Specific Issues I Will Continue to Pursue/Support

1.  Sewer to the Courthouse district, both to support existing businesses and to invite appropriate economic development. We want to maintain the Courthouse area as a vibrant hub of our community.

2.  The Courthouse Area Master Plan.

3.  Our own James River water intake and treatment.  We will max out the amount of water available for commercial development along Route 60 in 2016-2017.  If we do not plan—and act—the increasing costs of schools and other infrastructure will continue to fall on the shoulders of homeowners and farmers.  We must be serious about appropriate commercial development along Route 60.  I will absolutely support our Economic Development Authority and our Director of Economic Development (who work with our Building Inspection Department and our Planning and Development Department) to retain existing and attract new, compatible businesses to our commercial corridor.

4.  Unequivocal support for our Parks and Recreation Department for these interrelated reasons:

a.  We have all been saddened and outraged by the youth violence we, and many other localities, have experienced over the last few years; our parks and the many services/programs we support, in cooperation with non-government, civic, and church organizations, are designed, at least in part, to give young people alternatives to road-running, boredom and mischief;

b.  Parks and Recreation reaches out to the elder community to provide socialization and safety and health programs; these efforts get many of our older generation out of shut-in status and reaffirm for them that this community has not forgotten, but rather cherishes, them; and

c.  Parks and Recreation is building a hospitality reputation for Powhatan up-and-down the eastern seaboard as a destination for softball and other sports conferences. Visitors come to enjoy Powhatan; they spend money with local merchants and their impact on infrastructure is minimal.

5.  Continued and careful analysis of and support for workforce housing:  our teachers, law enforcement, fire and emergency service personnel, as well as our young people and down-sizing elders, deserve to be able to live in Powhatan.

6.  Diverse appointments (race, age, sex, etc.) to the various standing and ad hoc committees and work teams.

7.  Close attention to the good works and good heart of our staff and volunteers in Social Services, Library Board of Trustees, Community Action Agency, Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (intellectual and physical disabilities, mental health and substance abuse services), Comprehensive Services team, Domestic Violence Task Force, etc.; give them the leadership, support and appreciation they deserve.

8.  Revamping the Zoning Ordinances to insure they mirror the new Comprehensive Plan and give the County the “enabling legislation” to manage Powhatan’s growth.

9.  Support the farming and timbering communities, including land-use taxation, Ag-Forestal Districts, and easements.

10. Build the Transportation Facility (aka "Bus Garage") as finances allow.

11. Listen carefully to the School Board's assessment and prioritization of the school system's capital and operating needs, including what should be done with our existing Junior High.