The Goochland Gazette – 10/27/2022

Upcoming votes could finally end a centuries-old

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

On Nov. 1, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to finalize a boundary line agreement between Goochland and Louisa.

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors, in turn, is expected to consider the proposed

agreement at its Nov. 7 meeting.

If it seems difficult to remember a time when the border separating Louisa and Goochland was not in dispute, there may be a good reason for that. In fact, the problem of figuring out just where Goochland ends and Louisa begins is older than any of the local and state officials who have spent years working to resolve it. It is older than the GIS technology that was ulti-

mately used to pinpoint which border-hugging properties belong in which county—more on that later—and where the people who reside on those properties should vote, pay taxes and send their children to school.

In fact, dating back more than 250 years, it is literally older then the United States.

Fortunately, most of the work to solve the

Onaitis is new deputy county administrator

Role follows posts as city manager, advisor to mayor of Richmond

Contributed report

Goochland County has announced that Krystal M. Onaitis has been selected to serve as the new deputy county administrator.

Onaitis, a Henrico native, comes to Goochland with over a decade of local government experience, at the executive level. She has earned both her bachelor’s in political science and master’s in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Most recently she served as city manager for Covington, Virginia. In this position she oversaw all day-to-day operations, inclusive of public safety and utilities. She also led regional economic and community development efforts for the Alleghany Highlands during her tenure as city manager, focusing on historic revitalization, site development and critical infrastructure. Prior to Covington, Onaitis worked for the City of Richmond, serving in the mayor’s office as an advisor, in the Department of Public Works specializing in performance management and strategic planning, ultimately working for the deputy chief administrative officer of operations leading various city-wide projects and programs.

Rockin’

Goochland County Public Schools administrators, teachers and students proved they knew

Star Day.

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Schools

ONAITIS

Onaitis

continued from > page 1

In her role as deputy county administrator, Onaitis will provide guidance and support regarding operations and ongoing initiatives in community development, which includes planning, permitting, transportation and utilities for the County. She will also manage county-wide special projects, in addition to providing operational support to the County Administrator.

On joining Goochland, Onaitis said “I am grate-

ful for the opportunity to serve Goochland as deputy county administrator. I recognize that Goochland is a beautiful changing community, that at the same time is working to preserve its rural values. Those values do not have to be at odds with one another, it’s all about having a thoughtful approach to harness potential. I look forward to working with the community here and becoming part of it.”

Onaitis officially began her service to the citizens of Goochland County on Oct. 17.

Goochland History Revealed

Plynlimmon may be county’s spookiest spot

on

once the home of Judge Isaac

a pet ghost. No one was ever

was headless. Dressed in a white

always appeared with a lighted lamp in her hands. Her favorite haunt was the stairway at Plynlimmon. After the household had settled down for the night, she would start at the top step of the stairway and walk slowly down. About halfway down she would toss the lamp into space and hurl her body the remainder of the way. A blood-curdling scream always accompanied this act. There was never a fire from the burning lamp, so one must conclude that ghostly oil is not flammable.

Recent Property Transfers

2 parcels; Andrea Boccardi to Andrew J. Mulcunry, trustee, $2,000,000.

30.311 acres; Warren M. Wheat to Caitlin Matzke, $900,000.

8.13 acres; Sandra L. Sanders to John Wolstromer, $430,000.

2200 Dogtown Road, Goochland; Anna Henley to Glenn A. Zobel, $255,000.

4656 E Grey Fox, Gum Springs; Betty Sue Vandine, executor to Douglas W. Johnson, $315,000.

Lot 10, Hadensville Estates; Kenneth L. Everett Jr. to Steven Szeles, $409,000.

Lot 20, Block C, Section 2, Breeze Hill; Krickovic and Ziegler LLC to Michael Christopher McGinn, $165,000.

Lots 15, 16, 30 and 31, Samary Forest; Jo Anne M. Thompson to Ravi Vinayak, $435,000.

Parcel; Benjamin C. Ackerly to Robert P. Chesson, $1,500,000.

12390 S Readers Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle

Construction of Virginia LLC to Joseph Louis Mazella, $628,854.

12153 Readers Pointe Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Mary C. Hamner, $684,544.

4625 Shannon Hill Estates Road, Kents Store; Four Fifty-Five LLC to Fernando Hernandez Portillo, $295,000.

2973 Stone Creek Drive, Sandy Hook; Steven W. Kendall to Jonathan Waldron, $565,000.

888-0449

775-4614

(804) 819-5529

Laura

Roslyn

Robby

(804)

(804) 775-4616

(804)

Denine D’Angelo

(804) 775-4624

Photograph courtesy of Goochland Historical Society

is already done:

Aug. 20, 2019, Circuit Court judge Timothy K. Sanner entered a court order approving a plan that substantially resolved much of the debate.

remains the final task of reassigning 10 remaining

still technically in dispute, properties dubbed “Islands” in a recent joint letter

Goochland County administrator Victor Carpenter and Louisa County administrator Christian Goodwin.

even then Foote said she knew answers were likely a long way off.

“It really is a tough situation because even in our business, the maps are just graphical representations, not legal documents,” Foote said. “It’s a lengthy process with legal requirements that have to be met. But I think both counties are looking to do what’s right while also trying to have as little disruption as possible for the people.”

Over the next several months, Goochland and Louisa officials and county employees worked overtime to hammer out a boundary agreement and submit it to Census Bureau, knowing, however, that the new boundaries would not be certified before 2021.

Goochland leaders appealed to Senator Mark J. Peake in hopes of finding a solution prior to the 2019 election, but immediate answers were difficult to come by.

line produced by the US Bureau of Census is known to be in error?”

With the 2019 election looming, county leaders knew that they had to do everything in their power to find a solution.

Sheriff’s Office will host Halloween event Sunday

The Goochland County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting Candy, Costumes and Cops from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, offering local kids the chance to see local law enforcement officers dressed up in their Halloween best.

it isn’t the oldest border dispute in the United States—that honor may well go to an ongoing dustup between the Maine towns of York and Kittery over a boundary established in 1652 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony— attempting to sort out the line between Goochland and its neighbor to the north has proven to be a daunting challenge.

Back in 2007, Goochland’s then Geographical Information System (GIS) director Qiana Foote and her counterpart in Louisa were looking for the original charters in order to help resolve the issue, though

The process continued in fits and starts but was given a new sense of urgency in April of 2019, when the Goochland County Electoral Board declared that, due to a discrepancy between the federal census border and the tax parcel border between the two counties, 324 voters (97 in Louisa and 227 in Goochland) were going to be moved from one county’s voting rolls to the other.

Residents were quickly assured by then Goochland County administrator John Budesky that they were still considered Goochland residents and would still receive all Goochland County services, and supervisors drafted a letter urging the county electoral board to reconsider its decision.

Sometimes even the questions themselves were befuddling. Consider the following question posed to then Attorney General Mark Herring by Goochland Electoral Board secretary Robin Lind, in a letter asking Herring for an official advisory opinion on the legality of moving voters from one county to another:

“If the language in §24.2304.03-B is contradictory, inasmuch as it refers to ‘boundaries ... in existence on April 1, 2011,’ and then ‘and as reported by the United States Bureau of the Census in the 2010 Census reports provided pursuant to United States Public Law 94-171,’ shall a locality be compelled to ignore the superior clause in favor of the subordinate clause when the Census

Finally, in mid-July, Goochland County attorney Tara McGee presented a plan to supervisors: if they acted quickly, there was still time to obtain a court order approving the new agreed boundary line and send copies of the change to the State Board of Elections and the Division of Legislative Services. If they could get the court to sign off, she said, the majority of voters could be moved back to the voting rolls of the counties in which they paid taxes.

With Sanner’s approval on Aug. 20, that’s exactly what happened.

McGee cautioned Monday that the matter will not be fully resolved until both boards vote to approve the new boundary agreement and the court adopts it. She also offered the lion’s share of the credit for the progress made so far to the GIS departments of both counties.

They have been the heroes of the process, McGee said. “Our office was glad to help.”

With election looming, county reached out to AG

The following is an edited excerpt from a June 20, 2019, letter sent by Goochland Electoral Board secretary Robin Lind to then Attorney General Mark Herring.

“On behalf of the Goochland County Electoral Board, I write to ask for an official advisory opinion on the legality of removing registered voters from the Voter Registration Rolls of the county in which they are known to reside, to place them on the Voter Registration Rolls in an adjoining county where

they are not residents.

The boundary between Goochland and Louisa Counties was established in 1742 when Louisa County was created from Hanover County.

Although the county line was reportedly never subject to a formal survey agreed to by the two counties, the boundary was recognized by residents and property owners, ratified by Commissioners of Revenue and County Treasurers, and accepted by custom and common practice. The boundary,

following natural features and property lines, has been recognized for the purposes of real estate taxation, school attendance and voter registration for over 280 years.

With the introduction of modern mapping technologies within Graphical Information Systems, a US Bureau of the Census line was imposed along the Goochland /Louisa County line which did not follow the boundaries accepted by the two counties and the local residents.

Although anomalies and incon-

sistences were identified by the General Registrars of both counties following the 2010 Census and 2011 Redistricting, the two county administrations did not feel any urgent compulsion to take remedial action.

Following the 2017 General Election, reports emerged of multiple instances of misassigned voters in House of Delegates Districts. The Department of Elections identified at least 384 voters in the 2nd, 28th and 88th Districts

This drive-through trick-or-treating event will be held in the Courthouse Circle, located at 2938 River Road West in Goochland. For more information, contact the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 556-5349.

Advertise In The Goochland

Call 804-746-1235 for details.

Letter continued from >3

who were mis-assigned and 147 of them cast ballots — well beyond the margin of victory in the 28th District which was won by only 108 votes.

Famously, in the 94th District, initial results showed the winner with only a 10-vote margin; that ‘victory’devolved to a tie after a recount. That tie was settled by drawing a name from a bowl and the result determined the partisan control of the Speaker and all House Committees.

Following this election, multiple groups and individuals throughout the elections community sought clarification and guidance.

In a June, 2018 presentation to the State Board of Elections, newly-appointed Commissioner Chris Piper reviewed the issue of mis-assigned voters; he acknowledged errors in GIS mapping and introduced the technical term “Sneeze Line” which sometimes accounted for Census Line aberrations that did not follow established

boundaries. He stated that the Department of Elections has no statutory authority over voter assignment, and although it could assist, “it would require the locality to make the final decision on district assignment.”

County Administrators in Goochland and Louisa began a concerted effort to have their GIS departments reach agreement on the actual agreed-upon boundary. Over a period of almost 10 months the two GIS analysts came to agreement and in May, 2019 submitted identical files to the US Bureau of the Census for a correction of the Census Line.

During that same period, Senator Mark Peake, who represents both Goochland and Louisa, worked closely with stakeholders and drafted legislation to address the problem. His bill, SB 1120, included language that would have permitted local registrars to determine residence by reference to local governing bodies who could decide by mutual agreement.

This bill passed unanimously in the Senate but was unexpectedly derailed in a House sub-

committee.

Following the failure of this bill, the Louisa County General Registrar felt compelled to move voters to comply with the Census Line rather than the historical boundary.

On April 15, 2019 the Goochland County Electoral Board voted to accept Registered Voters in Louisa County being removed from the Louisa County Voter Roll and to remove Registered Voters in Goochland who were being transferred to the Louisa County Voter Roll. Subsequent tallies showed 97 voters being moved from Louisa to Goochland Rolls and 227 being moved from Goochland to Louisa Rolls.

These voters are being moved for voting purposes only. They will continue to be taxed in their respective jurisdictions and served by their existing school, sheriff, fire and rescue operations.

When the anticipated corrections are made in the Census Line by the US Department of Census for the 2020 Census, these voters will be returned to their respective Voter Rolls from which they are now removed.

There is naturally a great deal of consternation among the voters who have been moved. There is a sense of bewilderment that the local Electoral Board would move voters from one county to another in the full and open knowledge that it intends to move them back when a Census Bureau error has been corrected. There is resentment that wells up from the fundamental belief that American citizenship is founded upon the premise that we will not suffer “Taxation without representation.”

With the General Election only 142 days away, we urgently request an Official Advisory Opinion to guide Electoral Board members throughout the Commonwealth.”

Community Calendar

Wednesday, Oct. 26

The Goochland Branch Library will host an Author Book Talk with Pat Garber from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for those ages 18 and up. The awardwinning local author will discuss her book “Birchbark Chronicles.” In this book, Pat journals her daily life in an Adirondack cabin and her reflections of early years growing up in Virginia. Copies of her books will be available for purchase. Light 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.

Thursday, Oct. 27

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 10:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday, Oct. 28

Family Storytime will be held at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library from 10:30 – 11 a.m. Participants will enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes and much more. Family Storytime is for children up to 5 and their caregivers. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

The Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome Drew Mugford, principal of Benedictine College Prepartory. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at The Residence Inn Short Pump at the Notch, 1800

Wilkes Ridge Circle.

Sunday, Oct. 30

The Goochland County Sheriff’s Office will host Candy, Costumes and Cops from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, offering local families a chance to one again enjoy this Halloween drive-thru trick or treating event. The event will be held in the Courthouse Circle, 2938 River Road West.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Therapy Dog Reading will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 6:307:30 p.m. for those in grades K-5. Have your child practice reading in a relaxed environment with a trained therapy dog from Caring Canines. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Family Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 1010:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday, Nov. 4

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Join Bee Kreative and paint a step-by-step Birch

tree painting using acrylic paint! Aprons and all materials will be provided. Come ready to have a good time! This program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, and the cost is $40. Participants must be at least 16. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Action Figure Art Class at the Goochland Branch Library from 6:30 - 8 p.m. for those ages 12-18. Meet local artist Curtis Brown and learn techniques to draw your own superhero action figure. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/9333126.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Family Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 1010:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday, Nov. 11

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday Book Group will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 11 a.m. – noon for those ages 18 and up. Call (804) 556-4774 for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 12

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Scouts will conduct flag ceremony Nov. 14

Contributed report

In honor and remembrance of our Veterans, Boy’s Troop 710, Girl’s Troop 710 and Cub Pack 710 will be conducting a flag ceremony Monday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the gravel lot next to Hardee’s at the corner of Fairgrounds and Sandy Hook roads. All are invited to bring any American flags they would like to retire.

This is an open event to the community and a great opportunity for youth and parents to meet Scout leaders and see what Scouting all is about. Both Boys and Girls troops meet Monday nights at 7:15 p.m. at Camp T. Brady Saunders on the Cub Adventure side in the Handicraft Lodge. This is for ages 11-18, plus 10-year-olds who have finished the fifth

grade. Come any Monday and see what scouting is about or visit the website at https://www. troop-710.com/home or our Facebook pages BSA Troop 710 and Scouts BSA Troop 710-Goochland. For younger youth there is Cub Scout Pack 710 https://goochland710. mypack.us Facebook: Pack 710 Goochland.

The Goochland Rotary Club is having a Brunswick Stew sale, featuring renown local Stewmaster, Lloyd Minter. $10 per quart. The sale is by pre-order only, with pick up scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, between noon and 2 p.m. at Goochland Fire Station Company 2, 1529 River Road West, Crozier. Orders must tbe placed by Wednesday, Nov. 9 at www. goochlandrotary.com or by calling Jan Kenney at (804) 839-1078.

The Goochland Library will host “The Garden of Eden,” a virtual Zoom program, from 10 - 11 a.m. for those ages 18 and up. Learn how Virginia horticulture influenced the world in the 18th century and discuss how you can grow historic plants in your own garden. This workshop will be presented by Cathy McCarthy, Master Gardener, Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Association. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/9335265. The Zoom

meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs. Please contact the Goochland Branch if you do not receive this email.Call (804) 556-4774 for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 12

Join Goochland County Parks and Rec from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a day of anime, comics, manga, cosplay, games, contests and more. This convention will be complete with both live and virtual panels, cosplay contests,

Serving Goochland County

In The Garden

Tomatillo: The vegetable garden’s faithful soldier

By Virginia McCown Contributing Writer

The hardy hero of my vegetable garden is the tomatillo. If you’ve ever watched Pati’s Mexican Table on public television or have tried green salsa from a grocery store or restaurant, you’re more familiar with the plain and unpretentious tomatillo (tom a TEE yo) than you realize.

The tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) is the green-husked step-cousin of our familiar tomato. This member of the nightshade family is thought to have originated in Mexico and can be found growing wild in the open fields of Central America.

On the other hand, here in Central Virginia, tomatillos need to be cultivated like tomatoes. Yet unlike tomatoes, they’re a lot tougher. They’ll come back year after year if you let them. They’re susceptible to the same diseases as tomatoes, but I’ve learned from experience how much more resilient and hardy tomatillos can be.

It takes two to pollinate

Tomatillos grow best in acidic to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.3. If you’ve never had a soil test or it’s been years since your last, low-cost Virginia Tech soil testing kits are available from county Cooperative Extension offices. Enrich the soil with compost. Remember to space the plants about three feet apart in well-drained soil.

After the nightly low temperatures are consistently in the 60s, choose a sunny location for your tomatillo plants. Tomatillos require six to eight hours of sun per day. Like tomato plants, do not plant your tomatillos in soil where members of the Solanaceae or nightshade family have grown for at least two to three years.

Still another difference between tomatoes and tomatillos is you’ll need at least two tomatillos for fruiting. Three tomatillos work even better. These plants don’t need to be the same but can be different cultivars. To grow, tomatillos need support just like tomato plants do. I usually set out tomatillo plants in clusters of three for guaranteed pollination.

Tomatillos branch out and need support but not quite in the same manner as tomatoes. A tomatillo will often resemble a weeping willow at maturity. I use large tomato cages with four sides. If large multisided cages aren’t available, insert three to four three-foot stakes into the ground. Weave strong twine around the stakes at four to six inch intervals. Actually tying the plants to the twine or the cages isn’t necessary.

Tomatillos – as well as their fruit—need at least 75 to 100 days to reach maturity.

Tomatillo Varieties

There are many tomatillo cultivars including:

Tamayo: Large, green fruit

De Milpa: Strong flavor, commonly used in Mexican cuisine

Purple de Milpa: Sweeter than green varieties but only when fully ripe

Rendidora: A variety developed in Mexico with an upright growth

Tomatillo “cousins”

P. pruinosa: a much smaller, sweeter, golden fruit. With its musky honey-like taste, “ground cherries” make a delicious jam or jelly.

P. alkekengi: “Chinese Lanterns” are a beautiful deep red-orange ornamental variety

Harvest Readiness

What are you planning to do with your tomatillo crop? Ripeness is determined with how much the fruit has grown or filled its husk. For full ripeness, the husk should tear and expose the fruit. Purple varieties are green until they fully ripen. Hybrid purple and green varieties will often appear “marbleized.” I prefer slightly unripe tomatillos when I prepare green salsa. Fully ripe tomatillos work better in jams or jellies.

Storage

Tomatillos with husks still attached will keep refrigerated for weeks in a paper bag. Often fruit will fall off the plants before it’s fully ripe. Yet like its cousin the tomato, the fallen tomatillos will ripen in time using the

Contributed photo

Scouts from Troop 710 are inviting the community to attend a ceremony in honor of veterans at Camp T. Brady Saunders on Nov. 14. During the event, the troop will be retiring American flags.

Keeping things clean

Letter to the Editor

Good has proven too partisan to represent all 5th District residents

Dear Editor:

Here is why I cannot support Robert Good for Representative for the 5th District:

1–He continues to claim falsely that the 2020 election was stolen when there is no factual proof of that.

2–He is against abortion regardless of the circumstances or the health of the woman or the fetus.

3–He is politically partisan and would not represent all constituents. Until the recent redistricting, we had the ultimate bipartisan Representative in Abigail Spanberger. That’s why my vote is with Josh Throneburg as the person to follow her example. I feel he will continue to look out for all in the Fifth District.

Eileen Ford Columbia

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

As we close in on that spookiest of holidays, it might be nice to take a moment to appreciate all of the things that we all used to be scared of as kids.

Remember when wolfmen and mummies reigned supreme in the tales of terror, right up there

with Frankenstein’s monster and Dracula?

Things were so much easier back then, and knowing what to fear was incredibly straightforward. Does it have fangs, fur or bolts in its neck? Best run away. Anything else? You were probably ok. Sure there were zombies, but almost anyone could outrun those, and any other B movie monsters

were simply too fake to be feared.

Getting a bit older, you sort of knew people didn’t morph into wolves or bats, but by then there were man-eating sharks, and venomous snakes and grizzly bears. Swimming in the sea or camping in the woods? No thanks.

Eventually it became clear that you could pretty easily avoid sharks and other dangerous ani-

mals (the last well-documented grizzly bear attack in Virginia was never), but those fears were easily replaced by all kinds of environmental threats that could bring about your demise, from quicksand to tsunamis to freak lightning strikes. There were tornadoes swirling in the distance and floods

Fears > 7

Tiny house Virginia?

By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Many Americans are searching for options when it comes to housing, especially in recent months when rising interest rates and increased real estate costs have priced many consumers out of the housing market.

While many of my friends have decided it’s time to live their dreams in other parts of the nation and have flown south to a warmer climates or closer family ties, others have decided to stay in the metro area, but are seeking smaller solutions to their housing needs.

Local governments are quickly

Page Evans, left, Buck Johnson and Suzanne Coats spent last Saturday cleaning up Manakin road from the Goochland line south to Broad Street. According to John Festa of the Clean Goochland Council, several of the residents who took part in Saturday’s effort have been helping to keep the road clean for over 17 years.

Courtesy photo

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Tell Me a Story

A frightful tale, a true candy caper

Editor’s note: Two of or readers recently sent in favorite Halloweenrelated stories. Do you have a story you would like to share with Gazette readers? Send it rryan@goochlandgazette.com

Halloween in the country smelled delicious, like wood stoves and homemade candy apples.

The children in our end of the county made our costumes but instead of trick or treat we went to the home/ general store of Minnie and Crockett Hicks.

Crockett was a master storyteller and a descendant of Davy Crockett. Minnie always had a kettle of water bubbling on the stove and a hateful Siamese cat named Ming, whose eyes burned like coals from the back of the sofa.

On Halloween they had jars of candy and a deep freeze that was so deep that a child had to lean in, legs dangling, to get a treat.

It was quite a party but every child present waited eagerly for one thing alone … the moment we scrambled up on the hay wagon, slipping on the loose hay and perching on bales. It was time for the Halloween Story—a true one.

Crockett drove across two fields to the abandoned home of the Wise brothers. The house was falling down and the yard was overgrown. The dry leaves crackled under animals skittering in the night. Once we heard an owl cry.

After Crockett turned off the tractor, he raised a lantern and told the story we had waited all year to hear again:

“There were two brothers—identical twins—who occupied that very house, around the turn of the century,” he said.

“One was a physician and the other was a judge. They lived there with Mrs. Mayo, their housekeeper and cook, who was a pleasant woman accustomed to their eccentricities.

“The judge, for instance, wanted breakfast on the table before first light,

in order that he might ride over the property and check the livestock before making his way to the courthouse. He was usually putting on his hat to leave just as the doctor was rising for the day.

“The doctor regularly took his breakfast in the study, in the company of medical texts, often lingering until mid-morning before leaving to make rounds. It was a ritual that suited him.

“In the evenings, the men usually ate supper together. Each appreciated good food and supped on local game or fish, or sometimes chicken or beef they raised. After dinner they enjoyed cigars, brandy and perhaps Backgammon. They kept to themselves, seldom having guests, and retiring early.

“Their lives were predictable. Then one day the judge vanished. He did not come down for breakfast. His brother went out to search for him but came home with no information as to his whereabouts of his twin. Only …

‘Mrs. Mayo, this is a fresh liver I was able to obtain at the market. Please be kind enough to prepare it for my dinner.’

* * *

“Now it wasn’t long before a neighbor’s dog was inspecting a new fence line on the place and uncovered bits and pieces of the missing judge, buried under the new fence posts.

“They were never able to pin murder on the doctor, but Mrs. Mayo said she had known right away that there had been foul play. How? Because the judge never left home without his hat, which was still hanging where it always hung.”

* * *

I was scared out of my wits every time. I always sat next to Sylvia on the wagon, because she was the oldest one there, and therefore probably the wisest. At least this was my reasoning, because I knew I wanted to come back forever.—Ellen Bain Smith

who was a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. He’s dead now, but he told this story years ago.

One of his best friends growing up was a kid named Lenny, who was renowned for being one of the ugliest boys anybody had ever seen. No disrespect intended, it was just fact. Mike said when little old ladies passed him on the streets, they would cross themselves and look away.

Lenny and his younger brother had a Halloween gig where they would get massive amounts of candy. They lived in a second floor apartment, and every Halloween they put a sign out front that said “FREE CANDY,” and unscrewed most of the light bulbs in the hallway, so it was dark and scary. The kids walked up to the second floor, where there was a sign on the door that said “CANDY.” The brothers had driven a small nail into the hinge so it would creak, and the younger one was manning it from the inside.

When the group of kids knocked for their candy, the younger brother unlatched the door and slowly opened it, creaking and creaking and creaking. Lenny was in the middle of the totally dark room, you couldn’t see him. Once the door was fully open, he flicked a flashlight onto his face, which he had distorted so he looked even worse than he did normally. The younger brother screamed bloody murder at the top of his lungs, and the kids shrieked, crashed into each other, fell down, and made a mad dash for the stairway to get away from the horrible creature wailing in the middle of the room. The terrified children dropped, jostled, spilled, or flung their bags of candy.

After the melee of trick-or-treaters spilled out into the street, Lenny and his brother went into the hallway and collected all the candy they had dropped, then went back inside and set the trap again, just like a trapdoor spider waiting for an unassuming bug to walk by.

Serving Goochland County

Since 1955

Tiny house continued from >6

becoming more accepting of tiny houses and have adopted ordinances to allow for their construction, but it’s important to remember that rules differ in each locality and some jurisdictions are more friendly to tiny houses than others.

While Tiny Houses on Wheels (THOWS), RVs, cottages and accessory backyard dwellings are all allowed in Virginia, some localities permit only certain types of structures. It’s incumbent on the builder to navigate local ordinance requirements.

While some have argued the tiny house trend is just a fad and predict a decline in future demand, the market indicates otherwise. The market continues to expand and it seems more and more Americans are researching, planning and building tiny homes; and some builders contend that tiny homes

Fear

could be the answer to America’s lack of affordable housing.

It’s easy to recognize the appeal of affordable housing that allows homeowners to maintain a sense of independence, but there are other advantages. Less square footage equates to lower heating and cooling costs. The mobility associated with small houses on wheels is also a draw for those who seek mobility in their future living arrangements.

Conversely, the new lifestyle requires downsizing and learning to live with limited storage space.

After that initial conversation with my friend, my interest in tiny homes was tweaked, so I began my own research.

I must admit I’m not convinced it’s the right choice for me, but I’m open to the concept of a tiny house community. I’m just not sure how it works for Thanksgiving dinner.

This is one of my favorite Halloween stories. It was originally from Mike Royko,

They had a good thing going. Mike said they would get just gobs of candy every Halloween. —Jack Agnew

continued from >6

waiting to wash everything away. How was a person supposed to ever relax with so much danger looming?

I was probably 9 or 10 when I learned that there were steps you could take to stay safe from nature’s fury (even if there were no guarantees). But by then there were smaller things— much smaller things—to worry about. Ebola. Leprosy. Bubonic Plague. These were the things you couldn’t see, but you also couldn’t outrun. One stroke of bad luck—one tiny bite from a tsetse fly or run-in with a rat, and you were done for.

It seems silly now, looking back and realizing how irrational so many of those fears were. And yet today so

many of us remain in fear of things that are similarly nonsensical. We fear people who are different and those who don’t think like us. We fear those who express different political or social beliefs. We fear that we are losing our grip on the world we knew. In the end, this fear ends up cheating us out of our peace and contentment and leaving only distrust and anxiety.

“There is no illusion greater than fear,” said the philosopher Lau Tzu , and those words may now be more important than ever to heed.

As we move toward another election day, it is worth examining our own fears and seeing which ones remain valid and which, like mummies and vampires, could stand to be left behind.

With help from Habitat, county bus driver cuts ribbon on new home

The upcoming holiday season will be a particularly special one for Danielle Randolph and her two daughters, as it is set to be the first the family will spend in their new Goochland home.

On Oct. 6, Randolph, a Goochland County Public Schools bus driver, helped cut the ribbon on Goochland Habitat for Humanity’s 27th home, which she and her two young daughters will move into in the coming weeks.

The home was built by volunteers with the assistance of Randolph and her family members, who spent hours painting and cleaning in anticipation of an eventual move-in day.

The ceremony also highlighted Goochland Habitat’s 25th year in the county, a period that has seen the organization help dozens of local family’s achieve the dream of homeownership. With grants coming in to help fund

upcoming projects and families sending in applications to be part of the program, the future is looking bright for the organization, said Goochland Habitat for Humanity’s executive director Jamie Camp.

For Randolph, who celebrated the ribboncutting alongside local leaders and representatives from Goochland County Public Schools—including superintendent Jeremy Raley—the memories of that day will not soon fade.

“It just feels so good to have a place you can call your own,” said Randolph. “I appreciate everyone who helped make this happen.” —Roslyn Ryan

What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County

Since 1955

Tomatillos

continued from >5

same “paper bag” method.

If you choose to freeze your tomatillos, you’ll need to remove the husks. While washing the unhusked tomatillos, you’ll notice how their “cleansing water” turns into a slightly soapy solution. Don’t worry. This is normal.

Uses and Recipes

In addition to jams or jellies, tomatillos can be roasted, broiled or boiled—or simply eaten raw. Cooking provides a more full-bodied, sweeter flavor.

Five Star Salsa Ingredients:

6 oz. fresh tomatillos –husked, rinsed, and halved

1 tbsp. thinly sliced serrano chilies

1 large ripe avocado-halved, seeded, and flesh scooped out of shell

¼ C. packed fresh cilantro leaves ½ lime, juiced Salt to taste

Directions

In a food processor, add the tomatillos, Serrano chilies, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Pulse until smooth. Serve and enjoy!

Nutritional Information: Calories 87 Fat 7.3 g

Carbohydrates 6.4 g

Protein 1.3 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Sodium 5 mg

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source: Easy Tomatillos Cook Book, Booksumo Press, 2017

Virginia McCown is a master gardener and master food volunteer living in Central Virginia along with her vegetable garden and assorted creatures both great and small.

Photos by Robin Deutsch Clockwise, from the top: Danielle Randolph, center, joins members of Goochland’s Habitat for Humanity as they celebrate the completion of her new home. Randolph opening her new front door; cupcakes marking Goochland Habitat for Humanity’s 25th anniversary.

Cadets impress in Homecoming win

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

With a packed Homecoming crowd and a beautifully sunny Saturday afternoon at Bobby Ross Stadium, the Benedictine Cadets hosted the Mt. Zion Prep Academy Warriors and took control early en route to a 31-6 win on Oct. 22.

The Cadets (6-2) entered the second of a three-game homestand with the Warriors (1-6) having defeated the Collegiate Cougars in a 45-14 win on Oct. 14, and they again jumped out to an early lead that they’d hold onto for the entirety of the game.

Starting off with a 19-yard field goal by Cole Draucker in the second quarter, the Cadets defense stopped the Warriors’ most promising drive that got down to their 29-yard-line, but was halted thanks to a sack by

Zion Hunter early in the drive and Jacob Moore and John Garbett combining for another on fourth down.

On the ensuing drive, the Cadets had their first touchdown of the day when quarterback Wes Buleza found tight

end Luca Puccinelli across the middle for a 20-yard score with 1:35 left in the first half.

The Warriors were able to score just before half on a 57-yard quarterback keeper to keep the game close heading into half, though a missed extra

point made it a 10-6 Cadets lead.

The Warriors had a chance on their first drive to potentially take the lead after earning good field position off an opening drive interception of Buleza, but Hunter again

stepped up to make a huge impact play on fourth down that got the Cadets defense off the field with the lead intact.

Then, with over six minutes left in the third, running back Leo Boehling had a handful of strong runs that saw him run

through defenders and set up the team in the red zone, where he capped off a strong drive with a 16-yard touchdown run to make it a 17-6 game. Before his big run into the end zone, Boehling bruised ahead

Collegiate star persevered through altered recruiting cycle

By Clark Forster Special Correspondent

To be a standout one must, well, stand out. Despite not playing a varsity football game until his junior season, it didn’t take long for college scouts to recognize that Collegiate’s Krystian Williams was talented.

After just a half a season worth of games, the wide receiver/defensive back received his first official scholarship offer while on an official visit to Virginia. The Cavaliers were hardly alone in their pur-

suit of the budding two-way star.

Soon the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder had official visits scheduled to schools such as Northwestern, Rutgers and Wake Forest.

Williams’ first impression on the prep football field was reverberating through college scouting departments.

First impressions work both ways. And when Virginia Tech invited Williams to Blacksburg for a game, he already knew the atmosphere he’d be a part of was going to differ from what

he’d experienced elsewhere.

Williams already had attended a football game at Lane Stadium as a fan when he was younger. The memory of 66,233 Tech fans jumping up and down to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as the Hokies took the field stuck with the soonto-be recruit.

“The stadium was shaking,” Williams said of the Hokies’ famous entrance. “It feels like there are a million people in the stadium. I’m like, ‘Is there an earthquake happening right now?’”

Williams got to experience the bleacher-rattling anthem again as a recruit, and it didn’t take Virginia Tech long to sell Williams. He made a verbal commitment to the program in July.

“The vibe there is different from anywhere I’ve been,” he said.

Twelve months prior to his commitment, Williams was anxious. He had missed his entire sophomore season due to the pandemic. He was behind where he wanted to be

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Left, Benedictine running back Leo Boehling charges through the line and sheds a tackler in the team’s homecoming win over Mt. Zion Prep Academy on Oct. 22. Right, Cadets quarterback Wes Buleza makes a pass toward the sideline in the second quarter.

Photo by Shaban Athuman

Collegiate running back, wide receiver and Virginia Tech recruit Krystian Williams is photographed on Thursday, Oct. 6 at Collegiate School football field in Richmond.

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

Four seniors honored in volleyball win over Monticello

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

It was about as good of a senior night as it gets for the Goochland volleyball team, who honored four seniors and handled the Monticello Mustangs with a 3-0 victory on Oct. 18.

Seniors Layla Ford, Nicole Brown, Laura Lee Baldwin and Nina Smith were celebrated for their time with the program, and each contributed to the team’s ninth win of the season.

Head coach Rachel Jacobsen said that in her fifth year with the program, she’s proud seeing the accomplishments of her first senior class to be with the program for the entirety of her tenure, calling them “a true product of the work we have done together in that time.”

“I am so proud of not only their hard work and achievements, but also the legacy

that they are leaving behind,” Jacobsen said. “They have taught the younger girls to be fierce, determined, strong and confident. Winning is only a portion of success, and Nicole, Nina, Layla and Laura Lee are the definition of what success really looks like.”

The game also provided the Bulldogs a small taste of revenge over the Mustangs, who won the first meeting on Sept. 22 in three sets.

This time though, the senior Bulldogs and their teammates had no intention of falling on their ceremonious evening, winning the sets 25-15, 25-23 and 25-18.

Brown led the team in assists with a strong outing that ended with six kills, 15 assists, five digs and four aces. Smith again led the team in kills with another productive finish, adding seven kills, two blocks and two digs.

Ford, playing as the middle

blocker, contributed eight digs and three blocks to go with four kills and an ace, while Baldwin finished with five kills, eight digs and a block.

All season, Jacobsen has praised the veteran leadership and high-level performance of her senior class, and she says that she can’t wait to see what they do in the future.

“I cannot wait to see what they accomplish next and am so thankful for what they are leaving behind,” Jacobsen said.

The Bulldogs also played the Albemarle Patriots on Oct. 20, which the Patriots won in a four-set game on their home court.

In the first matchup on Sept. 27, the Patriots (13-8) won in three sets over the Bulldogs, though this time the Bulldogs were able to extend the game with a 25-20 win in the third set that avoided another sweep and forced the Patriots to close

the game out in a fourth set that ended in a 25-18 score.

Baldwin and Ford shared the team-high in kills in the loss, with each of the seniors finishing with eight apiece. Baldwin also finished with 14

digs. Ford added an ace and 27 digs on the night.

Goochland will close out its regular season with a matchup against the Louisa County Lions on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs last faced off versus the Lions on Oct. 4, where they won the meeting in four sets.

Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Collegiate

continued from >9

in terms of putting his talents on tape for scouts to see.

“It was a rough time,” the senior said of surrendering his first varsity season to COVID19. “Especially seeing the majority of the Prep League still playing and finding a way to do it. It was hard to grasp it all. I didn’t know what to say or how to feel about it. That was an important year to get my name out there so those offers would start coming in.”

Williams didn’t succumb to boredom, though. He shined in track and field, winning the VISAA long jump state title.

He later went on an official visit to Baylor as the Bears track team recruited him to jump in the Big 12.

When the track cleats

weren’t laced up, the football cleats were. He worked with his former quarterback on his route-running and precision with one main goal in mind.

“We gotta do something next year,” Williams remembered saying to himself.

“Because if I don’t have that offer come in by my senior year it might not happen.”

His arduous work paid off as he had 604 yards receiving while registering 46 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble on defense.

His efforts helped him to a 2021 first-team all-state selection as a wide receiver and a second-team all-state selection as a defensive back.

“In terms of what people could see on Krystian was really limited,” said Collegiate head coach Mark Palyo, citing Williams’ one-season résumé.

“Yet he still already had sev-

eral great opportunities.”

Palyo always thought Williams would play receiver at the next level, whereas the Hokies’ staff sees Williams as a defensive back. Palyo said he told coaches Williams would be an asset regardless of what position he plays.

“They ask me, ‘Is he better at offense or defense?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes,’” Palyo said.

With 4.42 speed in the 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical leap and a 73-inch frame, Williams can line up at any number of positions in the defensive backfield. Palyo plays him at free safety, strong safety, at cornerback and in the slot.

Williams is the ultimate chess piece and will line up wherever Palyo deems the strength of the opposing offense to be.

Williams currently is in the

midst of another great season as a senior. Entering Friday’s game at Fork Union, Williams had 437 yards receiving with five touchdown catches, one TD rushing and another TD on a blocked field goal return to go along with two interceptions and a forced fumble on defense.

Williams prides himself on his ability to catch the deep ball. His yards per catch of 23.2 in 2021 and 16.8 in 2022 keep safeties and cornerbacks on their heels.

Williams still receives texts from other schools. They know he’s committed to the Hokies, but until pen is put to paper they’re going to stay in touch. Williams is humbled by their pursuit but said Hokies fans have nothing to worry about.

“I’m locked in,” he said. “We’re good to go.”

Cadets

continued from >9

for a 27-yard run that put the Cadets into the red zone.

In the fourth quarter, wide receiver Riley Roarty got in on the action for the Cadets and the vertical threat scored his third touchdown in two games with a 17-yard score that gave the home team a commanding 24-6 advantage with 9:33 to go in the game. It was a strong response from Buleza after his interception early in the half, as he quickly got back in rhythm and found Roarty, one of his most trusted downfield threats, for another Benedictine score.

To cap off the scoring for the Cadets was a picksix from cornerback Khalil Moore, who added another highlight to an impressive junior campaign by snagging

the pass and cutting inside to beat multiple defenders for a touchdown that punctuated another victory for the Cadets.

With the backups in to seal the game, including junior Jordan Callahan under center, the Cadets were able to move on with another win as they approach postseason play.

Benedictine has two games left on its regular season schedule, with the next matchup being a home meeting versus St. Michael the Archangel (5-3) on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. After that, the Cadets travel to Dumfries for their regular season finale to take on Saint John Paul the Great Catholic (2-7) on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.

Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Photos by Joel Brown

(From left to right): Nicole Brown, Nina Smith, Layla Ford and Laura Lee Baldwin celebrate their senior night in a game versus Monticello on Oct. 18. Right, Baldwin leaps for a kill.

ORCONTACT804-556-5811.

VirginiaCode§15.2-2507requiresthat ifalocalityintendstoamenditsbudgetbyanamountthat exceedsonepercentofthetotalexpendituresshowninthe currentlyadoptedbudget,thenapublichearingonthebudget amendmentmustfirstbeheld.ThecurrentadoptedFiscal Year2023GoochlandCountybudgetis$124,372,612.The budgetamendmentdescribedbelowtotals$2,169,226,which isgreaterthan1%ofthecurrentFiscalYear2023budget.

•SchoolOperatingFund-$1,578,382fortheuseofFY2022 schoolturnbackfundsintheamountof$363,687and FY2023stategrantsintheamountof$1,214,695

•SchoolCapitalImprovementsFund-$150,000fortheuse ofFY2022schoolturnbackfunds

•SchoolFederalFund-$394,170forFY2023federalgrants

Counties.Thisagreementistocorrectthemisalignmentof10parcelsofland, locatedintheareasofOldFredericksburgRoad,NewlineRoad,BroadStreet Road,HighGrovesubdivision,andThreeChoptRoad.Ninepropertiesare beingmovedfromLouisatoGoochlandandonepropertyisbeingtransferred fromGoochlandtoLouisa.Theindividualpropertyownershavebeenmailed anoticeoftheproposedchange.AcopyoftheBoundaryLineAgreement, whichincludestheparcelnumbersofthepropertiesaffected,isavailableinthe CountyAdministrator’sOffice.

VIEWMEETINGLIVEAT https://va-goochlandcounty.civicplus.com/1154

IFYOUHAVECOMMENTSONANYPUBLICHEARINGITEMS,PLEASESENDCOMMENTSTOBOSCOMMENT@GOOCHLANDVA.USORCONTACT804-556-5811. PLEASECHECKWWW.GOOCHLANDVA.USFORANYUPDATESREGARDINGTHISMEETING.

GOOCHLANDCOUNTY

ADMINISTRATIONBUILDING

1800SANDYHOOKRD., P.O.BOX10 GOOCHLAND,VA 23063

BOARDOFSUPERVISORS

SusanF.Lascolette,District1

NeilSpoonhower,Chair,District2

JohnLumpkins,Vice-Chair,District3

Vacant,District4

KenC.Peterson,District5

11:30AM -TheBoardofSupervisorsisinvitedtoattendtheannualEmployee RecognitionLuncheon,GoochlandSportsComplexGymnasium,Tuesday, November1,11:30AM.

2:00PMCalltoOrder

•INVOCATION

•PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE

1.ClosedMeetingMotion&Certification–tobedetermined InaccordancewiththeprovisionsofVirginiaCode§2.2-3711(A)(1),I movethattheGoochlandCountyBoardofSupervisorsconveneinClosed Meetingforthepurposeofdiscussion,consideration,and/orinterviews ofprospectivecandidatesforappointmenttotheBoardofSupervisors’ vacancyinDistrict4.

CertificationofClosedMeeting.

PursuanttoVirginiaCode§2.2-3712(D),ImovethattheBoard membersherebycertifythat,tothebestofeachmember’sknowledge, (i)onlypublicbusinessmatterslawfullyexemptedfromopenmeeting requirementsundertheFreedomofInformationAct,and(ii)onlythe publicbusinessmattersidentifiedinthemotionconveningtheClosed Meetingwereheard,discussed,orconsideredintheClosedMeeting.

2.ResolutionAppointingInterimBoardMemberforElectionDistrict4

3.Chair’sComments

a.Monday,November28th–CourthouseVillagePublicMeeting–County AdministrationBuilding,BoardMeetingRoom250,1800SandyHook Rd,Goochland-6PM

b.Tuesday,November29th–CentervilleVillagePublicMeeting–Grace ChineseBaptistChurch,850BroadStreetRd.,Manakin-Sabot-6PM

2022LocalGovernmentParalegaloftheYearinVirginia.Christina doesexcellentworkforthecounty,providessupportandassistance thatisreliedonnotonlybytheCountyAttorney’soffice,butbymany ofthecounty’sdepartments,andsheiscertainlydeservingofthis

c.ResolutionamendingtheFiscalYear2023GoochlandCountyBudget byBudgetingandAppropriating$4,055intheCapitalImprovement FundfortheHockettRoadRelocationproject

d.ResolutioninitiatingandreferringtothePlanningCommissionan amendmenttoZoningOrdinanceSec.15-273(Districtstandards)to clarifybuildingheightrequirementsintheIndustrialGeneral(M-2) District

e.ResolutioninitiatingandreferringtothePlanningCommissionan amendmenttoZoningOrdinanceSections15-102and15-112(Uses andstructurespermittedbyright(P)orbyconditionalusepermit (CUP))toallowsmallcontractorstoragebyconditionalusepermitin theAgricultural,General(A-1)andAgricultural,Limited(A-2)Districts; toadduseandrelatedtermstoSection15-500(Definitions);andto amendSection15-283(Commercial/Industrial)toaddusestandards

f.ResolutioninitiatingandreferringtothePlanningCommission anamendmenttoZoningOrdinanceSections15-314(Planof Development)and15-322(SubdivisionImprovements)tochange whensidewalksandstreettreesneedtobeinstalledinresidential developments,todefinetheareatobedepictedonplansof development,toincludestandardsfortheinstallationoftemporary signs,torequiremaintenanceofinstalledimprovements,andto eliminateextensionoftimeforfinalcoatroadpaving;andadding Section15-326(Planofdevelopmentcompliance)toclarifythe requirementthatallimprovementscomplywithanapprovedplanof development;andanamendmenttoSubdivisionOrdinance(County CodeAppendixB),Article7(MajorSubdivisions),Section3(Bond)to eliminatelettersofcreditasacceptablesureties,toshortenthetimefor subdivisionimprovementstobecompleted,toconditiontheapproval ofanextensionoftimetocompletesubdivisionimprovements,andto allowreductionsinsuretiesbasedoncertainconditions

g.RequesttosetforPublicHearingonDecember6,2022anOrdinance amendingCountyCodeChapter13(Taxation),ArticleIII(TaxRelieffor CertainElderlyandDisabledPersons),Sec.13-66tochangethereal estatetaxreliefaffidavitsubmissiontoallowresidentstofilebefore January1;andArticleX(TransientOccupancyTax),Secs.13-266 through269toaligntheCounty’stransientoccupancyprovisionswith statelawupdatesenactedbythe2022VirginiaGeneralAssembly, specificallytostreamlinethereportingandpaymentprocess

h.ResolutionrequestingVirginiaDepartmentofTransportation(VDOT) AcceptRoadsinReadersBranch,Section3Subdivisionintothe SecondarySystemofStateHighwaysforMaintenance

i.HumanResourcesPolicyManualAmendment

12.PublicHearings

a.CU-2022-00012-ApplicationbySteven&LauraMaestrellorequesting aConditionalUsePermitforadetachedaccessoryfamilyhousingunit on15.01acresat6RoadsEndLaneonTaxMapNo.67-10-0-24-0. ThepropertyiszonedResidential,Limited(R-1).TheConditional UsePermitisrequiredbyCountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-152, inaccordancewithSection15-285.A.TheComprehensivePlan designatesthisareaasSingleFamilyResidential,MediumDensity.

4&5-CU-1989-00014B ApplicationbyColumbiaGasTransmission,LLC/TCEnergyrequesting amendmenttoConditionalUsePermitCU-1989-00014Atoexpand the existingnaturalgascompressorstationon29.6acresat1436 HermitageRoadonTaxMapNo.58-1-0-24-0.Thepropertyiszoned Agricultural,Limited(A-2).TheConditionalUsePermitisrequiredby CountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-112.TheComprehensivePlan designatesthisareaasRuralEnhancement.

c.ResolutionamendingtheFiscalYear2023GoochlandCountyBudget bybudgetingandappropriating$2,169,226intheSchoolOperating, CapitalImprovementProjects,Federal,andCafeteriaFundsforuse ofFiscalYear2022schoolturnbackfundsintheamountof$513,687 andvariousstateandfederalgrantsintheamountof$1,655,539;and authorizingfundtransfersexceeding$7,500

d.ApprovalofaBoundaryLineAgreementbetweenGoochlandand LouisaCounties.Thisagreementistocorrectthemisalignmentof 10parcelsofland,locatedintheareasofOldFredericksburgRoad, NewlineRoad,BroadStreetRoad,HighGrovesubdivision,and ThreeChoptRoad.NinepropertiesarebeingmovedfromLouisato GoochlandandonepropertyisbeingtransferredfromGoochlandto Louisa.Theindividualpropertyownershavebeenmailedanoticeof theproposedchange.AcopyoftheBoundaryLineAgreement,which includestheparcelnumbersofthepropertiesaffected,isavailablein theCountyAdministrator’sOffice.

13.Adjournment:TheBoardofSupervisorswilladjournasfollows:

•Tuesday,December6,2022,12:30PMBoardofSupervisorsAuditand FinanceCommitteeMeeting

•Tuesday,December6,2022,2PMRegularBusinessMeetingand6PM PublicHearings.

Serving Goochland

Tips for creating your own haunted house

Contributed report

Everyone deserves a good scare come Halloween. Some people sit down to horror movie marathons, while others page through thrilling books from famed horror writers such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz. However, hands-on scares can be just as effective, which probably accounts for the popularity of haunted hay rides and haunted corn mazes.

Homeowners looking to provide their own share of scares to friends and familyor to create a scream-worthy tableau for the visiting public to enjoy—can consider some of these haunted house ideas.

Narrow the theme

Decide which type of scenes you’ll want to depict and maintain continuity throughout. Graveyards, monstrous realms, insane asylum, or evil fairy tale creatures can serve as inspiration for a theme. Once a theme has been chosen, you can build

props, decorations, lighting, and other effects around it.

Enlist some good live-action help

Gather a bunch of volunteers who can be on hand to staff your haunted house, particularly if you’re opening up your property to the neighborhood for a night or two, or if you’re hosting a party. Each volunteer should be dressed and acting according to the theme. A mix of stationary decorations with creepy people moving about can really set a haunted house apart.

Create a super spooky ambiance

The fear of the unknown can be a powerful force. In many horror scenes, suspense is built by what audiences cannot see. Borrow this idea when creating the mood for your haunted house. Dim lighting by way of red or black outside

see Haunted House > 14

PUBLICHEARINGNOTICE

GoochlandCountyPlanningCommission

Thursday,November3,2022,6:45p.m.(notebelowstarttimes) 1800SandyHookRd.,BoardMeetingRoomSuite250,Goochland,VA23063 MeetingisOpentothePublic

Viewcountymeeting:https://www.goochlandva.us/1154/County-Meetings

IFYOUHAVECOMMENTSONTHESEPUBLICHEARINGITEMS,PLEASESENDCOMMENTSTO PCCOMMENT@GOOCHLANDVA.USORCONTACT804-556-5863.

PLEASECHECKWWW.GOOCHLANDVA.USFORANYUPDATESREGARDINGTHISMEETING.

6:45p.m.–BoardFollowUp

7:00p.m.–PublicHearings

2022District5;2011District5

CU-2012-00002AApplicationbyYWLHoldings,LLCrequestingrenewalofConditionalUsePermitCU-2012-00002tooperatea landscapingsupplybusinesslocatedwithinthefloodfringeportionofthe100-yearfloodplainon14.30acresat12290Patterson AvenueonTaxMapNo.64-1-0-78-A.ThepropertyiszonedBusiness,General(B-1).TheConditionalUsePermitisrequiredby CountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-460,inaccordancewithSections15-464and14-459.TheComprehensivePlandesignates thisareaasCommercial.

CountyWide

ZOA-2022-00001OrdinanceamendingZoningOrdinanceSections15-102and15-272(Usesandstructurespermittedbyright (P)orbyconditionalusepermit(CUP))toallowlimitedmeatprocessingfacilitiesbyconditionalusepermitintheAgricultural, General(A-1)andIndustrial,General(M-2)Districts;toaddusetoSection15-500(Definitions);andtoamendSections 15-283(Commercial/Industrial)and15-331(ParkingandLoadingRequirements)toaddusestandardsandparkingandloading requirements.

2022District1;2011District1

CU-2022-00014ApplicationbyHaysGottwaldrequestingaConditionalUsePermitforlimitedmeatprocessingfacilityona 25.19-acreportionofTaxMapNo.6-1-0-55-0atOldFredericksburgRoad.ThisportionofthepropertyiszonedAgricultural, General(A-1).TheConditionalUsePermitisrequiredbyCountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-102,inaccordancewithSection 15-283.H.TheComprehensivePlandesignatesthisareaasRuralEnhancement.

2022District1;2011District1

RZ-2022-00009ApplicationbyOliver’sTrailLLCrequestingarezoningof89.504acresfromAgricultural,General(A-1)to Residential,Preservation(R-P),withprofferedconditions,atNewLineRoadandCabinRoadonTaxMapNos.13-1-0-28-0and 13-1-0-10-0.TheComprehensivePlandesignatesthisareaasRuralEnhancement.

CountyWide

ZOA-2022-00002OrdinanceamendingZoningOrdinanceSections15-102,15-112,15-132,15-142,15-152,15-162,15-172, 15-182,15-192,15-204,15-214,15-232,15-242,15-252,15-262,and15-272(Usesandstructurespermittedbyright(P)or byconditionalusepermit(CUP))toallowenergystoragefacilitiesbyconditionalusepermitintheAgricultural,General(A-1), Agricultural,Limited(A-2),Industrial,Limited(M-1),andIndustrial,General(M-2)Districts;toallowprincipalsolarenergyfacilities byconditionalusepermitintheAgricultural,General(A-1)District;toallowsupplementarysolarenergyfacilitiesbyconditional usepermitintheIndustrial,Limited(M-1),andIndustrial,General(M-2)Districts;andtoallowaccessorysolarenergyfacilitiesas apermitteduseinallzoningdistrictsexcepttheAgricultural,Intensive(A-3)District;toaddusestoSection15-500(Definitions); andtoamendSection15-289(Renewableenergy)toaddusestandards.

Anyonemayattendtoexpressopinionsontheabove. FulltextoftheaboveinformationisavailableinthePlanningOffice, 1800SandyHookRoad,Suite280 Goochland,VA23063

MondaythroughFriday,8:30a.m.–5:00p.m. Meetingaccommodationsincluding interpretersareprovideduponrequest. Telephone:556-5860(TDD711(VirginiaRelay)) E-mail:countyadmin@goochlandva.us. Website:www.goochlandva.us.

MetroCreative Photo

Serving Goochland County

Haunted House

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bulbs will help increase the shadows and camouflage any decorations that may not be completely realistic in the light of day.

In addition to lighting, create a playlist of creepy sounds. Consider how effective those grandfather clock bell tolls were at evoking fear in season four of “Stranger Things.” Pick your spooky sounds, whether it’s animals or something more supernatural.

Gather old dolls

Dolls can be creepy characters, and older dolls may appear even more spooky. Set up an old baby bassinet with a bunch of worn dolls found at various antique stores. Work them into your theme or let them be scary all on their own.

Once your haunted house is complete, set up a clearly marked path so visitors know where to walk. Create different scenes along the path to have a scare around every corner. The haunted house will receive rave reviews in no time.

—MetroCreative

Thursday, Nov. 17

Events

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raffles, tabletop gaming, a fully stocked vendor room, food trucks and an anime café to sit and enjoy your snacks, treats and meals! The cost is $15 and all ages are welcome. For more information, contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

Family Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 10:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 19

Monday, Nov. 14

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more!

Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Tuesday, Nov. 15

The Goochland Branch Library will host Chess Club from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. for those ages 12-18. Join the library for a night of chess with your friends, all skill levels welcome! Registration is required.

Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Tween Bingo will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 2 - 3 p.m. for those ages 8-14. Calling all “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Dork Diaries” fans to the Goochland Branch Library for Tween Bingo! Join us as we celebrate these two amazing book series and have some fun in the process. 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.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

Mystery Book Club will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 11 a.m. for those ages 18 & up. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

PUZZLES AND GAMES

Gemini,

An exciting few days lie ahead, Cancer. You may be tempted to spend much more than you usually would. Have fun, but keep track of your finances.

Leo, even if you have plans to hang out with friends, something at home could crop up that will need your immediate attention. Be flexible and at the ready.

Libra, even if your best plans do not work out, that doesn’t mean you have to scrap everything and sulk. Make the most of what worked and build on that.

Scorpio, you may find yourself in a situation that tests your levelheadedness in a big way this week. It could throw off your equilibrium when your plans go awry.

A problem that arises may initially seem insurmountable, Capricorn. But you’re more than capable of overcoming this obstacle. Look to Pisces for help.

Are you ready to take action and get to work, Aquarius? An unexpected home project has fallen into your lap, and it will take some effort to get it all done.

week

Virgo, find balance where you feel out of sync. Maybe you have been having relationship woes or seem out of touch with family. Make an effort to respond to these feelings.

Sagittarius, focus on communication in the days to come. The ability to communicate effectively will be a true asset as you work more with others.

You could wind up learning something simply by letting the wind take you where it will, Pisces. Firm plans are unnecessary this week.