Chesterfield Board of Supervisors: More of the Same?

We are barely into the new term of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors and it is already fairly obvious that the election in November 2011 has brought very little change to the trajectory of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors. Citizens entered 2012 as open-minded as we did four years ago when a few of these Board members were elected for the first time, but as the term progressed we learned some very disappointing things about how our government in reality was working. A new group of leaders in Dorothy Jaeckle (R), Daniel Gecker (D/I), James Holland(D) and Marlene Durfee (I) entered leadership joining Art Warren (R) four years ago and hit the County professing a more open, transparent Board seeking to work with our School Board addressing concerns for the County. Unfortunately, our government entered into a period of bitter rivalry in which members like Supervisor Gecker pushed for more oversight by the Board of Supervisors over the budget of the School Board. As many of you are aware, the Board of Supervisors allocates the revenues generated to the County for use by the School Board, typically 48% or so of County revenues, but has no line-item powers to challenge how the School Board drafts its budget. The School Board had its own share of new blood as well that sought to rock the status quo that individuals like Supervisor Gecker have long supported. The egos of those involved managed to reach its boiling point in 2010.


That said, the new County Boards arrived for work last month and there was a bit of optimism for a few weeks until like a balloon under too much pressure that optimism burst when the Board of Supervisors selected Supervisor Daniel Gecker (D/I- Midlothian) as its Chairman. Citizens will recall it was a back room deal conjured up between Gecker, Supervisors Jaeckle (R-Bermuda) and Warren(R-Clover Hill) that eliminated the ascension of one James Holland (D-Dale) to the Chairmanship in 2011 backed by Marlene Durfee(I-Matoaca) that was thrown upon the latter right before the vote. This was an orchestrated political move undertaken by Gecker and Jaeckle that completely contradicted these leaders positions on transparency and eliminating the politics in Board activity. In the end, Warren would resume the Chairmanship for what seems like the tenth time over his long history on the Board. Last month, the those that would deliver Warren to the Chairmanship and undermine Supervisor Holland's bid in 2011 would return the favor to Supervisor Gecker. Politics as usual in Chesterfield.

Even the Richmond Times-Dispatch lead with a piece on January 29th with an article entitled "Gecker to Bring More of Same" as it analyzed how the government would operate under a Gecker Chairmanship. Citizens need to take a moment and reflect just what that "more of the same" really means and how it will inevitably impact our quality of life in Chesterfield. This was the proponent behind the 4.3 million dollar pre-payment deal to Sportsquest, which not only remains delinquent to local companies but also to the tune of 74,500 in delinquent taxes to the County. Gecker also in December addressed the Chesterfield Legislative contingent from Chesterfield to the General Assembly asking them to raise taxes on Virginians either directly or through the gas tax to pay for infrastructure for localities that fall under the State's responsibility. Gecker has been known to play "accountability politics" with everyone from the School Board in Chesterfield to the General Assembly but always fails to demonstrate any responsibility or accountability regarding Board actions. Gecker has demonstrated time and time again with his dealing with School Board member Patty Carpenter from Midlothian.

We were told by Board members like Art Warren that this new government and the relationship between both the Supervisors, Assembly and the School Board will be "more collegial". Is "collegial" what the County wants? Dos not "collegial" bring with it is own set of fleas when solutions must be created to address County needs? Was it "collegial" for Art Warren to accept the Chairmanship in 2011 after the maneuver's of Gecker and Jaeckle? Or might it have been more appropriate to take the higher road and the one leaders professed to endorse and withdraw from consideration and allow Holland to assume the Chairmanship?

Citizens of Chesterfield County should review the areas in which Supervisor Gecker seeks to focus on as Chairman as a pretty good indication of what to expect from his leadership. In the Times-Dispatch article, Gecker states that he seeks to:

1. Create a long-term plan for Parks and Recreation----this after reducing funding for parks and then shilling for the 4.3 million dollar prepayment to Sportsquest.

2. Finish the 2004 bond referendum projects---yet the Midlothian library set to alleviate stresses on Bon Air and Midlothian libraries with a location decided upon on Robious was shelved by Gecker and will not likely be completed under the new Comp Plan.

3. Infrastructure Improvements- yet Gecker's position on extending the Powhite Parkway will simply create even more urban sprawl and contribute to even greater over capacity in schools in Clover Hill and Midlothian where some schools are already at 120+% capacity. He further advocates additional taxes upon citizens through the State to pay for infrastructure improvements that may include required sidewalks and bike ways within new residential developments approved/required under the pending Comp Plan.

4. Increasing Regional Ccooperation- obliviously the biggest issue that comes to mind will be that of the Diamond and whether Chesterfield will contribute further to any new stadium deal being worked out with the City of Richmond.

All citizens should pay close attention to the actions and trajectory of the new Board's agenda moving forward and be prepared to hold it accountable given the Board has proven its inability to hold itself accountable for its own decisions.