Dear Friend,
Cooler weather has finally arrived! My family is excited for fall and the chance to spend a bit more time outdoors without the scorching heat we saw earlier in the month.
In this e-newsletter, I will update you on two important items impacting our district: Shoosmith Landfill and the new Ettrick train station. I have also included information about two bills I am sponsoring for the 2027 session and early voting. I hope you continue to find these regular updates informative.
Shoosmith Update
Last week, a grand jury indicted the former owners of Shoosmith Landfill. This is a meaningful first step towards justice. The grand jury’s action means they believe there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. At this time, a warrant has been issued for the former owners who are believed to be living in Texas.
Unlike most criminal trials, this case will be prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General rather than the Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney. State law allows the Attorney General to prosecute landfill-related cases. At this time, I am not aware of a timeline on any future trials.
The criminal trial is just one aspect of this complex community issue. While I hope a guilty verdict will be secured, we must also focus on preventing an environmental catastrophe. As I have previously shared with you, the state must now ensure the long-term safety of this site. That includes removing toxic leachate to prevent future spills into adjacent waterways.
Initial stabilization actions are underway, with a more long-term plan in the works. The Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources is required to present their report on Shoosmith next week. This document is expected to include a more comprehensive plan forward. I will share that report with you as soon as it is made available.
New Ettrick Train Station
After many years of planning, a new train station is coming to Ettrick! Located in the middle of our district, this station serves Chesterfield, the Tri-Cities, and VSU with routes connecting Virginia to Florida, New York City, and places in between.
As part of the construction process, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is convening a Community Advisory Group (CAG) to provide guidance and feedback on community needs throughout the study. See further details in the flier below.
The first of three virtual meetings will take place on October 6th. Registration is required using this link.
2027 Legislative Session
The General Assembly will reconvene in January 2027, but work is already well underway. This month, I filed two bills aimed at supporting 9-1-1 dispatchers. Under current state law, emergency dispatchers are the only first responders who are ineligible to receive enhanced retirement benefits. My bills would change that. This is an issue that I have long been passionate about, and one that I will continue to advance.
Many localities struggle to attract and retain qualified dispatchers. We know that increasing the benefits will address that problem. We should take action to ensure that when someone calls 9-1-1, a person is at the other end of the line ready to help. I believe the cost of offering these enhanced benefits is reasonable and can be funded through existing revenues.
You can read more about this proposal here.
Delegates will be limited to sponsoring no more than 15 bills during the 2027 session. I have been working with constituents and advocates throughout the summer months on a wide variety of issues and look forward to sharing more about those bills in the coming months.
Early Voting
Early voting is underway for this year’s elections! Whether you plan to vote in the coming weeks or on Election Day, make sure you have a plan to cast your ballot.
Here’s where you can vote early:
- Colonial Heights: Registrar’s Office at City Hall (201 James Ave); 9am to 5pm
- Chesterfield: Central Library (7051 Lucy Corr Blvd); 9am to 5pm
Weekend voting will be available in both localities in late-October. Additional early voting sites will be available in Chesterfield in late-October. Keep an eye out for that information in a subsequent email update.
In the News
Here are a few recent news articles that you may find interesting:
- Virginia Mercury: Virginia DMV wait times plummet to record lows after major reforms
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Former Shoosmith Landfill owners indicted on felony charges
It remains an honor to represent our community in the Virginia House of Delegates. I stand ready to assist you and your family with any state-related issue you may face. Please reach out to let me know how I can best serve you.
Sincerely,
Mike Cherry