Inside A3 ACA Class of 2021 earns associate degrees
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan girls soccer sweeps Rapids in 1-0 shutout
Vol. XXXIV No. o. 46
May 19, 2021
Racism, education dominate discussions Boards make several as local citizens show up to voice concerns final budget decisions By Laura McFarland
By Laura McFarland
Editor
Editor
POWHATAN – A tense two nights of public meetings brought the issues of education and racism to the forefront last week in Powhatan County. Local elected officials saw how passionate residents were on these issues when they came out in large numbers to speak at the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, May 10 and the Powhatan County School Board meeting on Tuesday, May 11. Both meetings – which PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND were held at the Village Local residents line up at the May 10 Powhatan County Board of Building and Pocahontas Supervisors meeting to give their input on a variety of topics, includLandmark Center, respec- ing the county’s budget, school curriculum, issues related to racism, and see CITIZENS, pg. 4
more.
POWHATAN – Powhatan County’s top elected officials made several decisions regarding the current and upcoming fiscal year operating budgets over two days of meetings held last week. The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors adopted its $100.2 million dollar budget with two new changes during its meeting on Monday, May 10. The budget was passed in a 4-1 vote with only Mike Byerly, who represents District 3, voting against it. The board followed that decision with two back-to-back unani-
mous votes with little discussion. They voted to fix the calendar year 2022 real estate rate at 79 cents, which will apply to the tax bills due on June 5 and Nov. 5, 2022. They also voted 5-0 to approve a formal policy for the Powhatan County Revenue Stabilization Reserve, which was established last year. It establishes how much they want to keep in the fund and the purposes for which money can be withdrawn. During its meeting on Tuesday, May 11, the Powhatan County School Board also had to make a few key financial decisions that see BUDGET, pg. 6
Nancy Taylor honored as PCPS Teacher of the Year By Laura McFarland Editor
PHOTO COURTESY OF PCPS
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Powhatan High School teacher Nancy Taylor was honored as the school division’s Teacher of the Year.
POWHATAN – When Powhatan High School teacher Nancy Taylor was recently called to an impromptu staff meeting, she had no idea that she was the main attraction at the gathering. Surrounded by her colleagues on May 4, and again at the school board meeting held on Tuesday, May 11, Taylor was honored as the division’s Teacher of the Year. “It was overwhelming. I was at a loss for words. (Dr. Eric Jones) asked me to say something and what I said was that I was honored to be recognized and nominated by my colleagues. That was the biggest reward of all,” she said of her initial reaction to the news. Taylor is a math teacher who has spent her entire 22-year teaching career at the high school. She currently teaches dual enrollment calculus and pre-cal__culus classes as well as AP calculus. She is a math content specialist, which involves supporting her fellow educators in developing lessons and ensuring continuity for students. She is also the teacher leader for the Advanced College Academy (ACA) program. Principal Mike Massa said that Taylor guides her instruction by the needs of her students. She challenges them to work cooperatively with classmates to solve problems. “Nancy takes the sometimes challenging concepts of advanced math and creates activities to break the content into smaller pieces to help the students overall understanding,” he said. In her role with ACA, Taylor makes sure everyone stays informed, plans meetings thoughtfully, and runs them efficiently, Massa said. She has provided invaluable instructional support and leadership to the math desee TEACHER, pg. 5
PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND
Chubbys manager Prerak Patel puts a sign up on May 12 saying the fuel delivery the gas station had just received was premium and diesel only. Before that, the tanks were empty, as they were at Valero, shown below.
Gas panic impacts local stations By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – A panic run on gasoline sparked by the six-day shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline because of a ransomeware attack saw Powhatan County gas stations slammed last week and lines out to the streets to reach the pumps. Several gas stations reported empty tanks starting on Tuesday, May 11 and long lines when they did get deliveries. Many gas stations tried to telegraph the empty reserves with yellow caution tape, out of order signs, and bags over gas pump handles.
But that didn’t keep the phones from ringing. Al Patel, owner of Dorset Market, said he received phone calls constantly with people asking if he had fuel or when he would be receiving his next shipment. When he still had gas, he said the lines were out of his parking lot onto both Dorset and Genito roads at one point. Patel said he ran out of regular gasoline the first time on Tuesday and then out of premium the next morning. “It was all the way across the railroad track on Genito and on the Dorset side it was by the church,” he said. Sadiq Sajwani, owner
of Valero on Anderson Highway, described basically the same situation. He had heard the Friday see GAS, pg. 6
County fair sees record crowds over three days
LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF NOBBY HICKS/ RIGHT PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Left, the Powhatan County Fair, shown here at twilight, drew thousands of people from May 14 to 16 to the Powhatan County Fairgrounds. Shown right, Lyndsey Smith of Powhatan attended the event with excited young fairgoers Olivia Drake, from left, Avori Lowry, and Neal Smith. See more fair photos on Page 6A.
