Tis the Season Chesterfield

Well this Christmas Season is flying by ansd the big is right around the weekend. Anew Chesterfield tradition for all young and old has to be the Metro Zoo Miracle of Christmas with the animals. I feel as though my children have been looking forward to this all year. It is simply one of the best things we have going during the Holiday season in the County for all to enjoy with free admission.


Okay, the tacky house tour and the lights is always a dad favorite I know, but how many houses can you take the family in the SUV or minivan before you get the chime, "Can we just go to Chick-Filet already?

I have been pretty silent this month as far as the blog, in part there is always a calm before the storm between November and January with the newly elected officials. I noticed though that many of the new leadership sought to further promote themselves with their "pledges" after the election cycle which were published in the local Observer. I wonder though how neccessary it is to use the financial resources of the campaign that may have been left over to be used in such a manner and not I don't know say donate the reources to a Chesterfield endeavor like Habitat for Humanity or someother more localized endeavor to benefit the community other than throwing a pledge up that undoubtedly could be used in four years to undermine any accomplishment one may have achieved. Cynical? Maybe but I still do not get it, unless these leaders plan to carry that pledge along with them to every meeting and read it before each and every time they vote.

There have been some happenings, like the School Board, as of late in terms of the benefit scenario for retiring employees that made some news but the real test will come in 2008 and whether a bridge can be forged between the BOS and the SB on some pretty tuff issues with regard to growth. Should the BOS exclude the SB from areas related to growth they would certainly be held to the fire by many in the community. The time for the Board , SB and Planning Commissions to operate independently without a cohesive strategy for the future is dated and cannot be allowed to continue.

I will say though that as far as New Years Wishes, the biggest political wish I have would be that Chesterfield finally come to grips with the fact that we are soon the be the third largest locality in Virginia in a few years and WE MUST HAVE FULL-TIME BOARD OF SUPERVISORS like so mnay other localities across this nation of like size. Charter, BY-law, whatever it needs to change. This County cannot be run by Part-Time leaders any longer who have other reponsibilities whether it be running a business or working in real estate or being an attorney or whatever. Its time we have leaders that understand that the level of committment required makes this a full time job and the only way one can serve the community in the manner it should is by looking at it from that view. the arguement that it would make government bigger, no matter how Republicanesque that sounds, is frankly absurd. Much of what we face is a direct result of having leadership throughout these growth stages that were overwhelmed with the workload right along with the branches within County government.

In 2008 we should be talking about this issue right along with in 2010 taking the census and adding additional Board members. By that time, each member will be representing almost 65-70K constituents each when population taken as a whole.

If someone can explain to me how one person working Part-Time can represent the interests of that many people, I would love to hear it. Or given the fact on about 30% care to vote in the County is that the perspective of the leadership. If so, I think that may be a very narrow view indeed.

January 10, 2008 will mark the first meeting of the new elected Board of Supervisors and for the first time in a while I am actually looking forward to it. Pledges are one thing but Reality often times rears its head in the face of ones hopes or pledges.

For the record to all those who chimmed my insistance on BUYING CHESTERFIELD this Holiday Season, I have accomplished the mission and avoided buying retail in any other jurisdiction but our own. No Short Pump Towne center and no Stony Point Fashion Park this year, I think I am missing the Flemings Steak and wine by the glass though. Okay, I got some things from the net....Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!!