Town hall meetings

 

The last of Goochland’s fall 2024 town hall meetings was held on October 28 for District 4. These sessions began on October 3 in D5. Recordings of all four meetings—districts two and three were combined—are archived on the county website, https://www.goochlandva.us/ under the “watch county meetings tab” listed as community meeting. They were also livestreamed in real time for those who preferred to tune in from home.

Attendance was light, perhaps due to the 6 p.m. starting time, which may have conflicted with the dinner hour for busy folks. At the D1 meeting, there seemed to be more elected and appointed officials and staff than citizens.

All meetings followed a similar format with County Administrator Vic Carpenter and Superintendent of Schools Michael Cromartie Ed. D.  giving thumbnail overview of their operations followed by questions.

The presentations were pretty much the same for all meetings, with some curious divergences. For instance, Carpenter mentioned major repairs to the Tuckahoe Creek Service District force main in the River Road corridor at the D5, and D2&3 meetings, but made no mention of it at the meeting for D4, where many residents live in the TCSD. He announced that the county is starting to build Fire-Rescue Station 8 in Sandy Hook, but glossed over that a proposed east end station has been put on the back burner.

Cromartie shared the accomplishments of our school division, including scholastic advances in the past year. He also illustrated how a teacher salary adjustment, implemented this year, has made Goochland schools better able to compete with our neighbors to attract and retain the best people.

Questions that made the recording— conversations continued after the meetings ended—included concerns about long bus rides and where the next new elementary school should be located.

Cromartie opined Goochland is a long, narrow, and rural community, which precludes the notion of neighborhood schools. He also contended that he does not expect the county to have more than three elementary schools whose attendance districts would wax and wane with prevailing demographics.

Cromartie said that the school division does the best it can to make school bus routes efficient with the resources—drivers and buses—available. He echoed the lament of most school divisions that bus drivers are in short supply.

The fate of the old Goochland Elementary School, which belongs to the school board, may be decided during the November 12 school board meeting.

Other citizen questions/comments dealt with the frustrating slowness of broadband connection in parts of the county and an overall concern about the dearth of local housing in price ranges accessible to teachers, deputies, and public safety employees.

Carpenter explained that the county is powerless to demand that developers build lower cost homes. He said that one way to reduce the price of “dwelling units” is to increase density as in townhome and apartments, which most Goochlanders reject. The county cannot declare a moratorium on building either. While increasing minimum lot sizes could put the brakes on development, it would also reduce the supply of buildable lots and increase demand and home prices.

Carpenter contended that because Goochland is a beautiful place with good schools and services people want to move here. The county is also at the mercy of VDOT when it comes to road improvements. Thanks to money received from tax on gas purchased in Goochland the county, via the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, has a bit more money to deal with badly needed road improvements, all of which cost a fortune and are built with glacial speed.

The burden that non-essential 911 calls place on fire-rescue personnel, especially volunteers, was discussed. The county, said Carpenter, is aware of the issue and could investigate measure to mitigate “nuisance” calls, like multiple false alarms from security systems, that waste precious public safety resources, by imposing fees.

Attendance at town hall meetings has dwindled since they restarted after the Covid lockdown. These sessions consume a good deal of staff time that might be better used in other ways.

The supervisors regularly contend that they want more citizen engagement, but are town hall meetings the way to go about it? People tend to show up at public hearings to oppose land use changes close to their homes but are generally uninformed about other matters. The small area plan studies for Courthouse Village and Centerville had robust attendance, but the perception of citizens that their input on those studies was ignored, may have cooled enthusiasm for engagement.

A desperately needed refresh of the county website will be unveiled soon. Other ways to stay informed are to sign up for “Goochland at a glance” https://www.goochlandva.us/list.aspx?listid=413 to receive a weekly digest of county information.

Local government has the greatest impact on your daily life. Please pay attention and keep informed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last of Goochland’s fall 2024 town hall meetings was held on October 28 for District 4. These sessions began on October 3 in D5. Recordings of all four meetings—districts two and three were combined—are archived on the county website, https://www.goochlandva.us/ under the “watch county meetings tab” listed as community meeting. They were also livestreamed in real time for those who preferred to tune in from home.

Attendance was light, perhaps due to the 6 p.m. starting time, which may have conflicted with the dinner hour for busy folks. At the D1 meeting, there seemed to be more elected and appointed officials and staff than citizens.

All meetings followed a similar format with County Administrator Vic Carpenter and Superintendent of Schools Michael Cromartie Ed. D.  giving thumbnail overview of their operations followed by questions.

The presentations were pretty much the same for all meetings, with some curious divergences. For instance, Carpenter mentioned major repairs to the Tuckahoe Creek Service District force main in the River Road corridor at the D5, and D2&3 meetings, but made no mention of it at the meeting for D4, where many residents live in the TCSD. He announced that the county is starting to build Fire-Rescue Station 8 in Sandy Hook, but glossed over that a proposed east end station has been put on the back burner.

Cromartie shared the accomplishments of our school division, including scholastic advances in the past year. He also illustrated how a teacher salary adjustment, implemented this year, has made Goochland schools better able to compete with our neighbors to attract and retain the best people.

Questions that made the recording— conversations continued after the meetings ended—included concerns about long bus rides and where the next new elementary school should be located.

Cromartie opined Goochland is a long, narrow, and rural community, which precludes the notion of neighborhood schools. He also contended that he does not expect the county to have more than three elementary schools whose attendance districts would wax and wane with prevailing demographics.

Cromartie said that the school division does the best it can to make school bus routes efficient with the resources—drivers and buses—available. He echoed the lament of most school divisions that bus drivers are in short supply.

The fate of the old Goochland Elementary School, which belongs to the school board, may be decided during the November 12 school board meeting.

Other citizen questions/comments dealt with the frustrating slowness of broadband connection in parts of the county and an overall concern about the dearth of local housing in price ranges accessible to teachers, deputies, and public safety employees.

Carpenter explained that the county is powerless to demand that developers build lower cost homes. He said that one way to reduce the price of “dwelling units” is to increase density as in townhome and apartments, which most Goochlanders reject. The county cannot declare a moratorium on building either. While increasing minimum lot sizes could put the brakes on development, it would also reduce the supply of buildable lots and increase demand and home prices.

Carpenter contended that because Goochland is a beautiful place with good schools and services people want to move here. The county is also at the mercy of VDOT when it comes to road improvements. Thanks to money received from tax on gas purchased in Goochland the county, via the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, has a bit more money to deal with badly needed road improvements, all of which cost a fortune and are built with glacial speed.

The burden that non-essential 911 calls place on fire-rescue personnel, especially volunteers, was discussed. The county, said Carpenter, is aware of the issue and could investigate measure to mitigate “nuisance” calls, like multiple false alarms from security systems, that waste precious public safety resources, by imposing fees.

Attendance at town hall meetings has dwindled since they restarted after the Covid lockdown. These sessions consume a good deal of staff time that might be better used in other ways.

The supervisors regularly contend that they want more citizen engagement, but are town hall meetings the way to go about it? People tend to show up at public hearings to oppose land use changes close to their homes but are generally uninformed about other matters. The small area plan studies for Courthouse Village and Centerville had robust attendance, but the perception of citizens that their input on those studies was ignored, may have cooled enthusiasm for engagement.

A desperately needed refresh of the county website will be unveiled soon. Other ways to stay informed are to sign up for “Goochland at a glance” https://www.goochlandva.us/list.aspx?listid=413 to receive a weekly digest of county information.

Local government has the greatest impact on your daily life. Please pay attention and keep informed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sausage making preview

Tom Garrett, John McGuire, David Owen (Goochland County image)

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means that local governments, like Goochland, have only those powers given to them by the state legislature. (Put Dillon Rule into your search engine for detailed explanations.)

The Virginia General Assembly meets in Richmond every January to conduct the Commonwealth’s business, which includes passing laws that affect us all. Open lines of communication between local and state elected officials are vital to protect the interest of citizens and avoid unintended consequences of “one size fits all” laws, which often cause more problems than they solve, especially at the local level.

On October 23, Goochland resumed its practice of holding an annual meeting between our General Assembly Delegation comprised of Senator John McGuire, District 10, Delegate Tom Garrett, District 56, and Delegate David Owen, District 57 and elected officials. No meeting was held last year because of turnover in both local and state offices. The discussion was productive and freewheeling, highlights follow.

McGuire, who is running for U. S. Congress in the 5^th District, which includes Goochland, left around 10 a.m. for other commitments.

Board of Supervisors’ Chair Charlie Vaughters, District 4, called the meeting to order and asked for the delegation’s summary of the 2024 session.

McGuire said that tax cuts, implementing best practices in cyber security for all state government systems to safeguard against backdoor incursions into sensitive sites, and cleaning up the voter rolls were major accomplishments of the 2024 session.

Garrett contended that the General Assembly (GA) works on a NOVA (northern Virginia) versus ROVA (rest of Virginia, south of Occoquan) basis. NOVA, he said, controls the agenda, believes that the Commonwealth runs on revenue generated inside the beltway, and does not care what happens in the rest of the state.

Garrett would support closing the prison on the James River to open its beautiful location for development and moving the facility to a less scenic part of Virginia which could use the jobs. Curiously, he made no mention of another state facility, the Goochland Campus of Reynolds Community College, which has been sitting mostly empty since before Covid.

Garret reported unsuccessful moves in GA to usurp land use decision power, especially regarding solar facilities and data centers, from local government to place them under the purview of the state corporation commission. “There is nothing more fundamental than local decisions regarding land use,” he said.

He contended that state-imposed regulations destroyed volunteer fire departments throughout Virginia and was pleased with his work to increase support for first responders and law enforcement. “The backbone of a lot of rural communities is a fire station.”  Garrett thanked Jennie Wood, a current member of the Goochland Economic Development Authority, for her help in addressing this issue.

Garrett noted that getting legislation passed is a process. Even though a bill does not pass in one session, it can lay the groundwork for future success. He said that the 2025 session is going to be fascinating and has potential to get a lot of things done.

Owen echoed Garrett’s contention about NOVA control of the GA, especially over which bills are heard. He said that each legislator is limited to 15 bills. Even so, 3,000 pieces of proposed legislation are expected to be introduced and acted upon in next year’s “short” session.

Disclosure power of localities is severely limited by state law. For instance, Goochland cannot require sellers of property to divulge the proximity to an active quarry; the extra 32 cents of ad valorem tax levied in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District; planned location of future county facilities; or that “stub” roads, mandated in new subdivisions by VDOT—the state agency whose motto is “Oops!”—could lead to future development.

Owen contended that the opposition to disclosure, by realtors, not home builders, was because different regulations in each jurisdiction, make it difficult to do business across county lines.

Neil Spoonhower, District 2, pointed out that lack of disclosure leads to newcomers complaining to the county that “no one told us,” leaving local government to clean up the mess. He contended that the Dillon Rule “says they (the state) don’t trust me” to make good decisions.

Spoonhower also expressed astonishment at the excessive cost of road improvements, citing the $1.7 million price tag to build 2,500 feet of sidewalk along River Road West in Courthouse Village. Even though the county will do the work, VDOT fees for the project were $100k.

Tom Winfree, District 3 agreed that zoning control should be kept at the local level and supported a return to one day, one vote rule.

Owen said that you’ll never get “one day one vote back in the bottle” but repeal of Virginia’s 45 day early voting practice needs a groundswell of support. He advocates two-weeks of early voting, including both Saturdays before election day, which is when most early ballots are cast. The extended voting period places a great deal of stress on registrars and poll workers, which does not seem to have been considered by legislators who made the rules.

Aspects of education, including the importance of exposing students to career paths that do not require a four-year degree were discussed. The excellence of Goochland’s career and technical education (CTE) programs was noted.

Unfunded mandates increase the cost of doing business at the local level and are another example of how "one size fits all” legislation often does not.

School Board Chair Angela Allen, District 3 said that classes in agriculture are in high demand in the school division, but that we have only one teacher. (District 5 Supervisor Jonathan Lyle has been advocating for an ag teacher at the middle school for a while.)

Allen said that programs including advanced placement and dual enrollment with Reynolds Community College prepare students to go into higher levels of education ready to deal with accelerated rigor in learning.

The local composite index (LCI) used to compute the amount of state aid localities receive needs to be revised, she said. Goochland’s LCI is .8, the highest category. That means that Goochland pays 80 percent of its school costs.

Garrett said that Virginia’s 134 school divisions are “laboratories for learning” where each community can figure out what works best for them. “We need more accountability for the outcome of actions. Good teachers can use their skills to captivate our kids and change their lives.” He agreed that the LCI needs revision.

Allen said that Goochland Schools oppose collective bargaining. Most rural areas, including Goochland, have aging schools that they cannot afford to replace. She cited the new $50 million plus Goochland Elementary School that opened in August, which was a heavy lift financially for the county, and asked that the state look at a grant program to address this issue.

Teachers are in short supply, especially those in CTE programs. Owen contended that older people working in building trades are good candidates for passing their skills on to the next generation. However, they have no interest in taking classes to become certified teachers and balk at lower school pay scales but might be tempted by state benefit packages.

Goochland Superintendent of Schools Michael Cromartie Ed. D. said that those packages are not as generous as they used to be.

Garrett wondered if a version of the incentive used to attract lawyers to become judges, which provides two years if Virginia Retirement System credit for each year worked, could help attract CTE instructors.

Goochland has great teachers, law enforcement officers, and first responders. Most of them cannot afford to live in the county and all too often succumb to the siren song of higher wages closer to where they live.

That led to the topic of affordable, or as Spoonhower put it “attainable” housing.

Owen said that home prices are a factor in reducing turnover for teachers, deputies, and first responders. He said that the initiative to make accessory dwelling units—garage apartments, granny flats—is “dead on arrival” and will not get his support.

He said that there is a serious housing shortage in America because we have not built enough homes for decades, increasing demand versus supply, which raises home prices. Regulatory issues that depress efficiency in the construction process also increase costs and exacerbate the huge deficit in housing supply.

Spoonhower said that the Dillion Rule prevents localities from finding creative solutions to the issue.

Looking forward.

Garrett contended that in-person citizen engagement can sway votes in the General Assembly. Because Goochland is the closest county in his district to the state capitol he encouraged citizens to show up and make their voices heard on issues important to them.

Owen said that working “across the aisle” is vital to getting things done. He invited citizens to visit him in Richmond. He also said that writing to legislators is effective. Heartfelt personal notes get traction and are sometimes quoted in speeches supporting or opposing legislation. Form letters, however, tend to be ignored.

Garrett believes that repealing bad laws is more important than passing new ones.

These discussions will be used to craft Goochland’s legislative agenda, a review of the impact and unintended consequences of pending legislation. This will probably be presented and adopted at the Board’s November 6 (note this is a Wednesday, county offices are closed on election day) monthly meeting.

Garrett and Owen thanked Goochland for the meeting and expressed regret that other parts of their districts do not hold similar sessions.

Our delegation:

John McGuire- Senate District 10  senatormcguire@senate.virginia.gov

Tom  Garrett- House of Delegates District 56-DelTGarrett@house.virginia.gov

David Owen- House of Delegates District 57-DelDOwen@house.virginia.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuff to do close to home

 

 

The last few weeks have been busy, but there are more Goochland happenings ahead.

October 22—District 1 Town Hall meeting at Byrd Elementary School 2704 Hadensville Fife Road at 6 p.m. May  be livestreamed at You may be able to view Town Halls live at:  https://va-goochlandcounty.civicplus.com/1154

Citizens are able to submit questions in advance of the Town Hall by emailing them to: townhall@goochlandva.us

October 26—Goochland Fall Festival 11-2 at the Goochland Sports Complex, behind the admin building in Courthouse Village

October 28—District 4 Town Hall meeting at Salem Baptist Church 465 Broad Street Road at 6 p.m. See above for streaming info.

November 2—This is going to be a very busy day in Goochland.

·         Lafayette returns to Goochland on the 200^th anniversary of his visit to the county during his farewell tour of America, the nation he fought to create. A ticketed reception  will be held at Tuckahoe Plantation from 10-12. A reenactor and modern interpretations of dishes he enjoyed on his tour will be included. Each ticket holder will receive a glass marking the occasion. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-lafayettes-return-tickets-1041017660847?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing for details.

·         To commemorate Lafayette’s visit to Goochland Courthouse, a marker, on the site of the tavern he visited, opposite the courthouse, will be dedicated beginning at 1 p.m. Open to all.

·         Adjourn to Courthouse Creek Cider https://courthousecreek.com/to continue the celebration of this founding hero.

·         Goochland Rotary Brunswick Stew sale—at the Crozier Company 2 Fire-Rescue Station. Proceeds from the stew sale support Rotary community activities. Go to GoochlandRotary.com to order. Pick up is between noon and 2 p.m. The price is $15/quart, or $12/quart for three or more.

·         River Road Cottage & Market—will host “A small town Goochland Christmas” from 10 to 4 at 2905 River Road West in Goochland Courthouse. Visit this magical place to get a head start on the holidays.

November 9—Goochland Chamber of Commerce will host a Bluegrass & BBQ expo at 68 Broad Street Road in Centerville, behind United Bank.

November 11—Veteran’s Day Observance at 9:30 a.m. in the Goochland High School auditorium. The keynote speaker will be Michael Flanagan, Col. U.S. Army, retired.

November 16—Tire amnesty and document shredding at the Fairground property on the corner of Fairground and Sandy Hook Roads next to Courthouse Company 5 Fire-Rescue station from 9 to 1 p.m. There will be a 10-tire limit per person. Participants must show proof of Goochland County residency. Only clean off rim AG/Tractor, Truck, Auto, and ATV/UTV tires accepted.
Secure document shredding is available for up to five banker’s boxes (no larger than 12” x 24”) per person. Must show proof of Goochland County residency. Paper clips and staples do not have to be removed, but plastic binding must be removed. For more information call 804-657-2025 or email dleftwich@goochlandva.us

 

 

 

 

 

TCSD

 

Sections of failing fiber reinforced pipe removed near River Road

Perhaps nothing has contributed to growth in eastern Goochland more than the Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD), which was created in 2002 to provide public water and sewer to an area bounded on the east by the Henrico County line, on the north by the Hanover County line, Rt 6 to the south and roughly Manakin Road to the west.

In the mid-90’s, Motorola purchased a large parcel of land in West Creek, some of which is now home to a soccer facility, to build a computer chip plant. Goochland entered into an agreement with Henrico to supply water to the plant. After building some parking lots, Motorola decided not to build the plant and sold the site. Capital One, which began to build its West Creek campus in the early days of the 21^st century, consumed much of the remaining water allocation from Henrico.

The county realized that it needed public utilities to attract economic development moving westward from Richmond. An early initiative to build a wastewater treatment plant on the James River, in the general vicinity of Ben Dover, was abandoned after what became known as the toilet wars, when opponents of the plant lined Rt 6 with old toilets in protest. A community meeting intended to discuss the benefits of the proposed facility ended when a citizen asked the presenter which of the homes in a photo of a wastewater treatment plant surrounded by houses was his and got no reply.

Undaunted, the supervisors continued to explore bringing public utilities to the eastern part of the county. In 2002, the TCSD was created to build trunk lines that would bring water from Henrico and send wastewater to the City of Richmond. Individual landowners would pay to connect to the trunk lines. The county borrowed about $65 million from the Virginia Resource Authority (VRA) to fund the project, which levied an ad valorem tax on all parcels in the TCSD to service its debt. Some doubts were allegedly raised at the VRA bond hearing about Goochland’s ability to handle the project but were overridden.

When the county was encouraging landowners inside the “footprint” of the TCSD to join—it was voluntary— the ad valorem tax stated as 15 cents per $100 of valuation. When first levied, it was 50 cents. At one point, the tax was reduced to 23 cents, which was inadequate to service the debt. The tax has been 32 cents per $100 of assessed valuation since 2012.

At the outset, the TCSD was intended for mostly commercial development except for Kinloch.

Building the TCSD was complicated and involved securing right of way easements and agreements with other jurisdictions and entities including the Country Club of Virginia. The company retained by Goochland County—the lowest “responsive” bidder—to build the trunk lines had issues. For some reason, the county specified that the pressurized force main would use fiber reinforced—sometimes snarkily referred to as paper mâché—pipe would be used. The contractor had no experience with this material, which led to another set of problems and cost overruns. In later years, it was discovered that there were few, if any, “as built” diagrams, indicating the exact location of these trunk lines, complicating maintenance and repair.

To further complicate matters, the then owners of West Creek and the county were engaged in a bitter battle over the real estate assessments of the business park that resulted in two week-long trials in Goochland Circuit Court. Even though business in the region was booming, there was little development in West Creek in the early days of the 21^st century. Instead of being the county’s economic engine, it looked more like a nature preserve. Indeed, it was rumored that the owners of West Creek were investigating a conservation easement for the property, which would have prevented further development on the project.

TCSD sputtered along, bringing the county perilously close to bankruptcy until the Board of Supervisors elected in 2011 restructured its debt, got a firm handle on its operation, and worked to attract development in the TCSD.

In the summer of 2021, the force main ruptured, and leaked raw sewage into Tuckahoe Creek contaminating the James River. A study and Preliminary Engineering Report conducted by Dewberry Engineers concluded that approximately 11,000 linear feet of the pipeline needed complete replacement to mitigate construction flaws and material defects incurred during initial installation of the pipeline.

In 2022, the county contracted with Spinello and Company to complete the repairs for just under $8 million, to be mostly funded by an additional $6.2 million VRA revenue bonds with an additional $1million from the Department of Public Utilities repair and replacement fund.

Construction on this project has been underway for the past year or so and is visible along River Road near Tuckahoe Creek. Unforseen complications, including underestimation of the cost of issuing the VAR bonds; change orders requiring additional engineering to cross Henrico utility lines and avoid Randolph Square roads; more robust erosion and sediment controls; and property restoration, which was removed from the initial bid, increased the final cost. At their October 1 meeting, the supervisor approved amending the FY25 budget by transferring $740,000 to the DPU Rehabilitation and Repair fund. Of this, $260,000 represents funds that were previously allocated to other DPU projects that came in under budget. The remainder will be treated as a loan to be repaid to the Capital Improvement Plan fund within the next ten years or less.

Technically, no board of supervisors can compel future boards to do anything. They can, however, leave messes for their successors to clean up. The TCSD should act as a cautionary tale for elected officials to think long and hard about the unintended consequences of their actions.

 

 

Follow the smoke

 On Saturday, October 5, the fire-rescue family and community gathered to dedicate the newly renovated Goochland Courthouse Company 5 fire-rescue station in honor of Chief Fred. T. “Tommy” Carter, Jr.

Current Company 5 Volunteer District Chief Jenna Nelson welcomed all to the event with fire-rescue folk resplendent in dress uniforms dripping with the gold braid that signifies years of service.

District Chief Jenna Nelson (Company 5 image)

Jo Anne, Chief, and Shelly Carter (Company 5 image)

 Former Volunteer Company 5 District Chief David Dowdy explained the process that transformed the forty-year-old station built to accommodate a volunteer fire-rescue organization, including the fund raising vital to its survival—into a modern state of the art facility. It began five years ago, said Dowdy, when Company 5 officers sat down with architect Steve Childrey to discuss their vision for an updated station to serve the community well into the future. Childrey, recalled Dowdy, put tracing paper over a plan of the existing building and drew a crude sketch that became the foundation for the renovations.

Goochland Fire-Rescue is a combination agency, where career staff and volunteers work side by side. Because the career staff is at the station 24/7, it is their work home. Dowdy said that as with a home where the kitchen is its heart, the kitchen of the new Company 5 was moved to the center of the building.

The kitchen is the heart of the new Company 5

During the Covid shutdown that delayed renovations to Company 5, the Board of Directors of the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association, which owns five of the county’s six stations, realized that stations in Manakin and Centerville also needed to be updated to accommodate the new realities of career staff. The Association hired an executive Director, Martin Dean, who is also a Manakin volunteer, to oversee the renovations. 

Bunk Room

The most important element in emergency response is the people who save lives and protect property. Public safety is dangerous work, but carcinogens from unfiltered diesel exhaust pose a greater threat than emergency operations.

Modern fire-rescue stations need sleeping quarters and shower facilities for round-the-clock providers. In stations of old, bunker gear was hung on hooks on the walls of equipment bays until needed absorbing deadly diesel exhaust.

The new Company 5 has a hot zone where bunker gear can be stored and cleaned; negative air pressure in living quarters that keeps exhaust in the equipment bays. There are bunk rooms, bathrooms with showers, a day room, gym, and offices for both career and volunteer officers.

Clear glass bay doors showcase the apparatus, including fire engines, tankers—in much of Goochland all water needed to fight a fire must be transported to the scene—ambulances, a ladder truck, and a boat for water rescue. Columns at the new entrance pay homage to our historic courthouse.

Company 5 evolved from humble beginnings in 1958. Carter, who became a fire-rescue volunteer in 1964, recalled that it began with a single fire truck parked in the open, because there was no station. In 1966, a new fire truck, which cost about $18k was purchased and paid for by the volunteers. “Back then, if you wanted something, you had to pay for it,” recalled Carter. When rescue squads were established in 1966, Luck Stone bought the county’s first ambulance for Company 1 and the Chamber of Commerce helped Company 5 buy theirs.

The first Company 5 was located on River Road West next to the Post Office where the gun shop is now. A basement was used for bingo, an important source of revenue for Company 5. As the Company added equipment, the need for a larger station became clear.

The current station was built about 40 years ago, literally by the volunteers with a lot of help from the community and local businesses. Carter cosigned the note on the building, putting his personal finances at stake to ensure that this community resource came into being. Company 5 negotiated with the county for the current site, which had been used for the county fair, horse races, and as a go kart track.

That building was planned to have enough space to house apparatus in an easy to deploy configuration, a community meeting space because there was none in Courthouse Village, and a place for fund raising activities to pay for the building.

The technology of emergency response has come a long way since Carter first joined Company 5 as a teenager. Back then, there were no radios to guide firefighters to emergency scenes. Called on their home telephones, firefighters drove to their stations and climbed on the trucks. Carter recalled being told in his early days as a firefighter after asking where the fire was, to “follow the smoke.”

“We did not have the nice toys we have today,” Carter said referencing the complexity and cost—ladder trucks cost north of $1.5 million—of emergency apparatus. “There is no way that the companies could operate today the way they did years ago. Without the support of the county, we could not function.”

Carter thanked former Chiefs of the Department Earl and Howard Henley who laid the foundation for the organization. “They told us you’ve got to know who you are and where you’re going. We all grew up in fire-rescue and grew a lot of folks who are chiefs outside the county.”

Tones sounded during the festivities, a reminder of the important function of the building. The duty crew gathered their gear, climbed into an ambulance, engaged its siren, and drove off to render aid.

Carter was taken by surprise when he learned that the station was dedicated to him in honor of his 60 years of tireless and dedicated service, holding every office from firefighter to chief of the department.

“Sixty years is a long time,” he said, thanking his family, especially wife Jo Anne; daughter Shelly, who volunteered at Company 5 for ten years; the extended Carter clan, many of whom were in the audience; and his fellow fire-rescue members, a special kind of family. “I could have spent hours talking about all the things we did, some not right, most right, like this,” he gestured as the renovated building. “It’s not a one-person operation, everyone has to help, chip in and pull their weight. I’m a lifetime member but I help when I can.” He referred those who came after him like Dowdy and current Chief of the Department D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr., who continue the work into the future.

JoAnne Carter, who was presented with a bouquet, said that she and Tommy have been married for 55 years, so she has been through a lot with him. The importance of family support that made it possible for volunteers to give so freely of their time and talents to respond to calls, train, and raise money to fund the organization cannot be overstated.

Captain Greg Jones, who joined Company 5 as a teenager and progressed to a career in Med Flight, the Virginia State Police air ambulance service, marveled at the amount of time volunteers spent working on and overseeing construction of the new building in addition to training, responding to emergencies, and  raising money. “They all had jobs and families yet found the time to be here a lot because they knew how important Company 5 was to the community..”

Jones said that Carter was to him, and many other young volunteers, a mentor, father figure, and supportive of their success. Carter’s skill in management practices, communication, and fund raising savvy inspired others to help Company 5 evolve into the excellent public safety agency it is today. Fund raising, including gun raffles and regular bingo nights, were also required of all volunteers.

Tommy Carter (shoulder patch) telling stories

Before the ceremonial “ribbon” cutting, fire line tape was substituted, Ferguson explained that over the past few years, his department has been learning about building and renovating fire stations.  He thanked the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator for their support, the especially monetary in the form of about $3 million in loans, to make the station renovations possible. “We all pulled together and got it done,” said Ferguson. “Over the last 15 years our organization has moved from an all-volunteer agency to a well-respected combination department. We will be forever grateful to Chief Carter for his leadership and accomplishments.”

Ribbon Cutting (Company 5 image)

The work of Carter and his fellow pioneering volunteers goes on. Nelson, like Carter, joined fire-rescue as a teenager and continues to donate her time and talents to provide a vital community service.

Goochland has been blessed with people like Tommy Carter, those who came before him, and those who came after to “follow the smoke” to save lives and protect property in our county.

The companies still need financial support from the community. On December 21, from 8-10 a.m. Company 5 will hold a free Santa Pancake breakfast, on a dine in or drive thru basis. Kids can deliver their wish lists directly to Santa and have their picture taken with the Jolly Elf, at 2710 Fairground Road, Goochland, VA 23063.

To learn more about becoming a Fire- Rescue volunteer, go to https://goochlandfire-rescue.org/recruitment/join/ and be sure to attend the 2024 Fire-Rescue Show tonight, October 12 at Goochland High School https://goochlandfire-rescue.org/event/2024-fire-rescue-show/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lafayette returns to Goochland

Major General Lafayette

 

Gilbert Motier La Fayette, remembered by Americans as the Marquis de Lafayette, first came to America as a 19-year-old aristocrat to help a nation fight for its liberty. An injury at Bunker Hill left him with a limp for life. General George Washington made him a major general in the Continental Army. He was active at the war’s end at Yorktown.

As the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, events are being planned to commemorate the founding of our country. The Goochland Board of supervisors appointed a GVA250 commission, headed by the Hon. Manuel Alvarez, The Commission’s goal is to engage, educate, inspire through series of local events. He reported that the 5K Run for Revolution, held on September 14 at Elk Hill Farm was a success and that the Commission has formed a partnership to support Elk Hill, which provides “a safe and peaceful haven where children can overcome obstacles in the way of a bright and successful future”.

Elk  Island Winery (https://elkislandwinery.com/) has created a wine named “Revolution Red” whose label echoes the image used for the 5K and Midnight Brewery (https://www.midnightbrewery.com/home) has brewed a 1727 porter using a recipe attributed to Geroge Washington using modern methods and ingredients. Courthouse Creek Cider (https://courthousecreek.com/) is working on a special Virginia cider.

In 1824, Lafayette, the last surviving officer of the revolutionary war, returned to America, visiting many of the places where he fought, Goochland County among them. In 1823, President Monroe persuaded Congress to invite Lafayette to visit our country, when he realized that at least half of the population of America had been born after the war. The tour lasted more than a year.

According to Robin Lind, president of the Goochland Historical Society, Lafayette came to Richmond and was escorted by the local militia to Powell’s Tavern, now a private residence, in eastern Goochland for a celebration, and then to Goochland Courthouse, where he spent the night at Anderson’s Tavern, before proceeding to Cumberland and on to Monticello. Lafayette visited all 13 “colonies” and newer states. Everywhere he went people lined the road and cheered as he passed by.

Lind referenced a letter from Jefferson’s grandson describing the meeting between of old friends on November 4, 1824. Jefferson was 81, Lafayette 68. Jefferson was feeble and tottering with age and Lafayette permanently lame and in broken health. AS they approached each other, their uncertain gait quickened into a shuffling run. Ther burst into tears as they fell into each other’s arms. There was not a dry eye, no sound except an occasional suppressed sob, among the 400 men witnessing the scene.

“This is somebody that needs to be celebrated,” Lind said. He outlined Goochland’s plans for Lafayette’s celebration this year.

On November 2, 250 years to the day when he last visited Goochland, Lafayette, portrayed by a reenactor, will return. The day will begin with a ticketed event at Tuckahoe Plantation (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/general-lafayettes-return-tickets-1041017660847?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing) featuring toasts and interpretations of 1824 period food prepared by Goochland High School culinary arts students.

Next will come a public dedication of a marker commemorating the 1824 visit of Lafayette in Courthouse Village on River Road West opposite the Goochland History Center (https://www.goochlandhistory.org/) on the approximate location of Anderson’s Tavern.

The celebration will conclude with an informal gathering at Courthouse Creek Cider.

Goochland witnessed the founding of America. Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette, and even Cornwallis were here. It is important to remember and celebrate this.

October board highlights

 

 The October 1 meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisor had a light agenda. More and more items are being relegated to detailed reports included in the board packets. These are available in their entirety at https://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx Board packets contain much interesting information. Of special interest to those waiting for Firefly is the detailed monthly broadband report.

October has been designated as Domestic Violence Awareness month. The supervisors adopted a proclamation recognizing this scourge on society. Representatives of Goochland Cares, whose services include a confidential sexual and domestic violence abuse hotline (804) 980-6267 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sexual and Domestic Violence Services are available to ALL victims or survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, regardless of income, gender, or sexual orientation. You do NOT have to be a registered client of GoochlandCares to utilize to utilize its sexual assault and domestic violence services. Go to https://goochlandcares.org/services/sexual-and-domestic-violence-services/ for more information.

A representative of GoochlandCares thanked the board for its support of the service, for which, unfortunately, there is a need in our community.

Renae Townsend, Executive Director of Goochland/Powhatan CASA (court appointed special advocates) also thanked the board for its monetary and in-kind support. Townsend said that 2025 will mark the 20^th anniversary of the organization’s founding.

Townsend explained that the organization recently expanded into Powhatan and introduced Powhatan CASA Supervisor Deirdre Vaughan. A non-profit organization, Goochland/Powhatan CASA is planning a special fund-raising event, the CASA Community Challenge, next spring. Go to https://goochlandpowhatan.casa/ for more information.

Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter reminded everyone of the October Town Hall meetings. These will be live streamed at https://va-goochlandcounty.civicplus.com/1154 and archived on the county website.

County staff will hold trick or treat in the administration building on October 31 from 3:30 to 4:30 for ghosts and goblin fun.

Carpenter announced that, after “pausing” activity earlier this year, the county is still trying to figure out the best site for West Creek Fire-Rescue Company 7. In the meantime, the county will start construction Station 8 in District 2 on Whitehall Road near its intersection with Dogtown Road. “We will continue to look for the best alternative location for Station 7 or if that location (the east side of Hockett Road near its intersection with Tuckahoe Creek Parkway) remains the best location,” Carpenter said. It is believed that Station 8 will be funded with proceeds of general obligation bonds approved by a 2021 referendum.

Some homeowners who live close to the now defunct Royal Virginia golf course in Hadensville have, during the past few board meetings, raised grave concerns about hunters discharging firearms on the old golf course grounds near their homes. Carpenter reported that staff has spoken with the hunters involved, the Virginia Department of Wildlife, the Goochland Department of Community Development, and homeowners in search of a mutually acceptable solution to the matter.

Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District Manager Keith Burgess introduced our new extension agent, Skye Brickhouse. Burgess said that this year’s drought and flooding resulted in at least a million dollars of crop and property damage, including soil erosion.

A well water testing program will be held later this month. Sample kits will be distributed on October 15^th and collected on the 16^th. Call the extension office at 804-556-5841 for information. (Links to program sites were not working when this post was created.)

Authorization of the donation of two 22-year-old fire tankers, which have been replaced in the Goochland Fire-Rescue fleet with newer models, to Charles City and Cumberland Counties. The value of the donated tankers was estimated to be in the $5 to $10k range was approved.

 

The supervisors approved a resolution to amend the FY25 budget to transfer and appropriate funds in the amount of $560k from reserves to the Economic Development Authority (EDA). A request of this amount was made during the August 24 economic development workshop. The funds will be allocated as follows: Complete due diligence to increase a prime economic development site from tier 2 to tier 4 and produce marketing materials - $155,000. Perform water and sewer feasibility study for Oilville - $250,000. Infrastructure and studies for other prime economic development areas (i.e. Courthouse sewer, water and sewer for Bennington Road and Plaza Drive) - $95,000. Small Business Expansion Incentive - $50,000.  LOGO/Tourist Oriented Directional Sign Grant Program - $10,000.

District 5 Supervisor Jonathan Lyle, who regularly attends  EDA meetings, said that he believes that the county’s future rests on commercial and economic development, contended that it could be more helpful to small businesses to reduce permit fees and streamline processes to relive the economic burden on small business at the front end, rather than the proposed rebates to be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Neil Spoonhower, District 2 said that he agrees with Lyle in principle, but because changing governmental processes can take a long time, the proposals that provide some immediate relief for small businesses—those with fewer than 250 employees—is a good start.

Economic Development Director Sara Worley said that the incentive programs, which could help about three businesses per year, mandate feedback to help gauge the return on investment. Worley pointed out that the county cannot change state and federal regulations, which can account for five to ten percent of construction costs.

The directional sign grant program which helps defray the cost of deploying signs along major roads to attract business, also sparked discussion. During citizen comment, Kathy Murray, of Byrd Cellars, a vineyard and winery in the western part of the county (https://byrdcellars.com/) reported that her business installed the signs at their own expense, which generated a dramatic increase in customers at the 20 year-old winery. She contended that before the signage was deployed, people were unaware of their existence and passed them by on I64 on the way to Charlottesville. Murray contended that the signs are good for her business and commended the supervisors for supporting tourism.

Lyle agreed that the signage is a good idea, but balked at the county funding signs for some businesses on a first come, first serve basis, which he contended puts the county in the position of picking winners and losers.

These items were approved by 4-1 votes, with Lyle in dissent.

Public hearings

The supervisors approved an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Bandit’s Ridge in western Goochland, to add unhosted short term rental; restaurant; winery on less than 50 acres with a tasting room; and accessory public assembly uses. The property consists of 23.07 acres at 5061 Broad Street Road. The CUP will expire June 30, 2032.

A CUP application filed by Pleasant Grove Farm, LLC, consisting of 103.92 acres at 4615 Old Fredericksburg Road for short term rental unhosted was approved. The applicants, Mark and Chirelle McConnel, who operate Pleasant Grove Farm, live in a small home on the property, and have a lease purchase agreement on the farm, which is owned by Massey Investments, LLC.  A large, restored home would be used for the unhosted rental. The McConnels hope to create educational agritourism activities on the farm in the future. They also requested a 10 rather than the customary five-year initial CUP renewal period conceding that they plan to stay and invest in the property and do not want to do it for just five years. The planning commission recommend the 10-year renewal.

Some supervisors contended that if a CUP is violated the county has the power to revoke it.

County Attorney Tara McGee explained that while revoking a CUP is within the power of the supervisors, it is not easy. The supervisors would need good legal grounds, then initiate the process through the planning commission and through the board. “It is a legal right, but I would be incorrect to say it is easy,” she said.

The CUP was unanimously approved for five years.

A rezoning application to reduce buffers on 5.973 acres on Parkers Hill Drive was unanimously approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October is Fire Prevention Month

 

Welcome to October. The days are shorter, and hopefully crisper as the seasons change. Halloween and other holidays are on the way. A perhaps more important annual observance tends to get lost in the shuffle.

October is fire prevention month. Fire prevention week—this year from the 6^th to the 12^th— always includes October 8, the day on which the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 people homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres, began.

Firefighters contend that the best fire is one that never starts. Fire is a source of warmth, light, and energy, but can destroy everything in its path, as Chicago learned those many years ago.

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. said that this year’s Fire Prevention theme is “Smoke alarms, make them work for you!” He made the following recommendations:

Centerville Company 3 firefighter checks smoke alarm

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.

Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested. Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.  (see https://www.nfpa.org/en/Downloadable-resources/Safety-tip-sheets/Smoke-and-CO-Alarms-for-People-Who-are-Deaf-or-Hard-of-Hearing for details.)

During October, Goochland Fire-Rescue will provide fire safety education programs for all county elementary schools.

If your home does not have a working smoke alarm, call the Fire-Rescue Office at 804-556-5304 and request one. There is no charge for this service.

As we send prayers for those devasted by Hurricane Helene, Goochland Fire-Rescue sent five fire-rescue members to the town of Damascus in Washington County in southwest Virginia to lend a hand. These fine people are Lt. PM Jordan Fisher, FF/EMT Ed Brown, FF/EMT Scott Nuessle, FF/EMT Jake Branch, and FF/PM Rob Henkel. They have been responding to 911 calls to relieve members of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department who had been answering calls nonstop since Helene devasted their community. They also worked to restore the Damascus fire station and its apparatus to operational readiness. Our responders will be relieved by those from Botetourt County Fire&EMS and are expected back in Goochland today.

From a Facebook post:

“This week has been an absolutely unthinkable time for our community due to the Hurricane, with first responders, contractors, and volunteers working tirelessly.

Our members here at Damascus, Virginia Fire Department Station 1400 wanted to give a huge appreciation and thank you to Goochland County Fire-Rescue and their members for coming down to give us some relief from the Hurricane. Our Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Chaplin, Lieutenants and a few other members had worked continuously before the hurricane, during the devastation, and after with structure fires and other calls of service. For nearly three days, our members and other agencies worked rescue operations without stopping.

Our brothers from Goochland took time away from their family and community to come down the last couple of days to run calls for our members, so that we may finally eat a hot meal, sleep, and shower. We can not express enough how thankful we are for your Department and its members for this. You all have been extraordinary.

Thank you.

As time continues on, we are still out rebuilding our community and working hard to get the Town of Damascus back to normal. Thank you to every department, agency, volunteer, and contractors that have been by our side the whole way. There have been so many of you to come offer support it would be impossible to thank you all, we do plan on acknowledging you all as things turn back to normal.”

 

On Wednesday, Robin Hillman, Goochland Emergency Management Coordinator, was deployed to the Town of Dublin in Pulaski County as part of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VADEM) statewide mutual aid request to assist with recovery duties and volunteer donation management.

Also on Wednesday, Emergency Management Volunteer RN Linda Taylor was Federally activated with the National Disaster Medical System Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team- Victim Information Center Team. She is heading to North Carolina for at least 2 weeks.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all in the devastated areas.  We humbled and privileged to be able to help in these ways and are very proud of all the skilled and talented Goochland County Fire-Rescue personnel who are on deployment helping,” said Ferguson.

Happier notes:

Courthouse Company 5 is hosting an open house event on Saturday, October 5 from 11 to 2 with a ribbon cutting to dedicate the extensive station renovations at noon.

2024 Fire-Rescue Show on October 12 from 5-9 p.m. in the back parking lot of Goochland High school, 3250 River Road West.  This free family friendly event includes captivating demonstrations of the skills and apparatus that our first responders use to save lives and protect property in Goochland. There will be food trucks, door prizes, and a fireworks display. Come meet our local fire and EMS providers and learn about volunteer opportunities.

 

 

(Goochland Fire-Rescue image)