Article by Delegate Lee Ware: timesdispatch/powhatantoday/opinion/some-bright-news-from-general-assembly/article_1bda4c86-6fa0-11e4-ba80-e310ef4fdd0d.html Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2014 10:00 am By Del. Lee Ware Special to Powhatan Today Though our state budget for the next two years has been reduced by $2.4 billion there is very good news for Powhatan (and Goochland) residents in the spending plan the General Assembly finalized on Monday, Nov. 10. Included in capital improvements is $5.1 million for a new 1-million gallon water storage tank at the treatment plant along Route 6 (River Road West) in Goochland County near State Farm operated by the Department of Corrections (DOC). Advertisement This tank is the last of three phases of major investments that will greatly improve water services to citizens and businesses in both Powhatan and Goochland counties. Previously, water lines were replaced along River Road West in Goochland as part of Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2, which already is underway, will extend pipes across James River to Beaumont Correctional Center here in Powhatan. When Phase 3, construction of the elevated water tank, is completed, Powhatan and Goochland may enter into a regional cooperative agreement with the DOC. Under the agreement, water capacity for residents of both counties and also for DOC facilities along the James River will be vastly increased. Completion of this three-phase project is the first priority of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors for the upcoming General Assembly of 2015, so it is a delight to have been able to secure the funding during the current session, which finally concluded on Nov. 10. As county officials know, I had been holding my breath about the survival of my formal budget amendment, submitted last January, to authorize completion of this crucial Phase 3 of the project. The General Assembly had to reconvene six times since we adjourned in March to address a worsening economic outlook and budget projections, so of course I was concerned that the amendment might not emerge from the cutting table. Fortunately, my service as chairman of the Finance committee of the House of Delegates ensures me a place at the table in such deliberations. One budget reduction that has not been restored may well slow improvements to Route 711 (Huguenot Trail) in eastern Powhatan. The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), which is appointed by the governor, recently removed the $7.1 million project from its Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for the Richmond region. This action followed the governor’s change in the CTB’s memberships — he replaced members appointed by former Governor Bob McDonnell with members of his own political party. This week, a senior official of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) told me that, At the present time Route 711 is $7 million short of full funding for construction and a 2016 advertisement date is uncertain at this point. [VDOT has], however, nearly completed right-of-way acquisition for the project. Restoring funding for the Route 711 project is a high priority for both supervisors and me, and I will be submitting a budget amendment just before the General Assembly convenes in mid-January. I was also pleased to have both of my nominations for appointment to the courts in our district approved by my colleagues in both the House and Senate. Robert Bob Beasley, our long-time Commonwealth’s Attorney, assumes his duties as a judge of the General District Court on Dec. 1. David E. Johnson of Midlothian, a former deputy attorney general, will become a judge of the circuit court in Chesterfield on the same date. I have known and worked closely with both men for many years, and each will without doubt serve us all with distinction. Del. Lee Ware represents the 65th House District consisting of Powhatan, western Goochland, southwestern Chesterfield and eastern Fluvanna counties.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 22:12:04 +0000
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