Supervisors wrap up 2018

Goochland supervisors held their last meeting for 2018 on December 4. Board Chair Ken Peterson, District 5 thanked staff for its hard work on a number of complicated projects during the past year. A new chair will be elected at the first meeting of 2019, January 2.

Peterson reported that he recently traveled to the nation’s capital, at his own expense, to share Goochland’s version of best practices in local government, especially the importance of fiscal responsibility.

Three Goochland Fire-Rescue providers recently received the Bronze award of valor from the Richmond Retail Merchants Association for rescuing two people trapped in a car overcome by rapidly rising water around 3 a.m. on May 18, during  record rainfall. Captain Dean Dunn and Firefighter/EMS providers  Chris Ferguson and Kevin Hatcher used their water rescue training to save the occupants of a car on Riddles Bridge Road, who were in danger of being swept away by swift currents of a flooded creek. One of the vehicle occupants, said Deputy Chief EMS D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr., had mobility issues and was unable to exit the car without assistance.

The honorees used their training, courage, and ingenuity to think outside the box and quickly craft a strategy to rescue the trapped motorists. The situation was dire, explained Ferguson, and the threat to life and safety for all involved, real. This is the first time that Goochland Fire-Rescue providers have received this special honor. The  supervisors recognized the men for their valor and thanked them for their service to the community.

Goochland Fire-Rescue has a  long proud history of saving lives and protecting property in our county. Many heroic deeds of its members have gone unsung, so this is an especially gratifying award. As County Administrator John Budesky said “We go to sleep, you go to work.” Thanks to each and every fire-rescue provider and law enforcement officer who often go in harm’s way to keep us safe.

Susan Bergquist, Executive Director of Goochland-Powhatan Community Services, the agency that provides services for mental health, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders to the citizens of Goochland and Powhatan Counties is retiring at the end of December. The Board approved a resolution of recognition for her 33 years of service.

Kelly Parrish, county director of human resources, announced that Goochland has completed all requirements  to be part of the Virginia Values Veterans program. The county is now formally committed to recruiting, hiring, and retraining veterans as well as members of the Virginia National Guard and Reserves. Our veterans are a valuable, and all too often, untapped resource in the labor pool.

Budesky commended the Bulldog football team for its undefeated season and wished them well in the state championship game for their division in Salem on Saturday. Win or lose, aid Budesky, making it to the final is a great honor.

Robin Lind, secretary of the Goochland Electoral Board, introduced Ryan Mulligan, the county’s new director of elections, who joined the county on October 22, following the sudden, and unexplained, vacancy in that position. Lind thanked former Director of Elections Frances C. Ragland, who returned to the office for three weeks to assist in the November elections. Goochland, said Lind, is fortunate to have people like Ragland who generously share their expertise.

Once again, Goochland was among the high voter turnout jurisdictions in the Commonwealth with an overall number of 75.3 percent of eligible voters casting ballots. In some precincts, said Lind, the turnout exceeded 80 percent. He commended voters who patiently waited in line for more than 20 minutes. Looking toward upcoming elections, including state and local in 2019 and a presidential election in 2020, Lind said that some precinct boundaries need to be adjusted to accommodate local population growth.

The supervisors set a public hearing on proposed adjustments to District 4 precinct boundaries at their January 2 meeting. Public hearings were also scheduled on that date for an easement abandonment and new encumbrance on county property located at 1998 Sandy Hook Road; and amendments to county code sections dealing with sewer use. (For details, see the December 4 board packet at http://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx under past meetings)

A new calendar year means that the fiscal year is half over and the budget process for FY2020 will go into full swing. Budesky will present his recommended budget to the supervisors on Tuesday, February 19 at 3 p.m. Between then and April 16, when the supervisors adopt the budget, the capital improvement plan, and set the tax rates for calendar 2019, additional presentations—including that of the proposed school budget on March 5—will be held providing ample opportunity for county agencies and citizens to comment on the budget. Please pay attention to this, they’re spending your tax dollars. Do not be shy about expressing your opinion to the proposed budget to your supervisor or other county officials. Constructive criticism is a healthy part of this process.

Budesky presented the county’s annual report. This collection of factoids and statistics provides and overview of the accomplishments during the year. From new businesses, including Tractor Supply, which recently opened on Ashland Road and Audi of Richmond—designated to receive “test” cars—to the rehabilitation hospital and DriveShack under construction east of Rt. 288, things are humming in the designated economic growth area.

Sadly areas lacking broadband access are quieter. Budesky said that the county is scrutinizing options for broadband expansion. He said there is some “movement” on this and proposals could come before the supervisors in the new year. Let’s hope so. Go to http://goochlandva.us/921/Annual-Reports-Presentatons-County-Data for details.