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Meeting Schedule
Thursday, September 23
4:00 pm
Social Services Advisory Board
DSS, 24 Baker Street
4:00 pm
Tree Commission
City Yards, 301 East Cork Street
Monday, September 27
6:30 pm
Parks & Recreation Advisory Bd
Park Place Park (call 662-4946 for directions)
Tuesday, September 28
5:30 pm
City Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, September 30
5:30 pm
Natural Resources Advisory Bd
City Yards, 301 East Cork Street
Monday, October 4
6:00 pm
Winchester Public School Bd
Central Office, 12 N. Washington Street
7:00 pm
North End Citizen's Assoc. *
Douglas Learning Center
598 North Kent Street
Wednesday, October 6
5:30 pm
Old Town Development Bd
City Hall, 4th Floor Exhibit Hall
*North End Citizens and South End Citizens Associations are private organizations whose meetings are open to the public and are listed as a convenience to the public. Their listings are in no way an endorsement by the City of Winchester of the specific activities of the organizations.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, September 25
10:00 am–2:00 pm
Jim Barnett Park
In addition to displays, demos and activities on safety issues from A to Z, there’ll be a bike rodeo and free helmets, kid printing, dunking booth, magic, balloon bending & face painting, therapy dogs, drug sniffing dogs. For teen drivers on up, a new “Aware TXT” simulator to heighten awareness of this serious driving distraction. Also “Carfit” evals for senior drivers. AND MORE!
National Take-Back Day Saturday, September 25
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. Prescription Drug Collection Sites: 1) Winchester Sherrif's Office - Joint Judicial Center, 5 N. Kent Street and 2) Frederick County Sheriff's Office - Winchester Elks Lodge, 466 Front Royal Pike. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Magic Lantern Theatre Presents: "Some Like It Hot"
Wednesday, September 29
7:00 pm
Handley Regional Library Auditorium
The 1959 classic American film, written and directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe was nominated for six Oscars. The event is part of the countdown to Handley Library’s 100th anniversary and is free and open to the public. Contact 678-0963. www.magiclanterntheater.org
Guided Civil War Walking Tour
Friday, October 1
6:00 am
Old Town Winchester
An in depth look at Winchester during the Civil War, led by expert guides. Cost: $5 per person and reservations are required.Call 540-542-1326. Meet guide at 2 N. Cameron Street, across from City Hall.
International Children's Festival
Saturday, October 2
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Jim Barnett Park
See article on right.
Winchester Apple Harvest Cyclocross
Sunday, October 3
9:00 am-3:45 pm
Jim Barnett Park
Beach Boys Concert
Tuesday, October 5
7:30 pm
Patsy Cline Theatre at JHHS
Purchase tickets from www.tickmaster.com.
One Book, One Community
Wednesday, October 6
7:00 pm
Old Court House Civil War Museum
Dramatic Readings from: Harper Lee's "TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD". Cast includes Jay Russell, Alex Iden, Ian Williams, Bill Heavner Kathleen Getaz, Marcus Lemasters, Mike Foreman, Ashley Weekley and Robert Moten. FREE.
Where is the Wilderness Road?
Pictured above (L to R): Cheryl Dyksen (George Washington Headquarters Museum) and Sally Coates (Interim Tourism Director)
Several years ago, in support of a new tourism product designed to increase visitation to Western Virginia, Winchester and Frederick County supported a resolution that asked the General Assembly to name the Wilderness Road: Virginia's Heritage Migration Route from Winchester to Cumberland Gap. In Winchester-Frederick County, the Wilderness Road is now known as Route 11.
For more information, visit www.wildernessroad.org.
Helpful Links
Next CitE-News Issue
Wednesday, October 6
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International Children's Festival is Coming October 2
 It's that time of year again! Get family ready for a free trip around the world. Visit over 20 amazing countries and experience each unique location using all five of your senses. See and hear what makes each country unique via educational country exhibits and live cultural entertainment. Smell and taste delicious international foods. Experience hands-on crafts and activities at each exhibit. It's an day to remember for all children and families!
The International Children's Festival, presented by Blue Ridge Kiwanis, is to be held on October 2 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in Jim Barnett Park (in and around the gymnasium). This annual free event consists of the following activities:
- Interactive educational country exhibits (brought to you by Valley Proteins);
- Live cultural entertainment (brought to you by T.D. Clayton State Farm Insurance and Kraft Foods);
- International food court*;
- Stories from around the world (brought to you by Handley Regional Library); and
- Merchandise vendors* and exhibitors (brought to you by Coalition for Racial Unity).
*Available for purchase.
Make plans to attend the 2nd annual International Children's Festival in Jim Barnett Park on October 2. There is no admission fee and passports for the children are also free thanks to Piccadilly Printing Company. Check the next CitE-News issue or the ICF website for more details.
Adopt-A-Hydrant Program
 Winter storms, like the blizzard earlier this year, often hide fire hydrants under a mound of snow, making hydrants impossible to find quickly. In the event of a fire, firefighters have to locate and shovel out buried fire hydrants before hooking up to them, losing precious time that could have been spent saving lives and containing a fire.
This is why the City of Winchester has added the indicator flags to all hydrants and created an Adopt-A-Hydrant program for its 1,200 hydrants.
Residents who adopt hydrants will help the City of Winchester by keeping them clear of snow in the winter and overgrowth in the summer.
For more details or to adopt a hydrant near you, please call Mitch Thomas at 662-1975 or visit www.winchesterva.gov/utilities/adopt-a-hydrant.
Biennial Real Estate Assessments are Almost Complete
The Commissioner’s office is currently conducting its biennial reassessment of all real estate in the City. So far, all residential property visits have been completed in the city and the data is currently being analyzed. These assessments will take effect for tax years 2011 and 2012.
Real estate property assessments done by the City are external reviews and differ from a real estate appraisal that is completed when you sell your home. If you should have any questions about the assessment process, please contact the Assessor's office at 667-1815 or email commrevenue@ci.winchester.va.us.
Coming Soon: Information on improvements to the notification, review and appeal process, each of which will be efficient and taxpayer-focused.
Economic Redevelopment News
Baker Street Revitalization Plan
On September 30 at 7:00 pm in the Rouss City Hall 4th Floor Exhibit Hall, property owners on Baker Street are invited to a meeting to discuss the Baker Street Redevelopment Plan. Click here to view the plan.
New Lending Programs
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) is now offering a Business Growth Lending Program and a Real Estate Development Revolving Loan Program. Click here for details.
On Tuesday, September 21, the EDA voted to approve the sales contract for the building located at 146-148 North Loudoun Street on the Old Town Mall. The blighted building was sold for $200,000 to Elm Hill Rentals, LLC who plans to demolish it by January 31, 2011 and begin construction on the new building by March 13, 2011. The new building will offer retail space on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors.
O'Sullivan Expansion to Benefit City's Tax Revenue
The City's $300,000 investment in the O'Sullivan plant expansion, which was matched by the Governor's Opportunity Fund, is expected to create 174 new jobs and generate enough taxes (Machinery and Tools) to pay back the investment in only 1.5 years. An analysis conducted by the EDA estimates that the City will receive approximately $1 million in new taxes from this expansion in just 5 years.
New Green Space in Old Town Coming Soon
Another downtown beautification project is underway at the corner of North Kent Street and East Piccadilly Street.
 New landscape designs call for trees, shrubs and grass that will convert the vacant City-owned lot which served as the construction staging area for the downtown infrastructure improvement construction project since May 2009 into an urban pocket park in Old Town.
The new green space will be an attractive gateway to visitors as they enter into the Old Town district and will offer downtown workers and residents a relaxing bit of green space to enjoy.
Rouss City Hall History Corner - The Portrait
 In the present-day Council Chambers there is a massive fireplace on the far (north) wall that includes an ornate brick mantle including a surround rising up above the mantle. Centered within this is a portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. Marshall, a Virginian, was the fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and is credited with shaping the role that the Court has today in arbitrating the US Constitution.
The painting was a gift to the citizens of Winchester in 1901 by then Mayor Robert T. Barton. Barton was a distant relative of Marshall and was Mayor when Rouss City Hall opened.
The artist, Edward Calendon Bruce, was born in Winchester, Virginia and became an accomplished painter. He is perhaps best known for his full-length portrait of Gen Robert E. Lee. The Marshall portrait was based upon an original portrait of the Chief Justice that hung in Leeds Manor, the Marshall family home in Fauquier County, VA.
In the mid-1980’s, when the courts moved into the new Joint Judicial Center and the former courtroom in City Hall was converted to the Council Chambers, the portrait stayed in City Hall. This was done because the portrait was a gift from the Mayor to the citizens of Winchester, not to the courts.
Read This Before You Start an Outdoor Fire
Open burning is defined as the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudge pots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames or recreational fires. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with the Virginia Statewide and the City of Winchester Fire Prevention Codes.
Currently, there is no ban on open burning in the City of Winchester due to the dry conditions, however to learn more about types of prohibited and permitted open burnings, fire safety requirements and permit procedures, please click here.
City Receives an Urban Planning Development Grant
The City of Winchester’s current Comprehensive Plan is in the process of being updated with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the city which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The current comprehensive plan contains some chapters that have not been updated since 1991. The most recent changes occurred in 2005. The proposed update represents a substantially different plan for the City; and, will include urban development area designations and design elements. Specifically, mixed-use/mixed-income re-development areas, along with the incorporation of new urbanism principles are anticipated to be featured within the updated proposal.
A crucial element for implementing the vision within the Comprehensive Plan will be to substantially revise and/or re-write the City’s Zoning Ordinance, immediately after the adoption of the plan. The City recently applied for and was awarded an Urban Development Area Planning Grant in the amount of $50,000. The funding will be utilized to partner with the planning consultants to develop the necessary revisions to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to effectuate the principles of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Design.
Announcements
1. In order to conduct officer physical agility tests, the Winchester PD will close East Lane today (Wednesday) until 3:00 pm, Thursday 7:45 am to 2:00 pm, and Friday from 7:45 to 11:00am. Employees and visitors to the Annex building are allowed to park in the designated parking as long as there are no runners on the course. Additionally those traveling Boscawen into Mt. Hebron will be permitted to cross East Lane as long as there are no runners on the course.
2. In its September 14 meeting, City Council approved the exemption from personal property tax of antique vehicles, along with all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles. Antique vehicle owners will still need to register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and pay an annual City license of $10.
3. If you’ve noticed some minor work happening on the Old Town Mall, it’s the City repairing sections of the Mall’s sidewalks that are uneven.
4. The Cyclocross event in Jim Barnett Park on October 3rd will close Oak Drive (the road between the BMX track and Bridgeforth Field), the Dog Park and the Disc Golf Course. Click here for details about the event.
5. Last week was National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week and the Literacy Volunteers of Winchester, NSV Adult Education, and the Regional Literacy Coordinating Committee invite you to join in the celebration all year long. In the communities served by these local agencies there is 25% rate of low literacy. Read More |
