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January 30, 2003 The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) has appointed eight Henrico County officials to serve one-year terms on its steering and operational committees. Members of Henrico's Board of Supervisors will serve on the following steering committees: Chairman and Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele - Finance; Vice Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon - Telecommunications and Utilities; Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover - Community Development and Planning; Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton - Education; and Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr. - Administration of Government. VACo also appointed O'Bannon to its Nominating Committee, an operational committee responsible for suggesting officers for the association's Executive Committee. Three county officials will also serve on steering committees: Deputy County Manager for Community Services George T. Drumwright, Jr. - Health and Human Services; Deputy County Manager for Community Development Harvey L. Hinson - Environment and Agriculture; and Deputy County Manager for Community Operations Robert K. Pinkerton - Transportation. VACo steering committees monitor state and national legislative activities for changes affecting local governments, recommend an annual legislative program and provide policy direction for VACo staff. The association represents local governments at the state and national levels and provides a resource network for planning and implementing new ideas and technologies. January 29, 2003 Henrico County employee Jeanne Daiger, a member of the Department of Finance for more than 19 years, has won the third annual Henrico Excellence in Public Service Award. County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. presented the award during a ceremony on Jan. 28. The Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes a general government employee who consistently demonstrates the qualities and values that are the hallmark of public service in Henrico County. Only one of Henrico's more than 3,600 employees receives the award each year. Daiger joined the Department of Finance in 1983 as a clerk typist and currently serves as secretary of the department's revenue division. Described as a role model for customer service by her co-workers, she was cited for her reliability, professionalism and "tireless enthusiasm" in serving Henrico residents and her fellow employees. "Jeanne is the epitome of service, dedication, initiative and integrity," said Director of Finance Reta Busher. "She exemplifies all the traits associated with excellence in public service." Daiger tries to put a human face on government for Henrico residents."I enjoy giving people the information they need and helping them find answers to their questions," she said. "I try to represent Henrico in the best way possible and am very proud to work for the county." January 29, 2003 Workshop participants will learn basic money-management tips as well as ways to help stretch their income. Other topics include setting financial goals, creating budgets, keeping financial records and understanding credit. Participants will receive a workbook and additional materials. The workshop is free and open to the public. The deadline to register is Friday, Feb. 14. Call 501-5160 for more information. January 23, 2003 The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at gate four of the Richmond International Raceway. Shots cost $6 and include a rabies tag and certificate of inoculation. Dog owners may purchase a license with proof of rabies inoculation for $10. Cats and dogs ages 4 months and older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact Animal Protection at 652-3360 for more information. January 21, 2003 The Henrico Extension Office has launched its annual 4-H berry sale. To place an order, call 501-5160 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or pick up an order form at any Henrico library or at the Extension Office, located in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Plants are limited. The Extension Office will fill orders placed after Monday, Feb. 24, on a first-come, first-served basis. Orders will be distributed from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 13, at the Virginia Randolph Softball Complex on Mountain Road. Call 501-5160 for more information. January 15, 2003 The Henrico County Board of Supervisors has elected Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele as chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon as vice chairman for 2003. Kaechele and O'Bannon were elected at the board's regular meeting Jan. 14. They will each serve a one-year term.First voted to the board in 1979, Kaechele is beginning his sixth term as chairman. He previously held the position in 1984, 1987, 1990, 1995 and 1998. O'Bannon has represented the Tuckahoe district since 1995, when she became the first woman elected to the Henrico board. January 7, 2003 Henrico County's Department of Social Services will examine the critical role a father plays in the life of his family and his community at the first-ever Henrico Fatherhood Conference on Saturday, March 1.The conference, "Raising the Next Generation," is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Airport, 5203 Williamsburg Road. A $10 registration fee, which includes breakfast, lunch and conference materials, According to the National Center for Fathering, 90 percent of the country's runaway children, 85 percent of its prison inmates and 70 percent of its high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. The conference will feature speakers and workshops on a variety of issues, including ways absent fathers can stay involved with their children; how they can take responsibility for their behavior and their families; and how they can prevent alcohol and substance use by their children. The Henrico Fatherhood Conference is open to social service professionals, the faith community and groups supporting fatherhood initiatives, as well as Henrico fathers and the general public.Registration forms are available at the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, and at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road. The deadline for registration is Saturday, Feb. 15. Call 501-7496 for information.
Low-income working families in the Richmond metropolitan area can receive free assistance with their 2002 federal tax returns - and the chance to dramatically increase their tax refunds - thanks to a special effort by Henrico County and the Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition that gets under way Tuesday, Jan. 28. Last year more than $25 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) funds went unclaimed by eligible families in the area; recently, less than 30 percent of eligible families have taken advantage of the benefit. This year, qualifying taxpayers - those who worked in 2002, earned less than $34,178 and had qualifying children living with them - could increase their federal tax refunds by as much as $4,140 with the EITC benefit. To help working families, Henrico County will serve as a site for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), an IRS program that provides free tax-preparation services for qualifying taxpayers. Volunteers will help individuals prepare and file federal tax returns and will provide childcare as well. VITA sites will open several nights each week from Jan. 28 to April 15 at Henrico's Department of Social Services, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, and at the Capital Area Workforce Center, 5410 Williamsburg Road. VITA will operate additional sites throughout the area. Call 649-1311 for more information. The Greater Richmond EITC Coalition, an organization of local governments, state and federal agencies and more than 25 other civic, business and educational organizations, is spearheading the effort to ensure the area's low-income working families receive correct refunds for federal income taxes paid in 2002. Return to Public Relations & Media Services Page |