Inside A3 Dental School in Honduras
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan High School seniors honored on Senior Nights
Vol. XXXII No.. 47
May 15, 2019
Board, first responders work toward solutions By Laura McFarland News Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors and the county’s first responders recently sat down for a productive workshop that didn’t solve all of their problems but seemingly created a path forward they could all live with. After weeks of vocal discontent among first responders about morale and reports of issues with department leadership, as well as the possibility of needing to raise the tax rate to fund fire and rescue needs, the supervisors sat PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND down for a frank discusThe Powhatan County Board of Supervisors sits down for a frank discussion on May 6 with local sion on Monday, May 6 first responders about fire and rescue issues and needs and how to solve them. The board diswith fire and rescue squad cussed plans such as creating a committee that will better gather and analyze department data. personnel to figure out a
way forward. What resulted was a meeting that took a larger look at the problems within fire and rescue and how those may be addressed in a way that gives volunteers back the No. 1 thing they say they have been missing – a voice in their own department. The board and first responders made plans for committees to look at and address some of the issues and acknowledged that in some areas, they don’t have an answer yet but they can work toward one. Throughout the evening, when making plans for the immediate future, the board repeatedly referred to the volunteers working with acting Chief see VOLUNTEERS, pg. 6
Supervisors choose not to Powhatan holds first increase tax rate, budget CTE signing day By Laura McFarland News Editor
and providing several different scenarios with how they might proceed. He brought a handout for the board with five different scenarios to consider, ranging from doing nothing over the county administrator’s proposed balanced budget all the way to the other end of the spectrum, of raising the tax rate by 3.5 cents and fully funding all of the requests fire and rescue Chief Steven Singer made in a presentation back in March to add $1.18 million in additional paid staff. see BOARD, pg. 4
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors chose last week not to raise the county’s tax rate but instead to do the work over the next few weeks to find funding for a reduced number of paid firefighters in the upcoming budget. During a special meeting held on Thursday, May 9, the board voted unanimously – albeit with some confusion – to adopt the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Real Estate
Tax Rate at a level 88 cents. After more discussion, the supervisors then voted unanimously to approve the school portion of the FY 2020 Operating Budget and then take time over the next few weeks to find funding for well over $400,000 in fire and EMS needs out of the county’s portion of the budget. Per state code, the board has to adopt its budget by June 30, 2019. The discussion on the tax rate started with Carson Tucker, who represents District 5, describing the challenges the board was facing
By Laura McFarland News Editor
POWHATAN – Family and future employers recently stood witness as 11 Powhatan High School students made big commitments for their futures. PHS was one of 300 high schools nationwide to participate in National Signing Day 2019 by holding an event on Wednesday, May 8 in the school library. Sponsored by SkillsUSA and Klein Tools, the event was designed to have graduating seniors who are completing certain CTE courses sign "letters of intent" for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training. At PHS, 11 students
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
During PHS’s first CTE signing day, Ryan Minter shows off a shirt of the company where he will be employed after graduation, JL Minter Electrical Contractor.
see SIGNING, pg. 5
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Cox to run for re-election Contributed Report
R PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Powhatan Middle School students make blessing bags to be distributed in the community as part of the PTO’s Kindness Counts campaign.
Middle school shows why kindness counts By Laura McFarland News Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan Middle School PTO recently held a “Kindness Counts” campaign that challenged all students to share a little goodwill in their community. Between April 17 and May 10, students were encouraged to perform at least five acts of kindness at home, school or in the community, said PTO co-president Julie Mcsee KINDNESS, pg. 8
ichard “Dickie” Cox announced he will seek reelection as Powhatan’s commonwealth’s attorney. Since taking office in 2014, Cox has made technological and prosecutorial improvements that have brought the office into the 21st century. Under Cox’s tenure, the office has gone paperless by incorporating a case management system to improve record keeping and information sharing. He also worked with the circuit court clerk and the sheriff to adopt an electronic information sharing system to allow prosecutors direct and instantaneous access to circuit court files and sheriff reports. Additionally, Cox procured a Virginia State Police VCIN terminal so prosecutors now have immediate access to defendants’ criminal and driving records. These
technological improvements have resulted in a more efficient and better equipped office to serve the needs of Powhatan citizens. Cox obtained state funding for a full-time
COX juvenile and domestic relations prosecutor that had been a part-time position. This new position ensures that victims of domestic violence or sexual assault will get the attention needed for a successful prosecution. Under Cox’s leadership, DUI convictions have increased 163 percent, from 41 in 2014 to
108 in 2018. Cox also empaneled a full-time multijurisdictional grand jury housed in Powhatan. This powerful prosecutorial tool has taken Powhatan to the next level in prosecuting serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and embezzlement. The grand jury gives the office the authority to cross jurisdictional boundaries in prosecuting cases by allowing prosecutors to bring indictments, subpoena witnesses and subpoena documents from anywhere in the state. Cox also assisted the sheriff to develop a Child Sexual Exploitation and Internet Crime Unit that ensures the successful prosecution of Internet child predators targeting our children and our schools. Cox pledges to “Continue to improve service and keep Powhatan safe. Thanks for your support.”