May 2009

May 29, 2009

CONTACT:  Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., County Manager

PHONE: 501-4386

Henrico names Vaughan Crawley audit director

Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. has announced the appointment of Vaughan G. Crawley as director of Internal Audit, effective June 8.

Crawley will succeed Gary L. Martin, who recently retired after 18 years in the position.

As director, Crawley will oversee an office of four employees and a fiscal year 2010 budget of $360,000. He heads an agency responsible for examining and evaluating the effectiveness of the county's internal accounting, financial and other operating controls. The office, which will conduct 26 audit projects during fiscal year 2010, directs major audits, notes best practices and recommends improvements. In addition, the agency works to safeguard general government assets, providing a fraud reporting system and a fraud hotline to help eliminate waste and abuse. Internal Audit reports directly to the county manager.

Crawley comes to Henrico from Circuit City, where he served most recently as director of internal audit. A certified public accountant, he earned a bachelor of science degree in commerce/accounting from the University of Virginia.

May 28, 2009

CONTACT:  Tamra McKinney, Director, Public Relations & Media Services

PHONE: 501-4976

Henrico County's Public Relations & Media Services Department (PR&MS) has received 28 awards in the National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards of Excellence competition, recognizing the agency's work in graphic design, writing, photography, television and other areas.

The annual NACIO competition reviews entries from hundreds of county communications professionals from around the country. The awards will be presented at the National Association of Counties annual meeting July 24 in Nashville, Tenn.

Awards won by Henrico PR&MS staff included five Superior awards, the highest citation given in an individual category. Receiving awards were:

• Joel Archibald: Superior, photography, "Walkerton Tavern;" Excellence, photography, "View of the James River in Henrico County" and "The Armour House and Gardens at Meadowview Park;" Excellence, graphic design, "IT Technology Plan FY 2008-09 Cover;" Meritorious, graphic design, "Budget Cover" and "Addressing Henrico, VA: Henrico County FY 2007-08 Annual Report;" Meritorious, photography, "Henrico Theatre"

• Steve Boyd: Superior, writing-scripts, "By the People, For the People: Volunteering in Henrico County;" Superior, television shows, "Henrico Police Athletic League" and "No Limits -- The Work of Supported Employment for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities;" Excellence, television shows, "A Gift from the Heart: Fostering Our Children;" Meritorious, writing-scripts, "The Armour House and Gardens at Meadowview Park"

• Ryan Eubank: Excellence, television shows, "Real Estate Advantage Program;" Meritorious, television shows, "Southern Man of Mystery: Edgar Allan Poe" and "Will of the People: Evolution of American Voting & Elections;" Meritorious, writing-scripts, "Will of the People: Evolution of American Voting & Elections"

• Steve Knockemus: Excellence, writing-features, "Turning a Corner;" Excellence, writing-scripts, "Welcome to Dabbs House;" Meritorious, writing-news releases, "Henrico Address Change Approved;" Meritorious, annual reports, "Addressing Henrico, VA: Henrico County FY 2007-08 Annual Report"

• Tamra McKinney: Superior, writing-speeches, " 'Twas the Night Before Henrico's Christmas;" Excellence, public participation projects, "Henrico Address Change Initiative;" Meritorious, writing-scripts, "Magazine 17 Spring 2008 Edition" and "Magazine 17 Winter 2008 Edition"

• Ben Sheppard: Meritorious, television shows, "Paving Ahead"

• Geoff Weidele: Excellence, television shows, "Lewis Ginter: A Quiet Contribution;" Meritorious, television shows, "Henrico Wildlife: Sharing the Habitat;" Meritorious, writing-scripts, "Monticello: Thomas Jefferson's Dream"

An affiliate organization of the National Association of Counties, NACIO works to promote better understanding of the functions of county government and enhance the skills of its members. For more information about NACIO and the Awards of Excellence competition, log on to www.nacio.org. For more information about Henrico PR&MS, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/pr.

Joel Archibald	Steve Boyd	Ryan Eubank

Steve Knockemus	Tamara McKinney	Ben Sheppard	Geoff Weidele

May 22, 2009

CONTACT:  Linda Leigh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 501-4208

Fairfield constituent meeting to discuss 2010 Census

The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will feature a discussion on the importance of the 2010 Census and how to prepare for it. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 at the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.

Donna Lewis-Clayton from the U.S. Census Bureau and Henrico Planning Director Joe Emerson will join Thornton for the presentation and a question-and-answer period as well.

Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.

May 15, 2009

CONTACT:  Mark Coakley, General Registrar, Voter Registration and Elections Office

PHONE: 501-4347

Henrico registrar announces polling site changes for three precincts

The Henrico County Voter Registration and Elections Office (VREO) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Justice to change the location of three voting precincts. The new polling sites, which previously had been approved by Henrico's Board of Supervisors, will be operational for the statewide primary on June 9.

VREO is mailing new identification cards to more than 6,800 voters affected by the changes. The precincts and new polling sites are:

* Summit Court, precinct no. 114; Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church, 2320 Dumbarton Road;
* Yellow Tavern, precinct no. 223; North Park Branch Library, 8508 Franconia Road;
* Chickahominy, precinct no. 503; Oak Hall Baptist Church, 1877 Old Hanover Road.

The new sites offer more space, better parking and greater accessibility, said General Registrar Mark Coakley. Each meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"These improvements are voter-friendly and are designed to provide a more positive experience for voters on Election Day," Coakley said.

Henrico now has 93 poll sites and nearly 197,000 registered voters.

For more information, voters can contact VREO at 501-4347 or log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/registrar.

May 13, 2009

CONTACT:  John A. Vithoulkas, Director, Finance

PHONE: 501-4266

Henrico bond sale saves nearly $2 million for residents

A sale today of Henrico County bonds received a lot of attention from investors and netted significant savings, close to $2 million, for Henrico County residents and taxpayers.

Henrico offered nearly $33.8 million of general obligation bonds to refinance existing debt for Schools, Fire, Recreation and Parks and Public Works. The sale generated significant demand among investors -- all of the bonds were sold in just 30 minutes -- resulting in an exemplary low interest rate of 2.68 percent.

The bond sale produced debt-service savings of $1.84 million for county taxpayers. No new debt was issued in the sale, and the number of years financed in the transaction was not extended.

Henrico's general obligation bonds are designated AAA -- the highest rating available for a governmental entity -- by Standard & Poor's, Fitch and Moody's, the nation's leading bond-rating services. Henrico is one of only 21 counties, out of more than 3,000 nationwide, to receive the triple-AAA rating.

May 11, 2009

CONTACT:  Lt. Shawn Sears, Animal Protection Supervisor

PHONE: 727-8800

The Henrico County Division of Police will hold a rabies clinic on Saturday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 1 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.

May 11, 2009

CONTACT:  Patricia Shaw, Administrator, Henrico County Drug Court

PHONE: 213-3890, ext. 222

Henrico Drug Court sets graduation ceremony for May 15

The Henrico County Drug Court will hold a graduation ceremony for eight participants who have completed the program's rigorous requirements at 1 p.m. Friday, May 15, in Henrico County Circuit Court room no. 3, 4301 E. Parham Road. The event is being held in conjunction with National Drug Court Commencement Day.

The Henrico Drug Court focuses on nonviolent adult probation violators with a history of substance abuse. The program is designed to reduce recidivism and increase rehabilitation of participants through a combination of intensive treatment, community supervision and judicial monitoring. An offender's prison sentence is suspended on condition that he or she completes the court's 12 to 18 month program and meets its behavioral requirements.

Sixty-one participants have graduated from Henrico Drug Court since its inception in January 2003. The program is a joint effort of Henrico Circuit Court, Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Henrico Sheriff's Office, Henrico Police, Henrico Area Mental Health and Retardation Services, Henrico Community Corrections and the Virginia Department of Corrections District 32 Probation and Parole Office.

For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/drugcourt.

May 1, 2009

CONTACT:  Tamra McKinney, Director, Public Relations & Media Services

PHONE: 501-4976

Five programs produced by Henrico County Television (HCTV) have won awards at the 42nd annual WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, a premier awards competition for independent film and educational programming.

The WorldFest competition -- whose past winners include Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee and George Lucas -- featured more than 4,500 entries from 37 countries. HCTV's awards included a special citation and two Platinum awards, the highest honor given in an individual category. Receiving awards were:

• "Southern Man of Mystery: Edgar Allan Poe," a look at the world and life of the brilliant but troubled writer; Special Jury Award, biography; Ryan Eubank, producer;
• "Your Other Mind: The Healing Power of Hypnotherapy," an examination of how hypnotherapy has helped several Henrico residents manage their medical or behavioral conditions; Platinum Award, medical; Roberta Fountain, producer;
• "Monticello: Thomas Jefferson's Dream," a glimpse inside the famous home and how it reflects Jefferson's diverse interests and intellect; Platinum Award, history; Geoff Weidele, producer;
• "Adventure Henrico: Scuba Diving," a tongue-in-cheek guide to diver certification, from the classroom to the water; Gold Award, underwater video; Ben Sheppard, producer
• "Soaring Free: Bird Watching in Henrico," a look at some of the many species and the birding enthusiasts who seek them in Henrico; Gold Award, local television; Steven Dunn, producer.

For more information about the award-winning programs and HCTV, the broadcast television arm of Henrico's Department of Public Relations & Media Services, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/pr. For more information about WorldFest-Houston, log on to www.worldfest.org.

Ryan Eubank	Roberta Fountain	Geoff Weidele

Ben Sheppard	Steven Dunn