Early June, 2007 • Warren County Report • Page Volume 2, Issue 11 · Early June, 2007 Warren FREE County Report #1 Newspaper in Front Royal & Warren County! FDR Lawsuit Page 3 Smedley wins big Page 9 Traister golf Page 9 Cheetahs History of Mountain Home moving Page 23 to Front LOCAL Royal CRC Page 2 MAPPage 26-27 Page 2 • Warren County Report • Early June, 2007 Unlike “true” big cats, the cheetah can purr as it inhales, but Science cannot roar. By contrast, the big cats can roar but cannot purr, except while exhaling. Cheetah Science Facility Groundbreaking in Front Royal structure of the cheetah’s claws is the same as those of other cats; it simply lacks the sheath of skin and fur present in other varieties, and therefore the claws are always visible. With the exception of the dewclaw, the claw itself is also much shorter and straighter than other cats. Adaptations that enable the cheetah to run as fast as it does include large nostrils that allow for optimal oxygen intake, and an enlarged heart and lungs that work together to circulate oxygen efficiently. During a typical chase its respiratory rate increases from 60 to 50 breaths per minute[5]. While running, in addition to hav- ing good traction due to its semi- retractable claws, the cheetah uses its tail as a rudder-like means of steering to allow it to make sharp turns, necessary to outflank prey who often make such turns to Schuyler Shepherd(Unununium272) escape. A cheetah in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Unlike “true” big cats, the chee- tah can purr as it inhales, but From a release: living in zoos often have signifi- provides wonderful opportuni- the end. The tail usually ends in cannot roar. By contrast, the big cant challenges in breeding. ties to educate the public and to a bushy white tuft. The cheetah cats can roar but cannot purr, The Smithsonian’s National Zoo The new Cheetah Science Facili- raise awareness about the need to has a small head with high-set except while exhaling. However, recently broke ground in Front ty will create an ideal environment protect all of Africa ’s wildlife. eyes. Black “tear marks” run from the cheetah is still considered by Royal, Va. for their new Cheetah for breeding, as well as improved The 3,200-acre Conservation the corner of its eyes down the some to be the smallest of the big Science Facility at the Zoo’s Con- social opportunities for mothers and Research Center is an unique sides of the nose to its mouth to cats. While it is often mistaken servation and Research Center. to raise their young. This new asset of the Smithsonian’s Na- keep sunlight out of its eyes and for the leopard, the cheetah does It is the first construction to facility will be the Zoo’s cheetah tional Zoological Park, located to aid in hunting and seeing long have distinguishing features, take place on the property in 25 home base for research in animal in the foothills of the Blue Ridge distances. such as the aforementioned long years and is made possible by Bill care, reproduction, endocrinol- Mountains in Front Royal, Va. The adult animal weighs from “tear-streak” lines on each side of McClure, a long-time friend of ogy, behavior, nutrition and genet- The CRC houses between 30 and 40 to 65 kilograms (90 to 40 lb). its nose that run from the corner the National Zoo. The nine-acre ics. It also will provide a training 40 species (half of which are con- Its total body length is from 5 of its eyes to its mouth. The body Cheetah Science Facility, which program for selected post doctoral sidered officially endangered) and to 35 centimetres (45 in to 55 frame of the cheetah is also very will be completed by summer’s fellows, graduate students and is regarded as one of the world’s in), while the tail can measure up different from that of the leopard, end, will house 4 to 20 cheetahs interns, as well as animal keepers leading conservation biology to 84 centimetres (33 in) in length. most notably so in its thinner and in spacious, outdoor enclosures, and caregivers. The facility will be research facilities. National Zoo Males tend to be slightly larger extra long tail. with indoor spaces for inclem- completed this fall. scientists work in the exhibits and than females and have slightly The cheetah is a vulnerable ent weather. The facility also will “This is a wonderful way to behind the scenes at the Zoo, the bigger heads, but there is great species. Out of all the big cats, it include an 800-square-foot ani- celebrate our contributions and CRC in Virginia and in field sites variation in cheetah sizes and it is is the least able to adapt to new en- mal-care building to house animal successes in the 25 years that around the world. difficult to tell males and females vironments. It has always proved keepers and researchers and allow we have dedicated to conserving apart by appearance alone. difficult to breed in captivity, them to observe, manage and care this amazing animal.” said David From Wikipedia: Some cheetahs also have a rare although recently a few zoos have for the animals. Wildt, head of the Zoo’s Center fur pattern mutation: cheetahs been successful. Once widely shot The National Zoo has been a for Species Survival program, The cheetah has a slender, with larger, blotchy, merged spots for its fur, the cheetah now suffers leader in cheetah conservation “I know that the new Cheetah long-legged body with blunt non- are known as ‘king cheetahs’. It was more from the loss of both habitat efforts both in Africa and in North Science Facility will advance our retractable claws. Its chest is deep once thought to be a separate sub- and prey. American zoos. In November research findings and offer yet and its waist is narrow. Its coat is species, but it is merely a mutation The cheetah is considered the 2004, for the first time in the more opportunities to share with tan with small, round, black spots, of the African cheetah. The ‘king most primitive of all cats, and National Zoo’s history, a litter of the public the need to conserve and the fur is coarse and short. cheetah’ has only been seen in the until recently was thought to have cubs was born. Another litter was African wildlife.” The fur of the cheetah is tan with wild a handful of times, but it has evolved approximately 8 million born the following April. These The cheetah, the world’s fastest round black spots measuring from been bred in captivity. years ago, although new research nine cubs are the result of the land mammal, faces a question- 2-3 centimetres (¾ to ¼ inches) The cheetah’s paws have semi- puts the last common ancestor Zoo’s participation in the Cheetah able future in nature. Cheetahs in across, affording it some camou- retractable claws[5] (known only of all 40 existing species of feline Species Survival Plan. However, zoos are a research resource and flage while hunting. There are no in two other cat species - the more recently, at million years. research has shown that cheetahs provide a safeguard against extinc- spots on its white underside, but Fishing Cat and the Iriomote Cat) The cheetah’s natural enemies are Cover photo of cheetah tion of their wild counterparts. the tail has spots, which merge offering the cat extra grip in its the lion, hyenas, and the leopard. by Mark Probst Additionally, this species in zoos to form four to six dark rings at high-speed pursuits. The ligament Early June, 2007 • Warren County Report • Page 3 Questioned at the time the ordinance was brought before council under “emergency circumstances” bypassing the requirement of a public hearing or a second reading, Town Manager J. Michael Graham called the ordinance a “rou- Business tine housekeeping” matter involving residential customers. Commercial laundry battles town over utilities Industrial corridor commercial laundry seeks right to provide own water neighbors, we’d like to operate a company here that’s a big benefit to the community,” Peragine said following the May hearing. “But we find ourselves caught in a situ- ation where the town has basically become a municipal bully when it comes to water and services. And we’re caught, not just in a conflict between FDR and the town, but we’re caught in a global conflict that the town seems to be having with the county over many, many issues. And this case, unfortu- nately, is going to be a case that has a ripple effect to the four corners of the state of Virginia. So, we’re caught in that and there’s nothing we can do but try and survive.” Asked for comment following The FDR commercial laundry facility off Rockland Road in Warren County. The business primarily services the May hearing, Town Manager the health care industry, including hospitals and nursing homes, according to company officials. Graham, contract attorney Robert Mitchell and current Town At- By Roger Bianchini on FDR’s argument the town has continued. “We tried our best to At the May motions hearing torney Tom Robinett would say Warren County Report exceeded the rights granted it by negotiate with them. We explained former interim Front Royal Town only, “We’re waiting for the judge’s state law in mandating hookups that what they were doing would Attorney Robert Mitchell argued decision.” Is the Town of Front Royal busi- outside its boundaries.