Winter shelters house working people who can't afford our expensive real estate
Good morning! Also today, some former school board members fear the recent election may bring in teachers' union...work continues on JCC government center pending court hearing.
Area churches have launched their wintertime emergency shelter for homeless people in the Historic Triangle – including people who work but can’t afford housing.
The Community of Faith Mission rotates its program through 18 churches – 12 of them in James City County – each of which provides a week of overnight shelter and food for an average of 25 people a night, a spokesperson for the group said.
About a quarter of the people who stay have jobs -- most of them in the local hospitality industry -- “but they can’t afford the housing” said the spokesperson, who asked not to be identified for reasons of personal safety.
The 14-year-old program depends on the generosity of area churches because our local zoning laws will not permit anyone to set up a full-time homeless shelter in a single building, the spokesperson said.
James City County and Williamsburg both require safety inspections of each church location that will be used. Williamsburg waives its inspection fee, but James City County does not, the spokesperson said.
But she added the county does donate money to help repay the fees and pay for some hotel stays when the shelters are full.
“A lot of (our clients) work in hospitality or construction” but were evicted from their former residences or do not have the credit to qualify for a lease, she said.
“Some people will stay at our shelter and save the money that they’ve made so they can afford the hotel when it’s off season,” she said.
To help clients break the cycle of homelessness, the mission has hired a case worker to help them learn how to manage their budget, find housing, and create a resume to land a job, she said.
The mission is always looking for volunteers to help at the shelter, and completes a background check on them to ensure they are safe, she said. You can also donate funds at the mission’s website.
Homeless Shelter Fast Facts:
Local zoning laws prohibit full-time homeless shelters.
Cost of each night of shelter: More than $1,000.
30% of clients are from James City County, only 6% from Newport News or Hampton.
25% of the homeless who stay at the shelter have a job, 15% of them in the hospitality industry.
Ortego defeat raises possibility of school union
School Chair Sarah Ortego won't contest victory of Ty Hodges, right. Williamsburg-James City County School Chair Sarah G. Ortego confirmed Tuesday night she will not contest the results of this month’s election, which saw her lose to Democratic challenger Ty Hodges by 33 votes.
Several Republican party members told us it would have been expensive to conduct a recount, since the candidate would have to pay local labor and legal expenses. They said they doubted the recount would change the outcome.
Several former school board members told us, on background, that Hodges’ election will take the school system one step closer to recognizing a teacher’s union.
Hodges has said he favors recognizing the Virginia Education Association to represent the school system’s teachers.
“There’s already two other board members” who would be open to the same move, one of the former school board members told us.
Two former school board members told us that the Fairfax County school board found recognizing the union significantly raised the salary costs, crimping the rest of their school budget.
Local school boards decide how to spend their budgets, but the money comes from local governments, and the school boards have no taxing authority.
Work continues on government center pending court hearing next week
Construction crews continued clearing trees from the site of the proposed James City County government center Tuesday, pending a court hearing next week.
A request for an emergency injunction against construction of the $190 million government office building will be heard in Williamsburg James City County Circuit Court Nov. 26 at 9 a.m.
“We intend to keep working unless told to stop,” County Administrator Scott Stevens told us.
Tree clearing seemed well underway when Williamsburg Watch visited Tuesday afternoon, with construction equipment felling trees at the rate of one per minute.
A substitute judge is being brought in to hear the case, because Circuit Court Judge Holly B. Smith recused herself, we were told by Christopher M. Woodfin, who represents the six taxpayers who filed the complaint.
“Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about ( the work underway),” said Woodfin. “They seem to be moving fairly quickly to clear the land.”
Charles Colegrove, who initiated the lawsuit, has established two websites where other taxpayers can participate.
Those who wish to donate to the legal fund for the injunction case can go to this site.
Those who wish to join the lawsuit and not donate to the legal expenses can go do that at another site.
Woodfin said the injunction request does not argue that county supervisors do not have the right to spend money on the government center.
Rather, it argues that the state constitution and law require a voter referendum to obtain long-term debt in order to build it.
James City County is using money from an Economic Development Authority Bond to pay for work. The entire project has not yet been formally approved, but the county has already committed $36 million in spending for planning and site preparation.
Woodfin’s complaint argues that county supervisors had plenty of time to put a referendum on the ballot.
“They’ve had four general elections (since the project was first floated) without putting it on the ballot,” he said.
DUI checkpoint Friday night in JCC
Watch out if you’re drinking and driving Friday night: James City County Police will conduct a DUI checkpoint beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, until 2 a.m. on Saturday, at an undisclosed location in James City County police say is known for previous incidents of impaired driving.
Checkpoint locations are selected based on analysis of traffic data, crash patterns, and past DUI-related enforcement. The primary objective of this checkpoint is not to make arrests, but to enhance public safety by discouraging impaired driving through visible enforcement and engagement, a police statement said.
During the operation, officers will briefly contact drivers to look for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and to verify driver’s licenses as required. The checkpoint will be clearly marked with law enforcement vehicles, traffic cones, and warning signs to ensure motorist safety and compliance with state law.
Fun & Games
Director’s Series conversation with Historian Rick Atkinson. Nov. 19. 7 p.m. Jamestown Settlement. Purchase tickets in advance; $10 in person or virtually.
W&M Theatre Presents: “The Scarlet Pimpernel” Nov. 20-23. 7:30 – 9 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa Hall. $25/$20 military or senior/$10 child/student.
Liberty Ice Pavilion Outdoor Skating in Colonial Williamsburg. Daily. $18 adult/$13 youth.
Annual Santa Photo Fundraiser. Nov. 22 – Dec. 23. 218 N. Boundary St., Williamsburg. $50.
Champions Shootout from Virginia Legacy Soccer. Nov. 22-23. Warhill Sports Complex.
CW employee arts and craft show. Nov. 22. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 401 N. Boundary St. Free parking and admission.
History of Williamsburg Holiday Traditions. Nov. 22. 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. John. D. Rockefeller Jr. library.
Passings
Thalia Carlson Stilson,92, Nov. 15.
Paul Stanley Tentler, 68, Nov. 13.
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