Category Archives: Dillon Rule

VCDL’s Roanoke County picnic was a rousing success

Posted on July 16, 2012 by John Pierce

On Saturday last, VCDL held a picnic in Green Hill Park in Salem, VA.  The event, billed as the “Oh yes we can!” picnic garnered quite a bit of media attention. The picnic, which was attended by over 150 people … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse of Discretion, Abuse of Power, Dillon Rule, Local Ordinances, Parks, Public Parks, Slideshow, Virginia | 14 Comments

Roanoke County’s preempted parks ordinance is prompting calls for legal action

Posted on April 23, 2012 by John Pierce

I recently wrote about a Roanoke County ordinance which seemingly imposes a complete ban on the possession and carrying of firearms inside county parks. As I pointed out in the original article, such an ordinance would be void due to … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse of Power, Dillon Rule, FOIA, Local Ordinances, Public Parks, Virginia | 11 Comments

Roanoke ordinance may run afoul of state preemption statute

Posted on April 21, 2012 by John Pierce

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state.  Under the Dillon Rule, municipalities have powers that are strictly limited. As the Virginia Supreme Court has repeatedly held, Virginia municipalities have only those powers that are: Expressly granted; or Necessarily or fairly implied from … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse of Power, Dillon Rule, Local Ordinances, Public Parks, Virginia | 15 Comments