10/24/2013 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Candidates for delegate’s seat in 65th district share >views page Xon key issues > page 6

Volume 59, Number 42 • October 24, 2013

Traffic issues a hot topic at District 4 town hall

HistoryMobile pulls into county on Saturday

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Goochland Sports Complex during the festival and will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For Parks and Rec Director Derek Stamey, making the HistoryMobile a part of this year’s festival was a way to help fur-

Several dozen District 4 residents gathered at Grace Chinese Baptist Church in Manakin-Sabot on Oct. 17 for the second of the county’s five scheduled district town hall meetings. Packed shoulder-to-shoulder in one of the church’s classrooms, residents were greeted by District 4 Supervisor Robert Minnick, County Administrator Rebecca Dickson and District 4 School Board representative Elizabeth Hardy. Several other supervisors were also in attendance, as well as county Fire and Rescue Chief Bill Minnick MacKay. While the tone for most of the evening was relaxed and congenial, several residents expressed serious concerns about the county’s handling of the ongoing traffic problems in the eastern end of the county. Describing the intersection of Route 288 and Broad Street as “a disaster waiting to happen,” one man asked what the options were for addressing what he sees as a worsening problem. “I just know one day I am going to turn on Channel 12 and see a six-car accident.”

see History > page 3

see Traffic > page 3

Contributed photo

HistoryMobile tour managers Rusty Nix and Noelle Baker greet guests as they board the traveling Civil War exhibit.

Tractor-trailer ‘museum on wheels’ filled with interactive exhibits on Civil War By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Question: What’s 53 feet long, packed from floor to ceiling with U.S. history, and pulling into Goochland this Friday? If you answered the Civil War 150

HistoryMobile, you’re absolutely right. And if you happen to be heading out the 7th annual Goochland County Fall Festival this Saturday, you’ll get to tour the innovative “museum on wheels” yourself. The exhibit, an initiative of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, will be stationed at the

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INSIDE

Upcoming tour offers peek into area farming operations PAGE 4

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The Goochland County Animal Shelter at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland has these animals available for adoption. Left, a Beagle, female, about 10 years old, very friendly, sweet girl. Center, a Shepherd mix, male, about 3 years old. Right, Brown tabby, female, about 2 years old. The shelter can be reached at (804) 556-5302.

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October 24, 2013

History continued from > page 1 ther diversify what they offer to attendees. “We really want to continue to offer something new every year and we want to keep it fresh,” said Stamey. The HistoryMobile, a 53-foot tractor-trailer uses immersive spaces and interactive exhibits to draw together stories of the Civil War and Emancipation from the viewpoints of those who experienced it across Virginia— young and old, enslaved and free, soldiers and civilians. The exhibit, which crosses the state visiting museums, schools, and special events, is divided into four sections: Battlefront, Homefront, Journey to Freedom, and Loss-GainLegacy. From the bewildering sense of chaos experienced by soldiers, to the last letter written by a dying son to his father after sustaining a mortal wound, to a hushed conversation between

Traffic continued from > page 1 Another question raised was how the county can continue to welcome needed growth while protecting drivers from potentially dangerous traffic snarls. Some residents remain concerned that the county should be more proactive when it comes to managing traffic. “It looks to me like you are just throwing more traffic out there,” one woman said, questioning the rationale of allowing McDonald’s to build a restaurant at the intersection of Broad Street and Hockett Road before any measures have been taken to deal with traffic problems. While not denying that the road conditions merit attention, Minnick pointed out that localities don’t always have the ability to engineer perfect solutions for every traffic

a husband and wife considering the great risks and rewards of fleeing to freedom, the HistoryMobile presents the stories of real people in Virginia whose lives were shaped by the historic events of the 1860s. The HistoryMobile began its four-year tour in July 2011, and since then it has made over 70 stops. Before debuting at the fall festival on Saturday, the bus will welcome students from Randolph Elementary School and Goochland Middle School on Friday. To Recreation Manager Michelle Swalin, the HistoryMobile’s visit is one more way the Parks and Recreation Department can help county residents explore, learn and grow. “It’s something else to be excited about,” she said. “We always want to keep people on their toes.” The Goochland County Fall Festival, presented by Goochland Parks, Recreation

& Facilities will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 12-4 p.m. at the Goochland Sports Complex (1800 Sandy Hook Road). The event will feature Michelle Nixon & Drive with a meet and greet at noon and a free concert at 2 p.m. Mark your calendar to see the HistoryMobile exhibit, enter the Liberty Mutual Bike Rodeo, climb the U.S. Army Rock Wall and enter the First Annual Best Apple Pie Contest. Festivities will include petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin painting, “make and take’ activities and a Halloween Costume Contest at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free and Volunteers are needed. Contact the Recreation Division at (804) 556-5854 or visit www. co.goochland.va.us for more information. Rain date is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.27.

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Stay ﬂu-free with free ﬂu shots problem — much of that falls to the Virginia Department of Transportation — or pockets deep enough to pass on opportunities for economic growth. “The struggle for localities like ours is to be able to put in stop-gap measures,” said Minnick. “We have to take some estimate of the risk and then quickly come in behind it with some interim solutions until a long-term solution is found.”

County school superintendent Dr. James Lane offered an update on the recent progress the county schools have made, pointing out that Goochland students have the highest writing test scores in the region. “We are particularly proud of this because it measures creative thinking and problem solving,” said Lane. “We

want you to know that the dollars you are putting into the schools are worth it, they are being put to good use, and we are proving that every year.”

Goochland County Treasurer Pamela Johnson took a moment to remind attendees that real estate and personal property taxes are due Dec. 5. Johnson stressed that the onus is on the taxpayer when it comes to paying up—even if they don’t receive their tax bill in the mail. “If you do not receive your bill by Thanksgiving, call me,” said Johnson, adding that she is also available to speak with residents who may be struggling to pay their taxes. The Treasurer’s Office can be reached at (804) 556-5806.

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The next meeting of the Goochland Republican Women is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Nov. 1 at the Manakin Fire Station on River Road West. The featured speaker will be Dr. Madge Zacharias, a co-

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The Center for Rural Culture will present the 2013 Powhatan Farm Tour on Oct. 26, offering an up-close-andpersonal look at the area’s thriving family farm operations. The self-guided event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will showcase eight local farms, with operators making presentations on the hour and the half hour. To kick off the tour, the Friends of Powhatan State Park will be serving lunch at the main shelter of Powhatan

ed to include and focus on adults and today is known as the ZG KEY Program. Zacharias is a member of the Americian Society of Bariatric Physicians and has successfully completed the Society’s Examination for Board Certification as a Bariatric Physician.

State Park (4616 Powhatan State Park Rd.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The volunteers will be serving homemade soups, cornbread, pie, coffee and lemonade for $10 per person. Stops on the tour include: Corbett Backyard Chicken Coop Mike and Sara Corbitt will offer chance to meet the couple’s five chickens. Located at 4141 Maidens Rd. Hobby Hill cheese making demonstration From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sharon Munyak will be demonstrating how to make mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Located at the Michaux-St. James Foundation Chapel,

4097 Old River Trail. Historic BelmeadGardens granary and stables Sister Jean Ryan and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament will offer tours of the historic property. Presentations on land conservancy will be held at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Located at 5000 Cartersville Road. Windmill Produce Farm Curt and Debbie Nellis will offer tours of their 100 percent hydroponic facility, where they grow high quality lettuce, cucumbers, herbs, tomatoes and more. Located at 3167 Trenholm Road. Shady Nook Alpacas Ken

and Lois Pocock will showcase their wonderful herd of alpacas, and demonstrate how the wool is used for the handmade hats, scarves and throws Lois makes. Located at 2290 Barley Farms Lane. Money Pit Acres Farm Donna Bonner will offer tastings of her homemade goat cheese and introduce farm tour participants to the inhabitants of her farm. Located at 4352 Old Buckingham Road. For more information on the 2013 farm tour, or the Center for Rural Culture, email info@centerforruralculture or call (804) 878-2166.

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Annual farm tour set for this Saturday Contributed Report

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Goochland Republican Women’s meeting scheduled for Nov. 1 Contributed Report

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Weddings

October 24, 2013

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Lacy and Tench united in marriage

Florence, South Carolina; Jessica Johnson of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Rebecca Bachman of Apex, North Carolina; Kate Cooper of Goochland; and Carmen Allen and Jennifer Lawson, both of Powhatan, Virginia. Daughter of the groom Karli Tench of Midlothian, Virginia, served as junior bridesmaid. Friend of the groom Jeffrey Covingtonof Midlothianserved as best man. Groomsmen were brother of the bride Joseph Lacy III, cousin of the bride Justin Lacy and friend of the groom Karl Wetzel, all of Richmond; cousin of the bride Chad Lacy of Rockville, Virginia; cousin of the bride Dylan Lacy of ManakinSabot, Virginia; nephew of the groom Steven Shackleford of Chesterfield; and friend of the groom Joshua Sullivan of Midlothian. Friend of the bride and groom Coleman Cooper of Goochland served as ring bearer. Ushers were friends of the bride and groom Jacob

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Tara Elizabeth Lacy and Richard Keith Tench were married on Oct. 19, 2013, at Second Baptist Church in Richmond. The Reverend Craig Sherouse, Ph.D., officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lacy Jr. of Maidens, Virginia. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mildred Lacy of Goochland, Virginia, and the late Mr. Joseph Lacy Sr., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Adams, formerly of Richmond. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hyre of Chesterfield, Virginia. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Guy Hyre, formerly of Clearwater, Florida, and the late Ms. Merinda Tench, formerly of Richmond. The bride was escorted by her father. Friend of the bride Shelley Adams of Glen Allen, Virginia, served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were friends of the bride: Leslie Pearce of Charlotte, North Carolina; Karen Freeman of

Adams of Glen Allen, Michael Cooper of Goochland and Jason Marshall of Chesterfield. Scripture reader was cousin of the groom Jaime Springston of Richmond. Soloist was friend of the bride Mary Goodman of Crozier, Virginia. Guestbook attendant was cousin of the groom Belinda Springston of Richmond. Program attendants were friends of the bride Lisa Davis of Powhatan and Brittany Melton of Doswell, Virginia. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at James River Clubhouse, The Country Club of Virginia. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Wellesley Clubhouse. The bride is a graduate of Huguenot Academy and the University of South Carolina, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She received her Master of Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is employed with Southern States Cooperative, Inc., as a senior human resources generalist. The groom is a graduate of Clover Hill High School. He is employed by Patuxent

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Let your voice be heard in county strategic planning By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When it comes to determining a community’s path forward — how it will spur economic growth, for example, or how it will educate its youngest residents and provide services for its seniors — there are typically a wealth of opinions offered. And these opinions invariably range from the well thought out and workable to the less realistic to the just plain bizarre. What is usually the case, however, is that there are far more opinions and theories offered than there are people who are willing to show up at meetings, roll up their sleeves and start really solving problems. It’s understandable of course. So many of us are chronically overcommitted and struggling to balance work and family, leaving little time for studying traffic impact studies or parsing the finer points of current county zoning ordinances. But it’s also important not to miss an opportunity to play a role in shaping the future of the county. On Monday, Oct. 28, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors will be hosting a meeting on the county’s strategic plan, a roadmap that will guide Goochland’s future initiatives. The meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the county administration building and anyone wishing to attend is asked to call 804-

Editorial & Business Office: 6400 Mechanicsville Tpke. Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1118 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Phone – (804) 746-1235 Toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 730-0476

556-5811 to reserve a seat. You don’t have to be an expert in county planning to attend and you don’t want to miss this opportunity. It’s your community and your chance to play a part in what it will become. Let your voice be heard. If you happen to be looking for something to do on Friday, I can’t help but put in a plug for what promises to be a wonderful event. At 7 p.m., the Goochland High School drama program will be debuting “It’s Murder in the Wings,” a production that promises plenty of laughs and an opportunity to see some very talented young actors at work. I had the opportunity to take in one of the group’s rehearsals several weeks ago and I have to admit I found myself completely mesmerized. The students have obviously worked very hard on the production and I am looking forward to opening night. Hope to see you there! “It’s Murder In the Wings” will open at 7 p.m. Friday, with encore performances on at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and children. For more information, call Goochland High School at 804-556-5322.

Joy Monopoli Publisher Melody Kinser Managing Editor Roslyn Ryan Editor Mike Schoeffel Sports Writer Stephanie Childrey Sales Representative Online: www.goochlandgazette.com For news: news@goochlandgazette.com For advertising: sales@goochlandgazette.com For classifieds: cgrant@mechlocal.com © 2013 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: 3,500

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As we close in on Election Day, The Goochland Gazette caught up with Del. Lee Ware Jr. (RPowhatan) and former Goochland supervisor William Quarles, candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 65th District. They share their views on public education, Sunday hunting and the biggest challenges facing Goochland residents.

CANDIDATE Q&A William Quarles (D)

Del. Lee Ware Jr. (R-Powhatan)

What are your plans to help support Virginia schools and what role do you think a strong educational system plays in the success of a community as a whole?

A robust public education is central to the Commonwealth’s future. Easily-accessible, Highquality education means a better trained workforce and a thriving economy. Education combats poverty, joblessness and inequality, and sets the stage for tighter-knit communities. Without a strong educational system, we do our children a true and irreversible disservice.

Providing the finest possible public education is one of the state’s principal responsibilities. As a parent, a grandparent, a retired teacher, as a former member of the State Board of Education, and for fifteen years as a legislator I have always been an ardent supporter of our public schools—a fact further reflected in the endorsement of my campaign for re-election by the Virginia Education Association (VEA).

see Quarles > page 8

see Ware > page 10

Halloween wears a different face these days By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

I hear a lot of people talking about how great things used to be, or how life was better in the good old days. I can only assume this affliction is generational and genetically induced, because one of my earliest memories as a child revolve around the mystery of the good old days. My father often used the term, and I envisioned a movie-like set of what the good old days looked like, but I was never sure just what the good old days were. I’m also not sure why I never asked him, but I can only assume I didn’t want to dampen his unbridled enthusiasm when he spoke of times past. I thought of all this when I took

my kids to a Halloween store last week, and caught myself thinking this wasn’t the trick or treating I remember. I can only describe the inside of the store in movie set terms. It was a cross between Friday the 13th, an X-rated feature and Star Trek. I tried to guide my crew to the mask section, but they were magically drawn to the most morbid of the numerous motorized displays that lined the aisles of the spooky scare mart. And the many yard displays were disturbing and, yes, scary. From a man being electrocuted in an execution scene to a rabid dog jumping out at you with red eyes glaring, the place had it all. That’s when I remember when it kicked in, and I silently lamented the

obvious lack of ghosts and goblins in predominant locations in the store. Are the good old days of throwing a sheet over your head or fashioning a homemade mummy outfit gone forever? I think and hope not. But, Halloween, like a multitude of other activities in our daily lives, has changed over the years. When I was traipsing along with a broken bag of candy trying to keep up with my older sister, Halloween wasn’t really an official holiday. Decorations consisted of a pumpkin carved the afternoon of Hollow’s Eve, and costumes were usually made at home. I always worked my Davy Crockett hat in on my ensemble, and football pants often doubled as Colonial trousers. see Halloween > page 9

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October 24, 2013

School to offer JROTC program Contributed Report

Goochland County Public Schools is proud and to announce the approval of a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Training Corps (MCJROTC) program for Goochland High School beginning in the fall of 2014. The JROTC unit is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and Goochland County Public Schools. The MCJROTC program will be open to all students in grades 9-12 beginning in the fall of 2014. Students may enroll in this program during regular course registration in January/February of 2014. On November 14, 2013, there will be an information session for students, parents, and the greater community to learn more about the MCJROTC unit. The program will include remarks by Dr. James Lane, Superintendent of Schools, Colonel James Lenard, Regional Director of East Coast MCJROTC Units, Major Michael Petruzziello, Senior Military Instructor for GHS, and Staff Sergeant Daniel Strong, Military Instructor for GHS. There will be a question and answer period following the presentation by the speakers. The session is open to the public and will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at GHS. An informal reception will be held after the program so that the public can meet and welcome the new instructors.

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Quarles continued from > page 6 With this in mind, I feel like we owe it to our students to provide them with the best public education possible. This begins by fully-funding public schools, incentivizing private organizations and corporations to donate funds to support programs, and emphasizing the importance of vocational training and trade schools as an alternative to a four-year university. We should also be focusing on a universal Pre-Kindergarten program. If weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re serious about improving our educational system, we must begin by providing our children with the firm

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academic foundation that they need. Funding private or religious institutions with public funds and empowering charter schools at the expense of duly-elected school boards is not the right way forward.

What is your position on Sunday hunting in Virginia and why do you feel it should/shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be allowed? Unlike my opponent, I support passing legislation to legalize Sunday hunting on private property. I have heard from many hunters about this issue, and they all say the same thing: We want our Delegate to support Sunday hunting. And they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t alone. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries expressed support for legalizing Sunday hunting in 2011. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, the National Shooting Sports Foundation found that legalizing hunting on Sunday could directly result in the addition of 2,586 jobs. This is a personal property issue and I do not believe that a citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right to hunt should be arbitrarily regulated. I call on my opponent to respect the vibrant hunting culture that is so important to our district and our state. We can legalize Sunday hunting while still having the political courage to pass commonsense gun laws that protect our citizens.

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has been a major source of contention between both parties for decades. However, during the 2013 legislative session, the General Assembly passed an historic, bipartisan transportation bill, the first of its kind in almost thirty years. This landmark compromise is the kind of across-the-isle leadership we need in the General Assembly, and had I been a member of the House of Delegates, I would have voted for it. Unfortunately, my opponent opposed the measure and voted against it. Our next step should be making sure that the law is enacted responsibly. Because the legislation involves spending tax-payer dollars and extensive changes to the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing infrastructure, we must ensure that the implementation is conducted in the most transparent way possible. We must also be willing to change or amend the law to fall in line with the realities on the ground. Our transportation woes will continue unabated if we are not willing to be flexible.

What, in your view, is the best way to spur economic growth in Virginia going forward?

Going forward, we need to implement fair tax-rates that raise much-needed funds while allowing businesses to flourish, support common sense regulations, and diversify our business sector by Please share with embracing high-tech, 21st us your thoughts century jobs. However, I feel that the best bet for the fiscal on transportation future of the Commonwealth in Virginia, and involves two very specific what you see as a issues: investing in education and reducing the amount of responsible next extremist rhetoric that make step for handling headlines nationwide. the growth in this By fully-funding our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational system, we area. are ensuring that todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stuTransportation in Virginia dents will become Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

next generation of business leaders. When we provide our children with a world-class education now, we directly invest in our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic future. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, by curbing the incendiary extremist rhetoric that has become the order of the day, we will be better able to attract new businesses and incentivize older businesses to expand.

What do you think is a particularly pressing issue facing Goochland residents right now and how do you plan to address it in the coming months if elected/reelected? Much of Goochland County is made up of rural communities, and many of these communities are still struggling with internet access. This should not be a problem in 2013. Be improving rural internet connectivity, we pave the way for homegrown businesses to expand, we allow workers the option of telecommuting, and we improve educational opportunities by giving students access to online resources. This is not a partisan problem, and I plan to advocate on behalf of this important issue in the House of Delegates. The first step would involve having internet services re-defined as a utility, much like water or electricity. No one can argue that by increasing rural access to the internet, we are opening the door for technological innovation and greater interaction between localities. Countless communities were transformed by the electrification projects in the 30s and 40s. By providing high-speed internet to our rural areas, we can expect that same kind of revitalization.

Thursday

Halloween continued from > page 6 I caught myself on the brink of one of my rants about how things used to be different, but, thankfully, wisdom was the better part of valor, and sanity prevailed. Thoughts of my kids trick or treating, and the exuberance extracted by a single piece

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

October 24, 2013 of candy are still magical. The emotions are pure, the excitement is real, and when I look at Halloween through their eyes, nothing has really changed. Even that big kid with the Frankenstein outfit is probably still out there searching for some unfortunate ghoul to steal candy from. Halloween will pass with little recognition among many of

my friends, and that brings me to the simple realization that perhaps it’s us that change. And me. I’ll be one of the lucky ones walking darkened streets with three excited goblins who ignore my commands not to run . . . just the way it was for a hard-headed kid decades ago. Have a safe and happy Halloween.

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GOODBYE CLUTTER / HELLO CONVENIENCE

Goochland county FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, October 26th, 2013 Goochland sports complex 12-4pm

Parks, Recreation & Facilities

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY DRIVE-THRU

is proud to present

Michelle Nixon & Drive Meet & Greet at 12pm FREE CONCERT at 2pm!

Bounce2themoon

Saturday, Oct. 26 10 am – 2 pm

Laughing Place Pony Rides Broken Road Farm Petting Zoo

West Creek Emergency Center

Arena Racing Thistle Down Alpacas US Army Rock Wall Liberty Mutual Bike Rodeo Department of Forestry Pamunkey Regional Library

12720 Tuckahoe Creek Court Richmond, VA 23238

Virginia Cooperative Extension Goochland County Fire & Rescue Pumpkin Painting PLUS Make & Take Activities & Carnival Games First Annual Best Apple Pie Contest Halloween Costume Contest 1:30pm

VIRGINIA SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR COMMISSION HISTORYMOBILE

Rain Date: Sunday, October 27th 2PM until 6PM

Shuttle Service provided by Please see County website or Department Facebook for Festival Site & Parking Map.

Parks, Recreation & Facilities (804) 556-5854 www.co.goochland.va.us

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The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

Visit hcavirginia.com for more information on what is accepted at this drive-thru event. West Creek Emergency Center is an official DEA collection site. Go east on Tuckahoe Creek Parkway off 288. Just south of Short Pump Town Center.

Join West Creek Emergency Center for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to safely dispose of your unused or expired prescription drugs. The event will also offer document shredding to help organize your life. •

Prescription drugs in containers or bags. No needles will be accepted.

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Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

October 24, 2013

Ware continued from > page 6 Especially in a rural community such as ours, our schools are justifiably the most important of all our public institutions. Our children become citizens through participation in the

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society of their peers, are introduced to the joysâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and also the disciplinesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of learning, and are given the most important public foundation we can provide them for a fulfilling life in their adulthood. In sum, the importance of schools that are well administered, in which able teachers are given every incentive to educate the young, and in which our children are safe and afforded opportunities for a wide range of extra-curricular programs cannot be overestimated.

What is your position on Sunday hunting in Virginia and why

Practices for youth basketball will begin Monday, December 2nd. Each team will have 3 practices before the first week of games. Practice & game schedules will be established the day of the draft &

do you feel it should/ shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be allowed? None of the bills of recent years to allow hunting on Sunday has gained even modest support in the House of Delegates. This is because no bill has been able to gain the broad support of all stakeholders on the issueâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; including not only hunters, but, especially, landowners. I have opposed the bills that have come before the House committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake, & Natural Resources. The principal reason is that, though I, too, am a hunter, hunters are not the only individuals who wish to take to the

Mighty Mites -Febuary 28 $50 per person

Youth Basketball -March 8 $70 per person

Goochland Sports Complex Gym Starting at 9am: Player Draft (Ages: 8+) Immediately after draft: Coaches Clinic

COACHES WANTED!!!

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Youth Basketball League

Goochland County Parks, Recreation & Facilities

Volunteer Coach Deadline: October 31st Registration Deadline: November 15th Late Registration Deadline: November 22nd *Registration received after November 15th will carry a $10 late fee per person. *Registrations received after the late registration deadline will be processed as slots are available and there is no guarantee of a uniform immediately available for the first game.

1800 Sandy Hook Rd Goochland, VA 23063 (804) 556-5854

woods on the weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including Sunday. Equestrians, hikers, bikers, picnickers, bird-watchers, fishermen, canoeists, kayakers: all of these wish, too, to enjoy Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great outdoors, often on Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and they wish to do so without the potentially lifethreatening concerns inevitably posed by the presence of rifle- or shotgun-toting hunters. Significantly, a large majority of hunters in the 65th District have remained opposed to hunting on Sunday, for they are well aware that the privilege to hunt more often than not depends on the goodwill of landowners. And a large majority of landowners in the 65th District remain opposed to hunting on Sunday, tooâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including, for example, members of the Virginia Farm Bureau, who have again endorsed my re-election. Please share with us your thoughts on transportation in Virginia, and what you see as a responsible next step for handling the growth in this area. For several years I have advocated a simple, straightforward response to our transportation needs by focusing on user-fees while abandoning regional gimmicks, tolls, and so forth. Accordingly, in the 2013 Session of General Assembly I spoke in favor of the transportation reform bill introduced by Senator John Watkins of Powhatan. When Senator Watkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal was removed from consideration, I voted against the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transportation bill, House Bill 2313 carried by Speaker William J. Howell. (The bill was passed by the House, 64-35, and by the Senate, 26-12.) My opposition was based on my judgment that the proposal was, on the one hand, impractical in its taxing approach, and, on the one hand, too dependent on the sales-tax. After all, the private economy remains fragile, and the fiscal recklessness of the federal government already jeopardizes our childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future. I believedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and I believeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that the bill was

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too complex and that it will prove too costly. Within central Virginia the best hope of â&#x20AC;&#x153;handling growthâ&#x20AC;? with regard to transportation needs is carefully to build upon cooperation among the counties adjacent to the city of Richmond. How to achieve this objective will, no doubt, be a major issue in the 2014 General Assembly, and I fully intend to be deeply engaged in the conversation. Further, I have several times introduced bills to require the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to place greater emphasis, in its project-planning, on land conservation an preserving our scenic countrysides.

achieve in terms of state support for public and also higher education, for our transportation systems, for the public safety, and for the whole range of programs upon which state revenues depends, derives solely from the well being of the private-sector economy. Accordingly, maintaining strict fiscal discipline, especially in view of the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massive debt and apparent inability to apply any meaningful discipline to expenditures, will for the foreseeable future remain the legislatureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prime responsibility.

What, in your view, is the best way to spur economic growth in Virginia going forward?

What do you think is a particularly pressing issue facing Goochland residents right now and how do you plan to address it in the coming months if elected/re-elected?

The principal service that a legislator provides to local communities with regard to â&#x20AC;&#x153;economic growthâ&#x20AC;? is to ensure that the state maintains a stable, as low-as-possible rate of taxation and spending to foster both business development and fiscal well being--and opportunities, for individuals and families. And, of course, providing the best possible educational opportunities for the rising generations. Given the protracted and still-sluggish recovery in terms of private-sector jobs since â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Great Recession,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the legislature must continue to balance the needs for services by state government and the capacity of individuals, families, and businesses to provide the tax revenues on which sound governance depends. That Forbes has just named Virginia â&#x20AC;&#x153;the bestmanaged state in the Unionâ&#x20AC;? testifies to the prudent policies maintained over several years by the General Assembly, especially by the House of Delegates of whose majority caucus I am pleased to be a member. Everything that we hope to

Goochland is fortunate in having elected outstanding citizens to service on both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. Further, supervisors have employed an exemplary professional staff. These points must be emphasized, because county officialsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;both elective and administrativeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;have again provided me, and also Delegate Peter Farrell and Senator Tom Garrett, with a splendid roster of legislative priorities for 2014. And I concur with each of the recommendations. Foremost on the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agenda is securing $5.1 million in state funds for construction of a million-gallon elevated water storage tank at the treatment plant on River Road West. The proposed tank is the last in a three-phase project advanced by both Goochland and Powhatan counties. Only a few months ago we were able to break ground for extension of water lines. Now I will seek to gain the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for inclusion of funding for the water tank in his 20142016 budget, to be announced in mid-December.

Thursday

October 24, 2013

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

It’s like he never left

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Jefferson returns to quarterback role without missing a beat

By Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent

omecoming means different things to different people. For many, it’s a chance to return to their high school Alma matters, renew old friendships and remember when. For Goochland junior running/defensive back Jordan Jefferson, it was his first opportunity to run an offense he led to a state championship last year. The newly installed Goochland quarterback spent the first 24 minutes of last week’s contest with Nottoway running, passing and tackling his way to a 14-0 halftime lead. Taking full advantage of his first start at quarterback this season, Jefferson was nothing short of amazing as he ran for two scores, passed for two others, and had an interception on defense. “I felt comfortable out there tonight,” Jefferson said after the game. “I played a lot at quarterback last year, and it all came back once I took a snap,” he added. The absence of starting quarterback Reid

Photo by Jim Ridolphi

Goochland quarterback Jordan Jefferson (6) turns the corner and heads for the endzone during homecoming against Nottoway on Oct. 19. Jefferson accounted for four touchdowns and 151 yards in the victory.

Chenault altered the Bulldogs previous modus operand, and the offense returned to a familiar, grind it out offense. David Dyer made the plan work, as he tenderized the Cougar middle and the fullback’s threat alone opened

up lanes for other Goochland runners. “His runs opened some things for us. He softened them up on the inside, which opened up some things on the outside for us. He was amazing tonight just grinding out

yard after yard and breaking tackles,” Goochland coach Joe Fowler said. The teams played to a scoreless draw in the first period, but Nottoway threatened late in the quarter, driving to the Bulldogs 10-yard line.

Akia Timberlake recovered a Cougar fumble to end the threat and the Bulldogs took over on offense. With the stall seemingly stalled at the Cougar 34 yard line, Jefferson dropped back to pass on fourth and 11, pulled

the ball down and raced 37 yards to the end zone. Raleigh Marria provided the extra point, and the Bulldogs led 70. Fowler said his decision to go for it on fourth down was a “situational” call. “I thought we needed a spark at that point in the game,” he said. “It depends on a lot of factors and it’s worked out for us some times this year, and hasn’t worked on other occasions,” Fowler said explaining his fourth down philosophy. On the ensuing drive, the Cougars drove deep in to Bulldogs territory but came up short again when Jefferson broke through and dropped Jujuan Lawson on a fourth and inches. That swing in momentum spurred another Bulldog drive as Jefferson rolled to his right and slipped a short pass to David Dyer who completed the play with a 35 yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs ate up the better part of the third quarter with a signature Goochland football type drive that relied heavily on Dyer, but produced no points. Timberlake gathered up his second fumble recovery as the see Football > page 122

GHS’s Fowler a close second in USA Today Poll By Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent

Goochland High School football coach Joe Fowler.

Goochland varsity football coach Joe Fowler constantly reminds his young players that winning isn’t everything, so

it’s not surprising that finishing second in the region of the USA Today’s Best High School Coach in America poll didn’t upset him. “It was a great rallying point for the community,” he said after the final results. “People held voting parties,

and the number of people who participated was overwhelming,” he added. More than 300,000 people voted for the Goochland coach who has guided the Bulldogs to two state championships in his 12-year tenure. Fowler was one of 50

coaches tapped for final consideration in the poll, and was named USA Today’s best high school coach in Virginia. “The response was unbelievable,” Fowler said. “I really want to thank everyone who participated and supported me in the poll,” he added.

Photo by Eve Russo

see Fowler > page 12

Thursday

October 24, 2013

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

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A changing of the guard By Michael Schoeffel Sports Writer

As the venerable Bob Dylan once wailed into a microphone in the 1960s: “The times they are a-changin’.” It was true then and it’s true now, as I step into Schoeffel the role of spearheading sports coverage for the Gazette. What won’t change, however, will be the quality of coverage you have come to expect and will continue to receive.

Coming in provides an opportunity to maintain what Charlie Leffler and Dave Lawrence have done with sports in your community. Rest assured, the type of content you demand is my No. 1 goal. Your input is valuable to achieving this. Please contact me at mschoeffel@powhatantoday.com or call 804-5985305 (office) or 804-921-6823 (mobile) with your feedback. As always, your comments are welcome. My goal is to be even, thorough and fair while creating scrapbook memories for families across Goochland County.

If, sometime in the future, a parent is able to crack open a photo album and show their child a newspaper clipping of something miraculous they accomplished on the football field, tennis court, soccer pitch, etc., then I’ve done my job. Times change, people grow old. Newspapers don’t have the ability to stop time, but they can capture the moment and give insight into what it was like to exist in a particular place and time. They supplement and enhance memories. I look forward to helping create some of those memories. We can do this together.

Photo by Jim Ridolphi

The freshman class gets its first taste of homecoming as the halftime parade makes a trip around the field.

Football continued from > page 11 Cougars struggled to fight back and Jefferson made that turnover count as he galloped 29 yards to the end zone to put the Bulldogs up 21-0 late in the third period. Jefferson credited his teammates with his successful return under center and the TD runs. “They really opened up the holes for me, and kept blocking all the way through the runs. The lead running backs and receivers had great blocks that opened the runs for me,” he said. There was just enough time left for Jefferson to intercept a Balik Brown pass and toss his second touchdown of the evening, a 21-yard strike to Jaylen Fox. “For Jefferson to come in and play like he did tonight after not being there at all this year was fantastic. He was thrown in to the mix tonight and did some amazing things when he had the ball in his hands. He’s an electric athlete,” Fowler said of Jefferson’s homecoming performance. Brown tried to mount a comeback, but found the Bulldog rush too much to overcome. The junior fumbled deep in his own territory, and the Bulldogs defense recorded the touchdown, 35-0. Brown found Brown in the end zone from 38 yards out to avoid the shutout, and the Cougars added another score after a fumble recovery.

But, it was the Bulldogs night, and a happy homecoming crowd wished its team adieu as it heads to Cumberland for next week’s match up. It begins a final playoff push for the team that hopes to repeat last year’s heroics, but no one is thinking that far ahead. “We’re tied for number one in the district and in pretty good shape for the playoff picture,” Fowler said. “We still have to polish up on a lot of aspects of our game. We’re not there yet, but improving each week,” he added. Comparisons to last year’s squad are probably unproductive and unfair, but Jefferson feels a familiarity in the air around the Bulldog camp. “We have the potential if we keep working hard and playing together.”

Nottoway 0 0 0 14 - 14 Goochland 7 7 14 7 - 35 G — Jefferson 37 run (Marria kick) G — Dyer 35 pass from Jefferson (Marria kick) G— Jefferson 29 run (Marria kick) G — Fox 21 pass from Jefferson (Marria kick) G — Saunders 15 run (Marria kick) N— S. Brown 27 pass from B. Brown (Gilliam run) N — Adams 37 run (run failed)

Three county riders excel on track On Sunday, Oct. 20, three Goochland Dirtbike riders competed in the Virginia Cross Country Series competition at the Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg. Christopher Scriber (Class - 250A ), Christian Sherry (Class - 250B), and Aaron Dunleavy (Class - 4 stroke C), each captured first place in their particular class. Out of the 65 total riders competing in the race, Scriber, Sherry, and Dunleavy came in 2nd place, 4th place, and 13th place overall, respectively. Pictured, from the left are: Christopher Scriber, Aaron Dunleavy, and Christian Sherry. Contributed photo

Fowler continued from > page 11 Eight coaches remain in the running for the title of America’s Best High School coach, but Fowler said he’s humbled just to make the top 50 list. “I’m happy for the exposure it’s brought to Goochland and its students. It’s been a great experience,” Fowler said.

Fowler took over a fledgling Bulldog program as a 28-year old rookie head coach and suffered his lumps the first two seasons with a 1-19 record. Those initial results were soon replaced with a consistent playoff contending team that put Goochland on the metro Richmond high school football map, and eventually produced a state championships in 2006 and 2012.

“We’ve been really lucky to have such great community support here for our program. That has added to the success of our teams,” Fowler said. As for the 300,000 plus votes from a community with a little more than 20,000 residents, Fowler has his suspicions. “I think my mother voted about 10,000 times,” he laughed.

Thursday

October 24, 2013

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

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Goochland High School cross country ends regular season on a high note Boys and girls dominate in final meet of the regular season Mike Schoeffel Sports Writer

Though Goochland crosscountry coach Henry Jones would never admit it, the question heading into the final regular-season meet on Oct. 16 wasn’t whether or not his squad would finish in the firstplace slot. It was how far they would finish in front of the rest of the pack. The answer, somewhat predictably, turned out to be: “by quite a wide margin, indeed.” The meet featured runners from Bluestone, Buckingham and Prince Edward, none of which came remotely close to overtaking the fleet-footed Bulldogs. On the boys side of things, eight of the top 10 runners – including the first four – were from Goochland. On the girls team, four of the top six runners were Goochlanders. The red and yellow won the day. The scoring system used in cross country is refreshingly simple. A runner who places first receives one point. A runner who places second receives two points. So on and so forth. At the end of the race, the scores of the top five runners from each team are added up, and the team with the lowest combined point total is named the winner. The top five runners from the Goochland boys’ team

finished in first, second, third, fourth and sixth place for a near-perfect total of 16 points. Buckingham, the second place team, finished with a final score of 65. The top five runners from the Goochland girls team finished second, third, fourth, sixth and eighth for a total of 23 points. Second-placers Bluestone had three girls in the top ten, but still finished 26 points behind the home squad. Simply put, the Bulldogs dominated. Just like they have all autumn long. Cross country may not be the “coolest” sport on the block – that distinction, for good or for ill, is reserved for those who don helmets and rip each other to shreds on Friday evenings – but it’s still a heavy competition that rewards endurance, mental fortitude, and self-reliance. While it’s true that most cross-country runners couldn’t handle the physicality inherent in the game of football, it’s safe to assume that most football players are want of the long-term endurance needed finish a cross-terrain 5K in, say, 18 minutes and 58 seconds - which is exactly what Goochland’s Cary Pillow did last Wednesday evening. Pillow, a junior, is the picture of a cross country runner. His lean, twiggy physique is ideal for traversing a 3.1 mile backwoods course in optimal time. His face is taught and bony, his shoulders sharp and pointy. His eyes, which are sunken deep into his skull, exude a detached-yet-intense level of focus absent in the stares of his competitors. You

see it – that look - as he sprints across the finish-line a full 47 seconds ahead of the rest of the pack, just like he did on Oct. 16. The look is a familiar one. Jimmy Page had it. So did Michael Jordan. It’s the look of top-notch performer wholly in tune with his craft. Call it the spirit of a champion. Grant it, Page and Jordan were world beaters. Pillow, in comparison, is a high school cross country runner. Still, relative to his personal universe, Pillow is just as successful as the man in the glittery pants and the legend with six rings. Few competitors have been able to hang with Pillow on the cross country course this fall. “He’s been outstanding all season,” Jones said.“He’s helped our team tremendously.” Thanks to the strong performance by Pillow and his teammates Scott Owens, Larry Minor, Jr., Tucker Huffman and Mark Weaver, the boys’ team improved their record to a cool 6-0. No team has come within 15 points of knocking them off. Their closest call came back on Oct. 2, when they “squeaked” past Randolph-Henry 29-44. They achieved a perfect score (15) – a relatively rare feat in the world of high school cross country - in a Sept. 11 meet against Cumberland and Prince Edward. Not to be outdone, the girls have been rolling right along, too. Their top five finishers were Jontey Mosley, Hannah Lumpkins, Madison Venhuizen, Mary Wright and Campbell Ferguson. The victory is their fifth of the season. Their only loss was a threepoint heartbreaker to Amelia

Photo by Mike Schoeffel

Tucker Huffman (left) and Larry Minor, Jr. (right), both of Goochland, approach the finish line during an Oct. 16 meet at Goochland High School. Minor finished third, with Huffman right on his tail.

on Sept. 4. Other than that one stumble, it’s been a stress-free year for everyone involved with the Goochland cross country program. The program’s first postseason test will come next Wednesday, Oct. 30, when they head to Bluestone for the conference blah meet. “I’m not too worried about the boys,” Jones said. “If they run like they have all year, they’ll do just fine.” Jones, a slim man with a gallant stroll and a laid backyet-direct demeanor, is a bit more concerned about the girls. They will have to run a very strong race to avenge that early season loss to a meddlesome Amelia Raiders squad. “Amelia is going to be tough,” Jones said. “But the girls only lost by something like three points to them last time. So I know they’ve got what it takes to beat them.”

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Thursday

THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM

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October 24, 2013

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