Budget

By Jimmy LaRoue
Waynesboro News Virginian
Published: June 26, 2009
http://www.newsvirginian.com/wnv/news/local/article/saxman_praises_annou...

Del. Chris Saxman praised the vote of the Staunton City Council in adopting a memorandum of understanding at its Thursday meeting regarding the Western State Hospital project, calling it “huge for our area.“

“I am very pleased that Staunton City Council members voted unanimously to move forward with these important projects that will not only benefit those Virginians who receive critical care services from Western State Hospital, but also our community as these projects will bring hundreds of jobs and economic development opportunities to the area,“ Saxman said in a written statement.

The deal allows for a smaller hospital to be built on 70 acres within the city’s Crossroads Business Park - property that is adjacent to the current location along Interstate 81 and Route 250.

In exchange for the city’s Industrial Development Authority deeding the city property in the business park, the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services will deed 266 acres of the existing hospital campus - excluding the 31 acre property where the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents is located - to the IDA for future private redevelopment.

City leaders are hopeful of the project’s economic benefits to the city - particularly with increasing sales tax revenue. It also allows Staunton to keep pace with competing projects recently announced in Augusta County and Waynesboro, though Vice Mayor Dave Metz noted the project has been four years in the making.

“It helps to keep Staunton competitive,“ said Councilwoman Andrea Oakes following Thursday’s council meeting. “If the city’s not growing, it will die. And this gives us the opportunity to grow and remain competitive with Waynesboro as well as Augusta County. Again, it’ll bring in a lot of revenue for the city of Staunton.“

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Continued online:
http://www.newsvirginian.com/wnv/news/local/article/saxman_praises_annou...

Friday, June 26, 2009
www.rockbridgeweekly.com

STAUNTON, VA: Delegate Chris Saxman (R-Staunton) issued the following statement regarding the City of Staunton taking steps to forward a significant construction project at Western State Hospital that is expected to employ over 400 construction workers on-site during the maximum build phase.

Last night the Staunton City Council voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City, the State and the Staunton Industrial Development Authority pertaining to the relocation of Western State Hospital and projects to develop the excess land.

"I am very pleased that Staunton City Council members voted unanimously to move forward with these important projects that will not only benefit those Virginians who receive critical care services from Western State Hospital, but also our community as these projects will bring hundreds of jobs and economic development opportunities to the area. While the Council must still approve a formal agreement, this was an important step to move these projects forward in a timely manner.

"The legislature has recognized the need to upgrade the facilities at WSH, some of which are more than 35 years old, and begun the process to renovate these facilities by allocating $110 million in funding for new construction. WSH plays a critical role in the Commonwealth for providing mental health services, and it is essential that our facilities are modern and properly equipped to provide the best care possible to Virginians needing these services.

"I want to especially thank my colleagues, Senator Emmett Hanger and Delegate Steve Landes for their efforts on this project. Their work has been invaluable in seeing these projects move forward.

"By selling the excess property at WSH, those funds will be available to supplement the construction costs of the new WSH facility. Work has already begun to finalize the project, and geotechnical and other preparatory work has begun, so that construction will likely begin this fall.

"This project is huge for our area. First, we will have a modernized facility to provide top-of-the-line mental health services. Second, these construction projects will be bringing many jobs to our area, which is especially important during these tough economic times. And finally, the sale of the excess property will provide for great economic development opportunities in the area. By expanding the tax base, state and local governments working together will be able to hold the line on tax rate increases. This is of tremendous importance to local families adversely impacted by these tough economic times.

"I look forward to once again touring the Western State Hospital facilities on Thursday, July 16th, and getting the latest updates from the administration of the hospital. We will be continuing to work with the state and local government to see these projects move forward."

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http://www.rockbridgeweekly.com/rw_article.php?ndx=14512

State official responds to spending concerns
(Printed in the Staunton News Leader, June 11, 2009)

While it is not in my nature to respond to letters to the editor that others have written, I would like to respond to Mr. Steve Morris' letter to the News Leader published on June 4th. This is the second time he has written a letter to the editor using my name to make a point.

I did attend the "Town Hall" meeting sponsored by Delegate Chris Saxman late last year. I did so out of my respect and admiration for the work he has done as chairman of the Cost Cutting Caucus in the Virginia General Assembly. Contrary to Mr. Morris' assertions, Chris Saxman's leadership as chairman has been very beneficial to the commonwealth by focusing time and energy on a number of issues that have led to changes in the way Virginia views its expenditures. He has led the Cost Cutting Caucus in a bipartisan way, encouraging members from both parties to attend and be part of the effort. His efforts have held this group together despite some otherwise difficult divides between the two parties that dominate the General Assembly.

While not every issue that comes before the Cost Cutting Caucus is something that the public would find "exciting," I can tell you that his efforts to make the Common- wealth's expenditures more transparent for all Virginians is among the top of the list of accomplishments of the Caucus. In addition, two years ago he successfully developed a bipartisan, House and Senate, executive and legislative review of a number of major expenditure categories in state government. In one area alone, energy, a single recommendation as a result of the reviews saved one agency of the commonwealth $2 million.

Mr. Morris is correct that he gave me a list of 27 cost-cutting ideas at the Town Hall meeting. Unfortun- ately his list had no name or contact information on it. I reviewed the list and passed the list along to Virginia Department of Corrections for their review (since most of the items were his opinions related to his former employer).

I appreciate the opportunity to comment.

BILL LEIGHTY, Richmond
Editor's Note: Bill Leighty retired in 2007 after serving as chief of staff for Gov. Tim Kaine.