sports
NEWs
W&L Boys Soccer heads to state tournament Page 4
Opinion
beach Residents Work to Save the Bay
Sanders heats up democratic presidential race page 2
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POSTAL CUSTOMER
T he
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Volume 39, Number 24
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 50 Cents
helping you relate to your community
64th annual Potomac River Festival set for weekend Linda Farneth
Get set for a swinging time this weekend as the Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts the 64th annual Potomac River Festival. Come out to Colonial Beach for a variety of entertainments, as well as great food, handmade art, crafts and souvenirs. The fun really kicks off June 10 with the Colonial Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Festival Carnival hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary. Overlooking the Potomac River on Town Hill, the carnival traditionally offers a family night. For one low price, kids receive a bracelet that allows them to ride as many rides as they can handle until 9 p.m. The carnival continues throughout the week and during the Festival, ending on June 13. On June 12, visitors can spend the day on the beach soaking up the sun before staking out a spot for the Fireman’s Parade, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. The parade route starts at the fire house on Colonial Avenue, goes
east and then turns right on to Washington Avenue. The parade will then turn left onto Boundary Avenue and continue past the cannon. The parade will then turn left going against the traffic on Beach Terrace by the river. When it reaches the boardwalk at the municipal pier, the parade will turn left onto Hawthorne Avenue against traffic then turn right onto Taylor Street. The parade will then cross Wilder Avenue and proceed into the town parking lot, continuing across Riverboat parking lot, ending at the Town Stage area. The Fireman’s Parade draws fire companies from hundreds of miles away to show off their trucks, flash their lights and blare their horns, which can be heard across the river into Maryland. Be sure to bring earplugs and a bag for collecting candy. Immediately after the parade, folks gather to watch the Miss Colonial Beach Beauty Contest on the Town Hill stage. See FESTIVAL, page 8
Events for 64th annual Potomac River Festival June 10-13 Colonial Beach Vol. Fireman’s Carnival June 12, 6-9 p.m. Second Friday Artwalk June 12, 7:30 p.m. Fireman’s Parade June 13-14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. River Festival Craft Show June 13, noon Grand Parade June 13, 9 p.m. Fireworks June 14, 1 p.m. Boat Parade File Photo
The Boat Parade is a popular part of the Colonial Beach’s annual Potomca River Festival. Come out at 1 p.m. June 14 and see local boats decked out in colorul finery.
June 14, 2 p.m. Pet Parade
Greater Montross revitalization group seeking input from area residents Staff Report
Photo courtesy of Greater Montross Partnership for Revitalization
Montross residents enjoyed chatting and shopping on the town square during the First Friday Art Walk and First Saturday Market Days. Both events were hosted by The Greater Montross Partnership for Revitalization. Attendees could buy local crafts and food and enjoy music from the 55 and Alive band. First Friday Art Walk and First Saturday Market Days will take place the first Friday and Saturday of the summer months.
Saturday council meet draws small crowd Linda Farneth In an experiment to include weekend residents Colonial Beach Town Council held its first Saturday meeting on June 6. Vice Mayor Eddy Blunt and a few full time residents were disappointed with the results. Roughly 20 residents attended the gathering, and only one identified himself as a weekender. “When I suggested have a Saturday meeting for the weekend homeowners I was anticipating a much larger crowd,” Blunt said. “I actually met some resistance from some citizens in the community who didn’t appreciate it being on a Saturday. But I still stand by it and I think it would work. I think
the folks deserve an opportunity to come and be a part of the meeting also.” Roger Deen who is a weekender, applauded the council for its effort. “I would like to thank you for hosting this on a Saturday,” he told the group. “Getting the word out I admit is pretty tough.” Deen said he had to go to town hall to request the schedule of meetings and to be put on the list for receiving agendas by email. He suggested the town put agendas on its website. In January the council deliberated holding some regular meetings on Saturday after a suggestion by Blunt and Mayor Mike Ham. Ham introduced the idea of having one meeting and work session per
quarter on a Saturday morning. Following the advice of Councilman Mike Looney, the council decided to only hold 2 council meetings on Saturday morning but to keep work sessions during the week. Blunt said in January that the plan would give part-time residents an opportunity to be a part of community decisions. “I think it’s a great olive branch for citizenry who don’t live here full time or have voting rights,” he said. Resident Joyce Gunderson thanked the Council for the Saturday meeting, but said she was disappointed that there was not a large turnout. She suggested using a banner to announce Saturday See COUNCIL, page 8
The Greater Montross Partnership for Revitalization wants ideas for spiffing up and encouraging greater use of the downtown square. The revitalization advocates want to have a conversation on the topic over a slice of piza and a glassof sweet tea. On Wednesday, June 17, the partnership will provide food and drink for all who want to talk about “the way ahead” to the town’s future. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Company in Montross. Incredible improvements have taken place in the town center over the last 12-18 months but not without years of previous work accomplished by the Montross Revitalization Steering Committee. As the current revitalization
projects all reach their completion date of October 2015, the GMPFR is interested in keeping the momentum going. GMPFR members hope that moving forward with still more renovations will improve Montross’ business climate, attract entrepreneurs and create new jobs. The group is asking questions about what types of improvements will be most beneficial to the town. Once those decisions are made, the focus will shift to figuring out how to achieve the next round of goals set for the town. GMPFR is interested in hearing from anyone with ideas, skills and any experience in “making things happen.” For more information, email visitmontrossva@gmail.com or visit Facebook Visit Montross Virginia.
Public Conversation: Revitalization of Downtown Montross Date: Wednesday, June 17 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department, Montross Come out for slice of fresh pizza and a glass of cold tea. Be ready to discuss your ideas of continuing the revitalization work that is transforming Montross. This is your opporutnity to help plan the future for your community.
Hearing on tax rate rescheduled Linda Farneth Members of the Colonial Beach Town Council had hoped to wrap up budget issues sooner, but legal advertising requirements and holiday delays have pushed back the public hearing on a proposed tax increase. The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed 13-cent real estate tax increase at 7 p.m. June 17 at the town center. A hearing on the 2015-16 budget will take place six days earlier, at 7 p.m. on June 11. On May 21 council held a special meeting to discuss what to do about the budget’s $404,000 shortfall. The council presented several options to the problem. The most costly to tax payers involves raising
real estate taxes by 13 cents. The council has voted to advertise a real estate tax rate 13 cents higher than the current rate of 62 cents per $100 of value. The council has not yet adopted a tax rate. Advertising the potential increase gives the governing body the latitude to adopt a rate of up to 75 cents per $100 of value. The council may vote on the tax rate after the public hearing on June 17, but must wait one week after the public hearing on June 11 before voting to accept the 2015-16 town budget. If the panel decides to adopt the 75cent tax rate, which would take effect July 1, 5 cents would be earmarked toward the cost of building a new permanent elementary school.
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Public hearing on real estate tax increase Amount: 13 cents Date: June 17 Time: 7 p.m. Location: town center The council may adopt a lower tax increase than what is advertised but may not adopt a higher rate. Four votes are needed to pass the budget, but five votes are necessary to raise taxes.