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Peace Progress
August 2010
Message from Chris

This summer several commissions and councils continue meeting on a variety of subjects. I am leading the Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission which will meet on July 28th at 10 am at the General Assembly Building. If you have an interest please attend. Public comment is welcomed and encouraged. Governor Bob McDonnell's reform commission continues to meet to formulate a plan to restructure state government for greater efficiencies and savings to the taxpayer. Led by Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and the Governor's Senior Economic Advisor Bob Sledd, the Governor's Commission on Economic Development and Job Creation held its second meeting in Richmond. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor have charged the Commission with developing a series of innovative, achievable policy recommendations to help create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Virginia. Over the past two months the Commission has developed strategies and initial policy recommendations to better position Virginia to create jobs and grow the economy.  Stay tuned!

 

Additionally, the Virginia Prisoner and Juvenile Re-Entry Council convened on July 9th pursuant to Executive Order #11 to examine ways to improve public safety, reduce victimization, improve outcomes for offenders returning to their communities, and favorably impact recidivism.  The Virginia Prisoner and Juvenile Offender Re-entry Council will make recommendations for more effective re-entry services in Virginia and participate in development of a statewide strategic plan through work with constituent focus area groups and issue committees.  Broad input will be solicited from re-entry service providers, public safety professionals, law enforcement, the faith community, the judiciary, employers, educators, public agency representatives, victims of crime, and persons previously incarcerated as well as their families. I was honored to be appointed to the council by Governor McDonnell.   On July 9th, members of the Council made introductions, received the charge from the Governor, heard an overview of the current status of re-entry in Virginia and were assigned breakout groups around key issues that are barriers to successful re-entry.

 

Specifically, the Re-Entry Council has been charged specifically with: Identifying re-entry barriers and developing methods to address them; Improving collaboration and coordination of re-entry transitional services; Establishing partnerships to promote jobs; Promoting re-entry strategies for juveniles and adults; Submitting a report of re-entry actions to the Governor; and Participating in the development of the state re-entry strategic plan. You can find Executive Order No. 11 at the following link:

 

 

Click to read Executive Order #11

 

 

The Virginia Prisoner and Juvenile Offender Re-entry Council will hold three meeting in 2010.  Basic planning and recommendations will occur in 2010.  In 2011, the focus will be implementation and in 2012 assessment and evaluation. The next meeting is August 31, 2010 at the Patrick Henry Building, 1111 East Broad Street, East Meeting Room, 1pm-3pm. At this session, the Council will review and analyze initial reports from focus area committees and issue work groups, begin analysis of Council agencies' contributions to re-entry initiative and review of VDOC's strategic plan. Council members will engage in a discussion and provide input to the strategic plan as well as determine any actions in response to committee work, and make recommendations for collaboration and partnerships to address re-entry issues, including jobs. Finally, a review of grant opportunities and model programs will be presented.

 

VIRGINIA PRISONER AND JUVENILE OFFENDER RE-ENTRY COUNCIL

 

Banci Tewolde, Office of the Governor

Jane Brown, Department of Social Services

Justice Bill Mims, Virginia Supreme Court

Jim Cheng, Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Gerard Robinson, Secretary of Education

Matt Cobb, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources

Sean Connaughton, Secretary of Transportation

Bob Sledd, Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor

Bob Harris, Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council

Olivia Garland, Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services

Gene Johnson, Department of Corrections

Pat Wilson, Department of Correctional Education

Garth Wheeler, Department of Criminal Justice Services

Dr. Cynthia A. Cave, Department of Education

Jeff Lake, Department of Health

Shea Hollifield, Department of Housing and Community Development

Helivi Holland, Department of Juvenile Justice

Cynthia Hancock, Department of Medical Assistance Services

Michael Maul, Department of Planning and Budget

Eric Olsen, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

Jim Rothrock, Department of Rehabilitative Services

Martin Brown, Department of Social Services

Paul Galanti, Department of Veterans Services

John Broadway, Virginia Employment Commission

Dave Johnson, Virginia Indigent Defense Commission

Helen Fahey, Virginia Parole Board

Janet Polarek, Secretary of the Commonwealth

Sheriff Woody & Sheriff McCabe, Representative of the Virginia Sheriffs Association (2)

Superintendent Ron Matthews, Regional Jail Administrator

Derwin Overton (EO - OAR Fairfax) PAPAS/Non-profit Re-entry Service Providers

The Reverend Lance Watson, Member of the Faith Based Community

Lisa Costley, Victim of Crime

Steven Johnson, (Healing Place) Person Previously Incarcerated

 

Members of the General Assembly

1.        Senator Toddy Puller (D)

2.        Senator Ryan McDougle (R)

3.        Delegate Vivian  Watts (D)

4.        Delegate Chris Peace (R)

5.        Senator Jill Vogel (R)

6.        Senator Henry Marsh (D)

7.        Senator Janet Howell (D)

8.        Delegate Bev Sherwood (R) 

Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping

Governor McDonnell Encourages Virginians to Take Advantage of Tax-Free Back-to-School Shopping Again this Year

~ Virginia's Fifth Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Begins August 6th ~

RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the state's fifth annual tax-free back-to-school shopping period, which will take place Friday, August 6th through Sunday, August 8th.  The state's three-day sales tax holiday is intended to relieve the financial burden on families preparing for their children to return to school.

The list of items exempt from the five percent state and local retail sales tax is the same as previous years and includes school supplies like notebooks, pencils, calculators, dictionaries, backpacks and lunchboxes priced at $20 or less each.  The tax is also waived on clothing and footwear items like jeans, shorts, dresses, raincoats, hats, sandals and sneakers priced at $100 or less each.  As long as each item qualifies, there is no limit on the quantity you can buy tax-free.  And there is no requirement that the shopper be going back to school; these exemptions are available to everyone.

 
The complete lists of eligible items, sales tax holiday guidelines for consumers and retailers, and a list of frequently asked questions are available at www.tax.virginia.gov.  Click on the sales tax holiday logo under Announcements to go to the Sales Tax Holiday Information Center.
 
Speaking about the sales tax holiday, Governor McDonnell remarked, "Heading back to school each fall is an exciting time for our children.  But getting the supplies and essentials our children need to be prepared for the coming school year can be burdensome to families.  We've all tightened our budgets and this is a great opportunity to help support your local economy while saving your family money and getting them ready for school at the same time."
 
"The recession has made Virginia's citizens more frugal, and we encourage those who know that 'every little bit counts' to go shopping and save money, while helping to support local retailers and Virginia's economy," said Acting Tax Commissioner Craig Burns.  "This is the most popular Virginia sales tax holiday and the one that everyone can take advantage of."
 
During the sales tax holiday period, retailers are also permitted to pay the sales tax themselves on any non-exempt item and pass the savings on to their customers.
 
The August sales tax holiday was enacted unanimously by the 2006 General Assembly.  Virginia also holds an Energy Star and WaterSense Products Sales Tax Holiday in October, and a Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in May.

  ###

Mark Your Calendar: Community Events

Caroline:

 

August 12, 2010- Caroline Ruritan Club Annual Fish Fry.  The Caroline Ruritan Club will hold their annual Fish Fry at the Caroline Little League Park 15496 Paige Road) from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Cost is $12.00 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at Union Bank & Trust/Bowling Green, DeJarnette & Beale Insurance, Café on Main Street and G&G/Ace Hardware and at the gate. 

 

Hanover:

 

Parson's Cause Performance.  Live reenactment of Patrick Henry's first famous case that marked the beginning of the Revolution. Performed in the original location at Historic Hanover Courthouse.  Audience members are invited to take part in the reenactments as members of jury, associate justices and parsons. The audience also participates in a ballot vote to decide the outcome of the trial. Free admission. Open to the public. Limited seating.  Historic Hanover Courthouse, 7496 County Complex Road, Hanover, VA 23069

Henrico:

 

Cinema Classics.  "Experience olde time cinema" at Henrico Theatre in Highland Springs. Tickets are only $1 per person and can be purchased at the door. Information: Henrico Theatre Staff, 328-4491. "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (G), Fri, Aug 6, 10 a.m. & 7 p.m. Sat, Aug 7, 2 & 7 p.m.  "Spy Kids" (PG), Thur, Aug 12, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Fri, Aug 13, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

 

King & Queen and King William:

 

The Walkerton Day Parade is held each year on the first Saturday of August, with the crowning of "Miss Walkerton" after the parade. A fun-filled afternoon complete with carnival rides, great food, games, a parade and crowning of the Walkerton Fire Department Queen.  Contact Walkerton Community Fire Association for more details. Date is August 7, festivities begin at noon; parade begins at 5:30 pm. 

 

New Kent:

 

September 11, 2010. New Kent Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament, Dinner, & Auction  at the Tradition Golf Club at Royal New Kent.  Golf 2:30 pm check-in, 3:30 pm, Shotgun Start.  4 Person Team 9 Hole Captain's Choice.   Dinner 7 pm under the tent.  Live & Silent Auction, Raffle and 50/50 Drawing.  $50 for golf and dinner for members, $70 for golf and dinner for non-members and $25 for dinner only.  Contact Donna Friend at 804-966-2813 or email djfriend@cox.net

 

Spotsylvania:

 

2010 Patriot Park Concert Series. Saturday, August 21, Homegrown Band.  At the Patriot Park Amphitheater, gates open at 6 PM, concert starts at 7 PM. Tickets: $5/adult, $2 ages 12 and under.  Rain or shine event, no alcohol, bring your own chair or blanket, concessions will be available, please call 540-507-7540 for more information.

"Virginia at Work"

Governor McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bolling Highlight Administration Job Creation Efforts
- 71,500 Jobs Have Been Added in Virginia since February: Third Highest Amount in Nation -

110 Economic Development Projects Announced In Virginia since Inauguration Day; Projects Create 7,154 Jobs and $1 Billion in Capital Investment; New Budget Contains More Resources and Tools for Economic Development Efforts 

RICHMOND- A day prior to the 6-month mark of the McDonnell Administration, Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng and Bob Sledd, the Governor's Senior Economic Advisor, held a morning press briefing to discuss the aggressive work underway to bring new job-creating businesses to the Commonwealth, help existing businesses expand and grow Virginia's economy. The briefing, "Virginia at Work", also included an update on the overall jobs picture in the state, and came just two days prior to the Governor's first overseas trade mission. 

Among the highlights noted during the "Virginia at Work" briefing: 

  • Statistics show that the Commonwealth has added 71,500 jobs since February. These jobs are in the private and public sectors and represent all employment: full-time, temporary, and part-time.
  • This is the third-highest amount in the nation
  • Third-highest percentage increase in the nation
  • Virginia's unemployment rate of 7.1% is the third lowest east of the Mississippi
  • 13th lowest nationally
  • 110 economic development deals have been closed in Virginia since Inauguration Day
  • The 110 deals will produce 7,154 jobs and $1 billion in capital investment
  • The McDonnell Administration has appointed Virginia's first Chief Jobs Creation Officer and Virginia's first Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development
  • The new biennial budget includes significant new resources and incentives to help the Commonwealth better compete for job-creating projects
  • Funding secured for new Virginia trade offices in Great Britain, India, and China
  • Virginia landed the corporate headquarters of Fortune 100 company Northrop Grumman on the 101st day of the McDonnell Administration 

Click to read the entire "Virginia at Work" release
Contact Me

My office takes the responsibility of serving seriously.  My staff is available during the week to assist you with your concerns; I am also readily available.  I encourage you to contact us.  Please continue to contact me whenever you have concerns or issues of importance to our community and the Commonwealth. 

 

I may be reached at:

 

Capitol Office:
PO Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: 804-698-1097

Fax: 804-698-6797

E-mail: delcpeace@house.virginia.gov


 
District Office:

7494 Lee Davis Rd, Suite 16F
PO Box 819
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Phone: 804-730-3737
Fax: 804-730-5049
E-mail: delcpeace@house.virginia.gov

 
In This Issue
Message from Chris
Mark Your Calendar
"Virginia at Work"
Contact Me
Quick Links