November 2003

The Central Virginia Foodbank has named Henrico Area Mental Health& Retardation Services (MH/MR) the recipient of its 2003 Model Hunger Relief Partner Award. The award was presented at the foodbank's annual meeting and awards ceremony, held Nov. 19 in Richmond.

Henrico Area MH/MR received the award for "CONNECT," an after-school and summer program for disadvantaged children and teenagers from low-income neighborhoods. The program has been in operation since 1990. CONNECT provides prevention programming--educational lessons designed to prevent violence and substance abuse--and tutoring services for 350 at-risk young people in the first through ninth grades. Participants also receive a hot meal through the Central Virginia Foodbank's "Kids Café" program. CONNECT has produced positive results for its participants, including a 98 percent class attendance rate and an average overall grade of "C" or better. Also, 87 percent of participating third-graders read at or above their grade level.

"The Model Hunger Relief Partner Award recognizes that CONNECT is having an important impact on the lives of the at-risk young people involved in the program," said Henrico Area MH/MR Prevention Services Coordinator Wendy Northup. "It's an honor to receive the award and to have a chance to play a role in the lives of these young people."

The next town meeting of Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will highlight Henrico County's programs that assist elderly and fixed-income residents. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road.

Representatives from Henrico's Finance and Social Services departments will provide information on the many county programs and services--including the Real Estate Advantage Program (REAP), adult day care and assisted living, Medicaid and home improvement--designed to support elderly and fixed-income residents. Staff will join Donati for a discussion and question-and-answer period as well. Varina town meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.

November 13, 2003

CONTACT: Bob Thompson, Director of Public Works

PHONE: 501-4395

Henrico County's Public Works Department and its debris removal contractor are continuing to collect curbside storm debris throughout county neighborhoods, and will continue collection until all of the debris left from Hurricane Isabel is removed. Storm debris including branches, limbs, logs, stumps, twigs and other storm-related yard waste which has been placed along the roadside will be collected; however, residents are urged not to pile loose leaves on top of the storm debris.

"The curbside collection program has been going extremely well, and we fully intend to continue picking up storm debris until we have collected it all," said Director of Public Works Bob Thompson. "FEMA will reimburse the county for storm debris removal cost--but will not reimburse for leaf collection--so it's very important that residents do not cover the curbside branches and limbs with newly fallen leaves."

Every fall, Public Works offers a vacuum leaf service to residents for a $30 fee. Residents may call 261-8770 to request this service, and crews will vacuum all leaves that have been placed by the roadside. In addition, the Department of Public Utilities provides free bagged leaf pickup in residential areas; call 261-8770 to learn more about this service.

"Residents who do not want to wait for curbside storm debris removal may dispose of it themselves free of charge at either the Springfield or Charles City Road public use areas," Thompson said. "We are working as fast and as hard as we can to get to every neighborhood, but with a storm the size of Isabel, you can imagine the sheer volume of debris left behind."

November 10, 2003

CONTACT: George T. Drumwright, Jr., Deputy County Manager

PHONE: 501-4515

The National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA) has named Henrico County Juvenile Detention staff members Gregory Smith and Leslie Morris winners of the Bob Rader Award, the association's highest honor. Smith, who serves as an assistant superintendent for Henrico Juvenile Detention, received the Detention Services Worker of the Year award. The award recognizes staff working in home detention, secure detention or other forms of detention services.

A member of the Henrico staff for three years, Smith was one of only 42 juvenile detention workers nationwide to win the award. Morris, who works as a detention counselor, won the Line Staff Worker of the Year award. The award honors staff responsible for the direct supervision of juveniles in an "in-custody" environment. A member of the Henrico staff for five years, Morris was one of only 44 juvenile detention workers nationwide to receive the award. Smith and Morris were nominated for the awards by their co-workers and were honored at Juvenile Detention's annual staff appreciation breakfast on Oct. 11.

Presented annually by the NJDA, the Bob Rader awards recognize outstanding individuals in the juvenile detention field nationwide. The awards were announced at the 15th annual National Juvenile Services Training Institute, held recently in Indianapolis.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, 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.

Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will discuss ways residents can become active members of their community at his next constituent meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at North Park Library, 8505 Franconia Road. "How Citizens Can Empower Themselves" will feature a presentation by Thornton. He will lead a discussion and question-and-answer period as well. Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.

The next town meeting of Board Vice Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Pat O'Bannon will take a detailed look at Hurricane Isabel recovery efforts in Henrico County. O'Bannon will hold the meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Maybeury Elementary School, 901 Maybeury Drive. The meeting, "Weathering the Storm: Is it Over Yet? An Assessment of Hurricane Isabel Recovery Efforts," will examine the work of multiple agencies involved in the recovery process. Representatives from Dominion Virginia Power, the State Corporation Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Henrico County will join O'Bannon to discuss recovery efforts and answer questions. State Sen. John Watkins, Del. Jack Reid and Del. John O'Bannon will participate as well. Tuckahoe town meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 501-4318 or log on to www.patobannon.com.

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