7/11/2019 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Students’ bayscape project helps improve wildlife habitat. > page 15

Volume 64, Number 28 • July 11, 2019

Randolph Elementary duo collect over 800 pounds of plastic. See page 3

Construction resumes on new shelter

Home is where her

heart is

Celebrated project back on track after termination of original building contract By Roslyn Ryan Editor

After 100 years of living in Goochland, Ruby Amos insists there is no other place she would rather be By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Given the choice of any place in the world to live, Goochland’s Ruby Amos will say that this county is undoubtedly the one she would pick. After all, she should know — she’s been here nearly 100 years. “To me, Goochland is the best place to live,” said Amos, who was born just a few miles away from the Oilville home in which she has lived see Amos > 3

Photo by Roslyn Ryan

Oilville resident Ruby Amos was born in Goochland in 1919, and describes the county as “God’s country.” At nearly 100 years old, she credits her longevity in part to her love of staying active.

Despite hitting a major snag earlier this year, work on Goochland County’s new Animal Protection and Adoption Center in once again moving forward. The construction of the 14,000-square-foot, stateof-the-art facility had been previously delayed due to the termination of the original general contractor. This week it was announced that the County has reached an agreement with the original contractor’s bonding company and identified a replacement contractor to finish the project. According to information provided by the county earlier this week, Hourigan Construction will serve as the interim general contractor and will continue until a permanent general contractor can be identified. “The County greatly appreciates the efforts of Hourigan Construction, who recently completed see Shelter > 2

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July 11, 2019

Shelter continued from >1 the Goochland Cares building and continues to work on the Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute, a joint venture with VCU Health project in the eastern end of the County,” said County Administrator John A. Budesky. Once completed, the new facility on Hidden Rock Lane will include a spacious new adoption, care and education center, as well as a vastly upgraded shelter to take the place of the cramped space

that was previously located in the same location. The project is a partnership between Goochland County and the nonprofit Goochland Pet Lovers organization, which was founded to support the mission of creating the new shelter. Shelter operations will continue at the Central High Complex location (2748 Dogtown Road) until the new shelter is completed. All members of the community are invited to visit the facility and see the animals currently awaiting adoption.

Elrod and Dunham Dentistry

welcomes Dr. Michael Marotta to its Goochland office. Dr. Marotta brings a wealth of experience after completing a two-year residency at the University of Virginia Hospital.

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Pets of the week SPORTS

Photos submitted by Julie Lawrence

The Goochland County Animal Shelter has temporarily relocated to the County’s Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex located at 2748 Dogtown Road, in Goochland. The temporary Animal Shelter will operate at the rear of the Central High School Complex until the new shelter is completed. Citizens can continue to contact the Animal Shelter by calling (804) 556-5302. The shelter currently has the following pets available to a good home: Three kittens—one male and two female — all about 15 weeks old. The Goochland Animal Shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The facility has many lost dog and cat fliers posted. For more information on these pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Goochland Animal Shelter, call (804) 556-5302. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.”

Fire Rescue Notes tion to accept employment and also to the general public. Firefighter/Paramedic withA.P. Hill Fire Department Special thanks was offered to the department’s Operational Daniel Coughlin was hired in Caroline County. Medical Directors, departas a full-time employee with Recent awards and ment leadership, the County Goochland Fire Rescue in administration, and the Board achievements April. Coughlin has been a of Supervisors for supporting previous volunteer member On May 17, Goochland and full-time employee in the County Department of the department. past and served as a part-time Fire-Rescue Department & Two Goochland Fireemployee in recent years while Emergency Services was preRescue members were recentemployed with Spotsylvania sented with a Bronze American ly honored with ODEMSA Fire Rescue. Heart Association “Mission Regional EMS Awards. Lifeline Award,” honoring the Firefighter EMT Jordan department’s ability to deliver Gregory Jones, who serves Malpass started employment state-of-th-art prehospital as the Chief Flight Paramedic with the department in April, cardiac and stroke care and with EMS Med-Flight I and as coming to the department transport. According to act- a lieutenant with Chesterfield with experience from Prince ing Fire Chief Eddie Ferguson, Fire EMS, received the award for “Outstanding EMS William County Fire EMS. an award of this type goes a Administrator.” Company 5 long way to project a positive Firefighter EMT Brian image of the department with- EMT Kaylee Eckert received Alden tendered his resigna- in the healthcare community see Fire Rescue > 3

Goochland siblings shine in swim meet PAGE 8 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................13-14 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................8-9 TV Listings ......................10-12

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CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Melody Kinser Managing Editor (804) 775-4622 Fax: (804) 730-0476 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 730-0476 Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor (540) 728-0549

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Two Randolph Elementary students collect over Legal Notice 800 pounds of plastic for recycling competition Phone and Internet Discounts By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When it came to competing in a recent nationwide contest to see who could collect the most plastic film to be recycled, local students Bryan Lee and Sam Farkas quickly proved they were no lightweights. In fact, when all was said and done, the two had collected a whopping 813 pounds of plastic food packaging, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags and other items — enough to earn them the 11th highest total in the nation.

Bryan and Sam participated for Randolph Elementary School in the Mid Atlantic region of the annual Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge, competing against 42 other schools. Overall, 700 schools participated nationwide. The contest also encouraged students to get their schools and neighborhoods involved in the effort. In Bryan and Sam’s case, neighbors contributed 56 pounds of extra recyclables. To Bryan, the biggest draw of getting involved in the con-

Goochland Library to host 3-D printing workshop July 20

test was the opportunity to spread the word about how important it is to recycle. “I wanted to increase my community awareness about how plastic is polluting the environment we’re living in,” he said, noting that the biggest challenge the two faced was just making sure everyone at their school knew what they were trying to do. While Bryan’s favorite part of the project was weighing the plastic, Sam said his was getting to tell people how much they had collected so far. “I always liked the look on their

All are invited to explore 3D Printing at the Goochland Branch Library from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on July 20. Participants will learn to use

faces, when the amount got higher and higher,” he said. As to what he wants people to know about recycling, Sam said he hopes they understand that every little bit really does help. “I want people to know that recycling one plastic bag or bottle can make a huge difference to our environment, even though it doesn’t seem like very much,” Sam said. “Getting as many people as possible to start recycling, actually created more awareness for our family and friends than I thought.”

Tinkercad to create their own design and have it printed. Children 12 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. All participants taking pat

in this class must be registered..Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

regional award winners for the Governor’s EMS Awards continued from >2 announced in November as part of the VA EMS the award for “Outstanding Symposium. Contribution to EMS by a High School Senior.” Both will On May 21, Goochland move forward to the state level, American Legion Post 215 competing against 10 other recognized Retired Chief

Wayne Allen as the “Volunteer Member of the Year,” and Captain Blake Markey as the “Career Member of the Year.” Three Goochland Fire Rescue members recently graduated from the Metro Richmond Public Safety

Leadership Academy held at the Henrico County Public Safety Training Center. The three graduates were Firefighter/EMT Kevin Hatcher, Firefighter/ EMT Taylor Chandler and Firefighter/EMT Andrew Beagle.

40 years. If there were things she didn’t have — including a driver’s license — Amos says she didn’t miss them. Instead, she describes days she kept full with work she loved, including sewing, cooking and tending the large garden that provided most of what the family ate. They also raised cattle, pigs and chickens, making trips to the grocery store largely unnecessary. When she wasn’t busy with her home or her family, Amos stayed busy in other ways. She has always been a devoted

and active member of her church, and even wrote for the Gazette for a time, back when neighborhood correspondents helped keep tabs on various hamlets throughout the county. Born on Aug. 4, 1919, Ruby Amos was the third of 10 children born to Stanley and Nettie Richmond. These days, nearly a century later, she still enjoys doing genealogy research and sharing her deep knowledge of local history. Amos says the secret to her longevity lies with the

things she has avoided—like cigarettes—but also with the things she has enjoyed as much and as often as she can, including staying active. Back when her boys were young, it’s been mentioned, she could often be found playing baseball with them in the backyard, or simply running through the fields just for the pleasure of doing so. “I’ve always loved to run, loved to be active,” said Amos. “I’ve always felt that if you give up [moving], your body gives up too. And I’m not ready to give up.”

Fire Rescue

Amos continued from >1 for 70 years. “I call it God’s Country.” Last week, as preparations continued for a grand birthday celebration set for next month, Amos took some time to look back on a life she describes as a blessed one. “The Lord’s been good to me,” she said, remembering the years spent raising five boys with her husband John, who served as a deputy and as Goochland’s sheriff for over

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Thursday

July 11, 2019

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Community Calendar Wednesday, July 10

Thursday, July 11

The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will present ScienceTellers from 4 – 5 p.m. Participants will help the aliens escape from Earth with the ScienceTellers, as they combine exciting experiments with dynamic storytelling. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Storytimes at the Goochland Branch Library are as follows: Toddler-10 a.m.; Preschool-10:45 a.m.; Mother Goose -11:30 a.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. The Goochland Branch Library will host LEGO Adventures from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., offering a fun night of free Lego play with materials provided. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

The Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome speaker Jesse Grapes, Headmaster of Benedictine. Jesse will provide an update on the school including the expansion of the facility and how it’s evolved over the years. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at the Richmond Country Club.

Friday, July 12

The Goochland Branch Library will host Friday Morning Movies from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for all ages. Popcorn will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

The Goochland Branch Library will host ScienceTellers from 1- 2 p.m. Participants will help the aliens escape from Earth with the ScienceTellers, as they combine exciting experiments with dynamic storytellThe Goochland Branch ing. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit Library will host Mystery Book the library at 3075 River Road Group from 2 - 3 p.m. Call West for more information. (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West Brown Motor Parts, Inc. for more information on the group’s newest thriller. Rt. 6 & 45 at George’s Tavern

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Family Storytimes at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library are held at 10:30 a.m. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host Friday Playgroup from 11 a.m. – noon. Moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers will have the chance to socialize with other adults while children make new

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friends. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

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The Goochland Branch Library will host Perfectly Imperfect! from 1- 2:30 p.m. for ages 12-17. Participants will watch and discuss a short video about the power of self-acceptance, then paint a portrait of what makes them unique. Works will be displayed in the library and snacks will be provided by Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

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Local graphics company opens doors to public Fastsigns of Richmond, a fullservice sign and visual graphics production company, recently hosted an open house event at the company’s Rockville production center. The public was invited to tour the facility during the event, and see how the operation is continuing to serve the area’s business community from four separate retail locations in and around Richmond. President Rob White, who bought the franchise two years ago, said he has always enjoyed being part of business-to-business company and knew Fastsigns was a first-rate organization. More than that, however, White said he was looking to make an impact on a different level. “My heart is really into investing in people—we want to build relationships,” White said, explaining that the company’s three pillars are truth, excellence and love. “That’s how we run the business.” Above, White caught up with Kimberly Nelson from the Goochland Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Roslyn Ryan

Historical Society to welcome author, humorist as featured speaker July 20 Contributed report

On Saturday, July 20, the Friends of the Goochland Library and Goochland County Historical Society will present Robin Traywick Williams at the Goochland Branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library. At 1 p.m., Williams will present her newest book, The Key to the Quarter Pole. Williams is a

humor writer and speaker who earned her M.A. from Hollins University and spent five years as a feature writer for the Richmond TimesDispatch. She served six years as chairman of the Virginia Racing Commission during the early years of horse racing in Virginia. Williams has published two collections of humorous newspaper col-

umns, Chivalry; Thy Name is Bubba, and Bush Hogs and Other Swine. She lives in Virginia on a “farmette” with her husband and her menagerie of cats, dogs and horses. The talk will be held at the Goochland Library, 3075 River Rd. West, in Goochland, and copies of the book will be available for purchase after the presentation.

Saturday, July 13 The Jerusalem Baptist Church Scholarship Fund Committee will be coordinating an outdoor Yard Sale/ Flea Market at the Corner of Route 250 West (Broad St.) and Shallow Well Road from see Calendar > 5

College Notes Haley Corinne Tucker of Manakin Sabot received her Bachelor of Art degree in Biology from Washington and Lee University on May

23.

Patrick Whaling of Manakin Sabot received his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Gustavus

Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota, during the school’s annual commencement exercises on Saturday, June 1.

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July 11, 2019

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Goochland Rotary installs new officers

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On Thursday, June 28, District Rotary Governor Clenise Platt presided over the 2019 - 2020 Rotary Club of Goochland Officer Installation at the Deep Run Hunt Club in Goochland. Robin Hillman was sworn-in as President along with Officers of the Board of Directors. They began their positions on July 1. Pictured above, Board Members who were sworn-in, from left to right: Harry Moore, Director of Membership; Jay Shively, President Elect for 2020 - 2021; Wayne Dementi, Director of Public Relations; Michael Kelly, Director of Club Administration; Dan Linnabary, Secretary; Jim Barden, Treasurer; Bonnie Field, Director of Foundation; and Frank Huber, Sergeant-at-Arms. The board member not present in the photo is John Aarons, Director of Community Service.

Recent Property Transfers 833 Elmslie Lane, Manakin Sabot; Robert C. Sledd to Rayanne E. Welsch, trustee, $1,400,000. 2103 Jockey Ridge Drive, Maidens; Steve Thompson Builder LLC to John C. Salmon, $649,358. 4873 Kimber Lane, Gum Spring; Chesterfield

Calendar continued from >4 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, July 20. Table rentals will be available for $20 each. Proceeds will benefit the JBC Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Patricia Bolling at (804) 784-5658.

Construction Services Inc. to Jeffrey Scott Parrish, $309,542. 628 Longfield Road, Manakin Sabot; Barry E. Welsch, trustee to Richard C. Lee, $775,000. 70 Manakin Parke Drive, Manakin Sabot; Michelle Galea Stover, trustee to Jeffrey D. Bruce, $420,000.

1781 Manakin Road, Manakin Sabot; Jeffrey Scott Anderson to Brittany McCauley, $360,000. 661 Pleasant Green Lane, Crozier; Larry B. Snyder, trustee to William Smithson, $650,000. 153 West Square Court, Richmond; Harry D. Wilkey to Ralph W. Pettit Jr., $670,000.

Saturday, July 13

Goochland community every second Saturday. All are welcome. For more information call (804) 556-3051 or visit the church’s website at www.gracechurchgoochland.org.

Grace Episcopal Church will be holding a Community Prayer Service at 5 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, located at 2955 River Road West in the Goochland Courthouse. This will be a service of healing prayer and communion, and is a monthly service offered to the

Monday, July 15 Read 2 Rover will be held at see Events > 12

Don’t Wait!

804-286-4897

Thursday

July 11, 2019

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Place where everybody knows your name? Yes, please By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Years ago, while grabbing a bite to eat in a well-known pub just outside Boston’s famed Fenway Park, I got up to use the restroom and caught sight of one of my cousins. This might not seem particularly odd, except for the fact that neither of us lived anywhere near Boston, nor did we visit that city often (in my case, that was the only time I’d ever been). We laughed and hugged, delighted at the coincidence, the sheer luck of bumping into each other in a city

of nearly 700,000 people. Fast forward 20 years, and the story is a bit different. Having lived in a rural community for nearly two decades, it is something I now take for granted: no matter where I go — grocery store, work assignment, picking up take-out — I will see someone I know. To say that I have come to love this would be an understatement. During a childhood marked by several moves up and down the East Coast, the idea of being an outsider — of knowing no one and having no one know you — became a recognizable, albeit

never enjoyable, fact of life. Every community has its stories, its quirks and its own unique sense of place, all birthrights understandably taken for granted by those who have always called that place home. Experience also teaches that some people are gracious and welcoming to newcomers, some less so: For the graduation ceremony of the small school where I went for seventh and eighth grade, someone thought it would be good to have one cake for all the kids who had been there the whole time and one for the rest of us, our outsider status writ large in blue icing.

As people have known since there were people to know it, the need to belong somewhere — to have a community where one is known, accepted and welcomed — is a nearly universal desire. I still don’t take for granted the pleasure of knowing most of my neighbors, or of running into my husband’s great uncle when I am picking up dry cleaning. I know as well as anyone that being part of a community is a gift, one that not everyone is blessed to enjoy. As was once said about another famous Boston bar, sometimes you really do want to be where everybody knows your name.

Heroes deserve all the thanks we can offer them By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

What would you do if a horrific tragedy was staring you down? None of us knows, but I’m convinced there are heroes walking among us. While most of us would follow the natural path of human nature and seek shelter or get as far away as possible from the event, there are others who run toward danger without regard for their personal safety or well being. We are reminded of this daily as

we watch public safety professionals across the nation facing insurmountable odds with unbridled courage and commitment. Police and fire workers routinely charge toward situations that would cause many of us to seek cover and the safety that only distance can provide. On September 11, 2001, thousands of these unsung heroes charged toward the World Trade Center after planes were used as bombs to attack our nation. For many it was their last assign-

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Publisher Managing Editor Editor Sports Editor Production Manager Sales Representative Sales Representative Classifieds

Joy Monopoli Melody Kinser Roslyn Ryan Nick Vandeloecht Denine D’Angelo Tom Haynie Sarah Suttles Cindy Adams

jmonopoli@RSNVA.com mkinser@mechlocal.com rryan@gooochlandgazette.com nvandeloecht@powhatantoday.com ddangelo@mechlocal.com thaynie@mechlocal.com Ssuttles@mechlocal.com cgrant@mechlocal.com

ment, and the rescue/fire/police community suffered unimaginable losses as the towers collapsed. To the man and woman, these individuals charged toward a dangerous situation, dismissing any concern for personal safety or wellbeing, and sacrificed their lives trying to save others. We quickly and correctly labeled these first responders as heroes, a title richly earned and deserved. Luis Alvarez was a New York Police Department detective who headed to Ground Zero as soon as

he heard the call. He spent the following weeks and months atop the massive pile of rubble that once was the WTC, assured by public officials the thick dusty air he was breathing was not toxic and did not present a threat to his health. He was joined by thousands of workers who performed the difficult work of sifting through the rubble searching for human remains. Turns out those guarantees of safety were, at best, ill informed, and

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Letters to the Editor Training program will prove invaluable to local CASA volunteers Dear Editor, Goochland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) works with families who find themselves in the Court System. The CASA speaks up for the best interest of the children. As part of their inservice program, the decision was made to have the Narcan training since many of the children that the CASAs work with are impacted by the opioid crisis that is affecting the grown-ups in the families. This was a true community effort! Tammy Witt and Steven Creasey came from the Sheriff’s Office along with Grace Creasey (certified Narcan instructor); and Nancy Davis and Dr. Franck came from the Health Department. They all worked together to present the program and the results were that 25 CASA volunteers and board members successfully completed this training and were certified. Being trained and learning as much as they can about the opioid epidemic helps the CASAs be more aware so this training was very helpful. CASA appreciated the efforts by the Sheriff’s office and the Health Department to make this possible! Ann Casey Executive Director Goochland CASA

see Ridolphi > 7

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. 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 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 730-0476 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com © 2019 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: 8,014.

Creasey a good citizen from his earliest years in Goochland County Dear Editor, I have been a lifelong resident of Goochland County. I attended Randolph Elementary, Goochland Middle, and Goochland High School (Class of ‘88, Go Bulldogs!). I am proud to call Goochland County my home and gratefully serve the community in which I live. My family is also honored to live here, including our 11-year-old son Matthew, who see Letters > page 7

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July 11, 2019

Alvarez and hundreds of his coworkers became ill with serious health conditions, diseases that for all the world seemed related

Letters continued from >6 is an avid participant in the Boy Scouts, and other organizations throughout the division. I remember fondly being a sixth-grader at Randolph. At that time, sixth-graders still attended school at the elementary level. Bus 8 took me on a long ride from Rochelle Road to my home school, but along the way it picked up a sweet firstgrader named Steven Creasey. Steven Creasey has been a stable part of the Goochland community since his birth. Like myself, he has given back to the community in which he grew up, providing over two decades of his professional career to Goochland County. His commitment to all who live here is of the utmost in ethical and moral standards. My son assisted with a Boy Scout dinner not so long ago. Steven and his wife were in attendance, and raffle tickets were bought by many of us to raise awareness and to give support to Troop 710. Steven won one of the raffles, and gave all of his winnings back to the scout troop to assist in their summer camps, their campouts and their hikes. This is the most beautiful of sentiments by an unselfish man who wants to be an integral part of the leadership in Goochland County. Other political candidates for this position have found bullying and childish antics to be more important than what the true reasoning is in this election. I thought these shenanigans were more appropriate for the preschool playground, and not in a community that you want to lead, or to support, or

assist those workers. Both battles culminated in the past few weeks. Last month, Alvarez accompanied Jon Stewart to a congressional hearing on extending the 9-11 fund for victims, and provided

emotional testimony that surely moved the bar on this important issue. “You all said you would never forget,” Alvarez told members of the Committee. “Well, I’m here to make sure

that you don’t.” Sadly, Alvarez, 53, lost his battle with cancer a few days later. Hopefully, this public servant passed with the knowledge that many normal Americans

consider him a courageous warrior who displayed uncommon valor in the face of adversity. And to this everyday man, that makes him a true American hero.

to love. Therefore, it is with great tenacity and with a bombastic voice that the Matejka family shouts from the roof our support for Steven Creasey for Sheriff. Won’t you join us? Sincerely, Cynthia Charlton-Matejka Goochland

Management Practices. Please don’t misunderstand the endorsement I received: I unquestionably have strong beliefs in the role of limited government, and I believe that our Republic is well-served when we adhere to our Constitution. Those beliefs are the foundation for my advocacy for productive family farms, clean water and effective Best Management Practices. Those objectives are in all of our interest. Those are not a party thing – they are the right thing. But it’s understandable that there’s some degree of vocabulary confusion surrounding the Soil and Water Conservation Director’s office. (In conversation, I occasionally introduce myself as being elected to the “What’s That?” office.) Indeed, the position reached an apex of unawareness in 2007. That election, no one filed candidacy papers to appear on the ballot for the office. Past Directors Ryan Dunn and Mary Ann Cisne were both elected that year as write-in candidates. Part of the low-awareness of the Conservation Director’s office is also attributable to the fact that serving as a Conservation Director is a volunteer position. The office pays no salary or stipend. There isn’t even a reserved parking space for Conservation Directors – not anywhere that I know of. (I even pay for my own business cards.) As a consequence, candidates I know who run for Conservation Director in Virginia don’t raise and spend campaign money. No campaign advertising contributes to the low voter awareness for the office. (On the bright side… that also makes voters’ TV view-

ing and mailboxes safer. I’m not aware of anyone or any PAC running negative ads that beat-up on some candidate for Soil and Water Conservation Director.) So with low-voter-awareness, no compensation (and no parking lot perks), why does someone – why am I –running to serve Goochland County as a Conservation Director? Why am I humbled to have been endorsed for re-election at the May 7th mass meeting? Because I think conservation is important – for all of us, not just Goochland’s farmers. If we do not support conservation and our farming community, urban sprawl in Goochland will become the new norm. Preserving the 85% open land and farm land that the Board of Supervisors has defined as a goal in the Comprehensive Plan will become harder and harder to achieve. And even though the number of farms in Goochland is shrinking, the work the

Conservation Office does IS important in slowing urban sprawl. Conservation helps Goochland improve water quality, it addresses soil erosion and it supports Goochland’s farmers as they implement agricultural best management practices (BMPs). So, let me come full circle, back to The Gazette article regarding the May 7th mass meeting. I appreciate, welcome and am humbled to have received the Republican endorsement for Conservation Director. I believe that endorsement will help raise awareness for the office of Conservation Director, and that endorsement will raise awareness for my candidacy. But for the record, I’m an Independent candidate for re-election, not the nominee of any political party. In fact, as an Independent candidate, I would welcome the endorsement of any rightthinking group, organization or individual that believes – as I do – that working for clean water, effective soil management and

a healthy, viable agricultural community in Goochland is a worth-while endeavor. (Now wouldn’t that be a heck of a testimony to bipartisanship? -to see Goochland’s Democrat Committee (and Goochland’s cohort of Libertarians!) endorse me as well for re-election. Assuming they also agree that conservation is important, that conservation is non-partisan and that I’ve been faithful in working to “Keep Goochland Rural”.) Regardless whether there are additional endorsements out there for my re-election, thank you for this opportunity to add to The Gazette’s May 23rd report. And thank you to the voters of Goochland for giving me the opportunity to serve the county as a Conservation Director. I want to continue to do my part to support our agricultural community, and to do my part to keep Goochland rural. Sincerely, Jonathan Lyle Goochland

Candidate clarifies endorsement from Goochland’s GOP Dear Editor, I’m writing to provide amplification on The Gazette’s report regarding the May 7th Republican mass meeting. In the May 23 article, it was reported that I was nominated at the mass meeting to run for reelection as one of Goochland’s two conservation district directors. That’s not exactly right. Specifically, I was endorsed at the Republican mass meeting for re-election, not nominated. Virginia election law mandates that Soil and Water Conservation District Directors run as Independent candidates, not as the nominees of any political party: Democrat, Libertarian, Republican. Conservation and support for Goochland’s agricultural community isn’t – I hope -- a contest between political parties. The mission statement of the Monacan District is to provide technical assistance, education and leadership to improve natural resource conservation in Goochland and Powhatan counties. I’ve worked during my eight years as a Conservation Director as someone who wants to see Virginia’s waterways protected, soil erosion diminished, and to see Goochland’s farmers get access to agricultural Best

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to their work at Ground Zero. Alvarez fought a gallant battle with cancer for the last years of his life, coupled with what he called a war against those who would not concede the connection or those who refused to

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Rogerson trio shines in swimmers’ victory Staff Report GOOCHLAND - Andrea, Annika and Annelise Rogerson were among Goochland Swimming’s quad winners as the Manta Rays, with the advantage of numbers, outpaced Battlefield Green in points, 1159363, for the team victory. The Rogersons were joined by Garrett Kemmerly, Henley Mills, Eden Rollogas, Avetis Saakian, Ethan Salser and Lucas Salser in the quad winners category for Goochland. Triple winners for the Manta Rays were Sasha Babic, Summit Caul, Luca Gardner, Nathan W. Getter, Joseph Hardman, Kaysen Mills, Cullen Parrish, Jackson Pereschino, Theo Rollogas, Mariam Saakian, Alexander C. Salser, Sophia Summitt and Camden Wilson. Double winners were Kendra Cheatham, Zachary Cheatham, Ella Chewning, Gerard Delisio, Nathaniel Harris, Grace Kemmerly, Paige Lentz, Skyler Mann, Nathan Sloan, Aiden Valdez and Jessica Valdez. Single winners were Bowen Barton, Afton Carter, Wesley Cheatham, Boden Dewey, Nia Gardner, Matthew D. Getter, Gavin Hazelton, Tristan Hedges-Catona, Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette Ryan Johnson, Sterling Mayers, Luul Above: Goochland’s Annika Rogerson swims the butterfly in the girls’ 11-12 100 individual medley race during the Goochland Manta Rays’ home meet Mintesinot, Simon Smith and Brandon versus Battlefield Green on July 3 at the Goochland YMCA; below, left: Lucas Salser swims the breaststroke in the boys’ 9-10 100 individual medley race; Watkins. below, right: Andrea Rogerson swims the backstroke in the girls’ 9-10 100 individual medley race.

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Benedictine alum transfers from Pitt to VCU By Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor

Gregory Ryan Jr. had been going to see baseball games at The Diamond since the Richmond Braves played there. He thought it’d be cool to play in that stadium. He’ll get to play there regularly now that he is a VCU Ram. Before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University in nearby Richmond, Ryan – who is from North Chesterfield – played baseball for the University of Pittsburgh his freshman year of college. He had committed to Pitt as a sophomore, but he remembers the coaching staff changing about two days before he got on campus. The only coach who he knew to remain on staff was a pitching coach, so as a result, Ryan, a fielder, didn’t really have a relationship with him or with any of the new coaches. He said that, after the season, they wanted to go in a different direction, and so that led Ryan to transfer. “I didn’t really have a relationship with any of the coaching staff,” he said, “so I needed to be somewhere else.” Some of Gregory’s friends were already playing for VCU and are on the team now, and they seemed to enjoy it

Photo Courtesy Gregory Ryan Jr.

Benedictine alum Gregory Ryan Jr., who this year as a true freshman played for Pitt, will join VCU as a student and baseball player.

there, he said. He also knew he wanted to be somewhere warmer and closer to home than where he was. There’s also his memories of going to The Diamond – the Rams’ home field – and when he was younger, he used to attend VCU Baseball camps. He pointed to VCU Baseball’s winning tradition, and to their players – like Connor Gillispie (Baltimore Orioles), Sam Ryan (Toronto Blue Jays)

and this year’s shortstop Zac Ching (LA Dodgers) – getting selected in the MLB draft. He’ll also get to see his friends more while at VCU. “It’s pretty cool because a lot of my friends live around that area,” he said. “I think it’ll be cool that they can come watch me play whenever I have home games.” Prior to college, Ryan played shortstop for Benedictine Baseball and con-

tributed to the Cadets winning the VISAA state championship in 2017. He moved to second base when he joined the Pitt Panthers. As a true freshman, he worked his way into the starting rotation on Sunday, March 10 at N.C. State. He remained a mainstay in Pitt’s lineup from there, starting in 39 games. Ryan hit the first home run of his college career in

Open mat Goochland Wrestling is hosting open mat nights for wrestling conditioning every Wednesday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. All student-athletes from sixth grade and up are welcome. Participants are to meet in the Goochland Middle School cafeteria, which is connected to the high school.

his native state while playing the Cavaliers at the University of Virginia on March 24. In his first season as a collegiate player, he batted .232 with 29 hits, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, 6 doubles, a triple, and multihit performances against Penn State (March 12), Wake Forest (April 13), Presbyterian twice (April 26 and April 27) and Maryland Eastern Shore (May 1). From that season, he saw

multiple improvements he could make to his game, and with summer league play, he spoke to working on recognizing when he needs to charge the ball and when he needs to stay back while he’s fielding, as well as on better recognizing the kind of pitch he’s getting prior to swinging. Ryan joins a Rams team that went 39-19 in 2019. He’s one more talented player from the RVA area to become a part of VCU’s roster, which includes but is not limited to Mechanicsville’s Hayden Moore and Justin Sorokowski, Glen Allen’s Cooper Benzin and Connor Hicks, Chester’s Hunter Vay, Powhatan’s Logan Amiss, New Kent’s Steven Carpenter, Dinwiddie’s Tomas Sanchez and North Chesterfield’s Maddison Furman, whom Ryan knew along with Josh Simon prior to transferring in. Ryan wants to play shortstop for the Rams, and he looks to bring speed and contribute to the team as a hitter after he makes a few adjustments with the coaching staff on his hitting approach. The coaches said they wanted him to come in and make an impact right away, he noted. But Ryan also has to earn his spot, he said, so he’s looking to do well all preseason and make sure he’s in a spot to play next year.

PRO CORNER An MLB All-Star once again Justin Verlander, a Goochland High School alum, was selected on Sunday, June 30 to play in this past Tuesday’s 2019 AllStar game. He was one of

three right-handed pitchers from Houston to be named to the American League squad along with Gerrit Cole and Ryan Pressly, giving the Astros a total of six players in the game - the most of any team this year. Verlander started on the

mound on Saturday, June 29 and took a no-decision with five innings pitched in his Astros’ narrow 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners, with Houston’s Yuli Gurriel hitting a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 10th. Verlander gave up 5 hits

including 2 homers, 4 earned runs and 4 walks while striking out 5. Facing a Los Angeles Angels organization still reeling from the tragic death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, Verlander took his fourth pitching loss of the season

as the Angels edged past the Astros 5-4 on Friday, July 5. Verlander went 7 innings on the mound and struck out 6, but gave up 4 runs, all earned, and 7 hits, including 3 home runs. His ERA for 2019 after Friday was 2.98

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