JCC Notebook: Helpful Classes, Floodplain Management Plan, Election Info and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, October 08, 2011

Election time is almost here and there are some important dates coming up you might want to note in your calendar. Also in this week’s notebook, the county released its annual report on the Floodplain Management Plan, county employees get recognized, and the county will be holding some classes for first-time homebuyers and for folks looking to learn how to stretch a dollar.

For over 85 percent of James City County voters, the recent redistricting resulted in changes in polling places, election districts and representation on the Board of Supervisors and the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates. The Voter Registrar encourages all County voters to verify their registration information on the State Board of Elections website or by calling the Voter Registrar’s Office at 757-253-6868 well in advance of the Nov. 8 election.

Sept. 26 through Nov. 5: In Person absentee voting at the Voter Registrar’s Office, 101-B Mounts Bay Rd., Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 29 and Nov 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

In order to vote absentee by mail or In Person, voters must meet one of the eligibility requirements on the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application. Details are available online or by calling 757-253-6868.

Monday, Oct. 17: Last day to register to vote, or change voter registration information, for the Nov. 8 election. Applications can be taken to the Voter Registrar’s Office, 101-B Mounts Bay Rd., or mailed to P.O. Box 3567, Williamsburg, VA 23187-3567. Mailed applications must be postmarked on or before the deadline.

Tuesday, Nov. 1: Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail. Applications must be received in the Voter Registrar’s Office by 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5: Last day to vote an In Person absentee ballot at the Voter Registrar’s Office.

Tuesday, Nov. 8: Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7p.m. Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the Voter Registrar’s Office by 7 p.m. to be counted.

For more information, visit the Voter Registrar’s website or call 757-253-6868.

Floodplain Management Plan

The county recently released the annual report on the Floodplain Management Plan.

The report highlights the progress made by the County towards the identification, reduction and mitigation of flood losses. The Floodplain Management Plan and the report are required by National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System.

The Floodplain Management Plan is included in the region’s Peninsula Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan that assesses the region’s risk from potential natural hazards such as hurricanes, tornados and flooding. The plan identifies potential mitigation efforts that localities can implement to minimize losses associated with these hazards.

Accomplishments in the report include: The County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have begun the process of updating the County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps to incorporate recently completed flood studies of Powhatan Creek; The County’s floodplain management program has been updated and is scheduled for adoption by the Board of Supervisors by the end of the year; and Watershed Management Plans were completed for Gordon and Mill Creeks.

The Annual Report and Floodplain Management Plan can be found online.

For more information, call 757-259-1442 or e-mail decook@james-city.va.us.

County Employees Honored

On September 29, James City County held its annual event to recognize employees who exemplify the core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Excellence and Stewardship.

Pictured L-R:

Front Row: Steve Ackert, Carla Brittle, Diane Mason, James Canning, Kim Hazelwood, Gwen Mason, Kathy Larrimore , Stephanie Luton, Nancy Ellis, Amy Fiedor

Back Row: Herman Hatchett, Allister Perkinson, Marion Payne, Felicia Tyler; Ernest Staton, Wendi Reed, Patrick Page, Jennifer Delzer, Pat Menichino, Tim Killian, Todd Dill, Trevor Cable, Barry Moses, James John, Shawn Gordon, Jacob Rice, Rob Insley, Kailee Boedeker, Brian Crowley, Jeff Porter, Ron Dear.

Class on Stretching a Dollar

The county’s Office of Housing and Community Development is partnering with Virginia Cooperative Extension to offer the class How to Make your Money Go Further on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Doris Heath, an Extension Agent specializing in Family and Consumer Sciences with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will lead the class.

The class will be held from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the James City/Williamsburg Community Center, 5301 Longhill Rd., room B.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 259-5340 to reserve a space.

First Time Homebuyer Class

The Office of Housing and Community Development will hold a first time home buyer class on Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 27.

Anyone who is currently purchasing a home or is considering a purchase in the future will benefit from this class. Topics covered include personal finances, credit and credit scoring, qualifying and applying for a loan, choosing the right home and what happens at a loan closing.

For many applicants, the mortgage company requires them to complete a home buyers class prior to loan approval. Those who attend both sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

The class runs from 6-9 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Administration Building, 5300 Palmer Lane, Suite 1A. Space is limited, so call 259-5340 to register.