Councilman Bret Hrbek (left, pictured with Mayor Eugene Tewalt) was voted Vice Mayor of Front Royal by his colleagues in a July 14 meeting of Town Council.
Full details will be in the July 24 issue of Warren County Report.
Other meeting photos:
| Mayor (WARREN COUNTY - FRONT ROYAL) Last Reported: May 6 2008 8:19PM EST |  Eugene R. Tewalt | 864 | 62.02% | Precincts Reporting: 7 of 7 (100%) | Votes by Precinct |
 Hollis L. Tharpe | 517 | 37.11% | |||
Write In | 12 | 0.86% |
| RACE | CANDIDATE | VOTE | VOTE% | STATISTICS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member Town Council (WARREN COUNTY - FRONT ROYAL) Last Reported: May 6 2008 8:19PM EST |  T. E. "Tom" Conkey | 709 | 21.93% | Precincts Reporting: 7 of 7 (100%) | Votes by Precinct |
 Chris W. Holloway | 843 | 26.07% | |||
 Carson C. Lauder Jr. | 864 | 26.72% | |||
 N. Shae Parker | 676 | 20.90% | |||
Write In | 141 | 4.36% |
Video also available on iReport.com and on CNN
It was very interesting to talk to these folks. I finished before the polls closed because I didn't want any of the comments to be influenced by the results of the election. It was refreshing to see people from all walks of life so tuned-in to politics right now.
Continue reading "February 12, 2008 Primary Day in Front Royal, VA" »
Super Tuesday gave Republican Sen. John McCain a big boost, but it left the Democratic race as tight as ever. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are now turning toward states like Virginia and Maryland as they fight for the nomination. (Feb. 6)
Deputy Planning Director Taryn Logan may be upgraded to Planning Director. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2008 by Warren County Report.
Stanley would give up dual role as county administrator/planning director
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
A proposed change in the county administrative office has been in the works for some time according to several of the primary players involved.
Continue reading "Shakeup in county administration proposed" »
Officials from AMP-Ohio, Town Manager Michael Graham, second from left and town Energy Director Joe Waltz, far right, sign contract purchase agreement commiting town to helping fund construction of new Ohio Valley coal-fired power plant in exchange for locked in electric purchase rates. The plant is forecast to go on line in 2011. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2008 by Warren County Report.
Contribution to AMP-Ohio power plant approved over environmental concerns
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Hearing only limited public opposition – two speakers – and despite a call by two councilmen for proactive efforts to seek alternative energy sources to already polluting coal-fired plants in the Ohio Valley, the Front Royal Town Council moved forward on a 40-year energy contract with AMP-Ohio on Jan. 28. The motion to approve the contract passed 4-2, with Stan Brooks and Eileen Grady dissenting.
Continue reading "Town trades energy price stability for commitment to coal" »
Roads and how to pay for them, future residential densities remain at issue
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Continue reading "Town moving toward final Amended Comp Plan" »
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Front Royal Mayor James Eastham announced Monday he would not seek a third term this spring.
AirPac owner Arthur R. Behnke converses with Mayor James Eastham during recess prior to council vote on Comprehensive plan amendments. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2008 by Warren County Report.
Roads remain sticking point for Shenandoah Shores businesses
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
(UPDATED 1/29/2008) - On Jan. 14, after hearing familiar arguments that it is being shortsighted, exclusive or at the very least sending mixed messages about its future vision, the Front Royal Town Council voted unanimously for a two-week delay on a vote to amend its Comprehensive Development Plan.
Third Internet option – broadband over electrical wires – proposed to town
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
The Front Royal Town Council seemed intent on letting Shenandoah Shores Road and Happy Creek Industrial area business owners know they are hearing their transportation concerns when a vote to approve amendments to the current Front Royal Comprehensive Plan occurs, likely on Jan. 28.
Continue reading "Council to include road projects in amended Comp Plan" »
Senator James Webb (D-VA) addresses a group at Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, VA. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2008 by Warren County Report.
Does ‘fabricated’ intelligence threaten to expand war into Iran?
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Gulf of Tonkin, Gulf of Hormuz – are there disturbing similarities?
Alleged incidents in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964 were used as justification to allow President Lyndon Johnson to expand U.S. military involvement in Vietnam as he saw fit.
Continue reading "HOUSE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO ADDRESS EARMARKS BASED ON KINGSTON-WAMP-WOLF BILL" »
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
And on the 17th day the skies opened and His will was done: in addition to the closure of all area public and most private schools prior to the fall of one snowflake due to an eerily accurate weather “prophecy” – that will appears to have extended to an anticipated turnover at the top of the Warren County Republican Committee.
Continue reading "'Act of God' extends Madden chairmanship" »
Continue reading "County planning initiative moves toward uncertain future" »
Continue reading "Town names new Public Works Director, gives others fancier titles" »
From a release:
Lieutenant Governor Bolling today sent the below and attached letter to Republican members of the General Assembly expressing his support for HB 20 sponsored by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter and encouraging legislators to support the legislation. This legislation would enact political party registration in Virginia.
Lieutenant Governor Bolling has also added HB 20 to his Legislative Agenda.
Continue reading "Lt. Governor Bolling Announces Support for Party Registration" »
Potential uses, limitations on business and conservancy parks discussed
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
What is going on at the Royal Phoenix site on Front Royal’s west side and what will eventually be allowed to go on there, and under what restrictions were the subjects of a mid-December meeting of stakeholders of the federal Superfund cleanup site.
What is going on is the continued cleanup of the grounds directed by the site’s only surviving former owner, FMC Corporation. However, what precisely will be going on is still to be determined as local codes and federal and conservancy restrictions are reviewed by the involved parties in coming months. Front Royal, EDA and county officials began that discussion at a Jan. 8 work session at Town Hall.
Continue reading "What sort of feathers will the Royal Phoenix wear?" »
Archie Fox and Glenn White fill the board officers’ seats. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2008 by Warren County Report.
Board splits 3-2 on Democrat White’s election as vice chairman
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
It started not with a bang and nary a whimper was heard – but that there has been at least a subtle shift of perspectives on the Warren County Board of Supervisors was apparent three days into 2008.
In its first business of the new year, the board greeted two new members and elected one of them – North River Democrat Glenn White – as vice chairman. Following two-year incumbent Republican Archie Fox’s unanimous election to the chairmanship, new South River District Supervisor, Independent Linda Glavis voted with Fox and White to give the North River Democrat a 3-2 majority to take over the vice chairmanship formerly held by his vanquished predecessor Ron Llewellyn.
Continue reading "Fox unanimous choice as county board chairman" »
Darr nixes mayoral run as transplant sought through Johns Hopkins Hospital
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
During a closed session at the end of a Jan. 7 work session, Front Royal Vice Mayor Tim Darr revealed to his colleagues in town government what he was in the process of making public.
That revelation is that the 46-year-old Darr is facing a battle with a hereditary kidney disease that will, at least for the time being, derail his future political plans. Prior to his Jan. 7 announcement, those plans included a spring run for mayor.
Continue reading "Vice mayor reveals kidney disease, politics put on hold" »
Traffic, power options and preservation of downtown among ongoing priorities
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Warren County Report asked Front Royal Mayor James M. Eastham for his thoughts on past achievements and future challenges to the town government as the calendar turns from the seventh to the eighth year of the new century. Below, he shares his thoughts on the recent past and hopes for the near future.
Continue reading "Mayor Eastham reflects and looks ahead to 2008" »
BFI/Allied asks for ‘emergency’ capacity increase of 50 tons per day
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
How much is trash and its transport worth to the community?
That was the question being considered as the Warren County Board of Supervisors balanced the pros and cons of request from its solid waste contractor to increase the amount of trash that can be hauled to the Bentonville Solid Waste Transfer Station during emergency situations. BFI/Allied representatives present at a Jan. 3 work session confirmed that the trash would originate in Winchester and that none would come from out of state.
Continue reading "County dump trash increase request considered" »
Personal, professional considerations cited by executive committee official
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
One can only wonder if Bridget Madden was thinking to herself – Bianchini’s on the phone again, Orcutt’s lurking at my front door, two months more of this hell is just too much to endure!!! The hell of which we speak is chairmanship of a local political action committee, in this case the Warren County Republican Committee. And considering the nature of the political beast, I, for one, certainly can’t blame her. After all, I wouldn’t want to talk to me more than once a month, tops – especially about politics!
Continue reading "Madden stepping down as local Republican chair" »
Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2007 by Warren County Report.
Deeper issues remain as vice-chair leaves in midst of Party infighting
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Front Royal attorney and Town Councilman Tom Sayre has officially resigned from the Warren County Republican Committee. Sayre made the announcement in a Nov. 30 paid newspaper advertisement.
Continue reading "It’s official – Sayre leaves local Republican Committee" »
Citizen Llewellyn’s patience with some critics is running thin. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2007 by Warren County Report.
E-mail targets Llewellyn, county staff in insider-trading land strategy
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
One day after expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and his dislike of some of the intricacies of political infighting, outgoing North River Supervisor Ron Llewellyn responded harshly to the most recent in a series of widely circulated e-mails by one political antagonist.
Continue reading "Llewellyn takes off the gloves, threatens critic with litigation" »
Amy and Mitch Hazim, owners of Vintage Swank in the old Boston Store building, have drawn the ire of the Board of Architectural Review for unauthorized renovations to their building (far right). One BAR critic drew comparisons to the prison in the movie “Shawshank Redemption” and alleged the visual integrity of Front Royal’s historic downtown has been violated. A town council battle is brewing over what Bret Hrbek calls undue restrictions on property owners. Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2007 by Warren County Report.
Council hopes to improve relations with county, EDA as 2008 approaches
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
The Front Royal Town Council ended the year with two items several councilmen said they hoped would improve what have been often strained relations with other local governmental agencies over the past year.
Continue reading "Signs, signs – can we all go in the same direction?" »
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
As the current Warren County Board of Supervisors’ final meeting of 2007 approached, two-term Chairman Richard Traczyk had time to reflect on both the past and future challenges facing a board that will begin 2008 with two new members, Linda Glavis and Glenn White on board and two familiar faces, Ron Llewellyn and Gray Blanton gone with the wind.
Continue reading "Outgoing board chairman reflects, looks ahead" »
Supervisor Linda Glavis. Phot by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2007 by Warren County Report.
Newly and re-elected members of the Warren County Board of Supervisors and School Board were in good spirits as they were sworn in Dec. 19 before family, friends and staff in the more glamorous of two Warren County Circuit Courtrooms. Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Sims did the swearing in, in the absence of a sitting judge in the county that day. Sims, an elected Constitutional Officer in her own right, assured those present she was street legal to do the honors.
Lead attorney Patrick McSweeney
Localized, non-legislative ‘taxing’ authority at root of Constitutional challenge
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
Lead attorney Patrick McSweeney has announced that the Virginia Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the Marshall, et al. v. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, et al case on January 8, 2008, at 9:00 am.
Continue reading "Va. Supreme Court to hear Transpo Act challenge Jan. 8" »
West Virginia PSC witnesses weigh in against power line plan
By Roger Bianchini
Warren County Report
At the Dec. 17 Front Royal Town Council meeting Tom Sayre pointed out serious questions about the Trans Allegheny Interstate Line (TrAIL) proposal are not isolated to opposition voices in Virginia.
Continue reading "Sayre points to TrAIL opposition across state lines" »
Incoming town councilman Tom Sayre (white shirt) attempts to get outgoing Vice Mayor Daniel Pond's attention following the June 26 council meeting as Mayor James Eastham appears to be checking the WCGC roof for leaks in the wake of severe June thunderstorms. WCR Photo by Roger Bianchini. Copyright 2006, Warren County Report.
By ROGER BIANCHINI
Warren County Report
Outgoing Vice-Mayor J. Daniel Pond III had some pointed advise for his soon-to-be former colleagues and soon-to-be successors on the Front Royal Town Council on June 26.
Federal job restrictions could again impact district’s board seat
By ROGER BIANCHINI
Warren County Report
South River District Supervisor Scott Weinberg recently acknowledged that Hatch Act restrictions on partisan political activity by federal employees would not allow him to run for reelection in 2007.
Developer’s attorney, Strasburg planning chair debate ‘conspiracy’ charges
By ROGER BIANCHINI
Warren County Report
Following a closed session on Aug. 1, the Warren County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0, with one absent, to drop a legal challenge of the Strasburg Town Council’s June 14 Island Farm, or Summit at Ox Box, residential rezoning.
Continue reading "Warren County drops Island Farm rezoning challenge" »
Soliman making $20,000-plus more than other department heads
By ROGER BIANCHINI
Warren County Report
Front Royal Mayor James M. Eastham said on Aug. 8, that competition for qualified planners by private industry forced the town to go offer a higher than anticipated salary to the town’s new planning director.
Eastham explained that over the eight months the town attempted to fill the position on a permanent basis it found itself increasingly competing not with other municipalities, but rather with the private sector.