Inside A6 Makers Market highlights local artisans
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Great pitching leads Indians
Vol. XXXV No.. 45
May 11, 2022
Protestors say teen is a hate crime victim, seek justice By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – A crowd of about 30 people gathered May 5 at the Powhatan County Courthouse to stand behind a Chesterfield County teen who said he was the victim of a hate crime at a 2020 party in the county and protest how the case has been handled by law enforcement. A handful of speakers, including Jerry Chambers Jr., 18, spoke at the rally about an incident in September 2020, in which the then 16-year-old attended a reportedly mostly white party where other attendees wrote racial slurs and a swastika on his face while he was intoxicated and unconscious. Photos of this and of him unconscious with a confederate flag draped over his body were published on social media at the time, his family said. Thursday’s rally was the second in a week organized by the family and supporters to speak about the 2020 incident and what they say has been a lack of willingness by the Powhatan County
Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to pursue the matter. The Chambers family each spoke briefly at the protest. When he spoke, an emotional Jerry Chambers Jr.’s comments revolved mostly around the actual 2020 incident, including naming people who he said attended the party and saying they knew what they did to him. Holding an enlarged photograph of her son draped in a confederate flag, Kristle Chambers said the “hate crime has been traumatizing to our entire family. We are seeking justice and we want justice now.” Her husband, Jerry Chambers Sr., said his son reported a crime and has received “no justice.” The most prominent voice at the rally was Bernadette Lark, a support advocate for the family who shared the Chambers’ account of their attempts to report the incident in September 2020 and then folPHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND low up in December 2021. According to a statement released Bernadette Lark, front right, speaks at a protest held May 5 in the Village April 28 by the sheriff’s office, the agen- regarding a 2020 incident in which Jerry Chambers Jr., left, was phocy maintained that when the family came tographed with racial slurs written on his face and a confederate flag see PROTEST, pg. 3
draped over him while he was passed out at a party in Powhatan County. Next to him are his parents, Kristle and Jerry Chambers Sr.
PCPS honors Teachers of the Year Budget discussions Division’s retirees heat up as board also recognized weighs areas to cut
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
By Laura McFarland
POWHATAN – Powhatan County Public Schools recently honored its 2022 Teachers of the Year and retirees in an uplifting and emotional ceremony. The dinner, which was held on Wednesday, May 4 at Independence Golf Course, honored the hard work and dedication to the students exhibited by PCPS staff across the board. Before she gave the blessing for dinner, Dr. Lynn Clayton-Prince, assistant superintendent for special education/
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Teacher of the Year 2022 winners were, from left: Jen Kramer (Powhatan High School); Becky Brown (Powhatan Middle School and Division); Mark Thompson (Flat Rock Elementary School); Erin Woodson (Powhatan Elementary School) and Rebecca Carmichael (Pocahontas Elementary School).
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
see PCPS, pg. 6
Managing Editor
see BUDGET, pg. 4
County dedicates six new outdoor pickleball courts
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
POWHATAN – The tenor of Powhatan County Board of Supervisors meetings held on backto-back days last week couldn’t have been more different. The supervisors had meetings on Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3 to hold public hearings on the calendar year (CY) 2022 tax rate and the fiscal year (FY) 2023 operating budget, respectively. For both evenings, the public hearings were the only listed agenda items. The May 2 meeting was dominated by comments from angry and disappointed citizens upset not only at the prospect of a potential tax rate increase but also by the news that a mistake in the advertisement for the tax rate public hearing
Kristen Guerra of Powhatan along with her children, CJ and Eva, join other community members at a National Day of Prayer event held May 5 on the lawn of the Village Building. See more photos on Page 5A.
Farmers market reopens in Village PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Angie Miller of Powhatan purchases squash and tomato plants from Moe Marchetti, owner of Breeze Hill Farm in Powhatan.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan Village Farmers Market had perfect weather and a great turnout for the opening of its 2022 season. The market, now one of two in the county, returned May 5 to Bienvenue
events center in the Village, and was a great start for the new season, said Kaz Mock, market manager. The Powhatan Village Farmers Market, which is open from 4 to 6: 30 p.m. every Thursday through September, is one of six farmers markets run by RVAg and now one of two in Powsee FARMERS MARKET, pg. 8
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Donald Coles of Goochland, left, and Mark Comer of Powhatan play on Powhatan County’s new outdoor pickleball courts, which are located beside Pocahontas Landmark Center.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Local enthusiasts of what some call the “fastest growing sport in America” recently got a thrill with the opening of a new outdoor pickleball court in Powhatan County. A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony held May 5 officially announced the six-court facility at Pocahontas Landmark Center, although they were unofficially opened a week before, said Mary Anne Woodel, the county’s parks and recreation manager. Pickleball combines elements of see PICKLEBALL, pg. 3