Staunton proposes alternative to moving Augusta Courthouse

By Andrea Oakes
Staunton City Councilwoman
Guest Post

An effort to preserve and retain the historic Augusta County Courthouse in the city of Staunton moved forward on Monday afternoon with a proposal to counter the county’s move of the courts complex to Verona with a new design to stay in Staunton. It would consolidate Staunton and Augusta County’s court services into shared buildings and shared costs.

The plan that was presented suggested renovating the historic county courthouse building and connecting it by an overhead walkway across the street to new court spaces on the corner of North Augusta and Johnson Streets that is now occupied by the Union Bank building. Behind the Cochrane building on West Beverley Street, another court space would be available, and would consolidate all the downtown courts into the three locations.

This plan would be able to provide additional parking, separate space for court personnel and the public, and cover anticipated space needs through 2035 at an estimated cost of $46 million.

By following through on this proposal, the courthouse complex would stay in downtown Staunton and the historic courthouse would remain a viable part of our community.

The Staunton News Leader has a detailed article about the proposed court space (see Staunton will propose shared courts to the county).

 

Miss Virginia contestant, Staunton resident Jaclyn Oakes advocates skin cancer prevention

An emotional Jaclyn Oakes reacts after winning the Miss Southwestern Virginia contest in April.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Jaclyn Oakes has spent the past week at the Hotel Roanoke and the Roanoke Civic Center with 26 other statewide contestants for Saturday’s Miss Virginia Pageant, talking with judges, attending meet-and-greets, attending dinners, all while remaining poised and ever aware of her role in this event that is one step away from the Miss America Pageant.

In April this Randolph-Macon College student who was a 2012 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton and the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School in Fishersville won the Miss Southwestern Virginia pageant. Her talent was dance, and her platform was “Charlie’s Cure: Bringing Awareness to the Dangers of Skin Cancer.”

Behind Emmett Hanger’s winning strategy

Emmett Hanger for Senate election night watch party at the Clocktower Restaurant in downtown Staunton.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

As I reflected on the past weeks working Senator Emmett Hanger’s 24th District primary, there was much to remember — memories, thoughts, observations (see Emmett Hanger wins huge in 24th Senate District). It was a short, intense campaign due to a lawsuit that was filed by the 24th District legislative committee, and it was not settled until April (see 24th Senate District: Court upholds laws of Commonwealth, Hanger gets primary). Once the court ruled, everything fell into place as Senator Hanger’s team set about working for his re-election in the June 9 Republican primary.

The result was a resounding victory with Senator Hanger taking 60 percent, Dan Moxley 27.5 percent, and Marshall Pattie 12 percent. Staunton City voters provided a whopping 71 percent of the vote for Hanger.

Now some are wondering who was behind the definitive winning strategy. They are some of the best Virginia has to offer.

Political consultant Boyd Marcus was dedicated and an inspiration to work with during the past weeks — a professional who was friendly, funny, and knowledgeable beyond belief while strategizing, developing the campaign plan, and overseeing the other consultants. The native Virginian and long-time political player, whose services were offered as an in-kind donation by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, has consulted and worked with Governor George Allen, Governor Jim Gilmore, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, and many House and Senate races throughout the years. This time he put his golden touch on the 24th Senate District and Emmett Hanger. It was a familiar partnership for the two political veterans. In 1995, Boyd advised Emmett Hanger when Hanger first won the 24th Senate District nomination, eventually defeating Democratic incumbent Frank Noland in the general election. Interestingly, Emmett was the first elected Republican in Augusta County since Reconstruction, leading the way in a county that is now solidly red.

Judge Stacey Moreau, sister of Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes, tapped as one of the ‘Influential Women of Virginia’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Judge Stacey Williams Moreau

Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Williams Oakes

The Honorable Stacey Moreau, Pittsylvania County Circuit Court judge, has been tapped as one of the ten members the Virginia Bar Association named as “Influential Women of Virginia” by Virginia Lawyers Media, which publishes Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

Judge Moreau, 49, is the older sister of Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes who has been a member of council for seven years and before that served on Staunton’s School Board.

The “Influential Woman of the Year” for 2015 will be announced tonight while the honorees are being celebrated at a dinner and ceremony at Richmond’s Short Pump Hilton. All honorees will be will be highlighted in a special publication distributed at tonight’s event and included in the May 11th Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

Jaclyn Oakes, young lady behind ‘Charlie’s Cure,’ will compete in Miss Virginia Pageant

An emotional Jaclyn Oakes reacts after winning the Miss Southwestern Virginia contest Friday night in Roanoke.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Jaclyn Oakes, a 2012 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton and the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School in Fishersville, and a junior at Randolph-Macon College, won the Miss Southwestern Virginia pageant Friday night in Roanoke. Her talent was dance, and her platform was “Charlie’s Cure: Bringing Awareness to the Dangers of Skin Cancer.”

Staunton Councilwoman Oakes on Courthouse issue

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“I would just like to see the communication remain open between the board of supervisors and the city council because this truly is an important issue. If there is anyway we can do the right thing and keep the courthouse in Staunton, then I think it would be a win win for everyone.” – Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes, April 9, 2015

WHSV TV-3 reporter Khiree Stewart covered the courthouse issue at Wednesday’s Augusta County supervisor meeting and Thursday’s city council meeting (see Augusta supervisors vote to begin court complex study and  Staunton City leaders share thoughts on courthouse).

Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes’ welcoming remarks at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet

Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes

By Lynn R. Mitchell

During Staunton’s 67th Annual NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner last weekend, Councilwoman Andrea Oakes, who has been a member of the NAACP since 2000 and serves on their executive committee, welcomed the crowd that met at Covenant Presbyterian Church.  Former Staunton City Councilwoman Rita Wilson returned to her hometown from Richmond to act as MC in a room full of familiar faces.

Councilwoman Oakes’ welcoming remarks:

Today’s Naturalization ceremony at Frontier Culture Museum

By Andrea Oakes

Governor Terry McAuliffe delivered remarks at today’s Naturalization Ceremony at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia.

(Photo by Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes)

Cole Brothers Circus and Staunton City councilwoman remember Eva Clark 108 years after her death

By Lynn R. Mitchell

We don’t often associate the fun and excitement of the circus with tragedy but that is exactly what happened in Staunton 108 years ago.

In 1906, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, now known as the Cole Brothers Circus, was in Staunton on its annual visit to entertain the community when catastrophe struck.

Jaclyn Oakes wins Miss Augusta County Fair 2014

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Jaclyn Oakes, Miss Augusta County Fair 2014

The new Miss Augusta County Fair 2014 is well known to LynnRMitchell.com and we are thrilled with her accomplishment. Her mother is Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes and a guest contributor here. Jaclyn wrote about her win:

Staunton City Council: New mayor and vice mayor elected

By Lynn R. Mitchell

July 1 marked the reconstituted Staunton City Council as they met to vote on a new mayor and vice mayor. Usually a cut-and-dried process that has been decided unofficially before the public vote, this year produced a bit more drama when Councilman Ophie Kier decided to abstain from voting for either position even though his name was entered for both.

In the vote for mayor, Carolyn Dull was nominated by Councilman Jim Harrington and Ophie Kier was nominated by Councilwoman Andrea Oakes. The vote broke down into 4 yes (Dull, Harrington, Terry Holmes, Walt Obenschain), 2 no (Erik Curren, Oakes), and 1 abstain (Kier).

Judge James Turk … ‘His one wish was to become a judge’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I opened an email earlier this week from Polly Campbell and the first thing she said was, “I just learned of Jim’s passing — he was one of the greatest people I have ever known.”

It had not occurred to me that Polly knew Judge James Turk who passed away Sunday at the age of 91. Then I wondered why it would surprise me since Polly, who was a volunteer with the Republican Party of Virginia for more than 50 years and served 44 of those years as secretary of RPV’s State Central Committee, knew many political giants. Judge Turk was just one of them.

And then Polly added, “His one wish was to become a judge; John Dalton’s wish was to become a Governor — they both met their goals.”

Stacey Moreau appointed Danville circuit court judge … sister of Staunton Councilwoman Andrea Oakes

Judge Stacey Williams Moreau

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Virginia General Assembly’s judicial votes in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, May 15, brought a judgeship confirmation for someone very close to Staunton Councilwoman Andrea W. Oakes.

Her older sister, Stacey W. Moreau, 46, was appointed the new Circuit Court Judge for Danville-Pittsylvania County for an eight-year term. Judge Moreau has spent the past ten years on the Juvenile and Domestic Court bench, the first female judge appointed — and the youngest — for Danville-Pittsylvania County.

Betsy Bell Mountain: Staunton’s city council honors a tradition

By Andrea Oakes
Councilwoman, Staunton City Council

On a recent May afternoon, the members of Staunton’s city council drove to the top of Betsy Bell Mountain, a 70-acre public park located within the city limits, to fulfill a promise. Four-wheeling up the rough gravel road, they climbed out at the top (elevation 1,959 feet) and walked to the observation platform to take in the breath-taking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east, the Shenandoah Valley, and the city of Staunton that has built up around the mountain’s base.

Originally owned by John Lewis who founded Staunton, the mountain was passed down through the family over the years. In 1941,  owner Charles Catlett left the 50-acre summit to the city with a few stipulations:

Staunton City Council election results

By Andrea Oakes
Staunton City Council

After today’s city council elections, I congratulate the winners — incumbent Carolyn Dull, Terry Homes, and Walt Obenschain — and look forward to working with them to continue making Staunton a great place to live, work, and play.

 

With 17 percent turnout, the results were:

– Carolyn Dull: 1,553
– Terry Homes: 1,507
– Walt Obenschain: 1,141

Thank you to Lacey King and Bruce Elder for their years of service to the city as they retire from council. It was a pleasure to serve with them.