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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Winter 2016
10
30YEARS
2016
Cover of 2016 Red Book. “Capitol
Connections is a
great resource for
visitors, students,
and businesses
during session and
back at home. Each
year, I share copies
with the school
districts and local
governments so
they have helpful
contact information
regarding their
state government.
Thanks for the great
books!”–Delegate
Margaret B. Ransone
“Congratulations
and thank you for
being an invaluable
resource in
connecting citizens,
legislators and
staff for the past 30
years.”
–Delegate
Lamont Bagby
There is one resource document I use
daily during the General Assembly and
throughout the year—the Virginia Capitol
Connections Redbook. Don’t leave home
without it!
—Jim Dunn
Vice President, Bon Secours Richmond Health
System Advocacy and Community Affairs
“Congratulations
on the 30th year
of redbook! I
fondly remember
talking with David
and looking at
the redbook
at Republican
Conventions
many years
before I even ran
for the House
of Delegates.
Thanks for the
decades that you
have provided
this valuable
resource!”
–Congressman H.
Morgan Griffith
(VA- 09)
The Redbook without a doubt is one of
the best tools for the citizens to have in
Richmond and in the Home Districts
–Marty Hall, Chief of Staff, Delegate
Will Morefield
“The Redbook is
a staple in our
office. Everyone
in our office has
one on their desk
and we reference
it daily.”–Senator
Richard H. Black,
13th District.
“The Redbook is an absolute compendium of who’s who
in Virginia politics. The current contact information under
one cover has made legislators accessible to me. The
Redbook started before the internet was a major point of
information, so it surely is historical in that it was one of
the first places that legislators’ contact information was put
under one cover, making them more accessible.”
–Dr. Edgar H. Thompson, Professor Emeritus, Emory & Henry College
“Capitol Connection’s Redbook has been
a handy and useful tool for legislators,
lobbyists, and the public. Many use it for
a quick reference as they move among
the legislative offices in the General
Assembly Building.”–Senator Frank Ruff
“The Redbook has been a consistent source of important
information about State Government for 30 years. I
congratulate David Bailey and his team for this quality
publication.”– John G. “Chip” Dicks
“Thanks, David. Your “little” red book
has come a long way since I last saw
it many years ago! Very impressive,
very thorough, and very informative.
Glad to know you are still making
this important tool available so that
ordinary people are empowered to
impact the political process in the
great Commonwealth of Virginia!”
– Linnéa Petty Hedgecock
Pastor of Administration,
Crossroads Church of Fremont
With each year, more people started asking
for copies, and more were printed. Companies and
individuals started underwriting the costs, with
well-placed advertising. Now at about a half a
million copies, the book is compared to, as Delegate
Rich Anderson put it: “hotcakes.”
Says Delegate Vivian Watts: The book helps us
get to know our respected colleagues “as well as
who to watch out for!” Delegate Margaret Ransone
uses the book to plug her constituents into state government: It is
“a great resource for visitors, students, and businesses…” she said.
Lobbyist David DeBiasi uses not only the current books; he archives
his old annotated copies “for posterity.” Consultant Donnie Ratliff
agrees: It is “the most sought after, most used and most helpful
printed item in the General Assembly Building.”
And the book is more than just a convenience. Delegate Ken
Plum says it “helps to make democracy better.” Senator Richard
Saslaw likens the book to “a roadmap.”
The addition of the photos especially was a hit. Delegate David
Toscano cited the year 2013, when the House welcomed 19 new
members, and the photos in the book were a lifesaver. Lobbyist
James Dunn says he never leaves home without it.
For a span of 30 years, there have been precious few glitches,
and the book always comes out by Session, even when a Second
Edition records later changes. It has been difficult to explain to some
consumers that the book is not published with taxpayer dollars. Its
availability is thanks to the generosity of David Bailey Associates
and the book’s sponsors. Only once was a name misspelled, and the
whole batch of books in error were tossed and replaced by a new
printing.
As we all know, technology has changed lightning fast in the
past 30 years. The book is no longer laid out on Bailey’s floor. The
legislators no longer have to be individually faxed with forms to fill
out, and papers to return. Photos are all digital and pages are scanned
and proofed much more easily.
And Sumpter Priddy, dubbed the “Dean of Lobbyists,” now
retired, can now enjoy retirement knowing what he put in motion
with: “Bailey, why don’t you do it?”
Bonnie Atwood, a freelance writer with Tall Poppies Freelance
Writing LLC, is the winner of 30 national and state writing awards,
and represents legislative clients with David Bailey Associates. She
can be reached at .
30YEARS
RED
BOOK
of
from page 8
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