Rappahannock Record the Lower Northern Neck’S Most Complete News Source Since 1916
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Rappahannock Record The lower Northern Neck’s most complete news source since 1916 75¢ Volume 94 No. 45 Thursday, August 18, 2011 www.RRecord.com Mayor’s alleged interference with manager’s decision raises ire of residents , businessmen by Audrey Thomasson to the editor in last week’s Rappa- hannock Record and, according KILMARNOCK— Mayor Ray- to council members, was mailed mond Booth’s “call to arms” back- to a select group of town resi- fired Monday night when council dents. Eight citizens voiced opin- overrode his plan to reverse an ions, many critical of the mayor’s administrative decision and gave letter. full administration authority to At the beginning of the public town manager Tom Saunders. comments section, Mayor Booth After a closed session, council asked Seagle several times if voted 5-1 to uphold Saunders’ he would like to speak to coun- decision on personnel issues cil. Reluctantly, Seagle took the which resulted in the removal of podium and stated he had worked an employee and his position in for the town for over 16 years and the utility department. that the job loss devastated both The motion was made by coun- him and his family. “I’ve given all cil woman Rebecca Tebbs Nunn I can give,” he said. and supported by vice mayor Wil- As a supervisor, he jumped into liam Smith, member Paul Jones holes and worked with his small and, in their first meeting as coun- crew. “I get right in to do things... cil members, Mae Umphlett and so no one goes without service,” Sounds like Virginia Denis Bouslough. he stated. “You have two people Michelle Nixon and Drive brought the distinctive sound of Virginia string music to Bell Isle State Park Member Shawn Donahue tried working where six work in any last Saturday evening. From left are Patrick Robertson on guitar, Nixon on lead vocals, Tim Newcomb to abstain. However, when town other town.” on banjo, Nick Nixon on guitar, Tracy Burcham on bass, Jonathan Dillon on mandolin and Mike Sharp on attorney Chris Stamm said he While people spoke favorably dobro. The Music by the River concert was sponsored by the Friends of bell isle with help from several must vote because he participated of Seagle, many stated it was banks, businesses, service organizations and individuals. in the discussion, Donahue voted inappropriate to deal with the against the motion. issue publicly. Prior to the opening of Monday “This type of personnel matter night’s meeting, Donahue handed should be in closed session, not out brightly colored T-shirts with in letters to the town and not in “Bring James back” emblazoned front of everybody,” said former on the front as citizens entered councilman Les Spivey. “I don’t town hall. However, Sharon necessarily have anything against Booth, the mayor’s wife, was the Mr. Seagle, but you hired a town only person wearing the shirt, manager...so you should let him draping them over the front and manage the town. If some of you back of her clothing. want to be the town manager then Some 20 citizens attended maybe you should not be on coun- the meeting on behalf of former cil and not be mayor but become employee James Seagle or as the town manager. Either change a result of the mayor’s “call to the town charter or follow it.” arms” which appeared as a letter KILMARNOCK, continued on page A2 NEWS BREAK N LOVE vote Kilmarnock is in the running for a statewide tourism promo- tion to bring a giant LOVE sign to one town in Virginia. As part of the “Bring LOVE to Your Town” event, the Virginia Tourism Corporation will hold a Facebook vote from 8 a.m. Following the concert, the circle of musicians expanded as campers and local pickers joined in a campsite August 17 to 5 p.m. August 18. Vote at www.Facebook.com/ jam session. From left are Michelle Nixon, Bill Duvall, Bucky Beauchamp, Lewis Walker and Patrick VirginiaisforLovers. Robertson. Visit RRecord.com for more photos and a sample of Nixon’s “Small Town Way,” from their recently released project, “A Place I Belong.” Photos by Robert Mason Jr. Republican Primary Tuesday is open to all voters by Audrey Thomasson Northumberland registrar Kathy God- ing at 61 Harris Road in Kilmarock. Other campaigning dard’s office is at 72 Monument Place District 5 votes at Irvington Baptist August 23 also is the last day for poten- KILMARNOCK—A Republican Pri- in Heathsville. She can be reached at Church at 53 King Carter Drive in Irving- tial candidates to file in order for their mary for the Delegate 99 seat will be held 580-4655. ton. names to appear on the November 8 ballot. Tuesday, August 23. Candidates as listed on On Tuesday, polls open at 6 a.m. and The Central Absentee Precinct is in the Political party chairs have until August 26 the ballot are John W. Lampmann, Marga- close at 7 p.m. Voters are required to show Saunder’s building at 8694 Mary Ball Road to list their candidates. ret Bevans Ransone and Dean W. Sumner. identification at the polls, such as a Virginia in Lancaster. In Lancaster, elections will be held for All registered voters may participate in voter card or driver’s license, a federal, state Northumberland polls Commonwealth’s Attorney; Commissioner the polling. Lancaster County Registrar or local government identification card or District 1 votes at the firehouse at 314 of the Revenue; Sheriff; Treasurer; supervi- Peggy Harding reminds citizens write-ins an employer-issued identification card or Northumberland Highway in Callao. sor for Districts 2, 3 and 4; school board for are not allowed in a primary election. social security card. District 2 votes at St. Stephen’s Church Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4; and Northern Neck Northumberland received redistricting There are no changes in voting proce- at 6538 Northumberland Highway in Soil and Water Conservation District. approval several weeks ago from the U. dures or polling places in either county. Heathsville. In Northumberland, elections will be S. Department of Justice. Lancaster’s plan Lancaster polls District 3-A votes at the Northumber- held for Commonwealth’s Attorney; Com- was approved last week. All voters should District 1 votes at the Ruritan Center at land Public Library at 7204 Northumber- missioner of the Revenue; Sheriff; Trea- receive new voter registration cards this 3989 White Chapel Road in Lancaster. land Highway in Heathsville. surer; supervisor for Districts 1, 4 and 5; week. District 2 votes at Trinity Episcopal District 3-B votes at Mt. Olive Baptist school board for Districts 1, 4 and 5; and Voting Church at 8484 Mary Ball Road in Lan- Church at 6749 Jessie duPont Memorial Northern Neck Soil and Water Conserva- August 16 was the last day an absentee caster. Highway near Wicomico Church. tion District. ballot could be mailed. Absentee voting District 3/precinct 301 votes at the fire- District 4 votes at Wicomico Parish Voters also will elect a District 4 state in person continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. house at 578 Chesapeake Drive in White Church at 5191 Jessie duPont Memorial senator. daily through Saturday, August 20, in the Stone. Highway in Wicomico Church. To obtain and file the candidate forms office of the voter registrar. District 3/precinct 302 votes at Grace District 5 votes at the firehouse at 119 that are due August 23, those interested Lancaster registrar’s office is located at Episcopal Church at 303 South Main Street Main Street in Reedville. in running for office in Lancaster County 8694 Mary Ball Road in Lancaster. Hard- in Kilmarnock. The Central Absentee Precinct will be at should call Harding. In Northumberland, ing can be reached at 462-5277. District 4 votes at the rescue squad build- the courthouse in Heathsville. call Goddard. Lancaster Republicans host candidate forum by Audrey Thomasson said Lampmann, referring to the in Washington—which you may candidate to show up at the mass lions to the Northern Neck,” has impact of a difficult economy on feel doesn’t make any sense— meeting,” Beatley said. “When “real business experience” and KILMARNOCK—A week the Northern Neck. except—I have demonstrated she found out about Albert Pol- she cares about people, Beatley before the Republican Primary, Noting the integrity of the rep- legislative skills so I can hit the lard’s voting record, she decided stated. two of the three candidates for the resentative process of 100 years ground running. I was a line man- to run.” “We need a real person, not a District 99 nomination appeared ago, he said in those days local ager in a Fortune 100 company... Ransone’s family owns a sea- politician that’s spent years in at a Lancaster County Republican citizens controlled who rep- enlisted in the army, volunteer in food business at Sandy Point near Washington D.C. She grew up in Committee forum Tuesday night. resented them in government. the Peace Corps, taught two years Kinsale. Beatley described her a family where her mother and The absence of Margaret Bevans “Today, its top down and money in a rural school. family as coming from nothing father passed down their values Ransone of Westmoreland County driven,” emphasizing that when “I’m the Washington guy run- to build the business with sweat and principles...and strong Chris- allowed opponents John Lamp- candidates accept money from ning a citizen campaign. I believe equity. “She has the hard-working tian values. She’s unequivocally mann of Caroline County and the state party and special inter- I’m the most qualified candidate ethic of the Bevins family” run- pro-life.” Dean Sumner of Northumberland ests, there’s an expectation to to lead the Northern Neck for the ning the research and data collec- Dean Sumner County to distinguish themselves support their urban agenda.