Tid bits

 

View from the admin building

The afternoon sessions of monthly meetings of the Goochland Board of Supervisors address routine items that need formal board approval. Since taking Goochland’s helm last June, County Administrator Jeremy Raley, Ed. D.  has reinstated department reports to share insights into the workings of different agencies.

Did you know?

Raley begins board meetings with thumbnail reports on county operations.

On December 2, he commended the collaboration between the information technology and fire-rescue departments who recently “migrated” technology from more than 30 legacy Panasonic “Toughbooks"  which cost about $5,000 each to Apple iPads, which cost about $700 each to improve performance and standardize fire-rescue equipment. This strategic abandonment, said Raley, saves Goochland taxpayers about $129k.

The Federal government is requiring all public water utilities to identify the material used in the water lines for homes they service. Raley said that Goochland department of public utilities has this data for most homes connected to our water lines, but some remain outstanding. Those homeowners will be receiving a letter asking for information about the material used in their water lines. If you receive one of these letters and are unable to self-identify your piping, DPU will be happy to help. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/1380/Lead-Copper-Rule-Revisions-Information for details.

The Goochland Community Services Board (CSB) provided services for 417 residents in their homes. This translates into an industry leading engagement rate of 85 percent. This, said Raley, indicates a high level of client satisfaction with the agency.

He also commended County Engineer Austin Goyne, who recently returned to Goochland government, for updating the transportation tab on the county website with information about road projects.

The December 2 board meeting included the following presentations:

CASA

Renae Townsend, the Executive Director  of Goochland Powhatan Court Appointed Special Advocates  (https://goochlandpowhatan.casa/) explained that her agency is the “eyes and ears” of the juvenile and domestic relations court for cases involving abused and neglected children.

Townsend thanked the board for its financial support for CASA, which is in its 21^st year.

Community and economic development

Sara Worley, Deputy County Administrator for Community and Economic Development, gave a summary of activity for the past six months. She said that Goochland is experiencing robust growth, with population increasing by 14 percent since 2020 and $760 commercial investment in the last five years, which does not include the $5Billion investment from Eli Lilly, announced in September.

Worley said that her department’s goal is to attract high quality development. According to Site Selector magazine, two of the top five economic development projects, the Amazon facility on Ashland Road and Eli Lilly pharmaceutical manufacturing faculty recently announced in West Creek, in Virginia are in Goochland.

Goochland Economic Development was the recipient of the top project community impact award in 2025, for the Eli Lilly plant, by the Virginia Economic Developers Association

In the past year, the county economic development team met with 63 businesses and assisted with more than 300 business needs. Worley said that the hard work of the supervisors and Economic Development Authority has resulted in $430 million in actual investment and more that $6 billion in active construction.

She also reported a 15 percent increase in tourism revenue from the previous year.

The county is one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in the Commonwealth, which brings increased demands for service from citizens, landowners, and developers who need county services to capitalize on their real estate investment.

While the number of building permits issued by the county has remained steady, they are far more complex. She used the Avery Point continuing care community in West Creek, and the Amazon project on Ashland Road as examples.

Excellent customer service is a high priority for her department and the county, said Worley. To that end, a strategic reorganization to create “additional bandwidth” to focus on areas that needed improvement began last summer when she was appointed to fill a second deputy county administrator role. The reorganization included adding a dedicated development administrator, a plats officer, and code enforcement officer to improve efficiency and customer service. Key areas that need process reform or “tweaks” to enhance operational efficiency are ongoing. Delays and deficiencies in these areas was attributed to understaffing and attrition of a key employee.

Worley reported that the changes have resulted in significant reduction in the number of outstanding plan reviews, which will be used to measure performance going forward. She outlined changes in personnel and procedures whose goal is to reduce permit processing times. New software to enable more accurate tracking of permitting and other development procedures, is expected to be online in the new year. (To hear Worley’s full presentation, go the “watch county meetings” tab on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ select the December 2 BoS meeting beginning at about the 45-minute mark.)

Worley reported that the county’ s utility master plan update is nearing completion. She said that the front-facing customer service team is being cross trained to provide better service. As the complexity and volume of development related activities increases, Worley anticipates requesting additional personnel to meet these demands in the FY27 budget.

Pamunkey Regional Library

Zach Roberts, Director of the Pamunkey Regional Library, (https://www.pamunkeylibrary.org/)  a consortium comprised of Goochland and Hanover counties, said that since joining PRL earlier this year, he has been meeting with all staff members and learn how the library operates.

The Goochland Branch Library, located on River Road West in Courthouse Village, roughly opposite the county administration building, is well used by our community. In the last year, said Roberts, there has been a massive increase in the number of people engaging with the library beyond the staple “come in and check out physical materials” use. Last year there were more than 500 programs at the Goochland Branch, where people participated in programs including story time, art classes, and wide range of engagement opportunities. (Check out the Goochland Branch on the PRL website for a list of programs)

Roberts thanked the supervisors for funding extended library hours, which increased use and said that the meeting room and smaller spaces are heavily used. Circulation last year, including digital checkouts for audio and eBooks was 71,000. Goochland library staff answered 25k questions last year either in person or by phone.

The county refurbished the library’s meeting space, restrooms, and story well in the children’s section last year. “Goochland has been a wonderful partner, helping us maintain the building,” Roberts said.

Going forward, the library is exploring outreach opportunities to offer services outside the building.

 PRL is working on a strategic plan to better serve the community. To that end Roberts will be holding several town halls at each branch to hear what patrons want from their library. The sessions for Goochland are Saturday, January 10 from 1:30-3 and Wednesday, January 28 from 2-3:30. Go to the PRL site to sign up.

Suggestions were made to provide some sort of library presence in eastern Goochland, perhaps some sort of “vending machine” to allow patrons to collect physical materials checked out electronically without going to Courthouse Village. A bookmobile to bring materials to different parts of the county and getting the word out about using virtual library access to east end residents were also discussed.

 

 

 

 

Goochland County recognizes employees with over 350 years of cumulative service

From a Goochland County press release: 

 

Goochland, VA - Goochland County is proud to recognize their employees for their exceptional dedication and commitment to the community.

 

On Tuesday, December 2^nd, forty employees were recognized for their combined 370 years of service. These individuals play a vital role in providing high quality core services to Goochland residents.

 

“Today we recognize these employees for their dedication and service to the Goochland community.”, said Dr. Raley, County Administrator. "Their passion and commitment to selfless service shines through in the impactful work they do for our residents.

 

Goochland County is grateful for the hard work and dedication of our employees. Below is a list of employees recognized during the event: 

 

5 Years

Jason Baehr

Nick Baird

William Beatley

Sarah Bryant

Trey Carter

Linda Coles

Joseph Cook

Jason Cox

Jacqueline Daniels

Madeline Davies

Sandra Ward

Kendal Dolan

Mike Hanckel

Chris Martinez

David Morris

Arla Newton

Margaret Parrish

Janice Rutledge

Sydney Warren

Mike Watkins

Robert Wilfong

Tommy Woodson

Rebecca Woody

 

10 Years

Amanda Adams

Gregory Atkinson

Stanley Carrington

Janet Fontenot

Ruth Jackson

David Kolenich

Michael Mills

Robert Mills

Rory O'Shaughnessy

Chad St. John

 

20 Years

Brenda Anthony 

Gary Fisher 

Kevin Forman

Sara Worley

 

30 Years

Jennifer Brown

Steven Creasey

 

 Thanks to Goochland County for sharing images of some of the honorees with Board of Supervisors' Chair Tom Winfree, District 3.

 

Eli Lilly moves forward

 

During the afternoon session of its December 2 meeting the Goochland Board of Supervisors approved various items and resolutions for the Eli Lilly project.

County leaders on September 16 

On September 16, Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin announced that Eli Lilly will make a $5 billion investment in Goochland to build the company’s first integrated active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product plant. It will be built in the West Creek Business Park on a 227-acre parcel currently being used as a soccer complex. Construction is expected to begin early next year. West Creek was created more than 40 years ago to attract this kind of development.

The facility, whose completion is expected in the next five years, will bring 650 high-paying technical jobs to the county and 1,800 construction-related jobs to build it. For every dollar invested by Lilly, four dollars are expected to be generated in local economic activity.

Board Chair Tom Winfree, District 3, said the Lilly project is transformational for Goochland.

During the presentation of the Lilly items, Deputy County Administrator Sara Worley said that each manufacturing job will generate multiple other positions, including logistics and retail. The Lilly facility will employ highly skilled engineers, scientists, operations personnel, and lab technicians.

The supervisors approved a resolution requesting the Eli Lilly project be accepted into the Expedited Permitting Program under the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program run by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership

A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), which typically takes several months to complete, is a required part of site plan approval process. To expediate the site readiness and recruit Eli Lilly, Goochland County agreed to contract with an engineering firm to perform the TIA.  At its October 15, 2025, meeting, the Goochland County Economic Development Authority (EDA) voted to approve funding to execute a contract to begin the TIA. This will allow Lilly to start the TIA process and remain in the desired timeframe for the construction of their facility.  The supervisors approved a transfer of $156,640 from the General Fund to the EDA for this purpose.

Worley explained that economic incentives for the Lilly  project are based on a performance agreement, which “ specifies that Eli Lilly, in connection with the construction, equipping, and operation of the Facility, will invest at least Two Billion One Hundred Forty Eight Million, Seven Hundred Ninety Three Thousand Nineteen and 00/100 Dollars ($2,148,793,019.00) of which approximately Eight Hundred Twelve Million Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Nine and 00/100 Dollars ($812,767,229.00) will be invested in machinery & tools, and at least One Billion Three Hundred Thirty Six Million Twenty Five Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety and 00/100 Dollars ($1,336,025,790.00) will be invested in the construction and upfits of new buildings.” 

 

Worley said that “the incentive will provide tax reimbursements of up to Forty-Five Million, Eight Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-One and 00/100 Dollars ($45,864,691.00) over twenty years. She noted that the tax reimbursements are from increased tax revenue generated by Lilly, no existing tax revenue will be rebated as these are tax dollars that would not exist without the Lilly investment. The reimbursements will continue until the first of $45 million is rebated or 20 years elapses. “At the end of 20 years, the county will have received at least $100 million in direct tax revenue in addition to spin off benefits including job creation and related industry locations and expansion in Goochland.”

The tax reimbursements are as follows: 45% of incremental real estate taxes actually paid by Eli Lilly and actually received by the County for the prior calendar year that are over and above the real estate taxes assessed at the value of the Project Site as of January 1, 2027.  • 45% of the business personal property taxes actually paid by Eli Lilly and actually received by the County for the prior calendar year (excluding vehicles). • 55% of the machinery and tools taxes actually paid by Eli Lilly and actually received by the County for the machinery and tools for the prior calendar year.”

Worley confirmed that neither the Tuckahoe Creek Service District (TCSD) ad-valorem tax nor the 55% revenue sharing portion of the base real-estate tax used to service the TCSD debt will be rebated. This will accelerate the demise of the dreaded ad valorem tax.

The Commonwealth of Virginia was deeply involved in attracting Lilly to Goochland. Creation of a workforce program in the community college system, helping Lilly recruit, and adding $10 million to support CTE programs, including Goochland’s excellent one, was part of the package.

Winfree pointed out that the incentives are based on a $2.1 billion investment, but the actual number is $5 billion. He contended that the county would keep all revenues generated over the lower figure.

In addition to expressing gratitude for the state support, Winfree commended Worley and staff and others who worked hard to bring Lilly to Goochland.

Go to chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1511&Inline=True beginning on page 101 to read the agreement.

 

Dominion West Creek project

On December 4 Dominion Energy held a community meeting at the Residence Inn at the Notch to gather input about routes for a new double circuit 230kv transmission line, a new West Creek substation. The new line is needed to ease the load on the local distribution network serving Goochland County, support the Lilly project, and maintain reliable electric service. Two representatives from Lilly joined many knowledgeable Dominion employees who fielded many questions.

There were two sessions, one from 1-3 and the second beginning at 5 p.m. At least 100 interested parties reportedly visited in the afternoon. Attendance was also robust at the later session.

Dominion Energy rep (r) explains project to concerned citizens

Displays around the room included photos of exiting conditions and how they would look after the lines were installed. There was a display outlining the permitting process, which included approval from the State Corporation Commission, which has regulatory authority over all energy providers in Virginia. The SCC validates the need for the proposed line and approves the route and structures needed to support the power lines that move the electrons. The SCC considers whether potential impacts on scenic assets, historic districts, and the environment have been minimized. A timeline of the approval process estimated approval in the summer of 2026 with completion of construction in winter of 2028.

The new line plans to use 120-foot-tall monopoles located in 100-foot rights-of-way. Photo simulations include before and after elevations of different sites along possible routes. Several people complained that the photos used in the simulations were taken when the leaves were on the trees and did not portray a “worst case” view of the proposed power lines.

Power line support structures to move electrons

The study area encompasses most of West Creek from Rt.  6 to just north of I-64. Go to https://www.dominionenergy.com/westcreek to explore the route maps and photo simulations.

Possible routes to connect power transmission lines to a new proposed West Creek substatio, illustrated as being on the east side of Rt.  288 a bit south of the Lilly site, on land now vacant and wooded, pretty much hug 288 or run through undeveloped land east of 288.

Dominion allegedly would like feedback about the project, but the mechanism to do so on the website is so cumbersome that it defeats the purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow day

Be careful out there

At last Tuesday's meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisors, Phillip Frazier, Resident Engineer for the VDOT Ashland residency, explained VDOT's snow removal procedures.

Go to https://goochlandva.new.swagit.com/videos/362392 at about the 15 minute mark to view.

VDOT handles all road maintenance for Goochland.

Thanks to all who are dealing with today's weather!

The auditors cometh

 

At a meeting of the Goochland Finance and Audit Committee held on the morning of December 3, Mike Garber and Andrea Nichols, representatives of the county’s outside auditors PBMares (https://www.pbmares.com/) reviewed the annual certified financial report (ACFR) for FY25, which ended on June 30, and discussed other financial issues. Garber presented the ACFR to the board of supervisors during its afternoon meeting.

The Committee is comprised of three supervisors, Jonathan Christy, District 1; Tom Winfree, District 3; Charlie Vaughters, District 4; County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley; and the director of finance. Dave Wilson is serving as interim director of finance while the county recruits for that position.

The Committee last met on August 5 for the kickoff of the annual audit process when the work schedule for the audit was discussed.  The bulk of onsite testing that included various layers of review and quality control for accounting and data collection was scheduled to begin in September.

On December 2, Garber reported that PBMares will issue an unmodified—clean—report for Goochland’s FY 25 financial statements, well in advance of the state submission deadline of December 15.

However, Garber said that some material weaknesses were identified in the audit process earlier in the year at the county level that did not include the school division or economic development authority. These errors were adjusted so that the final numbers are correct. No evidence of fraud or illegal acts was detected. The issue was one of policy execution focus, or lack thereof, at the “staff base.”  After several years of glowing audit reports, this was disconcerting.

“Most of this had to do with just being prepared for the audit when we (PBMares) got here. Once we dug into some numbers and looked at different things, there were adjustments, which is unusual for Goochland," said Garber. For the past several years, annual ACFR reports from the auditors commended the finance department and all county participants in the audit process for attention to detail and thoroughness of preparation.

When these discrepancies were discovered, Garber said that he “pivoted” to Raley. “The real comfort is that this is being addressed to make sure that we go right back to everything we were doing before which is clean, no deficiencies, nothing noted.”

There were “significant” adjustments in the capital projects fund. “It’s part of our job not to just gloss over this but to make sure that we have pointed out to this group what those adjustments have been,” Garber told the committee.

“The governance is still sound. We now need to make sure that what we are doing is the blocking and tackling (GOMM told you there would be sports analogies) to go right back to the standard,” said Garber who contended this is achievable is short order.

Multiple entry errors, exacerbated by lack of a third quarter review of reconciliations, were further complicated by “compression”—too few people trying to do to perform too many complex tasks in too a short time—caused the issue.

Wilson contended that a third quarter review and reconciliation can identify entry errors. “Most of this is communication, just sitting down and looking at things that just don’t make sense.”

He said “We’re going to track what we do and how we do it to make sure that we reconcile these accounts and look at these accounts constructively to see if something is really out of whack that we should look at before handing it to the auditors. The objective of the finance department is to hand a clean audit to PBMares.”

Garber reassured Winfree that the bottom-line figures used by the supervisors to make financial decisions last year were sound. Failure to examine some of the entries to see if they made sense contributed to the misstatements. The errors included not recording activity in some accounts and doing it twice in others.

The school division and Treasurer’s office were doing what they needed to do with reconciliations throughout the year, said Garber.

County finance staff is embarrassed about the situation and very focused on making sure that it doesn’t happen again, Raley said. He contended that going forward, the key to avoid a repeat of the situation is to ensure that quarterly reconciliations are completed to make sure that the finance department prepares for the audit throughout the year. As financial reporting standards and county finances grow ever more complex, it is vital to build staff ability to understand and comply with them.

Raley, Garber, and Audit Committee Chair Vaughters, who was also involved in identifying and rectifying the misstatements, contended that the issue was a “one off” and pledged that measures have been taken to ensure that it never happens again.

Happily, this situation was identified and fixed in a timely manner.

 

 

 

 

Health of the county

 

On November 13, the Goochland Health Department, which is located on the lower level of the county administration building, held an open house to showcase the range of services it offers to residents. Dr. Tom Franck, District Director of the Chickahominy Health District, (https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/chickahominy)which includes Goochland, gave a brief overview of the functions of the department to the supervisors at their November 6 meeting.

The mission of CHD, said Franck, is to improve the health of a community by preventing disease, promoting healthy lifestyles, and protecting people from environmental and other health hazards.

Funding for the CHD comes from a variety of sources--42 percent of the department’s budget comes from the state, Goochland matches some state money, locally generated fees, and about 13 percent comes from federal grants.

Training in the proper use of naloxone to reverse opioid overdose

CHD oversees many programs. Environmental health includes inspection of restaurants, and swimming pools. It approves septic systems and private wells. Acting as a safety net provider, CHD offers clinical services like immunizations. It is one of only four health districts in Virginia that does maternity care on a sliding fee scale and has a staff maternity care clinician and offers family planning services.

How to safely install a child car seat

Rabies control is an important part of CHD. Every animal bite that animal protection gets word of is investigated to determine if rabies is involved and determine what action is appropriate to deal with the situation.

Tracking potential rabies outbreaks is an important part of public health.

CHD is getting more involved with improving community health and is unique in the Commonwealth for having a community health response and improvement team, which works with the community to develop assessments and improvement plans. The latest for Goochland was adopted in August 2025. Go to chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/84/2025-2029-Goochland-CHIP-Report.pdf for details. (This was hard to find on the CHD website. During the meeting, a QR code, which allegedly links to the report, was flashed on the screen, but many people, GOMM, included, do not “do” QR codes. A lot of work was put into this report, it should be more accessible.)

Priorities outlined in assessment include increasing support services for senior citizens, the largest age cohort in Goochland; improving access to healthcare; home repairs; transportation; attainable and safe housing; and mental health providers and services. Relationships with other local agencies including the Community Services Board (https://gpcsb.org/), GoochlandCares, and Habitat for Humanity help.

Franck said that studies to find a way to bring transportation for things like medical appointments to rural areas are underway. He hoped the CHD and Goochland would be able to provide real world input as to where the need is greatest rather than using demographic statistics, which can place services where they are needed least.

The open house had stations for each of the services offered by the CHD. These included training on the proper use of naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses and opioid overdose; proper installation of child car seats; services for new mothers including breast feeding assistance, nutrition education and eWIC cards for postpartum and children for their first five years.

A wide range of  services helps new mothers

The county’s citizen emergency response team (CERT) was also represented. A national emergency preparedness program, CERT, a free 22-hour program offered to those 16 years of age and up, provides basic training in emergency response skills. These include disaster preparedness; fire suppression and safety; disaster medical operations; light search and rescue; tea organization; and disaster psychology so that people can care for themselves and their neighbors until help arrives in the event of widespread disasters than can overwhelm first responders. Go to https://goochlandfire-rescue.org/emergency-management/community-emergency-response-team-cert/ for more information.

Tools and CERT manuals

The Goochland Health Department and CHD help Goochland thrive. For complete information visit https://www.goochlandva.us/355/Health-Department .

 

 

 

 

 

Routine BoS matters in November

 

View from the county admin building

The Goochland Board of Supervisors conducted routine business at its afternoon meeting on November 6. Some highlights follow. 

Did you know?

Since assuming the CEO role of the county in June, County Administrator Dr.  Raley highlights the accomplishments of the people who make the county function. Each month, he offers a glimpse into some of the many moving parts of local government.

·         Elections—For the November 4 election, Goochland had 7,504 early in person voters; 1,377 mail in absentee voters; and 8,077 in person voters on election day for a total of 16,942 out of the total of 24,225 registered voters in the county. This 70 percent turnout, while robust, made Goochland only second in the Commonwealth. Shenandoah County, at 78 percent, was first. Raley offered a debt of gratitude for the great work done by our electoral board, registrar, and their staff, election workers, county staff and volunteers who made collecting and tabulating these ballots over a 45-day period possible.

·         Parks and recreation’s eight-person ground crew led by Carl Lacy maintains 347 acres of public parkland, sports fields, and county facilities. Raley thanked them for their good work keeping Goochland beautiful.

County employee quarterly awards

This summer, county administration and department heads developed an employee recognition program to celebrate the accomplishments of “Team Goochland” to celebrate accomplishments in five categories: employee, team, rookie, leader, and customer service star.

The first awards for the first quarter of the fiscal year, July through September, went to:

·         Employee of the Quarter: Elliot Waugh, IT Analyst, Information Technology

·         Team of the Quarter: Department of Public Utilities

·         Rookie of the Quarter: Sheriel Means, Custodian, General Services

·         Leader of the Quarter: Jennifer Brown, Commissioner of the Revenue

·         Customer Service Star of the Quarter: Lindsay Tucker, Customer Service/Building Inspection

Board Chair Tom Winfree, District 3, said that the morale, competency, knowledge, and ability of these folks is second to none and that Goochland is blessed to have such quality employees working for Goochland.

Reports

Broadband-expansion activities continue in the county. There were 1,720 active locations as of September 30. Please see the board packet pages 43-59 for details.

Agriculture-the summary included legislative issues critical to farming to be voted on at the Virginia Farm Bureau convention to be held in Williamsburg in December and shared with the General Assembly. These include removal of local control over siting of solar facilities in places that would negatively impact farming and forestry operations; changes to tax and inheritance policies to assist current and aspiring to access land; and support for grants and scholarship incentives for large animal veterinarians at the university level.

The HG Meat Packing Plant on Old Fredericksburg Road, which will be the only UDA certified meat processing plant in the area, hopes to hold a soft opening in the weeks after Thanksgiving.

Budget calendar- the supervisors approved the budget calendar for the FY27 fiscal year. This includes a capital improvement project (CIP) work session in December; two supervisor workshops in January; joint workshops with the supervisors and school board. Raley will present his recommended budget on February 17, 2026, at which time the board will authorize tax rate advertisement. A public hearing on the budget will be held on April 7. Tax rates will be set on April 14. The budget and CIP for FY27 will be approved in May.

Chickahominy Health District oversees the Goochland Health Department. Its director Tom Francks grave a brief overview of the services offered and invited all to an open house on November 13. The mission of his organization, said Francks, is to improve the health of the community by precenting disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect people from environmental and other hazards.

Goochland General Services under the direction of Scott Foster handles facility maintenance totaling more than 263,000 square feet. This includes convenience centers; project management; security and key management; fuel management; non-public safety renovations; street signs; voting machine delivery and pickup; and pole banners like those celebrating 63 local veterans. Foster explained that his department uses cloud-based software to use best management practices to provide a clean and safe environment in all government facilities.

Foster reported that the Commonwealth requires localities to recycle 25 percent by weight of solid waste annually. Goochland recycles 58.6 percent, helped by curbside recycling used by 2,227 homes. Foster said that dealing with both aging infrastructure and new spaces coming online will be a challenge for his department.

Parks and Rec Director Tom Cocke said that there are a lot of fun things going on in his department and urged everyone to visit the department on the county website and access the QR code to participate in the survey used to craft the upcoming refresh of the parks and rec master plan.

Cocke reported that the real time online parking lot updates for the Fourth of July fireworks worked well and were viewed 4,967 times.

The P&R grounds crew volunteered to renovate the ball field at the privately held Goochland Rec Center. Special events like the concert series at Tucker Park, Ag Fair, and Fall Festival have seen increasing attendance, as did his department’s summer camps.

The P&R department supported the 5k sponsored by the Goochland 250^th Commission at Elk Hill on October 4.

After school and programs for senior citizens have been well received. Use of athletic fields and other recreational spaces, including the gym behind the administration building is robust. Traffic counters placed at some outdoor facilities indicated that 50,426 vehicles visited Goochland parks from July to September. Cocke contended that the number is probably higher because counters were not deployed at all locations.

This was the first year that Parks and Rec operated the Tuesday afternoon Farmers Market, which attracted more than 6,000 visitors and 30 vendors for the 22 weeks from May to September. Cocke thanked sponsors Farm Bureau, Renewal by Anderson, Advertising Connections, and Smallwood Renovations for their support. The farmers market in Centerville, which was privately owned and held on private property, ceased operation when its owner retired. Supervisors commented that the Centerville market brought in sales tax dollars from Henrico and expressed interest in finding a new location in eastern Goochland for another farmers market location. One supervisor requested more data on the county’s return on investment in the farmers market operation to see if it “broke even”.

Upcoming events include the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, and Tree lighting on December 5 in the field near the roundabout at the intersection of Fairground and Sandy Hook Roads.

Updates on the P&R master plan, which has been in the works for most of this year, will be shared with the supervisors in a one-on-one format and presented to the planning commission at its December 18 meeting.

 

New District 5 planning commissioner appointed.

Duane Cosby who was appointed District 5 planning commissioner in 2024, resigned in October. District 5 Supervisor Jonathan Lyle explained that Cosby’s departure is career related. He is a pastor whose bishop recently assigned him to increased responsibilities that require significant travel outside Virginia, which would have made it difficult to put in the work required of a planning commissioner. “He did an exceptional job as a planning commissioner,” Lyle said.

Martin Dean was appointed to succeed Cosby. Dean, a volunteer fire captain with Manakin Fire-Rescue Company 1, and former executive director of the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association, is well acquainted with Goochland. Lyle said that Dean will continue to represent District 5 in the same exceptional manner as Cosby.

 

Martin Dean

 Profound apologies for misidentifying Duane Cosby.

The dust settles

In the wee small hours of Friday, November 7, the Goochland Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 with Jonathan Lyle, District 5 in dissent, to approve creation of a technology overlay district and technology zone (TOD/TZ) in the eastern end of the county, which has been a designated growth area for decades. The vote followed more than six hours of public comment by more than 80 speakers. (A video and transcript of the entire public hearing and comments by the supervisors before the vote is available on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ under the “watch county meetings tab.)

Long story short. Since taking office in 2024, these supervisors set a goal to make the commercial/residential tax ratio of 30/70 through economic development. It is currently about 18/82. Residential development does not pay its own way.

Since the TOD/TD initiative was put forth by the county in early July, it has created a firestorm of opposition, mostly from new residents in the Hockett Road corridor complaining that they were not aware that data centers had been a by right use in West Creek since 2014 and do not want them in their backyards. A provision to allow small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) by right met with even more virulent opposition. The late in the game addition of approximately 900 acres north of the Richmond Country Club between Hockett Road and Mosaic that allowed data centers by right especially enraged residents of Mosaic.

For more than a generation, the owners of the 900 acres, now dubbed TOD west, apart from demanding that the county grant access to privately built internal roads in West Creek and Rt. 288, have been coy about their intentions, if any, to develop their land. Rumor of an agreement between owners of TOD west and unnamed entities to blanket the acreage with enormous by-right data centers further stirred the pot. The land is currently zoned A-2. As approved by the board, data centers in TOD west must obtain a conditional use permit. This process includes at least one community meeting and public hearings before both the planning commission and supervisors. Unlike zoning ordinances, which tend to be generic, CUPs are site specific and better able to mitigate impacts on neighboring properties.

A motion by Lyle to remove the 900 acres from the TOD/TZ died for lack of a second, as did a motion he made to defer a vote for 120 days to allow more study.

Opponents of the TOD/TZ contended that data centers anywhere in Goochland pose a dire health hazard, harm the environment, and cause a significant decline in the value of their homes.

Charle Vaughters, District 4, moved to approve the TOD/TZ with amendments made in response to citizen feedback. He said that the process was the most challenging during his tenure as a supervisor. The TOD/TZ, he said, gives Goochland “the chance to set and follow a higher standard for development, solidify and grow our county’s economy in ways never before imagined, and achieve our stated goals for decades to come.”

Vaughters cited the massive capital needs of the county, more than $217 million in the next decade growing to at least $490 million in 25 years. He said that infrastructure investment was made in the east end to support economic development. The ordinance, as amended, “is thoughtful, both economically and technically feasible in mitigating risk and makes Goochland not only competitive, but hopefully a leader is achieving modern economic development.”

He further said “I know there is a resounding voice against data center development. However, the fact that data centers could be developed in West Creek with far lesser standards than what is proposed in this ordinance led me to find the best compromise possible. My colleagues and I did everything possible to make this as strong as possible knowing it will not appease everyone.

That is an understatement. Even though opponents offered voluminous and detailed tweaks to the TOD/TZ, and demanded more time to study the issue, they really just want the whole thing to go away. Some said that they would gladly pay higher taxes rather than have data centers in the county. They do not seem to understand that many of the other 27,000 Goochland residents struggle to pay taxes at the current rate.

Jonathan Christy District 1 thanked staff, the planning commission, and his fellow supervisors for working tirelessly on the TOD/TZ. “After months of emails, accusations, rumors, adjustments, compromises, meetings, and fear mongering, I am satisfied that the best option that works for everyone is now complete. There are no individual winners in this but as a whole we have fortified our financial standing and will be able to provide some level of protection to residents that had not previously existed. We as a board have the obligation to not just look at the next few years, but to think about the next 50. There are no winners on this board. I have taken some personal hits in this process. Let me be crystal clear on something. I was never involved in any backroom deals regarding development. I hear rumors just like everyone else but have the responsibility to verify them before spreading them. Understand that this process has not been rushed or that concerns have been brushed off.

“This TOD is far different from its original draft. To my shock, I cannot believe that we are being attacked for making concessions and improvements.”

Neil Spoonhower, District 2, also refuted allegations that the measure had been “backdoored,” contending that it could have been done with a single community meeting and public hearings before the planning commission and supervisors. Instead, there were several community meetings and smaller sessions with various focus groups and neighborhoods. He said that economic development in the designated growth area protects rural areas will be protected and enhances the revenue base.

“We did listen,” said Spoonhower. “Nobody wanted to hear what we had to say.” He read all the emails he received, responded to about 600, watched videos, and followed links he was sent. “I heard, I listened, I understand, but I do not agree. I believe that data centers are the best thing for the area. There is nothing I can say that will get you on my side.”

Spoonhower added a bit of perspective to the discussion. He watched the videos of the board meetings at which Readers Branch and Mosaic were approved.

“Many of the same objections were raised then. It’s going to destroy the rural character, harm the environment, people are going to die on Hockett Road because of the increased traffic. That wasn’t because of a data center, it was because of ya’lls neighborhoods. And guess what? I think that was a pretty damn good decision that you’re all here.”

“This should be no surprise to anyone. In 2024 when this board took office the first thing we did, announced in public that we planned to bring commercial development, including working with our EDA to bring data centers to Goochland, to preserve the rural character. This was not hiding the football.”

As approved, the ordinance and comprehensive land use plan changes require energy generation, including small modular nuclear reactors and gas peaker plants, to obtain CUPs. This will provide ample opportunity for public input and a mechanism to educate citizens about the local impact of emerging technology during that process. More stringent noise dampening for generators and data centers as well as increased visual and aural screening, including berms and landscaping, were in the approved documents. More robust sound baffling and restricted hours on generator operation and testing were also approved.

Only two small parcels opted out of inclusion in the TOD/TZ.

The TOD/TZ imposes restrictions on data centers currently allowed by right in West Creek adjacent to residential property. This seems to have been done without the consent of West Creek property owners, which may well lead to legal action.

Since July many ugly and unfounded accusations have been hurled at supervisors, including that they are being bribed and need to be removed from office. It seems likely that they have also gotten emails and phone calls in a similar and, perhaps more violent, vein. Those who claim they could do a better job should remember that the next time the board faces a controversial proposal, and there will be a next time, whoever is in office will face similar calumny. It is impossible to please everyone and no matter how hard they work, at least half the people will be mad at them.

 

Veterans made America possible

 

Col. William Parrish and Marine Corps Jr. ROTC cadets

The annual Veterans’ Day observance was held at Goochland High School on November 11. Thanks to all who made this happen.

Goochland High School Marine Jr. ROTC Cadet Captain Ava Freeman welcomed attendees, after which the colors were presented by the unit’s color guard drill team. The GHS band played the Star-Spangled Banner. During the Armed Forces medley, veterans stood as the song of their branch of service was played. Veterans in attendance included a young mother Navy veteran and one from Air Force who came in uniform.

Maidens resident Colonel William Parrish, United States Marine Corps, (Retired) was the keynote speaker. He began his remarks by thanking GHS history teacher Rachel Tate for facilitating a program to bring veterans and high school students together for mutual benefit. He commended Lt. Col. Wiliams and Staff Sargeant Strong, the GHS MC Jr. ROTC faculty, for their excellent work with our students, and thanked our Sheriff’s Office and Fire-Rescue folk for their role in community safety.  (Go to https://sites.google.com/glnd.k12.va.us/goochlandhighschoolmcjrotc/home to learn more about this program, which has the largest enrollment in the Richmond region.) Above all, Parrish thanked his fellow veterans.

Following a distinguished career in the Marine Corps, Parrish established the Office of Anti-Terrorism for U.S. Customs Service; served as Senior Advisor to Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, where he helped plan Operation Liberty Shield to strengthen homeland defense during operation Iraqi Freedom; served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Intelligence Analysis; and Senior Homeland Security Advisor to the FBI. He received the Outstanding Public Service Award in 2009.

Col. Parrish went on to become an associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University where he helped create the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program, the first of its kind in the Commonwealth.

Closer to home, Col. Parrish served several terms as the Board of Supervisors’ representative on the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Board.

 Col. Parrish told of how the silencing of the guns at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918, on the front lines of World War I led to the observance of Armistice Day, which became Veterans’ Day in 1954 at the direction of President Dwight Eisenhower, himself a veteran. On this day we recognize the service of those who wore the uniform.

Parrish reflected on how life lessons learned in military service translate into civilian life using the founder of FedEx Fred Smith as an example.  Smith believed that the leadership skills he learned during his service in the Marine Corps during Viet Nam helped him build a successful company.

These lessons include knowing yourself and seeking self-improvement; knowing what your job is and how to do it; knowing your people and looking out for their welfare; be proficient in the tools needed to do your job; and train as a team for success.

Parrish recalled creating a “what if” handbook to prepare families of those in his command left behind during deployments so Marines could focus on their mission rather than worry about the homefront.

Parrish shared some of his experiences. He was involved in providing security in the aftermath of the 1996 Kobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia and building a soccer field and supporting orphanages to win the hearts and minds of people in foreign countries where he was deployed.

November 10 was the 250^th birthday of the Marine Corps. Like the Army, founded on July 14, and the Navy on October 13, all in 1775, they predate the Declaration of Independence.

Our nation is blessed by every veteran since the founding of our nation, those currently serving, and those who will serve in the future like our cadets.

 

Veterans of tomorrow

 

(Attendance by local veterans was less than robust, possibly due to failure to get the word out. Goochland needs some sort of centralized calendar of events, to keep residents informed about local events.)

Icing on the cake

 

"Keys to Success" at Goochland Elementary School ( GEF image)

Equipping our kids with the tools they need for successful and satisfying lives is the goal of education. Filling thirsty young minds with knowledge is a daunting task. As every child has differing gifts—the motto of Goochland Public schools is “maximizing the potential of every learner—accomplishing that task requires a supportive environment for creative teachers, and often more money than is available in the county budget.

The Goochland Education Foundation, a 501c(3) organization, was founded in 2008, at the start of the “Great Recession” when county tax revenues were stressed by falling real estate values, to “bridge the gap between what traditional funding provides and innovative education requires” by citizens dedicated to help every student succeed. (Go to https://goochlandedu.org/ for details)

Each year, the GEF awards strategic innovation grants that reward and incentivize creativity in education.

This press release describes 2025 grantees.

“The Goochland Education Foundation (GEF) Board of Directors is proud to announce grant funding totaling $15,003.52 for ten innovative projects that will directly benefit students across Goochland County Public Schools. The Strategic Innovation Grants program supports the research and implementation of forward-thinking instructional practices, empowering students with the critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability essential for success in today's dynamic world. "Innovation in education means meeting students exactly where they are and giving educators the tools to unlock each child's potential," said Cyndy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of GEF. "These ten projects represent the kind of creative, student-centered approaches that don't just enhance learning—they transform it. We're proud to invest in ideas that will resonate in our classrooms and our community for years to come."

Dr. Andy Armstrong, Superintendent of Goochland County Public Schools, attended the awards ceremony to celebrate the recipients and their commitment to educational excellence. "Goochland Education Foundation Strategic Innovation grants continue to expand and enrich the engaging educational experiences our students and families deserve and expect," said Armstrong. "From kindergarteners discovering the joy of reading to high schoolers exploring professional theatre careers, these projects demonstrate our commitment to nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and real-world skills. I'm grateful to the Goochland Education Foundation for their continued investment in our students' success."

2025 Strategic Innovation Grant Recipients:

 ● Time Travel in Goochland and Beyond 4.0 – Byrd, Goochland and Randolph Elementary Schools Fourth graders explore Goochland's historic sites as part of their Virginia history curriculum, creating multimedia projects including podcasts, 3D models, and photojournalism to showcase the county's role in state history.

● Enhancing Supports for Literacy Development – Goochland Elementary Expands access to decodable books for struggling readers, providing families and volunteers with targeted materials to build reading confidence and fluency.

● Otterly Excited to Read: Kindergarteners Dive into Reading! – Goochland Elementary Partners with Goochland Library to connect kindergarteners with reading resources and foster a love of literacy through structured library visits and community engagement.

● "Keys" to Success – Goochland Elementary Provides wireless keyboards for fifth graders to improve typing fluency, writing stamina, and digital literacy skills essential for future academic and career success.

● A Sensory Room for All Learners – Randolph Elementary Creates a dedicated sensory room and classroom calm-down spaces where students can self-regulate, manage emotions, and develop coping strategies to support learning and well-being.

● Just make a mark…(and see where it takes you…) – Randolph Elementary Students refresh and enhance the school's outdoor courtyard learning space through artistic collaborations with local artists, creating lasting environmental and creative contributions.

● Good Morning Goochland: Student Broadcast Enhancement – Goochland Middle Eighth-grade media students gain real-world journalism experience through upgraded broadcast equipment for their student news program.

● Math through Music – Goochland Middle Students explore mathematical concepts including fractions, ratios, and patterns through guitar instruction, analyzing frequency relationships, time signatures, and chord progressions while developing musical skills.

● Real World Experiences for the Performing Artist – Goochland High Theatre and choir students attend professional workshops while traveling to New York City to explore career pathways in musical theatre through performances and backstage tours.

● Bulldogs Read to Succeed: Enhancing Student Literacy Through Beanstack – Goochland High Implements Beanstack reading platform and expands the library collection to gamify reading, track progress, and build a sustainable culture of literacy across all subject areas.”

Kudos to GEF for funding these initiatives.

If you have an extra “bean” or two, please consider investing in the future of our students through GEF.

 

 

 

Tomorrow is now

 

Junkyard Dogs Robot "marched" in parades on Goochland Day and at Homecoming

On October 22, Goochland Schools hosted local business and education roundtable at the Residence Inn in West Creek. This was the latest session of a dialog begun years ago to help our school division, especially the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department, prepare students for jobs.

County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley welcomed the group and introduced Bruce Watson, CTE director who said, “I have the best job in the entire school system.”

Chance Robinson, Assistant Director of Economic Development, talked about the importance of bringing local businesses together with schools to create the talent that helps them thrive and attract new companies to Goochland. He mentioned feedback from a local business praising the quality of an apprentice from the CTE program.  “It is a great example of how we build a pipeline with our school system to help existing industry. Small businesses want to start and grow in Goochland.”

He said that the $5 billion investment in Goochland recently announced by Eli Lilly (see GOMM “With a B”) whose commitment to partner with our schools to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education will be transformational.

Watson touted the CTE heavy equipment operator program, one of only two in the Commonwealth. “Ours is the biggest and the best. We own all of our equipment and enrollment in the program, which, has been in existence since 2014, is full.”

Dr. Beth Fowler, coordinator for student advancement at Goochland High School, discussed the advanced college academy (ACA) dual enrollment program. This enables students to earn an associates degree from Reynolds Community College, giving them two years of college credits and saving their families substantial college tuition. Many of the courses are offered at no cost to students and there is financial assistance for any family that needs it to ensure that all kids who can benefit from the program participate.

The number of students completing the dual enrollment program, which began in 2018, has quadrupled. The 2026 GHS graduating class is on track to have 99 students out of 250, earn their AA degrees. A third of students in GHS are participating in the full program. There are also “a la carte” students who “dabble” to see if college is for them.

Fowler contended that the “secret sauce” to the success of ACA is that the number of enrollees is not limited. This results in huge growth in the program not just for degree seeking students, some students simultaneously participate in other advanced programs.

The ACA offers the same academic rigor as college classes in a familiar setting. This, contended Fowler, builds students’ confidence that they are ready to deal with college. The ACA students also learn “soft skills” of professional communication, time management, and how to be successful in the world of work.

Fowler reported on some of the earliest ACA graduates. One is working on a doctoral degree in physical therapy. Another finished college and started a successful business. Another is on track to earn a master’s degree in five years.

Hunter Willms, a 2020 ACA graduate who earned a business management degree in three years, touted the flexibility of the program. He said that he saved $30k at got into the workforce a year ahead of his classmates. He is now a project engineer.

Mikayla Pryor, now a kindergarten teacher at GES, said she appreciated the program, which allowed her to graduate in December and was able to take a permanent substitute teacher job, which segued to a permanent position at the start of the current school year.

Watson said that work-based learning opportunities ranging from job shadowing that gives a glimpse into a particular career, to full-fledged apprenticeships, which can lead to job offers after graduation, are a crucial part of CTE.

Carl Gupton President of Greenswell Growers on Hockett Road (https://greenswellgrowers.com/ great fresh greens, available at Food Lion), who has welcomed several GHS student interns said that “their soft skills are amazing. They’re smart and willing to jump in and do whatever is needed, including coming in on a Sunday to help with an emergency order.”

“We want to be ahead of the game, so our students are ready to enter the workforce, or go on to a two- or four-year college,” Watson said. “With the high-tech companies coming to Goochland we are going to start an academy next fall for logistics, mechatronics, and robotics.”

He displayed a photo of GHS award winning Junkyard Dogs robotics team, which participated in a world competition Texas last May, working with a team from Israel. Watson explained that robotics is a huge part of instruction in Goochland Schools starting in kindergarten.

Coursework in the academy will open career pathways to careers in robotics, mechatronics (the design and analysis of mechanical systems, such as sensors, actuators, and mechanical structures. This can include anything from robotic arms and automated machinery to consumer products like cameras with auto-focus mechanisms), logistics, computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He said there will be a 19 percent increase in these careers in coming years.

The academy program will be implemented in four phases with “on and off ramps” adding courses and work-based learning opportunities each year yet allowing for students who may change their minds about participating.

Both Amazon, under construction on Ashland Road, and the Lilly plant will bring high-paying high-tech jobs to our backyard. The Academy, said Watson, will help our kids be ready to fill these and similar jobs coming to the region.

Armstrong pointed out that the skills taught in the new academy will also benefit local partners and be responsive to workforce needs of the local partners in the room, the smaller companies that are the bread and butter of the Goochland economy.

Stan Corn, of Alarms, Inc (https://www.alarmsinc.net/), who has been an active partner with CTE advisory committee since its beginning, encouraged attendees to get engaged and meet “these great kids and see what they’re doing to aim them in the direction we’d like to see them go.” Mock interviews, career day in January, and a Veterans’ initiative provide opportunities to see up close and personal what’s going on in Goochland schools, provide opportunities to do this, said Corn.

CTE, said Watson, goes to great lengths to ensure that students and companies are a good match for job shadows.

Gupton reported that every student CTE has sent to Greenswell has been well prepared for the job. He also said that students are covered under the school division’s insurance while interning or shadowing to ease some of the “red tape” when dealing with minors.

Virginia Economic Development has been a great partner in this initiative, said Watson. Goochland is exploring collaboration and partnerships with other educational entities including Reynolds and Brightpoint Community Colleges and VCU.

The academy curriculum is being developed to allow high school students to take part in other programs including the Marine Corps Jr. ROTC program, which at 150 cadets, is the largest in the region.

Seniors will be encouraged to participate in apprenticeships as part of the academy. “We want our students to come out of high school with an industrial certification. We want them to get out into industry and see what’s going on,” Watson said.

This program could be a model program for the Commonwealth of Virginia, contended Watson. “To have a four-year academy with high tech skills for major industries will take our students a long way.”

The cost of equipment for the program is estimated at $175, 424, which will be purchased next spring. Watson is submitting grants and indicated that some federal funding may be used.

All of these programs are part of goal of the Goochland School Division to ensure that every graduate is well prepared for the next chapter in life.