Citizen's Guide

CABLE CHANNEL 46. WYCG TV-46 is operated by Video Services. Programs include: Live coverage of the Board of Supervisors regular meetings and work sessions with periodic re-telecasts and County Courier/York News with periodic re-telecasts. Also, the Community Bulletin Board runs 24 hours a day except when preempted by a scheduled program. Other programming is scheduled to keep the County informed about local services. Programming is also available via live web streaming and on-demand on the County's web site. A division of the Department of Community Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3312.

CABLE TELEVISION. Cable television is provided through a franchise agreement with Cox Communications, Inc. For sales and billing, call (757) 224-1111. For repair service, call (757) 224-2222. Call the York County Public Information Office for other information or assistance on (757) 890-3300.

CANOE TRAILS. See Blueways Map.

CENTRAL PURCHASING. Responsible for purchasing goods and services for the County Government and York County Public Schools and coordinating disposal of surplus property. A division of the Department of Financial & Management Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3680.

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). A program that partners emergency services with the people they serve, providing basic response skills to allow individuals to be integrated into the emergency response capability for their area in the event of disasters. CERT Training is provided by the Department of Fire and Life Safety. Telephone - (757) 890-3600.

CHESAPEAKE BAY PRESERVATION ACT. The Department of Environmental and Development Services is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance. The Department insures development in Chesapeake Bay Preservation areas is in compliance with the water quality and buffer regulations. One of the key components of the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance is the requirement for a 100-foot vegetated buffer from the edge of the water, marsh or stream. The buffer must be restored or left in a natural state to protect the water quality of the Bay. Any permissible activities in the buffer area must be reviewed and their effects on water quality determined and minimized. The Chesapeake Bay Board, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, has monthly public hearings to act on exceptions and appeals. For additional information on Chesapeake Bay regulations, a DVD or video may be borrowed from Environmental and Development Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3752 yorkcounty.gov/wetlands.

CHILD CARE. The "First Steps" Early Childhood Development Program provides year round, full-day developmental learning for preschool children (6 weeks to 3 years) who are York County residents. Eligibility criteria must be met. First Steps is operated for the County by Child Development Resources, Inc. at the Griffin-Yeates Center. Telephone - (757) 220-1168.

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. Services are provided on behalf of children to protect them from abuse and neglect. Social Services receives complaints on a 24 hour-a-day basis, conducts an immediate investigation of the complaint by trained social workers, determines the accuracy of the complaint, initiates necessary action to ensure the protection of children and provides services, where appropriate, for the child and family to include intensive counseling, assistance with homemaking and parenting skills, child day care, emergency shelter, emergency medical care and other activities to protect the child. Telephone the state hotline, 1-800-552-7096, or call York-Poquoson Social Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3787.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES. Operates the County's full day/full year and part day/part year Head Start program, literacy initiatives and offers a "hotline" for resource information. A division of the Department of Community Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3888.

CITIZEN NEWS. A newsletter mailed quarterly to all households with news about County programs and recent or upcoming actions or issues of interest. Contact the Publications Office if you are not receiving a copy and one will be mailed to you. Telephone - (757) 890-3310.

CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT. The position of the Clerk of the Circuit Court is established in Article VII Section 4 of the Constitution of Virginia. The Circuit Court Clerk is elected by the citizens of the County of York and the City of Poquoson. The Clerk maintains the second oldest records in the United States (dating back to 1633). The Clerk of Court serves as custodian of court litigation records (lawsuits, divorces, land disputes) and other important legal records such as adoptions, land records, and wills, issues marriage licenses, concealed handgun permits upon citizens' application, prepares jury lists and court orders, administers oaths of office, and invests funds held in trust. Additionally, the Clerk of Court admits wills to probate, grants administration of estates and appoints guardians and conservators.

The Honorable Lynn S. Mendibur
P.O. Box 371, Yorktown VA 23690
(757) 890-3350

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:

Christopher Newport University --This state supported comprehensive four year university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is located in Newport News. Telephone - (757) 594-7000.
College of William & Mary --The second oldest college in the Nation, Williamsburg's William & Mary is state supported and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in law, liberal arts, international relations and business fields. Telephone - (757) 221-4000.
Hampton University --This university was established as Hampton Normal School and Agricultural Institute in 1868 to provide education for African-Americans and Native Americans. It became Hampton University in July 1984 and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in liberal arts, business, music, sciences and education. Telephone - (757) 727-5000.
Thomas Nelson Community College--This state school offers more than 70 associate degrees, certificate or diploma program specialties in liberal arts, science, applied science and technical studies. Telephone - (757) 825-2700.

COLONIAL GROUP HOME COMMISSION. The City of Williamsburg and the Counties of York, James City and Gloucester form a regional commission that funds programs in support of the Juvenile Courts of the 9^th Judicial District. York County is the managing jurisdiction and provides administrative services for the Commission. Telephone - (757) 890-3880.

COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE. The Commissioner of the Revenue processes state income tax forms; assesses personal property; issues business licenses and maintains land books. Administers Food & Beverage Tax, Short-Term Rental Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax and Going-Out-Of-Business Sales Licenses.

The Honorable Ann H. Thomas
P.O. Box 90, Yorktown VA 23690
(757) 890-3381

COMMUNITY COMPOST FACILITY. The Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority (VPPSA) operates a Regional Compost Facility for York County, Poquoson and Hampton at the York County Waste Management Center. York County residents can deliver yard debris to this facility at no charge. Limbs and branches must be less than 24 inches in diameter and less than 10 feet in length. Stumps, construction debris and dirt are not accepted. The facility also has mulch and compost materials available for sale at very reasonable prices.
Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Telephone - (757) 898-5012 or (757) 259-9850.

COMMUNITY SERVICES, Department of. This department includes the divisions of Children's Services, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization, Juvenile Services, Special Programs, Parks & Recreation and Video Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3880.

COMPLAINTS/COMPLIMENTS. Complaints, compliments or general feedback about York County services can be reported to the Public Information Office. Telephone - (757) 890-3300.

COMPUTER SUPPORT SERVICES. Responsible for maintenance and operation of the Geographic Information System; maintenance and operation of the Central Financial Data Systems for the County and School Division; and operation of the Wide Area Computer Network. A division of the Department of Financial & Management Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3899.

CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMITS. Concealed handgun permits are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court. Telephone - (757) 890-4105.

CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. See individual listings for Clerk of Circuit Court, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth's Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. See Extension Office.

COUNSELING. The Colonial Services Board offers counseling for marriage and family problems, substance abuse, children of alcoholics and other problems. The organization is supported by York and James City Counties and the Cities of Williamsburg and Poquoson. Offices are located at 3804 George Washington Memorial Highway - (757) 898-7926 and 1657 Merrimac Trail - (757) 220-3200.

COURTS. All courts are located in the York-Poquoson Courthouse located at 300 Ballard Street, Yorktown.

Circuit Court. State court for felonies, misdemeanor appeals and some civil cases. Telephone - (757) 890-4104.
General District Court. Handles traffic citations, small claims, civil torts, criminal misdemeanors and felony preliminary hearings. Telephone - (757) 890-3450.
Juvenile and Domestic Relations. Responsible for all court proceedings involving juveniles, whether they are defendants or victims, and all domestic relations cases including child/spousal support and custody hearings. This court also handles all cases involving the Department of Social Services dealing with abused and/or neglected children as well as all foster care cases. Family and household members who have been subjected to abuse, adults accused of child abuse or neglect, or offenses against members of their own family (juvenile or adult), Court-ordered rehabilitation services and Court consent for certain medical treatments. Telephone - (757) 890-3470.
Victim Witness Assistance Program. Assists victims of crimes, their families and witnesses in criminal cases with court procedures. Under the supervision of the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. Telephone - (757) 890-3402.

Court agencies include Adult Probation - (757) 833-6853 and Juvenile Probation - (757) 890-3470.

CRIME LINE. The Peninsula Crime Line is operated by the Sheriff's Office. Callers can remain anonymous and receive cash rewards for information leading to an arrest. Telephone - (757) 890-3400 or 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

CROSSROADS COMMUNITY YOUTH HOME. Takes up to 12 teenage boys referred by the courts for group home therapy. Counsels young residents to develop self-control and improve behavior. Crossroads is funded by the state and local governments, including York County. Telephone - (757) 258-5106.

CURFEW. In York County, persons under age 18 are not allowed in any public place between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. See York County Code Sec. 16-2.

CUSTODY and other child welfare prevention services. York-Poquoson Social Services provides parental evaluations and mediation services to families with custody and/or visitation controversies. Counseling services and other case management services designed to prevent abuse and neglect to children are also provided by York-Poquoson Social Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3787.