Delegate Hugo and Supervisor Candland to Receive "Champion of Oak Valley" Award Tonight

Delegate Tim Hugo and Supervisor Pete Candland will receive the "Champion of Oak Valley" award presented by the Oak Valley HOA for the extraordinary efforts both put forth to resolve the safety issues with the dump truck traffic on Catharpin Road.

The awards will be presented at the Oak Valley HOA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at 7 pm at the Bull Run Middle School (cafeteria) and the public is welcome to attend.

Prince William County Settles Lawsuit with Smith Dump Operators

Here is an email from PWC Assistant Attorney Jeff Notz that outlines the terms of the settlement with the Smith Dump operators:

March 9, 2012  

Judge O’Brien signed a final order today in the Smith case. A copy of the order attached. This is a public document and you are free to share it with whomever you like.  

As you will see, the order allows Mr. Smith to complete work on two ponds and a pasture area near the ponds, but he may only do so under certain important conditions. Mr. Smith may only receive a maximum of 50 truck loads of dirt per day, and he may not make any money from the dirt deliveries. Delivery hours are restricted to weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but when Bull Run Middle School is in session the entrance gate to the farm must be closed from 7:00 a.m to 8:15 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Mr. Smith has three months to complete his project. Other provisions of the order allow the County to monitor and inspect the work being done.  

Given the entry of the order and its favorable terms for the County, there will not be a hearing in this case.  

If you have any questions, please let me know.  

Thank You,  

Jeff Notz
Assistant County Attorney 

Click below to view the Smith Settlement Court Order:

 Smith Settlement Document

Hugo Bill Passes Senate on Way to Governor for Signature

Delegate Tim Hugo's House Bill 1076 was filed for one reason:  His constituents had a problem that needed to be solved.


Hugo's bill was initially seen by the Virginia Farm Bureau as an attack on farmers who have to fend off new residents of developments close to existing farms, and it is an issue that has been on the top of the radar for the extremely powerful farm lobby.  


Experienced political observers gave Hug's bill ZERO chance of passage, and simply praised Delegate Hugo for his political skills in filing a bill to help his constituents despite the fact it really had no chance of passage.


Lobbyists in Richmond laughingly dubbed the bill "The Impossible Dream."


But Tim Hugo did not shrink from the challenge.


He asked the Farm Bureau leaders to sit down with him and talk about the issue.  


HB1076 was about the exploitation of farm land by excavation companies looking to dump construction debris on farm land, not the preservation or enhancement of farms for agricultural purposes.


Hugo's bill provides that a locality may require a special use permit for the storage or disposed of certain non-agricultural materials, including construction debris, not originally generated on an agriculturally zoned property.


Hugo's negotiating skills, his persistence, and his willingness to stand up for his constituents paid off:


On February 14, "The Impossible Dream" HB 1076 passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 100 - 0.


Then, on March 2, HB 1076 was passed by the Virginia Senate by a vote of 39 - 0.


Now "The Impossible Dream" is headed to Governor McDonnell for signature.


When Tim Hugo called this blogger to convey the good news on the passage of this bill by the Virginia Legislature, he expressed his thanks for citizens letting him know about the problem.


A class act from a world class servant of the people.


New Virginia laws take effect on July 1st of the year in which they are signed by the Governor, so that is the date when the new powers will be held by Prince William County to restrict the exploitation of farm land by excavation companies.


The outcome is our roads and communities will be safer, and excavation companies have had the welcome mat ripped out from under them for Western Prince William County.

THANK YOU DELEGATE HUGO!