Virginia Viewpoints
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Is the death penalty more trouble than it’s worth? Page 2
Local mentors inspire colonial beach school superintendent Page 8
T he
high winds, rookie mistakes make for tough turkey hunt. Page 6 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Volume 39, Number 15
Downtown property owners invited to facade improvement meeting
OUTDOORS
Egg hunt brings Easter fun to the Beach
Westmoreland County School Board searching for new superintendent Richard Leggitt
Linda Farneth The Colonial Beach Revitalization Management Team has identified roughly 25 properties that are eligible for facade improvement money from the Community Development Block Grant Revitalization grant. The revitalization team is reaching out to all the business property owners in the downtown revitalization area, which stretches from the Riverfront Boardwalk to both sides of Washington Avenue and from Hawthorne Street to Colonial Avenue. A kickoff meeting will take place at 7 p.m. April 28 at the Town Center located at 22 Washington See FACADE, page 8
Poaching arrest in Wmd County Richard Leggitt A Westmoreland County man has been arrested and charged with drug, firearms and poaching violations in connection with a February raid at a residence in the Tidwells area. Michael Ray Grimstead, 39, of Montross has been charged and authorities said other charges and other arrests may be forthcoming. Conservation police officers said they recovered more than 350 wild turkey parts, 23 sets of deer antlers, two trophy deer mounts and numerous other parts of hawks, owls and bald eagles as a result of the Feb. 13 raid. “This investigation was triggered by several citizen complaints of suspected poaching activities,” said Col. Paul Henry, Virginia Conservation Police Chief. Henry said the investigation continues and likely will take several months to complete. In the meantime Grimstead has been charged distribution and possession of cocaine and obtaining firearms under false pretenses, as well as numerous violations of state and federal wildlife laws. “Wildlife crimes often go undetected,” Henry said. “We rely heavily on information from concerned citizens to point us in the right direction. In this particular instance, the information proved correct and helped us uncover poaching activity that has been occurring for decades.”
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 50 Cents
helping you relate to your community
Linda Farneth
Children of all ages had fun at the April 4 Easter Egg Hun held at Colonial Beach. The mild, sunny weather made it a perfect day to enjoy the outdoors and search for some springtime goodies!
The Westmoreland County School Board recently held a public hearing to collect residents’ comments on the search for a new school system superintendent. While many of the attendees spoke in favor of hiring a county resident, the school board said it is searching inside and outside the county. “We are a small, rural county,” School Board member Daniel Wallace said during the hearing at Washington and Lee High School. “So we want someone who understands that. We will definitely look within the county as well as outside.” School Board Chairwoman Iris Lane stated that the board is seeking a candidate who understands the needs of the county’s students. “We are looking for the best fit for the county, whether that is done externally or internally,” she said. “We want someone who has done their homework, someone who has an open door policy, someone who is able to communicate and is compassionate.” Many of the two dozen or so citizens who attended at the hearing suggested a replacement for current Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Lowry can be found close to home. Dr. Lowry resigned effective June 30 after the board voted not to renew her contract. “I believe we need a person who is well qualified, who cares about to the children,” Lois Johnson of Montross said. “And, there should be a lot of consideration given to hiring someone within the system” “I want to encourage you to think about hiring a person within the division,” said Carol Alexander, a school system employee who lives in Coles Point. “A person from within the county knows the people. If you hire someone from outside, it is going to take time for them to get to know the division and the problems.” “Hiring a superintendent is a big responsibility,” said Lewis Thompson of Montross. “You need to look at what you have within, before you look without. There are qualified people within the system.” However, not every speaker at the hearing agreed with the sentiment to hire someone local. “Sometimes it is good to have a person from within, sometimes it doesn’t work out so well,” said Edna Crabbe of Montross, a teacher for 39 years. “If you have a person who is totally independent, they will get to know the people and they can make decisions without worrying about offending their friends.” “I would just like to see you hire someone who has the passion, the commitment and the drive to turn the Westmoreland school system around,” said Cheryl Henry of Montross. Lowry, who resigned in January, has been the Westmoreland County superintendent since July 2011. She had been at odds with the school board over the management of the school system’s finances and the board voted 3-2 not to renew her contract. Lane said the board held the public hearing to get input on hiring a new superintendent and to help citizens understand the importance of the search for a new person to lead the school system. Three previously scheduled hearings were postponed because of inclement weather. “Hiring a new superintendent is the biggest task a school board will face and we want to make sure that the public has a voice in this process,” Lane said, encouraging parents, students, staff and residents to participate in the process The school board is consulting with Gina Patterson of the Virginia School Boards Association in connection with its search and also has widely distributed a questionnaire to parents, teachers and the taxpayers seeking input on the desirable qualities in a new superintendent.
Colonial Beach fire chief saves MD family from house fire Linda Farneth Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Chief David Robey was on his way to Hughsville, MD when he spotted the house fire. The burning home was on Route 6 in Charles County, MD. Acting on instinct, he pulled over and called 911 to report the blaze. He then approached the burning house and banged on the door in an effort to find out if anyone was inside. Three individuals apparently were asleep inside and were awoken by Robey. One individual came to the front door but two others had to climb out of a bedroom window. After insuring all three occupants were out safely, Robey remained on the scene to assist arriving fire
“On behalf of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, I would like to thank... Dave Robey for his actions today in La Plata.” — La Plata VFD Chief Matt Gilroy
apparatus with their layouts. A post on the website of the La Plata, MD Volunteer Fire Department indicates that two occupants of the home were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A separate post on the website includes a message from La Plata VFD Chief Matt Gilroy. “On behalf of the La Plata
Volunteer Fire Department, I would like to thank... Dave Robey for his actions today in La Plata. He alerted occupants of the house that was on fire and removed one from her bedroom window. JOB WELL DONE.” At the time of the fire, Robey was heading to All American Harley-Davidson to purchase a
motorcycle for a raffle to raise money for replacement of the roof at the CBVDF. Steve Keene, general manager of All American HarleyDavidson was amazed when he learned of this turn of events. “When Chief Robey arrived to do the paperwork, he apologized for being late and described to me what had just happened,” Keene wrote in an email. “He, like many of our heroes, acted like he was just doing his job. Folks, this blew me and the staff of All American HarleyDavidson away!” Robey’s wife, Joyce, posted on her Facebook page, “SUPER PROUD Fire Wife right now!!!” The news quickly spread over social media. Robey was unavailable for comment.
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Chief David Robey