John Arthur Ficklin: Continue to educate the public on the value of our natural resources for now and for the generations who will follow us.
Encourage the use of our natural resources
John Arthur Ficklin: Be an effective advocate and do my best to be a visible spokesman for the citizens of Henrico County.
John Arthur Ficklin: I value our natural resources. I am a Virginian and my family has been here in Virginia since 1738. My great grand-mother on my fathers side was full-blood Cherokee Indian. Our native Americans sustained their lives and livelihood from our natural resources. We owe them and ourselves to continue that heritage.
John Arthur Ficklin: I am a Republican who believes in controlling our taxes and living within our means. Our National Debt is out of hand. We should be more responsible in the way we spend our citizens' money on their behalf.
John Arthur Ficklin: New programs and strategies should only be implemented when the need arises to benefit our citizens at-large.
Nicole Anderson Ellis: Lack of Public Awareness: Citizens can't take advantage of programs they don't know exist, and too many Henrico residents have never heard of our Soil and Water Conservation District.
Missed Economic Opportunities: Across the Richmond region, homeowners, renters, and business owners are saving money thanks to efficient construction techniques. They pay less for internal water needs, irrigation, storm water run-off control, heating, cooling, etc. Everyone can and should be aware of these opportunities to lower costs, while preserving natural resources.
Land Loss: In the last five years, the Richmond region built on or paved over 59,000 acres of green space; that’s faster than Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads. If we continue at this pace, we’ll lose more green space in the next 20 years than we did in the last 400. Open land is essential to healthy water, and healthy soil.
Nicole Anderson Ellis: We’ll start with workshops for real estate developers. From green roofs, which can cut storm water runoff by half, to landscaping with native species that don’t need irrigation or pesticides, Henrico businesses should learn from each other about smart ways to make money while protecting soil and water quality.
And it’s time Henrico held conservation easements. The cheapest way to preserve soil and water quality is by protecting green space. That’s why Soil and Water Conservation districts have the authority to hold easements; so land owners can voluntarily preserve fields and forests.
Nicole Anderson Ellis: I understand the business side of conservation. I’ve written extensively on how Virginians are profiting by protecting natural resources, including a monthly column for Virginia Business magazine.
I also know the hands-on of water pollution and erosion control. I trained and led work crews in our national forests and national parks, I organized and ran tree planting programs, and I have a degree in Geography/Environmental Studies.
Most importantly, I’ve been a teacher for more than ten years. I designed and taught conservation outreach programs for rural, suburban and inner-city schools. I know how to partner with school systems, and how to engage students. I do it every day at VCU.
Nicole Anderson Ellis: I believe that the wisdom we apply to household budgets would serve us well in handling our public finances. For example, it is foolish to try to balance your budget by cutting the expense of toothpaste. The minor cost pays for itself a hundred-fold in prevented pain and expense from tooth decay, root canals, etc. Likewise, money spent on certain public programs (education, resource protection, etc.) reaps long-term rewards and savings (improved public safety, lower health costs, etc.). That’s a wise investment.
Nicole Anderson Ellis: See question #2 (addressing challenges)
Lynn Peace Wilson: The Henricopolis SWCD is a well kept secret, and that's not a good thing! Energetic and conservation-minded LEADERSHIP is needed, along with smart MARKETING and a RENEWED COMMITMENT to the organization's role as Henrico's lead agent for soil and water conservation.
Lynn Peace Wilson: In addition to election of a new board, new associate directors can be appointed to represent a wide spectrum of stakeholders -- from suburban homeowners to new farmers to progressive developers. Committees need reactivating. Smart communication strategies should be employed, new conservation partners pursued. It's also time the SWCD board engage stakeholder groups in serious dialog -- at meetings of civic, business and homeowner associations and churches. Specifically the input of a broader sector of Henrico farmers is needed. Finally, on the most fundamental of levels, SWCD agendas and minutes should be posted and made easily accessible online in order to encourage more public involvement.
Lynn Peace Wilson: Lifelong commitment to conservation, professional capability, and a willingness to put considerable energy into this organization:
1) Conservation. All SWCD directors should demonstrate a strong personal conservation ethic, and I do. I handled landowner outreach for Capital Region Land Conservancy, helped start an ad hoc citizen group (Envision Henrico) that successfully advocated for including Smart Growth principles in Henrico’s 2026 plan, and am becoming qualified as a river monitor.
2) Capability. The SWCD board runs and promotes voluntary conservation programs with the help of a small staff. I hold a B.S.in Biology (Davidson College) and a M. Ed.in Adult Education (VCU). I earned certification in public relations (APR ’99) and am an alum of Leadership Metro Richmond (’96). I’ve managed budgets and work plans as a corporate program manager and an executive director. I’ve raised money, designed marketing campaigns, met goals, and supervised staff. I know the importance of accountability and of delivering results.
3) Commitment. I am prepared to commit the next four years to maximizing the effectiveness of Henrico’s SWCD.
Lynn Peace Wilson: The SWCD does not have taxing authority and is funded quite modestly. It needs to be careful to achieve impact in spending and pursue grants and strategic partnerships wherever possible.
Lynn Peace Wilson: Water quality issues are my priority. Despite some progress due to many good efforts, much money, and increased regulation over the last decade, we just can’t take our eyes off the health of the James and Chickahominy rivers and their tributaries. Each of us must do more to stem the tide of chemicals, bacteria and sediment that threatens our waters. Farmers, homeowners, golf courses, and lawn services can manage pesticides and herbicides more responsibly. Those with water frontage can ensure appropriate buffers against erosion and runoff. Homeowners can monitor and maintain stormwater and septic systems to function as designed. We can all be more mindful of purchasing products that will end up down the drain. And we can take time to properly dispose of everything from pet waste, to waste oil, to outdated medicines. And not because anyone requires us to, but because we know it’s critical to do our part. Henrico’s SWCD is ideally suited to mobilize our community for the protection of our historic rivers as well as the Chesapeake Bay.
Gilbert Lawrence Miles: Answer not Available
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Robert Ayden Brewster: Answer not Available
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Campaign Address:
2056 N. Mooreland Road
Henrico, Virginia
23229-7102
Campaign phone:
(804) 356-7631
Campaign Email:
silver_richmond@verizon.net
Phone (direct):
(804) 356-7631
Incumbent?:
No
Age:
67
Career:
I am a retired public servant under the Virginia State Retirement System. I retired in 1989 from Hanover County Social Services. I continue to serve the citizens of Virginia and Henrico County as a Board Member of Parks and Recreation. I previously served on the Henrico Criminal Justice Board and the Henrico County Board of Social Services. Under Governor Gilmore, I served as a member at-large on the Virginia Council of Indians.
Age:
40
Career:
Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Editor-in-Chief, City Edition
Director, Homeroom Habitat Program
Crew Leader, Student Conservation Association
Faculty, California Academy of Sciences
Campaign Address:
n/a
Campaign Email:
lynnpeacewilson@gmail.com
Incumbent?:
No
Age:
52
Career:
Currently I teach adults working on the GED for Henrico County Adult Education. I've also had the pleasure of great jobs with Capital Region Land Conservancy, the Community College Workforce Alliance, and Dominion Virginia Power. At the beginning of my career I taught science at Varina High School.
Biographical Information
