SAFE recognized for reducing inhalant use

Mary Lib Morgan (left) and Sharyl Adams, members of SAFE’s inhalant task force, accepted an award from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors during a conference in Denver. Photo courtesy of SAFE SAFE, Chesterfield County’s community coalition against substance abuse, is the recipient of a National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors’ 2010 National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices and Policies. The organization is one of only four groups in the U.S. to receive this year’s honor.

In 2005, SAFE made it a priority to reduce the use of inhalants among young people. Armed with survey data from that year indicating that eighth-graders were using inhalants at twice the national average, the coalition developed an ambitious plan to educate the community about the then little-known issue.

The Midlothian location of Empire Beauty Schools recently celerated the opening of the company’s 100th school by raising almost $2,000 for the Treasure Wythe Inn, a local shelter for women and their children. Photo courtesy of Chantelle Bradley New survey data indicate that SAFE’s efforts are impacting the community. A survey conducted in the spring showed that lifetime use of inhalants among eighth-graders has dropped 44 percent, from 19.8 percent in 2005 to 11.7 percent in 2010. Use of inhalants during the past 30 days has dropped to 3 percent, a 64 percent decrease since 2005.

“This is a tribute to the community of Chesterfield County. It is true that when a community discovers its values, there is nothing it cannot change,” said Wayne Frith, executive director of SAFE. “The hundreds of volunteers who worked on this initiative have set an example of the difference citizens can make by working together.”

For more information, visit www.chesterfieldsafe.org or call 516-1655.

Education

Matoaca High student Devante Lamont Singleton has been selected for membership in the National Society of High School Scholars.

Sgt. Daniel Jones of Midlothian has been notified that he has met requirements to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute. He was wounded last month by an improvised explosive device while on active duty with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan and is recuperating at the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda. Athletics

Chesterfield Adult Sports, a group cosponsored by the county’s parks and recreation department, has formed and will present reverse coed adult volleyball, where teams of two men and two women alternate hitting the ball. Regular coed men’s and women’s volleyball and adult basketball will also be offered. All fall sports start the week of Sept. 20. Registration deadline is Sept. 17. Rosters and rules will be provided. For more information, contact chesterfieldballsports@yahoo.com.

Monacan High School’s Logan Staib earned the Army Iron Man of the Year award after throwing for 1,290 yards with 11 touchdowns and rushing for 330 yards while making 66 tackles on defense in Josten’s Third Annual Army Iron Man competition. Playing on both offense and defense, the Army Iron Man must demonstrate physical and emotional strength, as well as strength of character.

Government

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation employees Gil Perkins, director of DLA Aviation Counsel, and Don Tracy, Aviation Supply Chain counsel, received Patriot Awards through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve’s (ESGR) “Boss Lift” program. They were nominated by one of their employees,

Mike Chiffolo, an associate counsel for contracts. As part of their award, Perkins and Tracy rode in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter courtesy of Company B, 2nd/224th Aviation Battalion, as part of a daylong ESGR program coordinated with Fort Lee.

Employees at Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) recently delivered 60 book bags and backpacks filled with donated supplies to Bensley and Bellwood elementary schools as part of its school partnership program. The supplies were collected during an annual drive held at DSCR.

The Chesterfield County Department of Utilities’ wastewater treatment plants have received Gold and Silver Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for their outstanding compliance records in the 2009 calendar year. Chesterfield County’s Falling Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant received the Gold Peak Performance Award, which represents complete and consistent compliance with the facility’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for an entire year. Chesterfield County’s Proctors Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant received the Silver Peak Performance Award for its consistent compliance.

Richard M. Jacobs, senior manager of Goodman & Company’s Chester office, was recently recognized by the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors for his service on the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. Jacobs was chosen to serve on the committee because of his experience in business, budgeting, finance, audit and economics. The committee was charged with reviewing the county’s financial policies and budget process, examining capital improvement projects and providing advice on revenues, expenditures and efficiencies within the county budget.

In recognition of his leadership in conserving hundreds of thousands of acres of land across the commonwealth, Del. Lee Ware has been given the Friend of Conservation Award for 2010 by Virginia’s United Land Trusts. He has sponsored the principal legislation to preserve and expand the Land Preservation Tax Credit program, where landowners can receive tax credits for placing their properties into permanent conservation easements. Well over 1 million acres of land in the state have been permanently protected from development over the past decade in this manner.

National Association of Counties 2010 award winners include Chesterfield’s emergency communications department for its metro Richmond regional emergency communications recruitment initiative, the human resource management department for its operational seasonal and H1N1 influenza preparedness plan, Chesterfield Public Libraries for its consumer health information project, the planning department for its volunteer sign-removal program and the risk management department for its drive safety program.

The Chesterfield Health Department received a Virginia Association of Counties achievement award for its “Whoa Baby” campaign, which addresses preconception health issues. It was developed with the assistance of county high school students.

Sydney Mance, a student at Midlothian High School, has been appointed to represent the Midlothian District on the Youth Services Citizen Board (YSCB). Kenny Britt, Bermuda District, and Meghan Coates, Clover Hill District, have been appointed to represent their respective districts as adults on the YSCB.

Rev. Shawn France has been appointed to the county’s Social Services Citizen Board.

The board of supervisors has recognized Dale R. Totten for his service to Chesterfield County as resident engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation. He has been promoted to regional traffic engineer.

Patricia H. “Trish” Beasley has retired from the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue after more than 36 years of service.

Officer Mark K. Seymour has retired from the police department after 31 years of service. Laurel Foege has retired from the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services after 28 years of service.

Announcements can be e-mailed to news@chesterfieldobserver.com, faxed to 744-3269 or mailed to Chesterfield Observer, Attn: Announcements, P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113.