Chesterfield Government

Delegate Kirk Cox

Cox considering run for governor

By Caleb M Soptelean on August 12, 2020 Politics, State News

Chase, Morrissey respond to him joining race On Aug. 3, state Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) announced that he was considering a run for governor. In making the announcement on Twitter, Cox criticized what he called a lack of leadership from Gov. Ralph Northam on “coronavirus testing, the parole board illegally and secretly releasing violent criminals early, [and] the mismanagement of how to best send our kids back to school this fall.” Cox said he will make a decision following the Nov. 3 general election. If he joins the race, Cox would be the second Republican candidate who represents Chesterfield…

Supervisors question school superintendent

By Caleb M Soptelean on July 30, 2020 Board of Supervisors

Haley asks for audit for alleged bullying of teachers The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors had plenty of questions for school superintendent Merv Daugherty on July 22 after the school board voted 4-1 for a virtual reopening of schools on Sept. 8 and 9. Daugherty noted that the county’s health officer, Alexander Samuel, projected that a spike in coronavirus cases will occur in September. Daugherty said he didn’t want to reopen schools and then have to close them and go to 100-percent virtual learning. During his presentation to the school board on July 20, deputy superintendent Thomas Taylor said some $15…

Teachers, parents split on re-opening

By Caleb M Soptelean on July 30, 2020 School Board

Chesterfield votes to go with virtual school opening By a 4-1 vote on July 20, the Chesterfield County Public Schools board decided school instruction will be virtual for the start of the school year on Sept. 8 and 9. The vote could be considered a win for the Chesterfield Education Association, which lobbied for the move. Parents of students, however, came up short as a survey the district conducted showed that 82 percent preferred at least some instruction in a face-to-face setting. Deputy superintendent Thomas Taylor briefed the school board prior to the vote, noting the survey got 13,006 responses…

Chesterfield cuts ribbon on new Build-a-House

By Press release on July 30, 2020 Chesterfield Government, Community

Pine Forest facility to provide individualized care to adults with intellectual disabilities Last week, Chesterfield County hosted a socially distanced ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a new, 24-hour intermediate care facility built through the county’s Build-a-House program This is the fourth Build-a-House project completed in Chesterfield. The Pine Forest Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) is a five-bedroom facility created to support individuals with the primary diagnosis of intellectual disability. The facility operates on the philosophy that those with intellectual disabilities have the same rights as other citizens, and it offers services that are…

School reopening options explored

By Caleb M Soptelean on July 15, 2020 School Board, Schools

During a June 23 work session, Chesterfield County Public Schools board members heard about six options for reopening schools on Sept. 8 and 9. The first option – a normal five-day week – can’t be accomplished, deputy superintendent Thomas Taylor said at the virtual meeting. Option 6 involves all-virtual, or online, learning. Even if the school board selects another option – the rest of which involve in-school instruction one to three days a week – parents could still decide for their student to learn online, superintendent Merv Daugherty said. Although the board typically does not have a meeting in July,…

Mixed-use development lands near Courthouse

By Caleb M Soptelean on July 1, 2020 Board of Supervisors, Economic Development

By a vote of 4-1 with Jim Ingle dissenting, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for the Courthouse Landing mixed-use project last week. The June 24 meeting was the first one in months since the COVID-19 virus hit that allowed residents to speak in person during public comment. A number availed themselves of the opportunity. “This is an extremely solid project,” Dale District resident David Harris said. “It could fund schools and teacher raises” and add restaurants. “We need more jobs and tax money. We [have to] keep our teachers from leaving.” Mike Uzel said that, although…

MedFlight on approach during a training exercise at Chesterfield County Airport.

MedFlight takes to sky with new copters

By Becky Wright on July 1, 2020 Chesterfield Government, Fire & EMS

It started out as an average day on March 27, at the Virginia State Police EMS MedFlight I base at Chesterfield County Airport. Pilots, flight nurses, and paramedics went around performing their duties waiting for a call for help that would spring them into action for a rescue mission. They didn’t have to wait long. The dispatch order came: a 3-year-old was missing in Caroline County, and time was running out. Every second counted as the team assembled. The helicopter which silently rested on a wheeled platform seemingly came to life as it was rolled out of the bay, and…

Parks and Rec to oversee county’s Cooperative Extension service

By Press release on July 1, 2020 Chesterfield Government, Community

Parks and Recreation will manage the Chesterfield County office effective Wed. The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) will fall within Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation starting Wednesday, July 1. Headquartered next to Central Library at 9501 Lori Road, the Chesterfield Cooperative Extension Office provides research-based educational programming in three key areas: agricultural and natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and consumer resources. Cooperative Extension staff can significantly expand services to the community by utilizing a large volunteer base to provide additional outreach. These volunteers serve as Master Gardeners, 4-H camp and club leaders, and Master Food Volunteers to carry forth…

Confederate flag nixed for now

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 25, 2020 Chesterfield Government, Planning & Zoning

A request for a conditional planned-use development that would allow for a 600-square-foot Confederate battle flag to fly atop a 112-foot pole next to Interstate 95 was withdrawn last week. The Chesterfield County Planning Commission was scheduled to consider a request from Susan L. Frise and the Virginia Flaggers, but it was withdrawn June 16, according to planning administrator Joe Feest. A smaller version of the flag had flown above a narrow sliver of property next to the interstate for at least six years before it and a 70-foot flagpole were removed late last year after the county won three…

New cases of virus in Sheriff’s Office, 15 among inmates

By Press release on June 25, 2020 Chesterfield Government, For the Record

Mass testing was conducted for every staff member of the Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office and every inmate in the county jail June 15. Over 490 total tests were administered in one day. Of all the staff members tested which includes employees in the courts as well as the jail, almost 280, no one tested positive for COVID-19. “This is an amazing testament to the protocols and procedures we have put in place but also a testament to our staff members adherence to them,” said Sheriff Karl S. Leonard. The proof is in the results that all of the precautions we have…

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