Current Conversations

The Beehive is a quarterly community newsletter, free to all county residents, containing information about county news and resources, volunteer information, community events, and classes and activities for youth and adults.Recently, Gloucester County's hard work in revamping this publication into a full-color magazine (while lowering the cost to taxpayers) earned a highly competitive Virginia Association of Counties Achievement Award.The magazine is primarily put together by our Community Engagement & Public Information Department. In this episode, Director Quinton Sheppard sat down with Media Specialist Savannah Haugdahl for a deep dive into the publication's purpose, history, and recent transformation.

This month, our Chief Animal Control Officer, Steve Baranek, talks to us about the services Gloucester Animal Control offers. He also offers some tips on keeping your pets safe as cold weather season approaches. Finally, he shares details on the upcoming Rabies Clinic for cats and dogs that is scheduled for Oct. 12 from 1-3 p.m. in the Gloucester High School parking area.For more information, visit https://gloucesterva.gov/animal-control. To view available animals for adoption from the County's shelter, visit: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/?shelter_id%5B0%5D=VA28&sort%5B0%5D=recently_added

What's better than enjoying the holiday decorations along Main Street? Enjoying interactive decorations with a purpose!The Gloucester Resource Council will be bringing together nonprofits, service organizations and businesses that serve people in Gloucester (and the surrounding areas) to decorate trees and wreaths based on their unique missions. There will be a seek-and-find competition, photo opportunities, live music, carolers, interactive QR codes and more! It's free and fun for the whole family.The kickoff to GRC's first Festival of Trees will be on Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m. in the Courthouse Circle and along Main Street. Even if you can't make it to the opening ceremony, you can check out the trees in local shop windows until January.To learn more about the festival or get involved, check out the Gloucester Resource Council on Facebook or email grcfestivaloftrees@gmail.com.

This month, Dr. Anthony Vladu, Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools, joins us to discuss some hot topics going into the 2024-2025 school year. Division leadership has been working hard over the summer on a strategic plan for the school system that emphasizes safety and security. He also talks about how the division will handle the Governor's executive order regarding cell phones in schools. Finally, he mentions kicking off a series of listening tours. These sessions are designed for open conversation and an overview of our strategic plan. He welcomes all community members to attend and share their insights.**Session Schedule:**- **Abingdon:** August 12, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Cafeteria- **Botetourt:** August 14, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria- **Petsworth:** August 15, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria- **TCWEC:** August 15, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m., Cafeteria

Many of you received a letter in the mail last week from our Planning & Zoning Department regarding a Zoning Ordinance update that will go before the Gloucester Planning Commission next Thursday, July 11.  No rezoning of property is proposed with the Zoning Ordinance update; your current zoning district will not change under the proposed ordinance.  The proposed update, in general, will allow more flexibility for property owners in all districts (agriculture, residential, and commercial) to use their land. To find out what your property is zoned visit https://gloucestergis.timmons.com/#/mwl. Once you know your zone you can visit https://gloucesterva.gov/planning-zoning/zoning-ordinance-update to learn more about the process and review the draft regulations for your district.  The district regulations are located in article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance.  The Planning Commission will welcome public comment on July 11!  We encourage those interested to view the Planning Commission’s July 11th meeting to learn more about the changes.  You can view the Planning Commissions public hearing online at https://pub-gloucesterva.escribemeetings.com/.

In the era when many people find reading materials and conduct research online, public libraries have taken up the mission of remaining a community "place." For our Main Library, the draw isn't just the 90,000 print volumes in our collection. The building has to support students coming to quietly study, adults coming to learn new technologies, families conducting genealogical research, community groups holding meetings, and children working on reading cognition.From January through May, contractors worked diligently to transform the library on Main Street (without closing it to the public). The result is a building which is safer, more inviting, more efficient, and ultimately suited to more of our community needs.Check out the library's services here: https://gloucesterva.gov/library

The 2024 Hurricane Season is set to begin June 1st. With the combination of record-breaking warm waters and a La Niña, this hurricane season is predicted to be very active. Forecasters predict 24 named storms, with 11 of those being hurricanes and six being Category 3+. Now is the time to get prepared! This month, we talk with Jane Wenner, Gloucester's Emergency Management Coordinator about why this season looks to be more severe and steps you can take to make sure you are best prepared for the worst! Sign up for BEE Alert today: https://member.everbridge.net/2497682396413971/login

We've had questions rolling in about the road work in progress at the Guinea Road and Route 17 intersection. Kelly Hannon, VDOT's communications manager for the Fredericksburg District, was kind enough to explain the reasons behind this median shift and what drivers can expect during construction. The short version is: they're adding a dedicated left-turn lane to address a safety concern.Here are some of the links she mentions in our April podcast:VDOT's website: vdot.virginia.govGuinea Road project landing page: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/fredericksburg-district/route-17-at-route-216-guinea-road-intersection-improvements/Report road issues: my.vdot.virginia.gov, 1-800-367-7623Check current traffic conditions: 511Virginia.org

Sticking with the theme of real estate this month, we've received many questions about why so much land is being cleared along Route 17 Southbound, just past the intersection of Burleigh Road, across from the Lowe's Home Improvement store. In Part 2 of this episode, we learn about the development, which is called The Reserve at Gloucester Village (formerly known as The Villages of Gloucester and The Barrens).We appreciate Anne Ducey-Ortiz, our Director of Planning, Zoning & Environmental Services for taking some time to discuss some of the facts surrounding the development with us. For more information on this department, visit https://gloucesterva.gov/planning-zoning.

This month, we have a two-part podcast. For Part 1, we branch off a bit from County government, and speak with Kandy Fist, President of the Chesapeake Bay and Rivers Association of Realtors (CBRAR), about Gloucester's current housing market. Kandy was kind enough to join us to discuss the trends we have been seeing in inventory of homes, how quickly they are selling, and what we can expect over the coming months. CBRAR is the local REALTOR® association for Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, the portion of King & Queen County known as the Buena Vista District and the portion of King William County known as West Point. For more information, visit https://www.cbrar.com/.

This month, we are joined by our School Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Vladu, who just completed his first six months on the job! He updates us on how his entry plan is going and discusses some of the current challenges the school system is facing regarding racist messages. He also provides us with some insight into what a "typical" day in the life of a school superintendent is like. You won't want to miss this episode! For current updates on Gloucester County Public Schools happenings, be sure to follow their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/gloucestercountyschoolsva.

Quinton Sheppard and Savannah Haugdahl with the Community Engagement and Public Information Department are uniquely privileged to work with all of the other departments, highlighting their work throughout the year. In the first week of January, they sat down to review some of the County's greatest accomplishments of 2023.

Almost everyone knows that criminal defendants have rights, but often, victims and witnesses of crimes don't know that they ALSO have rights. Chelsea Pierce's team of Victim Witness Advocates help those people navigate our court system and access support for their needs. Check out their podcast, "Victim, Meet Advocate" wherever you get your podcasts!https://gloucesterva.gov/commonwealths-attorneyhttps://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/victim-meet-advocate/id1571784603

In this episode, we chat with Christine Joyce, our Purchasing Agent, and Sherry Spring, our Economic Development Director about an exciting initiative coming up in December called the Reverse Vendor Fair. Are you interested in possibly becoming a vendor for Gloucester County? Do you have a business that has the potential to become a partner with Gloucester County Public Schools?Register for our Reverse Vendor Fair! We would love to learn more about what your business has to offer! County departments and school representatives want to learn what you can bring to the table as a vendor! Attend for a chance to win one of two $100 prizes sponsored by the Economic Development Authority. We love supporting local businesses, and we’re always adding new ones to our list of partners! The deadline to register is Nov. 30, and you can register by visiting www.gloucesterva.gov.

Nov. 7 is right around the corner, and Early Voting has actually already started! We have a few special circumstances on the ballot, and some new rules about voting absentee, so Bobbi Morgan is here to make sure you have the information you need to participate in our democracy.To register to vote or check election details, here's the Gloucester elections website: https://gloucesterva.gov/elections-voter-registration

This month, we are joined by Dr. Anthony Vladu, the new Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools. Dr. Vladu talks a bit about his background, his vision for GCPS, and his passion for the students and their learning experiences. Take a listen, as you won't want to miss this episode!

Debra Falkenberg was a school coordinator at Page Middle School for six years, and was just promoted to become our senior coordinator. Her team is responsible for everything from arranging field trips, to organizing food assistance for families, to making school buildings available for community use after-hours. The work of these behind-the-scenes heroes benefits everyone in Gloucester. If you like what you're hearing, you can apply to join the team!

This month, we chat with Deputy County Administrator George Bains about what projects are happening at the County level. George oversees the Community Development team, which means he's in-tune with most of the projects that are in progress or on the horizon.We've got regrading, turfing and irrigating going on at Woodville Park, a renovation at the Social Services building, enhancements coming to our water towers, maintenance at the old Page site, and lots more.

Tourism Coordinator Susan Ammons has all the details about upcoming sports, fishing tournaments, museum happenings and a 50th birthday party that you (and your family) are invited to!

Lisa Kersey, the director for Gloucester County's Department of Social Services, shares resources for adults during Older Americans Month. Social Services has resources to help people who are struggling with a disability, food insecurity, housing problem or other need. Learn more about what the Department of Social Services can offer: https://www.gloucesterva.info/293/Adult-Services