TODAY IS Thursday, March 4, 2010.  If you died today, here are the other stories that would get buried.

Beach Taco Bell demolished, new one on way

You know the one they’re talking about. “Workers spent Wednesday demolishing the Taco Bell at Independence and Virginia Beach boulevards to make way for… a new Taco Bell,” The Pilot reports. Why would a company do such a thing, you ask? This is one of the highest grossing locations in the area–rumor has it, nationwide. The only way a prime location like this keeps its edge is to add a new shell, stuff it with steak and fresco salsa, fry it, and smother it in cheese.

This is a win for Taco Bell lovers in Town Center, but something of a blow for Town Center’s future growth. Developing the “highest and best use” of property is a perpetual uphill climb, and Taco Bell is only doing what makes business sense for them–they only hold a long-term lease on the property, and are making hay while the sun shines. (What’s that expiration date, again?)

Beach to require pet license with adoptions

“On March 15, the Virginia Beach Animal Control Bureau, which is run by the police department, will start requiring people who adopt dogs and cats from the city shelter to buy the $5 to $10 annual license.” Norfolk’s dog license is $5 per year, and I sadly chuckle every time I get the official billing notice from THOMAS MOSS, TREASURER. While I’m not against user fees, this one is ridiculous for two reasons, and both lead me to the same conclusion: increase the fee 1000%. (That’s $50 and $100, respectively.)

Rationale #1: I was part of a fund-raising campaign in college and we discovered we actually lost money any time we processed check donations for less than $6. Part of this was due to economies of scale, sure, but based on 2,996 shelter animals this could be “as much as $29,960″ (bad math, Pilot). After costs, I just don’t see the cheese.

But what if that figure was more like $299,600, or even $200,000? Now we can start building that new shelter ($11m).  Am I actually suggesting that ordinary folks cough up $100/year for the privilege of owning a dog? Yes, I am, because owning a pet is a luxury, not a right. A “real” license fee would help prevent cruelty to animals: if someone can’t pony up $100 now, where will he find the money for food, shots, or toys? If we’re going to license our pets, let’s make that license worth something.

Norfolk schools chief proposes cutting 410 jobs

Perhaps the only good thing about being consumed by a tsunami is that you’ll be able to see it coming from a mile away.

Chesapeake police to arm officers with stun guns

Welcome to 21st-Century law enforcement, Chesapeake. Taze thee well.

Get used to the gridlock: Long-range road funds lacking

VDOT’s estimated “$2.3 billion for road construction through 2040″–enough to fund just the new Midtown Tunnel tube and MLK Freeway expansion–is not quite as dire as it seems. Assurance #1: no one working in Richmond today will be working in Richmond in 2040. Assurance #2, to some extent Richmond puts out these estimates to force our hand, nudging us toward concepts like pubic-private partnerships or publicly-owned toll roads. I’m okay with these ideas and would like to send the crazies off to summer camp while the rest of us have an honest conversation about our options.

A caller on NPR recently suggested VDOT use just 1% of new roads money to instead educate people on how to drive better on the existing roads. What a concept.

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Happy reading.