Local News
Guns rights group jumps into the Thunderbird Farms shooting debate
During public comments at the May 15 Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting Thunderbird Farms subdivision guns rights advocate Robert Utley implored the county’s elected officials not to approve a public hearing on a neighborhood initiative to ban recreational shooting.
Authorizing advertisement for a June 19 public hearing on the initiative brought forward at a May 1 work session was part of the meeting’s consent agenda. Consent agendas are presented for a number of items generally considered routine or housekeeping that do not require board discussion.
But if Utley believed that adding his subdivision to the list of county neighborhoods where shooting is legally prohibited does not merit public discussion, so the supervisors treated his request. A short time after public comments, on a motion by Dan Murray, seconded by Archie Fox, by a unanimous voice vote the board approved the six-item consent agenda “as presented” without discussion of Utley’s request.
And so the issues first heard by supervisors at that May 1 work session will be readdressed at a June 19 public hearing, after which the supervisors are likely to vote the proposal up, down, or perhaps delay a vote for further work-session discussion.
But could that June 19 public hearing evolve into something other than a neighborhood debate over the safety of firing guns recreationally in the Thunderbird Farms subdivision – a subdivision where such activities are already prohibited by protective covenants signed upon purchase of property there?
Based on posts on the website of a state gun rights advocacy group, the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), some supporters of that shooting ban fear the answer might be yes. A link to the VCDL website indicated the group urging its statewide membership to directly contact the Warren County government in opposition to the Thunderbird Farms legal shooting ban.
“Today we are asking for your help. If you have a moment, please email the Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Tony Carter, and Fork District Supervisor Archie Fox to state that you oppose this action and you would like them to reject Thunderbird Farms Property Owners Association Board of Directors request.
“Below is the contact info for all of the Board of Supervisors, Count (sic) Attorney and the County Administrator. Call or email them in opposition to placing Thunderbird Farms under County Code 177-3 …” – this message was followed by the name, phone number, a physical and e-mail address for all five members of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, as well as County Administrator Doug Stanley and County Attorney Dan Whitten.
Contacted, Board Chairman Tony Carter estimated receiving 100 to 125 e-mails that appeared to originate from the VCDL campaign. Most, if not all were copied to the entire board, Carter said.
Royal Examiner also contacted Utley, whose name was mentioned as the VCDL member who brought the matter to the group’s attention. Utley verified that was the case.
Point-Counterpoint
Asked if he viewed the matter as a Second Amendment issue, he replied, “It is absolutely about that – there is no basis for their (the county board’s) involvement.”
Utley elaborated that adding Thunderbird Farms to the list of neighborhoods where recreational shooting is prohibited by County Code 177-3 as a public safety matter would criminalize what he sees as a subdivision covenant issue that there are processes in place to deal with. He said formal complaints can be filed with the POA board that can lead to fines, even civil complaints being filed.
Shooting of any kind other than self defense is already banned by the subdivision’s “Protective Covenants” established in the 1970’s and revised in March 1999. “No use of firearms, except for self-defense shall be permitted,” covenant 13 states.
“There is a mechanism in place but they (the proponents of legal shooting ban) want the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to do the enforcing for them – and make it a criminal offense that carries up to one year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine or both.” Responding to a question, Utley said he does not shoot on his property and estimated only 5% of the gunfire heard in the neighborhood is originating there.
During the May 1 work session discussion, shooting-ban proponent Skip Sims noted that enforcement of such covenants by the volunteer Thunderbird Farms Property Owners Association (TF-POA) board can be difficult at best, dangerous at worst. Sims said he was reluctant to call POA board members to intervene when he hears shooting he believes is occurring in violation of the subdivision covenants because it isn’t necessarily safe to walk up on armed people.
Sims pointed to a past confrontation over shooting in the neighborhood as evolving into what he called “a white knuckle situation”. He observed that the lack of an official record of covenant violations went down to the “dynamics of the POA board function” and “the ability and willingness” of volunteer officials to enforce the covenants on such a volatile and potentially dangerous issue.
That dynamic is all the more reason to bolster the legal grounds for introducing professional law enforcement authority into the equation, Sims told the supervisors on May 1.
However, Utley counters that there are already legal parameters and punishments in place for how recreational shooting must occur in non-County Code 177-3 neighborhoods. He quoted those parameters as including that target firing be “done in a safe manner; not in the direction of homes or across the shooter’s property; and into constructed berms that can absorb the gunfire.”
At the May 1 work session Utley pointed to the five-acre minimum lot size of Thunderbird Farms. He asserted the Ag-zoned neighborhood does not meet the criteria to be placed under County Code 177-3. That code states the legal shooting prohibition should be applied to “designated subdivisions or other areas of the County which are, in the opinion of the Board of Supervisors, so heavily populated as to make such conduct dangerous to the inhabitants thereof.”
However, at the work session shooting-ban proponent Bob Richardson pointed to the shape of many T-bird Farms lots, like his own, as long and thin leading to a closer proximity of homes than might be expected among 5-acre or larger lots. Richardson told the supervisors that while his lot is 1,200-feet long, it is only 96-feet wide. The veteran and retired law enforcement officer pointed out that with modern weapons, including semi-automatic rifles which he indicated he has heard being fired in the vicinity of his property, having a killing range of two miles the issue is, indeed, public safety.
Two weeks earlier Utley, seated far right red shirt, verbally sparred with neighbor Bob Richardson, speaking to left in blue shirt, over the necessity of adding legal teeth to a subdivision protective covenant shooting prohibition. The county supervisors, including Dan Murray and Linda Glavis pictured here, have since been targeted by a state guns rights advocacy group to defeat the shooting ban request.
“We are not a bunch of fanatics” seeking to strip anyone of their right to own weapons, Richardson said. “I have shot and killed people,” he observed of his own past line-of-duty actions, “But it is simply not safe,” he added of recreational shooting in Thunderbird Farms.
At the May 1 work session Richardson said he believed much of the subdivision shooting wasn’t actually being done by residents, but rather by friends of absentee lot owners who gave permission for their friends to go to the property and shoot, resulting in a double-edged danger of mixing recreational drinking and recreational shooting by people with little knowledge of and no substantive connection to the neighborhood.
Utley disputes that contention.
“They make like it’s the Wild West out here; that it’s a systemic problem and it’s not. If you live in parts of Warren County during hunting season you are going to hear gunfire – the guys with their black powder guns, it sounds like World War 3,” he observed.
At the May 1 work session, Supervisor Glavis wondered if county noise ordinances couldn’t be used as an enforcement tool.
There is also a subdivision protective covenant prohibition on “unreasonably loud or disturbing sound … as to disturb the comfort, repose, health or safety of any individual”. That passage is found two sentences past the covenant 13 prohibition on recreational shooting.
However, there remains a significant difference of opinion between sides on the amount of the sound of gunfire originating in Thunderbird Farms.
And on the evening of June 19 the debate on all these issues will be re-engaged publicly, before the county’s elected officials. It will be interesting to see what kind of arguments are put forth; who shows up to make those arguments – and how the county’s elected officials respond to what they hear.
Prior to the May 1 decision to move toward a public hearing, several supervisors questioned whether the board should become involved in a property owners dispute revolving around violations of neighborhood covenants. However, the fact the request for inclusion in County Code 177-3 was presented in terms of public safety – which by definition IS one of the primary responsibilities of the county’s elected officials – held the day then, and again on May 15.
But hearing the debate is a long way from making a final judgment on the relative merits of the arguments presented. – As one sage sports fan once said, “Bring the popcorn.”
Chamber News
Melodies on Main: Community Cheers as Money Pit Recording Studio Opens Doors
The Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Bob Wilson and the Money Pit Recording Studio to the community in an April 24, 2024, ribbon-cutting ceremony. This marked a significant milestone in the local music scene with the grand opening of the Money Pit Recording Studio. The event was a festive gathering of community members, music enthusiasts, and industry professionals to support Bob Wilson, the studio’s founder. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a celebration of new beginnings and a nod to the vibrant potential the studio brings to the area.
Bob, a seasoned musician and producer, shared his journey from playing bass and fiddle in various bands to setting up his recording studio. The studio, aptly named ‘Money Pit’ as a playful nod to the financial whirlwinds often associated with musical pursuits, promises to be a haven for local talent and musicians from various genres. Bob’s story is one of passion fueled by decades of experience in the music industry, leading him to establish his own space where creativity meets technology finally.
During the ceremony, attendees were treated to a tour of the facility. Bob detailed a nine-month labor of love focused on creating a comfortable, high-quality recording environment. The studio boasts a blend of analog and digital technologies, adhering to Bob’s vision of offering a distinctive and efficient recording experience.
Money Pit Recording Studio is set up to cater to diverse musical styles and artists. Bob expressed his openness to working with all genres, from country to hip-hop, ensuring that every artist’s vision could be realized in his studio. His approach is hands-on, preferring the tactile feel of knobs and sliders to create the perfect sound over navigating through software menus.
The studio’s name, while humorous, underscores Bob’s commitment to providing exceptional quality without the pressure of the ticking clock that often plagues recording sessions. This philosophy will likely resonate with artists seeking a space that values perfection in their craft.
As the community left the opening event, the excitement was palpable, with many expressing eagerness to see how the Money Pit Recording Studio would evolve into a cornerstone of local music production. Bob’s journey from musician to studio owner is a powerful reminder of the music industry’s enduring spirit of creativity and dedication.
Local News
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: American Toad
Please remember to check your lawn before you mow!
Patient 24-683 recovering at BRWC. @BRWC 2024
This beautiful American toad was hit by a lawnmower on Saturday and suffered injuries to the right wrist and right hind leg.
Patient 24-683 at intake.
Unfortunately, due to the level of trauma, the right hind leg required amputation at the level of the knee, which was performed once the patient was stabilized.
This patient is still eligible for release once recovered and will do just fine in the wild, even with one less leg to hop on!
This time of year we see species of all kinds come into care with injuries inflicted by mowers and weedwhackers. Luckily, injuries like this are preventable in many cases.
Patient 24-683 recovering at BRWC. @BRWC 2024
Some people will sweep their lawn with a broom to flush out any animals that may be hiding (also a great way to find and protect a bunny nest). You can also enlist a child, partner, or friend to keep you company while you mow by walking a few feet ahead and checking for wildlife as they go!
Or, if you are looking for an alternative to a turf grass lawn, consider replacing some or all of it with native plants! Traditional lawns provide little functional space for wildlife, use excessive water, and often introduce fertilizers and pesticides that damage our environment.
Reducing the need to mow and creating beautiful and healthy habitat for native wildlife is a win-win!
Native pollinator garden at BRWC. @BRWC 2022-2023
Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.
Local News
Warren County Virginia Sheriff’s Office Rallies Support for Deputy Whose Home Was Severely Damaged by a Fire
In an urgent Facebook post on Monday, April 22, Sheriff Crystal Cline alerted the community to the plight of a deputy whose home was severely damaged by a fire that day.
“This morning, we were reminded of the unpredictable challenges that life can throw at us,” she wrote. “One of my deputies faced a heartbreaking tragedy when a fire severely damaged his home, resulting in the loss of everything he held dear, including his beloved pet.
“This deputy has lived his life on the frontlines—he served in the Army, then as a volunteer and professional firefighter, and now as a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office serving our community.
“Your support, whether through prayer, donations, or financial contributions, will help provide the immediate needs of shelter, clothing, and other essentials during this critical time. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office (200 Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal, VA) will be a drop-off location for any physical items or financial donations—ask for Jenn.
I appreciate your kindness, generosity, and support. We are more than a community; we are a FAMILY!”
Out of respect for the deputy, his identity was not revealed. Even so, the sheriff’s Facebook page has been inundated by people who want to help. Many types of donations are welcome, as the sheriff emphasized, and for those specifically wanting to make online financial contributions, a link is provided on the WCSO’s page. Michael Glavis of the WCSO has organized that site for raising funds, the “Sheriff Deputy House Fire Relief Fund.” Glavis considers the deputy a dear friend and work colleague. “He has given blood and sweat for others, and now I’m asking for everyone to give a little to help him and his family through the process of recovery,” Glavis said.
Local News
Illuminating Futures: Celebrating Achievements and Exploring Quantum Computing at ‘This is IT!’ Event
The “This Is IT!” club of Warren County, Virginia, marked another milestone as a hub for budding IT enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. The club, which started in 2023, has quickly become a cornerstone for students interested in the ever-evolving world of information technology.
At the ‘This is IT!’ club gathering at the Samuels Public Library on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, students and community members came together to celebrate and learn. The club includes 9th to 12th-grade students from public, private, and homeschool backgrounds and is aimed to ignite curiosity and reward academic excellence in information technology and quantum computing.
The ceremony kicked off with an introduction by Melissa Chapman, an instructor involved with the club. She set the stage for a night that was not only about recognition but also about expanding young minds. “Understanding the vocabulary of quantum computing is the first step towards mastery,” Chapman remarked, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in this cutting-edge field.
The focal point of the evening was the guest lecture by Dr. Bruce Chesley, an aerospace engineer who adeptly connected the seemingly distant realms of space exploration and quantum computing. With palpable enthusiasm, Dr. Chesley described how quantum technologies could revolutionize our approach to exploring the cosmos. His talk made the complex topics accessible and entertaining, captivating the aspiring scientists in attendance.
Amidst the talks, the club took a moment to honor its bright young members through a scholarship awards ceremony. Scholarships were awarded to students who have shown exceptional prowess in STEM fields. These awards are a testament to the community’s support for its young learners and a major encouragement for them to pursue further education in technology. The winners were Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, and Uli Duke.
From left to right: Jude O’Neal, Elijah Hambric, Jack Gillespie, Benedict Keough, Matthias Biedler, Uli Duke
The “This Is IT!” club continues to grow, driven by passion and enthusiasm for technology and innovation. Each meeting and event cements its role as a vital resource for Warren County’s youth, inspiring them to explore and excel in the field of information technology. As the club prepares for another exciting year, it remains a shining example of how community and education can come together to build a brighter future.
Local News
The Apple Blossom Coronation Legacy Continues for the Historical Event
For the first time in the history of the Shenandoah Apple Bossom Festival® three consecutive generations in a family will have served as Queen Shenandoah. Susan Ford Bales, Queen in 1975, and Tyne Vance Berlanga, Queen in 2001, will be accompanying Joy Elizabeth Berlanga as she assumes her role as Queen Shenandoah XCVII.
The Crowning Ceremony entertains from regal pomp and circumstance to joyful enthusiasm of Little Maids and Pages who are ever present to serve their Queen. The youthful court interchange historical and educational facts from the British Crown to learning about a United States President – to asking, “Who has the Crown?,” and with dancing. The Queen will be crowned at the memorable Coronation celebration under the direction of Elaine B. Aikens. The Ceremony to install the new sovereign is sponsored by Morgan Orthodontics, on Friday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.at Handley High School. President Gerald Ford crowned Susan. Susan crowned Tyne, and Joy will be crowned by her mother and escorted by her grandmother.
Susan, Joy’s grandmother, is a Virginia native and now resides in Texas. She is the daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford. Susan is the mother of two daughters, Tyne Berlanga and Heather Deavers, five grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Berlanga, Cruz Vance Berlanga, Elizabeth Blanch Deavers, Jude Deavers, and Sullivan Bales, and three stepsons, Kevin, Matthew, and Andrew Bales.
Susan was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and attended Holton Arms School and the University of Kansas, where she studied photojournalism. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters degree, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She is the author of two novels set in the Whie House, “Double Exposure: A First Daughter Mystery”, and its sequel, “Sharp Focus.”
Susan is the Ship’s Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), which she officially christened on November 9, 2013. On April 8, 2016, in recognition of her service as the Ship’s Sponsor, she was named an Honorary Naval Aviator by the United States Navy, becoming only the 31st American to receive this distinction. And history was made with her selection – Susan is the first woman to be chosen as an Honorary Naval Aviator.
During her high school years, Susan lived in the White House and served as official White House hostess following her mother’s surgery for breast cancer in 1974. In 1984, she and her mother helped launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Susan subsequently served as national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness. Since the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, Susan worked side by side with her mother on projects at the Center and was elected to the Center’s Board of Directors in 1992. She succeeded her mother as Chairman of the Board 2005-2010, and currently serves on the board of directors of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
In addition to her many charitable public service activities, Susan serves as Co-Trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy, Trustee, Trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Children’s National Medical Center.
Tyne, mother of Joy, Queen-designate, resides in Frisco, TX with her husband Hector and two children, Joy and Cruz. She serves as a marketing manager for Western Son. With a passion for community involvement, Tyne sits on multiple school booster club boards for all her children’s activities.
On Tyne’s departure as Queen she reflected, “It was easy to be kind, gracious and humble Queen when surrounded by the people of Winchester. My five-day reign as Queen Shenandoah was an occasion that will have a special place in my heart. I have formed friendships and made memories that will hopefully stay with me for a long time to come. On Sunday morning I was doing an exit interview with one of the reporters and he asked me, “If l had a daughter would I let her be Queen?” My answer was immediately “Yes, if she’s lucky enough to be given this opportunity.” Now, Tyne eagerly anticipates returning to Winchester where Joy is set to embark on a remarkable journey, echoing Tyne’s own experiences from 23 years prior. It’s truly heartwarming to be able to share this moment with both her mother and daughter.
The Queen and her family will ride in the Hang 10 Firefighters’ Parade Friday evening at 5:30 and the glo fiber Grand Feature Parade on Saturday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. Queen-designate Joy and her family will be making appearances at Festival events during the weekend.
Tickets to Festival events are available at www.thebloom.com/events.
Community Events
Valley Chorale Announces Upcoming Spring Concerts in Middletown and Front Royal
The Valley Chorale presents “Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope”, a spring concert exploring aspirations of love, home, spirituality and compassion that unite and uplift us all. With styles ranging from light classical and sacred to vocal jazz, spirituals and pop, The Valley Chorale strives to capture the hopes that unite us.
The Valley Chorale is known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for innovation and excellence, with piano, cello and percussion accompaniment, and their concerts are often a heart-warming experience for all. They welcome babies and tots, so no need to hire a babysitter.
Tickets can be purchased on their website TheValleyChorale.org — $15 for age 21+ (free under age 21) or at the door for $17.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
Belle Grove Plantation (Bank Barn), 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 3:00 – 4:15 PM
First Baptist Church, 14 W. 1st Street, Front Royal, VA (Community Reception to follow)
For further information, visit the website: TheValleyChorale.org: follow them on Facebook; email them at TheValleyChorale@gmail.com or call at 540-635-4842.
Courtesy Royal Examiner File Photo of The Valley Chorale during the Christmas season. Get ready for their spring concerts ‘Wishing On a Song – Music in the Key of Hope’ the first week of May.
(From a Release by The Valley Chorale)
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