Peace Progress

A Monthly 97th District Update

August 2008

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Message from Chris

In the last few years, the internet has quickly become the primary source for news and information. Our state government provides access to legislative information at legis.state.va.us. I encourage you to use this site to track our legislative activity. During the year, I work hard to regularly update www.chrispeace.com to provide you with the latest community, political and legislative news especially for the times when we are not in session. In an effort to continue providing the 97th district with first class service my staff and I are developing a www.chrispeace.com "version 2.0" to ease use and improve content.

Please let me know via email what you would like to see in this legislative/political web site. Here are some questions to get you thinking.

Your input is most valued.

             1. What's most important to you when visiting our site?

             2. Why do you come to our website?

             3. What would make you come more?

             4. What's annoys you most about our website?

             5. What's the best quality about our webiste?

             6. What would you like to see on our website that we currently do not have

i.e. live blogging, video feeds, links to other sites?

Feel free to add any other comments you may have.

Sincerely,

Chris Peace

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Get Involved

**If you would like to serve on my 97th District Advisory Committee please contact my office. I need support from many people active in the communities of the 97th. I desire input from constituents, local leaders, the business community, the faith-based community, educators, and more. I feel that to effectively serve the people of the 97th District and the Commonwealth, it is important that I develop a clear understanding of all of the issues and how they will impact the citizens of our district and Virginia. Norman Sulser, is the 97th legislative district chair. He can be reached at msulsern@verizon.net

Advisory Committee meetings will be held on a quarterly basis. If interested in serving please contact my office at 804-730-3737 or e-mail me at info@chrispeace.com or julie@chrispeace.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------August Events

August 2, 2008
Walkerton Day Parade
5:30 PM
Walkerton Community Fire Association

August 5, 2008
National Night Out Events
6:30 PM
Local Neighborhood

August 12, 2008
Economic Development Strategic Plan
6:30 PM
Times Dispatch-Mechanicsville

August 13, 2008
VDOT Meeting
2:00 PM
Broad Street Offices

August 14, 2008
Hanover Farm Bureau Dinner
6:30 PM
The Crossings

August 18, 2008
House Appropriations- Joint Meeting with
House Finance Committee and Senate Finance Committee
9:30 AM
General Assembly Building-House Room D

August 18, 2008
Hanover GOP Event with Congressman Cantor
5 - 7:30 PM
Berkwood Country Club

August 27, 2008
Single Sales Tax Factor Subcommittee
10:00 AM
General Assembly Building- House Room D

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark Your Calendar

Caroline

August 16 - Ladysmith Village Summer Concert Series - Newland Communities First Annual Summer Concert Series at Ladysmith Village. Fourth concert of the series will take place August 16 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with Back to the Future - 80's Rock Band performing at the outdoor amphitheater at Ladysmith Village. Admission is free for Ladysmith Village Residents and all children 12 and under. Non-residents may purchase tickets for $10.00 per person with all ticket sales and donations going to charity.

Hanover

Patrick Henry Half Marathon. For more details, including registration, contact Richmond Roadrunners at www.rrrc.org. Saturday, August 23 Poor Farm Park

Henrico

Bark in the Park. The Henrico County Division of Recreation and Parks is teaming up with the Henrico Humane Society to offer the 2nd Annual Bark in the Park. Bring your best furry friend out and enjoy a day of fun-filled family activities. Enjoy musical entertainment by the Atkinsons who will keep the crowd entertained with their perfectly blended mix of alt-country rock'n roll. Activities include an expo of local vendors providing products and services for your favorite pets, a pet costume contest, games for your dog, and more! The event will begin with a 3K for Paws Walk. The first 200 dogs registered for the 3K will receive a free bandana. For more information on the 3K, please call the Henrico Humane Society at 262-6634. Concessions will be available for purchase. Information: Jeannie Murray, 501-5121. Sat, Sept 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Rain date: Sun, Sept 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) Deep Run Park. Free admission.

King & Queen

The Walkerton Day Parade is held each year on the first Saturday of August, which is August 2 this year, with the crowning of "Miss Walkerton" after the parade. Contact Walkerton Community Fire Association for more details.

King William

The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) is sponsoring a 1st time homebuyer seminar for citizens who are considering purchasing their first home. The seminar will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 12:30 at the Upper King William Library. The course will include topics such as finding a realtor, financing, things to look for when buying a home, home inspections and closing. Registration is required. To register, contact Bill Lanhan at 281-3227 or 350-4958 or at www.vhda.com

New Kent

August 15 ATTIC Youth Summer Festival 7:30 to 10 pm A free event for New Kent Students grades 6-12 at Emmaus Baptist Church, 6700 Emmaus Church Road. Special Guest John Invins and Worship Band, Games, Food, Moon Bounce. Call 966-5238 for more information.

Spotsylvania

All American Concert Series at Patriot Park Ampitheater sponsored by Spotsylvania Parks and recreation Department. Friday, August 15. Gates open at 5:30, concert begins at 6:30. Tickets: $5/adults, $2/ages 12 and under. Rain or Shine, bring your own chair or blanket, concessions will be available, no pets, coolers, or alcohol. Please call 540-507-7540 for more details.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------July in Review

July was yet another busy month. I have been working with a wonderful group of folks that are interested in establishing a free medical clinic for low income and uninsured residents in the Mechanicsville area. My staff joined this group in a tour of the free clinic at St. James the Less in Ashland to learn best practices and to gather information which will assist in the
organization of a clinic in Mechanicsville.

The annual Hanover Tomato Festival was held on July 5. It was well attended and we had great weather. It was a treat to visit with so many constituents and grab a few of our award winning tomatoes to take home to Ashley.

As a part of a more than a yearlong study of open education resources, I participated in a meeting of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology on July 8. The presentations were informative and the discussion productive. Our goal is to provide a dynamic platform for young people to engage their studies through the use of new technology. A secondary yet equally important goal is to use the digital medium to save taxpayer money.

The legislature returned to Richmond to continue the special session on transportation July 9. Session began at 1 PM and we did not adjourn until 1:39 AM. It was a very long day with many proposals considered. Along with Senate and House Democrats the Governor tried and failed to have taxpayers stretch their already tight household budgets and share their paychecks with VDOT. Responding to growing maintenance and construction funding needs, House Republicans alternatively proposed creative and targeted measures designed to address transportation is a fiscally prudent manner. Unfortunately, the Senate of Virginia rejected nearly each piece of the responsible House plan. Assembly Democrats were proficient in saying no. They said NO to Innovation, Prioritization, Spending Cuts, Accountability, External Audits, and Anything but Tax Hikes.

The New Kent GOP is growing rapidly; Special kudos to Jane Ladd and everyone that assists her with these party building efforts. The unit held a Meet the GOP (Grand Old Party) Open House on July 12 at the home of John and Sharon Phelps in Brickshire. It was a standing room only crowd. The group heard from Roxanne Gilmore, Jeff Frederick, Chairman of RPV, Senator Ken Cuccinelli, David Foster, John Brownlee, all candidates for Attorney General in 2009, and Senator Tommy Norment.

The New Kent Board of Supervisors meeting was well attended on July 17. Aside from the agenda items, I presented two resolutions: one to the Board in recognition of their joining the Cool Counties initiative which commits counties to a reduction of global warming emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. Next I was honored to present a resolution to Dr. Farrar W. Howard commending his valuable contributions to ecological education in Virginia and for his stewardship of Mapsico, the Howard family tree farm, in addition to his many contributions to forestry and conservation in the Commonwealth.

The unveiling and dedication of the Civil Rights Memorial on the Virginia State Capitol Grounds was held on July 21. The Virginia Civil Rights Memorial honors Robert Russa Moton High School student Barbara Johns and her fellow classmates who, in April 1951, participated in a walkout to protest the conditions of their segregated school in Prince Edward County. The memorial was created by renowned sculptor, Stanley Bleifeld. It is a
four-sided monument and features 18 bronze figures around a large granite base.

On July 22, I met TAX which is always fun! The Commissioner of Taxation and staff helped give me some background on the sales tax factors used for corporate income tax. A study will commence in August to determine whether Virginia should move to a single factor or allow that as an option for some businesses especially manufacturing.

The next day I met with a group of concerned property tax payers from New Kent. Later that evening I attended the Hanover Board of Supervisors meeting.

Our Capitol is beautiful and it was a pleasure to show it off to a group of Mechanicsville families on Monday, July 28. If you have not visited the Capitol since the renovations have been completed, I urge you to do that sometime soon. The "Temple on the Hill" that Jefferson envisioned is more beautiful now than ever.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Constituent Services

I am always happy to assist residents of the 97th District in dealing with state agencies. As your Delegate, I want to make sure that your government is working for you and that your rights are respected. While I cannot require an agency to make a specific determination on your behalf, I am happy to assist you with cutting the red tape and getting you the answers you seek. My office can serve as a liaison between my constituents and the state.

My office takes the responsibility of serving seriously. My staff is available during the week to assist you with your concerns; I am also readily available. I encourage you to contact us. Please continue to contact me whenever you have concerns or issues of importance to our community and the Commonwealth.

I may be reached at:
                                                           Capitol Office:
                                                            PO Box 406
                                                            Richmond, VA 23218
                                                            Phone: 804-698-1097

                                                            District Office:
                                                            7494 Lee Davis Rd, Suite 16F
                                                            PO Box 819
                                                            Mechanicsville, VA 23111
                                                            Phone: 804-730-3737
                                                            Fax: 804-730-5049
                                                            E-mail: delcpeace@house.state.va.us

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Media Links

Jeff Frederick, Washington Times Op-Ed

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/22/Stop-the-blame-game/

E.J. Dionne, Jr, In Virginia, Thawing a Map

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/14/AR2008071401847.html

News Near You

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-07-14-0092.html

VA again named best state for business

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/business.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-07-31-0195.html

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Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Chris Peace