On the ballot

In November, Goochland will elect all members of the board of supervisors and school board; Commonwealth’s Attorney; Treasurer; Commissioner of the Revenue; sheriff; and Directors for the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District.

Candidates have until June 11 to qualify for inclusion on the November ballot. This includes a petition signed by the appropriate number of qualified voters for the office sought. Visit http://goochlandva.us/561/Candidate-Information for details.

Some offices are already pursued by at least one candidate. (GOMM does not plan to address specific races until after Labor Day.)

An important elected office that tends to fly below the radar of voters is that of MSWCD Director; two will be elected from Goochland this November.

 In 2002, the Virginia General Assembly enabled Directors to be elected to four-year terms. Upon election, Directors must take an oath of office. They serve as volunteers (no pay).  Directors attend monthly Board meetings, serve on committees, attend regional trainings, and provide guidance to staff.  New Directors must participate in training provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff and Conflict of Interest training provided by the Attorney 
General’s office.

Jonathan Lyle is perhaps the most visible current MSWCD Director. In addition to the regular duties of the office, Lyle attends most Board of Supervisor’s meetings where he advocates for the MSWCD and shares information about its activities.

Earlier this year, the MSWCD, which serves Goochland and Powhatan, moved to offices at Central High School Educational and Cultural Center on Dogtown Road.

The rain barrel at the MSWCD office . Clean water and healthy soil benefit everyone.

Soil and water conservation districts—there are 47 in the Commonwealth—were created in the 1930s, according their website vaswcd.org/district-services to “develop plans and programs to conserve soil resources; control and prevent erosion; prevent floods; and conserve, develop, utilize and dispose water.”

Perhaps the most important function of the MSWCD is implementation of a cost share program and technical assistance to help farmers fence livestock out of streams and provide alternate water sources for the animals.

Districts also help farmers employ agricultural conservation practices that protect water and soil quality. These include support with implementation of erosion and sediment control ordinances; and agricultural provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Act.

Goochland County works with the MSWCD to aid farmers in implementing best practices in agriculture.

Goochlanders claim that preservation of our county’s rural character is of prime importance. You can’t have “rural” without agriculture. The MSWCD supports and promotes agriculture, it needs dedicated Directors to carry on this good work.