County receives 24th budget award

Davis

Chesterfield County has been chosen by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada to receive its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

"On behalf of the county and my department, I am very pleased that we've been recognized for the 24th year in a row," said Allan Carmody, director of the county's Budget and Management Department. "Developing and managing a $1.1 billion budget requires the collective effort of many people. Everyone works very hard on the budget, and we take our missions to provide financial and organizational information and guidance very seriously. The award recognizes the county's efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout the U.S."

The county had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation that are designed to assess how well the budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communication device. Budget documents must be rated as proficient in all four categories to receive the award. This year, the budget document received increased scores in the following categories: financial plan, operations guide and communication device.

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The department also received a Certificate of Recognition from the organization for Budget Presentation.

Individual achievements

 

The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) recently presented Will Davis, the county's economic development director, with its 2008 Cardinal Award. The award recognizes leadership in the field of economic development, outstanding professional accomplishments and exceptional service to VEDA.

The county's Board of Supervisors recently recognized Glen Kemp as the 2008 Virginia Neighborhood Advocate of the Year for his contributions to the Salem Woods Homeowners Association as president, finance committee chairman and webmaster.

Midlothian artist Robert Caldwell recently exhibited his wildlife art at the 38th Annual Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Md. His displayed artwork included paintings, carvings, sculptures, photographs and crafts.

Photo courtesy of American Legion Post 137 The American Legion Post 137 baseball team, comprised of 16-18 year olds who attend Clover Hill, Cosby and Manchester high schools, recently won district, state and mid-Atlantic region tournaments, qualifying them to participate in the American Legion World Series. They made it to the semifinals before being eliminated. Players included (front row from left) Hunter Ackerman, Joey Cujas, Ryan Jones, Kyle McKay, Bradley Shaban, Ryan Parker, Chris Ayers, Augie Ayers and Tyler Piper. Team bat boys were Joseph Woodfin and Stevie Anto. Back row: Coach Johnny Grubb, Coach Chuck Staton, Nick Abrahamson, Ronnie Shaban, Chris Hardee, Danny Mooney, Ryan Morrison, Blake Hauser, Tim Perry, Dustin Sollars, Tadd Bower, Coach Byron Ballard and Coach Doug Toombs.

Mark Dottore, a 17-year-old senior at Midlothian High School, recently completed his Eagle Scout project - an outdoor chapel at the Midlothian YMCA, where he is a member and swim instructor.

Photo courtesy of Buddy Omonundro Elby Omohundro, an 8-year-old Robious Elementary School student, recently placed in several state-level AAU and USATF track events. He is the 2008 USATF state long jump champion in his age group and recently competed with hundreds of top athletes from around the country. He placed in both the long jump and 400-meter events.

Christopher Lee, a 9-year-old third grader at W.W. Gordon Elementary School, has won the title of "Master" Midlothian in the Miss/Master Midlothian Pageant, sponsored by Premiere Pageants. He is the first young man to be crowned in the organization's 22 years. He is the son of Quenton and LaTika Lee.

The Retail Merchant's Association will honor three Chesterfield residents for their courageous actions to protect the community at the 19th Annual Valor Awards on Friday, Nov. 14, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Lt. Jeffrey Butler and Lt. Gary Griffiths from the Chesterfield Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services will be given the Bronze Award for their life-saving actions in November 2007 at the scene of a traffic accident. Both men were off duty at the time. Mike Williams will be honored with the Citizen of Valor Award for notifying a family their house was on fire and rescuing a 2-year-old child from inside the home last March. Williams was making the rounds of his newspaper-delivery route at the time. For information about the event, call Jenny Price at 288-8389.

Photo courtesy of the Martin family Proud parents Tara and Eric Martin of Midlothian announce the arrival of Sean Tyler on Oct. 4 at 9:22 a.m. He was 20 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces.

Daniel Robins, a scout with Midlothian Troop 860, is working on his Eagle Scout project to raise funds by recycling ink cartridges and cell phones. The funds will be used to send Christmas care packages to troops in the 122nd Division of the 33rd Infantry Team, currently serving in Afghanistan. Robins is asking for donations of OEM inkjet cartridges with print heads, placed in the original packaging or in a baggie; cell phones, with battery; yarn, full skeins not required; small-size toiletries, playing cards, washcloths and candy canes or other candy that won't melt; and thank you or holiday letters from families. He will pick up items - call 502-5233 or e-mail arobins11@yahoo.com.

Photo courtesy of Jason Price On behalf of the Hampton Park Men's Club, Jason Price recently presented a special adult tricycle to Swift Creek Middle School to be used by autistic children in physical education classes. Price's son, Ryan (left), and Mike Hoover (center) will be among the bike's first users.

Midlothian resident Stacy Stevenson, 18, recently achieved Eagle rank with Boy Scout Troop 2806 of Woodlake United Methodist Church.

Government

Charles Tucker recently retired from the Chesterfield County Juvenile Detention Home after 35 years of service.

Carole H. Nunnally recently retired from the county's Utilities Department after 30 years of service as a draftsman and engineering data supervisor.

Photo courtesy of Kiwanis of Chesterfield On behalf of the Kiwanis of Chesterfield, Neal Robertson, club president, recently presented Jack Coombs, a sixth-grade student at Bailey Bridge Middle School with cerebral palsy, with a customized Rifton tricycle that will assist him with his physical therapy and allow him greater mobility. The organization got involved at the request of Jack's mother, Sandra, after she had exhausted all efforts to get their health-insurance company to cover the cost.

Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) has joined with McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center to conduct "Operation Warfighter," a program that allows wounded service members who are currently in rehabilitation to work at DSCR as part of their treatment plans.

Athletics

Winners in the women's category at the recent St. Edward-Epiphany School 5K Eagle Challenge run, sponsored by Old Dominion Insulation, were Josephine Menk, first place, with a time of 18.37 (course record); Melanie Murdaugh, second place, 21.58; and Laura Doherty, third place, 22.38. In the men's category, winners were Rich Saunders, first place, 16:17 Michael Cary, second place, 17.51 and Chris Brown, third place, 18:31. All three male winners bested the course record. A "Little Eagle Fun Run" for children followed the adults' race. Proceeds from the race and associated festival went to benefit the school.

Photo courtesy of Susan Groves The 2008 Pink Tie Gala Celebration of Life Dance recently showcased the dancing talents of nine breast cancer survivors who had lessons from staff members of Rigby's Jig Dance Studio. The gala is the brainchild of Susan Groves, manager of All American Insurers, who also founded and directs River City Charities. The dancers, all members of a support group at The Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center, included (from left) Windy Schatzle, Marianne Garten, Kay Payne, Maggi Benbeneck, Tina Pecht, Lynn Wood, Heidi Mabe, Sherry Calkin Mays and Karen Henriques.

Lloyd C. Bird High School student Jerry Brown has been nominated for Army Iron Man honors. The distinction recognizes high school football players who make outstanding contributions to their teams with both offensive and defensive plays. Fans may vote for the weekly winner at www.TheSportsFlash.com.

Education

Millwood School is helping its students learn by doing. So far this year students in various grades have visited the Chesterfield Berry Farm, Oakmulgee Dairy Farm in Amelia County, Richmond Metro Zoo, Natural Chimneys and Grand Caverns near Grottoes, Va., and Challenge Discovery in Doswell, Va. Some middle school students also took part in this year's Prejudice Awareness Summit.

Several county high school students won awards during An Art Affair, a regional juried exhibition of professional and student artists sponsored by the Bon Air Artists Association.

Jason Young from Thomas Dale High School won first place in the watercolor category, Chelsea Selsach from James River High won first place in photography, Audrey Pfund from Midlothian High won first place in digital imagery and Austin Kuhn from Manchester High won first place in the sculpture category.

The Chesterfield Education Association (CEA) recently sponsored a team of 25 runners in the READ Center's annual Run for READ. CEA member and Manchester High School teacher Deb Romig won the women's division. Lois Stanton, CEA president, and Donald Wilms, CEA past president, also finished the course. The READ Center tutors adults in reading, math and computer skills. Business

Midlothian residents David and Beverly Wilburn recently held a grand opening for their new Midlothian fast-food restaurant, Virginia Barbeque. The eatery is located at 11552 Busy Street, just off Courthouse Road near Midlothian Turnpike. Hours of operation are Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

When employees of Lumberg Automation, a supplier and maker of industrial connector components for factory automation machinery, learned in March that the plant would be closing, they put their brains in gear and their noses to the grindstone and saved the company. Thanks to employees' increases in efficiency and quality, the company that has operated a plant in the Sommerville Park for more than 20 years is not only staying open, but considering moving production currently being done in other places to the Midlothian site.

Midlothian-based ALCJR Enterprises, a travel-consultant company, will donate proceeds from its recent Caribbean fundraiser cruise to the Catena L. Parker Foundation for Missing Children. The company has been conducting the fundraising cruises since 2006. For more information about the cruises, visit www.alcjr.com. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Catena L. Parker Foundation by visiting www.catenaparkerfoundation.com, or by mail to the organization at P.O. Box 27735, Richmond, VA 23261.

Compiled by Gwen Sadler

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