POLLARD TO HOST FORUM ON EDUCATIONAL FUNDING FORMULA

In response to recalibration of the state funding formula that is hurting local school funding, Delegate Albert Pollard will host a public town hall meeting for citizens and officials interested in discussion of the recent re-benchmarking of state education funds. Mr. Kent Dickey, Assistant Superintendent in the State DOE Division of Finance will assist in explaining the composite index and how it determines the school funding formula. He will have several visuals addressing not only the formula as it applies locally but also how other localities fare as well.

Del. Pollard wants the meeting to be a first step toward local consensus on the best way to correct the gross unfairness to our rural localities. Said Pollard, "Common sense tells us that any formula which treats Virginia’s wealthiest localities just like the Northern Neck has gross faults. We need a funding formula that accurately reflects our real needs."

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13th at Trinity Episcopal Church, 8484 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster. For more information contact Albert Pollard's aide, Cathy Hemans at 804-462-5940.

LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION SCHEDULED MEETING DATES

The Lancaster County Board of Equalization of Real Estate Assessments will meet on the following dates and times to hear appeals from the 2008 Real Estate Assessments recently completed for all real estate in Lancaster County, Virginia:

Monday - April 14, 2008 - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (12-1 Lunch)
Wednesday - April 16, 2008 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Monday - April 21, 2008 - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (12-1 Lunch)
Tuesday - April 22, 2008 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday - April 29, 2008 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Lancaster County property owners may schedule an appointment with the Equalization Board by calling 804-462-7760 or writing to or e-mailing Mr. George E. Thomas, Jr., Commissioner of the Revenue, Post Office Box 122, Lancaster, VA 22503. All hearings will be held in the General District Courtroom, 8311 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster, VA 22503.

By county ordinance, all hearings must be scheduled by April 30, 2008 and the Board of Equalization must complete all hearings by May 30, 2008. If additional dates and times are required, reasonable arrangements will be made to accommodate concerned property owners.

LANCASTER EMERGENCY SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT SENIOR PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

Beginning in September, the Lancaster County Department of Emergency Services will be implementing a new program geared towards preparing the county's senior population for safety and preparedness.

The program is designed as a follow-up with citizens who are 65 years and older and have received transport by the county rescue squads.

The department's staff will cover such topics as home safety, driving safety, and disaster preparedness. In addition, county emergency services staff members will check smoke detectors and give information on the programs available throughout the county.

Any other citizen wanting information on any of these topics should email EMT Everett Walker or Chief Scott Hudson or call Chief Hudson at (804) 462-6010.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING DATES

The Lancaster County Board of Supervisors will hold its regular monthly meetings during calendar year 2008 on the following dates:

All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the General District Courtroom, 8311 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster, Virginia.

TREE CUTTING

Any person planning to cut or direct the cutting of trees within 100 feet of tidal waters or wetlands must contact the Lancaster County Planning and Land Use Office, (804) 462-5220, prior to doing so.

STREET SIGN VANDALISM

Theft and vandalism of highway marking signs continues to be a source of great concern to Lancaster County law enforcement and emergency response personnel. This is particularly true of street name identification signs.

According to the Lancaster County Code of Ordinances, willful and malicious damage to public property is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up $2,500 and/or up to 12 months in jail.

Anyone with information regarding vandalism to or theft of County-maintained street signs is encouraged to contact the County Administration office at (804) 462-5129 or e-mail Glenn D. Rowe.

Other street sign problems can be reported using our sign maintenance request form.