Peace Progress: August 2012 Edition

Peace Progress

August 2012

Message from Chris

I am humbled every day to have the privilege of serving the people of the 97th district in the Virginia House of Delegates. What a tremendous honor. As a Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly, I have worked hard to keep taxes low, make our schools better and communities safer, create opportunities for job creation and economic growth, and provide excellent constituent service.

Here is a great example of a recent constituent interaction:

To: 'Chris Peace' DelCPeace@house.virginia.gov,

Date: 07/25/2012 08:11AM

Subject: RE: Wade's Produce and Seafood

Chris,

I heard that the decision was favorable for Wade. I am happy for Wade and simply astounded at the speed and efficacy with which you gave your assistance to your constituents! You personify the epitome of representative/servant of your people. If there is anything whatsoever I can ever do to assist you in any way please let me know.

Still there is much more to be done to make a smaller government and a stronger economy a reality. Government, at all levels, must lower the burden on taxpayers and respect individual liberty. I will continue to work hard for the citizens of the 97th District. Never hesitate to reach out if I may be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Christopher K. Peace

On Monday, July 23, 2012, at the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Governor Bob McDonnell signed House Bill 271.

Gov bill signing

HB271 (Peace) - Establishes the Substance Abuse Recovery Support Services Grant Program

Establishes the Substance Abuse Recovery Support Services Grant Program to provide grants to recovery support services providers in the Commonwealth. The bill requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to convene a work group of stakeholders to develop criteria for awarding grants.

Virginia's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns August 3-5

~ School Supplies, Clothing and Footwear will be Exempt from Sales Tax ~

RICHMOND - If you're among the thousands of Virginia parents preparing to send their children back to school, it's time to start getting your shopping list together. The Commonwealth's seventh annual back-to-school Sales Tax Holiday returns in August, just in time to help Virginians save some money.

During this three-day event, which begins Friday, Aug. 3, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 5, most school supplies costing $20 or less each and clothing items and footwear priced at $100 or less each will be exempt from Virginia's 5 percent state and local sales tax. The list of tax-exempt items is the same as last year and includes such products as pens, pencils, loose leaf ruled notebook paper, scissors, binders, backpacks, construction paper, sneakers, dresses, jeans and T-shirts.

Dad and Camden hanging out at the Hanover Tomato Festival

"What better way to beat the summer heat than to go out and shop and support Virginia businesses," said Governor Bob McDonnell. "Of the Commonwealth's three sales tax holidays, this is the most popular because it helps parents around the state save money while purchasing essential school supplies, clothing and shoes to help their children have a successful year at school. But it's also important to remember that you don't have to be going back to school to take advantage of these savings. Who doesn't want to save money on office supplies and summer clothes?"

An all-inclusive list of school supplies, a list of exempt clothing and footwear items, holiday guidelines for shoppers and retailers, and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Department's Sales Tax Holiday Information Center at

the Virginia Department of Taxation.

As long as each item purchased qualifies for the exemption, there is no limit on the number of items you can buy. During this sales tax holiday, retailers may also choose to save taxpayers even more by absorbing the sales tax, or paying it themselves, on items that are not eligible for exemption. The retailers must then pay the sales tax themselves on such sales.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY CHILDREN WILL BE COLLECTED SATURDAY

Can you donate school supplies to Hanover children in need? This Saturday, August 4, school buses will be parked outside of the Ashland Wal-Mart Supercenter from noon to 2 p.m. and the Rutland Kroger from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to collect donations. It's part of _Ready, Set, School! The ounty-wide school supply drive that benefits children in need attending our local public elementary, middle and high schools. The list of school supplies that are most needed can be found here:

One Million Virginians Sign Up for DMV's Electronic Notifications

~ Customers receive alerts for driver's license and vehicle registration renewals via email, text or phone message rather than the U.S. mail ~

RICHMOND - One million Virginians have signed up to receive notices from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) via email, text or phone message.

When the new initiative was launched in August 2010, Governor Robert F. McDonnell was the first Virginian to sign up for a myDMV account and electronic notifications. Governor McDonnell said, "I'm pleased that one million Virginians have opted for this environmentally-friendly service that helps save the Commonwealth money and resources."

Since each piece of U.S. mail not processed by DMV saves 59 cents in printing, processing and postage fees, the million customers are saving $590,000.

"We've reached a major milestone this week in signing up a million Virginians for the most convenient and cheapest way to receive decal and license renewal alerts," said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. "With about 5.4 million licensed drivers, that's almost one in five customers."

Customers sign up to receive electronic renewal notices for vehicle registrations (decals) and driver's licenses by creating a myDMV account at dmvNOW. Using a personal identification number (PIN), customers check a box indicating they want to receive decal renewal notices via email, phone or text message, and they can also manage their DMV records without visiting an office.

With a myDMV account, customers see all of their DMV information on one page including when their driver's license and decals expires, and their safe driving points. Customers may access their myDMV account using a social security number or DMV customer number.

FEMA approves Governor McDonnell's request for federal disaster assistance in the wake of June 29-July 1 storms

Assistance will reimburse local and state governments for emergency work and damages; Virginia is not eligible for federal Individual Assistance; Governor calls on Virginians to help disaster recovery through contributions to Disaster Relief Fund -

RICHMOND - FEMA has approved federal disaster assistance for Virginia to help 62 local governments and the state recover from the severe storms and straight-line winds that affected the Commonwealth June 29-July 1.

Governor Bob McDonnell requested federal aid through FEMA's Public Assistance program, which reimburses local and state governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities.

Under this approval, FEMA's Public Assistance program is available to the counties of Albemarle, Alleghany, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Clarke, Craig, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Frederick, Giles, Greene, Halifax, Highland, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Nelson, New Kent, Nottoway, Orange, Page, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Tazewell and Warren and the cities of Bedford, Charlottesville, Covington, Danville, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas Park, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, and Winchester.

As local and state emergency management officials continue to compile storm damage information, additional local governments may be added for Public Assistance at a later time.

Some costs that are eligible for reimbursement include activation of emergency crews to respond to the storm; opening of cooling centers and shelters; debris removal; repairs to publicly-owned property such as roads, water and sewer systems; and damage to electrical systems.

FEMA also approved Governor McDonnell's request for the Hazard Mitigation program for use statewide. This program provides funds for projects sponsored by state and local governments that help reduce disaster risks by protecting homes and businesses against future damage.

Virginia was not eligible for FEMA's Individual Assistance program, which provides aid to individuals and families with uninsured losses, because most private property that was damaged was insured.

Governor McDonnell is challenging Virginians to aid recovery efforts by donating to the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund. Donations are needed because of the many natural disasters that hit Virginia last year and the multiple recovery efforts that are still ongoing because of those events.

"I ask that citizens and businesses continue to lend a helping hand to those in need by donating what you can to the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund. Virginians have been very generous, and their donations so far have helped more than 220 households that suffered earlier disasters put their lives back together. More work remains, and I ask each Virginian to do what you can to help," said Governor McDonnell. "I salute all those who have been heavily involved in disaster assistance throughout the Commonwealth for more than a year now - the many volunteers and voluntary organizations as well as local and state agencies and governments. It truly takes everyone working together to help our families and communities recover from disasters."

In response to previous disasters, more than $1.4 million has been distributed by the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund to volunteer and recovery groups in 15 localities that have been directly assisting disaster survivors. The fund has helped people recover from the April 2011 tornadoes, the August 2011 earthquake, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and several other smaller events. The fund may help pay for home repairs, rental assistance, transportation and the purchase of household items

Click here to donate

The Virginia Disaster Relief Fund was established by Governor McDonnell in 2011 to financially help Virginia residents who are impacted by disasters. It is a fund of "last resort" if other state, federal and private aid is not available to assist victims of disasters. Funds are not distributed directly to individuals or families, but to volunteer and disaster recovery groups that are directly assisting disaster survivors.

WTVR 6 Story about federal aid for cities and counties impacted by storms

Memorial Golf Tournament for the Family of Deputy Michael Walizer

Capitol Police officer and New Kent resident, Art Clark, is working hard to organize a Memorial Golf Tournament for the Family of Deputy Michael Walizer.

On March 31, 2012, Deputy Walizer, age 36, was responding to assist another deputy on a traffic stop and pursuit of a speeding vehicle. Deputy Walizer's patrol vehicle crashed on John Tyler Highway (Route 5), only a quarter of a mile away from the Sheriff's Office. Deputy Walizer left behind a wife and four children. Golf

All proceeds will benefit the family of Charles City County fallen Officer Deputy Michael Walizer.

Click here for details about the Fallen Officer: Memorial Golf Tournament to be held in New Kent, VA

97th District GOP Units NEED You!!!

As this is an important election cycle, the 97th District GOP Units are looking for new volunteers. They have many special projects that require many hands to make light work.

If you are interested in getting involved in Hanover, please e-mail Volunteer@hanovergop.com

You may also visit their website to find out about special events and meetings.

For information about how to get involved in New Kent: Letter from New Kent GOP Chair, Jane Ladd and membership application

For information about how to get involved in King William: King William Chair, John Breeden has called a meeting for August 16. Membership application may be obtained here also.