In honor of the ultimate sacrifice

 

Memorial Day is the most solemn and important of America’s patriotic holidays. Begun in 1868 as “Decoration Day” when people were encouraged to go to cemeteries where war dead slept to decorate their graves and honor their sacrifice.

In 1968, the federal government designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. We remember those who went to war, never came home, and will be forever young.

Marine Corps Jr. ROTC color guard

On May 27, Goochland American Legion Post 215 marked this solemn day on our venerable Courthouse green. Despite threatening skies, a good number of folks came out for ritual that included presentation of the colors by the Goochland High School Marine Corps Jr. ROTC; playing the Star-Spangled Banner; saluting the empty chair reserved for those missing in action whose fate remains unknown; placement of wreath by the Post 215 Auxiliary; and prayer and poems to acknowledge the sacrifice of the fallen and ask that they rest in eternal peace.

Chair reserved for missing in action

Former Goochland Sheriff James L. Agnew, a Coast Guard veteran, and Vice Commander of Post 215, was master of ceremonies. He reminded the assembly that Memorial Day honors those who fought for our freedoms but never came home to enjoy them.

The keynote address was delivered by Bill Parrish, Colonel USMC retired, and a Maidens resident since 2005. Agnew outlined Parrish’s lengthy distinguished career of service, which began in 1971, included multiple assignments in anti-terrorism security. Among his accomplishment s after retiring from the Marine Corps, Parrish worked with US Customs in anti-terrorism to protect the American public from terrorists and weapons of mass destruction entering the country. In 2003, he was asked to join the staff of the newly created department of Homeland Security, serving as a senior advisor to Sec. Tom Ridge. He was instrumental in establishing one of the nation’s first undergraduate majors in homeland security and emergency management at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU.

Parrish began his remarks by thanking Post 215 for holding the annual event to honor those who gave their lives for this great country. He also extended heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Goochland County’s public safety officials and their departments, Sheriff Steven Creasey and Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services Eddie Ferguson.

Chief Ferguson and Colonel Parrish

He also extended appreciation to Gold Star Families, those who lost a family member in service to our country. During World War I, Parrish explained, families with a member in military service displayed flags with a blue star. When a service member died in combat, a gold star was placed over the blue star. “We pray for you this day and every day for your sacrifices,” he said.

Unsurprisingly, Parrish spoke about a Marine, not just any Marine, Goochland native Earl Henley.  Earl, and his brother Howard, were Goochland icons. They were instrumental in the creation of the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association, and both served as its chiefs and made other important contributions to the community. In their youth, these good country boys enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific.

“I got more out of the Marine Corps than the Marine Corps got out of me,” Parrish recalled Earl Henley saying. Parrish disagreed with that sentiment. “The quality of this man’s honesty, integrity, dedication to serving others, faith in God, and compassion for mankind had to have been contagious to many of those Marines that he sailed with on the USS Independence heading to harm’s way on a small insignificant island in the Pacific known as Iwo Jima.”

Parrish believed that Earl Henley inspired Marines he met on the ship, on the beaches of Iwo Jima, and in battles that ensued with his character. When Earl Henley passed away in 2008, Parrish and his son, also a Marine, wrote a tribute to Earl Henley that resulted in Earl’s widow sharing her husband’s journal of Iwo Jima with Parrish.

To honor Earl, those Marines that lost their lives on that strategically important little island, and all who gave their lives for our great country Parrish shared the recollections of Earl Henley.  Iwo Jima was very special in the hearts and minds of Marines. Three divisions, 23,000 men, landed on that island, seven thousand died there.

“Place yourself in the mind of 24-year-old Earl Henley getting ready to land on a remote island, which he had probably never heard of getting ready to confront a devasting, powerful enemy force.”

In the early hours of February 18, 1944, while Earl was on gun watch aboard ship, he saw heavy bombardment of the island, which was not yet in sight, begin.  He described the massive fortifications on Mount Suribachi and the black sand and volcanic ash beach that looked deep and hard for vehicles, or people to travel in. As battle loomed, Earl prayed.

“I have never felt so close to God before, he was the only one who could help me, and I put all my faith and trust in him.”

Earl’s unit did not land on D-day, but he recalled that D-day plus was not much better. He was so busy checking to make sure that equipment was operating properly that he did not have time to think about what awaited on shore as his unit prepared to land on the beach as Japanese artillery fell around them.

His first sight of the black sand was unpleasant, something he never forgot. A break in the shelling let them move to the relative safety of a fox hole, near the bodies of four dead Marines. Earl did not eat or sleep for two days. The sound of other wounded Marines calling for corpsmen would haunt him for the rest of his life.

On February 22 he saw the flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi, but the fighting went on for days. The island was secured on March 17, 1944, at 6 p.m. On March 18 Earl was back aboard ship where he had a hot shower and slept for 13 hours.

Parrish referenced a speech made by General P.X. Kelly, 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps, about the historic flag raising on Mount Suribachi, which has been depicted in photographs and statuary and what that meant to all Americans. “By looking closely, you will see the last man in the queue, a native American named Ira Hays. As Marines, as military service members that is what we have done, we reach beyond dour grasp to make the world a better and safer place for mankind.”

 

Parrish read from the Navy Cross citation posthumously awarded to his high school classmate Corporal Thomas Lee Blevins, Jr., for his heroic actions in Viet Nam on May 31, 1969. Blevins saved the lives of three Marines under battle conditions and was mortally wounded in the process.  “His heroic actions and selfless concern for his fellow men inspired all who observed him his aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Cpl. Blevins upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Services.”

A gun salute rendered by members of Post 215 and playing of Taps concluded the observance.

 

 

 

 

EMS Week honoring the past forging the future

 

We give little thought to emergency medical services (EMS) until we call 911 when sudden illness or injury strikes to summon help. EMS as we know it grew from a seed planted in 1928 by Julian Wise who established the Roanoke lifesaving and rescue crew after having seen two men drown, into a mighty oak whose branches continue to spread keeping pace with the evolution of science and medicine.

May 19-25 was designated as EMS week, a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the emergency medical service community. This year is the 50^th anniversary of the observation, begun by President Gerald Ford. Goochland marked the day with an event at the Oilville headquarters of the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS). This year’s theme is “Honoring our past, forging our future.”

Those in attendance included D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Goochland’s Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Management; the Hon. Tom Winfree, District 3 Supervisor and board vice chair; County Administrator Vic Carpenter; Heidi M. Hooker; Executive Director of the Old Dominion EMS Alliance (ODEMSA); Chris Lindsay, Deputy Director of the Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS); and Gary Critzer, Chair of the Virginia State Board of health; Director of Emergency Management for the City of Waynesboro; and 58^th District Delegate Rodney Willett.

Gary P. Critzer, Chris Lindsay

Willett presented VAVRS member Ken Morgan with a house resolution recognizing his decades of volunteer rescue squad service and leadership for inspiring and training generations of volunteers.

Several long time VAVRS members, many wearing green jackets of officers were in attendance. These folks represent decades, if not centuries, of dedicated volunteer community service and commitment to saving lives and easing suffering.

Each speaker presented eloquent and thoughtful remarks about the history and future of EMS, morsels follow.

Ferguson said that Goochland has long been a proud partner with VAVRS since volunteer rescue squads formed here in 1966. He reflected on the early days when volunteers responded from home and stations were used to house apparatus and equipment with meeting rooms for training. Goochland has transitioned to a combination model where volunteer and career providers are on duty 24/7 and stations are being modified to create living quarters. Emergency communications has evolved from a local phone number to 911 texting and cell phones. Ambulances are ever more sophisticated and expensive.

Many people in medical professions got their start helping others as teen aged EMS volunteers, like Ferguson, who joined Centerville Company 3 at age 16. The current Goochland Operational Medical Director Dustin Anderson and his deputy Josh Lloyd both began their path to medical school as Goochland volunteer EMTs.

Ferguson said that one of his most pressing concerns is having enough people to get the job done. Recruitment and retention for both career and volunteer providers is difficult for all agencies. EMS has become the gateway to health care, and he sees a need for paramedicine to bridge the divide between emergency medicine and delivery of traditional healthcare.

Lindsay has EMS experience both as a provider and administrator. He started out as a volunteer firefighter while a student at Hampton Sydney, then became an EMT.  He “ran” with Tuckahoe VRS for many years. He noted that there are 552 licensed EMS agencies in Virginia. Of those 261 are volunteer, 139 combination, and 73 percent of all EMS agencies have a volunteer presence. He contended that many of the responders in the 165 career agencies started out as volunteers. When you take that into account, the impact of volunteers on EMS is incredible.

The benefits of serving in EMS go far beyond saving lives.

“Young people learn lessons as EMS volunteers that stand them in good stead wherever life takes them. The experience of learning how to interact with people who are not like you, in an environment in which you’re not comfortable builds character. They go on to do so many wonderful things outside a clinical environment.”

Governor Youngkin is an extreme supporter of EMS and first responders, Lindsay reported. For the first time in 40 years, the governor’s EMS awards were recently presented by Governor Youngkin at the Governor’s Mansion.

Hooker publicly acknowledged and celebrated the incredible contributions of Virginia EMS providers as leader of ODEMSA, which represents Virginia’s 11 regional EMS councils.

“Our story began on the battlefields of the Commonwealth where wounded were transported to field hospitals by horse and buggy. The 1928 formation of the nation’s first volunteer rescue squad became the cornerstone of EMS in Virginia and across the nation. Seven years later, in 1935 VAVRS was formed, further solidifying our commitment to volunteerism and community service. At that time EMS was mostly run from unregulated funeral homes whose hearses could transport supine patients.” As EMS evolved alongside technology, medicine and science Virginia formed regional councils to coordinate services. This led to formal training via basic EMT classes and continues to evolve in step with advances in prehospital medical care.

In 2020, said Hooker, EMS used all its skills learned from the past to combat the Covid 19 pandemic. Dedication, innovation, and resilience has always been the backbone of EMS, said Hooker. “Our predecessors laid a foundation built on steadfast commitment to saving lives and serving the community, a legacy we proudly carry forward. Our strength lies not just in our ability to respond to emergencies, but our abilities to forge ahead even when faced with significant challenges. These obstacles are daunting, but not insurmountable. Our resilience shines bright. We adapt, we innovate, we continue to provide the highest standard of care to our communities.”

Hooker expressed concern for the wellbeing of EMS providers, and the need to care for the caregivers.  “It is crucial that we support one another and take care of our emotional and mental health. Support systems are essential. In recent years we’ve had unprecedented numbers of suicides amongst our firefighter/EMS community. I emphasize the availably of resources like the ODEMSA peer support team, 24/7 assistance with psychological first aid, and safe confidential spaces to seek support whenever needed. It is through the efforts of our current providers that we honor the legacy of those who came before us to build a stronger future with pride and determination.”

Angels walk among us. Know them by this sign  

 

Go to https://www.vavrs.com/ to learn more about VAVRS and https://goochlandfire-rescue.org/recruitment/join/ to find out how you can support Goochland Fire-Rescue.

Sentencing in animal cruelty case

 

On Friday, May 24, the Hon. Timothy K. Sanner, Chief Judge of the 16^th Circuit and Goochland Circuit Court Judge, sentenced Byrd Gunter Rareshide to 100 days of incarceration. The sentence was 20 days for each of the five guilty verdicts of animal cruelty, a class 1 misdemeanor, pronounced by Judge Sanner on April 5 following a three-day trial. At that time, Rareshide faced 13 charges of animal cruelty, based on allegations that she failed to provide adequate nutrition for horses retired to her farm in western Goochland.

Rareshide was also sentenced to five years of probation and prohibited from boarding horses in Goochland or elsewhere during that time. She is subject to unannounced inspections of her property by the Goochland Department of Animal Care and Protection; the Goochland County Sherriff’s Office; and the State Veterinarian. The convictions will be on her record permanently.

The maximum penalty for a class I misdemeanor in Virginia is 12 months jail incarceration and a possible fine of not more than $2,500.

Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney, John Lumpkins, Jr., who prosecuted the cases at the April trial, requested active jail time of 12 months for each guilty count with 10 months suspended. Rareshide made financial restitution to some of the horse owners. This included a refund of boarding fees for certain horses because, by failing to provide adequate food, Rareshide “broke” the contract. An uncashed check for boarding fees for another horse will be returned to its owner by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.

Craig Cooley, Rareshide’s defense counsel, put Lloyd Gunter Osgood, Rareshide’s sister, on the stand as a character witness before sentencing. Osgood painted a picture of her sister as being devoted to horses for her entire life. Prior to alarms being raised about feeding issues at Rareshide’s horse retirement facility in early 2023, Rareshide earned a well-regarded reputation in the equestrian community.  “The care of horses is in her DNA,” Osgood said of her sister. 

Osgood contended that her sister’s life was ruined by social media posts where the “court of public opinion” has already punished her and put her out of business.

Lumpkins characterized the April trial as being very complex, where eight experts, many equine veterinarians, testified about the conditions of the horses in question using terms like emaciated, starvation, being near death. One veterinarian testified that Rareshide did not properly feed horses pastured outside during winter and rejected entreaties to provide these horses with additional nutrition.

Rareshide made a brief statement before sentencing contending that she had done nothing wrong, citing her 26 years of caring for retired horses.

Lumpkins said Rareshide failed to show remorse or accept responsibility for her actions, and asked for active jail time, an indication of the seriousness of the charges. Active jail time is often suspended for first time misdemeanor convictions.

Cooley cited Rareshide’s clean criminal record and therefore asked that all incarceration be suspended. He repeated his contention that the subject horses would have gained weight when grass began to grow in spring, in “nature’s way”.

Lumpkins said that documents presented at trial indicated that there was ample hay and other types of feed in Rareshide’s barn, but testimony by those who visited the farm saw little evidence of hay in the pasture and available to horses kept there.

Lumpkins said in a press release distributed by Goochland County:“This was a difficult case. Many dedicated people, including owners scattered around the country, participated in this effort, and made this outcome possible. I am especially appreciative of the many veterinarians who testified. Michelle Welch, Senior Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Director of the AG’s Animal Law Unit, was also a generous resource for my office. I am thankful for an outcome that reduces the risk of Ms. Rareshide re-offending in the future.”

Judge Sanner said during sentencing that Rareshide was indifferent to the suffering of the horse placed in her care. She breached the trust placed in her by people who entrusted their deeply loved horses into her care.

He ordered Rareshide to report to Henrico Jail West at 4 p.m. on June 7 to begin her sentence. Lumpkins had no objections to Rareshide serving her sentence on a work release basis.

Cooley said there will be no appeal.

Civil suits against Rareshide are expected to be filed by owners of the horses involved in the litigation in the future.

(See GOMM “Out to pasture” for trial details)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good day no sunshine!

The sun failed to put in an appearance, but every other aspect of Goochland Day 2024 was brilliant. Starting with a concert on Friday evening, the iconic county evet began with a parade on Saturday morning followed by the festival along Sandy Hook Road.

Kudos to the legion of intrepid volunteers who put in countless hours to make the day a success. This “let’s make it happen” grassroots attitude is why Goochland is a special place!

Some photos from the parade:

Goochland Sheriff's Office Honor Guard

 

Gotta have bubbles!

Barbies rule!

Goochland County Historical Society

Sally Graham Retiring Executive Director in center!

Carrying steel magnolias the cast of same. Don't miss it

Wouldn't be a Goochland parade without horses and clean up crew

Junkyard dogs robotic team using low tech method to keep dry

Keeping Goochland rural through 4H

Lots of fire-rescue apparatus. Don't miss the October show

Goochland Day gets better every year. Looking forward to 2025! 

Here a lot there a lot

 

Everyone wants to preserve Goochland’s rural character. Rezoning applications for subdivisions in the east end—which is the county’s designated growth area—tend to incite robust opposition.

A more subtle threat to the peace and privacy of rural living, and the agricultural pursuits that define it, was highlighted during public hearings at the Tuesday, May 7 meeting of the Goochland board of supervisors. Lots new homes are sprouting in western Goochland in a random fashion with direct access to country roads. They’re putting kids in school and adding traffic to country roads and are, some would argue, just as much a threat to our rural character as major subdivisions to the east.

Farmers without 401ks sell building lots to fund their retirement. Sometimes people with larger tracts of land sell a parcel or two to generate revenue. Whatever the reason, these homes tend to fly under the radar of many who oppose growth.

Two rezoning applications on the May 7 agenda, for applicants seeking to “cut” lots from existing parcels to allow children to build homes there illustrate the issue.

When Goochland adopted zoning regulations decades ago, larger parcels of land, as recorded on April 19, 1979, were designated as parent tracts. A formula allowing division of these tracts into a specified number smaller parcels without rezoning was also created. For instance, a 100-acre parcel could be divided into a 40-acre parcel, two 20-acre parcels, and four five-acre parcels “by right”. Further division requires a landowner to go through the entire rezoning process.  Typically, these land use changes are from agricultural to rural residential, RR, zoning classification and involve “taking cuts” from the larger parcels. The minimum lot size in RR zoning is five aces.

Applicants for both of the rezoning petitions presented on May 7 wanted to create an additional lot to allow children to build homes. As existing and new lots would share the same access point, easements for these driveways must be recorded on the deed to ensure access to the new parcels in perpetuity, regardless of ownership.

Rezoning these parcels, rather than seeking a conditional use permit (CUP) for an accessary family dwelling on a single parcel, creates the potential for lots created to be sold to non-family members. Under the family CUP conditions, all dwelling units on the parcel must be sold together.

Neil Spoonhower District 2 pointed out that, to his knowledge, the supervisors have never rejected a CUP application for an accessary family dwelling unit, which offers the county come protection against the parcels being sold separately. He supports families living in close proximity but questioned the creation of more building lots.

“We have 2,887 houses that could be built tomorrow without rezoning. I’ve heard loud and clear from citizens that they’ve asked to keep it rural. I’ve said we’ll keep it rural by making sure that growth is in the designated growth areas. To do both (approve more homes in villages and rural enhancement areas) is a little duplicitous. I do feel that people want to keep this rural, and we need to have protections in place to do that.”

Jonathan Lyle, District 5 pointed out that using the family accessary dwelling CUP process prevents “checkerboarding” the county with an increasing number of smaller lots and keeps focus on the family. He expressed hope going forward that the county would amplify the CUP auxiliary family dwelling unit mechanism because that does tie family to family. He suggested that the update of the county subdivision ordinance, currently in process, include more supportive measures for the family CUP.

During the public hearing on the second rezoning application, a neighboring property owner said that he would like to create a building lot on his property for a child.

Both rezoning applications to “cut” lots from larger existing parcels were approved 2-1 with Spoonhower in dissent. Board Chair Charlie Vaughters, District 4, and Jonathan Christy, District 1, were absent.

A frequently asked, and never satisfactorily answered, question about Goochland is how much residential growth is too much? The county planning office projected that our population would reach 30,000 by 2015. Almost ten years later, we’re around 27k.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May board highlights

 

Renovations underway at Courthouse Company 5 

The agenda for the May 7 meeting of the Goochland supervisors was relatively light. Three of the five members were in attendance—Jonathan Christy, District 1 was absent for business reasons, and Board Chair Charlie Vaughters, District 4 was addressing health matters—but had the quorum necessary to conduct official business.

Board Vice Chair Tom Winfree, District 3 conducted the meeting without missing a beat. During chairman’s comments, Winfree congratulated the Goochland-Powhatan CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) (https://goochlandpowhatan.casa/)for graduating its latest class earlier in the day.

County Administrator Vic Carpenter said that there will be a public hearing on June 4 to establish a polling precinct in District 4 at Avery Point. Early voting for June primaries began on May 3 Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration for details.

Goochland Day festivities will take place on May 17 and 18^th. Go to https://sites.google.com/goochlandday.org/gdf/home/ for details. County offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. On June 1, there will be document shredding and hazardous waste disposal at the Fairground property at the corner of Fairground and Sandy Hook Roads in Courthouse Village from 9 to 1 for county residents.

An agenda item to consider an amendment to the county zoning ordinance dealing with road standards that had been scheduled for May was deferred to the July 2 meeting to ensure that all supervisors are able to participate in the discussion and decision.

The board approved proclamations recognizing May as Older Americans Month; Goochland County business appreciation month; and May 5 through 11 as Public Service Recognition week.

Miss Cherly Good, representing older Americans through the Capital Area Agency on Aging; Ben Slone EDA Chair, Sara Worley Economic Development Director, and Carol Taylor, executive director of the Goochland Chamber of Commerce; and Shelby Boardman and Ashley Hall from Goochland County Human Resources thanked the board for recognizing the talented and dedicated public service employees who use their amazing talents every day to deliver services to our citizens.

Goochland businesses play an important role in county finances, providing 18 percent of tax revenues. Slone hoped, going forward, that local companies will leverage evolving technology to increase business revenue while preserving Goochland’s rural way of life.

During the VDOT presentation, Neil Spoonhower, District 2 expressed frustration that VDOT mowing schedules are not better synchronized with citizen roadside trash collections to avoid refuse being left in high grass. The VDOT rep acknowledged that sometimes trash does get chopped up but that efforts are made to pick it up.

Spoonhower, who represents Goochland on the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA), reported that there is a “significant push” from larger jurisdictions to issue bonds to borrow money for road projects. He contended that Goochland supervisors must decide what their position is on that to prevent negative impacts the county’s excellent bond ratings.

Consent agenda

This is typically a collection of routine items that need board approval. Details of these items are believed to be discussed in depth during “two by two” sessions with supervisors and staff. Approvals were:

·         A request to VDOT to add roads in Kinloch, Section 10, and some roads in the Oak Hill corridor development in West Creek into the secondary system for state road maintenance.

·         Transportation priorities for the secondary six-year plan as follows: improvement of the roundabout at Sandy Hook and Fairground Roads; new road alignment of Hockett and Ashland Roads; interchange improvements on Oilville Road.

·         Authorization for the County Administrator to execute special project service agreements for front end load and roll off municipal solid waste collection and disposal services and agreement for scrap metal delivery, hauling, and recycling services.

Budget supplement for schools

Two amendments to supplement the FY2025 budget, which goes into effect July 1, to provide additional funds to the school division were discussed. As approved, the FY25 budget did not include sufficient funds to increase teacher salaries to make them more competitive, but efforts to bridge the gap continued. These amendments “repurpose” monies to fund teacher salary scale adjustments and authorize the county to pick up the tab for unbudgeted and unusual legal fees involving disputes between parents and the school division, and a new school bus, for a total of $674,472.

Jonathan Lyle, District 5, cautioned that Goochland will never be able to compete with deep pocketed neighbors on salaries. Lyle said that this adjustment is a “one off” and he will be looking carefully at recruitment and retention statistics going forward to see if the increased salary scale was justified.

Spoonhower, who also had meaningful conversations with constituents and school board members on the issue of teacher compensation, said “to this day, I don’t think there’s a problem.” He contended that he has seen no clear evidence of significant teacher attrition. “To me, this is a solution looking for a problem. I’m tired of giving up goodwill. We give it and it doesn’t come back. Hands keep coming back out and we can’t continue. I won’t do this next year.” Spoonhower contended that the matter has been gamesmanship. “You got what you wanted, but it doesn’t build a lot of goodwill with me.”

Fire-rescue

The board approved authorization for the county administrator to execute a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association, Inc. to clearly define categories of funding and support in the delivery fire, EMS, and emergency management services to the community.

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Goochland Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services explained that the Association owns five of the county’s six stations. The county, said Ferguson, has graciously loaned money to several of the companies for extensive renovations needed to accommodate career personnel, including those underway at Courthouse Company 5.  Historically, the county has provided in-kind and financial support to the Association. The MOU, which is updated at five-year intervals, defines which entity is responsible for which function. As the county now has career providers on duty at every station 24/7 these have changed.

The Association raises funds—about $500k annually—to support fire-rescue operations in the county and has “no less skin” in the game. It works closely with the county to deliver excellent service and keep tax rates low.

For details go to the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ and click on watch county meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for a job well done

 

The corridor outside the Goochland General District courtroom buzzed with anticipation on the morning of May 8 filled with people awaiting the arrival of former Goochland Sheriff Jim Agnew for the formal unveiling of his official portrait.

Mary and Herb Griffith and Don Bewkes watch as Jim Agnew greets Jimmy Mann

Agnew, kept in the dark about the event, was cajoled to the site by his wife, Hon. Dale Agnew, former Clerk of the Goochland Circuit Court. Agnew worked his way through the crowd giving and receiving hugs, handshakes, and hearty greetings.

During his tenure as Goochland’s chief law enforcement officer, Agnew worked to improve the professionalism of the organization. On his watch, among other achievements, the department earned multiple consecutive accreditations from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission and a reputation for excellence.  

Sheriff Steven Ned Creasey, Agnew’s successor, spoke briefly before the unveiling.

Creasey said that Agnew got him into law enforcement almost thirty years ago. “How do you thank someone who has given so much of his life to Goochland County, first as game warden, and then for 28 years as Sheriff, who still fights for what’s right in Goochland County every day?”

A chorus of “aahs” and applause greeted the unveiling of the portrait, whose plaque reads “James L. Agnew Sheriff 1992 to 2019.”

Former and Current Sheriffs Jim Agnew and Steven Creasey

Agnew said it was great to see the many current and former employees, friends, and supporters who filled the hallway. “Nothing works unless you guys do what you’re supposed to do. And everyone here always went above and beyond the call of duty. Thank God, we have you in this community to keep us safe. I really appreciate what you do and how hard it can be. I will aways advocate for you from dispatchers and part- and full-time deputies to everybody here. I know what your daily life is like, it’s not an easy job. We are very, very fortunate to have all of you folks here to keep us safe. Thank God for Goochland and that we’re not Henrico or Chesterfield. Let’s keep it that way and I we will as long as all of you guys stay and do your job. It was a pleasure working with you and I miss you. This is quite an honor, thank you so much.”

 

 

 

Highfield part next

 

Latest version of HIghfield (Tuckahoe Bridge 2 at bottom)

On April 30, Markel Eagle held a second community meeting to present an undated version of a proposed development, Highfield, on approximately 138 acres located on Rockville Road, just south of the I64 overpass. Concerned citizens filled the meeting room at St. Mathew’s Church to listen as Natalie Croft, Director of Land Planning for Eagle, explained changes made to Highfield using input from a similar meeting in January. Also in attendance were David Owen, who represents the 57^th District in the House of Delegates, Jonathan Lyle, 5^th District Supervisor, Dwain Cosby 5^th District Planning Commissioner, Amanda Kowalski 2nd District Planning Commissioner, and Curt Pituck 4^th District Planning Commissioner. The property under discussion is in District 4.

The current proposal reduced the number of homes from 199 to 138, the density recommended for the area in the Goochland Comprehensive Land Use plan (https://www.goochlandva.us/250/2035-Comprehensive-Plan), which mirrors the density for section 2 of Tuckahoe Bridge (TB2), which adjoins the subject property to the south.

At the edge of the Centerville Village, a growth area, the parcel is part of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District, whose public utilities make smaller lots feasible.

As a significant portion of the proposed Highfield property is wetland, the 138 homes, as shown in the conceptual plan, are clustered on lots smaller than one acre. Three different sized lots are proposed, Parke lots, 9-11 k square feet; Estate lots 15k+ square foot lots; and West lots from 1-3 acres in size. Gross acreage is used to determine the number, not the size of individual lots, said Croft. Several attendees contended that there is nothing rural about the small lots.

The latest version of Highfield includes a spine road to encourage traffic to flow from the back of the subdivision to the main entrance on Rockville Road.  No homes have access to the spine road.

Traffic safety was the prime topic. Rockville Road, where crosses mark fatal crash sites, is one of the most dangerous routes in Goochland. A serious traffic crash at the TB2 entrance that afternoon was mentioned. Should Rockville Road be blocked south of I64, emergency vehicles would need to approach from the north, increasing response time.

Croft went into great detail about improvements to the Highfield frontage on Rockville Road, including removal of trees well back form the roadway to improve line of sight, turn lanes, widening, and shoulders.  

Off-site traffic safety matters, including an already failing Ashland Road intersections with Rockville Road and Plaza Drive, were mentioned in passing. Croft contended that conditions at either intersection were bad enough to trigger VDOT—the state agency whose motto is “oops!”—warrant thresholds for signalization. She cited the county major thoroughfare plan that includes possible improvements to these areas that do not include a timeline or funding.

 

As presented, Highfield has one direct access point with Rockville Road and a second connecting to a stub road in TB2, what could be called “daisy chaining”.

Croft contended that the road configuration complies with the county requirement for a second access point for subdivisions with more than 49 lots. TB2 has 49 lots, one per acre. Adding even half of the 138 lots in Highfield would result in the potential for vehicles from 118 lots using the TB2 access point, more than double the 49-lot requirement for access points.

A citizen cited Goochland County code Sec. 15-359. - Connectivity

“A proposed residential subdivision must be designed to coordinate with existing, proposed, and planned streets outside of the subdivision.

Wherever a proposed development abuts unplatted land or a future development phase of the same development, stub-outs must be provided as deemed necessary by the county to provide access to abutting properties or to logically extend the road network into the surrounding area. All stub-outs must be provided with temporary turn-arounds or culs-de-sac unless specifically exempted, and the restoration and extension of the road is the responsibility of any future developer of the abutting land.

Collector roads must intersect with collector or arterial roads at safe and convenient locations.

Local residential access roads must connect with surrounding roads to permit the convenient movement of traffic between residential neighborhoods and facilitate emergency access and evacuation, but such connections are not permitted if it would encourage substantial through traffic.”

Croft did not explain how the proposed connection with TB2 does not violate this provision of county code but contended that the county had approved it.

Goochland seems to be sending mixed signals about the daisy chaining.

A staff report, part of the R-1 (RZ-2024-00001) application for land in Courthouse Village, states “Greenbriar Branch Drive is a local road and provides only one access point onto Fairground Road.  Per zoning ordinance and the Goochland County Fire Prevention Code this road may not serve as access to more than 49 units. Outside of this property 25 lots exist that either have an existing house with access via that road or are recorded and potentially may have a house with access in the future. The proposed (20) lots by the applicant would bring the total to 45 and not cause the road to exceed that ordinance limitation.”

If this applies to land in Courthouse Village, why not to Highfield?

Other objections were that the number of homes would strain the county’s ability to provide needed services. Croft said that Highfield is projected to add 28 students to county schools, a remark greeted with howls of derision as citizens contended that the number could be as high as two students per home.

An Eagle representative countered that, based on experience, homes, especially those on the smaller lots, are bought by active adults with no school aged children.  

Croft seemed to indicate that Eagle would make no effort to inform those who have bought or may buy homes in TB2 about the connector road, contending that a sign on the VDOT required stub road would fill that requirement. Disclosure about things like the active rock quarry on the far side of I64 and designation of the opposite side of Rockville Road for economic development, would be handled by referring Highfield home purchasers to the comp plan.

Given the furor from homeowners in Reed Marsh in Courthouse Village when they learned that a 100 plus home community, which would be accessed via their roads, the county might want to impose more robust disclosure requirements going forward.

What kind of pushback will come from potential new residents should an industrial project be proposed the far side of Rockville Road when they learn that “prime economic development” is more intense than bookstores and coffee shops?

Goochland badly needs commercial development and lots of it to take the tax burden off of property owners.

One question that was neither asked nor answered at this meeting is “how does this benefit Goochland?”

There was no indication of next steps for the Highfield proposal. Stay tuned.