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DATE: August 31, 2000 Tuckahoe District Supervisor Pat O'Bannon will focus on Henrico County's Bond Referendum 2000 at a public forum on Wednesday, September 20, at 7 p.m., at Byrd Middle School Library, 9400 Quioccasin Road. Representatives from Henrico County's Division of Finance, Schools, Public Works, Libraries, Fire and Recreation and Parks will join O'Bannon to explain the bond process and answer questions. "As with any issue, voters need to voice their concerns," said O'Bannon. "Henrico staff will be available to answer any bond questions so voters can make an informed decision at election time." On Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, Henrico voters will decide whether to approve the referendum. If approved, these bonds will allow the county to finance projects that have no alternative source of funding. O'Bannon will hold two additional public forums to discuss the bond referendum on Wednesday, October 18, at 4 p.m., at the Tuckahoe Area Library Community Room, 1700 Parham Road, and Wednesday, November 1, at 7 p.m., in the Maybeury Elementary School Cafeteria, 901 Maybeury Drive. For more information, Internet users may visit O'Bannon's web site at www.patobannon.com. Her monthly town meetings are open to the public. DATE: August 31, 2000 Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will host a town meeting to discuss Henrico County's upcoming bond referendum on Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m., at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road. Accompanying Donati will be representatives from six county agencies who will provide detailed information as well as answer questions. Henrico County's Bond Referendum 2000 proposes $170.5 million for schools, $28.4 million for libraries, $13.6 million for fire stations, $16 million for recreation and parks and $8.5 million for road projects. Voters will decide whether to approve the proposed bonds on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7. If approved, this bond issue will allow the county to fund projects that have no alternative source of funding. After a thorough assessment of county needs, the Board of Supervisors has approved a General Obligation Bond proposal supporting the construction of six new schools, ten school renovations, three new fire stations, renovation and reconstruction of two existing fire stations, two new libraries, several road projects and five new park projects. Donati typically holds his town meetings the third Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public. DATE: August 23, 2000 Heavy traffic is expected on roadways leading to and from Richmond International Raceway at the Virginia State Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill during the NASCAR race on Saturday, September 9. The County of Henrico Department of Public Works suggests that motorists who are not attending the race but must travel through the area during the morning and early afternoon should turn on their vehicle's headlights. This signal will help police officers maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area. Although we realize that newer vehicles are being equipped with daytime running lights, we feel that we can distinguish between the running lights and the headlights. "We're doing everything we can to minimize traffic congestion and to ensure traffic safety before and after the race," said Henrico County Traffic Engineer Tim Foster. "We'll have police officers on duty directing traffic, signs posted on main roads near RIR, and temporary traffic patterns to handle the enormous number of cars that will be in the area September 9," he said. Police officers will watch for vehicles with headlights on and direct these cars toward a through-traffic lane outside of the flow of heavy raceway traffic. DATE: August 23, 2000 The County of Henrico Department of Public Works will temporarily modify traffic patterns on major arterial routes to Richmond International Raceway at the Virginia State Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill Thursday, September 7, Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9. By implementing these modifications, the County hopes to minimize traffic congestion during the upcoming NASCAR races. "Anyone attending the race should get there early," said Henrico County Traffic Engineer Tim Foster. "My best advice for everyone else is to avoid the raceway area the evenings of September 7, 8 and 9 if at all possible," he said. "Local motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in that area, particularly between noon and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and between noon and 8:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before the races, as well as between 9:45 p.m. and midnight on Thursday and between 10:15 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday after the races," he said. "We expect heavy traffic all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday because of other events scheduled at the raceway," Foster said. The County's Division of Police will have officers on duty Thursday, Friday and Saturday to direct traffic around the raceway area before and after the races. Foster suggests that motorists not attending the race turn on their vehicle headlights while in the vicinity of the raceway during the afternoon and early evening on Saturday, September 9. This will help police officers maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area. During peak hours the following traffic patterns will be in effect September 9. Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea Avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and one-way outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue. Traffic patterns on Meadowbridge Road prior to the race will also be modified to create a one-way road southbound between the Henrico/Hanover line and Azalea Avenue. This traffic pattern change will require that Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be closed to northbound traffic. It is anticipated that this change will be implemented between 1 and 3 p.m., and the one-way pattern will remain in effect until the race starts. Meadowbridge Road will remain a two-way roadway in Hanover County at all times prior to the race. Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Mechanicsville Turnpike and the raceway will be routed westbound; one lane eastbound. Eastbound traffic on Laburnum Avenue between Alma Avenue and the raceway will be routed in three lanes prior to the race; one lane westbound. For safety reasons, these patterns will not be reversed after the race. All traffic on Laburnum Avenue will be routed on the correct side of the median strip. While these traffic patterns are in effect, all median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike, except the intersections of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue, and Austin and Laburnum Avenues. With the exception of these intersections, only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue in this area. Police officers will be positioned at the intersection of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue and the intersection of Austin and Laburnum Avenues before and after the race to assist residents and other motorists in turning to or from Laburnum Avenue or crossing Laburnum Avenue. In addition, turning movement restrictions will be enforced at major intersections on Laburnum Avenue between Mechanicsville Turnpike and North Avenue. Traffic patterns on Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be modified after the race to create a one-way road northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road. This one-way pattern is expected to be implemented by approximately 10 p.m. and be maintained until the race traffic is dispersed. Traffic patterns on Azalea Avenue will be modified after the race so that three lanes of traffic will be provided in the westbound direction for traffic leaving the raceway between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School. One lane of traffic will be provided in the eastbound direction on this road segment. This traffic pattern change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School, including the intersection of Azalea Avenue and Wilkinson Road to be closed at approximately 10 p.m. and lasting until the race traffic is dispersed from the area. Police officers will assist residents in turning from Azalea Avenue on to Thrush Lane and onto Pony Farm Drive in order to get to their homes. WRVA-AM 1140 radio and Metro Traffic will broadcast traffic reports before and after the race. On Saturday, September 9, additional parking will be available at two satellite parking lots with free shuttle bus service to and from the raceway. Satellite parking will be at the VaPark parking lot--near the Richmond Coliseum between 4th and 5th streets, and East Jackson and East Leigh streets in downtown Richmond--and at the Azalea Flea Market (formerly the Country Peddler) at Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. Parking in satellite lots will cost $5. Onstreet parking on major arterial routes to the raceway will be prohibited both days. The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway on September 7, 8 and 9. From the east (Hampton Roads area) -- on Interstate 64 west. There are two routes possible. DATE: August 22, 2000 Henrico County's Health Department is providing free school supplies to children in need who receive their booster shot at the health department. Children between the ages of 4 to 6 are required to receive a booster shot for school. Parents must bring the child's immunization record in order to receive the free vaccination. The health department administers booster shots at the West Clinic in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 11 a.m. For more information about the West Clinic, call 501-4651. The East Clinic, located at 3810 Nine Mile Road, will provide vaccinations on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., and Friday mornings from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Contact the East Clinic at 652-3190 for additional information. Members of Girl Scout Troop 182 of the Mechanicsville Service Unit purchased the school supplies as part of their program to service those in need. The troop of 10 and 11 year-olds is lead by Henrico Public Health Nurse Senior, Debbie Martin. DATE: August 21, 2000 Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon has been appointed Vice Chair of the National Association of Counties' (NACo) Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) by President Jane Hague. O'Bannon is one of three in the nation to be selected for this position. She will serve a one-year term. The LUCC adopts its priority issues from NACo's legislative platform and serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for residents living in urban counties. The caucus works with Congress and the Administration to identify urban challenges and develop national solutions. Based on population, 100 of the largest counties in the country comprise the LUCC. DATE: August 7, 2000 The Henrico County Planning Commission has postponed the public hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 10, for the proposed Genesis Youth Service Institute in the Paragon Office Park. The Planning Commission will reschedule the hearing once the Board of Zoning Appeals rules on an appeal filed on August 2. The Board will consider the appeal on Thursday, September 28, at 9 a.m. The appeal challenges the determination by Henrico's Director of Planning John R. Marlles that the proposed program is not a penal or correctional institution. DATE: August 3, 2000 The Virginia Municipal League (VML) has appointed 10 Henrico County officials to serve on the association's steering and policy committees for a one-year term. VML President John C. Hamlin has selected Henrico County Board Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton to serve on the Legislative Committee. Thornton will also serve on the Human Development and Education Committee along with Deputy County Manager George T. Drumwright, Jr.; Board Vice Chairman and Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover will serve on the General Laws Committee along with Deputy County Manager Harvey L. Hinson; Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr. will serve on the Transportation Committee along with Director of Public Works Robert C. Thompson; Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele will serve on the Finance Committee with Deputy County Manager Leon T. Johnson; and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will serve on the Environmental Quality Committee along with Deputy County Manager Robert K. Pinkerton. HenricoCounty Supervisors Donati, Kaechele and O'Bannon will also serve on the steering committees that guide and assist their respective VML policy committees. Each local government member may appoint up to two people per policy committee, one of whom must be an elected official. Policy committee members determine priority issues of the league and develop policy statements to present to the Legislative Committee for inclusion in VML's legislative program. The legislative program and policy statements reflect local governments' positions on a range of issues and guide league officers, members and staff in their work with the general assembly, state agencies and the federal government. DATE: August 1, 2000 The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, August 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at gate four of the Richmond Raceway Complex (formerly state fairgrounds at Strawberry Hill). Rabies shots cost $6 each and come with a certificate of inoculation and a rabies tag. Dog owners may also purchase a license at the clinic for $10 but must show proof of rabies inoculation. All dogs and cats ages 4 months and older are required to have a rabies shot. |