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T he Volume 39, Number 16
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Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 50 Cents
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Colonial Beach council seeks school demolition estimates Linda Farneth
File/Linda Farneth
Colonial Beach Middle School burned in January 2014. The Colonial Beach Town Council is seeking estimates for demolishing the remains of the school.
The Colonial Beach Town Council has voted unanimously to obtain estimates for the demolition of the burned out old high school/middle school building at 315 Douglas Ave. “No one has shown any interest in buying it to rebuild the building and the town definitely does not have the funds to restore it,” Mayor Mike Ham said, during hte April 9 meeting. Vice Mayor Eddy Blunt defended the council for discussing the demolition of the building. “I think we are at a breaking point,” he said. “I hope feelings don’t get hurt, but we are going into the second year, second summer.” Blunt was referring to the building sitting in a state of disrepair from a fire in January 2014. “It’s not helping anybody, either businesses or homeowners,” he said. “Something has got to be done. It’s a safety hazard from an EPA standpoint. I just pray no child gets in there this summer before it’s taken down, and gets injured.” Councilman Wayne DiRosario acknowledged the deep connection many
residents have to the building, but also defended the council for considering demolition. “It’s a very emotional situation, a lot of people in town of Colonial Beach went to school there, including myself,” he said. “We’ve heard many comments about that, but nobody has stepped forward to do anything with the school. It’s a sad situation but something has to be done about it.” The building is attached to the old gymnasium, referred to by many as the “Cracker Box.” Both Councilwoman Wanda Goforth and DiRosario asked if the building could be removed while leaving the gym intact. The council instructed the town manager to ask for estimates for both options. The estimates also will include an attempt to save up to 75 percent of the bricks to be given back to the school for fundraising toward a permanent elementary school. The two-story brick building was built in 1912 and served as the main school in Colonial Beach for years. As the student population grew, the school system began adding buildings to the Douglas Street campus. In 1988, the a high school was built at 100 First St. The two-story building then became
the middle school, until September 2011, when several storms and a rare 5.8 magnitude earthquake caused the need for an inspection to the water-damaged school. That inspection revealed a design flaw that dated back to its construction. The roof beams had not been fastened properly and the beams had buckled. Building Inspector Dexter Monroe deemed the structure unsafe for occupancy. On Jan. 5, 2014 a fire rendered the area around it a collapse zone, forcing students to relocate to the Oak Grove Baptist Church for the remainder of the 2013-14 school year. At the start of the 2014-15 school year, the school system accommodated all students at the First Street campus while modular units where set up for the elementary students in one of the campus’ practice fields. The elementary students moved into their new structure in October. The old building has sat untouched since the fire to allow fire officials to investigate the cause, which has been deemed arson. Last month, the school board voted to turn over the property to the town, leaving a final decision in the hands of hte county.
Westmoreland State Park becoming a go-to destination Richard Leggitt Majestic Westmoreland State Park, located on the Potomac River between George Washington’s birthplace and Stratford Hall, birthplace of Robert E. Lee, has steadily grown to become one of the leading state parks in Virginia. “It is a combination of a lot of different things,” said Steve Davis, assistant park manager. “If you want a mountain fix, we have hills, valleys and cliffs. If you want a beach fix we have two miles of shoreline on the Potomac River. Throw in the Civilian Conservation Corps cabins, or hunting for fossils or all the history that is right next door, and we have something for just about anybody.” Visitors to the park seem to agree. Westmoreland State Park saw more than 200,000 guests last year, which makes it one of the most popular parks in the commonwealth of Virginia. Westmoreland officials expect to have an even better year in 2015. The park also generated $8 million in economic activity for nearby Westmoreland and King George counties. “Our season is already underway,” Davis said. “But the main season is May to Labor Day. We are expecting a lot of visitors this year.” The park is nestled in riverside woods that offer six miles of trails and excellent viewing of bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, great blue herons and other waterfowl. Horse Head Cliffs overlooking the miles wide Potomac River offer stunning views.
The beach area has a picnic area with grills, a boat ramp, a fishing pier and an Olympic sized swimming pool. There are also expansive campgrounds on the plateau above the river. Fossil collectors can frequently be found looking for ancient sharks teeth along the beach. Kayak trips along the Potomac are also very popular. Westmoreland State Park was one of six original parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The public works project created jobs for Virginians at a time of hardship in the state and the nation. Several log cabins from that time are still available for rent. Overall, the park has 25 cabins of various sizes, some rustic, and some modern. The cabins have grills, fireplaces and air conditioning. Also available for rent is the fivebedroom, five-bath Potomac River Retreat, which is a favorite family reunion destination. There is plenty for visitors to do and see outside the park’s boundaries as well. Stratford Hall, the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, and the home of two signers of the Declaration of Independence is just five minutes away. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is also close by, as are wineries, marinas, beaches and other popular Northern Neck travel locations. Those wanting to make campground or cabin reservations can do so online at www.dcr.virginia.gov or by calling (800) 933-Park. Westmoreland State Park is located at 1650 State Park Road near Montross. The park’s phone number is (804) 493-8821.
Colonial Beach Chamber honors area businesses The Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrated area business leaders at its 2015 Membership Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held April 8 at the Riverboat Restaurant. Chamber President Carey Geddes presented awards to several local businesses. Rankins True Value Hardware won the 2014 Business of the Year Award. Lloyd and Beverly Rankins were honored, among other achievements, for their purchase and remodeling of the old shopping center on Colonial Avenue. Bonnie Wyne won the 2014 Business Person of the Year Award. She was honored for taking over and remaking the Tattle Tale coffee shop by updating the interior, as well as expanding the patio to accommodate bigger parties and researching ways to incorporate the former gallery space behind the restaurant. Officer Antonio Loureiro won the Police Officer of the Year Award, which was presented by Acting
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Colonial Beach Police Chief Bruce Hough. Friends of the Chamber Certificates went to the following individuals: Rhonda Pitts, Joan Edwards, Caroline Piram, Mollie Rader, Rachel Pemberton, Betty Whitestone, Joyce Gunderson, Carey Bolin, Joanne Verdin Steve Deatley, Frank Deatley, Donald “ Frog” McKenney, Tom Brown, Robin Kuss, Charles Armstrong Steve and Kendra McDougal, John and Sharon DePasquale, Bryan and Vickie Coffman, Kathy Scott, and Becky Faulkerson, Jan Swink, Jean Conaty, Dot Almassy, Larry Roberson and Tommy Edwards. The Chamber also presented a special plaque to former Director Joyce Thor in appreciation for her work on behalf of the Chamber.