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Powhatan, Virginia
The hometown paper of Robert G. Searle
Vol. XXIV No. 37
September 22 2010
Indians fans celebrate team’s win over Monticello in home opener. See page 1B
Arrests made in burglary spree Two in custody allegedly hit over 80 homes, nine of them in Powhatan By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Powhatan County law enforcement officials announced last Friday that they had made two arrests in connection with a string of burglaries that occurred in
from 18 jurisdictions. According to Det. Kevin Wolfe with the Powhatan Sheriff’s Department, the two have now been linked to over 80 residential burglaries, nine of which occurred in Powhatan. Both had been under surveillance since early August, he Brown Becton said. Powhatan in recent months. Items stolen included flat screen Maurice J. Becton, 29, and Dominyce televisions, other home electronics and J. Brown, 24, both residents of Chester- jewelry. field, were taken into custody Sept. 13 after a lengthy investigation by officers see Arrests page 3A
AT ISSUE: Supervisors decided to delay appropriating one month’s worth of local funding to the schools – $1.5 million – until the spring, when the county will know if revenue is in line with estimates.
BOS, Schools will focus on funding, budget outlook By Michael Copley Staff Writer
W
hen Powhatan County’s two elected boards meet again Sept. 28, the School Board plans to push the county for more reliable budget forecasts this year, while supervisors have been told to warn the school system of another year of shrinking funds. The joint meeting will be the second in a series aimed at improving communication, and cooperation, between the boards. The School Board’s resolve to “hammer it home” that it needs better funding projections from the county, delivered on “a reliable date,” in the words of one School Board member, echoes the complaints from Supervisors that the budget information the school system provided last year was too vague. Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, has said both the school system INSIDE: and county should prepare Local budget cuts of two to five percent this year in anticipabusiness tion of reduced state funding. owners “There are not too many discuss signs pretty pictures to be painted,” he said. that the local “He told us to hold the line economy where we can and reduce what we may finally can,” said Supervisor Carson Tucker. Watkins added that revenue projections – slowly– be by the state are too high, in his opinion, gaining and that if those levels aren’t realized ground. See “we’ll have to go in and cut more out of the [current] budget.” August, the page 4A Senator said, was “an awful month for revenue, but there are 11 more months still to go.” In Powhatan, the topic of projected revenue recently took on tones of controversy. A half dozen teachers used a public comment period last week to blast the board of supervisors for its decision to delay appropriating one month’s worth of local funding to the schools - $1.5 million - until the spring, when supervisors say they’ll know if the revenue the county collects see Money page 3A
Group wants to offer young people new options Positive Powhatan People founders say kids need free, healthy activities By Michael Copley Staff Writer
Powhatan residents who joined forces recently to try to change the social conditions they say led to the killings of two young men in the county are asking for help from the community. Tahliek Taliaferro was shot to death in 2008 and Rashad Brown died from stab wounds in May. “There are too many good people in Powhatan for us to do nothing,” said Mary Harrison, a retired teacher and member of Positive Powhatan People (PPP). “We want to connect those who have the need with those who can meet it,” she said. “We’re a work in progress, but we want everyone to be represented.” Among others, PPP has enlisted the help of Supervisor Carson Tucker, Robert Beasley, commonwealth’s attorney, Sheriff Greg Neal and Kevin Meyers, the county’s director of parks and recreation. The goal, members say, is to battle what the group sees as the biggest threats to young people in the community: boredom, drugs and a lack of jobs. First and foremost, the group is trying to “figure out things kids and families can do together,” Harrison said. “Kids need time with their parents, even if it’s only the time spent eating dinner together,” said Charlotte Jackson, a member of PPP. “More than anything, kids need validation from their parents.” PPP is helping to facilitate a push to create activities and places for teens to congregate safely, “both physically and emotionally,” according to group member Debbie Putney, an elemensee Group page 3A
Inside
Sports
Index
A2 Headed to the fair? Annual county fair will once again offer entertainment for young–and young at heart.
B1 Village Run Individual results from Powhatan’s 2010 Village Run.
Calendar Classified Crossword Extra Points Horoscope Letters
A6 B10 A11 B1 A11 A10
Obituaries Opinion Quotes Real Estate TV Listings
A9 A10 A2 B9 B6-7