Virginia Association of Counties
1207 E. Main St., Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219-3627 Contact: Gage Harter (804) 343-2502
For Immediate Release gharter@vaco.org
July 28, 2009
Virginia Counties Recognized for Model Programs
The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Achievement Awards recognizing model local government programs.
The winning counties and program titles are:
· Carroll County: “Economic Milestone” (Regional Collaboration)
· Chesterfield County: “Emergency Worker and Dependant Shelter”
(Criminal Justice & Public Safety)
Fairfax County: “The ART Conference” (Organizational Development)
Fairfax County: “Road DAWG” (Criminal Justice & Public Safety)
Gloucester County: “Full Service School Project” (Human Services)
Hanover County: “Citizen-Driven Curbside Recycling Program” (Environmental)
Henrico County: “Electronic Waste Recycling” (Environmental)
Henrico County: “Regional Supplier Conference”
(Regional Collaboration)
James City County: “Neighborhoods Organizing Ways to Achieve Connections” (Information Technology)
Loudoun County: “Real Estate Assessment Review Online Application” (Customer Service)
Prince William County: “Home Help Program”
(Community & Economic Development)
Prince William County: “Virtual Public Hearing”
(Public Affairs & Communications)
Roanoke County: “Innovation Without Funding” (Information Technology)
Rockbridge County: “Rockbridge Area Prevention Coalition” (Human Services)
York County: “Wetlands Interpretive Sanctuary for Education” (Environmental)
VACo received 72 entries for the statewide contest. The Honorable Kate Hanley, Secretary of the Commonwealth; Tedd Povar, associate director of the Virginia Institute of Government; and Elmer Hodge, former Roanoke County Administrator, served as judges for this year’s statewide awards program.
“We had a record number of entries this year,” said James Campbell, VACo Executive Director. “This shows that many counties are adapting to the economic environment by developing innovating programs to affect positive change in their community. I am thoroughly impressed by all the quality work that can be replicated throughout the state and the country.”
Hodge, who served Roanoke County for 22 years as administrator, also commended the quality of the entries. “I am most impressed with all the applications and equally pleased that so many small- and medium sized counties participated,” Hodge said. “Applicants seemed undaunted by the economy and, in fact, found new ways to meet the needs of their communities in ways that did not require additional local funding. These projects reflect the strong leadership that has always been present in Virginia’s 95 counties.”
This was the fifth consecutive year Povar has served as a judge. “We fully appreciate the time taken by the applicant counties to prepare and submit award nominations,” Povar said. “Many of these submissions required hours of detailed preparation to fully describe the project and its surrounding context. The professionalism, ingenuity, and creativity displayed are very encouraging, particularly as we face the most challenging period for local government in recent memory. We congratulate all the applicants on a job well done, and, in particular, those that received award recognition.”
The VACo Achievement Awards is a competitive program open to local government members of the association. Held annually, it recognizes local government programs in awards criteria that include innovation, cooperation and model practices.
Several collaborative projects were submitted in 2009, prompting the judges to create a new category—Regional Collaboration.
Representatives from each of the award-winning counties will receive a certificate at an official ceremony during VACo’s 2009 Annual Conference in November. Also, VACo will present several awards at board of supervisors meetings.
