INSIDE Kolor Me Katie race on May 21 honors late Goochland teenager > page 8
Volume 61, Number 16 • April 21, 2016
In the Garden: Joe Pye weed brings in butterflies aplenty. See page 7 Biking bunch takes on 12-hour ride
Tucker Park earns award for excellence Facility located on the James River honored for innovation, outreach By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Contributed photo
As the Goochland Family YMCA kicked off its Annual Giving Campaign last week, several cycling enthusiasts decided to lend their legs to the effort. Led last Thursday by instructor Michelle Emann, riders Sunni Wright, Goochland Sheriff Jim Agnew, Erin Dudley and Dawn Mabry rode stationary bikes set up at the front of the Goochland YMCA for 12 hours. Thanks to their efforts — and that of volunteers and donors — just over $5,300 was raised to support YMCA programs. Above, Goochland YMCA director Andrew Dyson snaps a selfie during the all-day ride.
Real estate tax rate remains unchanged for another year The Goochland Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Monday to maintain the Story on Property Tax will go here county’s real estate tax rate at 53 cents per $100 of assessed value. According to Deputy County Administrator John Wack, the rate remains the lowest in the region, which includes Chesterfield (96 cents), Hanover (81 cents), Powhatan (90 cents), and Louisa (72 cents). Wack told board members that the county’s taxable property grew by 3 percent last year, excluding new construction.
Goochland’s Tucker Park was among the facilities recently honored by Gov. Terry McAuliffe as winners of the 2016 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards. Tucker Park earned an Honorable Mention, which was presented during an awards banquet on April 7 at the Environment Virginia Symposium in Lexington. In addition to recognizing significant environmental contributions in sustainability, environmental projects and land conservation, this year’s awards also recognize exemplary implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan. Winners represent McAuliffe businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies located throughout the Commonwealth. “These winners have made a commitment that all Virginians benefit from,” Gov. McAuliffe said. “I congratulate and thank these organizations for their leadership, innovation and commitment to Virginia’s natural environment.” The 36-acre Tucker Park, which officially opened to the public in 2012, features one of the few public access points see Tucker Park > 5