May 2005
May 31, 2005
CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next constituent meeting of Henrico County Board Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will feature a legislative update from the Fairfield District's federal and state representatives. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, June 6 at the Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Road.
Elected officials scheduled to speak at the meeting are U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, State Sen. Benjamin Lambert, Del. Floyd Miles and Del. John O'Bannon. The officials 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.
May 18, 2005
CONTACT: Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr., County Attorney
PHONE: 501-4342
Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. (LGA) has named Henrico County's Rhysa G. South the 2005 winner of the Cherin Award for an Outstanding Deputy or Assistant Government Attorney.
South, who serves as an assistant county attorney, received the award at the LGA spring conference held recently in Alexandria. The award honors a local government attorney who has demonstrated distinguished public service that enhanced the image of local government attorneys statewide. The recipient also has shown a commitment to the highest ethical and professional principles, according to award criteria.
"Rhysa has demonstrated distinguished service not only to Henrico County, but also to local governments and the legal profession throughout Virginia," said County Attorney Joseph P. Rapisarda, Jr.
South, who joined the County Attorney staff in January 1987, is a member of the LGA board of directors and has served as chair of the organization's publications and ethics committees. She serves on the board of governors of the local government law section of the Virginia State Bar and is a former president of the Henrico Bar Association. She received a bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and earned her law degree at the University of Richmond.
LGA is an organization of more than 650 public and private attorneys that promotes continuing education and provides professional support for local government attorneys throughout Virginia.
May 13, 2005
CONTACT: George H. Cauble, Jr., Director, Human Resources
PHONE: 501-4204
Henrico County has received the Five Star Recognition from the Central Virginia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)--the organization's top award--for the county's ongoing support of employees called to military duty.
County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. accepted the recognition on behalf of the county during a ceremony Thursday. He also signed the ESGR's Five Star Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve, affirming the county's commitment to continue its exemplary contributions to employees deployed for military service.
"Henrico County is very proud of our employees--our citizen soldiers--who have left behind their families and careers to serve and defend their country," Hazelett said. "We have an obligation to honor and support them in every way we can. We are very proud to receive this recognition."
ESGR recognition means Henrico has met and exceeded the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment Rights and Reemployment Act (USERRA) of 1994, which prohibits discrimination against activated employees and requires employers to hold open their jobs. ESGR is an agency of the Department of Defense.
Currently, 16 Henrico employees are deployed for military duty. A total of 55 county workers have been activated for service in the National Guard and Reserves since Sept. 11, 2001.
In addition to complying with USERRA, Henrico has taken a number of measures to support staff called to active duty. The county enacted a supplemental pay program in September 2001 to ensure that activated employees would not suffer a loss of pay during their military service. The county has sent care packages and letters to deployed workers and has recognized them publicly at Board of Supervisors meetings, on the county Web site and in other locations. Individual county agencies have supported their activated staff in a variety of ways, such as providing help with yard work and other household projects for families.
Human Resources Director George Cauble noted that Henrico has always supported its employees called to military service.
"The Five Star Recognition from ESGR is an honor that further contributes to Henrico's reputation as an employer-of-choice," Cauble said.
"Henrico County certainly deserves recognition as a Five Star employer," said William Duff, employer outreach chairman for the Central Virginia Committee of ESGR. "The county has developed policies and provided a level of support for its employees that go above and beyond that required by law."
Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. signs the Five Star Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve during a ceremony Thursday. Looking on are, from left, Human Resources Director George H. Cauble, Jr.; Senior Human Resources Manager Joyce Shanko; Virginia ESGR Committee member Robert Jacobs; Regional Public Affairs Coordinator for Virginia ESGR Jeanne Walls; and Employer Outreach Chairman for Virginia ESGR William Duff.
May 11, 2005
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer a free workshop about credit cards and controlling credit-card debt on Tuesday, May 24, from 7-9 p.m. in the Human Services Building Board Room, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
"Credit Card Secrets" will define credit industry terms such as "revolver" and "rate surfer," will detail the operating procedures of credit-card companies and will explain how many consumers develop problems with credit-card debt. The workshop also will feature the documentary film " Secret History of Credit Cards" and will include a discussion about ways to control credit-card debt.
The workshop is open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
The Henrico County Extension Office, a part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, responds to the needs of local individuals, families, groups and organizations with educational programs in four areas: agriculture and natural resources; family and community sciences; food, nutrition and health; and 4-H youth development. Log on to www.ext.vt.edu for more information.
May 10, 2005
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The next town meeting of Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will offer an update of the ongoing changes at Richmond International Airport. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Gayton Branch Library, 10600 Gayton Road.
Jon Mathiasen, president and CEO of Richmond International Airport, will discuss current construction, expansion plans and the recent addition of low-fare carrier AirTran Airways to the list of airlines serving Richmond. He will join O'Bannon for a question-and-answer period as well.
Tuckahoe town meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 501-4318 or log on to www.patobannon.com.
May 9, 2005
CONTACT: Tamra McKinney, Director, Public Relations and Media Services
PHONE: 501-4976
Henrico County Television (HCTV) Channel 37--the broadcast television arm of the Department of Public Relations and Media Services--was a top winner at the 38th annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, a premier awards competition for independent film and educational programming from around the world.
Four programs produced by HCTV received a total of seven awards, including three Platinum awards, the top honor given in an individual award category. Past award winners at the WorldFest competition include such Hollywood heavyweights as Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Ridley Scott and the Coen Brothers.
"To be recognized by a leading competition such as WorldFest is a tremendous accomplishment for HCTV and our staff," said Public Relations and Media Services Director Tamra McKinney. "These awards symbolize our commitment to provide top-quality, compelling, informative programming for Henrico's residents."
Station Manager Dave Miller said HCTV can do something the major networks can't: develop quality programming with a strictly local focus.
"We can tell stories about our own community--the people, services and events that take place right here in Henrico," Miller said. "Residents can tune in to HCTV-37 and get reliable, useful and expertly produced programs that impact their daily lives."
The award-winning programs were:
· "Attack Transport: Remembering the USS Henrico," a feature-length documentary about the landing craft, its crew and their role in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars; Platinum award, Patriot Promotion category; three Silver awards in the Cultural Programming, Cable TV Openings/Promotion, and Local Television Commercial/Spot categories;
· "Step into the Real World," a detailed look at law enforcement career opportunities in Henrico; Platinum award, Recruiting/Career Guidance category;
· "Drug Court: Transforming Lives," a documentary about the daily lives and struggles of participants in Henrico's Drug Court program; Platinum award, Public Affairs category; and
· "Working for All of Us: Hermitage Enterprises," an in-depth look at the unique county program and the special people and local businesses it serves; Silver award, Public Health category.
HCTV-Channel 37 is available to all Henrico residents subscribing to Comcast cable. In addition to its award-winning feature programming, the station offers round-the-clock information about public meetings, recreation programs, special events, road closings, traffic updates, emergency bulletins and more. For more information, click here.
May 3, 2005
CONTACT: Lt. Gary Hutchison
PHONE: (804) 501-5877
Arson Awareness Week May 2-8
Juvenile Firesetting: The Preventable Arson
How would you characterize an Arsonist?
· A dangerous, shifty-eyed criminal?
· Someone with an axe to grind?
· Someone with little regard for human life?
· Someone WITH a pattern of violent behavior?
Would you ever characterize a child as an arsonist?
According to the FBI, nearly 50 percent of people arrested for setting arson fires are juveniles. Children often set fires because they are curious, mischievous, or just seeking attention.
May 2nd through 8th is Arson Awareness Week.
Henrico County Division of Fire wants everyone to get involved. Please take this opportunity to teach children about the dangers of fire.
Remember: Juvenile firesetting and juvenile arson ARE preventable fires. We can help protect all of our children by getting involved.
Contact the Henrico County Division of Fire for more information regarding what you can do to help prevent arson FIRES.
May 2, 2005
CONTACT: Lt. Shawn Sears, Animal Protection Supervisor
PHONE: 652-3385
The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at gate four of Richmond International Raceway.
Shots cost $6 (cash only) and include a rabies tag and certificate of inoculation. Dog owners may purchase a 2005 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.
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