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Community | News | Per spective
April 3, 2009
Keith McCurdy
Building Trust
P4– Keith McCurdy discusses three critical ways in which parents can help their children become trustworthy.
Grand Entrance P6– Roanoke County cuts the ribbon on a brand new front entrance to Cave Spring High School.
School Board Faces Tough Decision on Attendance Zones
After 26 Years Everybody’s Favorite “Peanut” Retires
Judging from reactions at the last public meeting held before a scheduled vote (April 8), the Roanoke City School Board’s attendance zone changes will not be popular. The revisions are taking part, in place, to compensate for the closure and consolidation of several schools, including William Ruffner Middle and Raleigh Court Elementary, victims of budget deficits and dwindling attendance figures in Roanoke public schools. The Board also wants to correct what it says are attendance zones that have outlived their original purpose as ways to encourage segregation in the 1970’s. But the almost-full house on hand at Lucy Addison Middle School recently seemed unhappywith any of three revised options currently on the table. Many in attendance were concerned that Lucy Addison Middle School would become much less diverse, with an African-American population rising from about 73% to 90%, or greater. “Equity is a major portion of this plan,” insisted School Board member Courtney Penn, who walked the audience through several options proposed. Board chair David Carson
P10– Australian manufacturer LiteSteel Technologies gets underway in Troutville.
Benevolent Ballet P11– The volunteers of SWVA Ballet creatively collaborate to benefit the American Cancer Society.
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County School System Approves 20092010 Budget
Superintendent Lorraine Lange: “tough budget”
Photo by Cheryl Hodges
Campbell Rech, Owen Churchill and Grey Gurley, all sons of parents who grew up with Peanut, help her celebrate her well-deserved retirement from Tinnell’s.
D
amp, drizzly skies couldn’t keep the sunshine out of Tinnell’s Finer Foods on Crystal Spring Ave. Saturday afternoon. Garnet “Peanut” Minnix drew quite a crowd, as Tinnell’s held a festive open house, celebrating Peanut’s retirement after 26 years of extraordinary service. Peanut held court from her most familiar position, right behind the front counter, greeting a steady stream of long-time customers who have become like adopted family members. Many of Peanut’s well-wishers, who were just kids when they first met Peanut, now brought their own children by to share a memory and a hug or two. Long time customer Margaret Nedrow said, “This is a unique store – there is no-
> CONTINUED P3: Attendance Zones
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where else like it.” The Nedrow family reminisced about the fact that Peanut was like a grandmother to all the children. The parents could send their kids to Tinnell’s to get a snack and, “if Peanut said they could get it, they could get it.” Evidently, Peanut would let “her kids” pick out their snacks or candy, and if she approved, they would charge it to mom and dad’s account. “We have known her for 25 years. She is real special,” said Colleen Huffman. “I think she is pretty good with retiring now, but I know she will love to come back to visit everyone. She is a dear.” Randy Minnix, Peanut’s son, commented that she seems ready to retire, “but in a > CONTINUED P2: Peanut
The Roanoke County School Board adopted the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget totaling $137.9 million at its March 26 meeting. Early on in the budget process, it was apparent that state funding would be significantly lower than previous years. The Roanoke County Public Schools staff reviewed numerous suggestions from principals, employees, the Employee Advisory Committee and the Education general public to identify budget reductions that would least impact classroom learning activities, while trying to protect employee jobs. The general fund budget for FY2009-10 reflects revenues based on aid for education in the state budget approved by the General Assembly February 28, subject to approval by the Governor in April. The general fund budget of $137,909,128 reflects a decrease of $5.3 million or 3.7% under the preced-
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> CONTINUED P3: County School Board
McDonnell Stumps with Huckabee American Red Cross Honors Local Heroes
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell was upbeat at a news conference following a private luncheon at the Shenandoah Club Monday. McDonnell was joined by former Arkansas governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who quipped that he was thankful the candidate was, “willing to be seen with me, when a lot of people probably would be afraid to.” Stressing that he wants Virginia to be known as the most “small-business friendly state,” McDonnell said he also wants the state to be “the energy capital of America.” He cataloged Virginia’s advantages in the quest for energy independence - including having more coal than any other state. “I want to be the energy governor, using all those sources in a comprehensive way, to promote energy independence,” McDonnell said. McDonnell was scheduled to make an appearance at the local GOP’s Reagan Dinner last Saturday at Hotel Roanoke, but poor weather prevented him from flying in. Three Democrats (Creigh Deeds, Brian Moran and Terry McCauliffe) are seeking the nomination to run for governor this fall against the unopposed McDonnell. Deeds and McCauliffe are scheduled to appear in Salem this Saturday for the annual Democrat “Donkey Dance” fundraiser.
Photo by Caitlyn Coakley
Bob McDonnell makes an appearance in Roanoke. The race is garnering national Senators and a Governor) and attention this year, as only Vir- the best way to win back voters ginia and New Jersey are hold- who have become embittered ing gubernatorial elections. Mc- with the Republican Party. Donnell said that he’s hoping to “The last couple of cycles, use that exposure to promote a you’ve had a war that wasn’t resurgence of the popular with Republican party. some, you’ve had Race for Governor Huckabee an economy that agreed, telling was hurting, you those who thought GOP influ- had Republicans that weren’t ence was dead to, “Cancel the sticking to their principles,” said memorial. This will give the Re- the military veteran. “We didn’t publican Party an opportunity fix Social Security, we didn’t fix to show that it’s not the party the immigration problem, we that’s in trouble - it’s when the spent an enormous amount of party abandons its principles money in domestic spending at that it’s in trouble.” the federal level which, I think, McDonnell spoke at length about the Democratic presence > CONTINUED in Virginia (including two U.S. P2: McDonnell
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A “Hero” is often described as person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose. Those qualities may certainly be attributed to the 10 honorees recognized at “A Celebration of Heroes,” the community awards breakfast held at the Roanoke Plaza Hotel Tuesday. Sponsored by the American Red Cross Roanoke Valley Chapter and WSLS 10, the event honors local heroes for saving a life, performing an extraordinary act of courage, Officer Brian Lawrence was or making a difference in the the Law Enforcement hero. community. The Red Cross and WSLS Fire & Rescue (Long works at requested nominations from the Cave Spring Fire Station). the counties of Roanoke, Bote- Long saved the life of a feltourt, Franklin and Craig; and low firefighter after entering a the cities and towns therein burning house . Good Samaritan Hero: for the 6th annual event The 2008 award winners included: Bob Clark (resides in TroutCommunity Impact Hero: ville and is a Volunteer FireEstelle McCadden (resides in fighter with Troutville Fire Roanoke City). McCadden is Department). Clark, also a a community activist who is volunteer paramedic, pulled known for working tirelessly two teenagers to safety after a to raise the quality of life for car accident that killed one Medical Hero: Wendy LuRoanoke neighborhoods. Educator Hero: Kay cas of Lucas Therapies (resides McGrath of James Madison in Roanoke City). Lucas is a Middle School (resides in physical therapist known for Roanoke City). Following the working long hours to help death of a fellow teacher in clients regain mobility and to a tragic house fire, McGrath free them from pain. Workplace Hero: Jill Hamhelped many children deal with the loss, while teaching ilton, child life specialist at Carilion Clinic Children’s them valuable life lessons. Firefighter Hero: Tim > CONTINUED Long of Roanoke County P3: Heroes
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