October 29, 2004
CONTACT: Nancy Drumheller, Executive Coordinator, Keep Henrico Beautiful
PHONE: 501-4502
The Keep Henrico Beautiful (KHB) program has received a statewide award for " Rigsby," a multimedia litter-awareness program targeting elementary-age students.
Keep Virginia Beautiful recently recognized the Henrico program at its annual award ceremony with a first-place award in the Litter Prevention-Government Agencies category. KHB is a division of the county' s Department of Public Utilities.
" 'Rigsby' is a top-notch resource in the ongoing effort to raise public awareness about litter," said Director of Public Utilities Art Petrini. " Keep Henrico Beautiful has done an outstanding job to help develop the program and make it available to schools and litter-control agencies throughout the county and Virginia."
KHB created "Rigsby" to fill a need for a literature-based, litter-education resource designed specifically for students in grades K-3. The program includes an original children's book, an animated audio compact disc, an activity book and puppet show script. By using a raccoon--- " Rigsby"---and other animal characters, the program teaches young people about the dangers litter poses to wildlife and the environment.
A team project, "Rigsby" combined the efforts of a number of people, including local artist Jenny H. Bingham, who wrote and illustrated the book; several Henrico County employees, who donated their time to the project; and KHB staff and volunteers.
"Rigsby," which has reached more than 10,000 people, has received statewide acclaim. The Virginia Office for Environmental Education currently is providing the program to all of the state's elementary schools. It is also used by daycare facilities, the Girl Scouts Council of the Commonwealth and litter-control program managers throughout Virginia.
October 27, 2004
CONTACT: Art Petrini, Director, Public Utilities
PHONE: 501-4280
Keep Virginia Beautiful has named Henrico County staff member Nancy Drumheller the winner of the statewide litter-prevention program's 2004 " Outstanding Individual" award.
Drumheller serves as executive coordinator of Keep Henrico Beautiful (KHB), the county's environmental-education and litter-prevention program. KHB is a division of the Department of Public Utilities.
"Nancy is visionary, resourceful and does her job with enthusiasm and dedication," said Director of Public Utilities Art Petrini. "She exemplifies excellence in public service, a hallmark of Henrico County employees."
As executive coordinator--a position she has held since 2000--Drumheller oversees Henrico's litter-control efforts and coordinates the county's involvement in regional and statewide programs. A one-person staff, she recruits and manages volunteers to help implement KHB programs.
Drumheller also works closely with local educators and environmental experts to develop education programs for young people. Recent projects include "Rigsby," a multi-media resource kit designed for elementary-age students to raise awareness of the dangers litter poses to wildlife; and " Litter: It's Costly, It's Criminal, It's Careless," a driver-education video that teaches teenagers about Virginia's litter laws.
Drumheller said she enjoys doing innovative projects and working with people who give back to Henrico.
"This award validates the hard work of Keep Henrico Beautiful, our committee and many volunteers," she said. "It's a great honor to be recognized for our programs and efforts."
October 26, 2004
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has appointed 12 Henrico County officials to the association's policy-making committees and governing bodies for 2004-05.
Members of Henrico's Board of Supervisors received the following appointments:
· Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, vice chair, Telecommunications and Technology steering committee; member, Large Urban County Caucus steering committee;
· Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton, Human Services and Education steering committee;
· Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover, Transportation steering committee;
· Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele, Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs steering committee; and
· Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr., Community and Economic Development steering committee.
Several county officials were also chosen for service:
· County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., Justice and Public Safety steering committee;
· Deputy County Manager George T. Drumwright, Jr., Health steering committee;
· Deputy County Manager Harvey L. Hinson, Environment, Energy and Land Use steering committee;
· Deputy County Manager Robert K. Pinkerton, Public Lands steering committee;
· Deputy County Manager Angela N. Harper, vice chair, Sustainability Leadership Team; National Association of County Planners representative on the NACo board of directors;
· Capital Area Training Consortium Director Rosalyn D. Key, Labor and Employment steering committee; and
· Legislative Liaison Linda G. Robinson, vice chair, County Fiscal Policy subcommittee of the Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs steering committee; member, Homeland Security Task Force.
The only nationwide 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. The committees and other governing bodies meet several times annually to examine issues key to local government and to make recommendations on legislative polices and goals.
October 22, 2004
CONTACT: Steve Yob, Chief, Solid Waste Division
PHONE: 261-8217
Henrico residents and businesses can recycle broken and out-of-use cell phones, personal computers and other electronic items at a special collection event on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Henrico Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road.
Held by the Department of Public Utilities' Solid Waste division in conjunction with Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA), the electronics-recycling event is open to residents and businesses in all CVWMA jurisdictions. A variety of electronic equipment will be collected:
· Computers, monitors and computer accessories such as cables, wires, keyboards, mice and speakers;
· Printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines;
· Cell phones and telephones; and
· Televisions, VCRs, camcorders and stereos.
Most items will be accepted for free, although fees will be charged to recycle computer monitors, $7 each; televisions, $10 each; and console (wood-encased) televisions, $20 each. Participants are limited to recycling 10 items; anyone wishing to recycle more should contact CVWMA at 359-8413 at least 48 hours before the event.
In addition to consuming limited landfill space, electronic equipment may contain mercury, lead, chromium and other dangerous heavy metals. Proper disposal of these items prevents potential damage to the environment. For more information, log onto www.co.henrico.va.us/utility/ or www.cvwma.org.
October 11, 2004
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The next town meeting of Henrico County Board Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will feature a tour of Henrico's new water treatment plant. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25 at the facility, located at 10111 Three Chopt Road.
Public Utilities Director Art Petrini and Water Treatment Facility Manager Russ Navratil will lead the tour. They will join O'Bannon for a discussion and question-and-answer period as well. Due to limited parking, any large groups attending the meeting are encouraged to travel in car pools.
Tuckahoe town meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 501-4318 or log on to www.patobannon.com.
October 7, 2004
CONTACT: Bill Mawyer, Assistant Director, Public Utilities
PHONE: 501-4516
The Henrico County Department of Public Utilities advises motorists that from Monday, Oct. 11 to Friday, Oct. 29, a repaving project will affect traffic flow along Gaskins Road, between Patterson Avenue and Quioccasin Road.
All five lanes in this stretch of roadway will be repaved. At least one lane in both directions will remain open at all times, with additional lane openings to accommodate the morning and afternoon rush-hour traffic.
Motorists traveling in the area are urged to drive with caution while crews complete the repaving project.
October 6, 2004
CONTACT: Brenda Millirons, R.N.
PHONE: 501-4513
CONTACT: Lori Dixon, R.N.
PHONE: 652-3167
Henrico County Health Department officials have announced that due to an unexpected shortage of flu vaccine, all county flu clinics are suspended until the vaccine becomes available.
Henrico's flu clinics were scheduled to begin next week; however, the Chiron Corp.'s announcement Tuesday that it will be unable to provide flu vaccine forced county officials to suspend the clinics. Health officials are waiting for information regarding when or if additional vaccine may become available.
Health officials advise that the existing flu vaccine supply will be limited to high-risk individuals, including children ages 6 to 23 months; out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months; adults 65 or older; children and adults with chronic medical conditions; and pregnant women.
For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/health/.
October 6, 2004
CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next constituent meeting of Henrico County Board Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will examine the Henrico Circuit Court's Drug Court program. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
Program Administrator Anna Powers will provide information and lead a discussion about the Drug Court program, which is designed to rehabilitate its participants through a combination of intensive treatment, community supervision and judicial monitoring. She will join Thornton for a question-and-answer period as well.
Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.