the same. Will we wait for $4 a gallon gasoline or worse before we do what is right?…

NewsVirginian article by Bob Stuart...

Obama: "Quick!, send a Intern to the White House Gift Shop"!!!...

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The Prime Minister Gordon Brown visits the new President of the United States and showers him with thoughtful gifts... President Obama returns the favor with a box set of DVD's?...

"Because all he got was a set of DVDs. Barack Obama, the leader of the world's richest country, gave the Prime Minister a box set of 25 classic American films - a gift about as exciting as a pair of socks."

"The Prime Minister gave Mr Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet.
The unique present delighted Mr Obama because oak from the Gannet's sister ship, HMS Resolute, was carved to make a desk that has sat in the Oval Office in the White House since 1880."

As reported in the Daily Mail, yeah, they noticed...

Available now at E-bay for only $19.99 ...

"In addition, Mr Brown and his wife showered gifts on the Obama children giving Sasha and Malia an outfit each from Topshop and six children's books by British authors which are shortly to be published in America."
"In return, the Obamas gave the Browns two models of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to take home to sons Fraser and John."

"But following Mr Brown's his recent troubles - the UK entering recession, soaring job losses and home repossessions, Labour struggling in the polls and threats of leadership challenges - he may be pleased at being able to settle down for a quiet night in front of the ultimate feel-good movie: It's A Wonderful Life."

Bahia-honda Bridge ~Tidal Energy \ Water Turbine Project~

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Anyone who has driven South on U.S 1 from Miami to Key West know of the 100+ small bridges, and one BIG 7-mile bridge, along the 150+ mile ride to KW...

I have made this ride numerous times and fished around many of these bridges during slack-tide and full range of tide changes. There is an incredible amount of water moving under these bridges going and coming between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. And this changing of tides happens 4 times a day...

The Key West Citizen paper reports that there are efforts being made to harness this energy with a water turbine that will be moved by the tidal water flow running thru it...

"Keys Hydro Power late last month received a state Department of Environmental Protection permit to test a Fiberglas composite underwater turbine in the channel off the old Bahia Honda Bridge, said group founder Douglas Bedgood."

"Keys Hydro Power has been asked to install rigid, cage-like mesh near the front and back of the turbine to keep the marine life from being snagged in the rotors. The excluder will keep out anything larger than 4 inches wide. Anything smaller can pass through unharmed, Bedgood said."

"Keys Hydro Power plans to test one turbine in the Bahia Honda Channel for 60 days to determine whether it can efficiently harness power from the ocean. The turbine would yield energy by having the currents pushing the rotors. Keys Hydro Power has been working with several Florida engineering firms on designs for the underwater turbine that would be placed a half-mile south of the bridge. If the test is successful, the group wants to place more turbines, or farms of turbines, off the Florida coast."

Are we headed towards $4 a gallon GAS again?...

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Republican Candidate for Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell asked a simple question of the potential Democratic Party Candidates to join him in calling for the exploration, development, and distribution of known energy resources off the coast of Virginia.

The reply from the potential candidates for Democratic Party Candidate for Virginia Governor was a resounding NO and inline with the present Democratic Party Governor and\or DNC Chairman (depends what hat he has on at the time) Tim Kaine…

"The issue is simple. Virginia has the opportunity to be the first state on the Eastern Seaboard to lease exploration and development rights for natural gas and oil off of our shores. Exploration would take place in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner, 50 miles off our coastline, far out of sight from our beaches."

"According to one estimate, there are 130 million barrels of oil and 1.14 trillion cubic feet of natural gas off Virginia's coast. A study by a professor at Old Dominion University, forecasts that natural gas production alone off Virginia’s coast would create 2,578 new jobs, and produce $271 million in state and local revenue. Unfortunately, the Democratic candidates said no to Virginia jobs and yes to the special interests."
http://bobmcdonnell.com/

So we are headed to $4+ a gallon gasoline again. We are headed towards higher fuel and energy costs to heat and cool our homes. We are headed to increased production and transportation costs on products we consume. We are headed towards even more dependency on foreign sources of energy. We are headed towards the Obama administration wishes of a carbon use tax that will fund much less efficient energy sources like solar and windpower…

The Washington Times had a great article written by Ed Feulner who outlines the
Situation with the new Obama administration Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar…

“It takes years to develop an oil field, which is why we should get started this year, while prices are still low. Mr. Salazar's own Interior Department estimates there are 19 billion barrels of oil available in U.S. waters, and such estimates tend to be on the low side. But we won't know until we start looking. This isn't the first time Mr. Salazar has opposed exploration, by the way. Last summer, when the Bush administration wanted to sell some public land in Western states so oil companies could take a closer look at harvesting fuel from oil shale, Mr. Salazar disliked the program. "A fire sale will not lower gas prices. It will not accelerate the development of commercial oil shale technologies," he wrote in The Washington Post. Again, true as far as it goes. But without exploration, we'll never know if oil shale can be made to work.
Our country needs more oil exploration, as quickly as is prudent. Otherwise, prepare for the eventual return of $4 or higher gasoline.

"Democrats" in their own words....

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For my friends in Harrisonburg who are quick to defend the "New" administration and blame any problems on the prior administration...

"Tele-prompter" free...

"Used Sinkers" ?....

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The Point Pleasant (NJ) Rescue Dive Team had their annual “Used Fishing Sinker Sale” at the local Fisherman’s Winter Flea Market and took in over $500 for the team. I have had the opportunity to help out during these sales and the appreciation of the team by the local fishermen has always been positive and enthusiastic.

The Dive Team has always been very visible in the local waters during training exercises and community support projects. They have been involved in numerous water related rescues and first-aid assists over the years and have been in the local papers news stories.

Additional photos and text can be found at Point Pleasant Rescue Dive Team…

Mote Marine Lab ~Bull Shark~ Research...

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CATCH A BULL at four... Scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory tag bull and hammerhead sharks in an effort to determine the effects these top predators have on the ocean food chain...

While living in the Florida Keys I had the opportunity to work on one of the better Sportfishing boats (SeaBoots Charters) and with one of the most knowledgeable Captains in the area. It was not just the 30+ years of fishing experiences in the Florida Keys but the marine biology knowledge that Captain Jim Sharpe brought to his charters.


Another benefit was that Mote Marine Lab had their Tropical Research Center just 100 yards down the dock from where the SeaBoots was kept. While most of the research at the Mote lab focused on coral research and growth, other Mote scientist would visit and conduct other research on other species such as the Bull shark…

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Above is a photo of me hand lining a Bull shark in the Gulf of Mexico while the Mote Marine scientist measured, tagged, and took blood samples, from the above shark. I have always enjoyed showing this photo at work to co-workers who enjoy local trout fishing and the conversations that follow...

Recently I was emailed the link to “You-Tube” footage of the shark fishing trip that produced the above catch. As the video shows there was much work and effort put into catching the bait and setting the lines for this research project and fortunately it paid off with this impressive catch. The amazing thing is what a Bull Shark of this size will allow you to do once you get them up to the side of the boat.

My first surprise was when lead Mote Marine Scientist Michael Heithaus leaned over the side of the boat and flipped this shark over onto her back where she offered very little resistance and allowed numerous tests, measurements, and tags to be attached.

Great video and great research team to work with…

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling...

STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING ON PASSAGE OF SENATE BUDGET

RICHMOND – Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today issued the following statement in response to Senate’s passage of the state budget:

“Needless to say, this has been a challenging budget year, with the Commonwealth facing a deficit of $3.7 billion. To address this shortfall we were facing significant spending reductions for most state programs. It appears as though the infusion of some $4.5 billion in federal stimulus funds will enable us to restore many of these budget cuts, at least in the short term.

“Given the significant infusion of funds provided by the federal stimulus package, I think the Senate did a good job crafting amendments to restore many of the budget cuts that had been made in the Executive Budget. However, I fear that this is a short term solution to a long term problem. By relying on one time federal funds to balance the budget we are not addressing the fundamental structural problem in the budget. Simply put, we are spending more money than we are taking in and we cannot continue to do that. Unless we see significant economic growth over the next 18 months, we will once again face massive budget shortfalls when the federal stimulus dollars expire.

“Going forward, our full attention must be directed toward effective proposals to get out economy moving again. We can do that by reducing taxes for families and businesses, eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens, directing more resources to aggressively recruit new business and industry to Virginia and empowering the private sector to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of America. That is what will ultimately get our economy moving again, not continual financial bail outs from Washington.”

Energy & Stimulus for Virginia...

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Local Virginia State Delegate Chris Saxman (R) introduced house bill
HB1633: Offshore Drilling royalties bill which would allow the royalties from drilling off of the Virgina coast to be used to solve Virginia transportation and budget problems...

There is an incredible amount of potential energy sources off our coast including oil, natural gas, and wind power. Developing these energy sources could solve many energy and budget problems that we now face and know will increase if we do not take action soon…

According to an ICF International study
commissioned by API, developing America’s
vast domestic oil and natural gas resources
that were kept off-limits by Congress for
decades could generate more than $1.7
trillion in government revenue, including

$1.3 trillion in revenues from offshore
development alone. These revenues would
be earned over the life of the resource.

Increased federal leasing could bring
additional high paying jobs to Americans.
Our industry directly employs 1.8 million
Americans, with another four million jobs
supported by the industry.3
• Oil and natural gas industry exploration
and production wages in 2006 were more
than double the national average.
• New manufacturing jobs would be created
to develop and install the infrastructure to
bring new resources to market.
• Local employment also would benefit with
the addition of construction jobs as well
as service and support positions.
• In 2030, 160,000 jobs would be created.

This has already produced revenue for States to use...

According to the Department of the
Interior, in fiscal year 2008, the agency
distributed a record $23.4 billion to the
federal government, states and American
Indian tribes from onshore and offshore
energy production.
• A part of this revenue included $10 billion
in bonus bids paid by companies to lease
tracts for offshore energy exploration on
the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of
Mexico and Alaska.
• A total of 35 states received $2.6 billion
from these revenues.1

Source info...