03/09/2016

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Inside A10 Maker Festival captivates hundreds

Powhatan, Virginia B2 BSH’s Zimmerman named VCC player of the year

Vol. XXIX No. 10

March 9, 2016

House speaker says no grounds for impeachment PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Poll worker Linda Meyerhoeffer, right, checks Anne Latartara in so she can vote in the 2016 dual primary presidential election.

Election draws good turnout By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Few complaints and a good turnout made for smooth sailing with Powhatan County’s part in the Virginia’s 2016 dual primary presidential election. A full day of voting brought 8,261 of the county’s 19,838 registered voters, or 41.6 percent, out to the polls on Tuesday, March 1 to weigh in on who they want to see as the 45th president of the United States, according to Karen Alexander, director of elections. The Powhatan County numbers have been declared official but the state numbers have not been certified by the state board of elections yet. The 41.6 percent turnout was good for a primary, which usually sees significantly lower numbers, but was about what was expected because of the publicity surrounding the races, she said. “We had no issues with lines or anything really. Just the regular small election snafus where people went to the wrong precincts or didn’t check to make sure they were registered to vote,” Alexander said. “The results came in quickly and were posted to the state board of elections website quickly.”

By the numbers Local percentages for the two primaries closely resembled the statewide results, especially in the democratic primary.

Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19

see ELECTION page 6A

By Laura McFarland News Editor

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OWHATAN – Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell put the brakes on talk about impeaching General District Judge Robert B. Beasley Jr. last week when he released a statement saying there are currently no grounds on which to consider that action. Howell, R-Stafford, issued a statement on Tuesday, March 1 in which he said he directed Dave Albo, House Courts Committee chairman; Manoli Loupassi, House Judicial Subcommittee chairman, and Greg Habeeb, House Civil Justice Subcommittee chairman, to gather information so the House could make an informed

Locals offer perspective of black history By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Sitting in a packed room at Powhatan County Public Library on the final day of Black History Month, Zack Brown recalled what it was like being a young black student in Powhatan County. In his younger years, Brown, 80, of Powhatan attended a school in Ballsville – a four-room buildPHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND ing that housed three classrooms and an auditorium. Current and former Powhatan County residents listen to Ruby Leonard, To attend school, he center, talk about how she started a local food pantry. used to walk 2 ½ miles tending Pocahontas High he said. 1943, when the country along Route 13, he said. School. Former Powhatan resi- was in the middle of World Later, when he reached “My class was the first dent Carol Drew Mayo see HISTORY page eighth grade, he started at- class to go to 12th grade,” graduated high school in 2A

Diver’s son praises value of hard work and resolve By Laura McFarland News Editor

DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139

decision about the need for impeach- status. ment proceedings. In his statement on March 1, This came a day after Sen. A. Howell said the reports regarding Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, chair- Beasley were “disconcerting,” which man of the Senate Demois why he had Albo, Loucratic Caucus, made passi and Habeeb look comments during the into them further. Senate’s points of perHowell pointed out sonal privilege time that that the Judicial Inquiry raised the possibility of and Review CommisBeasley’s impeachment. sion (JIRC) is the “priMcEachin referenced a mary vehicle for reviewRichmond Times-Dising the conduct of judges patch article as the source to ensure that justice is of his information and carried out in a manner BEASLEY his concern. consistent with the high Following McEachin’s comments standards Virginians expect.” The on Monday, Feb. 29 on the Senate commission reviewed the allegations floor, Majority Leader Thomas K. made against Beasley, but did not Norment Jr., R-James City, also see HOUSE page 2A voiced his concern about the judge’s

ten or become mythologized. “I am 53 years old and if for the rest of my life I have to go around talking about my dad, so be it,” he said. “Because you know what I don’t want to happen? I don’t want my dad to become a myth. I don’t want anybody to say ‘that man didn’t exist.’ ” For this son, his father represents more than talking about black history. “His story is about motivation and achievement. He overcame five things – race, poverty, limited education, later on he

be told equally and justly.” Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent, attended the event and said he thought it was a great idea to have Phillip Brashear visit the middle school and share his father’s inspiring story with the students. “I think it’s a unique profession and one that a lot of kids haven’t heard about. But I think the characteristics that his father displayed of overcoming obstacles and going through hard times but succeeding are qualities we want all of our kids to learn

POWHATAN – Phillip Brashear is the son of a famous man, but more important than the fame in this son’s eyes is the hard work it took to achieve it. In honor of Black History Month, Phillip Brashear of Sandston visited Pocahontas Middle School on Friday, Feb. 26 to talk about his father, Carl Brashear. Carl Brashear, who died on July 25, 2006, retired from the Navy in 1979 after more than 30 years of service. He overBRASHEAR came obstacles as the first black man to become a U.S. Navy diver in 1953 and then in 1966 was the first Navy diver to be restored to PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND full active duty as an amputee, which was the result of a leg injury he sustained dur- Phillip Brashear, son of late U.S. Navy diver Carl Brashear, speaks with stuing a salvage operation to recover hydro- dents at Pocahontas Middle School about his father’s work ethic. gen bombs in waters off of Spain. The diver’s story was portrayed by became physically disabled and then later from,” Jones said. The speaker did a great job of sharing Cuba Gooding Jr. in the 2000 film “Men of on he developed alcoholism,” Phillip Brashear said. “Five things that still affect with the middle school students why he Honor.” Phillip Brashear is a chief warrant offi- our country today he was able to overcome wanted to keep his father’s dream alive not only during Black History Month but cer with the U.S. Army Reserves and is a during his military career.” While Black History Month does a throughout the school year, said Dr. Lynn civil service employee at Defense Supply Center in Richmond. He said he is often good job of highlighting a part of Ameri- Clayton-Prince, principal of Pocahontas invited to different places during Black can history that isn’t always told, Phillip Middle School. The message he shared History Month to talk about his father, and Brashear said, this and other similar month- and how he talked about his father demonhe loves to do it because he doesn’t want long recognitions are a remedy only “until see BRASHEAR page 4A what Carl Brashear achieved to be forgot- we get to the point where all histories can


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