Hopyard VOICE - Oct-Nov 2019

Published for the Residents of Hopyard Farm Community

October/November 2019

Dif C fer oun enc t th es e Con tes t Pa M ge ar 1 y’s 7 Ca - Br ke oug ry h & t to Ca y nd ou y K by itc he n

MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS

The Clarke Family

Hopyard Voice - October/November 2019 - 1

THE HOPYARD VOICE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dan Sweeney, President dsweeney@hazelland.com 540-891-1091 Melanie Smith, Secretary msmith@hazelland.com Chris Smith, Director cwshopyard@gmail.com WEBSITE www.TownSq.io MANAGEMENT 5888 Coakley Dr., King George, VA 22485 540-775-8350 hopyardfarm@verizon.net COMMUNITY MGMT. CORP. 4840 Westfields Blvd, Suite 300 Chantilly, VA 20153 703-631-7200 or 800-262-3090 BACKYARD WILDLIFE COMMITTEE Dee Garner, Chair deaniebg@aol.com COVENANTS COMMITTEE Marietto Jeffries, Chair Mariettoj@hotmail.com FINANCE COMMITTEE Chris Werle, Chair cwerle1@verizon.net POOL & REC COMMITTEE Ainsilie Hibbard, Chair hopyardfarmpr@gmail.com

The Hopyard Voice is published by Sassafras Creations, LLC and mailed free of charge to the residents of Hopyard Farm in King George, VA. Articles editorials, letters and advertisements do not reflect the opinions of the editor, publisher, residents or Board of Directors of the Hopyard Farm Property Owners Association.

The publisher reserves the right to edit and reject any and all editorial and advertising submitted for publication in the Hopyard Voice. Every effort has been made to prevent typographical errors, however, Sassafras Creations, LLC cannot be held responsible for typographical or grammatical errors as all printed editorials are submitted to Sassafras Creations, LLC and not written by Sassafras Creations, LLC or any employee of Sassafras Creations, LLC.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of material, both editorial and advertising, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY PHONE NUMBERS: Animal Control......................................540-775-2120 Building Permits & Inspections.......540-775-7111 L.E. Smoot Memorial Library............540-775-2147 King George Sheriff's Office.............540-775-2049 Solid Waste & Recycling (Landfill)...540-775-3267 KG Parks & Recreation........................540-775-4FUN Service Authority..................................540-775-2746 Dominion Virginia Power...................866-366-4357 Fire, Rescue Emergency Services....540-775-8900 Copyright 2018 Sassafras Creations, LLC

Next issue of HOPYARD VOICE December 1, 2019 Advertising & Editorial Deadline is November 15, 2019 540-775-3159 / Info@HopyardVoice.com www.HopyardVoice.com 2 - HOPYARD VOICE

Important Reminders from the Office Email: hopyardfarm@verizon.net

Happy Fall Ya’ll!

Now is the time to work on your lawn for next Spring. Fall is the perfect time to add compost, aerate and seed your lawn. You may also notice mold/mildew/algae appearing on your siding, fencing and roof shingles. You will want to make sure this is cleaned and removed. Take a look at your asphalt driveway does it need to be sealed? Sealing your asphalt will help to maintain the life expectancy.

Remember it is much less expensive to maintain rather than replace. A simple and inexpensive maintenance item to look at is painting your mailbox post. It takes just a few minutes and a small can of exterior white paint.

As a reminder, please do not leave your trash cans in your driveway or on the side of your home unless in an approved enclosure. Please make sure trash is secured so it does not end up in your neighbor’s yard or our Common Areas. Pets must be on a leash at all times and you MUST clean up after your pet.

The October Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 17th. The Board will be voting on the 2020 Budget. We hope you can attend.

Have you registered for Town Square? Your account is already set-up and you need to go to www.townsq.io.

There is a link to log in and create an account using your account number and zip code. Your account number is located on your coupon, account statement or you may contact me at hopyardfarm@verizon.net. You can make your online E-Check and Credit Card payment in Town Square. There is a service fee charged by the bank for this convenience. Please note payments posted using 4

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

the online payment are not immediate since it takes 2-3 days for the payment to arrive at the Association’s bank. An alternative to this is to sign up for Direct Debit.

This service is provided by CMC at no cost to you. A Direct Debit form can be obtained by emailing me at hopyardfarm@verizon.net or on Town Square. With Direct Debit any assessment increases will be automatic.

With online payments you must manually update any increases. Town Square allows you to control your account and how much or how little you wish others to see. You can send a message to me, view community announcements, participate in community polls and view community documents. Remember Facebook is NOT an official communication tool of the Association.

If you are an investor-owner, or otherwise do not occupy the home, please furnish me with your correct mailing address for future correspondence, and a copy of a lease as required by the governing documents. As an owner of your home, it is your responsibility to ensure that your tenant is aware of the rules and regulations of the Association and complies with them. Any notice of violation will be sent directly to you. Tenants can also register for Town Square, however they do have limited access to information such as your Account and Association documents. n

Items Our Local Food Pantry NEEDS: Paper Towels • Toilet Paper • Facial Tissue Bar Soap • Shampoo • Diapers Deodorant for Men & Women Toothbrushes & Toothpaste Shaving Cream for Men & Women Source: fredfood.org/most-needed-items

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Submitted by Dan Sweeney, President | dsweeney@hazelland.com

I am disappointed to report that your new Community Manager resigned her position with Community Management Corporation. However, we are very fortunate to have Keisha filling in on a temporary basis until a replacement can be found. Keisha has worked in the HOA office many times in the past, and she is always willing to assist. Thank-you so much, Keisha! Please be patient and understanding as CMC works through the hiring process for a new Manager.

If you are new to the community, “Welcome to the Farm!” Hopyard is a beautiful community with a very active Homeowners Association. There are several established committees here including: Backyard Wildlife Management, Covenants, Pool and Recreation, and Finance.

Please consider joining one as there’s always room for new members. Applications are available in the Clubhouse, also known as Hopyard Hall. Let me also thank our Committee and Board Members for your service to the community.

We fully recognize your time is on a volunteer basis, which means time spent away from your family.

Thank you for making time to support Hopyard Farm!

Autumn has just started, and it’s hard to believe there are only a few months left in 2019. School is in full swing now, and the weather should soon be much cooler. It will also be time to change the clocks as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end. Mark your calendars – Sunday, 11/3/2019. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

We have completed the final paving and curb/driveway repairs in Section 2 and are working with VDOT to get final street acceptance so the roads can be added to the secondary road system. We will keep you apprised of our progress and are hoping to have Section 2 become part of VDOT’s snow removal plan beginning in January 2020. The roads in Section 2 include portions of Weems and Coakley Drives and Ianthas Way. As always, I’m including a couple of friendly reminders: 1) Please do not speed in the community. We continue to receive complaints about this at the Board Meetings and via e-mail. With school in session now, you should pay attention to school buses and watch for children as they depart for and come home each day. The safety of our residents should be important to everyone!

2) For those of you who walk your pets, please remember to pick-up behind them, so your neighbors can enjoy their walks, too. The Board, and your fellow homeowners, appreciates the effort from those of you who already do so.

Our last meeting of 2019 is scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in Hopyard Hall. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Dan Sweeney

We want to hear from you! Share community photos and events, news, or advertising in the Hopyard Voice magazine!

Email Info@HopyardVoice.com to share your voice with us!

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

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MEET THE CLARKE FAMILY

By Jon Burroughs

The fall is upon us; the time of year when we spend time with our families over roasted turkeys, delicious pumpkin pies, and succulent hams. It’s a time when we give thanks for our many blessings, our loved ones, and celebrate all the things we love about our family. This month, I sat down with the Clarke Family in their home on Fullers Lane and was reminded of the importance of family and what it means to them.

Chris Clarke, and his wife Kelly, both are native Virginians. Chris grew up in Fairfax while Kelly hails from Fredericksburg. The couple met while attending college at James Madison University and was married in July of 2001. They settled in Pittsville, Maryland, near Salisbury, and Chris accepted a position as Recreation Supervisor for Ocean City, Maryland. Despite living and working on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Chris and Kelly longed to return to Virginia and be close to their families.

In October 2018, Chris accepted a new job and the couple returned to Virginia. The Clarke Family chose our beautiful neighborhood because they sought a planned community which offered safety and an environment where their five children could go out and play with friends.

Kelly enjoys working from home as a Customer Service Rep for Arbor Pro, a tree removal service which services our community, but her true passion is caring for her five children. Kelly spends most of her time shuttling the kids to their many events and is their biggest fan.

Chris recently accepted the position of Director for King George County Parks and Recreation. You may have read his articles in the Hopyard Voice. In his spare time, Chris coaches youth baseball for the King George County

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HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

Parks and Rec and likes watching sports.

The eldest Clarke child, Abigail, is a 14-yearold, 9th grader, at King George High School. Abigail plays softball for Virginia Unity Softball and has recently travelled up and down the east coast competing with her team. Abigail found an affinity for softball at an early age playing for the King George High School team last year as an 8th grader.

Twelve-year-old Isaac, a 7th grade student at King George Middle School, is an avid sports fan. Isaac plays basketball and flag football; he is also the family musician. He is a member of his school’s concert band and plays a wide assortment of instruments including drums, guitar and xylophone.

Ian is a 5th grader at Sealston Elementary School in Mrs. Naylor’s class. The talented ten-year-old is a STEM Club member, a Hopyard Hammerhead, and hopes to work in cybersecurity when he grows up. Ian loves to read mystery books in his free time.

The youngest Clarke child, ten-year-old Andrew, is a 2nd grade student at Sealston Elementary School in Mrs. DeClute’s class. Andrew enjoys playing basketball, baseball, and is a Hopyard Hammerhead like his brother Ian. Andrew is a devoted Lego enthusiast.

When they aren’t working or attending events with their children, the Clarke Family enjoys watching sports, hanging out together and occasionally going to the beach. The Clarkes are happy to be back in the area, amongst their family, including over seventeen cousins.

Throughout our time together, I was struck by their love of their family. The Clarkes live the philosophy of Michael J. Fox – “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

As the fall season makes its way into 2019, take time to remember the importance of family. Take an extra moment to remind a family member how much you care and cherish your time together. n

“Your Resident Realtor” Christina Burroughs, MA, MRP Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Call today for your FREE market analysis!

Cell: 301-848-1245 NMLS ##0225234437 ChristinaRMBurroughs@gmail.com 608 William St., Fredericksburg, VA

Erin Witt Sr. Mortgage Originator, NMLS #1597503 www.erinwittmortgage.com Cell: 804-405-8554 Erin@cmsmtgsolutions.com

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

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King George Parks and Recreation

by Chris Clarke, Director of Parks and Recreation

Make Your Day Special with King George Parks & Recreation Everyone loves a special occasion, a chance to get out and do something out of the ordinary. King George Parks & Recreation is preparing or helping to prepare for several such opportunities in the coming weeks. We hope that you and your family can join us in enjoying all that our community has to offer. Here is a sampling of what is on the horizon…

•K ing George Fall Festival – Saturday, October 12th at King George High School. Starting at 10:00 a.m. the food court and craft show open. The festival parade is at 11:00 a.m. on Kings Hwy. (Rt. 3) from the courthouse to KGHS. Entertainment will begin at noon and everything wraps up at 4:00 p.m. For more information go to www. kgfallfestival.com • King George Fall Festival 5K – Sunday, October 13th at 8:00 a.m. at KGHS. For registration go to www.kgfallfestival.com • The Great Pumpkin Race and Halloween Funfest – Friday, October 25th at Barnesfield Park from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

This FREE event offers a flashlight Halloween egg hunt, costume contest, carnival games, and the Great Pumpkin races.

• King George Founders Day – Friday, November 15th at UMW-Dahlgren. The kick-off event to King George County’s tricentennial celebration. Come and learn about King George’s history as well as hear from our legislators about the importance of King George to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with ceremonies beginning at 6:30 p.m.

YOUR BACKYARD WILDLIFE COMMITTEE hopes you’re enjoying the trees we planted and replaced last Fall along with the requested shade trees at the playground. We also added benches in the gazebo and lit up the Hopyard sign on Rt.3.

This Spring we spruced up the pool area by filling the planters with colorful plants and succulents. A very special thank you to Mary Jane and Chris Smith for keeping them looking beautiful!

We’re in the process of planning our Fall projects. If you have requests or ideas, please share. Or, better yet, join us!

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HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

• T he Holiday Craft Fair – Saturday and Sunday, November 23rd and 24th at the Citizens Center. Find that perfect holiday gift from a local artisan. The fair is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

• King George County Christmas Tree Lighting – Sunday, December 1st at the Courthouse. Join the King George County Historical Society, King George County government, and the Tri-Centennial Committee for a great evening of fun. Games by Parks & Recreation, s’mores, live music, Santa, and more!

• Santa Pancake Supper – Friday, December 13th at 6:00 p.m. Come and dine with Santa, shop the Shamrock the Elf Shelf Shop for gifts. The cost for supper is $5 per person. Thank you to IHOP of Dahlgren for their support with this event.

In the world of athletics now is also the time to register for winter leagues and programs. The registration deadline for basketball is November 27th. Kids ages 6 to 16 should join us in this great league. You can register online or in person at the Citizens Center.

Isshinryu Karate starts its winter session on December 3rd.

Kevin Kline and Frank Harvey lead classes for both kids and adults. Build strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility through forms, weapons, and practical applications. You will also learn effective self defense techniques and build character, self-esteem, self-control, and self-confidence.

Gymnastics will begin another session October 21st. Ms. Heather and the staff at the gymnastics center offer 20 different gymnastics and tumbling classes each week.

There is something for everyone from toddlers to adults.

The Gymnastics Center also offers birthday party rentals.

At the Citizens Center we are also offering fitness classes.

We have Mindful Fitness, Therapeutic Movement, Yoga, and Tai Chi. All of these classes offer full session and drop-in rates.

For more information on all of these and our many other programs check out our website https://www. kinggeorgecountyva.gov/384/Parks-Recreation, stop by the Citizens Center (8076 Kings Hwy.), or call us at 540-7754386. We look forward to seeing you soon at one of our activities. n

Re-Elect

RUBY BRABO

for At-Large Supervisor 3R ecognized by Governing Magazine as one of the top elected women in the nation 3 F ull time supervisor with nationwide contacts 3C ommitted to maintaining your quality of life through managed growth 3 F ulfilled promises to create a county economic development strategic plan and a debt mitigation plan with support of current board members 3 F irst Supervisor to use social media to keep public informed Fiscally conservative H Passionate Communicator Proven Leadership H Committed H Energetic Dedicated H Maintaining excellence

#EveryVoteMatters November 5, 2019 Paid for & authorized by Brabo Election Committee

Pecan Cookie Cups with Maple Cream

By Pillsbury Kitchens (Source: PIllsbury.com)

Prep Time: 25 mins Total Time: 50 mins Ingredients: 5 Servings: 24 Ingredients: Cookie Cups-1 pkg (16 oz) Pillsbury Ready to Bake refrigerated sugar cookies (24 cookies), ¼ cup chopped pecans; Maple Cream Filling-1 ½ cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping, ¼ cup real maple syrup, 24 pecan halves Steps: 1—Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 24 mini muffin cups.

Place 1 cookie dough round in each muffin cup. Gently press thumb into each dough-filled cup, making small indentation.

Fill each cup with about ½ teaspoon chopped pecans.

2—Bake 15-20 mins or until light golden brown. Cool in pan, about 10 mins. To remove from pan, gently turn cookie cups until they turn freely.

3—In medium bowl, mix whipped topping ad maple syrup.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling into each cup. Top each with pecan half...Enjoy!

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

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Real Estate Listings in Hopyard Farm

Courtesy of: Christina Burroughs EXIT Realty Group Cell Ph: (301) 848-1245 • Office Ph: (540) 479-3226

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Brought to you by Christina Burroughs

©BRIGHT MLS - All information, regardless of source, should be verified by personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professional(s). The information is not guaranteed. Measurements are solely for the purpose of marketing, may not be exact, and should not be relied upon for loan, valuation, or other purposes.

Copyright 2019. Created 07/15/2019 2:49 PM

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

A YEAR ON THE SERVICE AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

by Michael Bennett, Chairman of the King George County Service Authority Board In January 2018, I was the second citizen (as opposed to an elected official) appointed to the Board of Directors of the Service Authority. King George County, and in particular, Ruby Brabo, had been very supportive to me and my neighbors in Fairview Beach, and I thought it was an opportunity to give back to the community. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

In April of 2018, the Board was informed that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was planning to take enforcement action against the Service Authority for a variety of issues. We were advised that the regulatory agency probably would not come down too hard on us. I had retired from the Office of Investigations at the VA Inspector General’s office. I worked on a lot of investigations and it sounded like it could be really serious to me. At this point, I had served on the Board for four months. DEQ (cue the Darth Vader music) was so frustrated with the Service Authority that the regional office had thrown up its hands and referred the whole matter to headquarters in Richmond.

Even if you didn’t work for an Inspector General, you could guess this was not a good development. Our waste water treatment plants (WWTP’s) were not in compliance with their discharge permits. In other words, we were not removing enough of the bad stuff from the sewage we were treating and it was getting into the rivers. Curiously, DEQ was also telling us to make all sorts of repairs to our own equipment. They were also not happy that about a hundred of their official notices to us were ignored. None of us on the Board had any idea how seriously off track the Service Authority had gotten.

When the General Manager resigned, the Board hired an interim general manager. I literally did not know if our WWTP’s were capable of meeting the permit requirements. We had no idea that maintenance and repairs had not been done. It seemed so unfair to our employees – how could they be expected to do their jobs when the equipment was not repaired? It would not be too strong a word to say that we were shocked at the problems facing us. I was not certain the Service Authority as we knew it was going to survive. But we took things a step at a time and we gradually began to make progress. Aqua, our interim general manager, assessed our waste water plants.

Within a month or so, 4 of the 5 plants started meeting their permit requirements. Slowly but surely, we started to make the repairs that DEQ had mandated. Then we met with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the folks who regulate the drinking water side of our operation. Surprisingly, or maybe

not, the water side of the operation had all kinds of problems and issues as well. Fortunately, VDH is easier to work with in that they don’t impose fines.

Aqua, and in particular, Dan Hingley, did incredible work in the four months they were there. By November of 2018, we hired a full time General Manager, Jonathon Weakley. Mr. Weakly is unusually well qualified to run the Service Authority because he has a Virginia license in both wastewater (Class I, the highest) and in water (Class II). Mr. Weakley continued the fine work that Aqua had done. We continued to make the necessary repairs and perform the routine maintenance that will serve us long term. Meetings and communication with DEQ became more collegial and productive.

As we started work on our budget, Mr. Weakly first determined the cost of the equipment and maintenance needs that would be required to get in compliance with our permits. He came up with a long and expensive list of needs, not wants. We prioritized the most immediate and essential. Then we called Davenport, the financial advisor for King George County, to get their help. Davenport took the time to understand our needs and the priorities and the costs and they came up with a 5 year comprehensive financial plan. We felt that we had no choice but to raise rates for the next five years. In addition, we restructured our debt at a lower interest rate to free up cash by lowering our annual debt payments. Finally, we procured a line of credit for $15 million for any major capital improvements that are required.

The last thing anyone on the Board wants to do is increase our debt. However, DEQ has told us that our two oldest WWTP’s must be decommissioned because they do not have the technology to remove enough of the bad stuff from the waste water they treat. The estimate to do this is almost $10 million.

I am hopeful that future development in King George County will help us pay for these mandated improvements and that we will not have to increase the amount of debt.

It’s certainly been an interesting year and a half being on the Service Authority Board. I can honestly say, I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. I think we have succeeded in stabilizing a patient that was very near death. I think the patient is going to survive. But, the road to a full recovery is long and many challenges remain. When I think how close we were to dying in the summer of 2018, there is reason to be optimistic.

We have made a tremendous amount of progress and, in Mr. Weakley, have found the right person to lead us. n HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

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3

3

3

607

HOPYARD FARM

Dogue

301

607

607 301

Bayside CDJRVA Bayside Ford

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17 301

We’re only 6 miles away!

Congratulations to the Yard of the Month Winners!

Brought to you by the Backyard Wildlife Committee

Warren ~ McCarthy Dr

Harrison ~ Brewery Ct

Green ~ Bakers Ln

Delgado & Rodriguez ~ Nellie Ln

Verberg ~ Brewery Ct Wiley ~ McCarthy Dr Walker ~ Longbow Rd Dave ~ Bakers Ln Yergey ~ Parsons Ln

Montague ~ Brewery Ct Cook ~ Hopyard Dr Lynds ~ Hawser Dr Pompura ~ Brewery Ct

Fanton ~ Weems Dr

HOA Applications AUGUST11796 Fuller Lane SEPTEMBER11428 Ianthas Way

5236 Longbow Rd ~ Fence 6432 Brewery Ct ~ Deck

5222 Weems Dr ~ Patio/Fire Pit/Wall

11395 Emerald Dr ~ Driveway Extension

5108 Spinnaker Ln ~ Deck/Screen Room

11395 Emerald Dr ~ Shed

5232 Weems Dr ~ Patio/Wall/Landing

11398 Ianthas Way ~ Deck 5229 Weems Drive ~ Fence 5924 Coakley Dr ~ Shed 11765 Bakers Lane ~ Tree Removal 11367 Emerald Dr ~ Deck/Pergola 11367 Emerald Dr ~ Patio 11804 Fullers Dr ~ Fence 5260 Weems Dr ~ Patio 14

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

6391 Brewery Ct ~ Deck

6396 Brewery Ct ~ Landing/Steps 11381 Emerald Dr ~ Awning 5270 Longbow Rd ~ Paver Walk/Wall 5243 Weems Dr ~ Trash Enclosure 5848 Coakley Dr ~ Shed 6404 Brewery Ct ~ Brick Patio 6431 Brewery Ct ~ Deck

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HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

Count the Differences Contest

There are differences in the two photos below. The contest can be tricky…count all of the differences and send in your entry! Winners with the correct answer will be chosen by random drawing.

2 Winners will receive a $15 gift card to

MARY’S CAKERY AND CANDY KITCHEN! Mail Entry To: Hopyard Voice 5204 Longbow Road King George, VA 22485 Email Entry To: Info@HopyardVoice.com (Subject: Contest)

Sponsored by

Find the Differences Contest Name: _________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ _______________________________________________ Phone Number: __________________________________ Number of Differences: ___________________________ Entries must be received by October 25, 2019, and winners will be announced on October 28, 2019

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HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

MESSAGES FROM RUBY BRABO At-Large District Supervisor • rubyb@co.kinggeorge.state.va.us

CENSUS 2020: Why it is important and how this one is different?

Approximately $675 billion in federal funding is allocated in accordance with Census-derived data. It is also used to determine the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as to draw Congressional, General Assembly, and local district lines.

In 2016, Virginia received approximately $17.8 billion in federal funds through programs using data derived from the 2010 Census. Undercounting can have a serious impact to the amount of monies allocated to a locality.

Each person not counted is equal to roughly $2,000 in federal funding per year. Over the course of 10 years, that $20,000 times 25 people is one cent on the tax rate here in King George. Those federal dollars make a very real difference when it comes to funding the mandated services. Since the 1980 Census, the undercounting of children four years old and younger has worsened. A four year old child not counted, means for the next 10 years the county will not receive the federal funding allocated per person that could help pay for funding our school system.

For the first time, the Census Bureau is collecting responses online and is notifying citizens through a mass mailing. There are two very important issues related to this. The first is they will not mail to any P.O. Boxes.

For many in rural communities, mail is only delivered to their P.O. Box and not to their physical home so how are they to receive a notification. Second one is more obvious in that not everyone has access to internet. So, how can King George get involved to ensure we are not undercounted? The Supervisors have established a Complete Count Committee that meets monthly which consists of representatives from churches, schools, Social Services, county administration, etc., but each Supervisor also needs a citizen representative who is willing to serve and be engaged on this topic. We need to identify the barriers and how we can find solutions to ensure a complete count of our community. If you are willing to serve, please contact a Supervisor.

VDOT Problems: Who do you call?

If you traveled Dahlgren Road (Rt. 206) during the recent VDOT paving debacle that took place, I am sure you felt the same frustration as many. Who thought it would be a good idea to do this during peak commuting hours?

Why was it not scheduled for overnight work as has been the case in past years? Inquiries led to the following admission from VDOT. VDOT failed to exercise any forethought this time with regards to placing restrictions in the contract as was done in past years. The contractor thus scheduled this regional (not local) paving project in accordance with the no-restriction language, which appears to allow them cart blanche as far as hours to operate. Despite the numerous arguments made by the county to halt paving during peak commuting hours, VDOT responded that changing the hours would require a change order, more money and throw off their regional schedule thus refusing to alter the paving schedule. So, who do you call to ensure this never happens again? Who do you call to hold VDOT accountable for these types of errors? Who do you call to ensure that for roads, such as Dahlgren, that in future contracts it would automatically have restrictions in place for hours of operation to ensure this never happens again? I am currently seeking answers to these questions.

Don’t Forget About CLUBHOUSE RENTALS

Please contact Community Office for Details!

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

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V. EVE NTS IN T HE AR O N & EA T. OC for more ideas visit virginia.org

10/12: King George Fall Festival King George County High School 9/14-10/12: Kayaking on the Potomac Stratford Hall, Stratford 10/5: Scary B-Movie Night at Rippon Lodge Rippon Lodge Historic, Woodbridge 10/10—10/14: Canstruction Jr. Spotsylvania Towne Centre, Fredericksburg 10/19: Bowling Green Harvest Festival Town of Bowling Green 10/19: Autumn Leaf Excursions Rappahannock Railroad Museum, Fredericksburg 10/19: Beach to Beer 5K Colonial Beach Brewing, Colonial Beach

10/26: Annual Colonial Beach Fall Festival and Halloween Golf Cart Parade Town Hill, Colonial Beach 9/25&Add’l Dates: Belvedere Plantation Harvest Festival Belvedere Plantation, Fredericksburg 9/25&Add’l Dates: Riverside Center Presents Annie Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Fredericksburg 10/3&Add’l Dates: Riverside Children’s Theatre Presents Peter and the Wolf Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Fredericksburg 11/27&Add’l Dates: Riverside Christmas Spectacular Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Fredericksburg

11/15: Founders’ Day Celebration University of Mary Washington at Dahlgren, King George 11/9&11/10: Fall Oyster Crawl on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Participating Wineries of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, Oak Grove 9/27&Add’l Dates: Paracon at Belle Grove Plantation Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast, King George 10/10-10/13: Annual Colonial Beach Bike Fest Town Hill and The Boardwalk, Colonial Beach 9/28&Add’l Dates: Snead’s Farm Fall Festival Snead’s Farm, Fredericksburg

Halloween Safety Tips from the National Safety Council: To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, the American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a list of Halloween Safety Tips, including do’s and don’ts on the trick-or-treat trail: • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.

• I f your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you and in a well-lit area.

• Agree on a specific time when children should return home.

•O nly go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

** Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. NSC offers the following safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours: Safety Tips for Motorists: • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

• E nter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Costumes: • All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.

• I f children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags to make sure they are visible.

• When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it in a small area first.

•R emove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Submitted by Sgt K.A. Wharton with the KGCSO

HOPYARD VOICE • October / November 2019

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NEXT HOA MEETING: Thursday, October 17th @ 7PM in the Clubhouse Open to All Residents, Hope To See You There!

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VOTE CHRIS GILES FOR SHERIFF, KING GEORGE COUNTY ON NOV. 5, 2019

3V ote for 37 years as a public servant to Country and King George County 3V ote for 27 years of experience as a Deputy Sheriff of King George County

Chris Giles

3V ote for Integrity, Dedication, Knowledge, Leadership, Continuity

www.gilesforsheriff.com

AS SHERIFF I WILL:

3 E nforce Laws equally and impartially, Guarantee equal protection, Keep Our Citizens Safe 3C ontinue the Fight on Opioid abuse & Illegal Drug Distribution, Continue the DARE Program in our schools, Retain School Resource Officers in our schools 3U se Modern Technology to Fight Crime, Work within the Budget, Continue to serve with respect and dedication to the profession and the community

ENDORSED BY:

“Chris Giles knows the responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office and will continue the legacy we have worked hard to build for the citizens of King George County.”

- Steve Dempsey- Sheriff King George Co.“As former Sheriff of King George County I had the opportunity to work alongside Chris Giles. He has always been truthful, honest and a man of Integrity and has a knowledge of all areas of responsibility in the Sheriff’s Office. He knows how to serve and protect and will work hard for the citizens of King George County.”

-C.W Dobson- Retired Sheriff, King George Co.-

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PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY “GILES FOR Sheriff”

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