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The Colonial Voice, Friday, November 29, 2013
Couple donates thousands toward equipment, programs to benefit city Officials say thanks with a bench dedicated in their honor BY F.M. WIGGINS STAFF WRITER
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Over the past decade, one family has provided more than $100,000 in donations for equipment and programs to benefit the city. Bruce and Connie T hor nton now have a bench in their honor near the city’s public safety building. The Thorntons contributions have gone to purchases for the Colonial Heights Police Department, Department of Parks and Recreation, Colonial Heights Public S ch o o l s a n d C o l o n i a l Heights Fire Department. “All of this makes for a great city to live in and we’re proud to contribute,” Connie Thor nton said following the unveiling of the bench Monday afternoon. The Thorntons have given to the city since 2004. The gifts included $14,873 for Opticom systems in September 2004. The Opticom systems allow fire crews to respond faster to calls through control of intersections. In January 2006 and January 2009, the couple donated more than $8,700 each time for the purchase of additional Opticom systems. In December 2009, the couple donated $5,500 for the purchase of patrol rifles for the city’s police department. A January 2010 donation of $7,500 allowed for the purchase of GPS systems for the city’s fire tr ucks and ambulances, 750 high visibility reflective bands for fire hydrants and 100 smoke detectors. D o n at i o n s t o t a l l i n g $17,000 in January 2011 allowed the city to purchase a lock and chain cutting tool for the fire department and a mobile message sign board. A year later, the couple donated $10,000 for the renovation of the city’s Emergency Operations Center. This year the couple has donated $14,500 to the city — $2,500 in May for students in the school system who went to Swift Creek Mill Children’s Theatre to attend a play, and $12,000 for the purchase of a thermal imaging camera for
PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO
Bruce and Connie Thornton sit on a bench located outside the public safety building that was dedicated in the couple’s honor on Monday, Nov. 18. The bench dedication was a small token of appreciation to the Thorntons for their contributions to city public safety, schools and recreation departments over the past decade. the fire department and a n u p g r a d e d we at h e r monitoring system for the Emergency Operations Center. Additionally, the couple has donated around $12,000 to the Sheriff ’s Department, Department of Parks and Recreation and the school system. Colonial Heights Fire Chief A.G. Moore said that each year the couple has donated to the city, it has been the Thorntons idea. “It’s been you coming to us, it is your hard-earned money that you have blessed us with,” Moore said. “Thank you for all you have done.” Moore said the bench outside the public safety building is a small token of appreciation from the departments that have
PATRICK KANE/PROGRRESS-INDEX PHOTO
City officials dedicated a bench for Bruce and Connie Thornton, who have made many contributions to city public safety, schools and recreation. benefitted from the generosity of the Thorntons. During remarks following the dedication of the bench, Connie Thornton said she and her husband appreciate the city and want it to continue to be a
safe and secure place to live, which has been part of the motivation for the donations. • F.M. Wiggins may be reached at 732-3456, ext. 3254 or fwiggins@progressindex.com.
PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO
Craig Skalak, director of Recreation and Parks, speaks as Bruce and Connie Thornton were thanked for their many contributions to city public safety, schools and recreation with the dedication of a bench near City Hall Monday, Nov. 18.
COX
Continued from Page 3
During this year’s election cycle, Cox served his third term as campaign chairman for the House Republican Caucus. Commenting on the 2013 election results, Cox said, “As the House Majority Leader, I was particularly pleased to see the citizens of the commonwealth overwhelmingly approve of the job Republicans are doing in the House of Delegates. Election returns indicate more than 1 million votes were cast in support of our Republican House candidates, some 15,000 more votes than the governorelect received. The House Republican Caucus will have 11 new members and will hold a 2 to 1 majority for the next General Assembly session. I believe our emphasis on strong constituent support and a record of working for all Virginians is the reason that we have been able to maintain a strong Republican majority in the House.” In the upcoming session, Cox will be focused on helping craft the biennial state budget as a key Appropriations Committee member and a 10-year veteran budget conferee. Cox is the chairman of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and served as vice chairman of the Gover-
IN MEMORY ANDREW F. PUNDAY
Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew F. Punday, 91, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at Lexington Rehabilitation Center. Born in Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late John and Ann Hulway Punday. He retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years, serving in the European and African Middle Eastern areas; and from civil service at Bellwood. He is survived by his wife, Ruth E. Punday; children, Robert F. Punday of Indiana, Bruce M. Punday of Colorado Springs, Colo., Diane Bucci Markoni of France and Nicole E. Punday of Plano, Texas; granddaughter, Victoria Bucci Markoni; stepsister, Louise Punday of Uniontown, Pa. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, with Mr.
nor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment. The commission was established to improve access and affordability for Virginia students at Virginia’s colleges and universities. Cox serves as a member on the Elementary & Secondary Education Subcommittee, and served as the co-chair of the governor’s All-Students K-12 Education Reform Initiative. He will be working this year on caucus efforts to continue to improve education for all Virginia children around the state and to make higher education more accessible and affordable for Virginians. Cox has also focused closely on veterans and military legislation as his district is located near Fort Lee and some 40 percent of the households in the district have a family member who is a veteran. He has introduced over 100 pieces of legislation in support of veterans, the military, and their families. He plans to continue his role as the General Assembly’s foremost veteran supporter noting, “I will be carrying legislation in 2014 supporting efforts to increase veteran employment, a top priority for all veterans’ organizations. Veterans have been some of my strongest supporters. I am grateful for their support and for the strong support I have received from all constituents in the 66th District.”
Richard Malone officiating. Interment was private. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Virginia, 1700 Bayberry Court, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23226. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.
DENVIL L. REYNOLDS
Denvil L. “Dee” Reynolds, 81, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at his residence. Born in Milton, W.Va., he was the son of the late Harvey T. and Nora Adams Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Jean Reynolds. He attended Woodlawn Baptist Church, and was a retired sheet metal worker. Mr. Reynolds was a United States Navy veteran, and enjoyed fishing, bowling and playing/coaching softball. He leaves to cherish his memory four children, Pamela P. Gavin of Chester, Rhonda C. Quinn of Chester, Rodney D. Reynolds of Colonial Heights, and Patti G. Loy and Please see IN MEMORY, Page 5
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