Virginia's Real Politics
A guide to news, commentary and resources in Southwest Virginia

Barnie Day was a Democratic delegate from Patrick County from his election in 1997 through the 2001 session. A former county administrator and business owner, he is now a banker.

By BARNIE DAY

June 19, 2002 -- Let's see. No budget. Lost two out of three of the statewides. Phonegate. Vancegate. Gilmore's scanning the help-wanteds while House GOPers huddle behind closed doors -- imagine the initial, organizational meeting of a Third World parliament -- trying to divine a 'Portia-pure' speaker. Good luck on that needle, Leo.

And now this. Will they never learn? Doesn't look like it. Zounds! A United States senator, one George Allen, no less, on the receiving end of $300,000 -- count 'em: three hundred thousand clams! -- for -- now get this -- advice!

Advice? Please.

Reporter Chris Flores of The News & Advance broke the story last week. Did you miss it?

It seems Senator Allen was paid the $300,000 for 'advising' Com-Net Ericsson, a Lynchburg land mobile radio company that subsequently took a $365 million Florida contract away from ... drum-roll ... Motorola!

Motorola? Is that the same Motorola that Gov. George Allen spent so much state cash on bringing to this good commonwealth? Can't be. No way he can get intimate with a company, woo it, solicit it, pet on it, and then take $300,000 "advising" against it. No way. Better check that one.

Hummmm. Let's see. Holy mackeral, Alice! It is the same company!

But, hey. Nothing wrong with serving on a board. Folks do it all the time. Get paid for it, too. Some of Virginia's blue chip companies pay their board members well -- $50,000, $75,000 a year.

But hold on, Alice. Wait just a minute. These are company directors. They have specified, fiduciary responsibilities to the stockholders. Nothing "advisory" about it. This director stuff is laid out in the law.

Maybe it was a timing thing. Maybe the Senator's service on this advisory board didn't overlap that deal in Florida, the scuffle with Motorola. Let's check that.

Rut-ro. The News and Advance says Senator Allen went on the board in February of 2000 ... and Com-Net took the deal away from Motorola in September 2000.

But, Alice, there could have been some real work involved, some brainpower brought to task, some heavy lifting. You never know. Let's see what the paper has to say about that one.

"According to the letter, the advisory board's responsibility was to meet at least twice a year and provide advise and service. Allen terminated his service on the board before the end of 2000, before he was sworn in as senator."

See. Told you so, Alice. Makes me tired to read about it. They got to meet twice a year and all he gets paid is $300,000? I don't blame him for quitting.

Your thoughts?

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