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 three agencies mentioned in the MOU are the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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.

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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 24^ththe 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 Farmville, Retired 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

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Why We Celebrate The 4th of July: Independence Day

Why We Celebrate The 4th of July - USA from Chuck Thompson

Above is the 7th Virginia planning their war strategy for an upcoming battle.

The largest cavalry battle of the American Revolution took place right here in Gloucester, Virginia.

We fought for our Independence from England partially because of taxation without representation.  Does anyone see anything similar today?

The king thought he had a right to treat his British subjects in these colonies as he saw fit.  The American colonies were flourishing in part because we gave up trying to use the kings coin for trading and debts and instead created our own script.  The king outlawed us using our own script nearly bankrupting the colonies.  The extra taxes without representation was insult to injury.

The British burned our houses and destroyed our crops.  But never our spirit.

The French came to our aid in the battle.

The Marquis de Lafayette came over with his and the king of France's frigates and infantry to assist us.

With perseverance we won the day against tyranny.  We need to stand up once again and claim what is right and demand our inherent rights no longer be infringed upon.   Happy 4th of July and may America see many more with great pride and dignity.

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Dr Lianis Bidot: Some Stress Relief Tricks

In this hurried and stressful life we live in we forget to take care of the most important person, yourself.  You hurry from one thing to another eating unhealthy foods, not exercising or taking care of your body. We forget that if our health is poor we cannot help or support our families and we cannot fulfill our mission in this world.

There are many things you can do that do not take that much time. Start with gratitude. It is said that gratitude with increase your frequency, to a frequency closer to love. Before you get out of bed in the morning or while you are getting ready to go to work in the morning, give thanks to everything good in your life. This could be having a roof over your head, having food to eat, being grateful for your family or animals, the bed you slept on, waking up and having another day in this world, etcetera.  You will start seeing life in a totally different way.

Relaxation is also lacking in our society, we are always rushing from one place to another. Your stress hormones are always in high gear causing havoc with your body.   Relaxation is needed to reduce these stress hormones and their effects on our body. One way to relax is by meditation or prayer. All it takes is at least 5 minutes a day working toward at least 20-30 minutes twice a day. There is no special position required to meditate, just relax your body and refocus from your surroundings. Many people have a mantra, something they repeat to keep out other thoughts in their brain, or they focus on their breathing. For some people praying is like meditation, they are focused in their talk with God and the love they share. Your body will be relaxed, your blood pressure will be lower and you will be happier.

A bath with salts and essential oils is another way to relax and take time for your self.  It will relax your muscles and make you less tense.  Using epsom salt in your bath will help replenish the magnesium in your body that most Americans are low in.  Using lavender as the essential oil will also help you relax, it is also good during this time of the year against ticks, mosquitoes and fleas.

These are just a few of the self caring changes you can make to improve your health and your life as well as that of your family. I will give you some more suggestions in my next blog. Wishing you a magnificent day.

Dr Bidot is a medical surgeon who is now practicing Energy Medicine to help people in a more natural manner.  She is opening a location in Gloucester very soon.  That location will be at 3682 B George Washington Memorial Highway, (Route 17 South),  Hayes, Virginia.  Next to the Tidewater Motel.  

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Governor McAuliffe Launches Statewide Virtual Datathon Challenge

~ Teams from across Virginia will create new and innovative applications ~

(Or, How to get people to work for free)

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today launched the 2015 Virtual Datathon Challenge, a competition that will bring together teams of innovators from across the Commonwealth to create new applications that improve government. 

“We can’t have an innovative new Virginia economy without an innovative government,” said Governor McAuliffe. “That’s why last year my administration launched Virginia’s first ever open data portal, and why last September we brought together state agencies to build brand new apps from scratch. This year, I’m challenging innovators across Virginia to use our state data in creative ways that will encourage collaboration and transparency within our government, enhance the services we provide our citizens, and build on our state’s reputation for innovative, efficient and customer-oriented government.”

Virginia Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson continued, “This Virtual Challenge will give all Virginians the opportunity to use data and technology to improve their government and how it serves their communities.  Apps are changing lives; we are seeing a movement where longstanding challenges are being solved by technology solutions developed by a growing population of civic coders. We want Virginia to lead the way.”

The Virtual Challenge winner will advance to the final round of competition at the statewide competition where they will compete for the Governor’s Cup.

For more information and competition registration, please visit data.virginia.gov.  To join the big data conversation, follow @DataVirginia and #TechInVA.

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Gloucester, Virginia History: Extremely Old Tombstone Headings

Ware Episcopal Church, Gloucester, Virginia

Tombstones of gloucester, virginia 1 from Chuck Thompson

Gloucester, Virginia is one of the oldest areas in the nation when it comes to early English settlements.  Its as old as Jamestown, Virginia as it was once a part of Jamestown back on 1607.  Later it was a part of Yorktown, but records show Yorktown being even younger than Gloucester which is just the way things get recorded.  For that matter, everything from North Carolina to Massachusetts was all a part of Virginia.  For the record, the American Indians or what is commonly know as native Americans which turns out are Chinese immigrants, were here before English settlers and so was Spain.  But its the English who were successful at settling the area.  (Politically correct history reporting is a pain in the ...).

  The main focus here is maintaining history.  Above is from the College of William and Mary that recorded the headings of old Gloucester tombstones.  Many which can no longer be read.  Some blame acid rain for not being able to read these headings, I blame nature.  Water is the worlds finest solvent.  It has nothing to do with so called acid rain.  (I refuse to argue politically correct areas when there is no real science behind it.)  There are many folks who like to wander through old grave yards and read the Tombstone headings and there are also family who can no longer read what the tombstones once said, so for these reasons, we have decided to reprint the information.

  Anyone is free to print out the above pages for historical research and or family posterity.  You may also download free copies of the above from our Slideshare site.  You have to be a member of Slideshare and if you are not already, then you can join for free.

Above:  The Godspeed.  One of the 3 ships that came from England to Virginia in 1607.  Jamestown Yorktown Foundation re creation.

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