Teacher raises not enough
0By Del. Carrie Coyner This last week of session is known as “budget week,” where the House debated and passed its version of the state budget and the Senate did the same. The House budget includes a number of initiatives that I fully support and some that I don’t. Last year the House Republicans led the effort to freeze college tuition in Virginia, and I am proud that the House has continued to put forth a budget that prioritizes college affordability by retaining that freeze in tuition for Virginia students. The Governor’s budget cut the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program…
Taxes needed for infrastructure
0Letter to the editorTo the Editor: In response to Del. Coyner’s message on the legislature that the additional taxes that she objects to are necessary to meet critical infrastructure needs that were ignored while her party was in the majority: unfortunately, we have become a country where people think they can get nothing for something. Herbert Loveless
Chase announces gubernatorial run early
0Second-term senator says she may run as an independent She was first out of the gate. Chesterfield County’s second-term state senator announced a run for governor in 2021 on Presidents Day, Feb. 17, and was the first person to do so. Sen. Amanda Chase, a Republican who decided not to caucus with her party this year due to reservations about Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment of Williamsburg, had earlier said she planned to run in 2025. She decided to move forward with the campaign four years early because some constituents asked her to do so. Chase has been relegated to…
Tower of 199 feet could be built in area
0On Feb. 18, the Chesterfield County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a 199-foot communications tower northwest of Route 10 and Jefferson Davis Highway. The site at 2710 W. Hundred Road is on 1.8 acres east of Rock Hill Road, west of Jefferson Davis Highway and north of West Hundred Road, behind Cole Real Estate. The applicant, Karina Fournier, agreed to 11 conditions, which were supported by county planning staff. As part of the application, a conditional use planned development is recommended for setback exceptions in the C-3 (Community Business) zoned area. Without it, the…
Pre-K program encourages students to explore learning activities
0Chesterfield County has taken a proactive approach to early childhood education. “We believe in improving experiences that help students enter school ready to learn,” said Yseult Vin-Franck, Coordinator for Early Childhood Services for Chesterfield County Public Schools. The early childhood education program models a quality childcare experience for ages four and five with accredited teachers, a safe environment and early learning. There are 22 schools in Chesterfield participating in the pre-kindergarten program,with 628 slots for enrollment. Funding comes from the following sources: Head Start, Title 1, Virginia Preschool Initiative, and the School Readiness program. “Pre-K teachers receive $1,500 to spend…
Thank you, firefighters
0Local resident Lynn Lofgren took a picture of firefighters from stations 1 and 14 last Saturday removing an angled flag on the Village Green flagpole. “The flag had been ripped and tangled that week when we had strong winds. Nobody could get the flag down because it was stuck on the eagle’s tail,” wrote Lofgren in an email to this newspaper. “I walked to Station 1 and requested their assistance. They in turn called Station 14 who had the long ladder to reach it. Just a shout-out to our fine firefighters for saving Old Glory in her time of need.”
Families First seeks community partners for upcoming Diaper Drive
0Do you know an organization looking to make a difference in the community? Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First, a program of Chesterfield County’s Department of Mental Health Support Services, is seeking community partners, such as local businesses, churches, and fraternity and sorority organizations to help collect a variety of children’s diapers for its 7th annual Diaper Drive. The Diaper Drive runs during the entire month of March. The new, unopened packages of diapers and wipes collected will assist hundreds of families across the county and Colonial Heights enrolled with Families First – a nationally accredited program of Healthy Families Virginia, which…
Weekly Calendar
0WEDNESDAY FEB 26 CHESTERFIELD NEEDLEWORK FRIENDS – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Central Library Chesterfield Business Suite Conference Room. Knit, crochet, socialize, and share your techniques. All skill levels welcome. MAKERSPACE OPEN HOURS – 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Central Library MakerSpace. The MakerSpace in Central Library has open hours each week. No appointment is necessary to visit during these times – anyone can drop in to work on projects and explore the space. AL-ANON MEETING – 8 p.m. Ivey Memorial UMC, 17120 Jeff Davis Hwy. THURSDAY FEB 27 SAMBA CARD GROUP – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bensley…