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2012 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 487
Commending Virgil R. Hazelett.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 6, 2012
Agreed to by the Senate, March 8, 2012

 

WHEREAS, for 20 years, Virgil R. Hazelett’s extraordinary leadership and skillful management of Henrico County as its county manager has enhanced the superior quality of life that county residents enjoy and the county’s well-earned reputation as one of the best-run counties in the United States; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Virgil Hazelett earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University before joining Henrico County as a traffic engineer in its Department of Public Works in 1972; and

WHEREAS, a skilled administrator, Virgil Hazelett rose through the ranks, becoming assistant director and then director of public works and serving as deputy county manager for administration and chief of staff in 1990 before being named county manager in 1992; and

WHEREAS, as the chief administrative officer responsible for all county government functions, Virgil Hazelett oversees, under the direction of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, a billion-dollar budget and departments that provide a wide array of services to county residents; and

WHEREAS, a champion of fiscal conservatism, Virgil Hazelett has worked diligently to sustain the county’s coveted triple-A bond rating by all three international credit rating agencies while making prudent investments in the county’s infrastructure and services to position it to attract new businesses and meet the needs of county residents; and

WHEREAS, committed to the well-being and prosperity of Henrico County, Virgil Hazelett forged strong relationships with business and government leaders to bring Fortune 500 companies to the area and create White Oak Technology Park, building the county’s strong tax base and providing jobs for local residents; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Hazelett played a pivotal role in the board of supervisors’ establishment of three community development authorities, which led to the opening of Short Pump Town Center, Reynolds Crossing, and The Shops at White Oak Village; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Hazelett shaped and shepherded the two largest general obligation bond referenda in the county’s history, the November 2000 referendum totaling 35 capital projects valued at $237 million and the March 2005 referendum totaling 34 capital projects valued at $349.3 million; and

WHEREAS, two of the most significant regional milestones of Virgil Hazelett’s tenure are landmark water agreements executed with the City of Richmond in 1994 and with Cumberland and Powhatan Counties in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Hazelett implemented the highly successful “Changing the Way Henrico Does Business” program, resulting in a savings of over $50 million without changing the level of service provided to residents, and the Henrico, Virginia, address change initiative, adding an estimated $5 million annually in tax revenues while eliminating confusion in local mailing addresses; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Hazelett has demonstrated great commitment to Henrico County employees, fostering professional growth and advancement throughout the ranks of the county’s general government by creating Henrico County’s Leadership Development Program and Succession Management Program; and

WHEREAS, Virgil Hazelett encouraged the establishment of a broad-based community advisory commission to assist with the planning of activities to commemorate Henrico County’s historic 400th anniversary, which proved to be a tremendous success and resulted in the opening of the county’s first tourist information center and the creation of the Notable Henricoans Database and Henrico County Historical Data Book; and

WHEREAS, Henrico County has received 340 National Association of Counties awards for its superior achievements under the management of Virgil Hazelett, who has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his distinguished service, including rankings in Style Weekly’s Power List and the Innsbrook Rotary Club Business Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, an exemplary leader, Virgil Hazelett has devoted countless hours over the past two decades to ensuring the efficient and effective operation of local government so that Henrico County remains a great place in which to live, work, and do business; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Virgil R. Hazelett for his exemplary management of Henrico County on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as Henrico County Manager; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Virgil R. Hazelett as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and respect for his commitment to the residents of Henrico County.