Thursday, May 7, 2009 • Kilmarnock, Virginia • Ninety-second Year • Number 30 • Two Sections • 75¢ Stimulus funds allocated to dredge Greenvale Creek by Audrey Thomasson recent survey. New hydrographic since I was elected to Congress, LANCASTER—The U.S. surveys will still be conducted urging them to dredge Greenvale Army Corps of Engineers Nor- before and after dredging, how- Creek,” Rep. Wittman said. “I folk District last week allocated ever. am pleased that they have finally $450,000 in economic stimulus Since it was last dredged funded this project.” funding to dredge Greenvale in 1998, the Keeping the Creek. entrance to “I have worked with channel open According to Betty Grey the creek has is important Waring, the district’s operations nearly closed the Army Corps of because Green- chief, Greenvale Creek is at the from a build up Engineers ever since vale is the site top of the project list. In order to of silt. There is I was elected to Con- of one of only quickly stimulate the economy, little depth in gress, urging them two public boat terms of the American Recovery the channel, to dredge Greenvale ramps in Lan- Act require the money fund proj- even at high Creek. I am pleased caster County. ects that are ready to go. tide, for boaters that they have finally Waring said “The Corps of Engineers is to navigate out funded this project.” of the $4.6 bil- required to award all contracts into the Rappa- — Rep. Rob Wittman lion in stimulus by the end of July,” she said. hannock River. First District funding appro- “Because the permit process can Plans to priated to the take six to 12 months, we kept dredge the Corps for its permits on the creek updated in channel in 2001 ended when an Civil Works programs nation- the hope of expediting the project unsuccessful bidder tied up the wide, some $22.7 million went should an opportunity like this project in a legal battle. The fol- to the Norfolk District, including Wrightson to fill Commonwealth’s attorney post come along. It’s a great opportu- lowing year federal priorities $21.6 million for maintenance On April 28, 15th Circuit Court Judge Harry T. Taliaferro appointed Heathsville native nity for many projects that were shifted and funds were diverted projects like Greenvale Creek. Jane Blackwell Wrightson as Northumberland County Commonwealth’s attorney to ignored for so long.” to the Department of Homeland Dredging the entrance to Broad fill the position vacated by Mike McKenney. Wrightson took the reins just a few days Waring said the bid process for Security. Creek in Deltaville was also later on May 1. She had been preparing with McKenney for the likely shift in respon- dredging the creek is expected to Waring attributed Rep. Rob funded. sibility for some time, she said. McKenney, meanwhile, took up the gavel this week in be completed by mid-June and Wittman’s efforts on Capital Hill Funding for the Little his new position on the juvenile court bench. Wrightson will fill the position until a work should start about July 1 as the reason Greenvale Creek Wicomico River dredging, special election, scheduled to coincide with the general election on November 3. The with completion by the end of remained on the Corps of Engi- which is part of the Baltimore special election will determine who will complete the remaining two years of McKen- July. To speed up the process, neers radar. district’s regular maintenance ney’s four-year term. (Photo by Reid Pierce Armstrong) she expects the Corps will base “I have worked with the plan, was not part of the recov- the bid package on the most Army Corps of Engineers ever ery package. Blessing is Superintendent seeks rescheduled REEDVILLE—The annual lump sum school budget Blessing of the Fleet, sponsored by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church by Audrey Thomasson in-house cafeteria program is Circuit Court in part to recover and Omega Protein, was post- LANCASTER—During a expected to be self-supporting $521,800 in overspending in poned last Sunday because of public hearing last week on at $686,905. four categories of the 2007 threatening weather. The ser- the proposed school budget, Sciabbarrasi is credited with fiscal year school budget. vice has been rescheduled for school superintendent Susan turning the budget around Their claim against the school Sunday, May 10. Sciabbarrasi asked county during nearly two years as board and former superinten- At. 3:30 p.m., a parade of supervisors to appropriate the superintendent after a record dent Dr. Randolph Latimore boats will proceed up Cockrell’s budget as a lump sum rather of overspending by the prior is disputed by attorneys for Creek to the old Morris-Fisher than by category. A budget administration. She reduced the defendants who maintain factory tall stack property approved as a lump sum allows staffing through attrition and their clients had approval for where the ceremony will begin funds to be transferred from reined in the budget despite a lump sum spending. A judge’s at 4 p.m. Retired U.S. Air Force one category to another. loss of $407,729 in state fund- decision on whether the case Lt. Col. Monty Deihl, a native has enough merit to proceed of Fleeton, will be the featured The district’s proposed ing for next year. Previously, Pre-read books were popular yard sale items. 2009-10 budget of $14,668,902 she said 76 percent of the to trial has been pending since speaker. is $825,306 or 5.6 percent less proposed budget will go into last August. If in doubt concerning the than the current year’s budget. instruction, 11 percent higher During Thursday’s public Yard sale raises $48,000 weather, call 453-6712 for a As a result of the school than suggested by the federal hearing, middle school teacher recorded announcement. board dismissing food ser- government. Tara Booth also urged super- The 21st annual Grace Episcopal Church yard sale earn- vice provider Aramark after a In April 2008, county attor- visors to approve the school ings May 2 set a record. Supervisors $94,000 shortfall last year, the neys filed suit in Lancaster (continued on page A14) “More than $48,000 was taken in during the four-hour sale and now we’re going to give it all away,” said chairman to consider Shep Speight. “That’s a new sales record despite the weak economy and many people worried or in serious financial Coan River situations.” Board approves ordinance Several service-related agencies have submitted applica- oyster hatchery tions to receive a portion of the funds. A decision on divid- ing them will be made by mid-month, Speight said. HEATHSVILLE—The Nor- to allow workforce housing “One of the greatest motivating factors in Grace members thumberland board of super- working for months in getting ready for the sale is that none visors will hold two hearings LANCASTER—By a The multi-family housing the first step to preserve open of the funds received are kept by the church. I think that’s Thursday, May 14. unanimous 5-0 vote, the Lan- can include townhouses, con- space and provide recreational filling the church’s mission to care for our neighbors in the The monthly board meet- caster board of supervisors last dominiums, apartments, and areas when they adopted most positive, direct and local manner,” he said. ing will begin at 5 p.m. in the Thursday created a multi-fam- workforce housing as well as amendments to Section 5-25 Some 100 church members started arriving at 7 a.m. to General District courtroom at ily housing zoning district that single family houses. Also of the subdivision ordinance, be ready when almost 1,200 cars of shoppers rolled into the 39 Judicial Place in Heathsville. favors affordable housing. allowable are supporting ser- dealing with cluster and single Boys Camp grounds near Kilmarnock filling nearly every Public hearings will begin at 7 The ordinance adheres to vices such as churches, cem- family housing. available parking space. p.m. the county’s comprehensive eteries, schools, hospitals, Open space, as defined in “We thank all who contributed sale items and the willing The board will consider plan in preserving 30 percent nursing homes, day care cen- both ordinances, could include buyers of mountains of goods. Many veteran sale workers public input on a request by of a development as common ters, restaurants and shops. hiking and nature trails, bike remarked on how few items remained unsold when the sale Cowart Properties and KCB or open space. In order to promote the paths, and other uses that are ended at noon. Those items were almost all clothing, books Oyster Holdings for a permit to The residential community development of more afford- suitable for all age groups and housewares, which were given to other local churches establish a commercial aquacul- zoning district (R-4) will allow able housing in the district, within the development. It does or institutions providing care for needy families,” Speight ture operation (oyster hatchery) moderate to higher density developers would receive a not include residential parking said. in an existing building at 493 off-water housing develop- density adjustment of one addi- or road coverage areas. In addition to family donors, many local businesses Oyster Road on the Coan River. ments where central water and tional unit per acre in exchange In other business, supervi- contributed cash or products. Among the largest contribu- The board also will consider sewage disposal are available for 10 percent of units being sors approved a request by tors were local nurseries whose plants were scooped up by abandoning a right-of-way adja- or can be provided, such as priced as workforce housing.