Inside A6 Check out holiday happenings in Cumberland
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Gerardi grateful for opportunity to wrestle for Virginia Tech
Vol. XXXIII No. o. 23
December 4, 2019
Powhatan supervisors vote 3-2 to adopt Second Amendment Sanctuary designation By Laura McFarland Editor
P
OWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors recently decided in a split vote to pass a resolution declaring Powhatan a Second Amendment Sanctuary county. In front of a packed house during the board’s meeting on Monday, Nov. 25 at the Village Building, the supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of adopting a resolution that vows opposition to potential bills being proposed for the next General Assembly session that supporters say would infringe on their Second Amendment rights. Chairwoman Angie Cabell, who represents District 3, Larry Nordvig, District 2, and Bill Melton, District 4, voted to pass a resolution brought forward
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Jean Gannon, the local Republican party chair, introduces an alternative resolution to the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors they later adopted in a 3-2 vote to accept a Second Amendment Sanctuary designation.
during the meeting by Jean Gannon, chairwoman of the Powhatan County Republican Committee. The resolution Gannon presented took a stronger stance than one the board was originally considering, which discussed the supervisors’ oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution without specifically seeking to adopt a Second Amendment Sanctuary designation. David Williams, District 1, and Carson Tucker, District 5, while both voicing support of the Second Amendment, voted against the resolution. They had asked the board to hold a workshop with Powhatan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Dickie Cox and Sheriff Brad Nunnally to help the board and the public understand what being a Second Amendment see VOTE, pg. 3
Local churches give thanks together as a community DOJ starts
investigation of racial discrimination By Laura McFarland Editor
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Passion Community Church, left, and Unity Community Church, right, both held Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 28 where they welcomed members of the community to celebrate together. See more photos Page 8.
POWHATAN – The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice recently informed the county that it has initiated an investigation into potential racial discrimination by the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors because of a 2018 decision to deny a rezon-
Powhatan Library offers a fun line-up to celebrate the season
Abigail Spanberger visits Free Clinic of Powhatan
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
see INVESTIGATION, pg. 7
Contributed Report
how Virginia’s participation in Medicaid Expansion led to some changes in the Free Clinic’s patient make-up. As more of the clinic’s existing patients were covered under Medicaid, the Free Clinic was able to increase the threshold of the patients it covers from 200 percent of the poverty level to 250 percent, she said. They also have expanded to helping people in Amelia, Cumberland, and a small section of Chesterfield counties. Moslow gave the example of an hourly construction worker who makes $16,000 and qualified for the Free Clinic’s services but had to work over-
Powhatan County Public Library is gearing up with an array of events and activities to celebrate the holiday season. To kick off the season, the library is hosting a community open house from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. Stop by to share a special story time visit with Santa, enjoy delicious cookies and cocoa, and complete a craft or two. Be sure to check out the library’s holiday decorations, artfully arranged by the Teen Tuesday volunteers. PCPL’s Holiday Bingo will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. Bingo is cohosted by the Powhatan Friends of the Library and everyone is welcome to play for fun prizes. Light refreshments and coffee will be served, courtesy of the Powhatan Friends of the Library. Players are welcome to bring their own lunch. Library for All Club will celebrate the season with a holiday party featuring a festive movie, craft, and snack
see SPANBERGER, pg. 3
see LIBRARY pg. 8
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
During a visit to the Free Clinic of Powhatan, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger speaks with staff and volunteers to learn more about what they do.
By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D7th, paid a visit to the Free Clinic of Powhatan last week as part of a two-day health carerelated tour in the region. Spanberger visited the clinic on Monday, Nov. 25 for a tour and a chance to talk to staff and volunteers about how they help people in Powhatan County and beyond who otherwise couldn’t afford health care. Executive director Connie Moslow introduced Spanberger to the Free Clinic and what it does, who it helps, and how things will change once it
moves into its new location on Skaggs Road in 2020. She talked about the medical services the clinic helps people get access to as well as dental care and mental health services. Moslow said she was happy to have the politician visit to increase awareness of the free clinics in Virginia and how they impact small communities like Powhatan when there is no other place to go. “I think she got that. I think she saw the need and all of the many services we provide, not just a doctor’s service. If she got that, I would be happy,” Moslow said. One of the points Moslow discussed with Spanberger was