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WJCC SCHOOL BOARD STOPS JAMES BLAIR RENAMING

The WJCC School Board has decided not to rename James Blair Middle School.
A committee had researched the name’s history and surveyed the community.
Potential new names were presented to the board.
After discussion and an informal survey, the board chose not to move forward.
Prioritizing current students, fiscal responsibility, and budget issues were cited as reasons.
The board chair suggested teaching local history is a better focus.
Community feedback also indicated little interest in changing the name.

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WJCC School Board No Longer Considering Renaming James Blair Middle School

YORK COUNTY DOCKMASTER BUILDING DELAYED

York County’s Dockmaster Building project completion has been delayed.
Weather and material delays caused the setback, as stated by the County Administrator.
The date for substantial completion is now pushed back 30 days to June 15.
Officials hope the building will be ready for use by July 1.
The $1.8 million project includes restrooms, changing rooms, an office, and visitor services.
The 1,874-square-foot facility on Water Street will also be ADA-accessible.

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York County’s Dockmaster Building Completion Date Delayed

WILLIAMSBURG CITY BUDGET CUTS PRESENTED

Williamsburg’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 saw further cuts at a recent work session.

The original $112.3 million proposal had already seen $1.9 million in reductions.

An additional $1.4 million was cut, bringing the proposed budget down to $103.3 million.

Cuts were made to police vehicle purchases, police station demo, park restoration, WATA contribution, and other general fund items.

Admissions tax exemptions were also decreased by $257,000.

Discussions were held regarding a new library, with the mayor noting a final decision is pending based on future input and James City County plans.

Proposed revenue measures include increases to water rates, meal tax, lodging tax, and admissions tax.

No increase to property taxes is planned despite rising property values.

The budget also details admissions tax exemptions and a dealer discount for tax payments.

The final public comment opportunity is May 8, with a vote expected during that meeting.

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Williamsburg City Manager Presents Further Cuts to Proposed Budget At Work Session

Williamsburg City Council reviewed a budget proposal in April to increase the local meals tax by 1.5%, revised from an initial 2% proposal. This change would raise the local tax from 5% to 6.5%, potentially resulting in a 13.5% total meals tax including state taxes. Restaurant owner Mickey Chohany opposes the increase, stating businesses feel exploited and are already at tax saturation. The proposal comes despite a 2018 state law prohibiting local meals tax increases until January 1, 2026. City officials have previously discussed using increased revenue for tourism development.

Colonial Williamsburg’s Art Museums are preparing to open a new silver exhibition, “Silver from Modest to Majestic,” featuring 17th and 18th-century pieces. The exhibit is located in the Mary Jewett Gaiser Silver Gallery on the main floor of the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The official opening is May 24, and the exhibit will run for three years, though visitors can currently view preparations. Pieces range from a King William III chandelier to a simple teaspoon, highlighting both everyday use and historical significance of silver. The collection includes recent American silver acquisitions and items with notable provenance like the Caudle Cup and the Granberry Collection of buried treasure.

WJCC SCHOOL BOARD STOPS JAMES BLAIR RENAMING

The Williamsburg-James City County school board has decided against renaming James Blair Middle School.
This decision follows reviewing potential new names presented by a committee.
After discussion and an informal survey, the board chose not to add renaming as an action item.
Prioritizing current students and facing a difficult budget year were cited as reasons.
The board feels teaching local history within the school is a more important effort.
Community feedback also showed a majority did not want the name changed.

Source:

WJCC School Board No Longer Considering Renaming James Blair Middle School

YORK COUNTY DOCKMASTER BUILDING DELAYED

The completion date for York County’s Dockmaster Building project has been delayed.
Weather and material issues have caused a 30-day delay in the project.
The new substantial completion date is now June 15.
The county hopes the building will be ready for use by July 1.
The $1.8 million project on Water Street includes restrooms, changing rooms, offices, and visitor services.
The facility is designed to be ADA-accessible.
County Administrator Mark Bellamy announced the delay at the May 6 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Source:

York County’s Dockmaster Building Completion Date Delayed

York County’s Board of Supervisors approved a $291.6 million budget on Wednesday for fiscal year 2026. The budget includes the first real estate tax increase in nine years, raising the rate by 4 cents from 74 cents to 78 cents per $100 in assessed value. The personal property tax rate will increase by 20 cents to $4 per $100 in value. Officials stated the increases were necessary to support essential services amid rising costs and economic uncertainty, citing inflation and minimal revenue growth. The budget passed by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Wayne Drewery dissenting. The budget also includes increases in solid waste and planning fees, a decrease in social services funding, adds five deputy positions, increases school funding, decreases sheriff’s office overtime, and provides employee compensation raises.

A recent commentary by Williamsburg resident Rick Rodington published May 7 highlighted the essential role of public libraries. Rodington noted the Williamsburg Regional Library provides a wide range of programs, activities, events, and services for all ages. Awareness of these offerings was increased through the library’s active Facebook page. A summary report from the Public Library Association’s Project Outcome Initiative (2015-2023) indicated public library programs strengthen communities by improving children’s literacy, supporting lifelong learning and healthy communities, creating engaged citizens, and aiding small businesses and job seekers. Library Director Sandy Towers stated libraries are vital community lifelines for opportunity, education, and innovation, adapting to serve the public good. The commentary also recognized the contribution of over 240 volunteers at WRL. The author urged local philanthropists making large donations to a nearby university to also donate to the library to potentially reduce the tax burden on local residents.

Several summer outdoor concert series are planned for the Historic Triangle area. The free Merchants Square Concert Series features music every first Friday (except July 4) at 6 p.m. The free Sounds of Summer series brings diverse music to the Yorktown Riverwalk Landing stage on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. until Aug. 14. Alewerks’ Hopped Up Summer Concert Series offers free live music on Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. until Aug. 16 at the brewery beer garden. New Town Tunes provides free concerts on Wednesdays starting at 5 p.m. and Midtown Row’s Music in Midtown series is on second Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. Students in the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra’s M3loDy Makers program will perform a free concert using 3D-printed violins Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Waller Mill Elementary School. The Williamsburg Women’s Chorus presents its spring concert “Our Voice: Music of Our Time” May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, with a suggested donation. The Williamsburg Players will stage the musical “Pippin” at their playhouse on Hubbard Lane, with performances running from May 30 through June 15.