Virginia State Senator Richard H. Stuart of Montross and Va. Delegate Barry Knight of Virginia Beach have filed bills for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly which could set the stage for total extinction of the Menhadden fishery in the Chesapeake. Menhadden, which form a basic foundation of the Chesapeake Bay's food chain have been increasingly subject to overfishing, and in November, 2011, the Atlantic States marine Fisheries Commission took the first steps towards establishment of science based "catch limits" to preserve the species.

The menhaden fishing industries reaction: let's move to remove all limits and make a fast buck while we can. Two bills pre-filed for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly pose a grave threat to efforts to promote Bay conservation.

HB 88
Introduced by Barry D. Knight would remove the cap by removing a provision that allows an adjustment for underages or overages in the annual harvest cap to be carried over to the next year's cap limit. Currently, if a person harvests less than the 109,020 metric ton limit on taking menhaden, he can add the difference to his cap for next year's harvest. Conversely, if he exceeds the cap in any one year, he must reduce his harvest in the succeeding year by the amount of the overage of the preceding year.

A copy of this bill is available at:http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf" rel="external" title=""> http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf

SB 18
Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart removes authorization for Virginia's membership in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact. The purpose of the Compact is to promote better utilization of the marine, shell, and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard through the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause. If any state desires to remove itself from the Compact, it must send a six months' notice in writing to the member states of its intention to withdraw from the Compact.

A copy of this bill is available at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB18+pdf

To stop these bills, Virginia legislaturive representatives need to hear from you now - early and often!

Go tohttp://legis.state.va.us/" rel="external" title=""> http://legis.state.va.us/
to find the name of your Delegate and Senator and others and write them to stop these bills.

City of Waynesboro Website
Website Information
New Emergency Banner

A new feature has been added to our website
( http://waynesboro.va.us ) for use in alerting citizens of emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, a red banner will scroll across the top of the city's homepage.

This emergency banner will be used to keep citizens advised of critical information such as severe weather, flooding, etc.

Please visit our homepage to view the test banner.

Just a reminder to all that the pool is closed from Friday June 19 - Sunday June 21 due to The Commonwealth Games Swim Meet. The pool will reopen for normal busniess hours on Monday June 22.

The City of Waynesboro is seeking a full-time Director of Economic Development to plan and implement the economic development program for the City.

The Director is responsible for all projects, programs and initiatives related to the overall economic vitality of the City.  The economic development program focuses on recruitment of new businesses and industry and retention and expansion of existing businesses and industry. The Director supervises the Director of Tourism and provides support and additional leadership for all tourism-related activities. The Director works in cooperation with the Waynesboro Downtown Development Incorporated, a not for profit organization, whose work focuses on the revitalization and economic vitality of the City's downtown. This position currently reports directly to the City Manager; the City's Economic Development Authority
fulfills an emerging and significant role in the economic development program. The City Council and the EDA are presently evaluating the overall economic development program and organizational structure to explore opportunities to maximize the benefit of the program. The Director is expected to maintain an active and engaged relationship with the EDA and provides technical and administrative support to the EDA and attends their meetings. Attendance at City Council meetings, regional meetings, and other Boards and Commissions is required as necessary. A successful candidate must have exceptional organization and communication skills, proven leadership skills, and an established positive reputation for working collaboratively with public and private sector leaders, including regional and state partners. The successful candidate will have a minimum of three years of relevant
experience in the field of economic development and will hold at a minimum a bachelors degree in business administration, urban planning, or a related field.  Salary negotiable DOQ/DOE + benefits. A detailed Recruitment Profile and copy of the Job Description may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office at 540-942-6524/6719.

Interested persons should submit cover letter, resume and city application to the Human Resources Office, 503 W. Main St, Suite 102, Waynesboro, VA.  22980. Inquiries may be directed to James C. Fitzgerald at 540-942-6524/6719. The position is open until filled. EOE/AA