Virginia Capitol Connections, 2025 Annual Magazine 18 Good Government Leadership Award By BERNIE HENDERSON Richmond First bestowed its Good Government Leadership Award for 2025 upon two recently retired members of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors: Patricia O’Bannon, a Republican from Tuckahoe District, and Frank Thornton, a Democrat from Fairfield District. Ms. O’Bannon was the first woman, and Mr. Thornton was the first African American, to serve on the Board. Both were first elected in November of 1995 and served until the end of 2023. Bernie Henderson, President of Richmond First, nominated Ms. O’Bannon and Mr. Thornton for the award, saying, “These two exemplary individuals epitomize the very best in public service. They constantly fused their individual perspectives to produce government policy and action that provided maximum benefits to the broadest cross-section of Henrico residents. Every day in office, their actions showed that public servants can—and should—not allow partisanship to preclude conscientious collaboration and cordial relationships.” Unlike awards given by many other organizations, Richmond First does not present its Good Government Leadership Award every year; it does so only when it believes the recognition is truly deserved. In fact, Richmond First has given the award only 46 times in its 107year history. The organization went from 1996 to 1998 and from 2000 to 2018 without giving the award. Last year, the award was given to James E. Ukrop. Other recipients include former Virginia First Lady Jeannie Baliles, former Chesterfield Supervisor Joan Girone, former Richmond Councilor Henry Valentine, former Henrico County Manager Edward Beck, and former U.S. Representative Thomas Bliley. Richmond First was established in 1918 as a non-partisan but community engaged organization, and it continues to function in that manner. Its first achievement was leading the effort to adopt a new city charter and form of government for Richmond, consisting of an elected mayor as chief executive and a bicameral legislative body—a 12-member Board of Aldermen and a 5-member City Council. Since then, Richmond First has successful advocated for a public library system, the establishment of Byrd Flying Field, city ownership of a stadium, deepening the James River channel, toll-free bridges, and improved “trafficways.” Beginning in the 1960s, Richmond First expanded its focus to the entire Richmond Metropolitan area, rather than just the city. It has been a leading organization in promoting regional cooperation among local governments, including the creation of metropolitan bodies for tourism, planning, economic development, transportation, and recreation. It was also active in the recent anti-gerrymandering campaign. In presenting the Good Government Leadership Award to Pat O’Bannon and Frank Thornton, Henderson said, “We note that Merriam-Webster’s 2024 ‘Word of the Year’ is ‘polarization.’ So, whenever we see evidence of bipartisanship—like the way Pat and Frank served in government—we should bring it out of its hiding place, celebrate it, and hold it up proudly for the whole world to see. And that’s exactly what we’re doing this afternoon. Wouldn’t it be great if trust and mutual respect was so prevalent and so routine in government that it just wouldn’t occur to anyone to present an award for it?” Bernie Henderson is the President Emeritus at Woody Funeral Home and Cremation Service. THORNTON O'BANNON V
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