COLONIALS FOOTBALL WINS IN OT
ROAD WORK NEARLY COMPLETE
THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF THE COLONIAL HEIGHTS AREA
V5
V4
Friday, November 13, 2015
FREE
VETERANS DAY
LOCAL
Colonial Heights honors veterans
Thanksgiving Meal program CHESTERFIELD - The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry is asking for the community’s support for its’ Thanksgiving Meal Gift Package Program. A donation of $15 - through a food store gift card, a bag of Thanksgiving food or cash donation toward gift card or gift package - is requested and greatly welcomed. The gift will provide an area family in need with a Thanksgiving Meal and lots of leftovers. Residents must pre-register with CCHASM prior to receiving a Thanksgiving Meal Package. Donations may be sent to CCHASM at PO Box 1741, Chesterfield, VA 23832. Or, you can make a secure donation through the CCHASM website, www.cchasm.org, or bring grocery items to the Chesterfield County Fairground Exhibition Center Monday Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 17, from noon to 7 p.m.
Coupon class ETTRICK — Coupon Clipping Club founder and coupon instructor Sharon L. Johnson will hold a coupon workshop on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Ettrick Community Building, located 20621 Woodpecker Road, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. During the workshop Johnson will share couponing strategies and tips on how to save money using coupons. Each person attending the workshop will take home an array of information and material regarding the complete process of couponing. To register for the Nov. 14 coupon workshop, call the Ettrick Community Center at 804-706-2596. Johnson recommends registering early because classes “fill up fast”. For more information or to schedule a coupon class, contact Johnson at kupongirl50@yahoo.com.
Camera Club meets next week PETERSBURG - The cockade City Camera Club invites the public to attend the next meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at 7 p.m. at Petersburg Area Art League, 7 E. Old Street. The meeting will be the Show and Tell night. Also in attendance will be five visiting costumed comic book characters. Check out the club’s free classes: Beginner/Novice, Intermediate, Digital SLR, and Lightroom. For further information contact John A. Rooney, Jr. at johnarooneyjr@gmail.com.
Quarterly ‘Feed a Stranger’ PETERSBURG — The McNairTrueheart Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 622 will hold its quarterly “Feed a Stranger” program on Friday, Nov. 20, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Post headquarters, located at 1925 Johnson Road. All meals are free. The VFW’s target population is those who are 60 and older, those who are homeless, and those who are disabled. The American Red Cross will be on-site with a blood drive that day. All who can are encouraged to donate blood. INDEX Opinion ..............V2 News ..................V3
Sports ................V5 Classified ...........V6
Vol. 13, No. 10
By Shelby Mertens Staff Writer
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Veterans and their families gathered at the World War II monument across from the Courthouse on Boulevard to celebrate Veterans Day with city officials and the community on Tuesday. The annual Veterans Day ceremony in Colonial Heights is conducted by the local veterans groups: American Legion Post 284 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2239. Many city officials were present in the crowd along with Del. Kirk Cox and Brig. Gen. Ronald Kirklin from Fort Lee. A third grade class from Tussing Elementary School sang two patriotic melodies. The 392nd Army Band from Fort Lee also performed. Colonial Heights Mayor T. Gregory Kochuba presented a proclamation from the city to the members of American Legion Post 284. “I can’t tell you how honored I am to be here today to recognize our veterans and those men and women who wear the uniform,” Kochuba said. “I know my father would be excited that I’m doing this. He served in World War II as well as the Korean War so I just want to take a minute to thank you for your service and all that you do for our country.” The proclamation read, “On Nov. 11 of each year, we reaffirm our commitment to those that have answered the call of duty on behalf of all Americans. Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherish liberty and make great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom …The greatness of America is founded in the bravery and heroism of men and women who stand strong in the face of conflict.” Brig. Gen. Walt Mercer, assistant adjutant general of the Virginia Army National Guard, was the guest speaker
Veterans lay wreaths at the World War II monument on Boulevard across from the Courthouse at the 2015 Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. SHELBY MERTENS/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO
of the event. Mercer began his military career as an enlisted soldier in 1982. He graduated from the Reserve Officer Training Program at Virginia Tech in 1985 and served two years active duty before joining the Maryland National Guard. Mercer became the first commander of the 2nd Squadron of the 183rd Cavalry Regiment in Iraq and Kuwait in 2007 and 2008. He also commanded the 94th Troop Command from 2010 to 2013. Mercer’s most recent assignment was at Fort Belvoir as a G-3 operations officer for the 29th Infantry Division. As a citizen, Mercer is also a high school administrator in Hanover County Public Schools. Mercer told the story of a local veteran named Blaine Wyatt Barney, who lived in Colonial Heights and served in World War II. Barney was born in Oklahoma in 1920 of meager beginnings. He fought in Italy during the war and
was part of the Allied troops who liberated Rome in 1944. He settled in Colonial Heights after the war and died in 2012 at the age of 92. “It’s important for each of us to reflect on the sacrifices of our veterans,” Mercer said. “Their courage in the face of danger to me shines like a beacon on future generations through the times of evil and uncertainty that we live in.” Robert L. Shumar, commander of the American Legion Post 284, asked those in attendance to “please remember to take the time to thank a veteran.” The origins of Veterans Day trace back to the end of World War I in 1919. The war officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles signed in France on June 28, 1919, but the fighting had already ceased seven months prior when an armistice had been signed between the Allied Powers and Germany. The armistice went into effect on
Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 a.m., which was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The day was widely known as the “end of the war to end all wars.” President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11, 1919 as the first Armistice Day. The occasion was a celebration of peace with parades and public meetings to honor veterans of The Great War. Armistice Day became a federal holiday in 1938. However, by the 1940s the holiday evolved into a celebration of all war veterans. The name was officially changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day by Congress on June 1, 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. “I want to challenge all of you to make Veterans Day every day,” Mercer said. — Shelby Mertens may be reached at 804-722-5154 or smertens@progress-index. com
COLONIAL HEIGHTS
Kroger set to open in 2017 By Shelby Mertens Staff Writer
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — A deal on the long-awaited Kroger in Colonial Heights has finally been closed after a delay that lasted over a year due to legal battles. The 95,00-square foot grocery store will be located at the former courthouse site at 401 Temple Ave. The store is expected to open no later than April of 2017, with constructing starting as early as March of 2016. “We’re excited to deliver the Kroger experience to new customers in the Tri-Cities area,” Kroger Mid-Atlantic president
Joe Fey stated in a news release from the city. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the city of Colonial Heights and we’re looking forward to serving the community here.” The property was purchased for $2.56 million. Additionally, Kroger has agreed to a minimum local investment of $8 million in construction and purchasing of new property, the news release stated. The deal will create at least 200 jobs. The Colonial Heights City Council approved a development agreement with Kroger in early 2013. Construction was set to begin Dec. 31, 2014, but the deadline was extended to
May 1, 2015 and then to Oct. 31, 2015 due to a pending lawsuit over the rezoning of the property that was filed in March of 2014. Dennis J. Livingston and Lou Jean Livingston, who live behind the Kroger site, filed a lawsuit claiming the city did not provide enough public notice for citizen input on the agreement and accused the city of illegal spot zoning and contract zoning. A Circuit Court judge dismissed the case because he found no legal merits. However, the Livingstons filed another appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. But the lawsuit died on Oct. 16 when the Virginia Supreme
Court issued a sentence stating that it had decided not to hear the appeal. “This has certainly been a long journey for us bringing the city’s partnership with Kroger to fruition,” City Manager Thomas Mattis stated. “Their project will not only bring new services to our community, but will also create jobs and much-needed new revenue in support of city taxpayers. I’m very excited to be a part of it.” The Kroger will be the first grocery store built on the west side of I-95. — Shelby Mertens may be reached at 804-722-5154 or smertens@progress-index.com