05/13/2015

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Powhatan, Virginia

The hometown paper of Rick Montgomery

Vol. XXVIII No. 20

May 13, 2015

Board defers budget, real estate tax Members hold back $400K from school budget By Laura McFarland

Monday, May 4. The advertised budget net of transfers was $74,211,263, an increase of 2.7 OWHATAN – The Pow- percent from the fiscal year 2015 hatan County Board of Supervisors did not pass its fiscal year 2016 operating budget or real estate tax last week as anticipated after a last minute amendment caused tense debate and an eventual deferral on voting to resolve the issues. The board had advertised a FY MELTON 2016 real estate tax rate of 90 cents and a total budget of $99,890,394, which includes transfers between adopted operating budget. funds, and was scheduled to vote As soon as the resolution to apon those issues at its meeting on prove the real estate tax opened,

News Editor

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Barry Hodge, who represents District 3, introduced an amendment to reduce the real estate tax rate to 89 cents, which would subsequently affect the amount of the next issue, the operating budget. What followed was a tense one hour and 40-minute discussion as David Williams, District 1, supported the amendment, and chairman Bill Melton, District 4, Larry Nordvig, District 2, and Carson Tucker, District 5, reacted negatively to having the changes proposed at the 11th hour. In the end, the board of supervisors decided in split votes to defer both issues until its meeting on

Monday, June 1. An immediate effect to the May However, Pat Weiler, county 4 meeting was seen in the FY 2016 administrator, later said that Melton Powhatan County Public Schools had asked her to place both issues operating budget, which had to be approved that night to be in compliance with state law. Pending discussion on the proposed changes, the board of supervisors approved the Powhatan County School Board budget minus $402,163, which it could choose to budget and appropriate later or not. HODGE

Out of the blue

on the agenda of the board’s workshop at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18 in the Village Building.

Farmers Market opens

As the discussion opened on the see BOARD page 2A

County Fair set for this weekend

By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – The Powhatan Farmers Market had great weather and a good PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND turnout for the official opening of its 2015 Above, officials cut the ribbon opening the Powhatan Farmers Market season last week. Clear sunny skies greeted the almost for the 2015 season on May 7. Below, customers Victoria Hall and her 40 vendors who set up tents at the first mom Elaine Hall shop at the Natural Soaps by Pearl booth. day of the season, held on Thursday, May “We want to spread the word that we 7. The market will set up from 4 to 7 p.m. are here and the variety of vendors we every Thursday through Oct. 29 at 2470 have,” Cox said. “It is a good compilaAnderson Highway in front of Tractor tion.” Supply. The market hopefully will build on the Organizer India Cox said she is looksuccess of its 2014 season, which was the ing forward to a busy season, with the fi rst at its new location after moving from market at capacity for vendors and a waitthe Village area, Cox said. ing list already growing of people want“Our greatest benefit is that all these ing to join. folks are small business owners. This is a The vendors already on the roster for venue for them to market their produce, the season offer a great variety to shoptheir wares, their artwork, and the citizens pers, she said. Some of the products sold get to take advantage of it,” she said. Thursday included eggs, strawberries, Bill Melton, chairman of the Powhatkettle corn, soap, asparagus, plants, jellies an County Board of Supervisors, was the and jams, artwork, wine, sausage and seafood. see MARKET page 4A

FILE PHOTO BY ANJIE HENLEY

The 96th annual Powhatan County Fair will bring a wide variety of entertainment to the fairgrounds.

POWHATAN ROTARY CLUB’S FIFTH ANNUAL HOPS AND BARLEY FESTIVAL

Hoppin’ to it

Staff Report

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By Laura McFarland News Editor

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OWHATAN – Powhatan Rotary Club’s fifth annual Hops and Barley Festival exceeded expectations as sunny weather, entertainment and a wide selection of beers combined for a great day, organizers say. Although final attendance numbers won’t be in until later in the week, more than 4,000 people are expected to have come through the gates of the Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraiser, held on Saturday, May 9, Bobby Fulcher, past presi-

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Volunteers Roger Braswell, left, and Bethany Brown pull beer for festisee HOPS page 8A val goers at the fifth annual Hops and Barley Festival on May 9.

Inside

Sports

A3 Canceled mediator still collected most of fee.

B1 Step aside, tennis here comes pickleball.

he 96th annual Powhatan County Fair kicks off this weekend with a jam-packed schedule of carnival rides, competitions, live entertainment, food and more. The three-day event set for May 15 to 17 has an exciting entertainment line-up of new events celebrating the arts and popular returning features designed to appeal to the entire family – at a cost that’s appealing as well, organizers say. General admission is $5, children 3 and under and military with valid ID are free, and parking always is free in the fairground lot. The fun begins when the gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at noon on Saturday, May 16 and at see FAIR page 3A

Index

Calendar A4 Classified B6-7 Crime Report A5 Properties A3 Obituaries A7 Opinion A8 TV Listings B4-5


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