Inside A6 Moose Lodge holds Seafood Festival
Powhatan, P owh hatan, t Vi Virgi Virginia inia B1 BSH Soccer sweeps opening week
Vol. XXXIV No. o. 43
April 28, 2021
Board creates assessor’s office amid controversy By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors recently voted unanimously to create an in-house assessor’s office and shift the county to annual real estate assessments. The decision was made at the board’s workshop on Monday, April 19 amid some controversy about where this office would be housed. The board voted 5-0 to agree with county administrator Ned Smither’s recommendation of creating the new office under his authority. However, Jamie Timberlake, commissioner of the revenue, asserted prior to the meeting and during the public comment period at the meeting that assessments should be under the purview of his office
and the additional staff that will be hired to run the office should be housed there. Since at least 2014, reassessments in Powhatan County has been conducted by an outside contractor, Wampler Eames Appraisal Group Ltd. The company was hired by the county administrator at the time with authority from the board, said Eric Lansing, assistant county attorney, who spoke at the board’s request. Wampler Eames will still complete the two-year reassessment that will determine the fair market value of properties in Powhatan as of Jan. 1, 2022. Seven members of the public also spoke during the public comment periods asking either for a deferral of the vote, which some said should have been advertised and had a public hearing, or that the board go ahead and approve the office but
have it under Timberlake’s control. One man also tried to speak after the public comment period was over and the board began its discussion but was asked to leave when he refused to stop speaking. Timberlake had shared an open letter in the county the week before, which was also shared as a letter to the editor in the April 21 edition of the Powhatan Today. The letter made his case on why he believes a local assessor’s office, which he agreed is needed, should be in the commissioner of the revenue’s office. One of his arguments, and one that was championed by several local residents, was that having the new office under the commissioner of the revenue would be in line with the Constitution of Virginia and its goal of establishing checks and balances. see ASSESSOR, pg. 3
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Commissioner of the revenue Jamie Timberlake asks the board of supervisors on April 19 to put the in-house annual assessment process in his office.
Local Relay for Life to hold a joint event with Chesterfield By Laura McFarland Editor
Parks and recreation opens renovated gym By Laura McFarland Editor
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POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Parks and Recreation Department took a big step forward last week with the official open-
ing of tthe ing he gym located at the Pocahontas Landmark Center. The building itself still has some auxiliary rooms where more work needs to be done, but as of Monday, April 19, the gymsee GYM, pg. 5
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Participants in the first pickleball open gym time enjoy the parks and recreation department’s new gymnasium, which is located at the Pocahontas Landmark Center.
POWHATAN – Relay for Life participants in Powhatan and Chesterfield counties are going to be joining forces on a more permanent basis moving forward in the fight against cancer. Instead of having two separate groups, organizers have joined efforts to become Relay for Life of South of the James, with plans for one joint event moving forward, said Stephanie Pugh, senior development manager with the American Cancer Society.
While both teams usually held their events in the spring, the joint event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Westchester Commons in hopes that more restrictions will be lifted by then to allow a fuller event. Currently, the event is scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m., but organizers recognize much could change between now and September, hopefully for the better. “Both events have been around for a while, and it was just the perfect opportunity to bring all of our resources together to enhance the event experience for participants,” she said. see RELAY, pg. 8
Animal Control Office marks milestone of completely empty shelter By Laura McFarland
PHOTO COURTESY OF POWHATAN ANIMAL CONTROL
Editor
Powhatan Animal Control rehomed 299 animals in 2020, down from 335 in 2019.
POWHATAN – Being an empty nester, even for a short time, was a great feeling for the Powhatan Animal Control staff. On Tuesday, April 20, a hound named Dudley and a Beagle named Paprika walked
out the door of the shelter with their new families to go to their forever homes. With those departures, the animal shelter experienced a phenomenon Sgt. Christine Boczar, lead animal control officer, said she has not experienced in her 15 years
with the sheriff’s office – no animals in their care. “It is amazing knowing that not only do we not have to euthanize anything that is here but everyone got a forever home or was placed in a rescue looking for a forever home,”
she said. Staff used the time with completely empty cages to clean the shelter, she said. “They are power washing cages as we speak so we can do a deep clean,” she said on see ANIMAL, pg. 5
Chamber recognizes McClung with excellence award By Laura McFarland Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Michelle Walters, left, presents the 2021 Kathy Budner Award of Excellence to Tracey McClung at the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce’s annual celebration held on April 22 at Independence Golf Club.
POWHATAN – Tracey McClung said she first had an inkling that she could be the recipient of the 2021 Kathy Budner Award of Excellence when Michelle Walters glanced over as she stressed the word “her” during the award introduction. Still, when McClung, the co-founder of Village Concepts Realty Group, did hear her name called shortly after, she said she was surprised and humbled. McClung is the 12th recipient of the Kathy Budner Award, which is given to a chamber member who has demonsee CHAMBER, pg. 3