Peace Progess September 2010 Edition

Peace Progress

September 2010

I hope you are enjoying the close of Summer 2010. Fall is in the air as school starts back and campaign events increase. Unfortunately we are also reminded of the change in seasons marked by the annual hurricane watch. As I write this message, the center of Hurricane Earl was located 175 miles north-northwest of San Juan Puerto Rico moving west-northwest at Category 4 levels. My office will monitor reports from the state and provide you with as much necessary information as possible.

The northwestward motion expected to continue through Wednesday, 1 September. Maryland and North Carolina Operations Centers are in direct coordination with Virginia for landfall impact as is the Federal government. The Coast Guard will be monitoring sea activity and coordinate with our ports to minimize damage. Fiona is also in the forecast and some slow strengthening is possible during the next day or two. For Virginia there are no Emergency Declarations current at this point. Weather: Tuesday August 31; Sunny and hot with high temperatures in mid to upper 90s, winds between 4 and 7 mph. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert across the Richmond Metro and Hampton Roads areas. Tuesday Night: Clear, low temperatures in the mid 60's. Wednesday, September 1: Sunny with high temperatures in the mid 90's, winds between 4 and 7 mph.

Chris

Mark Your Calendar: Community Events

Caroline:

September 18, 2010 - Milford Community Day from 9 am until 3 pm,

it is the yearly highlight of this Caroline County community. Milford Community Day was the idea of former Milford Presbyterian Church pastor Rev. Walter Winegar. The first community day was held in 1999 on the church grounds, on the corner of Church and Blatt Street, where

an estimated 300 people attended. The event features local food and music, bake sale, yard sale, the Bowling Green Farmer's Market, and children's activities. Community members as well as local fire, rescue, animal control, and police departments participate. Artwork auctions

are often held to benefit Milford Presbyterian Church. This year, enjoy country, rock, and folk music from the Dixie Belles, Tommy

Satterwhite, One Lane Bridge, and JaDed Lane. The 11th Annual

Milford Day is not one to miss! Please call 804-633-4334 for more information.

Hanover:

James River Cellars Winery will be holding their annual Harvest Wine Festival on Saturday, September 04, 2010 (12:00 PM-5:00 PM)!

Please join us and three other guest wineries to celebrate the fall

harvest. Listen to live music, visit with craft vendors and taste some

wine. Bring your lawn chair and a picnic or purchase food from our vendor. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. The event

will be held rain or shine. Children and Pets welcome. Please visit the website www.jamesrivercellars.com or call Phone: (804) 550-7516 the winery for more information.

Henrico:

Glen Allen Day. For all ages. The Glen Allen Ruritan Club in association with the Division of Recreation and Parks will host Glen Allen Day, one of Henrico County's largest outdoor festivals, on Sat, Sept 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This year's theme is "Living Healthy." Celebrating 14 years, Glen Allen Day festivities will include a community parade at 9:30 a.m. beginning at the intersection of John Cussons Road and Mountain Road and continuing down Mountain Road to Meadow Farm Museum/Crump Park. Activities in the park include children's activities, balloons by Miss Sheri the Clown, an arts and crafts and business fair, a live petting zoo, train rides, a classic car show, and live musical entertainment featuring local musicians on two stages. Refreshments will be available for purchase at an outdoor food court. For event photos and details (including a participant application), please visit www.GlenAllenDay.org or call the Glen Allen Ruritan hotline at 257-9605. Meadow Farm Museum/Crump Park. Free admission.

King and Queen:

Upper King & Queen Volunteer Fire Department hosts an annual Chicken supper on the 3rd Saturday in September. This year that is September 18 from 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., take-out is available. For more information please contact John D. Fogg at 769-2661.

King William:

The 28th Annual West Point Crab Carnival will be held Friday,

October 1 and Saturday, October 2, 2010. Please see the new

Web site www.crabcarnival.com for the latest information.

New Kent:

New Kent County Fair, September 17, 18, 2010 at Colonial Downs

Race Track. For General information or volunteer information: contact Martha Martin at 804-932-3155. Join New Kent Parks and

Recreation for the Annual 5K and Kids Fun Run/Walk. Volunteers still needed to assist with timing, recording, and registration! Our goal is 50 runners for the 5K and 25 for the Kids Fun Run! For more information visit: http://www.newkent.net/fair.html

Spotsylvania:

Stonewall Jackson 20-Mile Ambulance Run at Marshall Center. The registration start date is 07/06/2010 and the registration deadline is 09/25/2010 for ages 18 years and older. The race is scheduled for October 9, 2010, race begins at 7:15 AM. Cost: Spotsylvania county residents: $45, residents outside of Spotsylvania pay: $45. Please call

the office at 507-7529 if you have any questions. Registration form available at

http://www.spotsylvania.va.us/departments/parksandrec/activities/info.cfm?Actnum=1211

Governor McDonnell Requests Immigration

Enforcement Partnership with Federal Government

Letter Seeking 287(g) Agreement Sent to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

Memorandum of Agreement Would Allow Certain Virginia State Police Officers to Perform Limited Functions of an Immigration Officer

RICHMOND - After months of discussions, Governor Bob McDonnell has formally requested that the Department of Homeland Security enter into a 287(g) agreement with the Virginia Department of State Police allowing certain Virginia troopers to perform certain functions of a federal immigration officer within the borders of the Commonwealth. The letter follows the governor's remarks last week that his Administration has been in communication with federal authorities since February on the issue.

Speaking about the formal request, the governor noted, "I have been a longtime proponent of allowing certain state and local law enforcement officers to assist the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with the enforcement of immigration laws within the Commonwealth. A partnership of this nature will serve to improve public safety, while providing more resources to an underfunded and understaffed federal agency in the fight against criminal illegal immigration. This effort has been underway in our Administration since our first months in office. The Superintendent of the Virginia Department of State Police, Secretary of Public Safety, and my Chief of Staff have all met with federal officials to express our interest in this law enforcement partnership. The federal government is clearly responsible for border security and immigration law enforcement in this country. However, Section 287(g) of the amended Immigration and Nationality Act wisely permits state and local assistance in that enforcement. Virginians want to see our laws enforced and our communities kept safe and secure. This collaborative partnership will help accomplish those critical functions of government. I look forward to a positive response from Secretary Napolitano to our request and a successful federal-state partnership in the years ahead."

In the letter, Governor McDonnell writes:

"As Virginia's Attorney General, I advocated for 287(g) authority for the Virginia Department of State Police. We were successful in assisting a number of local governments in executing 287(g) agreements, which are now working well. Since I became Governor, my Superintendent of the Virginia Department of State Police began making inquiries in February of 2010 regarding potential 287(g) authority for limited purposes for certain State Police Officers. Additionally, my Chief of Staff and Secretary of Public Safety have discussed this initiative, along with ideas on other immigration enforcement issues, with Assistant Secretary John Morton, his Chief of Staff, Suzanne Barr, and other federal partners. The ongoing discussions and a productive meeting have resulted in a verbal commitment to move forward in a strategic manner relating to 287(g) authority."

The letter to Secretary Napolitano concludes:

"It is my belief that providing the Virginia Department of State Police the authority granted under 287(g) will serve as a benefit to your Department as well as the citizens of the United States and the Commonwealth. I look forward to working with you in ensuring the successful implementation of this vital law enforcement initiative."

For coverage of the governor's comments last week regarding a 287(g) agreement please see:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-news/2010/aug/04/immi04-ar-411664/

For coverage of the governor's support as attorney general for a 287(g) agreement please see:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/17/AR2007011702021.html

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/jan/17/20070117-101645-4548r/

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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