Inside A3 Operation School Supplies returns for fifth year
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Momentum Volleyball Club back in action in Powhatan
Vol. XXXV No.. 2
July 14, 2021
Thousands gather at Powhatan Freedom Festival Community, food, fireworks focus of July 4 celebration By Laura McFarland Editor
P
OWHATAN – Thousands of people gathered at the Powhatan County Fairgrounds on July 4 to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day at the second annual Powhatan Freedom Festival. Although there isn’t an official attendance count, organizers know more than 4,000 people attended the event for an evening of music, games, food, fellowship, and fireworks. Even more parked alongside Anderson Highway to watch the fireworks display at dusk or gathered at nearby homes, schools, or businesses. Melinda Hitt, who organized the event with her husband, Corey Hitt, said she was thrilled with the turnout and the way the event was allowed to grow with COVID-19 attendance restrictions now lifted. “I was happy to see so many people
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Josue Santos, from left, and his family Luke and Emily Santos and Cynthia Zagal and her children, Angelica and Josiah, were among the thousands who attended the Powhatan Freedom Festival on July 4.
come out. My favorite part was handing out the 4-by-6-inch flags to the little kids. Just seeing them wave the flags and having a good time and get excited felt very patriotic,” she said.
The event started at 5 p.m., but people began arriving early to stake out a good parking place and a space on the lawn to listen to music by Bad Biscuits, a country, southern rock band, and to watch the
fireworks. Many people gathered in the heart of the fairgrounds around the stage while others tailgated near their vehicles. Hitt said she decided to hold the first event in 2020 and offer free admission to the 1,000 people allowed to attend because she recognized there were people in the community who had lost their jobs. She wanted to make sure anyone could come to celebrate the Fourth of July as part of the community. When the Hitts decided to bring the Freedom Festival back for a second year, they wanted to make it a fundraiser for the Powhatan Dental Outreach Foundation, which holds free dental clinics for children and has offered events in Powhatan and other localities as well as in Honduras. So they charged admission this year. Donna Kidder of Powhatan attended the event with her family and said they were super excited to get out and see fireworks this year. She said it was wonderful to see all the folks at the fairgrounds without masks enjoying the Fourth with their families. “It was really our first public event in over a year! My favorite part was the feeling of complete normalcy. I'll never see FREEDOM, pg. 6
VDOT study highlights problems with Route 60 By Laura McFarland Editor
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – The results of a two-year study of a 103-mile stretch of U.S. Route 60 show that two intersections in Powhatan County are currently operating at unacceptable levels of service and several projects in Powhatan and Cumberland counties are recommended to improve safety. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) released the re-
sults of the U.S. 60 Corridor Study, which examined Route 60 in the six localities between Powhatan and Amherst counties. The study provides localities with cost effective, innovative intersection design improvements that are tailored for submission as SMART Scale applications they can apply to for funding, said Darrel Johnson, rural planning manager with VDOT. SMART Scale is a statewide competitive funding program for
transportation projects that takes place every two years. “The localities can take this information and apply for SMART Scale funding. The issues have been identified in a study; there is data to support it. So hopefully it would rank high in the funding scenario,” Johnson said. “But you also have to keep in mind they are competing against other locations around the district and state. It puts them closer to the top, but they
are competing against other projects for funding.” He added it is ultimately up to the board of supervisors and the public to decide if they want to accept VDOT’s recommendations and submit them for funding through SMART Scale. Bret Schardein, assistant county administrator, said the study provides good insight and data for county officials to scrutinize but stressed no final decisions have been made
on the information. Some of the projects have already been recommended in the past and have gone through the public process in previous SMART Scale applications, such as suggestions for the Red Lane intersection with Route 60, while some are completely new for the county. “People shouldn’t look at this and think that decisions have been made to build each and every one of them,” Schardein said. The results of the
study, while offering some new solutions, only verified what the county already knew that “the corridor is going to continue to be stressed,” he added. With applications for the next round of SMART Scale due in 2022, county and VDOT staff will start bringing options to the supervisors in the coming months. The report, which was released in June and cost $232,141, includes a see VDOT pg. 4
Nathan Mitchell running for supervisor seat in District 2
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Contributed Report In this November’s special election, Nathan Mitchell seeks to become the District 2 representative on the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors. Mitchell is running as an independent candidate. Since moving here in 2011 and calling Powhatan home, he has seen phenomenal growth that needs to be managed and sustained to safeguard Powhatan as a desirable place to live, work, and play for future generations. Mitchell will use the comprehensive plan and strategic plan as resources to prioritize the issues. Drawing on his years of data analytics and project management experience, his goals are (1) preserve Powhatan’s highly sought rural character that serves all citizens in a fair and equitable manner, (2) make certain taxpayers are receiving results through sound budgeting, full transparency, and challenging our spending efficacy, and (3) identify and implement innovative, fresh ideas and approaches to stabilize the commercial-to-residential property tax ratio that has plagued Powhatan for many years. In addition, he is excited to bring different perspectives Powhatan County needs, like being a parent with three children in the school system and being a small business owner. These viewpoints will elevate diverse representation of the entire community, not partisan views and agendas. Mitchell is a graduate of McNeese State with a Bachelor of Science in management and marketing. He has worked for Capital One for 15 years. He is an industry recognized project management professional (PMP), Stanford Certified Project Manager, and George Washington Certified Project Manager. In addition, he has owned and
MITCHELL operated a small business in Powhatan for three years. He has been married to his wife, Suzi, for 21 years and has three children attending CodeRVA, Powhatan High School, and Powhatan Middle School. Mitchell has been a participant and planning committee member for two years and most recently for five years as the executive chair for Powhatan Leadership Institute, in which over 210 citizens participated to develop future leaders in Powhatan. Additionally, he has been a volunteer for Powhatan Soccer Association for over seven years, led implementation of the Powhatan County Public Schools WatchDOG program, serving as a male mentorship program for children, volunteered with the Flat Rock Elementary PTO and Cub Scouts Pack 1832/1833, participated in the PCPS Strategic Plan Committee, and currently serves on the PCPS CTE (career and technical education) Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www. nmitchell.us.
Fourth of July celebrations
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Above Anthony Del Cioppo and daughters Lily and Liana watch fireworks. Below, Ensley Copeland wears her patriotic finery. See more photos page 8A.