Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all of us at LynnRMitchell.com

The reason for the season….

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.” Luke 2:8-20

The true meaning of Christmas … a time for the Christian world to pause and celebrate the birth of the son of God.

As 2014 comes to a close, we are thankful for a successful year and especially for our readers who contribute and share the posts we publish at LynnRMitchell.com.

It is a time to remember those who have special meaning in our lives. We are grateful to have our core group of contributors –Kurt, David, Daniel, and Lynn — working together as each brings a unique perspective that is shared in our writings:

Special Issue: LynnRMitchell.com writers, guests discuss Atlantic Coast Pipeline

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Today at LynnRMitchell.com, we are looking at the Atlantic Coast Pipeline issue that has stirred opinions both for and against in Augusta County and elsewhere. Posts from guest writers and regular contributors include Augusta County supervisors, citizens, information from Dominion, and an editorial cartoon.

Here is the list of articles in today’s Special Pipeline Issue:

• Atlantic Coast Pipeline: Better ways to the same end by Supervisor Tracy Pyles
• Dominion, environmentalists, and pipeline hypocrisy by Joel Salatin
• Augusta County: Too valuable and vulnerable for this pipeline? by former Supervisor Nancy Sorrells
• Dominion’s Growth – What, Why, How, and Controlling Features by Calvin Lucy
• The Dominion Pipeline Maze by Kurt Michael
• Schedule for 2015 Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline open houses from Dominion
• Myths & facts about Atlantic Coast Pipeline from Dominion

Previous articles on the pipeline:

• Dominion Virginia Power pipeline in Augusta County by Supervisor David Karaffa
• Augusta County residents organize against pipeline by Supervisor David Karaffa
• What if Dominion Virginia Power ran high speed internet with Atlantic Coast Pipeline? by Lynn R. Mitchell
• Governors McAuliffe, Tomblin, McCrory provide bipartisan support for Atlantic Coast Pipeline by Lynn R. Mitchell
• Business community, public officials support Atlantic Coast Pipeline by Lynn R. Mitchell
• Augusta supervisors deliver resolution asking for more info, Dominion says 75% of landowners in pipeline path agree to surveying  by Lynn R. Mitchell

Cross-posted

Augusta County: Too valuable and vulnerable for this pipeline?

By Nancy Sorrells
Augusta County Alliance Co-chair
Guest Post

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, championed by Dominion and the governor of Virginia, has been grabbing a lot of headlines lately, as it should. One of the most significant proposed land-use issues in Augusta County’s history needs to be carefully studied from all angles. Knee jerk simplistic reactions, whether they be anti-pipeline “nimby-ism” or pro-pipeline comments such as “you like your electricity, don’t you?” really have no place in Augusta County’s discussion. This is much bigger and far more complicated than that.

Live blogging Dominion pipeline issue at Augusta County supervisors meeting

By Lynn R. Mitchell

[Wednesday night I live Facebooked Augusta County Board of Supervisor meeting. One issue concerned the proposed Dominion Power gas pipeline.]

7:45 Pipeline issue is first.

Former Supervisor Nancy Sorrells is leading the opposition to the Dominion Virginia Power gas pipeline. “We as a community have your back” to question Dominion about this pipeline. She has brought a petition with almost 500 names. They want a public hearing in Verona to ask questions of Dominion. She asked supporters to stand and it looked like more than half the room stood.

I have to commend Nancy because she obviously knew there were two controversial issues on the agenda so she asked the anti-pipeline folks not to speak individually to save time. If not for that, we would have gone a lot later than 10:40. There were two individuals who spoke against the pipeline and one who spoke for it.

A representative from Dominion Resources will be there for the August 13 public hearing to address the board.

Staunton forum at Blackfriars: ‘To be, or not to be … on city council’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“To be, or not to be … on City Council. That is the question.” Staunton city council candidate Shelley Bryant set the tone with her paraphrasing of that famous line at the opening of last night’s candidates forum at downtown Staunton’s Blackfriars Theater, bringing laughter and applause from the audience. On the eve of what most celebrate as Shakespeare’s birthday, one almost expected to see the Bard himself sitting in the seats nodding his head in agreement.