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A marine remembers WWII Page 6
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Volume 39, Number 33
outdoors White Oak Falls A perfect Day trip page 4
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King George
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Wednesday, August 12, 2015 50 Cents
KG holds 5th Annual National Night Out Phyllis Cook
Photo provided by Sgt. K.A. Wharton
A member of the King George Fire & Rescue demonstrates how they might rescue someone from a car after an accident.
The King George Sheriff ’s department hosted its fifth annual ‘Night Out’ against crime on Aug. 4, with Sheriff Steve Dempsey emceeing the event. Other county departments and local businesses gathered at King George High School to join forces to promote police-community partnerships; crime, drug and violence prevention; safety and neighborhood unity. “The history of this was for neighbors to come together to walk out and put on their porch lights to show unity,” Dempsey declared. He said that’s still happening, along with the central event to that brings services such as free child identification through fingerprinting and the collection of descriptive information for parents to have in case their child goes missing. “That’s something they have to come to us for,” Dempsey added. He also said the event helped to strengthen community spirit. There was something for everybody, including face painting for kids and a CPR practice station,
along with other displays by King George Fire and Rescue. King George resident Dillen Schneider brought her son, Tyler, saying they came to check it out. “It’s pretty cool,” Schneider said, with Tyler agreeing. A big hit was the Sheriff ’s K-9 Unit demonstrations. Dr. Jesse Boyd, King George High School’s new principal, was spotted blending in with the crowd with his spouse and three young children. Boyd said he was happy to see the school used by the community. “We had a great time. We made the rounds and checked out every booth,” he said. “We enjoyed the K-9 Unit and others. It was fun.” The ‘Night Out’ was sponsored by King George Fire and Rescue along with Subway, King George Ruritans Club, NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union, NSWC Federal Credit Union, Tims II, Wal-Mart, Sheetz, Chick-fil-A, and Eddy Eagle. Exhibitors included Drive Smart VA, Virginia State Police, “C” Scouts, Summer Lunch Bunch, Empower House, Conservation Police-Forestry Division, Caledon State Park and 3 Ribbons for 3 Reasons.
Ralph Bunche Committee offers renovation recommendations Phyllis Cook The Ralph Bunche Advisory Committee received kudos from the King George Board of Supervisors when Nadine Lucas, chairman, reported its recommendations on how the historic Ralph Bunche High School building should be restored/renovated and used in the future. The Aug. 4 report is a culmination of the committee’s efforts since September 2012. The building holds state and national historic landmark status for the site’s unique role in the early fight challenging the “separate but equal” doctrine established by the Supreme Court in 1896. It also has deep personal significance for a large segment of the community, which wishes its heritage to be shared. “Our executive summary is really relating to what Ralph Bunche
means to everyone who went there and is associated with it, and hopefully, to the community at-large,” Lucas said. “It’s one icon we would not want to pass into oblivion.” Dale Sisson agreed. “It’s a great report. I’ve reviewed the entire report and strategy in detail and I think you’ve done a good job,” he said. “I agree the Ralph Bunch Alumni Association being involved is very, very important.” The committee’s 19-page report contains a business plan, includes development of a capital campaign, marketing plan, and a proposal for shared management by both the county and the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association following restoration/ renovations. The plan calls for restoring part of the building for display as a museum, and renovation of the remainder of the original section for community use and rental. The restored
27-year old man convicted of drug distribution in KG Richard Leggitt A 27-year-old King George man was convicted in King George County Circuit Court last week on a charge of drug distribution. Jamie Tate entered a plea of guilty and Judge Herbert Hewitt sentenced him to five years in prison with four years suspended on condition of good behavior. Tate was charged with selling marijuana to a confidential informant at a convenience store on King’s Highway in December of 2014. Prosecutors said the drug buy was recorded on both video and audio. At the time of his arrest, Tate had two prior convictions for drug distribution. Judge Hewitt ordered Tate to pay court costs and restitution to the state and to be on good behavior for a period of 10 years. He was also placed on active supervised probation. A second charge of selling a controlled substance was dismissed after Tate entered a plea of guilty to the first charge.
gym would have a dual role and be available for functions. “It will provide an inviting place to learn of the site’s history and its significant role towards the desegregation of Virginia’s public schools and to serve as a gathering place for educational, social and cultural growth through diverse use,” Lucas said. While the county would provide overall management of the building, with a plan for some Parks and Recreation staff to be onsite, an agreement with the alumni group would spell out its responsibility for staffing the museum and accruing funds for costs of museum operations. The proposed name is the Ralph Bunche Community Centre and Museum. Supervisors agreed and accepted the report on a motion by Cedell Brooks, Jr. Joe Grzeika seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
“I want to commend you all for what you did. It’s a great report and it’s got the elements you need for it to succeed,” Grzeika said. “I think embarking on a capital campaign is critical because that’s going to make the difference.” He suggested County Attorney Eric Gregory get involved to draw up legal documents and the board agreed. After the agreements are worked out, the next step is for a capital campaign to raise money to restore/renovate the original section, estimated at about $2 million. Additional costs, estimated at $100,000-$300,000 would go for historical displays to preserve and display documents, artifacts and memorabilia detailing the experience, history and education from that era. Lucas said the project would take two-to-five years to complete.
Photo provided by Sgt. K.A. Wharton
Nowacki from the Sheriff’s department gives a K-9 demonstration during the National Night Out in King George.
VDOE seeking input from parents on school performance ‘report cards’ Phyllis Cook The Virginia Department of Education is asking parents and other members of the public what changes to make to online performance report cards to make them more user-friendly. A 16-item survey may be accessed online from the department’s homepage: www.doe.virginia.gov or directly at www.surveymonkey. com/r/schoolreportcards. The survey will be available until Aug. 15 and takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous. Each year, the state compiles and publishes performance report cards
for each school and school division, along with one for the state. The online school report cards provide detailed information on student achievement by grade, subject and student subgroup and information on other indicators of school quality. They inform the public of the progress of schools in raising student achievement and enhancing the learning environment. Information gleaned from the survey will be presented later this year to the state Board of Education, which was directed by the 2015 General Assembly to unveil redesigned report cards to the public by Oct. 1, 2016.
Jersey man convicted in KG gets sentencing delay A New Jersey man convicted in King George County Circuit Court of embezzlement got his sentencing delayed last week over the objections of prosecutors despite his alleged involvement in an armed home invasion, burglary and assault in Maryland while he was free on bond from King George. Michael John Roy, 37, of Middletown, NJ appeared in court in King George Thursday and was scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Herbert Hewitt as a result of a March conviction for embezzling $9,000 from United Paving Company in 2013. However, Roy’s court appointed counsel sought a delay telling the judge that Roy was facing charges in Maryland and wanted to deal with those before he was sentenced to
prison in Virginia. King George Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Pollard strongly protested the requested continuance, noting that Roy had already received eight continuances in connection with his case in Virginia and that the Maryland crimes occurred while he was out on bond following his King George arrest. “This is just another attempt to manipulate the court,” said Pollard. Judge Hewitt, however, granted the defense’s request, and released Roy on $5,000 bond. Hewitt ordered Roy to return to court for sentencing in King George on Sept. 3. Roy was working for United Paving on a job on Lakeview Drive in King George two years ago when he presented a bill to the property
owner for $9,000 but said he would give her a $500 credit if she paid him in cash for paving work done at her home. The homeowner paid Roy, but United Paving said he was not authorized to accept payment or to offer a discount. Pollard, who prosecuted Roy, said, “What he intended to do was steal money and that is exactly what he did.” Judge Hewitt found Roy guilty in March, but ordered a presentencing report and freed him on bond. While the case against Roy was pending, he was arrested in Anne Arundel County, MD and charged with home invasion, burglary, assault and a handgun violation. Also charged in that case, was another New Jersey man, a relative, Ronald
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E. Roy, 38, of Red Bank, NJ. Both men are currently free on bond in that case. According to law enforcement sources, the two men forced their way into a home in Anne Arundel at gunpoint claiming the homeowner owed them money. Police were called and the pair were arrested at a campground near Millersville, MD. Ronald Roy is not charged in connection with the embezzlement in King George. -Richard Leggitt