CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
August 31, 2006
The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will take a closer look at RideFinders, the transit organization serving commuters in the metropolitan region. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at North Park Library, 8505 Franconia Road.
RideFinders Executive Director Jameson T. Auten will provide information about the organization's various programs, including vanpool services, carpool match lists, the emergency ride home program and its coordination with the GRTC Transit System. He 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.
August 25, 2006
CONTACT: Tim Foster, Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
In preparation for the upcoming Emerson Radio 250 and Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR events at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the raceway on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9. The temporary changes should help minimize traffic congestion during the races.
Motorists should expect extremely heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the raceway area, especially from 8 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.
The Henrico Division of Police will have officers on duty to direct traffic around the area before and after the races. WRVA 1140 AM will broadcast traffic reports.
Motorists not attending the race should turn on their headlights while driving in the vicinity of RIR during the afternoon and early evening Saturday, Sept. 9. This step will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 9 during peak hours:
* Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and one-way outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue.
* Meadowbridge Road between the Henrico/Hanover county line and Azalea Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning at approximately 9 a.m. and continuing until the race starts.
* Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will close to northbound traffic; however, in Hanover County it will remain a two-way road at all times.
* After the race, Laburnum Avenue between Carolina Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be one-way eastbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained westbound from Carolina Avenue.
* After the race, Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be one-way northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road, beginning at approximately 10 p.m. and continuing until race traffic is dispersed.
* After the race, three lanes on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School will be routed westbound and one lane eastbound. This change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School to close at approximately 10 p.m. until race traffic is dispersed. Police will assist motorists turning from Azalea Avenue to Thrush Lane and Pony Farm Drive.
While these traffic patterns are in effect, median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike, except at Pilots Lane and Austin Avenue. Only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue. Police will be positioned at these intersections before and after the race to assist motorists turning onto or crossing Laburnum Avenue.
On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available Sept. 9 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street, at a cost of $5. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m.
The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 8-9:
* From the east (Hampton Roads area) - Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north (Exit 200). Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike west (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the east (Route 360) - Approach Richmond on Route 360 west (Mechanicsville Turnpike), cross Interstate 295, and continue west to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the east (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 west and take the Laburnum Avenue exit (Exit 195). Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the north - Follow Interstate 95 south to the Interstate 295 east interchange (marked "To Norfolk - Williamsburg"). Follow Interstate 295 east and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.
* From the north (local traffic) - Use Route 1 (Brook Road) to Azalea Avenue. Turn left onto Azalea Avenue and proceed to the raceway.
* From the west - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Interstate 295 south interchange (Exit 177). Follow Interstate 295 south and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.
* From the west (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Powhite Parkway/Laburnum Avenue exit. Take the Laburnum Avenue exit, turn left and proceed to the raceway.
* From the south - Follow Interstate 95 north to the interchange with Interstate 295 south of Petersburg. Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the south (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 95 north to the Interstate 64 east interchange (Exit 75). Follow Interstate 64 to Route 360 east (Mechanicsville Turnpike). Follow Route 360 east to Laburnum Avenue. Turn left and proceed to the raceway.
Aug. 18, 2006
Contact: Bill Farrar, APR
(804) 646-5224
"Low-flow conditions prompt voluntary Metro Richmond water restrictions"
Local governments in the Metro Richmond area are enacting voluntary water conservation measures effective immediately.
Based on current low-flow conditions in the James River and its tributaries, the City of Richmond and the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico, are joining to ask residents and businesses in the Metropolitan Richmond area to voluntarily conserve water.
"Taking appropriate steps to conserve water is a civic responsibility we all bear during times of limited supply," said Richmond Department of Public Utilities Director Christopher Beschler. "We ask that residents and businesses restrict their usage to only those activities that meet critical needs in order to help avoid mandatory conservation measures."
Activities requested for limitation are listed below. In the event that the water supply is not replenished in the coming weeks, local governments in the region may be required to impose more restrictive conditions on a mandatory basis.
Category |
Requested Conservation Effort |
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Established Landscape |
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New Landscape Watering |
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Vegetable Gardens |
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Paved Areas (Streets, Drives, Patios, Walks, etc.) |
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Vehicle Washing (Commercial Businesses Exempt) |
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Swimming Pools |
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Golf Courses (Greens Exempted) |
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Businesses |
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Restaurants |
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Fountains |
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All Other Consumption Uses |
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For more information please visit the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Website at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/waterresources/conservewater.html or call:
Aug. 14, 2006
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
Henrico County has received 13 Achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), honoring innovative programs implemented by county agencies last year. The awards were presented at the 2006 NACo annual conference, held Aug. 4-8 in Chicago.
The NACo Achievement Award Program recognizes groundbreaking, successful county government programs annually in a broad range of service areas, including county administration, education, parks and recreation, health and human services. The program started in 1970 as part of a nationwide campaign to modernize county government and improve its level of service.
NACo honored Henrico programs developed and implemented in 2005 by eight county agencies. The awards continue the county's tradition of serving residents with cutting-edge programs: since 1995, Henrico programs have garnered 160 NACo Achievement awards. Programs receiving awards were:
* "ESL Welcome Center," Schools; centralizes the school-enrollment process for immigrant families; multilingual staff members meet parents and students at Tucker High School to overcome language barriers, answering questions and providing an array of resources;
* "S.P.A.C.E.," Schools; Students Participating Actively in County Education is a countywide student legislative body; 150 students representing each Henrico high school meet quarterly to discuss issues affecting their schools and communities;
* "Crash Avoidance Range," Schools; this special driver-education course teaches Henrico students how to react in the few seconds before an accident occurs;
* "Mobile Computer Lab," Public Library; using laptop computers, this "classroom to go" provides basic computer classes and technology instruction at library branches without dedicated computer classroom space;
* "BookLinks," Public Library; the outreach program is designed to strengthen reading skills and appreciation at an elementary school through literacy-based projects, motivational activities and free books for participating students;
* "'Outreach Pizza & Pages' Teen Book Group," Public Library; designed to encourage book discussions and reading appreciation in at-risk students;
* "Commercial Assistance Program," Community Revitalization; provides enhancement activities such as design assistance, planning for infrastructure improvements and grant facilitation for businesses in older commercial areas;
* "Suspect Apprehension Team," Police; this special six-member team is designed to locate and apprehend known criminals, increasing efficiency and reducing duplication of effort;
* "Field Training Officers: Preparing Public Safety Leaders," Police and Human Resources; partners seasoned Police veterans with new officers to assist their transition from classroom training to practical experience;
* "Internship Program," Planning; designed to help identify and prepare promising students for potential employment with Henrico or other planning departments;
* "Employer Advisory Council," Mental Health and Retardation Services; this network of representatives from community businesses has helped the county expand employment for residents with mental illness and retardation;
* "Fire Prevention Associate Program," Fire; an eight-hour program, it teaches fire prevention and safety techniques to businesses; and
* "Intellectual Capital: The Power of Knowledge Transfer," Human Resources; this program trains upper-level managers to share their knowledge and experience with other personnel within their departments.
For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/manager or call 501-4318.
August 10, 2006
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer a free, two-part workshop on personal financial management from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22 and again on Tuesday, Aug. 29 in the Human Services Building demonstration kitchen, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
Participants in "Money Madness" will learn how to better manage their finances and avoid burdensome debt and other problems. Part I of the workshop will focus on record keeping, tracking expenses and creating a budget; Part II will address credit reports, understanding credit cards and repairing credit. Participants should plan to attend both sessions.
The workshop is open to the public. Participants will receive program materials, giveaway items and door prizes; in addition, dinner will be provided at both sessions.
Registration is encouraged by Friday, Aug. 18. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
August 1, 2006
CONTACT: Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., County Manager
PHONE: 501-4386
Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. has appointed E. Lee Priestas to the position of Director of Public Works effective Aug. 9. Priestas succeeds former Director Robert C. Thompson who retired in July.
Priestas joined the county's Department of Public Works in 1975 as a civil engineer, and has been assistant director for the past 11 years. He holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Transportation Engineering from the University of Maryland. He also holds the designation of Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
As director of Public Works, Priestas' responsibilities will include planning and designing roads, bridges, drainage facilities and other construction and maintenance efforts. He will direct, supervise and inspect the work of all road maintenance and construction forces, and oversee the 259-member staff.
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