Governor McAuliffe Announces 25 New Jobs in Madison County

Map of Virginia highlighting Madison County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~PH International, LLC to invest $4.5 million to expand headquarters operation~

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that PH International, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of home decor and garden products headquartered in Madison County, Virginia, will invest $4.5 million to consolidate operations of its subsidiary Plow and Hearth, LLC and sister company Viva Terra, LLC at its Madison County facility. The company will add 84,000 square feet and create 25 new jobs in the expansion, which will include adding warehouse storage for Plow and Hearth, as well as headquarters staff for Viva Terra.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Bringing new businesses into the Commonwealth and expanding existing businesses like PH International play a critical role in building a new Virginia economy that will enable the Commonwealth to remain competitive on a global scale. We are proud to have PH International on the impressive roster of companies that call Virginia home, and by growing their existing job base in an area that has been economically hard-hit, this project will help to build a solid foundation for economic success in Madison County and the greater region for years to come.”

“Growing our existing business is a key economic development strategy for the Commonwealth,”said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “We are excited about PH International’s growth in Madison County and the creation of new jobs paying above the average prevailing wage for the region.”

What began as a small retail store in Madison, Virginia in 1980, PH International, LLC has become one of the largest employers in Madison County. The PH International portfolio now includes the flagship brand Plow & Hearth®, plus five other brands, including Wind & Weather®, HearthSong®, Magic Cabin®, Problem Solvers®, and Reuseit®. The Plow & Hearth brand also has 24 retail locations located throughout the Mid-Atlantic, ranging from North Carolina up to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. PH International, LLC was purchased in 2010 by the owners of Evergreen Enterprises, based out of Richmond, Virginia. The company’s owners, Ting Xu and Frank Qiu, came to the U.S. from China when they were in college, made Virginia their home, and started Evergreen in 1993 when Ting and her mother began making and selling garden flags at the Virginia State Fair.  Combined, Plow and Hearth, Evergreen Enterprises, and recently acquired VivaTerra (eco-friendly home décor catalog and online brand) now represent a global wholesale and retail enterprise. 

           

 “Central Virginia is the perfect place to expand our business, accommodate our rapid growth from the past few years, and absorb recently acquired and future brands,” stated Ting Xu, CEO of PH International. “In Madison, we have access to a talented, dedicated workforce, beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and we have long-standing, strong ties to the community."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Madison County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Madison County with the project. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“The Madison County Board of Supervisors is most pleased with Plow and Hearth’s decision to expand its facility in Madison County,” said Doris Lackey, Chair of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. “We have long enjoyed a beneficial and productive relationship with this firm, from its inception more than 34 years ago to its place in our community today.

Plow and Hearth has been a great partner and contributor to the community and has an excellent and successful business model. Madison County looks forward to many years of a mutually beneficial and productive relationship with Plow and Hearth.”

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe Statement on 6th Senate District Election Results
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 40 New Jobs in Russell County
• Governor McAuliffe Announces New Web Portal to Track Road Projects
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 150 New Jobs in City of Virginia Beach
• Governor McAuliffe Statement on Final Approval of $1.9 Billion Federal Loan for Rail to Dulles
• Governor McAuliffe Statement on U.S. District Court's Redistricting Ruling

Governor McAuliffe announces new digital gateway to connect Chinese travelers to Virginia

English: Main Terminal of in Virginia, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Launch of new Chinese-language landing page will help travelers plan their next visit to Virginia~

(We need someway to provide Chinese investors a chance to visit their new purchases of Virginia and America)

RICHMOND –  Governor Terry McAuliffe announced yet another gateway connecting Chinese travelers to Virginia with the creation of a brand new landing page on the state’s tourism website, Virginia.org. The landing page, virginia.org/china, will provide Chinese travelers with unprecedented access to curated itineraries and resources, including information about the region’s rich history, diverse shopping opportunities, iconic cultural experiences, incredible outdoor activities, and award-winning culinary offerings. Additionally, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has produced a 15-page brochure which provides the Chinese traveler with a suggested six-day itinerary. All resources are provided in Chinese.

The new landing page is the 16^th of its kind. VTC’s international landing pages currently welcomes visitors from countries like France, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, and Japan, each in the respective country’s official language.

With China as one of Virginia’s top emerging markets, Governor McAuliffe has recognized the importance of launching new initiatives to build Virginia’s economic bridge to China. The creation of the landing page follows a successful collaboration earlier this year with Air China, and the establishment of new nonstop flights between Beijing and Dulles International Airport in Virginia. The new air route is expected to bring in an additional 16,000 tourists and business travelers to the capital region annually, which will result in 24,000 additional hotel room nights and $14 million in local spending annually.

As part of the memorandum of understanding with Air China, today Governor McAuliffe met with eight Chinese tour operators visiting Virginia as part of a familiarization tour in Virginia Beach. The purpose of this tour is to create awareness of the exceptional travel experiences and tourism products that are available around the Commonwealth for Chinese travelers.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia has a longstanding and productive relationship with China, and I am passionately committed to expanding that relationship,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “There is great opportunity to continue building strong partnerships and a powerful bridge to connect our two great countries. These new resources will help unite businesses, friends, families, and universities, and will help us to continually improve our communication to Chinese travelers.”

“International tourism is one of our strongest markets, and one that has incredible growth opportunity,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “The estimated economic impact of Air China alone is evidence of just how important these partnerships are to the new Virginia economy. It is our hope that these new resources will continue to create opportunities for Chinese travelers to experience all Virginia has to offer for many years to come.”

Tourism is an instant revenue generator in Virginia. In 2013, travelers spent $21.5 billion, supporting 213,000 jobs and provided more than $1.42 billion in state and local taxes.

To learn more about Virginia’s international marketing efforts, please visit: http://www.virginia.org/international/.

(Selling out our country for fun and profit.)

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe Announces 376 New Jobs in the City of Petersburg
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 75 New Jobs in Botetourt County
• Governor McAuliffe 'Day to Serve' Proclamation
• Commonwealth of Virginia to Receive $39.9 Million Federal Grant for Richmond Bus Rapid Transit System
• Governor McAuliffe, Dominion Resources and AGL Resources Announce Economic Benefits of Atlantic Coast Pipeline to Virginia
• Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Directing State Agencies to Comply with Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Governor McAuliffe Announces 50 New Jobs in City of Salem

Adapted from Wikipedia's VA county maps by Seth Ilys. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Mersen USA to invest $5.7 million to expand operation ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Mersen USA, a subsidiary of Mersen SA, a global expert in electrical specialties and graphite-based materials headquartered in France, will invest $5.7 million to expand its operation in the City of Salem, creating 50 new jobs.The facility designs and manufactures graphite and silicon carbide heat for highly corrosive and high-temperature fluids and skid systems, encompassing entire process systems in a single unit. Customers include chemical companies, pharmaceutical companies, and other severe process industries. With this project, Mersen USA will expand its skid systems capacity, as well as relocate the company’s reactive metal equipment manufacturing business from California to Salem.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Creating good jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector is a central part of growing and diversifying Virginia’s economy. This announcement is significant for a locality that is aggressively trying to rebound economically and for Mersen USA as they continue to benefit from our Commonwealth’s world class workforce and business environment. The facility employs approximately 80 people working to optimize manufacturing processes in a variety of key industries, which is essential to the future of advanced manufacturing. We are thrilled to see the Salem operation grow and absorb the company’s relocated metal manufacturing business as part of this expansion.”

“Mersen USA’s decision to expand and relocate a business division to its Virginia operation speaks volumes about the company’s experience in our world-class business environment,” saidMaurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Mersen is an important employer in the City of Salem, and this great project confirms the company’s long-term commitment to the region.”

Mersen USA designs innovative solutions to enable clients to optimize manufacturing processes in sectors such as energy, transportation, electronics, chemical, pharmaceutical, and process industries. Mersen USA has manufacturing facilities in 35 countries, employs over 6,000, and reports 2013 sales of Euro 739 million. Established in 1940, Mersen USA has nine production sites in seven states. 

“Mersen USA chose Salem for this expansion of our systems and relocation of our U.S. reactive metals equipment fabrication businesses because the City of Salem has always provided a business friendly environment and the community provides skilled and dedicated employees,” said Shawn Malone, President, Mersen USA, Chemical Equipment Div. “We have been operating in Salem since 1986 without regret, and are especially proud of recently achieving 2,000 days without a lost time accident and expect to pass our previous record of 3,000 days as we expand and grow. Mersen has not achieved this sort of safety record anywhere else in the world and it speaks volumes in regards to the Salem operation and especially its people.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Salem and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $140,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Salem with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“The City of Salem is elated that Mersen USA has chosen to expand its operation in Salem and will be adding 50 new jobs,” said City Manager Kevin Boggess. “Mersen is one of those companies tucked away on the fringes of our city that goes about its daily business turning out million dollar equipment with very few people knowing what they actually do. The $140,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity fund is of utmost importance because without it, the City would not be able to meet the Company’s needs alone. With Salem’s unemployment rate at 5.8%, this project represents a wonderful boost to our economy, and we certainly do welcome the jobs it will create.”

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe Announces 166 New Jobs in the City of Suffolk
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 376 New Jobs in the City of Petersburg
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 70 New Jobs for Virginia Beach
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 250 New Jobs for Grayson County
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia's Grant Award for Veterans' Job Training
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments, (They keep leaving to fast).

Governor McAuliffe Announces November as Virginia Oyster Month

~ Virginia is the Leading East Coast Seafood Producer, Third Largest in the Nation ~ 

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that November is Virginia Oyster Month.  Visitors and Virginians alike are encouraged to experience the fresh wild-caught and farm-raised oysters from Virginia's seven different oyster regions throughout the month of November, as well as participate in the numerous oyster festivals and events around the Commonwealth.

Virginia oysters have diverse flavors from the saltiest in the waters of Chincoteague on Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the sweet taste of Rappahannock River oysters and the rebirth of Lynnhaven oysters in Virginia Beach.  This diversity gives visitors a lot to love about oyster travel in Virginia.

"Virginia oysters are the best in the world, and they play an increasingly important role in growing our economy and keeping the Chesapeake Bay clean,” said Governor McAuliffe. “My team and I are working hard to make Virginia the Oyster Capital of the East Coast, and I hope Virginians will join us by enjoying local, fresh and delicious Virginia oysters during the month of November.”

Virginia's oyster harvest increased by 25% from 2012 to 2013, with more than 500,000 bushels - the most in nearly a generation.  Over the past 12 years, the oyster harvest in Virginia has increased from approximately 23,000 bushels in 2001 to last year's level of just over 500,000 - the highest level since 1987.  The dockside value alone of the oyster harvest is 2013 was more than $22 million, up from approximately $16 million in 2012.

"Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia, and the continued growth of the oyster industry, combined with private sector investment, positively impacts the tourism industry in the Chesapeake Bay region and the Commonwealth," said Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade.  "In 2013, visitors spent $21.5 billion, supporting 213,000 jobs and contributing $1.4 billion in state and local taxes. Marketing Virginia as an oyster destination will help us attract more of those visitors and continue to help our economy grow.”

"The oyster industry plays a significant role in Virginia’s recognized position of being the nation's third largest producer of marine products and, the leading seafood producer on the East Coast,"said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  "In addition to the domestic impact of our marine products sector on the tourism and agricultural industries, we're proud of the successes we’ve had in promoting Virginia oysters on international trade missions, where we've generated new export sales to China, Hong Kong and Canada.  These deals and others we hope to help achieve will help generate business and attention for Virginia’s thriving oyster industry."

In August 2014, Governor McAuliffe announced the development of the Virginia Oyster Trail, a major tourism development project connecting travelers to Virginia oyster purveyors, raw bars and restaurants, and the watermen culture throughout Coastal Virginia, the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and the Eastern Shore.  As a result of these exciting developments with the Virginia oyster, Governor McAuliffe officially declared November as Virginia Oyster Month and named Virginia the "Oyster Capital of the East Coast."

“By pairing Virginia oysters with other Virginia products including wine, craft beer, cider and spirits, travelers can experience the state with taste,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation.  "Oysters only add to the impressive list of things Virginia has to offer."

For a list of Oyster Month festivals and events around the state, go to http://www.virginia.org/OysterFestivals/

For more about Virginia oysters, go to http://virginia.org/oysters

Watch video on Virginia Oyster Month here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lENusPnc8A

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe Announces Creation of Virginia Oyster Trail
• Governor McAuliffe celebrates signing of New Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement
• Governor McAuliffe Affirms Virginia's Commitment to River, Chesapeake Bay Public Access
• Governor McAuliffe and State Leaders Tout New Agricultural Resource Management Plan
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Exports Reach New Record High
• Virginia Receives $9.3 Million Grant to Help Virginians Access Health Coverage

Governor McAuliffe Accepts 127 Acres of Hallowed Ground from Civil War Trust

~ Successful partnership between Virginia and Civil War Trust increases amount of protected land at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historic and High Bridge Trail State Parks ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe presided over a ceremony at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield, formally announcing and accepting the transfer of 127 acres of hallowed ground to the Commonwealth at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, located in Amelia and Prince Edward Counties, and High Bridge Trail State Park in Prince Edward County. 

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Through concerted efforts to preserve the Commonwealth’s battlefields and other historic treasures, this administration and its partners are creating a lasting legacy for present and future Virginians.  We will continue to work with nonprofit groups like the Civil War Trust to proactively preserve these irreplaceable resources, as we have done at Sailor’s Creek and High Bridge.”

Molly Ward, Secretary of Natural Resources, and Mike Grainger, Chairman of the Board of the Civil War Trust joined McAuliffe at the new conference.  According to Grainger, “The Civil War Trust and Virginia have a long history of cooperation to ensure the state’s Civil War battlefields are protected, interpreted, and open for the public to enjoy.  We are pleased to transfer these acres to the care of the state park system.  It is our firm belief that Virginia is the best possible steward of these hallowed grounds.”

In her remarks, Secretary Ward called the Commonwealth’s participation in the project a fitting example of the Old Dominion’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding her plentiful historic and natural resources.  “Virginia is home to some of the most stirring places in America, including some of the nation’s significant Civil War battlefields.  The Virginia State Park System is honored to be entrusted with the care of these newly acquired properties at Sailor’s Creek and High Bridge.”

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Civil War Trust have been working together to protect hallowed ground at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield since 1996.  Due to this collaborative effort, 885 acres at Sailor’s Creek Historic Battlefield and 175 acres at High Bridge Trail have been protected. 

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe 'Day to Serve' Proclamation
• Governor McAuliffe Announces VAWorks Job Search Mobile App
• Governor McAuliffe and Virginia Legislators Celebrate Today's First Flight at the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership
• Commonwealth of Virginia to Receive $39.9 Million Federal Grant for Richmond Bus Rapid Transit System
• Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Strengthening Virginia's Housing Policy
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia as the Location of a Meg Ryan Film Produced by Tom Hanks

Writ Quo Warranto; Judges Beware?

The Line in the Sand - Breaking News November 10, 2014 Unified Common Law Grand Jury in every State files writ_quo_warranto.pdf in every Federal District Court, United States Supreme Court and served upon every Federal Judge and all 9 US Supreme Court Justices. Information in the nature of a quo warranto. A proceeding against the usurper of a franchise or office. Jarman v. Mason, 102 Okl. 278, 229 P. 459, 460.; An extraordinary proceeding, prerogative in nature, addressed to preventing a continued exercise of authority unlawfully asserted. Johnson v. Manhattan Ry. Co., N.Y., 53 S.Ct. 721, 289 U.S. 479, 77 L.Ed. 1331. watch the Video.

The above video and information come from the National Liberty Alliance.  The pdf is available above as it is live linked here and it is covered in full detail in the above video.  Will this work?  Will judges just stop being thieves and sell outs?  Not likely.  There is way to much money and power in what they are doing now.  They are not going to give up that power and corruption without a fight.  

  What I will say is that I do like what these folks are doing and I have decided to join.  So I am a member of NLA and cover Gloucester, Virginia.  Now I have many hours of training to go through.  What kind of impact will all of this have?  Hope for the best, expect the worst.  It's the right stand no matter what.  Standing for the rights of the people is always the right decision.  I need two more people for Gloucester to have 4 people covering this county.  Each county should have 4 representatives.  I already have a second person.  May already have a third, but waiting on their answer.  Who will step up to be number four?

Please visit the NLA, National Liberty Alliance at the below link

http://www.nationallibertyalliance.org/

  

Related articles

• BREAKING MAKE VIRAL!! A Writ of Quo Warranto (APFN)
• Every Federal District Court Has Been Served ~ Writ Quo Warranto ~
• Open Letter to the Citizens of Gloucester County Virginia
• Interview: Judge Mary Elizabeth Bullock with Bill Windsor of Lawless America
• Do We Have a Democracy ?
• Gloucester, Virginia FEMA Land Sustainability Programs Defined

Gloucester, VA Animal Control Ordinances vs State and Federal Laws and Codes

We have completed going through all of the Gloucester County, Virginia ordinances as they relate to and are covered under Animal Control.  What we have found are numerous violations in a number of local ordinances.

  Gloucester Animal Control Ordinance 3-18 is our biggest complaint, however, it is not our only complaint.  We have a real problem with Gloucester County officials just making up ordinances in violation of both state as well as federal codes, and or laws.

It is outrageous that county officials have gotten away with this for so long and it's time to put a stop to it all.   Here is what we found posted in a SlideShare container to keep the site compact but still very usable.

Gloucester, Virginia Animal Control Ordinances With Notes, 10 2014 from Chuck Thompson

The above is the complete Animal Control ordinances for Gloucester County as of November 2nd, 2014 as they currently stand.  We have highlighted areas we found to be illegal or highly questionable, in yellow.  Our notes follow the yellow highlighted sections with a salmon colored highlighting over the notes.  We point out that we can not find any corresponding state codes and argue to have these illegal codes removed from the books.

  A copy of the above has already been sent to the Board of Supervisors for this upcoming meeting to be held at the Colonial Courthouse in the Courthouse circle on Wednesday evening.  That meeting starts at 7:00 PM.

  Our biggest contention is the very highly illegal ordinance 3-18.  We have done all the research on this ordinance and it's proposed changes and have sent all the findings to the Board of Supervisors asking that no form of ordinance 3-18 show up on the books as it not only violates state codes, it also violates Federal Laws too.

Sec. 3-18. Animals in enclosed vehicles.

(a) It shall be unlawful to leave any animal in a vehicle without the
benefit of air conditioning when the outside temperature reaches
eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

(b) Any person who confines an animal in an unattended vehicle so as
to cause the animal to suffer from heat stress, shall be guilty of a
Class 1 misdemeanor. The animal control officer or other officer
shall have the authority to remove any animal found left in an
enclosed a vehicle that appears to be suffering from heat stress.
The animal shall be provided immediate veterinary care. The
animal owner or custodian shall be responsible for all expenses
incurred during the removal of the animal or its subsequent
treatment and impoundment.

(c) In the event that the person responsible for the violation cannot be
ascertained, the registered owner of the vehicle, as required by
Chapter 6 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia, shall constitute in
evidence a prima facie presumption that such registered owner
was the person who committed the violation."

The above is the proposed new ordinance 3-18. It's original form was not legal and this new re write is even more illegal than it's predecessor.  We have posted those reasons on here many times already.  What we have not posted on here is Federal laws.  We have heard arguments being claimed that Animal Control isn't considering horse trailers as vehicles.  Well under the definition of federal law, horse trailers are considered vehicles.

CFR Title 41;  §102-34.35  

Motor vehicle means any vehicle, self propelled or drawn by mechanical power, designed and operated principally for highway transportation of property or passengers, but does not include a military design motor vehicle or vehicles not covered by this part (see §102-34.20).

That is the definition of a vehicle under federal law.  So it does include a horse trailer as a vehicle.  Animal Control's statements do not override federal law.

Further, we did research under title 49 of federal laws to see if the federal government requires air conditioning for transportation of people or animals.  There are no requirements and anyone who wants to question this, please, here are the links to check out for yourself.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9a28a870eb068ad5786c867c66dab6bd&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49cfr393_main_02.tpl

Transportation of migrant workers

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9a28a870eb068ad5786c867c66dab6bd&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49cfr398_main_02.tpl

Yes, we even looked up the transportation of migrant works as it is only reasonable that these laws would be more stringent.  Air conditioning is not required under federal laws.

  Local ordinances can not supersede state laws that can not supersede federal laws.  Animal Control ordinance 3-18 seeks to supersede both state and federal laws.  That is simply outrageous.

Today, Sunday November 2nd, 2014, we received a phone call from a friend who told us about a meeting of concerned animal owners in the county, the meeting of which was held at Anna's Pizza in the courthouse area.  Some of the people at this meeting are not going to be able to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting this coming Wednesday.

We have sent a copy of this petition to the Board of Supervisors and we recommend that everyone who is concerned about this and other illegal ordinances contact the Board as soon as possible before Wednesday Night's meeting.

BoS@gloucesterva.info is their email address.

Related articles

• Help Fight Against Illegal Gloucester, Virginia Ordinances
• Gloucester, VA Animal Control Breaking And Entering? What About "YOUR" Rights?
• Gloucester, VA County Government Document Shows Illegal Ordinance AC 3-18
• Open Letter to the Citizens of Gloucester County Virginia
• Gloucester, VA Animal Control and the Bena Feral Cats
• Gloucester, VA What Glo-Quips Didn't Tell You, July, 2014