strong down stretch
more tourism sought
new laws coming?
the washington & Lee boys’ hoops team takes care of Essex as it prepares for post-season play. Page 5
area officals are hoping to attract more tourists to king george county.
state legislature mulling several bills that would impact outdoorsmen. Page 7
T he Volume 39, Number 7
Page 4
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
helping you relate to your community
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 50 Cents
Lowry addresses school payroll problems Richard Leggitt
Speaking to the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, Rebecca Lowry, the county’s superintendent of schools, expressed regret for the financial issues that have dogged the school system the past several months. Lowry told the board Feb. 9 the school system is now current with payments to the Internal Revenue System and the Virginia State Retirement System but still has work to do to correct the financial problems that allowed it to fall months behind
on payments of money withheld from employee pay checks but not sent to the two agencies. The school system has been struggling to make the required payments to the agencies since last summer. Two weeks ago, county finance officials reported about $711,000 still was owed for 2014. The disclosure brought wide-ranging criticism of the Westmoreland County School Board and Lowry. “I want to address some of the payroll problems we’ve been experiencing,” Lowry told the supervisors. “Back about September,
we began experiencing some slowdowns. All of the reports are now in and there is some reconciliation being done.” Lowry’s comments and presentation came as the school board sought a $113,127 increase for its 2014-2015 budget, the money to come from carryover funds previously approved by the supervisors. “It’s good the funds you are seeking are carryover funds because until your bookkeeping problems have been ironed out, I wouldn’t add a dime of new taxpayer money,” said Woodrow Hynson, the board’s vice-
chairman, The school systems’ finances and the late payment issue have caused uncertainty and anger among teachers, administrators and county officials. That is one of the reasons the school board recently voted, 3-2, not to extend the contract of Lowry, who submitted a letter of resignation Jan. 12, saying she would leave her post June 30. School Board Chairwoman Iris Lane spoke briefly to the supervisors but did not address the payroll problems. Instead, Lane focused on the search for a new superintendent,
love is all around
Richard Leggitt
Richard Leggitt and Phyllis cook
A March 4 preliminary hearing has been scheduled in Westmoreland Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for Sierra S. Dillon, a former Westmoreland County sheriff ’s deputy charged with second-degree murder. Dillon, 44, was arrested Jan. 27 in connection with the shooting death of Sharon Dickerson Smith, 58, of Colonial Beach. The case against Dillon will begin in domestic relations court because Smith was shot after a domestic argument with Dillon at the house they shared at 100 Hamilton St, according to Westmoreland Commonwealth’s Attorney Julia Sichol. Colonial Beach police said they responded to a 911 call at the home the two women shared and found Smith dead on the floor of the living room. She had been shot in the chest at close range, according to authorities. Colonial Beach Police Chief Bruce
Love. Exciting and new. Or inspiring and familiar. Either way, Valentine’s Day is a day for people in love to express that emotion to those most dear in their lives. Whether that couple are newlyweds or closing in on their golden anniversary, their stories can serve as inspirations to the rest of us. Our region is home to several such Valentine’s-themed stories; here are a few. lifetime of love
See LOVE, page 10
school board is placing too much of the responsibility for the financial mess on Lowry. “She has tried to do the right thing,” said a county financial officer who asked not to be identified. “The person doing the payroll for the schools is not competent for that task. Rebecca has tried to replace her, but the school board said no.” However, that situation may also be close to being solved. “We are interviewing and look for an additional person to help us with this problem,” Lowry told the supervisors.
Beach homicide case moved into domestic court
Local couples have found the secret to success
Young couples looking for the secret to a long and loving marriage this Valentine’s Day could take a few tips from Tony and Peggy Loconti, of Colonial Beach, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year. “The secret is our faith and perseverance,” Peggy said. “And, tolerance and understanding each other,” Tony added. The Loconti’s have made that formula work and built a successful life together since they met as high school seniors in Utica, N.Y. “Tony’s friend was dating my sister, that’s how we met,” Peggy said. “And, now we are brother-in-law and sister-in-law and both couples are still together,” Tony said. The Loconti’s married five months after graduating from high school. Tony attended community college and took a job as a patrolman with the Utica Police Department. The couple lived for seven years in Utica and both their son and daughter were born there. Tony then accepted a job in Northern Virginia, where he worked for the Fairfax County Police Department for 21 years before retiring as a lieutenant. “I did just about everything,” Tony said. Peggy raised the family while working as a secretary for the same firm for 26 years.
announcing a public hearing at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Washington and Lee High School to discuss the matter. Lane urged board members, parents, students and interested citizens to attend the hearing and to complete a questionnaire seeking input on “the characteristics you want to see in our next superintendent.” “Hiring a new superintendent is the biggest task facing us and we want to make sure the public has a voice in this process,” Lane said. “We hope you will take the time to fill out the survey or attend the hearing.” Some county officials believe the
Hough has declined repeated inquires to provide additional information about the shooting. Dillon, who is being held in the Northern Neck Regional Jail without bond, initially was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless handling of a firearm. Charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony were added two days later after further investigation by Virginia State Police and Westmoreland County sheriff ’s officers. Dillon served six years as a Westmoreland deputy sheriff. Dillon and Smith worked together for a time as volunteers for the Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. Funeral services for Smith were held last week. At the time of her death, she was married to Richard Smith. of Colonial Beach. The couple had a son and daughter and Smith was a member of the Monroe Bay Assembly of God Church.
CB planning board seeks capital plan data Linda Farneth
Submitted photo
Standing in the snow in Utica, N.Y., where they met and married 50 years ago, Peggy and Tony LaConti, of Colonial Beach, believe faith and perseverance are the secrets to a successful romance and marriage.
The Colonial Beach Planning Commission chastised members of the town staff during its Feb. 5 meeting for not supplying documents to support work on the capital improvement plan. The commission said it is its responsibility to review all items listed on the plan and they are trying to save time for the town council. The commission is asking town staff to provide detailed reports for items listed in the plan. However, Commissioners Steve Cirbee and Maureen McCabe said they have received resistance from staff and Town Manager Val Foulds would not meet with them to provide the needed background information. After the meeting, Foulds provided e-mails showing the town has been
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responding to requests. In her email she “reminded” the planning commission she works at the discretion of the council and her staff works for her. “I sincerely appreciate and value your time and your work and hope that we can work together with mutual respect for the benefit of the town’s citizens,” she wrote. “Commissioner Cirbee needs to use some tact when asking for data,” said Mayor Mike Ham. Cirbee said the town’s staff should be providing a clear statement justifying the need for each item, its cost, its See PLANNING, page 4