fracking rules
soldier honored
off to a fast start
planning commission looks at three options to deal with potential drilling. Page 4
fredericksburg armory is named after area man killed in iraq war in 2004. Page 10
The King George boys’ and girls’ track and field teams win polar bear meet titles. Page 5
T he
Volume 38, Number 51
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King George
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 50 Cents
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School board: Higher pay for teachers now KG needs to be more competitive with other divisions, officials say Phyllis Cook The King George School Board discussed a new three-year proposal for adjustments to the teacher salary scale from Superintendent Rob Benson to make salaries more competitive with surrounding
counties. But school board members said at the Dec. 15 meeting they wanted higher pay sooner for teachers. Mike Rose said salaries would be a “big focus” for them in the coming year. “From what I’ve read, other
divisions are also making salary a priority,” Rose said. John Davis agreed. “I’d like a twoyear plan better. A three-year will just put us further behind,” Davis said. TC Collins said salaries for support personnel also need to be addressed, with Ken Novell agreeing. “But we do have a commitment from the board of supervisors to adjust the teacher scales,” Rose said. When the commitment was made last September, Rose recounted what
was said in a meeting with Benson and Travis Quesenberry, county administrator. “Mr. (Joe) Grzeika (board of supervisors chaiman) said he would be willing to support furthering teacher pay raises if we put a plan in place,” Rose said, adding it could be a five-year plan modeled on the one they reviewed from Orange County. Now Rose and others say they want a two-year plan to make teacher salaries competitive.
Benson’s proposal included 1.25 percent cost-of-living raises each year. It also included a “competitive increase” of 2.2 percent for next year, 2.1 percent for 2016-17 and 2 percent for 2017-18, along with state required 1 percent increases in each of the next two years for Virginia Retirement System payments. In addition to those increases, the proposal was predicated on step increases every year, with each teacher moving up the scale to a
higher salary, just like prior to the 2008 recession. Benson’s proposal would boost the starting salary for first-year teachers from $37,087 to $38,274 for 2015-16 and $39,939 in 2016-17. First-year teachers would make $41,237 in 2017-18. Here’s how pay would increase for first-year teachers now working in King George this school year. Under See Salaries, page 4
A Holly Jolly time was had by all Locals rally for Toys for Tots
Annual market offers goods, food and holiday cheer
Richard Leggitt
Phyllis Cook The annual Holly Jolly Market brought friends and neighbors out to shop locally for unique Christmas gifts, farm produce and baked goods, while throwing in some holiday camaraderie for free. In its fourth year, market booths and tables were set up both inside and outside King George Elementary school Dec. 13. Sylvia Hudson said there was a big rush of people arriving around midmorning and Stephanie Andreucci, King George Farmers’ Market manager, said attendance was pretty steady throughout the day, estimating between 300-400 people. The holiday ‘shop local’ market, sponsored by The Journal, was organized by Lori Deem. “Old friends were happy to meet up,” Deem said. “Everybody’s in a good mood.” King George residents Paula and Tony Scaramozzi were some of those buying. Carrying several purchases, the couple had used up the cash she brought along, and Paula had to ask Tony for his. Finally tapped out, Tony was sent to fetch his credit card for Paula’s purchase of a green felt hat by Sylvia Webb. Farmers from the King George Farmers Market, crafters and artisans, and food vendors were on hand with a variety of goods. Representatives from local organizations also set up tables.
The annual Holly Jolly Market at the King George Elementary School offered a plethora of holiday-shopping items for folks to peruse, above. King George’s Tony Scaramozzi and his wife, Paula, left, were two such shoppers. Phyllis Cook
Since 1995, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserves have delighted children across the country by providing toys and games at Christmas through their Toys for Tots program, along with the help of local volunteers. In King George County, Victoria Garrant, whose husband is a Marine, Karen Jones, a Realtor with Keller Williams in Fredericksburg, and Nick Garcia of Garcia Enterprises, of King George, are the Toys for Tots organizers. “Victoria has been doing this for 25 years,” Jones said. “Nick and I wanted to help. Nick Garcia has been a long-time supporter of the charity. This year, we opened an office with Garcia Enterprises to help Victoria help our area in a bigger way.” “Our goals were to make sure all our neighbors’ children felt loved and experienced the joy of Christmas and to honor our servicemen by supporting one of their favorite charities,” Jones said. The trio rallied local businesses, groups and families and about 25 businesses or organizations offered to be local donation centers. The result was a very successful effort for 2014 that collected more than 400 toys that will be distributed locally this week. “Next year we want to have 100 collection boxes,” Jones said.
“Our goals were to make sure all our neighbors’ children felt loved and experienced the joy of Christmas and to honor our servicemen by supporting one of their favorite charities.”
Karen Jones, one of the Toys for Tots organizers
“Many in the community came together to help our neighbors in need,” Jones said. “We coordinated all of the donations at our office. Payne Trucking donated a tractor trailer and beautiful banners were donated by digimpressions. We wish to thank everyone who participated donating time and gifts, valuable store space and helping get the word out.” The goal of Toys for Tots is to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas and to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children. “Our community is a special one,” Jones said. “And people can still help: Toys can be dropped off at Garcia Enterprises at 11540 Ridge Road or may be picked up by calling 540645-7331.”
Man guilty in restaurant melee shooting George Circuit Court in connection connection with the incident. Because with the shooting, which occurred of a conviction Major-Purdie is facing A Fredericksburg man was after a private party at the restaurant in Stafford County, he is not expected convicted on a felony charge of turned into a brawl involving more to be released from prison until 2019. “As a result of the extremely unlawful wounding for his part in than 100 people. Major-Purdie was sentenced by time-consuming and exhaustive a violent melee that took place in the parking lot of the China Garden King George Circuit Court Judge investigation by the King George Herbert Hewitt to five years, but four Sheriff ’s Office, we secured a violent restaurant in Dahlgren. Don’t stretch Budget! yearsyour of theHoliday sentence were suspended felony conviction on the defendant,” The March 9, 2013 incident left two thecount condition 20 years of goodjust Gusmann said. need “I commend Sheriff men seriously wounded, one who was Make youron list, it of twice. Borrow what you behavior by the defendant. Dempsey and office for the shot in the chest and onefor in the leg. the holidays! Don’t max out those high rate credithiscards! After Major-Purdie’s guilty plea, thorough investigation that led to this Both victims, ages 18 and 24 at the George Commonwealth’s result. It took a long time to bring this time, were from King George County. King Andre Major Purdie, 22, entered a Attorney Keri Gusmann agreed to to trial, but I am pleased that justice guilty plea to the charge Dec. 11 in King drop two other charges against him in has been served.” Richard Leggitt
Although Major-Purdie was one of those on the scene when officers arrived at the restaurant, it took a $1,000 reward from the sheriff ’s office and several months of intense investigation before Major-Purdie was charged. Despite the large number of witnesses on the scene, those who actually saw the incident were less than cooperative with officers, authorities said. Officers finally determined the fight in the parking lot led to MajorPurdie firing the shots that injured the two men.
Richard Leggitt
Santa, Tony Crouse, and Karen Jones helped with the distribution of more than 400 toys to area children through the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.
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