Comments on: EXCLUSIVE: Chaos, discrimination, thuggery and dishonesty at Virginia State Board of Elections

By: Helpmate

Helpmate — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:19:13 +0000

The Honest Truth, where have you been. Webster defines racism as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. So, her monitoring of black employees, and openly making degrading comments about their skill sets and, calling black General Assembly representatives “crooks” not enough for you. If you are indeed The Honest Truth then, these allegations, supported by government documents, should be disturbing to you. If 10% of these allegations are substantiated, then Nancy Rodrigues has no regards for you, The Honest Truth.

By: Observer

Observer — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:02:45 +0000

In reading public records, Virginia’s response to the investigation of Paul Stenjborn’s contract, the Administration admitted counseling Nancy Rodrigues on racial matters. Why would the Administration feel a need to counsel Nancy Rodrigues on race? I suggest it is because of the many incidents and overwhelming evidence of her record. It demonstrates her predisposition to commit such acts. Another question is why is this administration tolerating and defending her discriminatory acts and illegal activities. The recently issued Governor’s Executive Order 2 prohiting discrimination in Virginia government is obviously just a mantle piece and has no real substance. No Commonwealth employee, black, white, or in between, should be subjected to discrimination at the hands of any government official. This administration’s failure to properly and promptly address these sensitive issues will not soon be forgotten by voters. It is unimaginable that, in this day and time, Virginia is still fighting the civil war and protecting corrupt officials. Come on people, if we say we won’t tolerate something, let’s not tolerate it. It’s time we stop allowing government officials to lie to us and get away with it. We pay their salaries. I’ve been living in Virginia for 25 years and a close observer of its government activities. I’ve never known any administration (from Doug Wilder to Gilmore) to let these types of issues and alleged criminal conduct by appointed officials be raised with no appropriate response. During the Warner administration, similar questionable acts were committed by officials who had close personal ties to the Governor. Gov. Warner did not allow even his close political friends and contributors to take advantage of their ties to him by feeding their personal lusts and prejudices using their authority he gave to them as appointed government officials. I suggest that this type of committment to public confidence and integrity is one of the reasons for his successful political career and popularity among Virginia citizens.

I’ve read and heard allegations sufficient to at least call for an external and independent investigation into the acts and affairs of the Virginia State Boad of Elections. The reported acts raises sufficient suspicion of government corruption, collusion, cover-up and discrimination. How can we trust such a government that won’t even do the minimum due-diligence to ensure public trust and integrity is maintained.

By: fb

fb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:21:35 +0000

James Acorn had a law degree..and no mgt experience. He was on kaines campaign started as a policy analyst…than head of a unit …than dept.. his mgt skills are horrid and he is an opportunist. It is sad that the democratics put him there and the republicans let him stay. Talk to the registras…he is not hornable…he will lie when he needs or will forget when he is told to

By: The Honest Truth

The Honest Truth — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:31:55 +0000

It is ansolutely absurb to cry foul ball when Nancy Rodrigues and James Alcorn have been striking out minority employees at SBE. They both should be made to stand on their records and employees’ accounts of their discriminatory acts. For example, during Ms. Rodrigues’ tenure, not one minority employee has been hired as a full-time classified employee; 5 to zip. Disciplinary actions, layoffs,terminations and suspensions have affected a higher percentage of minority employees than other employees at SBE. When you seek out state policy to “make it stick” against one class of people (minorities)then you should apply the policy consistenly across the board for all employees, Ms. Rodrigues and Mr. Alcorn. Now is not the time to make an attempt to give credibility to your actions; it is way past that time.

By: Colby

Colby — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:20:37 +0000

James Alcorn is a member of the New York State Bar (Reg. # 4419974), admitted in 2006 and currently registered. He is not a member of the Virginia State Bar. He did work as a volunteer for the Kaine campaign prior to being appointed to the DMV, then moved to the SBE as a Policy Analyst. I believe James was of good character until Nancy got him appointed as Deputy Secretary. After that he seemed to fall in line with Nancy’s dictatorship. In disciplinary meetings with Nancy, James often says nothing or agrees with Nancy. In regards to the racial accusations, James made one comment in a meeting referring to, “…you people…”, when asked what he meant, he said “…black people…”

By: QuestioningYourMotives

QuestioningYourMotives — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:57:09 +0000

Am I the only one still waiting to hear of a single instance of racism on the part of either Ms. Rodrigues or Mr. Alcorn? The accusation is easy to throw around, but what do you have to back it up?

EDITOR NOTE: You won't find allegations of "racism" at this blog. Racism is different than racial discrimination. We have no way of knowing whether or not racism lurks in anybody's heart and therefore won't ever make that sort of allegation. We have, however, detailed on the record statements of racial discrimination at the Virginia State Board of Elections. These allegations specifically relate to disparate treatment of minority employees at the direction of the Secretary. The source is a former employee of the SBE. It is entirely inaccurate to say that no instances of racial discrimination have ever been described in detail here. Whether or not they occurred is up to the readers to judge. They have been reported through on the record statements. The rest is up to the public to decide. That being said, there are also other allegations of retaliation against witnesses who testified in a racial discrimination hearing against the SBE. There are other more minor events which also include claims of racial discrimination. To say something is 'easy to throw around" but there is nothing to back it up is false.

By: Rebutal to Actual Fact Checker

Rebutal to Actual Fact Checker — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:55:20 +0000

Maybe lobbyist interact differently in Richmond. You need to talk with minority staff at the State Board of Elections and I am absolutely certain that they would not have fantastic things to say about James Alcorn and his character is not above reproach.

By: actual fact checker

actual fact checker — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:50:26 +0000

I did some quick searching too. Looks like Alcorn has a law degree in election law. As a Richmond lobbyist, I’ve asked around and everyone has fantastic things to say about him… maybe not his boss, but he seems to be above reproach.

By: Enuff

Enuff — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:15:43 +0000

Shame on Nancy Rodrigues. She took an oath of office to uphold the Constituion of Virginia. What a violation of public trust. She should be judged harshly because she is held to a higher standard than what she has displayed in her current position. If I were the Governor, I would throw the bum out!!!!!!!

By: IaintScareOfNoGhost

IaintScareOfNoGhost — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:54:52 +0000

Can’t find anywhere where these two folks have any real management experience. From what I can tell, they are pretty much ex-campaign workers with no management or work experience. Did some quick looking. It looks like James Alcorn’s only work experience was as a campaign worker then, he moved on to the State Board of Elections. Rodrigues held various jobs, none more than a couple of years, but couldn’t find any significant time as an executive or manager If you put inexperienced people at the top of government agencies, you can expect this kind of results. duh.