The Goochland Gazette – 02/26/2020 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Extension Office offering workshops on vegetable gardening. > page 9

Volume 65, Number 9 • February 27, 2020

Proposed 2021 budget puts public safety and education at forefront

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Emphasizing an intent to focus on core services such as public safety, education and community health, Goochland County Administrator John A. Budesky presented a proposed $92.2million

County Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 to the Goochland Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 18. While Budesky made clear to Board members that his presentation was only a first step in this year’s budget process, he also stressed that he and county staff take their role very seriously.

“One of the most important things that we do on behalf of our citizens is to adopt a budget that meets our citizens’ needs,” Budesky said. “The trust our citizens put in us to manage their funds is paramount to us being able to be sucsee Budget> 2

BOS approves county’s first MPUD project Plan for Centerville will feature both commercial and residential offerings By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Contributed photo

Goochland Community Theatre readying for ‘Misfits’ opening night Pausing during a recent rehearsal for Goochland Community Theatre’s production of “Fairy Tale Misfits,” cast members joined Director Dillon White (front) for a quick photo. The show, which will mark White’s directorial debut, will run from March 12-14 at the Central High Cultural and Educational Complex. Show time is 7 p.m., and tickets are available for advance purchase online at https://gvatheatre.org.

It isn’t at every Goochland County Board of Supervisors meeting that the conclusion of a public hearing is followed by an audible sigh of relief from the board chair. In the case of the county’s first Mixed Use Planned Development (MPUD), which was unanimously given the go-ahead by the board on Feb. 4, Chair Susan Lascolette’s response see Manakin Towne> 3

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February 27, 2020

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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Pets of the week 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 Shelter at (804) 556-5302. The shelter currently has the following pets available to a good home: A diluted, spayed female torti, about 8 years old; a neutered male Brittany mix, about a year old; and a sweet, spayed female hound, about 4-6 years 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.”

Budget continued from >1

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cessful on their behalf. And I hope what we have here today meets yours’ and our community’s priorities.” The proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget would begin on July 1. The county General Fund budget at $59.8 million represents a $3.6 million or 6.5 percent increase from the current year. The Public Safety departments are a key focus area for the proposed budget and includes increases of 12.6 percent or $1.5 million over FY 2020. Specifically, it includes 10 new full-time and one parttime public safety positions to enhance services for residents, broken down it includes five new full-time fire fighters, four full-time Deputy positions and one full-time dispatcher in the Sheriff’s Office, and one parttime Assistant Fire Marshal in Fire-Rescue. Public Education remains another top priority, reflected in the proposed budget with a 4.1 percent or a $950,000 increase in local funding above the FY 2020 Budget. A 2 percent merit compensation increase is proposed for all county employees. The county and schools

25-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) contains $630.6 million for forecasted projects. The first year of the CIP for FY21 is $5.8 million and includes investments in education, public safety, transportation, and facilities maintenance. Budesky also made clear during his presentation that Board members will have plenty of time in the coming weeks to ask questions and gather more information about the budget process. “This is a long process,” Budesky said, and there will be plenty of opportunity for feedback along the way. After hearing Budesky’s proposal on Feb. 18, the board of supervisors also heard presentations from Sheriff Steven N. Creasey, FireRescue Chief Eddie Ferguson, Animal Protection Director Tim Clough, and Human Resources Director Kelly Parrish. Dr. Jeremy Raley, School Superintendent will present the proposed Schools’ budget on Tuesday, March 4th at 2 p.m. The board’s consideration of the FY 2021 budget continues March 4, starting at 2 p.m., along with a CIP Work Session on Tuesday, March 10, starting at 2 p.m.

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Bulldogs’ Braxton will head to CNU PAGE 10 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................15-18 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .............................10-11 TV Listings ......................12-14

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) 344-8746 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor (540) 728-0549

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February 27, 2020

NEWS: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Going on in Goochland County Manakin Towne continued from >1 was understandable. The project, after all, which will include over 90,000 square feet of retail and office space and 234 residential units just off Broad Street in the Centerville Village district, has gone through countless iterations as developers received feedback from residents concerned about everything from traffic to property values. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think any other developer has ever held as many meetings with the community,â&#x20AC;? said former supervisor Manuel Alvarez, who spoke out in support of the project during the public comment period. Like several others in attendance, Alvarez praised developer Scott Gaeser and Towne and Country Partners, LLC for their willingness to repeatedly tweak their plan. By the time the hearing was over and the applicants had been granted the required Contributed photo

GMS honors Januaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top students Goochland Middle School recently announced its January Students of the Month and Eagle of the Month. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Eagle of the Month Raleigh Trevino and Student of the Month Jayme Roblero. In the back row, from the left, are Students of the Month Ciara Snead, Ainsley Gomez, Bennett Spearing, Bill Belcher and Jaime Forsythe.

Recent Property Transfers Â&#x201E;12116 Branch Overlook Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Thomas C. Paisley Jr., $538,091. Â&#x201E;12137 Branch Overlook Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Leonard L. Delarue, $473,660. Â&#x201E;2035 Cartersville Road, Goochland; Stephen W. Kilpatrick to Donnelly D. Leftwich, $449,950. Â&#x201E;5270 Chimney Springs Drive, Goochland; Old Time Builder Inc. to William L. Gunn, $319,210.

Â&#x201E; 12107 Ebb Pointe Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Jerry P. Kipp, $508,220. Â&#x201E;601 Fairstead Road, Manakin Sabot; Donald Paul Jensen, trustee to Steven Dixon, $750,000. Â&#x201E;2305 Holly Hill Drive, Goochland; Michael B. Rush to Jonathan Ira Alley, $260,000. Â&#x201E;2695 Massmour Drive, Goochland; William R. Balderson to Jarold Roy Justice, $699,529. Â&#x201E;4512 Phillips Path, Kents

Store; Donald L. Heistand to Michael Farley, $175,000. Â&#x201E;1453 River Road West, Crozier; Platinum Properties of Chesterfield LLC to Mony Kim, $241,850. Â&#x201E;2572 Sheppard Town Road, Maidens; Thomas J. Newton to Michael T. Hawks, $318,000. Â&#x201E;362 Swinburne Road, Manakin Sabot; Boone Homes Inc. to June Keene, $613,711. Â&#x201E;4701 Waddy Drive, Louisa; Lisa Hix to Vanessa Lynn Thacker, $166,900.

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Conditional Use Permit to move forward with the project, it was clear that many in attendance were either fully in support of the plan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; citing their view that it would bring a vibrant, village-feel to the area and promote economic growth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or at least in agreement that it was a solid step forward. More than once, a speaker pointed out that the plan proposed for Manakin Towne was preferred to the kind of Big Box retail operation that could have potentially set up shop on the property without having to secure any further approval from the county. Manakin Towne, once completed, is expected to feature the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first apartments outside the West Creek development. The project will also feature 39 town homes and eight dwellings described at lofts. The residential portion, referred to as Phase 2, will not be permitted to start until at least 45,000 square feet of commercial space is in use on the

39.58-acre site. Gaeser said his willingness to engage in multiple community meetings and make constant revisions were all part of his belief that the project needed to set a strong example for further growth down the road. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the first to apply for the MPUD in Goochland,â&#x20AC;? he noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and it is important that we get it right.â&#x20AC;? Despite the show of support from many in attendance, the final approval of Manakin Towne was held up by a few last-minute concerns raised by both residents and board members with regard to the potential uses of an 11-acre parcel that could have potentially been used for a hotel or several other projects some residents found troublesome. Ultimately, Gaeser and his partners agreed to limit the uses of that parcel to golf, similar recreation amenities and farmers markets, which cleared the way for the unanimous approval.

LET 30+ YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE HELP YOU SELL OR BUY YOUR NEXT HOME. !"#$%#&$&"'!

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GRACE JOHNSON JONES

GOOCHLAND COUNTY RESIDENT | REALTORÂŽ 804-380-7073

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February 27, 2020

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Community Calendar Branch Library will host First Friday Films from 4 to 6 p.m. All are invited 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 Saturday, Feb. 29 Pouncey Tract Road for more The Marching to Calvary information. Relay For Life team will hold a “Daub Out Cancer” Family Saturday, March 7 Bingo Night, at 7 p.m. at The Goochland Branch Central High School’s Cultural & Educational Complex, Library will host the Teen Eagle Theater, located at 2748 Volunteer Advisory Board Dogtown Road in Goochland. from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. zation and following direcThe Rotary Club of There will be food, prizes, Those ages 13 to 18 intertions. Bricks 4 Kidz is held Goochland will hear from raffles and more, including ested in getting volunteer at Byrd Elementary School on Rich Salon, President of the a special appearance by the hours, helping their comChick-Fil-A cows. Admission munity, and making some is $15, and participants can good friends are encouraged Kitchens/Baths prepurchase for a free Cancer to join the Volunteen group Patios/Decks Awareness Dauber. Doors and find out about monthly New Construction open at 6 p.m. For more infor- opportunities to make a difDoors/Windows mation, contact Cathy Grant at ference. Refreshments will be Sidewalks/Pavers (540) 872-3005 or clcgrant@ provided by the Friends of the Remodels/Additions ntelos.net. All proceeds go to Goochland Library. Call (804) Greg 804-457-9426 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience the American Cancer Society. 556-4774 or visit the library at VA Lic. 27505-093745-A Blanchard & Associates 3075 River Road West for more 804-457-9426 Greg VA Lic. 27505-093745-A 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience Residential Contractor, Inc. Family Storytimes at the information. Cochrane Rockville Branch Library are held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 8 Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the Goochland author Nancy library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Acts 26:27-28 “King Agrippa, do you believe the Parrish will be speaking about Road for more information. Prophets? I know that you do.” Agrippa replied to Paul, “In her most recent book “The a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” Downton Era: Great Houses, The humble apostle was not impressed or intimidated by a Thursday, March 5 Churchills, and Mitfords,” at king. The issue – Agrippa needed salvation from sin just as Storytimes at the the Goochland Library at 3 much as everyone in his kingdom. Paul’s piercing question Goochland Branch Library p.m. The book offers readers compelled Agrippa to examine the core of himself. Did he believe Scripture? The same question is asked of you and are as follows: Toddler -- 10 a guided tour through some me. The answer is all-important – it determines where we a.m.; Preschool -- 10:45 a.m.; of the 20th Century’s most will spend eternity. The Old Trail Church of Christ wants Mother Goose -- 11:30 a.m. splendid residences, sharing to persuade you to become a Christian. It is your only Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the stories of the larger-thanhope. (Acts 2:38) the library at 3075 River Road life men and women who walked their halls. Parrish, West for more information. If you’re interested in further study of God’s word, who holds a Ph.D. from the meet with us Wednesday evenings at 6:30. College of William and Mary, Details on our website. Friday, March 6 offers glimpses into the daily Family Storytime at the lives of the British aristocraCochrane Rockville Branch cy, a topic that has recently Library is held at 10:30 a.m. seen a surge of interest thanks Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the to wildly popular PBS series library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Downton Abbey. Call (804) Road for more information. 556-4774 or visit the library Old Trail Church of Christ at 3075 River Road West for oldtrailcoc.com | oldtrailcoc@gmail.com The Cochrane Rockville more information. Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 Goochland Parks and p.m., and the cost to particiRecreation will be hosting pate is $85. For more informaa Bricks 4 Kidz LEGO class tion, call (804) 556-5854. after school. This program will Thursday, Feb. 27 offer fun-filled model plans designed by engineers and Storytimes at the architects to teach children Goochland Branch Library are to learn with LEGO Bricks. as follows: Toddler, 10 a.m., Using axles, gears, motors, Preschool 10:45 a.m., Mother and bricks, the project kits Goose 11:30 a.m. Call (804) motivate children by reinforc- 556-4774 or visit the library at ing S.T.E.M. based principles 3075 River Road West for more while enhancing self-esteem, information. improving fine motor skills, and teaching important classFriday, Feb. 28 room lessons such as organiWednesday, Feb. 26

Urgency

Goochland Rotary Club, who will discuss career search. His presentation is entitled “Walk A Mile in a Career Seeker’s Shoes.” The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at the Richmond Country Club.

Monday, March 9

Nick Freitas, Pete Greenwald, Tina Ramirez, Andrew Knaggs and Jason Roberge. For more information, contact Margie Derreberry at (804) 516-9145 or by e-mail at mcdberry@ yahoo.com. All citizens of the 7th District are welcome to attend.

The Goochland Branch Library will host an Art Opening Reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., offering an evening of art and music by the students of Goochland County Public Schools. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. The Goochland Branch Call (804) 556-4774 or visit Library will host Mystery the library at 3075 River Road Book Group from 2 to 3 p.m. West for more information. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road Tuesday, March 10 West for the title of the group’s The Goochland Branch latest amazing thriller. Library will host Knit Wits The Goochland Branch from 2 to 3 p.m. Those who knit or crochet are encouraged Library will host LEGO to meet at the library for a Adventures from 6:30 to 7:30 monthly gathering to stitch p.m., offering a fun night of free with a purpose. Participants Lego play for kids. Materials bring their own yarn and will be provided. Call (804) needles, and refreshments are 556-4774 or visit the library at provided by the Friends of the 3075 River Road West for more Goochland Library. Call (804) information. 556-4774 or visit the library at Storytimes at the 3075 River Road West for more Goochland Branch Library information. are as follows: Toddler -- 10 a.m.; Preschool -- 10:45 a.m.; Wednesday, March 11 Mother Goose -- 11:30 a.m. The American Cancer Call (804) 556-4774 or visit Society’s Goochland Relay the library at 3075 River Road For Life of 2020 will hold a West for more information. Team Captains and Planning Committee meeting at Friday, March 13 6:30 p.m. at the Providence Family Storytime at the Presbyterian Church, 3388 Three Chopt Road, Gum Cochrane Rockville Branch Spring. Go to www.relayfor- Library is held at 10:30 a.m. life.org/goochlandva or con- Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the tact Laura Burton with the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract American Cancer Society at Road for more information. (804) 527-3712 for informaThe Goochland Branch tion or to sign up. Library hosts Friday Book Group from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit Thursday, March 12 the library at 3075 River Road The Goochland Tea Party West for more information. will sponsor a Republican Candidate Forum for Virginia’s Saturday, March 14 7th Congressional District at Goochland High School (3250 The Cochrane Rockville River Road West) from 7 – Branch Library will host 9 p.m. Scheduled to appear see Calendar> 14 are candidates John McGuire,

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

February 27, 2020

YOUR HISTORY

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Due date to obtain Goochland business license approaching

For over 100 years, Goochland was golden

Contributed report

The following information was submitted by Goochland County Commissioner of the Revenue Jennifer Brown. Any person doing business in Goochland County that has yearly gross receipts over $10,000 must purchase a Goochland Business License to legally operate in Goochland County. This is a yearly license and runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of each year. Applications were sent out to businesses already registered with Goochland in the prior year and should have already been received. If you did not receive your license or if you are a new business located in Goochland, forms can be obtained from the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office by calling (804) 556-5807 or on line at

Contributed photo

This sample of gold, currently housed at the Goochland County Historical Society, was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Tilman of Crozier in 1968.

A label attached to gold samples held by the Goochland Historical Society (GCHS) reveals they were donated to GCHS in 1968 by Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Tilman of Crozier. Research showed that Mrs.Tilman was Edna Withers Kent, who had been born in Kents Store just across the county line in Fluvanna in 1896. Her father was George Henry Kent, who was the longtime owner, druggist and postmaster of Kent’s Store, explaining why the samples were displayed in the antique glass medicine bottles. Mrs. Tilman’s first husband had been Stuart C. Cottrell of Goochland whose mother was Harriett Alexanna Bowles, a member of the Bowles family that owned and operated the Bowles and Tellurium gold mines in the 1800s. The Tellurium mine was the largest of the Goochland gold mines. Judge D.W.K Bowles of Goochland and G.W. Fisher started it in 1834. Bowles introduced, in 1836, a stamp mill which pounded the ore rather than grind it. This mill may have been the first of its kind in this country. The mill was expanded in 1848 but was destroyed by fire in 1857 and never reopened although minor attempts were made up until 1910. For the most part, the Civil War marked the end of the gold mining era in Goochland. Information provided by Phil Harris of the Goochland County Historical Society

www.goochlandva.us click on Departments – Commissioner of the Revenue. These applications and the fee are due March 1. After that day a 10 percent penalty will be added to the amount of the license fee. *** It is time to file your Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled application with the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office. You must meet certain qualifications for this program, and applications and qualification information can be obtained from the Commissioner’s office by calling 556-5807. This is an exemption program that you must qualify for each year, and your application should be filed with this office by March 1. Forms can be obtained from

the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office by calling (804) 556-5807 or on line at www.goochlandva.us click on Departments – Commissioner of the Revenue. *** If your vehicle has excess miles, you may qualify for the high mileage deduction. This is based on the year, make, and mileage of your vehicle according to the NADA book. Trucks 1 ton and over will not qualify. You must fill out forms and file them by March 1 of each year to receive this deduction. Forms can be obtained from the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office by calling (804) 556-5807 or on line at www.goochlandva.us click on Departments – Commissioner of the Revenue.

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ith the recent approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a gold mining operation in Goochland, some residents may be wondering what would lead someone to seek out the precious metal in this part of Virginia. In fact, the Shannon Hill Road property where Buckingham resident Paul Busch plans to set up a mining operation, known throughout the area as the Old Moss Mine, was a source of gold and silver for over a hundred years beginning in 1835. But how, you might ask, was the gold discovered here in the first place? According to Phil Harris of the Goochland County Historical Society, one of the missions of early colonists in Jamestown was to find gold. After early failures to locate anything near Jamestown, Christopher Newport led an expedition, in November 1608, up the James River about “four days above the falls.” They actually found samples of gold in gravels near the Indian village of “Rassawek” at the confluence of the Rapidan and James Rivers. Because of conflicts with the Monacan tribes, they never returned and soon the “gold” in Virginia turned out to be the golden leaf of tobacco. In 1829, gold was again discovered in western Goochland. A very distinct gold belt passes through Goochland along the current day Shannon Hill Road from Shannon Hill in the north to Columbia in the south near where Newport found gold in 1608. From 1830 to The Civil War, nearly fifty gold mines were put into operation along this gold belt. The largest of these mines were known by such names as Bowles, Tellurium, Busby, Fisher, Moss, and Payne with most of these names representing the people that owned the land where they were located.

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Thursday

February 27, 2020

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Grumblings about Black History Month don’t negate need By Roslyn Ryan Editor

For several days a few weeks ago, as a cold rain dribbled for days over Central Virginia, I spent a large chunk of my waking hours sprawled on a lounge chair in a tropical paradise. Please don’t hate me: this is not my regular life. Thanks to the generosity of my family, my husband and I found ourselves leaving behind our usual milieu of screaming alarm clocks, piles of bills and tetchy household appliances just waiting to go on the fritz. Knowing it would likely be our only chance at a vacation this year, we packed our bags, boarded a boat, and found ourselves deposited on a sugar-

white Caribbean beach where relaxation was the only option. I would say it was dreadful, but then you’d just hate me more (and I wouldn’t blame you one bit). Kind of as an afterthought — in an effort to come away from the trip with more than a suntan and some souvenirs — I had packed a book on the history of the Caribbean to read on the beach. The book, as it turned out, was excellent, a thoughtfully written examination of the historical events and cultural traditions that have shaped that part of the world, including, of course, the centuries of slave trading that populated the islands and also inextricably linked the region with the United States. From the activism of Marcus Garvey to the

themes of Bob Marley, it was a primer in a side of history I had never explored. Of course I know the bold-face names from America’s past that so many of us do — Frederick Douglass; Harriet Tubman; Rosa Parks; Martin Luther King Jr. But there often seems to be little discussion beyond their individual stories, and scant effort given to explaining the larger context into which their lives fit. As we close out another Black History Month, you will undoubtedly have seen the usual smattering of low key articles suggesting that perhaps the whole business of setting aside a month for celebrating Black History should go the way of the dinosaur.

Pundits and academics will sometimes argue that it is unnecessary— perhaps even offensive — to pretend that black history can ever be set apart from the rest of the historical record. But there is also, at least at this moment in time, one simple reason why we need Black History Month: a reasonably educated person should not be able to so easily float through life without understanding the full picture of what has shaped their world. Black history cannot be untangled from the larger historical record, but it can — and should — be afforded its due as a crucial part of understanding who we are. If having a month to reflect on that is what we need, so be it.

Community proved that faith, tenacity can win the day By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Pass by something enough times, and even the most unusual visuals become routine, even accepted as something that never gets a second look. Growing up in the Willow Lawn area, the tiny village of Westwood was one of those enigmas that fit that description. On many Saturdays, I’d climb into a 1955 Chevy and my father and I would drive to the Blue

Scottie Exxon to leave the car for a wash. It was a different era, and an attendant would actually bring us home while he returned with the car for the clean-up. Upon completion, he’d pick up my dad, and we’d return him to the station. Even with the monotony of sameness that accompanied the trip, I was always intrigued by a little community at the corner of Willow Lawn Drive and Patterson Avenue that appeared conspicuously out of place.

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While brick Cape Cod houses sprung up everywhere in this area surrounding Keswick Gardens apartments, the tiny row of wooden framed houses that fronted the small community of Westwood didn’t change. “It reminds me of Montgomery,” my father once said as we passed the small row houses. I didn’t know the history of Westwood at the time, only appreciating its uniqueness from

a distance. It was a community of African Americans situated in the middle of a mostly white flight to the suburbs, seemingly untouched by the hands of time. We never made the small turn onto a roadway that bisected the small community, and I suppose it was unwittingly off limits. Strategically located at that small intersection was a large water spigot, a reminder of a time see Westwood > page 8

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: (804) 344-8746 E-mail: rryan@goochlandgazette.com © 2020 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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Letters to the Editor Newspaper should make clear what is opinion, what is news Dear Editor, I read your “After impeachment” commentary. You hold a unique position. You write for the paper news pieces then turn around and write opinion pieces without announcing which piece is which. You cannot play both ends against the middle. Either you are a journalist or NOT. You can’t be both simultaneously. I loved your “strict adherence to rules is just not Trump’s thing.” You needed to add “in my opinion.” Let’s see, Joe Biden admitted on video that he extorted the leader of a country to fire a prosecutor investing his son for corruption. President Trump didn’t ask the leader of that same country to make up dirt on Joe Biden or he would lose foreign aid. He asked him to investigate the admitted corruption. Terrible “misdeeds” on the President’s part. Nixon broke a law. Clinton broke a law. President Trump broke no law and was impeached for doing his job. If you want to be a journalist, be one. If that is the case, I’m not interested in your opinions. Keep them to yourself. Stan Corn Manakin Sabot

Writer wrong to suggest that a pro-life stance excludes all but unborn Dear Editor, After reading the Letters to the Editor from George Peterson and Judi Anne Sheppard, I concluded that the term “self-righteous” perfectly describes them both. They stand united in their unfounded accusation that ALL who believe that the killing of a child is unacceptable do not care for those in need among us. I stand united with the millions of practicing Catholics around the world who believe that life is a see Letters > page 7

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February 27, 2020

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Randolph Elementary School Honor Roll 2nd Grade: Lucas Chewning Cara Curtis-Carroll Katie Dau Andrea Diehl Christian Francisco Madeline LaFond Lily Smith Chrisley Worsham Paislee Dalton Wesley Davis Molly Fetty Skylar Metzinger Malek Oliver Luke Pushinsky Nia Aaron Mayrin Chalchi-Rivera Audrey Darden Moriah Eggleston Ian Helbing Briseda Hernandez- Gonzolaz Ryland Julian Alex Martinez-Luis Guadalupe Mesa-Pelayo Claire Olmsted Hunter Steelman Owen Townes Ireland Upton Thomson Weller Isa Wood Landon Burcham Matthew Corral Jeremiah da Silva Carter Fleming Claire Foreman Ellen Gilman Rhyelle Graves Israel Hernandez

Letters continued from >6 precious, God-given gift from conception until death and that no one has the “right” to murder a baby. The Catholic Church is renowned for providing physical, mental, and spiritual assistance to ALL those in need in the name of Jesus Christ in the spirit of non-judgmental love, mercy, and great compassion. Catholic Charities USA,

Layla Heyworth Alyssa Hodges Gavin Lucas Lily Moore Michael Pope Cypress Rohrig Audrey Alford Xayden Cole Beau Davis Sophie Gravatt Meghan Handy Lukas Jerkovic John Koenig Noah Pearles Alison Pisko Mason Powers Sawyer Reams Daisy Scruggs Skylar Taylor Bobby Townsend Asher Whitford Marion Austin Heidy Chaparro-Gutierrez Luke Corral Bennett Gaskill Jayla Lewis Grant Maynard Kenny Moorhouse James Murray Stella Nicholas Paislee Patenaude Arely Ramirez Kate Sweitzer Matthew Tyler Jayce Verry MaKaila Whitfield

3rd Grade: Reed Baylor

for example, provides services in the areas of hunger, health, housing, education and workforce development, immigration and refugee issues, and family economic security. They provide adoption, pregnancy, and marriage support services. Check www. catholiccharitiesusa.org for more information. One in six patients in the U.S. is cared for in a Catholic hospital. Does Planned Parenthood do any of that? No. They most-

Kaylee Carver Ellie Creasey Gabe Derrico Jackson Devlin Jennifer Escalera-Torres Sophia Gomes Blake Letchford George Leuschen Samuel McDonald Jaylen Mendoza-Cerpa Gavin Osborne Emrey Simmons Isabelle Tucker Bo Turner Mattie Brooks Cole Dalon Matthew Dunn Rachel Farkas Nora Gillespie Max Nagle Steven Norris Shaelyn Snead Joey Vaughan Blake Boggs Isabela Carvalho Jack Daly Virginia Dunn Ila Rose Emmett Brayden Ford Hudson Jones Evelyn Jurach Julian Lewis Brook Morano Ryder Sims Ethan Cosby Amelie Day Ayden Eddy Gavin Fabling Logan Fisher Nia Gardener

ly just kill babies for profit. Suzanne L. Rose Goochland County

Star athlete’s death a reminder of danger involved in air travel Dear Editor, The Kobe Bryant accident was a stark reminder of the couple times I accidently flew my airplane into instrument

Alex Sakellariou Bella Scruggs Blaine Whittington Kylee Paul Stella Remigio Bently Sorensen

4th Grade: Chase Adams Alyssa Alley Ann Robertson Davis Jonathan Emmett Sutton Gravatt Jack Jones Grayson Mack Brianna Nitsch Isabella Pope Rylin Simmons Harper Walker RJ Wallmeyer Chloe Wiltshire Virgil Combs Christian Cutzal Alexandra Darr Jackson Dau Johnny Diaz Ben Duffee Liliana Gallegos Alex Horst Sam Johnson Kaylee Markey Zach May Emiliano Palacios-Marentes Aurora Potter Ford Reams Michelle Tran Victoria Vatev Gavin Watson

meteorological conditions. I used to commute with my Cessna from the Louisa County airport to the Blackstone Army airfield where I worked for the Virginia National Guard at Fort Pickett. It was great fun, especially seeing all the morning traffic on the roads below. Early one morning I took off from LKU in the dark with three miles visibility and when I got halfway to Fort Pickett heavy fog had covered most of

James Beam Channing Bennett Kayden Brice Zachary Diehl Janiyah Harris Zoe Helbing Adale Johnston Addie Kemp Jesus Mesa-Pelayo Jay Olmsted Libby Overton Emma-Katrine Philliips Katie Roberts James Sykes Ashley Toro Nahla Turner-Davis Luke Boyle Elizabeth Darr Lucas Fabling Kevin Lunde Lily Painter Ramsie Pond Alex Proffitt Starla Rodill Caroline Speer Addie Sykes Lillie Turner-Montieth Darli Utuy-Velasquez Garrett Watson

5th Grade: Ayden Brown Patrick Brown Ella Chewning Jude Gilman Charlie Harrington Ty Hoffler Jake Lucas Hanna Parrish

Eastern Virginia. So I did what the FAA requires, “climb, communicate, and confess.” I got out of the fog at 3,000 feet and had clear blue sky. Air traffic control gave me a vector to Charlottesville, which was the closest airport out of the fog. So I flew to Charlottesville and waited on the ground a few hours until the fog cleared at Fort Pickett and I was late to work that day, but survived. Meanwhile, I was fasci-

Bella Payne Katherine Pushinsky Arterius Rollins Belle Broussard Lewis Dunn Wren Finck Louisa Mills Alex Mulyar Isabella Ortuno Ramon Ramirez Annellice Reid Andrea Rogerson Zoe Summers Daniel Waldrop Camden Wilson Ashby Cronin Adeline Dameron Jameson Forbes Matthew Gravely Hadley Harlow Danny Heyworth Gabriel Pezzini Peter Anderson Brayden Griffith Peyton Juran Savannah Martin Owen Nagle Ana Oseguera Aidan Peskin Alexandra Reid Katerina Sakellariou Kara Sweitzer Karly Seitzer Noah Carvalho Clare Coleman Regan Davis Grady Eggleston Forrest Garell Lily Maurer Mac Turner

nated by the couple of small private Lear jets that landed at the executive terminal in Charlottesville and off-loaded some very well-dressed ladies carrying their store bags from Parris, France. I watched the jet aircraft pilots hustling to carry the ladies’ suitcases. The scene was quite entertaining and made me so glad to be only a Cessna 150 private pilot. Art Bachman Gum Spring

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

February 27, 2020

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Wi-fi hotspots now available at administration building, fire stations Contributed report

Goochland County has offic cially launched Phase I of the Goochland Area Wi-Fi Hotspots, w with locations at the County A Administration Building and a six Goochland County Fireall R Rescue Stations. Information about acc accessing the Hotspots is available at h http://www.goochlandva.us/1101/ Goo Goochland-Area-WiFi-Hotspots.

Specific parking spots have been designated for users in order to ensure access to maximum speeds from the Wi-Fi Hotspot as well for citizens’ safety and security while using it. Users will need to select “Public Wi-Fi” to access the internet. Additional county locations and community facilities will be added as part of Phase II. The county is developing these external and select internal hotspot

‘Downton Era’ will be focus of March 8 talk Goochland author Nancy Parrish will be hosted by the Friends of the Goochland Library for a talk about

her most recent book “The March 8, at 3 p.m. Downton Era: Great Houses, Call (804) 556-4774 or visit Churchills, and Mitfords,” at the library at 3075 River Road the Goochland Library on West for more information.

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locations at county facilities countywide to provide citizens with enhanced opportunities to access broadband internet. This is a short-term strategy to provide access and fill a need while the county implements longerterm broadband strategies to provide all interested Goochland citizens with access and options for broadband service. Information on Goochland

Westwood continued from >6 when Westwood was threatened. It never occurred to me that this daily ritual of gathering water from a single source was not a labor of love, but an act of necessity as Westwood residents

City planners announced the intention to turn the area into a city park, but residents found some unlikely allies in their struggle. filled pails and buckets and returned back to their homes. Westwood was founded by freed African American slaves following the Civil War. As more affluent and white communities emerged on all

County’s Broadband Internet Initiatives is available at http://www.goochlandva. us/1025/Broadband-Internet. Local businesses, non-profits, and community facilities are encouraged to serve as community hotspot locations. Those interested in being added to the list of publicly accessible area Wi-Fi Hotspots should contact Paul Drumwright at (804) 556-5833 or pdrumwright@goochlandva.us.

sides of the village, Westwood maintained its unique independence. Dotted along the small roads that accessed the community of about 60 homes were small shops and businesses that supported residents of the small community. Westwood Baptist Church became the centerpiece, uniting the small community and providing a sense of safety and belonging at a time when it was under siege from a variety of sources. The community was annexed by the City of Richmond in 1942, and, almost immediately, plans to raze the village were announced, citing the lack of public water and sewer and the hazards of decaying privies and polluted wells. City planners announced their intention to turn the area into a city park, but residents fought the action and found some unlikely allies in their struggle. Neighbors from the affluent Glenburnie communities that surrounded Westwood voiced their support for the survival of the small group of homes and approximately 300 residents.

The Richmond TimesDispatch also embraced their struggle and editorialized against the destruction of the area in order to provide a park. City leaders could not ignore the outcry, and finally installed public water and sewer to the area as the 1950s began, and the future of the unique community was secured. Even today, many are unaware of the neighborhood that sits behind the Westhampton Post Office, or the faith and tenacity required to secure its future. A small sign in a lot across the street from St. Mary’s Hospital now designates an adjoining neighborhood as Westwood, another in a long list of indignities bestowed on a community that refused to lose its identity or importance despite a series of attacks and challenges. But, those who grew up in the area pay little attention to that sign, realizing the real Westwood lies on several small streets off Patterson Avenue, a lasting tribute to the will of a community and its refusal to comply with attempts to obliterate its very existence, a symbol of perseverance and faith.

Have a local news story idea to share? Contact The Goochland Gazette Editor at (804) 339-7956

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Time to get growing: County Extension Office is offering Salad Box workshop and Vegetable Gardening program Contributed report

If you have never experienced the satisfaction of picking your own fresh salad for dinner, the Goochland Extension Office has a project for you. In an upcoming workshop scheduled for March 21, participants will build a portable and inexpen-

sive container garden known as a Salad Box. A Salad Box can be strategically located to allow gardening above ground level and offers the ability to avoid the pesky salad- loving critters who usually dine on traditional gardens. The Salad Box is 24 inches square and made of cedar boards to provide an adequate root zone and natural weather resistance. Workshop participants will learn an alternative method for growing leaf lettuce, arugula, kale, spinach, radish,

parsley, cilantro, basil and more using “cut and come again” gardening methods. The workshop will be held at the Central High Cultural and Educational Complex from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and the $40 fee will cover the cost of materials. Registration is limited to 14 participants. Those who would like to take part are asked to pre-register by calling the Goochland Extension Office at (804) 556-5841 or e-mailing sgrayson@vt.edu.

Those who are tired of the food desert of winter and want to stimulate the mind with thoughts and plans for a bountiful spring and summer vegetable garden should signup for an upcoming workshop on sustainable techniques for vegetable gardening. Topics will include planning your garden, soils and soil amendments, common diseases and pests of all major vegetables, minimal pesticide use, raised bed gardening

techniques and more. A wealth of vegetable gardening information will be provided. The program is scheduled for March, 28, 2020 at the Central High Cultural and Educational Complex from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration is limited to 30 participants. This is a free program, and anyone who would like to take part is asked to pre-register by calling the Goochland Extension Office at (804) 556-5841 or e-mailing sgrayson@vt.edu.

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Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program will hold its 10th annual Agriculture Literacy Week March 9-13. Farm Bureau volunteers and others in the agriculture community will mark the week by reading books about agriculture and farming to students, including the 2020 AITC Book of the Year, “PB&J Hooray!” by Janet Nolan. The book traces the paths of grapes, peanuts and wheat as they make their way from the field to a lunchtime favorite. “Children make a connection with real farmers and ask the most interesting questions about animals, gardens and life on the farm in general,” said Tammy Maxey, Virginia AITC

senior education manager. “Volunteer readers often take examples from their own farm to create a show and tell for children with hands-on experience.” Volunteers also will provide interactive projects such as coloring pages and wheat grinding demonstrations that complement the book and further students’ learning. Virginia AITC began celebrating Agriculture Literacy Week in 2011, and it is the program’s largest educational event. The week provides students with an opportunity to hear stories about farming, food production and the sources of their food. Last year more than 1,500 volunteers read to 63,000 children in over

3,000 classes in 500 schools. Having members of the agriculture community in classrooms across Virginia allows “students and educators alike to draw the connection from farm to table and learn about how integral Virginia agriculture is in our daily lives,” Maxey said. “Volunteer readers, including those from Farm Bureau and state and local agriculture officials, along with many other friends of agriculture, share the industry’s story with our youngest learners.” As part of a nationwide effort, the organization helps teachers and students understand Virginia’s and the nation’s largest industry. The program provides an oppor-

tunity for children to connect to agriculture through volunteer-led activities, school grants, professional development and web resources at AgInTheClass.org. Agriculture Literacy Week volunteers in recent years have included county Farm Bureau volunteers, members of Farm Bureau Women’s and Young Farmers committees, FFA and 4-H members, partners from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and other state agencies, and members of other agricultural organizations and businesses. Colonial Farm Credit, Farm Credit of the Virginias and Southern States Cooperative Inc. have been major supporters as well.

Library hosting Digital Literacy series of classes

Every Thursday, from Jan. 9 – June 11, the Goochland Branch Library has scheduled a Digital Literacy Class from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for those

interested in improving their digital literacy skills. Topics include Basic Computer Skills; Internet Basics; Using e-mail, Microsoft Word,

Excel, and PowerPoint; Social Media, Information Literacy; and Career Search Skills. Call (804) 556-4774 for more information.

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Upcoming week devoted to ag education will help bring farm life into the classroom

Dentistry

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Goochland’s Braxton makes college decision Senior DB to play for CNU Captains By Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND – When an injury kept him off of one field he loves, Kindrick Braxton strengthened his passion and desire to give back in another. Last year during the football season, the Goochland High School student-athlete sustained a torn labrum that required shoulder surgery. “And when I say that was probably one of the hardest things in my life, it definitely was,” he said. “Personally, me not being able to do what I love – just to compete and go out there with my teammates and win games – that’s what hurt me the most.” But Braxton would return to the gridiron his senior season, and he would help his Goochland Bulldogs win 12 games and reach the state semifinals. “Going through physical therapy, those guys that helped me out really helped my life and my mental game,” Braxton said. Ever since then, he feels he’s been put on this Earth to help other people who are going through the same things he’s been through. He wants to be there for others in the same way that those who helped him in physical therapy were there for him. So he’s planning to complete his undergraduate studies, go to graduate school and earn his doctorate in physical therapy, and he hopes to eventually open up his own business and start his own practice. He feels that Christopher Newport University is the best fit for helping him achieve those goals. The senior committed to attending and playing

Jim Ridolphi/Goochland Gazette

Goochland’s Kindrick Braxton (11) blocks an Amelia player to help his teammate Kameron Holman (2) return a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter of a 2019 James River District regular season game.

for the Division III school after receiving Division I Football Championship Subdivisionlevel offers from Delaware State, Georgetown in Washington, D.C., Robert Morris in Pennsylvania and the Virginia Military Institute. CNU has a couple of programs related to physical therapy that he’s interested in. “I feel like Christopher Newport was the best way for myself and my family to set that up for my future goals,” he said. “I know football is temporary, and it’s always been temporary for me. I’ve always realized that. I never dreamed of going pro as a kid. I knew football was going to get me somewhere one day, but I knew that it was going to come to an end.” But for now, Braxton’s football career is continuing with the CNU Captains (2-8 in 2019, 21-18 over the past four seasons), and as long as he’s playing, he wants to compete.

He’s looking to earn his spot playing at the safety position, and he aims to get onto the field early. “I know my time will come eventually,” he said. “But I know I want guys that want the same goal as me, and my goal is to get...however far we can, and just to go out every single day and work as hard as we possibly can to make those goals happen.” When Braxton was on his visit, CNU head football coach Art Link made his family feel at home, he said, and defensive coordinator McNeil Parker showed him the playbook, which, Braxton noted, was extensive compared to high school, but was broken down by Parker in a way that Braxton really understood the new scheme. “That’s probably going to be the key to me getting on the field earlier,” he said. Braxton recalled his host,

Kindrick Braxton looks on during a 2018 season game.

sophomore defensive back Tiavonte McLaughlin, telling him that if he needed help with anything – be it the playbook or weightlifting or going over things -- then he’d be

more than happy to help. So for Braxton, the family aspect was there at CNU. “It’s a home away from home,” he said. Strengthening family-like bonds through football has been a cornerstone in Braxton’s many years playing since kindergarten. That’s how long he and his longtime friend, teammate and fellow Goochland senior Devin McCray have been neighbors. Braxton has come to see McCray, who will play for the University of Richmond, as a brother, and the two have pushed each other “24/7” to get to the level they’re both at now. “Devin wanted to be better than me, I wanted to be better than Devin,” Braxton said. “And if I needed help with footwork or anything, Devin was there. If Devin needed to be pushed in the weight room, I was there…it’s truly special and I truly love Devin for that.” In Braxton’s three years as a

starter, Goochland went 38-4, won two regional championships, reached the 2018 state title game and never finished earlier than the third round of the playoffs. It was “extremely special” for Braxton to be a part of that. “That was the atmosphere and that was how Goochland football was,” he said. “I really wish we could’ve brought home the medal with it, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world, just going out here, competing and…guys stepping up to the plate, filling roles that need to be filled. ” Braxton was the third leading tackler on his team his senior season with 67 tackles (32 solo, eight for loss). He also had a hand in three turnovers with two interceptions and one recovered fumble. Following the end of Goochland’s football season, Braxton had the kind of day few athletes get to have. During the afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 21, Braxton didn’t just get to take the field with the North All-Stars in their Big River Rivalry all-star senior showcase game. He notched an interception on defense, and he took that pick to the house for a touchdown, giving his team momentum. “The All-Star game, I knew it was a chance for me to put my name more out there,” he said. “I get the stereotype that, ‘Oh, they can’t really play,’ just because we don’t go to a 5A or a 6A school...I knew it was mine and Devin’s and [Connor Duncan’s] opportunity that we needed to show out, and show them what Goochland football was about, what we do.” While the North team came up just shy of the victory – the South All-Stars edged past them 20-19 – Braxton’s day of competing was not over. He got

see Braxton> page 11

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4 Bulldogs make B finals at states Staff Report

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Goochland’s Anneliese Rogerson swims the breaststroke stretch of the girls 200-yard individual medley in Friday’s state finals at SwimRVA. Rogerson placed 11th in the 200 IM.

Braxton continued from >10 in the car and, making only one stop for food, drove all the way from Ashland to Goochland High School to join his boys basketball teammates as they were stretching during the halftime period of an ongoing invitational game between Patrick Henry and Caroline. His Bulldogs were playing LeeDavis that night, and Braxton’s approach was: “If I’m going to play, I want to play. I don’t want to be held back. I don’t want y’all to be like: ‘Oh he already played a game today, we’re going to limit his minutes…’ If I’m going to play, it’s going to be like

I was here the whole time.” He ended up getting the start, and he scored 6 points. Goochland won by 3. Braxton also contributed to his team’s win on the defensive side. “I do it just because I want to compete, and I know I want to compete at the highest level possible for myself,’” he said. “If that means push myself until my body just can’t go anymore, that’s what’s going to happen. But I know my mental game is a lot stronger than my body, so as long as I have my mental, then everything should be good.” In preparing for college football, Braxton -- in addition to wanting to get faster and stronger -- will look to sharpen his understanding of the game’s concepts

RICHMOND - Taking on statewide competition that ranged from Loudoun County to Crozet to north of Hampton Roads, Goochland’s swim team made the Class 3 state swimming championships’ B finals in one relay and two individual events at SwimRVA. Leading the way was sophomore Anneliese Rogerson, who in Friday morning’s preliminary heats qualified in both the girls 200-yard individual medley (IM) in 2:18.41 and in the 100 breaststroke in 1:12.26. Rogerson in the finals swam a 1:13.10 in the 100 breast, and she took 0.66 of a second off of her preliminary time as well as 0.24 of a second off of her entry time to finish 11th in the 200 IM in 2:17.75. Rogerson joined sophomore Bayleigh Allen, junior Skylar Dacey and senior Sophie Summitt in qualifying in the girls 200 medley relay in 2:03.38. Allen, Dacey, Rogerson and Summitt notched a 2:05.38 in the finals. In the preliminaries, the boys 200 medley relay team of seniors Richard Hardy and Caleb McCaskill, junior Brandon Avram and sophomore Joe Hardman swam a 1:53.72, and Dacey notched a 2:04.75 in the girls 200 free. Western Albemarle won the boys championship with 346 points, ahead of runner-up Independence (200) and third-place finisher Maggie Walker Governor’s School (198), and Monticello won the girls championship with 228 points, ahead of runner-up Western Albemarle (217.5) and third-place finisher York (207).

through studying and breaking down film even more. “I definitely want to bond more with my teammates,” he said, “because on the field and off the field, you need that trust in a team, and that’s what we had at Goochland, so I want to relay that.” And he wants to keep being how he is. “I don’t want people to think I’m like, ‘I’m better,’ or … I’m too on the high spectrum to talk to. I definitely still want to be a local kid that comes back locally, that starts his own business, that kids can talk to and ask how the collegiate level was,” he said. “I want to be that guy that people ask, ‘How did you make your decision? Even though you had D1s, why would

you go to D3?’ I still want to [be asked] all those questions and I still want to be able to answer all of those questions.” His mom, who would drive him to visits at different schools up to three hours away, has been there for him throughout it all, including the entire collegiate process. And Goochland’s football program, Braxton noted, has played a role in helping him become the person he is today. “For my coaches, they’re not just coaching good football players,” he said. “They’re coaching young men, and they definitely made sure that we had the qualities, and they made the principles clear.”

Alexa Welch Edlund/Times-Dispatch

Benedictine’s Jaden Daughtry dunks the ball as the Cadets play Saint John Paul the Great in Memorial Gym on Saturday. It was the Cadets’ last home game in the gym, which opened in 1950.

One last time Staff Reports

Benedictine won its final home game, 70-56 over Saint John Paul the Great, in Benedictine Memorial Gymnasium, the gym that the Cadets called home since 1950. Starting with the 2020-21 season, they will play their home games in the new gym on Benedictine’s campus in Goochland County.

Wrestlers take on state meet Staff Reports

Underclassman Reese Vincent (138 pounds) and senior Connor Duncan (220) represented Goochland in the Class 3 state tournament in Salem this past weekend. Vincent, who exited early after two matches, should give next year’s Goochland team a wrestler who’s seen and taken on competitors at the state level. While Duncan also exited after two matches, he made his last stand on the high school mat a battle as he took Tabb’s Xavier Martin to overtime in the first round of consolations. Martin would win it 4-2.

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