On the ballot

 

August is almost over. Time to think about elections. Virginians like to vote, we do it every year. Electoral changes put into place last year, allegedly because of the pandemic, have become permanent. Early voting starts on September 17. (Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration for information about registration and voting.)

There are many sources of information about statewide election choices, GOMM will not be one of them. Closer to home, there will be two Goochland-specific bond referendum items on the general election ballot. Please don’t wait until you are in the voting booth, or otherwise poised to cast your ballot, to find out what these are all about.

State law requires voter approval before localities can issue debt to pay for capital improvement projects. In a word, the referenda are about money. The most cost-effective way for the county to finance vital capital projects is to issue general obligation bonds. Approval of the bond referendum questions WILL NOT INCREASE THE TAX RATE, which is 53 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The referendum questions seek permission for Goochland County to issue General Obligation Public Improvement bonds for specified maximum amounts. Because it has two AAA+ bond ratings, Goochland should be able to issue GO bonds a lower interest rate than other methods of financing. This is a prudent use of tax dollars. Each item has been identified as necessary in the county’s capital improvement plan.

The first bond referendum question asks permission for up to $60 million to build and equip a new elementary school, upgrade the high school-middle school complex, and make associated road and parking improvements.

The second asks permission to issue bonds for no more than $36 million for public safety projects to build and equip a new courthouse and related law enforcement facilities and to build and equip a new fire-rescue station on the east side of Hockett Road just north of its intersection with Tuckahoe Creek Parkway.

Funds raised through issuance of general obligation bonds may be used only for purposes stated in the bond referendum. The bonds do not need to be issued all at once but must be issued generally within eight years following voter approval.

A new $34 million 650 pupil Goochland Elementary School on land owned by the school division off Bulldog Way is the top priority for schools. The current GES was built in 1957, is worn out, lacks a gym, and other amenities.

Larger capacity of the new school will require redistricting to include areas that are currently served by Randolph and Byrd. This, according to Goochland School superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley, will enable removal of trailers at RES and BES, which are also scheduled for replacement sometime in the future. A redistricting plan will be crafted and approved by the school board in early 2022 to allow affected families two years to prepare for the change. If all goes well, the new GES is expected to welcome students at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Other school capital projects included in the referendum are an addition to GHS for both the career and technical education (CTE), and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.  It’s hard to believe, but the “new” high school is 20 years old. (See https://www.goochlandva.us/bonds for details.)

Question two, if approved, would allow the county to issue bonds for up to $36 million to build a new courthouse/law enforcement complex. The current circuit courthouse has been in continuous use since it was built in 1827, when John Quincy Adams was in the White House. While it is an architectural and historic treasure, our courthouse does not provide safe and efficient space for its users. A new facility will consolidate court and law enforcement related functions into one place with modern workspaces and security.

Construction and equipping of a new West Creek fire-rescue station is also part of question two. Residential and commercial growth in the east end of the county and related increase in calls for fire-rescue service require a new station to handle the growth.

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Chief of Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services explained that five of the county’s current six stations were not built to accommodate career personnel, that now provide 24/7 coverage throughout the county. Sleeping quarters and showers for responders to decontaminate between calls are now needed.

Older stations are not equipped with ventilation and other devices to protect the health of those who work there. Ferguson explained that Goochland Fire-Rescue is aptly named because most providers—100 volunteers and 60 career responders— are cross trained in firefighting and emergency medical skills.  In spite of the on-the-job dangers faced by first responders, a leading cause of death and disability among them is cancer is caused by exposure to many toxic substances, including those contained in diesel fuels.

Although not addressed in the bond issue questions, the county is actively seeking a site for a fire-rescue station in District 2, probably in the Sandy Hook area.

Land for the school, courthouse/public safety building, and fire-rescue station has been obtained.

There will be several sessions providing more in-depth discussion of the referendum questions. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=669 for more information.

Please take the time to learn about these referendum questions and be an informed voter.

 

 

Sewage spill

Prompt action by the Sheriff's Office, Fire-Rescue and the Department of Public Utilities after a July sewer pipe rupture closed River Road west of the Tuckahoe Creek bridge.

On July 27, a Goochland force main—pressurized sewer line—ruptured releasing approximately 300,000 gallons of raw untreated sewage into Tuckahoe Creek near River Road west of the Henrico County Line.

The force main is part of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) infrastructure. It runs from a pump station on the north side of Rt. 6, roughly opposite the entrance to the Rivergate community, through Country Club of Virginia golf courses eventually connecting to the City of Richmond wastewater system on Maple Avenue near St. Catherine’s School.

At the August 3 board of supervisors’ meeting Board Chair John Lumpkins, Jr., District 3 said that the break occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. The county department of public utilities, fire-rescue, and the sheriff’s office responded immediately. River Road was closed to through traffic and the line shut down to prevent additional spillage. Lumpkins said that a utility contractor was hired to repair the damage, and an environmental contractor retained to remove and dispose of sewage collected behind a containment berm.

According to Goochland Director of Public Utilities Matt Longshore, the cause of the rupture is believed to have been improper installation of fiber reinforced pipe (FRP) during construction of the TCSD trunk lines around 2004. A similar breach occurred in the vicinity in December of 2008.

Longshore explained that the quantity of spillage—approximately 300,000 gallons—was calculated using construction drawings “for the pipeline (length, diameter, elevation head conditions) along with the operational set points in the pump station controls.” The county has a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system in place that provides off site operational capability.

Longshore said that the SCADA system allowed DPU to shut down the force main remotely as soon as the problem was reported. “That pipeline holds just over 4.3 million gallons of sewage at any given time, so the remote-control capabilities of the SCADA system played a key role in helping to limit the quantity of sewage spilled.”

As of August 12, the county, according to Longshore, had not received an invoice for clean-up costs from the outside contractor. The county is insured by VACORP. A claim has been filed.

Longshore was not aware of any pending action by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the impact of the spill on the James River.

The TCSD was created in 2002 to provide public utilities—water and sewer—to an area roughly bounded on the east by the Henrico County line, the north by the Hanover County line, the south by Rt. 6 and the west by Hockett and Manakin Roads. Created to attract commercial development in Goochland, the TCSD was financed with a peculiar issuance of bonds for $65 million through the Virginia Resource Authority. Service of this debt was predicated on the levy of an ad valorem tax on landowners in the TCSD in addition to the county’s real estate tax. The ad valorem tax rate is currently 32 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Construction of the TCSD trunk lines did not go smoothly. Cost overruns, delays, and lawsuits haunted the project. When it began operation, no provision was made for routine maintenance or upgrades in connection fees and user rates.

Litigation between the county and the owners of the West Creek business park hobbled investment in West Creek, which, powered by TCSD utilities, had been touted as an economic engine for county revenue. Even before the 2008 collapse of financial markets, growth in the TCSD, which had been forecast in double digits, was negligible, which made debt service more burdensome to the county.

Since 2012, when a mostly new board of supervisors took office, the TCSD has blossomed. New businesses including medical office buildings, the Sheltering Arms/VCU rehabilitation hospital, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, and Greenswell Growers have taken root there. Residential enclaves, including apartments in West Creek, have added customers to the TCSD and increased the tax base. Refinancing of the bonds got the debt under control.

A thorough review of the TCSD infrastructure resulted in a long-term utilities master plan and implementation of a rate structure that funds planned repairs, upgrades, and contingencies for unexpected incidents like the July 27 spill.

For more information on the TCSD go to https://www.goochlandva.us/Faq.aspx?TID=41,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BEST YEAR EVER

 

Goochland High School Marching Band

Convocation—the start of the school year pep rally—was back in full force on August 17. Held for the first time in two years, all of “Team Goochland” every member of the school division staff gathered in the high school auditorium to celebrate past successes and gear up to welcome students on opening day August 23.

The theme was “The Best Year Ever” as our school division prepares to welcome, according to Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley, 99 percent of students back to in person instruction five days per week.

As in years past, the auditorium was filled with the happy buzz of people catching up with each other after the summer. Mandatory masking did not damp the enthusiasm of those greeting old friends and making new ones. Staff members wore the colors of their respective schools as GHS principal Chris Collier led impromptu cheers for Bulldogs.

Following the presentation of the flag by the Marine Corps Junior ROTC color guard and pledge of allegiance, Dr. Andrew Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent for Administration welcomed all to the start of “the best year ever.”

Dr. Steve Geyer, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction talked about the challenges and triumphs of the last 18 months as Team Goochland members were stretched thin by Covid. Yet they “pivoted”—are we very tired of that word? —to find new ways to interact with students. He encouraged them to reconnect with each other, their students, and families and find ways to refresh and recharge for the coming year.

The entire school board, Sandra Barefoot-Reid, District 1; BillieJo Leabough, District 2; Karen Horn, District 3; Mike Newman, District 4; and John Wright, District 5, were all present. Also in attendance were Supervisors Don Sharpe, District 4, Board Vice Chair Ken Peterson, District 5, and Interim County Administrator Manny Alvarez. Geyer pointed out that the positive collaborative relationship between the supervisors and school board is rare and a significant factor in the success of Goochland Schools.

Horn, current school board chair likened public schools to minor sports leagues whose job is to prepare players for the big leagues, or in the school’s case, real life. She posited that “Old” Doc Raley’s farm team does just that and every member of Team Goochland plays a vital role in preparing each student for a successful and satisfying life.  She also compared a school year to a garden where seeds of knowledge are planted and carefully tended to ensure a bountiful harvest.

She asked each school to make the sound associated with its mascot. The result was a harmonious expression of energy and excitement for the coming school year.

Service awards for team members observing five-year employment intervals came next. These featured handshakes and hugs of congratulations and thanks. Of special note, are Robin Hawk, James Hopkins, and Amanda Morrison celebrating 35 years with Goochland Schools.

Highlight of the event was comments about students about why they like school. Being with teachers and friends topped the list. The stage presence of rising first grader Dorian Longo who read a brief statement that stole the show.

Raley said it was humbling to be part of a school division that was the first to welcome students back to in-person instruction after the Covid lockdown and see everyone back together for the first time in two years.

He asked teachers “why do you do what you do and make tough decisions to do the best for your students every day?” Raley commended the teachers, custodians, food service staff and every member of team Goochland who kept on keeping on right through the Covid restrictions. He welcomed them back for the best year ever!

The marching band played the assembly out.

Schools have become the focus of the latest Covid discord. Both sides of issue like masking present compelling arguments for their viewpoint. School boards must make policy in what they believe is the best interests of all students. They did not expect to deal with matters like this when they ran for office and are doing the best they can. Let us pray that soon issues like masking will be history and our schools can get back to important stuff like education.

 

 

 

August 3 Board highlights

 

The August 3 meeting began at 2 p.m. and adjourned a bit before 11:30 p.m. 

·        Once again, Goochland was recognized by the Government Finance Officers’ Association for excellence in financial reporting for the FY2019 Certified Annual Financial Report (CAFR) These are available on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ under the financial services tab. CAFRs have a lot of interesting information about the county and are well worth a perusal.

·        Board Chair John Lumpkins, Jr., District 3 reported that a July 27 spill of approximately 300,000 gallons of raw untreated sewage from a ruptured Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) force main near River Road west of the Henrico County line occurred. Repairs had been completed and the county retained an environmental contractor to remove spillage from behind a containment berm. Paving activity in the River Road corridor was previously scheduled by VDOT and has no connection to the sewage spill.

·        Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. presented his bimonthly report (see board packet for August 3 available on the county website for detail.) He reported that area hospitals are “saturated” with patients and that regional hospitals are operating in “diversion” mode. This means that people transported by Goochland EMS may be directed to a hospital wuth beds available rather than that chosen by the patient. Ferguson commended all hospital and emergency room staffs for their hard work under these circumstances.

·        Director of Human Resources, Jessica Rice, introduced 18 new employees. Rice said that may be a record for new hires in one month. They are working in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, Sheriff’s Office, and Treasurer’s Office, and in the General Services, Parks and Recreation, Fire and Rescue, Community Development, and Finance Departments. This cohort included: 4H Youth Development Agent Kayla Walker; seven recruit career fire-rescue providers; a deputy currently in the law enforcement academy; a court security officer; a new director of financial services; and assistant director of community development.

·        The consent agenda—items that require a board vote with little discussion—included: authorization for the county administrator to execute a contract with G. L Howard to build the Hickory Haven Sammary Forest sewer line for just under $1.5 million. The work is expected to be complete by October, 2022, almost a generation after homeowners there began paying TCSD ad valorem tax; termination of  lease for county owned property in front of the Courthouse. This resulted from the unexpectedly early retirement of Dr. Bain.

·        Adoption of a resolution authorizing execution of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and Settlement Allocation Memorandum of Understanding was also part of the consent agenda. County Attorney Tara McGee explained that, with board authorization, she hired outside counsel, which represents approximately 50 Virginia jurisdictions in lawsuits against opioid manufactures and distributors. The MOU provides a mechanism for Goochland to obtain money from judgements against these parties to fund local programs for Goochland residents struggling with opioid addiction. (See board packet beginning on page 62 for details.)

·        Year end projections indicate, according to Deputy County Administrator for Finance Barbara Horlacher, that Goochland will finish FY 2021 with a surplus of about $8 million. After deductions for “pay go” capital projects, fund balance will grow by approximately $1 million. This budget, adopted in April 2020, featured dramatic reductions from that proposed two months earlier to anticipate unknown fiscal impacts of Covid lockdowns. Results were so much better than expected, that the budget was revised many times before the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2021.

 

·         

Building community

 

Goochland County supervisors had a packed agenda for their August 3 meeting. They addressed matters routine and significant.

An application filed by Yellowstone Communities, LLC to rezone 265.612 acres from A-2 agricultural to R-3 residential general with proffers, to create the Rural Hill subdivision with up to 170 single family homes, was the most contentious agenda item. Including the total acreage, this translates into approximately 1.5 acres per dwelling unit. Removal of the 97 acres of open space reduces the average lot size to one acre, lower than the two acres recommended for low density housing in the comp plan.

The developer contended that nearby subdivisions of Venice Heights and Swann’s Inn have smaller lot sizes. Because all lots in Rural Hill will be served by public water and some connected to public sewer, smaller lot sizes are permitted.

A vote on the application was deferred from the Board’s July 6 meeting to clarify last minute changes. Although a public hearing was held in July, the Board permitted a second public comment period. Shortly before 11:30 p.m. the supervisors voted unanimously to approve the application. Most of the speakers opposed the application.

In June, the Planning Commission voted 4-1 to deny recommendation of approval for the project. Carter Duke, District 3, where the project is located, was in dissent.

(See the recent article on the subject by Richmondbizsense.com at https://richmondbizsense.com/2021/08/06/170-home-development-okd-near-goochland-government-complex/)

Local residents were not happy about the supervisors ‘decision. They objected to the number of homes proposed, and the negative impacts on area roads. The developer contended that its revised interior roadways to funnel construction traffic through Reed Marsh Lane to access River Road West at the signalized intersection opposite the county administration building. The traffic—most of the new residents will work elsewhere—will then head to Interstate 64 via Fairground or Sandy Hook Roads, both narrow and winding with two lanes, or east on Rt. 6.  

Home buyers in Reed Marsh, who believed they were moving to a relatively small, private subdivision, will now enjoy a parade of heavy construction equipment until Rural Hill is built out. There seems to have been a good bit of disingenuousness during the Reed Marsh rezoning, which seemed to indicate it would be a self-contained residential enclave.

Neighbors of the proposed Rural Hill raised valid concerns about adding more intense traffic to Gathright or Scott Roads, both very narrow lanes. According to the developer, owners of property along Scott Road refused to sell them rights-of-way to improve that road. The final iteration of the Rural Hill plan keeps construction traffic off Scott Road, though it does include striping of turn lanes at its River Road West intersection, opposite the Goochland Restaurant.

The rezoning application, which became law after its approval, restricts earth moving and construction traffic from Scott Road.  Another change to the application since July was stricter adherence to the conceptual plan. This prevents the developer, after completion of detailed engineering studies of the property, to make significant changes to the proposed layout.

There seems to be some confusion as to exactly what constitutes Courthouse Village. The county’s 2035 comprehensive land use plan, whose main goal is to keep 85 percent of Goochland rural, guides residential development into the villages. Like it or not, Rural Hill is entirely inside the boundaries of Courthouse Village.

Going forward, it might be useful for the Community Development Department to illustrate how many homes would be appropriate in the Courthouse and Centerville villages.  The density comparisons between subdivisions inside villages—for some reasons, Holland Hills, which is also in Courthouse Village was never mentioned—is confusing at best.  Until those thresholds are reached, development outside the villages should be restrained to densities designated in the Comp Plan.

Courthouse Village is larger than the River Road West Corridor

Current residents of Courthouse Village contended that the influx of new residents would decay the county’s rural character. There are other things to consider.

Adding population to the county’s center will balance, somewhat, the growth in the eastern end. The 2010 federal census found that, in the previous decade, growth was evenly distributed throughout the county. Indeed, only a handful of census tracts moved from one electoral district to another.

Changes following the 2020 census are likely to be more dramatic. While many of the new homes under construction in the east end were not counted because they were unoccupied on April 1, 2020, when the federal head count was taken, two apartment complexes and subdivisions nearing build out will change district boundaries next year. After the 2030 census, there could be three electoral districts east of Cardwell Road. That would be a majority on the board of supervisors, weakening the influence of the rural Goochland in local government.

Courthouse Village is a true village. It has governmental buildings, churches, schools, a library, YMCA, businesses, and a college. Villages, according to the Comp Plan, are where the people should be. Almost every day, someone complains about the lack of amenities in Goochland. Businesses locate where their customers are. The more people, the better chance that they will be profitable.

How this influx of new residents will affect the soul of Goochland, our sense of community, is of real concern. Will they embrace the goodness of Goochland, warts and all? Will they become part of the community, or sleep here and lives their lives elsewhere?

The 2021 Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament held at Hidden Rock Park in July was a wonderful reflection of community spirit. Volunteers from GYAA (Goochland Youth Athletic Association) with some help from the county’s Parks and Rec Department, staged a complicated multi-day event that show cased the finest of Goochland. Visitors were impressed with the facility and organization, and the county.

We can only hope that some of the newcomers will volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to support county non-profits. Maybe they will bring new business to Courthouse Village and help the area thrive.

 

 

Saving lives

 

Goochland supervisors addressed a packed agenda on August 3. After appointing Manuel Alvarez, Jr. as interim county administrator, public safety incidents took center stage.

Jared Brooks, a career firefighter EMT with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, and a volunteer at Goochland’s Hadensville Fire-Rescue Company 6 was presented with a Fire-Rescue Life Save Award for his actions on March 10, 2021, when he rescued a person trapped in a burning vehicle.

Responding in his personal vehicle from home with no personal protective gear, Brooks was the first on scene. He single-handedly pulled the driver from the vehicle to safety, preventing additional life-threatening injuries and saving a life. The patient was transported to a trauma and burn center via MedFlight. Brooks sustained first and second degree burns on his hands, which were treated at the burn center.

Jared Brooks, whose father Chris is the volunteer Hadensville District Chief, and a career Battalion Chief in Albemarle County and Mother Michele, who has been the Company 6 Rescue Captain for many years, grew up in a tradition of service. Jared, following in his parents’’ footsteps, has been a fire-rescue volunteer since his 16^th birthday, according to Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services Chief D. E.” Eddie” Ferguson, Jr.

LtoR Bryce Ford, Chris Brooks, Jared Brooks, Edward Senter, Eddie Ferguson

                    photo Goochland County

Jared’s engine crew from Chesterfield Station 7 in the Clover Hill District, Battalion Chief Bryce Ford, and department Chief, Edward L. Senter, Jr. traveled to Goochland for the presentation.

Senter and Ferguson both remarked fondly on the connection between their two agencies. Indeed, many Chesterfield career providers volunteer in Goochland. Ferguson, who for many years was himself a career Chesterfield Fire Medic and also a Medflight Flight Medic.

At the start of the meeting Board Chair John Lumpkins, Jr. District 3 read a letter from James Holland, Chair of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, thanking Goochland Fire-Rescue for assisting with station “backfills” to allow Chesterfield fire-rescue personnel to attend the funeral of firefighter recruit Tyvaughn Eldridge.

Holland’s letter spoke of the blessing of regional cooperation.

An ounce of prevention

During citizen comment period Jonet Prevost White of Sandy Hook spoke to a motor vehicle crash on the evening of August 2 that resulted in the death of a recent Goochland High School graduate. The decedent, riding a motorcycle, is reported to have crossed the double yellow line on Sandy Hook Road colliding head on with a vehicle.

“There have been too many crashes like this on Sandy Hook and Fairground Road,” White contended. “Each incident is gut wrenching and scary.”

Prevost White implored the board to install rumble strips on these and other two lane heavily traveled roads in Goochland.

“The centerline rumble strip is a longitudinal safety featured installed at or near the center of a road. It is made of a series of milled or raised elements intended to alert drivers through vibration and sound that their vehicles have left the travel lane.”

The devices, Prevost White said, are installed in the centerline of Rt. 522 in Powhatan and on the edges of travel lanes on Interstate 64. They alert inattentive or drowsy driver through sensory and tactile warnings that they need to correct their path of steering.

Centerline rumble strips alert inattentive drivers to save lives.

She offered statistics indicating a 38 to 50 percent reduction in head on and sideswipe collisions on rural roads. Prevost White contended that the cost of installing these devices to save lives is money well spent.

Later in the meeting, Marshall Winn, Administrator of the VDOT Ashland Residency said that the centerline rumble strips are used in Louisa and Powhatan Counties, which are in different VDOT district that Goochland. He does not know why they were not installed on roads in Goochland but is looking into it. The best time to install centerline rumble strips, said Winn, is during resurfacing. He is looking into installation of the devices on Sandy Hook and Fairground Road. Given the number of folks who seem unable to stay on the correct side of 250, perhaps that should be added to the list.

 

 

 

Interim county administrator appointed

Perhaps the most important action taken by the Goochland Board of Supervisors at its August 3 meeting was the appointment of Manuel Alvarez, Jr. as interim county administrator.  The appointment followed a unanimous vote on the matter. The supervisors met in a special called closed session on July 27 to discuss appointment of an interim county administrator and recruitment to fill the position on a permanent basis.

Manuel Alvarez, Jr.

According to a press release distributed by the county: “Mr. Alvarez, who served in executive leadership roles for over 30 years at Altria, will come out of retirement to take on the role of Interim County Administrator after Kenneth A. Young resigned in July.

Mr. Alvarez is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a resident of the county. He has been active in the Goochland community for the last 17 years, most recently serving on the board of Goochland Cares from 2016-present. He was twice elected to the Goochland Board of Supervisors, serving in that role from 2012-2020.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to leverage my leadership and county government experience to assist during this transition,” stated Interim County Administrator Alvarez. “I look forward to fostering the great relationships amongst employees, School Administration, and citizens to ensure our continued success.”

Mr. Alvarez will assume his duties as Goochland’s Interim County Administrator on August 9, 2021. “

Though complementary, the role of county administrator, the county’s chief executive officer, differs from the policy making function of supervisor. Alvarez’s extensive knowledge of county operations, familiarity with county staff, elected and appointed officials, and private sector executive experience qualify him to guide Goochland while the supervisors search for a permanent county administrator.

The announcement of the appointment was greeted by hearty applause in a full board room.

 

Goochland County hires Director of Financial Services and Assistant Director of Community Development

From a press release circulated by Goochland County

 

Goochland, VA – Goochland County is pleased to announce that Mary Anna Twisdale has joined the County as the new Director of Financial Services and Raymond Cash Jr. has joined as the new Assistant Director of Community Development.  Ms. Twisdale and Mr. Cash started with the County on August 1, 2021.

 

Mary Anna Twisdale comes to Goochland County from the Virginia Department of Health where she served as Business Manager for the Chesapeake Health District.  As Director of Financial Services, she will provide leadership and oversight for the Financial Services department including budgeting, accounting, procurement/purchasing, and financial reporting functions to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws. 

Mary Anna Twisdale

 

In addition to approximately 15 years of local government accounting experience, Mary Anna has eight years of direct budget development and financial management experience in a leadership position including Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) preparation and financial auditing work with the Virginia Department of Health, City of Virginia Beach, County of Fluvanna, City of Chesapeake, and the City of Charlottesville.  She brings extensive knowledge of multiple Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial systems, including experience with Oracle (InSite, Cardinal and PeopleSoft), MUNIS and SAP and is completing her Certified Government Financial Manager credentialing this summer.

 

“Mary Anna Twisdale is a great addition to the Goochland County organization,” remarked Barbara Horlacher, Deputy County Administrator for Administrative Services, “Her education and experience will be a great asset to the County in her oversight of Financial Services.”

 

Raymond Cash Jr. comes to Goochland County from Chesterfield County where he has held the position of Zoning Administrator for the past seven years.  As Assistant Director of Community Development he will assist in overseeing the Department of Community Development including planning and zoning and environmental land development. 

 

He brings extensive planning and zoning experience to Goochland, having worked for the Chesterfield County Department of Planning for the past 17 years.  While in Chesterfield County, Mr. Cash accepted the challenge of writing the subdivision ordinance and zoning ordinance amendments.  His experience will be a great addition to Goochland County and the Community Development team.

 

Raymond Cash, Jr.