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No
budget yet. The State is having quite the time with this years
budget trying to live within its projected revenue for the next
biennium. Unfortunately some of their ideas for trimming
expenses at the State level means cuts in revenue sent to
localities for various personnel and programs. From schools to
constitutional offices there are no sacred cows. What this
translates into for us is less revenue to try and provide the
same level of service. Another problem is, we find it difficult
to move too far forward in our budget process until we have a
fairly good look at how their cuts will affect our budget.

Participation isn't just important — it's mandatory.
The census is about to begin. Make sure you are counted.
The information gathered through the census is used in
so many important facets of our daily lives. One item it affects
is the number of seats our state
occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. In fact, the information
the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion
dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and
services.
Are you looking for part-time employment? Check out the
good paying jobs available working for the census bureau. Click on the
logo to find out more.
Frederick County Extension
How familiar are you with the programs that are offered
through our Extension office? Many residents are unaware of all the activities
that are undertaken by our Extension agents aside from those dealing with
agriculture. To learn more about this service go to:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/

Agriculture and forestry
are Virginia’s first and largest industry, but Virginia’s farms and
your food could become threatened if we don’t all take steps to
preserve them. Find out how you can become a member of Virginia Farm
Bureau to put your support behind the farms that produce your
family’s food.
We are proud members of the Farm Bureau.
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And
the loser is!
Allegheny Power is looking to
sell its facilities in Frederick
County to two electric co-ops.
How would that affect you?
The Liberty Consulting Group, an
independent consultant
commissioned by the SCC, said
the region’s consumers would be
the only losers if Allegheny’s
assets were sold to the co-ops.
The firm estimated that the
roughly 102,000 Virginia
consumers now served by
Allegheny would pay about $370
million more for power in the
nine years after the sale than
they would have if no sale had
taken place.
Allegheny will receive $350
million for its Virginia
distribution assets and customer
base if the sale goes through.
REC would pay $183 million for
its portion of the facilities
and client base, with SVEC
paying $167 million.
Under the sale terms,
Winchester, part of Frederick
County, and a small part of
Clarke County would be part of
SVEC’s new territory.
REC’s new territory would
include part of Frederick County
and most of Clarke County.
Not only
will the rates produce the
increase in costs to you the
user, but with two different
co-ops splitting the County,
customers of one service
provider will pay more than
customers of the other company.
You could literally be paying
more because you live on the
"wrong" side of the street.
This sale is wrong on so many
levels and must be fought
through every channel possible.

Business Licenses are due for renewal by March 1.
Use this link to do that online.
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