Party Funds
0Hello and welcome back to the new Dogpound. Well, technically not new, but we are in a “new” year, so that will have to count. The other day I received an e-mail at work from a lady on the other side of the offices, which was a surprise to me, since she will hardly speak to me even when we meet in the office break room. Anyway, she said our HR manager – was leaving the company (which was another surprise since I am on the bottom of the office gossip chain), and would I like to help with the…
‘My Kisha’
0Local musician-writer publishes third book, urges people to ‘tell their stories’ When Charles R. Hodge Jr. graduated from high school, he didn’t know how to write. “I come from a poverty-stricken area of nothing,” he said. He was one of a few black students at a formerly all-white high school. “They put me in nothing but domestic classes,” he explained. He managed to find a job driving a school bus, and recalls hearing the “kids talking about gerunds and verb tenses. I didn’t know what they were talking about.” Later, Hodge joined the military. When he wrote a performance report…
Cases of Hope
0Giving women leaving incarceration a fresh start Victoria McCormick is a person who follows her heart, especially when the mission is to help someone who is facing a big obstacle. And there are few bigger obstacles than joining a community after incarceration. McCormick became the director of Mercy Mall’s reach-out ministry Cases of Hope in 2016. The mission of the program is to provide suitcases, each one filled with toiletries, clothing, a Bible and personal hygiene articles for women the day they leave the jail. “We deliver a suitcase the day they get released,” said McCormick. “Some women have nothing…
Rough landing?
0Planning Commission recommends denial of Courthouse Road project Although the developer of Courthouse Landing called the project “a phenomenal opportunity,” the Chesterfield County Planning Commission unanimously recommended Dec. 17 that the Board of Supervisors deny the project. County Planning Department staff recommended the site plan be approved, but not the development’s transportation plan, which resulted in the commission’s denial recommendation. “In 35 years, I’ve not been able to show something of that caliber to anybody,” Tampa, Fla.-based developer Jim Dunphy told the commission. He called it “a quality project the likes of which this county has not seen” and noted…
Courthouse Landing: Let’s do it
0To the Editor: Let’s do this! I would hope for the approval and passing of the Courthouse Landing Project proposed for the area along Rts. 10/288/Courthouse Road area. I have been impressed with those who have put these plans together for such a helpful asset to our community. I have lived in Chesterfield County for just over 30 years with my first residence being on Hull St. Road near Courthouse Road. I have seen growth take place all along Hull Street Road, along Courthouse Road, along Midlothian Turnpike and along Route 10. I knew Courthouse Road before it became…
Winchester Green expansion gets approval recommendation
0164 income-restricted housing units targeted for 2022 The Chesterfield Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval for an expansion of the Winchester Green development on Dec. 17. The developer, John Bolton, requested a rezoning from R-7 to R-MF for 164 multi-family housing units. He plans to build 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Sixty percent would be 2-bedrooms with no more than 20 percent each of the remainder. The 16.8-acre property is located at 2701 Drewrys Bluff Road, east of Defense Supply Center Richmond, south of Bensley Park and west of Jefferson Davis Highway. Bermuda District Commissioner Gib Sloan said the county had been…
‘Get involved’ was retiring supervisor’s mantra
0After 12 years as Bermuda District Supervisor, Jaeckle to retire Next month will be the first time in 12 years that the Honorable Dorothy Jaeckle will not take a seat at the dais in the public meeting room. Earlier this year, Mrs. Jaeckle decided not to run for reelection for Bermuda District Supervisor. Jaeckle believed it was time to move on but will miss the work. “You are thrown into a world of people from all walks of life that you would most likely never cross paths with in your regular life,” said Jaeckle. “I enjoyed working with the county…
Share in the Values of the Three Wise Men
0County Seeks Toy Donations to be Handed Out During El Juguetazo Celebration Chesterfield County’s Multicultural Services Division is seeking the public’s help in making this holiday season a bit brighter for needy families and children celebrating El Juguetazo, a traditional cultural event to be held Sat., Jan 11, that commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings or Wise Men (Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar) to visit the baby Jesus. Caring citizens may participate by bringing new and unwrapped toys and/or gift cards between now and Fri., Jan. 10 to the El Juguetazo drop-off location at 9800 Government Center Parkway, First Floor, Chesterfield. On…