Keeping the books

The Goochland County audit committee meeting on Tuesday, November 26 was followed by a special called meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Both sessions focused on county fiscal matters. Mike Garber, a principal with the Harrisonburg based firm of PBMares, retained by the county to prepare the certified annual financial report—the annual audit—presented the report first to the audit committee and then to the full board.

State law requires CAFRs to be completed and approved by November 30. Garber said that, as far as he knows, Goochland is the only jurisdiction in the Commonwealth to hold special meetings to approve the CAFR on time.

For the second year in a row, Garber reported, Goochland has a “clean” audit, finally earning the county the “low risk auditee” designation. This is the result of hard work and careful attention to best financial practices after years of dreadful dysfunction. The clean audits are the result of hard work and a commitment to public service by everyone involved, including county, school division, and constitutional officers.

The county and our school division have earned national recognition for their financial reporting for several consecutive years and are on track for future reporting laurels.

In addition to the audit, PBMares offers comments and suggestions for improvement. Garber said that “it is great to come into an entity of this size and find no issues.” The overall audit results included unmodified opinions on basic financial statements of the county and “component unit school board”; unmodified opinion as required under  Government Auditing Standards as of and for the year ended June 30, 2019, and audits completed as planned;  no significant changes to the PBMares approach were required.

The PBMares report stated that there were no disagreements with management; no significant difficulties were encountered in performing the audit and there was good cooperation and complete access to all information required.

The FY 2019 CAFR demonstrates the county’s commitment to good stewardship of public funds.

A resolution authorizing issuance of a series of bonds by the county to partially refinance some of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District bonds was unanimously approved by the supervisors. Recently, the Virginia Resources Authority and the county’s financial advisor, PFM Financial Advisors, LLC, advised that, based on current favorable market conditions, the county might realize favorable financing terms for a potential refunding of the 2012 County Bonds, either by the sale of the water and sewer bonds to VRA in a stand-alone VRA issuance of refunding bonds, or the sale of the county’s local bonds to  VRA pursuant to a local bond sale and financing agreement related to or as part of the Virginia Pooled Financing program. The resolution positions the county to take advantage of favorable market conditions should they exist in early 2020.

Essentially, as interest rates are falling, the county could save money on refinancing a portion of the TCSD debt. This resolution authorizes a detailed investigation of refinancing options. An additional resolution on a specific course of action will need to be approved by the supervisors for any refinancing restricting to go forward. This could take place as early as February 2020.

 District 5 Supervisor Ken Peterson explained that the county would move forward with the 2020 refinancing only if the net present value savings are at least three percent. Barbara Horlacher, county director of finance said that the move would need to realize a savings of at least $3 million to go forward.  Any refinancing said Peterson, will “stay within the guardrails” of the current financing and will not extend the life of the bonds.

Horlacher shared the FY 2020, which began last July 1, first quarter projections. So far, the reports show a surplus just south of $3 million.  This is the result of revenues exceeding budgeted amounts. The next quarterly report will be made in February.

Between the audit committee meeting and the board meeting, Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. and fire-rescue crews showed off the county’s newest ambulance equipped with four-wheel drive and motorized stretcher lifts welded to the ambulance frame for added patient safety. Two new emergency response vehicles equipped with a wide array of life-saving gear that enables providers to begin treating patients before the ambulance arrives and a new chief’s car were also on display. The most important part of EMS is still well-trained providers.

Motorized stretcher  lift prevents injuries to providers and  is more secure for patients.

Fire-Rescue Chief Fergsuson 's new ride is a mobile command center

New ambulance

Emergency response vehicle equipped to save lives .

Recently reelected Monacan Soil and Water District Director Jonathan Lyle announced that he will pay a bounty of $10 per sign for any of his “keep Goochland Rural” campaign signs that have not been picked up to the Goochland Christmas Mother.

Sharing information

Hadensville fire-rescue station

Seems like every time you turn around there’s an announcement from Goochland County for yet another community meeting about a potential rezoning or conditional use application.  Some of these meetings are sparsely attended, others are SRO. Unlike neighboring jurisdictions, holding a community meeting to share details of a proposed land use change with adjacent property  owners and other interested parties—these are posted on the county website http://www.goochlandva.us/ for all to see—is the mandatory first step in the application process here.

Typically, developers and land owners use these meetings to present a conceptual plan that gives a very general idea of what they want to do. Citizen input gathered form these sessions often—not always—results in changes to an application before it proceeds to the planning commission and on to the board of supervisors for final judgment. Holding a community meeting does not indicate that the proposal is a” done deal”. Some applications were withdrawn in response to vigorous opposition at community meetings. More often, initial conceptual plans are revised to address the objections of citizens and neighbors seeking middle ground acceptable to most.

Goochland County tries hard to keep citizens informed about land use matters, but too few people pay attention. A recent comment on social media contending that new subdivisions are approved by the supervisors to get more tax money with no public input illustrated an astonishing degree of ignorance.

The county takes transparency seriously and does not exempt itself from the same process that all landowners must follow for rezoning and conditional use permits. A recent community meeting presented conceptual plans for the new Goochland Elementary School on Bulldog Way.

 Another discussed a possible location—no firm decision has yet been made—for a proposed West Creek fire-rescue station on Hockett Road about 900 feet north of its intersection with Tuckahoe Creek Parkway. In 2012, the owners of West Creek offered the county land for a fire-rescue station. This will shave perhaps $1 million or so off the final cost of the station.

The county is also looking for land to build a fire-rescue station in District 2 and a site to relocate the Crozier station. Due to growth in the eastern part of the county and a drastic increase in call volume there, the West Creek facility is up first. This will be the second fire-rescue station built and owned by the county. A few years ago, a new Hadensville Company 6 was put into service. Other stations in the county were built—in some cases literally—by volunteers with community support.

The West Creek station meeting took place on November 4 at Manakin Company 1 and was well-attended. Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr., and Deputy County Administrator for Operations, Derek Stamey presented a conceptual plan for the proposed station, which could include space for law enforcement operations. The new facility will augment, not replace, existing fire-rescue stations in Manakin (Company 1) and Centerville (Company 3) they said.

New development in the eastern part of the county has increased fire-rescue call volume about ten percent in the last year alone, said Ferguson. Already, employees of businesses in West Creek and the Rt. 288 corridor, including Capital One and CarMax, nearly double the daytime population of the county. Call volume is expected to increase as projects under construction, both commercial and residential, are completed. Since October 1, when all six Goochland Fire-Rescue stations were staffed 24/7, response times have improved a great deal.

Site selection criteria included both north-south and east-west road connectivity located provide enhanced support for the 288 corridor and areas served by Companies 1 and 3 to maximize response time. Senior citizen communities, including Avery Point (see Richmondbizsense.com story on November 18) is also expected to increase demand for fire-rescue services. (Avery Point is estimated to add approximately $2 million in annual real estate tax revenue to county coffers.) Attendees at the meeting, many live in the Hockett Road corridor, raised concerns about adding emergency vehicles to the traffic mix on a road gridlocked at rush hours.

Ferguson said that fire-rescue works those roads every day and is very familiar with traffic issues. He said that VDOT will be heavily involved in creating safe and effective access points for a station at the proposed location. It is too soon to know if deployment of a station in the proposed location would trigger installation of a traffic signal, said Ferguson. Fire-rescue will be a good neighbor, working to minimize disruption with lighting, taking care with sirens at night, and scheduling routine maintenance activities during daytime hours.

A woman said that she had lived next to a fire-rescue station in another jurisdiction when she had small children, who were never woken in the middle of the night by a siren. She also said that when one of her children was taken ill, they were on the way to the hospital in five minutes. “You’ll love having them close,” she said.

Ferguson predicted that all three stations will be very busy. He also said that personnel and equipment could be added at Companies 1 and 3 before the new facility is built. A ladder truck for the east end, for instance, which has a price tag of at least $1 million, could be acquired by the county before the new station is completed—roughly estimated as some time in 2025—and stationed at Company 1, whose bays can accommodate this type of apparatus.

No firm cost estimates are yet available, but $7.5 million has been earmarked for the facility in the county capital improvement plan for the FY 21-23 time frame. Land for the proposed station, a five to eight-acre portion of a 24-acre parcel, will be given to the county.

Ferguson explained that, as Goochland Fire-Rescue also responds to calls on Interstate 64 and Rt. 288, it serves many people who are not county residents. The cost recovery policy, put into place a few years ago, charges for ambulance transport to area hospitals, providing an additional revenue stream to fund operations. In the current fiscal year, cost recovery is estimated to generate approximately $700,000. Goochland, said Ferguson, uses a compassionate approach to collections and will not file with a collection agency for non-payment. Insurance companies usually pay these costs.

The property must be rezoned for use as a fire-recue station. This will involve more detailed presentations and public hearings before both the planning commission and board of supervisors. Additional community meetings could also be held. The PowerPoint presentation for the meeting is available on the county website http://www.goochlandva.us/ under the proposed West Creek Fire-Rescue station tab on the left side of the page.

Sharing recipes

It’s that time of year again when we open the faded cookbooks held together with rubber bands to find the recipe for the dishes that nourish the body and share family traditions. There’s at least one dish that, no matter how carefully you follow the instructions, it never tastes the same as when Mom made it.

Educators from all corners of Virginia converged on Goochland schools to see what we do and learn how we do it on  November 13 when Goochland schools hosted members of VASCD (its complicated name morphed into an acronym) to share how our school division succeeds in maximizing the potential of every student through the use of deeper learning. (Visit http://goochlandschools.org/ for more information.)

This method of pedagogy—fancy name for teaching methods—seeks to engage students with learning experiences that put subjects into a real word context and make the lesson content relevant. Deeper learning answers the question “why do we have to learn this?” in a practical way.  Deeper learning challenges students employing different skills including collaboration and decision making, ideally resulting in better remembered learning. Transferring Goochland’s “special sauce” learning environment home to their school division, however, could be tricky.

 Gone are the days when students sat in straight rows allegedly absorbing information from a teacher at the front of the room. Education today does more than share a particular body of knowledge with students, but rather equips them with the tools, skills, and strategies both intellectual and social, to enable them to earn their piece of the American dream, as they define it, when they leave our classrooms for the world of work, college, or the military.

Dr. Stephen Geyer, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, facilitated the event.  Following an introduction, participants visited classrooms at Goochland Elementary School; the middle and high school; and Goochland Tech. Lunch was prepared and served by students in our excellent culinary arts program.

Dr. John Hendron, Director of  Innovation and Strategy for GCPS—his title indicates just how different Goochland is—facilitated a discussion about the event with a panel comprised of: Jalyn Burns, GHS student; Krystle Demas, Instructional Technology Coach; Glenn Hecker, GMS teacher; Henry Land, GMS student; Shelliotte Lawson Randolph Elementary School teacher; Tina McKay, GES principal; Kelley Taylor, GES teacher; Christina Whitfield, instructional coach; and Erin Yearout-Patton, GHS teacher.

Panel responses to the question “why do you like to come to school?” spoke volumes about the environment in Goochland schools. Comments included: “the teachers make us excited about learning”; we are family, one team, we work together for the benefit of all”; “there is a true culture of learning, we inspire each other to do better”; and “it is a welcoming place, so nice to be part of a big community”.

When asked how they measure success, response included: “being transparent and using responses from the kids to hone your skills”; “each kid is different with different goals and you have to celebrate success as they define it”; “when kids look at the clock and are surprised at how quickly the time passed.”

One teacher comment was more nebulous, but very powerful. “I want to be the teacher who challenges my students with enough academic rigor to make them groan now but thank me later in life when they realize they are better prepared for the challenges they face because of it. We may never see the results of our efforts, but hope they lead to success in the future of our students.” (This is where you stop reading and thank those teachers who made a difference in your life.)

Remarks indicated that Goochland teachers have freedom to innovate in their pedagogical practices that lead to deeper learning experiences and successful outcome for our students and support from the central office and the school board. They like be able to take risks and know that the administration and school board have their back. Thanks to implementation of technology, many subjects are no longer taught in one dimension.  

Widespread deployment of technology in Goochland schools, panel members contended, makes it easier to collaborate and share information with others. One teacher said that the use of iPads in first grade led to instant engagement of students who did research and learned to code.

Dr. Jeremy Raley, superintendent of Goochland Schools said that he and other central office folk “shadow” students. They spend an entire day, even riding the bus, to see education from the perspective of a student. “This keeps it real,” Raley said, clearly relishing the relationships he’s built with students and their families.

Relationships, teamwork, and a sense of family, combine to “maximize the potential every learner”—including teachers and administrators who grow and learn along with their students. That phrase is more than just a catchy slogan in Goochland Schools.  Success is measured by growth in addition to test scores, Raley said. “We value growth over achievement.”

Transparency is also a factor, said Raley. Parents are able to see what is being taught through the Schoolology part of the school division’s website http://goochlandschools.org/ (even if you do not have students in our schools, take a peek at the website.) Strong relationships between teachers, families, and administrators provides the opportunities to conversations that enhance the learning experience.

Teachers share, encourage and support each other.  They like the environment of county schools.

While Goochland Schools already have a tasty recipe, they will continue to refine it to help prepare our students for satisfying lives as productive citizens.  Goochland is fortunate to have an intrepid and dedicated corps of educators working on behalf of our students.

Back to work

The day after the election, Wednesday, November 6, Goochland’s board of supervisors resumed conducting the people’s business. Newly elected supervisors, Neil Spoonhower, District 2 and Don Sharpe, District 4 attended. Following are some highlights of the meeting. The board packet, which contains details, is available on the county website http://www.goochlandva.us/

Elections

Ryan Mulligan, Goochland’s Director of Elections and General Registrar, presented preliminary results of the November 5 election. (Vote counts were certified by the county electoral board, comprised of two democrats and one republican, later in the week.) Mulligan reported that with a voter turnout percentage “a bit north of 56 percent” Goochland should be in its accustomed position to lead the state in that metric. He said that the 2019 turnout was high for an off-year election.

This year was the first and only year that some Goochlanders voted in the District 17 state senate race. This was due to the Goochland/Louisa county boundary issue, which was mostly resolved earlier in the year.  Electoral Board Secretary Robin Lind said, this will go away by the next state senate election in 2023 after the boundary line is resolved during redistricting following next year’s federal census.

Treasurer Pamela Duncan received the most votes cast in Goochland at 9,411. Lind thanked Mulligan and the approximately 80 officers of election who rose very early on election day to get to the polls by 5 a.m. to be ready to open at 6. They put in a very long day to ensure well-run elections county-wide. The voting, said Lind, was steady at most precincts.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Manuel Alvarez, Jr., District 2 observed that there was never a “lull in the action all day” at the Sandy Hook precinct and commended all who worked hard to conduct a good election. “Thanks to all who voted. The candidates put up good, clean battles. We have great leaders for the next four years.”

During evening citizen comment, Wendy Hobbs, unsuccessful candidate for District 2 supervisor and a class act, congratulated the winners of Tuesday’s elections. “I’m not going anywhere,” said Hobbs, who vowed to continue to advocate for broadband access for everyone in Goochland; housing opportunities for the people who work and serve here; and fiscal responsibility.  She said that the citizens still have high expectations of their elected officials. “I’m proud to have been in the race, and I’m proud of what we accomplished in the race,” said Hobbs. “Working together, we can do a lot to move Goochland forward.”

Alvarez thanked all who participated in the latest round of town hall meetings—80 total since the current board took office in 2012—especially staff and representatives from VDOT, who put in long days to be available for citizen engagement.

He recognized the efforts of Jonathan Lyle, reelected as Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District Director, for encouraging residents to participate in a water testing program.  There were 92 tests, said Alvarez, of those 56 percent of the wells has coliform bacteria contamination.  He urged everyone to get their well water tested to make sure they are not affected by bacteria or other contaminants that could have an adverse effect on health.

County Administrator John Budesky welcomed newly elected officials. “I’m glad my role is non-political. Our staff is here to help you succeed.”

Budesky said that the county’s fall festival and the Riverfest sponsored by the Friends of Goochland Parks at Tucker Park on recent Saturdays, were successful and have the potential to become marquee events for Goochland.

The annual Christmas Tree lighting will occur on December 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. This too is an annual life savour for Goochland. It is family friendly with an appearance by a certain jolly elf in a red suit and lots of community fellowship.

Budesky said that internal meetings for the FY 2021 county budget begins on November 7. Before it is approved, there will be many opportunities for citizen input. On December 3, the county will announce its agricultural support initiatives at Central High School.

VDOT

The big news from VDOT was that Maidens Road between Fairground Road at Route 6 has reopened after extensive bridge repairs.

Consent Agenda

Among the items on the monthly consent agenda was authorization for the county administrator to approve a change order up to $105,000 and the appropriation of additional funds to complete a project to bring the roads in the Bridgewater subdivision, north of Rt. 250 west of Fairground Road, up to state standards so they can be turned over to VDOT for maintenance. This should be the final step in a long process to remedy consequences of the 2011 lapse of a road bond that occurred after the developer of the subdivision went bankrupt following the economic downturn. After much discussion with Bridgewater property owners, the county established a service district to levy an additional tax of 28 cents per $100 of valuation until the cost of road work is reached. The county also negotiated with Essex bank, holder of the lapsed road bond, to recover part of the proceeds from sale of undeveloped parcels in Bridgewater.

Policies and procedures to ensure this never happens again have been put in place.

The supervisors adopted the 2020 legislative agenda for communication to our delegation in the Virginia General Assembly.

Christmas Mother

At the evening session, Robin Hillman, 2019 Goochland Christmas Mother, cautioned that there are only 48 days until Christmas.  “Many people dread this time of year because they worry how to provide for their loves ones,” Hillman said.

She explained that the Goochland Christmas Mother program makes the season merry for economically disadvantaged children, the disabled, and seniors over the age of 60.  Last year, the Christmas Mother program helped 233 families and a total of 642 people after raising $68,139 to support the project.  This year’s goal is $70 thousands.

Hillman said that adopting a family can be a wonderful rewarding experience and a good way to teach children about the true spirit of giving. There are many ways to participate in this program. Visit the website at https://www.goochlandchristmasmother.org/ for complete information.

Public hearings

The supervisors unanimously approved a lease agreement with the Goochland Chamber of Commerce for space in the building opposite the Courthouse, which has housed the library and some county offices. County economic development staff will also relocate there to create a business center with shared meeting space, administrative space, and storage. Renovations to the building will be completed before the move is made.

Chamber Executive Director Bonnie Creasy said that the arrangement will help the business community by placing economic development and chamber resources in the same place.

The supervisors unanimously approved a lease agreement with the Goochland Historical Society for the building located next to the south entrance to the courthouse complex. The Society plans to move its headquarters to the site and act as a visitor/welcome center for the county. The Society will pay rent of $500 per month. The county will pay for necessary renovations to the building, including handicapped access.

The zoning ordinance rewrite, an enormous undertaking, was accomplished mostly in house, saving the county close to $500,000. Director of Community Development Jo Ann Hunter spearheaded the project working closely with Leigh Dunn, County Attorney Tara McGee, Todd Kilduff, Christina Neale, Debbie Byrd, Tom Coleman, David Lloyd, Gary Fisher, the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and Design Review Committee.  Following discussion, especially about the sign provisions, and a public hearing, the supervisors voted unanimously to approve the new ordinance, which will be effective January 1, 2020. (Many of the approximately 30 meetings and workshops held on this subject are available in the past recorded meetings on the county website. The new ordinance is also there.)

An ordinance to amend regulations dealing with chokepoints in residential subdivisions was approved. This includes a grandfather provision for projects approved before July 3, 2018 if developed generally in compliance with the original approved conceptual plan.

The results are in

Yesterday, November 5, 2019, the voters of Goochland chose Steven Ned Creasey to be their next sheriff by a margin of 7,962 (73.64 percent) to 2,817 (26.05 percent) with 33 write in votes. (See https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2019%20November%20General/Site/Locality/GOOCHLAND%20COUNTY/Index.html for complete election information.) Election results will be certified by the Goochland Electoral Board, comprised of two democrats and one republican, in the next few days. Congratulations to all winning candidates.

Retiring Goochland Sheriff James L. Agnew shares election returns at Creasey victory celebration.

The sheriff’s election was the outpouring of widespread community support for a man of impeccable integrity who has worked in, with, and for Goochland County for most of his adult life. Steven engaged with people in all walks of life, even those who did not support him, in a courteous manner. The barrels of mud thrown in this campaign came at, not from, the Creasey campaign, which accentuated the positive.

Though it seemed at times that the sheriff’s campaign was dividing the community, it instead brought together folks who had not previously known each other in a good way.

After the votes were tallied, Steven thanked his wife Grace, daughter Ellie, mother Diana, and everyone in the room for their support and help—his victory truly was a community-wide effort. Money cannot buy the overwhelming grass roots support that swept Creasey into office, it must be earned, one voter at a time. The signs, placed with permission on private property, appeared so early in the election cycle because people wanted to show their support for Steven. As you are able, please take them down.

On election day in his pocket Steven carried the badge worn by his father, the late Ned Creasey, when he served as a police officer in Macomb, Illinois many years ago.  “There is no doubt in my mind that he was with all of us today,” said Steven.

Sheriff James L. Agnew, who retires at the end of 2019 and was delighted with the outcome, cautioned that there are a lot of challenges coming at the county and the citizens who just elected Sheriff Steven Ned Creasey must “have his back” going forward to ensure that he has the resources necessary to serve and protect all of Goochland as the county grows. “We have the right guy to deal with this,” Agnew declared patting Creasey on the back. “We have a nucleus of top-notch solid people working for the sheriff’s office.”  

The nucleus of top-notch people in the Goochland Sheriff's Office.

In other contested races: Susan Lascolette was reelected District 1 supervisors; Neil Spoonhower was elected District 2 Supervisor to succeed Manuel Alvarez, Jr., who did not seek reelection; Sandra Barefoot-Reid was elected to the District 1 School Board seat vacated by Mike Payne. Jonathan Lyle received the most votes for Monacan Soil and Water District Director, followed by Ronnie Nuckols. Senator Mark Peake and Delegates John McGuire and Lee Ware were reelected to represent Goochland in the Virginia General Assembly.

There is much work to be done going forward. It’s too soon to tell what the change in control of the state legislature will have on Goochland. As the county grapples with the consequences of growth, many “difficult conversations” will be necessary to ensure that the interests of all citizens are addressed.

Judging by the crowds at the polls yesterday, Goochland may yet again lead the state in percentage voter turnout. Thanks to General Registrar Ryan Mulligan; electoral board: Keith Flannagan, Robin Lind and Wanda Taylor and all the poll workers who put in a vey long day to ensure well-run local elections.

The election is over. It’s time to put aside our differences and work together for the good of all.

A metaphor

The District 2 and 3 town hall meeting, the last of the 2019 fall round, was held at the Central High School Educational and Cultural Complex on October 30.

Current Board of Supervisors’ Chairman, Manuel Alvarez, Jr., District 2, observed that the meeting was the 80^th such session held since he first took office in 2012. He is not running for reelection.

At the start of the meeting, Alvarez presented Goochland County Challenge coins to retiring District 2 School Board Member Kevin Hazzard, who, due to a family illness, was unable to attend; Matt Brewer, District 2 Planning Commissioner, and GOMM.

Hazzard, said Alvarez, was an integral part of the transformation of Goochland Schools. He worked many long hours with the rest of the school board to transform our school division into one worthy of emulation. Hazzard also served on boards outside the county to enhance educational opportunities for all our students.

Brewer is current chair of the Goochland Planning Commission, an appointed body charged with making recommendations about the appropriateness of land use matters.  Brewer was also instrumental in creation of the Goochland Mountain Bike Team whose trails at Leake’s Mill Park, built mostly by volunteers, have become a regional destination for the sport.

Manuel Alvarez, and Matt Brewer who stopped at the meeting after a  Halloween party

Alvarez said that he held his first town hall meeting in 2012 at the cafeteria of Central High School, which had been vacant since the middle school moved out in 2007 and had fallen into a dreadful state of disrepair.

“It was awful,” recalled Alvarez. “We had the doors open and it was full of flies and smelled bad. People told me never to hold a meeting there again. And here we are today,” he said gesturing to the beautiful Eagle auditorium that hosts many events and has even fostered the creation of community theater.

Money had been set aside in the county budget to demolish the old school. Instead, with community input and engagement, Central High School has been reborn as an asset for the entire county.

Central High School could be a metaphor for Goochland County during the past eight years. When our current elected officials first took office, the county, like the old school was a mess. The former treasurer had just been convicted of embezzling public money and was in prison. Property assessments, which generate the bulk of county revenues, continued the decline begun after the 2009 financial crisis. The Tuckahoe Creek Service District debt loomed darkly.

Then an intrepid group of newly elected officials rolled up their sleeves and got to work. To be sure, it was slow going and must have seemed like an impossible task at times.

Some things changed quickly. The antipathy between the supervisors and school board was replaced with cordial collaboration, something unheard of in other places. School budgets were crafted with the amount of money available instead of hostile demands for additional funds. The schools did not “circle the drain” as predicted but soared to new heights of excellence and they’re flying higher.

County finances, which had been a mess, lacking internal controls and oversight, were transformed to such an extent that Goochland now holds two triple A bond ratings and hopes to earn another, the only county of our size to do so. This will enable Goochland, when it borrows to build new schools, fire-rescue stations, and a courthouse, to obtain the best possible interest rates and save the county money.  The TCSD debt was restructured to make it more manageable.  The county has earned so many awards for good fiscal practices, that it’s hard to keep track.

Rising property assessments, and a gracious plenty of new investment in the eastern part of the county made this possible without increasing the basic tax rate. Property in the TCSD pays an additional 32 cents per $100, parcels that qualify for land use taxation pay a pre acre rate determined by the state. (The supervisors could have eliminated the land use option to add several million dollars to county coffers but chose to support our farmers instead.)

As with the renovations and reuse of Central High School, there is more work to be done county wide. Growth pressures in the east end of the county will continue, unless the economy contracts, which presents a different set of challenges. (For a glimpse of the past eight years, look through the last eleven years of GOMM posts.)

Our supervisors and school board members worked countless hours to bring about these changes. Anyone who believes that these offices require a few hours a month are mistaken. Decision making at the local government level is complicated.

As a Dillon Rule state, local governments have only those powers given to them by the General Assembly. For instance, the county has a limited power to regulate the land application of biosolids but cannot prohibit the practice.

Land use matters, perhaps the most important task of a supervisor, are complex. Property owners have the right to petition to develop their land and could sue the county if denied without good reason. The supervisors must balance the consequences of a proposed new development or business with the good of the community. Rezoning applications tend to draw vocal opposition, usually from neighboring property owners. The supervisors must consider the opinions of people who fill the boardroom and the thousands of citizens not there in addition to the overall impact on the county when making decisions. Negotiations with developers to “sweeten the pot” with in kind or monetary for some projects is an important part of this function.

GOMM endorses

On Tuesday, voters will decide if the golden age of Goochland will continue. An indication of how good things are is the small number of contested local offices.

If we indeed want to keep Goochland Rural, we need good Directors for the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District. Three candidates are seeking two seats. This is a volunteer position.

Jonathan Lyle for one Director seat. He is a tireless and vocal promoter of clean water and healthy soil, which promote successful agriculture.

The other MWSCD director candidates, Ronnie Nuckols, and Sebastian Volcker, will do a good job, choice is hard.

District 1 Supervisor- Susan Lascolette strives to understand all sides of an issue and is not afraid to ask common sense questions and probe for details that could lead to unintended consequences before voting. Susan listens to her constituents and wants their input and believes that government belongs to and works for the citizens. She puts in many hours to serve the citizens of District 1 and Goochland as a whole. She will bring an independent, knowledgeable voice to decisions that face Goochland in the years to come with a continued commitment to fiscal responsibility. Visit https://susanlascolette.com/ and vote to reelect Susan on Tuesday.

District 2 Supervisor- Neil Spoonhower is a candidate who, through his work on the Board of Zoning Appeals, has solid, practical knowledge about land use matters and the judgement to make good decisions for Goochland. Neil took the training from VCU to be certified for this volunteer post. His experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) gives him first-hand knowledge that the most vulnerable among us must be protected. Since the start of 2019, Neil attended most county meetings to learn first hand what goes on. Neil was the only candidate to attend county audit committee meetings. He is well-qualified to continue the upward trajectory of Goochland to benefit citizens of District 2 and the entire county. Visit his website https://www.spoonhowerforsupervisor.com/ and please vote “Spoon for supe” on Tuesday.

District 1 School Board- Jennifer Mazza a career and technical education teacher, Jennifer brings current, hands on experience in the value of CTE to all students. Her commitment to fiscal responsibility is vital to the meet the goals of our school division. Visit her website at: http://jennifermazzaforschoolboard.org/ and please vote for Jennifer on Tuesday.

Sheriff -Steven Creasey.

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