When Derek Stamey came to Goochland County in the fall
of 2009, the Great Recession was beginning to take hold. Dramatic declines in local
government revenues, caused by plummeting real estate assessments, made “do
more with less” the order of the day. Today is his last day as an employee of
Goochland County. Though he will continue to live here, Stamey leaves for a
similar position in Hanover County. The Board of Supervisors recognized his service
at its March 9 meeting.
 |
| Derek Stamey |
Stamey’s position of Director of Parks and Recreation
soon added responsibility for cutting grass and clearing snow from all county
as school property as services were consolidated to streamline operations and
reduce costs. By the spring of 2011, facilities management was added to his
title to reflect countywide maintenance duties undertaken by his department.
He was named Deputy County Administrator for Operation
in 2016 and served as interim county administrator between June and September
of last year keeping Goochland government on track during the pandemic and a
hurricane.
Stamey oversaw the rebirth of Central High School from
a derelict building into an attractive community resource that includes
expanded office space for the Extension Office and Monacan Soil and Water
Conservation District, renovated gym and outdoor recreation areas. Ball fields
to replace those at the corner of Sandy Hook and Fairground Roads are under construction.
 |
| Eagle Theater at the Central High School complex. |
 |
| A place to teach blacksmithing at the agricultural center. |
When Stamey came to Goochland, the county had a few
parks with basic amenities. New locations added include Leake’s Mill Park with
regionally renowned mountain bike trails; Matthews Park; and Tucker Park at
Maidens Landing with a dog park, canoe launch, trails, and riverfront connector
under construction. These facilities joined Hidden Rock Park with its trails,
dog parks, and ball field that hosts tournaments; Courthouse Green; and other facilities
to provide Goochlanders a gracious plenty of recreational opportunities. Stamey
worked with private sector groups and secured grant funding to bring these to
fruition and build strong community coalitions.
 |
| Walkway to connect both sides of Tucker Park under construction. |
Stamey’s accomplishments earned him several awards
including seven from the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society; the 2019 Marsha
Mashaw Outstanding Assistant Award for Deputy County Administrator of the Year;
and the 2019 award from the VCU Douglas L. Wilder School of Government excellence
in community enhancement; and two Governor’s environmental excellence awards.
When congratulated on these recognitions, Stamey always
gave credit to his team for accomplishments.
In addition to the parks and rec improvements, Stamey presided
over construction of the animal shelter and courthouse security annex; as well
as extensive renovations of existing buildings for the general registrar; the business
center; the history center; and recently completed offices of the Treasurer and
Commissioner of the Revenue and many other improvements.
 |
| The new quarters for the registrar competed for the 2020 election. |
Stamey expressed gratitude, admiration, and appreciation
for his staff who pivoted during the pandemic to provide extra cleaning for all
public buildings; install drop boxes, safety shields; social distancing markers;
and pitched in to help sign up people for vaccinations. He credited teamwork
and dedication of his staff for every accomplishment.
 |
| Just completed renovations to offices of the Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue |
Somehow Stamey found time to volunteer with Goochland
Pet Lovers; GES PTA; Central High School Committee; Friends of Goochland Parks;
and the Goochland Youth Athletic Association.
The supervisors’ resolution commended Stamey for his ability
to engage, expertise, initiate and willingness to take on large challenges as a
testament to his ability to lead and inspire.
Thank you for all you have done for Goochland Derek. God
speed in all of your future endeavors.
9 comments:
Perhaps someday these "dedicated" Goochland government and school employees will stop moving on to another county and a bigger paycheck.
i know him and what i heard is that he took a pay cut. cant speak for the other government and school employees you mentioned.
That doesn't sound good. What was so bad that he would take a pay cut and travel farther to county he doesn't live in?
Look no further than the county manager. He creates a toxic environment in staff meetings. This is not the last person to leave. Others are looking.
If true than any employee affected by or that has knowledge of this must step forward. To do otherwise is cowardice.
I've heard lots of different things about the manager and the consistent thing is that the employees have stepped forward and the supervisors are aware but are choosing to do nothing. Can't blame the employees. Never met the guy though.
It looks as though the other assistant county administrator has left as well. What is going on for both senior level people to leave? Not a good look for Goochland.
Derek is good people! Goochland made a huge turnaround years ago and sadly not sure any of the folks responsible are still with the County.
Someone commenting about cowardice posts as anonymous? I find that ironically hilarious.
Post a Comment