Sharing information

 

As is their custom, Goochland officials—supervisors, school board members, and constitutional officers—met with members of our delegation to the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate Lee Ware 65^th District and Senator Mark Peak 22^nd District at the Residence Inn at the Notch on September 14. Del. John McGuire, 56^th District was represented by a staffer. McGuire, a Goochland resident attended neither of the county’s two September 11 remembrance events.

The meeting was held at the Residence Inn at the Notch in West Creek.

Ware presented Ruth Quarles, widow of William Quarles, Jr., a framed copy of House Resolution 532, Celebrating the life of William E. Quarles, Jr. The resolution includes Mr. Quarles’ SMILE philosophy: S, to Seek to understand before being understood; M, to Make the other person feel important; I, to remember It’s not about me; L, to listen twice as much as one speaks; and E, Enthusiastically and quickly to admit when you are wrong”.

Del. Lee Ware presents resolution to Ruth Quarles

 Ware recalled a past election where he and Quarles ran against each other. “He disagreed in a way that invited constructive discussion,” said Ware lamenting the loss of Quarles and civility in elections.

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state—localities have only those powers specifically ceded to them by the state—so a good working relationship with our state representatives is vital to protecting the interests of Goochlanders. The main theme of the September 14 meeting was “we know what’s best for our community, don’t burden us with inappropriate and unfunded mandates”.

Ware said in the current election year there is a lot of information on the “real versus the possible” circulating. The current special session, which technically has not concluded but is not active, dealt with allocating money. Governor Northam made an additional $700 million available for Broadband expansion through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant program.

Peake addressed the changes in the marijuana law. He said making the legislation effective July 1 of this year was not well thought out. Localities do not have the power to regulate it or are set up to deal with it. Law enforcement has no way to determine if someone is driving under the influence of THC. When passed, the legislation was scheduled to go into effect in three years, providing time to deal with a wide range of issues.

District 1 Supervisor Susan Lascolette expressed concern about the lack of regulation on sales of marijuana by growers. “Will roadside marijuana stands replace farm stands?” she asked. With little regulation, how will the health and safety of users be protected from contamination by things like pesticides not intended for human consumption?

Peake said that the operation of the Viriginia Employment Commission (VEC) during the pandemic was “woefully pathetic” as the agency was unable to process many unemployment claims in a timely manner to help those thrown out of work by Covid. He said that closing DMV offices placed a hardship on people who need to use the services of that agency.

“Kids don’t learn through Zoom,” Peake said. “Test scores show that. We’ve got to get them back in school.”

Dr. Jeremy Raley superintendent of Goochland Schools began his remarks by saying “it’s not an easy time to be a public servant.” He said that Goochland was one of the first school divisions in the Commonwealth to welcome students back to in person learning last year. “We have a proud record of making solid decisions.” Raley contended that now more than ever the importance of allowing school boards to make decisions is a local matter to best address the needs of each community. He asked our delegation to push back on GA decisions that interfere with local school decisions.

Goochland School Board Chair Karen Horn, District 3 echoed Raley’s comments. “All ideas brought forth from the community and our staff who share ideas to help us make decisions.”

Raley contended that extra layers of state mandated testing duplicates those already used in Goochland Schools and only adds expense and more work for staff. Given the extra effort that all school divisions are putting in to “wrap up unfinished business, this is not the best time to add a new tool.” He asked that if the state insists on extra testing it should send money to pay for it and contended that Goochland uses methods to measure student growth that area better indicator of progress than another layer of standard of learning (SOL) testing.

Another “ask” from the schools is legislation requiring schools to report both letter grade and specific numerical value earned by students on all transcripts. District 5 school board member John Wright said that college admissions processes use a computerized synthesis to “cull the herd” of applicants by normalizing letter and number grades, putting students that do not have both at a disadvantage.

Ware said that the addition of money from the state budget surplus and rising stock market has been beneficial to the Virginia Retirement System, the 18^th largest pension fund in the nation. Other reforms, such as eliminating defined benefit pension plans for new state hires, have helped its solvency.

District 5 Supervisor Ken Peterson, who was a tad skeptical about VRS investment returns said, “if you torture numbers long enough, they will tell you what you want to hear.” He advocated use of surplus funds to fully replenish the state’s rainy-day and VRS fund. He also noted that the state should pass a structurally balanced budget that reflects its true fiscal condition.

Peake said that he sponsored legislation in the last session to impose a limit on the time that a governor can use emergency powers. He will do this in 2022. “Regardless of party affiliation, no governor should have unlimited emergency powers.” Thirty to forty-five days, with extension if approved by the GA should be adequate, he said.

Robin Lind, Secretary of the Goochland Electoral Board thanked the legislators for increasing the pay for general registrars whose workload has ballooned as the result of changes in voting procedures. He repeated his annual plea for the state to fully fund the expense of the electoral board as required by state law. He also contended that Freedom of Information (FOIA) laws are being weaponized to bog down election officials by detailed requests close to elections. Lind asked if a waiver for response to FOIA requests for 45 days before an election, when registrars are busy with voting, could be put into place.

Both Ware and Peake thanked Goochland for the opportunity to discuss issues of concern and share information. “Let us know how we can help,” Peake said.

“If you see an issue that has you worried, please let us know,” Ware said citing the sea of proposed bills that state legislators wade through each year.

Broadband update

 

Firefly lights the way to connectivity

The Goochland broadband desert came closer to extinction on September 6 when county supervisors enthusiastically voted to participate in the Regional Internet Service Expansion (RISE)project.

Bringing high speed internet to un and underserved places in the county—they are all over the place—has been a continual toothache for residents and elected officials. RISE (https://www.fireflyva.com/rise/) will get the job done by the end of 2025. (Listen to the presentation by Firefly broadband at about the one-hour mark on the video of the September 6 meeting available at the “watch county meetings” tab of the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/)

Two years ago, Goochland launched a renewed effort to expand broadband in the county. Since that time, the county pursued grants and sought partners to bring high speed internet to every corner of Goochland. Firefly Broadband, a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Coop, and Port 80 Internet Services are working to get the job done. Firefly in the upper end, Port 80 in more central Goochland.

Gary Wood, President and CEO of Firefly explained that RISE is a partnership comprised of Goochland County, Firefly, Dominion Power, Rappahannock Electric, and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, which will act as the “bookkeeper” for the initiative.

Adding power companies to the mix seems to have been the game changer. Somewhere along the way electric utilities realized that if they can deliver electricity to rural locations, they could deliver broadband too. Regulatory impediments, including prohibiting electric utilities from using their rights of way for anything other than power transmission, should be removed soon. RISE is waiting for approval by the State Corporation Commission for Dominion to provide “middle mile” service with its lines. This means that Dominion will build fiber down the middle of its “three phase lines and large taps” and lease it to Firefly who will then do extensions to connect to homes. Firefly will use its extensive experience in the field to guide installation and construction of the fiber. Firefly will run the retail internet service and perform all fiber maintenance.

The total cost of RISE is estimated at $25,220,000. Construction costs will be divided up among the partners with the power companies paying $17,532,500; a Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant $4,050,000; and Goochland County $3,637,500. American Rescue Plan funds, in addition to money already set aside for broadband expansion will cover the county’s portion. Wood was confident that the cost estimates were accurate.

Wood said that some Goochland residents, across the James River form Cartersville have already been connected to Firefly. Shannon Hill is next up, with locations there connected early next year.

A “long extension” program, expected to be put in place by the Commonwealth of Virginia, will help connect homes that are a long way from fiber cables. He pledged that if the state program does not come to pass, Firefly will “find a way” to get those locations connected. Firefly will extend up to 2,500 feet from “the main backbone” to connect users.

Firefly internet uses fiber optic cable, not Wi-Fi, to bring broadband to homes and businesses. It has identified 2,765 unserved “passings” or locations in the county that will have internet access by the end of 2025. Wood said that Goochland soils are a little better than rockier ground to the west, which should speed fiber installation.

Wood explained that it could take up to eight months to get connected after the Firefly trucks first “show up in your driveway” as infrastructure is installed. He said that Firefly will communicate its actions to keep everyone informed as construction proceeds.

During the county’s September 14 meeting with its Virginia General Assembly delegation, District 2 Supervisor Neil Spoonhower said that RISE is a real way forward. Fixing the broadband problem has been the supervisors’ number one priority. During Covid, the lack of broadband forced students to do their homework sitting in a car in the parking lot of a fire-rescue station with a Wi-Fi hotspot; business owners to drive 20 miles to place orders; and made communities of faith unable to connect with each other through virtual worship. He asked the delegation for its help in removing red tape from this path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A message about Goochland Day

Please see the message from the intrepid organizers of Goochland Day, to be held on September 25, 2021.You can read about Goochland Day and the parade at www.goochlandday.com.

 We’ve committed to keeping this event FREE to the public. COVID has really hit families and businesses very hard. Thus, although we have some INCREDIBLE sponsors, we had to come up with something to cover some of the ancillary costs, which add up very quickly. The parade costs, GC Sheriff’s Deputies, GCPS costs for transportation, games, entertainment, etc – and on and on – all real costs that cannot be given away to us – must be paid.

 

We came up with a donation path that allows one person to win $1,000. We are selling 200 tickets at $25 each for a gross of $5,000. One person will win $1,000 – and does not have to be present at Goochland Day to win. This will net Goochland Day $4,000 before the credit card fees (giving us around $3,700). This will take us across the finish line in funding for the event.

 

If my calculations are correct, with the vendor booth fees, sponsorships, and selling of all the tickets, we should have about $1,400 to carry over to the spring event. Thus, it’s actually rather important that we sell all these tickets.

 

 

Tickets to win $1,000 and support Goochland Day can be obtained at www.tinyurl.com/GDayR21 .

September 2021 Board

Goochland supervisors got a look at the county’s new ladder truck before their September 7 board meeting. This apparatus will be used to save lives and protect property for all homes and businesses in the entire county. (Note to the commenter who contended that “a single mom with two kids” is paying for a ladder truck to protect Capital One buildings.  Cap One, whose 2019 value assessed value was 3.69 percent of the total value in the county, is Goochland’s largest taxpayer. Real estate taxes help pay for the county services provided to all residents. Local government services are not funded with fairy dust. All property owners pay the same tax rate.)

Items on the agenda included a resolution celebrating the life and community service of Lawrence Bolling Nuckols who represented District 4 on the Board of Supervisors from January 1972 to December 1991 and passed away on March 21, 2020. A native Goochlander, Nuckols began work at the ESSO gas station in Centerville when he was 14 and bought it a year after graduating from Goochland High School. He was a life member of Centerville Volunteer Fire-Rescue Company 3 and served as a magistrate/justice of the peace for eight years. Read the full resolution on page 109 of the September board packet on the county website goochlandva.us.

Goochland Fire-Rescue took delivery of a new tanker for Courthouse Company 5 earlier this year replacing a 20-year-old truck, which was donated to Charles City County. Jimmy Johnson, Charles City Director of Fire and EMS personally thanked the Goochland supervisors on behalf of the Charles City County officials for the surplus apparatus, which will fill a void in its emergency response fleet.

Johnson said that the timing was perfect as his organization badly needed a tanker. D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services Chief explained that members of the fire service work together throughout the region helping each other out as they are able. Johnson said that Charles City County will be there to reciprocate with mutual aid if needed.

Goochland Day

Interim County Administrator Manuel Alvarez, Jr. reminded everyone of the revival of Goochland Day on September 25. It will begin with a short parade on River Road West starting at 9:30 a.m. See https://www.goochlandday.com/ for complete details. Kudos to those who have worked through Covid to make this happen.

River Road sewage spill

Alvarez said that the Department of Environmental Quality issued no penalties on the county for the July 27 rupture of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District force main that dumped 300,000 gallons of untreated sewage into Tuckahoe Creek and the James River. The department of public utilities, said Alvarez, is working with a team of consultants to make sure that “something like this never happens again.”

VDOT

Marshall Winn, Administrator of the VDOT Ashland Residency, said that construction of the roundabout at the intersection of Rts. 522 and 250 should begin in the next week or so. This intersection is in Louisa County, out of Winn’s territory, but knowing that many county residents use to daily, promised to share construction information with Goochland.

Work on the Shannon Hill Road Bridge over I64 will be closed for up to 30 days. Signs for a detour work around will be posted.

County job fair

Goochland County will hold a job fair on Saturday, September 18 from 9-12 at the county administration building. See https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=679 for details.

Consent agenda

The board unanimously approved:

Execution of the performance contract for fiscal year 22 and 23 between Goochland Powhatan Community Services and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Go to https://gpcsb.org/ for details.

Appropriation of $100k from the utility capital improvement plan for engineering and installation of a pressure relief valve to improve water pressure for River Road water service was approved.

Amendment of the FY2022 budget to appropriate $108,000 for installation of Opticom systems, which change traffic signals to green for emergency vehicles on the last five intersections in the county. The funds will come from the county’s allocation of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority tax. VDOT will do the work. Opticom equipment on Rt. 250 and 288 and Rt. 6 and West Creek are funded by VDOT.

Amendment of the FY2022 budget appropriated $100,000 for engineering services to improve water pressure along River Road.

Broadband

The board enthusiastically approved a resolution for the county to participate in the Regional Internet Service Expansion (RISE). This will bring broadband to all unserved locations in Goochland by 2025. Goochland County project partners are Firefly; Dominion; Rappahannock Electric; and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District.

Redistricting

County Attorney Tara McGee gave the board an overview of the redistricting process following the 2020 federal census. According to August initial data, the population of Goochland grew by 13.9 percent to 24,727. Prisoners will now be counted at their last known address rather than the site of their incarceration. Complete data, including adjustment for relocation of prisoners, is expected by September 30.

Voting Districts will change following 2020 census results

Election districts, explained McGee, must contain substantially equal populations plus or minus five percent. Precincts, which assign addresses within their boundaries to polling places, must contain at least 100 and no more than 5,000 registered voters. Goochland currently has two precincts per voting district. As growth in the past decade was not distributed evenly throughout the county, there will be changes in both voting districts and precincts. Goochland must wait for state and federal districts to be drawn before making adjustments to county voting boundaries

McGee presented an anticipated timeline, which could change depending on each level of the process. If all of the other entities involved complete their processes in a timely manner, Goochland may be able to start drawing its districts by the end of November. She expects that a proposed redistricting map will be posted on the county website for citizen input. As with the bond referenda there will be community meetings about proposed district and precinct changes early in 2022. Redistricting could result in 2022 primaries behind held later than their traditional June timeframe.

Public Hearings

·        Repeal of county parade ordinance. Deferred to October 5.

·        Rezoning for property on Song Bird Lane in District 4. Deferred to October 5.

·        Addition of parcels on Song Bird Lane to the Tuckahoe Creek Service District. Deferred to October 5.

·        Approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for a detached accessory family dwelling on 10.66 acres at 1018 Manakin Road.

·        Approved a CUP for unhosted short term rental at 849 Broad Street Road.

·        Approved a CUP for Big Dawg Resources for a mining operation off of Shannon Hill Road.

·        Approved amendments of proffer and CUP for Allan Myers VA, Inc. for improvements to an asphalt plant at 5187 Ashland Road.

·        Approved applications to rezone land at the back of Parkside Village in the northeast corner of the county to permit additional RPUD homes, business, and industrial uses.

·        Application to include a parcel related to the above item in the TCSD deferred to October 5.

·        Unanimously amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow distribution centers with access connection to certain roads as a by right use and with a CUP without such access in M1 zoning and by right in M2 zoning. (See the September 7 board packet beginning of page 360 for details.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A scourge worse than Covid

 

Author Beth Macy talks about the opioid epidemic

As the world watched the numbers of cases and deaths caused by Covid rise, casualties of an older, more insidious pandemic mounted with little notice by the media.

Opioids, drugs designed to ease excruciating pain, became an instrument of a peculiar kind of torture that destroys lives and families and all to often leads to death. The highly addictive nature of these drugs was downplayed by the sales force of pharmaceutical giants as they encouraged doctors to freely prescribe them generating creating millions of addicts, immeasurable misery, and huge profits.

Opioids and other addictive substances destroy lives across the socio-economic spectrum. Parents and family members who battle the dark forces of addiction save their loved ones are often left exhausted, bankrupt, and bereaved. Addicts will do anything for their next fix to avoid becoming “dope sick” during withdrawal.

The Rural Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition (RSAAC) is a multidisciplinary coalition established in 2013. Its primary goals are promoting programs that address substance use disorder, prevent substance misuse, and raising awareness of recovery resources in Goochland, Powhatan, and surrounding areas.

RSAAC works to inspire, educate, and equip local residents by providing community education including for prescribers, awareness programs; school-based prevention activities; parental education to help parents be aware of addiction threats to their children; and the sharing of valuable resources through its website rsaac.org.

Partnering with local groups including faith-based organizations; businesses; law enforcement; public health; k-12 education; and non-profits RSAAC operates on the ground in our communities.

It has also implemented program to combat substance misuse including drug take back days, and local drug disposal boxes.

On August 28, RSACC held its second annual virtual overdose awareness walk and event at Rassawek. Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Caudill is RSAAC Chair. Recovering addicts bravely shared their heartbreaking stories of addiction and their daily struggle to stay sober.

Keynote speaker for the event was Beth Macy, a Roanoke journalist, who followed the opioid epidemic that destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives and continues to kill and trap people in the downward spiral of addiction.

Macy’s book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that addicted America has been made into an eight-episode HULU movie, filmed locally, that will air later this year.

She told the story of a promising high school football player with a bright future whose addiction led to an early grave. His headstone is a replica of his game jersey.

Macy told of high schoolers getting hooked at “pharm” parties where bowls of pills, sometimes harvested from the medicine cabinets of grandparents, were passed around. A cheerleader overdosed in the high school library. Soon, those addictions lead them steal from their families to fund their next high. A woman who had lost her own son to opioids, grew tired of watching mothers bury their children and sought ways to help.

Macy contended that drug overdoses killed 300,000 people in the past 15 years and are projected to kill an equal number in the next five years, with 95,000 deaths in the past year.

Addiction, she explained, is a chronic, relapsing disease that takes four to five treatment episodes over a period of eight years for a person to get one year of sobriety. Types of treatment vary from total abstinence to medication assisted treatment (MAT), which Macy contended has the most success. Twenty percent of addicts receive no treatment.

Every dollar spent on treatment, Macy said, saves $12 or more on reduced criminal justice and health care costs. Money coming from a settlement with Purdue will enable greater treatment and mitigation options at the very local level.

Macy condemned pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma for its role in the opioid epidemic. “They wanted you on that drug. The longer you were on it, the more money they made.” None of the settlement money will go to families destroyed by opioid addiction. The Sackler family, according to Macy, even after paying $4.5 billion in settlement costs, is still worth more than $10 billion.

Substance use disorder is a real disease, Macy said. Pulling addicts back from the abyss is a complicated process. Putting them in jail for crimes committed to feed a habit does little to solve the problem. Punishment for dealers who feed and encourage addiction cannot be harsh enough.

The Root (Rural Overdoes and Outreach Team) Project provides a safe space for friends and family of those living with the disease of addiction to share and exchange support in navigating unique relational and social challenges.

ROOT meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Powhatan County VRS (Reception building) 3920 Marion Harland Lane, Powhatan, Virginia 23139. Doors open at 5:30, the meetings run from 6-7 p.m. A Zoom option is available - meeting ID 980 9078 6354 Password: family. For more information call 804.613.8856. ROOT motto: alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

Robin, ROOT coordinator, herself a recovering addict, explained that the “pain in my body became an ache in my soul” when the drugs she took to deal with pain from an injury took over her life.

“There is a beautiful life on the other side of addiction. If there had been someone to help me, could I have spared my family the pain I caused them?” Robin asked. She said that to help and addict, you have to meet them where they are and remove the stigma from addiction. She looks for the day when this disease is eradicated and her friend stop doing drugs.

“Addiction is strong, but together we are stronger.”

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new tool for Fire-Rescue

 

Chief Eddie Ferguson takes possession of 601 surrounded by some of the people who worked through the details of its purchase.

On August 2 the Goochland Fire-Rescue Department took delivery of a new ladder truck. The apparatus—a 100-foot Velocity Aerial Platform—is the latest addition to the county’s emergency response fleet. It will be housed in the Manakin Company 1 fire-rescue station on Rt. 6.

The new apparatus, identified as truck 601, has been included in the county’s capital improvement plan for several years. The cost of the apparatus, approximately $1.5 million, was funded over a number of years and did not require the county to incur debt.

Ladder 5, the county’s first aerial piece, which is housed at Courthouse Company 5 in the center of Goochland, has served the county well for almost three decades. Nearing the end of its useful life, a replacement for Ladder 5 is included in the county’s 25-year capital improvement plan.

The new 601 is needed to deal with growth in the county’s east end, both residential and commercial. It will provide an additional measure of safety for the 1,500-unit multi-story senior living community under construction in West Creek, apartments, and office buildings already there as well as the entire county.

Goochland Fire-Rescue is marking 70 years of saving lives and protecting property in the county. Over the years, we have been blessed by the dedication of those who provide this most vital community service.

Ladder 601 wasted no time becoming part of the community by serving as a platform for the Freedom Flag at the September 3 Goochland High School pre-game observance of the 20^th anniversary of the 911 attacks.  Go to https://www.freedomflagfoundation.org/ for details on this symbol of respect for those lost.

The new ladder truck proudly flying the Freedom Flag

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. read a brief history of the flag, whose creator is a Goochlander. The anniversary of the attacks, which killed firefighters, police officers and other first responders in New York and Virginia, is a solemn occasion for all Americans especially those in the fire service, law enforcement, and military.

On Saturday, September 11, there will be two remembrance events. The first at 9:45 a.m., at the Company 5 Fire-Rescue Station, 2710 Fairground Road. The second at 7:00 p.m., Company 1 Fire-Rescue Station, 180 River Road West

Details about 601 for those interested in such things:

CHASSIS

Chassis: 70” Velocity cab

Seating capacity: 4

Overall height: 12’ 3”

Overall length: 46’ 9.25”

GVW Rating: 84,000 lb.

Front axle: TAK4 Independent Front Suspension, 24,000 lb.

Rear axle: Meritor RT58-185, 60,000 lb.

Engine: Cummins X15, 600 hp, 1850 lb.-ft

Safety: Side Roll and Frontal Impact Protection

Electrical: Command Zone Advanced Electronics System

BODY

Material: Aluminum

Shelving: Adjustable up to 500 lb.

Doors: Rollup

Pump: Waterous, 2000 gpm

Tank: 300-gallon

Pump Panel: Pierce ControlZone, 52”

Foam: Husky3 Foam System

Foam Cell: 20-gallon

Generator: Harrison 10 kW, hydraulic

Notched corners on the back helps 601 handle tight spaces

AERIAL DEVICE:

Device: 100’ Heavy-Duty Steel Platform

Reach: 100’ vertical, 93’ horizontal

Tip Load: 1000 lb. dry, 500 lb. wet

Equipment: 400 lb. allowance

Flow rate: 2000 gpm

Stabilizers: 2 sets, 18’ spread

Platform: 4-person

 

 

On the ballot

 

August is almost over. Time to think about elections. Virginians like to vote, we do it every year. Electoral changes put into place last year, allegedly because of the pandemic, have become permanent. Early voting starts on September 17. (Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration for information about registration and voting.)

There are many sources of information about statewide election choices, GOMM will not be one of them. Closer to home, there will be two Goochland-specific bond referendum items on the general election ballot. Please don’t wait until you are in the voting booth, or otherwise poised to cast your ballot, to find out what these are all about.

State law requires voter approval before localities can issue debt to pay for capital improvement projects. In a word, the referenda are about money. The most cost-effective way for the county to finance vital capital projects is to issue general obligation bonds. Approval of the bond referendum questions WILL NOT INCREASE THE TAX RATE, which is 53 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The referendum questions seek permission for Goochland County to issue General Obligation Public Improvement bonds for specified maximum amounts. Because it has two AAA+ bond ratings, Goochland should be able to issue GO bonds a lower interest rate than other methods of financing. This is a prudent use of tax dollars. Each item has been identified as necessary in the county’s capital improvement plan.

The first bond referendum question asks permission for up to $60 million to build and equip a new elementary school, upgrade the high school-middle school complex, and make associated road and parking improvements.

The second asks permission to issue bonds for no more than $36 million for public safety projects to build and equip a new courthouse and related law enforcement facilities and to build and equip a new fire-rescue station on the east side of Hockett Road just north of its intersection with Tuckahoe Creek Parkway.

Funds raised through issuance of general obligation bonds may be used only for purposes stated in the bond referendum. The bonds do not need to be issued all at once but must be issued generally within eight years following voter approval.

A new $34 million 650 pupil Goochland Elementary School on land owned by the school division off Bulldog Way is the top priority for schools. The current GES was built in 1957, is worn out, lacks a gym, and other amenities.

Larger capacity of the new school will require redistricting to include areas that are currently served by Randolph and Byrd. This, according to Goochland School superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley, will enable removal of trailers at RES and BES, which are also scheduled for replacement sometime in the future. A redistricting plan will be crafted and approved by the school board in early 2022 to allow affected families two years to prepare for the change. If all goes well, the new GES is expected to welcome students at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Other school capital projects included in the referendum are an addition to GHS for both the career and technical education (CTE), and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.  It’s hard to believe, but the “new” high school is 20 years old. (See https://www.goochlandva.us/bonds for details.)

Question two, if approved, would allow the county to issue bonds for up to $36 million to build a new courthouse/law enforcement complex. The current circuit courthouse has been in continuous use since it was built in 1827, when John Quincy Adams was in the White House. While it is an architectural and historic treasure, our courthouse does not provide safe and efficient space for its users. A new facility will consolidate court and law enforcement related functions into one place with modern workspaces and security.

Construction and equipping of a new West Creek fire-rescue station is also part of question two. Residential and commercial growth in the east end of the county and related increase in calls for fire-rescue service require a new station to handle the growth.

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Chief of Goochland Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services explained that five of the county’s current six stations were not built to accommodate career personnel, that now provide 24/7 coverage throughout the county. Sleeping quarters and showers for responders to decontaminate between calls are now needed.

Older stations are not equipped with ventilation and other devices to protect the health of those who work there. Ferguson explained that Goochland Fire-Rescue is aptly named because most providers—100 volunteers and 60 career responders— are cross trained in firefighting and emergency medical skills.  In spite of the on-the-job dangers faced by first responders, a leading cause of death and disability among them is cancer is caused by exposure to many toxic substances, including those contained in diesel fuels.

Although not addressed in the bond issue questions, the county is actively seeking a site for a fire-rescue station in District 2, probably in the Sandy Hook area.

Land for the school, courthouse/public safety building, and fire-rescue station has been obtained.

There will be several sessions providing more in-depth discussion of the referendum questions. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=669 for more information.

Please take the time to learn about these referendum questions and be an informed voter.