Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023

Chesterfield Electoral Board Certifies

Results of 2023 General Election

The Chesterfield Electoral Board voted last week to certify the results of the 2023 general election. Certified local election results for Chesterfield’s Board of Supervisors, School Board and elected county constitutional offices include:

Board of Supervisors

Bermuda District: Jim A. Ingle

Clover Hill District: Jessica L. Schneider

Dale District: James M. "Jim" Holland

Matoaca District: Kevin P. Carroll

Midlothian District: Mark S. Miller

School Board

Bermuda District: Ann C. Coker

Clover Hill District: Dorothy L. "Dot" Heffron

Dale District: Dominique R. Chatters

Matoaca District: Steven A. Paranto

Midlothian District: Lisa Martin Hudgins

Constitutional Offices

Clerk of Circuit Court: Amanda L. Pohl

Commonwealth's Attorney: Erin B. Barr

Commissioner of the Revenue: Jenefer S. Hughes

Sheriff: Karl S. Leonard

Treasurer: Rebecca R. Longnaker

James River District Soil and Water Conservation Directors: Carey Lynn Allen

and Laura Lee Thompson

The newly elected Chesterfield Board of Supervisors and local constitutional officers will be sworn-in during a private ceremony with invited guests at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. While the ceremony is closed to the public, it will be live streamed on the county’s official Facebook page. 

To review Nov. 7 election results and to find more information about elections in Chesterfield, visit www.promotethevotecfield.org. 

County Government Offices Closed

Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving

Chesterfield County government offices will be closed this Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Northern and Southern Area Convenience Centers will also be closed on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24. Both facilities reopen on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 a.m.

To view closures and hours for libraries, courts and more, visit chesterfield.gov/closings.

Virginia State University Selected

to Host 2024 Presidential Debate

Virginia State University has been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a 2024 presidential debate.

This is a momentous occasion for VSU, as it is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ever selected to host a U.S. general election presidential debate. The debate, scheduled for October 1, 2024, will be the second of three presidential debates in advance of the 2024 election.

VSU is located in the South Chesterfield village of Ettrick.   

The selection of VSU as a host for a 2024 Presidential Debate reflects the university’s commitment to shaping future leaders and cultivating political discourse. The debate will provide a platform for the candidates to present their policies, engage in constructive dialogue, and showcase their leadership abilities. 

Chester Library's Holiday Selfie Station

Available Beginning This Saturday

Chester Library's Holiday Selfie Station is back for another season! Dress up or down, walk in and take portraits using your own smart phone or camera. Two holiday-themed sets with props will be available during library hours from this Saturday, Nov. 25 until Friday, Dec. 22.

Chester Library is located at 11800 Centre Street.

Explore Early Virginia's Thanksgiving Food

and Drink Traditions Saturday at Henricus

If you enjoy the smell of wood fires, iron-pot cooking over hot coals and clay oven bread baking, come to Henricus Historical Park this Saturday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for "Ye Corne Beer and Rosted Deer": Thanksgiving Food and Drink Traditions of Early Virginia.

This annual autumn event demonstrates the old and new traditions of how English people mixed giving thanks for a successful harvest with what bounty Virginia offered the people arriving here, while exploring how the English were influenced by other cultures and places – Asia, Africa, and the Americas – in their foods and feasts.

Staff will especially examine how the interactions with the Powhatan Indians wove a new diet into their experiences in the New World. Pottages, roasts, loaves of bread, desserts, and drinks common to feasting in early Virginia and what forms of thanks were given on those occasions will be demonstrated. 

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5-12 and free for Henricus members. For more information, visit the Henricus website.

FRIDAY

Group 6A final

Manchester at Highland Springs, 1:30 p.m.

Group 5C semifinals

William Fleming at Matoaca, 6 p.m.

Board of Supervisors Roundup

Did you know the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors held its monthly meeting last week?

Among actions taken by the board at its evening session, it allocated $2.4 million in county funds for design of the Courthouse Road Extension to Salem Church Road and approved a construction contract for the Beulah Neighborhood Park.

You can read a roundup from the Nov. 15 meeting in the Chesterfield On Point blog.

In a new article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn more about the county's new Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department.

Formed in May under the leadership of Executive Director J.C. Poma, the four-person team is working to increase tourism spending, partnering with Parks and Recreation to improve public facilities, and marketing everything the county has to offer to residents and visitors alike.

“Our goal is to enhance quality of life in Chesterfield, but also stimulate and diversify our economy,” said Poma in a presentation to the Board of Supervisors last week.

You can also watch his presentation in its entirety in the blog.

Sing Carols and Meet Santa During

Victorian Christmas at Magnolia Grange

Join Chesterfield Parks and Recreation and the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia next Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. for the annual Christmas celebration at historic Magnolia Grange, 10020 Iron Bridge Rd.

The free holiday open house event will feature the Doorway Singers, a quartet-style a cappella group, singing Christmas carols, children’s crafts and two readings of A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore.

For the children, Santa will also drop by to hear holiday wishes from 1 to 3 p.m.

Refreshments will be available throughout the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Chesterfield Behind the Mic is an audio and video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield. You can watch and listen to all of the episodes at

http://www.Chesterfield.gov/Podcast.

On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, we share some information on how to help provide Thanksgiving meals for those who need them this year, then talk to the 2023 Chesterfield Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Kathy Fox about her background with the organization, how she came to be chosen this year, and what people need to know about how to make Christmas brighter for families in need. 

Purchase Unique Holiday Gifts

at Annual Winter Maker Market

With the holidays closing in, here's an event in mind to find unique gifts!

Join the Chesterfield Farmers Market and Chesterfield County Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 9 for the annual Winter Maker Market.

The event will take place at Central Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held inside and both admission and parking are free.

Visit your favorite farmers market vendor or meet some new ones. Get all your holiday shopping done in one place.

There will also be a food truck on site so you can grab lunch while you are out.

Ice or Snow, I'm ready to go!

My name is Everest and I'm a Husky mix. All the shelter staff say I'm very unique with my one blue eye and one brown eye. I'm around 2 years old, female, and weigh 55 lbs.

I'm quite submissive and am still learning what this whole leash deal is. I get confused and just plop down for belly rubs. I get along with other dogs just fine and already know sit!

If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.

Social Services Can Connect You

With Quality Childcare Providers

Let Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services help you and your family connect with the right tools to find quality childcare!

Visit www.childcare.virginia.gov to learn more about:

• Eligibility for financial assistance
• How to apply for childcare subsidy, if eligible
• Information on childcare providers in your area and much more!

Northern and Southern Convenience Centers Now Open for 7-Day Operations

As part of its multifaceted approach to expanding access and reducing the cost of recycling, Chesterfield has commenced seven-day operations at both of its convenience centers.

Recyclable materials can be dropped off free of charge during regular operating hours at both the Northern Area Convenience Center (3200 Warbro Road) and the Southern Area Convenience Center (6700 Landfill Drive).

The county also plans to construct express lanes at both convenience centers next spring, allowing citizens who are there solely to drop off recyclables to bypass the payment queue and directly access the recycling area.

Real Estate Tax Exemption Available

for Investing in Your Older Property

Did you know that Chesterfield allows a partial real estate tax exemption for the rehabilitation, renovation, or replacement of older residential structures?

The goal of this program is to help protect and preserve our aging neighborhoods. Upon approval, the partial tax exemption will be in effect for 15 years and transfers with the real estate. The amount of the exemption is based solely on increased assessment value, not the amount spent on the improvement project. There is no application fee.

Find out more and apply online today by visiting the county's website.

Adopt-A-Spot Provides Opportunities

to Keep Chesterfield Beautiful

Considering the expectation for snow coming this winter, now is the time for residents to familiarize themselves with all of the different ways that Chesterfield County puts out emergency information.

One of those is Chesterfield Alert, an opt-in system that sends messages directly to you in the event of an emergency. This system can send out alerts via text, email, and phone call depending on how the subscriber chooses to receive the messages. Sign up today!

Click here to learn more about how you can get accurate, up-to-date information from Chesterfield in the event of an emergency.

Searching for some independence? Find yourself having to call on family or friends to get you where you need to be?

Access on Demand is a same day, door-to-door, point-to-point service for citizens registered for mobility services. Destinations must be located within Chesterfield County, unless for work or medical appointments.

Each one-way trip is $6 and will be charged to your debit or credit card at the time of pick-up. Ride reservations must be made at least two hours in advance by calling an authorized provider for same-day service.

Register online, see if you qualify, and learn more about this service.

Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization.

Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield. Topics include:

✅ District update – Request your board member to speak

✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management

✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Services

✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners

✅ So much more.

Showing up for each other

The Robious Middle Builders Club helped pack bags for Backpacks of Love, which works to eliminate hunger in central Virginia by providing weekend food for children. A middle school service organization organized by Kiwanis, the Builders Club epitomizes showing up for each other.

This year, Chesterfield County Public Schools is encouraging everyone to show up:

• Let’s show up ready to learn. That means being in school each day and putting in the work.
• Let’s show up with kindness. That means having a great attitude and connecting with the people around us.
• Let’s show up for each other. That means being helpful, doing what’s right and knowing that we are better together.

Mission Tomorrow

Each year, eighth-graders from Chesterfield County Public Schools and other central Virginia districts experience Mission Tomorrow, an interactive career exploration event. Hands-on activities introduce students to a wide array of career options and work-based learning opportunities. Watch this video to see Chesterfield students exploring possibilities at Mission Tomorrow.

Calling student artists!

Chesterfield County Public Schools student artists are invited to brighten a new headquarters being built for the school system. Construction is underway on the office building that is expected to open in 2025. It’s important that the headquarters show that students are at the center of CCPS, and incorporating art by creative and talented student artists will make that clear.

All of our students (from prekindergarten through 12th grade) are encouraged to create an original work of visual art in a medium of their choice that expresses the contest theme of “Better Together.” Designs will be judged on the creative use and communication of the theme. Only two-dimensional works, please. Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2024.

One overall winner from each level (elementary, middle and high) will be chosen and announced in February. Each winning entry, along with many of the works submitted for this contest, will be used as inspiration and reproduced within the overall interior design of the school system’s new headquarters.

There are two ways to submit artwork:

• Option 1: Use this online form to submit a photo of the artwork.
• Option 2: Submit the original artwork and this permission form to your school’s main office.