Virginia Viewpoints Ode to the lawnmower
revitalization
Sports
A look at Colonial Beach Revitalization programs Page 8
Isshin-Ryu tournament set for weekend Page 4
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T he
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Volume 39, Number 17
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 50 Cents
helping you relate to your community
Early morning drug raids net 11 suspects in Westmoreland Richard Leggitt A six-month undercover investigation by the Tri-County Drug Task Force resulted in two recent early morning raids that led to the arrests of 11 people who now face drugrelated charges in Westmoreland and King George counties. Westmoreland Sheriff C.O. Balderson said six men and five women were arrested when “Operation Double Tap” conducted raids in the 200 block of Mattox Avenue in Placid Bay and the 300 block of Riverwood Drive in Colonial Beach before dawn on April 16. The task force – composed of officers from Westmoreland, King George and Caroline counties, along the Virginia State Police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at
Colonial Beach Planning Commission preps for commercial breweries
Dahlgren – seized significant amounts of narcotics and drug paraphernalia during the arrests. Also confiscated were a firearm, cash and a 1999 Honda Accord. Balderson said Westmoreland Emergency Services provided assistance and a Virginia National Guard aviation unit provided surveillance during the takedowns. The investigation in connection with the raids is continuing and there may be additional arrests. “We have zero tolerance for illegal drug use and distribution,” Balderson declared. “We are going to continue to use every resource we can to combat the illegal drug trade.” One of those arrested – Amanda M. Head, 49, of Colonial Beach – has been charged
with distributing crack cocaine, possessing a firearm while possessing crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Balderson said Head is also facing nine drug-related charges in King George. Head and eight of the other defendants appeared in Westmoreland County Circuit Court on April 17. The suspects received court-appointed attorneys and were ordered held in the Northern Neck Regional Jail without bond pending their scheduled arraignments on April 24. Stacy M. Adams, 36, of Colonial Beach who is charged with charged with one count of distributing heroin did not appear in court on April 17, but likely will be arraigned this week. The 11th defendant, Daniel J. O’Meara, 25, of Colonial Beach, charged
with distributing marijuana, is a firsttime offender and was released on his own recognizance. The others charged in connection with the raids were: Charles M. Shanklin, 24, of Placid Bay, charged with one count conspiracy to distribute and one count of distributing heroin and oxycodone Nathan L. Shanklin, 23, of Placid Bay charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and one count of distributing heroin and oxycodone Claire A. Watts, 56, of Colonial Beach, charged with two counts distribution of crack cocaine Damon C. Wells, 46, of Colonial Beach, charged with distribution of methadone
Shirley W. Taman, 55, of Colonial Beach, charged with three counts of distributing oxycodone Tonia M. Garvie, 36, of Placid Bay, charged with two counts of distributing heroin and oxycodone Damon C. Wells III, 46, of Colonial Beach, charged with one count of distributing methadone Claire A. Watts, 58, of Colonial Beach, charged with two counts of distributing crack cocaine William C. Foster, 39, of Colonial Beach, charged with one count of distributing heroin Wayne M. Smith, 32, of Placid Bay, charged with two counts of distributing heroin and oxycodone.
Northern Neck Land Conservancy hires director
Colonial Beach softball action
Linda Farneth
Linda Farneth The Colonial Beach Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 pm on May 7 at the Town Center to get citizen input on allowing breweries to be operated in the town of Colonial Beach. Colonial Beach Planning and Zoning Administer Brendan McHugh began researching zoning laws for breweries after a citizen approached him with an interest in starting a small brewery in the town. McHugh said he found that breweries are gaining popularity in Virginia and such businesses are on the rise. He speculated that it might be due to a recent change in the law, which previously restricted alcohol sales for consumption on premises in Virginia to restaurants. The law required a ratio of food to beer sales in order to sell beer. Any plans to establish breweries in Colonial Beach would require amendments to each of the town’s zoning districts. Tentative amendments identify four types of breweries: • Large Scale – producing more than 10,001 barrels annually, $4,300 a year • Microbreweries – producing from 501–10,000 barrels annually, $2,150 a year • Brew Pubs – producing 1 to 10,000 barrels • Nano-breweries – producing less than 500 barrels annually, $350 a year In the draft amendments, planning staff added breweries to some of the districts according to the density of the district. Large Scale and Microbreweries would allow sales on and off premises to wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Brew Pubs would allow beer to be made on premises in conjunction with a restaurant or bar, at which 40 percent or more of the beer produced is sold on site. A limit of 500 barrels annually will be placed on Brew Pubs. Staff also added breweries to Major Home Occupations. Typical Nano breweries would produce about four barrels. Some Nano-breweries start in garages. Under Major See BREWERIES, page 8
Leonard Banks
Sliding under a Washington & Lee tag, Drifters pitcher Manana Morton scores safely for Colonial Beach. The Drifters bested the Eagles 18-4 on April 16.
Colonial Beach Pier a lure for water lovers Richard Leggitt No matter the season, whatever the weather, the Colonial Beach Municipal Pier remains a top attraction for fishermen, boaters, tourists and area residents. Built on the beachfront at the end of Hawthorne Street more than 60 years ago, the pier is a gathering place for sightseers, boaters, dog walkers and those who want to fish or catch crabs. “I have been coming here for years,” said Larry Binns of Colonial Beach. “My parents brought me here as a kid. You can fish, you can catch crabs or you can just sit and enjoy the day.” When it was built in the 1940s, the municipal pier was just one of several Beach piers that served travelers, boaters and fishermen on the Potomac River waterfront. In addition to the town pier there were also piers at the end of Colonel Avenue near the locations of the old Colonial Hotel and the Reno and Monte Carlo casinos that were operating during the period. “It was an exciting time,” recalled Ellie Carruthers, a longtime Colonial Beach resident and the owner of Doc’s Motor Court at the Beach. “River boats like the
St. John’s would dock and the pier and take people to and from Washington for 50 cents.” The casinos, already suffering because gambling had been banned in 1959, burned in 1963 and the Colonial Beach Hotel closed in 1984. Weather and fires destroyed the other piers in town leaving the town pier standing alone. Through the years, even the municipal pier has been damaged or destroyed several times, including by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. In 1987 the pier caught fire during the 4th of July fireworks demonstration. It then collapsed when the Colonial Beach Fire Department drove a fire truck onto the pier to fight the flames. The pier was rebuilt, and Colonial Beach continues to hold its 4th of July fireworks display on the pier. A charter boat pier has also been built nearby. Many people are pleased that the town has maintained the municipal pier through good times and bad. “It is a relaxing place to bring your family for some quality time,” said Derek Matthews of King George. Mark Settle of Nanjsmoy, MD See PIER, page 8
Richard Leggitt
Mark Settle(left) Christopher Settle(center) and Donnie Settle recently enjoyed an afternoon of fishing at the Colonial Beach Pier.
“I have been coming here for years. My parents brought me here as a kid.” — Larry Binns, Colonial Beach
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The Northern Neck Land Conservancy, a volunteer group that works to protect farmland and open space in the Northern Neck, now has its first full-time executive director. E l i z ab e t h R. Friel of Williamsburg has begun work and is now meeting Elizabeth Friel area residents interested in land preservation. “I’m excited at starting,” she said. “My biggest priority is getting to know the land and the people.” was chosen after a nationwide search that began last winter and attracted several competitive candidates. Friel will leave the position of Land Stewardship Manager for the Williamsburg Land Conservancy. She began as a volunteer with that organization in 2010, served on its board, became an office manager and served as the group’s coordinator. During her tenure, she helped the group gain accreditation. She previously worked as a planning director with the city of Falls Church. Friel said her new job at the NNLC will be a combination of conservation and planning. “I’ve learned so much at the Williamsburg Land Conservancy. I’ve done fund-raising and grant writing, all the sort of things that an executive director does,” she said. “It’s going to be exciting to put all those skills together on the beautiful Northern Neck. “I am fortunate to be able to join this highly professional organization and board with national accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance. I plan to implement the board’s strategic vision, including increasing NNLC’s conservation easements, creating sustainable fund-raising and a broader level of community support.” Since its founding in 2003, the Northern Neck Land Conservancy has helped landowners protect more than 15,000 acres in Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, See CONSERVANCY, page 8