Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the need of agencies to transfer to a different criminal justice training academy, but there needs to be consideration of the fiscal impact on a training academy budget when a dues-paying agency leaves the academy. Passage of this bill could cause other agencies to leave their academies without fiscal responsibility for the impact on that regional academy budget.

Speaking on behalf of the Town of Pulaski relative to request of Town of Pulaski to exit Cardinal Police Academy. Modification of 15.2-1747

Please move to report HB116, HB710, HB1070, HB548, HB1088. Thank you.

I am a retired Regional Academy Director but I continue to monitor developments related to Regional Academies. Having read the comments relating to this bill, I could not add anything to the comments that oppose this bill as they are very thorough. I can however confirm that those comments opposing this bill to be factual and accurate in my opinion. I would urge those considering this bill to either outright oppose it or at the very least postpone its passage and take time to do more research. I am certain this bill will likely have unintended consequences that could be devastating to Regional Academies.

If passed, this bill will open the flood gates for localities to circumvent the current law for localities to withdraw from their present academy. If, the town wants to withdraw, then it should be required to follow the present process just like every other locality prior to this date. Otherwise, the G.A. should amend the current law and allow everyone the same option. I know that Cardinal Academy invested in a house to serve as a barracks for two of their member agencies, one of those being Pulaski. Cardinal Academy should be allowed to recover that in investment.

As the director of one of the commonwealth’s eleven regional academies, a law enforcement officer since 1985 and a law enforcement trainer since 1988 I wanted to take a moment and bring a significant issue with the regional academy system in Virginia to your attention. Regional academies have faced significant budgeting issues for as long as I can remember. Historically, each regional academy is funded by the state at approximately $100.00 per officer/deputy/dispatcher per year. This leaves the majority of funding to the membership of each regional academy. Recognizing this the general assembly passed the regional academy stabilization act/law (15.2-1747) in 2001. This law requires a vote of the regional academy board to allow an organization to leave. This may seem unreasonable to some jurisdictions, but imagine a significant percentage of a city being annexed by another city with no checks and balances, which causes a significant loss of revenue. This is similar to what occurs when a jurisdiction leaves a regional academy without following set procedures. In fact this is exactly why there are laws as to how to annex portions of one jurisdiction to another, and why there is a law to govern how to leave a regional academy. This code also allows for the board of a regional academy to set forth "conditions" (normally paying dues for a period of time) for leaving. We have done this at the HRCJTA several times to allow for budget stabilization. If an agency can simply bypass these "conditions" by amending an existing code section why would any jurisdiction agree to any conditions? I truly hope that you see how fragile the regional academy system is in Virginia. I understand that the system, and state code 15.2-1747, allows for an agency to leave to join another regional, or to become an independent, but this state code must be enforced and it is a disastrous trend to allow any agency to bypass this law. I would be please to discuss this further with you or the appropriate policy maker(s). Scott Barlow- Director HRCJTA

As Sheriff of Sussex County and Vice-Chair of Crater Criminal Justice Academy, I oppose this bill with an issue that will unwind the process that was put in place with the Regional Academy stabilization act. The potential de-stabilization of the Reginal Academy system agencies will be able to leave at times of their choosing is a grave concern for every academy and every Board in the state will affect the physical stability of the academies.

I fully agree with this bill and urge your support. The code was put in place to prevent agencies from randomly jumping from one academy to the other, but allowed agencies to change every five years. Pulaski requested the move academies in 2021, which was the correct year, but being held like a hostage for ransom by their current academy does not make sense. Academies should prepare for changes that could occur in the fifth year and have contingencies in place in case agencies request to move. In addition to this, Montgomery County recently moved to the Cardinal Academy which would more than off-set any loss of revenue. In addition, Pulaski is located within a 10 minute drive of the New River Academy, which is located in Dublin, also in Pulaski County. All other agencies within Pulaski County train at the New River Academy which would also provide for consistent training with those the officer's work most with. It only makes sense for Pulaski to be allowed to switch without punishment.

Section 15.2-1747 describes the process for establishing regional criminal justice academies. This includes the requirement that member agencies enter into an agreement that establishes the governance of the Academy. Additionally the procedure for a member to withdraw is described in Paragraph D. It is noteworthy that the statute states, "The board of directors shall provide for the conditions of withdrawal." The Board of Directors of regional academies are authorized to enter into financial obligations such as leases, bonds and loans which obligate the members to a proportion of the debt. In the case of the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, members are current obligated to a long term debt instrument that mature in 2026. By agreement no member may withdraw from the Academy while the debt is outstanding. The amendment proposed in HB116 allows one member of a different Academy to withdraw outside of the established process. Approval of this bill could undermine the ability of Academy Boards to operate effectively. Specifically , I fear that this could undermine the ability of Academies to secure long term financing. The security for the lender is the full faith and credit of the board as a whole. If agencies can withdraw at will, without having to meet the financial obligation that they have previously agreed to, the creditworthiness of the Academies will be downgraded by lenders. Additionally, the remaining agencies will be required to assume the financial liability of the agency that withdraws. The concern of the Town of Pulaski should be resolved in a business like fashion with the other members of the involved Academy. I oppose this legislation that may establish a precedent that allows other jurisdictions to withdraw from Academies contravening their obligations to the Academy.

As the Executive Director for the Skyline Regional Criminal Justice Academy and current Vice President of the Virginia Association of Directors of Criminal Justice Training, I am asking for your support by opposing HB 116. If this bill, which is written to allow the Town of Pulaski the ability to leave Cardinal training academy and join New River training academy without penalty, were to pass it would set a precedent that would be detrimental to the future stability of our regional criminal justice training academy system. Existing, VA Code 15.2-1747 stipulates the processes in which an agency may be granted approval to leave/join a regional training academy. Circumventing that process is not the appropriate or responsible answer to Pulaski's request. Please refer to Director Vicker's, Cardinal Regional Training Academy's comment of the impact/stabilization studies and the results of such that aided in the development of our current practices. Regional training academies are already struggling with financial disparities from state funding that are impacting our local jurisdictions budgets. I urge your support for your Regional Law Enforcement Training Academies by opposing this bill. Thank you for your time

I am reaching out to you as the director of the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy, responsible for training law enforcement, jail and emergency communications officers in the Fredericksburg region, providing training for 42 Virginia Criminal Justice Agencies. I am reaching out to ask for your help in denying a bill which has the potential to negatively impact the regional training system statewide. This bill allows the Town of Pulaski to separate from Cardinal Regional Criminal Justice Academy and join New River Valley Criminal Justice Academy. The concern, all 11 regional academy directors share, is the precedent this bill would set up if successful. Below is some background and the concerns the regional academies have regarding this bill. The Board of Directors for the Cardinal Regional Academy voted to allow the Town of Pulaski to leave and join the New River Academy but provided a stipulation that Pulaski should make a final payment to Cardinal prior to being allowed to separate. This is a common stipulation at all 11 regional academies as it gives the academies time to absorb the loss of revenue from the separating agency. Pulaski refused to make the final payment and asked for this bill to be sponsored on their behalf. The main problem with this bill is that it creates precedent to go around existing code section 15.2-1747 which outlines the procedure for agencies to join or withdrawal from the regional academy system. If this bill is allowed to pass it will make the already financially strained regional academy system even more financially unstable as it will lay the ground work for other agencies to legislate out of an academy without financial concerns. I encourage you to please speak with your counter-parts and urge you to please oppose this bill.

As the Executive Director of Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy and current president of the Virginia Association of Directors of Criminal Justice Training I highly oppose the passing of HB 116. The ramifications by passing this bill will be extremely detrimental to all 11 Regional Academies across the Commonwealth of Virginia. I personally spoke to all of the other 10 Regional Academy Directors and with an almost unanimous consensus they all believe the impact and precedence that the passing of this bill will create on them financially as well as the hundreds of agencies and jurisdictions they serve would be astronomical. Regional Academies in Virginia receive 75% or more of their funding from the Agencies they serve. When an agency attempts to leave under 15.2-1747 they must receive 2/3 majority voting from the Board of Directors within the Academy. It is common practice to charge a fee as determined by each individual Academy Board of Directors if the 2/3 majority was reached for withdrawal. This additional fee helps offset the loss of the agency and also allows the academy to raise its dues at a lower rate for the next few years on all of the remaining agencies and jurisdictions. By allowing HB 116 to pass, and allowing an agency to leave without penalty or fee would be extremely detrimental to the Regional Academy system and make it impossible for academies to budget for capitol improvements, personnel or function yearly because of the revolving door of agencies that would be allowed to leave with no penalty making budgeting impossible. Passing of HB 116 would cripple regional academies and cost hundreds of other jurisdictions in the process because they would have to pay more to keep the Regional Academies funded. The Regional Academy Directors support following the current code 15.2-1747 and want the process to stay the same.

Comments Document

Since the mid-1980s, concerns have been raised about the instability of membership in the regional criminal justice training academies. Disruption of academy training activities due to membership withdrawals has been seen as having an adverse impact on the quality of training. In 1999 Senate Joint Resolution 411 (1999) directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study methods to stabilize the membership of regional criminal justice training academies. Staff of the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) were directed to assist in the study. This review found that membership withdrawals do result in the loss of funding and training resources, which can be disruptive. Thus the creation of 15.2-1747 which is attached for your review. The academies are largely dependent on officers from member agencies to serve as instructors, and facilities from member agencies are used for some training activities. The loss of such resources makes planning for training programs difficult. These findings are not new, however. DCJS has raised such concerns since 1987, when a consultant completed a review of regional academy operations. This would cause a fee increase for all other agencies at Cardinal Academy of around $10.40 per officer. This fee increase does not include an already discussed fee increase my board is considering because of the drastic reduction regional academies have seen in the state special fund that is funded by a portion of summons issued. The Town of Pulaski has discussed moving to a new academy and the prior Chief of Police conducted comparison surveys and it was concluded that it was in the best interest of the town fiscally to remain at Cardinal Academy. In the short time I have been given to address this bill, as I was unaware of it until recently, there is no way I can outline all the negative effects these withdraws will cause. I would note that the biggest outcome of this bill passing would be the overall effect it would have on the entire regional criminal justice training academy system as it would effectively violate code 15.2-1747 and return us to a system that destabilizes regional academies and was proven ineffective nearly 25 years ago.

I’m just signing up to listen

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police supports B 164. Transferring the hiring and supervisior of the police chief to the Colonial Beach town manager is consistent with the professional management practices of almost all localities in the Commonwealth, and depoliticizes the position of Chief of Police.

Comments Document

Honorable Chair Morefield and Members of the Committee: Enclosed you will find the Town of Colonial Beach's legislative agenda packet, which includes the resolution adopting the legislative agenda and the resolution supporting this charter change request. On behalf of the Town of Colonial Beach, we respectfully request support and passing of HB 164, which provides that the chief of police for the Town of Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the town manager, rather than the town council. The Town Council would like to thank Delegate Ransone for sponsoring this bill. Very Respectfully, India Adams-Jacobs, MPA

The Charter Amendment passed Town Council unanimously. It is our opinion that having the Chief of Police reporting to the Town Manager rather than the Council will provide unity of command and guidance, and will enhance the Chief’s ability to provide for the safety and protection of the people of Colonial Beach.

Please move to report HB116, HB710, HB1070, HB548, HB1088. Thank you.

I support HB 364, 520, and 1276 and would like to add that LAND USE must be part of our conception of "climate resiliency". Transportation and poor land use account for a lot of climate change, and no serious climate plan can skip over addressing car dependence, sprawl, car culture, lawn culture, and single-use zoning. All this applies to our conception of a "healthy community" too. When more people walk, bike, and take transit to get around, we get healthier communities. Car culture is terrible for public health. I support HB 1346 and would like to add that there needs to be significant emphasis on NATIVE trees and efforts to root out non-native trees, many of which are actively invasive and ecologically harmful. I SUPPORT HB 548.

Dear Honorable Members, Written comments submitted to the committee on 2/2/22 in support of HB 616 remain. Respectfully, Joe Pasanello

Comments Document

Honorable members, Please find attached a pdf of my written comments in support of HB616 and the rationale for adoption. Paul Chamberlin

Honorable members of the House Counties, Cities and Towns Subcommittee: Subcommittee #2: My name is Joseph Pasanello, and I am a member of the Prince William County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), as well as a councilmember in the Town of Haymarket. I am writing today in support of HB 616, which proposes to amend and reenact §15.2-2308, Boards of zoning appeals to be created; membership, organization, etc., paragraph D. of the Code of Virginia. §15.2-2308, A. of the enabling legislation states that “every locality that has enacted or enacts a zoning ordinance pursuant to this chapter or prior enabling laws shall establish a board of zoning appeals…” Establishing a board of zoning appeals is clearly a requirement by which funding is necessarily appropriated to properly establish, support, and maintain BZA operations. It is in the interest of governing bodies to do so to ensure conscientious decisions be rendered that reflect the facts and the law, while ensuring that the contending parties receive fair and impartial hearings as to matters in dispute. The problem is there are times when independent legal counsel is necessary beyond the current structure in place (either supported by the code or by ad hoc arrangements). While §15.2-1542 of the Code of Virginia provides for county, city, or town attorneys to be appointed to offer legal advice to boards, such as BZAs, that may not always be possible especially when the governing body’s attorney is acting as a contending party in a case before the BZA. There are also times when a board member may seek advice as to conflict of interests related to a case but cannot rely on the governing body’s attorney because of the potential for conflicts. In my experience this has happened on occasion. At issue is §15.2-2308, D. of the enabling legislation, specifically the way it is currently written, which may lead to misinterpretation and, in my experience, a lack of support for independent legal counsel. The language as proposed is a more affirmative declaration not subject to interpretation and clarifies the governing body to do what is intended by the enabling legislation, i.e., to fund services, including legal counsel, while placing guardrails as a check on expenditures and maintaining budgetary control. In PWC we manage mostly appeals and variances. Meetings are scheduled monthly but frequently convene less than scheduled. Our need for independent legal counsel is also demonstrably less than larger localities and, in my estimation, does not exceed 24 hours per annum. A budget contingency does not mean all funds will be expended; rather, funds are available only if needed. Having access to independent legal counsel at this level of need could avert costly litigation related to circuit court appeals and the risk should not be ignored by governing bodies. Amending the code by inserting that a governing body shall appropriate necessary funds in support of services and demonstrated needs, such as advice from independent legal counsel, clarifies the responsibility and supports the proper functioning of BZAs in the interest of all parties. Thank you for your consideration.

I support bill 626 and suggest all Delegates and Senators also support. We need transparency . No one should object if they have our best interest.

HB 626 is essential and must be passed. Interest groups are currently able to influence land use decisions by Virginia counties. It is important that land use policies are not determined based upon political action committee (PAC) campaign donations. All factors in making a final decision should be weighed evenly and in the best interests of county residents. Land use decisions often impact all people living in the county. Thus, it is important for land use decisions to not be decided through campaign donations to help county supervisors in their reelection bids. That gives the impression to constituents that the system is rigged against them.

I fully support the provisions of HB626 and feel that given recent and historic circumstances in many Northern Virginia jurisdictions, and particularly Prince William County, the measure is long overdue to address real and perceived corruption in the land use process. For far to long, numerous members of the Board of Supervisors have accepted up to tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions by interested parties prior to the vote on a land use or Comprehensive Plan Application, followed by the acceptance of tens of thousands dollars more following the vote. The issue is one that is by no means partisan as both sides of the aisle are equally guilty. Chairman Stewart raised the practice to an art form in order to fund his many campaigns for higher office and the his successors have simply continued the practice, receiving similar donations from the same interested parties. The initial legislation adopted more than a decade ago was drafted in response to a bribery scandal in Loudoun County, the only differences between the offending parties then and the offending parties now is the increased scale of the contributions and the refusal of recent Commonwealth Attorneys to investigate the process. It is my understanding that an amendment has been submitted to limit the legislation to Planning District 8. Although my personal preference would be for statewide application as a matter of transparency and ethics that should be applied to all local officials, I must note that personal experience suggests the problem is greatest in several Planning District 8 jurisdictions, Similarly, it is my understanding that VACO has reacted negatively to the amendment and has lined up representatives of Planning District 8 to testify in vociferous opposition to the bill. In response, I would simply suggest that they doth protest too much. If a majority of the public views the current circumstances as potentially unethical and the optics poor at best, as is the case in Prince William County, that perception is as damaging as the reality and must be addressed. Lest you believe I am overstating the case, I have served multiple terms in elected and appointed office and been involved in local and regional land use issues in multiple jurisdictions for more than three decades. On more than one occasion, land use applicants have personally confided in me that their local counsel (counsel recommended by the Prince William County Planning staff) advised that such contributions were the coin of the realm and all but "required" to ensure the favorable disposition of their cases. Invariably, when speaking to both elected officials and land use attorneys from outside the County, the near universal perception of the land use process is, and I quote, The Wild, Wild, West. Thus I implore you, as a matter of good governance, to support HB262

Honorable Sub-Committee Members: It was my intent to speak in favor of HB626 tomorrow morning however, circumstances dictate that I will not be able to participate remotely at that hour. That being said, I fully support the provisions of HB626 and feel that given recent and historic circumstances in many Northern Virginia jurisdictions, and particularly Prince William County, the measure is long overdue to address real and perceived corruption in the land use process. For far to long, numerous members of the Board of Supervisors have accepted up to tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions by interested parties prior to the vote on a land use or Comprehensive Plan Application, followed by the acceptance of tens of thousands dollars more following the vote. The issue is one that is by no means partisan as both sides of the aisle are equally guilty. Chairman Stewart raised the practice to an art form in order to fund his many campaigns for higher office and the his successors have simply continued the practice, receiving similar donations from the same interested parties. The initial legislation adopted more than a decade ago was drafted in response to a bribery scandal in Loudoun County, the only differences between the offending parties then and the offending parties now is the increased scale of the contributions and the refusal of recent Commonwealth Attorneys to investigate the process. It is my understanding that an amendment has been submitted to limit the legislation to Planning District 8. Although my personal preference would be for statewide application as a matter of transparency and ethics that should be applied to all local officials, I must note that personal experience suggests the problem is greatest in several Planning District 8 jurisdictions, Similarly, it is my understanding that VACO has reacted negatively to the amendment and has lined up representatives of Planning District 8 to testify in vociferous opposition to the bill. In response, I would simply suggest that they doth protest too much. If a majority of the public views the current circumstances as potentially unethical and the optics poor at best, as is the case in Prince William County, that perception is as damaging as the reality and must be addressed. Lest you believe I am overstating the case, I have served multiple terms in elected and appointed office and been involved in local and regional land use issues in multiple jurisdictions for more than three decades. On more than one occasion, land use applicants have personally confided in me that their local counsel (counsel recommended by the Prince William County Planning staff) advised that such contributions were the coin of the realm and all but "required" to ensure the favorable disposition of their cases. Invariably, when speaking to both elected officials and land use attorneys from outside the County, the near universal perception of the land use process is, and I quote, The Wild, Wild, West. Thus I implore you, as a matter of good governance, to support HB262

Dear Honorable Members of the CC&T Subcommittee #2: HB 626 amends certain land use disclosure requirements applicable to officials in any county with the urban county executive form of government by broadening language to cover "business or financial interest. " This currently applies only to Loudoun County but, if adopted, will apply statewide. The Haymarket Town Council met February 7, 2022 and resolved that "the council hereby supports the provisions of HB 626 and respectfully requests Subcommittee #2 and the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns to approve HB 626. Additionally, the council hereby respectfully requests that the Virginia General Assembly vote in the affirmative and enact HB 626. Respectfully, Joe Pasanello

Hello. I am writing for full support of HB670 from Delegate Hope. I am Adam Theo, a nine-year resident of Arlington County. For nine years I had worked alongside law enforcement across the country, from Seattle, New York City, Birmingham, and Kearney (Nebraska). I got to know local and state police extensively during that time. Oversight of local law enforcement isn't something to be scared of or avoided. On the contrary it's to be celebrated as part of a healthy civil and democratic society. Allowing Arlington County to establish their new civilian police oversight board as an independent office outside of our unique County Manager structure of government, and thereby helping it be resilient and more effective, is critical for restoring faith in our police and helping them protect both our public safety and our civil liberties.

I have been involved with and/or living in Arlington County since 1991. I have seen this county change dramatically in that time and sometimes not change enough. While Arlington County elected to not implement the full range of authority granted by the General Assembly, we were with much effort and community support able to get a modified Civilian Oversight Board (COB) enacted into the County Code. As part of the COB, the County also elected to have a County Police Auditor as part of the process. While many in the county were skeptical of this position, we ultimately thought it was a reasonable compromise. However, unless you the General Assembly grant authority for this position to be hired and supervised by the County Board, that police auditor can neither be independent nor objective. In Arlington’s form of government, that auditor would be hired by the County Manager. The Chief of Police and his department are directly supervised by Mr. Schwartz, the Arlington County Manager. The community fears that having the police auditor report to, be evaluated by, and be part of the political structure of the County Manager’s staff snd operations turns the laudable objective of accountability and CIVILIAN oversight into a merely performative exercise or gesture. To build trust and community buy-in that the COB can indeed objectively and fairly function, the position need to be housed, supervised and reporting to the Arlington County Board (whom we elect) not the county manager (who we do not elect and who tend to stay in place through many Boards and many, many different Board Chairs). This police auditor should be on the same level in the organization chart as the County’s Fiscal Auditor position, for which the County was provided statutory authority to hire several years ago. Same concept, just different audit responsibilities. In closing, many of you are likely aware of the death of an inmate this week and the previous deaths in our jail. While Sheriffs are not covered by the statute, 7 deaths in 7 years and 3 deaths in less than 3 years shows the danger of both insular cultures and placing the day to day “boss” in charge of policing their own. Help us in Arlington have a truly Independent Police Auditor who is removed from such insularity thus allowing our COB to fulfill its statutory mandate. Please support Delegate Hope’s bill so that the police auditor has a fighting chance to be truly independent. Thank you for your consideration of my views.

Hello, my name is Janmarie Peña. I live in Arlington, and I'm a member of the Arlington Branch of the NAACP. I am here today to express my support for HB 670. We need community oversight of police that is effective and that residents can trust. This bill addresses one of the minimum pre-requisites for that to be possible, which is allowing the creation of policing auditors that are truly independent. Accountability requires true independence. Thank you so much.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

I strongly support Delegate Hope's bill H670 because it will create an independent police auditor to support the newly-created Civilian Oversight Board. Right now, the auditor reports to the County Manager, who also oversees the police. Accountability and transparency require independence. Thank you. Kathleen McSweeney

Hello, and thank you for the opportunity to comment upon this proposed legislation. I am concerned that the proposed Arlington law enforcement Civilian Oversight Board is not independent enough to provide true and fair accountability. We need a truly independent policing auditor, one independent of local law enforcement, and I appreciate how Delegate Hope's bill will help accomplish this goal.

those of us who seek to have proper policing in our diverse communities think that it is best served when oversight is independent from the authorities for which the oversight board is created. We think it is common sense, appropriate, and just to have civilian oversight because police practices with no civilian oversight can turn tragic. No one should be afraid to ensure justice for all. because policing is such a dangerous job, and our officers have to be always alert, we see it as necessary to provide oversight for their safety as well. It is no easy thing to be a policeman. and lack of cultural competency sometimes gets in the way of doing the best job possible. Where there may be cultural insensitivity, independent civilian oversight can provide a better experience for all citizens and especially the police who serve our communities. to avoid conflict of interest, separate entities should provide the oversight and not someone who works within the realm of the very police force for which they have oversight. When we seek to have better societies, our police will have less volatile roles in communities and our country will be a better place in which to realize the American dream for all its residents. Thank you.

This bill would ensure a necessary procedural fix to the existing chain of command so that the oversight board is not supervised by the same person who also oversees local law enforcement. Accountability requires independence. I feel this is a must for our community to have fair justice to all. This is the type of change we need to get closer to equality

As a constituent from Patrick Hope's Distrcit I am pleased to lend my support to an independent way to audit law enforcement. I have had many positive interactions with Arlington police, but not entirely. One interaction was so unfortunate, I decided against submitting a crime report because of it. Arlington will be a safer and fairer place when it is easier to address these types of concerns.

Arlington County’s recent ordinance establishing a Law Enforcement Community Oversight Board was a compromise that did not adopt the full range of authority that Virginia Code §9.1-601 made available. Instead of giving the Oversight Board independent investigatory authority, it adopted a hybrid model of oversight by which an Independent Police Auditor will conduct an investigation jointly with the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD), and the Oversight Board may subsequently review the completed investigation. In other words, the Oversight Board will not investigate complaints in the first instance; it must trust the Independent Police Auditor to investigate for it. For this compromise to work, the Oversight Board must develop a close and trusting working relationship with the Independent Police Auditor (who also provides all necessary administrative and policy support for the Oversight Board). The Board will be heavily dependent on the professional skills and experience of the Auditor and the staff the Auditor hires to conduct complete and objective investigations. Ideally, in order to build that trust and rapport from the outset, the Oversight Board would have a role in interviewing and recommending, if not selecting, the Auditor. But selection of the Auditor by the County Board is the next best option, by helping assure not just the reality of the Auditor’s independence, but just as important, the appearance of independence. In contrast, leaving selection of the Auditor to the County Manager -- an unelected county official -- does the opposite. The County Manager’s supervises not just the police department, as county employees, but also the Auditor, and will evaluate the Auditor’s performance. Given the appearance of the Auditor’s dependence on the County Manager, it will be impossible for the Oversight Board – and the community it represents – not to wonder, “Is the ‘Independent Policing Auditor’ really independent”? HB670 would help preserve the appearance of independence and thus promote the rapport between the Oversight Board and the Independent Police Auditor that is essential to the Board’s effectiveness and credibility. It also returns the important decision of appointing the Independent Policing Auditor to the community’s elected representatives, instead of leaving it with an unelected county employee.

Please move to report HB116, HB710, HB1070, HB548, HB1088. Thank you.

Against HB564, please move to report HB710. Thank you.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

As I type this, historic war monuments are being destroyed. Many more will be in the next year unless this Bill becomes law. This is not a normal situation where if you wait it can be corrected later. Under the current law I was given, without conditions, the Isle of Wight Monument to Confederate Dead. I have honorably re-erected it. If I had chosen or later decided to, I can destroy it at any time I wish. This was allowed because the current law is seriously flawed. At the very least the sentence " The local governing body shall have soul authority to determine the final disposition of the monument or memorial" should be removed. This is the phrase being used to alter and destroy monuments. You may not be a fan of some monuments, but as we have seen, all seem to be on the "destroy list". The founding fathers and even Columbus. You must ask if you want to be the ones responsible for the destruction of historic art and artifacts.

I consider this bill about as good as it gets. I recommend that it pass. Some protection must be provided for erected monuments or we will end up in an Orwellian world where nothing can be saved. The people who are most in favor of removing and vandalizing monuments will be shocked when people start coming after theirs, and the people who are in power now may be targeted by the very precedent they themselves established. I would preserve all monuments where some people still value them.

We as a people need to embrace Our culture and history. In 1861 when the State called for its young men to answer the call, they came. They came , and gave their all! Some have everything! After the War ended , Statues went up to remind all of the sacrifice that the Leaders and men endured! These were not put up to be signs of Racial Superiority! Now, politics of age deem these Statues archaic platitudes to Racisl Superiority! Nothing could be more false! Please vote that these Monuments are no longer tore down or defaced . Remember; it is only a question of time that WWI & WWII monuments will be next!!

Please support HB :778 As a student of U.S. history , ancient history , and world history I have learned do not destroy history but learn from the past .

I appeal to you all to please support HB778. The war Veterans who have served our commonwealth and this great country deserve nothing less than to have the Memorials erected in their honor protected to the best of our ability. Most Respectfully Tracy Clary

I would like to express my sincere hope that the Sub Committee will support HB778. I am in favor of this proposed bill as written and I am of the belief that we need to do more to preserve our rich Virginia history. Thank you. T B.Simmons,Sr. Sebrell-Southamptpn County Virginia

Please support HB778. Thank you.

I am speaking in support of House Bill 778. I light of the willful display of hatred toward certain Monuments over the past several years, there needs to be a method codified to preserve monuments. The hatred displayed to, specifically, Confederate memorials is a travesty to the preservation of our history. The move to give "context" to monuments is just a method for those who have a bias to be given authority to publicly display their bias under the guise of "explaining" the history of the monument. We saw how even the top elected officials of the Commonwealth behaved toward Monuments they chose to not try to understand, rather, those officials chose to pander to a portion of the population for future political gain. The Monuments in Charlottesville were the subject of a vile attack by one of Charlottesville City Councilmen. This individual has a long history of racist/bigoted comments toward Confederate history. The actions of this Councilman directly precipitated the tragic day which cost the lives of a protester and two of the Commonwealth's Officers. It is too late to restore those lives and the property which has been destroyed by hatred, hatred being portrayed as concern for truth as officials removed monuments "to hatred" rather than trying to understand the complex political and social issues of the mid-19th Century . I urge to Committee to support HB778 as a measure to help preserve Monuments to history for all citizens and generations. Sincerely, Michael W. Tyler

To the members of this committee: please be advised that I am in support of HB778 and wish that this bill be submitted to the entire House for approval. Billie Earnest

Members of the Committee, I am in support of and request that you too support HR 778. To ask that our monuments be treated with dignity and placed where they are wanted and may be viewed by the public who WANT TO understand that these monuments are very important. One of the greatest fallacies one can make in attempting to learn the truths history has to offer is to judge another's actions by the standards of one's own time Thank you, Lawrence D Mason King George, VA

I believe that Virginia monument should be preserved. They are an important part of our history and it is a great tragedy to have them taken down or removed. Thank You.

In regard to HB 778 I request all Virginia Representatives to support this bill. Please restore some protection for War Memorials and Historic outdoor works of Art. This senseless destruction of the symbols of our State and Country must stop. B. Frank Earnest, US Navy Retired, Vietnam era Veteran

The past couple years have seen the current VA law abused for political purposes. I support HB 778 because it is the moral thing to do to support our Veterans! Please support this Bill.

ALL monuments should be left where they are. That said I would like to see this bill passed as it at least gives those who the monument represents some say in what is done with it.

Please support passage of this bill, introduced by Del. Williams. This bill is necessary to protect our war memorials and other monuments in Virginia. One only has to look down Monument Avenue to see what the wanton destruction of this once beautiful avenue has wrought to the utter disregard of residents in the area. This bill would help with the appropriate relocation of monuments and memorials, when deemed necessary. Thank you, Mike Hahn Arlington

Thank you for your time! I have watched in complete horror my Southern history destroyed over the past 2 years. We have become Nation no better than the Taliban who destroyed antiquity in Afghanistan, and ISIS who bombed Roman Temples in Paul Maria, Syria. Because someone doesn't agree with another, it doesn't give the opposing entity the right to destroy (as in the case of our Southern Memorials). All memorials should remain intact and studied. Look at Lee, he freed his (wife's) slaves before war began. Lincoln, did not! so is he next?? The Confederate Constitution Article 1 Section 9, 1-2 "Forbids the importation of slaves into the South or its territories from any foreign Country." However, The Corwin Amendment, (March 1861) pre war, was passed by House and Senate by a majority vote and ratified in Kentucky, Ohio, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Maryland, all NORTHERN states. This Amendment would have made slavery perpetual, forever, in our Country. The only thing stopping it from being ratified, was War. If the war was fought over slavery why did Northern States vote ratify it. The money allocated toward destruction of our history/memorials should be placed in education. We are heading down a slippery slop of which there is no return. Who will be next? What buildings are next? The Capital?? built by slave labor. It must stop. PLEASE PROTECT WHAT MEMORIALS ARE LEFT. Slavery began in this Country in 1619, not in the short 4 years of the Southern States existence. It flourished 242 years before there was a Confederate States of America. EDUCATION is the key. Thank you Roy Perry 540-207-5037

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

I support HB778. I ask that every memeber support this bill.

Please Support this bill to help stop the destruction of our heratige.

My wife and I both support HB 778, as we believe it is very important to protect Virginia's historic War Memorials to Veterans.

Virginia's various war monuments and memorials, and the epitaphs inscribed on them, to remember those to whom they were erected, serve, not only as a memoriam to all who served, but as a final resting place for the soldier who never returned home. They are a solemn place where people can come to remember or memorialize their loved one, friend, or ancestor, and honor their call to duty, their service, and for some, their ultimate sacrifice. To allow any of these monuments or memorials to be wantonly moved from the public eye, or to be vandalized, or to be destroyed, is a most shameful act for anyone to support. Therefore I urge every member of this committee to support House Bill No. 778, offered January 12 of the 2022 Session, to amend and reenact § 15.2-1812 of the Code of Virginia, relating to relocation of monuments and memorials. I thank each of you for your time and consideration of these comments.

Thank you for introducing this bill to the current session for consideration. I have been saddened at the removal and attack our beautiful monuments have undergone in the last several years. Richmond City Council destroyed the heritage and beauty of Monument Avenue with the removal of the statues. Those publicly owned monuments were subjected to graffiti, demolition and finally removal. I actually lived several blocks from the monuments and moved out of the City of Richmond, back to my hometown of Farmville because of the civil unrest and destruction of the area. Items of historical significance should never be removed, hidden and destroyed but explained in their context and history learned. We teach by example and instruction. Without objects of reference, our history is slowly eroded. Absolutely, please pass a bill that monuments of historical significance should be gifted or preserved and given to a respective body that will maintain them and allow them to be displayed.

Please protect monuments to all Virginia soldiers. These soldiers left home and family to protect their state and many gave the ultimate sacrifice. Please consider those of us who wish to honor their memory.

Mr. David McCullough, historian and author, reminds us. "We should never look down on those of the past and say they should have known better. What do you think they will be saying about us in the future? They are going to be saying "we" should have known better." "Monuments are erected to commemorate particular achievements of imperfect people. There are other mechanisms - schools - museums -documentaries - books - to instruct us on the purported flaws of our forebears." Jeffrey Collins - Professor of History - Queens University These two comments alone should make us realize that we should support HB778. A monument that was erected to honor the men of a county in Virginia for their service in the Civil War, the VietNam war, the Spanish-American war, or some future war were all erected in a time of pain, loss, and pride. Many of those people never came home and this local monument is in fact their only gravestone. Think about that. This is their gravestone. Misguided people are tearing down statues of Lincoln, Grant, Douglas, Lee, Jefferson, Columbus, Catholic Missionaries and more. That is also very misguided but may be a bit off point on a War Memorial HB. The concept is the same. History, including statues, provide teaching moments. If there is no monument to the horrors of the Trail of Tears . . . did it happen? If there is no monument to what happened on the Pettis Bridge . . . did it happen? If there is no monument in Williamsburg to honor the local soldiers and sailors who answered the call of Virginia to defend her from invasion in 1861-1865 . . . did it happen? One of the most amazing documents in American history came from the mind of Thomas Jefferson and he considers it one of his three major life achievements. That document alone should have a statue of Tom erected in every state in the Union . .. naturally I refer to the 'Virginia Article of Religious Freedom.' Support the bill. Protect history.

Please help, support House Bill 778 that protects Virginia's historic War Memorials to Veterans Thank you Jim Martin Jim Martin, Appomattox 5th. Districk jimchoppermartin59@comcast.net

I support this bill as I feel the preservation of all war monuments is extremely important.

I am writing in support of HB778. This bill would still allow localities the ability to vote to remove, relocate, contextualize, or cover monuments that are on public land. However, we need an orderly process that insures Virginia's historic monuments do not get placed in "permanent storage" or destroyed. This bill outlines an appropriate process to follow.

I ask you to support for HB778. Protecting Virginia's storied history has never been more important not only for Virginia, but for our entire nation. Virginia is at the heart of the American identity itself. For no story about America can begin without her. From it's founding days to the present, our entire nation has looked to Virginia and it's role as the nation's history keeper. Let us not lose this noble charter we have been entrusted with. Thank you.

I am a retired Air Force Veteran having served during the Viet Nam War and Desert Storm and with the Coast Guard Auxiliary during 9/11. Please save our war memorials to veterans. Don’t let history forget us. Respectfully, Jimmy Kerr

It is imperative that this bill be moved forward. For far to long, radical voices have shouted down those of the reasonable majority who wish to see these monuments remain in place or at least be moved to a location where those who honor what they stand for can continue to remember the sacrifice of the men and women they honor. And make no mistake. The opinions of those who claim to show that they represent white supremacy are expressing not facts, but their own jaundiced opinion. These monuments were placed by people who wished to honor their comrades in arms, whom they formed an unbreakable bond and brotherhood with through the contest of combat. They are no different that the memorials placed by veterans groups today to honor those they lost in Iraq or Afghanistan. Furthermore, they were placed by the wives, sons and daughters whose loved ones marched off to war and never returned, their fate and final resting place forever unknown. I implore you to remember the true spirit in which these monuments rose and honor the memory of your fellow citizens whom they seek to honor by allowing cooler heads to decide their disposition. It is already too late for some monuments, such as the one violently and crimanaly destroyed in Portsmouth, aided by one of your own Senators. It is too late even for the monument here in Newport News that I used to regularly visit. But there are hundreds of other monuments that it is not to late to save or at least provide the opportunity for people who still care deeply about them to continue to honor their memory. Please give us this chance. And you would do well to consider, those who placed these monuments never dreamed that the day would come when a mob or politically motivated officials would tear them down. What assurance do you have that 100 years from now, mobs of misguided people or politicians will not tear down monuments to civil rights or WWII because they find them offensive?

I am against removal or moving any and all historic Monuments in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The state has lost millions of dollars of revenue from tourism since the Monuments have been removed. From around the globe people would come and tour Virgunias Civil War Trails, if they come now they will be sorely disappointed, leave the Monuments alone.

Memorial statues that have been illegally taken down should be put back in its rightful place. If this is not done then in the least the historical statue should go to a Southern/Confederate group who would appreciate it and place the statue in a proper place instead of scrapping it.

Sir I would like to say myself along with many, many Virginia Military Veterans are in strong favor of protecting ALL our Statues and Monuments to the best of our ability. These Statues and Monuments represent Virginia's finest men and women who fought for what they believed in. If we lose this fight to preserve our sacred monuments and Statues then Virginia is letting down her Military Veterans of all wars in which we fought in. Please don't let this happen to us. Please preserve out monuments and Statues to the best of our ability.

I am writing in strong support of Delegate Wren Williams' bill, HB778, regarding the relocation of monuments and memorials in Virginia. The current state statute, as I understand it, allows a locality to remove or relocate a war or other memorial or monument pretty much at its own discretion, without regard to public sentiment. We have seen this statute utilized across the Commonwealth the last few years by certain localities to remove memorials dedicated primarily to soldiers or other persons who served in the Confederate armed forces. One need look no further than the graffiti-emblazoned remnants of the memorials on Monument Avenue in Richmond to see how the wanton removal of memorials debases our culture. We are somehow led to believe by proponents of these actions that removing monuments leads to healing, but in my opinion, it does the exact opposite. I am a resident of Patrick County, birthplace of Maj. Gen. JEB Stuart, whose memorial on Monument Avenue was one of those desecrated and then removed last year. The Trust that manages Stuart's birthplace has sought to have his statue brought to his home place. This certainly seems like a reasonable compromise, yet, to my knowledge, Stuart's statue remains with the others from Monument Avenue in limbo at the City's waste treatment facility, where I personally believe the City is content to have it remain until they can give it to someone who will melt it down into new politically correct "art". Delegate Williams' bill would go a long way toward ensuring that memorials with tremendous meaning to many people of this Commonwealth, such as Stuart's, are not desecrated at the whim of a local city council or board of supervisors. His bill would ensure that others with an interest in maintaining our collective history may have a fighting chance to do so. It should be remembered that Confederate veterans are, by act of the US Congress, considered veterans on legal par with American veterans of all other US wars. Their memorials are legally equivalent to those to World War II veterans and all others. Though the current statute has been invoked to target Confederate memorials and monuments thus far, there is no guarantee it will not be used in the future to target those erected in memory of veterans of other wars should the winds of political correctness ever shift. How a people choose to honor or remember their past and those who participated in it speaks volumes about their character. Virginia's history is rich. Destroying monuments will not erase parts of it some would like to forget. Though a locality may desire to remove or relocate a memorial or monument under current law, they should not be able to do so in a wanton manner that seeks to erase from public memory altogether the object or event commemorated by that memorial. Please support HB778.

I support this bill as I feel the preservation of all war monuments is extremely important.

I am writing to support HB778. I am opposed to the moving of any war memorials, but if a majority want it moved, the monuments should be protected and placed where they can be honored as originally intended.

I am the son of and the father of a military veteran. We are very concerned about what,s happening to our monuments and our history. We feel as though our goverment doesnt care about us or our opinion . Change our mind !!!!!!!!!

I am in support of House Bill 778 that aims to protect Virginia's historic War Memorials to Veterans. Prior to gifting a monument/memorial to another organization or entity, it is important to have public participation with ties to the locality and expertise on war memorials in the Commonwealth. This will ensure relocation and placement are consistent with the original intent of the monument/memorial.

Comments Document

I am writing is strong support of HB778! HB778 is critically significant in providing a solution to highly problematic localities that have misused the intent of the legislation. (Chapter 1101 Acts Of Assembly) "The local governing body shall have sole authority to determine the final disposition of the monument or memorial," has been inappropriately misused by two localities, Richmond and Charlottesville, that have stated they will "alter or destroy" significant monuments to the artistic legacy of this Commonwealth and of America. These localities have circumvented the legislation that has prohibited "alter or destroy" as an option for localities. Attached is Senator Reeves' letter to Charlottesville that highlights that localities blatant violation of 15.2-1812. The Commonwealth should never condone, support or legitimize the alteration or destruction of art. Localities can remove, relocate, cover or contextualize these monuments, however this Commonwealth, its localities and state agencies, such as the VMFA, DHR and DGS, as well as the executive branch of government, should never support altering or destroying ANY work of art. HB 778 removes the one sentence that these localities will use out of context to alter or destroy these grand monuments. These monuments are significant to the artistic legacy of Richmond, this Commonwealth and of the City Beautiful Movement of America. They can not be replaced, the foundries do not even exist. The work of these foundries are recognized worldwide. The bronze statues, other bronze elements and pedestals of these monuments constitute a complete monument. The nefarious statements of The Valentine Museum and its supporters are potentially going to alter or destroy these monuments by decree of the Commonwealth, Mayor and City Council of Richmond, in violations of 15.2-1812. Please support HB 778!

The current monuments statute 15.2-1812 is confusing to or being purposely misused by the attorneys for localities. They believe that the phrase in the current law “ The local governing body shall have sole authority to determine the final disposition of the monument or memorial” allows them to destroy, facilitate the destruction of by third parties and alter monuments and memorials. This is not the legislative intent . Senator Bryce Reeves , member of the Conference Committee who authored the current law has stated in writing that the current laws intent was to allow only the removal and storage, relocation of, covering of and contextualization of a monument or memorial. Not the destruction or alteration of same. Example- under the current law ,Isle of Wight County, Virginia gave me the 30 foot tall carved granite ,Isle of Wight Monument to Confederate Dead with clear title and no strings attached . I can sell, destroy, alter or do anything else I want with it. I have re- erected it in an honorable way ,the way I verbally promised ,but I had no legal obligation to do. These historic monuments belong to the citizens of Virginia and are part of Virginia history. Like any other historic artifact should be preserved. To allow their destruction or alteration is an insult to all Virginians. To judge the people of the distant past using 21 Century hindsight and knowledge is unjust and unfair. We did not grow up during their time and in their established culture. At the very least the current 15.2-1812 needs to be clarified so it can not be misinterpreted to allow for the destruction and/or alteration of any historic war monument or memorial. They started with Confederate and have moved on to Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt and even Columbus. How will the people of the 22 Century judge this being allowed.

HB778 should be supported because the current 15.2-1812 has a the phrase " a locality shall have the soul authority to determine the disposition of the monument or memorial". localities say this phrase allows them to destroy, facilitate the destruction of and alter historic war monuments. I know this as a fact because Isle of Wight County GAVE me the Isle of Wight monument ( a 30 foot tall 116 year old statue) with an unrestricted title and I can destroy it today if I wish. They used this phrase in 15.2-1812 to justify this. Other cities such as Charlottesville have facilitated the destruction by a third party of a historic monument using this phrase as justification. If any historic monument is to be saved the provisions in HB778 must be enacted. The left wing radicals have already demonstrated in other localities that Washington, Jefferson and the rest of the founding fathers will be next.

HB778 should be supported because the current 15.2-1512 has a the phrase " a locality shall have the soul authority to determine the disposition of the monument or memorial". localities say this phrase allows them to destroy, facilitate the destruction of and alter historic war monuments. I know this as a fact because Isle of Wight County GAVE me the Isle of Wight monument ( a 30 foot tall 116 year old statue) with an unrestricted title and I can destroy it today if I wish. They used this phrase in 15,2-1512 to justify this. Other cities such as Charlottesville have facilitated the destruction by a third party of a historic monument using this phrase as justification. If any historic monument is to be saved the provisions in HB778 must be enacted. The left wing radicals have already demonstrated in other localities that Washington, Jefferson and the rest of the founding fathers will be next.

Mr. Chair, Members of the Committee, The County in its testimony elsewhere, has claimed that it has exhausted its options within the city limits and that it therefore cannot honor the codified and uniform referendum rule by waiting for 4 more years for a new vote. Specifically, the County claims that because it doesn't have the power of eminent domain within the city boundaries, the bank property across the street from the Courthouse is only available at an inflated price and the City appears unwilling to help. What the County fails to tell you is that it hasn't asked the General Assembly to grant it the right of condemnation in the city, an action that the General Assembly clearly contemplates in 15.2-1901, Clause B. ("A locality may acquire property or property interests outside its boundaries by exercise of the power of eminent domain only if such authority is expressly conferred by general law or special act."). Because it has not considered asking for such condemnation power, it has not adequately estimated the true cost of property acquisition in the City nor has it considered how such an action could strengthen its negotiating position with the City. There remains a strong contingent on the Board of Supervisors that has been committed to moving the County Seat out of Staunton for some period, and I believe this has colored the negotiations and strategies it has engaged in since losing the 2016 referendum vote. If the General Assembly passes this special bill, it will encourage elected local officials to across the Commonwealth to seek the same type of dispositions after losing referendums. The General Assembly has within its power, the ability to consider measures that will assist Augusta County in honoring the referendum results of 2016, such as the special condemnation power referenced above. Such actions would strengthen the County's bargaining position with the City of Staunton and property owners. Therefore, it would premature to pass this bill. For these reasons, I encourage the Committee to reject this bill and ask the County to consider all of its legislative options with its patrons for moving foward in the City.

HB 902 Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee: For more than a decade failed negotiations between Staunton and Augusta County have produced no solution to the problem of relocating the courts and the county seat. In 2016 the decision making was wisely turned over to Augusta County voters in the form of a referendum that those voters defeated. Those same voters made their will known with the full understanding that a ten-year window of time would exist before another referendum could be brought forward. Clearly county officials did not feel bound by those results and having lost, they now want to change the outcome of that vote by using legislation to disenfranchise the voters who rejected the idea and thought they had done so for at least ten years. Presently two pieces of legislation are making their way through the General Assembly; House Bill 902 (Avoli) and Senate Bill 283 (Hanger). The bills call for a new referendum to be held this year, 2022, five years earlier than the initial moratorium called for. Both bills have several qualifiers, all of which seem to favor the county since city voters will have no say in the matter. That means they are taking voters out of the equation. The city and county have failed to reach any kind of mutual agreement in fifteen years so how do they make that happen now? The most troublesome in all this remains to be the way it is being sought. It is never right for elected or appointed officials, at any level of government, to attempt to reverse the outcome of a fair and honest election because they didn’t get the results they wanted. It is especially troubling that legislators are complicit in this side door approach to deny the voters their chosen outcome. In our system of government, we allow for these defeated referendums to be reconsidered after ten years. Voters who rejected the 2016 proposal believed those were the terms and conditions of that vote and no one, no one, should be able to move the goalposts at halftime hoping for a different outcome. Honorable Dickie Bell HD 20 Retired

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

As an Augusta County resident who voted on the referendum in 2016, I find it unconscionable that legislation is being introduced to specifically try to circumvent the will of the Augusta County voters. The referendum should only be permitted to be reintroduced in 2026, consistent with the 2016 vote--to allow it to be presented prior to that sends the message that the state's laws aren't worth the paper they're written on and that the voters' voices don't matter. This problem exists because the County has failed to properly maintain the courthouse over the years. I ask that you oppose this legislation in keeping with the will of the voters and their decision in 2016.

Thank you for opportunity to speak against HB904. I’m Steve Trivett, a resident of Ashland VA. I live six hours from Pound. Why do I care? Because, I’m 10 years into serving on Ashland’s Town Council and in my 2nd term as Mayor. I’m also in my 2nd term as VML’s Town Section Chair and of course, a citizen of a Town, so towns matter to me and I hope towns also matter to you. Pound has elected their own local officials for about 80 years- they value their Town. Even with well-intention elected official’s best efforts hampered by Council peer discord and dysfunction, they all still value their town. True that poor management by past Pound leaders have compounded today’s challenges and that is indeed not fair to the citizens of Pound. But, repealing their Charter negates Pound’s future on account of past errors and that is also not fair to the citizens and businesses of Pound. Del. Kilgore has shared about news accounts of their floundering, but just as they are starting to get a grip on a lifeline, HB904 would drown Pound right out of existence. This bill purports to give Pound a year. Indeed, Chief Patron, Del. Kilgore, characterizes it a wake-up call to the Town. Well then, message received, so give Pound a year to fix what’s wrong without this duress. Del. Pillion, Pound’s Delegate, can monitor their progress this next year. If it's failure instead, he can take up Pound’s demise in 2023. But for now, there’s a better way to assist Pound. I’ve been talking to some of Pound’s past and current leaders and following their challenges for a couple of years. There’s plenty of determination in Pound to carry out a ‘re-set’ for accountability and positive performance for Council, Mayor, and citizens alike. Numerous ‘friends of Pound’ such as myself, will be offering our support to their task as well. Please allow a chance to accomplish their re-set! Another serious impact of HB904- this bill raises serious concerns about protections and connections within relationship between each Town and County all over Virginia as it very much favors a County by dooming a Town.

hb904 Repeal This a continuation from my previous comments: 9). Mayor Carson has made the comment numerous times she is very well competent of being the Mayor of Pound, Va. She was a Military Mayor, Ms. Carson was never in the Military, she was a military spouse. Each housing area has it a Mayor of their own. The definition of a Military Mayor is as follows;The Mayor is a Liaison from housing to the the Commanding General of the post to ensure the Soldiers housing is order upon deployment and redeployment. She also would plan functions for the Soldiers. Sounds to me like she was just a planner! 10.) She has said numerous times that she has volunteered her time to make the Town Hall a presentable place for the community and not getting paid a penny for anything. Well the Town of Pound put her on the payroll making $300.00 per week, whether she was present or not. She resigned at her own will when she lost a FOIA request to attorney Tim McAfee. She was taken to court. How can she be a professional and make decisions for the Town of Pound when she couldn't answer a request? 11.) Ms. Carson fraternizes with the female community service worker in the town. The worker has made the comment around the citizens that the Mayor sure is good to her, she buys her lunch everyday. 12.) A keyless entry was placed at the Town Hall from door, The locksmith that was called didn't have the correct tools to fix the door, said he would have to come back a week later to repair it. Chief Wilcox, said we the have someone that can repair it. He called an ex-council member that is not a locksmith is a gunsmith by trade. So how could this individual by qualified to install the lock? The citizens found this out in the December 2021 meeting. 13.) They have been gofundme accounts set up to assist the Mayor with her personal law suit against the citizens petition trying to remove her from office. The fund was for her personal gain. Another gofundme account was set up when the 10 residents took the Town of Pound to court over an illegal appointment in September. The gofundme accounts was set up by the same individual. 14.) Donations were solicited for the Town of Pound Christmas parade in 2020, I do wonder if any receipts were kept specifying where the money went, if the citizens and business were given receipts? If not, how was that money spent and where? 15.) Ms. Carson also reported in a town council meeting that she has 2 individuals assist her in sending out Town of Pound water bills? So those individuals volunteered their time and had access to the account numbers and personal information for the citizens at the request of Mayor Stacey Carson.16.) During Public expression, individuals are allowed to speak in support of the Mayor that doesn't even live in corporation, and they are making decisions that our tax money is spent for. They should have no say so in how he Town is operated. Very seldom you may have a tax paying citizens speak. 17.) The Mayor has sabotaged prior and prior council members, employees, Police Department, public works and Attorneys to benefit herself and her ways. The town is not getting any better. You as our lawmakers were voted on by the citizens of the Commonwealth to help citizens. Support the Wise County Board of Supervisors. The Town of Pound isn't getting any better, I am asking each of to please reconsider hb904, and vote to repeal the Town of Pound Charter on July 01, 2023.

Dignitaries, Legislatures and Elected Officials: I am contacting you today in hopes that you will pass hb904 and repeal the Town of Pound before July 01, 2023. I have listed information that you may be unaware of. 1.) Mayor Stacey Carson has no regard to Virginia Law, She currently drives a black hummer with illegal tint and expired Virginia tags effective Sept. 21. 2.) Sending out checks the bank will not honor. 3.) Shut down Town of Pound Government during the peak of tax season. I received my Real Estate Taxes in October 2021. The due date to have them paid was November 30, 2021. I made several trips to the Town Hall they were a sign on the door, Town Hall offices closed per Mayor Stacey Carson. Her cell phone number was listed by she didn't answer it. I have yet to receive my personal property taxes. 4.) What exactly is my Tax Money going for. We have no Water, Sewer or Police protection. The Chief of Police has stated in my meetings, that he was not hired to Patrol, he as hired only to organize the evidence room and that is all he is going to do. He hired Cindy Mullins as his secretary and later gave her the position of Crime Prevention Officer. Exactly what does a Crime Prevention Officer do, she has never been sworn in, she has never went to the school or a business and give them tips on crime prevention. She hasn't implemented "The McGruff" program in the town per Code of Virginia Cha. 868 9-173.17. They are no way even to reach the Police Department, we have to call Wise County Sherriff's Department for assistance of needed. It has taken since July 2021 to organize an evidence room by 2 people. They are not at the Town Hall so you can speak to them,. Sounds like someone is wasting Town Funds. 5.) Ms. Carson is continuously down grading or emergency services in the town. I hope and pray our Emergency Services ie Fire and Rescue continues to give the Town of Pound the excellent services that provide the town even with her down grading the departments. 6.) Miss Carson has placed and continues to place individuals and guests in a hostile environment at council meetings by yelling, screaming, and since July 2020, she has continues to talk bout her being abused. The town has business to conduct and don't need to hear about her personal life. 7.) An ex-council member reported in the December Meeting that he had visited business in Town of Pound and they had written letters to Mayor Carson that they were refusing to pay their taxes until an Audit is completed and they would like to see the results. That seems to me as individuals in the business are refusing to pay taxes. I guess the citizens question is who gave him the authority to do that, or did he take it upon himself? Seems to me that the business owners feels like the citizens, what are they getting for their money? 8.) This town is a disgrace to live in, It is nasty, as an handicap individual you can't even walk on the sidewalk for the uneven concrete, the doors aren't even wide enough to access a wheel chair. The laughing stock of Wise County, Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Town of Pound is in newspapers, state and local of the events that are taking place. Just pick up a newspaper and you can read it, how embarrassing is that?

Comments Document

Honorable Delegates, I respectfully ask that you oppose HB 904, repealing Town of Pound’s charter.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

I am writing to respectfully ask that you not support HB904. The town has been besieged with many problems over the last few years. Most of these can be attributed to a few people that have served in the town council that turned a blind eye to mounting issues. There are many people in the town that have and are currently trying to turn the situation around. It will be a monumental task. This is a situation that will have to be monitored closely but, I believe it can be accomplished without the drastic measure of rescinding the town's charter. Thank you.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

Please move to report HB116, HB710, HB1070, HB548, HB1088. Thank you.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

Please move to report HB116, HB710, HB1070, HB548, HB1088. Thank you.

The City of Chesapeake has many concerns about HB1088. Localities should be responsible for establishing the codes and ordinances that reflect the goals of the Comprehensive Plan to establish proper orderly development of the locality. While the courts should have the ability to partition land, it subverts the locality's authority and provides a loophole to developers to allow these parcels to develop with no regard to minimum dimensional requirements. While we support members of our delegation on just about every piece of legislation we are not supportive of this measure.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

This is submitted regarding the destruction and removal of monuments in Virginia. Dear sirs, It is high time to restore the damage the Visigoths, who in the recent bacchanalia of destruction, attempted to erase the history of this great Commonwealth. You are regarded by many of its citizens as a breath of fresh air in this new administration, It is my hope that you take a careful look at undoing the horrendous damage wrought to our monuments . I might remind you of the obvious; nobody ever voted to undertake this vandalism. Do not allow the actions of corrupt persons, acting on their own volition, to destroy our history and our heritage. Respectfully, Maj. Bruce Wallace Raich, USMC (ret)

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

I am in support of these bills.

I’m writing in support of HB 670 because it will provide the legislative assurance needed for Arlington County to create a truly independent policing auditor to support Arlington’s law enforcement civilian oversight board. It does not work for the same person to supervise the oversight board to also supervise local law enforcement. Accountability requires independence. Thank you Delegate Hope for introducing this bill. I live in South Arlington and I personally know teens who have had negative interactions with police officers that concern me. I’m sadly also aware of adults who have come to harm through their interactions with police. Community oversight is necessary.

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

Comments Document

Provided here are my written remarks for HB 1210 for the hearings scheduled for tomorrow, 4 February, 2022. I have also registered to speak. Thank you very much. Tom Dickinson Save Historic Arlington

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

Please save all of Virginias history, by leaving our monuments intact and historic memorabilia on display. The Commonwealths history should not offend anyone who takes the time to understand it and respect the changes that occurred. For instance Virginias State park history, the Commonwealth’s Roadways or the quaint country town with the history of its namesake and deep rooted genealogy of the people who lived there. The Monuments are no different, they speak of times gone by, appreciated by some, disliked by others. Maybe they are a symbol that change is needed and to remind us to do so, whatever the cause, our history brought us to this day in time. We need to respect each other’s heritage and appreciate how each native Virginian helped to shape all of us. Respectfully, Alan Crawford

Comments Document

Support for HB1325

Comments Document

On behalf of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and our more than 1,000 member businesses and nonprofits we represent, I wish to respectfully request that the members of the Counties Cities and Towns - Subcommittee #2 vote to support HB1325, the amendments to the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program (C-PACE). The C-PACE program is an economic development tool that uses private capital to fund environmentally sustainable projects for developers and building owners. Authorized at the state level, 16 Virginia localities have adopted their own C-PACE programs. Nationally, 37 other states utilize PACE as an incentive to attract investments in environmentally sustainable building projects. The energy cost savings that C-PACE provides also makes building projects more affordable and valuable, using private capital, while increasing property values and real property revenues for localities, while attracting business and capital to a community. These amendments to the C-PACE legislation will create greater clarity of the program’s elements and expand eligibility to attract more projects, investments and tax revenues. For these and other reasons, the Loudoun County Chamber respectfully requests your support for HB1325. Sincerely, Tony Howard President & CEO

The question is: Should the Real Estate industry have special treatment regarding the Registration of a Short Term Rental (STR) over the individual in the use of privately owned land and real property? If Registration is exempted for a Real Estate landowner or acting as a Representative of a landowner, then it is obstructive against the individual landowner in the rightful use of privately owned property. It is an attempt, as was the similar SB 602, to gain control of land by an industry that wants to gain real property for profit. This is at the very least a violation of Article I of the Virginia Constitution in that it engenders a cost to the individual owner that a Realtor would not have to pay. Further, the bill does not have the Section that allowed neighborhoods to speak out whether for or against an STR, a degradation of their right to peaceful living and First Amendment rights. The Realtor’s cost of license is a cost to do business. HB 1362 sets up an unequal dis-advantage for the individual landowner to use his property as a STR, where allowed within the state, without added cost of realtor representation. Further, there appear to be conflicts of interest in that relatives of, and members of local and state governing bodies that have real estate holdings. SB 602 contained a double edged sword. The North Virginia Beach Civic League engaged its membership to overall oppose the bill, and thus, this HB 1362 bill lacks any voice of the people. Was it a mistake or another shrewdly engineered calculation to give more power to an industry over both local governments and the people those governments represent? The lawsuits cited by Sen. DeSteph needed his SRIKE of the bill in the Senate, as it does here. But more importantly, the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee, as indeed, the General Assembly represents the people, not the Real Estate brokers nor their Associations. This body IS the people’s government. STRIKE HB 1362.

HB 1362 is atrocious and we demand it be stricken. The Virginia Beach City Council has already put in place a moratorium on short term rentals (STRs) after fully listening to the citizens of Virginia Beach and deliberating for years on the matter. STRs are a scourge and create havoc for communities. We don't want our quiet residential neighborhoods converted to commercial zones, which would happen if STRs are allowed. Our neighborhoods are zoned residential, meaning that they are for residents, not for real estate companies, investors and individuals to run for-profit business enterprises. STRs ruin year-round residents’ peaceful enjoyment of their properties due to greater density with hordes of people and vehicles jam-packed into spaces meant for families. Residents are forced to suffer the increased noise from wild parties, increased traffic and congestion, garbage, lewd behavior, including short term renters publicly urinating and defecating, and increased crime generated by STRs. Shockingly, several shootings occurred in the past year alone at the residential north end of Virginia Beach at awful "flash parties" at STRs. Such parties attract hundreds of miscreants to family neighborhoods and put everyone at risk. Our families are subjected to this danger in our own neighborhoods. Another terrible effect of STRs is that they destroy our communities from the constant influx of tourists in summer and creation of ghost towns in the winter. The people of Virginia Beach have spoken and are overwhelmingly opposed to STRs. The decision has been made locally, as it should be. The state has no right to ram this down our throats. Please stop this horrific bill immediately!

Please do NOT advance House Bill 1362 which would limit the ability of localities to restrict Short Term Rentals. Senator DeSteph of Virginia Beach recently introduced the similar Senate Bill 602, but after hearing from constituents and Virginia Beach City Council, he then asked to strike it in committee. I urge you to do the same. As Senator DeSteph reported by email to his constituents, “At least 5 lawsuits have been filed related to this subject, which will be heard over the next 3 to 6 months. Because considerable discussion on the issue has now taken place and the fact that legal issues related to the matter are pending – (the General Assembly does not pass bills to change the code on issues with pending litigation) I decided to strike the bill from further consideration. The problematic impacts of unrestricted Short Term Rentals on localities in Virginia and across the United States are significant and difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. The Virginia General Assembly should be giving localities MORE tools to manage Short Term Rentals, not fewer. As is well known to Delegate Davis, the co-patron of this bill who represents a portion of Virginia Beach, and to Delegate Williams-Graves, a member of this committee who also represents a portion of Virginia Beach, our City Council and Planning Commission invested extraordinary time and effort and multiple public hearings over the last few years to determine whether and how to manage STR’s. Based on that process, our City Council enacted ordinances to allow STR’s in our hotel resort district where STR’s are a compatible use, and to impose reasonable requirements on them, but they did not allow STR's in residential zones. Short Term Rental owners/investors improperly claim that local restrictions violate their property rights. In fact, there are many restrictions on operating businesses in residential neighborhoods to minimize impacts of commercial activity on residents. Short Term Rentals are small hotels with no management on site to deal with incidents timely, but operators of them seek to avoid restrictions that apply to any other business. Imposing restrictions on Short Term Rentals in residential neighborhoods does not deprive their owners/investors of property rights any more that do similar restrictions on other business in residential neighborhoods. Please do not advance this bill. Respectfully, Andrew Cohen

To the Chair and Members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities, and Towns, I join many of my neighbors in asking that you NOT advance House Bill 1362 which would limit the ability of localities to restrict Short Term Rentals. Senator DeSteph of Virginia Beach introduced a similar bill in the Senate, but after hearing from constituents and Virginia Beach City Council, he then asked to strike it in committee. I urge you to do the same. As Senator DeSteph reported by email to his constituents, “At least 5 lawsuits have been filed related to this subject, which will be heard over the next 3 to 6 months. Because considerable discussion on the issue has now taken place and the fact that legal issues related to the matter are pending – (the General Assembly does not pass bills to change the code on issues with pending litigation) I decided to strike the bill from further consideration.” The problematic impacts of unrestricted Short Term Rentals on localities in Virginia and across the United States are significant and difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. The Virginia General Assembly should be giving localities MORE tools to manage Short Term Rentals, not fewer. As is well known to Delegate Davis, the co-patron of this bill who represents a portion of Virginia Beach, and to Delegate Williams-Graves, a member of this committee who also represents a portion of Virginia Beach, our City Council and Planning Commission invested extraordinary time and effort and multiple public hearings over the last few years to determine whether and how to manage STR’s. Based on that process, our City Council enacted ordinances to allow STR’s in our hotel resort district where STR’s are a compatible use, and to impose reasonable requirements on them, but they did not allow STR's in residential zones. Short Term Rental owners/investors improperly claim that local restrictions violate their property rights. In fact, there are many restrictions on operating businesses in residential neighborhoods to minimize impacts of commercial activity on residents. Short Term Rentals are small hotels with no management on site to deal with incidents timely, but operators of them seek to avoid restrictions that apply to any other business. Imposing restrictions on Short Term Rentals in residential neighborhoods does not deprive their owners/investors of property rights any more that do similar restrictions on other business in residential neighborhoods. Please do not advance this bill. Respectfully, Andrew Cohen