About Us

Public Safety 

Dorothy believes that public safety is a core function of local government.  She believes public safety has many aspects.  The police department needs to be supported by a strong  court system.  Dorothy has spent many days in all the county courts and court system support areas to gain an understanding of the operations and be better informed when making decisions about policy and budget requests.  In Spring of 2011, she attended the 10-week Police Citizens Academy to understand more in depth about police operations. She is the first Board of Supervisors member to attend the academy.  Dorothy meets quarterly with the Police Chief to go over the quarterly crime report for the district and discusses different ways to reduce crime in specific areas.  She meets often with the Captain of the South precinct and area residents to solve particular problems.  She believes the residents of Chesterfield want to be able to call 911 and know that somebody will be there to help them with their emergency.   She supports Chief Senter in his requests to strengthen the department.  She also regularly visits individual fire companies to better understand what the fire and EMS personnel think needs to be done to improve service to citizens.  Since she took office, despite an economic downturn she helped work to reduce the percentage of aged fire apparatus from 20% to less than 2%. 

 Education

Quality education is what makes Chesterfield County an attractive place for residents as well as businesses.  Parents desiring their children to attend college know that Chesterfield County will provide the right courses such as foreign languages, AP classes, and a wide range of the arts to make their children meet college entrance requirements. Businesses that hire high school graduates are very attracted to the career and technical education aspect of Chesterfield County Public Schools.   Dorothy works with school personnel to fulfill the expectation that students graduating from Chesterfield County public schools will have the proper language, math skills and work ethic to be successful in any endeavor.  It is very important that the right class offerings be funded and that the Chesterfield County School Administration support principals and teachers in creating a school environment that is conducive to learning.  It is important that the Board of Supervisors and the School Board work together toward the common goal of maintaining and improving a strong school system.  Although Dorothy no longer has children in the school system, she volunteers on a regular basis at Thomas Dale High School in order to stay in touch with the schools. 

 Economic Development

Dorothy works with businesses to create quality jobs and products, ensures regulations meet needs without being burdensome, and prioritizes infrastructure projects that can enhance economic development.

Having a strong commercial base allows Chesterfield residents to have a strong quality of life without being overburdened by real estate taxes.  Dorothy has worked a number of issues to help build that base.  Although plans to widen Route 10 and build an interchange at Meadowville had been on the books since the 1990s, when she took office there had been no forward movement on these projects in years.  Shortly after being elected in November of 2007, Dorothy worked with fellow board members, the county staff, and our state and federal legislative delegations to obtain funding for these projects.  As a result of her efforts, acquisition of right of way for these projects became a priority with the county transportation department.  Both Meadowville and Route 10 widening became “project ready.”  Once we achieved this status, Chesterfield County was able to obtain funding for both of these projects by working with our state and federal delegations.  Dorothy believes if we say we want to increase our commercial base and there is infrastructure required to do that, it needs to be a priority. 

 Dorothy has also kept an open ear to businesses and developers on ways to improve processes to ensure timely and quality investment in Chesterfield.  Although there needs to be regulation in many areas, regulations need to be continually revisited and evaluated as to whether they are in fact doing what they were intended to do.  One size does not fit all.  This is particularly true when retrofitting older areas.   Dorothy has worked with the planning and zoning departments to enable entities such as Sibley’s Restaurant to operate by lessening some cost prohibitive regulations.  She has worked with the businesses and county planning personnel to bring our fees in line with other localities.  She meets monthly with the representatives from the Richmond and Chesterfield Chambers of Commerce to hear their views on how to make Chesterfield a business friendly environment.  She attends monthly luncheons held by the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce which keeps her abreast of actions in the business community. She attends many of the Chester Business Association monthly meetings, and in February 2011, she received the Chester Business Association’s “Business of the Month” award “In appreciation of her dedication, enthusiasm, cooperation and hard work.”  Dorothy believes that accessibility and involvement are critical when representing citizens, businesses and industry.  Attending and participating in events and hearing what people say provides important insight for Dorothy in policy implementation.

 In addition to increasing tax revenue, high quality business and retail establishments provide opportunities and choices for the residents of Chesterfield.  Quality jobs enhance the quality of life for our residents and make it a desirable place for young people to live.  In addition to jobs, quality retail businesses give us choices of stores, restaurants and medical offices.  Dorothy and her Planning Commissioner Sam Hassen have worked with neighborhoods and retail establishments in establishing ways for neighborhoods and businesses to coexist.  They have met with dozens of constituents and businesses to work through issues and concerns.

 Neighborhoods

Strong neighborhoods are the key to keeping up property values in Chesterfield.  Although we can pass and enforce rules, we are only a reflection of the values of the citizenry.  Dorothy believes the county government should not be an obstacle to neighborhoods.  Instead, she believes in working with home-owners to resolve issues.  As one small example, shortly after her election, the Homeowners of Stoney Glen South discovered that their playground was not properly zoned.  At that time, it would have cost the neighborhood association $5,200 to bring the playground into compliance.  Dorothy worked with fellow board members, the planning department, and the planning commission to have that fee permanently reduced to $1,000.  Dorothy has continually met with neighborhood associations, individual property owners, and county staff to work to find solutions to various problems.  When there is a zoning case, Dorothy requires notification to far more property owners than is required by law. 

 Since being elected, Dorothy has worked with the  Jefferson Davis Association to help it accomplish its goals.  The first phase of the streetscape and banner project which was to be funded through Community Development Block Grants had been discussed for years and was about to lose funding.  Dorothy worked alongside the county staff to push the project forward.  That project was funded and completed in May of 2010.  Dorothy recognizes that the Jefferson Davis Association is the authority on development on the Jeff Davis corridor.  She relies heavily on its advice for all zoning cases in that area.  She believes that as the people who live and own businesses there, they know what best fits in the area. 

Dorothy also believes in safe neighborhoods.  Regardless of what neighborhood you live in, all citizens are entitled to a clean, safe neighborhood.  She works very closely with building inspection personnel to ensure apartment complexes meet code.  She works with the police Multi-family Unit Division to support apartment managers in keeping out criminals.  She has worked with community and church groups to help create safe conditions for families and children.