The long and winding road part next

The update of the Goochland County major thoroughfare plan (MTP) plods on. An overview of roads and traffic patterns in the county, the MTP is part of the comprehensive land use plan, used a guide for land use decisions.

Essentially lines on a map, the MTP is an expression of the county’s  goals for expansion and improvement of roads to smooth the flow of traffic. This helps Goochland compete for scarce state and federal road dollars. The MTP is a tool to leverage landowners to include road improvements including construction of turn lanes, rights of way donations, and cash to mitigate offsite impacts in projects.

In March, the county held an initial informational meeting at which some residents objected to items in the existing MTP, last updated in 2005. The county and KimleyHorn, the consultants retained to update the MTP,  took note of citizen input and went back to the drawing board.

On August 9, another meeting was held to outline changes made to the proposed MTP using the March feedback. Another group of people expressed opposition to a road they believed would pass close to their homes.

On August 29 the supervisors held a workshop to hear consultant KimleyHorn’s update of the MTP based on input from previous meetings. This proposal is available at http://goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/4810/DRAFT---Major-Thoroughfare-Plan---August-2018 for your examination. It is divided into three service areas, west, central and eastern.

The latest iteration of the proposed 2040 MPT includes a multi-lane divided Three Chopt Road running north of Bellview Gardens to reconnect on the east side of Rt. 288 via a tunnel. This would provide another outlet for traffic on Broad Street Road and open a large swath of vacant land between Broad Street Road and Interstate 64  for development.

Connecting Hockett and Ashland Roads from just north of Hickory Haven to the stub on the south side of Broad Street Road, which was rejected a few years ago due to objections from businesses and homeowners at the north end of Hockett, is back in the plan.

Following a lengthy presentation, board members made comments and asked questions. Not all of the remarks concerned the east end.

Susan Lascolette, District 1, asked if the proposed Cumberland landfill, which would add many large trash trucks to those that haul chickens, logs, and sludge to the traffic on narrow, winding roads in western Goochland, had been factored into the recommendations. They had not. Lascolette, also inquired about the impact of a proposed mega site development in eastern Louisa County near the Interstate 64/Shannon Hill Road interchange, whose traffic impact was not addressed either.

Expansion of Fairground to three lanes between Sandy Hook and Broad Street Roads was a change from earlier MTP versions. This would raise its level of service—(LOS) a measure of how well traffic flows—to D. The goals is to have all county roads at a LOS of C or better. (The proposed plan has good graphic representations of what different levels of service mean in terms of traffic movement.)

Lascolette said that traffic on Fairground is not going to get any better and contended it should be widened to four lanes or supplemented with a new road better able to handle heavy traffic. John Lumpkins, Jr., District 3 questioned the utility of “improving” a road to a failing LOS.

Bob Minnick, District 4, said that a “fix” for the Hockett/Broad congestion must be found, but is complicated by development on all four corners.

 A new east-west connector between Hockett Road and West Creek Parkway that resembles the “spaghetti” model generated by meteorologists predicting hurricane paths was thrown in to placate owners of several hundred undeveloped acres, some landlocked that is now referred to as the Southern Prime Economic Development Area (SPEDA). Minnick said that this road is a solution in search of a problem. This too was shown at a failing LOS even before construction.

The proposed speculative east west connector between Hockett road and Rt. 288 received much attention even though little insight about development there has been provided by landowners. It does seem as though widening the south end of Hockett Road is off the table. Lascolette characterized the connection between the proposed east-west connector and West Creek Parkway  as “pie in the sky that’s not going to work”. Indeed, much of the rush hour congestion in the Hockett Road corridor seems to be caused by overflow from Rt. 288, which is not part of the 2040 MTP.

Many of the suggested countywide improvements consist of increasing shoulder width and adding bike lanes and sidewalks.

Only a handful of projects are “in the hopper”  and funded. These include the roundabout at Sandy Hook and Fairground Roads; the Fairground Road extension to River Road West; improvements to the Rt. 288/Broad Street Road interchange; and a traffic signal at West Creek Parkway and Rt. 6 by Hope Church, which is underway. Even the funded and approved projects will not be completed for several years.

During citizen comment period of the September 4 Board meeting, an attorney representing the SPEDA landowners said that the supervisors should be encouraging growth in eastern Goochland; seeking consensus is “not realistic” in dealing with land use matters, he contended.

County Administrator John Budesky said at the September 4 meeting that the MTP is a major effort and that the supervisors still have questions. There will be two opportunities for comment at public hearings at the planning commission in October and the supervisors in November. Recommendations from the planning commission could result in changes to the proposed plan. “There is still much work to be done on this,” Budesky said of the MTP. He encouraged citizens to weigh in with their thoughts on the project.

Upcoming town hall meetings: Districts 4 and 5 October 3 at Hermitage Country Club; District 1 October 23 at the Hadensville Company 6 Fire-Rescue Station; and Districts 2 and 3, October 29 at the Central High School Cultural Arts Center, which all begin at 7 p.m. will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposed 2040 MTP.

Please take some time to look at the proposals and share your thoughts with county administration on this.

On a perfect Tuesday morning

On a perfect Tuesday morning

This was posted two years ago. May we look back from our divided world and find common purpose again.-- SEW

Ladder truck angled in the attack at the Ground Zero museum. Bob Warwick photo

On a perfect Tuesday morning, seventeen years ago today, nearly 3,000 people were assassinated by agents of evil in Virginia, New York, and a Pennsylvania field. Their only crime was going about their daily business. Our world stopped for days as details about the horrific attacks came to light. We all remember what we were doing when we heard the incomprehensible news.

More than 400 law enforcement officers (LEOs) and first responders—who see us at our worst and give us their best—died running toward, not away, from danger. We can never forget the images of mounds of mangled emergency apparatus, nor the lines of waiting ambulances that were never needed. The dirge of funereal bagpipes became the music of our sorrow.

We mourned with a single heart, heedless of color, creed, or national origin, crying together for the lost lives, and the innocence of our country. Old Glory was everywhere and treated with love. We still cannot fathom the hate that inspired Islamic terrorists to carry out these vile acts.

Flag at Ground Zero museum comprised of photos of those murdered in the attack. (Bob Warwick photo)

Our sons and daughters joined our all-volunteer military to vanquish an elusive but lethal enemy. We honor their service and sacrifice—even Boomers who spit on those returning from Viet Nam found their manners—but less than one half of one percent of our population wears the uniform.

We cried and eventually returned to a new normal, refusing to cower in fear, yet anxiously looking over our shoulders.
America today is a different place.

The war to vanquish those who would do us harm has dragged on for most of a generation with no real end in sight. Our kids come home with dreadful wounds, visible and hidden to be slighted by a badly broken Veteran’s Administration.

The LEOs we honored and respected after 9/11 are now, in some quarters, fair game for the disenchanted. We are more divided than ever.

We thought taking the fight “to them” would protect our homeland. Then came attacks at Fort Hood, San Bernardino, and Orlando that were echoed in Europe. We endure intrusive airport security screenings by TSA agents who all seem to be foreigners, and pray that any bad guys are on another flight. Some argue the remedy for the violence is to ban guns, others to arm citizens to defend themselves.

We can’t help wonder if that woman in the burka at the grocery story is buying food for her children, or cooking for a local terror cell. We want to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, to believe that there is good in all people, but justifiably fear being victimized for our generosity.

Free speech, one of the bedrocks of American culture, has come under attack on college campuses, where all points of view used to be welcome. For people to govern themselves—the revolutionary notion that set American apart from the rest of the world—differing, sometimes distressing, viewpoints must be shared and discussed to arrive at consensus. Dictatorships crush dissent, democracies embrace it and that must not change.

We remember the devastation at the Pentagon and in lower Manhattan though it has been repaired and rebuilt. The field in Pennsylvania will forever honor the souls who rest there.

America has found its way back from dark times before and we will again. God bless America.

Into fall

Goochland supervisors began their September 4 meeting celebrating the people who make local government run—county employees. Following a luncheon honoring employees marking five year increment service anniversaries, those able to attend the afternoon Board session were recognized. Director of Human Resources Kelly Parrish made the introductions of 35 employees, with a combined service to Goochland of more than 325 years.  The list included recent retirees, Myrtis Quarles, who served in the Finance Department for 30 years and Robin Ellis, who retired from the Assessor’s Office after 25 years with the county.

County administrator John Budesky added his congratulations and thanks. “Goochland receives awards and recognitions for excellence in many areas,” he said. “This would not be possible without the daily support of our people, who work well together to provide quality service to our citizens. I am grateful to everyone for their commitment.”

The supervisors then approved a resolution marking the 30^th anniversary of golf legend Arnold Palmer’s last major tournament victory, The Crestar Classic, at Hermitage Country Club in 1988. On September 20, Hermitage plans to dedicate a plaque commemorating this event. Bob Minnick, District 4, said that Hermitage Country Club is one of the county’s major employers and provides much support to the community.

September 11 remembrance services will be held at Courthouse Company 5 fire-rescue station at 9:45 a.m. and Manakin Company 1 Fire-Rescue station at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

A rabies clinic will be held at the corner of Fairground and Sandy Hook Roads on Sunday, October 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. A fee of $10 per animal will be charged.

The traffic signal at the intersection of Route 6  and West Creek Parkway by Hope Church is under construction. Marshall Winn, VDOT Ashland Residency Director said that once complete, the signal will flash for 30 days before going “live”. He expects some tweaking of signal intervals to best handle traffic there.

Mark your calendars; the next round of Town Hall meetings will take place in October as follows: Districts 4 and 5, Wednesday, October 3 at Hermitage Country Club; District 1 Tuesday, October 23 at the Hadensville Company 6 fire-rescue station; and Districts 2 and 3 at the Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex on Monday, October 29. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. Each  gathering will feature an update on county wide issues with time for questions and discussion about district specific concerns. Supervisors, school board members and county staff will be available to engage with citizens. This is a great opportunity to find out what’s going on in county government and engage with elected and appointed officials

Director of Finance Barbara Horlacher presented a preliminary look at the results of fiscal year 2018, which ended on June 30. Thanks to greater than anticipated collection of personal property and bank stock taxes, actual revenues are expected to exceed budgeted revenues by $4.8 million. Expenditures came in less than budgeted by approximately $1.446 million, for  preliminary excess of  approximately $6.2 million. Horlacher said that these amounts have not been audited. Estimated fund balance for the year end is $35.989 million.

Amounts assigned from the excess funds include: $100,000 for a Tucker Park Bridge; $40,000 for Route 6 sidewalks; $450,000 for Courthouse security building; $20,000 for the Oilville park and ride; $200,000 for additional space study and renovations; $100,000 for emergency medical dispatch software. (For the complete report, see page 219 of the September 4 Board packet available on the county website http://goochlandva.us/) This money must be formally appropriated by the supervisors before being spent.

Goochland Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeremy Raley celebrated the success of “our elite school division”, whose classes began on August 20. “Relationships matter,” said Raley. “The time and resources you( the supervisors) share with us play a major role in our mission to maximize the potential of every learner.”

Raley said that Goochland Schools were rated the number one school division in the region by Niche.com.; the 8^th best for special education (up from 10^th last year); the 6^th safest, among other distinctions.

Raley said that the “portrait of a Goochland Graduate” includes imparting our students with skills and values above and beyond academic material  that are transferable to college, the military, or the world of work for successful living after school. These include “soft skills” of communication, respect for others, and  teamwork. (Visit http://goochlandschools.org/ for details about this initiative and the impressive accolades earned by Goochland Schools. The schools website is a great place to see how your tax dollars are spent to equip each student with the tools they need to grab their piece of the American dream.)

Todd Kilduff, Deputy County Administrator for Community and Economic Development presented an update on his departments. To no one’s surprise, Kilduff reported that growth has come to Goochland, especially in the east end.  He presented statistics illustrating that Goochland had one of the highest percentage growth rates in the region burgeoning from a population of 14,163 in 1990 to a 2016 estimated population of 22,312, a 58 percent increase. However,  adding 9,149 people to a county whose land mass is slightly larger than that of Henrico County, whose population is more than 300,000, is still not a lot of people.

Keeping pace with necessary permitting and inspections for new buildings and as well as maintaining the county’s public utility system, which, Kilduff said, has 1,700 meters is keeping staff very busy. New commercial and residential customers are being added to the Tuckahoe Creek Service District as a result of east end growth. This will make the system work better and stabilize debt service funding. Agreements between the county and Virginia Department of Corrections will enable modest expansion of pubic utilities in the Courthouse Village area.

On September 11,the annual legislative luncheon, where our delegation to the Virginia General Assembly meets with county officials to discuss possible legislation and other issues on the state level that may impact Goochland, will be held at the Central High School Complex beginning at noon. It is open to the public. Our GA representatives are: Del. Lee Ware, 65^th District; Del. John McGuire, 55^th District: and 22^nd District Senator Mark Peake.