January 1997

DATE: January 30, 1997

CONTACT: Alfredo C. Frauenfelder, GIS Coordinator

PHONE: (804) 672-5769

Henrico County is taking "an aggressive strategy" says newly appointed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator Alfredo C. Frauenfelder, as Henrico begins to literally map the complex utility and road networks, along with topographical features of its five districts. The combination of digital maps and an automated database will allow all departments in the County to collect, analyze, and manage information graphically.

"We're beginning the project from scratch and will be using state-of-the-art computers and software, along with existing surveyors' maps to tie the coordinates to actual ground units," said Frauenfelder. "From crisis management to routine analysis of problematic patterns detected through the data we gather, all departments in the County will benefit." He cited emergency situations from hurricanes to fires as examples when knowing the exact locations of gas lines and electrical wiring could be crucial in saving lives and property. "It's been said a picture is worth a thousand words," Frauenfelder added, "but a GIS map is worth a thousand pictures."

Frauenfelder, who has pioneered GIS programs for the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as for private firms, holds a master's degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia) and a bachelor of science degree in geology from Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky). He is the contributing environmental columnist for Virginia Review magazine.

DATE: January 29, 1997

CONTACT: Dennis Kerns, Director of Finance

PHONE: 672-4377

For the eighth consecutive year, the County of Henrico's Office of Management and Budget has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). Henrico met all four nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation, including policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication device.

The GFOA is a nonprofit association serving 12,650 government finance professionals throughout North America. Since the inception of the awards program in 1984, only 700 entities have received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Recipients are considered to have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an example for other governments across the continent.

The GFOA's is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

DATE: January 28, 1997

CONTACT: Harvey L. Hinson, Deputy County Manager for Community Development

PHONE: 672-4270

After 23 years with the County of Henrico, Building Official Roddy N. Shingleton will retire effective December 1, 1997; Shingleton has served as the building official for the past nine years. During the next ten months, he will assume the role as the permanent permits and inspections liaison for the White Oak Semiconductor Plant, the County's highest profile economic development project, now being constructed in the Varina District.

"We are creating a win-win situation for all of us," said Deputy County Manager for Community Development Harvey L. Hinson. "We will be sorry to lose Roddy, but before he leaves we can benefit from his expertise in an area that will be most advantageous to the County -- and that is overseeing the construction and building code compliance at White Oak," he said.

Shingleton began his career with Henrico County in 1974 as a civil engineer. From 1979 through 1987, he was the assistant chief of building construction and maintenance (now called "deputy building official") and was promoted to building official in 1988.

While Shingleton maintains resident building official status at the White Oak site, Deputy Building Official Gregory H. Revels will be acting building official for the County.

DATE: January 23, 1997

CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 672-4207

Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton will hold a town meeting on Monday, February 3, at 7 p.m., at the Fairfield Public Library, 1001 North Laburnum Avenue. "Library Matters" will be the topic of discussion, and Thornton encourages Henrico residents to attend.

"Our libraries offer many services, some of which our residents may not be aware," Thornton said. "I, along with several members of the Henrico County Public Library staff, will discuss the different, exciting ways that our community libraries can benefit us -- from the summer reading clubs and other children's services, to Internet access and the business resource center -- Henrico libraries offer so much more than just the privilege of checking-out books," he said.

Director of Libraries Gerald McKenna, as well as six other members of the library staff, will be on hand to lead the discussions and field any particular questions from the audience, Thornton said.

The public is invited to attend. In an effort to reach as many residents as possible, Thornton requests that each resident planning to attend invite three other people to come along.

DATE: January 22, 1997

CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Assistant to the County Manager for Board Affairs

PHONE: 672-4318

The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) has appointed nine Henrico County officials to serve on each of the association's 1997 steering committees.

Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover will serve on the Community and Economic Development/Rural Affairs Committee; Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton will serve on the Education Committee; Three Chopt District Supervisor and Board Vice Chairman David A. Kaechele will serve on the Finance Committee; Varina District Supervisor and Board Chairman James B. Donati, Jr., will serve on the General Government Committee; Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, along with Deputy County Manager George T. Drumwright, Jr., will serve on the Health and Human Services Committee; County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., will serve on the Public Safety Committee; Deputy County Manager Harvey L. Hinson will serve on the Planning, Public Works and Natural Resources Committee; and Deputy County Manager Robert K. Pinkerton will serve on the Transportation Committee.

Steering committee members assist with the analysis of statewide issues as they affect Virginia's county governments. The committees review proposals for inclusion in VACo's annual legislative program, as well as provide policy direction on issues emanating from legislative study committees and state regulatory agencies.

DATE: January 16, 1997

CONTACT: Sgt. D. V. Campbell, Animal Protection Supervisor

PHONE: 652-3360

The Henrico Division of Police has scheduled a rabies clinic for Saturday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds at Strawberry Hill in the Equine Office. Enter Gate 2. Rabies shots are required for dogs and cats four months old and older and will be given for $6 each with certificates of immunization issued. Dog tags will be sold for $10.

DATE: January 16, 1997

CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors

PHONE:672-4207

Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will hold a town meeting, "Getting Ready for Spring," on Tuesday, February 25, at 7 p.m., at Maybeury Elementary School, 901 Maybeury Drive. She will host a discussion about upcoming infrastructure improvements in the Tuckahoe district.

O'Bannon, along with Henrico's Director of Public Utilities Patrick J. Brady and Director of Public Works Robert C. Thompson, will field questions and concerns from those in attendance. "I am holding this meeting to give Tuckahoe residents the opportunity to get answers to their questions about upcoming improvements: where they will be, how long they will take, and how they will better our district" O'Bannon said. "This meeting is about beautifying our community, and what we can expect in the way of construction or repair," she said.

O'Bannon's town meetings are open to the public.

DATE: January 15, 1997

CONTACT: Patrick J. Brady, Director of Public Utilities

PHONE: 672-4517

Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton and Henrico's public utilities department will co-host an informational meeting on Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m., at Laburnum Elementary School, 500 Meriwether Avenue. The meeting will address the expansion of Sanitary District 12, including the installation of streetlights.

Residents who live in this sanitary district are encouraged to attend this meeting, ask questions, and receive the latest information about this project.

DATE: January 9, 1997

CONTACT: Lloyd Hicks, Extension Agent, Horticulture

PHONE: 672-5160

The Henrico County V.P.I. Extension Service is sponsoring the eighth annual Strawberry/Blueberry plant sale to raise funds for local 4-H youth activities. Orders for the plants, which are those recommended for good growth performance in the Piedmont region of Virginia, must be placed on or before March 3, 1997. Plants will then be distributed, along with planting and care instructions, on Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Belmont Park, 1600 Hilliard Road.

Strawberry plants will be sold for $6 per bundle of 25, and blueberry plants for $3.50 per plant.

Order forms are available from the Henrico Extension Office, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, or from any Henrico County library branch. Telephone orders will also be accepted at 672-5160.

DATE: January 8, 1997

CONTACT: Riva O'Sullivan, Senior Social Worker

PHONE: 672-4060

The County of Henrico Department of Social Services is offering a six-week class for people interested in becoming foster parents. The first class will be held on Tuesday, January 28, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Foster parents for teenagers are especially needed, and those interested in helping are strongly encouraged to attend.

To register for the class, or for more information, call 672-4060.

DATE: January 7, 1997

CONTACT: Janet C. Coon, General Registrar

PHONE: 672-4345

The University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and Division of Continuing Education has awarded Henrico County General Registrar Janet C. Coon the title of Certified Professional General Registrar (CPGR).

The three-year certification program requires a combination of education and governmental experience. After initial certification, the recipient must complete an additional 60 hours of continuing education every four years to remain certified.

For more information about the CPGR program, call Albert W. Spengler at the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at (804) 982-5518.

DATE: January 2, 1997

CONTACT: Martha Joiner, Clerk to the Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 672-4436

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors' first meeting in the new year has been moved to the third Wednesday of this month, January 15. Although Board meetings are usually held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, this organizational meeting has been changed so that all Board members can be present.

The regular meeting schedule of the Board will resume immediately after this first organizational meeting. The second meeting in the month of January will be held as usual on the fourth Wednesday, January 22.

Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month throughout the year and are open to the public.