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VOLUME 27, NUMBER 27
VIEWPOINTS, PAGE 4 | PUZZLES, PAGE 9 | CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 10, 11
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SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
INSIDENOVA.COM
County making move for new animal shelter
YANKEES IN FALMOUTH
TRACY BELL
Stafford County Sun
Stafford Guards re-enactors, from left, Rick Miller, Rick Phillips Joseph Harper and Sawn Johnson play games of dominoes to pass the time Saturday afternoon during the annual Yankees in Falmouth, and Some Confederates Too exhibition at the Conway House grounds. ALEKS DOLZENKO/ STAFFORD COUNTY SUN
Lenzi’s name to be used at diving areas of two pools TRACY BELL
T
Stafford County Sun
ension filled the air at a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday as board members stood strong in naming a new aquatics facility for just one of two hometown Olympians. Despite a powerful outcry and persistent protests from county residents, the board remained firm in naming the new $13 million building solely for Olympic swimmer Jeff Rouse. Residents have largely agreed with putting Rouse’s name on the building, but are passionate about including Olympic diver Mark Lenzi’s name on the facility, too. Instead, the board decided that Lenzi’s name and photos would be used at the new aquatics facility’s diving well, and at Curtis Park pool’s diving well. The board voted 6-1 for this plan, with
Supervisor Meg Bohmke, R-Falmouth, casting the dissenting vote. The arrangement also includes a separate ceremony for Lenzi at the new facility, and the memorials and photos will first be approved by Lenzi’s family, supervisors said. The board also rescinded a previous vote to name Woodlands Pool in Stafford for Lenzi. Supervisors’ Chairman Gary Snellings, R-Hartwood, said: “In my 10 years on the board, this is the most emotional issue I’ve dealt with.” He said that lately he’s received threats, been cursed and received hostile emails. Other board members noted the same treatment. “This is the most divisive issue I can remember. ...It’s been really ugly,” said Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia. Snellings said that at least one family member, Lisa Iden — Lenzi’s sister — is worn down by the issue and requested that
the controversy surrounding the building’s naming come to an end. However, Bohmke said that the wishes of other Lenzi family members, including his mother, Ellie Lenzi, and his brothers, weren’t represented in Iden’s request. Snellings said he takes responsibility for communication between him and Iden falling off track. A meeting set up with the Lenzi family was cancelled when Bohmke expressed interest in attending. Snellings, who was set to meet the family with Supervisor Jack Cavalier, I-Griffis-Widewater, said that the board’s bylaws state that if three or more board members plan to meet, the public and media must be notified. Snellings said he did not want to put the Lenzi family through that. Supervisor Cord Sterling, R-Rock Hill, directed tense comments LENZI toward Bohmke, accusing her PAGE 10 of having a political agenda
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to authorize a contract to redesign the county’s aging animal shelter. The board voted unanimously for a contract with architect John J. Burger in an amount not to exceed $212,111. The county’s current animal shelter, built more than 20 years ago, is too small and repeatedly out of compliance with state requirements, according to county background documents. Stafford County Supervisor Paul Milde, R-Aquia, said he is excited that this is going forward and called the issue the “redheaded stepson of items” on the Capital Improvements Plan. The issue has been “kicked down the road for a long time,” he added. The CIP calls for a new animal shelter, with the plan to correct all current deficiencies. The board previously requested proposals from design firms and determined that it would choose John J. Burger out of nine responding firms. “The conditions at the animal shelter are disgusting,” Milde said. “They do a great job over there, but animals are euthanized that don’t need to be. I’m excited that we’re making this a priority in Stafford.” Each year since 2010, the county has been issued notices of violation and a penalty assessment, with a consent resolution from the state veterinarian and director of the Division of Animal and Food Industry Services. The notices are based on continued violation of a Virginia Administrative Code Regulation on maintenance of a public animal shelter. In background data back SHELTER to 2010, problems listed PAGE 10 have included no veterinary