2008 County Guide Book
Published by Richmond Suburban Newspapers
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M E D I C A L
P A R K
B O U L E V A R D
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P E T E R S B U R G
October 2008
Discover Prince George County
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Helpful Phone Numbers
Table of Contents
All area codes 804
Welcome message ........................................................... 4
Emergency (fire, police, ambulance) ...............................911
Government Services ...................................................... 5
Animal Control ....................................................... 733-2796
Regional Heritage Center ..............................................12
Building and Grounds ............................................ 733-2612
County History ..............................................................13
Clerk of the Court ................................................... 733-2640
Fire Department .............................................................14
Commissioner of the Revenue ............................... 722-8740
Ft. Lee expansion...........................................................15
Commonwealth’s Attorney..................................... 733-2790
Prince George Public Schools .......................................16
County Administrator ............................................. 722-8600
Parks and Recreation .....................................................18
Engineering............................................................. 722-8706 Extension Office ..................................................... 733-2686 Finance.................................................................... 722-8710 Fire, EMS and Emergency Management ............... 722-8614 GIS Office ............................................................... 722-8629 Health Department ................................................. 733-2630 Human Resources ................................................... 722-8669 Planning and Zoning .............................................. 722-8678 Parks and Recreation .............................................. 733-2646 Police ...................................................................... 733-2773 Real Estate Assessor ............................................... 722-8629 Registrar.................................................................. 722-8748 Sheriff ..................................................................... 733-2690 Treasurer ................................................................. 722-8750
On the cover: The old courthouse, the fourth constructed, was built in the 1860s and was used until 1992. All photos by Jim Ridolphi unless otherwise noted.
The Discover Prince George 2008 County Guide Book is published by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. 6400 Mechanicsville Turnpike Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (804) 746-1235 • Fax (804) 730-0476 Content provided by Jim Ridolphi. © 2008 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher.
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Discover Prince George County
October 2008
Welcome to Prince George County It is with much enthusiasm that I welcome visitors and lifetime residents alike to all that Prince George has to offer. Prince George is a beautiful community that is a great place to live and work. When I came to Prince George in 1979, I knew it was a special place, and my belief has not changed throughout the years I have lived in this community. The County has faced many challenges during these years, including the threat of devastating annexation in the late 1980s. Still the spirit of our County has remained strong. We met those challenges and achieved great victories! We must place service to our citizens as the number one priority. Serving the needs of citizens is the highest level of public service. I have had the honor and privilege of serving County citizens during time periods spanning four decades. I am thrilled to serve you again as your County Administrator. Whenever I can assist you, my door is open.
John G. Kines, Jr. County Administrator County of Prince George
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Prince George County Government Board of Supervisors Prince George County is comprised of two election districts, each having elected representatives on the county’s Board of Supervisors. The board’s job is to provide overall guidance for the county, while involving citizens in open, accessible government. They are focused on ensuring a promising future for the county and its citizens. They also serve as the policy group for the county. Henry D. Parker, Jr., District 2, is currently the board’s chairman. He can be reached at 804-458-4464. His mailing address is 14001 James River Drive, Hopewell, Va. 23860. Vice-Chairman is District 1 representative Jerry J. Skalsky. He can be reached at 804-733-4985 or emailed at Jskalskyprgeorge@aol.com. His mailing address is 6201 West Quaker Road, Disputanta, Virginia, 23842. Alan R. Carmichael serves as District 1 representative and can be reached at 804-861-6312 (home) or 804-839-2181. His mailing address is12461 Foxwoods Drive, Disputanta, VA 23842. G Reid Foster serves on the board representing District 2. He can be reached at 804-943-4535. His mailing address is 7031 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, Va. 23875. William A. Robertson is a board representative from District 2 and can be reached at 804-458-4324 or emailed at
warobbie@cwtq.com. His mailing address is 2851 Fountain Ridge Road, Hopewell, Va. 23860. County Administration The Office of County Administration leads the operations of the county government to meet the needs of the citizens of Prince George County. The office advises members of the Board of Supervisors, recommends policies and sets priorities for consideration by the Board concerning the provision of programs and services that provide the highest quality of life to county citizens. The county administrator ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws and ordinances and maintains open communication with various sectors of the community such as the legislative delegation, business community, area governments, and county residents. John G. Kines, Jr. serves as the county administrator and can be reached at 804-722-8600. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pamela Thompson is deputy county administrator and Teresa Knott is the county clerk. Aimee Gleason is on the administrative staff.
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Discover Prince George County
October 2008
PHOTO BY JIM RIDOLPHI
The Prince George County Courthouse is the nerve center of the county’s operations.
Continued from page 5 County Attorney H. Martin Robertson is the Prince George county attorney. His duties include: •
Providing services to the Board of Supervisors and county administrator dealing with any and all legal issues that arise within the county. These services include rendering legal opinions; research; preparation of all legal documents for the county; and legal representation at the Board of Supervisors’ meetings.
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Handling all litigation involving the county of Prince George, either as a plaintiff or a defendant.
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Providing legal advice to the citizens of Prince George on county issues.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Building Inspections Department The Building Inspections Department is charged with the duty of issuing permits, and conducting inspections for all new construction, alterations, repairs, removal, demolition, or other building operations. The office reviews building plans to confirm that the proposed construction will comply with state code. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code is a minimum standard that all local governments are required to enforce. The building code requires that the Building Inspections Department also inspects the structure at critical points during construction. Building inspections contact list: Julie Walton — Director, Inspections & Code Compliance jwalton@princegeorgeva.org
Jeffrey Brown — Deputy Director, Inspections & Code Compliance jbrown@princegeorgeva.org L. Everett Outland — Plans Reviewer eoutland@princegeorgeva.org Brenda Jones — Office Manager bgjones@princegeorgeva.org W. Reed Martin — Building Inspector wmartin@princegeorgeva.org Brian Estep — Building Inspector bestep@princegeorgeva.org Mark Pond — Building Inspector mpond@princegeorgeva.org Cathi Cleveland — Permit Technician II ccleveland@princegeorgeva.org Sylvia Davis — Permit Technician I sadavis@princegeorgeva.org ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Cindy Cave is director of economic development for Prince George. Her mission is promoting a healthy economic environment for county citizens and businesses. Her office attracts and retains businesses and assists existing commercial operations in the county. They also are active in the developing the tourism industry in Prince George.
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Discover Prince George County
Continued from page 6 Engineering and Utilities Department Location: 6602 Courts Drive Prince George, VA 23875 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 68 Prince George, VA 23875 Engineering Dept. Phone: (804) 722-8687 Utilities Dept. Phone: (804) 722-8706 Fax: (804) 733-2779 Mission: The Prince George County Engineering and Utilities Department is charged with the service of providing water and wastewater services to the populated areas of the county. The Engineering and Utilities Department provides the following services: •
Handles inquiries pertaining to water and wastewater lines.
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Appeals, evaluates zoning changes, performs site plan review, enforces County Ordinances related to land use, and facilitates the update and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Zoning Department can assist with questions regarding new development, subdivision of land, and topics ranging from rezonings to variances. Erosion and Sediment Control administration is also handled through the Planning and Zoning Department. Staff Members Sharon Williams — Planning Director swilliams@princegeorgeva.org Douglas Miles — Zoning Administration Planner dmiles@princegeorgeva.org Diane Cook — Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist dcook@princegeorgeva.org Robert Hatchett — Planning Technician rhatchett@princegeorgeva.org Valerie Glass — Departmental Secretary vglass@princegeorgeva.org CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS Prince George Circuit Court
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Handles future industrial and residential development inquiries.
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Reviews site plan review for new commercial projects.
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Administers capital improvement projects for utilities.
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Handles water and wastewater utilities.
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Responsible for new service and terminating service.
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Handles inquiries for high water consumption.
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Handles muddy water and low-pressure complaints.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 98 Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 733-2640
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Handles billing problems and water leaks.
Hon. Bishop Knott, Jr. — Clerk
Planning and Zoning Department Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: 6602 Courts Drive Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 722-8678 Fax: (804) 732-2119 Mission statement: In an effort to achieve community goals, the Prince George County Planning and Zoning Department is charged with providing professional planning leadership and facilitating the development policies of the Board of Supervisors. The Planning and Zoning Department provides staff support for the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday All filings and financial transactions must be completed before 4:30 p.m. Location: 6601 Courts Drive Prince George, VA 23875
Prince George Circuit Court serves the residents of Prince George County. The Prince George Circuit Court (6th Judicial Circuit) is the trial court with the broadest powers in Virginia. The Circuit Court has authority to try a full range of cases, both civil and criminal, jury and non-jury. Civil cases include a wide variety of business disputes, personal injury and domestic relations cases. The Court hears felony criminal cases. A felony is a crime punishable by commitment to the State penitentiary for one year of more. The Court also hears appeals of misdemeanor and traffic cases from the General District Court and Juvenile Courts. •
Court Services
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Criminal Cases
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Law Cases
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Administration of Estates
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Criminal Case Information
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Discover Prince George County
October 2008
al officer as set forth in the constitution of Virginia and is the chief assessing officer for the local government. It is an elected position for a four-year term and serves the taxpayers as well as the County.
Continued from page 7 •
Divorce Information
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Land Records
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Marriage Licenses
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Name Change Information
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Concealed Weapon Permit Information
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Notary Public Information
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Trade Name Information
Responsibilities include assessing personal property tax, machinery and tools tax, business license tax, public service corporation tax, meals and lodging tax, and the short-term rental tax.
Additional Information for Prince George Circuit Court: http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/circuit/Prince_ George/home.html
The Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office also provides assistance to Prince George residents in the preparation of Virginia State Income tax returns and administers the county tax relief for the elderly and disabled program. Prince George County Commonwealth’s Attorney Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Commissioner of the Revenue Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday Mailing Address: P.O. Box 155 Prince George, VA 23875
Location: 6601 Courts Drive Prince George, VA 23875 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 730 Prince George, VA 23875
Phone: (804) 722-8740 Fax: (804) 863-0529 Darlene M. Rowsey — Commissioner of the Revenue
Phone: (804) 733-2790 Fax: (804) 862-3586
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October 2008
Discover Prince George County
Continued from page 8 Jay “C” Paul — Commonwealth’s Attorney Mission Statement: The mission of the Prince George Commonwealth‘s Attorney’s Office is to help make the County of Prince George a safe place to live, work and play by prosecuting those cases where there is sufficient, legally admissible evidence in a manner that (1) respects the dignity of those who are the unfortunate victims of crime and (2) promotes the ends of justice.
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none. Our daily goal is to perform the duties of the Sheriff’s Office of Prince George County to the full extent of our abilities while listening and responding to the public’s concerns. We honor our allegiance to the Community, State, and Nation to uphold the constitution while seeking to ensure every citizen be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect regardless of circumstance. The Prince George County Sheriff’s Office is small but provides several services to county citizens such as:
We will accomplish this mission by:
• Courthouse security
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• Service of civil and criminal papers
Working with the office of the Victim Witness Coordinator to ensure that crime victims are treated with dignity and respect and are fully aware of their rights as victims under Virginia Code § 19.2-11.01.
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Properly preparing our cases and witnesses for court.
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Participating in programs to improve administration of justice.
• Project Lifesaver • Home Incarceration • Selective Enforcement • Directs Project ChildSafe • Promotes Gun Safety with Eddie Eagle Program
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Being accessible to law enforcement officers for legal advice and assistance 24 hours per day.
• Provides Security for community activities
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Using technology to enhance our ability to manage our case load and to effectively present evidence in the courtroom.
• Career Day at local schools
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Attending training programs to ensure that each staff member and attorney is up to date on the latest developments in criminal law prosecution.
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Treating those who come in contact with our office the way that we would want to be treated. Acting with integrity and always striving to do the right thing. Reaching out to schools, civic groups and members of the community in an effort to build a coalition to prevent and fight crime.
Sheriff Physical Address: 6601 Courts Drive Prince George, Virginia 23875 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 366 Prince George, VA 23875
• National Night Out
Staff Sheriff H. E. (Bucky) Allin was elected on July 21, 2004. As Sheriff he has appointed Mark Payne to be his Chief Deputy and promoted Anita Shell to Sergeant. Sheriff Allin has assigned his Deputies with several duties: Deputy K. King - Training officer, court dockets, arrange inmate transportation, and firearms instructor. Deputy R. (Buck) Vargo - Manages civil process and extraditions Deputy E. (Snoop) Betts - Project Lifesaver, Home Incarceration, and other community activities Deputy B. Rouse - Courtroom security, civil process and inmate transportation Deputy K. Stith - Courtroom security, civil process and inmate transportation Deputy J. Curry - Courtroom security, civil process, and inmate transportation Deputy C. Gatewood - Security desk and lock-up
Phone: (804) 733-2690 Mission Statement: The mission of Prince George County Sheriff’s Office starts with our department’s commitment to excellence by example. This pledge demands that our men and women embrace integrity at all times. We seek to employ and maintain only dedicated and caring personnel that will set a high standard of “excellence by example”. We also have a standard of commitment in partnership with the community to protect life and property that is second to
Prince George County Treasurer Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday Mailing Address: P.O. Box 156 Prince George, VA 23875
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Discover Prince George County
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October 2008
User Fees: •
Household Waste: Any resident of the County may dispose of household refuse in the containers at the County-owned convenience station for a fee when presenting identification establishing him or her as a resident of the County.
Phone: (804) 722-8750
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New Scale Operation and Price Schedule - Effective February 7, 2008
Jean N. Barker — Treasurer
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Recycling - NO CHARGE
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All other trash and debris will be weighed and charged
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5 cents per pound (rounded to the nearest dollar)
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Minimum charge $1.00
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In addition to the recycling receptacles already offered, the Center is now accepting the following in the newly expanded Recycling Area:
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Electronics * Textiles (clothes/shoes) * Fluorescent Bulbs
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In the event the scale becomes (temporarily) inoperable, Prince George County will apply the BAG/BULK price schedule.
Location: 6602 Courts Drive (First Floor) Prince George, VA 23875
The Treasurer’s Office is responsible for the collection of all department revenue of Prince George County taxes and dog licenses. The Office makes County deposits and investments. The Treasurer’s Office reconciles all bill statements. We also assist citizens, attorneys and title searchers. The Treasurer’s Office accepts payments for State Income Tax, Personal Property Tax, Vehicle Registration, Real Estate Tax, Utilities Bill, Business License Tax, Dog Licenses and Parking Tickets. COUNTY OPERATIONS Buildings and Grounds Department Location: 6300 Laurel Spring Drive Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 733-2612 David Sutton — Buildings and Grounds Supervisor The Buildings and Grounds Department provides the following services: •
Maintenance of all County buildings and grounds.
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Emergency service planning.
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Convenience Station.
Prince George County Convenience Center Location: 3100 Union Branch Road Petersburg, VA 23805 Phone: (804)733-2795 Administered by David Sutton, Convenience Station Supervisor Phone: (804) 733-2612 Trash/Garbage Drop-off and Recycling Center Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed: Every Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day
Fleet Management Department Hours: 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday Location: 6300 Laurel Spring Drive Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 733-2799 Ralph Sumerson — Fleet Management Supervisor The Fleet Management Department provides the following services: •
Fleet maintenance of all County owned vehicles and equipment, including Police, Fire, EMS, Utilities and all other vehicles.
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Assist in specifications for new vehicle and equipment purchases.
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Mechanic repair and preventive maintenance on all fleet vehicles.
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Responsible for the Vehicular Fuel Delivery System, tracking fuel consumption and billing requisites.
Parks and Recreation Department Location: 6380 Courthouse Road Mailing Address: P.O. Box 68 Prince George, VA 23875
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Continued from page 10 Phone: (804) 733-2646 Fax: (804) 733-2278 Activity Hotline/Weather Notifications: (804) 733-0091 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Keith Rotzoll — Director of Parks and Recreation Keith Collins — Athletic Director Rob Eley, — Assistant Athletic Director Debbie Lafland — Special Activities Coordinator Wendy Joiner — Senior Program Assistant The Parks and Recreation Department provides the following services: •
Youth sports leagues – ages 4 through 15.
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Adult sports leagues and classes.
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Summer playground day camps.
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Discount tickets to theme parks.
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Maintenance of county athletic fields and parks.
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Reservations for picnic pavilions.
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Special activities, such as Christmas and Easter events.
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Trips to sporting events.
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Senior citizen trips and activities.
Recreation Advisory Committee: Timothy H. Williams, Jr. , James T. Buren, Rita Chiarky, Becky Kirk, James Williams, Reginald Jones, Jerry Skalsky and William Russell Finance Department Location: 6602 Courts Drive, Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 722-8710 The Finance Department provides reliable information and quality service to our customers, who include citizens, elected officials, county administration, other County departments, vendors and employees. The functions of the Department include payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, budgeting, general accounting, grant administration and financial reporting. Payroll — The Finance Department processes payroll for approximately 300 County employees. We are responsible for payroll taxes and employee benefit accounting. Direct questions to Ann Daniel at adaniel@princegeorgeva.org. Accounts Payable — The Finance Department is responsible for paying all County invoices and printing accounts
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payable checks for the School Board. Our department is responsible for Form 1099 reporting. Direct questions to Jean Hargrave, Senior Accounting Clerk, at jhargrave@ princegeorgeva.org. Purchasing — The Finance Department issues Invitations to Bid and Requests for Proposals for County departments. We are also responsible for purchase orders and the County’s bidders list. For more information, contact Leigh Primmer at lprimmer@princegeorgeva.org. Budget — The Finance Department works closely with County Administration and the Board of Supervisors in the development of the County’s annual budget and capital improvement plan. The process normally begins in December, with the issuance of the County Administrator’s budget letter to Department Heads, and concludes with final adoption of the budget by the Board of Supervisors in April. Direct questions regarding the budget process to Patricia Davidson, Budget and Management Analyst, tdavidson@ princegeorgeva.org. General Accounting — The Finance Department is responsible for ensuring accuracy and dependability in all financial transaction and reports. This includes the filing of reports with local, state, and Federal agencies, auditing accounts, and providing financial information to all departments. Direct questions regarding accounting and financial reporting to Rebecca Hicks, Accounting Manager, at rhicks@princegeorgeva.org. GIS Office Location: 6602 Courts Drive Utilities Dept., Suite 204 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 68 Prince George VA 23875 Phone: (804) 722-8629 Matthew C. Blaes — GIS Coordinator A GIS is a collection of computer hardware, software and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. The Prince George County GIS Office provides data development and management, training, map products, and technical support to the citizens and departments of the county. Information Technology Department Location: 6602 Courts Drive
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Prince George County Regional Heritage Center: Explore the Treasures Prince George County is taking a giant step toward claiming its rightful spot in the regional tourism arena with the opening of the Regional Heritage Center. Located in the historic Courthouse, the Center provides a wealth of information on the county’s history, one of the oldest and richest in the state. The museum tells the story of everyday people. One exhibit displays every item from a bride’s wedding day, highlighting the influence of Slovak settlers on the area. Another highlights the history of African Americans in the county. There’s also a number of artifacts on display from some of America’s oldest plantation, including Flowerdew Hundred. The Center traces the Prince George story from its earliest beginnings to its involvement in world wars to its latest contributions. The museum also traces the history of the historic courthouse, which has been fully renovated to accommodate
Continued from page 11 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 68 Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 722-8700 William G. Stewart — Director of Information Technology Mission Statement: The Information Technology Department provides technology support services for County departments, Constitutional Offices, and several multi-jurisdictional agencies. Support is provided in a wide variety of areas including: •
Providing hardware and software support for County technology assets including desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, telephones, printers, mobile devices, as well as audio-visual equipment.
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Planning and support for voice and data networks.
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Operational support for existing departmental and enterprise data systems and business processes.
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Project management and support for enterprise and departmental technology initiatives.
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Training end users for a variety of applications and systems that are part of the County technology infrastructure.
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Ensuring continuity of technology operations in the event of natural or man made disasters.
the new center. The first floor will feature numerous exhibits while the second floor remains mostly unchanged from its days as a courtroom. The original steps lead up to the chambers where many prisoners learned their fate. “There are a lot of stories about people coming up these steps,” said Carol Marks Bowman, executive director of the Prince George County Regional Heritage Center. The Center will serve as a destination for school groups and group tours, and offers outreach service to schools and community groups. For more information, contact the center, 804-863-0212. The Center is located in the old courthouse, 6404 Courthouse Rd. P.O. Box 452, Prince George, VA 23875.
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Strategic planning for applying technology in a manner that will meet the current and future needs of Prince George County.
Real Estate Assessor’s Office Location: 6602 Courts Drive Prince George, VA 23875 Phone: (804) 722-8629 Roderick M. Compton — Assessor Real Estate assessments in Prince George County are administered by the Real Estate Assessor’s Office under the authority of the Constitution of Virginia, the Code of Virginia and the Prince George County Code. It is the responsibility of the Real Estate Assessor’s Office to assess land and improvements at 100 percent of fair market value according to state law. The annual real estate assessment is an estimate of the fair market value of land and improvements as of Jan. 1 of the tax year. The Assessor’s Office is responsible for making changes to land records from the new deeds, wills and plats received from the Clerk’s Office. For each property record there is a card showing the record of ownership, legal description, acreage, class code, district, source of title, location of property, sales date and sales amount. Property cards and tax maps showing location of properties may be seen in the Real Estate Assessor’s Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Real estate taxes are due June 5 and Dec. 5 each year.
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PHOTO BY JIM RIDOLPHI
Merchants Hope Church, originally constructed in 1527, remains much as it was when it was built a half century after Jamestown was settled. It is the oldest continuing Episcopal church still standing and being used for worship.
Prince George County: Famous people, places A Brief History When the English arrived in Virginia in 1607, Christopher Newport led an expedition up the James River to survey sites for settlement. The area now known as Prince George County caught the young captain’s attention. He returned to Jamestown eager to promote the new site up the James, but was dismayed to learn settlers had already begun to unload supplies at Jamestown, a decision that proved almost fatal to the struggling colony. One of the men in Newport’s company, John Martin remembered the location and in 1616, her received the first permanent land grant in Prince George. Martin’s beloved Brandon, a plantation that remained in his family for a short time before being sold to three men, one being Richard Quiney whose son married William Shakespeare’s daughter. Brandon eventually passed to Nathaniel Harrison. Family friend Thomas Jefferson designed the center of the house as it stands today, the home of the Daniel family since 1926. Brandon is only one of many sites that date back to the early settlement days of Virginia. Originally formed from Charles City County in 1702, Prince George County is
also home to Flowerdew Hundred, a 1,000-acre plantation acquired in 1619. Sir George Yeardley started the operation at the bequest of the King to fill an immediate need for mills and bake houses in the new colony. Yeardley constructed the first wind driven windmill in the English North America, and a replica sits on the site today. Churches Religion also took root in Prince George County from the earliest days of settlement, and there are several notable examples of longstanding congregations throughout the area. One, which may not come to mind, is world famous Blandford Church in Petersburg. At the time of the Battle of the Crater, the church was in Prince George County. 30,000 Confederates found their final resting place around the church at Blandford, many of them Prince George residents.
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Pictured left, Company 1 recently acquired a state-of-the-art pumper. A number of volunteers staff the various fire companies, protecting the citizens of Prince George.
Prince George County Fire Department Prince George Volunteer Fire Dept (Co 1)
Carson Vol. Fire Dept. Sub-Station
Chief Douglas Jones, Sr.
Chief Scott Campbell
Prince George Vol. Fire Dept.
11300 South Crater Road
6500 Courthouse Rd.
Petersburg, VA 23805
P. O. Box 22 Prince George, VA 23875
Burrowsville Volunteer Fire Dept. (Co 4) Chief Ralph Summerson
Disputanta Volunteer Fire Dept (Co 2) Chief Johnathan Tyrcha
17300 James River Dr. Disputanta, VA 23842
Disputanta Vol. Fire Dept 10000 County Drive
Jefferson Park Vol. Fire Dept (Co 5)
P. O. Box 151
Chief Edward Waldruff
Disputanta, VA 23842
Jefferson Park Vol. Fire Dept. 4225 Jefferson Park Road
Carson Volunteer Fire Dept (Main & Sub-Station) (Co 3)
P. O. Box 214 Prince George, VA 23875
Chief Scott Campbell Carson Vol. Fire Dept.
Prince George Emergency Crew
20015 Halifax Road
Capt. Ronald Koser
P. O. Box 96
Prince George Emergency Crew
Carson, VA 23830
10800 Prince George Dr. P. O. Box 308 Prince George, VA 23875
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Discover Prince George County
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Continued from page 13 Famous sites Events surrounding Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676 centered around Merchants Hope Church at Jordan Point. Bacon and around 200 supporters met at Merchants they signed a petition addressed to Governor Berkeley demanding his assistance in fighting the Indians. The pleas were ignored, and Bacon’s Rebellion is credited with igniting the first breath of independence in the collective American mind. Merchants stands today, some portions just as they were. The church is the oldest continuing Episcopal church still standing and being used for worship services. Native American revolutionary Richard Bland was born and raised in Prince George. Among his many accomplishments, he served as the state’s delegate to the First and Second Congressional Congresses. His voice was among the first protesting English taxation on the colonies. During the Revolutionary War, English ships were stationed in the James River in the Prince George area, and Generals Cornwallis and Benedict Arnold passed through the area during the conflict. One of the era’s most colorful characters, Edmund Ruffin, also lived and worked in Prince George. Known for his groundbreaking work in agriculture and chemistry, Ruffin became one of the most fervent supporters of the Confederate cause. Ruffin reportedly fired the first shot at Fort Sumter and was present at the hanging of John Brown, He is credited with helping to establish Virginia’s State Board of Agriculture in 1840 and is known as the “Father of Agriculture.”
Prince George was a hotbed of activity during the Civil War, especially in its closing months. At City Point, General Grant spent the final weeks of the war planning strategy at the Union Headquarters on the James River. Appomattox Manor served as the northern leader’s headquarters Wilcox Landing at Flowerdew Hundred played a vital role in Grant’s siege of Petersburg. Northern troops crossed the James and headed to Petersburg from the crossing. The site of the Crater, annexed to Petersburg in 1956, was located in Prince George at the time of the battle The long siege represented the last stand for Confederates under Gen. Robert E. Lee, and the battle is best remembered by the terrific explosion that rocked Confederate lines during the siege, the result of a tunneled bomb plan to split the Confederate lines. It didn’t work out as planned for Union generals Butler and Burnside. The explosion occurred when few Confederates were actually in the targeted area. Following the confusion, Union troops rushed in the large crater left by the explosion, only to be surrounded and killed by the Confederates. More than 5,000 men in both armies died during the battle. Many of the county’s landmarks, including Brandon and many churches, bear the scars of the conflict. The Courthouse was extensively damaged and many of its records burned or destroyed during the conflict.
Fort Lee Expansion: It’s coming! BRAC realignments mean huge increases on base Since its inception, Fort Lee has played a vital role in Prince George County’s prosperity and has provided a consistent economic base. With an estimated $700 million local impact annually, many of the soldiers stationed at Fort Lee live off-base in Prince George County. These families provide an important thread in our communities, and many of these children attend county schools. In coming years. Fort Lee will become an even larger regional player with planned base expansion and new construction. The increases will directly affect surrounding counties, especially Prince George. It will expand an already substantial economic base for the county and numerous new citizens will call Prince George home. The expansion is the result of the congressional Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) that has resulted in the combination or consolidation of many
Army services and programs. Fortunately, Fort Lee was chosen to headquarter many of the realigned services, and that means more people and more construction at Fort Lee. Fort Lee is already a busy place. It serves as home to the Army’s Combined Arms Support Command, U.S. Army Garrison, Army Logistics College, Quartermaster Center and School and the headquarters of the Defense Commissary Agency. It’s also a hub for Army Logistics and supports operations around the world. Currently, the base is home to 3,200 military personnel and employs an additional 3,000 civilians, many of them from Prince George County. There are 2,300 families who live off the base. Currently, the base has a daily student population between 3,200 and 4,200. That figure should double by 2011. The post trains more than 24,000 students each
Continued on page 17
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Discover Prince George County
October 2008
Prince George County Public Schools: A commitment to quality education Prince George County Schools proudly educates 6,300 students in its nine schools. In addition to the excellent programs offered within the schools, Prince George students have the opportunity to participate in regional programs at the technical center and Governors’ Schools. Our outstanding staff works hard to meet the various needs of our students. Our students achieve at an exemplary level. Prince George County is an outstanding community that takes a great deal of pride in its schools and the quality of graduates our schools produce. The district enjoys excellent support from not only our parents but also the business community, the military installation at Fort Lee, elected officials, and the community at large.
Building strong relationships with all groups within the county enhances the quality education our students receive. These are exciting times to be in Prince George County. Our county and school populations are growing with much of the growth attributed to the work of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC). A new elementary school is currently under construction with expected occupancy in September 2009. Additional capital projects will be forthcoming. Best wishes for an outstanding school year. —R. Francis Moore, Ed.D. Superintendent
Prince George school directory David A. Harrison Elementary 12900 E. Quaker Road Disputanta, VA 23842 804-991-2242 700 Students, Grades K-5 Principal, Sharon O’Neill North Elementary 11100 Old Stage Road Prince George, VA 23875 804-458-8922 350 Students, Grades K-5 Principal, Vera Abbott-Young South Elementary 13400 Prince George Dr. Disputanta, VA 23842 804-733-2755 460 Students, Grades K-5 Principal, Robin Pruett
L. L. Beazley Elementary 6700 Courthouse Road Prince George, VA 23875 804-733-2745 700 Students, Grades K-5 Principal, Jim Scruggs
N. B. Clements Jr. High 7800 Laurel Spring Road Prince George, VA 23875 804-733-2730 1075 Students, Grades 8-9 Principal, Peter Fisher
W.A. Walton Elementary 4101 Courthouse Road Prince George, VA 23875 804-733-2750 600 Students, Grades K-5 Principal, Jody Kane
Prince George High 7801 Laurel Spring Road Prince George, VA 23875 804-733-2720 1350 Students, Grades 10-12 Principal, Tracey Smallwood
J. E. J. Moore Middle 11455 Prince George Dr. Disputanta, VA 23842 804-733-2740 1000 Students, Grades 6-7 Principal, Willie Elliott
Education Center 11033 Prince George Dr. Disputanta, VA 23842 804-733-2748 Principal, Christopher Scruggs Rowanty Technical Center 20000 Rowanty Road Carson, Virginia 23830 804-732-4950
October 2008
Discover Prince George County
Continued from page 15 year. By 2011, that number will exceed 90,000. Fort Lee is home to both the Quartermaster Center and School and the Army Logistics Management College. Both civilians and military personnel attend the schools. It’s quite a change for the long established installation, and it means an increase in demands on localities surrounding the base. More schools, businesses and construction will accompany the BRAC expansion. Just the scheduled construction projects on the base are impressive. The Quartermasters Corps, headquartered at Fort Lee, is scheduled to double in size over the next seven years with more than $1 billion in scheduled construction. That project alone will result in thousands of new jobs, including civilian contractors and new businesses needed to support the additional troops. The Transportation Center and School, formerly located at Fort Eustis, Va. is being consolidated at Fort Lee. The Combat Service Support Center will group the Ordinance, Transport and Quartermasters Centers and Schools. The Defense Commissary Agency will also be consolidated and headquartered at Fort Lee. Culinary and Transportation, formerly housed at Lackland AFB, Texas will also call Fort Lee home. Total construction costs for the project are an estimated $2 billion.
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Many of the projects are already underway and the bulk of the expansion is slated for the next two years. The impact of the BRAC expansion is expected to have far reaching effects for the region, including •
6,000 more military personnel and their families.
•
5,000 civilian contractors and their families.
•
Construction workers needed to complete project, estimated in the hundreds.
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Construction of thousands of new residential units and expansion of commercial space.
In addition, the support services needed to accommodate the increased population will result in more daycare, school and medical services for the area. The growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by Prince George County officials who are ready and waiting for the increases. “Fort Lee is located in Prince George County and the growth and new activities on post will directly benefit our County, said Prince George County Administrator John G. Kines, Jr. The huge volume of new construction and jobs will keep the Prince George economy strong,” said Kines.
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October 2008
Prince George County Parks and Recreation: Join the fun! The Prince George Parks and Recreation Department invites you to join in the fun!! Youth will enjoy programs that include Swimming, Karate, Horse Back Riding, Tennis Lessons, and Youth Fishing Clinics among others. Children will have a blast participating in our seasonal activities, which include our Fall Festival, Christmas Card Contest and Parade, Santa Calls, Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Playground program, and Summer Enrichment Camps. Youth can also participate in our wide range of athletic programs, including Baseball, Softball, T-Ball, Wrestling, Field Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Flag and Tackle Football, Cheerleading and seasonal tournaments. Adults looking for a way to get in shape may enjoy such classes as Exercise held at the Burrowsville Community Center or Zumba Class, a fusion of Latin and International music set to dance, which creates a dynamic, exciting, and effective fitness workout, at the Prince George Educational Center. Some other adult classes include Ballroom Dancing, Karate, Line Dancing, Belly Dancing, art classes, and trips. You can also get a team together to play in our Adult Co-Ed Volleyball league. We are always looking for new and exciting activities and welcome your suggestions. Our outdoor facilities include Scott Park featuring two full size lighted softball fields, playground and large pavilion. Temple Park features one full size lighted softball field, multi-purpose field, three tennis courts, playground and large pavilion. The Moore Athletic Complex has four lighted baseball fields, multi-purpose field, and concession area. Or if you are interested in trail walking or bird watching, visit the Appomattox River Regional Park, an approximately 50-
The Prince George Christmas Parade is an annual county tradition.
acre parcel of land on the banks of the Appomattox River, located between I-295 and the Riverside Regional Jail on River Road. Please come visit this beautiful recreation attraction and discover how beautiful Prince George County is! The Park features over a mile of trails, a handicapped accessible overlook, a volunteer-built stone bridge, and an observation deck where you can fish and bird watch. Coming this fall the park will expand to include a large education/pavilion with accompanying restroom facility, and pier area pavilion. The Prince George Parks and Recreation Department program welcomes you join us! If you have any questions please contact us at (804) 733-2646.
ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PARKS AND RECREATION
The Prince George County Department of Parks and Recreation provides a variety of classes for citizens of all ages. Above, residents participate in a watercolor class.
Four-year-old soccer team
October 2008
Discover Prince George County
Page 19
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