INSIDE Construction underway at the Retreat at West Creek > page 2
Volume 59, Number 27 • July 11, 2013
ROCKETS’ RED GLARE Fireworks show draws largest crowd to date “We used to go to Cartersville,” said Jillian Kilbo of Powhatan, who came to Goochland with her husband John Folks came from miles around to see and their four children for the show, the annual Fourth of July fireworks dis- which started promptly at 9 p.m. in the play at the Sports Complex in Goochland afterglow of dusk. Courthouse Thursday night. But last year there was no show By Ken Odor Special Correspondent
in Cartersville, so the Kilbos came to Goochland. They were back again this year, sitting on the hill just above the skateboard park. The football field at the complex – in years past a see Fireworks > page 4
Photo by Jim Ridolphi
Herb Griffith, head of Goochland’s Electoral Board, told the Goochland County Board of Supervisors that unfunded mandates are hitting the registrar’s office in the form of voter photo identifications, background checks for non-violent offenders and voter registration via the Internet.
Last primary election no bang for the buck By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Writer
Top, Sarah Grove waves a sparkler while she and the rest of the Grove family wait for the fireworks to begin. Above, crowds gather well before the show.
Photos by Ken Odor
Fireworks brighten the sky Thursday night at the annual Fourth of July celebration at Goochland Courthouse. Goochland County Parks and Recreation officials said more than 15,000 people – the most ever – turned out to see the show.
Last month’s Democratic Party Primary election was no bargain for Goochland County taxpayers. According to Goochland Electoral Board chair Herb Griffith, the balloting costs county taxpayers almost $40 a vote, largely due to the low turnout. “I’m sure that it’s no secret to you that we had a primary election back on the 11th of June,” Griffith said. “I’m sure it was important to at least four individuals – the candidates – but it was not very important to a number of other people.” see Primary > page 4