12/15/2011 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE No recount in District 4 after all > page 2

Volume 57, Number 50 • December 15, 2011

Bulldogs come close

Grubbs sentenced to four years in prison By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Photo by Charlie Leffler

With a hold by Thomas Meadows (4) Goochland kicker Colby Cooke (16) connects on a state playoff record 51-yard field goal, surpassing 49-yard mark set in 2001 by Group AA Layfayette’s Connor Hughes. The Bulldogs lost to Gretna 21-16 in the state championship game Saturday. See story page 11.

Supervisors approve Benedictine move to River Road Abbey site By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

After months of wrangling, Benedictine College Preparatory School is moving to River Road in Goochland. Goochland’s Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 after a three-hour long pub-

INDEX

Calendar Classifieds Letters Obituaries

14 15 6 7

lic hearing to approve a Conditional Use Permit that clears the way for Benedictine to move its academic campus to Goochland County. County Fire and Rescue Chief William MacKay estimated that about 300 people attended the hearing, which was moved to the old high school gymnasium to accommodate the crowd.

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6 2 9-11 12-14

More than 30 speakers came to the podium to speak their piece, with a clear majority favoring the move. Attorney Patrick McSweeney, representing a group calling itself Friends of Goochland, said the proposed CUP was in conflict with the counsee Benedictine > page 2

Former Goochland Treasurer Brenda S. Grubbs broke down in tears at the end of her sentencing hearing Tuesday. “I would like to apologize to the citizens of Goochland for betraying their trust. I know it was wrong,” she said before losing her composure. But Goochland Circuit Court Judge Timothy K. Sanner still sentenced Grubbs to 40 years on the 20 counts she pleaded guilty to in August, with all but four suspended. She will also be required to make restitution for the approximately $180,000 she embezzled from the county. Special Prosecutor Jeffrey W. Haslip, who had asked for five to 10 years incarceration, said he was satisfied. The defense had called a number of witnesses, including Grubbs’ husband Gerald and son Jason as well as psychiatrist James E. Sellman and appealed for no incarceration. Grubbs, 53, was arrested on Feb. 2 after Wachovia Bank officials contacted Goochland authorities about suspicious bank transactions she had made involving county funds. She later admitted to Goochland Sheriff James L. Agnew that she had cashed checks for $135,000 and wired money to Dubai via Western Union.

Grubbs

A subsequent report by Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts Walter J. Kucharski put the amount embezzled at more than $180,000. Tuesday’s sentencing hearing ended a long string of court appearances by Grubbs, including one failure to appear July 26 when it was revealed that she had been found unconscious and hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt. Grubbs’ attorney James Maloney told Sanner at the Aug. 9 hearing that his client was suffering from mental and physical ailments that made her easy prey for an online predator, who persuaded her to wire money to an email address in Nigeria. Grubbs resigned in February after the Board of Supervisors asked Gov. Bob McDonnell to initiate ouster proceedings against her. Interim Treasurer Pam Johnson, appointed to fill out Grubbs’ term. was elected Treasurer in her own right Nov. 8.

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Goochland comes up short against Gretna

Santa comes to the Tree Lighting

> page 10

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Thursday

POLITICS: Government, Elections

December 15, 2011

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A three-judge panel ruled last week that there will be no recount in the District 4 Supervisor’s election, reversing an earlier ruling by Chief Judge John G. Berry. Berry set a recount date of Dec. 15 at a hearing Dec. 2, dismissing arguments that District 4 Supervisor Malvern R. “Rudy” Butler’s petition should be denied because his opponent R.H. “Bob” Minnick had not been served within the 10-day limit the law requires. Minnick defeated Butler by six votes, 842 to 836 in the Nov. 8 election. But Thursday, Berry, along with Judge H. Vincent Conway from Newport News and Randall D. Smith of Chesapeake, reversed that decision after hearing virtually the same arguments

Benedictine continued from > page 1 ty’s Comprehensive Plan and warned that granting it might set a precedent that would lead to more applications by other private schools. “It’s a good school but it’s in the wrong location,” said McSweeney. Jonathan Joseph of Lower Tuckahoe said that if Benedidtine were allowed in there would be strain on Fire and Rescue on Sheppard Street. But most speaker urged the supervisors to approve the CUP. Lower Tuckahoe resident Hunter Cook, who said she lived “two left turns from the Abbey,” called the school “a net ad for the county.” Former Richmond Mayor and member of Congress Tom Bliley said Benedictine had out-

from Minnick’s attorney Bradley Marrs. “The petition may be valid,” said Marrs, “but the reason for dismissal would be the lack of timely service.” Butler, represented by attorney Darvin Satterwhite, argued that the court had the discretion to extend the deadline beyond the 10-day limit. “We would be doing the public a disservice,” said Satterwhite. “We would lose the public’s confidence.” But Conway referred to the recount law repeatedly. “We have two things that must be accomplished,” said Conway, “filing and service.” After an hour and a half recess, the judges returned with their decision. “Since the filing and service did not occur within 10 days the motion to dismiss is granted,” said Berry.

grown its Richmond location and said it would increase property values in Goochland, just as the proximity of St. Catherines and St.Christophers schools near his home in the city had. Drew Mugford said that Friends of Goochland were really “enemies of Benedictine. They don’t want the school to move for sentimental reasons. It has nothing to do with Goochland.,” he said. Outgoing District 5 Supervisor James W. Eads continued to urge that the vote be deferred until the incoming slate of supervisors is installed next year. “I will not vote tonight,” said Eads, in whose district the River Road location lies, after reeling off a long list of objections to the move. Eads did not run for re-election to the Board of Supervisors and three incumbents who did were defeated.

File Photo by Ken Odor

Bob Minnick speaks at a candidates forum this fall. Minnick prevailed in a recount hearing last week and will be the new District 4 Supervisor in January.

A disappointed Butler said now there will always be a doubt about the election. “You’ll never know,” he said. But Minnick said he

believed a recount would not have changed the vote totals. “There’s no indication the recount would have changed anything,” he said.

Photo by Ken Odor

Attorney Darvin Satterwhite, left, representing Benedictine, speaks with District 1 Supervisor Andrew Pryor before the hearing.

But District 4 Supervisor Malvern R. “Rudy” Butler moved that the CUP be approved, brushing off objections from speakers that water, sewer and traffic problems would ensue from the move. His motion was seconded by District 1 Supervisor Andrew Pryor.

When the roll was called, Butler and Pryor were joined by District 2 Supervisor and current Board chair William E. Quarles Jr., with District 3 Supervisor Ned S. Creasey, the only supervisor who will be on the Board in January, voting no. Eads, as promised, did not vote.

Thursday

Man apparently electrocuted after Goochland car crash Staff Report news@goochlandgazette.comn

A Henrico man was apparently electrocued Monday morning when the vehicle in which he was a passenger ran off a road in Goochland County and struck a utility pole, knocking a transformer onto the vehicle. Ponji T. Carter, 32, of the 9200 block of Fisk Road, died at the scene of the accident. He and his mother, Eugenia Walker, 55, were delivering newspapers when the accident occurred, said Goochland Sheriff James L. Agnew. Agnew said deputies were called at 7:13 a.m. for a report of a single-vehicle crash on Miller’s Lane, one-tenth of a mile north of state Route 6, and found a vehicle that had run off the road and struck a utility pole. A transformer mounted

Contributed Photo

A Henrico man delivering newspapers with his mother was apparently electrocuted Monday morning when their car struck a utility pole, causing a transformer to fall onto the vehicle.

near the top of the utility pole fell on the car, and when Carter got out of the vehicle, he appeared to have been electrocuted, said Agnew. Agnew said Walker was taken to VCU Medical Center with injuries that were not

believed to be life-threatening. The Sheriff’s Office is treating the matter as two separate investigations: a vehicle accident investigation and a death investigation.

Man arrested on car theft charge afternoon of Dec. 10. A friend of the vehicle owner spotted Martin, who claimed to be Taylor Bernard Martin, from a vehicle repair company. 44, was arrested Monday for The friend managed to take a grand larceny by Augusta digital photo of Martin, who County sheriff’s deputies, then fled on foot across I-64 where he is being held. after the friend called 911. Martin was to be A caller identified Martin arraigned by video conferthe next day after seeing the ence Monday afternoon in photograph on a television Goochland General District newscast. Court. Martin had just been According to Goochland released from Riverside Sheriff James L. Agnew, Martin Regional Jail in Hopewell. attempted to steal a vehicle at Goochland deputies recovthe Ashland Road Park and ered the clothing Martin Ride adjacent to I-64 on the had been wearing upon his Staff Report news@goochlandgazette.com

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Garrett looks forward to next year By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com

Tom Garrett is about to change jobs. In January when the General Assembly is sworn in, he will become Sen. Garrett. Garrett, who has gained a reputation of being a tough prosecutor as Commonwealth Attorney for Louisa County, has a light-hearted approach to the move. “I’m taking a cut in salary and some say a lesser job title,” he said Dec. 5. “It’s what I want. I’m anxious to serve the people of the 22nd district.” Garrett is proud of his Louisa County roots and sometime uses his homespun humor to give the impression he is just a “good old country boy.” Don’t let him fool you. Garrett might well become a force to deal with in the General Assembly. He knows how to play the game. “I’m going to be one of the nickie-new-kids in January,” he said. “There are 40 senators and I believe I rank number 39. I hope when I get there to associate myself with Delegates and Senators that know what they are doing who I can learn from.” Garrett is already making the rounds in the district, talking to people to get a better feel for what’s important to them. “I’ll sleep in my own bed tonight, and that will be the first time in four nights,” he said. “I’ll probably get up about 4:30 in the morning because I have a breakfast meeting in Lynchburg.” When Garrett is talking to constituents, he often uses what he calls his “kitchen table” approach to money matters.

Contributed Photo

Tom Garrett and wife Dana are all smiles on election night when he bested Democrat Bert Dodson to become the new 22nd District’s first senator.

“When spending taxpayers’ money, we need to make sure we are spending it on things we need and not things we want,” he said, “With the economy like it is, we need to be very careful about what we appropriate money for.” Transportation and roads were talked about. Garrett was asked if he would support Gov. Bob McDonnell’s idea to put tolls back on Interstate 95? “I don’t have a view on tolls at this time,” he responded. “I’ll tell you what I’ll never vote for though and that would be to increase the gas tax. There are a lot of people in the 22nd district and all over the state who drive 30, 40, maybe even 50 miles or more a day to go to and from work. I’ll never vote to

increase the gas tax because it touches almost every person in the state.” When Garrett was running for his seat, he favored drug testing for welfare recipients, pro-life, and cutting or eliminating the state’s corporate income tax. “Those were issues I campaigned on and they are issues I will work on when I’m in office,” he said. “I’m not going to try and do too much the first time initially. I want to learn as much as I can.” As for committee assignments, Garrett said because of his judicial background that he might receive assignments in that area. And then there is the opinion of two of his younger constituents about him being a senator.

“My daughters are 12 and 10 years old,” Garrett said with a smile. “They think it’s kind of neat that daddy is going to be a State Senator. They are happy for me.” And what about 20 years from now if one of his daughters came to him and said she wanted to run for public office? “You know, parents have to cut the strings sometime,” he responded. “If one of them decided to run for public office, it would be her decision and I’d support her.” For now, Garrett’s thirst for knowledge about what his constituents think and how to do his new job the right way, will undoubtedly lead to more nights sleeping in beds away from home.

Thursday

December 15, 2011

Goochland Cotillion raises $600 for Christmas Mother Contributed Report news@goochlandgazette.com

Students of Goochland Cotillion, along with their parents, donated more than $600 to the Goochland Christmas Mother Program at the third annual Holly Ball held on Saturday, December 3. “I am overwhelmed at the response of the children and parents who gave from their hearts,” said Dale Agnew, 2011 Goochland Christmas Mother. Goochland Cotillion’s Holly Ball took place at Adams International School, located on Broad Street Road in Maidens. Mothers and fathers regaled in the festivi-

ties, as they danced with their sons and daughters. The event included home-school students and pre-teens from Goochland Elementary, Randolph Elementary, Goochland Middle, Salem Christian, Adams International School and Louisa Middle. The cotillion, which began holding classes in September 2009, offers an opportunity for pre-teens to learn ballroom dancing, while emphasizing etiquette, life skills and respect for self and others. Local residents, Margaret Reynolds and Tamra Adams direct the program, along with Lynn Irwin who also provides the dance instruction.

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Photos by Ken Odor

Kids of all ages turned out for the Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting last Friday evening at the Goochland YMCA. A joint venture by the Goochland Department of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management and the YMCA, the event drew a good turnout. After the Christmas Tree lighting and dancing and carol singing on stage Santa arrived around 7 p.m. Above, Allysa Shively lets Santa know what she’d hopes to find under the tree Christmas morning. At right, singers lead the crowd in singing Christmas carols.

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Benedictine gets a permit Strong emotions were evident on both sides as about 300 showed up for last week’s public hearing on Benedictine’s Conditional Use Permit application. The same arguments were restated for and against approval and when it was all over, three supervisors voted to grant the permit. Earlier in the day District 5 Supervisor Jim Eads argued once again that the vote should have been delayed until next year when four new supervisors will be sworn in but again he found no support. What seemed to turn the tide Tuesday evening was the condition in the CUP that would require the school to not increase enrollment once water use reached 90 percent of the 10,000 gallons a day provided to the school. No doubt there will be some inconvenience caused by changes in traffic near the school. But if Benedictine follows the requirements set out by the CUP (which it must) the move to Goochland should be a net plus for the county. Decades down the road folks will likely be talking about how proud they are to have graduated from that great Catholic School in Goochland County, Benedictine, just as others now praise the school for its program at its Richmond location.

close (6 votes out of almost 1,700 cast) that it might be a good thing to make absolutely sure of the vote count. It appears that won’t happen now, after the full three-judge panel met last Thursday and determined that a recount could not be conducted because the requirements of the law had not been met. Incumbent Rudy Butler had filed in time but not served notice on Bob Minnick as required. Minnick’s attorney Brad Marrs made essentially the same argument he had used a week earlier before Berry but this time he prevailed. Most likely a recount would not have changed the outcome of the election but it would have been nice to have had one. Perhaps Virginia should consider an automatic recount law in sufficiently close elections.

Letters

We figured the numbers of letters would decline after the election. And they have. A great change has taken place in the county and folks are likely just catching their breath and letting it all soak in. But we trust readers will still want to let others know what’s on their minds. After all, the names on the boards may have changed but the issues and No recount after all problems are still there to be dealt with. Money will still be tight. Last week we praised Chief Judge So please let us know your thoughts John Berry for ordering a recount in as we approach the New Year. the District 4 Supervisor’s election, being of the opinion that in a race so - Ken Odor

www.goochlandgazette.com news@goochlandgazette.com sales@goochlandgazette.com For Classifieds: cgrant@mechlocal.com © 2011 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. CAC Audited Circulation: 8,500

On the highway to heck By Scott Hollifield Media General News Service At first, she did not hear the call of the open road. “Want to do some driving?” I asked the 15-year-old with the freshly minted permit. Endless practice laps around the abandoned grocery store parking lot were behind us. Father and daughter were now sanctioned by the Department of Motor Vehicles to join all other lunatics who don’t

know their turn signals from their tailpipes on an honest-to-goodness public highway. “Not today,” she said. “Come on. We’ll pretend we’re driving down to Texarkana to pick up 400 cases of Coors beer and haul them back to Georgia in 28 hours while dodging the hilariously inept Sheriff Buford T. Justice.” “I don’t know what any of that means, but maybe tomorrow.” Tomorrows came and went, and

Letters to the Editor The Gazette welcomes your signed letters to the editor. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette. Send letters to: The Goochland Gazette, 6400 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 E-mail: jodor@goochlandgazette.com Fax: 730-0476

see Guest > page 7

CONTACT THE GOOCHLAND GAZETTE Joy Monopoli Ken Odor Charlie Leffler Jim Fields Pam Sanders Stephanie Childrey Cindy Grant

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Guest Editorial

Thursday

Guest continued from > page 6 I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worried. I have learned she tackles life at her own pace. That lesson began years ago as her mom and I looked down worriedly into her crib, wondering if she would ever roll over on her own and if we someday would be making nightly trips to her dorm room to flip her onto her tummy. Thankfully, that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be necessary. And then, if not the fullfledged call of the open road, there came the whisper of the city street. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to drive today,â&#x20AC;? she said. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just what we did, up to the school a few blocks away and back to the house. And not since she popped onto the planet in a difficult birth have I felt such white-knuckled, child-induced fear. The endless laps around the abandoned grocery store parking lot had not prepared me for the

pitfalls of the honest-to-goodness public highway and the sheer helplessness of sitting in the passenger seat beside a 15-year-old driver. The initial trip down the street probably lasted 10 minutes. I imagine the Donner Party excursion was a more pleasant journey. We approached the four-way stop at the corner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What do I do now?â&#x20AC;? she said. What does she do now? I figured the red octagonal sign with S-T-O-P emblazoned on it would have been a primary focus of at least one driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ed class. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You stop,â&#x20AC;? I said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there was a car there, you would yield. No, wait a second. He would yield, I think. Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t they teach you anything in driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ed?â&#x20AC;? We eased down the street. She was perilously close to the right side. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are too close over here.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to hit anything

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OPINION: Letters to the Editor

December 15, 2011

on my side.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then we are going to hit everything my side.â&#x20AC;? We clung so far to the right I could have hand-cleaned the ditches, smooched a telephone pole and petted the neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dog as it trotted along the sidewalk. Eventually, we arrived back home with fenders inexplicably intact. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Great job,â&#x20AC;? I said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll try that again next year.â&#x20AC;? Or, she would insist, the next day. We ventured farther. The call of the open road grew stronger. We travelled a couple of more miles and turned around in the parking lot of Hospice, triggering some kind of alarm in the process. I would personally like to apologize to anyone who was inconvenienced by that alarm. In fact, I would like to apologize to several people who may have been inconvenienced, annoyed or scared $%#less over the last couple of weeks due to the

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actions of a white pickup truck: A school bus driver, a guy in a Jeep, a woman in the crosswalk at the grocery store, the driver who sat behind us during a complete red light cycle and the fellow who thought I was waving at him when I was making my â&#x20AC;&#x153;please-for-the-love-of-Godslow-downâ&#x20AC;? gesture. The call of the open road is silent no more. It is a full-throated whoop. Be careful. We are out there. Scott Hollifield is editor/ GM of The McDowell News in Marion, NC and a columnist for the Media General News Service. Contact him at PO Box 610, Marion, NC 28752 or email rhollifield@mcdowellnews. com.

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OBITUARIES: Death Notices Best Floyd F. Best, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peteâ&#x20AC;?, of Rockville, Md., formerly of Goochland, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. Beloved husband of the late Virginia W. Best; loving father of Rebecca Hill (Brett) and Tammy Glasser (William); grandfather of Austin, Connor and Dylan Hill, Natalie and Juliet Glasser. Friends were received at Pumphreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Colonial Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Ave., (Rte. 28, exit 6A just off I-270) on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Graveside services were held at Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodside United Methodist Church, Youth Mission Retreat, 8900 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Please view and sign family guestbook at www. pumphreyfuneralhome.com.

Burton Evelyn Dean Burton, 80, of Aylett, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl L. Burton; and her brothers, Junior Ray Bennett and Larry Wayne Bennett. She is survived by her son, Ronnieâ&#x20AC;?Docâ&#x20AC;?Burton and his wife, Susan, of King William; grandson, Thomas Dean Burton of Richmond; granddaughter, Kelly Nicole Burton of New Jersey; sisters, Jean Johnston of Richmond, Marybell Tuttle of King, N.C. and Dorothy Chevette of Goochland; and sister-in-law, Peggy Bennett of King, N.C. The family received friends Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where services were held Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Graveside services were

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held Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 at Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Amelia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association , 4600 Cox Rd., Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va. 23060.

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Hicks Charles A. Hicks, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Roosterâ&#x20AC;?, went peacefully home to the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 5, 2011. The heavens are rejoicing as this faithful servant received his just reward. He was a loving and faithful husband and is survived by his devoted wife Linda; his best friend, confidante, companion and soulmate of 43 years; his daughters, Angel Hicks Tolley (Gary Tolley Jr.) and Kristian Hicks Lull (Evan Lull); along with their children, Chelsea

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Tolley Hambright, Hunter Tolley and Keegan Lull. They had the privilege of experiencing the unconditional love of a father and grandfather who always put them before himself and taught them well. His legacy will live on through them. In addition, he is survived by his father, W.J. (Jake) Hicks; and two sisters, Shirley McKinney and Robbie Jones. He was also loved by his niece, Olivia Coada; and nephews, William and Wesley McKinney. Charles touched many people. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, yet another example of putting others above himself. His family invites you to join in celebrating his life with them. They received friends at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. Services were held

Hilda Alvis Parrish, 103, of Goochland, died Dec. 9, 2011. She was born Aug. 6, 1908, to Martha “Pat” Isbell Alvis and James “Jim” Henry Alvis. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, P. Tim Parrish; siblings, Nelson Alvis and Mabel Allen; four children, Evelyn Williams, Miriam Phyllis Parrish, James Phillip Parrish and

Nancy “Nanny Will” Carter; grandchildren, J.W. Carter and Linda Griffin;,and greatgrandson, Shane Duncan. She is survived by her daughter, Patsy Griffin of Fork Union, Va.; son-in-law, John Carter Jr. of Manakin, Va.; grandchildren, Jean Booth, Jane Maitland, Robin Yawn, Robert Parrish, Gayle Noble, Kim Pierce, Gwen McNeely and Jewell Jones; 19 greatgrandchildren, 13 great-greatgrandchildren; and a special cousin, Minnie Alvis. A lifelong resident of Goochland County, she graduated from Sandy Hook High School and attended RPI (now VCU). She worked for Reserve Life Insurance Company, served as secretary of Goochland Elementary School, and a receptionist at Norman Funeral Home. A lifetime member of Gum Spring United Methodist Church, taught Sunday School, served as president of the Fife

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PTA, registrar of Byrd District, memberoftheGoochlandCancer Society, Heart Fund, numerous youth organizations, Goochland Historical Society, Gum Spring Senior Citizens Group, Goochland Homemakers Club, and Friends of the Library. She was a meticulous homemaker, an expert seamstress, and a source of joy, strength, and encouragement to her family and friends. The family received friends at Norman Funeral Home, Goochland, Va. on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 at Gum Spring United Methodist Church. Graveside services were held at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Gum Spring United Methodist Church Building Fund, 35 Church Lane, Gum Spring, Va. 23065 or Legacy Hospice, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy., #180, Charlottesville, Va. 22911.

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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 at Faith Baptist Church, 3395 River Road West, Goochland, Va. Graveside services followed at Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Friends and family are invited to join in a reception at Faith Baptist Church after all services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make contributions to Faith Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society in honor of his mother, Inez Hicks.

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Bulldogs finish a season to remember in state championship

Photos by Charlie Leffler

Clockwise from top left: Gretna’s Cam Jefferson (4) collides with Goochland punter Thomas Meadows, right. Top center: Goochland’s Zakell Johnson (25) dives out of bounds to stop the clock as Gretna’s Dyson Rosser tries to make the tackle. Top: Goochland’s Trace Nixon (11) makes a big reception for a Bulldog first down. Above: Goochland’s Mitchell Brice (9) makes a big gain along the sidelines. At left: Goochland’s Jordan Jefferson (6) and Dasheem Norris (15) try to wrap up elusive Gretna quarterback Dyon Rosser (14). Far left: Goochland’s Patrick Clore (30) goes airborne as he is undercut by Gretna’s Dyson Rosser (14) and Bop Haskins (76). Center left: Jake Martin (26) gets position in front of Dyson Rosser (14) to make an interception Center: Center: Goochland’s Brent Alvis (89) makes a catch and picks up a first down late in the game.

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Goochland comes up short against Gretna Cooke connects on VHSL record kick By Eric Kolenich Media General News Services

SALEM -- The final five offensive plays called by Goochland coach Joe Fowler were all passes. The fifth pass, on fourth and 4 with just more than a minute left in the game, skidded to the ground and ended the Bulldogs’ dramatic season and their chance at a state championship. Tony Miller scored three touchdowns as Gretna beat Goochland 21-16 to claim its third Group A Division 2 state championship in five years. The Bulldogs, dealt their first loss of the season, finished 14-1. Gretna is 13-2. “It’s a little quiet and we’re a little frustrated right now,” Goochland linebacker Jess McLaughlin said of his team.

Photo by Charlie Leffler

Goochland’s Jordan Jefferson (6), Nathan Adams (10), Jess McLaughlin (52), Dasheem Norris (15) and Andrew Gee take a team approach to stopping Gretna quarterback Tony Miller. However, Miller scored three touchdowns in Gretna’s victory.

“But we’ll bounce back from games, the Bulldogs’ offense backs never found a rhythm. it.” prospered by running the ball. Patrick Clore finished with 40 Throughout their first 14 On Saturday, their running yards on 14 carries. Mitchell

Character of team made the season memorable By Charlie Leffler cleffler@goochlandgazette.com

SALEM -- When Coach Joe Fowler gathered his team together following the Bulldogs 21-16 loss to Gretna in the Division 2 state championship he had little to say about football. Instead Fowler spoke about life lessons and personal character. Character more than any other trait, was what the Goochland football team displayed best this season. While many football players would become cocky and antagonistic sporting a 14-0 record, the Bulldogs remained complimentary and courteous when it came to their opponents. A professional photographer standing on the sidelines for the championship game said he knew little about

Photo by Charlie Leffler

Goochland head coach Joe Fowler gives the Bulldogs words to live by following their 21-16 loss to Gretna in the Group A, Division 2 state championship.

Goochland. What he did know The photographer did not He was impressed by how was learned in watching the speak of athletic skill or daunt- the Goochland team greeted Bulldogs handily defeat Wilson ing talent, instead he spoke of see Character >page 13 Memorial the week before. character.

Brice had 43 yards on eight carries. “We couldn’t move the ball going 5 yards at a time against that defense,” Fowler said. “They were so much stronger than we were up front.” With their main weapon neutralized, Fowler turned to quarterback Cody Johnson, who passed the ball 13 times, completing seven for 147 yards. When the Bulldogs needed to complete passes to score one last touchdown, they were unable to. “It’s not who we are,” Fowler said. But Goochland found success in spurts. Johnson completed five passes of 10 yards or more, including a 70-yarder to Brice, which made the score 21-16 and got Goochland back in the game in the fourth quarter. But the Bulldogs fumbled twice. The second one was when the ball squirmed out of Brice’s hands in the third quarter. Gretna’s Cam Jefferson scooped it up and returned it to the 1-yard line. Then Miller hammered it in from a yard out to put Gretna up 13-10. Miller scored his third touchdown on the next drive for a 21-10 lead. “There wasn’t any particular play (that the game hinged on),” Fowler said. “Every game comes down to multiple plays.” Colby Cooke kicked a 51yard field goal in the second quarter. It was his 17th and longest kick of the season. That tied the mark for second most in VHSL history with NFL kicker Shayne Graham’s 17 field goals in 1995. Trey Mitchell of Radford owns the record with 20. Gretna’s two main offensive weapons, quarterback Dyon Rosser and Miller, kept Goochland’s defense moving backward all night.

Rosser ran 27 times for 141 yards and completed 6 of 10 passes for 87 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Miller had 32 yards rushing and 60 receiving. “They’re just great football players,” Fowler said. “They weren’t doing anything special except playing great football.” With 5:58 left in the game, Goochland got the ball on its 31-yard line down 21-16. The Bulldogs marched to the Gretna 31 before the drive stalled. Had they scored and won by two points, it would have been their third two-point victory of the season. Goochland beat Buckingham 26-24 and Amelia 8-6 to close out the regular season. “There are going to be worse days than this in your life,” Fowler told his team after the clock hit all zeros. “Hopefully, this will help you when those days come around.” Eric Kolenich is a staff writer for the Richmond Times Dispatch. Gretna........................... 0 6 7 8 — 21 Goochland.................... 0 3 7 6 — 16 Go — FG Cooke 51 Gr — Miller 20 pass from Rosser (kick failed) Go — C. Johnson 1 run (Cooke kick) Gr — Miller 1 run (Canare kick) Gr — Miller 3 run (Rosser run) Go — Brice 70 pass from C. Johnson (pass failed) RUSHING: Gr — Rosser 27-141, Moorman 7-36, Pannell 1-(minus-1), Miller 10-32, Jefferson 1-28. Go — Clover 14-40, Martin 4-14, Brice 8-43, Z. Johnson 7-1, C. Johnson 2-3. PASSING: Gr — Rosser 6-10-1 87, Miller 0-1-0 0. Go — C. Johnson 7-13-1 147. RECEIVING: Gr — Miller 4-60, Glass 1-3, Bennett 1-24. Go — Martin 1-27, Nixon 1-22, Adams 1-11, Brice 1-70, Alvis 1-11, Z. Johnson 1-8, Engel 1-(minus-2).

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Goochland falters against Indians 61-29 By Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent

The Powhatan girls’ basketball team showed no signs of first game jitters as they traveled to Goochland last week to begin their 2011 campaign. In a game that was never close, the Indians recorded a 61-29 victory over the host Bulldogs. Powhatan got off to a fast start with an 11-2 lead early in the first period. Goochland maintained pace but the Indians led 24-15 at the half. Powhatan then exploded for 22 second half points to put the game out of reach. After Goochland (2-3) played their best game of the season to edge Fluvanna the previous night, Bulldog coach Sarah Voyack felt almost nothing went right against the Indians. “Last night we played exceptionally well, and it was the first game we’ve put together four quarters of basketball,” she said. “Powhatan is a big physical, fast team and they can get you from all angles.” The Bulldogs couldn’t slow down a fast break offense that keyed off solid rebounding and running the court attack by the Indians. “We turned the ball over too much and just couldn’t slow them down,” Voyack said. “Tonight, our press was not effective.” Indian guard Marisha Berry led all scorers with 20 points while Hannah Livermon and Timesha Morris each added 14. Indian coach Paulette Bowman was pleased with her team’s play considering it was the first game of the season.“They played well considering that they are trying to get a feel for one another,” she said. The Indians feature only two returning starters and the

remainder came up from JV to start this season. Morris, who starts at center, is only a freshman. Bowman felt the win was a team effort. “They all played hard, so all of them had a good game as far as I am concerned,” she said. “You play hard and only good things will happen.” For the Bulldogs, the tune up portion of their season came to an end and league play began on Friday when the Bulldogs picked up a 44-38 victory at Central. Voyack said non-district games, like Powhatan, would only toughen the Bulldogs for JRD play. “Those are the teams who will prepare us for when we play teams like Central,” Voyack said. This week Goochland hosts Nottoway on Friday then takes on Bluestone in a home contest at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. POWHATAN 61, GOOCHLAND 29

POWHATAN (1-0) — Balcom 2, Shiflett 0, M. Berry 20, Johnson 4, D. Berry 2, Livermon 14, Glover 0, Ford 1, Morris 14, Kingston 4, Byrd 0, Long 0. Totals 26 6-13 61. GOOCHLAND (2-3) — B. Jackson 0, Simmons 0, C. Jackson 2, Rodriguez 8, Liddle 2, Robinson 0, Taylor 8, Southerland 0, Leabough 9, Ezell 0, Rosenbaum 0. Totals 13 3-10 29. Powhatan.............18 6 22 15 — 61 Goochland. ......... 5 10 10 4 — 29 GOOCHLAND 44, CENTRAL LUNENBURG 38

Character continued from >page 12 Wilson Memorial after the game, congratulated them on a well played contest then cheered their opponent as they left the field of play. Emphasis was only added to Goochland’s character when earlier in the day a bench-clearing, game-ending brawl broke out between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier men’s basketball teams. In sport supposedly played between adults, the most childish of behavior arose.

GOOCHLAND (3-3, 1-0 James River) — B. Jackson 2, Rodriguez 10, Simmons 0, Liddle 0, Robinson 5, Taylor 22, Leabough 4, Ezell 1, Rosenbaum 0. Totals 18 7-15 44. CENTRAL LUNENBURG (0-3, 01) — Crawley 4, Ghee 0, White 1, Williams 3, Lee 9, Chauous 3, Brown 0, Clark 0, Smith 7, Jennings 11, Blackwell 0. Totals 13 12-21 38. Photos by Jim Ridolphi Goochland................ 14 16 6 8 — 44 Above left: Goochland’s Khayla Leabough drives to the basket Central...................... 11 11 9 7 — 38 against Powhatan’s Rachel Shiflett. Above: Goochland fought 3-point goals — G: Robinson. Highlights — G: Tammara Taylor 11 hard but couldn’t out rebound an aggressive Indian squad. rebounds, 3 steals.

Yet, in the hard-fought physical game of football between adolescents, proper decorum remained. Fowler spoke about how the team pulled the Goochland community together. He spoke about subjects that transcended the sport of football. Fowler’s message to his players was simple. “There are going to be worse days than this in your life,” he said. “Hopefully this will help you when those days come around.” There were few tears among the players as they knelt on the field.

“They’re great kids, they’re character kids,” Fowler said. “I’m sure they’re in (the locker room) balling their eyes out now. But they’re tough kids and they know that’s life. You’re not always going to win them all.” As a team and individuals, the players are certainly aware that there are more important battles to win in life than football. In February of 2010, the team provided support for teammate Adam Maguire after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Likewise, throughout this remarkable

season, the players virtually adopted seven year old Jack Ridolphi, a young man who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. “When it all comes down to it, football’s a game and we in our society put a awful big premium on it being important but ultimately it’s a game,” Fowler said. “It’s a game being played by kids who aren’t getting paid. They’re doing it because they love it. If we can teach them some life lessons that are more important than winning and losing then that’s our ultimate goal.”

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