03/03/2011 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE National band to play local concert > page 10

Volume 57, Number 9 • March 3, 2011

Retired correctional officer enters Examination of CRC race for District 1 supervisor seat books completed By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Retired Virginia Department of Corrections official Phil Hunnel has filed papers to seek the Republican nomination for supervisor for Goochland’s District 1. Hunnel, who retired in January after a 37-year career with the Virginia Department of Corrections, will challenge Tea Party activist Susan Lascolette for the right to run against incumbent Andrew Pryor in November. Hunnel served 14 years at the old state penitentiary on Spring Street in Richmond during his career, which ended with posts as Assistant Warden at James River and Powhatan Correctional Centers. “We need a spokesperson for this end of the county,” said Hunnel in an interview at his home on Davis Mill Road last week. “They don’t get representation until election year.” Hunnel, 61, grew up in south Richmond but has always had strong family ties to Goochland. “I’ve been coming here ever since I was a child,” he said. He said he doesn’t mind being called a “come here, rather than a been here and haven’t done very much.” Hunnel attended J. Sargeant Reynolds College and graduated from Bluefield College with a degree

INDEX

Calendar Classifieds Education Letters

15 16-19 2 6

By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Photo by Ken Odor

Phil Hunnel will run for the Republican nomination for the District 1 board of supervisors seat.

in the Administration of Justice. He is an Elder at Mizpah Christian Church where he also is a Sunday school teacher. Hunnel said the west end of the county has been neglected while investment goes into the east end. “The people here need as much as those at the other end,” he said. Married with three grown children, Hunnel lives on a house he

Opinion Politics Sports TV Listings

6 4 12 13-15

built on a former VFW Post site. His wife Kay is retired after a 41year career with the MCV and the Department of Fire Programs. The aspiring supervisor said he had been mulling over a run for supervisor for awhile but that the recent arrest of county treasurer Brenda Grubbs was the catalyst for see Hunnel > page 2

SPORTS Local runner starting second 50-state circuit > page 12

Center for Rural Culture (CRC) Treasurer Keith Flannagan said last week that a report received from accounting firm Keiter Stephens revealed no major discrepancies in the organization’s financial records. “We had allegations raised against us and they have now been resolved,” said Flannagan. “We are finished with this ugly incident and are moving forward. I appreciate the support the CRC has received from the community and it has really helped us get through this.” Controversy began Jan. 5 when then executive director Lisa Dearden sent out an email alleging a $33,000 “discrepancy” between her personal records and the November treasurer’s report. In her email, Dearden demanded Flannagan’s resignation as well as the resignation of the current and past presidents of CRC. She said if her demands were not met, “I will be resigning as Executive Director of the CRC effective January 31st, 2011, and turning over the matter to law enforcement.” CRC accepted her resignation. Keiter Stephens’ report, though

T H E

not an audit, states that “…no material transactions came to our attention that would support a claim of misappropriation of funds.” The accounting firm did recommend that the Board of Directors of CRC “consider implementing written policies for various portions of its accounting function, including the process and procedures for making deposits, recording deposits and disbursements, and monthly bank reconciliations.” CRC president Kate Sarfaty said Friday the organization would adopt the firm’s recommendations to improve its accounting practices. The Center for Rural Culture had a difficult year in 2010, according to Flannagan, who provided the Gazette with the cover page of his Dec. 14, 2010 treasurer’s report. That document showed that the CRC had a current balance of $39,665.21 and that the center received only $2,000 from a certain grant where they had hoped to obtain $20,000. Flannagan noted a drastic drop in income and said the CRC business model had failed and needed see CRC > page 2

L O C A L

west SERVING EASTERN GOOCHLAND AND WESTERN HENRICO

Library book sale is a big hit with local readers

Thursday

EDUCATION: School Board and Academic News

March 3, 2011

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Specializing In Quality Fencing

By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Privacy • Chain Link • Vinyl • Aluminum • Split Rail • Custom Wood • Board • Farm Fencing & Repair

(804) 357-8920 —FREE ESTIMATES— lawsonfencing@netzero.net Licensed & Insured

GET CASH TODAY FOR HIGH UTILITY BILLS!

GET YOUR BEST WRITTEN OFFER AND THEN COME SEE US!

ARMED SECURITY ON DUTY

We are a Virginia company with 20 licensed and bonded locations in Virginia and a proud sponsor of keeping your business right here in our state.

BRING GOLD - GET CA$H TODAY Gold, Platinum, and Silver

chains, bracelets, rings and watches. We pay top dollar for your estate, broken or unwanted inherited jewelry. We Testh Dental gold, gold and silver coins. ei &W g t In Fronu of Yo

Sterling silverware, sterling tea sets.

Clean out your jewelry box and storage!

National Redemption Visit NationalRedemption.com for a bonus coupon

Hilton Garden Inn Innsbrook

Holiday Inn Koger Center

4050 Cox Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060

10800 Midlothian Tnpk. Richmond, VA 23235

(Exit 178B off I-64W near Short Pump)

(Between Chesterfield Towne Center & Johnston-Willis)

Every Thursday thru Sunday

10:00am - 6:00pm RSN

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

$ $ $RECORD $ $ $ $HIGH $ $ $GOLD $ $ $PRICES $ $ $ $• RECORD $ $ $ $ $HIGH $ $ GOLD $ $ $ PRICES $$$$$$

$ Gold and Silver $

www.goochlandgazette.com

Abbey can accommodate students say Benedictine representatives

LAWSON FENCING, LLC.

Top CA$H Paid

Want more? Visit us on the web at

Bring extra $$$$ $ $ $this $ $ $ad $ $for $ $an$ $ $ $ $$5 $ $with $ $ $your $ $ $sale. $$$$$$

The existing facilities at Benedictine Abbey could accommodate the needed classroom space for expanded enrollment, should Benedictine move to Goochland as planned, said attorney Darvin Satterwhite Monday. Satterwhite, who is representing Benedictine, met with Goochland County Administrator Rebecca Dickson, Deputy County Administrator Don Charles and County Attorney Norman Sales Monday morning in a pre-application meeting. Satterwhite was accompanied by the school’s traffic consultant and its engineer along with

CRC continued from > page 1 to be “completely revised.” Dearden’s Jan. 5 email sparked a firestorm of controversy, resulting in a meeting on Jan. 22, where a number of CRC members, vendors and customers discussed what to do, including demanding the resignation of the board or seeking some kind of reconciliation between the board and Dearden. That reconciliation never came and recently Dearden announced plans to open her own farmers market this sea-

Hunnel continued from > page 1 his decision to get in the race. “I thought if you’re ever going to do it, now is the time,” he said.

one of the resident monks and another school supporter. Charles said the county anticipated receiving a “master plan” from Benedictine in the next few weeks indicating what changes might be needed to move the students to the Goochland site. One key item is a new gym for the school’s basketball team but both Charles and Satterwhite said that was probably a few years down the road. Benedictine would continue to use the gym at its Richmond site for the time being. News reports have cited the schools’ desire to increase its enrollment and Satterwhite said the existing facility at the abbey would be sufficient.

Photo by Ken Odor

Benedictine officials have said they hope to move the school to the Benedictine Abbey site for the 2012-2013 school year.

“There’s a substantial amount of classroom space in the existing building,” said Satterwhite. “With appropriate renovation the site could accommodate expanded enrollment,” he

said. Charles said the county anticipates meeting with Benedictine representatives in the next few weeks once they have drawn up a preliminary site plan.

son at another location. Sarfaty said Friday that she felt the review put financial questions about CRC to rest. “I feel like we have provided for anyone interested an adequate investigation and documentation that our books are sound,” she said. Although she admitted the organization had been hurt by the allegations, Sarfaty said the damage was not irreparable. “It gives us an opportunity to refocus on our core mission,” she said, and outlined some of CRC’s plans for this year. The Farmers Market,

under the direction of Market Manager Jane Connor, will again be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Goochland Courthouse, with May 7 being the target date for the opening, said Sarfaty. Other plans include canning workshops to be held in conjunction with Goochland Parks and Recreation and the Community Food Garden at Goochland Family Services, with produce from the garden going to the Food Bank. CRC will also host a visit by a group of Australian ranchers, called the Nuffield Scholars, for two days in June,

she said. Two new CRC board members have been named, said Sarfaty, Ed Lawton, a longtime community volunteer and Steve Miles, farm manager at Shalom Farm at Westview on the James. Sarfaty called the Farmers Market “a fabulous community builder,” adding that with their reduced resources, “We will be needing volunteers.” To volunteer to help with the Farmers Market or other functions of CRC, contact Market Manager Jane Connor at 804 332-3144.

Hunnel said if elected he would hold monthly meetings throughout the district in his first year. His platform promises limited taxation, fiscal responsibility and account-

ability and an effort to draw business investment to the county. Hunnel also criticized the current board. “They have a feeling of entitlement,” he said, adding

that he is in favor of term limits. Hunnel also said he favors rotating the chairmanship of the board of supervisors, a practice that has gone by the wayside of late.

March 3, 2011

PEOPLE: Personalities & Achievements

Goochland photographer wins national award By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing what I love,â&#x20AC;? said Goochland photographer John Harrelson, who was recently named Howard Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly 2010 Photographer of the Year by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). He received the award at the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s January convention. The national award is based on points awarded to photos submitted in several categories, such as Race Action, Crash Action, Features and Portrait Personality. Harrelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s point score was the highest among all photographers who entered the 2010 competition. This is the first time that Harrelson has claimed the Photographer of the Year award. Harrelson, 45, grew up in Richmond and graduated from Douglas Freeman High School. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where his interest in photography was piqued he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of my biggest influ-

FOR RENT 4381 Three Bridge Road Powhatan, VA 23139

3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, two-story, private setting. $950/month

3281 Maidens Road Powhatan, VA 23139

2 bedroom, 2 bath, private wooded setting. $650/month

3024 Timbercrest Court, Midlothian, VA 23112

4 bedroom, 2 bath rancher, like new! Conveniently near Rt. 360 & Genito Rd. No pets. No smoking. $1200/month

3815 Old Buckingham Rd Powhatan, VA 23139 3 bedroom, 1 bath Rancher $900/month.

5590 Pine Street, Powhatan, VA 23139 3 bedroom, 1 bath rancher. $800/month

OFFERING COMPLETE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Call for help with your rental property or for a complete list of available rentals.

ences was my high school photography teacher, Bruce Watson,â&#x20AC;? said Harrelson in a recent phone interview as he stood on the risers at turn four in Daytona, waiting for yet another race to begin. He started off in film and successfully made the transition to digital. Harrelson is on the road a lot. He covers 28 out of town races each year, as well as serving as the track photographer for Richmond International Raceway, a position he has held since 1985. Starting this year he will also be the track photographer for Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. But he does try to get back to Goochland for a couple of days each week between weekend races, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get a break from racing in December and January,â&#x20AC;? he explained, when NASCAR takes a breather before starting a new season each year.

www.goochlandgazette.com

Visit some former neighbors from Goochland! of Richmond an Assisted Living Residence

Join us for refreshments and a tour, the first Sunday of each month, from 1-4 p.m.

CONTINUING A TRADITION OF

Caring for Your Loved Ones Call or visit Meadow Glen of Richmond

Broad Street I-64

an Assisted Living Residence

Three Chopt Road

804-965-2155 Photo by John Harrelson

www.meadowglen.net

Harrelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shot of a crash at theTalledega race was one of the shots that won him the Photographer of theYear Award.

2400 Gaskins Rd., Richmond 23238

In addition to his racing work, Harrelson is a contract photographer for Getty images, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest news and picture agency. Before starting with Getty, he worked with Motorsports Images & Archives in Daytona Beach Florida. He also maintains a studio in Ashland in Hanover County.

SIDING & WINDOW WINTER SALE!

A busy man, Harrelson said he would one day like to mount an exhibition of his work. Meanwhile he has teamed up with his 20-year old daughter Krysten, who also shoots the races at Richmond. Harrelson said he knows how fortunate he is to be doing work that he loves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know how lucky I am,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late to start thinking about retirement. Make planning a top priority. Join us for an educational event on retirement planning. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Learn about Roth IRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 401k Rollovers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Begin the process of developing a retirement strategy Event is best suited for individuals with $250,000 or greater in investable assets. For more information on our upcoming April event or to schedule an individual meeting please call 804-775-1565. Scott Garnett, Vice Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Investments Riverfront Plaza, 951 East Byrd Street, Suite 520 Richmond, VA 23219 804-775-1514 scott.garnett@ubs.com ubs.com/fa/scottgarnett

Fiber Cement Siding Insulated Vinyl Siding

$1,000 OFF

$2,500 OFF

Complete Home Window Replacement

Complete Home Siding & Trim Job Replacement

Minimum 8 Windows

Minimum 1,500 Sq. Ft. Offers Valid Thru 2/28/11

â&#x20AC;&#x153;WE WILL BEAT ANY WRITTEN OFFER FOR EQUAL QUALITYâ&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;˘ FREE ESTIMATES â&#x20AC;˘

UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. h 6#4 'JOBODJBM 4FSWJDFT *OD "MM SJHIUT SFTFSWFE .FNCFS 4*1$ @"E@ Y @"1 @(BS4 HOMES RENTALS ACREAGE

Want more? Visit us on the web at

Gaskins Road

Thursday

George Yesbeck, Jr. Michael Yesbeck Vice President President

and Trusted Over 49 Years 358-5373 FamilyForOwned

Thursday

March 3, 2011

POLITICS: Government, Elections

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Goochland sheriff to seek reelection Contributed Report news@goochlandgazette.com

&RPSOHWH VHUYLFHV UHVRXUFHV DQG VXSSRUW IRU WKH RQHV \RX ORYH KRXUV D GD\ GD\V D ZHHN Â&#x2021; 3K\VLFLDQV UHJLVWHUHG QXUVHV Â&#x2021; 0HGLFDO VRFLDO ZRUNHUV Â&#x2021; &HUWLILHG KRVSLFH DLGHV Â&#x2021; 7UDLQHG YROXQWHHUV Â&#x2021; 3DLQ PDQDJHPHQW Â&#x2021; 6\PSWRP FRQWURO Â&#x2021; 6SLULWXDO FDUH Â&#x2021; %HUHDYHPHQW VHUYLFHV

,Â&#x2C6;VÂ&#x2026;Â&#x201C;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;` N >Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x201C;Ă&#x203A;Â&#x2C6;Â?Â?i N />ÂŤÂŤ>Â&#x2026;>Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x153;VÂ&#x17D; >Â&#x201C;ÂŤĂ&#x152;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC; ,Â&#x153;>`Ă&#x192; N Ă&#x20AC;i`iĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;VÂ&#x17D;Ă&#x192;LĂ&#x2022;Ă&#x20AC;}

nĂ¤Ă¤Â&#x2021;xĂ¤ÂŁÂ&#x2021;Ă¤{xÂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Â°Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;Ă&#x192;ÂŤÂ&#x2C6;ViĂ&#x203A;>Â°VÂ&#x153;Â&#x201C;

BE SEEN DAILY

Goochland County Sheriff James L. Agnew has announced his intention to seek a sixth term as sheriff. First elected in 1991, Agnew has served as Goochland County Sheriff for more than 19 years. He is a 1977 graduate of the University of Virginia and a 2000 graduate of the FBI National Academy. In 2005, he obtained a Masters Degree from the University of Richmond. Prior to his election as sheriff, Agnew served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and for 14 years, he was a Game Warden (Conservation Police Officer) with the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. Agnew lives in Crozier with

his wife, Dale, and daughter, Amber. His son, Michael, is a ChesterfieldCounty Police Officer. Agnew said that Goochlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth and proximity to Greater Richmond, the emergence of gangs, and increasingly complicated and protracted criminal investigations are some of the most pressing issues facing his agency: â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the past four years, we have dealt with some very high profile and often complicated criminal issues in the county. From the arrest and prosecution of the Richmond child protective services employee who raped a child, to the pursuit and arrest of Chubby Martin with the help of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Wantedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, to the numerous burglary

Gold Spot The

NEED EXTRA

CASH?

BRING IN YOUR OLD OR BROKEN GOLD AND SILVER

on The Goochland Gazetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TV pages

Goochlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Only Gold and Silver Buyers

(804) 746-1235

1390 Broad Street, Suite C, Oilville, VA 23129 (804) 708-0275 thegoldspot@comcast.net

Contact your sales representative for advertising information

rings we have broken up, to several gang-related shootings, to the recent embezzlement investigation of the former treasurer, we have been extremely busy. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition to those more noteworthy crimes we have seen an increase in other criminal and trafficrelated activity.â&#x20AC;? Agnew said that there other factors affecting the operation of the Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to the budget constraints facing our state and the county, our manpower level has actually decreased in the past year. I believe that we will need to grow soon to meet the inevitable criminal and social issues created by the burgeoning Richmond metropolitan area.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the past few years, despite our manpower shortages, we have taken steps to maximize our strengths to meet the needs of the community. I have stressed training and accountability with our deputies and dispatchers. I am very proud of the job they do.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a very strong working relationship with neighboring local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. With the assistance of the Commonwealthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney we have taken advantage of the investigative powers of the multi-jurisdictional grand jury. This partnership has resulted in the arrests and convictions of gang members, murderers, and drug dealers.â&#x20AC;? Agnew said that his office strives to stay abreast of the needs of the county. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have AEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (defibrillators) in every patrol car. We sometimes arrive before Rescue and I want our deputies to have the tools they need to help citizens in distress. Our tactical team was one of the first in the

Agnew

country to train with the DEA to learn how to search and dissemble methamphetamine and other hazardous, clandestine drug labs, a job that if not done properly, imperils the safety of both the deputies and residents.â&#x20AC;? Finally, Agnew emphasized the importance of communicating with the public. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have opened lines of communication with the citizens by keeping our website and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Facebookâ&#x20AC;? page current and up to date. We deliver dozens of programs and talks to groups every year and we are now in the 18th year of our citizens Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153; As we move into the future, we will continue to use every resource available to inform our citizens.â&#x20AC;? Agnew is a past president and member of the Goochland Rotary Club, and he is a board member of the Goochland YMCA. He is also a member of American Legion Post 215, the Virginia Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association and the National Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association. Contributed by the Goochland Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

March 3, 2011

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Commission recommends approval of Salem Christian move By Jim Ridolphi news@goochlandgazette.com

The Goochland County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a conditional use permit request that would allow Redeemer Assembly of God to operate a private school from its location near Taylor Road. Salem Christian School is currently housed at Salem Baptist Church, serving about 130 students off Cardwell Road, directly across the street from the former elementary school that housed a card service center in recent years. Redeemer pastor Shawn Stewart said his church is better equipped to accommodate school activities and offers better opportunities for growth. The request was accompanied by a request for an ordinance amendment that would allow schools as a permitted operation in B-1 zoning districts. A-1 and A-2 tracts of land in a rural area surround the 7.04-acre subject property. Commissioner Courtney Hyers questioned the method being used to gain approval for the school, and expressed a reluctance to change an ordinance to accommodate one application. As

an option, Hyers said the property could be returned to agricultural statues and the applicant could still seek approval with a use permit. “The problem with the B-1 in that location is a lot of those uses by right would be certainly inconsistent with area as it is,” Hyers said. Principal planner Tom Coleman said both options were viable, but the applicant expressed a desire to maintain the current B-1 zoning. He also said the Redeemer site has built in limitations to many uses due to extensive

drain fields. “It would be a challenge to expand operations at that site,” Coleman said. “We wanted to keep it B-1 because it offers for future use…it’s a little more flexible going forward,” Stewart said. Commissioner Bob Rich said leaving it as is made more sense to him. “The neighborhood has adjusted to the use,” he said and moved for approval of the ordinance change and the CUP request. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the request and ordinance

residential neighborhood in 2004, but lots are now being obtained by the same developer under different names. Covenants on the parcels that specify residence only restrictions are being removed, according to Pumphrey. “These are big developers and we are innocent neighbors who have our life savings at stake,” Pumphrey said. She said one family has been denied easement access to hook up to county water

and sewer and been forced to use a porta potty for the past year. “They’re in the way,” Pumphrey said, referring to the family. “I feel like this is really unjust and it may be legal, but it’s not right,” Pumphrey said. “I ask that the county not support this.” Bellview Gardens is the site of a controversial application that would allow a Goodwill store to operate at Broad Street and Mills Road.

Are you comfortable with your retirement savings

“Your Home is My Business” P.O. Box 67 Powhatan, VA 23139

change. Taking advantage of the citizens comment period, Bellview Gardens resident Lisa Pumphrey said she is noting a disturbing trend in her neighborhood. “We’ve become aware that our neighborhood is, essentially, under siege by developers who’ve been carefully buying up different parcels within our neighborhood,” she said. Pumphrey said the neighborhood was approved as a

Bruce Blackwell

bruce@thehousegeek.com www.thehousegeek.com

State Certified Home Inspector #3380 000220

(804) 921-8367

Sales • Service • Installation • Water Heaters • Attic Fans

All Makes All Models All Brands

Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 2421 New Dorset Terrace

598-7260

Not many people can say that they’ve got retirement savings completely figured out, but an IRA is part of almost every successful retirement plan. Virginia Community Bank offers a complete range of IRA solutions that may reduce your 2010 taxes, including: • Traditional IRA

• Roth IRA

• IRA CD

All of our IRA products offer tax-free growth of earnings at great variable and fixed rates.* To see which IRA is best for you, to get our latest rates, and to talk about 401(k) rollover options, call or stop by any of our offices before April 18th. We’re your true community bank. And we’ll help you feel a lot more comfortable about your future.

Financing Available Free Estimates Senior Discount

Goochland Branch 3009 River Road West Goochland, VA 23063 (804) 556-5592 GREAT QUALITY HORSE HAY ALFALFA TIMOTHY ORCHARD GRASS MIXED GRASS

Satisfaction guaranteed, or your bale will be replaced. DELIVERY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST 302 Putney Road Cell:804-647-1984 Fax: 804-492-9996 Cumberland, VA 23040 email: rfhatcher@hughes.net

Your True Community Bank www.VirginiaCommunityBank.com &RQVXOW \RXU WD[ DGYLVRU LI \RX KDYH DQ\ TXHVWLRQV UHJDUGLQJ WKH WD[ EHQHÀWV RI FRQWULEXWLQJ WR DQ ,QGLYLGXDO 5HWLUHPHQW $FFRXQW

Thursday

March 3, 2011

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

To the citizens of Goochland Guest column by Ivan Mattox Around this time every year, the Board of Supervisors must make decisions about the funding that will be made available to every county department, function, agency, and the schools. The state of the economy for the past two years has made these decisions difficult. Everyone has trimmed, reduced, and eliminated in order to preserve necessary services and to live within our means. The schools have done their part over the past two years, and are now asking for the support of the community and the Board of Supervisors in funding the Goochland schools that Goochland children need and that the Goochland community expects. Did you know that the schools’ 20102011 funding from the county is $2.9 million less than that provided in the 2008-2009 school year? Did you know that Goochland’s per pupil expenditure has been below the state average since the 2003-2004 school year? Did you know that Goochland spends less per capita on public schools than ANY county or city in the metro area? Did you know that 15 classroom teacher positions and five instructional support positions were eliminated in order to balance this year’s budget? Or that the central office staff was reduced by 20 percent? Or that our staff this year are being paid for four days less but working the same number of days? Did you know that the mandates imposed by state and federal governments continue to increase rather than holding or decreasing during this time of

economic challenge? We aren’t asking that funding be restored to the higher levels of past years, but that we receive the same level of local funds as this year with only enough of an increase to restore two of the four furlough days our staff lost this year and restore a math specialist position. The increase in the VRS rate can be completely absorbed by the VRS reserve fund that the county has been putting aside over the past two years in anticipation of this very increase. The schools have given enough, proportionately more than any other county department or office in the last budget cycle. Our students cannot wait for the economy to completely recover. A third grade student has only one third grade year – we can’t ask him to wait until the fourth grade. A high school student has only one freshman year, one sophomore year, one junior year and one senior year to take the courses that will catapult her to college. We can’t ask her to wait. The children of Goochland County deserve a quality education. We believe that the community expects their children to receive a quality education. Additional reductions in the schools’ funding will further dismantle programs and services to a level from which recovery will take years and years. And our students don’t have years to wait. When schools are considered an investment rather than an expense, our community will reap the profits today, tomorrow and well into the future. Ivan O. Mattox, Sr., Chairman Goochland County School Board

www.goochlandgazette.com news@goochlandgazette.com sales@goochlandgazette.com For Classifieds: cgrant@mechlocal.com © 2010 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher.

America at its best Last Saturday all the fire companies in Goochland plus help from our neighboring counties put out raging fires in both ends of the county. We just want to shed some light on what happened at the Crozier fire. The fire raged all day Saturday. The smoke was billowing everywhere. Our firefighters, mainly volunteers used their expertise, skill and tireless energy to save our homes, our animals and out prop-

Joy Monopoli Ken Odor Charlie Leffler Pam Sanders Stephanie Childrey Cindy Grant

erty. They fought to contain the fire to 300 acres, but not one home and no animals were lost. But this letter isn’t just to thank the fire personnel (and we do) but to thank the “little” people behind the scenes. With so many negative issues in the papers all the time this is a breath of fresh air. This is people helping people, the American way! It is as simple as that. One Auxiliary member lived right on Cardwell Road. You could see the trucks from Chesterfield

arriving to help. There was a big bulldozer from Powhatan. On the scanner, you could hear that Henrico was covering the east end. Then there were people, just neighbors with big and little dozers coming to help. There was a staging area on Sargeant and one at the First Union Church. Goochland Fire and Rescue were organizing where everyone should go to be the most effective. There was much activity but there was order. see Letters > page 7

CONTACT THE GOOCHLAND GAZETTE Publisher Interim Editor Sports Editor Sales Manager Sales Executive Classifieds

(804) 239-2280 (804) 627-3249 (804) 543-9201 (804) 746-1235 (804) 814-7780 (804) 746-1235x0

Fax: (804) 819-5529 Fax: (804) 775-4066 Fax: (804) 775-4082 Fax: (804) 775-4051 Fax: (804) 730-0476

Contact us Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 • Office - (804) 746-1235 ext 0 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 1118, Mechanicsville, VA 23111

CLIP AND SAVE

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1118, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (804) 746-1235 • TOLL FREE (877) 888-0449 FAX (804) 556-4237

Joy Monopoli Publisher Ken Odor Interim Editor Charles Leffler Sports Editor Pam Sanders Sales Manager Brian French Production Manager Stephanie Childrey Advertising Sales

Letters to the Editor

Thursday

OPINION: Letters to the Editor

March 3, 2011

Letters continued from > page 6 Then the fire jumped Cardwell Road. There were firefighters walking in the woods keeping the power lines safe. The trucks from the Dept. of Forestry were on scene. The wind was fierce. The Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office was busy closing the roads. Then the deputies were notifying people to prepare to evacuate... they were going door to door. Thank you Deputies! The smoke was acrid, even for those not fighting the fire. Thanks to Bethel Methodist Church who opened its doors to fire personnel and to those families who were evacuated from their homes and they could bring their pets! Thanks to Redeemer Church who also opened its doors as a staging area and a rehab center. This is the same Redeemer Church who read our Crozier Co. 2 Newsletter last October and saw that we were asking for donations of water to be used for the fire fighters in case of a fire. They responded by delivering 80 cases of water (which were all consumed last Saturday!). Then we needed to feed those on the line. Some Redeemer parishioners showed up and started cooking. Auxiliary members from several Goochland companies responded with food. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Two of Co. 2 Auxiliary Members went up to Subway. The line was long. They asked if they could have 30 subs ASAP for the firefighters. The Subway staff asked the people waiting in line if they would mind waiting so they could take care of those fighting the fire. Every single person in line unanimously said no problem, take care of the firemen first!(Thank you patient Subway customers!) In 15 minutes there were 30 subs ready to go.

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Then they went into Food Lion. We were running out of water. The manager of the Goochland Courthouse Food Lion donated four cases. Do we live in a great county or what? Makes one proud to be an American. Thanks to all our neighbors for all your help! Ann O. Casey Crozier Co. 2 Auxiliary Leigh Burke Crozier Co. 2 Auxiliary

Year round schooling should be considered I have enjoyed being a part of the GCPS Community Advisory Committee for a number of years. My only objective in serving with other concerned citizens has been a genuine desire to help influence and improve the quality of education for all Goochland County students. During a recent meeting, the topic of year-round schooling came up. I believe the people of Goochland County should consider it. To begin with, the concept of year-round schooling is often misinterpreted. Some folks erroneously perceive restless bedraggled children sitting in desks year-round Monday through Friday missing out on family vacations, being deprived of extracurricular activities, and having little down time. Nothing could be further from the truth. While there are any numbers of ways to implement a year-round schedule, the model adopted at Adams International School, one of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s few year-round schools, promotes a healthy and perhaps more balanced quality or flow of life. Students still attend school the traditional 180 days, but the vacation days are more see Letters > page 8

!0 +* ! +1./ ! 5+1. $+)! "+. #++ $! (0$

Ă˝1Ä&#x152; "!2!./ * " ((%*# 0!),!. 01.!/ CrossRidge Pediatrics & Internal Medicine specializes in compassionate health care for infants, children and adults. We are committed to keeping you and your family well this cold and ďŹ&#x201A;u season. Nothing is more important to us than helping you and your family feel better, faster. When to see a doctor:

To schedule an appointment,

Ä&#x2018; %#$ "!2!.

please call us at 804-755-7581

Ä&#x2018; +// +" ,,!0%0! Ä&#x2018; 1/ (! $!/ * " 0%#1!

CrossRidge Pediatrics & Internal Medicine

Ä&#x2018; 1/! * ÄĽ+. 2+)%0%*#

Ä Ä&#x20AC;Ä Ä&#x2020;Ä&#x20AC; 0 ,(!/ %(( + Ä&#x152; 1%0!

Ä&#x2018; !2!.! /%*1/ , %* %* " ! * ÄĽ+. forehead

Glen Allen, VA 23060

Ä&#x2018; !./%/0!*0 /+.! 0$.+ 0

BON SECOURS MEDICAL GROUP

Good Help to Those in NeedÂŽ

Thursday

OPINION: Letters to the Editor

March 3, 2011

J.B. Hodges

“Thanks to all my customers Past, Present and Future. Call me for all your vehicle needs, new or used!” 804-516-7656

PARRISH MOTOR CO. 556-4444

Advertise in The Goochland Gazette Call Stephanie Childrey at (804) 814-7780

Letters continued from > page 7 evenly distributed. Breaks closely align with conventional breaks but are generally longer. Essentially, the major difference in the traditional schedule and the AIS model is that summer vacation is reduced to about five weeks.

Save the Date

and Library Complex, located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue. Free parking available. Registration is required.

Call (804) 828-0123 to reserve your spot today. March 9 | 5:30 p.m.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Tingling Fingers Join Dr. Jonathan Isaacs, chair of the Division of Hand Surgery, to learn about cubital tunnel syndrome. Often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel gives a tingling sensation in the ring and little ﬁnger.

March 22 | 5:30 p.m.

Is There a Cure for Children with Diabetes? Join Dr. Gary Francis, with the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, as he discusses current diabetes management and novel treatments designed to prevent or reverse diabetes in children.

vcuhealth.org

All participants likely benefit: For students, less opportunity for boredom exists. There may be less summer learning loss, a better established routine, and an improved reaction to school. Teachers report less time lost to review and less burnout. Administrators notice less absenteeism on behalf of students and faculty. Families have the option of extending vacation and relaxation times during the year resulting in reduced stress and improved energy levels, an improved quality of life. While the research - like all research - may yield conflicting data, when asked to weigh in on the topic, parents respond favorably. Kelly Holland Pasternak, Goochland County resident and mother of two young boys, is in her second year of year-round schooling and cites many benefits. She believes the consistency of a routine is very important for her son and the yearround calendar supports that routine. Kelly says her son loves school and even questions why he can’t go on weekends. She describes year round schooling as “great, with plenty of opportunities throughout the year for family vacations with lots of times to enjoy all the activities that are typically done during the summer.” Tamra Adams Goochland

Petition for election withdrawn Last week, I mentioned a citizen’s petition being circulated asking our circuit court to vacate its recent order calling for our currently vacant County Treasurer’s position to be filled permanently dur-

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

ing our regularly scheduled November General Election. Despite an outpouring of public support, we can not proceed with our petition. As stated last week, The Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, clearly states, “A special election to fill a vacancy in any constitutional office shall be held promptly.” However, should a vacancy occur in the last year of the officer’s standard 4 year term, a special election can not be held, and “promptly” now becomes the November General Election. I apologize for getting only a single legal opinion before writing last week’s letter. After subsequent opinions proved our petition’s legal basis flawed, it was withdrawn from circulation. That does not change my opinion concerning our Board of Supervisors missing obvious clues to irregularities in the Treasurer’s office dating back almost two years – back to at least April 21, 2009, when then Interim County Administer Lane B. Ramsey wrote a letter to Brenda Grubbs stating in part, “The Board of Supervisors has asked me to let you know of their disappointment with the fact that we are several months behind in closing the books of the county. The result of these delays is that we cannot assess the financial condition of the county, and the budget, in a timely fashion. This is also a problem for the school system, Social Services and other quasi-county operations. The Board has asked that I give them an explanation as to why the closing takes so much time. I respectively request that you give me the answer so I can communicate that to them.” On November 30, 2010, more than 18 months from Ramsey’s letter, our Board wrote another letter, reit-

erating earlier concerns. In December, our Board Chairman, publicly asked, “How much [Treasurer] loss does our [County] bond cover?” This interesting question was followed by yet another “Paper Tiger” letter to Ms. Grubbs dated January 21, 2011. This final letter states, “The Board appreciates your taking the time to respond to their concerns outlined in their letter to you dated November 30th. While your response… is appreciated, it did not really address the concerns outlined in the Board’s letter of November 30th. Continuing, “The Board remains very concerned that progress is not being made to address ongoing financial reporting and internal control issues in your office. …your office has been unable to complete cash reconciliations over County accounts in a timely and accurate manner. … this has been an issue for some years (for example, as of January 18, [2011] the month of October [2010] … another issue regarding lack of segregation of duties in your office (for example electronic transfers of funds for any amount can be made by one person in your office with no secondary approval required to authorize the transfer).” As they say, the rest is now history. Michael M. McDermott Maidens

Your library needs help Did you know that the Goochland Branch Library is closed on Tuesdays, early on Fridays and Saturdays, and for long furlough/holiday weekends because last year see Letters > page 11

Thursday

Want more? Visit us on the web at

March 3, 2011

www.goochlandgazette.com

More value for the way you live. www.kroger.com

Tyson Split Chicken Breast

Strawberries

Fresh, USDA Grade A

16 oz

Kroger Value Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs Fresh, USDA Inspected, Value Pack

With Card

99¢

With Card

$ 99

With Card

Doritos Select Varieties, 11.5-14.5 oz

Lay’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips

Buy 2, Save

FINAL COST

Pepsi Soft Drinks

for With

Select Varieties, 24 pk, 12 oz Cans

Card

Limit 4

Select Varieties, 8.5 oz

Hostess Snack Cakes, Mufﬁns or 100 Calorie Packs

$ 99

Select Varieties, 6.12-18 oz

$ 48

With Card

BIG SAVINGS STOREWIDE

Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream

for

Select Varieties, 48 oz

With Card

Look for the he al special or yellow tags for s! participating products! STEP 1

Load EXTRA SAVINGS directly to your card with online coupons.*

Log on to Kroger.com/digitalcoupons

STEP 2

STEP 3

Select digital coupons on participating products.

Download directly to your shopper’s card.

* Additional coupon savings on one package when you download a DIGITAL COUPON from kroger.com/digitalcoupons. Limit one coupon per item per household, with card.

ADDITIONAL

50¢

ADDITIONAL

Deer Park Water

$ 49

28 pk, 16.9 oz Bottles

With Card

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent

$ 99

Select Varieties, 32 Loads

With Card

ADDITIONAL

25¢

OFF

DIGITAL COUPON AVAILABLE*

200

OFF

DIGITAL COUPON AVAILABLE*

Pringles Super Stack Select Varieties, 5.71-6.73 oz

3$ for

With Card

OFF

DIGITAL COUPON AVAILABLE*

General Mills Cereal

$ 18

Select Varieties, 10-17 oz

With Card

Bounty Paper Towels Select Varieties, 6 Big or 8 Regular Rolls

$ 99

With Card

Kroger Cheese Select Varieties, 6-8 oz

Kroger Singles

3$ for

With Card

Select Varieties, 16 ct

ADDITIONAL

75¢

ADDITIONAL

OFF

DIGITAL COUPON AVAILABLE*

DiGiorno or California Pizza Kitchen Pizza

$ 77

Select Varieties, 11.9-34.2 oz

With Card

Items & prices good in Richmond through Saturday, March 5, 2011

WED THURS 2 3

FRI 4

SAT 5

Lean Cuisine Entrée Select Varieties, 5.13-12 oz Stouffer’s or Stouffer’s Farmers’ Harvest Entrée

5$ for

Select Varieties, 6-21 oz

With Card

Pepsi Soft Drinks Select Varieties, 2 Liter

95¢ With Card

Visit our website at www.kroger.com for additional savings.

Hot or Lean Pockets Select Varieties, 2-4 ct

5$ for

With Card

Charmin Bathroom Tissue

300 OFF

DIGITAL COUPON AVAILABLE*

$ 99

Select Varieties, 12 Double Rolls

With Card

Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni, Double Cheeseburger Macaroni, Stroganoff or Lasagna, 5.2-6.5 oz

Everyday Unlimited

97¢ With Card

up to & Including a face value of

Manufacturers

DOUBLE COUPONS

See Store for details

Thursday

March 3, 2011

GOOCHLAND SELF-STORAGE

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

www.goochlandgazette.com

Blood Drive to be held in honor of Billy Lee Maxwell Contributed Report news@goochlandgazette.com

The Goochland High School American Red Cross Student Chapter will sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive in memory of Billy Lee Maxwell

Clean Storage Facilities at a Convenient Location • 6 sizes available • From $59 a month • On call 7 days a week • Conditioned units available

Want more? Visit us on the web at

on Sunday, March 13th from 12-6 p.m. at the Goochland Company 5 Volunteer-Rescue Station located at 2710 Fairground Road. The chapter was chartered in November 2010, and the students have completed a number of service proj-

ects. Their current project is to host this blood drive. According to Chapter President Jordan Pecht, “Each pint of blood collected has the potential to save three lives, and we could think of no better way to honor Billy, our friend and

fellow student, who tragically died in September than to save lives in his name.” The community is invited to participate. To donate, please visit www.redcrossblood.org or see any GHS American Red Cross Student Chapter member. Walk-ins are welcome.

Local concert to feature national recording artist

Oilville Business Park • 784-4949 Located at Oilville exit on Rt. 617

www.goochlandselfstorage.com

UNTRYFOLKS COGRILLE & SALOON Home Cooked Goodness Made Fresh Every Day! Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • 7 Days a Week

March Nightly Specials Monday

All you can eat pork chops w/2 sides & rolls

$8.99

Tuesday

Burger Night. ½ lb. all beef burger on toasted kaiser roll, dill spears, choice of cheese served with french fries or onion rings

$5.99

riblet, 1 lb. rib Wednesday Pork pieces, 2 sides & rolls

Thursday

Pulled BBQ ½ lb. pulled pork platter, baked beans, slaw & rolls

The Goochland High School music program has fallen on hard times since funding for the school’s choral groups has been completely cut out of the 2011 school budget. Not wanting to end what has been a very successful music program, Ms. Susan Duty, the school’s music director, was able to enlist the help of Jim Connor and his

trio to play a benefit concert to raise money for the music program. All ticket sales will go towards the purchase of sheet music, and travel and formal dress expense for the choir’s performances. Jim Connor is a nationally known recording artist with over 18 gold and platinum records to his credit. He wrote Grandma’s Feather Bed, first recorded by John Denver, and his work has also been recorded by The Kingston Trio,

Brenda Lee, Grandpa Jones, and has been nominated for several Grammy Awards. Mr. Connor played banjo and harmonica on John Denver’s albums, and was with his band until John’s untimely death in 1997. Before joining John Denver’s band, he was with the New Kingston Trio and recorded Tom Dooley and Where have all the Flowers Gone?. Backing up Mr. Connor for the GHS March 11 concert

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, March 6 from 3:00- 5:00 p.m.

$8.99 $8.99

Per Our Guest Request, on Saturday & Sunday Breakfast & Lunch Menu Available Until 2pm

Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School

WE THANK OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR PATRONAGE AND SUPPORT. WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

12912 Plaza Dr. Goochland, VA

Contributed Report news@goochlandgazette.com

• Tour the Campus • Meet Our Faculty, Coaches, Student Leaders & Administrators • Face Painting, Balloons, Moonbounces & More • Enjoy Dinner with BSH Families & Friends on Us!

784-0181

SMALL CLASS SIZES • Preschool through 12th Grade • 100% College Admission • Before and After School Care Available • All Faiths Welcome

BLESSED SACRAMENT HUGUENOT CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2501 Academy Road, Powhatan, Virginia 23139 P: 804.598.4211 | F: 804.598.1053 | www.bshknights.org

Come and discover the BSH difference! • (804) 598-4211

will be well-known vocalist and acoustic guitar player Don Park, who nails John Denver’s smooth voice on their version of Denver’s songs. Don is a member of Southwind, a Kingston Trio cover band. Jeff Yago provides all keyboards and bass accompaniment for the group. Mr. Yago also plays keyboards for the local 60’s music group the V.I.P’s, and has played with many well-known recording artists including Tommy Cash, gospel singer Squire Parsons, and the MoJo’s. Following the Goochland High School Fund Raiser on March 11, Mr. Connor travels to Denver Colorado to be part of the John Denver Benefit Concert featuring all of his original band members. Joining the band on stage will be Olivia NewtonJohn, Lee Ann Womack, Michael Martin Murphey, John Somers, John Oates, and musical conductor Lee Holdridge. So if you would like to enjoy a musical evening with John Denver music and Jim Connor, you can either fly to Colorado and head to the 6,500 seat 1stBank Center Arena in April and pay $79 a ticket; or you can drive to Goochland High School on Friday, March 11 for his 7 p.m. concert which cost only $7 per ticket with children under 12 admitted free. Besides, who wants to fly these days!

Thursday

March 3, 2011 email and speak at the public hearing on the budget on continued from > page 8 March 29. Make it clear that the library funding should funding was lost? Were not be cut further. you aware that of all the branches in the Pamunkey Eileen Ford Library system, Goochland Columbia is one of only two branches that lost hours this year? Of the four counties in the Former Treasurer Pamunkey Library sysy- shocked tem, Goochland’s per capita spending is the lowest; secWe have all been shocked ond in population and yet by the events taking place funded less than two smaller in the Goochland County counties. Treasurer’s Office. Having The loss of library worked in the Treasurer’s hours places a strain on Office for 29 years, I considthe patrons who depend ered this was a great honor on the library services such and privilege to serve the peoas Internet access for job ple of Goochland County. searches, resume writing, For a few comments on the and job databases. Some operation of the office, I will companies, such as Food say the state and county audiLion, will only take applica- tors were my best friends. tions on line so patrons have When they came to the office lost Internet availability for I ate lunch with them and that as well. Students who we discussed any errors they lack computers at home for found and any improvements rseearch or word processing I could make in accounting have lost an entire day of procedures. As for delincomputer access as well as quent taxes, Mr. J. C. Knibb, after school time on Fridays. the former Commonwealth In addition, those who need Attorney, and I will quote to use reference materials him, “the state legislature has only available in the library provided you with the tools or who need to check out to collect delinquent taxes”. books for book reports or When I used these tools I was research projects as severely successful. limited. This puts them at a The Treasures’ Association disadvantage in their school of Virginia was very helpful studies. in my tenure of office. From A sizable number of the the time I became County county’s citizens do not have Treasurer I only missed one of computers in their homes; the annual conventions. At the or, if they do, they have conventions we were addressed inadequate Internet access by the top treasures in the state. due to the lack of viable We were advised on investing services, i.e., Broadband or the county surplus funds and Comcast. For these citizens, any new laws passed by the the library is their only real legislature. Meeting these treasource of Internet service. surers from all over the state Now the county plans to and discussing problems with cut funding again resulting them was very enlightening. in the loss of more library I will always remember the services. Our county must friends and associates from be able to compete for jobs, businesses, and highly quali- the Goochland Treasurer’s fied schools. It is time to tell Office. the Supervisors how imporM. W. Amos tant the library is to our citiRockville zens. It is time to write, call,

OPINION: Letters to the Editor

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Letters

i’m a st. francis baby and that’s a good thing. I have it pretty good at Bon Secours, almost as good as my Mom. It’s like she’s a V.I.P. around here. She has a private room, plus her own personal team, including doctor, nurse-midwife and nurses who were there for her all the way. When it’s time to go home tomorrow, Bon Secours will still take care of Mom. That’s because they offer post-birth yoga, ﬁtness classes and new mom support groups. Before I showed up, Bon Secours even helped out with advice on baby prooﬁng, nursery design and more. So while I’ve had a great experience so far, it’s nothing compared to my Mom’s. That’s OK, too. After all, she brought me into this world — and for that she deserves the best. For more information call 340-BABY (2229) or bonsecoursforwomen.com

Jean Curtacci, CNM

Christopher Paoloni, MD

Tracy Hicks, MD

Thomas Peng, MD

The Woman’s Center St. Francis Family Medicine Center

Virginia Physicians for Women

Richmond OB-Gyn Associates

Bon Secours Perinatology Services

BON SECOURS ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER

Thursday

March 3, 2011

Want more? Visit us on the web at

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional www.goochlandgazette.com

A marathon in every state - round two Local marathon runner prepares for second national circuit BY JIM RIDOLPHI Special Correspondent

Imagine the enormous amount of focus and energy that it takes to prepare for a marathon. Participants often train for an entire year just to compete in one event. Now imagine making those strategic preparations more than 65 times, and competing in marathons in every one of the nation’s 50 states. Goochlander Fran Gilday has already accomplished that feat once and is now heading back for round two of her marathon running efforts. Gilday, by her own description, doesn’t fit the mold of a lifelong marathon runner, but her finishes confirm her she is world-class. “It still seems impossible that I actually did run a marathon in every state because I’m the most unlikely-looking marathon runner you may ever meet,” Gilday said. She began running at age 35 after competing an exercise class and searching for alternatives to keep in shape. “I wanted to keep working out but did not like the TV show that was on early in the morning,” she said. “So, I took myself outside and started to run. One thing led to another, and in 1988 I ran my first marathon in Richmond.” She followed her initial run with a trip to Virginia Beach and the Shamrock Classic. Gilday continued to compete, participating mostly in Virginia events. “When my children were still in school, I did not have money to travel, so for the first five years of my running, I only did Virginia races,” she said. “As they got older, and

left for college, I could travel a bit. After I did the first few surrounding states, I got the idea to do one on each of the East Coast states, but that soon blossomed into the 50 states.” Two decades later, Gilday has 58 finishes to her credit, and doesn’t appear to be shying away from the enormous challenges of marathon running. “I finished one in Jacksonville, Fla. on Feb. 13, and plan to run the B&A Trail in Maryland on March 6,” Gilday said. “I also put my application in for the New York City marathon (which she also ran in 1998) but I won’t know about that until April when they do the lottery. I hope to do four a year or as many as my budget allows.” Gilday is married and has two grown children. She worked at Circuit City for 30 years and when she’s not running, she also plays flute in the Richmond Concert Band. While running was not a part of Gilday’s formative years, the sport contributed positively in all aspects of her otherwise, normal life. “Running and the accomplishment of finishing each race, no matter how hard, has given me confidence to overcome life’s challenges,” Gilday said. “It takes me out of my comfort zone and I really enjoy doing things I never thought I could.” Gilday currently works at St. Joseph Villa in the nonprofit arena. She began the nationwide pursuit after meeting a member of the 50 State Marathon Club at a Rhode Island run. Gilday said she was surprised to learn there “was such a group of people and an official club.” The attraction was immediate and as she begins her second go around, the motivation

of her fellow club members is evident. “Going for round two was like keeping up with the rest of the club members,” she said. “They are a wonderful, but a bit crazy, group of people who have run hundreds of marathons over and over again. I love traveling and look forward to going to a different place.” And she’s not thinking about stopping. “I hope to keep at it until I can’t. Yes, running is a part of my life just like eating, sleeping and breathing. Maybe I will be the 100-year-old woman who finishes a marathon. My next “mini” goal is to get to 100, then I can join the 100 Marathon Club.” Photos submitted by Fran Gilday Gilday will compete in her Goochland’s Fran Gilday took up running at age 35, since that time she has run 68 marathons 69th marathon in Maryland including one in each of the 50 states. Recently she started her second go round of her 50 state marathon tour and looks forward to joining the 100 Marathon Club. this weekend.

Thursday

THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM ESPN

(4)

C NFL Live

CSN

(7)

E Wm. Basketball

8-ABC

(8)

6-CBS

(9)

35-FOX

(11) . Maury Å

Want more? Visit us on the web at

TV LISTINGS: Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules

March 3, 2011

www.goochlandgazette.com

MARCH 3, 2011 11 PM 11:30 12 AM