It’s almost Election Day; find a sample ballot and your polling place below. The York School Board meets tonight for a work session and is seeking public input on the Strategic Plan at two forums this week.
Vote Tomorrow
Voters in York County will choose a President and Vice President, a member of the U.S. Senate, a member of the House of Representatives and vote on two amendments to the Constitution of Virginia.
Voters will be asked to decide whether Article I of the Bill of Rights of the state constitution should be amended to require that eminent domain only be exercised where the property taken or damages is for public use and not for private gain, private benefit, private enterprise, increasing jobs, increasing tax revenue or economic development; to define what is included in just compensation for the taking or damaging of property; and to prohibit the taking or damaging of more private property than is necessary for public use. Learn the background here.
The second question will ask voters to decide whether Section 6 of Article IV of the Constitution of Virginia should be amended to allow the General Assembly to delay by no more than one week the fixed starting date for the reconvened or “veto” session when the GA meets to consider bills returned by the Governor with vetoes or amendments.
Currently, the Constitution of Virginia requires the veto session must begin on the sixth Wednesday following the end of each session; the veto session usually lasts for only one day and cannot last more than 10. Read the background here.
Find more details about who will be on the ballot and find your polling location here.
York SB to Meet for Work Session, Host Forums
The York County School Board will meet for a work session at 6 p.m. today at York Hall.
The board will discuss the draft of the superintendent’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 2014-2023, one-time payment to staff members, the strategic plan’s missions, goals and beliefs and an update on food services, including changes due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
The board will also host town hall forums to gather input for the Strategic Plan at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Tabb High and at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bruton High.
York Commemorates Civil War Sesquicentennial
Several upcoming York County events will mark the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, which began in 1862.
The York County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, in association with Robert Ruffin Productions, will present performances of Ruffin’s play “Kiss My Little Girls – 1861” by Jeff Toalson.
The play is based on Toalson’s book, “Send Me a Pair of Old Boots and Kiss My Little Girls,” which documents the real-life letters written between husband and wife Richard and Mary Watkins of Prince Edward County throughout the course of the Civil War. It is the first installment in an intended four-part series following the lives of the Watkinses. The second installment will premiere in Gloucester on Dec. 6.
“Kiss My Little Girls – 1861” stars Robert Ruffin, a Mathews native and actor, and Cynthia Jantzen, a Philadelphia-based actress. The play is directed by Mary Wadkins of Mathews, and the set and lighting is designed by Matthew Allar, an associate professor of theatre at The College of William & Mary. The production is stage managed by Allison Antonelli of Newport News.
Performances are scheduled for November 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and November 11 and 12 at 2 p.m. in the Freight Shed, 331 Water Street, Yorktown. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased online at www.bootsandkisses.com or by calling 766-2309.
Middle Schoolers Invited to ‘Skate, Rattle & Roll’
York County’s Parks and Recreation invites middle-schoolers to spend Friday nights from 9 to 11 p.m. roller skating in the Dare Elementary School gym.
From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., elementary school and family skate sessions will run, but beginning at 8:50 p.m., middle school students can be dropped off and line up at the door with staff. An adult must enter the gym to pick up participants at 11 p.m.
Admission is $5 and includes regular skates. For an additional $3, students can rent roller blades. Concessions will also be available for purchase. For more information, call York County Parks and Recreation office at 890-3500.
York Hosts Holiday Open House
Historic Yorktown will be in the holiday spirit Nov. 10 and 11 when shops along Main and Ballard Streets and Riverwalk Landing will welcome shoppers to leisurely peruse items for sale. Select stores will host giveaways and offer special discounts, along with appetizers and artist demonstrations. Santa Claus will pay a visit to the village, as well.
In addition, Yorktown Market Days will have extended hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 10, with entertainment provided by the Runaway String Band. Elite Cuisine will offer a chef’s demonstration at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
The Watermen’s Museum will host its 6th annual Chili Cook-Off competition from noon to 3 p.m. For only $5, sample recipes and cast a vote for the best. The weekend will conclude with a Veteran’s Day ceremony at noon at York Hall.
National Park Entrance Fees Waived for Veterans Day Weekend
All National Park Service sites, including the Colonial National Historical Park and Historic Jamestowne, will offer free admission for all visitors Nov. 10-12 in honor of Veterans Day weekend.
On Nov. 10, a special program will highlight the role of artillery at Yorktown Battlefield. Demonstrations by Lamb’s Artillery and the British Royal Artillery will help visitors appreciate the differences between field and siege artillery and how the Americans and French had an advantage over the British weaponry during the siege of Yorktown in 1781. The demonstrations will take place near the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center at 11:45 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
At 2 p.m. on Nov. 11, John Quarstein and Michael Moore will speak on their new book entitled “Yorktown’s Civil War Siege” followed by a book signing.
Leaf Collection Begins Nov. 12
York County offers a leaf collection program for residents who live on publicly maintained streets. This program allows for an unlimited number of clear bags of leaves to be placed at the roadside for collection every other week. The leaf collection program will begin the week of November 12.
Residents who live on privately maintained streets or roads may bring leaves out to the closest public roadway for collection. In addition, all residents may bring leaves year-round to the VPPSA Compost Facility located at 145 Goodwin Neck Road, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For leaf collection purposes the county is divided into 2 zones:
- The Southern Zone includes all homes south of Dare Road, including neighborhoods in the Tabb, Coventry,Kiln Creek, Brandywine and Harwoods Mill areas.
- The Northern Zone includes all homes on and North of Dare Road, including neighborhoods along Wolf Trap Road, Goodwin Neck Road, and homes in Seaford, Marlbank, Edgehill, Yorktown, and the entire upper County.
Leaf collection for the Southern zone will be the following weeks: November 12, November 26, December 10, December 24, January 7, January 21, and January 28.
Leaf collection for the Northern zone will be the following weeks: November 19, December 3, December 17, December 31, January 14, and January 28.
Leaves must be in clear bags and bags must be easy to handle by one person (maximum weight limit = 40 lbs). Clear bags can be purchased at local hardware, grocery and department stores.
Bags must be at the front roadside by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week. Pick up will be completed by the end of the week.
For more information, please call the York County Waste Management Center at 890-3780.
