Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Join Us Saturday for Chesterfield's

275th Anniversary Celebration

Chesterfield reaches a significant milestone this weekend as we celebrate our 275th anniversary. 

Officially chartered on May 25, 1749, the county is looking forward to celebrating its rich history and its residents. As part of this year-long recognition, there are a number of events being held throughout Chesterfield to give residents an opportunity to join in on the celebration and learn more about this community over the years.

Chief among them is our signature event, which is scheduled to take place this Saturday, May 25 at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and those in attendance will be able to participate in a bevy of activities for the entire family.

There will be plenty of fun things for the kids to do, from balloon twisting to juggling, as well as living history with Lord Chesterfield and Thomas Jefferson, among others, African-American storytelling, entertainment from the Virginia State marching band and the Chesterfield Concert Band and others, as well as a variety of food vendors.

Gelati Celesti's new Chesterfield Honey Bear Tracks ice cream, which was created specifically for the 275th anniversary celebration, also will debut publicly Saturday. There will be free samples available while supplies last, while you can also purchase it in larger quantities on site.

The festivities culminate in a grand fireworks display at dark.

Participants should plan to enter the Fairgrounds at Gate 2 and Gate 3. For more

information about these planned events and potential additions, head over to the official 275th Anniversary Celebration webpage for all of the latest information.

Memorial Day Ceremony Takes Place Sunday

Chesterfield invites residents to attend the annual Memorial Day Ceremony, which will take place Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m. inside the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Building at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Road).

In addition to comments from Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Holland (Dale District), those in attendance will hear from keynote speaker Ben King as he focuses on this year’s theme: The Purple Heart.

There will also be patriotic musical selections from the BoneFire Trumpet Ensemble during the ceremony as well as a bagpiper playing Amazing Grace. The event will pay tribute to those from Chesterfield who have given their lives in service of our country, culminating with a live rendition of Taps.

Government Offices Closed

Next Monday for Memorial Day

Chesterfield County government offices will be closed next Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.

Libraries, courts and the county's two convenience centers will also be closed.

For a list of closings, visit the county website.

Two Opportunities to Donate Blood This Month

Chesterfield Parks and Recreation is hosting a pair of blood drives this month.

On Wednesday, May 22 at Huguenot Road Baptist Church (10525 W. Huguenot Road), you can donate blood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Then next week, there's another opportunity on Monday, May 28 at Beulah Recreation Center (6901 Hopkins Road) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Register in advance to give blood and be a hero.

Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Holland

to Address County Council on Aging

Chesterfield's Council on Aging will have a special guest speaker for its monthly meeting this Thursday, May 23: Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Holland.

Join the Council to hear from Supervisor Holland, who has represented the Dale District since 2007, about the county's priorities as it pertains to seniors. He'll also discuss the responsibilities and duties of the Board of Supervisors, and how that involves you as you age in Chesterfield.

The meeting takes place from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the Lifelong Learning Institute (13801 Westfield Road). It is open to the public, as are all Council meetings.

The Council on Aging is a partnership between community seniors, county divisions, local businesses and nonprofits that operate in the older adult sector.

New County Website is Live

Chesterfield launched a new version of the county’s website, Chesterfield.gov, on Monday, May 20.

In addition to mirroring our new brand, the website has been optimized to work from any device, whether you're on a desktop, tablet or smartphone. This site also allows you to easily report problems or request assistance online through our user-friendly forms. Our new powerful search is enhanced by AI and will allow an easier navigation, streamlining the process for you to access the information that you're searching for.

Have certain landing pages saved? No worries! All the URLs that you're familiar with have remain unchanged and there is no need to create or change any existing passwords or logins. Similarly, existing accounts in systems such as the Utilities customer portal and the Commissioner of the Revenue's and Treasurer's offices’ citizen portal continue as before. There is no need for users to create new accounts or passwords.

Treasurer's Office Offers Variety

of Options to Pay Your Local Taxes

In an effort to make the payment process as convenient as possible, the Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office continues to offer a growing list of options this spring for you to pay your local taxes.

Payments for both personal property and the first-half installment of real estate taxes, which are due on Wednesday, June 5, can be made anytime at a variety of locations and in secure ways.

Here are the various ways to pay:

• Mail In: As always, an easy way to pay your tax bill is by mail. Starting in 2022, the Treasurer’s Office made it possible for all payments to be processed locally rather than having them sent to an out-of-town vendor. Each payment should be mailed to the Treasurer’s Office at P.O. Box 70, Chesterfield, VA 23832-0906.

• By Phone: Taxpayers can call 833-299-6593 and pay their bills via the automated phone system. You’ll need to know your account number and verify your identity before making your payment.



• Online Portal: Residents can choose to make their payments online via the Treasurer’s Office website by creating a user ID and associating all of their personal property and real estate accounts. By creating this user ID, all payments and statements are brought under one umbrella for easy access.

For more information about tax payment options, visit the county website.

Chesterfield Accepting Nominations

for New Sports Hall of Fame

Chesterfield is now accepting nominations for its new Sports Hall Of Fame.

The nomination portal closes Monday, July 1 at 5 p.m. An induction ceremony and banquet will be held Sept. 12 at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education in Chester.

The Chesterfield Sports Hall Of Fame will pay tribute to athletic greats, including coaches, teams or sport contributors, who have left a mark on the county’s rich sports history and legacy. Inductees will have their names physically displayed at River City Sportsplex (13030 Genito Road).

Find nominating criteria at www.ChesterfieldSportsHOF.com.

Watch This Week In Chesterfield

The Diamonds at Iron Bridge to Open June 7

The six-field baseball and softball facility currently under construction at Harry G. Daniel Park now has a name: The Diamonds at Iron Bridge.

J.C. Poma, director of Chesterfield’s Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department, unveiled the new branding for the project at the May 15 Board of Supervisors meeting.

“Like River City Sportsplex, this destination complex will be one of the jewels of sports tourism in Chesterfield,” Poma said, “and The Diamonds at Iron Bridge will become synonymous with excellence for both our residents and visitors who come here from across the country for tournaments.”

The county will mark the grand opening of The Diamonds at Iron Bridge with a ribbon-cutting on Friday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Learn more about the project by visiting the county website.

Board of Supervisors Roundup

Following a public hearing at its May 15 meeting, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors appropriated up to $350 million in proceeds from the pending sale of revenue bonds to fund essential transportation infrastructure projects – including Phase I of the Powhite Parkway Extension.

The debt service on the bonds will be paid with part of Chesterfield’s local revenue from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA), with the remaining balance providing the flexibility to continue cash funding any new transportation projects that emerge as a community priority.

Read a roundup of other actions taken by the board last week in the Chesterfield On Point blog.

Chesterfield Farmers Market Now Open

The Chesterfield Farmers Market is now open at 6701 Mimms Loop every Wednesday through the end of September.

Market hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As always, there will be many local vendors selling a variety of products, as well as food trucks on site if you'd like to buy lunch.

You can contact our market manager by email at FarmersMarket@chesterfield.gov.

Chesterfield Behind the Mic is an audio and video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield. You can watch and listen to all of the episodes at

http://www.Chesterfield.gov/Podcast.

On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, we talk to Suzy and Tom Rosser of Gelati Celesti to find out not only all about the ice cream company, but also about the process of developing Chesterfield's signature flavor ahead of this weekend’s 275^th anniversary celebration.

Sign Up for Seniors' Karaoke Bash

May 29 at Stonebridge Recreation Center

Are you age 50 or older? Do you like to sing? If so, make plans to join Chesterfield Parks and Recreation later this month for the Active Lifestyles 50+ Karaoke Bash!

The free event for local seniors takes place next Wednesday, May 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Stonebridge Recreation Center (230 Karl Linn Drive). DJ L.T. Holmes will spin the tunes, and pizza and punch will be provided.

Registration is required. Visit www.chesterfield.gov/parks and register for course #44243.

In a new article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn about the county's ongoing initiative to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at all Parks and Recreation facilities.

An AED is a portable device that sends an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. It’s used to help people who are experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. 

Chesterfield resident Wayne Latimer and his family are thankful there's an AED at the public pickleball complex behind the Career and Technical Center on Hull Street Road, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed while playing April 18.

One of his fellow players, Karen Kent, used the AED to restore his pulse and breathing while units from Chesterfield Fire and EMS were en route to the scene.

“My doctor said if it hadn’t been for the AED and everyone doing what they did in such timely fashion, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” Latimer said. 

Register for Clean the Bay Day

Save the date, Chesterfield!

The county's Environmental Engineering Department is partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to host Clean the Bay Day at Falling Creek Ironworks Park next Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Invite your friends or family to volunteer with you and register by visiting this website.

Trash bags and other supplies will be provided.

GRTC's On-Demand Microtransit Service

Now Operating Along Hull Street Road

Welcome, Chesterfield riders!

LINK, the on-demand microtransit service from GRTC, is now available in the Clover Dale Zone. LINK runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., connecting you anywhere in your community. Simply download the GRTC on the Go app and select your pick-up and drop-off locations anywhere within our service area, and we’ll be there within 20 minutes to get you where you need to go.

The Clover Dale Zone provides quick and convenient service along Hull Street Road from Chippenham Mall to Harbourside Centre, with direct connection to downtown Richmond via GRTC’s Route 1C and 82x. LINK vehicles are fully ADA accessible, and feature on-board WIFI and USB charging ports – and right now, LINK is entirely fare-free!  

For rmore information, visit ridegrtc.com/link or call (804) 358-4792.

Early Voting for June 18 Primaries

Taking Place at Central Library

As of May 3, early voting in Chesterfield has been moved from the General Registrar's Office (9848 Lori Road) to Central Library (7051 Lucy Corr Blvd.).

Relocating to Central Library allows for a larger voting area and more parking. These changes will expedite the voting process and enhance the experience for Chesterfield voters beginning with the June 18 primary election.

The Republican primary is for U.S. Senate and ballots will be available countywide. The Democratic primary is for U.S. House District 1 and only county residents who reside in that district will be able to cast a ballot. Voters will be asked to state which party ballot they wish to vote. This selection does not create any affiliation with that party.

For June's primary election, early voting hours at Central Library are as follows:

• May 3-June 14: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, June 8 and Saturday, June 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To find more information about the June primary in Chesterfield, including sample ballots and candidate information, visit www.promotethevotecfield.org.  

Visit Latino Farmers Market

Saturday Mornings at Rockwood Park

A Latino Farmers Market is now open at Rockwood Park.

From the freshest produce to delicious homemade treats, the market brings the community together for a celebration of food, family and heritage. Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey through the heart of Latino culture.

The farmers market continues every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through Nov. 2.

It's Maddie Moo, that's who!

Looking for a calm, laid-back, and loveable family dog? Well do we have the dog for you!

This is Maddie Moo and she is all those things and more. She is a total sweetheart, walks well on a leash, and is extremely well-mannered.

Maddie Moo just goes with the flow! New people, new dogs, new sights and smells- none of it fazes her. She is very polite when being introduced to new dog friends and has a calming presence.

Maddie Moo is a 9-year-old Hound mix who weighs 50 lbs.

If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.

Visit Experience Chesterfield Website

for Things to See and Do Across the County

Chesterfield's Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department recently launched the new Experience Chesterfield website, promoting and celebrating all the things to see, do and experience within Chesterfield. Visit www.experiencechesterfield.com to learn more and be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Residents Encouraged to Provide

Feedback On ZOMod Draft 2

In fall 2019, Chesterfield County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking the services of qualified professionals to assist the county in a comprehensive re-write of its Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 19.1 (PDF) of the Chesterfield County Code. The Zoning Ordinance serves as the primary tool to implement the Comprehensive Plan.

While the Comprehensive Plan itself has changed over time to reflect the growth and development vision for county, much of the core content of the current Zoning Ordinance remains unchanged since the 1970s. A comprehensive re-write of the Zoning Ordinance is necessary to fully implement the future vision. 

Chesterfield County’s Planning Department has released draft 2 of the zoning ordinance for public review online. A downloadable version of draft 2 (PDF), a redline version (PDF) (showing changes from draft 1 to draft 2) and public comments related to draft 1 (PDF) are available. Paper copies of the draft 2 are available upon request for $30 at the Community Development Building.

Planning welcomes feedback, comments and questions regarding the current ZOMod draft 2, which can be provided online, by emailing ZOMod or by calling 804-748-1050.

Searching for some independence? Find yourself having to call on family or friends to get you where you need to be?

Access on Demand is a same day, door-to-door, point-to-point service for citizens registered for mobility services. Destinations must be located within Chesterfield County, unless for work or medical appointments.

Each one-way trip is $6 and will be charged to your debit or credit card at the time of pick-up. Ride reservations must be made at least two hours in advance by calling an authorized provider for same-day service.

Register online, see if you qualify, and learn more about this service.

In Case of Emergency, Get Accurate and

Up-to-Date Information from Chesterfield Alert

Now is the time for residents to familiarize themselves with all of the different ways that Chesterfield County puts out emergency information.

One of those is Chesterfield Alert, an opt-in system that sends messages directly to you in the event of an emergency. This system can send out alerts via text, email, and phone call depending on how the subscriber chooses to receive the messages. Sign up today!

Click here to learn more about how you can get accurate, up-to-date information from Chesterfield in the event of an emergency.

Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization.

Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield. Topics include:

✅ District update – Request your board member to speak

✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management

✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Services

✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners

✅ So much more.

This is Graduation Week for Chesterfield high schools

About 4,700 Chesterfield County Public Schools students will receive high school diplomas during graduation ceremonies May 20-28.

In-person attendance is by invitation only, but every graduation will be livestreamed via YouTube (depending on internet strength at the graduation venue). Here are direct links to each school’s graduation:

• Matoaca High graduated May 20 at Virginia State University
• Thomas Dale High graduated May 20 at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Cosby High graduated May 21 at VCU
• Manchester High graduated May 21 at VCU
• James River High will graduate May 22 at 9:30 a.m. at VCU
• Midlothian High will graduate May 22 at 2 p.m. at VCU
• Clover Hill High will graduate May 23 at 9:30 a.m. at VCU
• Monacan High will graduate May 23 at 2 p.m. at VCU
• Meadowbrook High will graduate May 24 at 9:30 a.m. at VCU
• L.C. Bird High will graduate May 24 at 2 p.m. at VCU
• Carver College and Career Academy will graduate May 28 at 3 p.m. at CTC@Hull

After 2024 graduation season ends, all of the videos will be available via this YouTube playlist: bit.ly/CCPS24.

Congrats to CCPS Nurse of the Year

During National Nurses Week (May 6-12), Chesterfield County Public Schools leaders swooped into Moseley Elementary to surprise Stacey Link with the news that she is the CCPS Nurse of the Year. Having worked in nursing for 25 years, with nine of those years as a school nurse, Stacey says, “My philosophy of school nursing practice is simple: To treat each person I encounter, whether it be a student, parent, visitor or staff member, as I would want my own family to be treated.”

In her nomination for CCPS Nurse of the Year, Moseley Elementary Principal Karen Dubiel wrote, “Stacey Link has earned the love, care and respect of many as the founding school nurse at Moseley Elementary! … Stacey's clinical knowledge and skills are exceptional. Above this though is her ability to make connections, build relationships, advocate for her students' needs and provide nurturing care. Our school is truly lucky to have her as our school nurse!”

ABCs at Ecoff Elementary

K is for kindergarten, and P is for parade! At Ecoff Elementary, families and older students cheered as kindergarten classes put on an alphabet parade. Watch this video to see why S is for smiles!