Stafford County won three National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Achievement Awards. The NACo Awards recognize outstanding government programs and services. Stafford won two awards in the Human Services category and one in the Civic Education and Public Information category.

“Having our efforts recognized by NACo is high praise indeed,” said Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairman Meg Bohmke. “We work daily to achieve excellence on behalf of our residents, but it is certainly nice to have our peers validate our work.”

Stafford County’s Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) bicycle restoration program won in the Human Services category. The R-Board initiated a bicycle restoration program in October 2023. The program aims to reduce waste by providing a drop-off location for gently used bicycles that need minor repairs at the residential side of the Regional Landfill. By refurbishing and repairing bicycles that are still in good condition, the program encourages reuse and prevents them from being landfilled. The bicycle restoration program is overseen by Francesca Johnson, Recycling Manager, in partnership with Stafford Crossing Community Church who refurbishes and repairs collected bicycles before distributing them to children in need.

Stafford’s Human Resources department won for policy changes that improve efficiency in the Human Services category. Human Resources maintains several policies related to the organization and administration of Stafford County Government’s human resources and associated programs. Stafford County Leadership team members worked to identify specific policy amendments that the County Administrator could authorize. This concept was discussed with individual members of the Board of Supervisors to gauge openness to delegating their authority during these identified areas of policy amendments before bringing the program to the full Board of Supervisors for a resolution. The goal of delegating authority to the County Administrator is to create efficiency and flexibility for the County to maintain its Human Resources policies.

Stafford County Utilities, in partnership with the Community Engagement Department, won in the Human Services category for creating a superhero character that fights clogs. The utilities infrastructure is an aging system that the County is working to upgrade and maintain. Clogs from fats, oil, and grease (FOG) are a real problem that impacts operations and costs. The department initially created a superhero theme for the annual FOG campaign to increase awareness about how residents can help protect the sanitary sewer system. The main character, Captain Clog, was used on billboards, social media posts, and videos for the FOG campaign. Since then, he has become a vehicle to communicate various awareness and outreach topics. Two comic books have been created for outreach editions—the first about water and wastewater treatment processes and the second about water conservation.

Hey everyone, here is a quick update on some things we’re working on at potomaclocalnews.com.

We start with breaking news, as Stafford County has just issued a boil water advisory for residents in the northern part of the county.

Meanwhile, Mike Salmon is in Fredericksburg at this hour, photographing the flooding downtown.

• Salmon says the water has not affected any homes or businesses but notes, “Everyone and their grandmother are out here taking photos of the flood.”
• A city official tells us the water is now 18 feet deep, five feet above flood stage, and rising. High tide is about 5 p.m. today. City Dock remains inaccessible.
• We’ll post Salmon’s story on the site this afternoon.
• Sign up here to become a member and read all of our local news.

Meanwhile, we’re still taking submissions from small businesses for our Small Business Saturday updates that post on — you guessed it — Saturdays.

• It’s free to submit your notices.

Also, please submit your events to our FREE events calendar.

• I like highlighting events on our calendar in my Publisher’s Post, especially for Local Spotlight members.

Restaurant alert: The news isn’t all bad today because we’re working on a story from reporter Kevin Sandell about the Widewater Grill, a new dining option in Stafford County.

• Look for it on potomaclocalnews.com.

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday.

Stafford County Government: “Stafford County Utilities has issued a boil water alert for areas in the northern part of the county due to complications from a water main break last night after heavy rainfall. Water main breaks typically result in shifts in water pressure, which could lead to system contamination. Out of an abundance of caution, authorities strongly advise residents to boil water or use bottled water for consumption. There is no current evidence of contamination of drinking water. However, when pressure levels drop in larger areas of the system, Virginia Department of Health protocols call for additional testing that can take three to five days to complete.”

“Customers may visit Stafford County Utilities website to determine if their address falls in the affected area. Customers possibly affected will have also received a direct notification. Stafford County has provided an interactive map or application below in which residents can input their addresses to see if they fall within the Boil Water Alert areas.  Residents may call the Utilities Department at (540) 658-8616.”

Stafford County mourns the passing of former County Board of Supervisors member Charles “Togie” Payne. Payne served on the Board of Supervisors from 1978 to 1981. He was elected Chairman by his fellow Board members in 1981.

Payne’s family has a long history in Stafford County, starting in 1721. He loved Stafford County and was very proud of his community of Falmouth. Payne was instrumental in modernizing Stafford’s water system.

“On behalf of the Board and the citizens of Stafford County, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Charles ‘Togie’ Payne,” said Stafford Board of Supervisors Chairman Dr. Pamela Yeung. “By all accounts, Mr. Payne was very dedicated to moving Stafford County forward and serving the community. We are grateful for his efforts on behalf of the county.”

Payne was instrumental in obtaining federal and state grants for the Abel Lake Reservoir and facilitating the establishment a public water system in Stafford County. He was very proud of his ability to work with jurisdictions such as the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County. He loved working with his fellow Board members, particularly Alvin Bandy. At the time of his election, he was the youngest member ever to serve on the Board of Supervisors.

Payne’s funeral arrangements are at Charles Payne Obituary (1943 – 2023).