defense steps up
turkey hunting
tough going
Washington & lee shuts out northumberland and goes to 7-0 on the season. Page 5
If you know where — and how — to look, this fall season will be a success. Page 7
Potomac river watermen face uphill crab battle. Page 10
T he Volume 38, Number 43
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014 50 Cents
Oldhams man gets 20 years for shooting Richard Leggitt A Westmoreland County man entered a plea of no contest Oct. 17 to seven felony counts in Westmoreland County Circuit Court. Jamal Tavon Brown, of Oldhams, received 70 years in prison, but with suspended sentences will serve four, five-year sentences consecutively, or
20 years. Brown was arrested May 26, 2013 when sheriff ’s officers answering a complaint about a loud party at his mother’s home in Oldhams arrived just as gunfire erupted. “As deputies drove toward the residence, they saw what appeared to be muzzle flashes and shots being fired into a vehicle near the residence,”
said Westmoreland Commonwealth’s Attorney Julia Sichol. “When they arrived on the scene, the shooter had fled, but they found Walter Gaines and an 11-year-old boy suffering life-threatening injuries. No one at the scene would give law enforcement any information regarding the shooter.” Sichol said investigators were able
to develop information that led to the arrest of Brown as the shooter. Brown was charged with malicious wounding of the 11-year-old, malicious wounding of Gaines, two counts of use of a firearm in a felony, possession of a firearm by a violent felon, shooting into an occupied vehicle and the attempted murder of Antonio Roane, who was in the
vehicle that was shot up but not injured. “Investigator Fred Mitchell and the other deputies from the sheriff ’s office that worked on the case did a great job of gathering the evidence, identifying the shooter and apprehending him,” Sichol said. “One of the most frustrating aspects of this case was the lack of
cooperation from the people present when it happened,” she added. “A child was shot, at least 40 to 50 adults were at the residence, and not a single person there admitted to seeing the shooter. The first person to identify the defendant was the child, and it’s disheartening to know that he had more courage than any of the adults present.”
Grant to help Beach develop
County nixes proposed migrant camp
Linda Farneth
Richard Leggitt
Patricia Ochoa holds her nephew, Giancarlo, as she stands in the yard of her family’s home. In the background, just 45 feet away, is the abandoned nursing home Parker Farms wanted to turn into a migrant labor camp.
Supervisors cite proximity to nearby home as reason Richard Leggitt
The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors has voted to deny permission for giant farming operator Parker Farms to build a migrant labor camp at the Flat Iron Road site of an abandoned nursing home. The board’s unanimous 5-0 vote Oct. 15 overturned an earlier unanimous vote by the county planning commission. Supervisors said their opposition was based on concerns about the fact the home of the Jesus Lopez’s family is just 45 feet from the proposed migrant camp site. Patricia Ochoa, Lopez’s daughter,
in an impassioned presentation to the board, said, “We have women and children in our home, and we are worried about our safety. When you talk about bringing young men into our backyard, we are concerned.” The proposal by Parker Farms would have allowed the farming giant to buy the old Washington and Lee Home for the Elderly at 2556 Flat Iron Road and turn it into a migrant worker facility. According to the proposal, workers would be bused to and from the camp daily to various job sites. “It is a vacant building that is just ideal for this usage,” said Rod Parker. “Our workers come in on a valid con-
tract with valid passports, criminal records’ checks and health screenings. We’ve been bringing workers into the county for 30 years because they are needed if we are going have the labor that is necessary for our industries.” Supervisor Woodrow Hynson voiced the opinion of the majority of the board when he said, “The problem is that 45 feet; it’s too close to that house.” Hynson said all of the labor camps in Westmoreland, such as others operated by Parker Farms or Ingleside Vineyards, are on the property of the business using the labor. “This one would not be in the
middle or your farm, or next to your house,” Hynson said. “It’s a safety issue.” Supervisor Larry Roberson agreed: “I wish it wasn’t that close, but it is. That is a drawback.” Parker Farms, owned by brothers Rod and Chris Parker, is headquartered near Oak Grove, with 2,000 acres of produce growing along the Rappahannock River near Leedstown. It supplies almost every major food chain up and down the East Coast with fresh vegetables and is a major employer in the county. Until the board of supervisors meeting, the proposal for the new
migrant worker camp appeared to be on a fast track, having obtained approval from the commission and a favorable recommendation from the county’s land use administration. The proposal called for at least 30 workers to be housed in the old nursing home facility, which was to be remodeled into a dormitory-like facility with a kitchen, but located next to the Lopez farmhouse. “Maybe these will be nice guys,” Ochoa said, “but who knows. Not everybody is the same, and having 30 young men living just 45 feet away from our home does not make us feel safe.”
Hewitt named new circuit court judge for area Move fills vacancy dating to spring Richard Leggitt Local attorney Herbert Moseley Hewitt has been selected by the Virginia General Assembly as the new resident judge for King George County Circuit Court. Hewitt has been in private practice
in the county for many years. “I applaud the legislature for its appointment,” said King George Circuit Court Clerk Vic Mason. “Mr. Hewitt possesses all the traits, knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a judge.” “His many years of experience in domestic relations, juvenile proceedings, criminal law and civil law, coupled with his even temperament,
integrity and sense of fairness makes him a huge asset to the legal system.” Hewitt was named to the 15th Judicial Circuit, which includes 10 jurisdictions from Fredericksburg to the Northern Neck, including King George and Westmoreland counties. His appointment will help relieve a judicial shortage that has had court clerks juggling schedules
and judges since April. In addition to Hewitt, attorney Victoria Willis, of Fredericksburg, was named to a 15th circuit vacancy. Several attempts to reach Hewitt for comment were unsuccessful. “I wish to thank the various retired judges who have agreed to sit in King George on our designated circuit days for the past six months while King George had no regularly scheduled
judge,” Mason said. “Without their dedication and commitment, the legal system would have surely suffered.” Virginia Speaker of the House Bill Howell said Hewitt had unanimous support for his appointment. Howell said Hewitt, who has a bachelor’s of science degree and a law degree from George Mason University and was admitted to the Virginia bar in 1984, will be sworn in Dec. 1.
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Colonial Beach is seeking almost $500,000 from the state to enhance the downtown and add to the revitalization project already in the works. As part of the grant, the town is required to provide a 20 or 25 percent match. However, due to a previous ruling, money from a previous grant can be used for the local match on this new grant. Jerry Davis, executive director for the Northern Neck Planning Commission, assisted the town with securing the first grant and told the town council Oct. 9 the pedestrian plaza is the second phase of the overall plan to revitalize the downtown Boardwalk area. “Normally, you’re not allowed to use federal money as a local match, but the plus side to this project is that it will use all state and federal money,” Davis told the council. The project will turn the end of Colonial Avenue into a pedestrian plaza. The design, inspired by the site’s history as a steamboat landing, will feature several amenities and a gateway to the Boardwalk. Aside from rehabilitating a large portion of the north end of the Boardwalk, the project will have bike racks, a foot wash and shower, seating areas, ornamental and shade trees, art sculptures, picnic tables and a splash park. “I think it’s fantastic that you got the splash park in the design,” said Councilman Jim Chiarello. Historical markers will guide visitors to other areas of the Boardwalk slated for revitalization. “The pedestrian plaza will serve as the anchor to the Boardwalk with the Town Pier being the anchor on the other end,” Davis said. The application for the state grant will be submitted by Nov. 1, Davis said. “We have had conversations with VDOT. I can tell you that they like what they see.”
Money for the Beach n Safe Routes to School grant for $464,000 awarded in April 2012. n Housing needs assessment grant for $25,000 awarded in June 2014. n Virginia Housing Development Authority for $5,000 awarded in June 2014. n Revitalization grant for $747,000 awarded in July 2014.