INSIDE Goochland history: After witnessing end of slavery, she made a new life here> page 2 Volume 66 Number 6 • February 10, 2022
Goochland County issues $50 million in bonds Feb. 1 bond auction was historic event for the county, says District 5 supervisor By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Admittedly, some historic firsts happen more quietly than others. During the Feb. 1 board of supervisors meeting, District 5 supervisor Ken Peterson announced that Goochland County now has, for the first time in the county’s history, the ability to access the capital markets on a direct basis. As Peterson explained, this
means that Goochland is now able to issue bonds without going through another entity, such as the state, or posting any cash collateral. As of that day, “the county is able to stand on its own two feet for the first time,” said Peterson, a feat he linked directly to the fact that Goochland in recent years has achieved a triple
A credit rating from all three major credit rating agencies. Referred to as the “triple triple,” the distinction is held by only around 1% of localities in the nation. Goochland is currently the smallest county to have it. Peterson revealed that on the morning of Feb. 1, the county had
taken part in “a very successful auction,” during which 11 firms had submitted 31 different bids. The winning bid came in just over 2.5%, Peterson said, and the county issued $50 million in bonds. On Oct. 13, 2021, Fitch Ratings,
see Bonds > page 2
Fire chief: Iced-over ponds often dangerous By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Photo courtesy of Lynn Bayliss
What bad weather? Goochland’s first responders forge ahead The recent inclement weather could not prevent local first responders from their work, as shown by this picture sent to the Gazette by Goochland resident Lynn Bayliss. Bayliss took the photo as crews were attending to her husband Temple, who had been injured after slipping on the ice. Lynn Bayliss said her hope in sharing the photo was to highlight the incredible work of the county’s rescue workers and to warn others to use extreme caution in icy conditions. After surgery, Temple Bayliss is now recovering at home.
With the end of winter still over a month away, Goochland County Fire-Rescue officials continue to warn residents about the potential dangers that go hand-in-hand with winter weather. And while some may not think of it at first, this includes ice. Goochland County Fire-Rescue chief Eddie Ferguson told county supervisors last week about the recent successful rescue of a dog that had fallen through the ice near Hermitage Country Club. Ferguson said the rescue was made by citizens who had mobilized and responded after seeing the animal in distress, but cautioned that not all stories see Winter > page 3