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VIRGINIA

Q U A R T E R L Y

M A G A Z I N E

Leading the Cheer

Rita McClenny, President and CEO of VirginiaTourism page 4

Legislative Staffpage 9 First to Welcomepage 20 Be Our Guestpage 24


Winter 2013

INSIDE

VIRGINIA

Leading the Cheer

Q U A R T E R L Y

M A G A Z I N E

WINTER 2013 ISSUE


Leading the Cheer: Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism . . . . . . . 4

200 Years

Meet the Capitol Police K-9 Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Lets Celebrate 200 Years of Virginia Tradition! . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Being a Good Neighbor Can Be Very Rewarding . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Legislative Staff: Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, Policy Directors & Counsel . . . . . . 9 What is an LA? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Legislative Staff

LA Reflections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Kanawha Valley Arena: Dugspur Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 VITAL First to Welcome, Last to be Recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Visions of the Commonwealth: The Photography of Wanda Judd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Kanawha Valley

Stuart Blackwell, Capitol Squares Unsung Hero for Almost Fifty Years. . . . . 22 Be Our Guestfor This Week in Richmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Arts & Culture Essential for Great Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Visions of the Commonwealth: The Photography of Wanda Judd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Senator Hopkins John W. Russell: State Senator and City of Fairfax Mayor Tribute To Delegate Joseph William Billy OBrien

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Last to be Recognized

20
Be Our Guest

On The Web www.vccqm.org


Volume 19 Number 1 Issue EditorBrennan Long EditorKristen Bailey-Hardy Feature WriterLydia Freeman InternLauren Fells PublisherDavid Bailey Art DirectorJohn Sours School DistributionKristen Bailey-Hardy AdvertisingAds@CapitolSquare.com PrinterClinch Valley Printing Virginia Capitol Connections Quarterly Magazine (ISSN 1076-4577) is published by: Virginia Capitol Connections 1001 East Broad Street Suite 215 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 643-5554 Copyright 2013,Virginia Capitol Connections, Inc. All rights reserved. The views expressed in the articles of Virginia Capitol Connections Quarterly Magazine, a non-partisan publication, are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

24

Leading the Cheer


Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism

The cheer begins:

L-O-V-E: Virginia is for lovers

In Virginia, it is already cold. People are huddled together, hands clutching thermoses of hot chocolate and coffee, as they sit in the stands watching the football game. Below them, cheerleaders stand in line, leading the crowd in cheers for the team. They smile and tumble, dance and fly, gathering support for the team on the field. Rita McClenny, the newly appointed President and CEO of Virginia Tourism, was once one of those girls. At that time, cheerleading taught her how to impart her passion and build support for a team; now this same lesson from cheerleading has allowed her to impart her passion and build support for the state of Virginia. McClenny was born in Southampton County in eastern Virginia. As a life-long Virginian, she was raised with a dedication and love for the state, making it easy for her to fall into her new role. My love and dedication to Virginia makes this the ideal job, said McClenny. I love having an opportunity to promote Virginia to the world because Virginia is for lovers. That brand, Virginia is for Lovers, has been in existence for 43 years. It has become a cheer for the state because, as McClenny said, the brand has awareness worldwide. Virginia is for lovers, said McClenny. We are using love at the heart of every Virginia vacation.

Curiosity is something that can push and excite someone to try new things, McClenny said. I think in Virginia we have so many new things to offer. People can have a diverse and varied experience. From the mountains in the west to the beaches in the east, from historical sites to shopping, from the arts to Busch Gardens, Virginia has a variety of experiences for everyone to try. Beyond that, McClenny shared the importance of making the state known for its specialties, like Virginia oysters on the east coast. We want Virginia oysters to be the best oysters on the east coast, McClenny said. We want Virginia to be known for oysters. Creating a reputation sparks curiosity, and curiosity has a drawing appeal that will cause people to desire the experience.

F-I-L-M: Virginia is for film

C-U-R-I-O-S-I-T-Y:
Virginia is for curiosity
While attending Fisk University, McClenny said that she learned valuable lessons like perseverance and the importance of learning. But she also found a zest for life and a desire for new experiences. She found what she calls the appeal of curiosity. McClenny herself enjoys a variety of activities, such as playing polo and tennis, and shooting sporting clays. All her interests and her desire to try new things taught her about this appeal.
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In August of 1987, a classic film was released: Dirty Dancing. The story featured a girl falling in love with the dance instructor of a summer resort. For Virginia, the importance of that resort is that it exists within the state. People today can still visit Mountain Lake and relive the setting of the familiar film. But for Virginia, the film industry did not stop with dancing. Steven Spielbergs historical film, Lincoln, was brought to theaters at the end of 2012, and rather than being filmed in Hollywood, it was filmed in the capital of Virginia: Richmond. The Capitol grounds were the back lot of much of the filming, McClenny said. When it was decided that Lincoln would be filmed in Virginia, McClenny was the director of the film office. Recruiting a film is competitive, she said. The decision to film in Virginia was nine years in the making. We had to present it to DreamWorks, Spielbergs company, and to Kathleen Kennedy. We had to present to them that Virginia had history and authenticity, as well as a deep wealth of talent. We had to show them that all those assets were right here in Virginia. We had to show them that Virginia was the perfect location. That was the story we built to convince them that Virginia was the place to tell Lincolns story. McClenny said that Virginia is an appealing location for filmmakers. The diverse typography, four centuries of history, and locations that can

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

By LyDIA FrEEMAN

match the time frame of any setting work together for filmmakers to have it all. With Spielberg being such a renowned and highly regarded filmmaker, people will trust his decisions, McClenny said. They will see the film and say, Wow, this is what you can find in Virginia. McClenny also mentioned that Unanswered Prayers, a film based on the Garth Brooks song, was also filmed in Virginia. That film, in contrast with Lincoln, showed a more contemporary version of the state. It opens the door for locations all across the Commonwealth, McClenny said. And while McClenny couldnt share names, she did admit to some hot prospects for films in the next few years.

S-P-O-R-T-S: Virginia is for sports

For 20 years, Ritas passion and dedication as Director of the Virginia Film Office brought a such works as John Adams, The New World, Cold Mountain, and Lincoln to Virginia, adding billions to our economy. I know she will bring the same tireless energy to the Virginia Tourism Corporation and its growing industry. Delegate Jennifer McClellan Rita is a champion of the tourism industry. With her can-do spirit and proven record of success in the Film Office, she has already made great contributions to our Commonwealth. It will be no surprise to me that she will continue to find new achievements in her role at VTC. Delegate Chris Peace I have truly enjoyed working with Rita McClenny since my first days in the legislature when she met with me as the director of the Virginia Film Office. Rita helped me understand how Virginias tourism industry generates over $20 billion in revenue, supports over 207,000 jobs and provides $1.32 billion in state and local taxes. Rita has dedicated much of her professional career to the Commonwealth, and I cant imagine a better suited person to lead this important initiative for our Commonwealth, and I look forward to continuing our partnership. Delegate Mark Keam

Rumors of drawing a major sports franchise to the state have been circulating. McClenny said the state is interested in the sports entertainment industry. We are involved in many facets of promoting sporting opportunities as entertainment in Virginia, McClenny said. Professional teams bring that excitement and a real draw for people to come for sporting events and extend their stay awhile in state. Part of our attractiveness to sporting teams is our location; we have a proximity to dense areas of population, and that is important when franchises are looking at any location. They want to be close to large numbers of people who could become fans. They want easy access through transportation system via highways, trains, air, cars, etc. All modes of transportation are important to a national sporting franchise. And it is important for Virginia to have vast transportation modes of moving people quickly to their desired destination.

V-I-S-I-O-N: Virginia is for vision

Martin Briley, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, has know McClenny for 25 years, and he believes having her in this position can only benefit the state. Ms. McClennys appointment of Virginia tourism is applauded by all of us in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Briley said. Ive known Rita for 25 years and have seen nothing except stellar performance on a weekly basis. She has displayed true leadership and is taking us to next generation in the film industry. I fully expect her to continue that in the tourism division as well. McClennys vision for Virginia tourism is a guiding force forward, giving her a goal to work toward. She sees Virginia as a hospitable, welcoming place where people make memories that they can share with their friends and families for a lifetime. My vision is to have tourism as a welcoming open door for adventure, McClenny said. And with that sense of adventure, our compelling marketing and advertising, and really knowing Virginia products, we are making Virginia very inviting. We take our spirit of teamwork and customer service, and we spread that wherever we go. We think this is not only good for tourists, but for businesses looking to move here and people who want to move here. This can impact the state as a whole. With this kind of vision, McClenny is leading the state towards her vision. She wants Virginia to be a place that is known. She is lifting up her voice and leading Virginians, tourists, and the people in the stands in the familiar cheer:

David L. Bailey
DBailey@CapitolSquare.com 804.643.5554 Cell 804.405.8108

WWW.DAVIDBAILEY
1001 EAST BROAD STREET

ASSOCIATES.COM

Virginia is for lovers.

The cheer is echoing.


Lydia Freeman is a student at Bluefield College who interned during the summer of 2011.V

SUITE 215 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219


804.643.5554

INTEGRITYEXPERIENCE RELATIONSHIPS

DAVID BAILEY ASSOCIATESCapitol Square Group

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

Meet the Capitol Police K-9 Unit


By SEcurITy OffIcEr JANE SpArks

Employees and visitors to Capitol Square will likely see the uniformed officers of the Division of Capitol Police whether on duty in state buildings or patrolling the Capitol grounds and other properties for which they are responsible. Another group of fourlegged individuals is also vital to Colonel Anthony S. Pike stands the success of maintaining a safe on the Capitol steps with Atos, and secure environment for those a Brindle German Shepherd from who work in and visit the Capitol Marburg, Germany. District the Division of Capitol Police K-9 Unit. The Capitol Police canines are always on call. The Divisions K-9 Unit was formed in December 2000 and currently consists of three police dogs and two canine handlers. These dogs are specially trained to detect various types of explosives, and each dog is certified through the Virginia Police Work Dog Association. Along with their handlers, they provide an added level of security from threats that are becoming more prevalent in todays world. A typical K-9 workday begins early with the dogs handler conducting security sweeps of state buildings and grounds. The K-9 officers also conduct maintenance training where the dogs are allowed to find a hidden target. When the dog sniffs the explosive odor, he sits. He is then rewarded by being allowed to play with his favorite toy. Though the dog treats each search as a game, it is a serious and necessary job. Officer Sean Chaulklins partner is K-9 Cheno, a 10-yearold Belgian Shepherd. Cheno was donated to the Division in 2008 and was previously assigned to U.S. Customs. Cheno will be retiring from active service in a just a few months. Fifteen-month-old Gunner, another Belgian Shepherd, was also donated to the Capitol Police and is being trained by Officer Chaulklin to take over Chenos duties. Gunner will carry on the tradition, as his family has a history of working as police dogs. Atos is a three-year-old Brindle German Shepherd from Marburg, Germany. He is also certified under the U.S. Police Canine Association in explosives/firearm detection. His handler is Officer Brian Alexander, who gives Atos his basic commands in German. Officer Alexander said that Atos is the best working dog he has ever had. In 2011, the Divisions K-9 Unit conducted 557 utilizations, including 8 bomb threats and 35 assists to other police agencies. In addition to their daily duties, the DCP K-9 Unit has performed numerous demonstrations for schools (a favorite) and at special events. At the seat of state government, the Divisions K-9 Unit plays a critical role in fulfilling the Divisions mission of providing progressive law enforcement and security services to Virginias government officials, employees, citizens of the Commonwealth and its visitors.V
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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

By SArAH ScArbrougH

For two centuries 54 governors have embraced Virginias Executive Mansion as a home for their families. This year marks the bicentennial anniversary of the Governors Mansion and this is undoubtedly a cause for commemorative festivities! An atmosphere of celebration will abound in 2013 as Governor and Mrs. McDonnell spread the excitement of this historic milestone across the state of Virginia. This year will include a birthday bash in Capitol Square, a stunning full-length documentary, premier parties around the state, and the Governor and First Lady invite you to join them. The Mansions website will be updated with dates, times, and details (www.executivemansion.virginia.gov). When Governor Barbour moved into the Mansion in 1813, his office was located on the first floor, when the house was open for guests to just walk in and have a seat in the hall while they waited to meet with the Governor. Often, members of the General Assembly and Virginia citizens would walk in and make themselves at home. Whether they had official business with the Governor or just wanted to help themselves to gin punch that was always available in a punch bowl. In the tradition and spirit of the early governors, Governor and Mrs. McDonnell will welcome all citizens of the Commonwealth to a 200th birthday party for the Mansion in Capitol Square on March 16, 2013. While there will be no gin punch in the punch bowl like Governor Barbour served, there will be plenty of opportunities for celebration with games, military bands, and more. Following the party will be a movie on the lawn, featuring the full-length Mansion documentary, First House, produced in partnership with Blue Ridge PBS and Appeal Production.

The documentary, First House, is a companion piece to the Mansions official book of the bicentennial, First House: Two Centuries with Virginias First Families, written by Mary Theobald and with an introduction by David Baldacci. It reveals a behind the scenes, if the walls could talk look at what goes on inside the Executive Mansion. The exciting film also features interviews with governors, first ladies, employees, and children of past and present governorseach has a unique story to tell about their time spent in this historic house. The Executive Mansion is the only historic home that belongs to the citizens of Virginia and it is the only historic home that has been the center of state entertaining for 200 years. The Executive Mansion is the peoples house and the doors are open to you, so come for a visit, enjoy the documentary and help us celebrate 200 years of Virginia tradition!V

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

Being a Good Neighbor Can Be Very Rewarding


By JoE ElToN, STATE PArks DIrEcTor and CHIp KrAMEr, PArks MAINTENANcE MANAgEr

Hurricane Sandy became the largest Atlantic hurricane on record with winds spanning 1,100 miles. Its damage has been estimated at more than $70 billion with more than 250 lives lost and we have now developed a profound respect for Atlantic hurricanes. While Hurricane Isabel in 2003 represents our literal and figurative high water mark with a big storm, we have learned that much smaller storms can have a tremendous impact. Our storm related preparations have become institutionalized in our General Orders and participation in the state Incident Command System. We have become practiced in responding to natural disasters and we benefit from a well coordinated statewide effort. We know that hurricane impacts to state parks often require teams from around the state to pitch in to help with clean up and recovery. As you might expect, the paper work alone related to any Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claim is exacting and time consuming. Virginia was braced and ready for Sandy and we were blessed this time to have less than $200,000 in damages to state parks. On the other hand, it was clear that Maryland, New York and New Jersey would not be so fortunate. When the threat to Virginia had passed, several staff posed the question would it be possible for us to send response teams out-of-state? We got a green light up line and when we contacted New Jersey State Parks, they were ecstatic to accept our help. We had teams of certified sawyers and skid steer operators ready to go. Virginias team, consisting of nine individuals was deployed to Stokes State Forest on Sunday, November 11th. When our team arrived, the New Jersey State Parks staff appeared to be exhausted and dejected. We were driven around the park and shown the damage and where we would begin our work. As the week progressed, the emotional tide began to turn. By Thursday afternoon it was visible on the faces of the NJ park staff that they now believed that they would recover. Witnessing this shift in confidence was easily one of the most rewarding experiences. A common trait that runs deep through the Virginia State Park family is the desire to serve. In this case we were helping our northern neighbors get a campground open, a place where people go to find that special therapeutic tonic for the mind, body and spirit in the great outdoors.V

Virginia park rangers join New Jersey hurricane Sandy recovery effort.
VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

Legislative Staff

ASSISTaNTS, CHIEFS OF STaFF, POLIcY DIREcTORS & COUNSEL


What is an LA?
By BrENNAN LoNg

When constituents call the offices of busy delegates and senators, they are often greeted by legislative aides, the legislators knowledgeable right-hand men and women. These aides are not just responsible for answering the phones or responding to emails, they are at times an extension of the legislators themselves, acting as an extra set of hands to get the job done for the state of Virginia. This could mean researching legislative issues, filing requests, tracking legislation and at times attending events with or in place of the legislator. As legislators are notoriously busy running from committee meetings to session at the Capitol to This Week in Richmond tapings at the General Assembly Building, the legislative aide must keep commitments on the calendars organized. With so many deadlines, people and procedures you do your best to help your boss look good, stay on schedule, and connect all the dots, said Holly Herman legislative aide to Senator Emmett Hanger since 1997. It takes about three Sessions to just realize what all you have missed while you were thinking you were on top of all your tasks. Legislative aides are not only required to have the organizational skills of the very best assistant, but they also must handle the legislators public relations. Aides write press releases to send to local newspapers and newsletters to send to the legislators districts back home. In addition, todays technology savvy aides must monitor the legislators Twitter and Facebook accounts as well as websites. Some legislative aides that have been working at the General Assembly for many years have had the opportunity to see the position change as technology evolves.

When I arrived at the General Assembly, all correspondence was conducted via letter: drafting requests, budget amendments, everything, said Allison Baird, legislative aide to Senator John Edwards. Fax machines were a game-changerI remember how excited I was to be able to fax in drafting requests! The legislature has come a long way from the days of paper filing and this year the legislative drafting system will allow legislators and aides to file legislation with the Clerks office online for the first time. Before the dawn of email and the Internet, mail was delivered to the General Assembly Building three times a day. Today stacks of hundreds of letters and postcards have transformed into digital inboxes full of emails. Emails can be a blessing and a curse. When a topic heats up it is overwhelming to open your email box to find up to 1,000 emails a day. And with only the delegate and legislative aide to answer, that process can be mind boggling, said Judy Wyatt, aide to Delegate Steve Landes. Despite the changes in technology, the legislative aides continue to work hard to help their legislators and they are not afraid to reach across party lines to get the job done. Two things have not changed over my years at the General Assembly: the willingness of Senate legislative aideswhether Republican or Democratto help each other, and the dedication the Senate Clerks Office and Legislative Services have to making our offices run smoothly, Baird said. Paperor electronicage, this is a team that never loses focus on the important service we render to our great Commonwealth. Brennan Long is a junior at the University of Richmond. She is majoring in Journalism and minoring in French at the university.V

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

Legislative Staff
Farah Ahmad
House Jackson Miller

Allison Baeuchler
House Michael Watson

Debra Belcher
House Brenda Pogge

Carrie Ann Alford


Senate Toddy Puller

Alison Baird
Senate John Edwards

Michael Belefski
House Thomas Rust

Brittany Anderson
Senate Mark Herring

Karen Barrett
House Algie Howell

Yovonda Bellamy
Senate Kenneth Alexander

Sally Antonelli
Senate John Watkins

Gayle Barts

House Donald Merricks

Pat Bennett
House Riley Ingram

Trent Armitage
House Mark Sickles

Eric Bateman
House Nick Rush

Carmen Bingham
House David Toscano

Jameson Babb
House Peter Farrell

Carter Batey

Senate George Barker

Pat Blaszak
House Kirk Cox

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

ASSISTaNTS, CHIEFS
Tempestt Boone
House Mamye BaCote

OF

STaFF, POLIcY DIREcTORS & COUNSEL


Susan Clark
House Chris Jones

Aurelian Braun
House Joseph Yost

Sam Bosch
Senate Adam Ebbin

Kristin Brawley
House Rick Morris

Fred Clarke
House Kaye Kory

Jessica Bowman
House Lynwood Lewis

Cindy Bridgman

House J. Randall Minchew

Julie Coggsdale
House Chris Peace

Jennifer Boyd

David Brown
House David Toscano

Adrienne Cole

Senate Phillip P. Puckett

House Rosalyn R. Dance

Shelia Bradley
House James Edmunds

Ashley Chiera
House Gordon Helsel

Christie New Craig


House John Cosgrove

Valerie Braxton-Williams
Senate Henry Marsh

Andrew C. Clark
House Scott Lingamfelter

Patti Dempsey
Senate Steve Newman

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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Legislative Staff
Jordan Dix
House Rob Bell

Bill Flanagan
House Kirk Cox

Chad Funkhouser
House Tony Wilt

Mary P. Dooley
House Patrick Hope

Jay Ford

Senate Ralph Northam

Savanna Funkhouser
House Richard Bell

Nancy Duke
House Joe May

Buddy Fowler
House John Cox

Ryan Galloway
House Rich Anderson

Antonio Elias
House Betsy Carr

Mary Franklin
House Danny Marshall

Claire Gardner
House Bob Marshall

Tracy Eppard
Senate Creigh Deeds

Gary R. Frink
House Todd Gilbert

Jessica Goodman
House Barbara Comstock

Ann Fitzgibbon
House Daun Hester

Jeanne Frink
House Todd Gilbert

Dean Goodson
House Tim Hugo

12

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

ASSISTaNTS, CHIEFS
George Goodwin
Senate Thomas Garrett

OF

STaFF, POLIcY DIREcTORS & COUNSEL


Cindy Hosmer
Senate Frank Ruff

Dale Hendon

House Mark Dudenhefer

Meg Graham
House Jimmie Massie

Joel Hensley

House Michael Webert

Megan Howard
House Scott Surovell

Jill Greenberg
House Bob Purkey

Holly Herman
Senate Emmett Hanger

Vickie Hull
House Tim Hugo

Marty Hall

House Will Morefield

Stuart Higley
Senate Bill Carrico

Cori Inman
House Dave Albo

Mike Hazlewood
House Keith Hodges

Carrie Hoffmann
House Ron Villanueva

Shawneequa James
House Jeion Ward

L. Gail Henderson
Senate Louise Lucas

Jacob Holmes
House Israel OQuinn

Eric Johnson

House David Ramadan

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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Legislative Staff
Elizabeth Jones
House Robert K. Krupicka Jr.

Chris Lore

Senate Richard Black

Archer McGiffin
House John OBannon

Jediah Jones

Senate Donald McEachin

Tristan MacDonald
House Onzlee Ware

Garrett McGuire
House Eileen Filler-Corn

Julia Kim

House Mark Keam

Nicole Manley
House Ben Cline

Brent McKenzie
Senate Dave Marsden

Stefanie Kitchen
House Peter Farrell

David Mattera
House Betsy Carr

Marti Meersman
House Jim LeMunyon

Betty Lou Layne


House Lacey Putney

John Matthews

House Anne Crockett-Stark

Gerald T. Miller
House Terry Kilgore

Patricia Lewis
Senate Richard Stuart

Emily Mazich
Senate John Miller

Sheryl Moody Reddington

House Johnny Joannou

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

ASSISTaNTS, CHIEFS
Carolyn Morris
Senate Ryan McDougle

OF

STaFF, POLIcY DIREcTORS & COUNSEL


Al Pianalto
House Kirk Cox

Brian OConnor
Senate Bill Stanley

Janet Muldoon
Senate Richard Saslaw

Sarah Owen
House Scott Garrett

Kevin Poindexter
House Margaret Ransone

Kathy Neilson
Senate Chap Petersen

Jean Payne

House Edward Scott

Memory Porter
House Joe May

Phil Newell
House Luke Torian

Christie CJ Pegram
House Bob Tata

Kristy Pullen
House Ken Plum

Carter Nichols
House Joe Morrissey

Eric Philipkosky
House Roxann Robinson

Cindy Rhodes

House Christopher Stolle

Ashley Nixon
Senate Bryce Reeves

Abbey Philips

House Jennifer McClellan

Sandy Richards
House Barry Knight

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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Legislative Staff
Sherry Richardson
House Kathy Byron

Susan Johnston Rowland


House Lionell Spruill

Deborah Sherman
House Vivian Watts

Zachary Rickard
House Charniele Herring

David Russell
Senate Mamie Locke

Carol Sinclair
House Thomas Rust

Erik Rison

House Greg Habeeb

Susanne Saddington
Senate John Watkins

Nancy Snead
House Tommy Wright

Kathy Roberts
House Bill Howell

Katherine Schoonover
House Sal Iaquinto

Kalia Sokos

Senate Thomas K. Norment

Brittney Robinson
Senate Thomas Garrett

Lisa Scott

Arlene Spinelli
Senate Barbara Favola

House Edward Scott

Kim Rollins

House Matthew James

Samantha Sedivy

Senate Thomas K. Norment

Tricia Stiles
Senate Jill Vogel

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

ASSISTaNTS, CHIEFS
Karol Straub
Senate Janet Howell

OF

STaFF, POLIcY DIREcTORS & COUNSEL


Jordyn Web
Senate Bill Stanley

Alex Thorup

House Charles Poindexter

Karen Stuber
House Mark Cole

Aaron Tilton
House Matt Fariss

Scott Weldon
House David Yancey

Dave Suetterlein
Senate Ralph Smith

Kelly Tsiptsis
House Kirk Cox

Brittany West
House Joseph Yost

Cheryl Swartz

House Beverly Sherwood

Becky Van Brackle


House Joseph Johnson

Keith Westbrook
House Delores McQuinn

Dylan Sweeney

House Charniele Herring

Jared Walczak
Senate Mark Obenshain

Lana Westfall
House Tag Greason

Andrea Tetreault
House Jim Scott

Mary Beth Washington


House Roslyn Tyler

Vicki Wilson
Senate Frank Wagner

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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Legislative Staff
Sarah Ashley Wright
Senate Stephen Martin

ASSISTaNTS, CHIEFS Not Pictured


Mike Benefiel
House David Ramadan Senate Walter Stosch House Lee Ware

OF

STaFF, POLIcY DIREcTORS & COUNSEL

Renee Hudson
House Bobby Orrock

Jason Stanford
House Alfonso Lopez Senate Harry Blevins House Kirk Cox

Karla Williams Boughey David A. Bovenizer Abbi Easter

Joan Hyde
House Bob Brink

Karen Papasodora-Cochrane Camm Tyler Peggy Tyree-Wells


Senate Charles Colgan House David Bulova House Robert Brink

Kate Kurk
House Bill Howell House Bob Brink House John Cox

Judy Wyatt

Senate Donald McEachin

Severin Odic Pat Powell B .J. Robertson


House Chris Head

House Steve Landes

Christen Smith Faatz


Senate Jeff McWaters House Bob Tata

Rama Van Pelt Aileen C. Whitfill

Stacie Gordon Linda Gross

House Manoli Loupassi

Cheryl Simmons
Senate Jeff McWaters

LA Reflections
Allison Baird
Legislative Aide to Senator John Edwards
The most dramatic change in the legislative aides job in recent years has been the rapid transition to electronic correspondence. In the mid-1990s, the General Assembly was still paper-driven. Mail arrived three times every day, with hundreds of letters in each delivery. Today, letters are rare, but our Senate Office receives as many as 1,000 emails per day. When I arrived at the General Assembly, all correspondence was conducted via letter: drafting requests, budget amendments, everything. We submitted legislation re-draft requests and amendments as paper printout, sometimes even typed on a typewriter! Fax machines were a game-changerI remember how excited I was to be able to fax in drafting requests! Email requests streamlined our processes again, and this year our legislative drafting system will allow us to file legislation with the Clerks office online for the first time. The Senate pages used to spend hours each day updating the bill books that lined the top of the credenza in every aides office. Though manual updating was a grind, we got to know the pages better then than we do today. To look up legislation, we had to pull the paper bill from the correct bill book. Two things have not changed over my years at the General Assembly: the willingness of Senate legislative aides whether Republican or Democrat to help each other, and the dedication the Senate Clerks Office and Legislative Services have to making our offices run smoothly. Paperor electronic-age, this is a team that never loses focus on the important service we render to our great Commonwealth. Emails can be a blessing and a curse. Agency heads may now communicate quickly with legislators and aides to help resolve constituent concerns instead of going through a minimum of 30 days to turn around snail mail. Of course, when a topic heats up it is overwhelming to open your email box to find up to 1000 emails a day! And with only the delegate and legislative aide to answer, that process can be mind boggling! The other huge change is the amount of online petitions. The constituent signs up to send a form blanket letter to the delegate saying I signed this petition. All the letters look exactly alike with no personal input from the person. That method of lobbying is not effective as emailing or calling your delegate to convey your personal concerns.

Holly Wyatt Herman

Legislative Aide to Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.


My first legislative session was January 1997, I had already worked half a year for the Senator but nothing prepares you for the rush of Session! It takes about three Sessions to just realize what all you have missed while you were thinking you were on top of all your tasks! With so many deadlines, people, and procedures you do your best to help your boss look good, stay on schedule, and connect all the dots. This will be my 17thSession and it is truly addictive but exhausting! Stacks of postcards from constituent groups piled waist high have been replaced by emails. Emails were brand new then so they were manageable and now we can get thousands a week from all over the world. Fax machines were the ultimate high-tech gadget then, now my prized assistant is an iPad. As a former reporter, I still like carrying a couple pens and a notebook everywhere and nothing beats a good, old-fashion conversation and looking someone in the eyes! We worked on about the same amount of legislation but now the filing, tracking, amending and even voting processes have changed to be more expedited, transparent, and trackable. And with our website posting every move, constituents and lobbyists can move as fast as we can to see the results of all our efforts!V

Judith W. (Judy) Wyatt

Legislative Aide to Delegate R. Steven Landes


Since coming to work for Delegate Steve Landes in 2001, the biggest change has come about with the way constituents contact us. People used to call or write letters, but with the popularity of email that now seems to be the preferred source of communication.

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

By BrookE BrowN

Dugspur Virginia
As an entrepreneur from the big city of Charlotte, North Carolina, Tommy Brown dreamed to have a vacation home in the mountains. In the Spring of 1991 he came across a run-down home nestled in the hills of Virginia, but he saw much more than a neglected, shabby home. He saw a project. After years of remodeling, the home has become a growing investment property called The Stillhouse Manor. Once Stillhouse had been completed and turned into a rental home, Mr. Brown began pursuing a new dream. In 1998 he purchased Kanawha Valley, which is located in the small town of Dugspur, Virginia. The property was nothing more than a barn and land. As he began to think about what he really wanted to do with this new property, he had an idea. He could create his own Cowboy Town. He started to repair and remodel the barn, by adding an addition with multiple stalls. Next, he had the Carriage House built. It holds carriages such as the Cinderella Carriage, Hearse Carriage and the most popular the Wells Fargo Stage Coach along with many others. The name Kanawha Valley began to spread throughout Dugspur, Hillsville and Galax. People came to see Mr. Browns carriages. They began to call, asking if they could come and camp, bring their horses and ride the trails for the weekend. Being a fellow horse enthusiast, Mr. Brown had no problem with people coming, but he had a vision of a way at that he could use his property to bring revenue to Dugspur and the surrounding towns and maybe help other local organizations. He quickly added full hookup sites to the back part of the property, built a rodeo arena with full blown bucking shoots and to top it off, one of the nicest concession/food areas around with bathrooms and showers also located on the property. Shortly after this vision the first Wagon Train event was formed with all proceeds going to the St. Judes Childrens Hospital. More events were scheduled such as the VA High School Rodeo Finals, Diesel Truck Pulls, Mud Bogs, and ATV Rodeos. Mr. Brown also hosted educational events like a Civil War Re-Enactment and he invited many of the surrounding schools to attend. As Kanwaha Valleys has grown in the past few years, Mr. Brown has tried to give back to his community. As a Shriner and Mason, he donates a part of his proceeds from every event. In addition to St. Judes Childrens Hospital, he has helped many other charities as well as people that are in need. Just in the last few years Mr. Brown has built the Carriage House Saloon and the Bank. He continues to think of new ideas of how he can improve the Kanawha Valley Arena and expand his Cowboy Town. As long as there are people who are intrigued and interested in what KVA has to offer and what it can do for its local community then it will continue to grow bigger and better each year. Please visit our websites for more information: www.virginiarodeo.com www.visitstillhouse.com V

FutureLaw, L.L.C.
John G. Chip Dicks Martin K. Johnson Sarah D. Dicks Timothy S. Reiniger Roger G. Bowers
1802 Bayberry Court Suite 403 Richmond, Virginia 23226 Phone: 804-836-1980 888-252-6299 Fax: 804-225-5508 Website: www.futurelaw.net E-mail: martin@futurelaw.net
VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

19

VITAL

First to Welcome, Last to be Recognized

By WIllIAM H. LEIgHTy

It would be ridiculous to argue that the original Virginia colonists did not encounter native people: American Indians. But did you know that none of the Virginia tribes have been recognized by the United States? It is as if the federal government of the United States decided that maybe those native people werent really here first after all, but they were here. A lack of official recognition doesnt change the centuries of history these tribes have in our state, nor the many contributions these tribes have made to the history of Virginia and this Nation. You may know these people as members of your local church, your co-workers or your friends. They are members of the Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Monacan, Nansemond, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi tribes. And all they want is to finally be recognized by the federal government. Have you heard about this issue before? Are you wondering why its still even an issue? Well, its a complicated history but a simple answer: they lack the proper documentation to be recognized as official American Indians. That is ironic. The US government is asking the tribes that were here when the Europeans arrived to document their existence! It should be enough that these tribes lived in Virginia for over 12,000 years before the first colonists arrived. But its not. That is because the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requires a certain amount of documents before official acknowledgement can be granted. The tribe members dont have that documentation, and its not because they werent Virginia natives. In 1677 the six tribes ceased hostilities with the Virginia colonists and signed the Treaty of Middle Plantation, a treaty between the leaders of the Virginia tribes and England. Because these tribes were non-hostile and had signed treaties, it meant that the existence of the tribes went undetected when the United States became a nation in 1776. Since the treaties were signed with England, and not the United States, the new federal government did not recognize the treaty as official. Unlike the many other tribes to sign treaties subsequent to the formation of the United States, the Virginia tribes were not recognized by treaty as their counterparts in the western states were. These tribes, from the beginning, were the first to welcome the colonists, but are among the last in line to receive any recognition. Unfortunately, the tribes willingness to live peacefully with Virginias colonists is exactly why they have been unrecognized since the nations birth. But despite this unfair situation, the few records of the American Indians in Virginia did exist, and were housed in eight courthouses throughout the Commonwealth. These records might have helped to provide enough documentation for official recognition by the BIA but the complete destruction of six of the eight courthouses during the Civil War also destroyed much of the tribes official documentation.

Delegate Chris Peace Chief Ken Adams, Upper Mattaponi Tribe

Senator Jim Webb & Chief Ken Adams

VPVirginia Government and External Affairs

Donald L. Ratliff

Alpha Natural Resources One Alpha Place Bristol, VA 24202 P.O. Box 16429 Bristol, VA 24209 276.619.4479 (office) 276.623.2891 (fax) 276.275.1423 (cell) dratliff@alphanr.com www.alphanr.com

The tribes were punished again in the 20th century, for simply existing. Their culture, history and pride were insulted completely when the Virginia Racial Integrity Act was passed in 1924 upon the urging of Walter Plecker, the first Registrar of Virginias Bureau of Vital Statistics and founder of the Anlgo Saxon Club of America. Plecker instituted the one drop rule. The official policy of Virginia stated that residents could only be one of two races: white or colored. And a single drop of non-white blood meant you were colored. All other races, including American Indian, were declared to be non-existent. For the five decades that the Racial Integrity Act was in place the tribal members were not permitted to put the race of American Indian on birth and marriage certificates. Several Virginia Indians were jailed when drafted during World War I and World War II for insisting that they were American Indian. Other Virginia Indians reported to military entrance stations outside of Virginia so they could have American Indian on their dog tags. In the five decades of these policies, the history of Virginias first residents, who agreed to peacefully share the state with the colonists, was wiped out. Under the Racial Integrity Act American Indian tribes in Virginia werent just unrecognized, every attempt was made to ensure their existence was completely obliterated. Some call this type of action paper genocide. The tribe members may have been allowed to live, but on paper their entire culture was officially wiped out. The Virginia Racial Integrity Act had other consequence to the Tribes as well. Their children were taken from them and sent to schools away from their families so that they could not learn the Indian ways. After grade eight, they were denied formal education and those who wished to go further in education had to travel outside of Virginia or be educated at schools run by the tribes themselves, often with the assistance of friendly churches. College? Out of the question. Many Virginia tribal members have in their possession letters from some of Virginias most revered higher education instructions that explicitly state, because of your race, we cannot admit you. Many of todays Virginia tribal leaders were educated at Bacone College, a traditional Indian College located on Muskogee, Oklahoma. But that was not all. Virginia also set out an aggressive plan to sterilize the women of the Virginia tribes to prevent the birth of additional children. This practice was most prevalent with the Monacan Tribe located in Amherst County, Virginia. See VITAL, continued on page 22

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

Visions of the Commonwealth


THE PHOtOGRAPHY OF WANDA JUDD

www.wandajudd.com

Call to Order, by the Honorable Charles Judd, Chair State Board of Elections Donald Palmer, State Board of Elections Secretary; Robin Lind, representing local Electoral Boards; and Charles Judd, Chair State Board of Elections Senator Mark Warner addressing the College

Honorable William Mims, Virginia Supreme Court Justice, who administered the Oath to the Electors, and Neil A. Judd 2012 Page from Jefferson Forest High School, Lynchburg Virginia

The official Electoral College ballot, signed by the Electors, and sent to the President of the U.S. Senate

Virginias 2012 Electorsthe people who actually cast the votesnominated by the candidates political party. The electoral college dates back to 1787.
VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

21

Stuart Blackwell, Capitol Squares Unsung Hero for Almost Fifty Years

By SusAN PollArD

Left to right: Joseph F. Damico, Deputy Director, Department of General Services; Stuart Blackwell, Grounds Supervisor, Unsung Heroes Award Recipient; Niraj Verma, Director and Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University; Governor L. Douglas Wilder

Virginias Capitol Square, a state and national treasure, is renowned for its history and splendor. Throughout the years millions of visitors, state employees and elected officials have admired its beauty. The Square has changed over time. People have come and gone and buildings have been vacated, renovated and reoccupied, but there has been at least one constant working on the grounds making sure everything is properly maintained. As a member of a hard working and dedicated grounds and maintenance team, Stuart Blackwell has been a steady force working in the Square and tending to its needs for almost five decades. In December 2012, Stuart Blackwells dedication and commitment to Virginias Capitol Square was recognized by Virginia Commonwealth Universitys L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Nominated by the Department of General Services, Blackwell was presented the Unsung Heroes Award at the Excellence in Virginia Government Awards luncheon held at the Marriott on Broad Street. With a large crowd in attendance, Blackwell addressed the audience thanking everyone who had helped him. He stated he did not know how much grass he had mowed or how much snow he had shoveled or leaves he had blown, but he knew one thinghe had enjoyed every bit of it. Blackwell received a standing ovation for his speech. It was April 16, 1963 and Stuart Blackwell, 20, was looking for a job. Having grown up on a farm in Buckingham County, Blackwell

was eager to put his knowledge of agriculture to use. He went to the Commonwealth of Virginias employment office looking for work. He was hired immediately and started work the same day as a wage employee for Virginias Department of General Services making $1.25 an hour. The next year he was hired as a full-time classified employee. Maintaining 13 acres in the City of Richmond, especially if it is Capitol Square, is no easy feat. Responsible for the landscaping of the Capitol Square complex, Blackwell has worked in all weather conditions, making sure every blade of grass is mowed, every sidewalk is edged, every flowerbed is tended to, and every leaf is gathered up. From cutting and fertilizing the lawn to regularly pruning trees and shrubs and changing the plantings in the Square. From making sure his crew completes their tasks to installing and ensuring the hardscape (brick walkways) is maintained and repaired. Blackwell enjoys his work as a Grounds Supervisor. What started as a job developed into a lifelong career at the Department of General Services, Bureau of Facilities Management. With an eye for detail, knowledge of horticulture, and dedication to Capitol Square; Blackwell arrives for work everyday at 7:00 a.m., 45 minutes before his shift starts. He has been known to work on landscape projects on his own time. The maintenance and upkeep of Capitol Square isnt necessary just during the warm part of the year, but also in the very cold months. Making sure the pedestrian walkways are treated before the bad weather begins and keeping walkways clear during storms are more of Blackwells responsibilities. He takes these responsibilities very seriously, which helps keep workers and visitors safe. When it snows and nobody in Richmond can get anywhere, he gets here and helps get the snow moved, said Tony Griffin, Deputy Chief of Maintenance and Operations for the Department of General Services. He is as dependable as the sun coming up every morning. Blackwell lives with his wife Isabelle in Richmond and turned 69 in November. He says he has no plans to retire. Blackwell has a passion for what he does and he has been a staple of Capitol square life. When he reflected on his career in Capitol Square, he noted how the tools had changed. Blackwell said, with a smile and a laugh, he no longer uses grass clippers to remove weeds between the bricks, he now just sprays them. So, the next time its rainy and cold and you see the sidewalks being treated and cleaned or it is 100 degrees and you are admiring the beautiful roses encircling the fountains and the perfectly clean and trimmed walkways; think about Mr. Blackwell. He might even be out there working hard as Capitol Squares unsung hero.V

VITAL from page 20


Thankfully, the Racial Integrity Act is no longer in place today, and Virginia Indian Tribe members are free to embrace their heritage and tell the world about their ancestors history as they did in great numbers during the Queens visit in 2007. The Commonwealth of Virginia finally gave the tribes official recognition, but not until 1983. But federal recognition is still only a dream. Why do they need federal recognition? First and foremost it is a matter of pride and dignity. Secondly it would make their children eligible for federal Indian educational benefits. Their children are not currently eligible for federal scholarships set aside for American Indians. They also would be eligible for federal health funding. Additionally, there are over 1,500 Virginia Native American remains being held by the Smithsonian Institution that cannot be brought back to Virginia for proper burial unless claimed by a federally recognized tribe. Official recognition for Virginia Indian tribes wont create extra federal spending. These benefits would be paid out of pre-existing federal appropriations; additional federal spending is not necessary.
22

Some residents worry the tribal members would open casinos or other gaming facilities. This is not true. The legislation that would provide official recognition says that even if gaming were legalized for all citizens in Virginia it would still be illegal for the Virginia Indian tribes. Today, there are only several thousand tribal members in the state. That number may be small compared to the millions of Virginia residents, but they deserve a voice. They deserve to share their story and fight for recognition. These tribal members are just like us, working in our neighborhoods, taking their children to local schools and trying to make a life for their families. Want to help? Visit www.vitalva.org for more information. Together, we can help right the wrongs that have been done to these people. William H. Leighty is the former chief of staff to Governors Warner and Kaine and serves as the Senior Advisor to the Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life (VITAL).V

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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23

Be Our Guestfor This Week in Richmond


In todays fast-paced, high-tech world, were constantly bombarded with media messages everywhere we go. But what ends up passing for news these days is often just a bunch of repetitious soundbites and exaggerated headlines. Flashy graphics, flying boxes and scrolling headlines fill the television screen during any given news program, accompanied by a cacophony of whooshing sound effects, multiple talking heads and opinionated talk show hosts. Interviews are conducted in a rush to capture those few little soundbites that will be repeated over and over in a seemingly endless loop. More often than not, the result is that the newsmakers themselves dont actually get to be heard, and the viewers are left with a lot of supposed style but very little substance. Thats why, when youre looking for a simple, straightforward, and detailed report about whats going on in Virginias Capitol, the perfect antidote to all the cable news network noise is This Week in Richmond. This Week in Richmond is a public television program that captures first-hand perspectives of state legislators and other decision-makers from around the Capitol. It is hosted by state capitol veteran David Bailey, produced by Blue Ridge PBS, and recorded live to tape in Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporations Capitol Studio in the General Assembly Building. With This Week in Richmond, viewers get a non-partisan, indepth look at current events, developments and decisions coming out of the Capitol each week through complete, unedited interviews with the people who are making Virginias government work every day. From budget cuts to regulatory affairs, the program spotlights the latest happenings at the General Assembly while it is in session. During the rest of the year, it provides timely insights and behind-theheadlines analysis about taxes, education and other matters that are critical to people across the Commonwealth. Originally airing weekly on Blue Ridge PBS during sessions and then once a month the rest of the year, the half hour program started out focusing on issues of greatest importance to the southwest region of Virginia. It quickly expanded to cover issues that affect all Virginians, and it now airs weekly throughout the year on various PBS stations and other outlets around the state. Since its inception, This Week in Richmond has hosted a veritable whos who of movers and shakers connected with Virginia government each with their own unique perspective on whats happening at any point in time. From the leadership in both chambers and the executive branch, to agency heads and cabinet members, to the clerks of both the Senate and the House of Delegates, to current and former governors and first ladies, to Virginia members of Congress, the show has given viewers a chance to hear directly from a wide range of the most influential people behind the scenes. Some of the shows feature a unique mix of perspectives and others revolve around a common theme. For instance, one show featured the three colonelsfrom three different branches of servicewho serve in the House of Delegates. Both the viewers and participants enjoyed the experience so much that there have even been requests for an encore. As to the age old question, is there a doctor in the House? Why yes, there are three. And they were all featured on another one of the most popular shows, bringing an interesting combination of medical perspectives to the legislative issues at hand. One of the most unique and fun shows was taped at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, a southwestern Virginia tradition
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since 1935. And one of the most heartwarming shows featured a group of state employees who volunteered their time to help restore a state park. This Week in Richmond also recently featured a couple of especially interesting guestslong-time Capitol news veterans Bob Lewis from the Associated Press and Jeff Shapiro from the Richmond Times-Dispatch who discussed what its been like to cover the Capitol and its newsmakers first hand over the years. For its guests, the show is an increasingly rare opportunity to expound on the issues that matter to them the most in an easy going and relaxed atmosphere. For viewers, its an equally rare opportunity to get a glimpse of the people and personalities behind the positions through complete and unedited conversations. As one viewer said, The main thing I like about the show is that the host doesnt constantly interrupt the guest or interject his own ideas about the subject. He lets his guests talk. While there have been last minute changes due to ever-evolving schedules and even a mild case of stage fright or two, guests of the show say that they feel like they get a real chance to discuss the issues that are important to them and their constituents. And viewers say that they always learn something new. When asked which shows he thought stood out over the years, host David Bailey replied, Its not the show, but the personality that stands out. While he hesitated to single out any one person or show, it was obvious who one of Baileys all-time favorite guests has been. Senator Yvonne Miller was absolutely delightful, he said with a big smile. The one guest that Bailey would NOT like to have again? Himself. Due to various scheduling difficulties and a last minute cancellation or two, the show was once left with a deadline to meet and no guest to interview. But, as they say, The show must go on. So the shows host found himself in the position of having to fill 26 minutes of airtime with his own perspective about what goes on behind the scenes. As with other PBS productions, This Week in Richmond depends on the generous support of its underwriters to help produce, direct, tape and distribute the program throughout the year. People and organizations who believe in the importance of transparency in state government, as well as having week to week coverage of what goes on at the Capitol, provide the funding needed to make each show possible. This Week in Richmond thanks them and the show participantsfor all that they do. If you want to stay informed about the most current issues facing our Commonwealth from the point of view of those who are making government work here in Virginiathis is the show you need to watch. If you want to get your message out to your constituentsand all Virginiansto keep them informed about the issues that are most important to them, this is the show you need to be on. Check your local listings for dates and times for the show on stations across the state. You can also check out past programs that are available on demand at www.blueridgepbs.org. Whether youre a participant or a viewer, you can cut through all the other media noise out there and stay informed each week with a straightforward, detailed report about whats going on here and now in Virginias Capitol. Simply put, you are cordially invited to relax, pull up a chair, and be our guestfor This Week in Richmond. Sarah Alderson is an award-winning freelance writer who also works in the Senate broadcast control room during sessions and the Capitol Studio throughout the year. She can be reached at aldersonproductions@gmail.com and her new blog launches in March at thesarahfiles.wordpress.com.V

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

Providing compelling public service media for Central and Southwest Virginia

Tune in for the latest Richmond News from host David Bailey and Virginia Elected officials.
Thanks to Alpha Natural Resources, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Kanawha Valley Arena, Intelligent Illuminations and our other underwriters, This Week in Richmond is virtually statewide and may be seen weekly. Programs are available on demand at www.blueridgepbs.org/index.php/videos/ local-productions/this-week-in-richmond.

Funding for This Week in Richmond is provided by:

Additional support is provided by:


M. E. Marty Hall, Jr. Elizabeth F. Newton Sandra C. Davis AARP Virginia Danny's Pawn & Auto Loans, Christiansburg First Sentinel Bank Nuckolls Drug, Hillsville Race-In, Hillsville Roanoke Gas Virginia Capitol Connections, Inc. Virginia State Fireghters Association Wordsprint, Inc. The Members of Blue Ridge PBS
25 Visit BlueRidgePBS.org for broadcast schedules and more information.
VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

www.vachamber.com

Essential for Great Communities


By JoHN BryAN

If you are a lifelong, confirmed, tattoo virgin, what could convince you to get a tattoo? These days there are people in Virginias capital city who are answering that question. Jim Rothrocka 62-year-old, confirmed, tattoo virgingot a tattoo. Tattoo-free Maggi Beckstoffer got the same tattoo and so did Brooks Smith. And so have dozens of others. The pied piper is CultureWorks, a nonprofit organization formed in 2009 to provide service and leadership for arts and culture in the Richmond region. CultureWorks gives grants, conducts advocacy, provides a wide range of services and is a catalyst and convener As the recession blossomed we watched funders decrease their funding for arts and culture while they increased funding for things they considered essential, explained John Bryan, president of CultureWorks. I thought it was time to make a bold statement that confirms our belief that strong arts and culture are absolutely essential for great communities. A meal can sustain someone for a couple of days; a song in someones heart can last a lifetime. CultureWorks decided to make its bold statement by embracing the most personally permanent and enduring art form: the tattoo. The idea was to offer a real tattoo as an optional benefit to donors of $150 and more. The tattoo would confirm a persons belief that arts and culture need to be considered permanent, enduring, essential elements of great communities. We talked with donors and community members, said Bryan. We realized that this could be a controversial initiative, and we were not going to do it if there was pushback. But there was no pushback. Once folks understood that our motive was sincere and for a heartfelt cause, they embraced it.

For the image, CultureWorks selected the worlds oldest known tattoo, an inch-long group of three parallel lines that predates the Egyptian mummies and was found in 1991 on a man frozen in ice. Richmonds largest tattoo company, River City Tattoo, agreed to provide the companys services pro bono. CultureWorks launched the tattoo initiative at a press conference that featured 12 newly-inked confirmed tattoo virginseach with a level of prominence in region. They included such persons as Paul DiPasquale, sculptor of the Arthur Ashe and Neptune statues; Jerry Williams, former television personality and owner of a video production company; Jim Thomasson, recently retired Chief Engineer for the Norfolk District Corps of Engineers; Maggi Beckstoffer, President of MBM Marketing; and Brooks Smith, law partner at Hunton & Williams and then President of the Richmond Business Council. Smith got his tattoo as the press conference cameras rolled: I got inked because I believe in the enduring qualities of art, because it makes me happy, and perhaps also to save my soul. What is the background of this organization that can transform a persons tattoo disdain into tattoo pride? CultureWorks resulted from an 18-month community process that produced the 110-page Richmond Region Cultural Action Plan on March 16, 2009. The process included direct involvement of more than 3,000 residents of the region and was steered by a 27-person task force that included not only individual practitioners of arts and culture but also executives of the regions largest companies, leaders of the regions major arts and culture organizations, administrators from the regions municipal governments, and representatives from foundations and community groups. The Plans fundamental recommendation was the creation of a nonprofit organization that would provide service and leadership to make the regions arts and culture ever stronger. CultureWorks is privately funded, has a self-appointed board of directors, and in its first three years has established a get-things-done track record of accomplishments and a brand of integrity, expertise, and fairness. A few examples of CultureWorks accomplishments to date include administering more than $1.4 million in arts and culture grants; helping establish Richmonds downtown arts district; providing direct services to dozens of nonprofit, for-profit, government, and community organizations; and having a helpful role in regional initiatives such as the Capital Region Collaborative and the Amazing Raise. CultureWorks has also established a significant national prominence for Richmonds arts and culture community including CultureWorks presidents election to chair the national Private Sector Council that includes representatives of 22 cities including Charlotte, Cincinnati,

Brooks Smith, founding chair of CultureWorks Board of Directors, and member of the tattoo club.

Tattoo club member Jim Rothrock, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

Brooks Smiths tattoo.

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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Indianapolis, Miami, New York City, and Detroit; receiving the nations most prestigious award for arts administration (Selena Roberts Ottum Award); and being one of 12 invitees for the annual Local Arts Agency Leadership Forum hosted by Robert Redford at the Sundance Resort. CultureWorks has attracted the unprecedented attention of The Conference Board to Richmond as the launch site for its new research. On November 27, 2012 Jonathan Spector, president and CEO of The Conference Board, spent the day in Richmond convening an 8-hour gathering of 16 senior business executives and 16 artistsa Creative Conversation to examine the nexus of business and the arts and explore new opportunities for beneficial relationships. The Conference Board believes that business executives can strengthen their companies by embracing artists and thereby accessing new ways of thinking. Richmond was the first of three Creative Conversation sites the other two are San Diego and Philadelphia and The Conference Board will publish the results among business, education, and arts communities. CultureWorks provides leadership for a metropolitan area whose nonprofit arts and culture organizations have an annual economic impact of over $300 million according to a study by WolfBrown. CultureWorks has become the regions go-to organization for information, relationships, service, and strategies, and has partnered with such organizations as the Greater Richmond Chamber and the Greater Richmond Partnership. CultureWorks also has a variety of connections with Virginia government. For example, the Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, James A. Rothrock, is a member of the CultureWorks board of directors and is in line to be its next chair. About his tattoo, Rothrock says, CultureWorks has been so successful in getting our community to think out of the box so it was quite natural for me to consider the most out of the box thing Ive ever done and at the ripe old age of 62 with grandchildren watching, get the CW tat. Another example is CultureWorks consultative role for the Governors Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission. And CultureWorks is also an ongoing advocate for increased funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Peggy Baggett, the VCAs

recently retired longtime executive director, is now the volunteer Senior Policy Advisor for CultureWorks. CultureWorks board of directors, chaired by David A. Christian, CEO of Dominion Generation, includes executives from such corporations as Altria, Wells Fargo, and Hunton & Williams, principals of the University of Richmonds Modlin Center, the Richmond Folk Festival, and the Greater Richmond Chamber, and other community leaders who are committed to the importance of ever stronger arts and culture for the region. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts director Alex Nyerges and CultureWorks president John Bryan were co-presenters for a recent gathering of the 2012 Class of Lead Virginia, and both lauded Richmond as the best city in the nation, due in large part to its vibrant arts and culture. Bryans comments referenced the tattoo along with the fact that Suzanne Hall, communications director for the VMFA, is one of the newly inked former tattoo virgins. According to Hall, CultureWorks not only deftly promotes and supports the rich variety of performance, visual arts and events in RVA, but it also represents Richmonds creativity. Who else invites residents of the 3rd most tattooed city in the country to get the oldest tattoo in human history? Thanks for being such a great catalyst! John Bryan, (804) 356-9552, john@richmondcultureworks.org.V

PARHAM CHAPEL 1771 Parham Road (804) 288-3013 HUGUENOT CHAPEL 1020 Huguenot Road (804) 794-1000 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

BERNIE HENDERSON
Bernard.Henderson@dignitymemorial.com

Director for Family and Community Relations

ATLEE CHAPEL 9271 Shady Grove Road (804) 730-0035

At Alpha, its not about pats on the back. Its about watching each others back.
At Alpha Natural Resources, we call it Running Right. It means watching out for each other and speaking openly about safety issues. When you have each others back, the rest is simple. www.alphanr.com

We power the world through the energy of our people.

VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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Visions of the Commonwealth


THE PHOtOGRAPHY OF WANDA JUDD

www.wandajudd.com

Some History
St. Marys traces its origins to 1865. The beginnings of St. Marys can be traced to the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, and originally served the coal mining families who lived in this rather poor part of Goochland County at the time. Church Doors (New Fellowship Hall)

Little St. Marys (original Sanctuary circa 1865)

Cross in Little St. Marys Sanctuary

Kneeling Bench (The handwork by the ladies of the Church)

All Wooden Structure in the new main sanctuary

New St. Marys (Main Sanctuary)

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

In Memoriam

Senator Hopkins
By CHIp WooDruM

I cannot express my sense of loss. Bill Hopkins was a man who believed in giving of himself to his community, his state and his nation. He fought in two wars, had an outstanding legal career, served his state and Roanoke as a State Senator for 20 years and when that service ended, moved seamlessly into service to his community. When you HOPKINS pass Carilion Hospital, remember that it was he who forged its original links with UVA Hospital. When you see a revitalized downtown, remember he was one of those who got Center in the Square off the ground. He authored two books (on Korea and on WWII). Bill Hopkins was a true renaissance man. His presence made us better, his loss diminishes us. Well done, Bill. God Bless you.V

Tribute To Delegate Joseph William Billy OBrien


By BErNIE HENDErsoN

John W. Russell

State Senator and City of Fairfax Mayor By MIcHAEl E. BElEfskI


Former State Senator John W. Russell of the City of Fairfax, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on December 24, 2012. He was 89. John had retired from the Department of Defense where he worked as an Intelligence Officer. He had also served his community as Fairfax City Councilman and Fairfax City Mayor. Fairfax Mayor Scott Silverthorne noted that John Russell has the unique distinction RUSSELL of serving two separate times in two separate decades as mayor of the City. John Russell defeated my father for his third term as mayor in 1982 by 148 votes. Later in their lives, both men put their partisan political differences aside and became friends. Mayor Russell was politically shrewd and had a wicked sense of humor, which my father seemed to appreciate when they were no longer rivals on the ballot. What people may not know about Mayor Russell is that he loved the arts and helped create the Fairfax Art League. I recall seeing many of his paintings prominently displayed in Fairfaxs Old Town Hall over the years. The City mourns the loss of one of our senior statesmen Mayor Silverthorne said. As Johns pollster during his campaign for the State Senate in 1983, I remember our campaign as being neck and neck in the last week of the campaign. We were behind registered voters who were over 55+ years old and decided to send them a special election-day mailing which won the election with 50.62% of the vote. John was also appointed to the state education board by former governor George Allen and held terms on the Fairfax City school board and council. He was a long standing member of the Fairfax United Methodist Church, a Mason, a member of the Optimist Club and the American Legion. Former State Senator Jane Woods commented on John Russells passing: It seems that an era of no nonsense, straight talking leaders is closing. John had the gift of sprinkling humor in his pithy comments while ensuring that his listener understood well

The overwhelming majority of those who serve in the General Assembly serve conscientiously, diligently and even sacrificially. The harsh reality is that the service of very few of them is remembered beyond the time of their contemporaries. In a few rare cases, their names might be given to a bridge or building or park, but even then the reason for such a distinction becomes obscured by time. While it takes a OBRIEN bit of an ego to run for public office, a quest for immortality might be better pursued in ways other than serving in the Virginia General Assembly. Rather than immortality, the greatest accomplishment to be achieved through serving in the General Assembly is to lead the cause for something that will substantially benefit the Commonwealth long after your final term and your name recognition has expired. Delegate and Coach Joseph William Billy OBrien scored on that play. Some wise person observed that the most significant change always is born in a minority report. In other words, great ideas usually are not immediately accepted by the majoritythey take time to be accepted. Billy obviously realized that, because he was the first legislator in modern times to propose and tenaciously advocate for a lottery for years until it was implemented. When he proposed it, first came laughter, then derision, then pontification, but ultimately it was enacted. He assiduously made his case, year after year, patiently inviting and always welcoming the skeptical, the timid, the self-righteous and even perhaps one or two hypocrites onto the pro-lottery team he was so adroitly coaching. He saw his idea as being good at the time and patiently waited for it to be seen as good for the future, no matter how long it would take. There are very few legislators, even among those who served for many decades, who can be recognized as the prime persistent promoter of a major successful program like the Virginia lottery. But Billy wasnt just about the lottery. He brought with him to the General Assembly the perspective of a talented (meaning compassionate and resourceful) coach. It is no accident that high school athletes have a lifetime love for a good coach. A coach cannot be successful unless he is willing and able to reach deeply and meaningfully into every aspect of the life of each member of his team. If there is anything bothering a player, the good coach will not stop until he identifies it and then effectively addresses itno wonder so many high school athletes hold their coach in such high esteem. Its the same as the parable of the shepherd who responsibly watches all the sheep but will rescue and care for each one individually when that is needed. Thats how Billy served his constituents; he was attuned to their needs and never quit trying to do everything within his ability to address them. His service as a representative defined the word tenacity. Billy was one of the kindest and friendliest persons who ever held elective office. No matter what or when, he offered a sincere smile, a warm pat on the back, a compassionate hand on your shoulder and a kind word to everyone he met. Virginia can never have enough public servants like Billy OBrien and even those who never knew him will be benefitting from his service long after his time in the Capitol and in our world has ended.V his position and that it was about the topic, not the person. While sometimes a tad intimidating, John Russell used plain talk as he walked the walk leading our community and his constituents. I know he rests in peace.V
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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

ASSOcIATIONS
AARP VIrGINIA David DeBiasi, Associate State Director-Advocacy(804) 344-3059 ACE (ALLIANcE FOr CONSTrUcTION EXcELLENcE) Andy Porter, Chairman(703) 658-4383 AMErIcAN CANcEr SOcIETY: CANcEr AcTION NETWOrK Keenan Caldwell, Dir. Government Relations(804) 527-3726 Ann Vaughan, Grassroots Manager(804) 527-3714 www.acscan.org/virginia BON SEcOUrS HEALTh SYSTEM (VIrGINIA) James W. Dunn(804) 281-8235 FrATErNAL OrDEr OF POLIcE, VIrGINIA STATE LODGE Marty Williams, President(800) 367-0317 INOvA HEALTh SYSTEM(703) 289-2037 (804) 644-8807 during GA Donald L. Harris, Vice President, Government Relations OUTDOOr ADvErTISING ASSOcIATION OF VIrGINIA Stephen W. Hughes(804) 784-0501 PLUMbING AND MEchANIcAL PrOFESSIONALS OF VIrGINIA Laurie Crigler, Lobbyist(540) 948-6230 QUALIFIED GAS CONTrAcTOrSPENINSULAWWW.QGC-VA.OrG Richard Hibbard, President(757) 229-8806 QUALIFIED GAS CONTrAcTOrSSOUThSIDEWWW.QGC-VA.OrG George Fordyce, VP & Secretary(757) 436-5490 QUALIFIED GAS CONTrAcTOrSSUFFOLKWWW.QGC-VA.OrG Ray Cobb, Chair(757) 539-7484 SPEEch-LANGUAGE-HEArING ASSOcIATION OF VIrGINIA (SHAV) C. Edward Vann, President www.shav.org Scott Rankins, Vice President of Government Affairs VIrGINIA AFL-CIO Doris Crouse-Mays, President(804) 755-8001 C. Ray Davenport, Secretary-Treasurer VIrGINIA ASSOcIATION FOr MArrIAGE AND FAMILY ThErAPY www.vamft.org VIrGINIA ASSOcIATION OF MOrTGAGE BrOKErS Steve Baugher(804) 285-7557 VIrGINIA COALITION OF POLIcE AND DEPUTY ShErIFFS Chip Condon, President(800) 913-2727 VIrGINIA EDUcATION ASSOcIATION Meg Grober, President Rob Jones, Government Relations(804) 648-5801 VIrGINIA FIrE ChIEFS ASSOcIATION Walt Bailey, President(434) 470-9258 VIrGINIA FIrE PrEvENTION ASSOcIATION Robby Dawson, President(804) 717-6838 (888) 668-8372 VIrGINIA FIrE SErvIcE COUNcIL Stephen P. Kopczynski, Chairman(757) 890-3612 VIrGINIA INDEPENDENT AUTOMObILE DEALErS ASSOcIATION Lois Keenan, Executive Director (800) 394-1960 VIrGINIA LEAGUE OF CONSErvATION VOTErS Lisa Guthrie, Executive Director(804) 225-1902 www.valcv.org VIrGINIA MOTOrcOAch ASSOcIATION, INc. Doug Douglas, Government Affairs(434) 376-1150 VIrGINIA PETrOLEUM COUNcIL Michael D. Ward(804) 225-8248 VIrGINIA POLIcE BENEvOLENT ASSOcIATION, INc. Sean McGowan, Executive Director(800) 233-3506 ext. 352 Joseph Woloszyn, President VIrGINIA PrOFESSIONAL FIrE FIGhTErS ASSOcIATION Mike Mohler, President(703) 591-9271 VIrGINIA PUbLIc MEDIA ASSOcIATION Curtis Monk, Chairman(804) 560-8114 VIrGINIA RETAIL FEDErATION Margaret Ballard(757) 406-9431, George Peyton(804) 334-2932 VIrGINIA ShErIFFS ASSOcIATION John W. Jones(804) 225-7152 VIrGINIA STATE FIrEFIGhTErS ASSOcIATION Gary Allred, President(757) 592-3240

HOTELS/RESOrTSVIrGINIA
ShErATON ROANOKE HOTEL & CONFErENcE CENTEr (Per diem rates offered, restrictions apply) (540) 563-9300 2801 Hershberger Road, Roanoke

HOTELS/RESOrTSRIchMOND
BErKELEY HOTEL (Per diem rates offered, restrictions apply) (804) 780-1300 1200 East Cary Street, Richmond CANDLEWOOD SUITES RIchMOND AIrPOrT (Rates below per diem) (804) 652-1888 5400 Audubon Drive, Richmond COMMONWEALTh PArK SUITES HOTEL AT CAPITOL SQUArE (804) 343-7300 901 Bank Street, Richmond CrOWNE PLAZA RIchMOND DOWNTOWN (Rates lower than per diemSession, restrictions apply) (804) 788-0900 555 East Canal Street, Richmond DOUbLETrEE HOTEL RIchMOND DOWNTOWN (Special Session rates available) (804) 644-9871 301 West Franklin Street, Richmond HILTON GArDEN INN RIchMOND DOWNTOWN (Special Session rates available) (804) 344-4300 501 East Broad Street, Richmond HOLIDAY-INN EXPrESS RIchMOND DOWNTOWN (Lower per diem rate offered) (804) 788-1600 201 East Cary Street, Richmond LINDEN ROW INN (Special Session rates available) (804) 225-5841 100 East Franklin Street, Richmond

EATErIES
BULL AND BEAr CLUb 901 East Cary Street James Center One 21st Floor (804) 649-8431 Honorary Memberships during session for legislators & staff Contact Matthew Gleason for more information ChEZ FOUShEE 203 North Foushee Street (804) 648-3225 www.chezfoushee.com DAvID NAPIErS WhITE HOUSE CATErINg Historic Shockoe Bottom (804) 644-4411 MErIWEThErS AT ThE ASSEMbLY Capitol, 804.698.7438 GAB, (804) 698-7692

BENNETT
FUNERAL HOME Charles D. Morehead, Sr.
Funeral Director & General Manager

3215 Cutshaw Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23221

(804) 359-4481

Settle and Associates LLC

Richard L. Settle
Settle and Associates LLC 288 Clubhouse Drive Abingdon, Virginia 242113839 Phone: 276-676-4444 Mobile: 804-240-1850 Richard@settleandassociates.com

SErvIcES
CONNIES ShOE REPAIr 110 N. 8th Street 804-648-8896

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VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNEcTIONS, WINTER 2013

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