Warner, Webb Announce $5M for Valley Green Jobs Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb today announced that the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board (SVWIB) has received a $5 million investment from the economic stimulus package to fund a new program to train workers for jobs in the region’s emerging “green” technology manufacturing and renewable energy industries. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor, will provide workforce training opportunities for an estimated 1,000 Virginians across 10 counties and six cities in the Shenandoah Valley.

“The formation of the Shenandoah Valley Energy Partnership is exactly the kind of forward-looking collaboration we need to help jump-start our economy and create next-generation jobs in the clean energy field,” said Senator Warner. “This investment in training workers for new green energy represents an exciting opportunity for the entire Valley region.”

“One of the largest barriers to economic growth in many communities is the shortage of a skilled workforce, and I am pleased the Shenandoah Valley will benefit from this investment,” said Senator Webb. “Proper job training and workforce development will create jobs and enable Virginia to take advantage of the growing technology and renewable energy economies.”

“This is wonderful news for the Shenandoah Valley where we are currently enduring our highest unemployment rates in decades,” said Bob Satterwhite, director of the SVWIB. “Training made possible by this grant will prepare our area's workers for jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, including occupations that have long-term demand and offer the potential for high wage, career pathway jobs. We anticipate working with approximately 450 employers, as well as community members and schools in this effort, and believe the whole Valley region will benefit substantially.”

The program’s partners will include SVWIB’s five one-stop training centers and the region’s three vocational technical centers, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, James Madison University and the Virginia Manufacturer’s Association, among others.

The grant was one of 55 awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor today for projects that will enhance job training programs and employment services in health care and other high-growth and emerging industries across the United States.

source: press release Sen. Mark Warner

Yes, We Can Shenandoah Valley and Virginia

It it time for the final GOTV push all across Virginia. Don't depend on somebody else to get the job done - it is up to each and every one of us. Do your own personal phone banking over the next two days - call and email your friends and families and remind them to vote for Barack Obama, Mark Warner, and Sam Rasoul.

Mark Warner Tours the Central Valley

Mark Warner's day started in Winchester and ended at the Rockbridge County fair. From there he traveled to Bath County's Homestead where he will participate in the Virginia Bar Association debate this weekend. In between, he had stops in Harrisonburg and Staunton. One of his themes, building a coalition of "radical centrists," was echoed at each stop. As the most successful modern Virginia governor, Mark Warner governed from the center and reached across party lines to first clean up the budget mess left by his predecessor, Jim Gilmore, and then move Virginia forward in K-12 education, protecting the environment, and other core areas. As Warner said -

"If we are going to get this country back on the right track . . . we have to have a strong group of bipartisan 'radical centrists' in the Senate."

In Staunton, where he arrived a little late, Warner was greeted by a crowd of over 150 who braved the mid afternoon heat and blazing sun to greet the next U.S. senator. The sounds of a little pickin' and grinnin' and Woodrow Wilson's Pierce Arrow limo accented the jovial atmosphere among folks seeking a little shade along one sidewalk.

In his remarks, Warner talked of the value of historic renovation and cultural attractions to Virginia tourism - a major business for the Commonwealth - commented on energy policy, rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, and restoring American competitiveness.

After speaking Governor Warner toured the beginnings of the Staunton Performing Arts Center, Blackfriars, and had a short ride in the Pierce Arrow to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library.

The best and most complete coverage, including a webcast of some of Warner's remarks, is found at the Augusta Free Press. The News Leader, News Virginian, and NBC29 also had coverage.

A few photos of Warner's campaign stop in Staunton.

Warner supporters and the curious began gathering well before he arrived. A band was playing, local Democrats were signing up volunteers and chatting. In spite of the heat, there was an air of enthusiasm and energy. A few tourists from Virginia stayed to watch Warner's remarks. One, a mom visiting from Virginia Beach, in Staunton with her daughters for an educational experience at Blackfriars, said "He (Warner) was such a good governor . . . I live in a very Republican neighborhood and don't know anyone but a couple diehards voting for Gilmore . . . he was such an idiot."

Before speaking, Mark Warner spent time shaking hands and talking to the crowd.

After introductions by Tom Roberts and Dave Metz, Warner took the stage in the heat of the sun to talk about his plans as Virginia's next senator, quipping that "I'm unemployed and looking for a job. Will you hire me?

Click the links for the Augusta Free Press or NB29 to listen to his remarks.

A small group of Gilmore supporters is greeted by Staunton Democratic chair, Bob Dickerman. They hovered in the shade of a shop doorway so far up the street they probably couldn't hear the remarks of the man who will join Jim Webb in the Senate.

That's Alex with the sign. I can't identify the Republican in lavender . . .

cross posted at coarse cracked corn

Paint the Valley Blue

For information and tickets visit Paint the Valley Blue

or email augusta.democrats@gmail.com, stauntondemocrats@gmail.com,

or waynesborodemocrats@gmail.com.

New G.I. Bill for the 21st Century

Sign the petition and support our veterans - stand up for the New G.I. Bill for the 21st Century. Our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve the same opportunities to earn a college degree that soldiers who fought in World War II received when they returned home. Senator Jim Webb introduced this bill on his first day in office. It passed the House, but our misrepresentative Goodlatte voted NO! Republican leaders in the Senate are threatening to block it. Bush may veto it. 

For more info, click here.

Join Mark Warner and sign the petition and pass on the word to friends, family, and neighbors.

Shad Planking

At the Wakefield Shad Planking, Jim Gilmore seemed to be predicting Democratic victories this fall. When asked by reporters about his chances, Gilmore said something to the effect of: "Virginians don't want another Democrat to create a filibuster-proof Democratic Senate to support the policies of a president Clinton or Obama." Sounds like he's betting on at least nine more Democratic seats in the Senate. I guess McCain is as smoked as the shad!

Asked the same question, Mark Warner was far more eloquent in explaining how he'd move the nation forward with the same brand of moderate leadership that made him one of the most successful governors in Virginia history. Check his website for more photos from the Shad Planking.

h/t to Cobalt6 and NBC29 for the story.

I've been to the Shad Planking several times, most recently in 2006 when Jim Webb's campaign was just getting started. Years ago it was all white, all male, all Democrats. Times have changed, but the beer is still cold, the political conversation is still partisan but good natured, the roads are still filled with signs, the smoke still waifs across the grounds, and the shad is still . . . we'll let's just say it is an acquired taste. They do have some great fried fish, however.