Page 1 - July 05, 2017 Magazine Style Full page issue

JUNE 28, 2017 XIX NO.45

Village News

County asking Grace pompoms in the

citizens to weigh Lutheran air as he chants

in about skills, Church’s “Come to Grace,
come to Grace.”
knowledge pastor retires He smiles as he
tells stories of
sought in new BY MELISSA WILFONG how proud he is

of Grace Lutheran
planning director He parks in the first space by the Church, and his
door of Grace Lutheran Church by love of his work
a sign that reads He who parks here and his church
BY MARK FAUSZ preaches on Sunday. Pastor Rich Finck family is evident.
A bastion of suburban life in the is a sporty fella with his old ragtop Finck will not
1970s, Chesterfield County began its Mustang in the first space. His days take any credit for
climb in population just under 80,000 of parking there will have come to a anything that has
in 1970 to around 340,000 today. An close by Friday, when he retires after 42 developed during
unprecedented growth rate of 8.3 percent years of service to the Lutheran Church his time at the
in building permits during the '70s has system. church. But when
yet to be surpassed in the 37 years since. For the last 16 years, Finck has been asked what he’s
Some of the neighborhoods built in a leader at Grace Lutheran Church. proudest of, he
the years Chesterfield was growing now He doesn’t feel he’s really the leader, speaks of the Bible
need a little attention, and a new County he believes he’s just lucky to be there study groups and
department is being formed to address and to have spent time at the church. “I the music program
the issues of aging neighborhoods. have been blessed,” Finck said. “I am so at the church. He
It can be easy to identify some grateful for this congregation and very is quick to qualify
of the areas that need revitalization, thankful for this dedicated and cohesive that, though. “I
such as the Jefferson Davis Highway, community.” didn’t do these
A modest man of God, Finck gives programs,” he
Focus group all the credit to the congregation for the states adamantly.
wonderfully welcome and open church.
session set for “We all laugh together a lot around here,” “It’s the wonderful PASTOR RICH FINCK
music directors
July 5 Finck shared. and members that make this place work Read more on page 3 and
He’s like a cheerleader with his
so cohesively.”
pictures on page 7
lower Hull Street and lower Midlothian
corridors, but beyond that there are Chesterfield produces PSA to draw
small community developments that
have fallen into disrepair as well.
Chesterfield County is now attention to heroin addiction
developing a new department to focus on
both the challenges of the revitalization
of the old corridors and the inside 230 percent increase in overdoses since 2014
neighborhood, which both need attention.
Kirk Turner, current director of
the county’s planning department, will With statistics indicating one in five which were fatal. This represented a 74
start at the new department once a new heroin overdoses in Chesterfield County percent increase in overdoses from 2015,
planning director is hired. results in death, county agencies have and a roughly 230 percent increase in
Applicants had until June 2 to partnered to produce a public service overdoses from 2014.
submit résumés. County representatives announcement bringing attention to Chesterfield County’s Sheriff’s
are now holding focus group sessions to the dangers of heroin addiction and the Office, Police Department, Fire and
gather input that will be considered in resources available to those affected by it. Emergency Medical Services, Department
screening and interviewing candidates “This is a widespread epidemic of Mental Health Support Services, Health
for the position. confronting local governments and law Department, and Substance Abuse Free
“This new effort won’t just be enforcement across the nation,” said Dr. Environment Inc., SAFE, worked with the
about revitalization, but will include 18 Joseph P. Casey, county administrator. county’s Department of Communications
full-time positions,” said Bill Dupler, “This PSA enhances Chesterfield’s efforts and Media to produce a 30-second PSA
Director of Community Development. to reach out to our community and warn focusing on the problem and where to shared with radio and television news
“The positions will not be new positions, people about heroin use and link them to go for help. The spots will be shown on outlets for airing on their channels.
but employees inside planning or other the addiction and recovery services that are the county’s cable channel – Comcast 98 For information about substance
departments. Everyone is excited to join available.” and Verizon 28 – on the county’s YouTube abuse services available in Chesterfield
In 2016, Chesterfield County police channel, and on its social media outlets, County, visit ChesterfieldSafe.org.
Read more on page 3 investigated 177 heroin overdoses, 37 of Facebook and Twitter. They will also be

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