Isn’t it wonderful to live in America? To live in our beloved Chesterfield County, our home, is especially exciting!

As the year 2006 comes to a close, I would like to thank the people of the Bermuda District and Chesterfield County, once again, for allowing me to represent them on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. To be Chairman was an honor! It is only in America that a young man or woman can learn from their mistakes, work hard and seize the opportunity to reach for the very top, and be given the chance to serve as leader. For that honor, I give you, the people of Chesterfield, thanks!

I have enjoyed serving as Chairman for the Board this year. Any accomplishments due me would be due this Board collectively. To be asked to lead Chesterfield County in the most trying of times (ever) was scary at best.

During the loss of our 2005 sitting Chairman, Ed Barber, I prayed for healing! My colleagues, staff, friends and citizens were all hurt and disappointed. The miracles of life continue, and Father Time waits on no one. Our Board did what anyone would expect good people to do. They rallied around my pain and fear. They respected my wishes and looked forward, then conducted the people’s business!

To Kelly Miller, Art Warren and Renny Humphrey and (don’t forget) Terry Cofer Beirne / Don Sowder, thanks to each of you for putting service before yourself. Each of you permitted me to have one of my finest moments, a chance to coach another winning team! May God bless each of you!

A brief recap of 2006 Board of Supervisor events:

1. First Amendment Rights (the people’s rights) The Board changed its public hearing policy, thanks to citizen input, to better ensure equal time to speakers.

2. Northrop Grumman at the Meadowville Technology Park (600+ jobs for the people), a memorable groundbreaking. Jack Wilson (Bermuda Planning Commissioner) paid his dues as Northrop attorney and won.

3. Watkins Center (more jobs and economic development – Chesterfield’s "first" CDA).

4. Chesterfield County’s first Transportation Summit (Business, builders and government acknowledging the need for local government to find a fair and equitable way to solve Chesterfield’s road needs.).

5. The lowering of our tax rate by 3 cents (Largest rate reduction in 20+ years).

6. Reduced business BPOL taxes to be the most competitive in the region.

7. Worked with citizens and Historical Society to have long-awaited Bermuda Hundred placed on the State and National Historical Register.

1. To protect the property rights of the individual while managing growth.

2. To solve the dilemma for funding needed roads while state funds are being diminished. As growth moves west, those people continue to use our roads each day going to work and shop while our citizens pay for those roads.

3. To protect the value of citizens’ property by providing adequate funding for schools and public safety.

4. As a result of protecting the value of citizens’ property, assessments soar, and a tax rate adjustment should be made to compensate for some of the increased tax burden placed on the citizens while state funding is being "slashed" in many areas.

5. In the public forum, to sit and listen to certain activists represent their (often distorted) opinions with no tact or respect for the truth and facts as presented to our board by staff or engineers.

6. To pay enough respect to our soldiers who give their lives daily to protect our freedoms.

7. To remember our senior citizens who have paid "the price" and taxes for Chesterfield’s successes.

So, why do I do this job? Because I love you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Warm Regards,

Dickie King

2006 Chairman

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors