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Schools: Personnel changes at W&L from page 1 a coach, a friend, a selfless teacher, and an amazing, inspirational man who has given his all to Washington and Lee High School,” said student Daniela Lopez. “We can’t let this happen,” said W&L student Jeremy Saunders. “One does not question the worth of something until there is the threat of its removal from one’s life, and in our case, it’s not just one life but many,” said W&L cross country star Kathryn Beddoo. Lopez and Beddoo also said they were concerned about the transfer to Montross Middle School of Guidance Secretary Mrs. Stephanie Payne.
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Rates: Increases may be on the way
whether it’s college help, class help, athletic help, motivational advice, maybe even driving help. These two teachers do it all. They have given so much for everyone but themselves. It’s time to fight back and maintain them here at W&L,” Lopez said. When contacted, Vanover refused to comment on the situation or his sudden transfer. However, students and parents could not help but draw a comparison with the demotion of “two amazing teachers who have done nothing wrong” and the lack of action by the school board as a result of the drunk driving arrest of Roane, the high school principal.
“Mr. Vanover and Mrs. Payne should stay where they rightfully belong to further aid in the development of future generations, so students can once again be proud to be a part of the Eagles family,” said Beddoo. “They have always picked us up and helped us out when we needed it the most; now it is our turn to extend our hands to their aid.” “They both have always been there for many of Washington and Lee High School’s students,” said Lopez, one of the leaders of the petition drive. “They do NOT belong in the halls of Montross Middle School.” “Where they belong is W&L, helping students focus everyday,
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
—Richard Leggitt
from page 1 One of Cole’s recommendations supported a $10 per month rate increase, as well as looking at another increase a few years down the road. The council did raise water fees by passing Resolution 629, setting a $10 per month, or $30 per quarter increase in utility fees, which took affect on September 1, 2012. Residents outside the corporate limits of town saw and increase of $15 per month. With that increase, the Town was able to gain approximately $240,000 in revenues for public works each year, and the increase helped fund the water and sewer infrastructural project recently completed on the numbered streets in town.
However, in contrast to raising water usage fees, the council also amended Ordinance 628, which lowered water tap (connection) fees from $4,500 to $2,250 and lowered sewer tap fees from $7,500 to $3,750. The council’s hope was to jumpstart new construction by reducing the burden of high tap fees, and they also caved to pressure from Mike Dzaman and Jon Natelson, Builders of Monroe Point Development, who had been trying for years to convince the Colonial Beach Town Council that raising water and sewer connection fees (tap fees) would have a negative financial impact on the town. The developers argued that construction and hookups had dropped drastically since the tap fees
had risen three years earlier, in 2009. Their theory was that increased construction would generate more revenue in real estate taxes, as well as water and sewer usage fees. Lead Auditor, Billy Robinson of Brown Edwards, cautioned the town council during the December 2013 annual presentation that the sewer fund was losing money and suggested a rate increase. Any excess from connection fees should go to fund capital improvement projects and equipment replacement for the water and sewer system. Council has received a copy of the Town staff ’s recommendations but have not discussed the matter in a public meeting. —Linda Farneth
Col. Beach Town Council reviews general fund draft budget for next year At a morning meeting on Tuesday, April 15, Town staff presented the Colonial Beach Town Council with the draft budget expenses for fiscal year 2014-15. The balanced budget shows a total of $6,410,651; however, only $5,329,583 represents expenses derived from tax dollars. $1,081,068 will be spent on roads and sidewalks, with these expenses being reimbursed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the
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Safe Routes to School Grant. Some of the higher expenses in the budget include $976,697 for the police department and the elementary school move at $1,532,321. Utility (water and sewer) funds and capital improvement projects (school move and repairs) are also not included in this budget amount. Utility funds are accounted for in a separate budget, since utilities should stand on their own and cannot be combined with the general fund.
For capital improvements, the council has approved Resolution 3214, authorizing the Town Manager to continue the process started with VML-VaCo Finance in the fall of 2013, to secure the funding needed to meet the school improvement project’s needs and the Town’s capital investment needs. The Colonial Beach School Board has identified improvements of $1,124,763, and the Town has identified facilities and capital needs
in the amount of $996,400, for a total loan amount of $2,121,163. A preliminary fee schedule for the loan shows the Town would pay interest for the first fiscal year, beginning in 2014-15, in biannual payments; the first, totaling roughly $20,000, and then $32,000 the second half of the year. Beginning in 2016, the Town will begin making principal payments of roughly $80,000 plus interest. The first year, interest will be roughly $60,000 and will drop, while
principal payments increase. The total loan will cost the Town roughly $160,000 per year to repay. The town council discussed advertising a $0.25 increase in real estate taxes at the work session; estimating the Town will receive $40,000 additional revenue from every penny raised in real estate taxes. Once advertised, Council has the option to reduce that amount, but by law, they cannot go higher than
advertised. The council recessed the budget work session on April 15 until April 23. The matter will have to be duly advertised, public hearings conducted and an official vote taken before the increase will take effect. As the draft budget stands, the Town’s budget is currently $113,985 less than last year’s budget. —Linda Farneth
Better late than never, for produce stands Spring is finally sprung “Actually, it seemed like spring would never arrive,” said Carolyn Sisson, one of the owners of Sisson’s Produce Stand in Montross. “Warm weather is a good three or Green Level four weeks later Farm, 650 than usual, but acres, is a it’s here now, Virginia and we’re ready Century for business.” Farm that Sisson and her has been husband, Gary, operated own Green by Gary Level Farm in Sisson’s Westmoreland, family since a Virginia 1809. Century Farm that has been operated by Gary Sisson’s family since 1809. Fruits and vegetables
grown at the farm are among the produce offered for sale at their Montross stand. “We are now getting asparagus, spring onions, greens, spinach, lettuce and lots of flowers and bedding plants, all grown locally,” said Carolyn Sisson. Those items will be joined soon by locally grown strawberries, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, and several varieties of Virginia apples. Carolyn and Gary have operated the popular local produce stand for over 30 years. “We have been doing this since high school,” she said. “It is very rewarding. I like working outdoors, and we like working for ourselves.” “We will have more local produce coming as the weather continues to warm, including sweet corn, tomatoes,
cantaloupes and watermelon,” Sisson said. Also on sale at the produce stand will be honey, cider and a wide selection of jams and preserves. Carolyn and Gary live on Green Level Farm and have raised three children who have helped them with the farm and the produce stand. The farm is 650 acres and not only grows fruits and vegetables to be sold at the stand, but also produce for five other Northern Neck farmers’ markets that Carolyn and Gary supply. Sisson’s Produce Stand is located on Route 3 in Montross, and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The stand has been voted the number one produce stand in the Northern Neck several times. —Richard Leggitt
Diane Waltrip of Montross, left, enjoys the late arriving warm weather and buys flowers from Carolyn Sisson at Sisson’s Produce Stand.
Bank of Lancaster hosts Bank Day students
your future just got brighter Explore a new city, plan for tomorrow, enjoy exclusive discounts at your favorite stores and restaurants. When you’re 55 or better, life is an adventure that begins with a single step—into your neighborhood Bank of Lancaster branch.
Announcing exciting new trips and events!
trips
workshops
Reservations now being accepted for: MONEY SMART FOR OLDER ADULTS WORKSHOP MAY 16—KILMARNOCK JUNE 18—CALLAO Protect yourself from scams, fraud, and other threats. Free 3-hour workshop with workbook. Pre-registration required.
EXPLORE MOUNT RUSHMORE, CRAZY HORSE, THE BLACK HILLS AND CUSTER MAY 20–26—SOUTH DAKOTA Plus enjoy the Hill City train ride, wild horse sanctuary, cowboy entertainment, and more with just one hotel stay. THE CROOKED ROAD MUSIC TRAIL AUGUST 7–10—VIRGINIA Enjoy 4 days and 3 nights in southwest VA exploring the birthplace of country music. This value-packed tour includes meals, shows, music, and attractions. Deadline June 16, 2014.
THE LION KING JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE ARTS AUGUST 13—WASHINGTON, DC Before the matinee, enjoy the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, featuring four outdoor “rooms,” one for each of his administrations. Deadline July 1, 2014. SHADES OF IRELAND (including Northern Ireland) SEPTEMBER 16–28—IRELAND Just a few of this escorted tour’s highlights are: Dublin, Irish evening, Kilkenny, Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, Jaunting Car Ride, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Beleek Pottery, Donegal Town, Derry, Giant’s Causeway, Glens of Antrim, Belfast, and a castle stay.
upcoming
Gettysburg, PA plus “Moses” at the Millennium Theatre, The Greenbrier at Christmastime, and Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands (2015).
For brochures and details contact: Theresa Ransone (804) 435-4118 or (800) 435-1140 • goldenadvantage@banklanc.com
(804) 435-1171 • 1-800-435-1140 • BankofLancaster.com
Bank of Lancaster, in partnership with the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA), was pleased again this year to host area high school students for Virginia Bank Day. In 1991, the Virginia General Assembly declared the third Tuesday in March as Bank Day, giving high school seniors across the Commonwealth the opportunity to learn more about banking, financial services, and the vital roles banks play in their communities. The Bank’s Consumer Education Director, Hazel Farmer, stated, “Even though snow and school closings this year delayed Bank Day, once we finally got everyone together, we had a wonderful time. We were extremely pleased to have 13 high school seniors participate in the Bank Day program: Nicholas Hipple and Rebecca Beverly representing Colonial Beach; Olivia Beck, Thomas Hyde and Nick Nonnemacker from Lancaster; Katie Crowther, Dierra Green, Imari Mitchell and Emily Sprague from Northumberland; Milan Bullock and Brandon
Thompson from Washington & Lee High; and Kaitlin Saunders and Lindsey Saunders from Essex High School. “Bank of Lancaster has a strong commitment to financial literacy; and as community bankers, we are proud to work with the VBA, the Virginia Council on Economic Education, and our local schools to promote financial and economic education. These young people had a full day with us, learning about the importance of saving; obtaining and maintaining good credit; careers in banking; dressing for success; privacy and confidentiality; ethics; how to complete both an employment application and a loan application; and how community bankers reinvest in their community, both financially and with manpower. The one comment I heard over and over again throughout the day was, ‘I had no idea so much goes on in a bank!’” Bruce Whitehurst, President & CEO of the Virginia Bankers
Association, stated, “Bank Day is one of the best short-term, handson experiences that a classroom teacher can offer their students—the opportunity to go inside the bank vault, to watch customer/bank officer interaction, to learn about the many services that banks offer, and to start the networking that often leads to part-time and summer jobs, scholarships, and a start on a career path in the financial world.” Following their day at the bank, the students will submit to the VBA an essay on the topic “How Banking Benefits My Community.” Seven scholarships will be awarded based on the essays. Farmer stated, “We are in great hopes one or more of the students who visited with us will be a scholarship recipient. They were a very enthused, polite and attentive group of young people, and just a pleasure to work with. We also want to thank the local high schools for giving these young people the opportunity to spend the day with us and participate in Bank Day.”
Boardwalk Sentries Richard Leggitt
Ten majestic new palm trees are standing sentry along the Boardwalk in Colonial Beach, thanks to Bryan and Vickie Coffman, owners of High Tides Restaurant. Each year the Coffman’s order new palm trees to replace the ones in front of High Tides and the Beach Shop that winter has damaged. The trees are trucked to Virginia from Florida, and are an essential element to the Colonial Beach summer atmosphere.