January 25, 2019
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Distributed Free Each Friday Since 2009 January 25, 2019 www.pcpatriot.com Locally Owned And Operated Governor details budget proposals for education By Benjamin West Northam proposes teacher Capital News Service pay hike, expanded broadband RICHMOND - Gov. Ralph Northam outlined internet, funds for school his budgetary proposals to educators Wednesday: for a 5 percent teacher pay increase, expanded resource officers and broadband internet, funding for school resource counselors and bump officers and counselors, and a major bump in the state's rainy day fund. in state’s rainy day fund. "There is power in every child out there, and every child needs the same opportunity, and that event, members will do just that - meeting face to is access to a world-class education," Northam face with their representatives at the Capitol. said. Northam identified fields in which Virginians Seated at circular tables with their district's will find the "jobs of the 21st century." He named name printed neatly on a card, elected members science, technology, engineering, the arts, math of school boards from around the state listened to and health care and fields such as cybersecurity, speakers discuss the budget and policy proposals biotechnology, data analysis and artificial intelli- at the 2019 Virginia School Board Association gence. Capital Conference. "How do we educate our children so that they VSBA President R. Tyrone Foster said it's can be on a pathway for those exciting job oppor- important for attendees "to meet with your local tunities and careers?" the governor asked. legislators to make sure that we advocate for our He said Virginia's growing economy is giving children." On Thursday, the second day of the See NORTHAM, page A2 Weekend Weather ‘Beatle Guy of B’burg’ to host Saturday Sunday event for area‘Fab Four’ fans Mostly sunny, with a high near Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Light southwest wind 40. By MIKE WILLIAMS increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy, The Patriot morning. with a low around 28. Saturday Night - Mostly "The Beatle Guy of Blacksburg" - better known cloudy, with a low around 24. to many in these parts as Pulaski native Fred Lark - has been a fan of the "Fab Four" since he was in elementary school in the 60's. For the now 60-year-old, 1976 graduate of Pulaski County High School, his passion for the British rock band hasn't waned one bit, and may have actually grown stronger. Next week, Lark will share his knowledge and interest in Paul, John, George and Ringo with other like-minded Beatles fans from the area in what Lark is calling the "Fab Four Fan Forum." The forum is set for Thursday, Jan. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Blacksburg Public Library. A flyer promoting the event urges other Beatles fans and those with an interest in learning more about the group to "Roll up for a 'Magical Mystery Tour!'" - borrowing from the title of the band's 1967 album of the same name. "Experience a rediscovery of everyday fab with a little help from some friends," the flyer contin- ues. The forum will feature news, music, discussion and more about the band which got its start in Liverpool, England in 1960. While the Beatles broke up as a band in 1970, each of the four members - Paul McCartney, John See LARK, page A2 Pulaski native Fred Lark Page A2 - The Patriot - January 25, 2019 Northam Continued from page A1 the commonwealth funds that said. can be put toward educational His financial proposals goals. Northam said changes in include: the federal tax code and a pro- posed internet sales tax will • $50 million per year over contribute to the increase in five years "to make sure that government revenues. everybody across Virginia has "The question is: What will access to broadband." The gov- we do with it?" he said. ernor said, "If our children are Northam highlighted the working on a computer at importance of the rainy day school during the day and then fund, which he said accounted have an assignment at night, for $500 million of last year's and they don't have access to budget. broadband, their hands are liter- "Our economy right now is ally tied." doing well, but you never know • A 2 percent pay raise for what it's going to do next year," teachers on July 1 in addition to he said. the 3 percent already planned. Northam said he hopes to "That will be the largest one- save 8 percent of the budget by time pay raise for teachers in the end of his administration. over 15 years," Northam said. For current taxpayers, the governor addressed his plans for • $36 million per year for a fully refundable earned "hiring and supporting" school income tax credit "for those counselors. "Our children are making $54,000 or less" and a exposed to a lot of different Capital News Service photo raise in the Virginia standard tax things these days. They rely Gov. Northam reads his proclamation recognizing February 2019 as School Board Appreciation deduction. heavily on their counselors," he Month. Also pictured: VSBA President R. Tyrone Foster. Lastly, Northam addressed said. the future. • Several million dollars for "We pay them to teach, not to be Alena Yarmosky, the budgetary enhancing school safety and "We really are at a unique school resource officers. "I real- law enforcement." proposals were based on recom- ensuring the well-being of opportunity here to be able to ly don't think it's a good idea for • $80 million for school reno- mendations from the Children's Virginia's students," established invest some of this revenue into our teachers to be law enforce- vations and new construction. Cabinet, "a diverse group of by executive order last year. the future of Virginia," Northam ment officers," Northam said. According to press secretary stakeholders focused on Lark Continued from page A1 Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - con- during next week's forum. tinued on with solo careers for several years. A semi-retired investor, Lark also plans next And Beatles music lives on to this day. week to talk up a dream he has of McCartney Only McCartney and Starr are living today, actually performing in Blacksburg - possibly and both are still performing. Lennon was shot even during his current "Freshen Up" world tour and killed in December 1980 in New York City as a stopover when the tour travels close to this by Mark David Chapman. Harrison died of can- area for its Raleigh and Greenville, S.C. con- cer in November 2001. certs. The Beatles still hold the record for being the According to Lark, McCartney - or more offi- best-selling band in history, with estimated sales cially Sir James Paul McCartney HC MBE - of over 800 million records worldwide. also performs what Lark describes as "ambient, "For four guys who didn't read or write music, alternative, mostly instrumental" music under they did pretty good," Lark said, noting that the the name of "The Fireman." Lark has introduced "Fab Four" still outsells 65 percent of today's listeners of Virginia Tech's student-run WUVT current artists. radio to "The Fireman" during his many guest He describes their music as always being appearances on the station. about "peace, love and understanding with a lit- Lark has a vision of McCartney appearing in tle bit about debate in there too." Blacksburg in a non-coliseum setting. Lark said he is finding today that high school McCartney, he reasons, would spend the first students are starting to gravitate to Beatles half of the show performing some traditional music more than college students. With that in hits from his Beatles days as well as from his mind, he recently visited his high school alma time with the band, Wings. Lark said the second mater and posted some flyers promoting next half would feature selections from "The week's forum. Fireman." Lark believes with all the promotion he's Lark has tried several times to pitch his con- done, the newspaper articles and radio mentions cert idea to McCartney's "people," but so far he's obtained a crowd next week of 300 or so is with no luck. But he's still holding out hope his possible. vision of a concert in Blacksburg can someday As any super fan, Lark owns all sorts of become a reality. Beatles memorabilia including magazines, For more on Lark's dream of Sir Paul coming albums, "45's," posters - you name it. Lark plans to Hokieland and more on the Beatles, don't to give away two or three items as door prizes miss next Thursday's forum. The Patriot - Friday, January 25, 2019 - Page A3 Tuggle joins Insurance Center of Dublin as agent Brad Alley, owner of the Insurance Center of Dublin has announced the addition of vet- eran insurance agent Karen Tuggle to the agency. Tuggle has a strong insurance background, and will mark 40 dren and grandchildren. her aboard." years in the business in June. Karen is married to Gerald Many will remember her Tuggle and the couple resides in Tuggle joins Brad Alley and from her work with Buggs Dublin. They have three chil- Lynn White at the Insurance Tickle for 21 years at State dren together, Christopher Center of Dublin, which is in its Farm in Pulaski. She later Lewis, Kayla Hartley and third year of operation at 611 E. opened her own agency in Amanda Tuggle, and three Main Street in Dublin. The Dublin, which she operated for grandchildren, Eli, Gianna and agency represents major insur- seven years.