After the storm

 

Mother Nature has a way of reminding us of what's important. Reports are that everyone in Goochland should have power restored soon, which is not fast enough for those shivering in the dark. Utility repair crews are a very special breed, and we hold them in high esteem.

This is what an MVP lineman looks like.

National Guard units have been deployed to western Goochland to help clear roads. Why did it take Governor Northam so long to declare a state of emergency to deal with the aftermath of the epic storm?

National Guard lends a helping hand. (Goochland County photo)

Thanks to all of our deputies and fire-rescue providers who have been working tirelessly to deal with the aftermath of the storm. Two house fires at the end of last week, one with a fatality, added to their burden as they continue to serve and protect regardless of conditions.

More heartbreak last Saturday.

According to a press release issued by Goochland Sheriff Steven N. Creasey, Berdie Lee Tyler Jr., 54 of Columbia, Virginia, was taken into custody as the result of an investigation into a reported gunshot wound at a residence in the 3900 block of Shannon Hill Road at approximately 10:15 p.m. on January 8, 2022. Deputies discovered an unconscious female suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Tyler has been charged with first degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and reckless handling of a firearm. Tyler is being held without bond at Henrico County Jail. Investigators determined the homicide was likely the result of a domestic disturbance. This is an on-going investigation, and more information will be released when it becomes available.

Mundane matters

The regular monthly meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisors was postponed to Wednesday, January 19 at 2 p.m. Public hearings scheduled for January 4 are expected to be held on February 1. These could include rezoning applications for a Dollar General Store in Georges Tavern in District 1 and a residential subdivision on Whippoorwill Road in District 4.

Agenda items for January 19, which will be an afternoon session only, include election of chair and vice chair for calendar year 2022 and annual organizational matters.

At 9 a.m. on January 19, the supervisors will hold a joint work session with the school board to discuss the capital improvement plan and federal funding. (Go to https://sites.google.com/a/glnd.k12.va.us/sb-agendas/january-11-2022 for the full agenda of the January 11 meeting of the school board.)

Redistricting

Sessions to explain proposed changes to election district boundaries in Goochland County using data from the April 1, 2020, federal census have been held as scheduled. (Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/1191/Redistricting for the schedule of these meetings, detailed information about proposed changes to county election districts, and citizen comments.) Meetings may be attended in person or via Zoom. Videos are archived in the "watch county meetings" tab under community meetings on the county website goochlandva.us.

At the first redistricting meeting, held on Wednesday, January 5 at 4 p.m., County Attorney Tara McGee explained that redistricting occurs after the decennial federal census in order to reflect changes in population for the previous ten years. The purpose is to equalize the number of people in each district.

"This is not a political process," McGee said. The committee that prepared the proposed redistricting maps, following state and federal law, are county employees, not elected officials.

As of April 1, 2020, the date of the last census, the county's population was determined to be 24,727. However, said McGee, a change in law requiring inmates at correctional facilities to be counted at their last address before incarceration, reduced the county population to 24,149. Divided by the county's five election districts results in an ideal population for each district of approximately 4,830.

A table included in the presentation illustrates that Districts 4 and 5 grew significantly, while the other three districts lost population. Due to the change in counting inmates and closure of the men's prison a few years ago, District 3 lost the most voters, 1,231, since 2010.

To equalize the population among districts, boundaries were moved, mostly east. In Districts 4 and 5, precinct boundaries were changed to agree with new state election districts. All precinct boundaries must follow state election district boundaries so that everyone in a precinct votes for the same candidates. This means that precincts at St. Matthew's, Dover Baptist, and St. Mary's Churches are now in the 57^th House of Delegate district while the rest of the county remains in the 56^th District.

The supervisors declined the opportunity to "protect" incumbents during the process. This resulted in two supervisors, Neil Spoonhower and John Lumpkins, in District 2, and moved Don Sharpe to District 3. This leaves District 4, where most of the development is occurring, without representation on the Board of Supervisors. Supervisors Susan Lascolette, District 1, and Ken Peterson, District 5, within the district from which they were elected.

McGee and interim county administrator the Hon. Manuel Alvarez, Jr. do an excellent job explaining the redistricting process.

Please either attend a meeting or watch one of more of the videos of previous meeting archived on the county website.

Goochland County is providing ample opportunity for everyone to understand changes resulting from redistricting. Please pay attention and participate.