Into the new year

 

          Like it or not, 2023 is here. The first order of business at the first annual meeting of Goochland Board of Supervisors is election of officers. Breaking with its tradition of rotating the chair, the board voted unanimously to return Neil Spoonhower, District 2 to the top post, with newbie Charlie Vaughters, District 4 as vice chair. John Lumpkins, District 3 who was appointed to the vice chair spot after the passing of Don Sharpe and would have been expected to take the chair spot in 2023, is seeking the Republican nomination for Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney in next November’s election.

Neil Spoonhower, (l) and Charlie Vaughters will lead the supervisors  in 2023

          Spoonhower thanked his fellow board members for their confidence in him. He said that he looked forward to working closely with Vaughters for the benefit of all citizens and thanked those who worked hard over the holidays to serve the citizens, especially those in law enforcement, fire-rescue, and the convenience center staff.

          Adoption of the Board’s code of ethics, rules of procedure, and standards of conduct is also part of the first meeting of the year protocol. Each supervisor signed a copy of the code of ethics and standards of conduct, which will be framed and mounted on the wall at the back of the meeting room. This is done to honor Don Sharpe, District 4, who was serving as board vice chair before his passing last fall. Sharpe, explained Spoonhower, believed that the supervisors should have a visual reminder of their commitment to the highest integrity as they make decisions on behalf of citizens.

          The Board’s January agenda included routine reports. Paul Drumwright, Community Affairs Manager and the county’s point person on internet matters, updated the supervisors on the broadband expansion project. The regional internet service expansion (RISE) initiative to bring high speed internet access to western Goochland is a patchwork of partners and funding. Firefly Fiber Broadband is partnering with the electric utilities, Central Virginia Electric Coop (CVEC) Rappahannock Electric Coop (REC), and Dominion Energy to install fiber optic cable to unserved areas.

          Work on the Dominion portion is still in the design, permitting, and engineering phase for installation of the “middle mile” infrastructure off of which Firefly will run lateral lines to connect individual users. This portion of the initiative is not going as fast as underserved Goochlanders would like, but all areas in the RISE project are expected to have access to broadband in the next two years, hopefully far sooner.      

          In the Crozier area, another provider, Port80 (https://port80.us/) is wrapping up its grant to connect users there. Drumwright said that about 100 potential customers in the Port80 area remain unconnected. If you live there, call today before the connection price goes up after the grant funding expires.

          Bringing broadband to all Goochlanders has never been a one size fits all proposition. While many people use wireless options via cell towers, the county has never viewed this as the ultimate solution, said Drumwright. He reiterated that the county welcomes all providers to serve our citizens in addition to those that the county partners with in the RISE initiative.  “We don’t stop anyone from bringing broadband into Goochland County. If someone wants to come in, we’re happy to talk with them and help them expand,” said Drumwright.

          Director of Economic Development Sara Worley presented the tourism strategic plan, designed to expand tourism in Goochland County, which was unanimously adopted by the board. Tourism has the potential to spotlight the county, grow exiting businesses, and attract new ones to grow the county’s economy.

          The “vision” of the plan is to promote Goochland as a family friendly poplar destination for history, crafts, food and beverage, and recreational outdoor enthusiasts and a source of pride for residents. Agritourism, highlighting our rural heritage, is also a part of the plan.

          First steps in implementing the plan include creating day trip itineraries and using social media to promote what Goochland has to offer. Our location, said Worley, is easily accessible to visitors from the Richmond and Charlottesville areas.

          Getting Goochland “on the radar screen” is an immediate goal. Far too many people seem to have little idea where we are.      Worley is recruiting volunteer “tourism ambassadors” to help spread the word about visiting Goochland.

          The full plan is available beginning on page 174 of the January 3 Board packet available at  https://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/DocumentCenter/View/643/Tourism-Strategic-Plan.

          Rezoning for a parcel for land for the new fire-rescue station in the Hockett Road corridor is under way. A community meeting is expected to be scheduled to provide more information on the proposal in coming months.