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December 24, 2019
Our 202nd year | Vol. 202, No. 52 | www.Fauquier.com | $1.50
Supervisors approve gun rights resolution More new “We stand behind the gas pipelines Constitution as it’s written, not only the Second are planned Amendment but all of it, both the U.S. and state.” By James Ivancic Times Staff Writer
By Daniel Berti
Times Staff Writer
Virginia Natural Gas is seeking state approval to construct 9.5 miles of new pipeline in Prince William and Fauquier counties to connect the Virginia Natural Gas pipeline system to the existing Transco pipeline system. The new pipelines are needed to deliver natural gas to a new privately financed gas plant known as “C4GT” planned for Charles City County, outside Williamsburg. If built, C4GT would be one of the state’s largest natural gas plants, likely capable of powering several hundred thousand homes, according to a report in the Virginia Mercury. The project will allow VNG to access natural gas from the Transco pipeline and deliver it to customers in their service territory, according to the application, which was filed Dec. 6. The company also wants to build a new compressor station and has selected two potential 25acre sites near the intersection of the Transco pipeline and the new VNG line. Both sites are located on Nokesville Road. “We are exploring multiple locations along an existing utility corridor, but the exact site of the Transco Interconnect Compressor Station in Prince William County is still being determined,” said Sarah Huddle, a spokesperson for VNG. Both sites are zoned for agricultural use. Under Prince William County’s zoning ordinance, under Section 32.201.11, compressor stations may be located within any zoning district.
Pipelines to cross streams and wetlands
The application comes months after the Transco received federal approval for a 7.7-mile pipeline expansion in Prince William and Fauquier counties. The construction of that pipeline sparked opposition from members of the Fauquier Board of County Supervisors and at least one incoming member of the Prince WilSee PIPELINE, page 2 INSIDE Business.............................................11 Business services................................30 Classified............................................27 Communities......................................21
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors firmly supports the right to keep and bear arms and rejects any infringement of that right. As such it “stands as a Constitutional County.” The resolution the board approved Monday by a unanimous vote doesn’t state the county will block enforcement of any gun laws the Virginia General Assembly could enact during its 2020 session. Rather, the resolution says the board strongly condemns threats from the governor and members of the General Assembly to
CHRIS BUTLER Chairman, Board of Supervisors
withhold funds to localities that have gone on record in support of the right to keep and bear arms. It also condemns threatened actions by state officials to See GUN RIGHTS, page 6
Bealeton native has a Large Heart for helping the homeless By Alisa Booze Troetschel Contributing Writer
A white pickup truck pulling an enclosed trailer comes to a stop along the curb of a park in Washington, D.C. The driver hops out and opens the back of the trailer. People gathered in the park spot him and gather round to receive the trash bags filled with clothing that he energetically hauls out. Adults and a few children bundled up for the December weather eagerly examine the contents of the bags for what they can use. They’ve done this before. Indeed, groups of people line Franklin Park where items are offered and taken away by new owners -- like a free flea market. The driver of the truck, Anthony Nicholas of Dumfries, repeats this scene one Sunday of every month. Now in its seventh year, he runs Large Heart Charities to collect and distribute gently used clothing and food. “I was blown away at what I saw,” Nicholas said about the first time he came to the park. He described the numbers of people as an “epidemic.” The number he helps on any given day varies. He has helped as few as five some days. Nicholas estimates that he helped 200 people this past August. From the bed of the pickup truck, Angie Hoffman of North Carolina – Nicholas’s friend since childhood -- hands out bottles of water, 60 bags holding ham sandwiches, oranges and chips, and 50 takeout containers filled with turkey dinners prepared by Uncle Faith...................................................20 Family.................................................16 Lifestyle..............................................21 Nightlife..............................................19
PHOTO BY ALISA BOOZE TROETSCHEL/ONE BOAT MEDIA
Anthony Nicholas of Dumfries brings out donated clothing from Fauquier County Sunday, Dec. 8, in Franklin Park in Washington, D.C. B’s restaurant staff in Bealeton. Near the front of the truck, 9-yearold Atrinity Weathers’ grandmother arranges a lightweight black, sequined scarf pulled from a pile of garments around Atrinity’s head. Even though they’ve been homeless twice, Atrinity has kept up her grades. The day before Thanksgiving they moved into a home. Opinion.................................................8 Obituaries...........................................25 Puzzles...............................................10 Sports.................................................13
Growing up poor
Nicholas grew up in Bealeton, in a trailer in the Marsh Run community. His mother struggled to keep the family afloat. “My mom used to eat orange peels so I could eat the oranges,” said Nicholas. Being poor affected him socially, he said. “There were times See LARGE HEART, page 4