Tuesday, July 2, 2024

County Government Offices Closed

Thursday for Independence Day

Chesterfield County government offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Both the county's Northern Area Convenience Center (3200 Warbro Road) and Southern Area Convenience Center (6700 Landfill Drive) also will be closed for the holiday.

All of Chesterfield's library branches will be closed Thursday, as well, and will reopen for normal operating hours on Friday, July 5.

Find holiday closing information on the county website.

Join Us at the County Fairgrounds

for Annual Fourth of July Celebration

Celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks extravaganza at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. This family-friendly annual event features live music by the Morgan Lynsey Band, a wide variety of food vendors, a kids zone with inflatables and strolling entertainers.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks will begin at dark. Blankets or lawn chairs are recommended. No alcohol, glass bottles, pets or personal fireworks are allowed.

Please note that roads leading into the fairgrounds will be closed once parking lots are at capacity.

Tips to Consider for a Safe Fourth

Everyone loves a good fireworks display, but there are a few things to keep in mind this Fourth of July:

• While neighboring localities allow some permissible fireworks (such as sparklers), in Chesterfield they are all prohibited; if you are caught with them, you will be cited
• Celebratory gunfire is dangerous and illegal
• Keep your pets secure and indoors during fireworks, with updated ID tags and microchips if possible

Let's work together to make sure we all – even our furry family members – can enjoy a fun, safe holiday!

Residents Have Opportunities to Provide

Input on Search for New Police Chief

Chesterfield has launched a nationwide search for its next police chief.

As part of the recruitment process, executive search firm Baker Tilly is giving the community multiple opportunities to provide input on the knowledge, skills and abilities they think the new police chief should possess.

The community meetings will be held:

• Wednesday, July 10, 2-3 p.m., Midlothian Library (100 Millworks Crossing, Midlothian, VA 23114)
• Wednesday, July 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Public Meeting Room (10001 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832)
• Thursday, July 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Career and Technical Center - Hull Street Campus (13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112)
• Monday, July 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Virtual (Facebook Live)

For those unable to attend one of the community input meetings, Baker Tilly is also offering an online survey. The survey covers the same topics as those that will be addressed during the community input meetings. A link to the online survey will be posted on the county's website beginning next Wednesday, July 10.

All input gathered will be used by Baker Tilly to aid in the selection of candidates provided to the Police Chief Recommendation Committee and for consideration by the Board of Supervisors, which will hire the new chief.

Cast Your Vote for Chesterfield's Mascot

The call for Chesterfield’s first-ever mascot is on and the county’s Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department needs the public’s help in spreading the word and casting ballots.

As part of Chesterfield’s 275th anniversary celebration last month, county employees submitted ideas for “Cole,” the official name of the future mascot and a play on the county’s rich coalmining history. From the submissions, a committee picked the top four potential mascots: Raccoon, Chipmunk, Retriever and Bear.

Voting is open through next Wednesday, July 10. However, there will be bonus votes available via the Experience Chesterfield Instagram account on Tuesday, July 9.

Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle

Hosting Community Conversations

Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle is hosting two community conversations with Bermuda District residents, providing citizens the opportunity to discuss issues important to them, ask questions and brainstorm solutions.

Both meetings will be held at Chester Library:

• Tuesday, July 16, 2:30-4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.

Each meeting will be limited to 30 participants, to allow in-depth conversations that can be difficult to achieve in larger groups. Likewise, attendance is limited to one meeting per citizen.

You can register for one of the meetings on the county website.

Fernbrook Park's New Playground

Now Open to the Public

Thanks to the community members who joined us for the ribbon-cutting at Fernbrook Park's new playground last week!

Dr. LeQuan Hylton, planning commissioner for the Dale District, was joined by neighborhood kids to kick off the event with the ceremonial slice of the ribbon.

County residents enjoyed hot dogs, ice cream, and a bounce house, in addition to testing out the park's new swings, climbing structure and carousel.

Register to Participate in Interactive

Performance of 1774 Chesterfield Resolves

As part of the county’s celebration of the coming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the  Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia will be holding an interactive performance entitled 1774 Chesterfield Resolves on Saturday, July 13 at 2 p.m. at the Historic 1917 Courthouse.

The event will detail the 1774 Chesterfield Resolves, which were adopted on July 14, 1774. Led by burgesses Archibald Cary and Daniel Watkins, the citizens met at the courthouse and approved supporting Massachusetts in their struggle against British rule. The resolutions that made up the Chesterfield Resolves expressed solidarity with the people of Massachusetts and laid the groundwork for further actions during the American Revolution, rejecting the British parliament’s claim of supreme authority over the American colonies.



Liberty Poles served as a symbol of defiance against England’s treatment of the colonies and represented a community’s statement of independence opposing overreaching legislation. The outcry of opposition stemmed from passage to Britain’s Stamp Act, which required that American colonists pay a tax on every document created from mortgages, deeds, contracts, shipping papers and newspapers. These Liberty Poles served as a central fixture of debate during the American Revolution.

Attendees at the performance will be able to experience if they are for or against the Resolves and if they would join the rebels in dressing the Liberty Pole.

As the Historic 1917 Courthouse is an active court, registration is required for this free event and historically accurate portrayal.

For more information about Rev250 events, visit the American Revolution 250th Commemoration page.

Watch This Week In Chesterfield

Housing is Topic of Upcoming Senior

Living Focus Group Discussions

Heads up, Chesterfield seniors! We are looking for feedback on ways the county can support your housing needs as you age in our community.

Please come out to one of our upcoming Senior Living Focus Group Discussions:

• Tuesday, July 30 at Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road, 10 a.m. to noon
• Tuesday, August 6 at Chester Library, 11800 Centre Street, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Lunch will be provided at both sessions. TO RSVP or for more information, contact us at (804) 717-6592 or email us at agingresources@chesterfield.gov.

11th Annual Diaper Drive Continues

For the second consecutive year, NBC12 anchor and TV personality Sarah Bloom is joining Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield in their summer quest to collect newly packaged baby diapers and unscented baby wipes as the Diaper Drive Ambassador. 

Families First and Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield are two programs of Chesterfield’s Department of Mental Health Support Services. 

This year, people have the option to purchase newly packaged baby diapers and unscented baby wipes on the Chesterfield County Diaper Drive Amazon Wish List. 

Individuals can also drop off their donated baby diapers and wipes at: 

• MHSS Rogers Building, 6801 Lucy Corr Blvd. 
• Chesterfield Infant Program, 9711 Farrar Court, Suite 140 
• Any Chesterfield Public Library branch location  

Interested organizations, groups or businesses should email Ashley Rogers or Leslie Pakula to receive official Diaper Drive marketing material and to arrange a time to drop off their donations in person.

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

In a new article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn about the county's ongoing commitment to implementing a clean, renewable energy portfolio.

It has been a little more than a year since Chesterfield publicly flipped the switch on its new solar energy initiative -- photovoltaic arrays are now installed on 11 public buildings across the county -- and the program is producing the expected environmental and financial benefits.

With just the current solar-equipped facilities, the county government and school system annually offset more than 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide and save about $230,000 on energy costs through a 25-year lease agreement with Charlottesville-based solar company Sun Tribe. 

Those numbers will only increase as solar panels are added to the rooftops of five more school buildings over the next year -- including the new Falling Creek and West Area middle schools, Swift Creek Middle, Evergreen Elementary and Meadowbrook High. 

Your Voice Matters: Take Climate Resiliency Survey and Be Part of the Solution

Share your perspective, Chesterfield!



Our region is continuing to develop a plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Tell us how you’d like to see RVA become climate resilient. Your feedback will help inform this work.

Please complete our latest survey or sign up for a community ideation session.

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, we talk to America DeLoach about the inaugural Latino Farmers Market at Rockwood Park, how it came to be, and why it’s become a hit with the community in such a short period of time.

Applications Being Accepted

for Citizens Police Academy

The Chesterfield County Police Department is accepting applications for its 57th Citizens Police Academy. To complete and submit an application, visit the department's webpage.

The academy will be held on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2730 Hicks Road, beginning Aug. 1 and concluding Sept. 12.

Academy participants will:

• Learn about specialized police units, including forensics, K-9 and SWAT
• Conduct traffic stop scenarios with the Traffic Safety Section
• Ride with a police officer on patrol (if desired)
• Participate in scenarios (if desired)
• Learn about officer accountability from Internal Affairs and the County Attorney

Participants must be adults and reside, own a business or belong to a civic organization within Chesterfield County. Applicants will be screened for activities that may disqualify them from participating in the academy.

For more information, please call Corporal Matt Rogers at (804) 318-8549 or email him at RogersMW@chesterfield.gov. 

Visit Chesterfield Farmers Market on Wednesday

The Chesterfield Farmers Market is now open at 6701 Mimms Loop on Wednesdays 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.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Be a Hero and Donate Blood

Mark your calendar to donate blood at these two upcoming drives hosted by Chesterfield Parks and Recreation:

• Wednesday, July 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stonebridge Recreation Center, 230 Karl Linn Drive
• Wednesday, Aug. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Beulah Recreation Center, 6901 Hopkins Road

Register in advance by visiting the American Red Cross website. You might just end up saving someone's life!

Are You Rehabbing an Older Home? Apply

for Partial Real Estate Tax Exemption

Did you know? Chesterfield provides a partial real estate tax exemption for the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement of older residential structures.

The goal of this program is to help protect and preserve our aging neighborhoods. Upon approval, the partial tax exemption will be in effect for 15 years and transfers with the real estate.

The amount of the exemption is based solely on increased assessment value, not the amount spent on the improvement project.

There is no application fee. Find out more and apply online today!

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.

Who doesn't enjoy a Big Mac?

This handsome, smiling boy is Big Mac! He already knows sit, give paw, and is very food/treat motivated to learn more tricks. He's also a great listener.

Big Mac is very sweet with people and other dogs alike. He enjoys exploring and sniffing around outdoors. He is a Hound mix, around 6 years old, and weighs 66 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.

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 1 p.m. through Nov. 2.

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.

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.

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.

Superintendent search continues 

After seeking input from students, teachers, parents, staff and community members via focus groups, interviews and an online stakeholder survey, Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) is seeking a strong, exceptional educational leader who is engaging, collaborative, transparent and who possesses the characteristics set out in this report.

The School Board met June 11 with the firm that is helping with the process to find the next superintendent for CCPS. Superintendent Mervin B. Daugherty announced in April that he is retiring, and the School Board plans to appoint a new superintendent during the last week of August so they are on the job by Nov. 1.

In addition to the desired characteristics report, the School Board received the results of the online survey and a leadership profile detailing strengths and challenges of Chesterfield County Public Schools. All of the reports and more are posted on the superintendent search page. Applicants interested in applying for the job as superintendent have until July 20 to apply at this website.