The Goochland Gazette – 12/26/2019 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Goochland’s McCray taking football career to University of Richmond > page 9

Volume 64, Number 50 • December 26, 2019

A few simple tips could help ensure a safer New Year’s Eve for all. See page 7

Crash on I-64 claims three; brothers had been missing By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Photo by Paul Drumwright/Contributed

Above, new Goochland County sheriff Steven Creasey takes the oath of office during a swearing in ceremony on Friday, Dec. 20. Inset photos, from the top, the late Dr. James H. Bowles; young inventor Hannah Rhudy; and Goochland Middle School Principal Amie Potter.

The year that was From approving new development projects to electing new leaders, Goochland saw plenty of changes in 2019. This week, we look back at some of the people and events that helped define the year. See page 3.

Tragedy struck Monday morning on I-64, as three people were pronounced dead after a violent single car crash. The three victims, identified as Jerone J. Lewis, 28, of Culpeper, Dejaun V. Lewis, 27, also of Culpeper, and Michelle Foster, 23, of Orange, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred at 7:36 a.m. near the 173 mile marker. According to Virginia State Police, a preliminary investigation reveals that the 2015 Ford Focus driven by Jerone Lewis was traveling westbound on I-64 when he ran off road to the right, going behind the guardrail and striking several trees. Foster, who was seated in the back of the vehicle, was the only one of the three wearing a seat belt. According to information posted on Facebook, brothers Jerone and Dejaun Lewis were reported missing by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday. The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team.

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December 26, 2019

Recent Property Transfers 12127 Branch Overlook Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to John Michael Gillis, $533,450. 206 W Brook Run Drive, Richmond; Robert G. Swift to Braxton B. Pollard, $345,000. 2389 Chapel Hill Road, Goochland; New Ventures Real Estate LLC to Chloe B. Greep, $259,950. 580 Fords Road, Manakin Sabot; David E. Clower to Ira Gregory Peters, $500,000. 1316 Hounslow Drive, Manakin Sabot; Robert E. Spicer Jr. to Garland R. Ellington III, $535,000.

1570 Lew Lane, Louisa; Karen Elizabeth Zbinden, executor to Bruce A. Secrest, $220,900. 712 Milstead Lane, Manakin Sabot; Boone Homes Inc. to Richard Shelton, $740,000. 12154 Readers Point Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Margaret E. Shelton, $454,180. 4424 Riddles Ridge Road, Goochland; Thomas W. Leabough Sr. to Rebecca Short, $155,000. 2967 Willow Trace Lane, Sandy Hook; Brian D. Hall, trustee to Nathaniel V. Coffelt, $405,000.

Rotary Club will welcome James River Horse Foundation founder On Jan. 17, the Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome speaker Anne Tucker, Founder of the James River Horse Foundation, who will discuss the history of the horse program at the State Farm Work Center and recent changes there. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Richmond Country Club.

No Ordinary Baby Luke 2:11 “…for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The Son, the second person of the Godhead, stepped into history and became man. Only once in history has this happened. His name? Jesus! He died for our sins on that cross. He was raised from the dead. Every person, regardless of religion, will be judged by Him. “Christ the Lord” means all authority is His. Thirty years later He asked: “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Are you obeying Him?

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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:

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.”

Luck Companies named among top U.S. companies to work for Contributed report

Luck Companies, the nation’s largest family owned and operated producer of crushed stone and aggregates, has been ranked as one of the top three most engaged places to work in the United States. The recognition came as part of the Korn Ferry annual Employee Engagement Awards in 2019. This is the second consecutive year that Luck Companies has earned the distinction. “This prestigious award recognizes companies that have built superior levels of engagement and work environments in which team members can thrive and want to contribute,” said Charlie Luck, President and CEO of Luck Companies. Korn Ferry, a global organizational consulting firm, conducts an annual study of more than three million respondents

from more than 500 companies in more than 60 countries. The winners are chosen based on the largest percentage of employees who “strongly agreed” or “agreed” with the following: “I feel proud to work for the company.” “I would recommend the company as a good place to work.” Winners are companies that hold one of the top three highest scores within their country and category. Luck Companies was selected as a winner in the Small Business category in the U.S. “This success is directly related to all of our leaders remaining committed to keeping our associates engaged and active in our culture. Administering an Associate Engagement Survey each year keeps us accountable; we’re always looking to

raise the bar,” said Mark Barth, Chief Talent Officer at Luck Companies. “We are really excited to celebrate this year’s incredible results which were even better than the results in 2018.” Barth shared that the overall response rate was 97 percent in 2019, compared to 95 percent in 2018. Also, associates at Luck Companies gave the company a 91.6 percent rating in overall engagement, enablement and values, up from 91 percent in 2018. “People really care and they know we are going to do something about what they share,” added Luck. “Our engagement, enablement and values scores show that people are truly invested, they truly want to do a great job and they truly understand the mission of our company.”

GHS Bulldogs edge past Lee-Davis, 63-60 PAGE 10 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................15-17 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports ...............................9-11 TV Listings ......................12-14

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December 26, 2019

As a new year approaches, a look back at the stories that captivated residents in 2019 County bids farewell to local doctor, respected community leader and Civil Rights activist Hundreds of Goochland County residents gathered in January to say farewell to a man known for his steadfast commitment to lifting up his community. Goochlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dr. James H. Bowles, who died on Jan. 17, was remembered as an accomplished physician, a long-time community leader and a champion of Civil Rights. But to his daughter, Ruth Quarles, Bowles will always be remembered first and foremost as a devoted family man and a loving father. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To him, each one of BOWLES his children was No. 1,â&#x20AC;? said Quarles of her father, who died on Jan. 17, at the age of 97. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He never made it a competition, and he was always there when you needed him â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all you had to do was call him and he would be there.â&#x20AC;? After opening his medical practice at the corner of Sandy Hook Road and Whitehall Road, Bowles quickly became a trusted physician for residents throughout the county and beyond. While he would go on to practice for nearly five decades â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including many years working alongside his son, Dr. James H. Bowles Jr., to whom he would eventually turn over the practice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bowles also found time to serve his community in many other ways. In addition to interrupting his undergraduate studies at Virginia Union University to serve in the United States Army during World War II, in 1972 Bowles would become the first black member of the Goochland County Board of Supervisors. He served in that role for over three decades, and was a key player in helping to usher in the kind of forward-thinking practices that would create a solid future for the county. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He had a sense of what the people wanted for Goochland and how they wanted it to grow,â&#x20AC;? said his son-in-law, William Quarles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He really understood what would make Goochland great.â&#x20AC;?

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Goochland Middle School names Potter new principal The search for the next principal of Goochland Middle School officially ended in early February, with the announcement that acting principle Amie Potter had been appointed to fill the role vacated by Jennifer Rucker in October of 2018. Potter had been serving as the acting principle since Rucker left to serve as the Coordinator of Professional Development for Chesterfield County Public Schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mrs. Potter is exactly what Goochland Middle School needs to continue to provide our students with the engaging experiences our teachers deliver each day, and I am excited to see her put her innovative ideas into action at GMS,â&#x20AC;? said GCPS superintendent Jeremy Raley. Potter began as a Goochland County teacher at Randolph Elementary in 2009 after teaching in the City of Richmond, New York City, and England.

Goochland County Planning Commission Chair resigns Citing tensions created by his support of two recent rezoning cases, the chairman of the Goochland County Planning Commission has resigned. District 4 Planning Commissioner John Shelhorse said in a statement released on Feb. 19 that he originally submitted his resignation in writing to county supervisors shortly after the Feb. 7 Planning Commission meeting. During that meeting, Shelhorse was the only commissioner to offer his support for a plan to create a subdivision featuring up to 147 homes on a 98-acre parcel near the intersection of Rockville and Manakin Road. Shelhorse was also the only commissioner to vote in favor of a rezoning application filed by Reed Marsh, LLC, seeking to create 67 lots for single family dwellings on a 56-acre parcel at 3089 River Road West. Shelhorse said that, after receiving no response to his initial letter of resignation, he drafted an article for the Goochland Gazetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion page explaining his view that the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current Comprehensive Plan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which had see Look back > 5

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

December 26, 2019

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Community Calendar Tuesday, Dec. 31

Saturday, Jan. 4

The St. Mark Baptist Church, located at 4596 Factory Mill Road in Maidens, cordially invites the public to welcome the new year at the Watch Night Service on at 10:30 p.m.

The Teen Volunteer Advisory Board will meet at the Goochland Branch Library from 1 - 2 p.m. Young people who are interested in getting volunteer hours, helping their community, and making some good friends are encouraged to join the Volunteen group and find out about the library’s monthly opportunities and how to make a difference. Snacks 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.

Friday, Jan. 3 The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host First Friday Films from 4 6 p.m. All are encouraged to bring the whole crew for a great movie on the big screen. 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.

Thursday, Jan. 9 Storytimes

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The Goochland Community Theatre recently staged “A Good Old Fashioned Redneck Country Christmas,“ offering a three-night run that delighted local theatergoers. For more on the group, visit www.gvatheatre.org.

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 Mystery Book Group will meet at the Goochland Branch Library from 2 - 3 p.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for the title of our latest amazing thriller. LEGO Adventures will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., featuring a fun night of free LEGO play with friends. Materials will be provided. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Friday, Jan. 10 The Goochland Branch

Library will host Friday Book Group from10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Tuesday, Jan. 14 The Goochland Branch Library will host a Genealogy Class from 10 a.m. – noon, offering the opportunity to learn how to search for information to build a family tree using Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest. (Basic computer experience is preferred.) Anyone who would like to attend is asked to register online or call (804) 5564774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

those who would like to stitch with a purpose. Participants should bring their yarn and needles, and refreshments 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 Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host Scrapbooking from 7 - 8 p.m. Do you have pictures from holidays and vacations packed away or stuck on your phone? Learn to scrapbook! This program will offer some scrapbooking basics and make a couple of pages to get started. Participants should bring some printed photos and the rest will be provided. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for The Goochland Branch Library will host Knit Wits more information. from 2 - 3 p.m. This program offers a monthly gathering for

Thursday, Jan. 16 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. Friday, January 17 The Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome speaker Anne Tucker, Founder of the James River Horse Foundation, who will discuss the history of the horse program at the State Farm Work Center and recent changes there. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Richmond Country Club. Saturday, Jan. 18 The Cochrane Rockville see Calendar > 14

Look back continued from >3 been cited by fellow commission members as being in direct opposition to the two planned projects—in fact offered ample justification for growth in designated areas. Shelhorse said he submitted the opinion piece in draft form to county staff for review, and said he received a call shortly thereafter from District 4 Supervisors Robert Minnick accepting his resignation. The piece, titled “Right Things In Right Places, Redux,” was printed in the Feb. 21 edition of the Goochland Gazette. “I believe those serving a public body whether elected or appointed have a responsibility to be open and transparent,” Shelhorse said, adding that he “would rather be criticized for something I did than something I failed to do.”

Midlothian student brings project aimed at saving infants’ lives to Goochland In April, Midlothian Middle School student Hannah Rhudy, 14, briefed county supervisors on the BabyIn BabyOut project, which she founded last summer and recently helped bring to Goochland. In response to a rise in infants and young children dying after being forgotten in hot vehicles, Rhudy worked with a graphic designer to create brightly colored hangtags for parents and caregivers to use in their vehicles. The tags are designed to be hung from a vehicle’s rearview mirror and flipped over whenever a child is placed in, or removed from, the vehicle. Goochland County Sheriff James Agnew praised the concept and said he considered it a “very good, very compelling, very easy way of trying to solve this problem.” Agnew and many other members of the law enforcement community were left shaken last August after responding to the death of Riaan Gondesi, a toddler who died when his father accidently left him in the back seat of his vehicle on the Capital One campus in West Creek after forgetting to drop him off at a daycare facility. Agnew and board members praised Rhudy for her efforts, and Agnew shared that the BabyIn BayOut tags are available at the sheriff’s office for anyone who would like one. Rhudy has also partnered with a number of other outlets, including KidMed

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Pediatric Urgent Care centers and several come out of the death of our mother,” area law enforcement agencies. Bullington said, “that’s what we want.” Her long-term vision for the project, she said, is to work with engineers to Goochland leaders confirm explore a tech solution or sensor system issues with shelter project that will help alert parents that children When construction first began on the are in the back seat of a vehicle. county’s new state-of-the-art animal shelter and pet adoption center on Hidden Intersection issue takes Rock Lane, many local animal lovers center stage at meeting began counting down to the day when Goochland County supervisors began the county would officially cut the ribbon. looking with renewed urgency at the In June, however, it was revealed they intersection of Route 288 and Broad Street would likely be waiting much longer than after a woman was killed in a traffic acci- originally planned. dent there on March 26. According to Goochland County According to information provid- Administrator John Budesky, the county ed by the Virginia State Police, Yvonne had terminated its relationship with BFE Bullington, 62, was travelling on Broad Construction, the general contractor on Street when she was struck by a driver the project, and begun working with the attempting to turn on to 288. company that issued a performance bond Bullington’s death has devastated for the work in order to get back on track. her family, said her son Daniel, and left Budesky said the move came after it them wondering why an intersection long was determined that the contractor was known to be a problem has not yet been not meeting the terms agreed upon with improved. the county. In fact, work on the intersection has Budesky said the delays are not expectbeen on a list of planned VDOT projects ed to impact the cost of the shelter, and for some time, and supervisors took sever- insisted that there is no evidence that any al minutes during their April 2 meeting to funding had been mismanaged. question VDOT representative Marshall Despite this, news of the contract terWynne about the progress thus far and mination casts a cloud over a project that when work will likely be completed. was hailed from its first days as an innovaWynne told the board members that tive model for cooperation between the funding for the $4.2 million project, local government and the community. which will include adding traffic signals First conceived and shepherded and additional left turn lanes in the inter- through its initial phases by former change, has already been approved and Goochland County Administrator the work is currently in what he referred Rebecca Dickson, the new building will to as “the right of way and utility” phase. eventually take the place of the cramped While Wynne cautioned that several facility that previously served as the counfactors could impact the timeline moving ty animal shelter before being demolished forward, he said the improvements to the last year. intersection will likely be completed by Once completed, the new building will 2021. include a shelter, adoption area and an Wynne agreed that completing the education center. work quickly should be a priority, and assured board members his department $5 million settlement is committed to doing whatever it can to approved in case of three expedite the process. “We’re planning on pushing as hard as killed by driver on 288 we can to get this work behind us,” Wynne A judge on June 18 approved a $5 said. “That’s our goal.” million settlement in a wrongful death For his part, Daniel Bullington said he case against a Chesterfield County woman knows that no improvements made in the in the deaths of three people who were future can undo the pain he and his family struck while standing in a median along have suffered. What he hopes is that the Route 288 in Goochland County. death of his mother may be the thing that Claire C. Carr, an attorney with the law pushes officials to make the changes to the firm Kalbaugh, Pfund and Messersmith, intersection as quickly as possible. “If we can see something positive see Events > 8

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Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

December 26, 2019

Yes, Virginia, good governance does exist By Roslyn Ryan Editor

tuck in a merciless, grinding traffic jam the other day, I faced a critical decision on how to pass the time: I could sit in peaceful silence and contemplate all the many blessings I have received and the ways I could pay that good fortune forward. I could listen to music. Or I could tune the radio over to live coverage of the Presidential Impeachment hearings and witness political theater on a scale likely not seen in recent memory. Sadly, I went with the third option, and almost immediately regretted it. Because if there is one thing no one really needs at the end of a long day of being an adult, it’s

the opportunity to listen to a group of people who are supposed to be running the country behaving like toddlers. As the miles-long phalanx of vehicles crept along, the elected representatives on both sides of the impeachment debate wasted no time in seizing the opportunity for a second-rate sound bite. Righteous indignation was the order of the day as speaker after speaker took a turn, most sounding like D-list actors auditioning for a role in a badly-written play. It was as ridiculous as it was sad, as nonsensical as it was embarrassing. You know you’re watching the wrong contest, I suppose, when you think both sides have lost. Eventually, I turned the radio off and sat in silence, focused on

the road but also wondering why this process — this total breakdown in the relationship between two branches of government, the political gamesmanship and the war of words — felt so terribly disheartening. Then, after a few moments, it hit me: It is because I have seen the way government should work, and the incredible gains that can be achieved when leaders act like leaders and focus solely on doing what is best for the people who elected them in the first place. As Goochland prepares to say farewell to two of its current members — District 2’s Manuel Alvarez and District 4’s Robert Minnick, both of whom have served honorably and effectively for two terms — it is worth mentioning once

more what a sterling example the board has set since taking over eight years ago. Were all of their decisions popular? No. Did they make mistakes? Most certainly. But one would be hard pressed to come up with an example of any member of the current board putting political gain over the best interest of their constituents, or failing to maintain the dignity of their office. No, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors’ decisions do not have much of an impact on a national level. But if those at the highest level of government could take a lesson from supervisors Alvarez, Minnick, Lascolette, Peterson and Lumpkins, this entire country would almost certainly be better for it.

Letter to the Editor Beloved Goochland educator touched many students’ lives Dear Editor, As 2019 comes to a close, I have been reflecting on an influential stakeholder in the Goochland community. Dr. Patsy Chavis, former long-time educator for Goochland High School, passed away this past July leaving us

with memories and appreciation for years of service, dedication and love for students. She was a health and PE teacher and coach, she helped many teens learn the ropes of driving on the road after school hours as a driver’s education teacher, and she spent the last years of her tenure as the Bulldog’s assistant principal. Beyond the many recollections of Pat Chavis as a devoted edu-

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cator, she will long be remembered by many for her sense of humor. All the while, she cared deeply about all students and worked hard CHAVIS to fulfill her desire to see that Goochland students achieve at the

highest level and reach success in life. Many of these graduates over the years are now successful and hard working Goochland citizens. As we move into 2020, let us use the beauty, the commitment and the enthusiasm of Dr. Chavis to drive our goals to continue making Goochland a great place to raise children. A big thanks to Pat. Tom DeWeerd Goochland

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Gazette 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: rryan@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.

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‘Midnight run’ a tale that always brings good memories By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Writer

I rarely associate my column with the words Back by Popular Demand, but in this case, it’s as close to applicable as it will ever be. Several readers have requested a reprint of a former Christmas column that paints a wintry Christmas Eve picture for many, and brings back some special memories for me. So, here it is one more time, and I hope you enjoy Uncle Dudley’s Midnight Run. I suppose every family has their own version of my Uncle Dudley. You know, the eccentric one who never quite reached his full potential career wise, but far exceeded expectations in the game of life. Dudley treated all of his nieces and nephews like his own kids, but that changed for me when I was nine years old. I lost my father on Christmas Eve, 1960, and from that day forward, Dudley assumed more than just the role of an uncle. He made long and frequent trips from his Maryland home to guide me through some fairly tough and confusing months following my Dad’s death; and stayed long after to offer the wisdom normally provided by a father. I would often hear of my aunts and uncles dismay over Dudley’s lifestyle and his “waste of genius.” He attended Georgetown University and was president of his class. Upon graduation, he accepted a big job at the State Department but lasted only two weeks. My mother told me he just couldn’t conform to a 9 to 5 see Midnight Run > page 7

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December 26, 2019

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A few simple tips can help make New Year’s Eve safer

Be sure to travel in packs Most people who are out and about on New Year’s Eve are focused solely on having fun. However, some criminals see New Year’s Eve as an opportunity to prey on unsuspecting men and women who

Midnight run continued from >6 schedule. Dudley drove a Diamond Taxi all of his life, transporting the famous and infamous around the Capitol, and enjoying a job where he was the boss and the schedule his to set. Condemn if you will, but it doesn’t sound that bad to me. The point of this lingering description of Dudley does have a destination, and it’s timely. When Christmas rolls around each year, my thoughts return to the many yuletide memories I have with Uncle Dudley. But, one seems almost traditional and represents my most elaborate and consistent meaning of Christmas Eve. No one loved Christmas more than Dudley. He shopped at every nook and

may not be as alert to danger as they are on other nights of the year. For example, a recent report from Australia’s Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that the number of violent offenses between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. on New Year’s Eve is nine times higher than it is on other nights of the year. By hitting the town with friends and staying with those friends throughout the night, New Year’s Eve revelers can make themselves less vulnerable to criminals.

Try to avoid overindulging The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that people who consume alcohol begin experiencing a loss of judgment when their blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, reaches .02. That means it only takes a relatively small amount of alcohol before people’s judgment begins to falter, and judgment only suffers further with each additional drink. The pressure to overindulge in alcohol on New Year’s Eve can be considerable, but revelers should avoid situations where

cranny in the DC area searching for the perfect gift for each of his relatives. The result was always, unique, trendy and certainly unmatched in any comparison of other gifts received. The process took the eternal procrastinator months of preparation, retrieving just the correct wrapping paper, meticulously scrubbing the 50-cent pieces that would provide his signature to each package for his “kids.” We usually arrived at my grandmother’s house in Maryland on Christmas Eve with a car full of similarly wrapped presents. Our entry always found Dudley in what looked like Santa’s workshop set up in my grandmother’s dining room. He wrapped in a methodical, deliberate method, each end folded neatly with tape hidden under the seams- each package unique and special

they might be tempted to drink too much. Such overindulgence only makes people vulnerable to bad decisions and even criminals looking to prey on inebriated victims.

Don’t get behind the wheel Even people who avoid alcohol on New Year’s Eve are vulnerable to potentially unsafe highways. That’s because everyone shares the roads, and drivers never know who else will be on the road when New YearÕs Eve festivities end and everyone goes home. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that, over the last half-decade, and average of 300 people died each year in drunk driving crashes in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. To avoid becoming such a statistic, New Year’s revelers can celebrate at home and invite others to stay overnight. New Year’s Eve is a fun but potentially dangerous night. However, a few simple safety strategies can make sure New Year’s Day conversations are all about the fun from the night before.

and not two of them with even similar wrapping paper. Problem was, the wrapping didn’t end until well after dinner. And, there was still the delivery, the most exciting part of the process in my mind. Around midnight, Dudley and I would venture out in to the cold Maryland night, load that cab full of presents, and evoke on a country dash rivaled only by the fat man himself. A quick dart to Southern Maryland where my cousins were still awake and waiting. Another dart to Alexandria and a drop off for my sister and her kids. Chevy Chase, Arlington, Olney, Rockville and then finally back to Gaithersburg for the final deliveries at around 4 a.m. Each house left us cookies, or cocoa, or candy for our continuing journey. It felt like

Christmas. Our last stop was an old Victorian house owned by my Aunt Mary and Uncle John. They were long asleep when we arrived to a warm and toasty living room with a huge decorated tree, still glistening in the dimly lit room.

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The smell of warm cookies provided our final snack as we climbed back in that Diamond cab for the short drive to my grandmothers. I climbed into bed exhausted, with, not visions of sugarplums in my head, but another year of fond memo-

ries with my Uncle Dudley and our Midnight Run. So, this Christmas, we’ll remember Dudley, a man who knew the true meaning of the season and celebrated it every day of his life. God rest ye merry gentleman!

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ew Year’s Eve is one of the most festive nights of the year. Counting down to a new year while simultaneously saying goodbye to the current year provides grounds for celebration for millions of people across the globe. New Year’s celebrations vary depending on where the partying is taking place, but it’s common for people to check their inhibitions at the door on Dec. 31. That can make for a fun evening, but also puts celebrants in jeopardy of making bad decisions or confronting the consequences of others’ poor decisions. Adhering to three simple safety strategies can increase the chances that this New Year’s Eve is memorable for all the right reasons.

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

December 26, 2019

Events continued from >5 P.C., still is awaiting trail in the criminal case and faces three counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Justin C. Ransone, 41, Amy L. Abbott, 45, and Linli Xu, 25. Carr was driving near West Creek Parkway in Goochland on the night of the crash, June 27. Ransone and Abbott, a couple who had been living in Glen Allen, stopped to assist Xu, a Midlothian woman who had exited her car after striking a deer around 9 p.m. Xu, who was five months

pregnant, was standing in a grass median with Ransone and Abbott to the left of Xu’s disabled Mercedes, when Carr’s vehicle approached, authorities have said. Carr, traveling in the left lane, swerved left to avoid the Mercedes and struck the three victims, according to authorities. Carr was attempting to avoid hitting Xu’s vehicle and swerved instead into the three pedestrians, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities have said. According to documents in Goochland County Circuit Court, the families of the three victims have been awarded a total of $5 million dollars to

be split three ways, giving each family $1,67 million. The funds were obtained from a $1 million commercial auto policy and a $4 million commercial liability umbrella policy. The settlement order, which was approved Tuesday by Judge Timothy K. Sanner, states that the money awarded to Abbott’s family will be placed in trusts for her two children, and the money awarded to Ransone’s family will be similarly set aside for his two children. The settlement documents refer to Xu’s unborn child as “Baby Xu.” Her husband, mother and father were listed

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as beneficiaries in the suit. The documents state that the settlement was agreed to by all parties on April 5.

County ushers in Emergency Medical Dispatch program On June 19, Goochland County launched its new Emergency Medical Dispatch program. With the program in place, callers who contact dispatch are asked a series of carefully scripted questions, each one designed to help better assess what kind of help the caller needs and how critical that need is. If, for example, a person calls to report that they are bleeding, the dispatcher will ask questions to determine if the bleeding is due to illness or trauma. While they once were limited to simply taking the pertinent information and dispatching emergency crews, dispatchers are now able to offer assistance with medical emergencies ranging from heart attacks to gunshot wounds. The difference the new procedures have made cannot be understated, said Tammy Witt, who has worked as a dispatcher for Goochland County since 1998. To then Sheriff Jim Agnew, the new EMD system was a shining example of cooperation between several county entities. “We are very grateful for the partnership we have with Goochland Fire/Rescue and their help in getting this off the ground,” said Agnew. “Mr. Budesky (Goochland’s County Administrator) and the Board of Supervisors also deserve credit for sharing our vision and funding this initiative.”

County approves fix for boundary issue Over 200 county voters who were removed from

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the Goochland County voter rolls earlier this year are one big step closer to being reinstated, thanks to two measures approved by the county Board of Supervisors last week. On Aug. 6, board members voted unanimously to begin using the current taxing boundary as the means by which residents are deemed to be qualified voters in Goochland, as opposed to using the census boundary. The fact that those two boundaries are not the same along Goochland’s border with Louisa — owning, at least in part, to a 250 year old boundary line dispute between the two counties — is what led to the hundreds of voters living along that boundary being told several months ago by the county Electoral Board that, although they paid Goochland taxes and thought of themselves as Goochland residents, they could unfortunately no longer be considered qualified Goochland voters. The predictable public outcry that followed was acknowledged by the board members, who were forced to admit that they had very little recourse when it came to the matter, and that there was a possibility that the situation might remain unresolved until a new boundary line agreement with Louisa could be presented and certified by the Census Bureau in 2021. Still, however, work on the problem continued in earnest behind the scenes. And despite several months of chasing leads and coming up against roadblocks, County Attorney Tara McGee announced during the evening portion of board’s August meeting that she and her staff had finally found what appeared to be a viable fix. Goochland County Electoral Board Secretary Robin Lind, addressing the board during the public comment period, said that he was

“extremely impressed” with the work of McGee’s office, and said he fully supported the actions taken by the board to address the issue. “I cannot speak for my colleagues, but I am very well assured that we will bring our people home,” Lind said. Goochland resident Wendy Hobbs, who had repeatedly called on the board members to find a solution to the problem of ousted voters, told them Thursday that the community appreciated their efforts. “Since May, we have been in turmoil,” Hobbs said. “Some people thought you couldn’t do anything, but you have proven that wrong. This issue crossed all parties and impacted everybody. And you proved that when we put citizens first, we all win.”

At River Run Manor, a new day dawns A Blackstone couple was given the go-ahead in October to breathe new life into one of Goochland’s most opulent properties. On Sept. 9, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Conditional Use Permit that will allow Andrew and Kim Moody to turn River Run Manor, the 40-room Greek Revival mansion built in the 1980s by coal executive William B. Massie, into a wedding and events venue. The Moodys have partnered in the venture — to be called The Estate at River Run — with Goochland residents Doug and Tamra Adams, owners of Adams International School on Route 250. The property is located on River Road, just east of Maidens Rd, and features amenities including a pool and pool house, a ballroom, and a tennis court. The Planning Commission previosly voted 4-1 in support see Review > 19

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December 26, 2019

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McCray taking football career to Richmond By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND – Senior standout Devin McCray has learned a lot in his years playing football for Goochland County. He’s learned about leadership, hard work and being a well-rounded teammate from both the upperclassmen ahead of him and the underclassmen coming up. He’s learned life lessons – including how to be a man – from his coaches, especially wide receivers and defensive backs coach and role model Justin Fitzgerald. Both Fitzgerald and McCray’s dad impressed on him the importance of getting himself mentally prepared. “They have established Goochland football into me,” McCray said. “To myself, Goochland football means… always trust your teammates; always work together; and never give up. Those three things have stuck with me throughout Goochland football. I’ll just never forget those three things.” With the lessons he’s learned and the hard work he’s put in over the years, McCray is taking the next step in his playing career. This past Wednesday, he officially penned his decision to attend and play Division I FCS football for the University of Richmond. “It’s just a big accomplishment and this is a big deal for my family and I,” McCray said. “My family’s very proud of me and they’re always by side and they’ll support me. They’re my biggest fans.” He’s also had the Goochland family behind him throughout his life. “The Goochland community – they’re big supporters,” he said, noting how they’ve re-

Contributed photo

Goochland High School senior Devin McCray, seen with his family, signs his National Letter of Intent to attend and play Division I FCS football for the University of Richmond on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.

posted highlights and updates on Reid Chenault playing at Richmond. “They would just show love to him, so I know they will always support me.” He’s already had people in the community tell him that they’ll come to his Richmond games. McCray’s been playing football since he was 5 years old. Throughout all of that time, he’s been teammates – and neighbors – with fellow senior Kindrick Braxton, his best friend. They would go outside and throw the football, work on things they needed to fix and study the game together. “We both started at the same time…we were always on the same team, grew up putting in the hard work together,” McCray said. “We’d just strive to be better than each other. We always compete against each other, and I think that’s what makes us really good athletes.” McCray, a four-year starter, helped his Bulldogs achieve an astounding 51-5 win-loss record with back-toback regional championships in 2018 and 2019, three state semifinals appearances and one state runner-up season in 2018.

He’s held many roles on the field – he started at safety as a freshman, played both offense and defense his last three years and started at quarterback as a sophomore and junior before shifting to wingback on offense his senior year. No matter the position he played, McCray made an impact, including when he scored the game-winning touchdown that carried the Bulldogs past Buckingham 13-7 in double overtime earlier this season. “I play football, so no matter where I’m put, I’m just gonna do my job – anything to help the team,” McCray said. “I’ve always been switched back from running back to quarterback when I was younger, so it was nothing new, but basically I just did anything to help the team – whichever ways I could be more of an asset to the team and be a threat to other opponents. “If they can use me in multiple ways, let’s do it.” This past season on offense, McCray rushed 46 times for 429 yards and 9 touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 364 more yards and 5 more TDs.

“I felt like I contributed a good amount, but also it opened up other opportunities for my other teammates, like Kameron Holman,” McCray said. “In the Hopewell game I really didn’t get that many touches, but that opened up a lot for him, and he was able to shine and was able to perform very well against Hopewell, and I’m proud of him for that, and I want him to do good next year for his senior year, pick up some offers this offseason…I feel like the underclassmen will have good opportunities now.” In three years McCray totaled 1,276 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. In two years plus one pass completed as a freshman, he threw for 1,587 yards and 23 TDs against 7 interceptions. On defense this year, McCray rolled out 26 tackles (16 solo, 1 for loss), caught four interceptions, recovered a fumble, scored one defensive touchdown and earned Defensive Player of the Year in Class 3, Region B and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the James River District. McCray in four years delivered 131 tackles (70

solo, 61 assists, 3 for loss), 15 interceptions, 3 recovered fumbles and two defensive TDs. He’ll play at either corner or safety for the Spiders. McCray verbally committed to the University of Richmond before the start of his senior season. He also received offers from Delaware State, Howard, Robert Morris, Georgetown and Virginia State. With Richmond, McCray felt like they really wanted him, given how they came off and how they talked to him. He added that Richmond has very nice facilities, a very nice campus and a good education – the latter of which, he noted, was his main reason for choosing the university. “Because football isn’t my whole, entire life, I know that, if I go to Richmond, I’ll have a pretty good job coming out,” he said, noting that his career interests in addition to football include civil engineering, business and sports management. “It’ll set me up for the future.” When he last visited, he said the team was very nice and welcoming; he praised the coaching staff, and he saw that

they’re very supportive of each other, they work together and they don’t turn their backs on each other. He’s looking forward to making the most of his opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level. “All my hard work is just paying off. I’ve worked so hard for this – and I’m going to continue to work hard because I can’t let up now just because I got into a school,” McCray said. “Basically I’m starting all over again…it’s a clean sheet of paper and I have to write my story again and my legacy. I have to leave a mark at the next level. I want them to know my name – how they know my name at Goochland, I want them to know my name at Richmond. “I just want to have the opportunity to go to an even higher level – the NFL,” he said. “I have to take advantage of the opportunities and the talents that God has given me.” To his younger teammates, McCray offers the following: “Don’t stop working hard. Accomplish what we got so close to and get that state title.”

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December 26, 2019

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Bulldogs bounce-back, edge past Lee-Davis By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND – To head boys basketball coach Preston Gordon, the great thing about multi-sport standout Kindrick Braxton is what he gives when he plays. “It’s his heart and the character that he has when he’s playing and the warrior mentality that he has” – Gordon said – “but also the humbling kindness he has when he steps off the floor.” Gordon then smiled before adding: “He’s just got that genuine smile that’s contagious, and it’s hard not to smile back.” Earlier in the day on Saturday, Braxton played in the Big River Rivalry all-star senior showcase football game – and he played well. He caught an interception and ran it back for a touchdown in addition to making multiple tackles. As soon as the game was over, Braxton called Gordon. With a chuckle, Gordon recalled how Braxton asked: “Coach, is it okay if I go to eat with my family?” “I said, ‘Absolutely!’” Gordon said. “And then he said: ‘Can I still play?’ I said, ‘Yes!’ He said: ‘But I’m not gonna be at shoot-around before.’ I said, ‘That’s okay.’ ‘But can I still start?’ ‘Yes, you can still start.’” So Braxton went from playing on the gridiron that afternoon to playing on the basketball court that same night. The 6 points he contributed helped make the difference in his Goochland boys basketball team’s 63-60 victory over Lee-Davis. “I don’t know if words can explain how much joy I have in my heart that he did what he did today,” Gordon said. “I was so proud of what he did – not many guys will do that… the other part about it, he’s a great student…I’m hoping that his stock rises a little bit after how he played today in football.” Braxton’s teammate J.B. Bell double-doubled on Saturday, scoring 20 points and hauling in 12 rebounds.

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

J.B. Bell (15) receives a teammate’s pass; Quincy Snead (22) dribbles the ball down the court as teammate Jack Hoffler (11) looks on; Kam Holman (24) scores an easy bucket on a steal; Kindrick Braxton (30) puts in the layup in Goochland’s Dec. 21 home game versus Lee-Davis.

The six-foot-seven sophomore made the most of his towering presence in the post; after Lee-Davis took a 1-point lead in the fourth quarter, he high-pointed a pair of passes from his teammates and, upon making both receptions, turned and shot both the go-ahead and insurance buckets. A 5-0 burst then put the visitors back ahead, but Bell, against two defenders, sunk the lead-getting layup. “He’s a force for us on both ends of the floor, and we’ve talked about it multiple times within the coaching staff that we can go as far as he wants to take us,” Gordon said. “J.B., he’s playing more consistent…much more consistent than he was last year. He’s more of a threat and he’s getting the recognition that he should…I’m really proud of the strides that he’s making from one game to the next.” Senior Quincy Snead, battling an issue with his shoulder, gave his Bulldogs 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals on Saturday night. When Lee-Davis threatened late, Snead drew the foul and knocked down both of his free-throw chances

to help Goochland secure the win. “He’s the heart and soul of the team and he gives so much effort,” Gordon said of Snead. “He’s getting us those gritty points.” Junior Kam Holman put in 10 points, added 7 assists and 4 steals and guarded the visitors into turning the ball over multiple times. “He’s just a phenomenal athlete,” Gordon said of Holman. “He can be so explosive; he can play above the rim. When he goes and gets some of those rebounds that he grabs, it’s just amazing.” Kayshawn Smith stepped up to knock down clutch shots in the second half; he finished the game with 7 points. Senior Walker Murray tapped into a rhythm early to land all 8 of his points, including a pair of three’s, in the first half. “He sent me a message this morning and said, ‘Hey Coach, when can I come get some shots up? I want to come early,’” Gordon recalled Murray saying, “and I was up here with my son and I said, ‘Come now.’ And he came in for about an hour and he got shots up; we talked about

some things that he could do a little bit better with his shot. He made the adjustments and his shot looked a whole lot better tonight than it did last night.” The Bulldogs overall had talked about making an adjustment from Friday, when they lost to Patrick Henry, 63-51. “We talked about how we weren’t very aggressive…we had a total of four offensive rebounds (on Friday),” Gordon said. “And tonight, (Bell) had four himself…offensive rebounding-wise, we had 13. That’s a huge difference…I’m going to give credit to Patrick Henry, because they were well-coached, they had a whole lot of size on them. Those guys, they played well with their bodies, so that’s the main reason that they hurt us last night, but I don’t think we were as aggressive offensively on the boards as we should’ve been.” Passing was sharp throughout Saturday’s game, and it proved essential in helping the Bulldogs ward off the visitors in the closing moments. Lee-Davis did have a late chance

to go-ahead after a missed shot by the Bulldogs, but the visitors lost that chance on a turnover, and Snead’s clutch free-throws forced them into a must-tie situation. Their last-ditch three-pointer attempt fell short, and the Bulldogs held onto the ball for the last few seconds. In Friday’s setback to Patrick Henry, Holman led Goochland with 17 points, Bell scored 10 points, Snead made 10 points, 5 steals and 4 assists and Braxton netted 10 points. While the Bulldogs (3-1) are off until 2020 (Monday, Jan. 6 at home versus Fluvanna), they will still look to spend time together as a team this holiday break, from going to VCU, doing a tacky light tour and going to Buffalo Wild Wings to getting Krispy Kreme and going bowling. “It’s good for our guys – they need to spend time together; it’s a lot about trust when you’re back and forth and it’s such a fastpaced game,” Gordon said, adding: “These guys play for each other… they spend time together…they are together, which is great; that’s what makes us who we are.”

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Braxton gets pick-6, but North edged by South By Rob Witham, Special Correspondent

Joel Klein/Richmond Suburban Newspapers

Kindrick Braxton (Goochland, left) leaps over Manchester’s Amaan Miller as he scores on a 49-yard interception return.

ASHLAND — With less than 90 seconds left in the seventh annual Big River Rivalry all-star high school football game, Michael James of Life Christian Academy heard his number called. “It was clutch time, I had to make a big play, and be a team man,” James said, recalling his vertical leap over two North defenders to catch the gamewinning score. The Eagle soared on a 20-yard pass from Manchester’s Roemell Garcia for a 20-19 lead with 1:15 left. For James, a Liberty commit, it was his only reception of the afternoon, giving the South the one-point victory at

Randolph-Macon College. “Watching that man go up is just a spectacular thing,” said Garcia, the South’s Most Valuable Player. “Watching him in the air, I thought, I’ve got to get him one today.” The North struck first on a two-play, 33-yard drive capped by a 19-yard pass from Aarek Thomas of John Marshall, named the North’s MVP, to Isiah Paige of Varina for a 7-0 lead at 7:28 of the first period. The South responded as Garcia found a rhythm with Thomas Dale product Jasiah Williams, who caught five passes during a six-play drive, capped by an eight-yard scamper into the right corner. A blocked extra point preserved

the North’s lead at 7-6 late in the first. The South took its first lead when Christian Williams of Manchester picked up a forced fumble, rumbling 15 yards for a touchdown to open the second quarter on a 12-7 advantage. Nearly 9 minutes later, Goochland product Kindrick Braxton picked off a Garcia pass and took it back 49 yards for a score as the North led 13-12 at intermission. The lone third period tally came after the North was pinned inside their one. Dom Gray of L.C. Bird burst through the offensive line for a safety to give the South a 14-13 lead. The South drove the ball

after a free kick inside the one, but failed to score. Early in the fourth, the North gambled deep in their own territory, stopped on a two-yard loss on 4th and 1 at their own 29. But the North stopped Garcia inches from a first down near the North 17 on 4th and 3. Ten plays and 82 yards later, Thomas found Highland Springs’ Laquan Veney on a 15-yard touchdown reception for a 19-14 North lead. It was answer time for Garcia and the South. James began the journey with a 36-yard kickoff return to the South 45. Nine plays later, he gave the South the lead for good.

Young Goochland team continues to grow, learn By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

Goochland’s young wrestling team continued to learn through another challenging week with home matches on Monday, Dec. 16 against James River District opponents Amelia, Bluestone and Nottoway, and on Wednesday, Dec. 18 against Jefferson District teams Louisa County and Fluvanna County. While the Bulldogs defeated Bluestone 42-29, they took team losses to Nottoway 36-30, Amelia 40-30, Louisa 49-30 and Fluvanna 49-18. The Bulldogs are young – they start three freshmen – and they have several weight classes that they are still forfeiting. On Wednesday, they forfeited four against Louisa and five against Fluvanna. “We are just not a program right now that can afford to give up that many points,” Goochland head coach Mike Nadder said. “We’ve got a lot of first-year wrestlers, we’ve got a lot of sophomores who are second-year wrestlers who are starting; they just haven’t had much mat time, so we’re still working on it. It’s still a work in

progress.” But despite Wednesday’s team losses, Nadder said that they wrestled a lot better than they did on Monday. The Bulldogs were missing wrestlers who were out sick, and they had to move up several competitors who were giving up at least 12 pounds in their matchups. “We’re doing all we can do with the situation,” Nadder said. “We’re hoping after this week to get everybody back healthy and start the first of the year strong with hopefully most of the full lineup.” Ethan Ford (195) took a win by forfeit against Louisa and worked quickly in his contested matchup on Wednesday to pin his Fluvanna opponent 33 seconds into the match. Jon Daly (170) bounced-back from getting pinned in a back-and-forth battle to win his Fluvanna match by pin. Riley Hite (145), whose loss against Fluvanna came while wrestling one weight class up at 152, made quick work of his Louisa match, pinning his opponent 55 seconds in. John Summit (126) pinned his Louisa opponent in the second period, and

Ayden Doczi (heavyweight), who took a 7-3 lead by stringing together a takedown and a near-fall, won his Louisa match by injury default when his opponent rolled his ankle. Doczi, who is really Goochland’s 220-pounder, was held out of the heavyweight matchup against Fluvanna after the Flying Flucos had already ensured they’d get the team win by points, and he would’ve been giving up a lot of weight against Fluvanna’s heavyweight wrestler who was almost at the full limit. In Monday’s team win over Bluestone, Summit (126) picked up a pin with 25 seconds left in the first period and Daly (170) earned an early first-period pin. Blake Smith (132) won by pin less than a minute into his match against Nottoway. Goochland on Saturday, Dec. 21 went 3-2 in the Five Forks Duals at Dinwiddie High School. The Bulldogs defeated Hopewell 42-18, Huguenot 48-21 and Meadowbrook 42-24 while taking team losses to Prince George 54-30 and Cumberland 45-27. Hite (145) pinned his Hopewell opponent in 59 seconds, Luke Agee (160) pinned his

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Goochland’s Ayden Doczi (above) attempts to pin his Louisa County opponent in a Dec. 18, 2019 home match at Goochland High School.

Prince George opponent in 45 seconds, Alex Thompson (170) pinned his Prince George opponent in 1:02 and his Cumberland opponent at the 182 weight-class in 52 seconds and Summit (126) pinned his Huguenot opponent in 5:33 while also besting his Cumberland opponent on a 10-8 decision. “We’re wrestling bigger schools

with bigger programs, and we’re still just trying to grow. We’re still just too green and not enough experience right now,” Nadder said. “But by the time we get to the postseason, I expect things to be a little different. We get some more matches under our belts, get the right kids to the right spots, get everybody healthy and…see what happens.”

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