02/25/2015

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Powhatan, Virginia

The hometown paper of Robert E. Speas

Vol. XXVIII No. 8

February 25, 2015

Sheriff Neal to step down at year’s end By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – After spending most of his adult life working in law enforcement in Powhatan County, Sheriff Greg Neal will retire at the end of 2015 and let a new marshal take the reins. Neal has been sheriff since September 2007 and worked for the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office since he became a deputy in September 1981. After more than three decades with the department, Neal said he still enjoys the work and will miss it. But in a field that is constantly evolving, he said he thinks he has taken the department as far as he can and wants to do right by it and move on. “I really believe that the mind can only take in so much information on one particular topic – in this case policing and the change in police work,

just like change in any work – over that period of time,” he said. “If there was a way you could go in and delete two thirds of that and take in new stuff, I think I could go on. It is not that I am leaving because I am old. I will be 57 when I leave.” Neal plans to serve out the remainder of his four-year term and will not run in the general election on Nov. 3. In the weeks following the election, he will work with his replacement to help the new sheriff transition into the duties of the office. He retires at the end of December and the new sheriff takes over on Jan. 1, 2016. After that, Neal isn’t sure what will happen. He said he and his wife, Cathy, will continue to live in Powhatan, which has been his home PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND since 1971, when he moved here as a child. They have a son together, Powhatan County Sheriff Greg Neal will retire at the end of 2014 after working see NEAL page 4A

with the department in various positions since 1981. He has been sheriff since September 2007.

Powhatan faces late winter freeze out

Dr. Larrick to retire

By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Powhatan County was hit hard by late winter snow last week that led to several accidents, businesses closings and delays and a full week out of school for most students. After a storm on Valentine’s Day, last week had a harsh beginning with a snow storm starting in the afternoon on Monday, Feb. 16 that led to anywhere from 5 to 9 inches of snow accumulation reported, depending on the part of the county, according to Mike Rusnak, meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Western parts of the county, where sleet didn’t mix as heavily with the snow, saw higher snow accumulation, he said.

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Dr. Steve Larrick, shown with his practice’s house cat Tulip, will retire effective March 2.

see FREEZE page 1A

By Laura McFarland News Editor

P

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Left, workers at the VDOT Powhatan Area Headquarters prepare for snow on Feb. 16. Right, county employees like Luke Hottinger, front, and Aaron James shovel the courthouse sidewalks.

OWHATAN – After 27 years of soothing and treating fourlegged patients and their owners, Dr. Steve Larrick is putting himself out to pasture. The veterinarian has sold his practice, Powhatan Animal Hospital, and plans to retire effec-

tive March 2 to spend more time with his family. Larrick said he has loved the variety of his job and the opportunity to be part of the community, which he will continue to do since he and his wife, Anne Gwinn, still live in Powhatan County. “We came here besee LARRICK page 2A

E M I LY F R A N C I S V I E S F O R V I RG I N I A S E N AT E S E AT By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Democrat Emily Francis recently announced that she will seek election to Virginia’s 10th Senate District, an open seat encompassing all of Powhatan County and parts of Chesterfield County and Richmond City. “I’m running for state senate because the senate’s actions are out of step with the day-to-day needs of Virginians, and that has to change.” Francis said. “Hundreds of thousands of Vir-

ginians are losing access to medical care for no better reason than political posturing.” Meanwhile, politicians jockeying for power “spend millions of our hard-earned tax dollars subsidizing big coal companies, threatening women’s access to basic health care and letting our beloved James River suffer,” she said. “That’s not the Virginia I know and love.” Francis, an independent consultant, is well known in FRANCIS Virginia’s nonprofit community and among public policy ad- organizations advocating on vocates. She has worked with the environment, public health

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and consumer rights by supporting public policies that move communities forward while protecting Virginia’s way of life. “People kept asking me to run,” she said. “I had never considered running for office before, but as I talk with leaders throughout the district, it’s crystal clear that I’m the right person for the job. Plus Governor McAuliffe needs more friends in the state senate working to advance opportunities for all Virginians and maintain our AAA bond rating, solidifying our status as a great place

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to do business.” Francis graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science and chose a career dedicated to protecting treasured landscapes, improving public health and engaging citizens in the democratic process. In 2007, she moved to Richmond to take a job with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Francis owns a home in Byrd Park where she lives with her partner, Tim Brown. Laura McFarland may be reached at lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

Index Calendar A5 Classified B6-7 Crime Report A5 Obituaries A2 Opinion A6 Crime Report A2 TV Listings B4-5


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02/25/2015 by Powhatan Today - Issuu