Message from the County Administrator
October, 2012
This message is a monthly update in 2012 to better update our citizens and visitors to the website. The information serves as a status report for ongoing projects, and also serves as a preview to different happenings that are in the planning stages.
County government offices will be closed Monday, October 8 in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 9.
The Board of Supervisors will hold its meetings this month at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 9 and Tuesday, October 23 in the Board Room of the County Administration Building.
A worksession at 5 p.m. has been tentatively scheduled to precede the October 9 meeting. Tentative topics to be discussed at the worksession are: Request for career staffing from Jefferson Park Volunteer Fire Department and continued discussion on recommending a name for the Fort Lee round-about.
A worksession at 4 p.m. has been tentatively scheduled for October 4 to be held at the Old Carson School. Supervisors want to tour the site as they consider implementing the master plan that was presented to them at the September 25 meeting.
The Board of Supervisors will hold five public hearings as part of its October 9 meeting at 7:30 p.m. on the following matters:
--Amendment to ordinance allowing the word “Trail” to be considered for street signs.
--Making the Director of Community Development & Code Compliance the Planning Director for purposes of approving documents and providing additional oversight.
--Providing personal property tax relief for disabled veterans.
--Entering into a hunting lease for Buren and Tacon properties.
--Staggered election terms beginning with the 2015 election for members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board.
The Board of Supervisors will hold five public hearings as part of its October 23 meeting at 7:30 p.m. on the following matters:
--Consideration of exemption from personal property tax rate for motor vehicles and farm trucks used exclusively for farming.
--To allow for a $250 license tax for certain non-licensed, inoperable motor vehicles.
--To allow localities to provide personal property tax exemption for volunteer deputy sheriffs for one vehicle.
--Revising the definition of Discarded Material.
--Changes to the Fire Ordinance.
The Board of Supervisors will officially open the new Animal Services & Adoption Center on October 5 at 11 a.m. A public Open House will be held from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. October 6 for visitors to tour the facility and consider adopting a pet.
The Parks and Recreation Department will move its offices this month into the Old North Elementary School. A public open house will be scheduled in November. Plans will then begin to move Cooperative Extension and James River Soil & Water to the current location of Parks & Recreation after modifications are made.
County government will hold a Business Fair October 25 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Prince George Library for businesses wanting to learn more about bidding, permitting, contracts and other ways to interact with local government.
Trick or treat will be allowed in Prince George County on October 31 between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Residents not wanting to participate should turn their porch lights out and guardians should accompany young children at all times. Motorists are asked to use extreme caution.
Parks & Recreation will hold its Fall Festival on October 20 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Temple Park.
The Regional Heritage Center will host a Courthouse Faire on October 13 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Old Courthouse.
The Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) will partner with Wal-Mart and Parks & Recreation to build a fitness trail at the Appomattox Regional Park on October 15-16.
Members of the Board of Supervisors have been invited to a breakfast presentation at Southside Regional Medical Center at 8 a.m. October 16 on topic of “The Future of Open Heart Surgery in our Region.”
Mandatory water restrictions continue this month for customers on the Prince George Utility System.
The Prince George County Utility Department will be flushing water mains in various County Subdivisions during the hours of 9:00 to 5:00 the weeks of October 1, thru October 31. The flushing will be performed in the following subdivisions: Beechwood Manor Subdivision, Cedarwood Subdivision, Jordan on the James Subdivision, River’s Edge Subdivision, Prince George Woods and the Route 301 area. Customers on the Appomattox River Water Authority System will not be flushed at this time due to the mandatory water restrictions. This system will be flushed when water restrictions are lifted. There may be some fluctuations in water discoloration and pressure during this time. Running the tap for a minute or two will alert you to any discoloration. If you experience any discolored water you should not wash clothes until the water clears up. The annual flushing of water lines by Prince George County Utility Department is to ensure its customers of the cleanest water possible. If discoloration is not evident in the first few minutes of flushing the flushing will not be continued in that area.
The Fall Sports Tourism season will continue October 6 & 7 with the Fall Even Age Group State Tournament. Games will be played at Prince George High School and Moore Middle School. The tournaments are hosted by the Swamp Things Baseball Organization.
The Prince George Crime Solvers will hold its Rib Fest on October 3 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Scott Park.
The Prince George Ruritan Club will hold its Shrimp and Oyster Feast on October 20 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Scott Park.
The Carson Volunteer Fire Department will hold its 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 13 beginning at 12:00 Noon in Carson.
Deadline to vote in the November 6 General Election is October 15. In-person Absentee Voting will be held October 27 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Office of the Voter Registrar.
The Prince George Business Roundtable will hold its next meeting at 12:00 Noon on October 24 at Baymont Inn & Suites.
Prince George TRIAD will hold its next meeting on October 22 at 1 p.m. at the Prince George Library.
The Planning Commission will meet at October 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the County Administration Building.
Prince George Farmer’s Market will be held October 6 & 13 beginning at 8 a.m. through 12:00 Noon. This will conclude the market activities for 2012.
A Child Care Summit for Providers will be held on October 27 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Prince George Library.
Prince George youth will participate in the next leg of the Punt, Pass & Kick Competition on October 14 at 1 p.m. at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond.
The Volunteer Fire & EMS Chiefs Committee will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. October 25 at the Prince George Volunteer Fire Department.
Prince George County will participate in the Great ShakeOut-Earthquake Drill on October 18 at 10:18 a.m.
Here is a capsule glance of other activities that will be happening within County government during the month of October:
· VDOT has indicated it will study the possibilities of placing a guardrail at the location of the accident on Courthouse Road that killed a Prince George High School student on September 25.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 9 meeting will receive the quarterly financial report from Finance Director Trish Davidson.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 9 meeting will consider a resolution declaring October 7-13 Fire Prevention Week.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 9 meeting will continue discussion on conforming certain addresses in the County to “North or South” Prince George.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 23 meeting will receive a report on the DMV Mobile Unit coming to Prince George County on November 26.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 23 meeting will discuss a master plan for the Buren Property.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 23 meeting will continue discussion on an ordinance regulating private roads.
· The Board of Supervisors at its October 23 meeting will receive a report from Assessor Rod Compton on moving the land book to a fiscal year cycle.
· VDOT is moving forward with plans to widen Laurel Springs Road to assist with traffic concerns near Clements Junior High School. A public hearing has been set for November 8 in the Administration Board Room. Construction is set for the summer of 2013.
· The Planning Commission continues its work on modifications to the Comprehensive Plan. The changes will be brought before the Board of Supervisors by the end of the year.
· Police and Fire & Rescue departments will continue its public campaign to remind property owners the importance of having address numbers that are visible at their home or business. This is key to a timely response.
· Discussions will continue this month between Prince George County and the City of Petersburg regarding the purchase of water.
· Management Analysis, Inc. will be working to update the County’s Economic Development & Tourism strategic plan.
· New signs have been approved for the Courthouse Complex with plans for installation to begin this month.
· Renovation to the restrooms at Scott Park are expected to begin this month.
· Follow the Daily Headlines on our main page at www.princegeorgeva.org/ or by clicking on our Twitter and/or Facebook pages for other government news and notices.