Battle of the Hook Pre Show, Liberty's kids 36, Yorktown

Battle of the Hook Pre Show.  Liberty's Kids episode number 36, Yorktown.  This ends the pre show for the Battle of the Hook as the event officially kicks off October 18th, 2013 and everything up to this exact episode are the events that led to the Battle of the Hook.  Now this battle took place just before Yorktown, it was a part of the battle plans and strategy of the siege of Yorktown.

  We will not be posting any further videos until after the event at which time we will finish the series in commemoration of the Battle of the Hook event.  Our present plans are to be on site at Warner Hall taking early pictures and video and we hope to get them up later in the evening for everyone to get the early view of what will be coming.  We are very excited about all of this and have spent the past few days preparing all of our equipment and we even looked at shooting live event feeds, however, no WiFi is available in the area which is a requirement for us to produce the live feeds.

   Below is information you are going to need if you are attending this event.  It shows you where you need to go to park for the event.

Gloucester, VA Crier, Battle of the Hook, Event Parking from Chuck Thompson

  Now because we are going to be spending a great deal of time at the event, we will be limiting our posts on the site over the next three or four days but we will be coming back with a vengeance as we start to produce media from the event.  Look for it.  See you there.

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Gloucester, VA Blank Check Tax Election Candidates, The Blakes

Are Gloucester County residents being asked to sign a blank check on the upcoming elections for the school board as well as the board of supervisors positions?  One has to ask that question based on how the deck has been stacked and the fact no one has told you that this may be the case.

  We just learned that running for the school board is Ms Hook, a local attorney here in Gloucester.  One of the members running for the Board of Supervisors is Graham Blake.  Ms Hook's maiden name?  Blake.  Relationship?  Father daughter.  Now even though they are seeking positions on different boards, you can rest assured they both will be serving the same interests which could very well mean they could end up costing the county by far more money than anyone ever expected.  Almost akin to signing a blank check for the raising of future taxes as the school board seeks ever increasing money to fund very poor programs and a failing system.

  This is exactly what everyone in the county is presently complaining about.  Neither one of the candidates have mentioned this to the public.  Are they assuming that we are all supposed to know this?  Though there is no appearance of anything illegal about this in any way, the potential for future conflicts of interests are very real concerns for all the citizens of Gloucester.

  A fact of life, a father is going to make sure he takes care of his daughter.  Are we to believe that this will not follow through in government as well?  Whatever daddies little girl asks for, daddy is going to make sure she gets it?  This just does not sit well with us by any means.  As others learn about this, we hear the same remarks.  Why the papers in the area missed this is also a matter of question.

 
Ms Hook, second from left.

Graham Blake, second from left.  Like father, like daughter.

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Daffodil Festival 2014 Artwork Now Available For Public View

On display at the local library up at the Gloucester Courthouse location is the latest art prints submitted for the 2014 Daffodil Festival.  Our personal favorite is right here on top.  But that is just us.  The submissions are incredible and we are not looking to take anything away from any of the other artists by any means.  We highly recommend that if you have the time, make sure you make a trip to the library and view these works of art.

Though we like this print, the Coleman bridge in the background is facing the wrong way causing an issue for the viewer who is aware of it.  Now it is only a representation and a good one, but we can not get over that one issue.  This standing chimney is Powhatan's chimney for those who do not know this already.

 This print is incredible and one of our favorites.  The only issue we have is that the hot air balloons are distracting.  In the picture it looks nice, but close up, we thought it was a little much.  It's a wonderful folk art piece that shows tremendous talent.

This print is a staff favorite.  Only issue seen with this print is that it does not emphasis Daffodils enough.  This is one you need to see in person to appreciate the detail that went into the painting.

Another great piece where the artist showed wonderful talent.  The only issue seen with this one is that it does not emphasis Gloucester.  If it's only about Daffodil's then this one is at the top of this short list.  Part of the objective in our own view is the dual emphasis on both Daffodil's and Gloucester County.

This is a wonderful piece.  It emphasizes both Gloucester County as well as Daffodil's and Gloucester's historical courthouse circle area.  It was well thought out and executed.


Now these are not the only pictures at the library.  These are only a sampling of what is there.  To see the entire collection, please visit the library to view all the artwork.  You will find it well worth your time if you are one who appreciates art.

Governor McDonnell Announces Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Planning Grant Recipients

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell by Gage Skidmore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ $60,500 Awarded to Three Projects Covering Seven Localities Developing Plans on Agritourism, a Virginia Wine Heritage Center, and Local Food Systems ~

  Grant Funds Remain Available, Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis through June 2014

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today the recipients of the initial round of fiscal year 2014 planning grants from the planning grants program of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).  The AFID planning grants program was developed to encourage local governments and regional organizations to think strategically about how they can better support and integrate agriculture and forestry-based industries into their community’s overall economic development efforts.

            “At the state level, we’ve had great success incorporating the Commonwealth’s two largest industries, agriculture and forestry, and their $70 billion overall impact on our economy into our economic development agenda,” said Governor McDonnell. “Creating a program that incentivizes communities to plan for how they can best grow and support these industries in their business community is a natural continuation of a strategy that is proven to benefit Virginians and create jobs.” 

            The communities and regions receiving AFID planning grants will match each dollar awarded with a dollar of local funds, including certain types of allowed in-kind contributions. The program also requires the active participation of a board, committee or working group representing the relevant agriculture and forestry interests in the locality.  

            “Applicants were given flexibility to pursue the type of project that made the most sense for their region or locality, whether it was taking advantage of an existing asset, as Roanoke County is doing with their study of Virginia Tech’s Catawba Sustainability Center or exploring the creation of a new asset, as Albemarle County is doing with their Virginia Wine Heritage Center Study,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “By actively involving the agriculture and forestry community into the planning process we are helping communities grow a long standing component of their economic infrastructure while providing new opportunities to our farm and timber producers.”

            The AFID planning grants program guidelines were first announced by Governor McDonnell on November 27, 2012.  Fiscal year 2013 awards were announced May 8, 2013 and awarded $249,000 to eleven projects covering thirty-one localities.  With this announcement, the AFID planning grants program has committed $309,500 to fourteen projects covering thirty-eight localities.  Applicants demonstrating a clear need, a solution to be undertaken, and strong support from local government and the agriculture and forestry community received the highest marks during the review process.  For the remainder of fiscal year 2014, requests from the AFID planning grants fund, which has $189,500 in uncommitted funds, will be accepted, reviewed, and awarded on a rolling basis until the fund is exhausted.

            Details on the grant awards are below. Localities interested in applying may visit http://vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/planning.shtml for more information.

           According to a 2013 economic impact study by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually. Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion. The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

Governor’s Agricultural and Forestry Industries’ Fiscal Year 2014

Planning Grant Recipients and Projects

Project Title: Feasibility Study to Establish Virginia Wine Heritage Center in Albemarle County

Applicant: Albemarle County

Award: $20,000

Summary: Albemarle County is partnering with the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau, Thomas Jefferson Foundation/Monticello, and Piedmont Virginia Community College, to bring in an expert consultant to examine the feasibility of establishing a Virginia Wine Heritage Center in Albemarle County.  The study will look at critical partnerships, facility attributes and location, funding needs, and the appropriate business model.

Project Title: Building Agricultural and Forestry-based Businesses in The Foothills

Applicant: Rappahannock-Rapidan Region-Planning District (RRPDC); includes Culpepper, Orange, Madison, Fauquier, and Rappahannock counties

Award: $33,000

Summary: The project is an effort to increase support and preservation of the region’s agricultural and forestry based industries by implementing specific strategies designed to raise awareness of these industries, increase the purchases of regional ag and forestry products, and sustain the future of agriculture and forestry in region. Deliverables include a regional agro-artisan trail, directory, brand, annual conference, marketing effort, and completion of regional green infrastructure maps and data with agricultural soils and water quality.

Project Title: Linking the Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center to the Local Food System

Applicant: Roanoke County

Award: $7,500

Summary: The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center is a 377 acre historic dairy farm located in Roanoke County that was donated by the former Catawba Sanitarium to Virginia Tech.  In recent years, Roanoke County has helped fund the activities of the center and searched for ways to help the center contribute to region’s economy. Roanoke County and staff at the Sustainability Center, will work with Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development to explore strategies to increase the connectivity of the Catawba Sustainability Center to the regional food system. 

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Governor McDonnell Announces Four Virginia Enterprise Zone Designations

English: Bumpersticker on the campaign trail (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Three cities and Two Counties Receive Enterprise Zone Status to Attract New Businesses and Jobs

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced four Virginia Enterprise Zone (VEZ) designations. The zones are for the City of Portsmouth, the City of Winchester, Scott County, and a joint zone including the city of Radford and Pulaski County. Each locality will use state and local enterprise zone incentives to create new jobs, promote private investment, and support the overall growth of the local economy.

“Bringing jobs and new businesses to the commonwealth is our top priority,” said Governor McDonnell. “The incentives offered in the enterprise zones, along with our robust workforce and pro-business regulatory climate are just a few reasons why Virginia is the best state for business.”

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the VEZ program. VEZ supports job creation and private investment by providing state and local incentives such as the Job Creation Grant (JCG) and the Real Property Investment Grant (RPIG) to qualified businesses and investors in enterprise zones.  Businesses can earn up to $200,000 during a five-year period in Real Property Investment Grants and for Job Creation Grants, up to $800 per position per year over a five-year period, depending on the wages offered. The program has supported more than $1 billion in investment and the creation of more than 40,000 jobs since 1995.

“The Virginia Enterprise Zone program is a successful economic revitalization tool for business growth and job creation,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade, James S. Cheng. “These designations will provide an additional economic boost to these forward-looking communities.”

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Governor McDonnell Announces Civil Rights of Over 6,800 Virginians Restored During Administration

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tuesday was Last Day to Register to Vote for 2013 Gubernatorial Election; Administration Has Restored 1,577 Rights Since Governor Announced New Automatic, Individualized Process in July

McDonnell to Include Additional Funding in Upcoming Biennial Budget to Help Improve and Speed up Restoration Process

RICHMOND - Governor McDonnell announced today that the civil rights of 6,874 Virginians have been restored during the McDonnell administration, another new all-time high for a Virginia gubernatorial administration.  Of those, 1,577 were granted since the Governor announced Virginia’s new automatic, individualized system of rights restoration for non-violent felons on July 15, 2013. Governor McDonnell granted 1,114 in 2010,1,293 in 2011, and 1,879 rights in 2012. 

While this number is representative of progress, the governor announced new resources for the restoration of rights process, noting, “I strongly believe in second chances and redemption. It is a fundamental part of the American way.  Our efforts on prisoner re-entry and the restoration of rights are working.  When an individual has done their time, and paid their fines, costs, and other obligations, they deserve the opportunity to rejoin our democracy in full. That is why we moved 90 days ago to put in place Virginia’s first-ever automatic, individualized, restoration of rights process. I want every individual who is qualified to participate in this process, and gain back one of their most sacred rights: the right to vote. I am pleased that we have made progress, and continue to restore more rights than any Virginia gubernatorial administration. But we can do better still. In the past few months we’ve added staff and resources to handle an increase in demand for rights restoration. We will work tirelessly during the next three months to restore more people fully back to citizenship, and I remain fully supportive of passage of a constitutional amendment to provide for the automatic restoration of rights for non-violent felons. Additionally, we will be putting new funding into this process in the next biennial budget that we will put forward in December. We will continue to take every step possible to help more Virginians get back one of their most treasured rights: the right to have an equal voice in our democracy through the ballot box.”

“We are pleased with the number of rights that were granted. However, there is more work to be done,” stated Secretary of the Commonwealth Janet Kelly.  “Ninety days into the new system, with new procedures and new staff, we have a better idea of where to focus our resources so that non-violent felons who have paid their obligations and completed their time can have their civil rights restored. We thank the numerous stakeholder groups who helped us arrive at good procedures, and the feedback we have received from people utilizing the new process.”

“We are glad that Governor McDonnell’s administration has hired more staff and worked hard to restore the civil rights of Virginians at a faster pace than ever before,” said Advancement Project Co-Director Judith Browne Dianis. “We also commend the tremendous efforts of our community-based partners – including Holla Back & Restore Project, S.O.B.E.R. House, Bridging the Gap in Virginia, and Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged, among many others – who have been reaching out to people all across Virginia, helping them regain their voting rights in time for next month’s election. While the outreach work of the past three months is paying off, we hope the administration will seek ways to further streamline the process to quickly approve more of the individuals who are still waiting to have their rights restored. The governor has shown great commitment to moving this issue forward, and we are confident that he will build on his progress so that even more citizens can participate in our democracy.”

The restoration of rights division now employs six staffers, four of whom were just hired in July to implement the new system. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office has worked diligently with the Clerks of Court, the Supreme Court, the State Police, the State Board of Elections, the Department of Corrections, and many other stakeholder groups to streamline and automate the system. 

As the administration has studied this issue and moved forward under the governor’s new automatic, individualized system, it has become evident that the category of non-violent felons released in past years, for which the Commonwealth does not keep full records, represents the largest number of people who would benefit from the new automatic, individualized system. These individuals are also the hardest to identify and locate. Therefore, in order to expedite the process of bringing these individuals back onto the voter rolls, the governor has made the decision to seek additional funding for this process in his upcoming biennial budget.

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Governor McDonnell Announces $168 Million in Transportation Projects Approved for Construction

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I-66 and other projects approved by CTB

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) awarded $168 million worth of transportation projects during its meeting held earlier today.   Construction will soon begin on projects to replace bridges and widen and improve roads in several areas of the state. 

“The Commonwealth is advancing critically needed transportation projects that will ease congestion and improve safety,” said Governor McDonnell.  “Projects awarded today range from I-66 improvements in Northern Virginia to a bridge replacement on Route 340/522 in Warren County. These and numerous other projects will move traffic and commerce more efficiently, while also supporting jobs and benefiting the economy statewide.”

CTB Chairman and Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton added, “The board is investing transportation dollars to rehabilitate Virginia’s aging highways and bridges and increase capacity for traffic so you can get to your destination quicker.”

Below is a summary of the projects awarded by the CTB this month.

Northern Virginia

Improvements to I-66 in Fairfax and Arlington counties - This $23 million project, awarded to The Lane Construction Corporation, will improve safety and operations on the I-66 corridor in southern Fairfax and Arlington counties.  The project will convert the existing westbound shoulder into an auxiliary lane between the on-ramp from Washington Boulevard and the off ramp to the Dulles Airport Access Road.   Expected project completion is summer 2015.

New truck climbing lane on Route 7 in Loudoun County - The $28 million project, awarded to Shirley Contracting Company, LLC, consists of constructing a westbound truck climbing lane on Route 7 between the West Market Street and Route 9 interchanges, new roundabouts and ramp improvements at the Route 7/Route 9 interchange.  The project is being built to improve safety and operations for trucks climbing the steep grade.  Expected project completion is fall 2015.

Southeastern Virginia

Lynnhaven Parkway widening in Virginia Beach - The $19 million project, awarded to American Infrastructure Virginia, Inc., will improve traffic flow by building an additional lane in each direction of Lynnhaven Parkway and create a connection between Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. This will be done by bridging a canal located between Centerville Turnpike and Indian River Road. This project is located in Virginia Beach. After construction, Lynnhaven Parkway will be a continuous four-lane divided roadway. Expected project completion is fall 2016.

Bridge replacement on Route 35 over the Nottoway River in Southhampton County - The $9 million project, awarded to Waterfront Marine Construction Inc., will replace an aging bridge on Route 35 over the Nottoway River with a new two lane bridge. The bridge is located in Southhampton County. Expected project completion is fall 2015.

Central Virginia and Shenandoah Valley

Bridge replacement on Route 340/522 over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Warren County - The $48 million project, awarded to G.A. & F.C. Wagman, Inc., addresses the severe traffic congestion in the bridge corridor and consists of replacing the bridge structure on Route 340/522 over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Norfolk and Southern Railroad in Warren County. Additionally, the project will reconfigure the intersection of Route 340/522 and Route 55. Expected project completion is winter 2017.

Route 3 widening in Culpeper County - This $24 million project, awarded to Branch Highways Inc., will widen Route 3 from a two lane undivided highway to a four lane divided highway in Culpeper County. This is the final section of the Route 3 Corridor to be widened to four lanes. Expected project completion is spring 2017.

Pavement overlay on I-85 in Mecklenburg and Brunswick Counties – The $17 million project, awarded to Branscome Inc., will restore existing pavement on I-85 northbound and southbound in Mecklenburg and Brunswick counties. Expected project completion is summer 2016.

Information about CTB meetings is available at:http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/meetings.asp.

Appointed by the governor, the 17-member Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) establishes the administrative policies for Virginia's transportation system. The CTB allocates highway funding to specific projects, locates routes and provides funding for airports, seaports and public transportation. The Board meets monthly. For specific meeting, times and locations, go to the meeting schedule. 

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