INSIDE Voter turnout higher than in 2008 > page 2
Volume 58, Number 46 • November 15, 2012
Supervisors approve Bellview office building rezoning application By Ben Orcutt Special Correspondent
Photo by Ken Odor
Student Band Director Scot Mitchell plays Taps at the conclusion of Monday’s Veterans Day ceremonies at Goochland High School.
Students asked what they stand for at Veterans Day observance By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com
After Monday’s Veterans Day ceremony at Goochland High School, several students stayed behind to talk with the Guest of Honor Jesse Grapes, Benedictine College Preparatory School Headmaster. Grapes, now a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, had touched a nerve with his stories of the heroism of his troops in the Second Battle of Fallujah, Iraq. “What they’ve given to the country, I want to be part of that,” said senior Russell Gambino after talking with Grapes. “I need to know if the Marines are for me.” Junior Ryan Querry was also impressed. “It was very inspiring,” said Querry. Grapes told the story of two 19-year old Marines who volunteered to rescue wounded comrades during
the battle, requiring them to lay down their weapons and expose themselves repeatedly to enemy fire. “I learned that heroism is selfless,” Grapes told the students and others gathered in the auditorium. Grapes, who himself was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Iraq, told the moving story of the platoon he led on his second deployment to Iraq. “23/45,” he said in a shorthand that explained it all. Of 45 Marines he led on his second deployment to Iraq, 23 were killed or wounded. Two received the Navy Cross, the Corps’ second highest award for valor. Eight were awarded the Bronze Star. Before and after praising the Marines he led, Grapes threw out challenges to the students. “I challenge you to find your vocation. I challenge see Veterans > page 3
Some residents of Bellview Gardens expressed outrage following last week’s decision by the Goochland County Board of Supervisors to approve a rezoning request that will allow a professional office building to be constructed in their neighborhood. “The people in this neighborhood, we made it clear what we wanted,” said Jordan Hedgepeth. “They [supervisors] favor developers over their own citizens today. That’s what you get in Goochland County.” The Board voted unanimously to approve a request from Bellview Gardens Medical LLC to rezone a 2.7acre tract at the northwest intersection
of Broad Street Road and Mills Road to be rezoned from limited residential use to limited business use. Bellview Gardens Medical LLC plans to build two single-story professional/general-office buildings with a total of 19,000 square feet and 95 parking spaces. In September, the Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend denial of the request due to concerns over how the project would impact the neighborhood and also that it conflicts with the county’s comprehensive plan that recommends the property remain residential, county documents say. During last Wednesday’s public hearing, Tom Kinter, the applicant, told see Bellview > page 5
Photo by Ben Orcutt
Bellview Gardens’ residents Tim Bassas and his wife, Amy, listen anxiously as the Goochland County Board of Supervisors discuss whether or not to approve a rezoning request that would allow a professional office building to be constructed in their neighborhood.