Mid April 2014 Warren and Frederick County Report

Warren FREE County Report WarrenCountyVA.com

Volume IX, Issue 7 · Mid April, 2014

FrederickCounty.com

Murray lets the ‘C-word’ slip To tax or

not to tax

CONSOLIDATION?!!?

8

Arrests in Frederick County heroin death

29

That IS the question 12, 17

‘A battle for soul of party’?

Republicans give McHugh the boot 24

Page • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

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Community

Blue Ridge Education Center spring fundraiser Church Street Project will help drum up support for BREC

The Church Street Project is on the BREC bandwagon Blue Ridge Educational Center (BREC) is throwing a fundraising party and welcomes everyone to

join in the fun. The small, non-profit school is hosting, with a little help from friends, an Italian gala on Satur-

day, April 26, and eagerly welcomes your participation.

Some of these helping friends

include Chef Devin Smith and his Warren County Public Schools Culinary Arts class. Chef Devin and his students will prepare several pastas, salads, and desserts to be served buffet-style. Come check-out our local students’ culinary talents.

Local band “The Church Street Project� will be rockin’ the house with classic rock and contemporary tunes. Band members include Front Royal’s own Vice Mayor Shae Parker on bass, LFK’s music and chorus director extraordinaire Amy Lelito, on keyboard, the tremendously talented Ian Moon on guitar, and the “just plain awesome� John Yeabower on drums.

Over the past 14 years, BREC has played an important part in the lives of many area youth. BREC partners with Warren County Public Schools, as well as surrounding school divisions, to provide educational services to students with special needs.

Students that might otherwise fall

through the cracks, thrive in the small setting of a structured, yet creative and flexible learning environment that Blue Ridge Educational Center provides. BREC also offers after school tutoring.

The party will be held at Blue Ridge Opportunities (another nonprofit worthy organization), 37 Water Street, Front Royal from 5 – 9 p.m. Blue Ridge Opportunities will have its greenhouse open with spring plants for sale. Fifteen dollars will provide a fabulous Italian dinner, great music and lots of fun for the whole family. Children ages 6 – 12 are $10. Children under 6 are free.

There will also be cake walks, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and more.

The money raised from the Gala will go towards school projects and materials.

For tickets contact BREC at (540) 631-9503. For more information about BREC, visit the website at www.blueridgeeducation.org

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page

Page • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

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Virginia

Bath County prosecutor concludes review of Deeds attack

Va. State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report In a March 26 letter to the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office, Bath County Commonwealth’s Attorney John C. Singleton reviewing completion of his investigation into

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the November 19, 2013 knife attack on State Senator Creigh Deeds and

subsequent suicide of Deeds’ son, Gus, who was his father’s attacker.

The letter to VSP District Commander Captain Timothy D. Lyon reads in its entirety, “I have reviewed the materials submitted to my office resulting from the Virginia State Police investigation of the wounding of Robert Creigh Deeds and the subsequent death of his son, Austin Creigh Deeds on November 19, 2013. I find no criminal involvement in this matter and, accordingly, decline to initiate a criminal prosecution. Thank you for your department’s thorough and exhaustive work on this case.”

In a March 27 press release accompanying release of the above communication, VSP spokesperson Corinne N. Geller noted, “Since responding to the Deeds residence in Bath County the morning of Nov. 19, 2013, the state police have been actively investigating the malicious wounding of Senator Creigh Deeds, the suicide of Gus Deeds, and all circumstances surrounding this incident, to include the actions of individuals employed

by Rockbridge Area Community Services. Upon completion of its criminal investigation and in accordance with standard state police policy, the state police turned over its findings to the Bath County Commonwealth’s Attorney for final review and prosecutorial decision. The Commonwealth Attorney’s decision now concludes the state police investigation.”

As reported by the state police at the time of the incident: “At 7:25 a.m. Tuesday (Nov. 19, 2013), Virginia State Police troopers and Bath County Sheriff ’s deputies responded to a 911 call at a residence

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at 26 Vineyard Drive in Millboro, Va. “During the course of the ongoing criminal investigation, state police determined that Senator Creigh Deeds, 55, and his son, Austin C. “Gus” Deeds, 24, had an altercation outside of their residence on the Deeds’ property. [Creigh] Deeds was stabbed multiple times about the head and torso [and] then left the scene on foot. As he was coming down the hill of his residence towards Route 42, the injured senator was spotted and picked up by a cousin who was driving along Route 42.

“The two drove to the cousin’s residence where rescue responded.

Senator Deeds was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va., for treatment of serious injuries …

“Gus Deeds was found inside the residence suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Despite efforts by troopers and other first responders, he died at the scene. An autopsy and examination by the Office of the Medical Examiner in Roanoke, Va., confirmed the gunshot wound was self-inflicted and fired from a rifle.

“A weapon believed to have been used in the stabbing of Senator Deeds was recovered at the scene yesterday.

The type of weapon will not be released until the Virginia Department of Forensic Evidence makes confirmation of whether or not it was used in the attack …

“In response to inquiries about whether the Bath County Sheriff ’s Office had responded previously to the Deeds’ residence: The Sheriff ’s Office did respond to 26 Vineyard Drive on Monday (Nov. 18) to a nonemergency call for assistance. No arrest was made or any charges placed.

Prior to Monday, the Sheriff ’s Office has no record of any 911 or nonemergency calls to that residence.”

Bearing scars from the attack, Senator Deeds received an emotional welcome back to the Virginia General Assembly for its past regular session. He has also since recalled his son’s tragic battle with mental illness in calling for additional legislative efforts and funding for treatment of Virginia citizens fighting a similar battle, often without the personal assets to access quality care and treatment.

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page

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Warren County

County releases report on ‘Strategic Plan’ for ‘Yutes’

Warren County is pleased to announce the completion of a Strategic Plan for Youth Services. This was the result of a collaborative planning effort to address challenges facing the youth and families in our community.

On December 9-10, 2013, Warren County convened a group of 25 community partners to identify the needs of outh and their families and to prepare a strategic plan to guide the County. Participants included representatives of local government, social services, parks and recreation, juvenile and domestic relations court, law enforcement, schools, mental health services, public health, non-profits

and the local medical community, parents, and citizens.

Participants met for two days to engage in dialogue and complete a series of activities designed to help them examine trends and needs, create a vision, and develop goals and action plans. Meeting participants were successful in outlining many of the trends and/or challenges facing Warren County, as well as their implications for local youth and families. They were able to create a broad long-term vision, as well as identify potential goals and strategies that would support the vision.

As part of the process, it was noted that Warren County is similar to

many other jurisdictions in relation to challenges facing our youth and families. These would include, but not limited to, substance use and abuse, unaddressed mental health issues, family poverty, the availability of full-time salary and benefit competitive employment, increasing criminal activity, and threats to our youth posed by the internet. There have been a number of societal reactions to trends such as these. Many are single-focused or stand-alone initiatives. Common sense and research suggest that “at risk” youth and their families actually have multiple needs and interrelated problems.

There has been growing interest in

RECHARGING OUR COMMUNITIES

Warren County to develop community-based collaborative approaches that will address the multiple needs of all of our youth and their families.

One of the critical steps is to help our youth create or augment certain developmental assets-healthy relationships, opportunities to interact positively with others, and other personal qualities they need to avoid risks and thrive.

To insure the success of this vision by 2018, Warren County has identified five strategic target areas with specific goals that must be achieved, which include: · Central Coordination of Access and Funding: Creating an oversight body dedicated to expanding opportunities for our youth and families, as well as moving our strategic plan forward. This would include implementing a system of centralized referral for critical youth and family oriented services; · Prevention and Identification of Risk Factors: Developing mechanisms for community partners to identify those citizens who are “at risk”, and develop evidence-based strategies to reduce that risk. This would include initiatives to educate our community about local risk factors. · Youth Based Programming: Improving participation in existing youth programming and services, and expand those programs in order to meet the needs of uninvolved

youth. This would include improving communication about and removing barriers to becoming involved in our community. · Integrated Transportation: Expanding our transportation system to better meet the needs of youth and their families, and improve accessibility to health, employment, and youth activities. This would include the possibility of after-school activity buses, and identifying new transportationbased funding initiatives. · Economic Sustainability and SelfSufficiency: Maintaining a high quality educational system for both public and non-traditional/non-public school students and developing strategies to address the impacts of poverty and affordable housing.

This would include promoting Front Royal/Warren County as a place to do business, and aligning our community needs with potential future development. The workgroup believes that Warren County is uniquely situated to make this broad vision become a reality through goal oriented strategic planning. The county has a number of existing strengths to build upon. This would include, but is not limited to, a strong and pro-active local government, a cooperative and collaborative relationship between departments and local agencies, a sense of community See YUTES,

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Warren County Yutes, from ownership for its problems, a desire to address problems and challenges locally rather than relying upon the Commonwealth to do so, and a responsive rather than reactive mindset among key community partners.

At the same time, there are a number of challenges in moving forward.

While not an exhaustive list, here are some of ours: Real economic and funding issues facing the local community. Many youth and their families are involved in the community, yet we still have a lack of community engagement or involvement in available opportunities for subsets of our population. There are gaps in available services for the most needy of

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We realize that every community in the Commonwealth faces similar challenges, yet the strengths of our county provide a solid foundation upon which we can build towards the future.

Work group members continue to work collaboratively on developing and releasing the formal Warren County strategic work plan. A youth and family oriented multi-disciplinary oversight group must be created to carry the work of the strategic plan forward. Finally, it is critically important that the local government, local partners, and citizens engage in a dialogue on how to implement the strategic plan across our entire community.

According to Board of Supervisors Member Linda Glavis, “The Strategic Planning process has been extremely productive in pulling together a

number of the issues facing youth in our community and helping to outline strategies for us to implement in addressing them. We sincerely hope that this document continues to live and breath as we work to address the identified issues and not simply gather dust on a shelf. It has been a privilege to work with this committee, where all members are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Warren County youth and our community. �

According to County Administrator Douglas Stanley, “The process has brought together many of the various individuals and organizations in our community to try to address issues facing the youth of our community and their families. I want to thank Julie VanWikle (Department of Juvenile Justice), Beth Reavis, (Warren County DSS), Charles Devine (Virginia Department of Health), Mark

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itt of the Collaboration Economy he added that, “Leadership must come from all of us - the private, public and civil sectors.�

Beth Reavis, Director of the Warren County Department of Social Services added, “The strategic planning session was a wonderful beginning to identify our current challenges and begin to develop community solutions in a proactive way. There is an extraordinary willingness in Warren County to communicate, collaborate and problem solve. I am extremely positive about our future efforts.�

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26,000 and growing Press releases should be emailed to: briefs@warrencountyreport.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Daniel P. McDermott editor@warrencountyreport.com Roger Bianchini Senior Writer (540) 635-4835 rogerb@warrencountyreport.com Reporter: Sue Golden Copy Editor: Laura Biondi editor@warrencountyreport.com Feature Writer: Carol Ballard crawford0905@gmail.com National & Agency Advertising: Alison Duvall: (540) 551-2072 editor@warrencountyreport.com Advertising Sales Representatives: Alison Duvall: (540) 551-2072 alisond@warrencountyreport.com Angie Buterakos: (540) 683-9197 angie@fredcoreport.com Billing Coordinator: Pam Cole: billing@warrencountyreport.com Graphic Design & Layout: Jeff Richmond layout@warrencountyreport.com Contributors: Malcolm Barr Sr. Ryan Koch, Cartoonist Extraordinaire Kevin S. Engle, Humor Columnist Leslie Fiddler, Writer If you are interested in contributing articles to our paper, please e-mail: editor@warrencountyreport.com

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page

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Opinion

Senate hears citizen support of Medicaid Expansion Are any of our county’s elected officials listening as tax hikes loom?

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report Money, morals, common sense, not cutting your (financial) nose off to spite your (political) face – were all issues raised by an array of citizens addressing an April 1, Virginia Senate Finance Committee Special Hearing.

Wonder if Warren County’s Board of Supervisors was paying attention as it ponders where money for needed capital improvements, pay hikes for teachers and other employees, as well as base funding for emergency service personnel might someday come from?

In case they weren’t, below are quotes from a few who addressed the state Senate on various reasons for including adoption of Medicaid Expansion in Virginia’s next budget – what some might call a REALLY “Clean Budget”, containing as it does savings estimated by some at $5 million a day, others at over a billion dollars over eight years, that would be freed up for uses other than subsidizing treatment of the state’s uninsured sick and injured.

In case any of you missed it – on March 18 the four-Republican, one non-aligned conservative Warren County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a so-called “Clean Budget” Resolution circulated by state House Republicans. The resolution calls for elimination of consideration of Medicaid Expansion in the current state budget discussion, despite its inclusion in the approved Senate budget and the support of Governor Terry McAuliffe. In fact, part of McAuliffe’s successful campaign for governor last year was a promise not to approve a budget that didn’t include Medicaid Expansion, and its consequent savings to the state.

“The faith community is deeply connected to people in need of health care. They are involved in faith-based hospital systems, clinics and other charitable health services. People of faith help low income families when they are struggling with unforeseen illness or when illness has devastated their already limited financial resources. People of faith believe that life is

Correction In the “Early April” edition story on the proposed town real estate hike under the headline “Divided council forwards 2-cent real estate tax increase”, the increase was mistakenly described as from 13 to 15 cents per $100 of assessed value. The actual proposed and now passed increase is from 11 to 13 cents.

precious and sacred and that individuals are called to care for one another.

Healthcare access is a moral imperative. To deny access to those least among is to ignore our moral obligation. Please work toward closing the coverage gap without delay.” – Robin Gahan, Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy “I know that with an issue like healthcare or Medicaid, it’s easy to get lost in the politics of the issue and lose sight of what this is really about. This isn’t about politics AND it isn’t a partisan issue. This is about the real lives of real people who live in our community and who are struggling to deal with hardship and adversity that most people would be hard pressed to even imagine, let alone deal with in their own lives.” – Lori Piper, former business executive “Medicaid expansion is the right thing to do. It will improve our population’s health, support our state’s economy, and reduce the impact on our healthcare system of caring for the uninsured. Too many have suffered for too long without access to health insurance. Now is the time to remedy this.” – Mark Ryan, MD and Kate Tulenko, MD, National Physicians Alliance Board of Directors Members “So many of the people I have come into contact with as a Certified Application Counselor have been thrilled to have affordable insurance for once in their life. I cannot tell you how disheartening it is to tell someone they fall into the coverage gap and there is nothing that can be done until Virginia extends coverage to them. Please set aside politics and do the right thing for hundreds of thousands of Virginians. Close the coverage gap!”

– Robin Tyler, Certified Application Counselor with Central Virginia Health Services “To oppose the expansion of Medicaid, regardless of the facts, is to deny hard-working Virginians like me the opportunity to have health care to have a better life. Without access to quality, affordable care, I am at risk of a life of disability and dependency, when I could be living a life of independence and productivity.” - Roslyn Gadley, home care provider from Alexandria, VA “Medicaid Expansion would literally be a life-saver for me and for tens of thousands of other home-care workers. We work hard caring for seniors and people with disabilities, and we love what we do. But we can’t afford health insurance for ourselves and our families ... As a cancer survivor, I call

on the General Assembly to work with the Governor to expand Medicaid so that every Virginian can lead a long, healthy, and successful life.” - Thomasine Wilson, home care provider from Richmond, VA “It is important that you meet and understand the needs of the real people this issue affects. That is why Governor McAuliffe has been traveling throughout the Commonwealth visiting the places these folks live. He wanted to hear firsthand the impact of not providing coverage, either through the expansion of Medicaid or the Marketplace plan the Senate is proposing.

Every day that we fail to address this issue it is costing the Commonwealth, not only in terms of financial loss, but more importantly the loss of health and peace of mind for the people you took an oath to serve. I hope we can count on you to lay politics aside and do the right thing. Now is the time.” – Kay Crane, CEO of Piedmont Access to Health Services, Inc. (PATHS) Earlier official statements released in support of inclusion of the governor’s or senate budget options with Medicaid Expansion in some form, included this one: “The Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) urge members of the General Assembly to pass Governor McAuliffe’s budget as quickly as possible. Governor McAuliffe’s budget is balanced, responsible, and provides critical funding for the Line of Duty Act, which supports firefighters, first responders, and others who put their lives on the line every day to protect Virginia’s communities.

“As primary emergency medical services (EMS) providers for many of our fellow citizens, VPFF members are alltoo-familiar with the negative impacts of the coverage gap. By also including

a 2-year pilot of accepting federal dollars to expand healthcare coverage to up to 400,000 Virginians, Governor McAuliffe’s budget will keep our citizens healthier, our neighborhoods safer, and our economy growing.

“It is imperative that members of the General Assembly come together to pass this budget, which our public safety officials depend on to ensure strong, safe, and healthy futures for all Virginians.”

Maybe these speakers and others of a like mind should try the Virginia House next. – Nah, why waste your time talking to a majority wall of partisan ideological intransience, directed misinformation, illogic and hypocrisy?

And for anyone who disputes the “hypocrisy” tag, I point to a budget fact cited in a recent “Roanoke Times” Editorial, which observed, “House leaders say they’re loath to use federal dollars, which would initially pay 100 percent of costs and 90 percent in future years (of expanded Medicaid coverage), out of fear that national leaders might one day renege. But that argument makes little sense given their use of $195 million in federal funding from other parts of the Affordable Care Act to balance their own budget proposal for the current year, plus another $51 million for the new two-year spending plan they endorsed. Indeed, they rely on a total of more than $20 billion in federal funds, nearly a quarter of their entire budget plan.”

So again, Delegates Webert (R-18th), Gilbert (R-15th and Berg (R-29th), what’s the rationale for that “Clean House Budget” you promoted to our local leaders and are clinging so hard to at the state level as representatives of Warren County?

– Quotes from governor’s office releases

Page • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

Front Royal/Warren Co

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The board chairman then suggested moving consolidation onto the November ballot as a referendum item for the voters of the town and county to decide. “Kind of like they did in the Ukraine,�

Glavis commented. “No, we don’t have any tanks,� Murray replied, drawing laughter.

County chair drops ‘C’ word at liaison - CONSOLIDATION

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dan Murray created some political waves at an otherwise uneventful March 20 town-county Liaison Committee meeting by broaching the “C� word – consolidation. The remark occurred during agenda-item discussion of boundary adjustments and the 522 North Corridor.

During the last several years, controversy over relative municipal ex-

penditure-benefit from commercial development of the 522 Corridor enabled by the extension of town central water-sewer into the county has occupied a great deal of time within each municipal governing body. And on the town side, annexation as a possible solution has often been on the public conversational table.

However, talk of possible consolidation of the town and county governments, which surfaced around 2010 during an earlier round of 522 Corridor debate, had faded in recent years – at least publicly. That fade

from the municipal conversation had occurred after preliminary examination of the legal dynamics of consolidation, which appear complicated or even prohibitive due to population and other technical dynamics, not to mention a town reluctance to sacrifice its independent municipal status.

The run up ‌ That the cross-jurisdictional impacts of commercial development in

the county’s north corridor remains of primary concern to both municipalities was illustrated as the March 20 liaison meeting agenda, not only included specific discussion of the corridor, but opened with discussion of both the town and county Comprehensive Plans including consideration of development in the other jurisdiction. “I think council has discussed, and the board conversely, how what happens commercial development-wise out in the corridor impacts in town

and in the converse how what happens in town can impact us,� County Administrator Doug Stanley observed during that opening Comp Plan, liaison discussion. “And I think it’s just a matter of putting our staffs together and make sure we’re coordinated in what we’re doing.�

Mayor Darr called such planning department coordination “a good idea�, adding that he was surprised it hadn’t been suggested earlier.

Linda Glavis, whose South River District is the most remote from the

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Saturday, April 26, 2014

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Entrance is located at Rouss Avenue and Cameron Street.

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Parking located at the Court Square and George Washington Autoparks on Cameron St. No pets, no outside food and no coolers are allowed.

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com • 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com • 540-551-2072 county’s north corridor commercial shopping centers, observed that she would hate to see her constituents lose access to town retailers like Kmart. That led to an observation from Murray that there is a general retail industry preference for locations close to interstate highway interchanges, allowing quicker access from greater distances. – “They all do it,â€? Murray said of national chain retailers developing relocation options based on major road access.

However, immediate access to population centers like Front Royal, as well as county residents who have to drive through town to even access an interstate, was cited as an alternative reason in-place retailers like K-mart would choose to stay where they are. Construction of the Popeye’s fast-food chicken site in town was presented as an example of the ongoing attractiveness of the town as a retail site in the county.

Later, as “Property Boundary

Adjustment� surfaced as a specific agenda topic things quickly moved from the east side where Leach’s Run Parkway and the FRLP Voluntary Settlement Agreement have a friendly boundary adjustment on the table, to the north side and the corridor. Town Manager Steve Burke observed that Vice-Mayor Parker had suggested exploration of the boundary-adjustment process utilized in other counties to move developing land into towns where central utilities are available and major development is suggested in most planning models.

County Administrator Stanley cited such arrangements between Clarke County and Berryville and Shenandoah County with its towns, but cited one difference – specific county taxes like meals, utility, and machinery and tools “that Shenandoah doesn’t have. So, Shenandoah doesn’t lose anything if something goes into a town.�

Front Royal/Warren Co

No tanks, just verbal bombs Discussion proceeded through the town manager’s description of certain conditions within those agree-

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Dan Murray – file photo

ments that ease the transition from county to town by providing a several-year buffer on payments to the county for its lost property; the mayor’s suggestion of periodic reviews of

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Page 10 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

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Front Royal/Warren Co

“But if you’re starting talk of dissolving the town then what’s the point of going through the motions of bringing the Front Royal Limited Partnership into the town?” – Town Manager Steve Burk reacting to Dan Murray’s November consolidation ballot suggestion

CONSOLIDATION, from

“We can talk openly about annexing everything from the county that’s good for both sides into the town, why can’t we talk about consolidation?” Murray asked.

“Nobody said you can’t talk about it,” Mayor Darr said over a flurry of comments. As those comments died down, Front Royal’s mayor asked Murray if he was speaking for his board.

“This has been discussed more than once,” Murray replied, adding, “Rather than each side fighting each other and spending a million dollars in legal fees, go for consolidation – that’s being fair to the constituents … I think it’s the right thing to do to bring it out.”

Elaborating on Mayor Darr’s repeated question about the status of public consideration of consolidation among his board, Murray said, “We haven’t voted on it but we’ve discussed it.”

“Well, we’ve discussed annexation but we haven’t voted, or made it a part of town-county [liaison] discussion,” Darr replied.

Mayor Darr expressed continued confusion over whether Murray was expressing a personal opinion or an official opinion of his board, stating, “I mean, I can sit here and say I think we need to annex, annex, annex but I’m not speaking for my board.”

“That’s all I’m hearing is ‘annexing, annexing’ – and I understand that; and there’s no formal action here,” Murray said in defense of his broaching of the subject. But Darr retaliated (oops, poor choice of words) that while council had often discussed annexation internally, it had never been authorized for formal discussion with the county.

And it was that movement of either option – annexation or consolidation – into the realm of formal discussion that appeared to be the sticking point from the mayor and town staff perspectives.

“I think it’s a good discussion and if

into a city, Murray said no. He suggested further absorption of Front Royal into Warren County, perhaps as a township, observing, “You wouldn’t lose your distinction of Front Royal.

“I think there’s been so much discussion and so much heartache over the Front Royal Limited Partnership, constant discussions about the corridor – I think it’s time to bring it to a head and go for consolidation,” Murray concluded, not with tanks, but at least a tad more aggressively than he had begun.

Town Manager Burke asked Murray if he was suggesting the town table planned action on the FRLP boundary adjustment in lieu of a consolidation referendum in November. Murray said no, leading Burke to reply, “But if you’re starting talk of dissolving the town then what’s the point of going through the motions of bringing the Front Royal Limited Partnership land into the town?”

Murray responded that any move toward annexation wouldn’t be achieved “in a day, week or month,” suggesting things should proceed as they are between the municipalities in the interim.

reviews.

Then Murray entered the fray.

“I really think that’s the way we should go,” Murray commented of such detailed review, adding, “unless we use the other word – if you’re going to keep on about annexing everything into the town – and the other word’s called consolidation. And maybe that’s something we should be looking at rather than both sides spending a lot of money, spinning a lot of wheels, eating a lot of Tums …

It may be something to look at and it might be time to do it, or at least consider it.”

The board chairman then suggested moving consolidation onto the November ballot as a referendum item for the voters of the town and county to decide.

“Kind of like they did in Ukraine?”

Glavis asked, apparently of the Crimean referendum to secede to Russia.

“No, we don’t have any tanks,” Murray replied, drawing laughter. (we might note the sheriff ’s office does have that armored personnel carrier though).

Asked by the town manager if he meant town-county consolidation

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you all want it on liaison we’ll leave it to the county to put it on there,” Darr told Murray. The mayor concluded that from his perspective such formal discussion was advisable prior to any move toward a voter referendum.

Representing the town at the March 20 liaison committee meeting were Mayor Darr and Councilman Tom Sayre, with staff support from the town manager. The county was represented by Board Chair Murray and South River Supervisor Glavis, with staff support from the county administrator. Happy Creek Supervisor Tony Carter was an interested, if unofficial, observer on the county side.

At the subsequent town council meeting in response to a question, Town Attorney Doug Napier confirmed that in a previous public referendum on consolidation in the 1970s, town citizens had overwhelmingly rejected the idea.

But as “they” say – that was then, this is now … And it would be easier for the growing contingent of antitax, anti-government people who have relocated here over the past 20 or so years to bankrupt and render impotent one governmental entity, rather than multiple ones, wouldn’t it?

– rogerb@warrencountyreport.com

4th Annual Spring Equine Extravaganza Discover breeds and disciplines from around the world Opening ceremonies start at 10:00 a.m.

Admission is Free April 6, 2014

Warren County Fairgrounds

Sponsored by: Wrong Turn Trail Riders Hosted by: Skyline Riders 4-H Horse and Pet Club

Many things planned for the day, including Mini’s, Carriage Driving, Heather and her Boys and more. Plan to eat, shop and be entertained. Some seating provided, but bring your own chair and spend the day with us.

If you would like to participate or would like to set up as a Vendor, please call us or visit our website at: www.wcequineextravaganza.com Debbi Garrett: 540-422-1625 Kelly Smith: 540-305-7466 Jena Kennedy: 540-305-4722

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 11

“I commented that there was another word vis-Ă -vis annexation, it is consolidation. I felt that it was time to look at consolidation; I was hoping to OPEN the discussion.â€? – WC Board Chairman Dan Murray on liaison meeting remark

Front Royal/Warren Co

Participants react to liaison discussion of consolidation

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report

We asked Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman Dan Murray about his consolidation remarks at the March 20 Front Royal-Warren County Liaison Committee meeting and the reaction to it (see related story). “I commented that there was another word vis-Ă -vis annexation, it is consolidation. I felt that it was time to look at consolidation; I was hoping to OPEN the discussion. I mentioned we should let the people decide the issue; at some point put it on the ballot. We constantly hear “annexationâ€?, what is wrong with the word consoli-

dation? I said we realize it would not take place in a day, month, and so on.�

At the liaison meeting Murray stated that potential consolidation of the town and county has been broached by both his board and the public.

Of that public comment, Murray observed, “most have responded in favor of consolidation. The feedback that I have received has been from town and county residents – when I say county I refer to those who live outside the town limits.�

However, his perception of his liaison committee feedback was a tad different – “Reaction from the Town was rather adversarial; it felt like I was under attack,� Murray observed.

We asked Front Royal Mayor Tim Darr about his perception of the exchange following Murray’s liaison committee raising of consolidation as a possible future course for Front Royal and Warren County. “To be honest with you I was a little surprised when the subject was brought up. The issue I had with Chairman Murray’s comments about consolidation had nothing to do with the topic itself, but more with the venue in which it was discussed,� the mayor replied. “The rules of the liaison meetings are very clear and defined in the agreement signed by both the town and county. I expressed that to him when he brought it up and asked if he was speaking for

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his board or for himself? He stated that his board had discussed it, but it clearly was not on the liaison agenda.�

Darr added that he feared that such improvised additions could jeopardize the future of liaison meetings, which he noted had been dropped for awhile during a previous time of contentious town-county relations. “The liaison meeting has been very successful for both the town and county to have a forum to discuss issues that are in the common interest and good of them both. And my concern is that if the rules of the meeting are not followed and it becomes tainted by personal agendas and comments, it will once again be dissolved as it was in the past,� Darr observed, adding, “I told him that I too had heard about consolidation and in the proper format would be willing to discuss it. But at that time I feel the board of supervisors should also be willing to discuss annexation if the council desires to do so.�

As for the county’s other March 20 meeting representative, Linda Glavis, who managed to lighten the liaison mood with her “like-the-Ukraine� comment, told us simply, “I’m open to exploring the options.�

At issue will be how the remainder (and three member majority) of the county board feels about it.

First indicator

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An indicator from the county’s side came at an April 1 work session. The board unanimously approved inclusion of “consolidation� for discussion at the next quarterly liaison meeting – well, it was April Fools Day.

Here we go again – 2010 file photo However, so as not to appear foolish, or perhaps too foolhardy or aggressive, Tony Carter noted the liaison inclusion would simply be to get feedback from the town side on how interested they were in pursuing a preliminary look back into the myriad legal and technical dynamics of potential consolidation of the Town of Front Royal and Warren County.

As for his letting this “cat� unexpectedly out of the bag on March 20, Murray told his board, “I probably should have told everyone I would raise it – but I didn’t. I was just tired of hearing the other word, “annexation�.

The county board consensus was that any future discussion of consolidation should be “transparent� with public input, as suggested by Murray on March 20. “Let’s rock & roll,� Murray concluded of future exploration of another possible option to ease ongoing friction between the town and county governments.

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Page 12 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

“There’s money in the budget, we can build a police department, we can do exactly as we have planned for Leach’s Run Parkway and in fact, we would probably still have more surplus in the millions with our current budget, that’s just a fact.� – Tom Sayre

Front Royal

Council votes 4-2 to approve Real Estate tax increase $220k annual revenue stream to new police station and N-S connector

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report Despite a lengthy accounting of a supposed abundance of town fund reserves and annual profits negating the need for a tax increase described by Councilman Tom Sayre on March 24, the Front Royal Town Council approved a 2-cent hike to its existing Real Estate tax rate of 11 cents per $100 of assessed value to

be included in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget.

Perhaps because when questioned by other council members, staff disputed Sayre’s interpretation of numbers provided to him, this time the vote was 4-2 in favor of including the tax increase, precluding the necessity of the mayor having to cast a tiebreaking vote. Hollis Tharpe broke ranks with fellow first-reading vote opponents Sayre and Daryl

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Plowing beyond the non-Gregorian Calendar reference, Sayre noted two subsequent and declining General Fund balances of $1,953,281 and more recently “around $900,000â€?. “Even taking the most conservative view, the strictest view (of the General Fund balance) each hundred thousand dollars represents a million dollars that we could do a bond with ‌ so, we could do up to $8 million dollars and we could still have a balanced budget if we did a bond with that [money],â€? Sayre told his colleagues.

He went on to cite other assets he claimed totaled another $2.16 million, including the $600,000 bump in sales tax from the thousand plus imported construction workers at the Dominion Power Plant site.

Sayre’s opposition was based in his ongoing belief the town has annual budget surpluses and consequent reserves to pay for the two capital improvement projects without increasing revenue. In an attempt to make good on his March 10 promise to provide detail on the availability of such reserves, Sayre began his opposition by citing subsequent 0DLQ 6WUHHW ‡ )URQW 5R\DO 9$ conversations with both the town Showtimes: 622-9997 manager and town finance director, both of whom seemed somewhat www.royal-cinemas.com perplexed by the councilman’s interMASTERS OF ALL THINGS * Birthday Parties! * pretation of the data they gave him.

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mandated upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant (total cost now estimated at $40 million).

Besides any confusion over how all this debt might negate the need for new revenue, the accuracy of Sayre’s assertions on town cash reserves may have been brought into question by an early reference to a General Fund balance of $2,048,281 “as of June 31â€? (now let’s see – “30 days have September, April, June and November ‌â€?).

For this observer Sayre’s repeated references to a “June 31� fund balance last year left one to wonder if by his calendar, the fiscal year beginning date of July 1 doesn’t really exist, rendering such municipal budget discussions irrelevant in the first place.

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The $225,000 of estimated annual revenue produced by the tax increase is earmarked specifically to help fund construction of a new Front Royal Police headquarters ($4 million) and the town’s share ($2.4 million) of the total $12-million cost of construction of the new northsouth connector Leach’s Run Parkway near the town-county east side boundary between Happy Creek Road and John Marshall Highway.

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 13

“Mr. Mayor, can we get some elaboration from staff? Because I didn’t realize we were rolling in a $2-million surplus every year – if that’s the case I don’t think we have to do anything,” Hrbek said of Sayre’s numbers. Ah, if it’s too good to be true – it probably isn’t. And it wasn’t.

Voodoo economics rebuttal

began by asking Sayre where the money would come from to pay off the bond he was suggesting to cover the two capital improvement projects?

“Right here in the budget,” Sayre said, pointing to the $890,000 in General Fund reserves. Pressed by

First, Bret Hrbek challenged Sayre’s conclusions, asking both the town manager and finance director to elaborate on what they told Sayre, as well as the accuracy of Sayre’s assessment of that information. Hrbek

Hrbek, Sayre again expressed some surprise that fund balance had actually gone down over the course of the current budget cycle. He returned to the “June 31” General Fund reserve balance of $2,048,281, calling it a $2 million annual surplus realized by the town.

“Mr. Mayor, can we get some elaboration from staff? Because I didn’t realize we were rolling in a $2 million surplus every year – if that’s the case I don’t think we have to do anything,” Hrbek said of Sayre’s numbers.

Ah, if it’s too good to be true – it probably isn’t.

And it wasn’t.

Town Finance Director Kim Gilkey-Breeden came to the podium at Hrbek’s request and noted that the “surplus” number Sayre was

Front Royal referencing was the fluctuating unencumbered General Fund balance brought down by a variety of annual factors. Pressed by Hrbek on the nature of that current $890,000 reserve, the finance director agreed it was not an annual surplus, but rather the town’s General Fund reserve, which would be “gone” if removed to fund a bond payment.

Of the pay-the-bond-with-theGeneral-Fund-reserve idea, the finance director observed, “You’re going to take out a 20-year loan, so you’re going to be 11 years short.”

Gilkey-Breeden also noted that the $600,000 sales tax revenue bump provided by the Dominion Power Plant work force had helped prop up the General Fund reserve last year, as Sayre asserted. However, she added that she did not anticipate that

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revenue stream recurring in coming budget cycles as that construction project winds down and its work force leaves the area.

Then Gene Tewalt took a shot at Sayre’s General Fund “surplus” notion. He noted that in addition to the $95,000 Hrbek pointed out was recently removed from the General Fund balance to cover additional snow removals costs this winter, the town had removed another $156,000 to upgrade the town’s phone system; $50,000 for computer upgrades; and $100,000 for the trail expansion project (a Sayre favorite).

“So, that’s $456,000 we’ve taken out of the General Fund alone – and that hasn’t been for emergencies other than what we took out for snow removal. Nine-hundred thousand dollars isn’t a whole lot of money, guys,” Tewalt said to his colleagues. “It’s a lot of money to me, but not to run a town.”

Of Sayre’s idea to remove the General Fund reserve to pay off a capital improvement bond, Tewalt, a former town public works department director, stated, “That’s not the way you operate a town or your home. If we operated our home the way we operate the town sometimes, we’d all be broke and in bankruptcy.”

Despite the somewhat confusing mix of existing and pending Enterprise Fund debt and potential if unrealized future revenue, Sayre’s revenue-expenditure portrait for the town was rosy – at least in his own eyes.

“There’s money in the budget, we can build a police department, we can do exactly as we have planned for Leach’s Run Parkway and in fact, See TOWN TAXES, 14

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Page 14 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

Nine-hundred thousand dollars isn’t a whole lot of money, guys. It’s a lot of money to me, but not to run a town.� – Gene Tewalt on colleague’s plan to pay a bond issue with General Fund reserves

PublicRoyal Front safety

Tom Sayre in process of losing one of two votes in support of opposing a real estate tax hike to fund police department and parkway construction.

TOWN TAXES, from 13

we would probably still have more surplus in the millions with our current budget, that’s just a fact. Now, if you guys don’t want to float a bond and build a very good, solid police department and you want to raise taxes, which clearly aren’t necessary, but if you want a bigger budget and you want to go ahead and do it, there’s nothing I can do to stop you,�

Sayre concluded.

And eventually, either in spite or because of his budget dissertation, he was right – at least for now.

Four of six councilmen decided to forward the town’s FY 2015 budget with the 2-cent Real Estate tax increase designed to build town reserves by $225,000 per year to pay for the coming bond issue to build a new police station and the town share of Leach’s Run Parkway.

Other opposition The other vote against the tax in-

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crease was cast by Daryl Funk. Funk has stated he thought putting aside funds for the new town police headquarters could be pushed back a year until actual construction was closer to beginning. He also suggested transferring fund balance reserves to produce cash flow, as well as pursuit of a private-sector contract to fund construction of Leach’s Run Parkway, at least the town’s portion of it.

Coincidentally, some of the several million dollars in road transportation proffer money offered by FRLP developer David Vazzana as part of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement on its requested friendly boundary adjustment of 604 acres on the town-county’s east side have been discussed for that very use.

However, there is no set timeframe on when planned development of that property will occur, consequently kicking in availability of such private-sector funding.

In fact, what appeared to be rou-

tine approval of an ordinance accepting that FRLP land into the town limits upon approval by a state court panel ended up being anything but routine that night (see related story).

Not Santa, the Sunset Clause A good deal of pre-vote conversation was devoted to the legal dynamics of including a “Sunset Clause� that would remove the tax increase once the two capital improvement projects it is designed to help fund are paid for. Tharpe introduced the “Sunset Clause� idea prior to the March 10, first-vote reading. It was unanimously adopted by council.

However on March 24, Town Attorney Doug Napier explained that while council could include a paragraph stating its intention to remove the tax once the projects the money is earmarked for were paid off, such a statement of intent was not legally binding on future councils. In

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response to questions, Napier further elaborated that the tax increase would not automatically “drop off � at the time the projects were completed, rather a future council would have to authorize removal of the two cents from the town’s Real Estate tax rate.

Regardless of those vagaries, Tharpe appeared satisfied that he and council were doing what they could to assure the increase would not be retained beyond its stated uses; uses no one on council has expressed opposition to.

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 15

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Front Royal

Council reviewing $39.2-million FY-2015 Budget

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report Town of Front Royal Finance Director Kim Gilkey-Breeden presented the town council with an FY2015 Budget Summary at a March 31 work session. With this reporter’s eyes having already crossed from the five town and county budget stories already written for this issue, I will summarize that presentation as concisely as possible.

The town’s proposed FY 2015 Budget and departmental percentage of the budget total: ¡ $39,236,120 – Total Budget; ¡ $12,151,950 – General Fund (31%); ¡ $4,758,385 – Water Fund (12%); ¡ $4,683,205 – Sewer Fund (12%); ¡ $996,600 – Solid Waste Fund (3%); ¡ $16,645,780 – Electric Fund (42%) And while power generation and purchase is the largest portion of the town budget, council and staff members have noted the town was just recognized for the second consecutive year as having the lowest municipal and non-profit electric rate in Virginia.

Of the $12.1-million General Fund, which covers five administrative departments, as well as emergency and retirement fund expenditures,

Personnel accounts for $7.64 million (63%); Operations & Management for $2.72 million (22%); and capital reserves $1.77 million (16%).

While the General Fund total is just over a quarter of one percent (.28%) over last year’s, it is the only of the town’s five funds to show a decrease (minus-5%) over a seven-year period.

Over that same period the various Enterprise Funds supporting town utilities and public works departments have increased: ¡ Water Fund, 6.69%; ¡ Sewer Fund, 78.56% (from rate increases enacted largely in anticipation of the coming $40-million capital improvement project mandated by the state and federal governments due to the town’s lying in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and dumping its waste into the Shenandoah River (the mandate is designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay’s aquatic life and regionally and nationally-crucial fishing industry); ¡ Solid Waste, 7.12%; ¡ Electric, 20.31%.

The budget proposal includes a 4.8-percent increase to the town’s employer contribution to employee health insurance coverage; no pay hikes; continuation of the Master Police Officer (MPO) Program; es-

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“I just want to make sure we’re covered,� Tewalt said of potential approval of a two-party VSA. “Then my recommendation is you don’t approve the 2-party agreement, only the 3-way agreement, and we’ll take our chances the court will approve the 3-way agreement,� Napier replied.

Front Royal

Council delays action accepting Engle’s Angle: FRLP friendly annexation Fat Wallets and Sore Butts

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report

What appeared to be routine passage of an ordinance accepting a Voluntary Settlement Agreement that would bring 604 undeveloped acres of Front Royal Limited Partnership (FRLP) land into the town limits upon court approval ended up being far from routine at the March 24 Front Royal Town Council meeting.

A court panel will rule on the citizeninitiated annexation after what is expected to be a positive recommendation from the state Commission on Local Government (CLG).

It seemed a routine matter because a Voluntary Settlement Agreement (VSA) moving the land earmarked for future residential and mixed commercial development from the county to the town was agreed upon by both municipalities after being officially requested by FRLP principal David Vazzana in September 2012.

However, the fact that the members of the CLG believe a legal agreement on the boundary adjustment can only include the two municipalities created problems for several councilmen.

First, Vice-Mayor Shae Parker urged caution, stating, “I don’t want to see this fail but I’m not prepared to vote in the affirmative at this point – I have more questions than answers right now.� Parker suggested postponing action pending a revisiting of the legal parameters of a potential agreement at an April 4 work session.

Councilman Gene Tewalt followed Parker’s concern by observing that he had one major question himself – how the two-party agreement suggested by the CLG would or would not bind a future owner-developer if

Vazzana sold the land.

Among terms in the VSA are over $10.2 million in proffers to the county alone, along with $12 million to $16 million in road and transportation infrastructure money.

Both the town and county attorneys have stated they believe the CLG, which they pointed out does not include any attorneys, is misinterpreting state law regarding a Voluntary Settlement Agreement to boundary adjust the property. Consequently the two municipal attorneys who have worked closely on development of the VSA have suggested the town and county submit both a two and three-party Voluntary Settlement Agreement to be considered by a three-judge state panel, following what is anticipated to be a positive recommendation by the CLG, allowing the court to rule on the legality of the three-party agreement favored by the town and county.

The Warren County Board of Supervisors has already unanimously approved submission of both a two and three-party Voluntary Settlement Agreement.

Town Attorney Doug Napier tried to reassure council that any transfer of ownership would logically include a new owner signing onto the agreedupon parameters of the planned development, including a maximum residential buildout of 818 units, as well as the per-unit and general road infrastructure proffers cited in the agreement.

However, Tewalt continued to worry that the town “wouldn’t have a leg to stand on� were a two-party agreement approved and later Vazzana sold the property to another developer. “I want to assure that the property owner, which is Mr. Vazzana now, is

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bound as well,� Tewalt said.

Napier reasoned that any future sales agreement between Vazzana and another developer would require the buyer to become a signatory to the parameters of the Voluntary Settlement Agreement. “I just want to make sure we’re covered,� Tewalt said of potential court approval of the two-party agreement, rather than the municipally-preferred, three-party VSA. “Then my recommendation is you don’t approve the two-party agreement, only the three-way agreement, and we’ll take our chances the court will approve the three-way agreement,� Napier replied.

The town attorney noted the county had already forwarded both versions of the VSA and said that he and County Attorney Blair Mitchell both felt the two-party VSA wouldn’t be constitutionally valid in the current circumstance.

That circumstance is that the property owner brought forth a citizen-initiated request for a friendly boundary adjustment or – dare we say it, annexation.

Napier elaborated that he and Mitchell believed the statute the CLG members, who are past municipal planners or planning professionals, were basing their opinion on was not written anticipating a third-party, private citizen-driven initiative.

After questioning Vazzana, who deferred to the town attorney’s opinion on legalities, council asked if there were any “drop-dead� deadlines approaching on the agreement.

Assured there were not by Napier, council voted unanimously to table action and take the issue up at the April 4 work session, with a vote likely at the April 14 regular council meeting.

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By Kevin S. Engle Warren County Report Women take a lot of heat for all the junk they lug around in their purse. I don’t own a purse, but I’m seriously thinking about it.

My wallet just ain’t gettin’ it done anymore. I need more space.

As of this very moment, here’s what you’ll find inside my fat wallet.

Thirty-eight bucks. A twenty, a ten, a five and three ones.

A lot of plastic, including three credit cards. I get airline miles on two and free clothes on the other. I only use the clothes card a few times a year.

A bank card. I don’t use it all that much either.

A grocery store card.

My driver’s license.

My AAA card.

My medical and prescription cards.

A Dairy Queen gift card my cousin gave me for my birthday.

I love that card.

Three other gift cards.

A library card.

An AARP card.

A discount card compliments of my electric company.

I haven’t used it yet and don’t know that I will.

An old StaplesŽ shopping card. Every time I’m in the store, the clerk examines it closely and says something like, “I’ve never seen one like this before.�

A card showing when I had my last tetanus shot. I’m due for another.

My dental card.

And lastly, my voter registration card, another one that doesn’t come out all that much.

And there’d be more, like a Best Buy card and a pharmacy card, but I’ve opted for the key chain mini cards instead, which makes my key ring all that much clunkier. And clunky key chains are another reason why I need

that purse.

I don’t want to carry around all this stuff, but I have to. You never know when you might need it.

But there’s a price to pay. And speaking of but, my butt pays it, getting sore from sitting on a fat wallet. It bothers me the most when I’m driving. I have to do that butt shift every now and then to get comfortable.

And my wallet pays the price too, with stretch marks from all the stuff I’ve crammed in it. It’s looking pretty sad.

I’m long overdue for a new one. The truth is, I have a new one. My wife got it for me several years ago. I see it every day when I set my old one on top of it. I want to use it, but it doesn’t have enough pockets for all my cards.

And that’s why I need a purse.

But if I get a purse, people will make fun of me. I don’t want people to make fun of me.

Maybe I’ll get a satchel instead, like the Pony Express Riders used. But then I’ll need a horse.

I haven’t been on a horse in a long time. Talk about getting a sore butt.

Here’s a plus. If a horse is your primary mode of transportation, you don’t need car keys either.

Giddy up!

The author recently applied for a job with the Pony Express. Look for him in your neighborhood. – kevinengle456@comcast.net

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 17

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com • 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com • 540-551-2072

Warren County

County proposes three tax hikes to cover revenue shortfall Board joins town council in pondering 2-cent real estate tax increase

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report

utes, the first half hour spent with public school administrators, the board voted 4-1 (Murray dissenting) to authorize advertisement of a Fiscal Year 2015 budget with three tax hikes.

Murray later told us his negative vote was cast because he thought the board hadn’t spent enough time that day reviewing possible cuts to the proposed budget – “I could have abstained but just decided to vote against it at this point�.

However, the majority view appeared to be that those details could be hashed out over the intervening 20 days before a final budget is scheduled to be voted on at the April 15 regular board meeting. A public hearing on the FY 2015 budget will be held at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 8.

I know, I know – you’re heading to the medicine chest for “vapors�

At a March 25 Special Meeting of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, final details of funding requests from county public schools and negative impacts on the sheriff ’s office budget from opening of the RSW Regional Jail were reviewed, along with updated revenue and expenditure numbers. Following nearly 90 min-

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to still that fluttering heartbeat – THREE tax increases (FOUR if you live in town and factor in council’s proposed 2-cent real estate tax hike)!??!

Do not panic, average county householder! – One newly broached tax hike is specific to certain businesses (machinery & tool tax); another to owners of airplanes housed at the county’s general aviation airport (airplane tax).

Only the third proposed hike is a general tax increase – the already publicly-discussed 2-cent hike to the county real estate tax rate (from 59 cents to 61 cents per $100 of assessed value, compared to the town’s increase from 11 cents to 13 cents per $100 of assessed value).

The three county tax increases are projected to produce a total of $1,091,000 in additional revenue for the county, as follows:

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¡ Real Estate: each penny equals estimated $372,000; +2 cents = $744,000; ¡ Machinery & Tools: each penny equals $5,154, increase from $1.30 to $1.95, +65 cents = $335,000; ¡ Airplane: from 50 cents to $1 (+50 cents) = $12,000.

The balance of what had been anticipated as a $3.4-million revenue shortfall has been dealt with in large part by a combination of cuts and use of reserve funds.

Those include: ¡ $104,363 in cuts to “Outside Agencyâ€? funding; ¡ $60,537 by elimination of two “FFâ€? (firefighter) positions; ¡ $5,000 reduction in Swiftwater Rescue Compensation; ¡ $25,000 by elimination of a new Softball Concession Stand; ¡ $300,000 by Reduction of Contingency Funds, from $450,000 to

$150,000; ¡ $865,000 through utilization of Fund Balances (reserves) for a variety of expenditures, including: 1. Site Improvements (2), $190,000; 2. Potable Water System, $75,000; 3. Telephone Upgrades, $25,000; 4. Capital Improvements, $50,000 5. Capital Outlays for: Fork, Eastham Park, Soccerplex, Fishnet Property, Compactor sites, totaling $375,000; 6. Elimination of Revenue Sharing Increase ($50,000), coupled with use of $150,000 from Fund Balance; To summarize all this as painlessly as possible: A/ the county had anticipated a $3.4 million revenue shortfall; B/ three tax increases on the table See COUNTY TAXES, 18

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Page 18 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Mid April, 2014

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Warren County COUNTY TAXES, from 17

will provide an additional $1.09 million; C/ cuts and adjustments will reduce $1.6 million from the budget; D/ the use of $865,000 in reserves and a $300,000 reduction to the Contingency Fund removes the need for another $1.165 million in revenue.

Despite what must have been a massive numbers-juggling effort by the county Finance Department, with inter-departmental liaison assistance or arm-bending (take your pick) from the Administrative offices since a March 11 budget work session, when the time came to make a motion to authorize advertisement of a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2015 budget as set forth over the last 90 minutes, paralysis set in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; almost.

Archie Fox made the motion to authorize advertisement of an April 8 Budget Public Hearing that includes the three above-described tax increases, cuts and adjustments. However, his motion

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was met by SILENCE, prolonged SILENCE. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are we going to get a second?â&#x20AC;? the chair asked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not from a Republican,â&#x20AC;? Dick Traczyk replied (the board is made up of four Republicans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Traczyk, Murray, Fox and Carter, with one non-affiliated conservative, Glavis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to square one â&#x20AC;&#x201C; should we go get [school officials] Pam and Rob back?â&#x20AC;? someone asked.

That sobering thought galvanized action, though as predicted, not from a Republican, as Glavis reluctantly seconded Foxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motion.

Discussion following the meeting indicated that the quartet of Republican supervisors were dealing with passage of a Resolution at the annual Warren County Republican Committee Mass Meeting of March 21 that, as described to

us, stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that no good Republican will vote for a tax increase.â&#x20AC;? A subsequent call to newly-elected Republican Committee Chairman Steve Kurtz verified passage of such a resolution at an apparently eventful annual meeting.

As for the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to absorb the use of its reserves to balance the coming budget, we asked County Administrator Doug Stanley how that use will impact the goal of maintaining a minimum 15-percent cash reserve.

That figure is the one suggested by the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bond consultants to maintain a high, double or tripleA rating.

The county administrator said the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reserve had been at $17.1 million before factoring in the proposed use of $865,000 to balance the FY-2015 budget and whatever other uses may be on the table. With all deductions proposed the reserve balance will be

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$1.6 million in outright cuts, as well as the use of another $865,000 in reserves and another $300,000 cut to contingency funding.

Such authorization doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mandate passage of all aspects of a proposed budget; it simply allows them to be put on the table for final consideration. Failure to authorize inclusion of any element in the advertised budget eliminates them from consideration.

But hey, if strict adherence to partisanship and/or an unbending political ideology is good enough for Richmond and D.C., I guess it is good enough for us out here in the provinces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or is it?

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$14,887,485, which is still above the 15-percent level ($13,615,525) of the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current FY-2014 budget of $90.7 million.

Still, one has to wonder at the impact on the conduct of government at any level, to such a partisan commitment to, or intimidation by such blanket ideological statements as NEVER approve increasing governmental revenue without consideration of the specific variables at hand. I mean on March 25, the county board was only authorizing advertisement of a public hearing on a budget including the ability to raise $1.09 million in revenue to help balance a budget already submitted with

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Warren County

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Warren County Public School Administrator Pamela McInnis pointed out that single teachers here pay $265 monthly into employee-only health care coverage compared to Frederick County single teacher payments of $98 ($166.77 less).

Teachers join legion of county employees seeing no raise County may try to help with soaring teacher health care contributions

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report Among items on the budget cutting board of the Warren County Board of Supervisors during a March 25 Special Meeting were any increases to public school teacher and employee salaries requested by the school board. Of course, public school teachers are joined by all county employees in singing the no pay-raise blues this year.

While perhaps seeing the writing on the (budget) wall for raises, of particular concern to school officials was an exceptionally high employee health care contribution compared to at least one nearby

public school system competitor for qualified employees. Warren County Public School Administrator Pamela McInnis pointed out that single teachers here pay $265 monthly into employee-only health care coverage compared to Frederick County single teacher payments of $98 ($166.77 less).

School Finance Director Rob Ballentine elaborated that those relative payments were for comparable coverage, rather than “a CadillacChevrolet” comparison indicating better coverage for local employees compared to that received by Frederick County teachers for about three-fifths less in monthly payments.

Warren numbers were closer,

even favorable in one case, for employee-child coverage ($19.18 more) and employee-family coverage ($9.43 less), but showed another big gap in employee-spouse coverage ($141.71 more).

The schools superintendent also observed that significant portions of teachers are females of childbaring age; or older, more experienced teachers, two factors entailing the need for additional health care services that drive this, or any system with a comparable work

force’s, health insurance rates up.

In the wake of receiving that information it appears the county will move to pick up a larger portion of school system employee contributions to their health care coverage. Later discussion after the departure of the school officials indicated a possible appropriation of around $500,000 to soften the school employees’ health care cost burden. Of course that contribution may be dependent on the board’s willingness to institute all

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three of its proposed tax increases to generate over a million dollars in new revenue (see related stories).

In a March 18 letter from McInnis to the county administrator summarizing the school board’s approved FY-2015 budget request, McInnis cited $1,026,513 to cover additional employer contributions to health care coverage. McInnis wrote that both that and another See TEACHERS, 22

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 21

Loving Arms Assisted Living presents:

SPOTLIGHT ON

Viola Becktel Viola Becktel was born Viola H. Ortegon on April 29, 1925 in Los Angeles, California. The oldest of 9 children, she helped to raise many of her younger siblings. She attended Roosevelt High School. After graduation she worked for Sears & Roebuck Company in Los Angeles.

She met and married Charles Becktel in 1947 after he returned home from serving in the U.S. Army during WWII in the South Pacific. They purchased a home in Whittier, California in 1949. They had two children, Douglas Becktel, currently of Strasburg, Virginia and Marie (Becktel) Jeanette, who lives in Carmichael, California. Marie is soon to be relocating to Ophelia, Virginia where she and her husband Chris have purchased a home. Viola has 4 grandchildren and one great-grandson, Charlie who was born on January 11, 2014.

Viola and Charlie loved family camping vacations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and family beach parties and picnics. They lived in Whitter until Charlie’s death in 1997. Afterwards, Viola located to Folsom, California to be closer to her daughter Marie. Viola moved to Virginia and Loving Arms to be closer to Doug and his wife Joyce in April of 2011.

Viola spent her married years being a house wife and a mother. She attended cosmetology school and became a hairdresser for a number of years. Then she worked as a medical tech in a Doctor’s office until retirement. She has always been active in the Catholic Church and enjoys being able to attend St. John the Baptist here in Front Royal on Sunday mornings. Viola loves word puzzles and jigsaw puzzles and ice cream.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

~ April 2014 ~

April 18th~ Easter Parade 1:00pm April 20th~ Easter Sunday We at Loving Arms are dedicated to providing a nurturing family environment where individuals can continue their life journey with dignity, respect & integrity.

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Page 22 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Mid April, 2014

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Warren County TEACHERS, from 20

$752,403 to cover the requested 2percent full-time employee salary increase â&#x20AC;&#x153;are necessary for us to be competitive with surrounding school districts.â&#x20AC;?

With the 2 percent pay raise funding already gone, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guess how much of the requested $1.026 million to cover additional employer health care

contributions will remain with a predominantly Republican board apparently torn on including any additional revenue-generating taxes in its final budget.

Asked by County Board Chairman Dan Murray if Warren was acting as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;training groundâ&#x20AC;? for other nearby county school systems due to wage and related factors like higher health care costs, McInnis said she believed not as

much as in recent years when the system was losing 70 to 80 teachers per year across county lines.

However, she elaborated that advantages offered by nearby systems related to living costs and proximity of affordable housing to schools entailing less travel expense for young teachers continued to play a negative role in the school systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to retain teachers.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you get $4,000 on a STEP increase it counts for more there (Frederick County),â&#x20AC;? McInnis stated, pointing to those factors surrounding better housing options and less commuter expense from living closer to work.

McInnis also commented on a relatively new factor in teacher retention, a changing cultural tendency for younger people to make several career changes during their lifetime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see people come in and stay in teaching for 30 years as we have in the past.

There is more of a trend to career changes,â&#x20AC;? McInnis observed.

Growing pains â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we want to be competitive but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still going through growing pains,â&#x20AC;? Fork District Supervisor Archie Fox commented, seemingly echoing the thoughts of his board colleagues.

Those â&#x20AC;&#x153;growing painsâ&#x20AC;? as they directly apply to the school system lie largely in the huge investment the county made in capital improvements, beginning in 2007 with the opening of the two new high schools, continuing through the 2009-10 renovation of the old high school into a modern middle school and continuing with the planned and already-delayed construction of a second middle school.

That latter, still-on-the-table capital improvement is pressing harder as eighth graders now housed at the high schools push those facilities close to design capacities not supposed to be reached until around 2020. Warren County Middle School is also being pushed toward its capacity early despite the absence of eighth graders, simply by housing all the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sixth and seventh graders.

And despite the school administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gratefulness for those long-overdue capital improvements, as McInnis told the supervisors at an earlier budget work session, the school system still needs adequate funding to maintain provision of quality education to students inside those new, state of the art buildings. And it would seem retention of qualified, experienced teachers is part of that quality-educational equation.

Lost revenue â&#x20AC;Ś Board Chair Murray commented that the school system appeared to

be losing funding at both the state and federal levels, further complicating local funding requirements.

McInnis noted that the governor had proposed a state budget that would include a 2-percent pay increase for public school teachers.

However, she also observed that the state House had already voted that budget down (as part of the ongoing state budget impasse over adoption of Medicaid Expansion). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope to have a budget by May 1st,â&#x20AC;? McInnis said with any state money still in limbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So do we,â&#x20AC;? Murray added. â&#x20AC;Ś and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Clean Budgetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;?

The entire conversation took this observer back the Warren Board of Supervisors unanimous March 18 adoption of a so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clean Budgetâ&#x20AC;? Resolution circulated by state House Republicans.

Ironic perhaps, that the supposedly â&#x20AC;&#x153;unclean budgetâ&#x20AC;? the new Democratic governor campaigned on last year, also approved by the state Senate this year, includes funding that would help not only Warren, but all Virginia counties,

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Mid April, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Page 23

Warren County

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we want to be competitive but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still going through growing pains.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fork District Supervisor Archie Fox on county budget dilemma deal with some of the local school and emergency services funding issues they are struggling with.

Or as one of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship daily newspapers, The Virginia Pilot, pointed out in a March 25 Editorial, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Additional savings through Medicaid expansion and other adjustments allowed (Governor) McAuliffe to propose a 2 percent pay raise for state employees and state-supported local employees, including teachers; allocate more funding for mental health services and preschool; and provide millions more in aid to localities burdened by the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failure to properly fund the Line of Duty Act, a worthy state law that mandates compensation and benefits

to survivors of state and local public safety officers who died on the job. Those efforts directly confront House Republicansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arguments that a budget proposal should be passed without considering Medicaid expansion.â&#x20AC;? (But hey, never let budget facts or comprehension of local, state and federal economic realities interfere with a statewide, partisan redefining of reality in an ongoing five-year, nationwide partisan political effort to simply discredit a sitting Democratic President of the United States â&#x20AC;&#x201C; right boys and girls?)

3 for 8: not bad in baseball â&#x20AC;Ś Over the past eight years since

the economic crash of 2008, school employees have received three raises, in FY-2009 (4 percent), FY2013 (7 percent*) and FY-2014 (state-enabled 2 percent), as well as a one-time supplement allocated in FY-2011 out of the previous year school budget reserves to try to cover gaps in lagging COLA increases.

The asterisk by the FY-2013 hike was due to a new and mandatory 5-percent employee contribution to the Virginia Retirement System.

So, according to Schools Finance Director Rob Ballentine, after deducting that VRS contribution and Social Security tax implications, the actual FY-2013 raise averaged between 1 percent and 1-1/2 per-

cent depending on the employee salary level.

Of the current budget year (FY2014) increase, the state contributed $324,241, leaving the county to cover $417,706 of the total amount of $741,947 to realize that state-propelled 2-percent pay hike.

Numbers, more numbers â&#x20AC;Ś The budget approved by the Warren County School Board on March 13 to be presented to the county had a total operating budget of $52,970,992. That is a $3,064,231 increase over the current school budget of $49,906,761.

Of that $3.06 million increase, $1,924,234 (9.3 percent) was in local funding.

The School Board Budget summary notes that with flat funding from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s county number and no salary increase, the pro-

jected FY-2015 school system costs would be $50,977,550, with projected revenue of $51,046,758 (+$69,208).

On the positive side of numbers, school officials also noted an anticipated profit in the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food service contract, with projected expenditures of $2,330,188 and revenue of $2,460,188 (+$130,000).

Had the school budget been approved as presented, its $52.9-million on top of the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working non-school operating budget of $44,047,637 would have made for an FY-2015 county budget of $96.9 million, compared to last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $90,770,169, the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first budget to top the $90-million mark. But with the supervisorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; emphasis appearing to be paring back, the final county budget number appears to be inching back toward that FY 2014 number. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; rogerb@warrencountyreport.com

As Doug Stanley explains financial variables on bond issues, glum school officials in background ponder possible one or two-year delay on new middle school.

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Calendar Friday, April 4 Forecast 77° | 43° 10am - 11am Shenandoah Park Ceremony. Skyline High School, Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal. Shenandoah National Park invites you to join the United States Mint and National Park Service for the ceremonial launch of the Shenandoah National Park quarter, the 22nd to be released in the exciting America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The ceremonial release of the newest America the Beautiful quarter will be held at the Skyline High School Auditorium. FREE and HISTORIC event.

1:30pm - 2:30pm Education Committee. Chamber Office.

Saturday, April 5 Forecast 64° | 37° 7am - 7pm Pancake day. Jim Barnett Park, Memorial Bldg, Winchester.

Hosted by Winchester Kiwanis. Tickets $6 at the door, $5 in advance.

8am - 12pm Community Shred.

Shockey Cos. parking lot, 1057 Martinsburg Pike. Winchester. Shred up to 5 boxes of paper docs free of charge.

10am - 1pm Open House. Cornerstone Holistic Health, 2400 Valley Ave. St.1-LL, Winchester. Open House till 1pm. Then join us for “The oil zone” Essential Oil Basics. Learn all about essential oils.

11am - 12pm Saturday Family Story Time. Samuels Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Bring the whole family to the cozy, dreamy blue play area for an assortment of exciting stories with Miss Tamara. A perfect way to spend an enjoyable Saturday morning.

11am - 3pm Kite Fest. Sherando Park, Stephens City. Bring your whole family and your kites! Members of the Richmond Air Force will be on hand to discuss the science behind kite flying, the history of kites, and, weather permitting, they will be demonstrating some high-flying kite tricks!

There will be food and craft vendors on hand, and all sorts of kites available for purchase. Contact Frederick County Parks & Recreation for more information at (540) 665-5678.

2pm - 3pm Book Bites. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Come in and share your favorite book with other teens. Get inspired by others’ favorites as well. Good food and conversation. For ages 12 and up.

Please register.

5pm - 9:30pm 4th Annual Casino Night. Boyce Volunteer Fire Company Social Hall, Boyce. Doors open at 5pm. $500 funny money for play with admission. $40 donation per person.

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Seventeen tables, cash bar. Proceeds to support Rotary of Clarke County.

For information and tickets contact Rieman Royston at (540) 303-3504 or rroyston@hnfunkhouser.com 5:30pm - 6:30pm Athletic Association Cash Fair. Holiday Inn & Suites Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows, Hospitality Drive, Front Royal. Please join in for the Cash Fair to benefit Skyline Athletic Association & Warren Wildcat Athletic Association tonight. Admission:$40 per person - Grand Prize $1,500 Cash. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. There will be a Silent Auction and drawing - cash bar.

Ticket must be present to win. No one under 21 will be admitted. The SAA/ WWAA reserves the right to cancel if 200 tickets are not sold. Please contact: Barbry Deavers at barbrydeavers@gmail.com or (540) 335-5998 or Maria Bolton at maria.bolton08@ gmail.com or (540) 327-2680.

Sunday, April 6 Forecast 68° | 36° 1pm - 2pm Blue Ridge Young Marines Drill meeting. Defensive Training Concepts, 5239 John Marshall Hwy. Linden. Feel free to come in and check us out.

2pm - 3pm Get Googled. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Join Gesina Korte, certified Google trainer, to learn how Google’s free tools can help you simplify your life.

Monday, April 7 5pm - 6pm UFAC Meeting. Town Hall, Front Royal. The Urban Forestry Advisory Commission (UFAC) meets tonight in the Town Hall Conference Room. The public is invited.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Izaak Walton League Meeting. Warren County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, Browntown. The IWLA will meet for the first time this year at the park in Browntown tonight beginning with dinner at 6:30p. Dinner will include chili and wild game entries from our members. Guest speaker will be Patrick Farris, Exec. Director of the Warren Heritage Society on “The History of Browntown, VA”.

7pm - 8pm Council Work Session.

Town Administration Building, 102 E. Main St. Tuesday, April 8 10am - 11am English as a Second Language. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Every Tuesday/Thursday for anyone who wants to learn English.

10am - 11am Eggcessible Easter Egg hunt for children with special

needs. Jim Barnett Park, Gym, Winchester. Ages 2 to 14. Free.

11am - 1:30pm Sterling Women of Winchester Networking Event. George Washington Hotel, 103 E. Piccadilly St Winchester. April Luncheon. Featured speaker, Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons. For more details visit www.sterlingwomen.org/Winchester 12:30pm - 1pm Tourism Tuesdays.

95.3 - the River radio station. Hear the latest tourism related news and events every Tuesday at 12:30! If you can’t listen live check out the podcasts at http://www.theriver953online.com.

4:30pm - 5:30pm Big Kids Story Time. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. M&M = Madness and Mayhem. Find out exactly how many M&Ms you can fit in a 1/3 cup, a 1/4 cup and your own take-home prize bag.

7pm - 7pm BAR Meeting. Town Administration Building, Front Royal.

Wednesday, April 9 8:30 am – 1 pm Senior Safety Expo: Seniors Fighting Back. Elks Lodge, Guard Hill Road, Front Royal.

Free and Important Event Provides knowledge and resources to fight back Against senior fraud and scams. Topics include Financial Planning, Power of Attorney & Advance Directives, How to Protect Yourself from Fraud & Scams, and much more. Great information from our local Sheriff and Police Departments.

Continental Breakfast provided by Commonwealth Assisted Living, Door Prizes,# Skits and Lunch complete the morning. FREE. 9am - 12pm. Open House. Riverfront Christian School and Little Sheep Preschool, 55 E Strasburg Rd., Front Royal. Please come and visit and find out what we have to offer.

For more information, please contact us at (540) 635-8202.

10:15am - 11:15am Toddler Story Time. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Let’s explore the fun found in Names - Siblings Welcome.

11am - 12pm Preschool Story Time.

See above.

3:30pm - 5pm Chamber Board Meeting. Chamber Office.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Wired Wednesday. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Join in for a computer club where talk is about a new topic every week. Bring your questions. This month’s topics are comprised of : test prep and career tools, blogging, genealogy and using You Tube for beginners.

Thursday, April 10 10am - 11am English as a Second Language. Every Tuesday/Thursday for anyone who wants to learn English.

10:15am - 11:15am Toddler Story Time. See description from Wednesday, April 9.

11am - 12pm Preschool Story Time. See description from Wednesday, April 9.

1pm - 6pm Swinging Fore Sports golf tournament. Winchester Country Club, Winchester. Grab your clubs, round up a team (all ages welcome) and join Winchester Parks & Recreation for the inaugural “Swinging Fore Sports” golf tournament. The format is 4-man captain’s choice with shot-gun start. $80 per player includes dinner following the tournament. Register by April 7th. (Tournament rain date: April 17th). Funds raised from the tournament will benefit the Park’s youth sports programs. Contact Winchester Parks & Recreation at (540)662-4946 for details.

5:30pm - 7pm Evening English Class. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. You are invited for this new evening English as a Second Language, taught by Ms. Von Fange. Please register.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Creating a Healthier You With a Natural Solution.

Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Explore natural solutions to your health concerns: no energy, pain, headaches, skin problems, chronic conditions, detox, seasonal allergies, releasing weight, mood support, and more.

Friday, April 11 10:15am - 11:15am Valley Workforce Job Workshop. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Get a job market overview, learn about the Workforce Investment Act program, create a professional resume, and discover strategies for marketing yourself in a competitive job market.

6pm - 10pm Chamber Dinner/ Awards. Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, Golf Club Circle, Front Royal.

69TH ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS - THE ART OF BUSINESS - Join in for the business social event of the year. The event kicks off at 6 pm with Chairman’s Cocktails, followed by dinner, networking, presentations and awards. The Chamber’s new website and materials will be unveiled during the evening as well. The silent auction will include many Valuable business products and services and the live auction will feature a business package offering advertising and market-

ing to help substantially increase the reach of your business. Reserve your tickets today. $60 per member/$440 per member table. Contact the Chamber at info@frontroyalchamber.com or 540-635-3185 to reserve your space today.

Saturday, April 12 9am - 11am Easter Egg Hunt.

Christianson Familyland, Winchester.

Bring and empty basket and search for eggs in Jim Barnett Park. Children will be separated into 3 groups; Under 3, 3-5 and 6-8.

9am - 3pm Kernstown Battlefield work day. Kernstown Battlefield, Winchester. Workday, bring your gloves.

No RSVP necessary.

11am - 12pm Kooky Chefs Cook the World. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Southern Style. Join in for a delicious assortment of “Down Home” Southern food. Ages 8 and up. Please Register.

5pm - 7pm Turkey or Oyster Supper. Middletown Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. 12, Main Street, Middletown. Dinners are $14 for adults and $7 for children under 12. Takeout will be available. Proceeds benefit Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

7pm - 9pm Middle School Spring Fling. Jim Barnett park, Gym, Winchester. A prom-like dance exclusively for middle school students.

Dress appropriately. $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Snacks available at minimum cost. School ID and ticket required for admission. DJ. 7pm - 10pm 4th Annual Salvage Art Show & Auction. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, 901 Amherst St, Winchester. Hosted by Habitat for Humanity. Join Barry Lee as Master of Ceremonies with entertainment

by Caleb Nie, Pianist. $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Includes hors d’oeuvres and light fare catered by Bonnie Blue. Cocktail attire is recommended.

7pm - 10pm Wine Tasting and Auction. Rappahannock Cellars, 14437 Hume Rd., Huntly. Mountain Laurel Montessori is hosting its annual Wine tasting and Auction at Rappahannock Cellars. All proceeds benefit ‘Mountain Laurel Montessori School. For more information call (540) 636-4257 or visit mlmsauctionandwine.com.

7pm - 10pm An Evening with Elvis Presley’s step brother, Rick Stanley.

Skyline High School, 151 Skyline Vista Dr., Front Royal. Elvis Presley’s step brother will be sharing stories of growing up in Graceland and living with the most famous entertainer of all time. Come on out and hear firsthand what it was like to be brothers

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 25

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Community

Winchester Imaging offers affordable CT scan; early detection of lung cancer can save lives Winchester Imaging is offering a new affordable option to screen for lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 224,210 new cases of lung cancer are expected in 2014, accounting for about 13 percent of all cancer diagnoses. Lung cancer causes more deaths among men and women in the U.S. than breast, colorectal and prostate cancers combined, with approximately 450 people dying from lung cancer every day. Often without signs or symptoms, lung cancer can develop unnoticed, and early detection typically results in less extensive treatment and better outcomes.

with the King of Rock n Roll. The evening will include pictures of Ricky growing up in Graceland accompanied by stories of the impact that this had on his life. Elvis Tribute Artist Richard Parker will also be sharing various Elvis songs this evening.

This event will be in the Auditorium of the school. Admission will be $5 per person. Contact Richard Parker at (540) 635-1302 or rappjp7@ gmail.com for more information.

Sunday, April 13 Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday 1pm - 3pm Easter Egg Hunt. Stephens City United Methodist Church, 5291 Main St, Stephens City. Come search for eggs, make a craft and a snack and meet the Easter Bunny.

Photos with the Easter Bunny will be available for purchase. Event is for ages preschool- 5th grade. For more information, contact Tobey David at tadavid@comcast.net or the church office at (540) 869-2348.

Monday, April 14, 2014 7pm - 8pm Council Meeting.

County of Warren Government Center.

10am - 11am English as a Second Language. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Every Tuesday/Thursday for anyone who wants to learn English.

10am - 6pm Mini Rain barrel sale.

Regional Landfill, 181 Landfill Rd, Winchester. 55-gallon barrels will sell for $55 each, payable by check or cash. Barrels are complete with all set-up hardware. 1st come, 1st served.

12:30pm - 1pm Tourism Tuesdays.

95.3 - the River radio station. Hear the latest tourism related news and events every Tuesday at 12:30! If you can’t listen live check out the

“Screening offers the ability to detect the cancer early, before symptoms may have appeared,” said Dr. James Sluss, M.D. at Winchester Radiologists, P.C., “The National Lung Screening Trial done in 2011 showed a 20 percent benefit in high-risk current and former heavy smokers who received lung CT screenings over a three-year period compared with having annual chest radiography.”

In a later study of 500 patients, CT lung screenings yielded a positive result in 25 percent of patients examined. Three were ultimately diagnosed with early stage lung cancer and 121 patients required ongoing

follow-up for pulmonary nodules.

A CT lung scan can cost upwards of $1,500 but Winchester Imaging is providing low dose lung CT screenings for $195. “The reduced price is an incentive for at-risk individuals to get checked because at this time, this test — for screening purposes — is not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance companies,” added Matthew DesRosiers, administrator for Winchester Radiologists. “As far as we know, we are the first location offering this service in Frederick, Clarke, Warren and Shenandoah counties in Virginia.”

DesRosiers said those interested in getting the scan need to have a

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4:30pm - 5:30pm Big Kids Story Time. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Come join in for a story, craft and a discussion about all of the Wacky Inventions around us that you may not know exist.

7pm - 8pm BZA Meeting. Front Royal Administration Building, 102 E Main Street, Front Royal. Today is the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting to be held in the upstairs Conference Room of the Front Royal Administration Building. Agenda are available in the Planning/ Zoning Office located at 102 E Main Street(540) 6354236.

10:15am - 11:15am Toddler Story Time. See description from Wednesday, April 16.

11am - 12pm Preschool Story Time. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. “We love our library!” will be the theme of story time this week - siblings welcome Local Author Ron Rauss will be the special guest. He will read his book, answer questions and sign copies of his book.

5pm - 8pm Third Thursday Art Walk. Downtown Front Royal.

5:30pm - 7pm Evening English Class. See description from Thursday, April 10.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Civil War Crossings. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Learn about the engineers of the Civil War and how they trained, fought and built pontoons, bridges, timber bridges and stone bridges critical to the war.

The presentation will include many photos from the Library of Congress collections.

Wednesday, April 16 10am - 11am Books and Beyond.

Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal,. New members are always welcome to the library’s book club. This month’s book is American Sphinx by Joseph J. Ellis.

10:15am - 11:15am Toddler Story Time. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. “We love Our Library!” will be the theme of story time this week - Siblings welcome!

11am - 12pm Preschool Story Time. See above.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Wired Wednesday. See description from Wednesday, April 9.

7pm - 8pm Planning Commission Meeting. County of Warren Government Center.

Thursday, April 17 10am - 11am English as a Second Language. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Every Tuesday/Thursday for anyone who wants to learn English.

Friday, April 18 Good Friday Saturday, April 19 All day Winchester/Frederick County Beauty Pageant. Holiday Inn, 142 Foxridge Ln, Winchester.

Roger & Lorainne Miller, Directors, (540) 667-8123, P.O. Box 2344, Winchester. E-mail: E-MILLER522@ VERIZON to enter or for more information.

7am - 11am Pancake Breakfast.

North Warren Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company #10, 89 Rockland Road, Front Royal. Come enjoy pancakes, biscuits, sausage, bacon, sausage & chip beef gravies, scrambled eggs, baked apples, coffee, juice, and hot tea. Adults $8.00; 4 to 12 years old

primary care physician or pulmonologist, who will receive the results, and suggested they should talk to their doctor about whether a lung CT is right for them.

According to the National Lung Screening Trial there are two groups at risk for lung cancer who could benefit from the scan. The first group includes current or former smokers (who quit within the past 15 years) over the age of 55 with a minimum of a 30-pack-year smoking history. A pack year is defined as one pack a day smoked per year.

The second group includes current or former smokers (who quit for any length of time) older than 50

$4.00; under 3 Free.

9am - 4pm Redbud Festival.

Browntown Community Center Association, Browntown Road, Bentonville. Today is the Browntown Community Center’s Annual Browntown Redbud Festival. The events include craft sales with 30 different crafters, craft demonstrations, silent auction, bake sale, antique car, photo contest, Redbud/Heirloom Apple Tree Sale, Gooney Creek Duck Race, moon bounce, face painting, food and much more. For more info: (540)636-1879 or (530)636-3588.

10:10am - 11:10am Books and Barks. Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Come to this extremely popular monthly program that gives developing readers the chance to read and relax with a trained therapy dog. For beginning readers and up. Please register.

1pm - 2pm Once Upon a Time.

Samuels Public Library, East Criser Road, Front Royal. Celebrate National Library Week with Bright Star Touring Theater’s “Once Upon a Time” Puppet Show. Enjoy a historical twist on Cinderella and Jack and the Bean Stalk. Fun for the whole family.

5pm - 7pm Easter Egg Hunt. Family Drive-In Theatre, Valley Pike, Stephens City. Meet the Easter Bunny, and hunt for eggs by age groups prior to the evening’s movie show times around 7:30pm. Hunts will be divided into six groups, including adults. The hunt is included with the nightly movie admission. Admission: $8 adults, $4 for children 3-11.

Sunday, April 20 Easter Sunday - briefs@warrencountyreport.com

with a minimum of a 20 pack-year smoking history.

Although quitting smoking has saved countless lives, decreasing the rate of smoking from approximately 40 percent in 1965 to around 20 percent today, many former heavy smokers remain at high risk and now represent the largest group of patients diagnosed with lung cancer.

“Given the large number of smokers and former heavy smokers in the aging baby boomer population, lung cancer mortality may be poised to rise,” said DesRosiers. “I can’t stress enough how important this test is for our older citizens who meet the at-risk criteria.”

DesRosiers also said the scan is low-dose radiation, similar to a mammogram, which does not present a high risk from radiation exposure. The test takes approximately five minutes, and is painless.

A radiologist will promptly read the scan and send the results to the patient and their physician within 24 hours.

As a partner of Valley Health, Winchester Imaging (in the Trex building on 522 at Hwy 37) offers a variety of imaging services including MRIs, CTs, and ultrasounds with X-ray services soon to be added. Winchester Radiologists is the managing partner, providing board certified radiologists to read and diagnose the images. Together, their mission is to optimize patient care by providing state-of-the-art, accurate, timely radiological services to doctors and patients in the tricounty region.

For more information about the low-dose CT lung scan being offered by Winchester Imaging, please contact (800) 545-0100 or visit winchesterimaging.com. ­– briefs@warrencountyreport.com

Fundraiser for Martiez Bradshaw (heart transplant in 2012)

Dinner for Sale!!

Sat. April 12th, 2:00 Menu: Fried Chicken or Talapia, Baked Mac & cheese, Potato salad, Green beans and dessert. $12 per meal. Please contact Kentia Diamond @ 540-692-2904 to order and support Martiez!! All help is welcome and appreciated!!

Page 26 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

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Local news Kick-Off Apple Blossom at the United Bank Bloomin’ Wine Festival!

“Uncork the Bloom” at the official kick-off of the 87th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival from 3 to 10 pm Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 27th, 11 am to 6 pm, in historic Old Town Winchester. Sales of unopened bottles and cases will be available until close each day.

This year’s event will feature 20 of Virginia’s finest wineries, including many new ones. We will feature two stages with live musical entertainment from around the region on both days.

The open and casual atmosphere of the event will allow attendees to stroll among the artisans and vendors while enjoying their wine (a first for our event!). Food vendors will be plentiful with

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something to satisfy just about everyone’s palate.

If you don’t have tickets purchase them at the gate of the event for only $20! For details on all Festival news and events, go to www.thebloom.com.

Join the Strong WomenHealthy Hearts Program!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Heart disease and stroke can limit a woman’s ability to do the everyday things that she enjoys and are a part of her daily routine. Strong Women-Healthy Hearts (SWHH) is a research based exercise and nutrition program designed by researchers at Tufts University and taught in partnership with a Virginia Cooperative Extension Educator with the goal of help-

ing women improve their heart health. SWHH is an aerobic exercise, nutrition and weight management program for the prevention of heart disease. It is a fun, hands-on way to make positive changes to help you eat better, move more, and improve your general health and wellbeing.

A new 8-week session begins May 5 with classes meeting once a week from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Winchester. Focus is on cooking, healthy meal planning, and starting an exercise program.

The cost is $25 and includes all food samples demonstrated during each class. Pre-registration is required and must be received by April 30. The class is appropriate for individuals who have been mostly or completely inactive for the past few years and are inter-

Take Your Best “The Land of Pink & Green” Photo

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival®, in conjunction with Costco, will once again host the annual “Costco Photo Contest”. This year we will have an Amateur Only category.

The focus is on one category, best all around photo depicting the “The Land of Pink & Green” theme. Apple Blossom Attendees are encouraged to take photos throughout festival activities 1st Prize: $100 Cash Card 2nd Prize: $75 Cash Card 3rd Prize: $50 Cash Card Contestants may have their film developed at Costco - 251 Front Royal Pike, Winchester. You must enter the contest at Costco’s Photo Lab; all photos must be submitted for judging by May 16th, 2014 at Noon. Winners will be notified by Friday May 23rd. For details on all Festival news and events, go to www.thebloom.com.

Get reserved parking downtown for The Bloom Beginning April 1st, the Winchester Parking Authority will be selling tickets for garages (excludes Braddock Autopark) for Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival on Friday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 3rd.

Get close to the action and remove the worry about trying to locate a parking space in Old Town Winchester during the biggest Festival of the year. Purchase a ticket and know your space, which will be within a short walk to the Firefighters and Grande Feature parades and the Midway, will be waiting for you.

Stop by the Parking Authority’s office in the George Washington Autopark (128 N. Cameron Street) to purchase your tickets. For reserved parking at Braddock Autopark, please contact the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Office at (540) 662-3863.

Win Tickets to Anthony’s Weekend in the Park

Anthony’s Pizza is a proud partner in the community. Having sponsored the Anthony’s Pizza Weekend in the Park for over 15 years, Anthony’s Pizza wants ONE lucky winner to be able to enjoy the Weekend in the Park with their 12 closest family and friends. With their family atmosphere, Anthony’s Pizza Weekend in the Park is the perfect place for your family to be. Winner to receive 12 tickets for a wonderful time in Anthony’s Pizza Weekend in the Park! Deadline is April 25th at Noon. The winner is to pick up the tickets, once notified, at Anthony’s Pizza I, 2204 Valley Ave., Winchester.(540) 667-5660. Visit the thebloom.com to register for your change to WIN.

ested in improving their health and learning how to cook quick, delicious, healthful meals. Men and women are welcome. For registration information, or if you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services, or other accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact Rebecca Davis at rdavis59@vt.edu or call (540) 665-5699.

New online service request form available

Personnel used model vehicles and other instructional materials to simulate responses in various parts of the city to various incidents. The drill included filling out triage tags for patients and handling the coordination of the incident to ensure all were treated and transported to the appropriate facilities.

Home School Showcase set for Bowman Library April 22

Bowman Library will once again host the Home School The City of Winchester is ex- Showcase on Tuesday, April 22, cited to launch a new program from 6–7:30 p.m. The event will that provides residents and visi- feature a Curriculum Chat, and tors the opportunity to make a provide opportunity for home request for service conveniently schoolers to display their work. online.

Display space is available in two winchesterva.gov/service-re- sizes--2’x2’ or 2’x4’ Contact quest Donna Hughes, youth services “This new online form is a pi- librarian, at (540) 869-9000 x215 lot program for public works or dhughes@handleyregional. and utilities service requests,” org for more information, or to explains the City’s Public Infor- reserve your space at the showmation Officer, Amy Simmons. case.

“If the pilot is successful and is Ms. Hughes also has informawidely used by our community, tion about local home school then we will look into expanding co-ops and educational opportuthe program in the future.” nities for seasoned home school Services currently available ers, or for those who are just conthrough the online form include: templating the idea of becoming request blue recycling bin; miss- involved in home schooling. ing collection: refuse/recycling/ Bowman Library is located at cardboard; deceased animal 871 Tasker Road, Stephens City, in roadway; fire hydrant issue; and the web address is www. pothole; drinking water qual- handleyregional.org. ity/pressure; sidewalk or street maintenance; sewer access cov- Snapshot Virginia: one day in ers; school flasher or pedestrian the life of Virginia’s libraries signal issue; street light or traffic signal out; and street or traffic Libraries all over Virginia will sign request/ down/ missing. hold a Snapshot Day in April, to Please be specific when making collect information, photos, and your request (include location of patron comments that illustrate request) and leave your contact the impact that Virginia libraries information in case a question make in their communities every arises concerning your request. day. At Handley, Bowman, and Clarke County libraries, SnapFire & Rescue conducts mass shot Day is Wednesday, April 16. casualty table top exercise Snapshot Virginia is a Virginia Library Association and Library Last weekend, a mass casualty of Virginia project. The goal is table top exercise was conducted to use collected data, such as for each of the Winchester Fire how many people visit the li& Rescue Department’s shifts brary, use computers, attend and volunteers and led by the on programs, etc., as well as candid duty Battalion Chief. The drill photographs and comments, to tested and reinforced the depart- demonstrate how essential liments Mass Causality Incident braries are within our communiResponse plans and procedures ties. Virginia’s libraries are busier in preparation for the Shenan- than ever these days, with people doah Apple Blossom Festival and coming in to check out books, the upcoming large events in the use computers, look for jobs, community.

See BRIEFS, 34

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 27

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Politics

County Republicans elect officers – and boot one member Kurtz elevated to chairmanship; McHugh shown the committee door

Mike McHugh at 2012 county Republican rally with U.S. 6th District Republican challenger Karen Kwiatkowski and the “bag-head” flier criticizing incumbent Bob Goodlatte’s refusal to debate his Republican challenger.

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report The annual Warren County Republican Committee Mass Meeting of March 21 proved eventful on several fronts, some expected, some not so much. In what qualifies as business as usual, last year’s vice chairman, Steve Kurtz, was elected to chair the committee in 2014. Other officers and district chairs will be nominated and elected at the committee’s April 24 meeting at the Villa Avenue Community Center in Front Royal.

“I am honored and very excited to be elected chairman of the WCRC

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and look forward to helping unite Republicans in the upcoming elections,” Kurtz told us.

In perhaps less routine business, local libertarian – or as he prefers to call it “constitutional conservative” – Mike McHugh was voted out of the committee by what he reported to us was a 27-16 secret ballot count. Both McHugh and Kurtz verified that the motion not to accept McHugh’s membership at the Mass Meeting came from Bruce Clark, husband of several-term committee Secretary Mark Kay Clark. Kurtz said several people moved to second Clark’s motion, with Wayne Hurst getting official credit.

McHugh sees the move as an effort by what he terms “the old guard” or “establishment” Republicans to, not only discipline him for adhering to his beliefs on issues and candidates, but also an attempt to intimidate younger members who may share his perspective.

“There is a war for the soul of the party and the establishment is trying to purge constitutionalists and the Tea Party from the party,” McHugh

Mike McHugh introduces eventual Republican Lt. Governor nominee E.W. Jackson to then county committee Chair Don Repici. The occasion was the April 2013 deadline day to submit county delegate applications to last year’s Republican State Nominating Convention. told us. He elaborated that as he understood the rationale for his ouster, he was being disciplined for a lack of support for Republican candidates last year – “I guess they’re saying ‘how dare you not work for Mitt Romney.’ ” Kurtz’s take on the situation was slightly, if not totally, different. He said he believed the vote to not allow McHugh back into the county committee at this time was a reaction to his negative public portrayals of some Republican candidates or office holders.

Perhaps most famously, or infamously depending on one’s perspective, one of McHugh’s more notable criticisms of a sitting Republican last year was his circulation of campaign flier illustrating U.S. House 6th District Republican incumbent Bob Goodlatte with a bag over his head.

The message, as McHugh explained to us at the time, was “quit hiding, Bob.” The message revolved around the incumbent’s refusal to debate Republican challenger and McHugh’s favorite for the Republican 6th Dis-

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trict U.S. House nomination, Karen Kwiatkowski.

“I am assuming the sentiment in the committee is that Mr. McHugh has broken the 11th Commandment of the Republican Party – ‘Though shall not speak ill of any Republican’, which Ronald Reagan used to help quell infighting in the GOP,” Kurtz observed. “The Republican Party has no interest in dividing itself and Mr. McHugh and others like him must understand that tasteless attacks against our own candidates will not and should not be tolerated.”

Kurtz agreed that McHugh is eligible to reapply for membership at each monthly committee meeting.

“All members most be voted into the committee and at this time there is nothing preventing Mr. McHugh from submitting an application for membership at the next regular meeting,” Kurtz observed.

When we spoke to McHugh several days after the vote showing him the committee door, he seemed somewhat ambivalent about apologizing for either his past support or criticism of Republican candidates.

“My perception is there is a message being sent – ‘dare not disobey

the party bosses.’ But I predict it will embolden people to disobey when those officials violate their oaths of office and Republican policy,” McHugh said, adding, “I am honored to be the target of a vote of party conscience and principals. It’s not just my belief but the party platform says we believe the Republican Party exists to serve the Republican voters of an area, many of whom can’t come to meetings with any regularity because of daily commitments like work and family. But the establishment seems to believe the voters exist to serve the party and its elected officials.”

Of reinstatement, Kurtz added, “The RPV Party Plan does give certain requirements in order to be reinstated under Article 1, Section A: Qualifications. Although Mr. McHugh may present these requirements with his new application, he will still need a majority of the committee to vote in favor of his reinstatement.”

McHugh also said there was some misinformation circulated locally that he “had been arrested” at the Republican Nominating Convention last year when he was removed from the stage as he attempted to counter floor rumors circulating about commitments of support regarding the yet-to-be determined lieutenant governor nomination.

“I was not arrested. There were security personnel there hired by the RPV (Republican Party of Virginia) who took me off stage – but I wasn’t arrested. It ended there,” McHugh explained. In fact, E.W. Jackson, who McHugh supported, eventually garnered the convention nomination for lieutenant governor.

Back to more mundane business than dueling battles for the “soul” or future direction of the party, new Warren County Republican Committee Chairman Kurtz told us, “I am also pleased to announce our 4th annual Reagan Day Dinner on Thursday May 1st at the Blue Ridge Shadows Holiday Inn in Front Royal, with keynote speaker Virginia State Senator Mark Obenshain. Anyone who is interested in tickets to this event or keeping up to date with what is going on in the WCRC can do so at our website warrencountyvagop.com”

EMPLOYMENT Frederick County Report is seeking sales representatives in Winchester and Frederick County.

Email: dan@areaguides.com

Page 28 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

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Public safety

Discarded fireplace ashes cited in structure fires Animals listed as only fatalities as Ritenour Road outbuildings burn

Warren County.

The property, owned by Mr. and Ms. Ray Rowe of Front Royal, sustained fire damages expected to exceed $200,000. The Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that the fire was accidentally caused by the occupants discarding fireplace/woodstove ashes outdoors near one of the buildings earlier in the day, which spread to surrounding ground surface fuels.

On Thursday, March 27th at 5:56 p.m. the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services received a call for a reported structure fire at 532 Ritenour Hollow Road in the Rockland area of the county. Fire crews arrived on the scene in less

than five minutes and found two very large farm/tractor storage buildings fully involved with fire, one sustaining a full collapse.

The fire, pushed by 20 mph winds, quickly spread to multiple neighboring storage buildings, large farm

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equipment, and wooded areas while threatening the main residential home. A very aggressive attack by fire crews kept the fire from destroying several other outbuildings housing farm equipment and other stored items, including two antique 1950 pick up trucks. Firefighters quickly went to work protecting the home and neighboring exposures and controlling the fire while the family and neighbors rescued several animals.

This incident involved an area half the size of a football field and smoke could be seen for miles. Remarkably,

only one minor injury to a person was reported, but several animals unfortunately did not survive the blaze. Fire crews were able to contain the fire in 30 minutes and marked it under control in about an hour.

Crews remained on the scene until 9:30 p.m. to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

All Warren County Fire Stations participated in this incident with assistance from Middletown Station 12 operating on the scene; and Boyce Station 4 assisted with covering the depleted stations of Front Royal/

· Stations 10, 1, 12, Tankers 4 and 8, Chief 100, to 532 Ritenour Hollow Rd for structure fire at 5:58 P.M.; · Tankers 9 and Brush 3 for special call at 6:59 hrs; · Contained at 6:41 P.M.; · Under Control at 7:03 P.M. This incident should serve as a reminder that everyone should properly discard of fireplace or woodstove ashes by keeping the embers in a metal bucket with a tight fitting lid for at least 4 days before discarding or completely soak with water.

For more information on how to protect your family and home from the dangers of fire, visit www.warrencountyfire.com or contact (540) 6363830.

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Mid April, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Page 29

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-551-2072 Frederick County HeroinRelated Death Leads to Arrests

Dennis K. Getz

dictive, deadly risks. If you suspect someone you know is using heroin, then please seek out treatment for that individual. If you see drug activity taking place, then please notify your local police or sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office.

Together we can help save lives and our communities,â&#x20AC;? continued Perry.

The NVRDG Task Force includes the following law enforcement agencies: Clarke County, Frederick County, Page County, Shenandoah County and Warren County sheriffsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offices; Town of Front Royal and Strasburg police departments; City of Winchester Police Department; and Virginia State Police.

Front Royal man arrested in K-mart pharmacy robbery

Brandi Marple Two Frederick County residents have been charged in connection with Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death of a 31-year-old heroin overdose victim.

In the early morning hours of April 1, 2014, the Frederick County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office responded to a residence on Apple Pie Ridge Road and found Andrew B. Lowder, 31, deceased from an apparent heroin overdose.

His remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination and autopsy.

Further investigation into the death by the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force resulted in two arrests later Monday afternoon. Brandi Marple, 28, of Frederick County, Va., and Dennis K. Getz, 37, of Frederick County, Va., were taken into custody without incident and each charged with one felony count of distribution of heroin. They were transported to the Northwest Regional Adult Detention Center.

Lowderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death brings the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heroin-related death toll to 11 since Jan. 1, 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Area law enforcement is committed to pursuing these deaths in order to arrest those responsible for bringing heroin into the region,â&#x20AC;? said Virginia State Police Supervisory Special Agent Jay Perry, NVRDG Task Force coordinator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Several of these deaths have resulted in an arrest being made within 24 hours of initiating an investigation. But, we cannot arrest our way out of this epidemic.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to take community action in order to stop the demand for the drug. We encourage parents, community leaders, and educators to talk with their children, students and neighbors about heroinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly-ad-

Daniel Joseph McKay Haugen A Front Royal man was arrested late the evening of March 26-27 for his involvement in the K-Mart robbery that occurred in January. The suspect is identified as Daniel Joseph McKay Haugen, age 28. Haugen was arrested and charged with Robbery, which can result in five years to life in a state correctional facility. Police Chief Norman Shiflett advised that a joint effort among several divisions within his department was the reason this case was resolved so quickly.

According to Chief Norman Shiflett, a white male entered the Kmart store, located at 465 South Street, shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. The suspect approached the pharmacy counter and handed the Pharmacist a note demanding prescription medication.

The suspect was provided with an undisclosed amount of medication and he then fled the store in an unknown direction. Officers searched the area but were unsuccessful in locating the suspect. Shiflett advised that with very little evidence to go on, the case turned up a limited number of leads to develop.

Detective Erik Rosemeck was the lead detective in this case. Rosemeck cited efforts of several officers in the department in obtaining further information regarding the identity of the man responsible for the pharmacy robbery. Anyone with further information about this case can contact Det. Rosemeck at (540) 636-2208

Public safety

or erosemeck@frontroyalva.com

AMBER Alert results in rescue of abducted Russell County boy

Jimmy D. Guinn A Russell County, Va., man is being held without bond on child abuse and abduction charges following an AMBER Alert activation for his son.

Jimmy D. Guinn, 67, is being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon, Va., on one felony count of child abuse and one felony count of child abduction.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, Lucas Ezra Silas Guinn, 11, of Russell County, Va., left school on his own accord. When no one was able to locate him by Thursday, the Russell County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office began investigating his disappearance. Further investigation led the sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office to confirm Lucas was with his father, Jimmy D. Guinn, and believed to be in imminent danger.

On Thursday, March 20, the Russell County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office requested the Virginia State Police to activate a Virginia AMBER Alert to find Lucas.

Within minutes of the activation, calls and tips began coming in to the sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office and state police about possible sightings of the suspect vehicle, a tractor-trailer with a purple cab and the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snowbird Truckingâ&#x20AC;? on the side of the trailer.

During the course of the investigation, Russell County investigators have determined that Lucas had been taken to Michigan and traveled back through West Virginia since his initial disappearance.

Shortly before 9 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2014, a tip was called in about the tractor-trailer being seen on Interstate 81 in Washington County, Va. A Washington County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deputy stopped the tractor-trailer in the southbound lanes of I-81 near the 10-mile marker and safely recovered Lucas. His father was taken into custody without incident.

The incident remains under investigation and additional charges were pending.

During the course of the search and investigation, the Russell County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office was assisted by the Washington County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, Virginia State Police, Michigan State Police, City of Detroit, Mich. Police, West Virginia State Police, FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service.

We would like to Thank the Firefighters of Stephens City who put out the fire which occured in the cleaners next door to us on Sat. March 8th!! You all are heros!!!

We would like to invite all of the cleaners customers who lost their clothing in that fire to come in for a FREE tax return!!

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Come see us today!!

Page 30 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Mid April, 2014

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-551-2072 or Angie Buterakos at angie@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-683-9197

Local news Blue Ridge Singersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Spring Concert - I Love My Love

The Blue Ridge Singers The Blue Ridge Singers present â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Love My Loveâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a celebration of love and the arrival of spring in three performances, commencing at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 25, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winchester; then 4 p.m., Sunday, April 27, at Front Royal Presbyterian Church; and finally at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas.

Free-will donations are welcome.

Led by artistic director Dr. Jeffrey Alban the program will cover many musical styles and texts including 19th Century Romanticism; early 20th Century American music; contemporary choral music; and Latin American, English and American folksongs. With a unifying theme of â&#x20AC;&#x153;loveâ&#x20AC;?, this concert program features music that speaks to everyone. Â True to its mission of performing a wide variety of challenging choral music the Blue Ridge Singers will perform works by popular international contemporary composers, includ-

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ing Grammy winner Eric Whitacre; Wolfram Buchenberg; the Venezuelan composer Antonio EstĂŠvez and Johannes Brahms. The program includes lyrics by poets Robert Burns, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Octavio Paz and features clarinetist Brittany Dietz-Gonzales imitating birdsong in David Dickauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Love my Love.â&#x20AC;?

The Blue Ridge Singers, the Shenandoah Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest chamber choir, is a multi-generational, multi-denominational choir united by the joy of singing and the desire to create beautiful music. Based in Front Royal, the choir welcomes audience and singers interested in sophisticated and adventurous music.

Brain injury awareness is important in any month

Our brain controls our thoughts, movements, behaviors, sensations, emotions, and language; it is our personal command center and smart device. And yet many people are more likely to protect their smart phone than their head! Brain injury is truly the great equalizer: it happens to a family member who misses a step and takes a tumble; to a high school athlete on the soccer field on Saturday afternoon; to a child who is hit by a car while riding his bike; to

a woman who is a victim of intimate partner violence; to a driver distracted by texting, or to someone who is the victim of a sleep deprived driver.

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from mild or non-life threatening such as concussion, to severe or coma.

Brain injuries can lead to physical, cognitive, psychological, and social difficulties and is a leading cause of disability. A TBI seldom has just one effect---it is usually a combination, and often the effects are not readily apparent and on the outside, a person may look â&#x20AC;&#x153;fine.â&#x20AC;?

Advances in treatment have led to more people surviving a TBI and needing long term rehabilitation and lifelong services in order to live successfully in their homes and community. However, many services donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist in our rural area, while in other areas of the State, there are wait lists, or people may find they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t qualify for services. Brain injury survivors often find they are underinsured or uninsured or that programs do not accept any kind of insurance, public or private.

Helping survivors and their families deal with the effects â&#x20AC;&#x201C; seen and unseen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of traumatic brain injuries, and educating the public about the causes of brain injury and how to prevent them is what the Brain Injury Association of Virginia is all about. The Brain Injury Associa-

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The Town of Front Royal has been notified by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) that Landford Brothers plans to remobilize the South Fork Bridge beginning Monday night, March 31 at night.

Looking at the 10-day forecast it looks very probable that the patching could be completed. There is no specific time that the work will begin and end only that it is at night.

Motorists are asked to use extreme caution in this area. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

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tion of Virginia, Inc. (BIAV) provides statewide information and support to people with brain injury, family members, and professionals. BIAV services include a toll-free help-line, an information clearinghouse and resource library, personalized information on brain injury-specific as well as general community resources, a statewide network of support groups, public policy leadership, and training for human service professionals, outreach and educational events, and an adult camp for survivors.

To learn more about brain injury or to request free information from the Brain Injury Association of Virginia clearinghouse please visit www. biav.net. For personal assistance in linking to local resources, contact the Regional Resource Coordinator for the Northern Shenandoah Valley by e-mail at Jill@biav.net or by phone at (540) 525-4516 or the Tollfree-Help-line at (800) 444-6443.

(From a release by The Brain Injury Association of Virginia)

New Construction! New Subdivision!

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Mid April, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Page 31

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-551-2072 by contacting Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) at 1-800367-7623

Celebrate â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kids Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Warren County Middle School The Warren Coalition, an 18-yearold alcohol, drug and violence prevention program, will stage its third annual Celebrate Kids Day at Warren County Middle School on Saturday, April 26, starting at 11:30 a.m.

The program, which includes kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rides, slides, races and a dunking booth, will be highlighted by a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youth Heroâ&#x20AC;? ceremony rewarding young people who epitomize the Coalitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objectives. Community groups which deal with youth and family problems will be on hand to give information on services they provide Warren County residents.

For further information, call Holly Goode at (540) 247-7750. Executive Director of the Warren Coalition is Christa Shifflett.

Chamber gearing up for May 17 Wine & Crafts Festival Wine lovers unite! The 28th Annual Virginia Wine & Craft Festival will be held on Saturday, May 17th in historic downtown Front Royal, Virginia from 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 pm. Join us for a fun filled day of shopping, live music, delicious food and of course, wine tasting.

The festival gates open at 10am with activities and live entertainment throughout the day until 6

Local news

p.m. Come and enjoy tastings from 18 Virginia wineries. Covering more than seven blocks and featuring over 100 vendors, artists and crafters from all over the east coast, there wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be anything you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find to fit your style, mood or need.

Fine handmade jewelry, hand painted wine glasses, hand crafted musical instruments, pottery and ceramics, clothing, original paintings and artwork, antiques, the list goes on. Not to be outdone by the wineries and crafters, the food vendors are coming out in full force. With over a dozen to choose from, deciding whether to have funnel cakes, fresh roasted nuts, crabcake sandwiches, steak-n-cheese, shish kabobs, or just burgers and dogs may take you the whole day. Several restaurants will

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also be open during the festival in case you prefer to sit and rest a bit while you eat.

Music fills the air throughout the day at either end of Main Street. At the Gazebo: Fiery Run will perform from 10:00 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:30 pm and Texas Chainsaw Horns will bring their high energy performance from 2 pm5:30 pm. Performing a mix of funk, soul, R&B and country, you are sure to enjoy a little dancing and a lot of fun. On the Courthouse Lawn: The Church Street Project will perform a mix of rock and soul from Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:30 pm; Three State Famous rocks the lawn from 2 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:30 pm with their mix of blues, to rock, hip-hop, funk, jazz, and whatever else strikes their mood.

Festival admission is $25 in advance or $30 at the gate for those who wish to wine taste or purchase bottles of wine. There is no general admission fee. Advance tickets can be purchased in a number of ways; you can visit the Chamber of Commerce at 106 Chester Street, Front Royal, Front Royal Visitor Center at 414 E. Main Street or you can visit our website at www.wineandcraftfestival.com and purchase your tickets.

So, come to Front Royal for the Wine & Craft Festival, but stay an ex-

tra day to enjoy all that we have to offer. With five golf courses, museums, a theatre and the Skyline Caverns you can certainly relax; Shenandoah River State Park, Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest offer opportunities for canoeing, hiking, fishing and camping. So, whether you like to take it easy or stay on the move, Front Royal-Warren County is the perfect destination.

For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 540-6353185, https://www.facebook.com/ vawineandcraft or visit our website www.wineandcraftfestival.com or follow us on twitter @VAWineCraft

Virginia Equestrian Estate Heading to Auction LEESBURG, Va., April 1, 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A 72-acre equestrian estate with an elegant 7,929-square-foot Tudor home, eight-stall barn, and rolling pastures in the scenic hills of Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rappahannock County will sell in a courtordered auction April 26. The auction will begin at 11 a.m. at the property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This remarkable estate has every luxury feature you can imagine, with some of the best equestrian facilities youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see anywhere,â&#x20AC;? said Stephen

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Page 32 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Mid April, 2014

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-551-2072 or Angie Buterakos at angie@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-683-9197

Local news Karbelk, CAI, AARE, auctioneer and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, which will manage the sale for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Located in Huntly, Va., at 64 Gordon Clan Lane and 14 Little Long Mountain, the property has significant frontage along Zachary Taylor Highway (Rt. 522) and is conveniently located 10 minutes south of Front Royal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nearly every point on this property has breathtaking views of the hills, located among the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning wineries and exceptional restaurants, including the Inn at Little Washington, one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most acclaimed five-star restaurants,â&#x20AC;? said Karbelk.

The Dwight Matthews-designed

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

home has five bedrooms, five baths, a heated indoor pool, a sauna, and exquisite woodwork throughout the house. The large deck looks out over the expansive mountain views.

The estate will be offered in three parcels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the home on 24.84 acres, the barn on 28.79 acres and a third parcel of 18.83 acres, which is partially fenced with open pasture and trees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Someone could buy all three parcels and have a remarkable estate.

But the parcels stand alone, and each will be attractive in its own right. For example, the parcel with the barn has office space, a unique stone carriage house for showcasing horses and hosting parties, and a large outdoor riding arena with cross fencing and water hookups, with significant front-

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age on Rt. 522, as well as two homes that could be used by the owner or rented out,â&#x20AC;? said Karbelk. The 18.83 parcel with the pasture also fronts on Rt. 522.

Open houses are scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 13, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19. The property may also be viewed by appointment.

For additional information, please

contact Stephen Karbelk, CAI, AARE, Realtor & Auctioneer, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at 571-481-1037 or stephen.karbelk@

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Mid April, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Page 33

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com â&#x20AC;˘ 540-551-2072

Community

Discovering Warren County: The Front Royal-Warren County Airport (FRR)

By Ken Thurman Frederick-Warren County Report Since 1940 when the Stokes family opened a two dirt runway airfield, the Front Royal-Warren County airport has grown, especially over the last 14

years under the leadership of Reggie Cassagnol. Once thought of as a rich manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flying club at County expense the airport this year reached a milestone of becoming self sufficient and represents a future economic growth engine for the County and a life saving

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Listing Agent: Sam Snead Dear Stewart: A real estate friend of mine recently told me that my trees are a valuable part of the sales price of my home. Could you explain more about this?

Dear Fred,

Ask Stewart

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fred

Most of us would agree that trees are valuable. We know that trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen cleaning the air we breathe. We know that their roots absorb water and in doing so reduce runoff and flooding. This absorption process removes pollutants from the water providing us with cleaner drinking water sources.

We know that trees provide summer shade which reduces the temperatures in our homes lowering our air conditioning bills.

Shade from trees also reduces the tem-

asset for the community.

Reggie came to the airport part time in 1990 and later took over as combination Fixed Base Operator (FBO), through his company (CASSAIR), providing services and to airport customers and facility maintenance while acting as the Airport Manager taking care of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Virginia Department of Aviation (VDOA) requirements, advertising and marketing. A jack of all trades Reggie plows snow, mows grass, handles safety training, refuels aircraft, and provides flight training, aerial photography, and sightseeing flights to locals and visitors alike. A graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology in aviation management with a professional pilotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, Reggie helped the airport survive economic downturns while helping the airport grow by leaps and bounds. Currently, the airport has 70 aircraft based there including Randolph Macon Academy, Skyline Soaring, and a PHI Air Care helicopter (air rescue). Airspace control and safety are critical to running airport and Reggieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for both has provided an environment where gliders and powered aircraft can coexist. On a typical day Reggie works with helicopters from Air Care and the US Army, gliders, business aircraft, and private aircraft.

Air Care, which came to the airport three years ago, has provided a life saving rescue with its helicopter based Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to our own Roger Bianchini and most recently to Dave Williams, who had a stroke while out hunting in the woods. The airport houses their 24/7 alert facility. Reggie, just as he did when flying for Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA) takes time to visit patients and help keeps the Air Care operation running smoothly.

During his stint with MMA, Reggie worked with such notables as Joe Gibbs, Tom Landry, and Paul Garber.

Reggie along with Rock Scowbo also delivered over 900 pounds of humanitarian relief and much needed supplies perature of the ground and the pavement helping to keep our summer air temperatures more comfortable. And, of course, the flowering of dogwoods in spring and the radiance of maples in fall delight us all.

We know trees provide all these benefits and much more, but for the most part we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how to quantify the benefit of our trees. What is a tree worth in dollars and cents? Well, an article in the October 11, 2013 Wall Street Journal took a look at the economic value of street trees, and here are some of the findings in other parts of the country but still hold true for our area as well.

In Portland, Oregon researchers who analyzed 2,608 real estate transactions over 10 months found that homes with â&#x20AC;&#x153;street treesâ&#x20AC;? (those trees planted between the street and the sidewalk) sold on average for $7,130 more than homes without street trees. The addition of street trees was equivalent to

post a hurricane in a 22 hour flight to Haiti. Reggie also orchestrated a Toy for Tots aerial delivery last year.

Currently Reggie is planning the 7th Annual Virginia Air Show along with the Air Show Executive Committee.

FAA calls the show â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most diverse blend of aircraft at any air show in Virginiaâ&#x20AC;?, and rightfully so, with the wing walking flying circus, up and coming aerobatic pilots, gliders, experimental aircraft, gyro copters, biplanes, WWII fighters, radio controlled (RC) aircraft, and more. The air show started as a tribute to 9/11 and has grown to a crowd of nearly 5,000 last year. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event promises to be even more spectacular with what I call a three ring circus effect featuring a barnstorming air show, carnival, and USO show all on Saturday September 13th from 7am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10pm (check www.VirginiaAirShow.com for details as they become available.

Reggie and the Airport Commission, envision a future growth of the airport that provides a new fire station, a terminal, snack bar/grill, and radio,

paint, and maintenance shops and potentially UPS operations. The airport even has a waiting list of owners looking to rent future hangar space.

It has been my privilege to work with Reggie and Bob Childress (Assistant County Administrator) on the airport commission and the air show committee and to fly with Reggie. Reggie and Bob have provided the County with an asset to be proud of and I look forward to continuing my relationship with them. Through their efforts the Front Royal-Warren County airport has become a pillar of modern efficiency providing a relaxed comfortable setting and safe environment. While other airports have had financial and other issues our airport has continued to grow.

To learn more about the airport, learning to fly or to just go sightseeing; check out www.VirginiaAirShow.com, call (540) 635-3570, or email cassair@ yahoo.com, or just come out and see the scenic oasis that is our airport.

adding almost 130 square feet of finished living space to a home. Furthermore, those houses with street trees sold more quickly than those without street trees.

In New York City researchers found that property values on streets with trees were 10% to 15% higher than the property values on similar streets without trees. The areas with street trees are also associated with lower rates of crime.

It is no surprise then that business owners who plant trees and landscape their lots attract more customers than those with barren sites. Landscapes with trees are more attractive and more inviting. So take care of the trees you have. Plant some new ones. They make our community a prettier, healthier place to live. And they are one of the best financial investments you can make. They are literally money in the bank.

The Front Royal/Warren County Tree Steward program began in 1997 with volunteers dedicated to improving the health of trees by providing educational programs, tree planting and care demonstrations, and tree maintenance throughout the community.

The group now consists of over 30 active members with several interns working toward becoming certified tree stewards from our annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;All About Trees Classâ&#x20AC;?. Each month Stewart will answer a question from our readers. Please forward it to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stewartâ&#x20AC;? in care of: frwctreestewards@comcast.net and we may publish it in a future issue. Please visit our website at:

- Stewart

www.treesfrontroyal.org

Page 34 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Mid April, 2014

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com • 540-551-2072 or Angie Buterakos at angie@warrencountyreport.com • 540-683-9197

Local news BRIEFS, from 26

and attend the many programs our libraries offer. All across the Commonwealth, libraries are the cornerstones of their communities, places where people come together to visit, learn, and share ideas.

On April 16, we will capture a slice of life in Handley Regional libraries. Snapshot Day encourages library customers to comment on what their library means to them. Please visit SnapshotVirginia.org to find out more about this exciting project. Better yet, visit Handley, Bowman, or Clarke County on April 16 and be a part of Snapshot Day. For more information about this event, contact John Huddy, director, at jhuddy@handleyregional.org or call (540) 662-9041 x14.

Creative Movement, Story Time Yoga & Sensory Exploration A playshop exploring the beginnings of spring. Students will explore movement, literature and age-appropriate yoga poses through seasonal themes.

Included will be games, songs, stories, exciting props, movement, centering and relaxation.

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

Class is on Saturdays: April 5th, 12th & 26th and May 10th , 17th & 31st. For those 3 ½ -5 years old 10:00am to 10:45am, and for those 5-9 years old 11:00am to 11:45am. Cost is $55.00 for 6 week session per child ($10.00 drop in fee, space permitting).

Children are asked to wear comfortable clothing for movement!

All programs are taught by JoAnna McCue-Martin, M.Ed., certified Creative Kids Yoga Instructor and will be held, at the Warren County Community Center 538 Villa Ave., Front Royal. For more information or to register contact workshop instructor: JoAnna McCue-Martin, M.Ed. At (540) 664-7614 or via email at playfulexplorations@ gmail.com.

DISCOUNT TICKETS for Kings Dominion GOOD-ANY-DAY: Warren County Parks and Recreation Department are offering “goodany-day” discount tickets for Paramount’s Kings Dominion.

Tickets are good any regular Park operating day in 2014, park opens April 5, 2014. Cost is $42.00 for ages 3 and older PARKS AND RECREATION DAYS: Warren County Parks

and Recreation Department are offering “Parks and Recreation Days” discount tickets for Paramount’s Kings Dominion. Tickets are good any operating day between June 27 and August 3, 2014. Cost is $35.00 for ages 3 and older.

Tickets are available for sale at the Warren County Community Center, Monday through Saturday, 8am-10pm and Sunday, 1pm-9pm. For more information call (540) 635-1021.

Next Level Wrestling for K-5th Graders The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with Warren County High School will be sponsoring the Warren County Next Level Wrestling Club for grades K through 5th, at Warren County High School Tuesday and Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Club will began March 20,2014 and run through November 20, 2014.

This club is FREE of charge.

For more information contact Coach Wadas at (540) 635-4144 ext. 44179 or via email at mwadas@wcps.12.va.us. Registration forms are available at the Warren County Community Center, 538 Villa Ave. Front Royal, and the

Warren County Parks and Recreation Department, 200 E. 8th Street. Front Royal.

Pitch, Hit, and Run Competition Warren County Parks and Recreation Department will host a free Major League Baseball® Pitch, Hit & Run™ Competition for area youth on Saturday, April 5, at 10am – registration starts at 9:30am at Gertrude Miller Park, Champions 53 Field. All registered participants will be entered to win 2 free tickets to either a Baltimore Orioles game or a Washington Nationals game sponsored by the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department.

Pitch, Hit & Run™ is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball®. This grassroots program is designed to provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete; free of charge, in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills.

Boys and girls are divided into four age divisions: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the 2014 MLB™ All-Star Game®. The individual

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Pitching, Hitting and Running Champions, along with the AllAround Champion in each age and gender group at the Local Competition will be awarded and advance to the Sectional Level of Competition.

All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and have their parent or guardian fill out a registration/waiver form prior to the start of the competition. For questions concerning the competition, please contact your Local Coordinator, Tiffany Walker, Recreation Supervisor at (540) 635-1021 or recsupervisor@warrencountyva.net.

Izaak Walton League Meeting.

The Warren Co. Chapter of the IWLA will meet for the first time this year at the park in Browntown on April 7th beginning with the members’ dinner at 6:30 pm. Dinner will include chili (rescheduled from last month’s bad weather postponement), and wild game entrées from our members. Our guest speaker for the evening is Patrick Farris, Exe. Director of the Warren Heritage Society on “The History of Browntown, VA”.

Lifeguard Training Course The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department will be

CRIME OF THE WEEK

Frederick County Crime of the Week - March 31, 2014 The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding four grand larcenies that occurred in the 500 and 600 blocks of McDonald Road and the 100 block of Wardensville Grade. The items stolen include a Huskee 22 ton log splitter, a Brave Products 22 ton log splitter, a Stone Cement Mixer, blue and yellow in color, and a 2010 5 X 10 carry on trailer, faded orange in color. All of these items were removed from the victims’ properties between the time frame of March 16th and March 20th, 2014.

If you have any information regarding a suspect or suspect vehicle in these incidents, please contact the Crime Solvers Hotline at (540) 665 TIPS (8477). Information leading to the arrest of a suspect may result in a reward of up to $1,000.

Incident #’s 14001364, 14001368, 14001369, & 14001441 Investigator Holmes D. Smoke

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 35

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com • 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com • 540-551-2072

Local Diversions news sponsoring an American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course to be held at the Warren County Community Center and the Claude A. Stokes Jr. Community Swimming Pool.

This course will consist of 9 dates of instruction beginning Saturday, April 26, 2014 (an itinerary is available at the Warren County Community Center).

Cost is $235.00 per person and enrollment is limited to 12 persons.

For more information contact the Warren County Community Center, Monday through Saturday, 8:00am - 10:00pm and Sunday, 1:00pm-9:00pm at (540) 635-1021.

National Day of Prayer Community Service The National Day of Prayer is a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when the nation’s people are asked to gather together to pray, especially for our country, its people and its leaders. The designation of the first Thursday of May to be the annual recurring date for the National Day of Prayer was established by Ronald Reagan in 1988.

The 14th annual Front Royal community prayer service will be held at the Main Street Gazebo on Thursday, May 1st at 6:30 pm.

Special music will be provided by the band from the Servant’s Heart and Hands Outreach Ministry, an active mission-based faith community, committed to “reflecting the character of Jesus Christ”. Their focus is “People with a passion, serving with compassion” through many local community projects.

This prayer service is a Christian event in which pastors and lay leaders from local churches participate each year. Prayers are directed to the leaders of our local, state and national governments, the people of the local community, state and country.

In the past, Front Royal’s mayor, town manager and police chief have all been a part of the program.

The Front Royal National Day of Prayer community service was first organized in 2001 by a committee of local Christians who wished to make this an annual event in Front Royal. This group

has been led by Denni Giovinazzo, assisted by Cherie Ray and David Lingebach. They consider it essential that the diversified Christian community come together to pray, believing that there is much spiritual strength in the local churches gathering as a unified body.

These services are only possible with the support, assistance and participation of many others in the community. The committee relies on volunteers and donated or borrowed equipment while footing the bill for advertising, printing, mailing, and other expenses, with their own personal funds. “It’s all well worth everything we give to it,” says Denni.

“Only God can bring the kind of change our country needs. It’s up to those who believe in Him to come together to ask for His mercy and grace. And we consider it an honor to serve in this way.”

The public is invited to this community service. Bring your lawn chairs early to enjoy great music at 6:15 by the Servant’s Heart and Hands Band.

Earth Week at InfoTech Did You Know InfoTech Recycles Electronics like laptops, tablets, phones, batteries, TV screens and computers? During Earth Week, from April 15 to 22 we will be giving out 25% discount coupons for anyone who drops off their recyclable electronics at our store location, or even better, we can pick it up for you. That’s a 25% Discount on Data Transfers, Computer Repair Services, OS Reloads, Maintenance Service, Virus Removals and more during Earth Week!!!!

On April 22 of each year people around the world plant trees, commute to work by bicycle and pick up trash in their neighborhoods to observe Earth Day, an event created to shine a spotlight on environmental concerns.

Send your brief news items to briefs@warrencountyreport.com

Page 36 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Mid April, 2014

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

Warren County

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve either got to cut services or do something â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we better raise taxes.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fork District Supervisor Archie Fox on countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget dilemma

County ponders lost state Classifieds correctional officer funds Almost $400,000 in state Comp Board money lost to regional jail

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report Among the budget dilemmas facing the Warren County Board of Supervisors are reductions in state corrections department contributions to the county sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office operational budget. While a certain loss was anticipated due to the opening of the RSW Regional Jail and closing of the county jail, according to County Administrator Doug Stanley the number of impacted employees and consequent lost revenue total came as a surprise.

During its March 25 Special Meeting resulting in authorization to advertise a public hearing on its FY-2015 budget, those numbers came under scrutiny.

Stanley told the supervisors that 10 positions were impacted resulting state Comp Board lost revenue of $398,623. Of that total, $364,212 is in salaries,

$34,411 in benefits.

And while technically all that state supplemental funding is designed to help with correctional operations and staffing, Stanley noted that of the 10 impacted employees, eight were classified as â&#x20AC;&#x153;law enforcementâ&#x20AC;? positions and two as â&#x20AC;&#x153;court servicesâ&#x20AC;?. It appears the law enforcement classification relates to deputies who spend a primary amount of their time on road patrol, according to a March 20 letter from Sheriff Daniel McEathron to the county administrator.

Addressing the status of the 10 employees whose salaries the county is now being asked to pick up, the sheriff wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would not be able to meet the mission statement of my office

Warren County Local is a newly formed chapter of Special Olympics, providing local sports for people with intellectual disabilities in Front Royal and Warren County.

The next planned event will the Mini Chimers course @ Front Royal United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

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and/or goals and objectives (attached) that we have set forth without maintaining each and every one of the positions you have asked about. The majority of the positions are patrol deputies that make up a third of my patrol division and you can only imagine how our services to the community would greatly diminish without these deputies.â&#x20AC;?

Sheriff McEathron added that another deputy in question is the departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DARE officer, observing that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the program would cease to exist if the position is lost.â&#x20AC;?

The final position in question is McEathronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second in command, who the sheriff observed brings 36 years of experience to the responsibility of assisting

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For sale by owner: 2003 Chevy Silverado pickup. Z71, Ext. cab,shortbed,4x4, auto, 5.3lt, good inspection, pwr w/l/d/m, ac/am,fm, runs great, vgc, tow pkg, 145k, highway miles, good interior Reduced to $8,000. 540-551-2072 1981 C30 1 ton Dually 350ci 4sp 75220 org miles, mechanics bed & top, runs needs some work EMPLOYMENT Frederick County Report is seeking sales representatives in Winchester and Frederick County. Email: dan@areaguides.com Current Job Openings. Contact the VEC for additional information at 540-722-3420 or 540-535-2875 or Winchester@vec.virginia.gov.

Please enter â&#x20AC;&#x153;Employer Servicesâ&#x20AC;? in the subject line and job number and title when you inquire about the position: #434380 Parts Order processor (long term supplemental), #434464 Business Development Manager, #434027 DriverDedicated Truck Driver-Class A CDL, #433933 Nurse Assistant Program-Instructor, #433941 Driver 2, #433613 Line Technician, #433704 Compensation/Benefits Specialist, #433740 Custodian, #433742 Unarmed Security Officer, #433803 Manufacturing/Production Worker, 433841 Lab Technician, #433259 Customer Service RepresentativeWinchester, VA-57749, 433283 Mechanical Engineer, 433433 Dedicated Truck Driver-Class A CDL, #433477 Maintenance-Bld & Grounds 1, #433025 Dozer Operator, #433030 Sanitation Worker, #433051 Hydraulic Drill Operator, #433064 Processor, #433075 Combo Driver MISCELLANEOUS Boys School / Church Clothes Shirts, Sizes 6,7,8,10 & 12, $2.00 each.

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To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com • 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com • 540-551-2072

Death notices

Andrew Bryce “Andy” Lowder, 31, of Frederick County, Virginia, began his new life on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, in Frederick County, Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to CLEAN, Inc., 129 Youth Development Court, Winchester, Virginia, 22602 or SPCA, 115 Featherbed Lane, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Thomas “Tom” Bennett Yeager, Sr., 76, of Frederick County, Virginia, died peacefully Sunday, March 30, 2014, at his home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Tom’s honor may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia, 22601 or Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 130 Keating Drive, Winchester, Virginia, 22601 or St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 322 5th Street, Ravenna, Kentucky, 40472.

Arlene Louise (Maul) Carbaugh, age 65, of Winchester, Virginia, entered into the arms of her Savior on March 28, 2014, in Winchester, Virginia. To honor the memory of Mrs. Carbaugh, contributions may be made to Advent Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 3204, Winchester, Virginia 22604 or to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601.

Claudia Louise “Nanny” Hahn Brinckmann, 90, of Winchester, Virginia, died Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Winchester Medical Center.

Gladys Virginia Carper, 99, of Winchester, died Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at her home. Anyone desiring to make a memorial gift is asked to consider the local SPCA (she loved dogs and cats) or Second Opequon Presbyterian Church, c/o Treasurer Amy Combs, 1253 Pitcock Lane, Winchester, VA 22602.

William L. Golladay, Jr. (Bill, Jr.), 87, of Winchester, died Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Winchester Medical Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary Reformed United Church of Christ, 204 S. Cameron Street, Winchester, VA 22601 or to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.

Jean Heflin Russell, 70, of Martinsburg, WV, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. In lieu of flowers, please take a loved one out to dinner.

Juanita Francis (Mama) Kees, 84, of Winchester, Virginia passed away Sunday, March 30th in a local nursing home. In lieu of flowers, please send any condolences or contributions to Genoa Kees, 2009 Senseny Road, Winchester, VA 22602.

William Leo Fletcher, Jr., 56, lost his battle to cancer on April 1, 2014, peacefully in his home in Gore, VA, surrounded by his family and friends.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Blue Ridge Hospice at 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester.

him in overseeing “all operations of the sheriff ’s office”.

“We’ve got to cut somewhere.

But what are we going to do, cut services to law enforcement, sacrifice response times to save a buck?” Shenandoah District Supervisor Richard Traczyk observed.

Chairman Dan Murray bemoaned a lack of hard facts about the changing dynamics of corrections operations locally in connecting with the regional jail scheduled to open by July 1.

It was noted that the anticipated revenue of $335,000 from the proposed 65-cent hike in the Machinery & Tools Tax would cover the bulk of the lost Comp Board salaries for the deputies.

However, the county administrator observed that Machine & Tool tax revenue had several possible destinations, among which were $60,537 for two firefighter positions the board is

considering cutting; as part of an estimated half million dollars to achieve additional employer contributions to school system health care costs.

“We’ve either got to cut services or do something – we better raise taxes,” Fork Supervisor Archie Fox said, reflecting a perhaps better grasp of the economic realities facing the board than any of his fellow Republicans pondering adherence to the recent county Republican Committee resolution against any tax hikes this year.

This led the county administrator to point to a chart comparing Warren to seven surrounding counties in funding services and departments. Overall, Warren ranked seventh; with specific rankings of sixth in “General Government Administration”; sixth in “Public Safety”; sixth in “Judicial Services”; seventh in “Education”; third in “Parks

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Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 37

Warren Diversions County & Recreation”; third in “Health & Welfare”; fourth in “Public Works”; and third in “Community Development”.

“I think that shows that we’re getting pretty good bang for our buck,” Stanley commented.

On April 15 we’ll find out how the county supervisors plan to bang their bucks around in the coming fiscal year – with or without the new revenue provided by three proposed tax hikes to cover costs, largely of alreadyexisting essential services like law enforcement, firefighting and maintaining an experienced public school teaching staff.

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Page 38 â&#x20AC;˘ Warren & Frederick County Report â&#x20AC;˘ Mid April, 2014

Warren County

Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a $35-million bond, each .25% (quarter of a 1-percent of interest rate) increase will add approximately $1.15 million in total costs or $57,000 per year,â&#x20AC;? the staff summary of the Davenport & Associates financial analysis

County delays decision on new middle school to April 15

By Roger Bianchini Warren County Report

In the wake of an April 1 budget work session the Warren County Board of Supervisors delayed a decision on when to proceed with engineering and construction of an already-delayed second public middle school.

After hearing staff appraisals that the county will essentially be rolling the dice on possible rising costs in the millions with any further delay, the board consensus was to wait until its meeting of April 15 to give the school board direction on how to proceed in putting the project out to bid.

At issue financially for the county are the potential of both higher construction

costs and loan interest rates.

Among the variables prepared for the perhaps appropriately-timed April Foolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day budget work session were bond consultant estimates that the current 4.44percent interest rate on a 20-year municipal bond issue are likely to rise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a $35-million bond, each .25% (quarter of a 1-percent of interest rate) increase will add approximately $1.15 million in total costs or $57,000 per year,â&#x20AC;? the staff summary of the Davenport & Associates financial analysis stated.

Current estimates for Phase Two of the public schools capital improvement project including the new middle school and the already accomplished renovations to the old high school converting it into the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lone existing middle school

have already risen to $36,878,339 from an original number of $23,344,500.

It was also mentioned that while the county has been lucky in the past on the timing of its major capital improvement projects related to costs, there is no

guarantee that luck will hold on a one or two-year delay in starting construction of the second middle school on the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s east side near the projected path of the new north-south connector road, Leachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run Parkway.

In fact, what the county would be betting on with a delay is that the regional and national economies will relapse into a general decline minimizing recoveries in the building trades and borrowing markets. And whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a sound

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Plus the award-winning News At Noon & Valley Today, local news & sports updates throughout the day and up-to-date weather from local meteorologist Kemp Miller Serving Front Royal and Warren County since 1948

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Read full issues FREE on www.WarrenCountyVA.com & www.FrederickCounty.com

Mid April, 2014 • Warren & Frederick County Report • Page 39

To advertise in Warren & Frederick County Report, Contact: Angie Buterakos at angie@fredcoreport.com • 540-683-9197 or Alison at alisond@warrencountyreport.com • 540-551-2072 strategy with partisan bickering continuing to threaten governmental deadlocks at all levels over recovery initiatives launched by Democratic administrations at both the federal and state level?

But one variable in pushing construction off despite the school system’s desire to finally get eighth graders out of the high

schools and back into an educational environment with their age peers, is putting assumption of the new Phase Two bond issue back until 2017. As County Administrator Doug Stanley explained, that is the point at which the 1995 bond issue for construction of Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School and the old junior high

Free and Important Event

Senior Safety Expo: Seniors Fighting Back

Pets Page

school (now converted into WCHS) will be paid off. Paying off that bond issues will release $1.4-million of debt service money to the new project.

And the county administrator’s budget summary states that those funds “coupled with what we have set aside and $1 million from the Dominion project will finance the project.” The Dominion Power plant is forecast to become fully operational by 2016, maximizing its anticipated $4-million to $5-million tax revenue stream.

With construction of a new elementa-

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Elks Lodge, Guard Hill Road, Front Royal

ry school also looming at some point due to anticipated rising enrollment numbers, discussion of a potential move of fifth graders into the two middle schools once the second one is constructed was broached. The idea is sort of a back-end reversal of the current juggling of the student population of eighth graders into excess space in the new high schools to delay planned capital expenditures on the second middle school.

Such juggling of students, while not ideal from an educational perspective due to varying maturity levels of age

groups, is facilitated by design capacities allowing the new buildings to accommodate student population growth over a 20 year timeframe.

However, school officials are feeling some urgency on the second middle school as the county’s eighth-grade student population is pushing both high schools to near their design capacities for ninth through twelfth grades; and the county’s current sixth and seventh grade student population is similarly stretching the new WCMS toward its design capacity.

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Great info from our local Sheriff and Police Depts.

Continental Breakfast provided by Commonwealth Assisted Living, Door Prizes, Skits and Lunch complete the morning.

Contact Jennifer 540-327-4284

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Low Prices Call Gary

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SPCA of Winchester, Frederick & Clarke Co. 115 Featherbed Lane Winchester, VA 540-662-8616 To sponsor a pet contact Angie at angie@fredcoreport.com or 540-683-9197

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Humane Society of Warren County

540-635-4734

Monday thru Sunday 10 am to 4 pm - Closed Wednesday • 1245 Progress Drive, Front Royal, VA • 540-635-4734 • humanesocietywc@gmail.com

Spring Cleaning Adoption Special!

In honor of the 5550 hours of volunteer service to HSWC we are offering $5.50 adoption fees with the donation of bleach & laundry detergent. Adoption special only for National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 6th-14th). Adoption fee does not include spay/neuter if applicable.

Blitz - 3 year old neutered male pit bull. This handsome fellow already knows “sit,” “down,” and “shake.”

Blitz’s ad sponsored by:

Spicewood Flats Boarding Kennels & Grooming

125 Spicewood Lane • Front Royal

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Willow - 2 year old spayed female pit mix.

Willow is house and crate trained and knows sit, lie down, paw, bow, and bed. She’s a very sweet and loyal dog that just needs someone to love her.

Brownie - 4 year old male corgi/chihuahua mix. This super sweet dog was surrendered because of a divorce

Red - 9 month old female heeler mix. Red is a very energetic and playful girl. She loves to run and play fetch.

Brownie’s ad sponsored by:

Red’ ad sponsored by:

Willow’s ad sponsored by:

Martins Foods 409 South St. Front Royal

Property Management

Serving the area for 16 years!

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Hillbilly’s Junkyard Hillbilly has what you NEED! 4381 Stonewall Jackson Hwy Bentonville, VA • 636-2671 hillbillysjunkyard.com

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With your help we have been able to place thousands of animals in good homes. Contact Alison @ 540-551-2072 if you would like to become a pet sponsor too!

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Early-Spring Pot-Hole Special!

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7 YEARS OLD TAKE

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t Hand wax t Hand wash t Clean interior t Clean engine compartment t Clean trunk

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Truck & SUV

129

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00

Some models may be slightly higher. Plus any applicable tax, shop supplies and environmental fees. One coupon per visit.

Coupon must be presented prior to service write-up. Offer ends 4/30/14. Not valid in conjunction with any other coupons or in-store specials. Good only at MARLOW MOTOR COMPANY.

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4dr. Sedan, 3.0L I-6, Auto 66K Miles Stock #14WR155B

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CABIN AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT SERVICE

Discount on labor only - not to exceed $150.00

PIT-STOP SPECIAL!

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ELDER AUTO CLUB SPECIAL 5 YEARS OLD TAKE

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Plus any applicable tax, shop supplies and environmental fees. One coupon per visit. Coupon must be presented prior to service write-up. Offer ends 4/30/14. Not valid in conjunction with any other coupons or in-store specials. Good only at MARLOW MOTOR COMPANY.

4dr. Touring, 3.6L V-6, Auto 27K Miles Stock #U346A

$25 OFF any

Front or Rear BRAKE SERVICE or REPAIR Plus any applicable tax, shop supplies and environmental fees. One coupon per visit. Coupon must be presented prior to service write-up. Offer ends 4/30/14. Not valid in conjunction with any other coupons or in-store specials. Good only at MARLOW MOTOR COMPANY.

$25 OFF any

Fluid System Service #SBLF t 1PXFS t $PPMBOU 5SBOTNJTTJPO t %SJWF -JOF Y

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+RQGD &LYLF (; 4 dr., 1.8L I-4, Auto.

41K Miles Stock #14GJ208A

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4 dr. SUV, 3.6L V-6, Auto.

27K Miles Stock #A372A

TAX, TAGS & TITLE FEES NOT INCLUDED. $289 PROCESSING FEE not included. $OO YHKLFOHV VXEMHFW WR SULRU VDOH $35 ÂżQDQFLQJ LV VXEMHFW WR DSSURYHG FUHGLW DQG OLPLWHG WR DQG QHZHU PRGHO \HDU YHKLFOHV $35 IRU PRQWKV UHVXOWV LQ PRQWKO\ SD\PHQW HTXDO WR SHU WKRXVDQG ÂżQDQFHG =HUR GRZQ RQ DSSURYHG FUHGLW

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