CAPS RULE: Nirvana achieved for two local Caps fans. Page 17
June 13, 2018
Our 201st year
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Vol. 201, No. 24
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Town threatens to close Cheswick Motel Residents left in limbo
By Leland Schwartz Times Staff Writer
The Cheswick Motel, a landmark on Broadview Avenue for more than 50 years, may be shut down if it does not fix myriad problems, including more than a dozen units the town considers unfit for human habitation. About a dozen families and other single residents staying at the Cheswick were told they have to leave the motel by June 22 after an inspection by the Town of Warrenton and the fire department found the degree and number of violations “constitute a dangerous, unsafe and unsanitary structure.”
Gary Booker, a 69-year-old writer, house restorer and University of Virginia alum who has lived at the Cheswick for about three years, said the motel has hired an attorney to seek an extension for residents. “The time frame for people to find a new place to live is just not realistic,” Booker said. “It’s not going to hurt anyone if it stays open another month or two,” Booker said, pointing out the motel has endured “hurricane-force winds … and nothing has happened.” Booker, who has written three novels and has helped with repairs at the Cheswick, concedes the
building is run down, but says “it’s not unsafe.” He said Monday he believes the effort to get an extension will be successful, but that no one will be able to save the building. “It will probably have to come down,” he said. Booker said he is looking for a situation where he might be Gary Booker able to do repair and restoration work in exchange for a portion of his rent. “I live off Social Security and it’s not enough,” he said.
See MOTEL, page 3
Third time’s a charm for Corey Stewart By Jonathan Hunley and Anita Sherman Times Staff Writers
It was close, but the third time was the charm for Corey Stewart. After unsuccessfully seeking the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor in 2013, and the party nod for governor last year, Stewart has won a statewide primary. He collected the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate with 44.78 percent of the vote Tuesday night, according JUNE to unofficial results. With 97.51 perote cent of the vote re12 ported, Stewart bested Culpeper Del. Nick Freitas, R-30th, who took 43.15 percent of the vote and E.W. Jackson, a minister from Chesapeake, who had 12.07 percent. Now Stewart, the chairman of the Prince William Board of Supervisors since 2006, will take on U.S. Sen Tim Kaine, a Democrat, in November. At his election night party at the Electric Palm in Woodbridge, Stewart promised to unite the coalition that elected President Trump in 2016. “We will win working men and women across the state. We will restore our values. We will restore our economy. We will restore our border and we will restore America,” Stewart said to cheers from the crowd, which numbered more than 100.
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See STEWART, page 4 INSIDE Business.............................................23 Classified............................................43 Communities......................................38 Faith...................................................42
PHOTO BY DOUG STROUD Corey Stewart and his wife Maria celebrate in Woodbridge Tuesday night after Stewart’s win in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Stewart, the chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, will challenge incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine (D) in November.
An historic win for Vangie Williams in the 1st District — page 4 LFCC..................................................35 Libraries.............................................40 Lifestyle..............................................31 Looking Back......................................27 Opinion...............................................14
Obituaries...........................................16 Public Safety.........................................6 Puzzles...............................................22 Real Estate..........................................37 Sports.................................................17
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NEWS
Fauquier Times | www.fauquier.com | June 13, 2018
Sheriff Bob Mosier: Keeper of the peace It could be at a Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce event, a Fauquier County Republican Committee meeting, church social, a school safety program or the scene of a crime that one might run into Sheriff Bob Mosier. Elected in 2015 and taking office in January 2016, Mosier ran on a platform touting himself as “the people’s sheriff.” He’s proud of that, so it was no surprise that he showed up at Saturday’s Relay for Life event. It took him a while, but he made the rounds to the dozens of teams lining the gym. “I need to check on my deputy,” he chuckled as he headed over to the tent set up by the sheriff’s office. It was popular, especially with the children, as there were lots of fun giveaway items and activities like sand art. Interjecting a bit of history, the word sheriff is a contraction of the term “shire reeve.” Coming from Old English, the word designated a royal official responsible for keeping the peace throughout a shire or county on behalf of the king. The office of sheriff dates back to 1066 in merry ol’ England where the sheriff was himself a member of the royal family. In some ways, things haven’t changed. Sheriffs are still considered keepers of the peace in their respective counties in terms of public safety. A native Virginian, Mosier started as a police dispatcher at the age of 19. At 21, he graduated with top overall achievement as a patrol officer. His
FAUQUIER FOCUS career spans more than 30 years in local, county and federal government as well as domestic and international law enforcement. While in Fauquier, Mosier began as a deputy sheriff and throughout his career served as commander of special operations of the patrol and criminal investigations division. He developed and implemented community policing programs, managed security for large public events and earned 16 letters of commendation, two unit citation awards, a distinguished service award, a community service award and a Valor Award. In 1996, Mosier was selected by the U.S. Department of State to serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the International Police Task Force as a station commander where he represented the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office. Following this assignment, Mosier served with the International Justice Mission, a human rights organization, as director of investigations working in Asia, Middle and Near East, Africa
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and Latin America. He later served as a senior representative for a large and complex U.S. Department of Defense law-enforcement program. Mosier has a large territory in his realm. The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office covers 660 square miles. Under his administration, staff are involved in the adult-detention center, animal control, civil process, community services, court security, criminal investigation, patrol and the school resource program. Anne Davis, who pens the Markham column for this newspaper, sent out kudos recently to the sheriff’s office thanking them for their quick response in arresting the person responsible for the theft of a firearm on a home on Conde Road. “It is very reassuring to have the presence of law-enforcement officers on site when needed,” wrote Davis. Many local students have had a chance to meet the sheriff personally when he initiated his “Lunch with the Sheriff” program where he visits public and private schools to share a meal. An updated website is very user-friendly, and if you want to reach out, you can. Sheriff Mosier states, “As always I urge you to help our law enforcement efforts by reporting crimes and suspicious activity when you see them so that we can do our very best to keep this community a safe place to work, play, live, and raise our families. “Once again, my door is always
open to everyone. I want to know what you consider important and necessary to keep ours a safe community.” There is much more to know about Mosier and his service to Fauquier County. Family man, youth advocate and committed public servant, feel yourself fortunate if your paths cross. More than likely you’ll come away feeling better…and safer. Fauquier resident, friend and supporter, Harry Burroughs III penned a book in 2017 entitled “The People’s Sheriff.” You can find it on Amazon. com. — Compiled by Anita Sherman
Community Editor Anita Sherman, 540.351.1635 asherman@fauquier.com ISSN 1050-7655, USPS 188280 Associate Editor John Toler, 540-351-0487 Published every Wednesday by jtoler@fauquier.com Piedmont Media LLC Staff Writers How to reach us James Ivancic, 540-878-2414 jivancic@fauquier.com ADDRESS: 41 Culpeper Street Jonathan Hunley, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 jhunley@fauquier.com PHONE: 540-347-4222 Leland Schwartz, 540-351-0488 FAX: 540-349-8676 HOURS: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. weekdays, lschwartz@fauquier.com 24-hour answering service Sports Editor Peter Brewington, 540-351-1169 Publisher pbrewington@fauquier.com Catherine M. Nelson, 540-347-4222 Sports Staff Writer cnelson@fauquier.com Jeff Malmgren, 540-874-2250 jmalmgren@fauquier.com NEWSROOM Editor in Chief ADVERTISING Christopher Six, 540-212-6331 Ad Manager csix@fauquier.com Kathy Mills Godfrey 540-351-1162 kgodfrey@fauquier.com Managing Editor Jill Palermo, 540-351-0431 Classified Sales Consultants jpalermo@fauquier.com Jeanne Cobert, 540-878-2491 Web/Copy Editor jcobert@fauquier.com Amanda Heincer, 540-878-2418 Evelyn Cobert, 540-878-2492 aheincer@fauquier.com ecobert@fauquier.com
Chairman Emeritus George R. Thompson To place Classified and Employment ads: Call 540-351-1664 or fax 540-349-8676, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday — Friday or email fauquierclassifieds@fauquier.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 540-347-4222 Help with your subscription? Call 540-878-2413 or email CirculationFT@fauquier.com Missed your paper? Call 540-347-4222, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays Subscription: $69.68 per year within the United States. POSTMASTER: Send address 41 Culpeper St., Warrenton, VA 20186. Periodicals postage paid at Warrenton, Va. and at additional mailing offices
IT’S FLEA MARKET SEASON!! Hosted by Trough Hill Baptist Church in Hume (Crest Hill) VA, on the chruch grounds. Saturday, 28 July 2018, from 10am to 4pm. (Rain Date is 4 August 2018)
There are three ways you can participate in the Flea Market! 1. Reserve a table for $10.00 and sell your items or, 2. Stop by the church betwee the hours of 10 to 4 and do some shopping or, 3. Bring your own table, tent, accomodations etc., and reserve ground space for $10.00 TO REGISTER to RESERVE A TABLE(S)/SPACE: Contact Debra Anderson-KEarney @ 202-215-7095, registration will be taken via phone and any questions you may have answered.
Registration deadline is 6 July 2018.
LATE REGISTRATION: A limited number of tables will be available for purchase on the day of the event. Arriving early is recommended! LUNCH: Lunch will be available for purchase throughout the day and includes: a hot dog, chips, and soft drink for $3.00. Bottled water will be available.
We look forward to the fellowship! All are welcome!
FROM PAGE 1
Fauquier Times | www.fauquier.com | June 13, 2018
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Town threatens to close Cheswick Motel
MOTEL from page 1
Report: Units ‘unfit for human habitation’
In a violation notice sent to the Cheswick last week, town officials said many units do not meet the minimum requirements of ventilation, fire safety and sanitary conditions to remain occupied, according to the Virginia Property Maintenance and Fire Safety and Prevention Codes. The town said the units do not provide adequate food-preparation area and are “suffering from a lack of proper ventilation.” “These units are unfit for human habitation,” the notice said. Nearly 20 units, the town said, were being used for “excessive” storage and contain combustible items with no fire/smoke alerts system. Among other things, the town’s report listed extensive wall and ceiling damage; plumbing fixtures that do not work; and electrical and unsanitary conditions. “These units are unlivable and present a fire-safety hazard given the storage and proximity to occupied units,” the notice said. Warrenton Town Councilman Bob Kravetz, whose Ward 4 includes the motel, said he passes the Cheswick almost daily but didn’t know its true condition before the town inspection. “While I could see that it appeared to be in pretty bad shape, I had no idea the extent of the deficiencies,” he said. “I have sympathy for the current occupants and I do know that the town has been in contact with various social services groups and efforts are underway to, hopefully, find other housing opportunities for them.” The town told the Cheswick May 30 it was “hereby ordered” to correct the violations with-
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/LELAND SCHWARTZ The Cheswick Motel, a fixture on Broadview Avenue since the 1950s, has been ordered by the town to repair more than a dozen units deemed unfit for human habitation. in five days. To avoid any escalation of enforcement, the motel must provide “a plan for corrective action” that includes provisions as to safeguards for tenants. It’s not clear if the hotel responded to the mandate. Attempts to reach the owner of the hotel were not successful. If the motel decides to repair the complex, it would have to provide a detailed plan that includes licensed professionals. If it decides to tear down the structure, demolition “must commence within 60 days,” the notice said.
Residents look for options
The town’s inspection also revealed many tenants, like Booker, are staying at the motel longterm, well beyond 30 days, which is a violation of town ordinances regarding hotel/motel uses. Indeed, in an interview with the Fauquier
Times, one family said they have been staying at the Cheswick for months, and another resident said he has been living there about a year. Antione Barbour, a long-haul tractor-trailer driver who lives at the Cheswick but leaves for a week at a time on trucking trips, said he likes living at the Cheswick. “I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I like being here. The people in the office are really nice. It’s quiet here.” Barbour said he would like to find a new place in Warrenton, Bealeton or The Plains. Jermaine Bumbrey, a landscape worker, has been staying at the Cheswick with his 4-year-old daughter, Jaiona, on and off since February, according to Jaiona’s mother, Lekisha Payne. “We’re both worried about it,” Payne said. “I know a lot of people are going to try and move out at the same time. That’s pretty much going to book the hotels around here.” She said they were “not really having any problems” staying at the Cheswick, which costs $250 a week and includes cable, water and electricity. “We need help,” resident Harry McPeak said Monday. “ We can’t just go live in our cars.” Several organizations, including Community Touch in Bealeton, which focuses on assisting the homeless, have contacted Cheswick residents offering assistance. According to a Cheswick desk clerk, the motel and its surrounding property at 394 Broadview Ave., near the intersection of U.S. 17, is up for sale. It was to have been replaced by a Lidl grocery store, but the chain decided last December not to locate in Warrenton. Leland Schwartz can be reached at lschwartz@ fauquier.com
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