Lynchburg.Biz

Virginia Legislative Reps Propose Menhaden Extinction!

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:22:51 -0000

Virginia State Senator Richard H. Stuart of Montross and Va. Delegate Barry Knight of Virginia Beach have filed bills for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly which could set the stage for total extinction of the Menhadden fishery in the Chesapeake. Menhadden, which form a basic foundation of the Chesapeake Bay's food chain have been increasingly subject to overfishing, and in November, 2011, the Atlantic States marine Fisheries Commission took the first steps towards establishment of science based "catch limits" to preserve the species.

The menhaden fishing industries reaction: let's move to remove all limits and make a fast buck while we can. Two bills pre-filed for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly pose a grave threat to efforts to promote Bay conservation.

HB 88
Introduced by Barry D. Knight would remove the cap by removing a provision that allows an adjustment for underages or overages in the annual harvest cap to be carried over to the next year's cap limit. Currently, if a person harvests less than the 109,020 metric ton limit on taking menhaden, he can add the difference to his cap for next year's harvest. Conversely, if he exceeds the cap in any one year, he must reduce his harvest in the succeeding year by the amount of the overage of the preceding year.

A copy of this bill is available at:http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf" rel="external" title=""> http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf

SB 18
Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart removes authorization for Virginia's membership in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact. The purpose of the Compact is to promote better utilization of the marine, shell, and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard through the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause. If any state desires to remove itself from the Compact, it must send a six months' notice in writing to the member states of its intention to withdraw from the Compact.

A copy of this bill is available at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB18+pdf

To stop these bills, Virginia legislaturive representatives need to hear from you now - early and often!

Go tohttp://legis.state.va.us/" rel="external" title=""> http://legis.state.va.us/
to find the name of your Delegate and Senator and others and write them to stop these bills.

City of Lynchburg: Labor Day Holiday Closing

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:23:16 -0000

Labor Day Holiday Closing
Posted Date:

Lynchburg municipal offices will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2011
in observance of Labor Day. Trash will be collected following the
normal schedule, and the Concord Turnpike Regional Landfill will be open
from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please call Citizens First at 856-CITY (2489) for more information or
visit www.lynchburgva.gov .

Vacancies on Lynchburg Boards aod Commissions and Lynchburg City School Board

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:45:57 -0000

Volunteerism and citizen participation is perhaps most evident on the government level. Hundreds of concerned citizens volunteer their time each year to assist the City in finding solutions to problems, effecting positive change, and planning for the future.

Lynchburg City Council maintains a strong commitment to citizen
participation as evidenced by the large number of Boards, Commissions, and Committees established by City Council. Some have special membership requirements but most do not. All appointees are required to take an oath of office. These boards and commissions provide valuable service to the City. The City Council is grateful to the many dedicated citizens who volunteer their time to serve as members of these groups.

Upcoming Vacancies - Boards and Commissions - June 2011

- Youth Services Citizens Board - 3 vacancies (1 eligible to serve
again)
- City Employees Appeal Board - 1 vacancy (not eligible to serve again)
- Central Virginia Community College Board - 2 vacancies (1 eligible to serve again)
- Board of Zoning Appeals - 1 vacancy (eligible to serve again)
- School Board - 3 vacancies (3 eligible to serve again)
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Lynchburg Community Council - 1 vacancy (not eligible to serve again)
- Economic Development Authority Board - 1 vacancy (eligible to serve again)
- Museum Advisory Board - 5 vacancies (all eligible to serve again)
- Historic Preservation Commission - 2 vacancies (all eligible to serve again)
- Regional Tourism Board - 3 vacancies (all eligible to serve again)

*Please note that although some individuals are eligible to serve
another term, there is no guarantee that the individual will be
re-appointed.

Anyone interested in being considered for appointment should contact the Clerk of Council at 455-3995 for an application or print an application from the City's website at www.lynchburgva.gov
<http://www.lynchburgva.gov/> .

Lynchburg City School Board Vacancy Notice

The terms of three Lynchburg School Board members will expire on June 30, 2011. All three members are eligible to be considered for re-appointment.

Lynchburg City Council invites residents interested in serving on the School Board to complete an application, which may be obtained in the City Clerk's Office, 900 Church Street, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or you can download a copy from the City's web site at www.lynchburgva.gov <http://www.lynchburgva.gov/> . City Council will make appointments for three-year terms of office commencing July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2014.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m., to receive the views and/or nominations of the citizens of Lynchburg concerning Council's appointment or re-appointment for the three positions (one from each district) on the Lynchburg School Board. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 900 Church Street, and applications must be received by the City Clerk prior to the May 10 public hearing.

LYNCHBURG CITY SCHOOL BOARD SCHOOL DISTRICTS

School District I Bound on the north by the James River; bound on the west by the Bedford County line; bound on the south by the Bedford County line; bound on the east that starts at the Bedford County line and Route 221, north on Route 221 to Blackwater Creek;, along Blackwater Creek to the Southern
Railroad, east along the Southern Railroad to Seventh Street, north along Seventh Street to the James River.

School District II
The western boundary begins at the James River going south on Seventh Street to the Southern Railroad; west along the Southern Railroad to Blackwater Creek; Blackwater Creek south to Route 221; south on Route 221 to the Bedford County line; bound on the south by the Bedford County line beginning at Route 221 to the Norfolk & Western Railroad; east along the Norfolk & Western Railroad; north to Timberlake Road; north
along Timberlake Road to Fort Avenue continuing to Liggates Road; east along Liggates Road to the Norfolk & Western Railroad; north along the Northern & Western Railroad to 14th Street; north on 14th Street to Washington Street; north along 14th Street to Washington Street; north along Washington Street to Main Street; east along Main Street to the
Lynchburg Expressway; north along the Lynchburg Expressway to the James River; bound on the north by the James River.

School District III
The western boundary follows the Lynchburg Expressway north to Main Street; west along Main street to Washington Street; south along Washington Street to 14th Street continuing to the Norfolk & Western Railroad; south along the Norfolk & Western Railroad to Liggates Road; west along Liggates Road to Fort Avenue continuing along Timberlake Road to the Norfolk & Western Railroad; along the Norfolk & Western Railroad
to the Bedford County line; the southern boundary is the Bedford County - Campbell County line; the eastern boundary is the Campbell County line; the northern boundary is the James River.

Notice of Public Hearing - Proposed FY 2012 Budget

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:39:50 -0000

Notice of Public Hearing - Proposed FY 2012 Budget for the City of
Lynchburg

Posted Date:
A public hearing regarding the FY 2012 Proposed Operating Budget and the FY 2012-2016 Capital Improvement Program for the City of Lynchburg, which includes funding for general government services, and airport, schools, water, sewer, and other funds, is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chamber, City Hall, 900 Church Street. The purpose of this hearing is to receive citizen input.

Interested persons who wish to speak at this public hearing will be
given an opportunity to be heard and should be prepared to offer
suggestions that are practical in nature. Time limitations will be
observed for each speaker.

Electronic copies of the FY 2012 Proposed Budget and FY 2012-2016
Capital Improvement Program are available for review on the City's
website, www.lynchburgva.gov <http://www.lynchburgva.gov/> .

For additional information, call 455-3995.

Governor McDonnell Announces 250 New Jobs in Campbell County

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:59:55 -0000

~Inbound customer care center to offer identity theft protection support~

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2010
Office of the Governor
Contact: Stacey Johnson
Phone: (804) 225-4260
E-mail: Stacey.Johnson@Governor.Virginia.Gov

Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Contact: Christie Miller
Phone: (804) 545-5805
E-mail: CMiller@yesvirginia.org

Intersections Inc.
Contact: Joyce Carcaise
Phone: (704) 488-6141
E-mail: jcarcaise@intersections.com

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Virginia-based Intersections Inc., a leading provider of consumer and corporate identity risk management services, will establish a customer care center in Altavista. The project will create 250 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Identity theft protection is an incredibly important service for consumers and companies in today’s marketplace. Virginia provided Intersections with the right location, the right building opportunity and an environment that will encourage and appreciate this company’s community-minded spirit. We are pleased that this global company has chosen to open yet another facility in the Commonwealth and create 250 new jobs in Campbell County.”

“We are pleased to expand our customer service department and to create more solid jobs in Virginia,” said Michael Stanfield, CEO of Intersections. “Given its high-quality, stable work force, Altavista is a perfect location for our new center. It will allow us to continue to support our growing customer base with top-quality customer service assistance, while helping to stimulate the economy and provide jobs among a hard-working community.”

Intersections Inc. (NASDAQ: INTX) is a leading global provider of consumer and corporate identity risk management services. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, its premier identity theft, privacy, and consumer solutions are designed to provide high-value opportunities to its marketing partners, including leading financial institutions, Fortune 100 corporations, and other businesses. Intersections also markets full identity theft protection solutions under its brand, IDENTITY GUARD(R) (www.identityguard.com). Intersections' consumer identity theft protection services have protected more than 30 million consumers.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Campbell County, the Town of Altavista and Region 2000 to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $100,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company is also eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit.

“The Town of Altavista is excited to welcome Intersections to our community and we look forward to working with them for many years of shared prosperity,” said Town Mayor Rudy Burgess. “The Town appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Campbell County and the Commonwealth to grow and diversify our local economy.” Campbell County Board of Supervisors member Stan Goldsmith added, “This announcement, coupled with the ongoing downtown revitalization, will also have a significant impact on retail and real estate businesses in the vibrant community of Altavista, as well as Campbell and northern Pittsylvania counties.”

Bert Dodson, Jr.

Sun, 23 May 2010 17:46:45 -0000

At-Large Representative - Lynchburg City Council

Bert Dodson, Jr. was born and raised in the Lynchburg area. After graduation from Brookville High School in 1971, he attended Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond, where he earned his BS degree in Business Administration in 1976.

He is President and CEO of Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co., Inc., of Lynchburg, which currently has 33 offices in five states. Dodson Bros., founded in 1944, is one of the largest family-owned pest control firms in the country.

He is an Elder at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, is a member of the State Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business, the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, and the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce. He is also on the Executive Board of Trustees of Virginia University of Lynchburg and was Chairman of The American Heart Walk for the Lynchburg area in 2001 and 2002, and a member of 2005 Commonwealth of Virginia Commission on Transportation in Urbanized Areas.

Dodson received the 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader Award. The annual award is given to a member of the Greater Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce who embodies the principles of Wal-Mart founder, Sam Walton. He also received the Virginia Pest Management Industry Stewardship Award in 2002 for outstanding service to the pest management industry and the State Association. He was named the 2006 Small-Business Champion in Virginia by the National Federation of Independent Business. In October 2007 Dodson received the Lynchburg Fire and EMS Department's 2007 Advocacy Award.

He was first elected to Lynchburg City Council in May 1998, re-elected for a second term in May 2002 and for a third term in May 2006.

Dodson and his wife, Theresa, have four daughters, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Rachel and Kara.

Joan Foster

Sun, 23 May 2010 17:45:06 -0000

At-Large Representative - Lynchburg City Council

Joan Foster, Chief Operating Officer of the Alliance for Families and Children, has lived in the Lynchburg area for 33 years and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Lynchburg College. In her present position at the Alliance she is responsible for providing leadership in such areas as management of prevention programs, grant writing, advocacy, and representation to state and federal agencies. She assists in managing the budget for the Alliance, which is the largest United Way member agency. She believes that she has developed skills in finding ways to eliminate expenses and redirect resources for the private non-profit organization, skills that will be useful to Council.

Foster cites her extensive experience in serving the families and children of Central Virginia as one of her main reasons she ran for City Council. She states: "City Council must take a pro-active approach to making Lynchburg the best place it can be for everyone who lives here. We must strive for the best possible education for our children, the best possible jobs for our workforce, and the best possible living conditions for everyone."

Foster has been married for 41 years to Bob Foster, a pharmacist at Wal-Mart. The couple has three grown children, two daughters, Janna and Hilary, a son, Robb, and three grandchildren, Grace, and twins Lily and Annie.

Michael A. Gillette, Ph.D.

Sun, 23 May 2010 17:44:04 -0000

Ward I Representative - Lynchburg City Council

Michael Gillette was born and raised in Connecticut, and moved to Virginia in 1990. Email Michael Gillette at michael.gillette@lynchburgva.gov

Dr. Gillette attended Brandeis University as an undergraduate where he graduated magna-cum laude with majors in Philosophy and Classical Greek. He graduated with highest honors in Philosophy and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Gillette then went on to receive his Master's and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Brown University where he wrote a doctoral dissertation in the field of clinical ethics.

Michael came to Lynchburg to accept a teaching position at Randolph-Macon Woman's college where he rose to the level of Associate Professor and was awarded tenure. Currently, he is President of his own medical ethics consulting business, 'Bioethical Services of Virginia, Inc.' and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Univeristy of Virginia School of Medicine.

Michael and Jodi Gillette have been married for 25 years and they have two daughters, Rachel and Rebecca.

Jeff Helgeson

Sun, 23 May 2010 17:41:33 -0000

Ward III Representative - Lynchburg City Council

Jeff Helgeson, originally from Bloomington, Minnesota, came to Lynchburg, Virginia in 1985 to pursue a degree in Finance from Liberty University. He graduated in 1988 and continued his education, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Liberty in 1990.

In 2001, Helgeson earned a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) from American College, considered the pinnacle of professional education in the financial services industry. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Chartered Life Underwriter.

Since completing his education, Helgeson has been civically active, serving as a former president of the Lynchburg Jaycees, former member of the Lynchburg Planning Commission and as a member of the President’s Advisory Council with the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.

A former high school and collegiate wrestler, he also works as the Assistant Wrestling Coach at Jefferson Forest High and chairs the LU Wrestling foundation, with the goal of bringing back the sport of wrestling to the university. Helgeson is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and camping. He also volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters as a Big Brother.

Helgeson describes himself as fiscally conservative and he brings that philosophy to City Council. “Fiscal responsibility is an important issue for me, says, Helgeson, and I believe we should be sure the City lives within its means.”

He was elected to the Ward III City Council seat in May 2004 and serves on Council’s Finance and Planning Committee.

Ceasor Trenail Johnson, Sr.

Sun, 23 May 2010 17:40:27 -0000

Ward II Representative - Lynchburg City Council

Ceasor Trenail Johnson, Sr., was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics in 1989. While in college, he was Senior Class President, a member of the Parade of Personalities and Historian of the Delta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was on the Dean’s List for three semesters and was a member of the Pan-Hellenic Council.

He and his wife Rosie moved to Virginia in 1989 and he worked with the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. He has served as a soil conservationist at the Tappahanock, Staunton, and Harrisonburg offices. He served as the District Conservationist in the Campbell County Field Office in Rustburg, Virginia.

Rev. Johnson acknowledged his call to the ministry in 1995 and was licensed to preach March 1996. He is a graduate of Virginia University of Lynchburg, formerly Virginia Seminary and College, and holds a Master of Religious Education. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Virginia University of Lynchburg.

He is the Pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church of Brookneal, Virginia, where he has served for the past seven years. He is a Life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is the immediate past President of the Gamma Nu Lambda Chapter in Lynchburg, Virginia. Councilman Johnson is also Life member of the NAACP, and currently serves as the President of the Campbell County Branch of the NAACP.In May 2004, he was elected to serve on the Lynchburg City Council as the Ward II representative.

Councilmember Johnson brings to City Council a deep sense of duty and commitment. He and his wife are the proud parents of two sons, Ceasor Trenail II, and Caleb Theshawn.