JANUARY

Habitat for Humanity hires first executive director

After four years of building homes for the less fortunate, Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, hired its first executive director. Don Whitley, who has lived in Powhatan for almost 12 years, always knew he wanted to become involved in something like Habitat.

“I like hands-on construction-type things to do,” Whitley shares. He first volunteered with the local organization through the Rotary Club on Powhatan’s Habitat house number two. Prior to that, he worked on a few houses in Richmond. “I knew what it was about. I just didn’t know the details.”

Habitat’s current president, John Carnwath, said Whitley was the perfect person for the job. “He has the business sense. He has the computer sense. He knows Habitat,” Carnwath said. “[B]ottom line, if we don’t have an executive director to [manage] the day to day activity, we will miss out on opportunities.”

Whitley’s duties include keeping regular office hours in the Habitat office located at 1480 Anderson Hwy., maintaining all correspondence, tracking donations and building a volunteer database. He now also develops fundraising campaigns geared toward individual, corporate, foundations and groups.

Floyd Yates honored as world’s oldest Lions club member

Powhatan’s Floyd Yates was honored by the Powhatan Lions Club during the group’s January meeting for both his service to the community and one other notable distinction: Yates, 104, is officially the oldest active Lion in the world.

Yates has been a Powhatan resident since 1927, when he opened a Ford dealership across from what is now the Four Season’s restaurant. Over the years, he has served in the Virginia House of Delegates (from 1940-1951), as head of the game commission, and as the chairman of the local draft board during World War II.

Yates is not only the oldest active Lion in the world, but also the oldest Mason in Virginia.

“Mr. Yates has provided support to the greater community his entire life,” offered County Administrator Carolyn Cios, who said she felt as if she were witnessing history.

“He truly deserves the admiration, respect and love we all feel for him.”

Carson Tucker resigns

After an 11-minute speech during the Planning Commission’s monthly meeting, commissioner Carson Tucker handed his resignation to chairman Richard Ayers and quietly walked off the stage and as the majority of the hundred or so residents in attendance applauded.

Tucker was the first official anyone could recall resigning in such a manner.

Noting dislike and a lack of respect and trust within the planning commission and the board as a roadblock to making progress with county business, Tucker made a number of suggestions to resolve conflicts in order to work better together. He later explained he wanted to “step back, something is fundamentally flawed. I wanted to move towards a tripod-type of team with the board, planning commission and public. We waste so much time [placing] blame. To me it’s an unconceivable waste of energy.”

In addition to resigning from the planning commission, Tucker resigned from his post as Powhatan’s representative to the Metropolitan Planning Group, and as Powhatan’s representative on the James River Advisory Group, the comprehensive plan steering committee and the anti-litter counsel.

He would go on to win a seat on the Board of Supervisors, representing District 5.

FEBRUARY

Local paper changes hands

In February of 2007, the Powhatan Today newspaper was sold to Media General. The paper, started in 1986 by David S. Cole, became part of a family of community newspapers owned by Media General’s Richmond Suburban Newspapers, including The Goochland Gazette, The Mechanicsville Local and the Midlothian Exchange.

“We like the direction Media General is going with its community newspapers, especially in the Richmond Area,” said Cole. “I think this is a perfect fit for both companies.”

Powhatan ranked sixth healthiest place to live

Powhatan County was ranked the sixth healthiest community in Virginia in a study released in February by the Schroeder Center for Healthcare Policy at the College of William and Mary. Powhatan was the only Richmond-area locality to make the top 10.

The study evaluated Virginia’s 134 counties based on 14 types of risk factors and outcomes. Some of the factors include prevalence of smoking, motor vehicle deaths, lack of health insurance, poverty, activity limitations and cancer deaths.

Powhatan ranked better than the average in categories such as rates of infant death, heart disease, total mortality, and violent crimes but worse than the state average in cancer deaths, smoking adults, and spending on health per person.

While Powhatan ranked number six, Poquoson City was the healthiest community in Virginia, followed by Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Falls Church City and Arlington County. Ranking seven through 10 were Highland County, York County, Stafford County and Fauquier County.

Soldiers from the 224th come home from Iraq

So what does it feel like when an entire year of waiting is down to its final minutes? For Cindy Leipertz, who spent February 15 waiting for her husband Shane to return from Iraq, it was almost overwhelming.

She had last seen her husband in August, six months into his tour, when he was able to come home for a few days of rest with his family. Since then, it had been only e-mails and the occasional phone call.

CW3 Shane Leipertz was one of four Powhatan residents to travel to Iraq with the 224th Aviation Unit, including commanding officer LTC Robert McMillin, II, SGT. Harold Moody, Jr., and SPC Ronald Despain, Jr. The group was charged with the support of Marine Operations in Al Anbar Province.

Cindy Leipertz admitted that the deployment had been difficult, but it wasn’t their first one; Shane had previously been deployed to Bosnia for six months in 1996.

She remembered the day her husband left for Iraq as “bittersweet.”

“I was so proud of him, that I was OK,” she said. “But at the same time I was losing a piece of myself.” The support from family, friends and the Powhatan community had been incredible, she said, but her three children had been her saving grace through much of the ordeal.

“It’s been lonely, but I could not have done it without them,” she said. She looked away for a moment, her eyes wet. “I am just so proud of them.”

MARCH

Grocery store streaker found guilty

The stiletto and t-shirt wearing streaker who made a brief appearance at the Food Lion on Academy Road Nov. 30, 2006, pleaded guilty in Powhatan Circuit Court on March 2 to the felony charge of exposing his private parts to a child under 12 years old.

The Powhatan charges were elevated to a felony because he exposed himself to children.

As the trial started, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Warren explained that the charges involve lascivious intent, meaning the defendant intended some sort of sexual arousal, not an accident where someone forgot to zip his pants leaving a restroom.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox told the court that at about 9:30 p.m. Coleman entered the store wearing a t-shirt, jacket and high heels and nothing from the waste down. He walked through the cash register area, down an aisle and then exited the store. Employees and two children, ages 12 and eight saw him.

Cox added that Coleman was arrested in Chesterfield County and admitted to the crime to Deputy M.F. Fielder of the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office.

Hollywood makes a stop in Powhatan

Strategically placed signs reading simply “JA” may not have tipped off many residents that a big time Hollywood drama was being filmed right here in Powhatan, but the secret was soon out. The JA stood for John Adams, a Playtone-produced epic miniseries, with scenes filmed on the riverbanks of the James River on property owned by the Department of Corrections.

Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are the executive producers of the presidential film, which stars Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. Stephen Dillane will co-star. According to HBO publicist Angela Tarantino, the production is based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer prize-winning biography of the country’s second president and is being directed by Emmy Award-winner Tom Hooper.

John Adams was shot through July, with much of the filming in Colonial Williamsburg. In addition to Powhatan, filming also took place in Europe.

As told through the eyes of Adams and his wife Abigail, John Adams is the story of the birth of the American republic and its first 50 years. Adams was the leader of the American independence movement, the nation’s first ambassador to Holland and England, the first American Vice President, and the second American President.

Colony gets board approval for asphalt plant

Colony Construction learned they would be allowed to proceed with plans to make asphalt behind South Creek after the Powhatan Board of Supervisors approved the company’s conditional use permit by a 3-2 vote during the March BOS meeting.

The asphalt plant became the second such facility operating in Powhatan, joining the Branscome asphalt operations currently on Luck Stone property. Colony’s request to manufacture asphalt on industrially zoned land located behind South Creek’s already existing restaurants and supermarket, and within several hundred feet of Powhatan High School and the soon-to-be constructed new elementary school, worried some residents. Others were very supportive of the company, its employees, and the track record of its operations. All told, a crowd in the neighborhood of 400 to 500 attended the CUP hearing.

Colony’s request was in its third month of deferral before the vote, as the board proceeded cautiously with the CUP case following several complaints from people critical of the decision to build an asphalt plant within proximity to a school. Others who lived nearby the proposed site wondered openly about the noise and odor they feared the plant would produce.

However, the land Colony targeted for the plant is zoned for industrial use, and asphalt operations would take place near an already-existing concrete manufacturing plant and other heavy industrial work. Colony President Scott Claud said that the neighboring operations were a major factor in Colony’s decision to target the property for its asphalt manufacturing.

“We looked at all the land available and thought that we picked the best location,” Claud said. “We have been open to the planning commission and the school board. I can tell you, we’re good people. We would do nothing to hurt anyone.”

APRIL

Powhatan teenager TC Jones is injured in snowboarding accident

During an otherwise uneventful ski trip to Snowshoe resort in West Virginia on Feb. 24, Powhatan High School graduate TC Jones’ life changed forever. He wasn’t doing anything crazy or extreme, but as TC was sliding down the slope spread eagle on his stomach, he somehow became airborne.

TC was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where it was determined that the soon-to-be 19-year-old sustained a broken C5 and C6 vertebrae in his neck, leaving him paralyzed.

He was then transported to Shepherds Center in Atlanta, where information-driven TC insisted doctors tell him the truth, however grim. Doctors told him that he had less than a one percent chance of walking again.

Although the news brought TC to an all-time low point, his father said his son is determined to get better.

“His attitude has been unbelievable from the beginning,” he said. “He’s always been just great. I could talk to him like I was talking to another adult.”

Prior to the accident, TC was a freshman at Virginia Tech, studying computer science. His attitude also shined through as Tom recalled his son saying the accident could have been worse, and although they allowed themselves to ask why did this happen a couple of times, Tom insists they are not focusing on ‘why me?’ “God works in mysterious ways. Maybe this prevented something worse form happening,” Tom shares.

Letters conveying love and support filled TC’s hospital room, including one banner signed by an entire baseball team.

Due largely to his incredible resolve and the support of his family, Jones remained positive through two operations, months of physical therapy and a rude awakening to the world of health insurance.

“You try to control the things you can and let the rest go,” he said. “I might as well work 110 percent on the things I can control.”

County shows displays solidarity with Va. Tech victims

County schools and offices were awash in maroon and orange April 20 in a show of support and condolence to the Virginia Tech community following the mass murder of 32 April 16 at the Blacksburg campus.

Though no one from Powhatan was killed or injured in the attacks, a number of Virginia Tech students from Powhatan were on campus at the time.

Students at Pocahontas Middle School formed an ocean of Hokie colors inside the school’s cafeteria. Other county schools reported similar shows of support.

At the county administration office, several county staffers boasted Tech accessories, including a handful of loyal U.Va. alumni and fans, who dropped loyalties to come together and embrace bitter rival Virginia Tech in the wake of such tragedy.

Several area businesses also recognized the victims of the shooting by posting messages on marquees, draping signs in Hokie colors, or flying Virginia Tech flags.

PHS teachers, volunteers save student

April 19 started as a typical day in the life of the 16-year-old Powhatan High School junior Brittany Worsham. But as she made her way to the school’s café to deliver some balloons for the senior cheerleader’s celebration, something went terribly wrong.

Worsham went into cardiac arrest due to a heart arrhythmia, which her mother said is usually fatal unless the victim can get medical attention within 30 seconds. There happened to be two teachers, both of whom are volunteer firefighters with EMT training, at the entrance of the commons area who immediately jumped into action. Trevor Pruett and Steve Pasi ran to assess the situation, and then art teacher Stephanie Wirt, also trained in CPR, came running. As they quickly assessed Brittany, one grabbed the AED off the wall and administered a shock to restart her heart.

Though she faced many difficult months ahead, Worsham eventually made a full recovery and will be able to graduate with her class this June.

Those that saved her life were eventually honored as heroes and Worsham’s story was even used in an advertising campaign for MVC hospital.

MAY

Judge dismisses murder charge against Walker

The second-degree murder charge against Khalil Jerry Walker in the Sept. 20, 2005 death of Sheriff’s Deputy Robbie Green was dismissed May 31 by Circuit Court Judge Thomas Warren following an all-day trial on May 30.

After the Commonwealth rested its case at the end of the day, court resumed on Thursday morning with defense attorney John W. Luxton filing a motion to suppress evidence, arguing that there was not enough evidence to connect his client to the death of Green.

Judge Warren agreed and dismissed the case, saying there was not enough connection between the high-speed chase Walker led deputies on and Green’s single-car accident that resulted in his death.

“There was clearly probable cause [because the case passed the preliminary hearing and the grand jury]. It was a close question of the law,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Beasley said after the trial. “I think we did the right thing. It’s the kind of case you have to try. I knew it was a close case. I knew that from the beginning. I knew there was a possibility it would be dismissed. I feel very strongly we did the right thing by bringing this…” Beasley added.

JUNE

PHS grads encouraged to savor life

The mood was light in the upstairs hallway of Powhatan High School as the graduating class of 2007 prepared for their big moment. Some students embraced, while others made summer plans. Still others sat quietly against the walls, taking in the last moments they would spend in the corridors of PHS.

“I’m not nervous,” said Brad Dickey, smiling. “I’m just ready to graduate.”

As the 297 students made their way into the gym, family and friends cheered and flashbulbs popped. The ceremony marked a proud moment for many families, and tickets to the event had been a hot commodity. Once the seating in the gymnasium was filled, people gathered in the school’s auditorium to watch the ceremony on closed circuit television.

PHS principal Rick Cole took a moment to recognize the ten graduates had achieved the highest grade point averages, pointing out that not one in the top ten had less than a 4.4.

Valedictorian Lacey Starkey spoke to the class about the importance of greeting everyone they will meet along their path with an open mind.

“Cherish the people closest to you,” she told her classmates. “Do not limit yourselves to only certain types of people…Become one of the rarities on this earth who, through their diversity, become friends with many, many people.”

A few days earlier, the students of Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Academy had celebrated their graduation day as well, though the crowd was considerably smaller. The senior class of just 32 students marked the end of their high school careers at St. Edward’s Church.

Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off start of Watkins Centre project

The Watkins Centre project held its groundbreaking June 29 on a portion of the 640-acre site that will soon become a large mixed-use development to include an estimated 1.3 million square feet of retail space and 2.1 million square feet of office space.

A handful of tenants announced plans to take up business in Watkins Centre, including area banks Sun Trust and BB&T, while Village Bank will open an 80,000-square-foot corporate office building at the site.

The projects sits in western Chesterfield County near the Route 288/60 interchange, just east of the Powhatan/Chesterfield line. The property has been in State Sen. John Watkins’ family for over 130 years, and was previously used in the family’s nursery business.

Midlothian District Supervisor Don Sowder said the project has been compared to Innsbrook in Henrico, but Sowder said the Watkins Centre plans to utilize more recent architectural and design techniques, like open green spaces, architectural aesthetics and a “pedestrian-friendly” environment.

Close to 300 people attended the lunchtime groundbreaking ceremony, including state secretary of commerce and trade, Patrick O. Gottschalk. Gottschalk, speaking on behalf of Gov. Timothy Kaine, said the Watkins Centre is “what the governor and I both feel is exactly on target to the growth we’d like to see.”

JULY

PGCAA moves on without Goochland

After the Goochland County portion of the Powhatan-Goochland Community Action Agency decided to absorb all of the programs benefiting Goochland residents on its own, the Powhatan action agency found itself too small to exist. So, as of July 1, the PGCAA officially became a part of the Richmond Community Action Program.

Tom Wagstaff, executive director of RCAP, assured Powhatan residents that there would be absolutely no changes to the programs offered. He confirmed that the Goochland Board of Supervisors decided to leave the group, resulting in an agency too small to go on independently.

The biggest adjustment, Wagstaff reported, is the change in advisory board. RCAP’s branch in Powhatan will be advised by the RCAP advisory board. Powhatan representatives hold six seats on that board.

The executive director said that Powhatan was faced with a crossroads-type decision about whether to become a part of a rural or urban agency.

With the population growth in the county, he said, Powhatan officials decided to join forces with an urban group.

AUGUST

Walker receives two and a half years

On August 10, Khalil Jerry Walker was sent to prison for two and a half years. Walker was previously found guilty of eluding police on Aug. 10, but second degree murder charges were dismissed during his trial after Circuit Court Judge Thomas Warren decided there wasn’t enough evidence connecting Walker’s high speed chase to the death of Powhatan Deputy Robbie Green on Sept. 20.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Beasley argued that had Walker not run from the police and engaged in a three-county chase, Deputy Robbie Green would be here today. “Consider the outcome…the victim impact statements, the devastation to the family. While he may not be guilty of murder that night, what he did contributed to [Green’s] death.”

Although the suggested sentencing guidelines call for one year and three months in prison, Beasley argued that with Walker’s circumstances justified a longer sentence.

“I don’t care about other counties. The people of Powhatan County don’t care about other counties. The people of Powhatan County care about what happened on the night of Sept. 20,” Beasley told the court.

Luxton argued that Walker’s time in prison so far has impacted him.

“Powhatan Correctional Center reminds me of the old Spring Street death row, and [he’s had to deal with] the repercussions of being in jail. Mr. Walker already said he was sorry in pleading guilty and I ask for sentencing within the guidelines,” Luxton said.

“I want to say I’m sorry to the Green family. I don’t want people to think I’m not remorseful. I know they lost a life,” Walker told the court just before sentencing.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas Warren handed down the five year sentence with half of it suspended for a period of 10 years.

Dr. Richard Michaux dies at 96

Dr. Richard Anderson Michaux, 96, the last of his family to be born on the Powhatan parcel of land given to the Michaux family by the King of England, died on August 29 in Richmond.

Dr. Michaux, who grew up on the farmed called Michaux Grant, spurned a shovel and hoe for a scalpel, graduating from the Medical College of Virginia in 1937. After serving as a surgeon in the 45th General Hospital in North Africa and Italy during World War II, he returned to Richmond to practice general surgery and gynecology, spending many years at Stuart Circle Hospital. He retired from medicine in 1982 at the age of 70.

Michaux was buried on his family’s property in Powhatan.

SEPTEMBER

Transitional home hosts first family

Powhatan’s first transitional home was dedicated in September, and was almost immediately put to use to aid a local family. Until the home was built, families had to resort to living with friends and family or staying in a hotel outside of the county after losing their homes. Worst-case scenarios left families separated, with mom, children, and dad all living with others.

During the dedication ceremony, the Rev. Franking Reding told the group of Powhatan Coalition of Church volunteers that “the Lord is good,” to the people who will benefit from the home. “You used your gifts to make this happen. We give thanks to the Lord for He is good,” he added, quoting Bible scripture. He said that the project, which was two years in the making, will be a blessing to needy residents.

“What a great thing, to have a place…As the body of Christ, we can do this, to prepare a place for someone who doesn’t have a home. People have sacrificed to make this happen,” he said.

The three-bedroom rancher is the result of a decade of effort by the Coalition of Powhatan Churches. Through funds raised at the annual Powhatan Spring Antique Power Shows, the Coalition has been able to purchase an older double-wide trailer, dig a well, install a septic system and take care of everything else involved in obtaining an occupancy permit.

Many people, including members of the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office, were involved in building the home, planting bordering shrubs, digging the well and installing electricity, as well as donating furnishings.

The home features a kitchen table, couches, beds, bedding, a kitchen stocked with dishes, utensils, a microwave oven, a refrigerator and everything else needed for a family to get by for three months.

OCTOBER

PauWau draws masses

When Curtis and Katrina Blankenship made the decision to stay in Powhatan two years ago after briefly looking beyond its borders, they vowed to become active residents and help others get to know the county in which they lived.

The Oct. 6 “Powhatan Native People Pauwau” was the couple’s latest endeavor, focusing on the history of the land and its original people. More than 1,400 people turned out at the Powhatan County Fairgrounds on Saturday for the county’s first annual “Pauwau.” The first in a couple centuries, anyways.

Both of Cherokee descent, Curtis and Katrina conceived of the idea as a way to teach citizens the history of Powhatan’s true natives and bring the community together in a fun setting.

“A lot of people live in the county but don’t know the history,” Katrina said. “We wanted to educate people and let them know that Native Americans are everyday people, too.”

Mission accomplished, Katrina said after the event. 

More than 20 different tribes of Native Americans were represented at the Pauwau, which was held in honor and remembrance of Chief Powhatan, the county’s namesake.

Wines Festival outshines threat of bad weather

With clear, crisp, and unseasonably warm weather, it was hard to imagine that just hours before the sky opened up and the rain was pouring down. But, no one at the fifth annual Festival of the Grape was thinking about the days of rain that came to an end just before the gates opened.

With 21 wineries and about 100 artists, crafters and food vendors surrounding the historic Powhatan Courthouse, all roads entering the Village were closed to automobiles. Guests were able to park their car, hop in a golf cart and be escorted to the ticket booth.

“It was an absolutely wonderful day,” said Kathy Budner, executive director of the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce.

The Powhatan Chamber sponsored the event along with the Powhatan Department of Economic Development and the Powhatan Extension Service.

The Festival of the Grape serves as the Chamber’s major fundraiser each year. But, more importantly, Budner said, the event is an economic endeavor for the county.

“It’s an opportunity for people to see what we have here in the county, what we have to offer,” she added.

NOVEMBER

Local elections produce some surprises, some change

Though the county elections cause an unavoidable amount of havoc in her office every four years, registrar Inez Poe insisted the process this time had gone as smoothly as it could.

Though the 40.4 percent turnout at the polls was less then she had been hoping for, Poe said she was pleased that they had had no problems with the voting machines.

“Actually, we had a very uneventful day,” Poe reported.

There were 18 races in the county, and seven of those, including Sherriff and Commonwealth’s Attorney, were uncontested. But a number of the contested races were close, including the fight for District 3 Board of Supervisors seat in which long-time Supervisor Robert Cosby defeated Barry Hodge by just 70 votes.

One race that had received its fair share amount of media attention even outside the county, was for Clerk of Court. In the end, Bill Maxey, 86, recognized as the longest serving Clerk of the court in Virginia, was elected to another eight-year term.

It will be his seventh.

For new supervisor Carson Tucker, who defeated Kenneth Hatcher for the BOS seat in District 5, the results of this year’s election served to highlight the general mood of the population.

“A lot of good people ran for office; that’s good news” said Tucker. “People care.”

But Tucker also noted that the number of close elections supported the idea that people were ready for a change.

“It’s a clear message that the way we have always done business, in the eyes of the people, may not be the best way to deal successfully with tomorrow’s challenges.”

School Board member arrested for cocaine possession

Powhatan County School Board member Germando Harris was arrested on Nov. 10 and charged with possession of cocaine.

According to Det. Jason Tackett of the Powhatan Sheriff’s office, Harris, 49 and two others — Kelly Lashawn Jackson, 27 and Charles Edward Turner 26 — were arrested during a search warrant at 2645 Maidens Road.

Jackson, of Howell Road, was charged with one count of cocaine possession with the intent to distribute. Turner, of Ridge Road, was charged with two counts of cocaine possession and one count of larceny.

Tackett said the search warrant and subsequent arrests were part of an ongoing criminal investigation, therefore the Sheriff’s Department could not make any additional comments except to say that Harris was not the target of the investigation.

“He was just a victim of the circumstances, though the charges are definitely valid,” Tackett said.

DECEMBER

Care-A-Van mobile free clinic comes to Powhatan

The Bon Secours Care-A-Van celebrated its grand opening in Powhatan on Dec 3, complete with a reception held at the county fair grounds.

Hours before the reception, however, the staff was hard at work providing medical care for the county’s uninsured residents.

The care they are able to provide is crucial, said charge nurse Brenda McAllister, especially for those with no other means of obtaining medical care.

“It’s so important because there are so many people working two and three jobs and they still don’t have health insurance,” she said. “And they get sick like everyone else.”

The Care-A-Van that visits Powhatan is one of two operated by Bon Secours. Staffed by nurses, a physician, and a technician, the van can provide primary, urgent and preventative care. Bilingual staff is available at most sites the van visits, including Powhatan, and a social worker is normally on hand to help register children for state-sponsored health insurance.

The day marked the third time the van had come to Powhatan.

By all accounts, it has been a success so far.

“I think it will make a huge impact once the word gets out,” said nurse practitioner Linda Mitchell.

For more information on the Bon Secours Care-A-Van, call 804-287-7VAN or visit http://www.bonsecours.com.