County Administrator's BLOG

The Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe will hold a special “Federal Land Trust Dedication” ceremony on Saturday, May 28, as part of the first day festivities at their 33^rd Annual Native American Pow Wow & Spring Festival this Memorial Day weekend.

The ceremony will take place at 12:00 Noon. Tribe officials and community leaders, including the Board of Supervisors, will be present to celebrate the first acres of land put into federal trust by the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe. According to information provided by the Tribe, “Having federal trust land will help Upper Mattaponi citizens have access to a variety of programs and services, including economic development opportunities, housing support, and an enhanced ability to manage cultural and environmental resources.”

Tribal Grounds will be open on Saturday, May 28, from 10am-5pm with the Grand Entry and Dedication Ceremony at Noon; and on Sunday, May 29, from 11am-5pm with the Grand Entry at 1pm.

The event is held on the UMIT Tribal Grounds located at 13476 King William Road. For more information, visit the UMIT website or contact Reggie Tupponce, Tribal Administrator, at (804) 339-8893 or (804) 769-0041.

King William Little League Confirms Hosting All-Star Softball Tournament June 18-23

King William Little League officials received the great news earlier this week that they will officially be holding the District 15 All-Star Minor Softball Tournament June 18-23 at the King William Recreation Park.

The tourney for girls ages 8-12 will begin June 18 and include teams from eight counties – King William, Caroline, Richmond, Essex, Mathews, Northumberland, Middlesex, and King George. King William will oppose Caroline in the opening round.

According to Little League officials, many improvements have been made in the last couple months to prepare for the tourney, including new lights on Field #5. Dugouts have been upgraded and new soil was added to Field #1.

The youth baseball organization is always looking for volunteers. Please email Mike Maiorana if you can donate an hour or two of your time.

Public Safety Radio System Foliage Test Moved to June 20

The foliage test for the new Public Safety Radio System has been moved to June 20. Motorola officials decided to postpone the test previously scheduled for May 23. The test is critical in moving forward with a possible July 2022 implementation date for the new system. The foliage test will measure communication in all points of the County. King William shares the system with Hanover County.

Reorganization of Social Services Board Approved by Board of Supervisors

At their May 23 regular meeting, the King William County Board of Supervisors approved the reorganization of the Social Services Board that oversees King William’s Social Services Department.

The BOS voted to eliminate the five-member board and designate the County Administrator as the local board as provided for in the Code of Virginia §63.2-302. A five-member Advisory Board was also established that will have no governing authority but will interact with the Social Services staff to enhance services to the community. The change went into effect immediately.

Anyone interested in serving on the Advisory Board can get more information and download an application from the County website or by contacting the County Administration Deputy Clerk at deputyclerk@kingwilliamcounty.us or 804-769-4927. 

The Social Services Department is looking for a new director, who will now be recommended to the Board of Supervisors by the County Administrator. For more information on the position, visit the County Human Resources website. The BOS will receive information from County Staff at their June 13 Work Session regarding policies DSS employees will follow with this change of governance.

Cooling Assistance Program Open for Qualified Applicants

King William County residents seeking relief on their electric bills this summer can apply for the Cooling Assistance Program.

Financial assistance is eligible for qualified applicants who need help paying the electric bill and/or purchasing/repairing cooling equipment in the home. Along with income restrictions, there must be a vulnerable person living in the home who is at least 60 years old; disabled by Social Security standards; 100 percent disabled; or under age 6.

Applications are accepted at the King William Social Services office, online at www.commonhelp.virginia.gov, or via telephone at (855) 635-4370.

The program beings June 15 and extends through August 15.

As all families deal with the rising costs of gasoline, fuel, and other important necessities, it is good to know there is an organization that stands ready to assist.

The CornerStone Community Development Center, located at 8270 Richmond Tappahannock Highway in Aylett, has been a rock of support for many years. It assists the community with a Food Program, Free Health Clinic, and Clothing Shed.

According to their Facebook page, the Food Program provides supplemental food to families each month. Families receive a bag with bread, produce, and meat every week. Children who qualify receive a backpack with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the weekend that is distributed through the public school system.

CornerStone also reports their Free Health Clinic is a medical home to those who are uninsured. Care is extended to patients providing them with professional care, specialty care, free medications, prescription glasses, and dentures.

The Clothing Shed, also known as The Lily Field, is a place for donated and household items to be made available for anyone in need.

Donations are always being accepted and a fundraising meal is offered on the second Thursday of every month which benefits the food and health clinic programs for residents in King William, as well as Hanover, King & Queen, Essex, Richmond County, and more.

Kudos to the folks who make this a labor of love to serve the community. Visit their Facebook page for further information and current events.

King William Ruritan Club Reports Another Successful Fish Fry

The King William County Ruritan Club held its monthly meeting on May 11 and reported on another successful Fish Fry which was held on April 16.

The long-time non-profit organization continues to reach out and assist the community in numerous ways. They also recently picked up litter along Route 30 and will issue scholarships to high school students in the very near future.

Local groups are always looking for new members. You won’t find a better one than the Ruritan Club.

VDOT Paving Projects Will Replace Rumble Strips After Completion

VDOT and its contractors have done a good job in repaving parts of Route 30. Delays in traffic flow were kept to a minimum by completing most of the work during evening hours.

Lane striping is still necessary to complete the job. Also to return are those loud rumble strips, which are installed as safety measures to alert drivers when they get too close to the middle or the shoulder of the road. They can be annoying for people who live close to highways because the noise seems to carry a long way, however, whether we like them or not, they are proven to reduce accidents according to the latest VDOT statistics.

These rumble strips are installed on major roads and byways as part of a state-wide safety initiative and are a loud reminder that we need to “drive the straight and narrow,” or suffer a noisy consequence.

Upgraded Public Safety Radio System Set for Foliage Test

An upgraded public safety radio system is one big “test” away from moving forward to implementation later this summer for King William County.

A “foliage test” is scheduled for May 23 for the new Motorola system, which King William County shares with Hanover County. The foliage test will measure communication in all points of the County. A successful test will allow the project to be completed in July.

All public safety personnel, both career and volunteer, will have upgraded service.

King William County Searching for Director of Social Services

King William County Government is looking to fill the vital position of Director of Social Services to serve community families.

Advertising for the position began last week. Anyone with experience in this area is urged to apply by the June 15 deadline.

Contact King William County Human Resources for further information at nmcinteer@kingwilliamcounty.us.

New Dollar General Store Ready for Construction Along Route 30

Many motorists driving along Route 30 have probably wondered what the orange fencing near East Spring Forest Road is outlining. It is the new Dollar General Store.

Construction should begin very soon on the new store which has received all permits and permissions. It will be a welcome addition for travelers who have limited choices along Route 30 between King William High School and the West Point Town limits.

Visit the Dollar General website for a sampling of their retail offerings and to check out their job openings. Store officials expect to have the new location open in just a few months.

The Department of Motor Vehicles made a successful visit to King William County on May 5 by setting up its mobile unit at the Parks & Recreation offices off Route 360.

Residents were able to get most things done at the mobile unit that they find at the stationary locations nearby in West Point and Tappahannock.  There were 17 appointments made in advance and walk-ins were also allowed from the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The event was coordinated by Commissioner of the Revenue, Karena Funkhouser. Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Moren and District 4 Supervisor Stewart Garber joined me in representing the Board and County Staff at the opening.

Increased interest will give validation for the mobile unit to return often to the County.  In the meantime, don’t forget about the DMV Select located in the West Point Town Hall. Visit their website for more information including hours of operation and services available.

King William County Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Survey Preliminary Results

Deputy Clerk Chris Branch and incoming Historical Society President David Brown worked on this piece as the efforts to uncover hidden treasurers continue on the grounds around the Historic Courthouse.

Recently, archaeologist and GPR specialist Robert Chartrand completed a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey at the Historic Courthouse in King William. The preliminary maps were provided by David Brown, Past President of the King William County Historical Society. “As with all good archaeology - the maps create more questions than answers. But they also show us where a LOT of the utilities are (alive and dead) and this will be a significant document for helping us avoid impacting those utilities while protecting cultural resources and interpreting them to the public.” 

Mr. Brown also shared that every fourth and fifth grader in King William County schools will be visiting the Historical Society Museum and grounds later this month. During their visit, students will see the archeological dig site and learn about the artifacts being found by researchers and volunteers.

For more information on the King William County Historical Society and Museum, visit their website, kingwilliamhistory.org. For the latest news, follow them on Facebook, @kingwillcoHS.

Man Conference ‘Watch Party’ Planned for May 21

The First 360 Man Conference “Watch Party” will be held on May 21 at the King William Recreation Center located off Route 360.

Maurice Newbill and other male figures within the King William Community will be leading the program that lasts from 1-4 p.m.  The emphasis of the group is to reach ages 10-18.

There is no cost to attend the Watch Party, but you need to secure your spot by registering on the Parks & Rec website.   A boxed lunch will be provided.

Rappahannock Community College Offering the Basics of Pickleball

Rappahannock Community College’s Rappahannock Institute for Lifelong Learning (RILL) will offer “Basics of Pickleball,” Thursday, June 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 9:30 am to 11 am in Warsaw. The class will be held on the tennis (Pickleball) courts at RCC’s Warsaw campus.

The sport of Pickleball is increasing in popularity as a way to stay fit and have fun with friends. Paul Shrieves, and avid Pickleball player, will teach the rules, terminology, primary skills, and more in this class. Paddles and balls will be provided or bring your own. The course is limited to 12 participants. You don’t want to miss out on the fun.

Advance registration and tuition payment of $35 is required. RW-C residents receive a 50% discount; Richmond County residents can attend at no charge. Blue Ridge Bank Golden Advantage members receive a 15% discount. 

For more information on this and other RILL courses, or to register, visit the RILL website or call Brittany Abdul-Malik at 804-333-6707 or e-mail bjenkins@rappahannock.edu. 

Social Services Agency Offering ‘Cooling Assistance Program’

King William Social Services is accepting applications for its Cooling Assistance Program from June 15 until August 15. Qualified applicants can seek relief from paying electric bills and/or purchasing/repairing cooling equipment in their homes.  

Income restrictions do apply and there must be a vulnerable person living in the home.  Applications, instructions, and additional information can be found at commonhelp.virginia.gov.