Sound off

 

Following recent contentious rezoning hearings, the Goochland Board of Supervisors asked citizens who took the time to express their views in a public forum, and did so in a civil and constructive manner, to remain engaged with local government. The supervisors are not clairvoyant, they need citizen input to make good decisions.

To that end, Goochland County began an initiative to increase community engagement with local government. Please complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GCEngagement22.

Questions on the survey ask how respondents get their information about things like upcoming zoning actions; decisions by the Board of Supervisors; road work projects that impact travel patterns; and community events. It also asks how citizens prefer to interact with the county and receive information.

An engaged citizenry is a vital component of good government. Too often, people scream “no one told me” about issues that have been dealt with in a transparent manner. A recent example is the redistricting following the 2020 Federal Census. The county held many meetings about the proposed changes and put a tab dedicated to changes on its website.  Yet, when some residents were notified, well after lengthy opportunities for citizen comment and input had expired, they contended that the changes were made in secret.

Getting the word out in Goochland is hard. Too often, rumors containing a grain of truth are spread via social media. Those who support, or oppose, these matters, often without bothering to ascertain what is really going on, make wild allegations that others pass along.

While social media plays an important role in local communications, it should be a starting point for information gathering.

The county website www.goochlandva.us/ and that of our school division, goochlandschools.org, provide a great insight into both bodies. They also have contact information for county and school officials.

Some recent land use decisions, including those for “Project Rocky” on Ashland Road, and expansion of Reader’s Branch in the Hockett Road corridor, raised howls of protest from citizens. The recent “boil water” notice for users of public water in the east end also caused some heartburn.

On Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m. the county’s fall town hall meeting for Districts 4 and 5 will be held at the Residence Inn, roughly opposite Wawa on Broad Street Road. This will provide an opportunity for citizens to raise concerns about past and future rezoning applications, road projects, how the “boil water” issue was handled, and anything else on your mind with elected and appointed officials. County staff will also be there. If you live in District 4 or 5, the east end of Goochland, please attend and make your voice heard. The meeting will also be available on Zoom. Go to the county website and click on October 26 on the calendar for log on details. To submit questions or comments for the town hall, go to townhall@goochlandva.us.

Stay informed and make your voice heard.