community services

Although it could help save jobs and keep the Green Rock facility, many residents are against the state signing a contract that would move over 1,000 inmates to the facility, according to the Danville Register Bee.

The residents are concerned about the inmates possibly escaping, and that the transferred from PA are higher-level criminals that will be more difficult to manage.

"While Virginia irons out a contract with Pennsylvania to transfer 1,000 inmates to Green Rock Correctional Center, residents less than a quarter mile from the facility along Beverly Heights Road wonder how the move will impact their community."

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Lynchburg City Council will do something new this year. They will start budget talks much earlier than normal and before the city manager makes his recommendations, according to the Lynchburg News & Advance.

The Council members will give input to the city manager on which various topics that will help him make informed decisions about the city's tight budget.

Hopefully this new approach will benefit Lynchburg homeowners.

"In a highly unusual move, Lynchburg City Council will engage in preliminary budget talks next month before any recommendations are made by the city manager.

Traditionally, such deliberations are held in the spring and start only after City Manager Kimball Payne unveils his budget proposal in early March. Council then responds to and revises that plan over the course of several weeks.

This year’s accelerated deliberation schedule was adopted after Payne approached officials in December seeking early guidance on topics ranging from spending cuts to tax hikes.

Council doesn’t typically play such a direct role in shaping the city manager’s budget recommendations. In explaining his request, Payne referenced the austere revenue climate, which he has described as the most challenging of his career.

'We’ve never faced anything like this before,' he said in an interview. 'We thought last year was different, but it’s only getting tougher.

'This is going to be a unique and different year. I think doing things in a unique and different way will inform the process and give me a little better sense of Council’s interests as I put the proposal together.'

Council has scheduled a special all-day budget retreat for Feb. 6.

Payne has asked members at that time to consider six specific questions:
• What are your priorities regarding services provided to citizens?
• As cuts are considered, is there anything that is untouchable?
• Which services, programs or activities could be stopped?
• Are there any new initiatives you would like to consider?
• What are your thoughts on actions to increase revenues (via taxes, fees or policy changes)?
• What are your capital improvement priorities?

This is the latest in a series of unprecedented steps taken by the city manager to gather advice as he ponders a slew of unappetizing budget choices."

Read the full story.

This week it was announced that further budget cuts may be in Virginia's future, according to the Washington Post.

An additional $2.9 million will need to be cut by 2012. After making nearly $7 billion in reductitons, most of the "fat" is gone and now services to residents may be cut or reduceds.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will introduce his proposed two-year budget in December, a month before he leaves office. The General Assembly and the incoming governor, Robert F. McDonnell, will use that as a blueprint but will make changes based on their priorities and the economic forecast.

This is important news for homeowners because the cuts may reduce services currently being provided, which could place a higher burden on homeowners.

"State agencies might need to cut up to $2.9 billion more from core services, such as education, law enforcement and health care, by mid-2012 to accommodate Virginia's financial crisis.

The bleak forecast announced Tuesday at a House Appropriations Committee retreat comes on top of nearly $7 billion in reductions to the state's current two-year budget since last year.

'These budget numbers are scary, and they're stark,' Del. Clarence E. "Bud" Phillips (D-Dickenson) said. 'They're going to have a grave impact on the citizens of the commonwealth.'

The forecast reflects a $300 million shortfall in this fiscal year and a $2.6 billion shortfall over the next two fiscal years. The numbers are based on the state receiving less tax revenue than it had anticipated and being required to spend additional money on certain mandatory programs, such as Medicaid."

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The Kingsport Times-News recently reported about efforts to improve the health of residents in Southwest Virginia. As of now, individuals who live in Southwest Virginia have a premature mortality rate that is 26 percent higher than the state average, in addition, to having higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Adapting health services to better suit area residents can result in a great improvement in their quality of life, and also make the area more attractive to businesses and new residents, which will improve property values.

"The Southwest Virginia Health Authority has unveiled a plan to improve the region’s health care network and access to health care that includes a push to establish a medical specialist training facility in the region and permitting an expanded role for dental hygienists.

The Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity is the first strategic plan developed to address health disparities residents of Southwest Virginia face, said Delegate Bud Phillips, D-Clintwood.

Phillips is chairman of the authority, which was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2006.

Residents of Southwest Virginia have a premature mortality rate that is 26 percent higher than the state average and have higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The “blueprint” identifies those issues and needs and sets short-term, intermediate and long-term goals and objectives to address those needs, Phillips said.

'We believe the authority’s approach is a model for the nation to follow because it was developed by the people who know health care and what Southwest Virginia’s needs are,' he said. 'By improving health care, we improve the quality of life in Southwest Virginia.'

Some of the blueprint goals include allowing dental hygienists to provide preventive care. Another goal — establishing a dental school/clinic in Wise County — is under way. The plan also proposes as an immediate goal establishing a Medical Specialist Training Center in the region so residents won’t have to travel long distances to see health care specialists.

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The Danville Register-Bee reported that Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors is considering donating the football field at the former Gretna Middle School to the Norther Pittsylvania County Food Center.

The food bank which gave out 110,000 pounds of food last year plans to build a warehouse on the land to use as a distribution center.

Area homeowners should take interest in this proposal because offering services like the food bank offers residents in Pittslyvania County is key to growing strong, healthy and safe communities.

"Pittsylvania County is con-sidering whether to donate land to a local food bank.

The Board of Supervisors must hold a public hearing before the donation is made to the Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center Inc., a nonprofit organization. The property, located at the former Gretna Middle School, is being surveyed as county officials are unsure of the size of the land being considered, said County Administrator Dan Sleeper.

The county school board gave the land, including the school, to the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors when the school closed, said Callands-Gretna Supervisor Fred Ingram. The Board of Supervisors later sold the school to Riverview Plumbing, but didn’t sell the old football field, Ingram said.

The Northern Pittsylvania County Food Center would like to construct a warehouse on the property for use as a food distribution center, said Ray Hershman, the food bank’s purchasing agent. The site would be appropriate for the organization, Ingram said."

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