October 2006

October 30, 2006

CONTACT: Tim Foster, Assistant Director, Public Works

PHONE: 501-4390

The Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists that on Saturday, Nov. 11, 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.

October 26, 2006

CONTACT: Mark J. Levine, M.D., Director, Public Health

PHONE: 501-4522

The Henrico County Public Health Department on Saturday, Nov. 4 will lead Operation HEALTH -- a special exercise designed to test the county's plans for an event requiring the mass dispensing of vaccine. Individuals who live or work in Henrico County can register to participate beginning Monday, Oct. 30; participants will receive this season's flu vaccine free of charge.

The Henrico exercise is part of a statewide effort by localities to test their ability to mass dispense preventive medication or vaccine in case of a large-scale health emergency, such as a flu pandemic. To make the drill as realistic as possible, county officials are seeking the participation of area residents and are offering free flu vaccine.

"Operation HEALTH is designed to test Henrico's emergency plans; it is not a routine flu clinic," said Public Health Director Mark Levine. "The involvement of local citizens is essential to make the exercise a success, so we are grateful for their willingness to help."

Up to 1,400 residents can take part in the event. The county will have 900 doses of injectable vaccine, available for participants ages 18 and older; and 500 doses of nasal-inhalant vaccine, available for participants ages 5 to 49 without underlying chronic health conditions.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, residents interested in participating can reserve a time by calling the Operation HEALTH hotline at 501-7219 or accessing the Web site at www.henricoflu.com. The hotline will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thursday, Nov. 2, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 3. The Web site will be available until noon on Nov. 3.

Participants will select one of the two sites for the exercise -- Dumbarton Elementary School or Fairfield Middle School. To fully test the county's mass-dispensing plans, officials are requiring participants to be transported by bus to the sites. With the exception of handicapped individuals, drive-up or walk-in access will not be permitted at either site.

Participants choosing the Dumbarton site will board buses at the Henrico Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road, and will be transported to and from the elementary school; participants choosing the Fairfield site will board buses at the Fairfield Commons mall parking lot, Nine Mile Road and Laburnum Avenue, and will be transported to and from the middle school.

Participants must be pre-registered to take part in the exercise. For more information, call 501-7219 or log on to www.henricoflu.com.

October 25, 2006

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 2006-07.

Members of Henrico's Board of Supervisors received the following appointments:

* Chairman and Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover, Transportation steering committee;
* Vice Chairman and Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr., Community and Economic Development steering committee;
* Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton, Human Services and Education steering committee;
* Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele, Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs steering committee; and
* Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, vice chair, Telecommunications and Technology steering committee; Large Urban County Caucus 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., vice chair of the Medicaid subcommittee of the Health steering committee;
* Deputy County Manager Harvey L. Hinson, Environment, Energy and Land Use steering committee;
* Deputy County Manager Robert K. Pinkerton, P.E., Public Lands steering committee;
* Deputy County Manager Angela N. Harper, Sustainability Leadership Team;
* Capital Area Training Consortium Director Rosalyn D. Key-Tiller, Labor and Employment steering committee; and
* Legislative Liaison Linda G. Robinson, Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs steering committee.

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 12, 2006

CONTACT: Steve Yob, Chief, Solid Waste Division

PHONE: 727-8217

Area 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. 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Charles City Road Public Use Area, 2075 Charles City Road.

Held by the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities' Solid Waste division, the Electronics Recycling Event is open to individuals as well as local businesses. There is no limit to the number of items that may be recycled. 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. Microwave ovens will not be accepted.

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 on to www.henricodpu.org or call 727-8770.

October 12, 2006

CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 501-4318

The next town meeting of Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will provide important information for residents considering an addition or renovation project for their homes. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Deep Run Recreation Center, 9910 Ridgefield Road.

"Are You Planning to Build or Renovate? What Citizens Should Know Before They Build!" will offer advice about the construction process and obtaining permits. It also will feature remarks by representatives from Henrico's Planning Department, Permit Center and Department of Building Construction and Inspections. The officials will join O'Bannon for a question-and-answer period as well.

All county residents are invited to attend. For more information, call 501-4318 or log on to www.patobannon.com.

October 11, 2006

CONTACT: Tim Foster, Assistant Director, Public Works

PHONE: 501-4390

The Henrico County Department of Public Works advises motorists to expect delays around Highland Springs High School on Friday, Oct. 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m., due to the school's homecoming parade.

The parade will begin at South Cedar Avenue between Nine Mile Road and Jerald Street and travel eastbound on Nine Mile Road before turning onto Oak Avenue and into Highland Springs High School.

Public Works will detour eastbound traffic on Nine Mile Road to Beech Avenue, Vine Street and Quince Avenue. The parade will not affect westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road, but motorists in the area should expect delays.

October 5, 2006

CONTACT: Lt. Shawn Sears, Animal Protection Supervisor

PHONE: 652-3385

The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 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 2007 license for $10 with proof of rabies inoculation.

Cats and dogs ages 4 months and older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact Animal Protection at 652-3360 for more information.

October 3, 2006

CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis SWCD

PHONE: 501-5175

The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will provide information about farm-succession planning and other topics at its annual landowner-producer meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 24, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Ruritan Club, 3812 Nine Mile Road.

"Planning for the Future" will offer participants ideas for maintaining the sustainability and succession of their land. Keynote speaker Jesse Richardson, associate professor at Virginia Tech, will discuss steps participants can take to enable ongoing possession of the family farm. In addition, representatives from the U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency, the U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Cooperative Extension and other government agencies will provide updated information on programs benefiting rural landowners. Vendors will be on hand to discuss their products and services as well.

The meeting is free; dinner will be provided. Participants are encouraged to register by Friday, Oct. 20.

To register or to obtain more information, contact Henricopolis SWCD at 501-5175.