GET TO KNOW COACH BUCK: Q&A with the new Falcons football coach. Sports, Page 15
January 23, 2019
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During shutdown, nonprofits step up By Karen Chaffraix Times Staff Writer
Road corridor,” Smith said. “The entrance is also too close to a blind curve, which could be dangerous and lead to accidents.” The site is within the district Smith represents on the planning commission. A staff report presented at the start of the hearing estimates Meetze Road would see a 50-percent increase in traffic around the time of the Jalsa Salana, resulting in a total of 2,000 trips on the road a day. County staff predicted the other three retreats would generate a 10-percent increase, resulting in 420 daily trips. The inability of two-lane Meetze Road to handle the traffic of the four events was mentioned repeatedly by those in opposition, who made up the majority of the 37 people who spoke during the public hearing.
Life disruptions and stresses caused by the federal government shutdown are as unique as the people experiencing them. Shirley Miller has been a program manager at the Environmental Protection Agency for 25 years. The wife and mother of three was at home on Tuesday, catching up on computer work and doctor appointments and driving the kids around, “making lemonade out of lemons.” Miller, who lives in the Bristow and Gainesville area, is a longtime member of Oak Shade Baptist Church in Catlett. “People have been sharing with us where you can get food in the area, where you can get a loan – above and beyond helpful,” she said. Miller has been filling out substitute teaching applications and is considering working in a friend’s tea room. “I’m not above making ends meet to take care of my family,” she said. Her family is living frugally, dependent entirely upon her husband’s non-government salary. “It’s a hardship, missing a paycheck when you’re a homeowner with three kids,” she said. “But my mother and grandmother taught me to live ‘beneath your means.’ We’ve always been frugal.” On Miller’s to-do list is calling her family’s health insurance company, issued through her job. “We haven’t received any information from them, and they obviously aren’t being deducted from my paycheck, since there is no paycheck.” One local government employee – a passport specialist – is enduring a different kind of stress. She hasn’t lost any income due to the furlough. “Our source of funding comes entirely from passport fees, so we’re not affected.” But the employee, who has to remain anonymous because “we were instructed not to talk to the press about the furlough” accepted a job at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington,
See RETREAT, Page 4
See SHUTDOWN, Page 4
TIMES STAFF PHOTOS/CINDY GOFF
Members of the Fauquier County Planning Commission discuss a special-exception permit for an Islamic retreat site on farmland outside Warrenton.
Planning Commission votes against permit for Islamic retreat site near Warrenton By James Ivancic and Jill Palermo
Times Staff Writers
Concerns about maintaining Fauquier County’s rural character and questions about whether twolane Meetze Road can accommodate large events prompted the Fauquier County Planning Commission to vote unanimously last Thursday against a request to hold four annual Islamic retreats on farmland outside Warrenton. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community applied for a special-exception permit to hold its Jalsa Salana, or annual convention, and three additional yearly events on seven parcels totaling 515 acres near Meetze and Turkey Run roads. The group, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, has a contract to purchase the property for the events, the
Harris Zafar, national spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, speaks the Fauquier County Planning Commission Thursday, Jan. 17.
largest of which would be the Jalsa Salana, an Islamic retreat held in July. The group estimates no more than 5,000 would attend the Jalsa Salana and about 1,000 would attend the other events, also threeday Islamic retreats held between August and October. The matter was before
INSIDE Business.............................................11 Classified............................................35 Communities......................................30 Faith...................................................28
the planning commission Thursday, Jan. 17, for a public hearing and possible vote. The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the application, if members of the Ahmadiyya Community decide to go forward. In his motion to recommend the application’s denial, Planning Commissioner Matthew Smith (Cedar Run) said the events would be inconsistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, which aims to preserve agricultural areas and rural character. He also said the retreats would “adversely affect” neighboring property owners because of visual impact, noise, light and traffic. “The proposed use would generate additional traffic that would have a negative impact on the existing and anticipated traffic on the Meetze
Family Time........................................19 Libraries.............................................28 Lifestyle..............................................21 Opinion.................................................8
Obituaries...........................................33 Puzzles...............................................10 Real Estate..........................................29 Sports.................................................13
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NEWS
Fauquier Times | www.fauquier.com | January 23, 2019
Airlie offers to feed federal workers for free
Airlie Hotel and Conference Center in Warrenton is opening up its dining room to federal employees affected by the partial federal government shutdown, offering free buffet meals through Friday. “Federal government employees are practically family at Airlie. And many live here in the Warrenton area. So we are inviting furloughed government workers and their immediate families to the Airlie Dining Room for complimentary buffet meals,” said an announcement Airlie posted on its Facebook page last week.
COURTESY PHOTO
Airlie Hotel and Conference Center in Warrenton is offering free meals to federal employees affected by the partial government shutdown. The meals include breakfast, served from 7 to 9:30 a.m., lunch
County spelling bee set for Jan. 26 The Fauquier County Public Schools Spelling Bee will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. in the Taylor Middle School auditorium. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Forty-nine students, representing 11 elementary schools and five middle schools, will participate in the school division bee as winners of their school-level or grade-level spelling bees. Taylor Middle School reading specialist John Lucas is the school division’s bee coordinator, and Eileen Burgwyn, retired Fauquier County schools instructional supervisor is the pronouncer. The winner of this competition will advance to the 14th Annual
Free Lance-Star Regional Spelling Bee to be held in March 2019. The regional winner will be eligible to participate in the 92nd Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort at the National Harbor in May 2019. Following students scheduled to participate in the FCPS Division Spelling Bee. School champions and co-champions are designated with an asterisk. • Bradley Elementary: Delilah Dillion, Lenna Ike, Seneca Scott* • Brumfield Elementary: Ayden Dionys, Ninna Nakamura, Sterling Thomas* • Coleman Elementary: Hudson Allen, Lauren Sutherland*, Lucas Weeks • Greenville Elementary: Melody Harlan*, Logan Lewis, Riley Min
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from noon to 2 p.m. and dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Airlie is located at 6809 Airlie Road in Warrenton. The remaining schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 23 – lunch; Thursday, Jan. 24 – lunch and dinner; Friday, Jan. 25 – breakfast, lunch and dinner Airlie asked that federal workers people present their government IDs to be seated. Complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks also served. There are no reservations, but questions can be directed to the dining room at eat@airlie.com for the quickest response. • Miller Elementary: Liberty Koval*, Alessa Rodriguez, Cameron West • Pearson Elementary: Christian Fogel, Alyssa France*, Colin MacMahon • Pierce Elementary: Aliya Atkins, Stevie Holeman*, Xander McKenna • Ritchie Elementary: Eagan Dozier, Maggie Gardner*, Kate Radzville • Smith Elementary: Tristan Bryant*, Caroline Colvin, Miles Karner • Thompson Elementary: Madison Barb, Markus Gillespie, Annabelle Grady* • Walter Elementary: Alison Dean, Patrice Lightfoot*, Ashley Willingham • Auburn Middle: Haley Phillips, Will Shanahan, Annie Sutliff* • Cedar Lee Middle: Avery Baird*, Rosalyn Holeman, Michelle Weon • Marshall Middle: Emma Brown, Evan Hunter, Caroline Sutherland • Taylor Middle: Reagan Ellis, Maia MacMahon*, Lucas Reingruber • Warrenton Middle: Hannah Carlson, Matthew Phillips, Erin Soldon*
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New license plates support recovery Nonprofits that help Virginians recovering from substance abuse disorders need money to support their work. Now some are launching a new license plate to help with that goal. “Recovery Matters” is the slogan featured on the new license plate. SpiritWorks, which is based in Williamsburg but operates in Warrenton, is among the groups behind the new plates. Jan Brown, SpiritWorks executive director, said the nonprofits launched a new umbrella group: Faces & Voices of Recovery. The goal is to coordinate the groups’ efforts and serve as a vehicle through which Virginia can apply for grants to support recovery work. The license plates cost $25. Of that fee, $10 will go to Faces & Voices of Recovery. Sales of the new plates have been slow, and Brown said she’s worried it might be because people are hesitant to advertise an association with recovery. “But this is completely not about that. This is so everyone knows Virginia is bringing attention and support to recovery,” Brown said. Orders for at least 450 license plates are needed to move the project forward. Visit www.provisionsforthejourney.org/ recovery-matters.html for info.
Community Editor Anita Sherman, 540-351-1635 asherman@fauquier.com Associate Editor John Toler, 540-351-0487 jtoler@fauquier.com Staff Writers Karen Chaffraix, kchaffraix@fauquier.com James Ivancic, 540-878-2414 jivancic@fauquier.com Jonathan Hunley, 540-351-0431 jhunley@fauquier.com Sports Editor Peter Brewington, 540-351-1169 pbrewington@fauquier.com Sports Staff Writer Jeff Malmgren, 540-874-2250 jmalmgren@fauquier.com ADVERTISING Ad Manager Kathy Mills Godfrey 540-351-1162 kgodfrey@fauquier.com Classified Sales Consultant Jeanne Cobert, 540-878-2491 jcobert@fauquier.com
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NEWS
Fauquier Times | www.fauquier.com | January 23, 2019
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Martin Luther King Jr. remembered at Fauquier events Robin Earl
Contributing Writer
For the 30th consecutive year, Mount Zion Baptist Church hosted a rousing celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday afternoon at Highland School’s Rice Theater. Decker H. Tapscott Sr., founder and senior pastor of Faith Christian Church and International Outreach Center, was the keynote speaker. His fiery speech encouraged his audience to “show up” to fight against injustice everywhere. “We need to show up in the voting booth. We need to show up at town halls… It’s time for us to get motivated and show up,” he said. Tapscott’s audience was on its feet responding in kind to his call to action. “While we wait for the White House to get right, we need to get our own church house right,” he said. He invoked King’s name while emphasizing that this is not the time to be complacent. “Injustice anywhere leads to injustice everywhere!” He remembered his time as a young football player – a 98-pound offensive guard. “The coach was afraid to put me in. He was afraid I’d get hurt. But I’m not a sideline kind of person. I said, ‘Coach, put me in.’ That’s what we should all be saying, ‘Coach, put me in.’ Get motivated!” he added.
PHOTOS BY ROBIN EARL
The Rev. Dr. Decker H. Tapscott Sr., above, gave a fiery keynote address. Khamani Yates, 10, right, was given a special prize for his essay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. As in years past, the Mount Zion event committee members – Paula Carter, the Rev. L.A. Montgomery and Maurita McDuffie – announced the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award recipients: • Founder’s Award – Charlie Rogers • Youth Essay Prize – Khamini Yates, a 10-year-old fifth-grader • Community Service – The Hope Warming Center, a coalition of churches dedicated to helping the homeless. • Education – Donna Mann • Religion – The Rev. Ronald Poe • Special Recognition – The Rev. John Ferguson, Davone Tines, Marshall Wallace
• Worship Leader – Warrenton Town Councilman Renard Carlos (at large) • Keynote Speaker – Dr. Decker H. Tapscott Sr. Later in the afternoon, Lord Fairfax Community College in Warrenton hosted a second event celebrating Dr. King’s legacy. Attorney Earlene Morgan presented the keynote on the theme for the day, “Let Freedom Ring Everywhere.” The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Ensemble provided music for both events. A third event, scheduled for Saturday at the Afro-American Historical Association in The Plains, was canceled due to inclement weather.
It has been rescheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. Keynote speaker Ellsworth Weaver will discuss “The Slave Dwelling Project,” which focuses attention on slave dwelling structures throughout the country. Weaver will highlight three different plantations in Fauquier County where slaves lived – at Owl Run Farm (Weston) in Casanova, at Clifton Farm in Warrenton and at Sky Meadows near Delaplane. As of 1860, Fauquier County included 1,285 slaveholders, 2,146 slave dwellings and 10,455 enslaved people. Reach Robin Earl at rearl@fauquier.com
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