COX SEEKS CONSTITUENTS’ INPUT PAGE V4
THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF THE COLONIAL HEIGHTS AREA
Friday, January 9, 2015
LOCAL
Winter/spring story time sessions COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Public Library will be offering its 2015 winter/spring story time sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. beginning January 20 and ending on May 13. Each session includes stories, music, lots of movement and a craft. Story hours are designed to help children gain important prereading skills, learn to socialize with other children, and to begin a lifelong love of books and reading. This is a family story hour, and all ages are welcome. No registration is necessary. A parent or caregiver must attend with the child. For more information, call Chantal Emerson at 520-9384.
Food drive COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Treasurer’s Office continues to collect food for area residents in need. There is a collection box in the office and collections will be accepted through Jan. 31. Citizens and employees are asked to donate nonperishable foods as part of this effort to help the less fortunate. All collected items will be distributed locally, with donations going to the Colonial Heights Food Pantry. For more information, contact Joy, Peg, Harriet, Cheryl or Shannon at 520-9320.
Leaf removal COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The city’s Department of Public Works is continuing its leaf removal services in city neighborhoods. Leaves are being collected and removed during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday through Jan. 30. Residents are asked to place leaves along street frontages and roadsides one week before service is scheduled to begin in their neighborhood. Residents can assist leaf removal operations by keeping parked vehicles clear of leaf piles. For more information, call 520-9372.
City Council to hold public hearing COLONIAL HEIGHTS — City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 James Ave. Council will be accepting comments on Ordinance No. 14-19, which is to grant a special use permit to Big Lots for property located at 1217 Boulevard, to allow Big Lots to permanently place and use not more than two ground level trailers (metal storage containers) adjacent to the dock located on the southern side of the building; and to place a fence and 10 foot gate in front of the trailers (metal storage containers) to improve the visual appearance from street level. All persons affected or interested are invited to be present at the public hearing. A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file for public examination during regular business hours in the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 James Ave., and on the city website at www.colonialheightsva.gov.
PAGE V5
FREE
STEM LEARNING
Students take field trip to former city landfill Colonial Heights Middle School students strengthen problem-solving skills By Shelby Mertens Staff Writer
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Deer tracks, dead snails and centipedes were among the special guests for Colonial Heights Middle School students visiting the city’s former landfill as part of the school’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative. The students were challenged with the question of why there are so many seagulls in the brownfield area off East Roslyn Road when there is no ocean nearby. The field trip allowed students to get real life scientific fieldwork experience by measuring water and soil quality, as well as population sampling. The field trip is part of a year-long project. The landfill, which closed down in the 1970s, has since attracted a large number of seagulls that aren’t supposed to live in the environment, said Kate Ewalt, seventh-grade life science teacher. “Through the course of the year … they’re going to design something that would fit in this area that would help encourage our native species so they can out-compete those seagulls and also be something that humans can use in this area,” Ewalt said. Transect lines were set up in the brownfield for population sampling. “It’s a line and they walk along the line looking for what they can find and it’s just a scientific way to sample what kinds of organisms are in the area, so they’re getting experience as what real scientists do in the field of population sampling,” she said. Students found a variety of specimens, ranging from bones and invertebrates to deer tracks. The brush at the brownfield is almost kneehigh, which required students get their hands a little dirty in order to search for animals
Colonial Heights Middle School students collecting data to find the quality of water in the brownfield area. SHELBY MERTENS/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO.
or anything else they can find below the brush. Some of their findings even surprised teachers. “They found all sorts of stuff that I wasn’t even expecting ... and they’ve been really excited about it,” Ewalt said. “It’s nice that they get to enjoy the fieldwork part of science that we don’t get to do much sitting in the classroom.” Thirteen-year-old Jordan Dube said he found a dead snail and a large log, while fellow student Anna Mingloski found more living creatures, such as centipedes, worms and crickets, in addition to various plants. Mingloski said she is interested in the STEM fields of study and was excited about the field trip. “I was looking forward to seeing all the animals,” she said. “(Some) people said it wasn’t going to be fun, but I like it.” Students were also tasked with measuring the quality of water samples taken from a pond near American Family Fitness and natural ponds that are in close proximity to the Appomattox River. “They’re sampling to see what kind of oxygen is in the water, which is what we need for fish, and then they’re
VSU professor Dr. Brian Nerrie helped the students collect data during the field trip. SHELBY MERTENS/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO.
looking for nitrates and phosphates, which would be an indication of pollution, and they’re also checking pH, which will tell us, if it’s right in the middle, that’s good, if it’s off, that may be an indication of pollution,” Ewalt said. She said the natural sources of water around the brownfield area are important to the land. To foster community collaboration, Dr. Brian Nerrie, professor and aquaculture extension specialist at Virginia State University, also attended the field trip to help students collect data. Nerrie said this isn’t the first time VSU has partnered with area middle
schools. “The linkage between Virginia State University and the middle school has been quite strong. We’ve done some programs with them before,” Nerrie said. “It (has) worked out fairly well.” Nerrie brought one of his data loggers to show the students how to get more accurate measurements. He also explained the work he does with aquaculture. Another VSU professor, Dr. Asmare Atalay, assisted students with their data collection as well during the first group that met at 8 a.m. The
SEE FIELD TRIP, V3
COMMUNITY CLOSE-UP
Sterling Hawkins looks to improve the community
INDEX Opinion ........................................................ V2 Year in Review.............................................. V4 Classified ..................................................... V6
Vol. 12, No. 17
KOCHUBA APPOINTED HEIGHTS MAYOR
Sterling Hawkins
From Staff Reports
Ettrick and attended Chesterfield County Schools.
Sterling Hawkins said he likes making his community a better place for all. When he was first given the opportunity to join Citizens for a Cleaner City last winter, he jumped at the opportunity. Since then, he said he’s enjoyed every minute of it and has even received positive feedback from the community he loves to serve.
Q. How long have you lived in the city?
Q. Are you originally from Colonial Heights?
No, I am originally from
I have been in the area all of my life, but moved to the city about 10 years ago. Q. Do you have family in the city (spouse, children, parents, etc.)?
I know a lot of people in Colonial Heights, but my mother is the only relative that lives here. Q. How long have you been a member of Citizens for a Cleaner City?
I have been a member of CCC since its inception in February or March.
Q. What is your position in the organization?
I am one of the co-chairmen and have been called upon to serve as the spokesperson at times.
Q. What is your most memorable moment with the organization?
At this point, there has not been a most memorable
SEE HAWKINS, V3
V2
Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.
OPINION
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ANOTHER VIEW
15 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803
Cindy Morgan ...............................Publisher Brian J. Couturier ............ Managing Editor Bob Seals .....................Circulation Director Baretta Taylor .............Advertising Director Travis Wolfrey ................Prepress Manager Ron Shifflett .............. Pressroom Manager Peggy Simon................. Business Manager
OUR VIEW
Time for community to speak out on proposed Fort Lee cuts
T
he public had a big chance to come out in force for what the Army is calling a “Community Listening Session on Army 2020 End Strength Reductions.” This was a chance for local officials and community members to comment on proposed cuts at Fort Lee that could have a severe impact on the regional economy. The meeting was at the Army Logistics University, Fort Lee on Thursday. A U.S. Army report says Fort Lee could face major cuts, affecting as many as 3,600 soldiers and Army civilians by 2020. That could pull down the local economy by an estimated $338.4 million in sales and $243 in income, for a total of $581 million, if the worse-case cuts in the Army’s Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment are authorized. Fort Lee contributes $2.4 billion in economic output for the Tri-City region and 13.62 percent of the total gross domestic product, according to the Army study. If the worse-case cuts took place, state and local tax revenues are expected to decrease by $3 million. The base also makes up a fair amount of Prince George County’s workforce at almost 16 percent. Fort Lee’s total working population is 22,487, according to SPEA, which is made up of active duty soldiers, civilians, students, trainees and contractors. Of the total population, 6,474 are considered permanent residents. If the worse-case cuts are enacted, an estimated 2,792 permanent party soldiers and 746 Army civilians will be cut. The estimated loss of 3,600 soldiers and Army civilians includes the 879 positions that were cut when the 49th Quartermaster Group was deactivated. The force reduction would directly affect approximately 8,909 of the Fort Lee population, including 5,371 family members and 3,396 children. And the overall population in the Tri-Cities region would drop by 1.9 percent. The report concludes that there are no significant impacts other than socioeconomic at the 30 installations analyzed, including Fort Lee. Decisions on which units and organizations will be selected for reductions have not yet been made. Potential impacts, including those identified in comments received from the public, are being considered as final force structure decisions are made. An expert from Department of Army headquarters will be at the listening session to provide an overview of the stationing decision process and to take comments and questions. Time will be provided for community officials and citizens to provide their input and ask questions. It was up to community members and leaders to convince the Army that there would be a significant impact on the region if there were substantial cuts at Fort Lee.
YOUR VIEWS
in the implementation of the healthcare law, the effects of sequestration, badly strained political relationships, a At the beginning of a new myriad of scandals, an out of year, we stand at the cusp of possibility. We have the chance control deficit, and an overall dysfunctional government. In for a fresh start. And though other words, the federal govthe start of the New Year may ernment is playing defense, not bring with it a completely rather than playing offense. blank slate, it at least offers It’s putting out fires instead an opportunity to recalibrate. of lighting the way to the next We find ourselves considering defining moment. where we’ve been in the year Yet through it all, American before and what we want to individuals and businesses become in the year ahead. have continued to build. Steve For many people, myself Jobs and his company built a included, this recalibration computer, and an iPod, and an manifests itself in the form of goals. This year as I thought of iPhone – and changed the way we communicate. Dr. Francis goals for myself, I also found Collins and his team of scienmyself thinking of the goals tists mapped and sequenced I would set for our nation. I the human genome – and thought of economic policy advanced biological knowlgoals, national defense goals, goals for our budget, and many edge of human health. Larry others. Those are all important Page and Sergey Brin built Google – and changed the way legislative issues that touch we look for information. mainstays of our society. But The American propensity if there were one overarching to build continues to sustain goal I could set for our counus and launch us forward. try – one that reaches across That value is deeply engrained industries, legislative policies, in our society, and I believe and national issues – it would American individuals and be this: businesses will always look for To be a nation that builds instead of a nation that repairs. ways to build a better future America comes from a steep for themselves. But imagine what could tradition of building. Out of be done if our goal was for chaos, uncertainty, and the an American government desire for freedom, the first generation of Americans built that builds instead of one a country based on life, liberty, that repairs? What if our government had the capacand the pursuit of happiness. ity to create the best possible Since that point, our hisenvironment for innovators, tory has been sprinkled with so that they can be more agile, stories of incredible builders. creative, and efficient? There is Jonas Salk constructed a vaca clear way to do this: by giving cine for polio – and produced individuals and businesses the a medical breakthrough for tools necessary to innovate humanity. Henry Ford built and excel, and by cutting the the concept of a moving red tape that is choking vital assembly line – and changed American industries. The the face of American manufederal government can build facturing. Andrew Higgins America by simply getting out built the LCVP boat – and of the way and empowering gave our military the ability individuals and businesses to transport thousands of soldiers to open shore, ultimately - not the federal government to do what they do best. leading us to victory in World We could encourage a War II. NASA built the Apollo rocket program– and we put a renewed emphasis on math man on the moon. The Wright and science education for our students, so they can mainBrothers built an airplane tain our competitive edge as – and opened a new way of they enter the workforce and travel that spans the globe. eventually become the driving Behind those feats was a strength behind our economy. national government cheering and mobilizing in support We could lift the weight of government bureaucracy off of those innovations. We the shoulders of our manucelebrated huge national successes. We witnessed defining facturing industry to create opportunity for increased moments in history. global competitiveness, We haven’t seen that govnational innovation, and an ernment in quite some time. increase in American jobs. We Instead of being the entity to could be on the frontiers of help propel innovation, the federal government is holding new medical breakthroughs by reinvesting in our mediit back. cal research infrastructure, There is a simple reason: putting patient first, and resource allocation. The choosing medical innovation federal government is so over medical regulation. We focused on repairing broken could put medicine in the policies that it has little time hands of researchers rather to think towards the future. than bureaucrats. The potenInstead of thinking of ways tial is limitless. to encourage innovative Here at the beginning discovery, the federal governof 2015, we stand at the ment is repairing mistakes
The one New Year’s goal our nation needs
possibility of possibilities. The most important goal we can set is one that empowers Americans to do what we’ve always done best. I want to be a nation that builds. —Congressman Randy Forbes, R-4th District Chesapeake, Va.
Former governor did not receive a fair trial As the sentencing date for former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s conviction on corruption charges approaches, one wonders “Did Gov. McDonnell receive a fair trial?” Consider: During the Fourth of July weekend in 2013, a rumor surfaced that McDonnell was about to plead guilty and resign from office. Due to the holiday weekend, the rumor received wide publicity before it could be discredited. McDonnell’s image was severely tarnished and there were several calls for his resignation. In December 2013, the offer of a plea deal was made public. If McDonnell would plead guilty to a bank fraud charge, both he and his wife could avoid prosecution on corruption charges. This offer being made public gave the appearance of guilt and thus finished the destruction of McDonnell’s image. This happened even though there wasn’t a single report in the media of any illegal action by the governor, no report of any improper act, and even no report of any questionable act. This always happens when an innocent person is falsely accused. The media only reports the accusations because that is all there is to report. The public just doesn’t realize that when the media fails to provide evidence of guilt, that is proof of innocence! The whole idea of this plea deal, especially it being made public, seems wrong. Isn’t offering a deal prior to filing charges and prior to showing McDonnell the evidence against him a violation of McDonnell’s right to face his accuser and the charges against him? Isn’t it also an unfair presumption of guilt? Shouldn’t a plea offer/deal be kept totally private unless it is accepted and then only made public in a court of law? For justice to be served, shouldn’t a governor and his wife who are guilty of corruption both serve some serious prison time? The plea deal offer implied that, if accepted, the prosecution would not present evidence of corruption to the grand jury. Is it ever proper to not present evidence of corruption to a grand jury? This plea deal seems more like an attack on McDonnell than justice! Consider this deal from McDonnell’s viewpoint. He knows that he is not guilty of anything illegal in the performance of his duties as
governor. McDonnell also knows that he is not guilty of the bank fraud charge — (Nine months later a jury agreed.) The threat of facing corruption charges and years of jail time must have seemed intimidating — almost like blackmail! How do you even deal with such false accusations and with threats? On Jan. 24, 2014, many newspapers reported “Gov. McDonnell nixes plea deal; Indicted on corruption charges.” I have never heard of another time when an indictment was reported at the same time as the rejection of a plea deal. This headline screams guilty! This left no doubt of guilt in the court of public opinion and totally destroyed Gov. McDonnell’s image! The jury pool was now permanently tainted, eliminating the possibility of a fair trial. Even the grand jury believed that receiving gifts was proof of corruption. If this had been a normal corruption case, McDonnell would have been charged with illegal or improper acts while acting in his official capacity as governor. Jonnie Williams would have been charged with giving gifts/ bribes to Gov. McDonnell and his family. Instead, we have Gov. McDonnell and his wife charged with receiving gifts and Jonnie Williams granted immunity. Why is McDonnell being charged with the crimes committed by Jonnie Williams? When did receiving gifts become illegal? Isn’t a gift just a gift until an action by the recipient turns the gift into a bribe? If Gov. McDonnell did not know that a gift was intended as a bribe, and did nothing to convert a gift into a bribe, where is the crime? Besides, when the first gift turned into a bribe, Jonnie Williams would have gotten what he wanted and the gifts would have stopped. The McDonnells received $177,000 in gifts. Compare this to the Clintons. Back in 1999 when the Clintons were trying to buy a house in New York state so that Hiliary could run for senator from New York, Terry McAuliffe put up $1.35 million cash as collateral for the loan, but the Clintons were not charged with corruption. In 2013, when McAuliffe ran for governor, both Clintons made campaign appearances which probably accounted for the margin of victory. Still, no one accused the Clintons of corruption. The difference? Accusers pointed fingers at McDonnell to save themselves! Even the jurors focused on the gifts as proof of corruption. After the trial, one juror even stated “Yep. he took the gifts, he’s guilty.” This bias guaranteed a conviction! It’s time the McDonnells received justice! —James N. Bridgeman,
Chester
The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Jan. 9, 2015
V3
YOUR NEWS THINGS
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TO DO THIS
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ■ This weekend marks the last chance to see “Honky Tonk Angels - Holiday Spectacular” at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Colonial Heights. Showtime is 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. Tickets are available for show only or show plus buffet dinner. Call 804-7485203 for reservations or visit www.swiftcreekmill. com for online ticketing.
foods will be collected for St. James’ Food bank as a donation. For more information about the event, call Barbara at 943-3957. ■ Older adults are invited to dance the night away on Friday in Colonial Heights. The monthly Seniors Dance with music by The Antiques will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 157 Roanoke Ave. The cost is $6 per person. Refreshments are available for an additional cost.
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY FRIDAY ■ If you like bingo, there’s ■ Music lovers may enjoy a game going on in Colonial Heights Friday, Saturday jamming with a group of and Sunday evening. The musicians who gather American Legion Post 284, monthly at the Brighter Living assisted living facility 505 Springdale Road, holds bingo every Friday. Doors in Hopewell to play and open at 5 p.m., and games sing for residents and start at 7. Food is available community members. for a nominal fee. For more The “Bluegrass Jam Sesinformation, call 526-5656. sion” will run from 7-9:30 The Veterans of Foreign p.m. Friday at the facility, Wars Post 2239, 14705 located at 5301 Plaza Drive, just off Route 36. The Jefferson Davis Highway, holds bingo each Saturday. event is sponsored by St. Doors open at 5 p.m. and James Catholic Church of games begin at 7. There Hopewell, in partnership are six to eight chances to with Brighter Living. The win $500 or more. Food is bluegrass players and available. For more informasingers are residents from tion, call 748-4896 and ask the local area, and the for Tom Gore. The Colonial event is free. The public is always invited to attend and Heights Moose Lodge 1783, anyone can bring an instru- 170 Moose Ave., holds bingo every Sunday. Doors open ment and join the group at 4 p.m. Bingo starts at 6 of musicians. Bring your favorite winter appetizer or p.m. Food is available for a nominal fee. For more infordessert to share with the community. Non-perishable mation, call 526-1537.
PETERSBURG — On Saturday, Jan. 24, Petersburg National Battlefield will host a “hands-on” program allowing visitors a chance to learn about Civil War map making. The program will occur at the Operations Building of the park’s Eastern Front Unit at 10 a.m. and, again, at 2 p.m. Reservations are required since space is limited. To make a reservation or for additional information, call Park Ranger Randy Watkins at 804-732-3531, ext. 205, and leave a voice mail message with your name and which program you
want to attend, best telephone contact number, e-mail address, if you use one, and the approximate number in your party. Your registration will be confirmed by telephone and/or e-mail. The program is free with admission to the park.
AARP to meet COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The local chapter AARP will meet from noon to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at the Community Building, 157 Roanoke Ave. This is a nonpartisan member organization that strive to help people age 50 and older improve the quality of their lives. There is no charge to attend meetings.
who you are, and tells you how much they appreciFrom Page V1 ate what you are doing to improve the city, that moment, other than the makes you feel really good. support we have received Q. Are you a part of from other city residents. any other organizations
HAWKINS
Q. What’s your favorite thing about being a member of the organization?
Petersburg National Battlefield to sponsor fortifications tour Participants will visit sites in Colonial Heights, Chesterfield, Petersburg and Dinwiddie County From Contributed Report
PETERSBURG — Pe t e r s b u r g Na t i o n a l Battlefield is offering a seven-hour caravan tour to focus on the basics of military engineering and the various types of fortifications which existed during the Siege of Petersburg. The tour will occur on Saturday, Jan. 17, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Eastern Front Visitor Center, located at 5001 Siege Road. Participants will visit Bermuda Hundred, Battery Parker, Forts Stevens, and Darling in Chesterfield County; Fort Clifton in Colonial Heights and various fortifications in Petersburg National Battlefield. The tour will end at Union Fort Fisher, the largest of all fortifications around Petersburg located approximately 4 miles southwest of Petersburg. The cost is $5 per vehicle and reservations are required. The tour is limited to 10 vehicles due to parking limitations at some sites. If the tour limit is exceeded, a waiting list will be established and an additional tour may be
scheduled for a later date. For more information or to reserve a space, please call Park Ranger Randy Watkins at 804-732-3531 ext. 205 or e-mail him at Randolph_Watkins@nps. gov. Reservation requests must include number of people in your party, your best contact telephone number and your e-mail address if you use one. Your reservation request will be confirmed by telephone or e-mail. Please remember to bring a lunch and to dress for the weather.
About the Siege of Petersburg The Siege of Petersburg, lasting 9.5 months, was the longest military event of the Civil War and was considered a precursor to the type of warfare which would exist in World War I. In 1862 Confederate soldiers and civilians spent months digging miles of trench lines which would help defend the city in the event of an enemy attack. When the siege actually began in mid-June of 1864, Union soldiers would dig their own trenches around
the Confederate defense line as they attempted to block off all supply routes into Petersburg. The fortifications along the lines, including the gun batteries, salients, picket trenches, and rifle pits, could vary in size and shape. This tour will help explain why various types of fortifications were used in different areas of the lines and other elements involved in strengthening and maintaining the lines. Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the
historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors. Park Visitor Centers, located in Petersburg, Hopewell, and Dinwiddie County are each open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The fee to enter the park is $5 per vehicle; however the Petersburg National Battlefield annual pass and federal recreation passes are also honored. For more information about events at Petersburg National Battlefield, visit www.nps.gov/pete, become a fan on the PNB Facebook page, or follow PNB on Twitter @PetersburgNPS.
FIELD TRIP From Page V1
BRIEFLY ITEMS
Learn the Art of Civil War Map Making
CIVIL WAR HISTORY
in the city of Colonial Heights?
I am not involved with other organizations in I like the feeling of doing Colonial Heights. I am something to improve president of the Ettrick my community. I was Neighborhood and Busiinvolved in community ness Foundation, which work when I lived in has provided funds to Ettrick for a number of meet a variety of needs years. When I was asked in that community from to be a part of CCC, I saw home repairs and playa need in the city and ground equipment to a shared their values, and variety of school needs to became involved. When food and a pilot program someone stops you, asks for medication assistance.
second group arrived at the brownfield around noon. Nerrie said this experience is beneficial to the students because it exposes them to real life scientific work and that it will be something they can relate to in future a s s i g n m e n t s . Ne r r i e stressed that it’s better to get a hands-on experience instead of just discussing it in a classroom. “What they do in the field, they’ ll do in the lab, so they’ll be able to relate these things after it’s completed,” he said. “Right now I think this is the outdoor experience that they’ll be able to talk about and I think that’s the key.” It’ll also allow teachers to identify knowledge gaps, Nerrie added. The STEM initiative allows students to problem solve real situations. It also encourages students to mesh all of their courses of study together. Under STEM programs, students learn to not just think about English while they’re in English class, but to also integrate their knowledge in math, science and other topics.
Students are collecting population samples from transect lines and then drawing what they see. SHELBY MERTENS/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO
“STEM is very important because that’s how the real world works,” Ewalt said. “It’s integrating all these ideas in order to come up with all the innovations that we enjoy on a day to day basis.” Ewalt said by bringing ideas together, STEM prepares students to become the innovators of the future. —Shelby Mertens may be reached at 804-732-5154 or smertens@progressindex.com.
V4
Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.
YEAR IN REVIEW
TRI-CITIES STORIES OF 2014 By Patrick Kane Staff Writer
From a brutal crime that rocked the Delectable Heights community to the sudden resignation of a college president; from a long-awaited plant opening in Hopewell to the stars of Hollywood filming in Old Towne, 2014 was a year of both pain and success in the Tri-Cities area. Here are the top stories of the year, as selected by editors and reporters at The Colonial Voice.
Chinese company buys announced his departure on Halloween. chemical plant on The Ettrick university verge of closure
blamed a big enrollment W i t h t h e l o o m i n g drop and $19 million of closure of one of Peters- cuts on changes to fedburg’s largest employers, eral aid programs, which a Chinese company has students at the historiemerged as the new owner cally-black university rely of the former Boehringer on heavily. Ingelheim plant. Pa m e l a Ha m m o n d UniTao Pharmaceuti- of Hampton University cals LLC will invest $22.5 was appointed as interim million to establish oper- president, and a search ations and employ 376 committee begins work people. UniTao is a sub- this week on Miller’s persidiary of Shanghai-based manent replacement. The Margaret Blair Dacey Tenry Pharmaceutical Co., departure comes amidst a Ltd., and the company buildup in Ettrick, highThree people initially manufactures active phar- lighted by the $84 million charged faced no penalmaceutical ingredients. Multipurpose Center. ties, prompting anger Quadruple homicide The project is a result of from the family and rocks Petersburg, the governor’s meeting public. Dacey’s case was manhunt continues with company officials in Final defendant guilty overseen by a speciallyThe streets were raw Shanghai, China during in Rusty Mack case appointed judge and tried with emotion in the wake his Asia Marketing MisA 19-year-old woman by a special prosecutor of the brutal slaying of a sion. Virginia successfully from Colonial Heights from Stafford County, Harding Street family. competed against Caliwill spend 20 years in after criticism of how And unfortunately, the fornia and China for the prison for her role in the Commonwealth’s Attorman sought in connecproject, with a $1 million February 2013 death of ney Bill Bray handled the tion to the crime remains grant from the state. Russell “Rusty” Mack. case. at-large. BI had planned to close Jo n a t h a n G u y w a s Margaret Blair Dacey was Just after Easter a and lay off 240 employees. acquitted Nov. 8, 2013. found guilty of secondblaze brought officials to Guy was charged with degree murder and other 721 Harding St., where a second-degree murder, grisly discovery awaited: VSU president resigns charges in July and was murder by mob, malicious sentenced in November. T h e b o d i e s o f t h r e e after budget cuts, Mack, 21, suffered a vio- wounding and maliwomen and a toddler. student protests lent kick to the head from cious wounding by mob. Pauline Wilkins and her With roiling student Dacey on Feb. 11, 2013, Charges of second-degree daughter, Vickie Chavismurder and murder by Ansar, were found with anger over budget cuts during a group confrontaand a lack of campus tion in Colonial Heights. mob against Francis Blaha stab wounds. Tanique communication this fall, He died of his injuries on were nolle prossed on Nov. Chavis, her granddaughVirginia State University Feb. 28 after he was taken 15, 2013. Charges against ter, and Chavis’ son, Mack’s estranged wife, Delvari Chavis, died of President Keith T. Miller off of life support. Ashley Mack, for murder, smoke inhalation. Hundreds packed Harding Street to remember them during a vigil, with huge crowds again gathering for a funeral service. Fundraisers and local events help boost a family reward fund. Alexander Hill, a former boyfriend of family member Vivian Chavis, is being sought as a person of interest by local authorities and the U.S. Marshals Service. The manhunt for Hill, who was last seen at an Amtrak station and Waffle House in North Carolina, continues. He is wanted for violating a protection order, assault, possession of child por- President Keith T. Miller speaks in his office after tendering his resignation to nography and providing the Virginia State University Board of Visitors Friday, Oct. 31. He will step down false information to effective December 31 after four years leading the historically black university. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS police.
malicious wounding by mob and murder by mob, were nolle prossed on Dec. 9, 2013.
Ethanol plant opens, after years in mothballs With a little tax help from the state, Hopewell’s long-mothballed ethanol plant is finally cooking with gas. Rather, cooking up gas. Vireol Bio Energy began brewing ethanol this past spring. It also produces a byproduct used as animal feed. Only last year, the plant — built for nearly $200 million by Osage Bio Energy and never opened — was eyed by investors for dismantling so that pricey equipment could be relocated to a plant in Grimsby, England. However, with persuasion from the city and state, investors decided to open in Hopewell. They are eligible for up to $1.5 million a year in tax subsidies under the Biofuels Production Incentive Grant. A grand opening was held in September, by which time more than 11 million gallons had been produced. It is blended with gasoline and sold locally. It is also expected to boost local farmers.
Rosalyn Dance elected to state Senate Petersburg will have a stronger position in the 2015 General Assembly as Rosalyn Dance ascends to the Senate of Virginia. Dance beat former Richmond Mayor Rudy McCollum, businesswoman Gerry Rawlinson and fellow Delegate Delores McQuinn in a June party primary. In November’s general election, she beat businessman Preston “Famous” Brown to earn the seat vacated by the retirement of Henry L. Marsh III, who held the seat for many years. Dance had served as delegate since 2005, and before
that as Petersburg’s mayor and City Council member. A special election for her seat was held Tuesday, Jan. 6 between Democrat Joseph Preston and Independent William Jones.
Petersburg City Council orders jail closure
Dozens of deputies head into 2015 facing uncertainty about the future, as Petersburg City Council has moved to close the city jail. In an unexpected move by outgoing Councilor Ken Pritchett, the city proposed to move inmates to Riverside Regional Jail instead of fixing or replacing the existing jail, deemed inadequate. It passed on a 4-3 vote on December 9. Judge Pamela Baskervil has issued a show cause order for the city to explain why the court should not order the city to repair the jail. The sudden decision came after more than two years of discussion, debate and approval of funds to start some repairs at the jail and Jail Annex.
Petersburg Public Library opens after community fundraising effort
The city’s new mecca of learning has opened after nearly a decade of fundraising, design and other labors. “If I can help some child read on grade level or any adult read on any level, then any contribution I had to making this library happen will not be in vain,” Director Wayne Crocker said at the April grand opening. The new $12.7 million, 45,000-square-foot building features about 3,000 square feet for children’s programming, a city-inspired mosaic, 60 computers for public use, a cafe, a gift shop, a teen center and an imagination station for children. It has SEE 2014, V5
2015 LEGISLATIVE SURVEY
Delegate Cox hosts telephone town hall From Contributed Report
As Delegate M. Kirkland “Kirk” Cox, R-Colonial Heights, looks to the 2015 legislative session, he is seeking input from constituents across the 66th District through his 2015 legislative survey and telephone town hall. “As a citizen legislator, I rely on the advice and opinions of all 66th District residents,” Cox said in a statement. “I am looking forward to hearing the opinions of 66th District residents from both my legislative survey and telephone town hall meeting.” 66th District residents can share their views on major legislation in the
“...I’m very appreciative of those who take the time to share their thoughts and opinions with me.” —Del. M. Kirkland “Kirk” Cox
legislative survey online at www.kirkcox.com/2015survey. Constituents who would prefer to fill out a paper copy can call his office at 804-526-5135 or email kirk@kirkcox. com to have a copy of the survey mailed to their home address. This year’s legislative survey covers many different areas of interest including budget priorities, ethics reform, K-12 education, higher
education costs, and veterans’ care centers. The final survey results will be posted online at www.kirkcox.com in early February. Cox scheduled his first 2015 telephone town hall for Tuesday, January 6, at 7 p.m., in advance of the upcoming session. During the telephone town hall, Cox planned to give a session preview as well as get feedback through a polling feature and take questions from participants.
Constituents who wanted to participate in the telephone town hall signed up by emailing kirk@kirkcox.com with their name and best phone number to reach them or called his office at 804-526-5135. “The House has many important initiatives and budget issues to consider in this short 46-day session. I’m very appreciative of those who take Del. M. Kirkland “Kirk” Cox, R-66th the time to share their “I have enjoyed con- Cox said prior to the thoughts and opinions with me,” Cox said. necting with constituents event. through the numerous telephone town halls I have held over the years and am looking forward to hearing from them during this town hall,”
The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Jan. 9, 2015
V5
CITY COUNCIL
Kochuba appointed as mayor By Leah Small Staff Writer
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — New year, new mayor. City Council voted unanimously to appoint Councilor Gregory Kochuba as mayor Friday, January 1. The nomination comes as C. Scott Davis resigned as mayor to serve as the city’s interim director of planning and community development. Council also approved a resolution to appoint retiring Councilor Milton Freeland to temporarily fill the seat of Davis until a special election is held to fill the seat. Councilor Diane Yates
was also reappointed as vice mayor, with Councilor John Wood abstaining from the vote. Councilors Kochuba, Joe Green, Kenneth Frenier, Milton Freeland and newly-elected John Piotrowski voted in favor of her appointment. Kochuba said that he looked forward to the challenges that the new year would bring to council, such as finding funding for a new community communications system, and closing on the Kroger project. He also stressed the importance of code enforcement. “This council is very talented,” Kochuba said. “My vote is equal to everyone
else’s. I’m here to lead and direct. My vote is no larger than anyone else’s vote.” Kochuba has lived in the city for 35 years and previously resided in Pennsylvania. He is employed as a financial analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense, which he says has given him insight on city budget matters. Davis announced his candidacy for the interim director position and his resignation as mayor during a meeting of City Council on Dec. 16, 2014. He has thrown his hat in the ring for the recruitment process to permanently fill the position, which will begin no
later than this month. To prevent bias in the selection of a new director, the city manager won’t be involved in the beginning stages of the selection process. All applicants will be reviewed by a separate committee of non-city professionals. The committee will then choose two to three finalists between which the city manager will make the final decision. The new director will replace George Schanzenbacher, who is retiring after 11 years. —Leah Small may be reached at 722-5172 or lsmall@progress-index. com
Councilor Gregory Kochuba, a six-year incumbent, was appointed as mayor of Colonial Heights on Friday, Jan 2. LEAH SMALL/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO
They were able to establish contact with the soldier, but during negotiations she shot herself in the head. Nearly 500 military and civilian personnel were in the building at the time. Walker, who had served 14 years in the Army, including a 2007 deployment to Iraq, died of her injuries at Virginia Commonwealth Medical Center in Richmond.
2014 From Page V4
been used for many community events, including Friday for the Arts!, and thousands of citizens have received library cards.
Closure of Southside Va. Training Center
An agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Virginia had major repercussions in the Tri-Cities, due to the closure of Southside Virginia Training Center in Dinwiddie County. The closure cost 900 jobs and left 225 patients to seek care elsewhere — likely in group homes run by former staff. “For the most part, individuals are transitioning to new homes that have less than six people each,” Meghan McGuire, director of communications at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental services, said in May. “This allows a far more tailored environment and allows individuals to make more of their own choices than an institutional setting.” Even a month ahead of the official June 30 closure, only a handful of employees remained at the site. Three other state facilities will close by 2020 under the 2010 agreement that settled a lawsuit.
Civil War remembered with events, new stamps and more
150 years after the brutal Battle of the Crater, people flocked from across America to take part in the sesquicentennial. They were welcomed by speeches, immersion events, cannon fire, driving tours, historical markers and more. The Crater “ruptured the earth throwing men, cannons and a huge chunk of clay the size of a four-room school house toward the heavens,” said James H. Blankenship, battlefield historian. African-American Union troops were honored with the dedication of a U.S. Postal Service stamp depicting the 22nd U.S. Colored Troops during assaults on Petersburg from June 15-18, 1864.
Police incidents draw scrutiny Against the national
Re-enactors representing Pegram’s Battery, Petersburg Artillery, fire a Napoleon cannon for visitors at the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Crater on July 30 at Petersburg National Battlefield. PATRICK
A Petersburg police car blocks traffic on Farmer Street as police investigate a shooting on May 8. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS
KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS
Meg Ryan and fellow crew members are seen on River Street in Old Towne Petersburg during filming for ‘Ithaca,’ Ryan’s directorial debut. The film made use of many locations around the city. CINDY MORGAN/ PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS
angst over deaths in Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York, there was heightened scrutiny of several incidents involving police. In July, Petersburg officers were criticized for arresting Devin Thomas, a 19-year-old city resident who was filming officers on his cell phone. Although Virginia Cop Block and other groups held a protest at the Petersburg Bureau of Police, the city NAACP rallied to defend Chief John Dixon and his officers. In August, a 43-yearold woman was shot and wounded by Colonial Heights police after she pulled a gun on the officer. The officer had attempted a traffic stop, but the woman led him on a milelong chase into a quiet neighborhood. In October, Hopewell Police shot and killed a 54-year-old Colonial Heights man who had parked his car on railroad tracks. Gary Lee refused to exit the vehicle, and after hours of attempted negotiations he made threatening gestures at officers. His
wife’s body was later found at a Colonial Heights motel.
Filmmakers continue to flock to Petersburg
Police officers man a gate at Fort Lee, Va., after a female soldier shot and wounded herself inside of the Combined Arms Support Command Headquarters on August 25. No other injuries were reported. PATRICK KANE/THE PROGRESS-INDEX
Petersburg for her direct o r i a l d e b u t , a fi l m adaptation of William Saroyan’s “The Human Comedy.” Many 1940s vintage cars lined the streets during July and August, as Ryan and her cast and crew brought to life the coming-of-age tale of a teenage boy determined to be the fastest bicycle telegraph messenger. In November, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Hollywood productions, many of them working in the Tri-Cities, pumped $382.5 million into the Virginia economy in 2013.
The stars continued to shine bright in Petersburg, with local and national TV and feature films using the city’s historic streets. AMC ’s Re volutionary-era drama “TURN” once again dressed up Old Towne as New York City and Long Island. Season two used filming locations across town, including a village at the former gasworks and Workplace suicide, even The Progress-Index. The newspaper’s Colonial lockdown put national Revival building stood in attention on Fort Lee All eyes were on our local as a Philadelphia theater. M e g R y a n c h o s e Army post as it was put on
lockdown the morning of Monday, Aug. 25. Sgt. 1st Class Paula M. Walker, 33, of Yonkers, New York, prompted an active shooter lockdown before shooting and wounding herself with a handgun. Around 8:45 a.m., the soldier entered the Combined Arms Suppor t Command headquarters with a weapon and barricaded herself in an office on the building’s third floor. An alert was sounded to notify everyone on post of the lockdown and Fort Lee police responded within two minutes of the incident being reported.
Opening of Beacon Theatre in Hopewell
The Beacon is back to life. A $5 million renovation led by the city has rejuvenated the circa 1928 theater as an arts venue seating up to 650 guests. Hopewell’s landmark movie palace reopened with a sold-out show on January 13, followed by a grand opening weekend in February featuring Delbert McClinton, Vanilla Ice and the Blind Boys of Alabama. City leaders hope it will be the keystone of redeveloping downtown. An $800,000 donation from the estate of Ursula Gibbs, via the John Randolph Foundation, will support the Beacon.
Other big stories in the area included: Communi-
ties & citizens struggling with stormwater fees and state mandates; the consolidation of fire & EMS services in Prince George; Joseph Preston’s victory over two other men in a firehouse primary for the Democratic nomination in the 63rd House District; redevelopment projects in the works in downtown Hopewell; new historical markers for Dinwiddie natives, Elizabeth Keckley and Gen. Winfield Scott; efforts to preserve buildings on Pocahontas Island; the demolition of the old Carson School and siting of a new fire station; and a murder-suicide that claimed a Matoaca family.
V6
Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.
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