POSTING BIG NUMBERS: Warrenton Post 72 shined in summer baseball. Page 15
August 7, 2019
Our 202nd year | Vol. 202, No. 32 | www.Fauquier.com | $1.50
Town Council considers Main Street revamp VDOT grants could help fund three separate road projects By Robin Earl
Times Staff Writer
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/ROBIN EARL
Former Town Councilman Bob Walker’s wife Lillian is proud to have a memorial version of the road sign that bears her late husband’s name. Current Councilmen Jerry Wood and Renard Carlos were present, as was Walker’s sister, Frances (at right).
Warrenton honors legacy of former Town Councilman Bob Walker Warrenton Town Police shut down Third Street for about 20 minutes Sunday as a crowd gathered at 2 p.m. to honor the legacy of former Town Councilman Bob Walker, who passed away June 24 at age 85. The Town Council voted to recognize Walker with an honorary renaming of South Third Street. The street is still named South Third Street; however, an honorary designation, “Bob Walker Way” now sits below the street name. Del. Michael Webert, R-18th, as well as Councilmen Renard Carlos (at large), Robert Kravetz (Ward 4), Sean Polster (at large) and Brett Hamby (Ward 3) were present for the ceremony, as were Walker’s wife Lillian, his sister Frances and dozens of other family members, friends and well-wishers. Carlos called on those in attendance to continue Walker’s legacy by staying engaged in the community and to continually ask, “Is it fair?” INSIDE Business.............................................13 Classified............................................35 Communities......................................28 Faith...................................................28
Walker was Warrenton’s first black town council member and served for 17 years, starting in the mid1980s. He operated Walker’s Barber Shop on Third Street, where he learned barbering skills from his father. Walker was a strong voice for racial justice during the turbulent years of school integration and was a lifetime member of the NAACP. He was a school bus driver for 32 years, a longtime Mason, and a devoted member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. At Sunday’s ceremony, Lillian Walker admitted, “I had a meltdown this morning, so I’m not going to do that here.” She thanked all those attending for their love and support, and thanked “God in heaven, for the history that has been made.” She added, “That torch that Bob carried, it’s not just going to lay down on the ground. I’d like to see others pick it up and carry on.” Reach Robin Earl at rearl@fauquier.com
History................................................21 Horse Sports.......................................19 Lifestyle..............................................23 Opinion...............................................10
The Warrenton Town Council on Thursday will consider resolutions to apply for Virginia Department of Transportation funding for three separate projects – a roundabout at Walker Drive and Lee Street; safety improvements at Waterloo Street and Chestnut Street and upgrades on Main Street between Courthouse Square and Calhoun Street. Town council will consider the resolutions during a work session at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Town Hall. The town’s finance committee will look at the resolutions at 5 p.m.; the public safety and transportation committee will discuss them at 6 p.m.
Main Street
The Main Street project would aim to improve walkability and highlight Warrenton’s historic assets. It is a longstanding idea that was recently updated in a draft plan by Bohler Engineering. The update was funded at $85,000 by the town’s CIP in fiscal year 2019. Town Manager Brandie Schaeffer said, “The grant application for VDOT funding is just the next step in a long process that started in the early 1970s and was revised in the 1990s.” Schaeffer said, “At this time we are seeking council support for the grant applications.” According to the VDOT website, “Projects are selected, and funding is allocated by resolution of the Commonwealth Transportation Board in See MAIN STREET, page 4
Obituaries...........................................33 Puzzles...............................................12 Real Estate..........................................29 Sports.................................................15
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