[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6657930,"mediaKeyId","5065183-ad186939705e0e3b3288a3ccf04335cb","parentId",5065183,"title","Residents clash in public comment over Pride Month displays at Henrico libraries","audioSeconds",434,"startMs",4310000,"endMs",4744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065183-ad186939705e0e3b3288a3ccf04335cb&start=4310&end=4744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065183-ad186939705e0e3b3288a3ccf04335cb/thumbnail_4310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657930/Henrico-County/Virginia/Residents-clash-in-public-comment-over-Pride-Month-displays-at-Henrico-libraries","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657930-8baa1ce9e190463f1ef673043cbee7ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724689&Signature=H6o1miNgYdUfBl78K0-OjVtqWG0lbRDveHa-4FQdwxY9ej4qVPiij7rZzXJpLR9X7J0gsEali-NRhWuiC04vKcgGS6f~QK8uaGasWBtM61ITF-aLl7QaX09WVev0RNoDF9xgSkm5spliWQW7JRS0esl9qsmlJ6Dh1Z~j84G3JZZsff7icMcl8F02F0UfVCQFrMik697TY04qZdPM0eqX08qh7Ekc9zfwlQelk~RoF6Q39ywIxXeufJwzEF-E2wgkSg03-d5c4gTDfdA7H-h-wo6zGKtMCxIvu0xS4SAMpQS7r4BkaV2etfE3Wd24cs7Y0HU8KEPU9HF~LgPl83KnQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Henrico County","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","During the public comment period at the Henrico County Board of Supervisors'9 June 24 meeting, two residents offered sharply different perspectives on Pride Month displays and related programming at county libraries.

Don Blake, who identified himself as a Brooklyn District resident and said he is a Christian pastor, told the board he had visited four county libraries and found displays recommending Pride‑themed books in multiple locations.

\"It'9s very disturbing to see as you walk into the library, they're displayed recommending books that people for a whole month,\" Blake said, and told the board he would provide members a packet of the displayed book covers and materials. He described titles and materials he found in adult and children'9s sections, including a \"LGBTQIA dictionary\" and other youth‑oriented items, and asked the supervisors to determine who authorizes such displays.

A second speaker, Britney Rose of Glen Allen, said she supported the displays. \"I'9m so proud to live in a county that recognizes and celebrates all of its members,\" Rose said. \"I am proud that my tax dollars go towards paying for books and resources that are important to our queer community.\"

Board chair Daniel J. Schmidt thanked both speakers; the clerk accepted the packet Blake brought to the dais. The speakers'9 comments were recorded during the public comment portion of the meeting; no board action on library displays or programming was proposed or adopted during the session.

Why it matters

Public libraries typically set displays and programming through library staff policies and programming calendars; residents questioned whether the displays reflected staff initiative, library board direction or other authorization. The comments indicate divergent community views and suggest residents on both sides expect the board to be aware of—if not to take action on—how public‑funded library resources are curated.

Ending

The board did not take action on library displays at the June 24 meeting. Clerks accepted the materials a resident brought and staff will retain them in the meeting record; any formal request for policy review would need to come back to the board as a separate agenda item or via the library governance process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Henrico County - Board of Supervisors - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the board'9s June 24 meeting two residents used public comment to offer opposing views on Pride Month displays in Henrico County libraries: one called the displays \"very disturbing\" and provided a packet of book covers to the clerk; another thanked the county for supporting the queer community'9s access to resources.","taxTitle","Henrico County, Virginia","taxId",58541,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657935,"Henrico supervisors approve budget, property purchases, contracts and a slate of appointments",3389,1522000,4911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065183-ad186939705e0e3b3288a3ccf04335cb&start=1522&end=4911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065183-ad186939705e0e3b3288a3ccf04335cb/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","/articles/6657935/Henrico-County/Virginia/Henrico-supervisors-approve-budget-property-purchases-contracts-and-a-slate-of-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657935-559e48f262531eb9cc425d8b21113dda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770724689&Signature=gqzAZwrjr~EpeqxSi9suTVtAsRJPrmfGhF9L5O8gy1-hshH1vvPiNBS8zwq2iUzeCYtqHOEE0IAnS1SXCnUURLQcyc3kJhymhjCKAYcr3j~-yd1VayGlsKJPGpcsS2xaS~zdNjvPym26VWHtkrsOUbQpZKsWNtmQrIy4b1mRoTmrnwLWECa5SlUA9FsZUydb2l277lXFJ8PjQ117Bf6ya0SfYvx-2h3u-EpRrEHk2P33Od91QThvN6XkbJw~yZk4EJoLX2mmzoeQgfViYYoLJQkJlgOYcarArRhbsqLLjedDjDLAbSxaCNgfsmI-LCKt20HO2xojvMW3QUyx7nL9PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Henrico County supervisors on Tuesday approved the county'9s fiscal 2025–26 appropriation and a package of property acquisitions, construction and maintenance contracts along with a series of board and commission appointments.

The actions, taken during the board'9s June 24 meeting, included formal votes to buy several undeveloped parcels for future road, drainage and government‑center projects, award construction contracts at county facilities and confirm multiple local appointments and resignations.

The budget resolution—described by county finance staff as the appropriation that implements the board'9s April budget decision—passed by voice vote after a brief staff overview. County staff also told the board it was approving reappropriations for ongoing capital and grant programs.

This meeting included votes to acquire three properties: 4015 East Parham Road for $138,200 as an addition to the Western Government Center complex; 6204 Fitzhugh Avenue for $435,000 for drainage and flood mitigation; and 5991 Osborne Turnpike for $125,000 (about 1.3 acres) for future road improvements. The board was told the Osborne Turnpike parcel was an advance acquisition while county staff complete planning studies.

Procurement approvals included: a $372,868.50 fixed‑price contract for the Western Government Center parking‑deck renovation; a $315,000 fixed‑price contract to replace the fire alarm system at Henrico Courts; an $885,375 contract to replace a Halon system in a records storage room at Henrico Courts; and a $485,276 award to replace a sodium hypochlorite day tank at the county water reclamation facility. Directors of General Services, Purchasing and Public Works recommended the contracts and the board approved them by voice vote.

The board also adopted a memorandum of understanding with the Economic Development Authority regarding the former Best Products property in the Fairfield District, and authorized the county manager to pursue a lease, easement and other conveyances discussed during the public hearings.

Appointments, resignations and committee business approved on the consent/appointment portion of the agenda included: several Keep Henrico Beautiful committee appointments; board‑of‑social‑services appointments; acceptance of resignations from the Community Criminal Justice Board and Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services Board; and appointments to the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen Foundation, SPAN Center and the Greater Richmond Partnership board. The board approved compensation for its three appointees to the Greater Richmond Transit Company board—$200 per meeting attended—and also appointed representatives and alternates to the Virginia Transit Association board.

Most votes recorded in the meeting were taken by voice and recorded as \u00145ye,\u001f with the clerk announcing motions carried. Where a mover and a second were recorded in the transcript, the meeting record notes them (examples below). No roll‑call vote tally with named aye/no votes appears in the public transcript for the majority of actions.

Votes at a glance (selected board papers and outcomes)

- Minutes: Approval of June 10 regular and special minutes — motion carried (motion by Cooper; second Rountree).
- 150‑25: Resolution commending Glen Allen High School girls softball team for winning the VHSL Class 6 state championship — adopted (motion and voice vote).
- Parks & Recreation Month proclamation (July 2025) — adopted.
- 157‑25: Appointment to Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee (Brian S. Montgomery, Fairfield District; term through 12/31/2026) — adopted.
- 151‑2125: Appointments to Board of Social Services (Debbie J. Gordon, Brooklyn; Aljanette A. Hall, Fairfield; terms to 12/30/2029) — adopted.
- 152‑25: Acceptance of resignations from Community Criminal Justice Board (Judge Steven Mutnick; Judge Linda Lambert) — adopted.
- 153‑25: Appointments to Community Criminal Justice Board (criminal defense attorney Ted Brunns; representative Steven A. Mutnik; terms to 06/30/2026) — adopted.
- 154‑25 / related: Appointments to Community Policy and Management Team (Charles M. Sherman Jr.; Emily L. Clark; terms to 06/30/2028) — adopted.
- 155‑25: Appointment to Greater Richmond Partnership board of directors (Jody K. Rogich; term to 06/30/2026) — adopted.
- 158‑25: Appointments to Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen Foundation board (multiple at‑large appointees; terms to 06/30/2028) — adopted.
- 159‑25: Appointment to SPAN Center (Jolisa Turner; term to 06/30/2028) — adopted.
- 01‑2025: Authorization to pay $200 per meeting to three Board of Supervisors appointees to the Greater Richmond Transit Company board — adopted (motion described by county attorney Andrew Newby).
- 161‑25: Signatory authority to execute lease for county property at 1758 Hungry Creek Lane (lease with Marshall Dabney, a county fire‑division employee; staff noted he will not participate in lease negotiation in his official role) — adopted following public‑hearing procedure.
- 162‑25: Easement agreement with Virginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion) for electric facilities across county property at 3451 Cox Road — adopted.
- 163‑25: Ordinance vacating a 50‑foot building line in West Ham subdivision (7709 Cornwall Road) to allow porch improvements (property encroaches ~5 feet) — adopted.
- 164‑25: Declaration of surplus and conveyance of 407 and 445 Piedmont Avenue to Baptist Development LLC for redevelopment — adopted.
- 166‑25: MOU with the Economic Development Authority for the former Best Products property (Fairfield District) — adopted.
- 167‑25: Appropriation resolution to implement FY2025–26 budget and reappropriations for ongoing programs and capital projects — adopted.
- 168‑25: Award of contract, Western Government Center parking deck renovation to Richmond Primoid Inc., $372,868.50 — adopted.
- 169‑25: Award of contract, Henrico Courts fire alarm replacement to Pavion Corp., $315,000 — adopted.
- 170‑25: Award of contract, Henrico Courts Halon system replacement to Woodland Construction Inc., $885,375 — adopted.
- 171‑25: Acquisition of undeveloped parcel at 4015 East Parham Road from Market Square Partners for $138,200 — adopted.
- 172‑25: Acquisition of 6204 Fitzhugh Avenue for drainage and flood mitigation from Michael Cole Buckman for $435,000 — adopted.
- 173‑25: Acquisition of 5991 Osborne Turnpike (approx. 1.3 acres) for $125,000 for potential future road improvements — adopted (board discussion noted the seller approached the county and the purchase places the parcel on hold while staff completes road studies).
- 174‑25: Award of contract for sodium hypochlorite day tank replacement at the water reclamation facility to Gibson Industrial, $485,276 — adopted.
- 175‑25: Authorization to apply for Defense Community Infrastructure Program funding — adopted.

Board members and staff who participated in presentations during the meeting included Daniel J. Schmidt (chair, Board of Supervisors), county manager and departmental directors who presented individual board papers. Directors of purchasing, general services, public works and public utilities spoke to their respective contracts and property items.

What the votes mean: most measures approved at the meeting were administrative—budget implementation, property acquisitions for future county projects, routine procurement contracts and appointments to boards and commissions. Several acquisitions were explicitly described as \"advance\" or as needed for drainage/flood mitigation and require normal closing procedures.

The board did not take recorded roll‑call tallies in the public transcript for most items; minutes and adopted board papers will be filed with the clerk.

Ending

County staff said items that required follow‑up—such as closings for the property purchases and contract start dates—will proceed under the authorization the board granted. The clerk'9s certified minutes and the signed board papers will provide the official record of each adopted action.","At its June 24 meeting the Henrico County Board of Supervisors approved the FY2025–26 appropriation, multiple real‑estate acquisitions, several procurement contracts and numerous board and commission appointments. Dozens of routine resolutions and ceremonial proclamations also carried by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents clash in public comment over Pride Month displays at Henrico libraries

Henrico supervisors approve budget, property purchases, contracts and a slate of appointments