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Powhatan, Virginia
The hometown paper of Robert Royall
Vol. XXV No. 12
March 23, 2011
Freshen up First Farmers Market of the year set for April 7 See page 2A
Vote delayed on veterinary clinic BOS Chairman Walton encourages cooperation to improve zoning request By Michael Copley Staff Writer
While the Powhatan Board of Supervisors delayed action on what has become a controversial request from a veterinarian to open a clinic along Route 711, a majority of supervisors indicated their minds are already made up on the matter because of the property’s location. “As I see it, this is a location situation,” Supervisor Robert Cosby said, explaining
that at the time the interchange at Routes 711 and 288 was developed, “I gave [residents] my word that we’d never have commercial development on 711.” Blair “One month would protract this out,” said Supervisor Jason Moore, who voted against the motion to defer. There is a “gulf we cannot bridge at this point.” Supervisor Scott Daniel agreed with Moore that the location of the proposed business – in a rural area scattered with historic residential properties – is inappropriate. Dr. Michael Blair, a Powhatan resident
who currently operates Animal Eye Care of Richmond, a Cary Town-based veterinary clinic, is seeking a conditional use permit to open a clinic specializing in veterinary ophthalmology and dermatology at the corner of Huguenot Trail (Route 711) and Woolridge Road, on land zoned for agriculture in a rural preservation area. According to the county’s planning department, the comprehensive plan identifies rural preservation areas as appropriate locations for agribusinesses like veterinary clinics. That ordinance “seemed to be our invitation to something like this,” said Lance see Clinic page 3A
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS
“I don’t think anyone’s saying the Board of Supervisors is trying to hurt us with this. It’s the economy.” Superintendent Dr. Meara on possible delayed appropriation
School Board seeks savings Delayed funding could trigger furloughs By Michael Copley Staff Writer
PHOTO BY ROSLYN RYAN
It’s Simply Divine owner Nancy Ciucci chose the former video store in South Creek as the site of her boutique.
A case of ‘Divine’ inspiration Stay-at-home mom turned boutique owner has enjoyed warm welcome from the community By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Make no mistake about it, Nancy Ciucci loves being a mom. But in recent years, as the oldest of her three
children began making their way out into the world, she started looking toward her next adventure. Simply put, says Ciucci, “It was time for Mom to do something for herself.” That “something” turned out to be a foray into the business world: with the opening of her new store, It’s Simply Divine, in Powhatan’s South Creek Shopping Center, Ciucci has thrown her hat into the retail ring. On a warm, almost-spring after-
noon last week, Ciucci welcomed a steady stream of customers into her store, a space few would likely guess had previously served as a video store. In the span of a few months, Ciucci has managed to completely overhaul the space, creating a whimsical boutique specializing in accessories, home furnishings and gifts. Where the new releases once sat, there are now racks of purses and elaborate jewelry dissee Boutique page 3A
In February, as education leaders in Powhatan County considered millions of dollars in spending cuts, a teacher asked the School Board to consider reducing the number of days in the school year while increasing the time students spend in school each day. That change, the teacher said, had helped shore up budget deficits for other, MORE admittedCOVERAGE: ly larger, For more stories school pertaining to districts the 2011 Budget by cutting process, see costs for page 7A things like food, utilities services and fuel. Last week, after 36 employees of the county’s school system had been notified of lay offs, the teacher, Ricky Michael, asked whether the county’s School Board and Superintendent had considered his proposal further. Michael said extending the school day by just 12 or 13 minutes could make a significant impact. “I think it takes more study than we’ve had time to do,” Superintendent Dr. Margaret Meara said. Meara doubted whether the change would “make a see Budget page 3A
Inside
Sports
Index
A9 Ready , set, bake! Contest will ask kitchen experts to whip up treats with chocolate and eggs.
B1 600 and counting PHS softball coach adds another highlight to already storied career
Calendar A4 Opinion Classified B9-10 Quotes Crossword A11 Real Estate Horoscope A11 TV Listings Obituaries A4
A10 A2 B9 B6-7