Candidate shares passion for Powhatan county
Dear Editor,
I am Randy Schulkers, and I love Powhatan County!  I announced my intention to apply for the Board of Supervisor’s position in District Four last year.  Since then, I have knocked on many doors in District for neighborhoods, and talked to everyone I could about what neighbors think is important.  Powhatan is already a wonderful place to live, and I feel we can work together to help Powhatan become an even better place to live.

I am a conservative, and an independent – retired now, and available for full time work as your supervisor.  When I was in school, the Viet Nam war was going on (termed a police action at that time).  Patriotism was a big thing with my friends and I, so to answer the call, I enlisted in the US Air Force.  I went back to college after my 4 year contract was fulfilled.  After graduation from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, I spent the next 40 years in international business positions - often working with budgets in the $100’s of millions of dollars.  I learned to successfully negotiate everything in business, and that skill is one of the things I plan to use to our advantage in the County business of Powhatan.
The last company I worked for relocated us to the Richmond office, (which Bonnie finally approved when we visited Powhatan in January, 2005), and quickly realized how much we liked it here.  We both grew up in small towns so it wasn’t a far stretch for us to identify with Powhatan.  There is a unique “something” that makes Powhatan just a bit better than most places. The friendly, honest people who welcomed us here are a major part.  The natural beauty of the land - the open country and fresh air, and that feeling of freedom that works its way into our daily lives is even more.  Many of you already know what I am talking about; and the others will realize it soon.  Bonnie was the first to notice that peaceful, easy feeling that comes over us whenever we cross the County line with the Powhatan stone marker on route 60.  We truly care what happens here, and want to have a say in how future things are decided for all of us.

My enthusiasm for the country lifestyle that Powhatan provides, prompted me to get very involved in our community as soon as I arrived.  One of the first things we did was to sign up for the PLI (Powhatan Leadership Institute) where we learned so much about Powhatan, its government, and places not commonly visited.  I became a facilitator of the PLI, introducing a new course entitled, appropriately - “Leadership”.  I studied the Kelly/Becker Community Planning and Comprehensive Plan Course.  We attend the Powhatan United Methodist Church and St John Neumann church.  I am currently Treasurer of the PPP, Positive Powhatan People; a life-member of The Powhatan Historical Society, the Powhatan Lions Club, Capital Area Agency for Aging, and others.  I am a Life-long member of the NRA, and have received many awards for pistol, rifle and archery competitions.  We have two grown daughters and 6 wonderful, rambunctious grandchildren. 
Attending all Board of Supervisors meetings and workshops has always been a priority. That is how I gained an understanding of how each decision has been worked out as it was happening.  For the past four years, I had been part of a citizen’s group that studied Powhatan budgeting and spending over the past 10 years.  Many areas have been identified which could be improved upon.  One thing I know for certain - we have to live within our means – just as every household within Powhatan does.  There is always a way to get more for your money’s worth - but you have to ask for it – and work for it. 

A proper representative government needs citizen’s input, and that’s where you come in – a few times each year - we will hold a District Four “Village Meeting” for you to give your input to me and ask questions – to get that “working together” thing going strong.  Since I am retired, I am going to be accessible to you morning or evening.  Contact me by email and let me know what is making you happy or unhappy about Powhatan.  That is what this Supervisor position is all about – representing the neighbors in District 4, and, in the larger sense, representing all the people of Powhatan.

When I am elected to the BOS, my first priorities will include—Education and EMS.  The Fire and Rescue Squads in Powhatan are fine groups of dedicated Volunteers. These wonderful people do more than save lives, they help save us money on our home insurance as well as saving on ambulance fees. Neither salaries, benefits, nor retirement expenses come from our taxes. 

I need you to help us all realize the dream of making Powhatan an even better place to live.   
May God bless Powhatan and the good old USA!

Randy Schulkers
Powhatan

Melton has what it takes to lead Powhatan County

Dear Editor,
The definition of passion is: 1. A powerful emotion, such as love ,joy…boundless enthusiasm. When I think back on the twenty plus years I have know Billy Melton, passion is a word which comes to mind often. Billy has a stong passion and commitment for life, his family, his friends friends, his job, and Powhatan county. 

Having served on the Planning  Commission for the past twelve years, Billy has displayed his ability to listen to the people of Powhatan county. Billy’s common sense approach to governing have given people of the county the confidence to know they can put their trust in him. I have never met anyone who brings more focus and commitment to the task at hand.     
Billy is qualified and is ready  to serve the fourth district. He has the experience, the knowledge and the….passion.

As the former Publisher and Owner of Powhatan Today, it is with upmost confidence, that I urge the voters of the fourth distict to vote Billy Melton for Board of Supervisors.

David S.Cole
Henrico

Apartments, if approved, will cost county tax payers

Dear Editor,
I hope many of you read the excellent letter by Tara Johnson published in the August 31 edition.

Tara points out numerous reasons why the proposed apartments and rezoning of the Lewis tract is a very bad idea.

Even those residents that do not live near this proposed development will be dramatically affected by the building of these low rent apartments.

Our school system will be adversely affected with larger class sizes, increased capital costs, and possible redistricting of students due to influx of additional unplanned for students. By the way, the taxes paid by the developer will not come close to covering the additional costs for schools, fire, police and traffic control. All Powhatan residents will bear the cost of this unnecessary development.

One has to wonder why the Board of Supervisors is considering such a project that will adversely affect so many and help almost no one.  There are apartments in the county that are standing vacant, so why build more?
A recent study in Iowa shows the adverse effect such low rent housing and section 8 apartments have on the surrounding community. It demonstrated that many of those living in section 8 apartments have on the surrounding community. It demonstrated that many of those living in section 8 housing were not the lawful occupants but friends and relatives. These friends and relatives were responsible for a dramatic crime increase in the area. Is that what we can look forward to in Powhatan?

I hope that many of you will attend the rezoning hearing scheduled for Oct. 4, and show your opposition to this proposed development. Contact your supervisor and express your opposition to this type of development.
Robert Rhoades
Powhatan

Apartment opponents can’t have it both ways

Dear Editor,
I read with interest the comments by Cathy White (“Approval of apartment plan would be a disaster for county”) in the September 21 issue of Powhatan Today. 
This is just the first in what is sure to be many repercussions from the decision by the Board of Supervisors to approve the Wal-Mart SuperCenter. It is ironic that many residents who supported the Wal-Mart SuperCenter now appear to oppose the building of these apartments.
Most Wal-Mart employees are on the low end of the wage scale and will not be able to afford to buy houses. Where do the SuperCenter supporters think that the Wal-Mart employees are going to live?

This inevitably will be the case with the other mega-developments that are sure to follow in Powhatan. We cannot have it both ways with regard to large-scale development in Powhatan.

We will have to permit apartment
complexes to be built or, by default, force those new employees to live in Chesterfield County—thereby negating much of the fiscal argument for approving Wal-Mart in the first place.

Sincerely,
Bob Nagel
Powhatan

Labor Day Parade was deeply missed by families

Dear Editor,
Powhatan County has such a special feeling about it. It is homey and friendly and reminds one of a place that country singers sing about as a place to go back home and feel at home. There are special events planned for families, and children look forward each year to these events. My grandchildren called and said “we are coming to the Labor Day Parade.” I told them I heard there would not be a parade, and my daughter, who grew up in Powhatan, said “there is always a Labor Day Parade in Powhatan.”

I said they say there are other activities so come anyway. As we drove around with the two little children in the backseat, we saw a ghost town in the Village. There was only one man wheeling a stroller and looking around like he did not get the message: no parade.

After looking at the sad faces of my grandchildren and talking to many, I promised to write this letter.

We are all afraid that a cherished tradition will be ended. I know the economy is tight, but I thought the parade was composed mostly of volunteers.

Please do not do away with this fun time for families. Many also looked forward to seeing friends rarely seen during the year.
The parade was a signal of school time, school spirit, and fall. Yes, I am willing to help and feel there will be others. What do we need to do to get back our parade?

Dr. Gail B. Newton
Powhatan

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