10/22/2014

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Powhatan, Virginia

The hometown paper of Tom Sadler

Vol. XXVII No. 42

Local prison to close in wake of cuts At least 264 employees expected to be laid off with possibility of more

October 22, 2014

Cox announces candidacy for Commonwealth’s Attorney By Laura McFarland News Editor

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Powhatan Main Correctional Center will be closed in the wake of massive state cuts on spending.

By Laura McFarland News Editor

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he Powhatan Main Correctional Center will be closed by the end of 2014 as part of an attempt by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to meet an $882 million shortfall in the state’s budget in the next two years. McAuliffe announced on Wednesday, Oct. 15, that the state will cut 565 jobs — almost all of them in the Department of Corrections – and close several correctional facilities to address the budget shortfall. The Powhatan Main Correctional Center will fall under $346 million that is being cut out of the state’s fiscal year

2015 budget, he said in a press conference. While the main center will close, the Powhatan Receiving Unit and the Powhatan Medical Unit will remain open, according to Lisa E. Kinney, director of communications for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Additionally, 75 positions will be transferred from Powhatan Main Correctional Center to Deep Meadow Correctional Center to maintain the operation of the Powhatan Medical Unit, Virginia Correctional Enterprises shops and the agribusiness programs at Powhatan as well as providing support services, she said. The average daily prisoner population for Powhatan Correctional Center was

840 as of August, Kinney said. “For safety and security reasons, I can’t speak to when offenders will be moved, but all affected facilities will be closed by the end of the year,” she said. The Powhatan facility being closed is the oldest prison currently in existence in the Virginia Correction System and has been a steady financial drain, Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, said. The main facilities of the level three security prison were constructed in 1952, although the prison is listed as opening in 1926, according to its page on the Virginia Department of Corrections website. “The maintenance costs associated see PRISON page 4A

Same-sex Powhatan couple weds By Laura McFarland News Editor

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little more than a week ago, Suzanne Burns and Dianna Sharp of Powhatan did something they didn’t expect would be allowed in Virginia in their lifetimes – they got married. The two women exchanged wedding vows on Monday, Oct. 13, in a small ceremony with only Sharp’s daughter from a previous marriage, Stephanie Sharp, and Burns’ parents present. Hours before their wedding took place, they were still slightly in shock that it was all really about to happen. “It kind of really surprised us how quickly this happened,” Burns said. “We got together the year the ban was passed. Once that happened, we thought we would have to move somewhere else for it to happen. But we love it here. Powhatan County is our home.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Suzanne Burns, left, and Dianna Sharp of Powhatan were the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in Powhatan County after it became legal in Virginia. Here they are shown at their home a few hours before going to exchange vows on Monday, Oct. 13.

Burns has lived in Powhatan since 2004, and Sharp and her daughter moved in with Burns in 2006. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the two women became the first same-sex couple to apply for and receive a marriage license in Powhatan County. This came two days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to review appeals court ruling striking down prohibitions on gay unions in Virginia and four other states and a day after Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order directing state agencies to comply with legalized same-sex marriage. The Powhatan County Circuit Court Clerk’s office had two same-sex couples apply for marriage licenses in the first week it was legal, including Burns and Sharp, Barbara Hutchison, chief deputy clerk, said. The other couple applied for their license and were married on Friday, Oct. 10. see WEDS page 5A

Powhatan embraces its inner grape By Laura McFarland News Editor

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he Village area of Powhatan County only has a few days left until it is expected to be swarmed by thousands of people looking to celebrate the fruits of 30 vineyards’ labor. The 12th annual Festival of the Grape will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct.

25, in the area around the Powhatan County Courthouse, said Angie Cabell, executive director of the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. The usually quiet Village area will be alive with people eating, drinking, dancing and shopping, she said. “It is a gorgeous surFILE PHOTO

see GRAPE page 7A

Inside A2 Arrested: Former high school contractor

Thousands are expected for the annual Fesitval of the Grape.

Sports B1 Powhatan rewrites record book in 50-point Homecoming win

ichard K. “Dickie” Cox is throwing his hat into the ring for Powhatan County Commonwealth’s Attorney, a position he will soon be filling in an interim capacity. Cox is set to become the interim Commonwealth’s Attorney on Monday, Dec. 1, when Bob Beasley leaves the position to take up his new role as a General District Court judge in the 11th Judicial District. Cox, who has served as assistant Commonwealth’s COX Attorney for 16 years, announced his candidacy on Friday, Oct. 17, for the November 2015 election for Commonwealth’s Attorney. If a special election was called before the general election in 2015, he also said he would run for Commonwealth’s Attorney at that time. “It has been my privilege to serve the citizens of Powhatan County for the past 16 years and I am dedicated in continuing the high level of service that the residents of this county expect and demand,” he said. “If elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney, it would be my honor to continue to serve and protect this community. It is my goal to ensure that Powhatan County is a safe place to live, work and raise a family.” Cox said he would bring 23 years of prosecution experience to the job as well as a proven record for success in the courtroom. He also has worked as a police officer in Chesterfield County and is a veteran of the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. Cox said he brings with him the support of local law enforcement, including an endorsement from Powhatan County Sheriff Greg Neal, members of the legal community and many Powhatan residents. “The support has been overwhelming, from police officers and deputy sheriffs, to practicing local attorneys, along with friends and residents of this community and even elected Commonwealth’s Attorneys in surrounding jurisdictions,” Cox said. William W. Davenport, Commonwealth’s Attorney of Chesterfield County, also offered his endorsement of Cox as a top prosecutor, Cox said. Becoming a Commonwealth’s Attorney is a goal a career prosecutor can only hope to achieve, Cox said, and the reason he has focused on prosecution. Having worked as a prosecutor in Chesterfield for seven years before coming to Powhatan, he said he is fully prepared to handle heavy see COX page 2A

Index Calendar A2 Letters Classified B6-7 Obituaries Crime Report A5 Opinion Crossword A7 TV Listings

A6 A5 A6 B4-5


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