Orange County's monthly source for in-depth information about activities, programs, events, and more.
VIBRANT ECONOMY l EFFECTIVE REFLECTIVE GOVERNMENT l SUSTAINABLE LAND USE
INSIGHT
Honoring Staff Veterans Page 2
Service Awards Presented Pages 3 - 4
Halloween Costumes & Office Costume Contest Pages 7 - 10
NOVEMBER 2021
Employee Survey
Thank you to the 193 employees who participated in our Employee Engagement survey for a response rate of 57%, which is very good. While we are still digesting the information, at a high - level, things haven ’ t changed much from last year ’ s results. Overall positive engagement is about a third of our workforce, which is lower than where we want to be. While we have tried to increase communications with employees (Orange County Insight is one example) I am afraid the constant coronavirus disruptions have left our efforts flat. Last month did mark the return of in - person employee service recognition, but there is much more to be done. As we shift our attention toward 2022, look for more frequent events, a possible employee picnic, a return of Breakfast with the Administrator (in a new format), lunch - and - learns, and other opportunities to strengthen our relationships. We will also be starting our work on developing our organizational values to support our mission, which is something employees are asking for.
Public Safety Building
Three of four departments assigned to the PSB (Sheriff ’ s Office, COFEMS, and IT) are now operating there, with Emergency Communications now looking at January to coincide with the new public safety radio system cutover. We anticipate holding the Board ’ s first public meeting there on December 21st and will schedule a public ribbon cutting sometime beforehand.
Thanksgiving
I continue to be amazed and humbled by the good work the entire Orange County Team accomplishes day in and day out. Thank you for your public service commitment to our community.
“ It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful. ” - David Steindl - Rast
- Ted Voorhees, County Administrator
Cover photo: Montpelier Races by Stephanie Straub
Photo above: Liberty Mills by Orange County Tourism
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Physical Address 112 W. Main Street Orange, VA 22960 Mailing Address P.O. Box 111 Orange, VA 22960
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Page | November, 2021
Veterans Day
Honoring All Who Served
Nov.
11
Sheriff ’ s Office Sheriff Mark Amos, USAF
Airport Robert Gruitt, USA Eric Smith, USCG
Investigator John Berry, USN Deputy Jack Bryant, USMC Sergeant Mike Garrison, USN Deputy Shawn Helton, USMC (Currently serving in Marine Reserve) Robert Kelly (Civilian employee), USAF Major Mike LaCasse, USA
Board of Supervisors Lee Frame, USN
Emergency Communications Center Jimmie Tate, USA
Investigator Abe Lasco, USMC Deputy Bryan McFarlane, USN Deputy Jesse McPeek, USMC Deputy Adam Schienschang, USA Lieutenant Bart Sigler, USA Investigator Chris Votaw, USAF Deputy Chris Williams, USA
Fire & EMS Noah Madden, USMC Chief Nathan Mort, USMC Asst. Chief Roger Wilson, USANG
Library Michelle Pursel, USMC
Social Services Nimibia Derrick, USA Nicole Fleschute, USA Sheila Morrisseay, USA
Office on Youth Jennifer Detwiler, USA
Public Works William Alley, Jr., USA Edward Baker, USMC Randy Clatterbuck, USA Peyton Fincham, USN Louis Gibson, USAF Eddie James, USAF Raymond Offer, USA Mark Salyers, USMC James Shifflett, USA Ray Wareham, USA Marty Williams, USMC
USA - United States Army
USAF - United States Air Force
USCG - United States Coast Guard
USMC - United States Marine Corps
USANG - United States National Guard
USN - United States Navy
Page 2 | November, 2021
Page 2 | November 2020
By Michelle Williams, Deputy Clerk / Senior Administrative Booster Park was the perfect backdrop for the 1 st Annual Service Awards Presentation on Friday, October 22, 2021. If the scenic park wasn ’ t enough, attendees were entertained by brightly colored parachutes that fell from the skies as the skydivers took full advantage of a beautiful, sunny day. County Administrator, Ted Voorhees, and Human Resources Director, Jenny Carpenter, opened the presentation by welcoming staff and their families and thanking them for their dedicated service to Orange County. Parks and Recreation Director, Tim Moubray, welcomed everyone to Booster Park, introduced his staff, and shared future plans of renovations to the playground equipment. While employees and their guests enjoyed a delicious catered barbecue meal, Mr. Voorhees called each Service Award recipient to receive their certificate and pin.
2020 Service Awards Recipients
10 Years
15 Years
20 Years
25 Years
5 Years
Amy Altman David Brookman Michael Broyles Jennifer Burkholder Krystle Dickson Andrew Ellinger Darlene Fleming
Deauna Hopkins Sherry Martin Taylor Roby Leigh Waugh Michelle Williams Ryan Wilson Rosanna Zamudio
Larry Clement Jamie Colvin
Thomas Curtin Brad Darnell Mike Garrison Robert Kelley James Shifflett Sue Southard Jennifer Williams Kenneth Yount
April Clark Peggy Helmick Becky Jones Gail Lloyd Nelson Seale Mark Sikora
Elizabeth Amos
30 Years
Shannon Dickson Peyton Fincham Buzz Jarrell Randy Williams
Mike LaCasse
2021 Service Awards Recipients
5 Years
10 Years
15 Years
20 Years
Stephen Boyer Bryan Cameron Carrington Carey Bridget Joyce Jessica Lassiter Teresa Latimer Timothy Lettner
Patrick O ’ Donnell Drema Rogers Jimmie Tate Jennifer Vickers Nicole Votaw Bernice Washington Kathryn West Martin Williams
Amanda Amos Billie Beveridge Glenda Bradley Hunter Hall Ashley Jacobs Patricia Keister
Lara Lam Melissa Morris Tim Moubray Thomas Waddy Jayson Woods
Randall Amos Herbert Brooking Carol Faulk
Dawn Herndon Bart Sigler
Terry Harlow Susan Pruitt Davis Smith Carol Wold
25 Years
Renee Pope
Jessica Lohr Tristan Lugo
Page 3 | November, 2021
5 Years
Krystle Dickson, Deauna Hopkins, Michelle Williams, and Rosanna Zamudio
Stephen Boyer, T.J. Lettner, Patrick O ’ Donnell, Drema Rogers, Jennifer Vickers, and Bernice Washington
10 Years
Larry Clement, Shannon Dickson, and Buzz Jarrell
Amanda Amos, Glenda Bradley, Tim Moubray, and Jayson Woods
15 Years
20 Years
Michael Garrison
April Clark and Becky Jones
Susan Pruitt
Dawn Herndon
25 Years
30 Years
Mike LaCasse
Page 4 | November, 2021
Renee Pope
Orange County Is Improving How Employees and Residents Are Informed During Emergency Situations
By Chris Cord, Emergency Communications Center Director
Public Safety Officials Encourage Employees and Residents to Sign Up For OC - Alert, the Free Service To Be Better Prepared for an Emergency
Orange County ’ s public safety offices are excited to announce that a new Alert notification system is now available to all employees and residents. The Orange County Alert system (OC - ALERT) is a FREE service that allows individuals to sign up for urgent notifications sent from state and local authorities. OC - ALERT keeps employees and informed on potentially hazardous situations and emergencies.
Orange County Emergency Communications Director Chris Cord noted that, “ This alert system enables authorities to notify the community in real time. This service allows for critical communication with the public
and provides individuals with the information needed to stay safe or take precautions during hazardous or emergency situations. ” Cord added, “ There will, however, be limited or little weather information provided as weather events are ever changing and can overwhelm the system. Given the numerous sources of weather information available to everyone these days, individuals are urged to track weather events from those sources. ” OC - ALERT enables employees and residents within Orange County to sign up for free at https:// www.getrave.com/login/orangecountyva and receive timely and actionable emergency alerts. Residents can control how they are notified by selecting email, text, or voice message as their means of notification. Previously, the County utilized the Code Red service which has since been terminated. Individuals who signed up for that service will need to visit the OC - ALERT website to add their names and number information to receive notifications. Employees can receive alerts for inclement weather delays or office closures.
“ Residents will receive notifications that will improve safety in our County and help inform residents of potentially lifesaving actions that they may need to take in an emergency, ” said Cord. “ The information sent out by OC - ALERT through emergency notifications allows employees, residents, and first responders to be better informed in an emergency situation. ”
“ This alert notification system will be able to send voice, texts, e - mails, and messages to our residents and simultaneously post to our Facebook and Twitter accounts, ” said Cord. “ We encourage all members of our community and their families to sign up for OC - ALERT in order to be prepared should an emergency occur. ”
OC - ALERT is provided by Rave Mobile Safety, utilized by numerous institutions including state and local authorities, and business and educational institutions. Citizens are encouraged to sign up for OC - ALERT and input their information and notification preferences. Their information will immediately be available to 9 - 1 - 1 and to receive emergency notifications. OC - ALERT is private and secure, and information received from the registration is used only for emergency notifications.
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Lifesaving Award Presented for Full - Steam Heroism By Michelle Williams, Deputy Clerk / Senior Administrative Assistant
At the October 26, 2021, Board of Supervisors ’ Regular Meeting, County Administrator, Theodore L. Voorhees, read a narrative recalling the events that occurred on the morning of Saturday, September 11, 2021, where Captain Jason Smith was participating at the Sheriff ’ s Office ’ s booth during the Orange County Street Festival. An older female walking with a small group, including several young children, was getting ready to cross over the train tracks when a plastic fireman ’ s hat belonging to one of the children was blown onto the tracks. At the same time, a train horn blew and the crossing arms began coming down to prevent pedestrians from crossing. The female quickly ran onto the train tracks to retrieve the fireman ’ s hat. She made her way across the first set of tracks but fell face first when reaching the second set of tracks. She tried to get up on her own but
Chairman Crozier with Captain Smith
tripped and fell again. Captain Jason Smith and Major Mike LaCasse quickly ran to assist the female. Along with some unidentified citizens, Captain Smith and Major LaCasse were able to pick up the female and carry her to safety. Seconds later, the train came along the same tracks the female had just been moved from. If not for the quick actions of Captain Smith, the female could have sustained serious bodily injuries or death. After presenting the award, Chairman Crozier thanked Captain Smith and stated, “ This just shows what our Sheriff ’ s Office does on a daily basis. Congratulations! ”
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Coffee With a Cop By Michelle Williams, Deputy Clerk / Senior Administrative Assistant
With such a full workload as the Sergeant for Court Security, Sergeant Mike Garrison wasn ’ t able to physically meet with me for coffee and conversation, but he opened up about his tenure with the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office and his upcoming retirement where he ’ ll be hanging up his gun belt after nearly seventeen (17) years of service. Don ’ t believe everything you see on television about deputies who work in the Court Security Division. Maybe not all jurisdictions are the same, but here in Orange County, these honorable men and women do much more than stand quietly at the
front of the courtroom. Sergeant Garrison explained that their division is responsible for, “ the movement of all prisoners, including prisoners held in other jurisdictions on Orange [County] charges, and security of the entire Courthouse, as well as each judge. One thing that the public may not know is that Court Security is also responsible for all mental health ECOs (Emergency Custody Orders) and TDOs (Temporary Detention Orders); this may include taking [mental] health patients across the state to whichever hospital the RRCSB (Rappahannock - Rapidan Community Services Board) has chosen. ” These deputies take turn being on - call and may receive a call from the Emergency Communications Center in the middle of the night to go sit at a hospital with a patient until a bed is found which could be up to 72 hours. Sergeant Garrison was working as a mechanic in his native Madison County before he started in corrections and then became a law enforcement officer. “[ I] realized that at this point in my life, I needed a job that offered insurance, as well as a good retirement package, ” stated Garrison. “ I knew someone who was working at CVRJ (Central Virginia Regional Jail) and felt like that was something I could do and applied. From there, it took off to where I am now. ” Everyone wants to know the most memorable event during a law enforcement officer ’ s career. For Sergeant Garrison, the lyrics from Alan Jackson ’ s song Where Were You ring true. “ I was transporting an inmate for CVRJ in
Washington, D.C. on the day the plane struck the Pentagon. It took me around 9 hours to get back to Orange. I will never forget hearing the news on the radio and thinking that I hope everyone was ok, ” Garrison reflected. Now, if you have ever talked to Sergeant Garrison, you can appreciate what his response was when I asked him what the funniest thing was he had ever seen while on duty. As I read his response, I could literally hear the southern drawl and see him with a smirk on his face! “ I have seen many funny things happen in court and dealing with prisoners, but they are inappropriate for polite conversation such as this. People say the darndest things. ” And with that response, you can guess what he believes his strength to be when it comes to his job … “ My good sense of humor. Sometimes, in this job, you see and hear things that you wish you didn ’ t and one way that we handle it is to joke around and get your mind off [of] it. ” So, what does a seasoned law enforcement officer do when he retires? Garrison said he plans to do, “ A little farming, a little logging, and a whole lot of time in Hatteras, North Carolina. ” Sergeant Mike Garrison, Orange County wishes you much deserved happiness and relaxation in your retirement! Thank you for your years of dedicated service.
Photo courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office, 2015
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No Disguising the Fun in the 2021 Office Costume Contest
By Jason Woods, OCPR Programs & Facilities Supervisor,
There once was a time when masks were primarily used for fun, to disguise oneself as something new for a few fleeting hours, usually around the end of October. That was certainly the case when the Orange County Parks & Recreation office began its “ Office Costume Contest ” way back in 2014. Inspired by the Treasurer ’ s Office ’ s group costume in 2013, the contest sought to expand the fun to office spaces throughout Orange County. Faye ’ s Office Supply immediately got on board to sponsor the event and have supported it each year since. This year, JB Cakes and Philosopher ’ s Stone Pizza joined as sponsors to add even more prize value! We are pleased to report that the seed planted all those years ago has taken a solid root, and the contest has regularly grown in both number of entries, number of participants, creativity, and quality of costumes year after year. Orange County Treasurer ’ s Office 1 st
This year, the Orange County Treasurer ’ s Office took home the gold for their sweet Willy Wonka concept, beginning a two - year winning streak! Second Place was awarded to the perennially competitive Orange County Office on Youth who went wild with their Zoo theme. Interestingly for those keeping score at home, these two competitors are tied at 3 wins each over the history of the contest. By themselves, each exceeds the total number of wins by other groups, which has happened only twice, once in 2014 (Dogwood Village Activities Department), and again in 2019 (Orange County Building Development). Third place was earned by the Grymes Memorial School Specials Teachers, cracking both eggs and smiles with their breakfast theme, while also taking home the “ Cutest ” superlative. Other superlative award winners included the Orange County Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Hippies “ Happiest ” entry and newcomer Paint it Orange ’ s “ Funniest ” Bob Ross painting entry held in partnership with the James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage.
2 nd
Orange County Office on Youth
3 rd
From an organizer ’ s perspective, we were grateful to have 18 entries in the 2021 contest, comprised of 107 individual participants! Facebook engagement remained high this year, with
Grymes Memorial School Specials Teachers
an organic reach of nearly 10,000, including 1.5k post clicks and 294 reactions. Contest related activity also garnered almost 50 new likes for the Orange County Parks & Recreation Facebook page. We ’ re looking forward to 2022. It will be hard to top this year ’ s contest, but we say that every year.
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Wilderness Crossing, an Application for Rezoning in the Germanna - Wilderness Area Compiled and written by Alyson Simpson, Chief Deputy Clerk
About the Application Earlier this year, Planning and Development Services received an application for the rezoning of twenty parcels along the Route 3 corridor in the eastern end of the County. The parcels total 2,618 acres and are currently zoned a mixture of Agricultural (A), General Industrial (I - 2), Limited Residential (R - 1), and General Commercial (C - 2). The applicant has requested to rezone the properties to Planned Development - Mixed Use (PDM) in order to develop a mixed - use project to be constructed in four phases over approximately thirty years. Collectively, the property is situated in District Four, at the intersection of Routes 3 and 20, and is located in Subarea 4 (Wilderness Run) of the Germanna - Wilderness Area Plan (GWAP). Application materials can be viewed on the County ’ s website here.
The Rezoning Process
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The rezoning application for Wilderness Crossing is currently in the staff report preparation phase. Several ARC meetings have been conducted and a Town Hall was held on June 17, 2021. Next steps will include the Planning Commission public hearing process before the application is forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for public hearing. Guidance from the Board of Supervisors The Board of Supervisors remains committed to the vision and key considerations adopted in the Germanna - Wilderness Area Plan. As such, staff was directed to compare the rezoning application, design guidelines, and proffered conditions to the GWAP and presented the summary at a Board of Supervisors ’ worksession on October 5, 2021. From that worksession, the Board developed guidance to be communicated to the Planning Commission and the applicant. Highlights from the guidance include the following:
The complete guidance document can be found here.
Opportunities for Public Participation As the Wilderness Crossing rezoning application moves through the process, there may be additional worksessions the public can attend. Additionally, citizens may contact their respective members of the Planning Commission and/or Board of Supervisors to share their comments. Ultimately, the public will be offered opportunities to provide comments for consideration at both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors public hearings. See the project map on the following page.
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Wilderness Crossing
Page 15 | November, 2021
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
By Michelle Williams, Deputy Clerk / Senior Administrative Assistant
The Orange County Landfill, with the help of the Litter Control Committee, hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on October 9, 2021. This event provided the community with the opportunity to properly dispose of household hazardous wastes such as acids, fertilizers, antifreeze, paint, oil, pesticides, etc. Cars began lining up at the entrance to the Landfill at 7:30 a.m. In no time, the line was up around the corner of Porter Road. At 8:00 a.m., volunteers and Landfill staff began directing traffic to allow not only the 206 cars there specifically to dispose of their hazardous waste materials, but for the rest that were there simply for the disposal of
regular household trash. Clean Harbors collected 33,206 lbs. of materials in only four (4) hours! This event would not be possible without the allocation of funds by the Board of Supervisors; Randy Clatterbuck, Landfill Manager, and the Landfill staff, by opening up their facility to Clean Harbors; and the volunteers, especially from the Orange County High School ’ s FFA (Future Farmers of America).
Orange County HS Marching Band – Small But Mighty
By Dawn Herndon, Treasurer
The Orange County Marching Band traveled to Liberty University this month and competed in the 2021 VMBC Commonwealth State Championship. Orange was one of the smallest bands to compete. Though the band is small, it has proven to be mighty. As a result of all the hard work and dedication students and directors put into this season, they were named SINGLE A BAND STATE CHAMPION . Judges awarded the Marching Band 1 st in Color Guard, 1 st in General Effect, and 1 st in Visual. The County of Orange offers the students and their directors hearty congratulations on a job well done.
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Orange County Welcomes New Director of Public Works
Orange County is pleased to announce the employment of Ryan Dewyea as Director of Public Works effective November 15, 2021. Mr. Dewyea, PMP, brings construction, facility maintenance, and project management experience to Orange County. He received his undergraduate education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, is working towards a Master ’ s in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota, and has worked for the public and in private practice in central Virginia. Most recently, in his position of Project Manager for the City of Charlottesville, Mr. Dewyea managed new construction, renovation, and Capital Improvement Projects.
“ Orange County is pleased to welcome Mr. Dewyea to our team, ” Theodore L. Voorhees, County Administrator noted. “ He brings with him facility and project management experience and has a passion for serving local government. This will come in handy as we open our new Public Safety Building and assess our other public facilities for future use. ” Dewyea said he is privileged to have the opportunity to serve Orange County and looks forward to working with staff, Boards, and the community.
For more information, contact Stephanie Straub at sstraub@orangecountyva.gov.
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Parks and Recreation Department Receives Award
By Ellen Coyne, Communications Department Intern
During the Annual Conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, Orange County ’ s Parks and Recreation Department received an award in the Snapshot Moment, Population 25,001 - 50,000 category. The winning ‘ snapshot ’ was from the annual Turkey Toss, Disc Golf Tournament that was founded in 2019. COVID - 19 posed difficult challenges in 2020, but Orange County ’ s Parks and Recreation department knew that the disc golf tournament would bring the community together. The winning picture included the Flight 2 champions, Darren Jones and Jeremy Butterfield, with their trophies, masks, and perseverance. The spirit of the Turkey Toss proved to the Virginia Recreation and Park Society Awards and Citations Committee that a sense of community is essential even during the most difficult times.
OCPR staff, Tim Moubray and Jayson Woods accepting the award.
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The award winning photograph
Full - time Opportunities
Part - time Opportunities
Accounts Payable Technician Communications Officer Deputy Sheriff – Patrol Firefighter / Medic Maintenance Technician Communications Specialist
Administrative Assistant – Extension Office Airport Operations Worker Animal Caretaker Child Care Teacher Assistant – OES Child Care Teacher Assistant – GBES Child Care Teacher Assistant – LES Child Care Teacher Assistant – LGPS Collection Attendant
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Orange County Residents Eligible for Septic System Repairs
By Stephanie DeNicola - Turner, Education/Information Coordinator, Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District
Residents of Orange County that live in the Upper York River Watershed continue to be eligible for reimbursement of 50 to 80 percent of the expense of pumping and inspecting, repairing or replacing on - lot septic systems. The Upper York Watershed is nearly all of Orange County which is BOTH south of Route 20 AND east of US Route 15, except for very small areas along the County border with Spotsylvania and Louisa Counties. The Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District grants program continues its funding to help reduce bacteria pollution in local streams. The series of grants is focused on reducing any existing or potential impacts on local ground and surface water quality. E. coli bacteria in some local streams has long been identified as being higher than expected by state water quality standards, although other pollutants can also be involved, particularly nutrients. An additional benefit to the property owner is the assurance that their system is up to standards and functioning properly. It is a win - win for both water quality and property value. Program participants are eligible for several different payments depending on the actual needs of their system. Reimbursement payments are typically 50 percent although can go as high as 80 percent for tiered low - income status. Maximum payments to property owners at 50% cost share to property owners under average income levels are $2,000 maximum towards a pump out with system inspection; $2,500 maximum towards a repair; $4,000 maximum toward a conventional system or $6,000 if a pump is required to move the liquids to the drain field; and $12,000 maximum toward an alternative engineered system. Maximum payments under low - income situations at the 80% cost share level are $3,200 maximum towards a pump out with system inspection; $4,000 maximum towards a repair; $6,400 maximum toward a conventional system or $9,600 if a pump is required to move the liquids to the drain field; and $19,200 maximum toward an alternative engineered system. Pump outs and inspections are encouraged for everyone; such preventative maintenance extends the life of a system and prevents higher costs later on if the systems fail. If further repairs are indicated by the inspection, the owner is still eligible for the additional repair payments. Applications are required and need to be approved prior to the work being done or funding can be declined. Free assistance with initial assessments of individual system needs is available from the District. Reimbursement payments are made promptly once the work has been completed. The program is entirely voluntary and assistance from the District is free of charge.
Further information on the program is available from the District at (540) 825 - 8591 or (540) 948 - 7531. Funding for these projects has been secured by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth of Virginia and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
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Holiday Favorite Recipes Made Healthy
By Clare Lillard, Extension Agent, FCS, Orange County Extension Office
During a recent conversation with co - workers from the Orange Extension Office, we shared our favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. Although everyone expressed our love for everything Thanksgiving, we all mentioned side dishes, such as sweet potatoes, stuffing, broccoli casserole, and even warm German potato salad with gravy, (from a mid - western transplant!), as our favorite part of the traditional holiday meal. The following recipes are healthier, and delicious, versions of two of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes, shared with me by Extension volunteer, Meador Horne, RN, CDCES. She suggests that if you are going to a holiday potluck meal, while being mindful of what you eat, that you bring a healthy side dish. That way you know there will be at least one healthier option for you to eat at the meal, but you can also enjoy sampling the other sides.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy, Thanksgiving!
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Orange Sweet Potato Casserole
3 - 4 medium sweet potatoes
2 TBLS brown sugar substitute (like Splenda)
2 oranges
¼ cup chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds
Dash of salt to taste (optional)
1. Boil and peel sweet potatoes. Slice potatoes and arrange in a large casserole dish.
2. Place nuts and brown sugar substitute in a food processor and chop. Sprinkle over sliced potatoes.
3. Grate zest off of 1 orange and save. Cut this orange in half and squeeze juice of ½ orange over potatoes. Sprinkle zest over the casserole.
4. Slice the remaining orange and place slices over top of the casserole.
5. Bake in 350 - degree oven for about 30 minutes.
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients:
1 - 10.5 oz can 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom soup
½ cup Skim Milk
1 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce
Black pepper to taste
4 cups cooked cut green beans (fresh or frozen)
¼ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup toasted sliced almonds, divided
Mix soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans, onion and ¼ cup (half) of the toasted almonds in 1 ½ - qt casserole dish.
Bake at 350 Degrees for 25 minutes until hot.
Stir. Sprinkle with remaining almonds and bake 5 minutes more.
Use 1 (16 - 20 oz) bag of frozen green beans, 2 (9 ounce) packages frozen green beans, or 1½ pounds of fresh green beans.
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Orange County Public Schools Calendar 2021 - 2022 Link to Calendar
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TAX INFORMATION
2021 PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES AND SECOND HALF REAL ESTATE TAX 2021 Personal Property Taxes and Second half Real Estate Taxes are due on December 6, 2021. (December 5 th falls on a weekend, therefore, the due date defaults to the next business day). Original billing statements have been mailed and amounts due are available here. If you have received your tax bill and have address change or assessment/billing concerns, please call the Commissioner of the Revenue ’ s Office at (540) 672 - 4441. Payment question or haven ’ t received your tax bill, please call the Treasurer ’ s Office at (540) 672 - 2656. The Orange County Treasurer ’ s Office accepts payments through the following methods: · Via drop box, located at 112. W. Main Street, Orange · Online: Payment Options page on the Orange County website · By mail to the Orange County Treasurer, P.O. Box 469, Orange, VA 22960 *Note if you are mailing your tax payments please mail in advance to ensure that they are postmarked on or before the due date. If you wait to mail, please hand deliver to the Post Office to get them to stamp it with the date you dropped it off. The post mark from the Post Office is what we go by to accept payments that are mailed on time. 2020 DELINQUENT PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES On September 1, 2021, all unpaid 2020 taxes were handed over to Taxing Authority Consulting Services, P.C. (TACS) for further collections. If you owe 2020 and prior, call (804) 545 - 2500 to pay or make arrangements to pay. DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES Real estate parcels that are more than two years delinquent are assigned to Taxing Authority Consulting Services, P.C. for collections and processing for the tax sale of property. Any collection administrative or legal costs incurred to collect the taxes owed will be charged to the taxpayer.
REMINDERS
Short - Term Rental (Transient Occupancy Tax) - 3 rd quarter filings were due by October 31, 2021. The 4 th quarter will be due January 31 st . More information can be found here: http://www.orangecountyva.gov/408/ Transient - Occupancy - Tax - Short - Term - Renta
For more information visit www.orangecountyva.gov/396/ Treasurer or contact Dawn Herndon, Treasurer, at (540) 672 - 2656 or dhearndon@orangecountyva.gov.
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Citizens Ask...
By Michelle Williams
Q : Why can ’ t the County ’ s FOIA Officer give me police reports if they can give 911 recordings?
A : The County ’ s FOIA Officer is not the custodian of any law enforcement reports as the Town of Orange Police and the Sheriff ’ s Office do not fall under the supervision of the Board of Supervisors. The Town of Orange Police Department is a separate entity and process their own requests. They may be contacted at (540) 672 - 1491. The Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer and as such, his office processes their own requests. They may be reached at (540) 672 - 1200.
Q : How do I get a 911 address?
A : Orange County does not issue 911 addresses to vacant land. When you apply for your building permit to build a dwelling, you will put the driveway in and mark the four (4) corners of the new home, then call the Building Department at (540) 672 - 4574, and someone will come and do GPS coordinates to assign the 911 address.
Office of Voter Registration and Elections
Get to know Orange County staff... The Personnel File:
This month, we are honoring our hardworking Voter Registration and Elections staff who ensure that all federal, state, local, and town elections and primaries are conducted in accordance with federal and state laws. Our dedicated personnel are committed to the accuracy and integrity of local election results. Thank you!
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Pictured L to R: Bridget Joyce, Donna Harpold, and Kayla Conley
Orange County Communications Department 112 W. Main Street P.O. Box 111 Orange, VA 22960
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Meet Jimmy! Jimmy is a goofball! This boy came to us as a stray. He was filthy and in desperate need of a good meal and a warm bath. Jimmy is around 2 years old. He is a very active boy that will need a home that can help keep him calm and quiet for the next several months as he will be on restricted activity. Jimmy is a bit shy and new things make him pause and go slowly. He is silly and has a big smile but needs some work on his confidence and trust. Jimmy has been neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and tested for heartworm disease. **Jimmy tested POSITIVE for heartworm and has successfully completed the treatment process*** If interested, please go to the County website and fill out the preadoption application and email to the Director at Gjenkins@orangecountyva.gov .
Visit us on Facebook See Adoptable Pets Here (540) 672 - 1124 Directions: 11362 Porter Road Orange, VA 22960
Come find a friend at The Orange County Animal Shelter
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