Newsletter — February 2024

I hope this message finds you well and thriving as we move briskly through 2024. I’m excited to share with you some of the highlights from February and early March, reflecting our community’s vibrancy and our collective strides towards making Williamsburg an even more remarkable place to live.

• Read Across America Day — On March 6th, I had the immense pleasure of visiting Matthew Whaley Elementary School for Read Across America Day (pictured above). This day remains one of the highlights of my year. The enthusiasm and curiosity of the students are always invigorating, reminding me the future is bright in Williamsburg.
• Williamsburg Community Foundation Event — On February 1st, we kicked off an exceptional event with the Williamsburg Community Foundation, where over 190 attendees came together in a remarkable demonstration of generosity. Together, over $149,000 was raised for the Community Endowment Campaign. Each donation added a leaf to WCF’s giving tree, a beautiful symbol of our community’s growth and benevolence.
• 2024 Budget Retreat — Valentine’s Day was not just a celebration of love but also marked the beginning of our fiscal year 2025 budget season. The City Council’s annual budget retreat provided us with an opportunity to delve into early forecasts and discuss priorities for the upcoming budget cycle. The public can comment on our proposed budget for the next few months as Council plans to adopt the FY2025 Budget in May.
• Highlighting Excellence in Service on WMBG Radio — Lastly, on February 22nd, I had the honor of speaking on WMBG Radio about an outstanding member of our community, Herb Williams, our Community Resources Officer. Officer Williams was awarded the Excellence in Service Award, a testament to his hard work and dedication. His leadership in earning Williamsburg the Certified Crime Prevention Community distinction speaks volumes of his commitment to our safety and well-being.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your ongoing engagement and support. Here’s to another month of progress, partnership, and community spirit. As always, please feel free to reach out with any comments or questions!

Yours in service,

Caleb

**this Newsletter is mine alone and does not represent the input of the entire City Council