city e-currentshopewellva.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/e-currents-… · · 1 day agothe 2018...

By Mayor Jackie M. Shornak

I was very honored to be asked to speak by the Major General Paul Hurley. It was truly a moment in my political career that I will cherish. Here are some pictures that were in the Fort Lee Traveler as well as some of my own. I have also attached my own photos of the event. First one is myself along with the cast before the ceremony. Second and third photos are of the program. Also attached is my speech. The

John M. Altman, Jr., City ManagerMunicipal Building300 N. Main St., Hopewell, VA 23860804.541.2243www.hopewellva.gov

Herbert BraggDir. Intergovernmental & Public AffairsFor additional information, pleasecontact Mr. Bragg at (804) 541-2270.

Freda Snyder - Design & Illustrations

Inside This Issue...Mayor’s Corner ......................... 1 & 2

City Manager ............................. 1 & 3

2019 Reassessment ........................3

Arlington Park Groundbreaking...............................4

New Police Facility Progress .............................4

Heroes Among Us ...........................5

City of Hopewell Spring Cleanup ................................6

Hopewell City Council Approves Hometown Hero - Veteran Recognition Program ............................................7

Youth in Government ............... 8 & 9

Events ......................................10 - 14

Safety & Health ..................... 15 & 16

Phone Directory .............................17

City E-Currents is a publication of the City of Hopewell. Issue35:May2018

Inside This Issue...

Mayor Jackie M. Shornak

Mayor’s Corner

City E-Currents

City Manager Citizens of Hopewell:It is an honor and privilege for me to serve as your new City Manager. Although, this is a new position for me, I’m not new to the City. This is my hometown. I was born and raised here, and I attended Hopewell public schools; and my wife and I are raising our children here. Previously, I served as the City’s Director of Development, and the Assistant City Manager for Community Development.

I strongly believe that we are stewards of our community and it is our responsibility to ensure

John M. Altman, Jr.

See CITY MANAGER page 3

See MAYOR’S CORNER page 2

Photo by Amy Perry,Fort Lee Public Affairs An all-female quartet from the 392nd Army Band sings the National Anthem during the 2018 Women’s History Month observance March 22 at the Lee Theater. The event included a special performance about the historical role women have played in the armed forces, a video showcasing the Army Women’s Museum and Hopewell Jackie Shornak as the guest speaker.

of 17 May 2018 City E-Currents

Mayor cont. from ..............................................................................................page 1

Fort Lee Playhouse was standing room only filled with men and women. I was thrilled to receive a standing ovation and Major Hurley said my speech brought him to tears, of course, he fought to restrain himself. One of the highlights was slicing the celebration cake with a sabre. It is a tradition. They presented me with a certificate of appreciation. It was a wonderful chance to talk to many of our military heroes and tell them how grateful I am for their service to our country and allowing me my freedom. Thanks.

Pictured to the right: Members of the 59th Ordnance Brigade perform historical vignettes during the 2018 Women’s History Month observance March 22 at the Lee Theater.

Photo by Amy Perry, Fort Lee Public AffairsCol. Sean Davis, 59th Ordnance Brigade commander, Hopewell Mayor Jackie Shornak, and Command Sgt. Maj. Perry Williamson, 59th Ord. Bde. CSM, cut the cake to celebrate.

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City Manager ..................................................... cont. from page 1

that we leave the City in better condition than we found it for the next generation. If we do not live up to this obligation, then we have failed the children of our community. I’m very humbled to have been chosen by City Council to lead our municipal government forward as we embark upon new initiatives, goals and objectives to overcome challenges. We have a professional, dedicated staff in place who will continue to ensure we provide the highest quality services to our citizens and businesses.

One of my and City Council’s, immediate priorities is the completion of the City’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 and 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFR) this year, and the completion of the FY 18 CAFR on time this November. We have developed an aggressive schedule, and are confident that we can accomplish

this goal to restore our financial standing through strong fiscally conservative financial management practices.

Hopewell is uniquely situated at the confluence of the James and Appomattox Rivers. One of my long term goals is to make Hopewell the premiere riverfront community in the region, one that is a destination not a stop. To achieve this goal, we will enhance our community and economic development efforts to revitalize and reinvent the City resulting in increased residential, retail and commercial opportunities, and the beautification of our City. To these ends there are several exciting projects underway to assist in achieving this goal – revitalization efforts in downtown to include the recent opening of Saucy’s Barbeque and Guncotton Coffee, the construction of Phase I of the Riverwalk, the construction

of the new Police Station, the Boathouse, and the renovation of Arlington Park.

The City of Hopewell is governed by the City Council-City Manager form of government whereby the City Manager is responsible for carrying out the policy decisions of City Council, and the day-to-day operations of the City. City department directors manage individual departments and their activities, and they report to the City Manager.

I am humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to working with City Council, the School Board and the community to move our great City into the future.

HOPEWELL,VA.TheCityofHopewellisconductingits2019reas-sessment.Understatelaw,theCityisrequiredtoassessrealestateatfairmarketvalue.Salesinformationwillbecomparedandreviewedthroughoutthereassessmentprocesstoarriveatthefairmarketvalueofresidential,commercial/industrial,andexemptproperties.

TheCityhashiredWamplerEanesAppraisalGroupLTD,asanindepen-dentcontractor,toreassesssingle-familyhomes.Appraisersemployedbythecontractorareinspectingtheexteriorofresidentialproperties,gatheringinformationtocompletethereassessment.

TheCityandthecontractorunder-standthatinmanycasestheowneris

nothomeatthetimeoftheappraiser’svisit.Inthesecases,theappraiserwillleaveayellowdoorhangergivingthepurposeofthevisitandtheapprais-er’sphonenumber.

Whensomeoneishome,theappraiserwillaskgeneralquestionsabouttheproperty,forexample:Whenwasthehousebuilt?Whatisitsheatsource?Doesithaveagasorwoodburningfireplace? Does the basement have any finished living space? During the inspection,theappraiserwillcheckmeasurements,andnoteanyimprove-mentsorotherphysicalchangestotheproperty.

Propertiesthatarenotinthecontrac-tor’sscopeofwork,suchasincome-producingresidentialproperties,orcommercialorindustrialproperties,

maybevisitedinsteadbyappraisersfromtheCity’srealestateassessor’soffice. When the owner of such a propertyisnotpresentatthetimeofthevisit,theappraiserwillleaveagreendoorhanger.

When appraisers are in the field, whethertheyareworkingforthecon-tractor or the assessor’s office, they carry identification badges and drive vehicleswiththeCitysealdisplayedonthedriverandpassengerdoors.AnewvaluewillbeestablishedforeachpropertyeffectiveJanuary1,2019.NoticesofthenewvaluewillbemailedtoeverypropertyownerafterJanuary31,2019.Anownerwillhavetherighttoappealthenewvalue,includingtotheboardofequalizationandthecircuitcourt.

CITY OF HOPEWELL 2019 REASSESSMENT

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Arlington Park Groundbreaking Ceremony. Councilor Arlene Holloway, Ward 2, Delegate Lashrecse Aird, (63rd District), Delegate Riley Ingram (62nd District) and Councilor Brenda Pelham, Ward 6

Arlington Park Groundbreakd

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ConstructionontheHopewellNewPoliceFacilityiswellunderway.Thenewstateoftheartpolicefacility,oncecompleted,willbetheculminationofmonthsofpubliceducationandoutreachandyearsofresearch,planning,anddevelopment.Theone-story,14,017squarefootdesignincludesvastlyimprovedamenitiestoaccommodatethepolicedepartment’svariousservices,aswellas,thecapacitytomanagethepolicedepartment’sgrowthinthefutureandprovidemoreon-siteparking.Thenewpolicefacilityconstructionprojectcostis$4.5millionandisprojectedtobecompletedbyfallof2018.

New Police Facility Progress


Writtenby:FaithA.Jones,HCPSCommunicationsSpecialist

Whatdoesaherolooklike?Ifyouaskanelementarystudent,SpiderMan,WonderWomanandpossiblyevenBatmanmaycomeup.Theirheroesaremorethanlikelywearingcapesanduseincrediblesuperpowerstosavetheworld.ElaineMoore,an8thgradeEnglishteacheratCarterG.WoodsonMiddleSchool,knewtherewasmoretobeingheroicthanwhat’s found in fictional comics. She decidedtochallengeherstudentsasoneofherformerteacherschallengedherindecadespast.Atayoungage,Mrs.Moorewasgivenanassignmenttointerviewsomeoneandpresentaprojectonhisorherlife.Whatmanifestedwasalife-changingexperiencethatcarriedherthroughadulthood.Now,eachyearthechallengeispasseddowntoherclasseswiththehopesthattheytoowillbeaffectedinapositiveway.

EveryyearTheHopewellPublicSchoolsFoundationsolicitsproposalsfromteacherstoimplementstrategiesintheclassroomthatwillhelpstudentlearningandencouragestudentinvolvement.Mrs.Moore’sveteranprojectwasacceptedandHeroesAmongUstookonanewlife.Withthreemonthstoplan,93eighthgradersbegantolearninterviewtechniques,photographyskills,andtoresearchthewarsinwhichtheirveteranswereinvolved.PartoftheprojectincludedvisitingWashington,DCWarMemorialsandhonoring

fallingHopewellveteranswithplaquesbytheirnames.

Thirtyveteranssatdownwithstudentstobeinterviewedandphotographedbyprofessionalphotographer,LandonRossofGlassEyePhotoandFilm.Whatemergedwerebeautifulstoriesandportraitsthatcreatedalifetimeconnectionbetweentheveteransandtheyoungergeneration.Theexperienceculminatedwithabanquettohonortheheroes.Studentsperformedthebuglecall,StarSpangledBannerandatraditionalHawaiiandance.TheCGWChorussparkledintheirblueandblackastheyacknowledgedeachbranchofservicethroughsongandveteranswerepresentedwithacommemorativeportrait.CarterG.Woodsonfoodservicesdonateddinneranddessertforthemomentousoccasion.Attendeeswerealltouchedastheywitnessedthestrongbondsthathaddevelopedbetweentwoverydifferentgenerations.Thestudentshad found a new definition of a hero, righthere“amongus.”

TheHopewellPublicSchoolsFoundationwasestablishedin1989 and is a 501(c) 3 on profit organizationandacceptsdonationstowardthesegrantsatHPSFoundation,103N12thAve.,Hopewell,VA23860.

Heroes among UsA Project Based Learning Experience

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City of Hopewell of 17 May 2018 City E-Currents

KeepHopewellBeautifulinpartnershipwiththeHopewellPublicWorksDepartmentsched-uledSpringCitywideClean-upApril14thtoApril21st.

Citizenswereencouragedtopar-ticipateinthiseffortbycleaningaroundtheirhomesandalongtheirstreets.Duringthisweek,HopewellresidentsdisposedoftrashatnochargeattheCitizenConvenienceCenterlocatedat507StationStreet,behindFireStation#1.

“SpringClean-Up”activitiesap-pliedtoHopewellresidentsonly.

Helpmakeyourneighborhoodandcitycleanandbeautiful.

KHB volunteers clean up

Volunteers posing with all the trash removed from the ravine

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Hopewell,VA.AtitsApril10thmeeting,theHopewellCityCouncilunanimouslyacceptedthejointAmericanLegion/VFWproposedHometownHero–VeteranRecognitionProgram.Theprogram’sgoalsaretoraisecommunityawarenessofandaboutthecontributionsmadebyveteransandhelpincreaseprideinourcommunity,stateandnation;butatitsheartistherecognitionoftheservicegivenbyU.S.MilitaryVeterans,bothinwarandpeacetime.

Theprogramofferscitizenstheopportunitytopurchaseindividuallycustomized,18”x45”bannerswhichthecitywilldisplayalongstreetsindowntownHopewell.BannersareplannedtoinitiallybemountedalongBroadway,Library,Cawson,NorthMain,andAppomattoxStreets.ThebannersareplannedfordisplayfromJune30ththroughVeteransDay(November11th).

Tohighlighttheprogram,theCitywillfeatureabannerrecognizingtheserviceofCityPointnativeRobertPenn.Pennreceivedthenation’shighestmilitaryaward,theMedalofHonor,forconspicuousbraveryatthecloseoftheSpanish-AmericanWarin1898.AsaFireman,2ndClassaboardthebattleshipU.S.S.Iowa,Penn’squickactioninsavingthelifeofasailorandthentheentireshipfromtheeffectsofacatastrophicboilermalfunction,isthestuffoflegend.

Penn’sbraveryinthefaceofcertaininjuryordeathmarkshimasatrueheroworthyoftheMedalofHonor.BannersrecognizingmilitaryveteransmaybeorderedusingapplicationformsavailableontheCity’swebsite.Theformmay

bedownloadedorcompletedon-line.ApplicationsandinstructionsforcompletingtheformarealsoavailableattheDepartmentofDevelopment,3rdFloor,inCityHall.Bannermaybepurchasedfor$100eachandarethepropertyofthedonor.

Asthebannersfeatureaphotooftheveteran,donorsmustsupplyahighqualitydigitalimageoftheveteran(preferablyinuniform)withtheapplication.Theimagemaybeblackandwhiteorcolor,butmusthavearesolutionof300dpiorbettertoensureaqualityimagewhenthe

photoisenlargedforthe18”x45”banner.Thebanneristhepropertyofthedonor,buttheCitywillorderit,receiveit,andmaintainitforthedurationoftheprogram.Ifadonorwishestoclaimthebannerafteritisdisplayedthisyear,theapplicationincludesamethodtorequestthebanner’sreturn.Thereisnolimittothenumberofbannersadonormayorderaslongasallapplicationrequirementsaremet.ThoseinterestedshouldvisittheCityofHopewellwebsiteforfurtherdetails.

Hopewell City Council Approves Hometown Hero – Veteran Recognition Program

By:MaryCatherineNeal

TheweekofValentine’sDaywasgoingtobeaneventfulfewdaysforseniorstakinggovernmentclassesatNewHopeAcademyandHopewellHighSchool.Notonlywouldlovebeintheairwiththeholidaymadeforchocolates, flowers, and kisses, but fortyluckyseniorswouldbeattend-ing a field trip dedicated to teaching studentsaboutlocalandstategovern-ment.Throughunique,hand-selectedshadowingopportunities,achancetovisitandtourtheVirginiaStateCapi-tolbuilding,andachancetopracticeamockCityCouncilmeeting,thestudentsexperiencedalifechangingopportunitythatchangedtheiroutlookonlocalandstategovernment.Agenerationofchangemakerswasborninthethreedayspanoftheinspir-ing Youth in Government field trip, readytotackletheworldtoencouragechangelocallyandglobally. The first day of the immersive YouthinGovernmenttriporganizedby the Office on Youth, students were placedwithdepartmentheadsatCityHall.Eachstudentwaspairedwithanemployee to learn about their specific roleinHopewell’slocalgovernment.Olivia,astudentpairedwiththeWaterTreatmentdepartment,said,“Youneverthinkabouthowmuchworkgoesintothewaterthatgoesdownyoursink.”Shewasastonishedbythededicationandworkdoneinordertosupplythecitywithfreshwatertodrink.AlthoughsheknewtheWaterTreatmentplantwasalwaysrunningtoensurethehealthofthecitizens,shesaid,“Thebestpartwasbeingabletoseetheinsideoftheoperation.”Aftera long first day of learning and discov-eringnewaspectsoflocalgovernmentandaheartylunchprovidedbytheOptimistClub,theHopewellstudentsleftwithgovernmentontheirminds.

EachstudentIspoketocouldn’twaitforthefeatureeventandtheendofthe three day field trip, the mock city councilmeeting.Theyhadsomanyideasandknowledgetocontributeandcouldn’twaittobeginHopewell’stransformation. Ondaytwo,wetravelledtoRichmondtotourtheStateCapitol.Dressedinourbusinessbest,wetoured the magnificent building and werefortunatetositinontheGeneralAssembly’ssession.RileyIngram,oneofourdelegatesintroducedusandwereceiveda“warmHousewelcome”fromalloftheDelegates.MyentireclasssaidexperiencingtheHouseinsessionwasanexperiencetheywillneverforget.Itwasanexcitingevent.Thereisnodoubtthehistoryofthebuildingandourcountry’sevolutionfromamonarchytoademocracyincreasedourpatriotismandpridefortheUnitedStates. Atlast,theYouthinGovernmentexperience was reaching its final step: theMockCityCouncilmeetingwe’dallbeenplanningforwithourmen-tors.Theagendaaddressedissuesaboutpublictransportation,pollu-tion,andtheopioidepidemicinourcity.Althoughthemeetingdidn’trunsmoothly,thecouncilmembersmadeexcellentdecisionstomakeHopewellabetterplace.Anthony,anaturalleader,saysservingasamockcity

councilmanforthecityhas“openedmyeyesgreatlytogovernmentandthepotentialthatHopewellandisyouthexhibits.”Forme,YouthinGovernmentwasanempoweringexperience.Mypiersenjoyed the field trip, but I truly found myplacewhileshadowingmymentorMr.Bragg,headofIntergovernmentalandPublicAffairs.NextyearIwillbeattendingcollegetostudypoliticsandjournalism.AndeventhoughIknowitisastretch,myultimategoalistobe-come the first female President of the UnitedStates.I’llhavetostartsmallerthough,andIcan’tthinkofabetterplacetostartthaninmyhometown.BeingmayorofHopewellcouldbethesteppingstoneIneedtopropelmyselfinto the Oval Office. Thefortyluckyseniorswereallinspiredbythisexperience.It’simportanttoexposeyoungadultstogovernmentatayoungagesotheycangrowintoeducated,informedcitizens.WeareallthankfulfortheincredibleopportunitythroughtheYouthinGov-ernmentprogramtointroduceustogovernmentandourroleinlocalandstatelevels.Afterinterviewingseveralclassmates,onethingwasapparent:makingadifferenceinHopewellisvitaltoallofus.

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See YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT page 8



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dYouth in Government ........................................ cont. from page 8


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•THE DRIFTERS Friday,May4,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•GET THE lED ouT SaturdayMay5,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•THE laCS withNateKenyon,HardTarget,&CRUCIFIX Thursday,May10,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•PTl PaRanoRMal GHoST HunT Saturday,May12,2018Doorsopen6:00PM

•THE WEIGHT BanD with guest Kerri Powers Thursday,May17,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•old Dominion Barn Dance presents JoHnny RoDRIquEz Saturday,May19,2018Doorsopen6:45PM

•HERE CoME THE MuMMIES Thursday,May31,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•#TBTWEnTy June2,2018 1stShow:DoorsOpen3:00PM 2ndShow:DoorsOpen6:30PM

•#TBTWEnTy June3,2018DoorsOpen2:00PM

•DEl MCCouRy BanD Firday,June8,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•MaSTERS oF Soul Saturday,June9,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

The Beacon Theatre Schedulehttp://thebeacontheatreva.com/shows-2/

Call (804) 446-3457 or myticketstobuy.com

•JoHn anDERSon aCouSTIC Friday,June15,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•lEo KoTTKE Thursday,June21,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•THE SPInnERS Friday,July13,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•ToM KEIFER oF CInDERElla Thursday,July19,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•THE ouTlaWS Friday,July27,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•SuMMER JaM 45TH annIvERSaRy CElEBRaTIon Saturday,July28,2018Doorsopen5:30PM

•BIlly BoB THoRnTon & THE BoxMaSTERS Wednesday,August8,2018Doorsopen6:30PM

•olD DoMInIon BaRn DanCE PRESEnTS CRySTal GaylE Saturday,August18,2018 2Shows:Doorsopen1:15PMand6:45PM

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May 2018 City E-Currents

Do you KnoW youR CITy CounCIloRS? MayorJackieM.Shornak Ward#7 PH:(804)541-2249 ViceMayorJasmineGore Ward#4 PH:(804)541-2249 CouncilorChristinaLuman-Bailey Ward#1 PH:(804)541-2249 CouncilorArleneHolloway Ward#2 PH:(804)541-2249 CouncilorAnthonyZevgolis Ward#3 PH:(804)541-2249 CouncilorJasmineE.Gore Ward#4 PH:(804)541-2249 CouncilorJaniceDenton Ward#5 PH:(804)541-2249 CouncilorBrendaS.Pelham Ward#6 PH:(804)720-8619

CITy DEPaRTMEnT DIRECToR/oFFICER PHonECityManager JohnM.Altman,Jr. 541-2243AssistantCityManager CharlesE.Dane 541-2271CityAttorney StefanM.Calos 541-2247CityClerk RonnieyeArrington 541-2249Children’sServicesAct WandaBrown 541-2470EconomicDevelopment CharlesDane 541-2271Engineering JohnnieButler 541-2319Finance MichaelTerry 541-2306FireChief DonnyHunter 541-2288HealthyFamilies DeborahShannon 458-9271HumanResources ReniaColes 541-2246InformationSystems Dr.ConcettaManaker 541-2225Intergovernmental&PublicAffairs HerbertH.Bragg 541-2270DirectorofNeighborhood Assistance & Planning Tevya W. Griffin 541-2220Police JohnKeohane 541-2282PublicWorks EdWatson 541-2295Purchasing AprilCone 541-2205RealEstateAssessor PatriziaWaggoner 541-2234Recreation AaronA.Reidmiller 541-2304Director,WaterRenewal JerryW.Byerly 541-2210RiskManagement DaveHarless 541-2203EmergencyServices BenRuppert 541-2298SchoolSuperintendent Dr.MelodyHackney 541-6400SocialServices RaySpicer 541-2330ActingVoterRegistrar A.J.Cole 541-2232

ConSTITuTIonal oFFICERSMasterCommissioneroftheRevenue DebraReason 541-2237Commonwealth’sAttorney RichardK.Newman 541-2255Sheriff SteveKephart 541-2301Treasurer JoanGosier 541-2240CircuitCourtClerk TamaraWard 541-2239

PaRTnER aGEnCIESAppomattoxRegionalLibrary BrianManning 458-6329HopewellCombinedCourtsClerk EllenChiasson 541-2257HopewellHealthDepartment Dr.AltonHart 458-1297Hopewell-Prince George Tourism Office Becky McDonough 541-2461HopewellRedevelopmentandHousingAuthority(HRHA) StevenBenham 541-1458Office on Youth Shanelle Ebanks 415-1881

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