NEWS BRIEFS
Finkbeiner runs for School Board in Midlothian District

Finkbeiner

Eric Finkbeiner has filed his candidacy for the Midlothian District School Board seat.

Finkbeiner and his wife, Michelle, are graduates of Chesterfield County Public Schools and their children, Megan and Jack, both attend J.B. Watkins Elementary School.

A longtime Republican who served as a policy advisor to former Gov. George Allen, Finkbeiner is seeking the endorsement of the Chesterfield County Republican Committee. In addition to the endorsements of several teachers and parent leaders, Finkbeiner says he has been endorsed by state and local leaders, including former Gov. George Allen, Congressman Eric Cantor, Sen. John Watkins, Del. Sam Nixon, Commonwealth's Attorney William Davenport and others.

"I've spent the last several months meeting with parents, teachers, students, community and business leaders to hear their ideas about how to improve our great schools in Chesterfield County," Finkbeiner said. "As our county continues to grow, our school system will grow in size - we have to make sure we grow the quality of the schools and the achievement of our students at the same time."

"We're going to run a full scale, community and grassroots based campaign," Finkbeiner continued. "I'm going to be sharing my ideas on how to improve the safety of our schools, making sure we address parent and student needs when it comes to transportation, food service, and preparation for our globally competitive economy. I will also continue to hold forums and meet with folks to hear their ideas and concerns about our schools."

On June 20, Finkbeiner will hold a campaign kick-off in his home neighborhood, The Grove, from 6- 8 p.m. Midlothian Supervisor Don Sowder, Sen. John Watkins and Del. Sam Nixon will be among the elected officials in attendance at the kick-off.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Mr. Sowder and the rest of the Board of Supervisors to ensure that we continue to have one of the best school systems in the nation," Finkbeiner said. "I am committed to making sure the School Board is involved from the very beginning with community development meetings so that when we have new families in Chesterfield, we know we are planning our school expansion and construction to meet their needs."

County administrator screening begins

Executive search firm Springsted Inc. has received 37 resumes from candidates in 17 states seeking the position of county administrator for Chesterfield County. The deadline for accepting applications was May 25.

Chesterfield is seeking a replacement for current County Administrator Lane Ramsey who will retire in August after 35 years of service.

A list of semifinalists was expected to be presented to the Board of Supervisors late last week. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for mid-June.

"We consider the pool to have a number of candidates who are very impressive and capable of assisting the board in meeting Chesterfield County's future challenges," Springsted Vice President John Anzivinio Sr. said.

Police seek OxyContin robber

Suspect

Police are investigating a robbery in which OxyContin was stolen from Walgreens at 6851 Temie Lee Pkwy. shortly after 5 a.m. on June 6. This is the fourth drug store robbery in Chesterfield County in less than 30 days.

Police said a man approached the pharmacy counter, displayed a gun and demanded Oxy- Contin. No one was injured during the robbery.

Police believe the man may be responsible for similar robberies that occurred on May 13, 15 and 29 at Rite Aid, Walgreens and Eckerd locations.

The suspect is described as a stocky, black male, weighing 200-235 pounds, and between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall.

If you have information about these robberies, call the Chesterfield County Police Department at 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.

Officer legally drunk during crash

Alcohol may have contributed to the death of an off-duty Richmond police officer who was killed during a motorcycle crash on Genito Road on March 19.

According to police, Officer Thomas W. Shook Jr., 35, had a blood-alcohol level of .18 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08, when he wrecked his motorcycle on the way home from having dinner with friends at a restaurant on Hull Street Road.

Witnesses report Shook was spinning tires in the parking lot of Mulligan's restaurant just minutes before the crash. Another witness said Shook was speeding and driving recklessly along Genito Road right before he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a tree. He died at the scene.

Police also say Shook was not wearing a government-approved helmet.

Shook worked for the Richmond Police Department for more than a decade, and was currently serving on the accident investigations team. He left behind a five-year-old daughter.

Winterpock Road crash claims one

David J. Harold, 34, of the 10000 block of Church Point Road, was killed on June 6 around 10:50 a.m. when he struck a tree with his 2005 Dodge Ram truck while traveling south on Winterpock Road.

The crash remains under investigation.

Inmate dies in apparent suicide

The Chesterfield police and sheriff's departments are investigating an apparent suicide that occurred on June 6 at the county jail. According to police, an inmate was found hanging in a room around 5:15 p.m. that day.

Driver critically injured

County police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred in the 24100 block of Hull Street Road at about 12:09 p.m. on June 2.

Police said a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT was being driven east on Hull Street Road when it veered off the roadway and struck a tree. The unidentified driver of the Volvo was transported to VCU Medical Center with lifethreatening injuries.