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October 29, 2002 On Saturday, Nov. 9, from 8 to 11 a.m., the northbound lane of Huguenot Road - including the Huguenot Bridge - will close between Chippenham Parkway and Three Chopt Road for the Richmond Marathon. A detour will divert northbound traffic from the Huguenot Bridge to the Edward Willey Bridge. The marathon will not affect southbound motorists but may cause temporary road closures or delays on other bridge crossings and roadways within the City of Richmond. October 28, 2002 Henrico County's Department of Public Utilities has received two awards from the Virginia Recycling Association (VRA), recognizing the county's innovative and diverse recycling programs. Public Utilities received the Spotlight Award and the Outstanding County/Municipal Program Award at VRA's annual meeting, held Oct. 21-22 in Williamsburg. The association honored Virginia's top waste reduction and recycling programs from both the public and private sectors. Public Utilities Director Art Petrini credited local residents for helping the department win the awards. "The VRA awards really reflect the county's attitude," he said. "Our programs wouldn't be successful without the cooperation and contributions of Henrico residents." The Spotlight Award, designed to recognize the use of creative or innovative methods to educate the public about recycling, cited Public Utilities for the video "Green Machine Recycling and Landfills." Developed by Henrico County Public Schools, the Keep Henrico Beautiful committee and Public Utilities, the video highlights Henrico's solid waste and recycling programs and has been used as an educational tool in county schools. The Outstanding County/Municipal Program Award honored Public Utilities for the diversity of programs it operates and administers, including curbside and drop-off recycling, waste oil and antifreeze recycling, and the recycling of tires, refrigerators, batteries and propane tanks. Henrico's multi-faceted recycling effort keeps a large amount of solid waste - 22,300 tons last year - out of the county's landfills, Petrini said. "Twenty-eight percent of all the refuse that we're responsible for is recycled," he said. "That's a significant amount of waste that we're able to divert from our landfill." October 22, 2002 As Election Day draws near, Henrico County's Voter Registration and Elections Office is advising area residents to "know where to vote" before they head to the polls. The election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 will be the first since the 2001 redistricting process, which changed a number of polling sites and closed 11 other sites throughout the county. Redistricting assigned many residents to new precincts and voting locations. Residents may vote only in their assigned precinct. "Henrico's voters need to know that their old polling place may no longer be the right place for them to vote," General Registrar Janet Coon said. "We don't want anyone standing in the dark outside a closed polling site on Nov. 5." Voters can avoid Election Day frustration by checking the assigned polling site on their voter cards, issued by the Voter Registration and Elections Office; by using the polling-place locator tool at the Voter Registration and Elections Web site at /registrar/ or by contacting the office at 501-4347. The Web site highlights a variety of election-related information, including a list of closed polling sites, a sample ballot and an application for an absentee ballot. "We're very excited about the polling-place locator and the other tools and information on the office's Web site," Coon said. "We want all of Henrico's voters to find the correct polling site and have a good experience on Election Day." Additional information regarding the Nov. 5 election: · The deadline for filing an application for an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. · Absentee voters can vote in person during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) and during extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 2, at Voter Registration and Elections offices, located at the Government Center Annex, room 105, 4301 E. Parham Road; and the Eastern Government Center, room 100, 3820 Nine Mile Road. · The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election has passed for residents who have not previously registered. · Voters must provide identification or sign a statement of affirmation of identity when they vote. October 18, 2002 The next town meeting of Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will offer a glimpse inside the operations of the local office of the FBI. Scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, the meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the FBI Building, 1970 East Parham Road. "Who are Henrico's G-Men?" will feature a presentation by Special Agent in Charge Don Thompson, Richmond Division of the FBI, and a tour of local facilities. The meeting is free and open to the public. Due to space limitations, advance registration is required. Participants will also need to present photo identification for admission. Area residents should call 501-4208 by Monday, Nov. 4, to make reservations. October 15, 2002 Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton has rescheduled a guided bus tour of local historic sites for Saturday, Nov. 16. "Community Reconciliation - Retracing our Heritage" will start at 9 a.m. at Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Ave. Participants will walk the Manchester Slave Trail, visit Lumpkin's Jail and see additional historic sites, including New Market Heights, Gravel Hill, Yellow Tavern and Spring Park. They will also hear presentations by Ralph White, park manager and senior naturalist with the Richmond Division of Recreation and Parks, and by staff from the Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks. The tour, which will last approximately four hours, is free and open to the public. Due to limited bus seating, advance registration is required. Area residents should call 501-4208 by Monday, Nov. 4, to reserve their seats. October 14, 2002 The National Association of Counties (NACo) has appointed 12 Henrico County officials to the association's steering committees, Sustainability Leadership Team and Early Childhood Development Task Force. Members of Henrico's Board of Supervisors will serve on the following steering committees: Chairman and Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr., Community and Economic Development; Vice Chairman and Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele, Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs; Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover, Transportation; Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, Telecommunications and Technology; and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton, Human Services and Education. Several county officials will also serve on steering committees: County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., Justice and Public Safety; Deputy County Manager for Community Services George T. Drumwright, Jr. and Director of Mental Health and Retardation Services James W. Stewart, III, Health; Deputy County Manager for Community Development Harvey L. Hinson, Environment, Energy and Land Use; Deputy County Manager for Community Operations Robert K. Pinkerton, Public Lands; and Director of the Capital Area Training Consortium Rosalyn D. Key, Labor and Employment. In addition, two county officials will serve on other NACo committees: Deputy County Manager for Special Services Angela N. Harper, Sustainability Leadership Team; and Drumwright, Early Childhood Development Task Force. As the only national organization representing county governments before Congress and the White House, NACo works to improve county government and increase public understanding of the role of counties. The association's 11 steering committees, each comprised of 60 to 100 county officials, form its policy-making arm. They meet several times annually to examine issues key to local government and to make recommendations on legislative policies and goals. October 11, 2002 Residents can learn about Henrico County's efforts to restore and improve the water quality of area streams at the next town meeting of Board Chairman and Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road. Donati and Public Works staff will discuss Henrico's innovative water quality program, implemented in August 2001, which addresses watershed and stream problems throughout the county. The program has examined more than 440 miles of streams and has identified areas that need corrective action. Varina town meetings are open to the public. Call 795-5757 or 501-4208 for more information. October 10, 2002 Residents can learn how a deregulated electric utility market will affect their community at Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon's next town meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at Maybeury Elementary School, 901 Maybeury Drive. Representatives from Dominion Virginia Power and the State Corporation Commission will join O'Bannon to discuss "Powering our Community - Consumer Choice, Service Reliability and System Maintenance in a Deregulated Electric Utility Market." O'Bannon's town meetings are open to the public. For more information call 501-4318 or visit www.patobannon.com. October 7, 2002 The National Association of County Intergovernmental Relations Officials (NACIRO) has installed Henrico County Legislative Liaison Linda G. Robinson as president. NACIRO conducts White House briefings and provides a forum for intergovernmental officials throughout the country to work with congressional and administration officials on issues central to local government. Robinson previously served as the association's vice president and treasurer. Robinson began her career with Henrico County in 1991. She is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations, serving on the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) and the board of directors of the National Association of Counties. NACIRO and LUCC are affiliates of the National Association of Counties. Robinson earned a bachelor's degree in governmental communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. October 4, 2002 The Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists that on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 6:45 to 10 p.m., the eastbound lane of West Broad Street between Willow Lawn and DMV drives will be closed due to the Autumn Harvest Parade. The parade will also travel along Staples Mill Road between West Broad Street and Augusta Avenue before ending at The Shops at Willow Lawn. Motorists should expect lengthy traffic delays and are advised to use Monument Avenue as an alternate route. October 3, 2002 The Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists to expect delays on Friday, Oct. 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m., around Highland Springs High School due to the school's homecoming parade. The parade will begin at South Cedar Avenue between Nine Mile Road and Jerald Street and travel eastbound on Nine Mile Road before turning onto Oak Avenue and into Highland Springs High School. Public Works will detour eastbound traffic on Nine Mile Road to Beech Avenue, Vine Street and Quince Avenue. The parade will not affect westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road, but motorists in the area should expect delays. October 3, 2002 Henrico County's The Permit Center has won a Governor's Technology Award, recognizing its innovative use of information technology to enhance service to area residents. The Permit Center received the Silver Award for Local Governments at the 2002 Governor's Technology Awards ceremony, held Sept. 25 in Lexington at the fourth annual Commonwealth of Virginia Information Technology Symposium. Virginia Secretary of Technology George C. Newstrom presented the award. The awards program honors outstanding technology initiatives and economic development efforts in both the public and private sectors. Board of Supervisors Chairman James B. Donati, Jr. said recognition from the governor is a significant achievement. "Henrico County is blazing trails as it continually strives to be more responsive to the needs of our residents," Donati said. "We're very proud to receive this award." County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., agreed. "Henrico County is committed to finding new and innovative ways to better serve its residents, and The Permit Center is a great example of that commitment," Hazelett said. The Permit Center won the award due in large part to its "uniqueness," according to Director of Community Development Fred Overmann. Opened in Aug. 2001, the center joins cutting-edge technology and a streamlined staff in one location to simplify what was once a lengthy, complex process for Henrico homeowners and builders - the review, approval and issuance of residential building permits. "Our customers often have their permits approved in an hour or less, a significant time reduction," Overmann said. "Henrico's The Permit Center has become a model for other organizations and governments." The Permit Center combines the functions of the Office of Building Inspections, the Planning Office and the Public Works and Public Utilities departments. Technology plays a key role. Software provides easy access to legal descriptions of properties and facilitates the review of permits. The Geographic Information System (GIS) has enabled the center to consolidate all county maps at public map stations, allowing builders and homeowners to quickly view and print detailed maps and get help with their research. The Governor's Technology Award is the second major award The Permit Center has received. It also won a National Association of Counties Achievement Award earlier this year. October 1, 2002 Henrico County is sending an eight-member delegation comprised of local artists and officials to China as part of a 10-day cultural exchange, led by Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon. The delegation departs for China on October 4. Accompanying O'Bannon will be Deputy County Manager Angela N. Harper, FAICP; Del. John M. O'Bannon, III, M.D., 73rd District, and interpreter Shang Huei Mary Kuo. Other delegation members are highly regarded musical professionals who will be performing for groups in Beijing and Shanghai. They include the Director of the Greater Richmond Children's Choir Hope Armstrong Erb; members of the group "Leather Britches," Linwood I. Greer and James F. Mohr; and Vice President of In Your Ear Music and Recording Services Robbin Thompson. Thompson is a well-known singer, guitarist, songwriter and composer. "This visit is a friendly cultural exchange and we carefully selected each artist based on his or her musical talents," said Patricia O'Bannon. "They will make excellent ambassadors while affording the Chinese a very American musical experience." This trip is the second half of the cultural exchange. In February 2000, Henrico County hosted five Chinese folk artists from the Chinese Federation of Literary and Artistic Circles for 12 days. The highly successful visit centered around the Chinese New Year celebration, the Year of the Dragon, and featured performances at the Cultural Art Center in Glen Allen by a number of artists, including a shadow puppet theater, sugar dough sculptor and a traditional instrumentalist. Demonstrations and exhibits highlighted Chinese cooking, music and dancing as well as calligraphy and storytelling. All of the events were free and open to the public, with more than 10,000 in attendance from a wide array of ethnic backgrounds. The Chinese artists also visited and performed for area school children. Plans for this cultural exchange initially began in 1998 in meetings with the Minister of Culture at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Because of the tragic events that occurred September 11, 2001, this trip was delayed a year. October 1, 2002 The Henrico County Extension Office has launched its annual 4-H apple, peanut and honey sale. Proceeds benefit local 4-H youth programs. The sale features only Virginia-grown produce: · Stayman and York apples, $11 per half bushel Area residents can order by calling 501-5160 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. They can also obtain order forms at the Extension Office, located in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, and at any county library. Supplies are limited, so the Extension Office will fill orders placed after Friday, Nov. 1, on a first-come, first-served basis. Order distributions will take place Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, and on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Human Services Building. Contact the Extension Office for more information. Return to Public Relations & Media Services Page |