February 19, 2009
CONTACT: John A. Vithoulkas, Director, Finance
PHONE: 501-4266
While playing the stock market continues to be problematic in the current economy, investors recognize a safe bet when they see it -- Henrico County bonds. A recent sale of county Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund bonds received a lot of attention from investors and produced significant savings -- close to $6 million -- for Henrico residents and taxpayers.
As part of an effort to refund outstanding debt and generate savings for the Water and Sewer Fund, Henrico offered nearly $70.4 million of Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund bonds for sale Wednesday. In the process, the county received more than $280 million in individual and institutional orders. The significant demand resulted in an exemplary low interest rate for the sale. In addition, the county's Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund bonds are designated triple-A, the highest possible rating, by two of the nation's three leading bond-rating services; that rating further enhanced the savings.
The sale produced debt-service savings of $5.65 million for county water and sewer customers. No new debt was issued in the sale, and the number of years financed in the transaction was not extended.
County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., noted that Henrico's proactive fiscal management was key.
"Actions like this create real, sustainable savings for county residents," said County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. "Henrico will continue to seek opportunities to save the hard-earned dollars of our taxpayers."
February 18, 2009
CONTACT: Linda Leigh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will feature an update on the 2009 session of the Virginia General Assembly. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 2 at the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
State Sen. Donald McEachin, Del. John O'Bannon and Del. Joe Morrissey will be on hand to discuss pending legislation and other actions of the General Assembly's current session. 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.
February 18, 2009
CONTACT: Kim Edmonds, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will offer "Tools for Today's Economy" -- a free workshop showing residents ways to manage their finances during a tough economy -- on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and again on Thursday, March 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop will be held in the demonstration kitchen and board room, respectively, of the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
"Tools for Today's Economy" will teach residents steps they can take to make sound financial decisions in a difficult economy. Workshop participants will learn to identify basic tools to help improve their financial health, stretch paychecks, repair spotty credit history and properly file a consumer complaint. Extension is holding the workshops in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week, set for March 1-7.
"Tools for Today's Economy" is free and open to the public. Space is limited, however, and registration is required. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
February 17, 2009
CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Education/Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District
PHONE: 501-5175
The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD) will hold its annual spring tree-seedling giveaway for Henrico County residents on Friday, March 20 at the Hermitage High School parking lot, 8301 Hungary Spring Road. Trees will be given away free of charge beginning at 8:30 a.m. until supplies run out.
HSWCD will offer 13 species of bare-root seedlings, including red bud, white and red osier dogwood, bald cypress, red maple and white oak. Information about individual species and guidelines for planting seedlings are available on the conservation district's Web site at www.co.henrico.va.us/swcd.
The seedling giveaway is part of HSWCD's ongoing efforts to protect the James River watershed by reducing runoff and sediment flows into local streams.
For more information, call 501-5175 or log on to the HSWCD Web site.
February 16, 2009
CONTACT: Lt. Shawn Sears, Animal Protection Supervisor
PHONE: 727-8800
The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at gate four of Richmond International Raceway.
Shots cost $7, cash only, and include a rabies tag and certificate of inoculation. Dog owners may purchase a 2009 license for $10 with proof of rabies inoculation.
Lt. Shawn Sears, supervisor of Henrico Police's Animal Protection unit, encourages residents to vaccinate their pets.
"(Vaccination) will ensure the safety of our residents' pets and will help protect the community as well," Sears said.
Cats and dogs ages 4 months and older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact Animal Protection at 727-8800 for more information.
February 13, 2009
CONTACT: Teddy Martin, Extension Horticulture Technician
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will launch its year-round lawn-care seminar series March 10-12 with a program on weed control. The seminars are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. at the following locations (each seminar will feature the same program): Tuesday, March 10, Sandston Branch Library, 23 E. Williamsburg Road; Wednesday, March 11, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive; and Thursday, March 12, Twin Hickory Area Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Road.
"Lawn Weed Control" will provide information about a broad range of weed topics, including the use of herbicides and the application of pre- and post-emergence products to control weeds before and after they appear. Participants are encouraged to bring samples for identification and discussion. The seminar will include a question-and-answer period as well. Each session will be led by an Extension staff member or a Henrico Master Gardener.
"Lawn Weed Control" is free and open to the public; however, participants should pre-register. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
Participants can also learn more about Henrico Extension's SMART Lawns program, a seasonal, comprehensive program that teaches a step-by-step approach to building healthy lawns. SMART Lawns, which teaches environmentally responsible practices, provides participants a plan tailored to fit their specific lawn-care needs. Contact the Extension Office for more information.
February 12, 2009
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has appointed Henrico County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon to serve on its 2010-2011 Presidential Initiative planning committee. The appointment was announced recently by NACo First Vice President Teresa Altemus.
NACo presidential initiatives focus special attention on an issue of interest for an incoming NACo president. The 2010-2011 planning committee will work to help elected county officials nationwide better understand how technology can benefit the citizens they represent. It also plans to educate county officials on relevant technology-related issues to help them make informed business decisions.
O'Bannon, the first woman elected to Henrico's Board of Supervisors, has represented the Tuckahoe District since 1996. She is a past recipient of the Patrick Henry Award for Government Service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Richmond Area YWCA's "Outstanding Women" award and Good Housekeeping magazine's "Women in Government" award. A Richmond native and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, she is a former English teacher, news editor and development associate for public television.
NACo is the only nationwide organization representing county governments before Congress and the White House. The association works to improve county government and increase public understanding of the role of counties.
February 11, 2009
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) has named eight Henrico County officials to the association's steering committees for 2009 and has chosen one for its board of directors.
Members of Henrico's Board of Supervisors received the following appointments:
* Chairman and Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele, Finance steering committee;
* Vice Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, Telecommunications and Utilities steering committee and the Region 3 representative on the VACo Board of Directors (two-year term);
* Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover, Community Development steering committee;
* Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton, Education steering committee; and
* Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr., Administration of Government steering committee.
Other county officials receiving appointments were:
* Deputy County Manager George T. Drumwright, Jr., Health and Human Services steering committee;
* Deputy County Manager Robert K. Pinkerton, P.E., Transportation steering committee; and
* Deputy County Manager Randall R. Silber, Environment and Agriculture steering committee.
VACo steering committees review legislative requests from counties, recommend an annual legislative program and provide policy direction for VACo staff. The association represents local governments at the state and federal levels and provides a resource network for planning and implementing new ideas and technologies.
February 5, 2009
CONTACT: Tamra McKinney, Director, Public Relations & Media Services
PHONE: 501-4257
The next meeting of Henrico's Board of Supervisors will be a first: the initial live video broadcast of a meeting of the county's governing body.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Henrico will begin the live web-streaming of the regular meetings of the board of supervisors. The public will be able to view the meetings -- held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month -- through a link on the home page of the county Web site, www.co.henrico.va.us. Renovations to install web-streaming broadcast equipment in the Government Center Board Room, under way since the fall, were completed earlier this year.
The Feb. 10 meeting will mark the first time in the board's 75-year history that a meeting will be broadcast live to the public.
"This is a significant moment for the Board of Supervisors and for Henrico residents," said Three Chopt District Supervisor and Board Chairman David A. Kaechele. "We hope that it makes the activities and decisions of this board available to more of our constituents."
In addition to watching live webcasts of meetings, residents and others can also see past meetings. Videos will be stored in an online archive, which will allow viewers to search individual agenda items from a particular meeting or watch a meeting in its entirety.
To facilitate the webcasts, the board room was renovated to accommodate new wall-mounted cameras, control room equipment and other audiovisual accessories. In-house staff from Public Relations & Media Services will produce the live streaming.
"Henrico County strives to be responsive and provide the best service possible to our residents," said County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. "The live streaming of meetings will further expand residents' access to their government. We are excited to offer that opportunity."
February 4, 2009
CONTACT: Linda Leigh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next town meeting of Henrico County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will feature resources and information available to residents to help them conduct a job search. The meeting will be held in two sessions, at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive.
Representatives from the Capital Area Training Consortium and the Henrico County Economic Development Authority will be on hand to discuss the area's employment outlook and the resources offered by their agencies. They will join O'Bannon for a question-and-answer period as well.
Tuckahoe town meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 501-4208 or log on to www.patobannon.com.
February 3, 2009
CONTACT: Kendra Kyle, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico Extension Office's annual 4-H berry sale is under way, with proceeds benefiting local 4-H youth programs.
The sale features a variety of strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry plants. Strawberry plants cost $6.50 for a bundle of 25; raspberry and blackberry plants cost $4.50 each and blueberry plants cost $4 each. Instructions for planting and care are included with each order.
To obtain an order form, call 501-5160 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; log on to the Extension Service Web site at www.ext.vt.edu/offices/henrico; or visit the Extension Office, located in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Order forms also are available at any Henrico library.
Because supplies are limited, orders placed after Wednesday, Feb. 25 will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Extension staff will distribute orders from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 13 at the Glen Allen Softball Complex on Mountain Road.
For more information, contact the Extension Office at 501-5160.
February 2, 2009
CONTACT: Dayle Goldberg, Program Manager, Henrico CASA
PHONE: 501-1675
The Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates program (CASA) is seeking volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Henrico's court system.
Henrico CASA will conduct a free, six-week training program for volunteers from 6-9 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday beginning Monday, April 13 at its office in the Hungary Spring Office Park, 3001 Hungary Spring Road. Applicants will undergo interviews, background and reference checks.
To apply or to obtain additional information, contact Dayle Goldberg at 501-1675, e-mail gol@co.henrico.va.us or log on to www.henricocasa.org by Friday, March 13.
CASA volunteers represent the best interests of a victimized child in the court system. They come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds; legal experience is not required. Qualifying participants will learn to conduct interviews, research and investigate cases, provide written reports for judges and assist child welfare professionals and case attorneys.
Last year, volunteers served as advocates for 258 children, donating some 8,575 hours to their cases.
Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that works closely with the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. For more information, log on to the CASA Web site.
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