1/28/10 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE County administrator presents revised budget projections. > page 4

Volume 57, Number 4 • January 28, 2010

GES students celebrate past By Jim Ridolphi news@goochlandgazette.com

Goochland Elementary School turned back the hands of time last week, giving its students a glimpse at how life in Goochland looked years ago. Young Explorers teacher Glenda Hawk and fourth grade teacher Zoe Parrish organized the event, which featured historical interpreters, vintage demonstrations, colonial music and a visit from Lord Cornwallis. “I like to call it, “Goochland Once Upon a Time,” because it focuses on what life was like in the past,” Hawk said. The teachers thought Colonial Day was an effective method of giving their kids a hands-on look on everyday life in past centuries. Marilyn Long and Melinda Gammon from Field Day of the Past showed students the intricacies of ironing clothes and baking biscuits with utensils that were less sophisticated than those we have today. Keeping an iron hot, for example, was something many of the students took for granted before a demonstration convinced them otherwise. The event featured eight stations, each displaying a lost trade or a historical note. Postmaster George Smith displayed items from past eras and Sandra Barkley showed the kids how to make colonial pop-up books. Pope Reed ran a corn sheller on the stage in the cafeteria while Howard Mayo displayed items from an

INDEX

Calendar Classifieds Features Letters Education

Schools host roundtable Answer questions submitted by parents, citizens By Amy Condra acondra@goochlandgazette.com

Last week the school board hosted a roundtable meeting in order to address questions raised by parents over the past few months. At the meeting, School Superintendent Linda Underwood reconvened a public hearing on the budget, which had been continued from Jan. 12. At that meeting Underwood and the school board asked citizens to submit questions that would be answered publically last week. “We received lots of questions, and some were very similar,” said Underwood as the meeting began, “and a large number were on insurance.”

How many school system employees that do not meet fulltime standards are receiving fulltime benefits?

Photo by Jim Ridolphi

Bruce Venter portrays Lord Cornwallis as part of the Colonial Day celebrations at Goochland Elementary School last week.

old tobacco barn, and Mabry’s Blacksmith while Julia Price and Calvin Hopkins told Shop offered the students a first hand the story of the Second Union School, look at the lost art of blacksmithing, the complete with photos and recollections. “These are all community people,” old fashioned way. Sophia Pryor from the Historical see GES > page 5 Society displayed items from the past

15 Opinion 13-15 Sports 5 TV Listings 6-7 2

6 8-9

SPORTS Goochland swimmers prepare for postseason. > page 9

“School divisions are different than businesses,” said Underwood, explaining that they consider whether an employee is regularly contracted rather than how many numbers are worked each week. Professional staff on teacher contracts, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and part-time cleaners are covered under the school’s health insurance plan. Staff with teacher contracts receive full benefits if they work at least half-time. The schools pay a lower portion of health insurance premiums for ther part-time workers. “Our health insurance practices are common see Schools > page 1

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January 28, 2010

EDUCATION: School Board and Academic News

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School Superintendents sound ‘doomsday budget’ alarm By Brittany Daniels and Sarah Sonies Capital News Serice

State budget cuts could force Virginia school districts to adopt a “doomsday budget” that would require laying off teachers and staff, increasing student-teacher ratios, eliminating summer school and taking other drastic measures, the Virginia Association of School Superintendents warned Tuesday. “If the term ‘doomsday budget’ sets off an alarm — good. It is time to be alarmed,” said Milton Liverman, president of VASS and superintendent of Suffolk City Public Schools. “We want to come together as a group of superintendents because we feel it is important for everybody to know that we are all dealing with the same issues. We’re all concerned about the same negative impact that this General Assembly session could have on the progress that we have made in public education; and we have made tremendous progress.” Liverman said the “support staff ratio cap” is one of the main targets of budget reductions. More than $750 million in cuts are in the state budget proposed by then-Gov. Tim Kaine, who left office Saturday. The amount of cuts could increase because the new governor, Bob McDonnell, has rejected tax increases recommended by Kaine.

Philip Worrell, VASS secretary/treasurer and superintendent of the Greensville/Emporia County schools, said that clerical staff in schools might expect to be laid off. Teachers and guidance counselors would pick up the duties left behind. VASS is requesting a delay in the implementation of recent mandates until the state has funding to support implementation of the changes. If implemented now, the mandates would have a “serious negative impact on morale which can only negatively affect student performance.” “If these mandates are implemented at a time when state funding is being reduced, we will find fewer schools fully accredited in the future,” Worrell said. Alan Lee, VASS president-elect and superintendent of Washington County schools, discussed issues with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. VASS has requested that the governor and General Assembly: • Delay new state mandates such as the new graduation requirements, the implementation of a financial literacy course, and the development of middle school career plans; • Maintain the number of school support personnel currently required by the Standards of Quality; and • Allow local school boards to retain their

Schools

standard business practice health insurance costs? but it is standard school “We use a RFP (request continued from >1 practice.” for proposal) procurement in all school divisions,” said process, to get a better deal or Underwood. “These is not How can schools lower to negotiate with our current company,” said Underwood. “It’s an ongoing process.”

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authority over charter schools in their districts delaying the new graduation requirements until and oppose vouchers and tuition tax credits adequate funding of the requirements is prothat further drain money from education funds vided by the state. already being proposed for cuts. VASS 2010 Legislative Priorities: • Public Education Funding: VASS believes that should revenue and funding restraints require reductions in K-12 funding, standards with proven records of success should not be changed. • Funding Caps for Support Positions: VASS opposes the use of any change in rebenchmark• Nearly 50 percent are ing methodology or any change in Standards of considering some form of salary Quality as a means of balancing the budget in reduction and at least 46 percent times of revenue shortfalls. VASS would espeare considering cutting incentive cially oppose setting caps on support personnel programs. until the recommendations of the Board of • 89 percent are considering Education for a study of this issue is completed. increasing pupil-teacher ratios • ESEA Reauthorization (also known as and 91 percent are considering NCLB): VASS supports return of accountability cutting teacher positions. to state and local authorities for ESEA. • Charter Schools: VASS supports moni• Half of the respondents are toring any proposed changes to the current considering budget cuts in charter school law in order to assure that it programs such as summer school continues to be limited to public schools in the remediation, assistance for at-risk Commonwealth and that local school boards students and education for 4retain authority and control over such schools. year-olds. • Delay Implementation of the New Graduation Requirements: VASS supports

A recent survey of Virginia school superintendents by VASS found that:

Underwood said that schools are looking at nontraditional plans, Health Savings Accounts, and self-insurance, and will decide later this year whether to put out an RFP to solicit bids from other insurance carriers.

Why are certain positions in instruction category, when they appear to belong to the administration category? “What jobs are in administration or instruction is generally guided by administrative information we receive from the Department of Education,” said Underwood, “ but there are a lot of gray areas.” Underwood said that a lot of positions cross the lines between instruction and administration depending on responsibilities that

change over time. “We are a small school division, and individual people have responsibility for lots of things,” said Underwood. “Everyone does lots of different jobs, and cross categories within the budget.”

Why are schools cutting teaching positions and not cutting jobs in central office? Underwood said that schools would implement a furlough, for staff contracted for 200 or more days, that would include employees in the central office. She added that there were reductions in central office staff positions and in the number of contract days for central office clerical staff.

transportation costs be reduced? Underwood cited the size of the county as one reason for higher transportation costs, noting that schools are always looking for ways to save money on fuel and vehicles. “We know that tomorrow is another opportunity to be more economical,” said Underwood. “The same is true for maintenance; our maintenance staff is trying to find ways to be economical.”

Why not extend school days, so that schools can be open for fewer days?

“If we’re trying to maximize student learning, and optimize instructional time, reducing the number of days that students are in school is not a recommendation at this point in time,” said How can maintenance and Underwood.

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Goochland rest stops to reopen in mid-April By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

The two rest stops on Interstate 64 near the Oilville interchange in Goochland County will be among the last group to reopen, said Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeffrey Caldwell last Friday. The two rest stops were among 19 closed last year by VDOT under the Kaine administration, and the move was projected at the time to save VDOT $740,000 per year. But last week newly inaugurated Governor Bob McDonnell announced that the closed rest stops would be reopened in stages. Four will open by February 17, eight more by March 17, and the rest, including those in Goochland, by April 15. In a vote last Wednesday the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) reversed its previous decision, from June of last year, to reduce the number of state rest stops and welcome centers from 42 to 23. McDonnell joined Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton at the meeting of the CTB. Plans are to use $3 million from a maintenance reserve fund to operate the facilities through the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Plans call for an “Adopt a Rest Stop” program to permit private sector contributions to defray operation costs. McDonnell said that he will direct the Department of Corrections to supply nonviolent inmate work crews for maintenance, landscaping and repair of existing rest areas. Goochland District 4 supervisor Malvern R.

“Rudy” Butler welcomed the news. “I was against their closing,” said Butler, recalling that the Goochland Board of Supervisors passed a resolution urging VDOT to reconsider the decision to close the two rest stops in the county. Butler said he had always been concerned about the closures as both safety issue and a matter of perception of how the state is doing. “Truck drivers get tired – they need a place to rest,” said Butler, who added that closing the rest stops had “sent a message that Virginia is in bad shape.” Caldwell said Goochland’s rest stops are scheduled to open in the third group because “they have some challenges with the plumbing. It’s going to take more work to get them ready to open.” Economic Development Director Greg Reid said he presumed VDOT would reopen the wastewater plant that services the rest stops, and noted that the reopening might lead to county collaboration with VDOT on wastewater treatment in the future. Bill Janis, Goochland’s representative in the House of Delegates, also welcomed the decision to reopen the rest stops. But he also said he did not favor privatization of the facilities, or expansion of services beyond their current function. “That would give them an unfair advantage against the people that came out here years ago and risked a lot of money to do it,” said Janis, referring to the local convenience stores and gas stations located at the two Goochland interchanges.

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This rest stop on I-64 West at Oilville will reopen in April under Gov. Bob McDonnell’s plan for 2010.

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January 28, 2010

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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Declining revenues mean deep cuts to county budget By Jim Ridolphi news@goochlandgazette.com

The good news is the county can cover those shortfalls for the current budget year, but balancing the 2011 budget will be a challenge. County Administrator Rebecca Dickson delivered updated figures for the current budget at a workshop session of the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night, listing revised estimated revenues that, in most categories, have trended downward. The county has seen a drastic reduction

in building permits, and local real estate assessments are flat or on the decline. Real estate values fell in 2010 and are expected to remain flat for 2011 and 2012. It’s the same story when it comes to new construction. “New construction was down sharply in 2009 due to the depressed real estate market and overall economy,” Dickson said. “New construction assessments over the last four years have averaged about $126 million and in 2009, we put about $37.5 million on the books, so that’s a significant decrease.”

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Real estate taxes account for 57 percent of the county’s total revenues, and a stagnant market is affecting the county’s bottom line. Revenue projections for the current real estate revenues had been, in Dickson’s words, “optimistic.” The budget estimated $24.2 million in real estate revenues, but that figure was revised to $22.8 million. And the county has also experienced a significant decrease in interest income. During last year’s budget process it was estimated the county would collect $750,000 in interest, but this week Dickson said that that figure is closer Revenues from local sales taxes, recordation taxes and business licenses are also lower than expected. The decline in revenue left the county with a $1 million shortfall, split almost evenly between the schools and the county. The county has already identified $600,000 in cuts for the current fiscal year, and the schools will cover its portion using a cancelled Virginia Retirement System payment and unspent funds from last year. As the pattern of decreased revenues is expected to continue, the budget for 2011 will present even bigger problems. “We’re having to reset the budget in terms of what we should be projecting in 2011,” Dickson said. To address shortfalls, Dickson suggested the board consider endorsing policies that would pro rate personal property taxes, and charge administrative fees for stop payment orders on taxes at the DMV. Estimated additional revenues from those programs add up to about $200,000 per year. “Those are two new revenues that could come before you and, of course, be subject

to a public hearing,” Dickson said. She reminded supervisors that all of these projections are based on the governor’s proposed budget, which, she admitted, is subject to change. “That’s the only information I have to go on. If it gets better, great. If it gets worse, I’ve got a $200,000 contingency because we don’t have all the cuts in from the departments,” Dickson said. With the reductions, Dickson is projecting about $4.8 million less in revenue than the current fiscal year. The original projection was $5.4 million. Those cuts would be split between the schools (2.6 million) and the other county departments ($2.2 million). The county has identified reductions of $1.1 million, and is looking to cut about $1 million more before a budget is presented to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 16. Information regarding the budget will be available to the public Feb. 11, and a public hearing is scheduled for March 30. The School Board will present its budget to the Board of Supervisors Feb. 2. Dickson also recommended the board adopt a set of financial policy standards that will implement a best practices policy for the county. Adopting these guidelines, she said, would promote “long term financial stability and provide a framework for measuring the fiscal impact of government services.” The guidelines establish limits for responsible debt management and recommend that budgets be considered two years in advance, with two-year projections. The supervisors agreed to consider the guidelines at a future meeting.

“N ew construction assessments over the last four years have averaged about $126 million and in 2009, we put about $37.5 million on the books, so that’s a significant decrease.” — County Adminstrator Rebecca Dickson

Thursday

FEATURE: The Lives We Lead

January 28, 2010

GES continued from > page 1 Hawk said. “They know the history of Goochland and can tell the kids their stories.” And speaking of Goochland history, Jackie Morsink, the author of the original third grade county history book, was also on hand for the event. The cafeteria staff maintained the historical theme with a lunch of Brunswick stew and cornbread, both staples in colonial times. Thanks to a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the day culminated with an assembly featuring Kim and Jimbo, who presented a musical array of Colonial music. Students rotated among the eight themed stations throughout the day, and some even came to school attired in colonial garb. Hawk said the themed day ties in with what the fourth and fifth graders are learning in class and in other programs-they just finished their study of Revolutionary times, and the Young Explorers are opening a Colonial store in the Spring. “The kids will run the store at lunch on the stage of the cafeteria,” Hawk said. “This is a kickoff event for that project.” Hawk considers Colonial Day a living history event for Photo by Jim Ridolphi the children. “I think of it as more of an enrichment day,” she Pope Reed displays a corn sheller to students as part of the said, “because the kids get to hear above and beyond what Colonial Day celebration held at Goochland Elementary they would normally hear in the classroom.” School last week.

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

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Dimming the light Del. R. Lee Ware Jr. (R-Powhatan) is sponsoring a bill that would allow any public body to seek “injunctive relief ” against citizens who are causing “harassment” of the government by submitting too many requests under the Freedom of Information Act. House Bill 449 does not, however, describe what that “harassment” might entail—does this mean two information requests, or 20? Who decides if the number of requests constitutes harassment? And who decides, and why, whether to seek “injunctive relief,” or a prohibition against further requests? This doesn’t just seem like a slippery slope; it seems like a road covered with black ice under a moonless night. At a time when most governments are promising more openness, passing legislation that amends the Code of Virginia in ways that will restrict a citizen’s right to ask questions seems like a monumental step backward. And you have to wonder… who will vote for this? And why? And if does pass, will you be able to ask that question anymore, without the threat of legal restraint? Of course there are people who may abuse the privilege of requesting information. Probably every county has one or two citizens who have been known to present frivolous requests, and who are the bane of the office or official they are pursuing. But is arbitrarily closing the curtain the answer? Ware is also sponsoring House Bill 79, which prohibits a clerk of court from providing public access, without written consent of the applicant or permit holder, to concealed handgun permit applications. But some people believe that because concealed gun permits are public documents, they should be public. And such openness allows people, and the press, to make sure that our government is not issuing permits to those, such as convicted felons, who should not have them. By keeping public information public, we allow a natural rhythm of checks and balances, a cadence that sets a pace of accountability. The transparency that Ware seeks to obscure, is the only way to see if resources are being used responsibly. So… do we really want our government to be able to seek “injunctive relief ” against us, for asking too many questions? - Amy Condra

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Pulling together in hard times The economic downturn has affected almost everyone. In early 2008 by direction of our board, our nonprofit organization laid off twentyone people from our administrative support staff, a fifty percent reduction. We laid off nine of our 100 front line staff. At the beginning of 2009 we instituted an across the board 10 percent pay cut. Instead of buying new equipment, we repair old equipment. Instead of taking trips, we do Web meetings. There have been

Joy Monopoli Amy Condra Charlie Leffler Ken Odor Gloria Kirkland Stephanie Childrey Brianna Maag Cindy Grant

many more significant reductions and cost savings that I will not take the time to list here. The bottom line is that we reduced our annual spending by $2.4 million, which was a 26 percent reduction. The attitude of our employees has been one of uncomplaining teamwork, camaraderie, flexibility, and pulling together in tough times to get the job done. Those who are still employed are thankful to have a job and are willing to do everything within their power to cut costs and make it work, without complaint. We still deliver our core services to

an even greater number of recipients than we did two years ago. This same scenario has been played out in countless companies and organizations across America, and will continue for some time. Just as in the Great Depression, companies and communities again have to learn how to pull together and work through hard times, and many are doing just that with a cooperative, sacrificial spirit. The stark exception to this spirit of shared sacrifice is our government entities both national and local, and for the see Letter> page 7

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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January 28, 2010

Letters continued from > page 6 purpose of this letter, our local school system. I have watched the budget process, listened to the arguments of the school board and school administrators, listened to the complaints of the parents, and been utterly dismayed by their unwillingness to face economic realities and become team players along with the rest of the country. The county administrator indicated that the school system’s part in our shared sacrifice needed to be a $2.9 million reduction in expenses, an 11 percent reduction. This reduction is quite reasonable considering the number of taxpayers who are out of work, underemployed, or who like me have taken 10 percent or greater pay reductions. Instead of a response from the school system of, “We want to help and will do all we can to make it work,” I have seen a recalcitrant litany of dire warnings, hand-wringing complaints, and refusals to comply from school officials, and outrage by parents. If anyone in my organization had responded in this manner, they would have been rightfully deemed selfish and insensitive to the wellbeing of our organization as a whole and would have been treated accordingly. Unfortunately the government entitlement mindset of schools is that they are entitled to more, even if it means increasing taxes on people who are already struggling to stay afloat. After all, if they did comply with the requested reductions and in the spirit of community actually continued to get the job done without complaint, then they might be expected to live within their means again next year like the rest

of the world. The mantra-like message that goes out each year at budget time is, “We need more money for schools, and if we don’t get it everything will fall apart and our children will suffer immensely.” This tired message has grown thin for those who must foot the bill to finance the insatiable appetites of the public education system and government in general. I would also say to those parents who demand more and more for their public school children at the expense of other people, if you want more take it out of your own pockets not out of everyone else’s. I home school my six children and if I want more it comes out of my pocket. And guess what, my children receive a good education that is well within my very limited (and reduced) means. I must admit though that if I believed that I was entitled to other people’s money and that I could use the government to force them to give it to me, I too might think of all sorts of things my children must have at the expense of others. Although this letter may offend public school officials and parents of public school children, my purpose is to implore you to face the reality of our county’s financial situation, and to ask you to join with all of us in working toward a reasonable solution. The expense of public schools (for both operation and debt retirement) makes up over 50 percent of our county’s expenditures. The cost of schoolrelated capital projects takes this figure even higher. So when you are asked by the county administrator and the board of supervisors to act in good faith to assist your county and fellow citizens to live within our means, I would hope to see an attitude of cooperation and teamwork. The actions of the

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OPINION: Letters to the Editor school board, school administrators, and some vocal parents to date have been antithetical to the spirit needed to help us all weather this financial storm. Dr. Douglas Pruiett Sandy Hook

Serving silently? Amy Condra’s January 21 editorial “Serving the public” was right on the mark and one of her best. However, it’s not surprising to me that Goochland teachers, school administrators and other county employees are reluctant to voice opinions or write letters to the Gazette concerning the budget debate. After 33 years of federal service I know very well how “the system” works. It’s appropriate for Goochland employees to answer certain questions when asked but clearly not to inject themselves into a budget debate. Goochland employees have my greatest respect for their silent service. When Goochland employees are retired as I am they may let the fur fly but not until then for numerous good reasons. What I really fail to understand is why no Goochland elected officials have ever responded to my numerous letters in the Gazette. All my letters must have been absolutely correct or Goochland politicians are too fearful or disinterested to respond. My belief is that most Goochland politicians have historically wanted to hold office mainly to further their own self interests and egos rather than the common good. Telling the truth and making hard decisions in public are the least important part of their personal agendas. But I see a welcomed flicker of change possibly occurring with future elections. Art Bachman Gum Spring

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Thursday

January 28 2010

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

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Bulldogs complete sweep of cross-river rivals Goochland streaks to 83-52 victory BY JIM RIDOLPHI sports@goochlandgazette.com

n Monday night Goochland and Powhatan residents filled the GHS gym as part of a special fundraiser for Haiti relief. The Bulldog basketball team took advantage of the full house to display an offensive explosion against cross-river rival Powhatan in a 83-52 win. “The crowd really got us going tonight and everyone contributed to this victory over a tough Powhatan team,” said Goochland coach Oliver Courtney. The Bulldogs opened the game with a full throttle assault on the Indians, including three long range 3-pointers from senior Brandon Henry, who finished the game with six 3pointers and 31 points. “Brandon almost single handedly got us started tonight with his shooting,” Courtney said. “He was unstoppable tonight.” With Henry working the outside and Corbyn Jackson, Willie Ezell and BJ Clark doing the inside work, the Bulldogs never allowed the visitors a chance to find their stride. “They outplayed and out hustled us on both ends of the court tonight, and never allowed us to get into our game,” said Powhatan coach Steve Washburn. “They deserve all the credit tonight.” James Brooks directed a Bulldogs’ offense that did not misfire often, taking advantage of selective outside shooting coupled with a powerful inside game. “James Brooks at point guard had seven assists tonight,” Courtney said. “He

Photos by Jim Ridolphi

Above: Brandon Henry flies high for two of his game leading 31 points, including six 3-pointers. Right: Willie Ezell (22) goes inside for two points in the third quarter.

was the guy who was making things happen tonight with the ball. That took a lot of pressure off Brandon and allowed him to get to his sweet spot.” Courtney indicated that his team had all aspects of the game working well against the Indians. “I thought Corbyn Jackson did a great job on the inside and we passed the ball well tonight,” he said. “We rarely gave them any second shots on the basket, either, so it was a complete effort.” The Indians attempted to get back into the game with some pinpoint shooting of their own after facing a 22-7 first quarter deficit. After several three pointers, the Indians drew to 33-21 late in the first half, but that was as close as they could get. The Bulldogs held a 40-28 lead when the teams went into the locker room. “I thought we got it down to a manageable margin during the second quarter, but they shut us down in the sec-

ond half,” Washburn said. The Bulldogs took advantage of an unstoppable inside game to piece together a commanding third quarter lead, 67-39. Clark sealed the deal in the fourth quarter with consecutive driving lay-ups that, combined with more Henry 3pointers, slammed the door on any possible comeback from the Indians. “Everybody played well tonight,” Courtney said. “This was one of our best games. We came out with a lot of energy. The crowd motivated us.” The coach said the matchups with Powhatan are still a highlight on the Bulldogs schedule and James River bragging rights are always a sought after prize. “It’s one of my favorite games of the year,” Courtney said. “They’re our next door neighbors and it’s a good rivalry. It’s always good to get a big win like this in a rivalry game.” The Bulldogs don’t get much time to celebrate the win

as they have two more games this week against Monticello and at Louisa. “I hope they can keep playing at this level with this intensity,” Courtney said. “Sometimes, back to back games are tough, but hopefully,

we’ll be ready to play.” Goochland 83, Powhatan 52 POWHATAN (6-9) Burton 10, Minor 13, Berry 4, Stinson 0, Anderson 0, Moore 5, Fralin 4, Miller 4, Barden 3, Prillaman 2, Adams 4, Dickerson 3. Totals 21 4-7 52. GOOCHLAND (9-4) Turner 0,

Miller 4, Brooks 9, Clark 14, Athey 0, Ezell 7, Crawley 0, Henry 31, Johnson 6, Smith 0, Jackson 12. Totals 33 1020 83. Powhatan ----------- 7 21 11 13 -- 52 Goochland -------- 22 18 27 16 -- 83 3-point goals: P -- Minor 4, Burton 2. G -- Henry 6, Brooks.

Thursday

January 28, 2010

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Bulldog swimmers improve but fall to Patrick Henry Goochland prepares for post season BY JIM RIDOLPHI sports@goochlandgazette.com

n Saturday night the Goochland swim team fell to Patrick Henry at the Ashland YMCA. For Goochland, it was the next to last meet in a season that has presented an array of challenges for first year coach Grace Creasey. “The kids are really enjoying the season, and our new swimmers have gotten more and more excited as the year has gone on,” Creasey said. “Unfortunately, we’re getting to the end of the season and everyone is swimming their best and feeling comfortable,” Creasey said. Despite the challenging season, Creasey said the squad has taken giant steps toward becoming a competitive swim team. “This year I’ve tried to make them more accountable,” she said. “I’m trying to make it a program that can be competitive with the Charlottesvilles and Fluvannas.” The coach said that it is a process that does not happen overnight and several factors have to be considered when evaluating the team’s progress. “We’re still dealing with limited practice times when most of the schools we compete against swim morning and evening,” Creasey said. The coach has also approached the season with a renewed sense of responsibility demanded from the squad. “They had to realize that if they don’t practice, they don’t swim, so it’s been a learning year for them and we had several swimmers who didn’t swim tonight because they didn’t practice,” she added.

Photos by Jim Ridolphi

Above: Goochland’s Johnny Trongone swims the breaststroke. Trongone won the Boys’ 100 Yard backstroke. Above right: Anna Jones swims the butterfly. Right: Kevin Eliason is one of the team’s top swimmers, specializing in the freestyle events. Eliason won both the Boys’ 200 & 500 Yard Freestyle races.

Kevin Eliason won the 200 and 500-yard freestyle event, and Fleming Bors-Koefoed shaved seconds off his best time in the 50-yard and 100yard freestyle. “For someone who has never swam competitively, Fleming has really shown improvement,” Creasey said. “In the last two meets, he’s dropped four and five seconds off his times.” Johnny Trongone won the 100-yard backstroke event, and Kelsey Lumpkin finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke for the Bulldogs. Gooochland heads to the District Meet at Fork Union Feb ruary 6. Results: Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay 1 Patrick Henry High School1:59.65 (1) Wisler, Jack B 17 (2) Rothlisberger, Chris J 15 (3) Mallory, Will C 15 (4) Wright, Elliott H 18

Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay 1 Patrick Henry High School2:08.84, (1) Worrell, Elisa C 17 (2) Lynch, Morgan E 16 (3) Brown, Jesse W 17 (4) Rosenberg, Katy R 17 Boys 200 Yard Freestyle 1 Eliason, Kevin- Goochland, 2:20.33 2:06.25 Girls 200 Yard Freestyle 1 Worrell, Elisa C- Patrick Henry, 2:01.91 Boys 200 Yard IM 1 Mallory, Lucas O- Patrick Henry, 2:18.59 Girls 200 Yard IM 1 Brown, Jesse W- Patrick Henry, 2:36.50 Boys 50 Yard Freestyle 1 Mallory, Will C- Patrick Henry, 23.25 Girls 50 Yard Freestyle 1 Brown, Jesse W- Patrick Henry, 27.87 Boys 100 Yard Butterfly 1 Kinser, Quinny- Patrick Henry, 1:06.12

Girls 100 Yard Butterfly 1 Anderson, Lindsey L- Patrick Henry, 1:09.44 Boys 100 Yard Freestyle 1 Mallory, Will C- Patrick Henry, 54.03 Girls 100 Yard Freestyle 1 Trexler, Kristen R- Patrick Henry, 1:05.85 Boys 500 Yard Freestyle 1 Eliason, Kevin- Goochland, 5:55.91 Girls 500 Yard Freestyle 1 Lynch, Morgan E- Patrick Henry, 6:18.81 Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 1 Patrick Henry, 1:40.50, (1) Maphis, Marcus D 17 (2) Mallory, Lucas O 18 (3) Kinser, Quinny 17 (4) Mallory, Will C 15 Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 1 Patrick Henry, 2:02.03, (1) Goettl-Meyer, Morgaine M 15 (2) Thomas, Heather N 17 (3) Menk, Miranda J 15 (4) Jones, Haley H 17

Boys 100 Yard Backstroke 1 Trongone, JohnnyGoochland, 1:07.35 Girls 100 Yard Backstroke 1 Chambers, Julia E- Patrick Henry, 1:12.63 Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke 1 Mallory, Lucas O- Patrick Henry, 1:09.85 Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke 1 Nichols, Allison M- Patrick Henry, 1:18.00 Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay 1 Patrick Henry, 3:11.94 (1) Maphis, Marcus D 17 (2) Kinser, Quinny 17 (3) Wright, Elliott H 18 (4) Mallory, Lucas O 18 Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay 1 Patrick Henry, 4:27.12, (1)

Anderson, Lindsey L 14 (2) Schoenhut, Emilie B 16 ( 3) Thomas, Heather N 17 (4) Rosenberg, Katy R 17 Girls 1. Patrick Henry 134 2. Goochland 33 Boys 1. Patrick Henry 100 2.Goochland 54

Players wanted The Hanover Sports 9U travel baseball team is looking to add a some players to their roster. If you and your child are interested in trying out for the Hanover Sports 9U travel team please contact Michael McMillion at (804) 559-7007.

Thursday

THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM ESPN

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C NFL Live

CSN

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E Bobby Bowden: Reflec

8-ABC

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6-CBS

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35-FOX

(11) . Maury Secret crushes.

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January 28, 2010

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