Address decision is good…for now
If you are one of those living in eastern Goochland, there’s a chance the recent address and ZIP code issue between the City of Richmond and Henrico County made its way to your doorstep. Or, at the very least, your mail box.

Roughly 1,000 addresses in Goochland’s 23233 and 23238 ZIP codes overlap with Henrico. And as the former continued to spread word to the masses about its desired change, the latter had to wonder what would happen.

Thankfully, officials from both Henrico County and the U.S. Postal Service have said any change there won’t impact those residents and businesses here. And that’s the right decision: There’s no sense in changing anyone’s address from “Richmond, VA” to “Henrico, VA” if they live in Goochland County.

As anyone who has moved recently can attest, there too many things to change. And since this is a move Goochland residents have no part of and no voice in, it’s best to leave well enough alone within these borders.

Still, one has to take this all with a certain amount of scrutiny. It’s easy for officials to say now that it won’t impact Goochland. But what about in three months? Or six?

Often times, the government means well, at least at some levels. However, it doesn’t always execute well. And details, like 1,000 addresses in eastern Goochland, get left outside the box when big decisions are made.

Many look at the neighbors to the east and wonder what their reasons may be for such a change. Is it really about money or is it about status? Is it about $5 million or 5 million references to Henrico, VA that further separate its relationship with Richmond?

Either way, it appears the whole ordeal won’t impact any of us. We hope.

Earl Henley
This past weekend, Goochland County lost one of the pillars of its community when former fire chief and supervisor Earl Henley died at the age of 87. Though I’ve had the pleasure of hearing many stories of Earl and his wife Lois’ many gifts to the county, I never did get a chance to meet him.

But it doesn’t take long to figure out what kind of impact Mr. Henley made in the world, his country and his county. He made Goochland a better place in so many ways that to attempt to quantify his dedication and impact would be futile.

When someone like Earl Henley passes away, a community doesn’t easily fill the void that is left.

Let it be said that Goochland County has lost an icon.

We at The Goochland Gazette extend our condolences and prayers to Lois and the entire Henley family during this difficult time.