Thursday, July 9, 2015

Governor McAuliffe Signs Agreement on Expanding Public Access to State Waters





The MOU enhances the partnership among three state agencies to increase access to public waters

RICHMOND — Governor Terry McAuliffe today signed a memorandum of understanding that solidifies Virginia’s commitment to enhancing recreational water access throughout the Commonwealth.

The MOU, signed in a public ceremony at Gloucester Point Beach Park on the York River, directs three state agencies to work together to identify new potential public-access projects, particularly at bridge crossings and roads.

“Expanding public access to state waters is a concrete step we can take to help Virginians and visitors enjoy outdoor recreation here in our great Commonwealth,”said Governor McAuliffe. “Water-based recreation encourages physical activity and appreciation for Virginia’s natural resources and it is an important driver of our tourism sector and with it, the new Virginia economy.”


The MOU formalizes the process by which the agencies will work together on new access projects.

Specifically, the MOU states:
·         DCR, DGIF and VDOT representatives will meet at least annually to review bridge, road or ferry project sites for the potential to offer public access to state waters.
·         DCR or DGIF will seek comments from adjacent property owners, local governments and other stakeholders for proposed access projects.
·         VDOT will stabilize or leave in place any access roads or staging areas within its right of way that could be useful for the development of access projects.

Gloucester Point Beach Park was selected for the signing because all three agencies worked with Gloucester County to create public access to the river there.

New or enhanced access points for public recreational use can qualify as Virginia Treasures through the governor’s new initiative. The goal is to designate 1,000 treasures during the McAuliffe administration.

For more than 15 years, the Virginia Outdoors Demand Survey has ranked public access to state waters for recreation as one of the top 10 outdoor recreation needs in the state. The survey is administered widely to a cross-section of Virginia residents. To learn about the survey, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/vop.


Governor McAuliffe Appoints 27-Member Parole Commission

Bipartisan Participants Represent Law Enforcement, Community Groups, Academia 

RICHMOND – Today Governor Terry McAuliffe announced the appointment of an experienced group of law enforcement professionals, legislators, community leaders and academics to serve on his Commission on Parole Review. On June 24ththe Governor signed Executive Order No. 44 creating the Commission and charging it with reviewing Virginia’s approach to parole and recommending any policy changes that may enhance public safety while protecting taxpayer dollars. The Commission will be chaired by former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney.

“This bipartisan panel of Virginia leaders will bring an array of perspectives to this important discussion about how our Commonwealth can best keep our communities safe while spending every taxpayer dollar as wisely as possible,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “I applaud their willingness to put political dogma and preconceived notions aside and engage in a thoughtful process about how this policy has worked for Virginians over the past twenty years and whether there are any opportunities to improve it going forward. With the guidance of Co-Chairs Moran, Stoney and Earley, I am confident that their final report will represent the best interests of all citizens of the Commonwealth.”

The first meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Monday, July 20, from 1-4 p.m. in House Room 3, Virginia State Capitol

The Commission will address five significant priorities related to Parole Reform:

1.      Conduct A Review of Previous Goals and Subsequent Outcomes.
2.      Examine the Cost of Parole Reform/Abolition
3.      Evaluate the Best Practices of Other States
4.      Recommend Other Mediation Strategies
5.      Provide Recommendations to Address Public Safety Challenges

A draft report is due to the Governor by Nov. 2, 2015, with a final report due Dec. 4, 2015.


Members are as follows:

·         The Honorable Mark L. Earley, Sr., of Leesburg, Former Attorney General of Virginia; Owner, Earley Legal Group, LLC.  Will serve as Chair.
·         The Honorable Brian Moran of Arlington, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.  Will serve as Co-Chair.
·         The Honorable Levar M. Stoney of Richmond, Secretary of the Commonwealth.  Will serve as Co-Chair.
·         The Honorable Jill Vogel of Fauquier, Member, Senate of Virginia
·         The Honorable Dave Marsden of Burke, Member, Senate of Virginia
·         The Honorable Dave Albo of Fairfax, Member, Virginia House of Delegates; Chairman, Courts of Justice Committee
·         The Honorable Luke E. Torian of Prince William, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
·         The Honorable Kenneth W. Stolle of Virginia Beach, Sheriff, Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office
·         The Honorable La Bravia J. Jenkins of the City of Fredericksburg,  Commonwealth’s Attorney
·         Gail Arnall, Ph.D., of Washington, DC, Consultant for Outreach and Development, Offender Aid and Restoration
·         Camille Cooper of Louisa, Director of Government Affairs, The National Association to PROTECT Children & PROTECT. 
·         Marcus M. Hodges of Spotsylvania, President, National Association of Probation Executives
·         Cynthia E. Hudson of Richmond, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
·         Kimberly Lettner of FarmvilleRetired Chief of Police, Division of Capitol Police
·         William R. Richardson, Jr. of Arlington, Member, Virginia CURE; Retired partner, Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr LLP.
·         Cheryl Robinette of Buchanan, Director of Substance Abuse Services, Cumberland Mountain Community Services Board
·         Mira Signer of Richmond, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Virginia
·         Faye S. Taxman, Ph.D.,  of Gaithersburg, MD, Professor, George Mason University
·         David R. Lett of Richmond, Public Defender, Petersburg Public Defender’s Office
·         Meredith Farrar-Owens of Henrico, Director, Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission
·         Sandra M. Brandt of Norfolk, Executive Director, STEP-UP inc.
·         Alvin Edwards, Ph.D, of Charlottesville, Pastor, Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
·         Jack Gravely, JD. of Richmond, Executive Director, Virginia State NAACP
·         Bobby N. Vassar of Richmond, Chief Counsel (Retired), U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime
·         Timothy J. Heaphy of Charlottesville, Partner, Hunton & Williams, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
·         Mindy M. Stell of Dinwiddie, President, Virginia Victim Assistance Network
·         Thomas M. Wolf of Richmond, Partner, LeClairRyan
Ex-Officio Members:

·         Tonya Chapman of Richmond, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security
·         Karen Brown of Richmond, Chair, Virginia Parole Board
·         Harold Clarke of Richmond, Director, Virginia Department of Corrections
·         Francine Ecker of Richmond, Director, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
·         Margaret Schultze of Richmond, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Social Services