Del. Greg Habeeb (R-Salem) announced Monday that he has received the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Advocate in Legal Reform Award for his efforts in improving Virginia’s legal system during the 2013 General Assembly.

Habeeb also received an “A” grade from the Chamber for his voting record during the session.

“The Legislative Report Card allows us to recognize and honor legislators who uphold free market principles and support the interests of the business community,” said Barry DuVal, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber. “Delegate Habeeb’s grade of “A” reflects his understanding of the issues facing Virginia businesses. Delegate Habeeb also made significant contributions to advancing one of the Chamber’s main legislative priorities, legal reform, during the 2013 Session and was also awarded the Legal Reform Advocate Award.”

Habeeb was recognized for his award and his pro-business voting record at the Chamber’s Board of Directors’ Reception and Legislative Awards Dinner last week in Tysons Corner, VA.

Habeeb has also received a 95% rating from the Family Foundation for his voting record in the 2013 General Assembly Session.

Habeeb is the Republican candidate running for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates in the 8^th District. The 8^th District includes the City of Salem, part of Roanoke County, Craig County, part of Montgomery County and part of the Town of Christiansburg.

For more information, or questions, please contact Erik Rison at 540-915-2962.

– Submitted by Erik Rison, Legislative Aide, Office of Delegate Greg Habeeb

The Salem Police Department will be participating in the 2013 “Click It or Ticket” mobilization campaign that is being conducted statewide in Virginia from May 20 – June 2.

In 2011 alone, 306 people died in traffic accidents in Virginia, who were not wearing a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is still the single most effective way to reduce your risk of becoming a traffic statistic. Currently, Virginia has nearly an 82 percent seat belt usage rate and the City of Salem’s rate is even higher at 86 percent.

Although Virginia has a secondary seat belt law, this enforcement campaign is based on high visibility traffic enforcement with a “zero-tolerance” approach toward seat belt and child safety seat usage. The Salem Police Department will have additional officers working during the “Click It or Ticket” campaign and we will have a “zero-tolerance” for violators.

– Submitted by Mike Stevens, City of Salem

Roanoke County is seeking interested citizens to join a new committee to help develop the next stage of the stormwater management programs for the County and the Town of Vinton. Due to regulatory requirements, the County anticipates significant changes in its stormwater programs and associated costs over the next several years.

Roanoke County hopes the Roanoke County Stormwater Advisory Committee (RCSWAC) will represent a wide range of interests, including individual citizens, home owner associations and civic leagues, developers, agricultural interests, local businesses, non-profit and religious organizations, large-acreage land owners and other groups impacted by the regulations. The ideal committee will represent a balanced and broad spectrum of viewpoints from across the County and Town of Vinton.

A more complete list of the many groups and organizations sought for the committee can be found on the county’s website at www.roanokecountyva.gov/swm.

Committee members will be educated about the County’s existing stormwater programs, regulatory requirements, and anticipated costs. The committee members will develop recommendations for the Board of Supervisors on the desired levels of stormwater services with associated costs, and also recommend possible funding strategies. The intent is to identify the fairest, most equitable, source of reliable revenue to operate the County’s stormwater programs. Funding strategies will have differing costs for different parts of the community, including homeowners, businesses, non-profits, religious organizations, and others.

Committee members will be expected to review briefing packets prior to meetings, attend approximately seven monthly meetings beginning in July, provide honest opinions, respect the viewpoints of other committee members, and work to develop consensus recommendations for the Board of Supervisors.

Interested citizens and organizations are encouraged to visit www.roanokecountyva.gov/swm for additional information and to complete and submit the application form for committee membership by June 8, 2013. County staff will review the applications and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. For additional information, contact David Henderson at (540) 772-2083 or email dhenderson@roanokecountyva.gov.

– Submitted by Gray Craig

Annie Lin shares these photos and writes:

A message from Salem Republican Committee that Salem Delegates to the RPV convention will be elected at the 6:30 p.m. April 25 mass meeting at the Salem Civic Center in parlor A.

When we arrived there, we saw election signs everywhere,  Rob Bell for Attorney General, Pete’13 for LT. Governor, Mark Obenshain for Attorney General, Corey Stewart for LT. Governor, Steve Martin for Senator, Jeannemarie Davis for LT. Governor.

Delegate Greg Habeeb said “why did not Jerry smile”? I said “We saw the other rooms have tables for dinner, but the room was not parlor A, I told Jerry that for reason, he thought why we had not come to eat”.

Yes, we came for the mass meeting. I saw Rob Bell, he had a yellow bell sign on his suit. He came to speak. His assistant took our picture with him. We got his autograph on his election card too.

Next day, I received his e-mail and I told him “Thank you” and “Good luck” in your run for Attorney General. I said “My son Jerry and I hope to see you at the convention on May 18 in Richmond”.

Congressman Morgan Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of May:

May 21, 2013

Salem:     2:00pm – 4:00pm
Salem Library
28 East Main Street
Salem, VA

May 24, 2013

Roanoke County:     2:00pm– 4:00pm
Roanoke Library Hollins Branch
6624 Peters Creek Rd
Roanoke, VA

Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.

Submitted by Andrea Pivarunas

Navy Seaman Andrew C. Baum, son of Kathy M. Baum of Catawba and Daniel C. Baum of Salem, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Baum completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations”. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ”Navy” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.

Baum is a 2009 graduate of Glenvar High School.

– Submitted by Fleet Hometown News

The City of Salem is pleased to announce that voting is open for the 2nd annual “Pride in Salem Green Awards” that are designed to recognize businesses and organizations that take pride in our community and make Salem a great place to work, live and play.
For the second straight year, these awards will be presented to local businesses that have risen above others by significantly contributing to the beautification or greening-up of our city through visible landscaping, prominent exterior building or site renovations, or responsible and creative environmental initiatives.
By exercising the characteristics of corporate philanthropy and civic responsibility at their own expense, they serve as an example to others and are a vital part of the City of Salem. Last year, Roanoke College, Project WARM and Invision Eye Fitness and Fashion were the winners of the inaugural awards.
There are three categories: LANDSCAPE AND BEAUTIFICATION, RENOVATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY and RECYCLE, REUSE, REPURPOSE. A total of 12 Salem-based entities are vying for the top three awards – Salem Museum, ITT Technical Institute, John M. Oakey and Son, John McNamara’s Center for Chiropractic Health and Education, Sherwood Memorial Park, Chick-fil-A, the Salem VA Medical Center, El Cubanito Restaurant, Roanoke Valley Wine Company, Parkway Brewing Company, Joe’s Deli, and Fame All-Stars.
All voting will be done online and it is not limited to Salem citizens. The balloting will end at midnight on May 31 and the winner in each category will be honored at a Salem City Council meeting this summer.
A direct link to the ballots, which contain a photo and description of each business, can be found on the city’s website www.salemva.gov.

Submitted by Mike Stevens, City of Salem

Now through June 7, organizations and individuals may apply for matching grant funding to be used towards park improvements in Roanoke County. $25,000 in funds are available to award in increments of up to $5,000 for projects that help further the mission of the department. Please view our website for details, and direct questions to Arlain Martin at (540) 387-6078 ext. 0.

- Submitted by Roanoke County Parks & Recreation

Got drugs? The Salem Police Department will be collecting old medications on Saturday, April 27th at the Super Shoes & Goodwill parking lot on West Main St. Turn in your unused or expired medicine for safe disposal from 10 am – 2 pm.

- Submitted by Mike Stevens