 Become a Fan of the City of Winchester VA on Facebook.com
Meeting Schedule
Thursday, January 13
5:30 pm
Natural Resources Advisory Board Work Session
City Yards, 301 E. Cork Street
Tuesday, January 18
8:00 am
Economic Development Authority
City Hall, Council Chambers
3:00 pm
Planning Commission
City Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, January 20
~ CANCELED ~
Community Development Committee
8:00 am
Tourism Board
CVB, 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Road
4:00 pm
Board of Architectural Review
City Hall, Council Chambers
Monday, January 24
6:30 pm
Parks & Recreation Board
War Memorial Bldg, 1001 East Cork Street
Tuesday, January 25
5:30 pm
Council Worksession
City Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, January 27
7:30 am
Winchester Parking Authority
City Hall, Council Chambers
4:00 pm
Social Services Advisory Board
DSS, 24 Baker Street
4:00 pm
Tree Commission
City Yards, 301 E. Cork Street
5:30 pm
Natural Resources Advisory Board
City Yards, 301 E. Cork Street
Upcoming Events
Winter Luau
Saturday, January 29
1:00-4:00 pm
Jim Barnett Park, Social Hall
$10 for a family of 4 ($5 each additional person)
Tired of winter? Come dressed in your best Hawaiian shirt and flip flops and enjoy an afternoon of summer fun. There will be games and activities to help the entire family get rid of those winter blues. Summer-themed food will be available for purchase at a minimum cost. Register by 1/21 by calling WPRD at 662-4946.
Announcements
1. Click here to check out the Visitors Center's new genealogy webpage.
2. Yearly memberships for Jim Barnett Park's Dog Park are now available for purchase.
Three dogs maximum.
Proof of registration and vaccination is required when purchasing a membership. Call WPRD at 662-4946 for details.
3. The City's yard waste collection season officially ended this week. The yard waste season will start again on March 16, 2011.
4. At the January 11 regular meeting, Council approved a resolution authorizing staff to submit the remaining $70,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD). DHUD will re-allocate the funds left over from the Douglas Learning Center project to the following organizations: $55,108 to NW Works for its relocation project; $11,396 to the Boys and Girls Club for after school programming; and $3,496 for Aids Response Effort for a housing counseling program.
Helpful Links
Next CitE-News Issue
Wednesday, January 26
|
Now You Can Recycle MORE Plastics
Beginning Monday, January 17, you can recycle more plastics! The City is proud to announce that now all plastics #1-7 (except styrofoam) can be put into your curbside recycling bin and in recycling containers throughout Winchester (i.e. Old Town Mall, Jim Barnett Park, etc.).
 This includes:
- plastic flower pots, buckets, tubs, pails & lids;
- reusable plastic containers & lids;
- plastic bags & films; and
- plastic bottles. Not sure if something can be recycled or need a FREE blue bin? Contact the City's Refuse & Recycling division at 667-1815, ext. 1452 for more information or visit www.winchesterva.gov/publicworks/refuse.
Recycling Saves Money and the Environment
2010 RESULTS
- Last year Winchester saved over $33,360 by recycling 2,780 tons of material including aluminum cans and newspapers.
- Winchester residents recycled over 2,780 tons last year. That saved over 8,340 cubic yards of landfill space.
- Residents of Winchester recycled over 1,338 tons of mixed paper last year. This saved over 22,746 trees.
- Last year homeowners in Winchester recycled 25 tons of aluminum cans. That saves the energy equivalent of 78,125 gallons of gasoline!
- The Winchester community recycled over 25 tons of aluminum cans. That saves over 17 kilo-watt hours of electricity!
Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled
The City of Winchester is now accepting 2011 applications for real estate tax relief for the elderly and disabled. Forms are available in the Assessor’s Office at Rouss City Hall (15 N. Cameron Street) and on the City website in the Commissioner of the Revenue section (http://www.winchesterva.gov/crev/), or by mail upon request of the Assessor’s office at (540) 667-1815. The City has mailed 2011 applications to prior applicants.
Completed applications, with required documentation, must be returned to City Hall by April 1, 2011 to be considered for real estate tax relief. As the City requires annual filing for this benefit, the Commissioner of the Revenue reminds current recipients that they are required to file and qualify anew in order to continue receiving benefits.
Full or partial tax relief is available to those homeowners who are either permanently disabled or 65+ years of age and who meet income limits and other filing requirements. Although Virginia voters supported a constitutional amendment to offer tax relief to permanently disabled veterans, regardless of income status, the General Assembly has yet to enact the subsequent legislation and thus that offering is not yet available.
Changes and improvements to the 2011 filing include:
• Revised application with a larger font and more readable format
• Consideration of income from all contributing members of the household, including spouses, relatives and non-relatives, to determine qualifying status
• Year-round filing for new homeowners. Qualifying residents who purchase a home in Winchester later in the year may file within 30 days of purchase for potential tax relief on a pro-rated basis.
Questions regarding real estate tax relief for the elderly and disabled should be directed to the Assessor’s office at (540) 667-1815.
Trust Fund Established for Local Abused and Neglected Children
The Winchester Department of Social Services (WDSS) is honored and humbled by the generosity of one of Winchester's long-time residents. In his will, Mr. McCrory bequeathed $200,000 to WDSS so that they may better serve abused and neglected children and the gift was recently finalized by the court.
The Winchester Social Services Advisory Board will accept and review all requests for assistance and will decide how the funds are allocated. The funds will be given to help abused and neglected children create a brighter future for themselves.
Your 2010 Representatives
At a special meeting on Tuesday, January 11, City Council voted to reinstate Jeff Buettner as President of Council and Art Major as Vice President. After the unanimous vote, President Buettner stated, "It is an honor for me to serve this Council and the citizens of Winchester." Milt McInturff was also elected Vice-Mayor, a position previously held by Mike Butler who decided not to seek Council re-election in 2010.
Council will also be holding a retreat on January 22 at 8:30 am in the Staff Development Room at the Winchester Public School Administration Office (open to the public). The agenda is still in the preparation stages and will be released at a later date.
 Standing (L to R): President Jeff Buettner, Vice-Mayor Milt McInturff, Vice President Art Major, Councilor John Willingham, Councilor John Hill and Councilor Les VeachSitting (L to R): Councilor Evan Clark, Councilor John Tagnesi and Mayor Elizabeth Minor
Winchester Parks & Recreation Says Thank You
Winchester Parks & Recreation says "Thank You" during their first annual Customer Appreciation Week. Come to Jim Barnett Park this week and try out the facility for free or take advantage of special discounts. Click the ad below for more details.
Get fit in 2011! Click here for more information about what recreational opportunities Winchester Parks & Recreation has to offer you or check the Winter Activities Guide.
Jim Barnett Park's Disc Golf Course Update
Plans to begin construction on the back nine holes of the disc golf course in Jim Barnett Park are almost complete. Funding is in place, maps are being created, targets have been ordered, and plans are in the works to begin installing the concrete tee boxes (weather permitting). Thank you to all volunteers and donors who have made this project a reality.
 Don't miss the Disc Golf ICE BOWL on Sunday, January 23 in Jim Barnett Park. Entry fee is $20 per person and proceeds benefit the Winchester Parks Foundation and the Lord Fairfax Area Food Bank. Call Brad at Winchester Parks & Recreation for more details (662-4946).
The City Reflects on 2010
The City of Winchester continued to work hard last year for its residents. Staff is dedicated to delivering quality services in an efficient, sustainable and customer-focused manner. Below is a review of the City's past year.
- New City Manager, Jim O'Connor joined the City in January 2010.
- The blizzard of 2010 hit the city hard, but all personnel worked hard to keep Winchester safe and operational during the record-breaking snow fall.
- No tax increases were issued and the City received a bond rating upgrade from "AA" to "AA+" from Standard & Poor's in October.
- Sheriff Lenny Millholland won the first annual Salsa Fest "Salsa with the Stars" dance competition. In addition, the event, which sold out, raised over $4,000 for WINC Chain of Checks.
- Piccadilly Street received new water and sewer lines, storm drainage, sidewalks and trees.
- The Percy D. Miller Water Treatment Plant improvement project began on this 50 year old facility.
- The Treasurer's Office was recognized with accreditation from the Virginia Treasurers' Assoc. for the 5th straight year.
- The City's 2nd annual International Children's Festival held in Jim Barnett Park helped over 3,000 people travel to 19 amazing countries.
- Approximately 25 local residents graduated from the 6th annual INSIGHT Citizen's Academy.
- Jim Barnett Park received several improvements or additions including a new 9-hole disc golf course and an improved Kiwanis Par Course complete with new exercise equipment and a one-mile asphalt trail system.
- An agreement was signed to bring the 2011 Cal Ripken 10-Year-Old World Series to Jim Barnett Park.
- The new Timbrook Youth Reporting Center became operational in December. This Center will provide a safe and structured learning environment for young people in the city with behavioral issues.
- Downtown Winchester welcomed several new businesses and building renovations and experienced an increase in the turnout for Old Town events. |
