Current Conversations

Gloucester County, Virginia

Each month, "Current Conversations" explores a different service Gloucester County, Virginia's Government provides its residents and visitors. We are glad you're here!

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S6 · E7
September 10 · 29 min
Season 6, Episode 7: Sheriff Warren discusses Flock Cameras
The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office uses a network of eleven Flock cameras to help solve crimes. Recently, the Board of Supervisors asked Sheriff Darrell Warren to give a presentation on this technology, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/Qt--23dEVl4?si=sVFdEXgKyU8e8VFa&t=1655 Community members attending the meeting still had some questions about the technology, so Sheriff Warren later sat down with Community Engagement & Public Information to talk about what Flock cameras are, how they work, and what the law says about them.
S6 · E6
August 5 · 11 min
Season 6, Episode 6: Looking Forward to the 2026-2027 School Year
This month, Dr. Anthony Vladu, Gloucester County Public Schools Superintendent, joins us to discuss challenges, goals, and perspective on the upcoming school year. Parents, teachers, students and community members won't want to miss this episode!
S6 · E5
July 7 · 27 min
Season 6, Episode 5: Zoning rules for businesses & solar farms
Can anyone come into town and set up a solar farm? What are the rules? And how about new businesses - does the local government get to decide if Gloucester gets a restaurant or a gas station? In today's podcast, we talk to Anne Ducey-Ortiz, who's worked for our Planning & Zoning department for 26 years. Learn about what zoning is, how the laws constantly adapt, and how YOU can shape the future of Gloucester. Reach out to Planning & Zoning: gloucesterva.gov/planning-zoning 804-693-1224 zoningstaff@gloucesterva.info
S6 · E4
June 15 · 8 min
Season 6, Episode 4: Celebrating America 250 and Gloucester's 375th birthday
This summer is a special time to be an American, and beyond that, a historic time to live in Gloucester County. Did you know that we're celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the 375th anniversary of Gloucester's founding? The folks on the Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism team have been pouring their hearts into planning celebratory events. There are so many ways to learn about our history, and commemorate our journey, that we had to line them up for you in one place.
S6 · E3
May 6 · 17 min
Season 6, Episode 3: Sign your kids up for a summer adventure with 4-H
4-H Camp is a terrific opportunity for youth to learn citizenship, leadership, and life skills through hands-on experiences while making lasting friendships and enjoying a fun-filled week on the James River. Campers enjoy being part of a larger group and participating in campfires, recreation, and classes which may include archery, dance, canoe, kayak, swimming, arts and crafts, outdoor living skills, challenge course, marine science, air rifle, woodworking, and more! Even beyond the traditional overnight camp at Jamestown, our 4-H staff has set up day camps for kids of all ages this summer, where they can explore everything from crafts to cooking to local farms. For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/GloucesterVA4H or call 804-693-2602.
S6 · E2
April 7 · 13 min
Animal Control's upcoming rabies vaccine clinic
Did you know that Gloucester County Animal Control organizes low-cost rabies vaccine clinics for cats and dogs every month? How about spay/neuter services? Or their standalone animal shelter, full of adoptable dogs, back behind Tractor Supply? This department is involved in every facet of animal welfare. They have the power to rescue pets from bad situations, and the hearts to connect them to good homes. The next drive-through rabies vaccine clinic will be on May 2, from 1-3 p.m., and it's $10 cash to vaccinate a cat or a dog. If you miss that, or you'd like to get help with a low-cost spay/neuter, call 804-693-5290. Learn more by going to gloucesterva.gov/animal-control or checking out their volunteer-run Facebook page. Adoptable dogs: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/us/va/gloucester/?shelterRescue=3b9fd8c5-a1b7-4e7c-b6eb-6732ac167c4f&includeOutOfTown=true
S6 · E1
March 5 · 13 min
Season 6, Episode 1, Part 1: The 40th Daffodil Festival - What to Expect
Later this month, thousands of people will visit Gloucester to attend the 40th Daffodil Festival. This milestone festival, scheduled for March 28-29, has some new additions, brings back some longtime favorites, and promises to offer something for everyone! For Part 1 of this month's podcast, we sit down with Hunter LeClair, Gloucester's Tourism, Marketing & Special Events Manager, and Susan Ammons, the County's Tourism & Marketing Supervisor, to learn about what festival-goers have to look forward to! These two ladies, along with other County staff members, and countless volunteers, have worked many hours to ensure this year's event is a huge success! To learn more about this year's festival, visit https://www.daffodilfestivalva.org/.
S6 · E1
March 5 · 27 min
Season 6, Episode 1, Part 2: Festival History
For Part 2 of our podcast on the 40th Daffodil Festival, we talk with longtime volunteer Mary Boerner, who has helped with the event since 1992. She shares over three decades of memories, how the festival has evolved over the years, and much more! You won't want to miss this episode! For more information on the 40th Festival March 28-29, visit https://www.daffodilfestivalva.org/.
S5 · E10
February 3 · 27 min
Season 5, Episode 10: GCPS Educational Foundation's Race Fundraiser
The Gloucester County Educational Foundation has been raising money to support Gloucester County Public Schools for almost 30 years - and the main way they achieve their goals is by hosting an annual race. Fit for walkers and runners of all ages, this is an amazing way to fund teacher mini-grants and the Teacher of the Year program here in Gloucester. There's even an option to participate virtually, if you're not able to attend on March 14. In this podcast, Helen Worthington and Michelle Stone share the goals of the Ed Foundation, details of the race, and share some of the ways this fundraiser has contributed to students in the past. Interested in signing up? Here's a link: https://gets.gc.k12.va.us/o/gcps/page/gcps-educational-foundation https://www.gloucestervaedfoundation.org/
S5 · E9
Dec 3, 2025 · 19 min
Season 5, Episode 9: The General Reassessment
Gloucester County has announced the completion of its 2026 Real Estate Reassessment, an important process that ensures all properties in the county are assessed equitably and reflect current market conditions. The updated assessments represent fair market values as of January 1, 2026, and all property owners should receive notices of reassessment in their mailboxes in early December. This month, we sit down with Dan Thomas, Gloucester County's Assessor, to discuss the process of a general reassessment and explore what property owners need to know about how their values are determined, and how to appeal if they believe there are errors in their assessments. For more information, visit https://gloucesterva.gov/real-estate-assessment.
S5 · E8
Sep 30, 2025 · 13 min
Season 5, Episode 8: The Homestead Market & Other Fall Events
This month, we are joined by Hunter LeClair, our Tourism, Marketing & Special Events Manager, who tells us all about a new event to the County - the Fall Homestead Market! This is scheduled for Oct. 19 from 12-5 p.m. at the former Page Middle School grounds. For more information on this event, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/1CL5WyU31k/. Hunter also tells us about many other fall events that the County is hosting and announced that registration for the 2025 Christmas & Holiday Parade will take place throughout the month of October by visiting www.gloucesterva.gov/civicrec. For information on all events, visit https://visitgloucesterva.org/tourism/events.
S5 · E7
Sep 4, 2025 · 15 min
Season 5, Episode 7: Challenges Facing Public Utilities
This month, we sit down with Katey Legg, Gloucester's Public Utilities Director, to discuss some of the challenges the utilities system is facing and the steps that are being taken to address some of those challenges. Whether or not you are on the utilities system, this episode will give you an understanding of what it takes to run the system and keep fresh, clean water flowing into homes and businesses throughout the county 24-7.
S5 · E6
Aug 4, 2025 · 27 min
Season 5, Episode 6: What will the 2025-2026 School Year bring in Gloucester County?
Monday, August 25, our GCPS students will be piling onto buses for their first day of school! We sat down with the superintendent, Dr. Anthony Vladu, to talk about some of the division's goals and priorities for the year ahead. Tune in to learn more about the GHS renovation, academic achievement goals, student leadership initiatives, new partnerships with local businesses, Federal Aid, school lunches and more. Connect with GCPS here: https://gets.gc.k12.va.us/
S5 · E5
Jul 7, 2025 · 29 min
Season 5, Episode 5: Gloucester County could be your next great opportunity
Gloucester County has a list of open jobs right now that just might be calling your name. Human Resources Director Tami Nunn takes the microphone to talk about the workplace culture here, benefits, what kind of qualities we look for in new hires, and the opportunities that come from serving your local community. We're also pleased to announce that the County is a V3 “Virginia Values Veterans” Certified Employer. This means our government organization has made a commitment to hire veterans into the workforce. Looking for more information? Call our team at 804-693-5690 or check out listings at https://gloucesterva.gov/human-resources#jobs.
S5 · E4
Jun 4, 2025 · 11 min
Season 5, Episode 4: Looking Back on Hurricane Isabel and Preparing for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
June 1 was the beginning of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. This month, we look back on one of our most memorable storms, Hurricane Isabel in 2003. We are joined by Jane Wenner, Gloucester's Emergency Management Coordinator, who was involved at that time as a volunteer assisting those in need in the aftermath of that devastating storm. Links mentioned in this episode include: Register for Gloucester's Emergency Alerts: https://member.everbridge.net/2497682396413971/login Local Flood Information (including Know Your Zone): https://gloucesterva.gov/flood-management Local Preparedness Information: https://gloucesterva.gov/emergency-management
S5 · E3
May 6, 2025 · 28 min
Season 5, Episode 3: Gloucester considers Working Waterfront and Technology overlay districts
Gloucester County has a rich history tied to our many waterways. To fish, oyster, crab and boat has long been part of our culture. However, zoning laws along many of our shorelines don't support these historic uses - and that oversight has sometimes led to tension between our water-based businesses and our residents. How can we preserve and protect our beautiful shorelines, while also encouraging their economic potential? We've brought on board a grant-funded researcher to get community input on this issue, and make recommendations for potential future laws. This is the moment to weigh in on how you view, and interact with, Gloucester's waterfront! TAKE THE SURVEY: https://s.surveyplanet.com/q0pshh3s Call Planning, Zoning & Environmental Programs: 804-693-1224
S5 · E2
Apr 3, 2025 · 19 min
Season 5, Episode 2: Understanding the County Budgeting Process
March through April is prime budget season for Gloucester County. This month, we sit down with our County Administrator, Carol Steele, and our Chief Financial Officer, Maria Calloway. Listen as they walk us through the budgeting process, and understand some of the challenges local governments face when developing a fiscal year budget.
S5 · E1
Mar 7, 2025 · 19 min
Season 5, Episode 1: Why do we observe Flood Awareness Week?
Virginia has set aside March 9-15 as Flood Awareness Week this year. You can expect to get a Flood Awareness Guide in your mailbox this week, but we wanted to sit down and talk about it with you, too. Do you know what you should do if you come across a flooded road? What to consider, when evacuation orders go out? How to protect your home from flood damage? This is the time to sit down with your family and talk about a plan. We're a healthier community when our folks are prepared for severe weather. GUIDE: https://pub.gloco-sitedocs.com/CEPI/2025+Flood+Awareness+Guide.pdf
S4 · E12
Feb 5, 2025 · 16 min
Season 4, Episode 12: Advances Made in Public Utilities Billing and Infrastructure
This month, we feature Katey Legg, director of Public Utilities, as she explains some exciting advances being made in Public Utilities billing and infrastructure. In this episode, you will learn about the new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which will save both the customer and the County in the long run, as well as a new e-billing feature available to customers. For more information on either of these topics, please call Public Utilities at 804-693-4044 or e-mail publicutilities@gloucesterva.info.
S4 · E11
Jan 15, 2025 · 25 min
Season 4, Episode 11: What's coming to Gloucester in 2025?
Deputy County Administrator George Bains works with the "development" side of our organization: Planning, Zoning, Engineering, Environmental, Building Inspections, Utilities... all of the departments that work to safely bring in new additions to our county. In the first podcast episode of 2025, we look at some of the new businesses and processes that are expected to "cut the ribbon" this year. Gloucester Point is opening a Dunkin', and there are several applications for development near the Walmart shopping center. If you'd like to see the Development Plan Status charts from our Planning team, check out the Planning Commission agendas on: https://pub-gloucesterva.escribemeetings.com/?Year=2025.

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