04/29/2015

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Powhatan, Virginia

The hometown paper of Clarine Reekes

Vol. XXVIII No. 18

April 29, 2015

Chief assumes control of fire, EMS By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors decided in a split vote last week to approve a code change that gives Chief Steven Singer authority over the county’s volunteer fire departments and rescue squad. During the meeting on Monday, April 20, the board voted three-two in favor of the ordinance change, which had been spoken of and debated at a meeting on Monday, April 6, where it was deferred until last week’s meeting.

Chairman Bill Melton, who represents District 4, Larry Nordvig, District 2, and Carson Tucker, District 5, voted in favor of the ordinance. David Williams, District 1, and Barry Hodge, District 4 voted against it. The amendments to the county code revised provisions related to the formation and composition of the Powhatan County Fire and Rescue Department and the responsibilities and authority of the fire and rescue chief. The amendment to the ordinance would officially form the fire and rescue department and lay out its makeup. It also defines the roles, responsibilities and authority of the

chief and newly formed Senior Policy Group within the department. The topic most under debate about the amendment continued to be the issue of bringing the Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad under the authority of the chief seemingly against the will of its members. Currently, Singer does not have direct oversight of the department. During the public comment period, several people spoke about the issue, some for it and some against. see CHIEF page 4A

Policy on nonresident students examined By Laura McFarland News Editor

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Members of the Powhatan Lions Club collect check ages, above, and serve barbecue, below, at the group’s annual Steer Roast on April 22.

Steer Roast 2015 Community eats, drinks, makes merriment

By Laura McFarland News Editor POWHATAN – Hundreds of people came out last week to enjoy food and drinks, listen to live music and see old friends at the annual Powhatan Lions Club Steer Roast. Despite a rough start see STEER page 3A

POWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board took another look at its policy regarding tuition for students who do not live in the county. The board held a meeting and workshop on Tuesday, April 21, and the school admission policy was one of the items discussed. Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent, had brought the policy up at a previous meeting in March and had several concerns expressed by board members. His newest presentation during the workshop addressed some of the changes that had been made, but the policy still sparked debate. When talking about the tuition charged for students of school employees who don’t live in the county, school board members previously said they thought families should have to pay for every child who attended the schools. Based on that feedback, school staff recommended

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Randy Watts gives a report on bullying prevention to the Powhatan County School Board.

staying with $750 per child for tuition for employees, Jones said. There are 21 children of employees currently using this benefit this school year. If the school board moves forward with nonresident students that aren’t children of school employees, the tuition rate would probably be between $2,000 and $3,000, which “is still quite a bargain for those individuals,” he said.

Foreign exchange students can request a tuition waiver. The policy states explicitly that nonresident students won’t be allowed to apply to attend governor’s schools as students of Powhatan County Public Schools. Each school year the superintendent will designate which schools are elisee POLICY page 2A

Powhatan celebrates its natural side By Laura McFarland News Editor POWHATAN – Strong winds and a little rain didn’t dampen Powhatan County’s celebration of the Earth last week. A steady stream of people came out to celebrate the county’s ninth annual Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 22 on the Courthouse Green. Vendors spread out across the lawn embraced a love of the earth and a desire to bring awareness to the importance of maintaining it, Betty McCracken, event coordinator, said. The event continued its tradition of celebrating Earth Day in a small town way, she said. “We never anticipated that this event would get big. We always wanted it to have a local, hometown feel, and I think we have accomplished that,” McCracken, conservation specialist for the Monacan Soil and Water District, said. About 20 environmentally-friendly vendors filled the Courthouse Green for the event giving out information and selling goods, including plants, fresh produce,

natural crafts and jams and jellies. Jeanne Everett sold grapevine baskets and wreaths constructed to showcase beautiful plants. She said she had a great day at the festival and enjoyed the spring day, even with the wind. “It’s spring so everybody is ready to get out and do something different instead of sitting on the sofa,” she said. “It is nice to see happy, smiling faces.” At the James River Master Naturalists’ table, children could make pinecone birdfeeders by spreading pinecones with peanut butter and dipping them in bird seed. Haden McQuiddy, 3, made a bird feeder with the help of Anne Larrick, master naturalist, and the little girl’s grandparents, John and Anne Snead of Powhatan. The couple brought Haden and their grandson Cole to the Earth Day celebration as a fun and simple introduction to the concept for the children, John Snead said. “We think it is a good experience for the kids. I think it is a really nice event,” he said. At another table Cathy Howland, Powhatan County Cooperative Extension 4-H

More Photos ONLINE powhatantoday.com PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Farmer Greg Riggs sold produce at the Powhatan Earth Day event.

agent, showed people how to make com- Creekside Pickers performed while people postable pots out of newspaper. listened danced. On the front porch’s of one of the buildLaura McFarland may be reached at ings, Powhatan-based bluegrass band lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

Inside

Sports

A9 Village Vibe brought hundreds out for a night of fun.

B1 Indians celebrate walk-off win over Albemarle.

Index Calendar A9 Classified B8-9 Crime Report A9 Obituaries A2 Opinion A8 TV Listings B6-7


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