One more time

 

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you have not yet voted, please support both Goochland Bond Referendum questions on the ballot.

Vote yes!

This is very important. Goochland County was assigned a AAA—the highest—bond rating by Fitch Ratings, Inc. on October 13. This joins previously earned highest ratings from Moody’s and Standard and Poore’s. Goochland, whose current population is about 25,000, is the smallest jurisdiction in the United States to have earned a “hat trick” of excellent bond ratings.

According to Board of Supervisors’ Vice Chair Ken Peterson, District 5, this is affirmation of the county’s financial health and sound fiscal policies. This will enable Goochland to get the best rates when it finances needed capital project including a new Goochland Elementary School; improvements to the high school middle school complex; a new fire-rescue station in West Creek; and a Circuit Court/public safety complex in Courthouse Village.

The county can obtain the best terms to borrow money by issuing general obligation bonds. But to do that, the county needs permission of the voters. A “yes” vote on the referendum questions will save taxpayers money.

These projects will be built even if the referendum questions are not approved.

Tomorrow, October 30, is the last chance for early voting. If you don’t make it to the polls then, make plans to go on Tuesday, when the polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m. you will be allowed to cast a ballot. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration

Please vote yes on both questions.

 

Salad Days

Greenswell Growers "farming" on Hockett Road

Supply chain issues, the latest disruption to what we used to consider normal, threaten most aspects of our daily lives. We give little thought to the origin of foods grown far away until they disappear from the grocery store. People who live in “food deserts” have little access to fresh produce.

Using an innovative approach to agriculture, Greenswell Growers aims to address those concerns with locally grown leafy greens produced in a new large scale indoor facility on Hockett Road in eastern Goochland.

According to Greenswell’s president Carl Gupton, most leafy greens consumed in America are grown in either California or Arizona and trucked to their destination. After traveling thousands of miles to our tables, this produce has been out of the field for a while and is a bit tired around the edges.

Greenswell’s leafy greens by contrast, should hit local—defined as a 250-mile radius from Hockett Road—grocery shelves less than 24 hours after harvest.

Growing greens in an efficient manner—the controlled environment facility yields approximately 25 times more per acre than traditional methods—is a wiser use of resources. Leafy greens, however, are just the starting place for Greenswell’s vision. Its motto is “little greens, big heart”.

“Providing locally grown, delicious, and sustainable leafy greens that are good for you, your family, our community, and the planet” is Greenswell’s goal.  The company pledges to give five percent in-kind donations to organizations like Feedmore (feedmore.org) and GoochlandCares (goochlandcares.org) that fight food insecurity.

Founders Chuck Metzger, Doug Pick, and John May used expertise they gained in corporate careers to find innovative ways to combat hunger. Metzger, according to the Greenswell website (Greenswellgrowers.com) believes healthy food nourishes body, mind, soul, and the community.

Working closely with Feedmore (Pick is its CEO), members of the Greenswell team use their complementary skills to translate the concept of a large scale indoor growing facility into reality.

Gupton has expertise in packaging and “bringing bold projects to life”. Packaging coordinator Kevin Barrett combines culinary experience with experience in sustainable controlled environment agriculture.  Virginia Tech grad Nicole Salinas applies her degree in food science and technology to ensure the safety and quality of the leafy greens. Grower Gus Brennan, a graduate of Cornell University’s world-renowned school of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has expertise in the conjunction of controlled environment agriculture and the interaction of sustainability and food systems, which further enhances the enterprise.

All of the equipment is from Europe, said Gupton. “They’re way ahead of us in hydroponic food production and have been doing this on a large scale for a long time because land is scare there.” Food grown in an indoor controlled environment is not subject to predation by insects, animals, or the vagaries of weather. Careful control of environmental conditions including temperature, light, humidity, and nutrient enriched irrigation creates optimal growing conditions. For instance, sensors turn the lights on and close the roof to prevent light leakage.

A carefully controlled environment provides optimal growing conditions

Thanks to Covid, there were a few bumps along the way, but the first test crop was planted in September and recently harvested. The growing season in the greenhouse is 21 days from planting to package, to plate.

Gupton expects the first Greenswell products, priced competitively, to be available in most local grocery stores in the near future.

Production began with green leaf lettuce, the first phase of the first greenhouse. Colored lettuce and red and green kale will be added to the growing operation as the operation gears up. Gupton said that other crops are under consideration for future phases.

Human hands never touch the greens. This prevents outbreaks of food borne disease that can plague field grown produce. Seeds are planted in growing channels filled with a peat moss based growing medium then irrigated with nutrient enriched water. The greens are harvested by a machine that severs the roots from the leaves and deposits them in a package.  Left over growing medium goes to local farmers to enrich their soils. Water is recycled as much as possible, using 95 percent less than traditional methods.

Efficient production of food with an eye to safety and quality is part of the operation on every level. Sanitation protocols are in effect throughout the facility. Before entering the viewing hall for the greenhouse, everyone must don a Tyvek coat, wash their hands, and walk through a disinfectant solution.

Each aspect of the Greenswell operation is continually evaluated to improve efficiency. Packaging uses minimal plastic. Instead of a full clamshell, Greenswell uses a resealable plastic membrane for the cover. This keeps the greens fresher longer and uses approximately 30 percent less plastic than a two piece clamshell. Gupton estimates that a roll of the membrane is equivalent to a pallet of clamshells. He said that Greenswell is researching ways to further reduce its use of plastic.

Greenswell nourishes young minds by sharing its expertise with students in the Goochland High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) program to grow the next generation of controlled environment farmers.

Bruce Watson, Director of CTE at Goochland High School said that Greenswell has involved several CTE programs in their operation since its inception.  They offered to include students in internships and host classes for field trips and be guest speakers at CTE classes.

Watson said that Greenswell have been “awesome business partners to date and I’m sure that will grow in time to come. The Greenswell operation shows students how hydroponics operate on a massive scale for commercial purposes.  We are fortunate to have a business like Greenswell locate here and get involved with our schools”

Currently, CTE students in the agricultural arts program grow hydroponic lettuce on a small scale for donation to GoochlandCares and in the GHS cafeteria salad bar pre covid. The culinary arts program grows its own herbs for use in cooking classes.”

Gupton said that Greenswell initially planned to locate in the Northern Neck but met resistance there. Friends who operate the Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in West Creek suggested Goochland as a possible location. “Goochland has been welcoming and wonderful to work with, “Gupton said.

Look for leafy greens grown with love in Goochland.

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Back together

 

Ken Peterson talks money

Goochland County resumed its practice of holding in person town hall meetings, with a western session for Districts 1, 2, and 3 on October 14 and a second for eastern districts 4 and 5 on October 19. The purpose of town halls is to update residents about the county and schools and provide an opportunity for citizens to raise concerns and ask questions of elected and appointed officials.

The eastern town hall at Salem Baptist Church, had a fairly good turnout considering it competed with the Atlanta Braves’ playoff game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Interim County Administrator Manuel Alvarez, Jr. welcomed the group. He invited all to attend the County’s Fall Festival on October 30 from 12 to 4 at the Goochland Sports Complex (behind the county administration building at 1800 Sandy Hook Road in Courthouse Village. This will also be the last day for early voting at the same place.

Vice Chair of the Goochland Board of Supervisors, Ken Peterson, District 5 gave a brief overview of the county’s financial position. He said that Goochland’s recently earned AAA credit rating from Fitch Ratings, Inc., joined similar ratings from Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s to complete a hat trick of fiscal soundness. This places the county in the rarefied position of being perhaps the only jurisdiction of its size, 25,000, to achieve this feat.

These bond ratings, said Peterson, put Goochland in an excellent position to finance badly needed capital projects including a new elementary school; improvements to the high school/middle school complex; a new courthouse complex; and fire-rescue station in West Creek. If voters approve the two bond referendum questions on the current general election ballot, the county will be authorized to issue general obligation bonds at the most favorable interest rates. This will save taxpayers money and NOT INCREASE THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE FROM ITS CURRENT 53 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUATION.

Peterson also discussed the Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD). When first created in 2002, an ad valorem tax was levied on all property in the TCSD (go to https://www.goochlandva.us/Faq.aspx?TID=41, for detailed information) to service debt on funds borrowed from the Virginia Resources Authority to build utility trunk lines. For a variety of reasons, optimistic estimates of growth in the TCSD did not materialize, so the ad valorem tax rate was increased to keep up with escalating interest payments. Thanks to two refinancings, one in 2012 the other last year, the ad valorem tax has held steady at 32 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the last several years.

A resident of Parkside Village, an age-restricted community in the northeast corner of the county, said that the ad valorem tax places a burden on retired people. She contended that, because their community has no impact on the schools, it should not have to pay full real estate tax and the ad valorem tax.

This comment highlights the failure of developers and realtors to disclose information about the ad valorem tax when homes are sold. Many new TCSD residents are shocked to find a line item on their real estate tax bill for the additional 32 cents. If there is a way for the county to mandate disclosure of the extra tax to potential buyers, it should be put in place.

Age restricted communities are exempt from the school portion of cash proffers paid on homes built as the result of rezoning. When the county crafted a 25-year capital improvement plan in 2018 to gauge the impact of development, it was noted that age-restricted communities generate more calls for emergency medical services than the general population.

Another citizen observed that recent “improvements” to the intersection of River Road and Route 6 near the Richmond Country Club did little to mitigate road hazards there. Instead of squaring off the intersection to provide better visibility of oncoming traffic, VDOT—the state agency whose motto is “Oops!”—added more storage in the turn lane but did not square off the intersection to provide better site lines for turning vehicles. This, he contended, was a waste of money.

Broadband

Broadband expansion is happening in Goochland. The county has partnered with a number of private providers include RISE (https://www.fireflyva.com/rise/) and Port80 (www.port80.us) to bring affordable high speed internet via fiber optic cable, to all of the county by the end of 2023. Alvarez said the total estimated cost of installing 276 miles of fiber to connect 2,765 “unserved passings” is $25,220,000. Of that $17,532,500 will be paid by the Firefly Broadband Project); $4,050,000 from Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grants; with the $3,637,500 remainder being contributed by Goochland. The county will use a portion of the Covid relief money it received from the federal government for this purpose.

Redistricting

The results of the 2020 Federal Census are in. To no one’s surprise, Districts 4 and 5 saw the greatest growth in population in the last decade. The total county population in 2010 was 21,717, in 2020 it rose to 24,727. The county is waiting for the state to complete its redistricting maps before making any local changes. There will be community meetings as a public hearing on the realignment of voting districts before they are adopted.

Economic Development

At long last, Chick-fil-a is coming to Goochland! It will be located near the Audi dealership on Broad Street Road in Centerville. No time line was given. Other new businesses either here or on the near horizon include Dollar General stores in both Hadensville and Georges Tavern; Advance Auto Parts in the Broadview Shopping Center; Greenswell Growers hydroponic farm on Hockett Road; and Valvoline and Tommy’s Car Wash next to Wawa.

 

Schools

Mike Newman, District 4, vice chair of the Goochland School Board, said that his four-year tenure as principal of Goochland High School was the best experience of his 40-year education career. “Our school board works hard to make our schools the best they can be for all of our kids,” Newman said.

Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Raley told the assemblage that for the fourth consecutive year the Goochland School District has been ranked as the best in the Richmond Metro region by Niche.com(https://www.niche.com/k12/d/goochland-county-public-schools-va/) with the best teachers.

He said that, if the stars align on financing, design, permitting, bidding, and the thousand other things needed to build a school, the new Goochland Elementary School will welcome students at the start of the 2024 school year. The facility will be designed to provide a positive learning environment and serve the county for the next 75 years.

Raley outlined the many programs offered to prepare students for the next step in their lives be it college, a job, or the military. The graduation rate is at 97 percent, Raley wants to get to 100. Our excellent career and technical education (CTE) program offerings include heavy equipment operator; culinary arts; health care, and a renewable energy program teaching industry skill for wind turbine and solar panel maintenance. (Go to goochlandschools.org for more information).

Raley touched briefly on the balanced calendar being investigated as a possible strategy to enhance the learning experience for students.  Several in person and virtual meetings on this topic have and will be scheduled. (Go to https://www.goochlandschools.org/article/525795 for details)

Monacan Soil and Water Conservation Director Jonathan Lyle asked Raley about changing the status of CTE classes in agricultural subjects. He contended that students shy away from them because their academic weighting could have a negative impact on grade point averages. Ag education is crucial to creating the next generation of farmers, which are necessary for that rural character we all want to preserve. Raley agreed to look at the matter District 5 School Board member J. D. Wright pointed out that most school systems do not have this kind of constructive interaction between school administration and an outside agency. Another reason that Goochland Schools are special.

The “slides” used in the presentations are available at https://www.goochlandva.us/DocumentCenter/View/8146/Goochland-County-and-Goochland-County-Public-Schools---Town-Hall-October-2021---Eastern-Town-Hall.

Local government has the most impact on your daily life. Please pay attention.

 

 

 

 

Land use and other changes

When you see this sign,changes are in the works!

The Goochland Board of Supervisors held public hearings on several items at its October 5 meeting.

The board amended Chapter 13 of the County Code dealing with a transient occupancy tax to bring it into compliance with a change in state law made earlier this year. As amended, the ordinance provides for tax reporting and collection when a room is booked through a, intermediary third party (Expedia) rather than directly through the hotel. The tax is two percent of the total price paid for continuous occupancy for fewer than 30 days.

Several land use matters were addressed.

A conditional use permit (CUP) issued to Kindle Rayfield to operate Furr Kingdom, an animal boarding and commercial kennel on Briggs Drive in Centerville, issued in 2016 was renewed for 10 years. No complaints about the business were filed with the County since the issuance of the CUP, and no one spoke in opposition to the renewal. It is the Board’s practice to extend the term of renewed CUPs.

An application filed by H&S Development Group, LLC for a CUP to locate a 154-foot communications tower on 4.02 acres at 2385 Lanier Road was approved. The tower will be used to train people to climb towers for installation and maintenance. It also has the potential for communications co-location at a future time. The CUP gives the county a perpetual right of first refusal to place public safety communications equipment on the structure. The facility will adhere to the county’s tower regulations.

 

A revised application to rezone 65.227 acres on Songbird Lane and Hockett Road from A-2 to Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) was approved following a deferral from the board’s July meeting. The final plan is for 65 single family detached homes with proffers. As originally filed, the rezoning application requested 130 homes, a density far greater than that indicted in the county’s 2035 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (see https://www.goochlandva.us/250/2035-Comprehensive-Plan for details)

The applicants Towne & Country Realty Partners, LLC, and Joy-Scott, LLC responded to objections raised by staff and citizens with fewer homes to better harmonize with surrounding development density. The final application included increased buffers, berms, and fencing to mitigate the impact of neighboring properties.

The approved Songbird application resolved an easement issue with an adjacent landowner.

The supervisors unanimously approved the addition of parcels along Ashland Road and those included in the Songbird Lane project to the Tuckahoe Creek Service District. The Ashland Road parcels were rezoned last month for RPUD, B-1, and M-2 uses with proffers. The Songbird parcels need public utility access to support the zoning

Objections to the final Songbird application included failure to comply with the low density recommended by the Comp Plan. This was characterized as a slippery slope compromise that will lead to further erosion of the county’s balanced growth strategy.

The supervisors approval of the final, far less dense Songbird proposal should send a clear signal to developers, for whom time is money, that closer adherence to the comp plan can streamline rezoning applications.

Both the Ashland Road parcels—the final build out of Parkside Village—and Songbird Lane are square peg in round hold interpretations of the Comp Plan, which was last reviewed in 2015. At that time, development in the county was pretty much non-existent as the economy recovered from the Great Recession. Its review must set clear density guidelines for land outside the villages—Centerville and Courthouse—to ensure that growth is graceful, not greedy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love a parade

 

The recent Goochland Day revival included a short and well-received parade, the first since May 2001, through the center of Courthouse Village. Its success was the result of a great deal of hard work and planning by the organizers in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office, fire-rescue, and other agencies.

The dearth of parades coupled with the recent occurrence of spontaneous demonstrations and processions brought deficiencies in the county’s existing ordinance governing parades under scrutiny.

The supervisors, at their October 5 meeting, voted unanimously to repeal the parade ordinance currently on the books and replace it with one with clearer and improved standards; a shorter permit process; and that addresses “spontaneous processions” and “expressive” activity. (Go to page 83 of the October board packet at http://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1317&Inline=True)

County Attorney Tara McGee explained that the long “road” to a more comprehensive parade ordinance began in 2018 and included detailed discussion and input from the Sheriff, fire-rescue, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and the community. Hardywood Park and Kindred Spirits Breweries in West Creek, who often sponsor 5k runs, were included in the discussions.

The dearth of deputies available to provide security for 5k runs in West Creek limited the number of those events and led to board members exploring other staffing options. About three years ago, McGee drafted an ordinance that combined permitting for parades and special events under the authority of the county administrator. After closer examination, she said, it became apparent that only the Sheriff has sufficient knowledge and expertise about how to safely allow an event on county roads.

The Sheriff’s Office, said McGee, is very supportive of helping people produce their events safely and appropriately. To that end, the parade permitting process has been streamlined. The Sheriff’s Office will not stop any group from exercising its First Amendment process because it did not obtain a permit.

Specific kinds of activities, including expressive and spontaneous processions are exempt from the ordinance.

An “expressive procession” is defined as “… a parade or procession with the primary purpose of exercising the rights of assembly and free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

A spontaneous procession is “…the same as an expressive procession except it is an unplanned and unannounced coming together of people caused by or in response to unforeseen circumstances or occasioned by events recently in the news, or which attempts to influence an event in the near future, such as a legislative action or election, for which the effectiveness of expression is time-sensitive.”

Also exempted are processions by: United States armed forces; Virginia’s military forces; law enforcement personnel; fire-rescue department personnel; and funeral processions.

Penalties have been reduced to a class 3 misdemeanor for failure to secure a permit, or violation of the conditions of the permit, with a maximum $500 fine.

The requirements of a permit include provisions for adequate sanitation facilities and potable water; removal of trash; compliance with health department regulations for food; ensuring adequate fire protection and medical personnel for attendees; parking, crowd control; security to protect against property damage, and personal injury (including off duty state police and Goochland deputies); and sufficient insurance to mitigate damage or injury caused by the parade.

The ordinance covers all the bases to obtain a permit to ensure that parades are safe for all concerned, but it makes no provision for the health, safety, and welfare of those participating in or affected by the spontaneous and expressive processions. What about sanitation, potable water, traffic control, and trash removal if several thousand people show up for a spontaneous procession?

We hope that anyone expressing their First Amendment Rights will be considerate of their surroundings and mindful of the health, safety, and welfare of all.

 

 

 

October in the board room

 

The Goochland Board of Supervisors had a full and varied agenda for its October 5 meeting.

Interim County Administrator Manuel Alvarez, Jr. announced upcoming in person town hall meetings. During these sessions, the county and schools will make presentations and listen to district specific concerns from citizens on any topic. Staff will be present to answer questions and share information. On October 14, the western town hall meeting for Districts 1, 2, and 3 will be held at the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center 2748 Dogtown Road. On October 19, the District 4 and 5 meeting will be held at Salem Baptist Church 465 Broad Street Road, Manakin Sabot. Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m.

Trick or treat on October 28 at the county administration building from 3:30 to 4:30. Children are encouraged to wea their costumes and meet county staff to safely trick or treat at each department.

The County’s annual fall festival will take place on Saturday October 30 at the Goochland Sports Complex—behind the county administration building in Courthouse Village. Attractions will include live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, a children’s costume contest, and an apple pie contest. Alvarez encouraged anyone with a flair for making apple pies to enter the contest. He is one of the judges and hopes for the opportunity to taste many pies. This will also be the last opportunity for absentee in person early voting at the voter satellite office located in the sports complex gym.

A proclamation recognizing October as domestic abuse aware month was adopted. GoochlandCares has a comprehensive program dealing with domestic violence that helped 84 people in 2020. The program includes a 24-hour hotline; facilitating safety plans; shelter; counseling; and help seeking protective orders. See http://www.goochlandcares.org/ for details. Sally Graham, Director of GoochlandCares, thanked the supervisors for their support. “This is a pervasive problem in our area, it doesn’t matter what your income is,” Graham said of domestic violence.

Alvarez commended Goochland County Building Official Gary Fisher on his appointment to the International Code Council (https://www.iccsafe.org/), which, according to its website is “..the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification. The Code Council's codes, standards, and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.”

 

“The appointment speaks volumes for Gary’s expertise and our commitment to our employee’s growth into becoming leaders at the state, federal, and international level,” said Alvarez. “Congratulations to Gary and his department for the great work they are doing here, and which has been recognized beyond our borders.”

For a nice change of pace, Goochland Elementary School Librarian Sarah Smith and some fifth graders showed the supervisors how they use a genre café to broaden their literary horizons.

On library day, Smith explained, students do a “tasting” of books in unfamiliar areas. The students distributed menus to the supervisors that included appetizers, entrees, and desserts for different genres and a “test” to identify their reading “type”.  As with unfamiliar foods, after “tasting” new genres, the students reflect on what they liked or did not prefer in subject matter. This creative method encourages students to read for enjoyment starting a satisfying lifelong habit of reading for fun and to learn new things.

The supervisors set a public hearing for its Wednesday, November 3 meeting on an ordinance amendment removing language that allows certain persons to kill a dog when chasing poultry. The current ordinance, according to County Attorney Tara McGee, is not in accordance with state law, which only authorizes such actions for dogs chasing livestock. She said that state law only authorizes such action when a dog is chasing livestock, not poultry, the county ordinance is not legally permitted to include this (poultry) provision, which exceeds state law authority. (See page 61 of the October board packet available on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ for details)

The supervisors got a look at the county’s proposed legislative agenda for the 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly. As Virginia is a Dillon Rule state—localities have only those powers ceded to them by the Commonwealth—working closely with out delegation to the GA is vital to ensure that the interest of the county and schools is protective from overreach from Richmond.

In September, the supervisors, school board, constitution officers, and representatives from the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation Board met with our delegation to discuss recent actions of seemingly never ending 2021 session and look ahead to next year. All members of the House of Delegates are up for election along with the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

Paul Drumwright, administrative services manager, who keeps a watchful eye on the doings at the state capital, presented the proposed 2022 legislative agenda. The county’s priority positions are” prohibit marijuana retail stores unless approved by local referendum; prohibit marijuana cultivation facilities from selling directly to customers; give localities the authority to prohibit or regulate the use of binary explosive kits containing an oxidizer and fuel source; and provide reimbursement for the compensation and expense of the electoral board.

Priority requests for the school division include support for legislation that “...allows for local autonomy on education issues impacting Goochland County students, staff, and families;” repeal of legislation the removed flexibility for school divisions to maintain teacher quality through performance evaluations; advocate for legislation that reduces the total number and type of SOL assessments; and create and establish a school construction fund.

Priority requests from the school division  include support for broadband expansion; support for early childhood education and preschool opportunities for students; repeal of legislation that supports collective bargaining efforts; adjust the funding formula for regional governor’s schools to accommodate the needs of full day programs; support for legislation that moves the state closer to fully funding standards of quality; and oppose any bill that creates parental choice educational savings accounts.

The 2022 legislative agenda is expected to be adopted by the supervisors at their November 3 meeting.

At the end of their afternoon session, the supervisors went into closed session to discuss recruitment for the vacant county administrator position.

Report on election integrity and early voting.

At the start of the board’s evening session, Secretary of the Goochland Electoral Board Robin Lind and General Registrar Ryan Mulligan explained how the electoral process is administered in Goochland. Go to https://goochlandva.new.swagit.com/videos/141202 at about the 4:04 mark to hear the entire presentation. It is well worth a listen.

Lind said that accuracy is the watchword of those involved in Goochland’s electoral process. In 2020 Goochland voters had the highest percentage turnout in the state. “They are rightly proud of their turnout, the demonstration of their civic engagement. They should be equally proud and confident of the accuracy of their results. A virtuous citizenry deserves nothing less.”

Lind went on to praise the work of all involved in elections to guard against any fraudulent activity. Lind and Mulligan responded to several questions posed by the supervisors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best fire is one that never happens

Each year, the week that includes October 8—the day on which the great Chicago fire of 1871 began—is declared Fire Prevention Week by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This year, it runs from October 3 to 10.

As days grow shorter and cooler, we crank up our heating systems, fireplaces, and wood stoves. Some folks burn fallen leaves and yard debris as they tidy their property in preparation for winter. Then there are holiday decorations that sometimes feature live candles that can be beautiful—and deadly.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives by providing early warning of danger. Every home should have at least one smoke alarm in working condition. Remember to check their batteries when you turn you clocks back.

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “learn the sounds of fire safety.” If you hear a beep, NFPA reminds us, get on your feet, get out of the house, and call 911. If you hear a chirp, it’s time to change the batteries.

Working smoke alarms save lives. NEVER REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM A SMOKE ALARM TO USE IN ANOTHER DEVICE. Go to https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/Safety-Tip-Sheets for detailed information about fire safety in your home.

If you do not have a working smoke alarm, Goochland Fire-Rescue will provide one free of charge. Call 804-556-5304 to request a smoke alarm.

Just after midnight this morning, October 8. Goochland Fire-Rescue units were dispatched to a structure fire on Dover Branch Lane, near the intersection of Manakin and Hermitage Roads in the eastern part of the county. Neighbors of the home, which was in the final stages of construction, called 911 to report the blaze.

The Dover Branch Lane home when fire crews arrived. (Goochland County photo)

When the first emergency crew arrived on scene, seven minutes after the 911 call, it reported heavy fire conditions and that the approximately 8,000 square foot home was 70 percent involved in flames.

Twenty-four Goochland Fire-Rescue members responded to the scene assisted by a mutual aid tanker and firefighters from Powhatan. Henrico Division of Fire assisted by covering an EMS call that came in while Goochland units were on the fire ground. The Metro Richmond Flying Squad provided rehabilitation by serving water, coffee, and snacks to those battling the blaze.

Approximately 112,000 gallons of water, shuttled to the fire ground by tankers from a hydrant about a mile distant, brought the blaze under control. The county’s new ladder truck played an important part in the exterior attack of the fire.

Tankers shuttle water from hydrants to tanks that supply engines that power firehoses. Water shuttle is a reality of rural firefighting. (Goochland County photo.)

The Company 5 ladder truck fighting the house fire.(Goochland County photo)

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. commended all emergency personnel for their safe and diligent work on the incident. He expects that fire crews will remain on scene for most of Friday watching for hotspots that could reignite and conducting overhaul operations.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Only the foundation and chimney remained standing by late morning.

Check your smoke alarm today.

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating all things Goochland

Back in the world

As the world slowly emerges from the isolation of the Covid lockdown, any glimpse of normality is welcome.

Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of an intrepid group of citizens, the threads of community, badly frayed by the pandemic, came back together with the rebirth of Goochland Day on September 25. (Go to https://www.goochlandday.com/ for details.) It was a glorious event as people gathered to celebrate all things Goochland. The perfect weather seemed like a sign from on high that it’s time to get back to normal.

Goochland Day is believed to have begun in the early 1950’s as a fund raiser to enable the fledgling Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association—celebrating 70 years of vital community service this year— to buy a fire truck.

Officers of the Goochland Day Foundation, President Carey Stagg, Treasurer Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda, and Parade Chair Annette Butler Jones presented a recap of the event to the Goochland Board of Supervisors on October 5. They represented the 16 member Goochland Day Board of Directors.

Transforming Goochland Day from idea to reality was no small task, especially in the midst of the Covid pandemic. These exceptional folks wrangled many moving parts including porta potties, vendors, great entertainment, shuttle buses, mask mandates where appropriate, food trucks, and recruiting volunteers to make it all happen seamlessly. When a complicated task looks easy, you know a lot of hard work and attention to detail were involved.

Approximately 3,000 people attended the parade. Though only about .6 miles, 45 units participated. The Grand Marshal was Sheriff Steven Creasey accompanied by Fire-Rescue Chief Eddie Ferguson.

More than 8,000 people took part in the festival that followed at the Goochland Sports Complex. Local organizations, candidates, for profit vendors, and even a newlywed game were part of the day. Thanks to robust attendance, some of the food trucks sold out.

No sooner did Goochland Day 2021—which Nelson-Lyda characterized as a rough draft— end, than plans for Goochland Day 2022 began. Next year’s event is scheduled for May 7, keeping with tradition of holding Goochland Day on the day before Mother’s Day. The group is also thinking ahead to a celebration of the county’s tricentennial in 2028.

Goochland Day organizers worked hard to keep the event family friendly and free to attendees. However, expenses—about $20,000—were incurred and covered by the generosity of sponsors. Actual expenses came in a tad under budget thanks to generosity of citizens and careful negotiations. Please see the list of sponsors who made Goochland Day 2021 possible, thank them, and patronize their businesses as you are able.

A more expansive event is in the works for next year, to include additional rides, and attractions. This will cost more money. Nelson-Lyda shared a budget for next year, which will include a larger and longer parade. The preliminary estimated budget for 2022 is $35,000.

Sponsors, vendors, and volunteers are needed to continue the success of the new and improved Goochland Day. The website will be updated in the near future with forms and other information about participation next year. Follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GoochlandDay for photos and information.

Our community is blessed to have people like the Goochland Day board who persevered to make this festival happen. On to 2022!