19, va. 21211 SAMPLE PAID CIRCULATION NOW 2,568 RAPPAHANNOCK

19, va. 21211 SAMPLE PAID CIRCULATION NOW 2,568 RAPPAHANNOCK HOUSEHOLDS 2.101

The County Family Newspaper

Founded 1877 164th YEAR, NO. 38 USPS 45558C 10 Pages THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1981 Washington, Virginia — Rappahannock News Photo/.S. Latham OLYMPIANS Eric Robinson and Mathew Owings (with ribbon) were standout performers at the Cub Olympics held last Saturday at Camp Rock-Enon in Gore. Representing Rappahannock at the Shenandoah Area Council competition, Eric placed third in the 50 yard dash for nine-year-olds and Mathew finished first in the sit-ups for ten-year-olds. _

BZA Approves Variance,

Second One Tabled By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON Rappahannock New* Staff Writrr What kind of hardship constitutes grounds for granting a variance to the zoning ordinance? That was the question before members of the Rappahannock Board of Zoning Appeals at last Thursday’s meeting. Mrs. Dorothy Atkins of Flint Hill appeared before the board with an application to subdivide a two acre parcel into two one-acre lots. With her property zoned agricultural, Mrs. Atkins needed a variance from section 2-2-1 of the county’s zoning ordinance which sets minimum lot size in an agricultural zone at two acres. She told the board that her husband has a terminal disease and has been in and out of hospitals 12 times since his condition was first diagnosed in January, 1980. The house on her two acre lot “isn’t suitable for taking care of a sick person,” Mrs. Atkins said, and also needs a great deal of repair work, projects she can't get done with her husband ill. She explained that she needed the variance in order to subdivide her lot, located on Route 629 about a mile behind Foster’s apple packing house, sell one acre with the existing house and build a second dwelling more suitable for home care of an invalid on the remaining acre. According to Mrs. Atkins, her two acre lot is bounded by property that belongs to her sons-in-law' who have no objections to her subdivision proposal. BZA chairman Josef Gardiner asked Mrs. Atkins for the prognosis for her husband's survival. “There's no way of knowing how long he will live.” she replied. Gardiner suggested that Mrs. Atkins persuade her son-in-law to give her two acres of land so she wouldn’t need the variance on minimum lot size. She responded that her son-in-law needed the land for farming, adding that she wanted a smaller lot anyway because she’s unable to take care of the entire two acres. Definitely A Hardship “This is definitely a hardship case,” stated Gardiner.. “The board has the authority to grant a request like this for a definite hardship...We must have some type of hardship shown to justify this." Mrs. Atkins noted that she could get verification of her

Town Council Adopts

Transfers To Private Schools

Subdivision Ordinance Prompts School Board Study UL'Drc t ni.'v rltnanpp cnph a rnfprpnnp Millar neb a/1 Pannalla In By THERESA REYNOLDS Ra|)|»abann<K*k Neni. Staff Writrr The regularly-scheduled town council meeting held Wednesday, September 9 included a public hearing on the proposed town subdivision ordinance. No town residents appeared to question or oppose the ordinance and it was adopted unanimously by the council. Mayor Newbill Miller had received a call from Peter -Kramer requesting.that some mention be made of the historical significance of the town in the ordinance and the mayor asked John Cappelle, chairman of the Planning District Commission, where in the ordinance such a reference would be appropriate. Cappelle said that an explanation of the historic importance of the town should be made in the zoning ordinance, soon to be drafted by the Planning District Commission and discussed by the town council. Cappelle pointed out to the Council that the only major change made by the county Planning Commission when they reviewed the ordinance was to require that the adjoining property owners be notified by certified mail of the intent to subdivide. C. E. Giles made the motion to adopt the ordinance and Brad Fisher added a second. Miller asked Cappelle to begin work on the town zoning ordinance and Cappelle agreed to do that after the county ordinance was completed. He said that it would be November before he would have a draft of the ordinance. Giles put Miller's request in the form of a motion. With a second by Charlie Jenkins all council members voted in favor of Cappelle drafting the new zoning ordinance. The mayor opened bids which had been submitted for the jobs of mowing the grass and picking up trash around town. Of the three bids opened, they selected the (Continued on Page 2)

Two Used Car Lots

Approved By BZA Bv DAPHNE HUTCHINSON Kn|i|>nhnnnm'k Vtm Staff W rit#r "If this decline continues on the same scale...we’ve got no where to go,” warned Robert Eastham as the Rappahannock school board reacted at last Tuesday’s meeting to dropping enrollment at both the elementary and high school. Oh the first day of classes, 1,030 students walked through the doors of tho county’s two public schools, a decline of eight percent from the 1,121 expected. The lower enrollment may cause repercussions in the schools’ funding outlook. Average daily membership partially determines the amount of money a locality gets from the state for education and Rappahannock's 1981-82 school budget is based on state reimbursement for an enrollment of 1,121. A decline in enrollment will bring a corresponding decline in money from the state and could throw revenue estimates out of kilter. “If the enrollment doesn't go up, it will necessitate changing budget figures,” superintendent Robert Estabrook cautioned on Tuesday. “I’m impressed with the downward change,” Eastham .Mid, noting that enrollment, up to 1.060 by last week, was down six percent from the start of school last year. Some classes have been hit harder than others, he said, pointing out that this year's 11th grade class shrank by 25 students compared to 1980SI.

"I attribute most of the decline to the opening of alternative schools," said school board member Nancy Reeve. She reported that she knew of at least 15 youngsters whose parents had opted for private schools. “We have an obligation to get a handle on exactly what is going on...If they’re going to other schools, we need to find out why," responded Estabrook. He predicted that enrollment will pick up after the Labor Day weekend but repeated that the causes behind parents choosing alternatives to public schools . must be examined. "I assume part is on account of curriculum,” Estabrook added. He volunteered to visit private schools in the area, investigate how many county students are attending alternative institutions and why and then report back to the board. Estabrook also agreed to look into whether or not attending a private, unaccredited school satisifies Virginia’s compulsory education laws. Also related to the opening of school, the supintendent repeated compliments he handed out earlier in an interview with the Rappahannock News. “I’m very pleased, very impressed with what I saw,” said Estabrook who was at the bus shop and elementary school the first day of classes. "The bus drivers seemed to have a very positive at- titude...We had no reports of any youngsters left stranded so obviously they were efficient as well as pleasant.” Estabrook said he was also very pleased “at the rather extensive arrangements made by both teachers and aides to receive the little folk who were entering school for the first time.” He applauded administration and staff for an opening day at the elementary school which was “very smooth, very warm and (Continued on Page 4) husband’s condition and additional information from four different doctors who have treated him. With no further discussion, the board members voted unanimously to grant the variance for the subdivision of Atkins' two acre parcel into two one-acre lots. A second variance request involving a similar hardship based on illness was tabled, however. pending legal advice. According Jo the legal advertisement for the meeting, Mary and Frank Neal of Castleton applied to subdivide a 37 acre parcel zoned residential subdivision into one seven-acre and one 30-acre lot, requiring a variance from the ordinance’s prohibition against division of any lot zoned residential subdivision. Really Boundary Adjustment Secretary Patty Alexander attempted to explain to the BZA members that what the Neals were seeking was actually a boundary line adjustment rather than a division of the property. The land was purchased as two (Continued on Page 2)

Bicyclist Hit Karl Killian of Heusenstman. West Germany was cited for reckless driving after striking a bicyclist qn Route 211 west of Washington near Pine Knot Inn. The accident occurred about 4 p.m. Saturday. Glenn Fletcher of Washington was traveling eastbound on his bicycle when he was struck by Killian who was also traveling east in a 1976 Lincoln. Fletcher was taken by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Fletcher, to Warren Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released. With the issuance of two special use permits by the Board of Zoning Appeals last Thursday, the Estes area gained two garage-inspection station-used car lots located just two miles apart on Route 729. A zoning ordinance amendment adopted earlier this year added garages and used car lots to uses allowed by special permit in an agricultural zone. Hushel Settle, whose request for a commercial rezoning prompted the garage amendment, was before the BZA last week to request authorization for a garage and used car lot located on Route 729, two and a half miles from the Culpeper line. BZA chairman Josef Gardiner noted that Settle has been operating a garage on his one acre lot for several years. "I assume there are no neighbors opposed (to granting the permit for the already existing garage and addition of the used car lot)?" BZA member George Muth asked. Settle replied that adjoining land owner Mrs. I. L. Parrish was the sole opponent at earlier hearings. He reported, however, that Mrs. Parrish has now changed her mind and isn’t opposed to his application for a special use permit but doesn't want to see garages and used car lots scattered all over the county. Settle presented a petition in favor of his application signed by the rest of his neighbors. He assured the BZA that he wouldn't expand his business to include sale of general merchandise. “I'm not going to sell anything but used cars. Used cars and a state inspection license is what I asked for.” Appearing on behalf of the Parrishes who are currently out of the state. Washington lawyer Peter Luke told the

Soil Erosion Topic

F or RLEP Meeting Soil erosion, the most insidious destroyer of farm land, will be discussed when the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection annual meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18 in the county courthouse in Washington. Officers will also be elected for the coming year. "Common Sense Conservation in Land Development,” a slide-tape presentation developed by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, will give RLEP members and guests a new understanding of the problems of erosion and sediment control. The photos and narrative explain the situation from the viewpoints of not only the landowner but also the developer and local official, in farm, urban and suburban settings. The following slate of officers has been nominated for 1981-82: President - Phil Irwin; Secretary - Karen Torneden; Treasurer - Hugh Chrisman; Newsletter Editor Howdy Holschuh. Directors: Margery Albright, Harry Clarkson. Bob Dennis, Maurice Herndon, C. E. “Ned” Johnson, and George Sharp. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the meeting. RLEP members, guests, and the general public are invited. BZA that his clients are in favor of the special use permit but would like to have restrictions added. "Are you an attorney?" Gardiner interjected. When Luke replied that he's been licensed to practice law since passing the state's bar exams ten years ago. the BZA chairman insisted that he be sworn in before testifying. Possible Junkyard Luke said the Parrishes are concerned that an accumulation of inoperable cars which Settle may use for parts will turn the property into a junkyard. (The zoning ordinance amendment which allows garages and used car lots in an agricultural zone limits the number of cars for sale to five at any one time but does not set limits on the number of spare parts vehicles which may be stored on the lot). In addition, the attorney proposed that Settle’s hours of operation be restricted to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with the garage closed Sundays. Luke also asked that the permit be granted for three years. By making the permit renewable, the BZA can ensure compliance with zoning ordinance regulations without having to resort to criminal proceedings, according to Luke. In response. Doris Settle, wife of the applicant, launched a tirade of objections. "It seems funny that every time we have a meeting, the Parrishes go out of town” and send someone else to speak in their behalf, she said. No Complaints From Settles She said she and her husband don’t tell the Parrishes what time they can get up. when they can open (Continued on Page 4)

Philippine Exchange Student Enjoys Rappahannock Vir^lVMY — Rapp«hann<»ck New* Photo/Daphne Hutchinson

VICTOR LAGMAN, exchange student from the Philippine- poses on the front

steps of the Castleton home of his foster family, sisters Wendy nd Kim (front, left to right) and mother Pat Helmer. By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON Rappahannock Staff I ritcr "It’s kind of neat. We’ve got somebody else to pick on!” said Kim Helmer of her new “adopted brother,” 16year-old foreign exchange student Victor Lagman of the Philippines. Victor is spending a year with the Helmer family of Castleton, the only boy in a house full of girls. As the mother of three daughters, Pat Helmer really wanted a boy when she volunteered as a host family in the Youth for Understanding exchange program. “At first, the kids weren't too thrilled but they're excited now!" Pat reported. A stranger would never guess that Victor has been in this country only a few weeks. Lounging in an easy chair in the Helmer's living room between two of his new sisters, he's totally relaxed, a wide grin fixed in place below dark, laughing eyes. His English is letter perfect, the result of years of study in school coupled with the practical experience gained from five different American exchange students who share his home in the Philippines. He speaks with just a hint of a southern drawl, courtesy of a young visitor from Knoxville, Tennessee. His older brothers also helped Victor add polish to his pronunciation and command of slang. Both spent a year in the U. S. in exchange programs, one working on a farm in Richmond, Indiana, and the second in Ohio. But. any

midwest accent they passed

along to their younger sibling has been buried under |"you ails” from Tennessee, i Victor’s English doesn’t carry a trace of his own flowing, musical language. According to Pat, his native tongue has “a Spanish flavor, a funny kind of Chinese twang with an American or Chinese word thrown in every now and then." Victor agreed with her discription. “But it’s not pidgeon!” he emphasized, pride in his Philippino heritage evident in his voice. And while Philippinos may have borrowed a few words from English, Americans have returned the favor, according to Victor. He got a chuckle out of the Helmers describing their Castleton home as being out in the boondocks. The spelling has slightly Americanized from the original "bundoks” but the meaning stayed the same in the borrowed form. Whether in the Philippines or in Rappahannock, boondocks are a long way from the city. Back home. Victor isn’t anywhere near the boonies. The family home was in downtown Quezon City, one of the Philippine’s major metropolitan areas. "But my dad didn't want to live such a fast paced life with all the heat, traffic and congestion,” Victor reported, so a couple of years ago, the Lagmans moved to the Quezon suburbs. His father, a semi-retired civil engineer, manages the family's processing plant and rubber plantation, a spread of about 100 acres in the southern Philippines. The word plantation conjurs up visions of cultivated fields and ante bellum mansions from the pages of Gone With The Wind but Victor’s family (Continued on Page 6) V *