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Rain dampens community 4th celbration but doesn’t stop it

Sharon Kilpatrick — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:19:20 +0000

By Sharon Kilpatrick

Rain threatened or poured throughout the day on Friday, July 4, but the celebration went on regardless. A thunderboomer in late afternoon sent some vendors packing up, but most of the food vendors stayed, and the high school band boosters stayed, and the juggler stayed.

The fireworks were delayed because organizers said they couldn’t preload them during the rain, but eventually they went off and were spectacular. Then organizers asked the crowd to be patient for 10 or 15 more minutes while they loaded the grand finale, and most stayed for that also.

The crowd seemed significantly smaller than last year, but there was more food and more choice of food. The sponsors tents offered grand hospitality, and several churches were doing good business in typical holiday foods. The band boosters offered $5 haircuts, $10 massages, fancy fingernails and a dunking booth. They also went about the grounds soliciting business.

The Rappahannock County Democratic Committee had a tent and offered free balloons and bumper stickers for Presidential candidate Barack Obama, U.S. Senate nominee Mark Warner and U.S. House of Representatives nominee Anita Hartke. For the Republicans Demaris Miller was offering bumper stickers for Rep. Eric Cantor and Presidential candidate John McCain from her car in the tailgate section. There were also booths for most of the fire departments, the Rappahannock Historical Society, Wagging Tails Therapy Dogs, RappCats and the Scrabble School foundation.

Juggler David Vanderveer entertained under the picnic tent then later in front of the bandstand. He managed balls, pins, flaming torches and a unicycle. He was a comedian as well and quite a hit.

Musicians including Bobby G and Friends entertained, and Joy Heddleston began the fireworks show by singing the Star Spangled Banner.

The overall sponsor for the event was the Sperryville Volunteer Fire Department, but that organization had quite a lot of help and sponsors say the show will be back at Thornton Hill Farm again next year.

School cafeteria operation lost $78,395 in past school year; soaring fuel costs also bite into school budget

James P. Gannon — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:21:07 +0000

By James P. Gannon

Food service operations at Rappahannock County Public Schools racked up a net loss of $78,395 in the past school year, according to final 2007-2008 budget figures approved Friday by the School Board.

This was the largest operating loss by the school cafeterias in recent years–possibly ever–and was up from the $69,799 loss recorded in the prior year. A nearly $20,000 increase in the cost of food purchased deepened the loss, while cash receipts from students declined.

The public schools’ food service has been a chronic money-loser in recent years and has been subsidized by the School Board by transferring funds from other parts of the budget to cover losses. At its Friday meeting, the board authorized transferring $107,693 from the classroom instruction category to the school food account.

The food service operations were sharply criticized in the School Efficiency Review report made public last February by MGT of America, Inc., the educational consulting firm that reviewed all operations of the Rappahannock Schools. MGT cited poor management, inadequate employee training, low student participation and overstaffing in recommending steps to cut the annual losses.

In reviewing six years of results, MGT found that food service operations showed small profits in school years ending in 2002 and 2003, but losses of $38,595 in 2004, $47,029 in 2005, and $22,771 in 2006. The losses deepened to $69,799 in 2006-2007, and $78,395 in the year just ended.

Superintendent Robert Chappell recently announced cutbacks in cafeteria staffing, changes in food procurement, and changes in foods offered in an effort to cut losses and increase student use of the food services. MGT found that student meal participation is low at Rappahannock Schools. It also reported that in a survey of teachers, only 28% agreed with the statement “the food services department provides nutritious and appealing meals and snacks,” while 46% of teachers disagreed.

In the past school year, the school food services took in total revenues of $375,036, but spent a total of $453,431. The revenues included an increase in Federal and State subsidies for meals served to lower-income students, but a decline in cash receipts for meals purchased. On the expense side, cafeteria employee salaries and benefits totaled $255,120 and purchase of food products cost $182,899, up $20,200 from the previous year.

A year ago, in an effort to cut food services losses, Chappell proposed modest increases in the prices charged for cafeteria meals, but the School Board resisted the move and the Superintendent withdrew the proposal. While food costs have escalated, the prices charged have remained level for several years.

In its year-end budget reconciliation meeting, the School Board authorized a long list of payments to vendors, some of which illustrated how soaring energy costs are biting into the schools budget.

Filling the schools’ tanks with 7,504 gallons of fuel oil last week cost $29,997, based on a price of $3.92 cents per gallon. A year ago, it cost only about half as much–$15,600–to fill the tanks, when prices were much lower.

The price of diesel fuel for buses purchased last week was $3.96 a gallon, compared to $2.24 a year ago, Chappell said; filling the diesel tanks cost $18,836. Another $12,709 was spent on buying gasoline at $3.56, up from $2.48 a year ago.

The largest year-end expenditure approved by the board was $56,295 for a 2009 Blue Bird 35-passenger bus. The superintendent said the smaller bus, to be used on a long-mileage route, will save $2,000 or more per year in fuel costs compared to a large bus.

Finance Director Bonnie Hahn provided the board with a report showing the year’s expenses by function, which showed significant overspending of the budget for vehicle operation, building services and school food, and underspending in the large “classroom instruction” account, which includes teacher pay, benefits and other instructional costs.

The $7.3 million classroom instruction category showed spending of more than $6.9 million, leaving $412,095 unspent. This “surplus” in the classroom instruction category was used to cover overspending in other accounts.

Spending on vehicle operation of $845,705 was $74,639 over the budget, due mostly to higher fuel costs. Building services costs of $825,560 ran $28,563 over budget, due to higher spending on fuel oil and custodial supplies. Spending on school food was nearly $200,000 and ran $107,693 over the budgeted amount.

To “balance the books,” as Chappell put it, and wipe out the negative balances in overspent categories, the School Board authorized transfers of funds among categories. These included a transfer of $74,332 from classroom instruction to vehicle operation; $107,694 from classroom instruction to the school food account; and $14,561 from classroom instruction to building services.

After all the fund transfers and reconciliation of accounts, the year-end summary showed total school expenditures of $12,051,981 out of total revenues of $12,054,762. That left a year-end balance of $2,781.67, which is to be returned to the Board of Supervisors.

Donations sought for Democrats’ Yard Sale Aug. 23

James P. Gannon — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:35:49 +0000

MOVING? DOWNSIZING? REDECORATING?

SAVE ITEMS FOR THE RCDC ANNUAL YARD SALE!

The Rappahannock County Democratic Committee is once again looking for donations of quality items for its annual Dog Days of August Yard Sale. This year the sale will be held on Saturday, August 23 at The Link (Schoolhouse) in Sperryville. This new and bigger space will allow us to display all of our treasures in style, but we need lots of things to fill it up. So, we are hoping to get donations of small furniture, lamps, collectibles, artwork, pottery and glassware, small electronics, costume jewelry, kitchenware, pet equipment, garden items, holiday decorations, books, CDs & DVDs, and special items for our “boutique”. Please think of us when you need to clear out good “stuff”.

Donations may be brought to The Link on Friday, August 22. To arrange for pickup/storage please call Barbara Dennis at 540-364-2569 or Barbara Adolfi at 540-987-9706.

Part-time fund-raiser needed for ‘Story Project’

James P. Gannon — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:12:20 +0000

The Rappahannock Story Project, a dynamic, partnering initiative that includes telling, collecting, presenting, and publishing narrative stories that relate to the county Comprehensive Plan, is seeking a part-time fund-raiser. Please contact Lisa Ramey, Project Manager, at rappstory@msn.com or (540) 987-3164 for more information.

School Board approves lighting proposal for sports fields, asks supervisors to guarantee payments

James P. Gannon — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:03:00 +0000

By James P. Gannon

The Rappahannock County School Board approved Friday a proposal to install lights for night games at three school athletic fields and recommended that the Board of Supervisors sign a contract guaranteeing $511,000 in payments over 10 years to cover the costs of the system.

The vote was 4-0, with one member–Jackson District’s Wes Mills–absent at the Friday morning board meeting.

The athletic field lighting plan was put forward by the Rappahannock County School Sports Association, which says it plans to raise the funds needed to make annual payments of $51,132 over ten years. But these financing terms are available only if the county signs the lease-purchase contract, which means the county government would be obligated to make the annual payments or cover any shortfall if the association fails to raise the money privately.

“I think it is the best thing for the schools,” said Piedmont District board member Aline Johnson, who made the motion to send the request to the Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation for approval. “I think we should send it to the Board of Supervisors. We can’t make their decision.”

Johnson acknowledged that there was some degree of risk that RCSSA’s fund-raising efforts could fall short of making the annual payments. “The county may have to put up the money if it doesn’t come in” as donations, she said.

Before the vote, School Superintendent Robert Chappell told the board that “only the Board of Supervisors can determine if they should take the so-called gamble” that private fund-raising would generate enough money to make the payments. “We think that it is in the best interests of the (school) children,” Chappell said.

The RCSSA plan contemplates contracting with Musco Lighting, an Iowa company, to install lights on Panther Stadium at the high school for night football and soccer games, and at baseball and softball fields behind the elementary school. The system would cost an estimated $395,000. Financing its installation over a 10-year period with interest would bring the estimated cost over $511,000.

Under the arrangement, the school board plans to absorb into its budget the additional costs of operating the lights. Chappell previously estimated that cost at $2,600 a year, based on using the lights for 27 football and soccer games plus 10 baseball and 10 softball games. Additional use–such as for playoff games, band activities or community events–would increase the electric usage.

Chappell reiterated his expectation that increased attendance at night sports events would increase ticket and concession revenue, which could help pay for the higher electricity bills. But he cautioned, “I don’t think that there is any proof that we will generate enough revenue….to pay the extra costs of electricity.”

The superintendent also said he had discussed with the Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office the need to have paid law enforcement officers on hand at night games to provide security and crowd control. “We have a plan with the Sheriff’s department in place to monitor the night games,” he said.

Chappell recommended that the athletic field lighting be used only for school events, though he said there may be occasional use for community events such as the annual Relay for Life. He’s recommending against allowing other groups–such as adult softball leagues or American Legion baseball teams–to use the lighted fields.

Board member Rosa Crocker said that if the Board of Supervisors agrees to sign the contract and guarantee payments, there is “some potential” for conflict over who manages the use of the lighted fields. “How could you be equitable regarding community use? Who decides what is an acceptable use?” she asked.

Chappell responded: “The School Board would.”

With the School Board’s official blessing, the proposal now goes to the Board of Supervisors who are expected to take it up at their next regular meeting on Monday, July 7.

Supervisors approve $22 million Fiscal 2009 budget and 1-cent increase in real estate tax rate

James P. Gannon — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:21:07 +0000

By James P. Gannon

After debating ways to avoid a property-tax increase, the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a $22 million budget for the year starting July 1 and a one-cent increase in the real estate tax rate–a 1.7% hike.

The vote was 4-1, with Supervisor Roger Welch of Wakefield District voting against both the budget and the tax increase. Welch urged the supervisors to make an across-the-board cut in the budget–one affecting all departments–large enough to avoid any property tax increase this year, but found no support for his eleventh-hour appeal.

The increase raises the county’s overall real-estate tax rate to 60 cents from 59 cents per $100 of property value. For a home and lot valued at $300,000, the increase will add $30 to the homeowner’s annual tax bill.

Tuesday evening’s budget-adoption meeting was conducted in a nearly-empty courthouse before an audience of two news reporters and one other citizen. The board had previously held its public hearing on the budget, which was also sparsely attended and produced little public comment.

The board first took up the adoption of the proposed $22 million budget for Fiscal Year 2009, which triggered a brief, rather low-key discussion of possible ways to cut spending in order to avoid a tax increase.

Supervisor Bryant Lee of Hampton district noted that he previously had raised the question of postponing plans for a new government office building on Bank Road near Rappahannock National Bank as a way of avoiding a tax increase. But he said that information provided by County Administrator John McCarthy had convinced him that postponing that project would simply increase its eventual cost.

“We would be going backwards and not saving taxpayers any money,” he said. “I would like to do away with the one-cent (tax increase) if there is a way possible, but I haven’t found a way to do it.”

That prompted Welch to say it wasn’t necessary to target one area of the budget to cut. “We could do it straight across the board, and nobody would notice it,” Welch said.

“We do have a lot of people in the county who can’t afford any more taxes,” Welch said. “We run for election and say we don’t want to increase taxes and still we do it” year after year, he added. “I don’t think we should have an increase.”

Welch found some sympathy for his view, but no support for his across-the-board cut. “I don’t disagree that the one cent does bother some people,” Edward Wayland, Piedmont District supervisor said. But he added, “I think we have to be fiscally responsible to the county and do our business. I think the one cent is fiscally responsible. Nobody sitting up here wants to increase taxes.”

“I feel it is too late for that,” said Ron Frazier, Jackson District Supervisor, referring to an across-the-board cut. “If we were going to do that, we should have already done it.” Lee agreed that “at this point”–a week before the fiscal year begins–an across-the-board cut for all departments would not be a good idea.

The board then voted 4-1 over Welch’s dissent to adopt the budget as advertised. A separate vote on setting the tax rate including the one-cent increase produced the same result, with Welch again dissenting.

The only new program in the budget is a $30,000 initiative to promote tourism in Rappahannock County. No supervisors spoke against that program, but McCarthy said in a memo sent to supervisors before the meeting that he had heard “some negative commentary” about the new spending, prompting him to argue strongly for its approval.

In his memo, McCarthy noted that the county collects over $140,000 a year from the meals-and-lodging tax largely paid by visitors yet the county historically has provided “less than $5,000 per year in funding for any tourism-related activities.” Every nearby county spends much more on promoting tourism, he said, even though tourism and agriculture are cited in the county’s Comprehensive Plan as the two main pillars of its economic development.

“All our economic development eggs are in agriculture and tourism, and frankly, we spend nothing to turn that meals and lodging tax, and the employment that derives it, into a real moneymaker,” McCarthy wrote. “This project leverages local money and state money, and will signal strongly our desire to grow those businesses that return so much to the community while demanding little in the way of services.”

The $30,000 tourism initiative will allow the county to contract with Laura Overstreet, who has spearheaded the tourism program for the City of Alexandria, to serve as a part-time co-ordinator of county tourist-promotion efforts. It will help fund development of a county-wide tourism website promoting local businesses and activities, linked to the state of Virginia’s tourism website, the main portal for tourist information for Virginia.

The budget includes a 3% pay increase for county employees effective in December, equivalent to a 2.3% increase on an annual basis.

Total spending in the new budget is $22,021,815, representing a relatively large increase of $1.7 million or 8.5% over the $20.3 million budget for the year just ending. The total was swelled, however, by several large, one-time capital-spending projects, including the renovation of the old Scrabble School building to be the county’s Senior Center, the closing of the last waste cell at Amissville landfill, and a project to mark Civil War Trails in the county.

Most of the spending for those projects is coming from grants or from surplus revenues and did not require any increase in the tax rate. The approved one-cent increase is specifically intended to fund the county’s new emergency radio communications system for law enforcement and fire and rescue services, which are adopting a more modern 800-megahertz system to replace the current obsolete system.

RCPS News: Deadline extended for filling high school principal position left vacant by Puryear’s resignation

James P. Gannon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:26:08 +0000

Rappahannock County Public School newsletter from Superintendent Robert Chappell:

Deadline Extended for Filling RCHS Principal Position:

Upon receiving the resignation of RCHS Principal Robyn Puryear on June 10, we immediately posted the position with a June 25 application deadline. Although over ten applications have been received so far, the deadline has been extended to provide adequate time for the selection process. After getting input June 24 on qualities the public would like to see in the new principal, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Becky Greer will meet with a faculty team to get further input and start the selection process. The School Board is expected to appoint the new principal on or about July 8.

Congratulations to the 2008 Inductees to the RCHS Chapter of the National Honor Society:

Austin Burnett, Brittany Clatterbuck, Tyler Crews, Carly Day, Matthew Dodson, Robert Dornbusch, Bennett Eastham, Brooke Hatcher, Madison Herbert, Taylor Light, Maia Lucking, Ashley Riggleson, Krista Riggleson, Natalie Tupper, Joseph Vickers, Gary White, and Taylor Yowell

2008 Football Team Holds June Practices:

Playing an independent football schedule enables the RCHS football program to practice in the off-season. Head Football Coach Bob Czekaj and his staff are holding preliminary football team drills in June.

Prospective Basketball Players Head to Camp in PA:

Although the winter season coaches will not be appointed until later this summer or early fall, Bob Czekaj - the 2007 Head Basketball Coach (boys) – is taking 18 prospective players to the Basketball Camp at Juniata College in PA June 27-29.

RCPS Events (subject to change) June– August:

June Dates

Summer office hours – All locations 8:30 – 4:30. Call for appointment for new student registrations at RCES - 987-8259; RCHS 987-8575

27^th – School Board’s Budget Closeout meeting 8:30 AM at SBO Conference Room

30^th – First day of RCHS summer school – 8:30 – 11:30 – No Transportation provided

July Dates

Summer office hours – All locations 8:30 – 4:30. Call for appointment for new student registrations at RCES - 987-8259; RCHS 987-8575

4^th – All locations closed for Fourth of July Holiday

8^th – School Board meeting at RCHS Band Room 7:30

25^th – Last day of RCHS summer school

August Dates

Summer office hours – All locations 8:30 – 4:30. Call for appointment for new student registrations at RCES - 987-8259; RCHS 987-8575

11^th – 15^th – New Employee meetings

August 18 - All Employees Report for Continental Breakfast and Convocation Meeting at RCHS 8:30
August 20 - Kindergarten Orientation 6:30 PM; 8^th Grade Orientation 7:00 PM
August 21 - Meet the Teacher Night 2:00-5:00 and 6:00 - 8:00
August 25 - First Day of School; Office hours on days school is in session: SBO 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM; School Offices 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Note: Bus Drivers’ meeting and Employee Benefits Fair dates are TBA

Scrabble School restoration attracts keen interest from contractors; work could begin in August

James P. Gannon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:42:39 +0000

Ten construction contracting firms sent representatives Monday to a pre-bid conference on the county’s plans to restore the historic Scrabble School building for use as the county’s Senior Center and a heritage site commemorating African-American history.

County Administrator John McCarthy briefed the contractors interested in the job, which will attempt to restore the building to a state close to that when it was used from the 1920s to the 1960s as a school for black children in the era of school segregation in Virginia.

The project, which is budgeted at $544,000 in the county budget for the year beginning July 1, is financed almost entirely by grant money from the state and private foundations and donors. The county will provide some infrastructure for the project, including well and septic system.

“I’m very pleased with the turnout today,” McCarthy said as the contractors looked over the old building, which has been vacant for more than 20 years. The high level of interest by potential bidders indicates the county may be putting out the job for bid at a favorable time. More contractors are eager for additional work this year because of a general downturn in construction activity.

The deadline for bids on the project is July 3. McCarthy said he will ask the Board of Supervisors to schedule a special meeting in July to award the contract, and that work could start some time in August, with an expectation that the job would be completed in about four months.

Scrabble School is located in the southern part of the county near the intersection of Route 522 and Scrabble Road. The county’s Senior Center plans to move its program to provide meals and a gathering place for senior citizens to the Scrabble School site, which also will hold historic memorabilia commemorating its past as a school.

The restoration project has been spearheaded by the Scrabble School Foundation, a nonprofit organization made up of alumni of the school and other interested citizens who led a drive to save the building from demolition.

New partners plan to bail out Tom Gordon’s internet service business, make refunds and hook up customers

James P. Gannon — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:23:44 +0000

By James P. Gannon

Tom Gordon’s troubled internet broadband service has been taken over by two new business partners and investors who vow to solve its problems, including making cash refunds to customers who want their money back and getting broadband service connected to those who still want the service.

As RappVoice reported on May 15, Gordon’s e-Office Experts internet service was being pursued by angry customers who had paid $795 in advance for wireless internet service, but had never been hooked up and had been unable to get refunds. Numerous Rappahannock County customers of Gordon complained to the Sheriff’s Office and at least three filed civil suits against Gordon, seeking refunds, in Rappahannock County District Court.

At the time, Gordon said he was encountering “cash flow problems” and “business difficulties,” and denied any intent to defraud customers.

Now two outside investors have formed a three-way business partnership with Gordon to solve his business problems, refund deposits and install service for those who still want it, according to Rich Shoemaker, a Fauquier County businessman who is the lead partner in the new arrangement.

Piedmont Broadband Company is the new name of the business with Shoemaker as its largest shareholder, Gordon as its technical expert and minority shareholder, and an unnamed third investor, Shoemaker said in an interview Monday.

“We are going to pay back anybody who wants a refund and get service installed soon to those who want service,” Shoemaker said. “We are taking certified checks to the Sheriff’s Office” for those wanting refunds, he said, and have begun installing service to some waiting customers. “We hooked up five customers last week, and hope to get more this week,” he added.

Sheriff Connie Compton Smith on Tuesday confirmed that her office has distributed full refund checks to the 13 persons who had complained about paying Gordon without getting their internet installations. All were pleased at getting the refunds, she said.

Gordon confirmed Shoemaker’s account of the restructuring of his internet business and said he will stay on as the “chief techology officer” while Shoemaker manages the business, including customer service and handling of money. “I couldn’t be happier with this new arrangement,” Gordon said.

Gordon said all the assets and liabilities of his internet business have been taken over by the newly formed Piedmont Broadband. He has entered a three-year agreement with his new partners “to be the main tech guy” of the enterprise. Gordon said about a dozen customers want refunds of their deposit and the rest of his “backlog” of unserviced customers still want installation.

Shoemaker said he is arranging installations for waiting customers and expects that all who have made prepayments should be connected by mid-July. “We will come up with a new marketing program so that people won’t have to put up as much money upfront to get the service,” he said. “We have about 35 customers who have paid money and still want the service,” he added.

“Our goal is to get everyone who has paid hooked up. We want to make it right and get the service stabilized,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker owns and manages his own landscaping and lawn-care business in Fauquier County and said he’s had extensive experience managing small businesses. He has leased a property in Rappahannock County and eventually hopes to move his home here, he said. The unnamed silent partner is primarily an investor but also brings expertise in marketing and advertising, Shoemaker said.

Gordon, who earlier said he was seeking new investors or partners, said the arrangement grew out of a relationship with a Warrenton-area client who was happy with his internet service and saw a promising business opportunity in it.

Customers who wish to contact the new company about refunds or installation may call (540) 937-7303, and leave a message for him, Shoemaker said. He said that is a temporary number until the new company sets up an office with a new phone line.

Gray Ghost win wins top honors

Admin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:18:58 +0000

For the third consecutive year Gray Ghost has been awarded “Best of Class” honors in the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition. Gray Ghost’s 2007 Vidal Blanc took top honors while the 2007 Adieu was awarded Gold. Dubbed the Granddaddy of wine competitions and one of the country’s five largest competitions, this year’s 69^th Annual Competition received over 4,000 wines from around the world. Gray Ghost was the only Virginia winery to receive top honors in this competition.

In addition to the California awards, Gray Ghost’s 2007 Gewurztraminer took Gold at the Virginia State Fair wine competition. With these recent announcements, Gray Ghost has won 13 top awards and gold medals in 2008 alone. “We have been emphasizing the outstanding growing season in 2007 and now the judges are rewarding these top quality wines from a perfect vintage year!” said Amy K. Payette, Director of Marketing at Gray Ghost.

Mark your calendars for Gray Ghost’s 14^th Anniversary Celebration July 12 & 13, 2008 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm! Festivities include tastings of all Gray Ghost’s award winning wines, winery tours, vineyard tours, live music, craft vendors and a Civil War display.

Gray Ghost Winery is located at 14706 Lee Highway in Amissville and can be contacted at 540-937-4869. The tasting room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.