Haymarket neighbors study the Disney’s America theme park model at the company’s open house.
25 Years Ago From The Fauquier Citizen edition of December 10, 1993
Mickey Mouse makes his pitch
Some call it dreadful and others deem it exciting that the Walt Disney Co. has picked a 3,000-acre site near Haymarket for a history theme park.
About 1,500 people attended a two-day, Disney-sponsored open house that focused on the project’s implications for the region.
The company’s multimedia presentation at Gainesville Elementary School featured a model of the theme park, videos, poster-sized conceptual drawings and handouts that explain the proposal.
Public opinion about the proposal, which Disney says would generate 3,000 permanent jobs and $1.5 billion in taxes over 30 years, covers the spectrum from giddy support to angry opposition.
School board to seek 10-million budget increase
“I find it appalling when a county like Rappahannock can give their teachers a higher beginning salary,” school board member Mary Charles Ashby (Scott District) said Monday night.
Mrs. Ashby’s fellow board members agreed and made teacher raises their top priority for the 1994-95 budget.
The school board this week began putting the finishing touches on its proposed budget which probably will ask for $10 million more than this year’s $49.3-million plan.
That request probably will include $3.5 million for raises, the board decided Monday night.
Supervisors pledge to solve utility “problems”
Wilbur Burton called it “a chance to do something that hasn’t been done in the last 30 years, to make an effort to solve these problems.”
Burton and his fellow county supervisors Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution making the provision of public water and sewer in the Catlett-Calverton-Midland and New Baltimore service districts.
While Burton (Cedar Run District) considers the board’s vote a step in the right direction, the resolution doesn’t commit the supervisors to any particular sewer system or the costs to construct it.
Six named “Citizens of the Year”
The county supervisors Tuesday recognized six Fauquier residents as “Citizens of the Year,” presenting plaques for community service to:
• H.P. Monroe in Cedar Run District.
• Decker H. Tapscott in Center District.
• Rosie Day Rich in Lee District.
• Elwood and Reginald Glascock in Marshall District.
• Jerrie Rutledge in Scott District.
Fauquier unemployment rate increases
For the first time in six months, Fauquier County’s unemployment rate increased in October.
The rate climbed to 4 percent — up from 3.5 percent in September, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.
VEC said 1,051 people in the county’s 26,024-member workforce lacked jobs.
A year ago, the jobless rate in Fauquier stood at 4.7 percent.
This October, the rate was 5.1 percent statewide and 6.3 percent nationwide.
The Plains history published
Piedmont Press has announced the publication of a book about the history of The Plains: Train Whistles and Hunting Horns.
Local historian John K. Gott provided the research and D’Anne Evans, author of several other local history books, wrote the narrative.
Fauquier Times-Democrat Publisher Arthur W. “Nick” Arundel funded publication. A portion of book sales will support The Plains Library.
JMU’s Robinson receives pigskin honors
James Madison University football standout Dwight Robinson, a Fauquier High School graduate, continues to rack up postseason honors.
The Virginia Sports Information Directors named Robinson first-team all-state as a defensive back and kick returner.
The JMU junior was named to the Yankee Conference and Eastern College Athletic Conference all-star teams.
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