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King George
Volume 40, Number 37
KGFREMS brings home the bacon Officials announce receipt of $700,000 in federal grants for King George Phyllis Cook The King George County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Department reported to the Board of Supervisors that it received two federal grants adding up to $727,819. One grant is for replacement equipment and the second will pay salary and benefits for a new position to be added to the department for the first four years of the position. Chief David Moody appeared before the board on Sept. 6, with Battalion Chief Steve Lynd. “It’s not every opportunity that I come before you that I bring good news. Tonight I do,” Moody said. See Grants, page 2
3 dead in 3 KG crashes in 1 week Unrelated wrecks claim lives of men, 22, 67, 56 years old Richard Leggitt
Photo by Phyllis Cook
King George Battalion Chief Steve Lynd, left, and Fire and Rescue Chief David Moody at the Sept. 6 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Tourism committee announces officers
Update supervisors, announce funding decisions
Photo by Phyllis Cook
Saundra Pearson is the new Chairwoman of the King George Tourism Advisory Committee Naval Base.” Supervisor Jim Howard also suggested Warren Veazey for appointment, saying he had expressed an interest. But Brabo shot the suggestion down. “We already have Justyn Cox who fills the outdoors recreation piece,” Brabo said. “We appreciate our citizens wanting to serve.” Another charter member remaining on the committee is Jan VanValzah. Pearson’s committee report addressed two applications for county tourism funding, saying they were submitted at its Sept. 1 meeting. The county currently has about $200,000 set aside for tourism activity. It accrues about $80,000 each fiscal year specifically earmarked for tourism spending. The Dahlgren Heritage Museum is requesting $20,000 to go to staff compensation and support for a year to begin no later than Jan. 1. The King George Fall Festival is asking for $10,000, with $5,000 to go toward costs for children’s games and rides, $2,000 for new signage, $1,000 for advertisements, and $2,000 for traffic cones for parade and fair logistics. “We would like your consideration and feedback as we move forward. We need to develop procedural guidelines for acceptance, with some additional budgetary and information and financial statements coming from the applicants,” Pearson said. “The deadline for submission was Sept. 1. Frankly, we didn’t have enough time to adequately review See Tourism, page 2
A King George man was killed last week when his pickup left the road and struck a utility pole. Virginia State Police identified the victim as Alexander Rawlins, 22. Rawlins was driving a 1999 Chevrolet pickup that was traveling south on Round Hill Road on Sept. 6 when the vehicle left the pavement and struck the utility pole. Officers said
speed was a factor in the crash. State Police officers are continuing to investigate the crash. Rawlins, who is the son of Steve and Leslie Rawlins of King George, was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. A memorial service was held Friday in King George. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Matthew and Connor Rawlins. The Rawlins family has set up a scholarship fund to honor his memory. Contributions may be made to the Alex Rawlins Memorial Fund c/o See Crashes, page 2
EDA drafts purpose/mission statement
Supervisors wanted document; work can now commence Phyllis Cook
Phyllis Cook The King George Tourism Advisory committee provided an update to the King George Board of Supervisors at its Sept. 6 meeting, including provision of two funding requests from county organizations and plans for two upcoming county anniversaries. Saundra Pearson also announced she was the group’s new chairwoman. Pearson had stepped up at the Sept.1 meeting to take on the leadership position following a resignation by the group’s former chairwoman, Michelle Darnell, after the previous meeting in August. The committee has had a membership makeover in the last few months, with the county supervisors filling vacancies for some of the five members who have resigned or been dropped due to nonattendance at meetings. Bob Baird, representing the King George Historical Society and Museum, and Claudette Jordon had been appointed by the supervisors earlier this summer. Jordon is president of the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association which is gearing up for a fundraising effort toward refurbishment of the Ralph Bunche High School building into a museum and county cultural centre. The latest appointment was made by the supervisors at last week’s meeting prior to Pearson’s taking the podium to report, with Barbara Wagner appointed on a suggestion by supervisors’ Chairwoman Ruby Brabo. Brabo said Wagner worked in the Public Affairs office at the Dahlgren Naval Base. Wagner had already attended two meetings of the committee. “With the planning of the 100th anniversary for the Dahlgren Naval Base, I would recommend we consider her,” Brabo said. “I believe this appointment would be a great way to ensure cohesive communication between the Dahlgren Naval Base and the Tourism Advisory committee as they move forward planning the 100th anniversary of the Dahlgren
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 50 Cents
helping you relate to your community
The King George Economic Development Authority batted around five versions of a proposed ‘purpose’ or mission statements at its meeting on Sept. 8. The group settled on one, with revisions, after successive straw polls. Following the meeting, Chairman Jim Hull confirmed the wording for the current draft, with an
email going out to members. “I believe this represents a faithful capture of the selected King George Economic Development Authority Purpose Statement,” Hull said. He asked for any corrections from members, saying he would submit a final version for review early this week to Ruby Brabo, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors, and to the county attorney. The draft statement reads: “The mission of the King George County Economic Development Authority is to promote healthy
Photo by Phyllis Cook
See EDA, page 8
Four members of the five EDA members present at the Sept. 8 meeting: Jean Fraysse, left, Bob Fuscaldo, Chairman Jim Hull and Dreda Newman.
9/11 Pentagon hero is Colonial Beach town official
Blunt details ‘chaos’ of tragic day
Photo courtesy of Arlington Fire Department
Eddie Blunt, with bullhorn, was one of the heroic first responders on the scene 15 years ago on 9/11 when terrorists crashed a jetliner into the Pentagon. Blunt is now a Colonial Beach councilman and businessman.
Richard Leggitt Colonial Beach businessman and town council member Eddie Blunt was one of the heroic first responders on 9/11 when terrorists piloted a hijacked airliner into the side of the Pentagon touching off an explosion that collapsed the building's floors, killing 189 persons including 64 on the plane. Sunday was the 15th anniversary See Blunt, page 8
Farmers market to host plant sale Sept. 26 Phyllis Cook The King George Farmers Market continues with its local offerings through the end of October at its Saturday morning home in the King George Elementary School parking lot at the Route 3/Route 205 interSee Sale, page 2 Photo by Phyllis Cook
Customers considering purchases at last Saturday’s King George Farmers Market.
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