In This Issue: Fairfax decision raises doubt about Ignacio and Maxwell’s appearing on ballot, News Isn’t Dead, 10 Tricks for maximizing Halloween Treats.
Can Fairfax Decision Spell More Bad News for Ignacio, Maxwell?
by Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On Thursday, Nick Ignacio (candidate for Clerk of Court in Spotsylvania County) was ordered to stop distributing misleading sample ballots at the Spotsylvania Early Voting site.
Now, a ruling in Fairfax County could open the door for Ignacio and Steve Maxwell (candidate for sheriff in Spotsylvania) to have their names stricken from the ballot.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that in Fairfax County a School Board candidate has been disqualified and must now run a write-in campaign. The reason? Per the Post’s story:
Marcia St. John-Cunning, a candidate for the Franconia district school board seat …incorrectly stated her address on one page of her 13-page candidacy petition form. She listed her street number as 4429, but it is 4221. She wrote it correctly on the other 12 pages. The 4429 address does not exist.
Based on this one error, the entire page was disqualified, bringing the number of signatures St. John-Cunning secured to less than the 125 required.
Two sources tell the Advance that this decision potentially gives a petitioner grounds to file a similar suit and request that a judge require the removal of Ignacio’s and Maxwell’s names from the November 7 ballot.
Both candidates have numerous errors on their submitted Petition of Certified Voter forms, and FXBG Advance was the first to report these issues on July 19. We revealed that both Ignacio and Maxwell gathered numerous signatures on January 1, in direct violation of the State Board of Election’s guidelines that explicitly state signature collection must begin on January 2.
Had Spotsylvania General Registrar Kelli Acors disallowed those signatures, as she admitted to the Advance she should have done, neither candidate would be on the November 7 ballot.
The FXBG Advance will follow this developing story in the week ahead.
SATURDAY MORNING TO-DO: Take the Halloween Stroll with the Advance
Grab your coffee, put it in a travel mug, and scurry downtown for the Costume stroll this morning at 9:30. Line-up begins at the VRE station at 9 (just follow the crowd). The Advance will be there – banner in hands and Advance t-shirts on – to walk through downtown before turning the kiddos loose to hunt for candy. While you’re out, swing by Possumbilities at 211 William Street and meet some of our team!
Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Spooky Season
by Chris Jones
Editor’s Note: This piece is reproduced from our sister publication, Fredericksburg Parent and Family, with permission.
It’s spooky season and it’s time for candy, treats and Halloween fun. Here are 10 ways to enjoy the season.
Go trick-or-treating. This is a classic Halloween activity for kids of all ages. Dress up in your favorite costume and go door-to-door collecting candy from your neighbors.
Visit a pumpkin patch. Pick out a pumpkin to carve into a jack-o’-lantern, or take a hayride at one of the local farms or enjoy other fall festivals scattered across Fredericksburg.
Have a Halloween party. Invite your friends over for some spooky fun. Play Halloween games, eat Halloween-themed food and watch scary movies.
Make Halloween crafts. There are all sorts of fun Halloween crafts that kids can make, such as paper bag pumpkins, ghost garlands and spiderwebs.
Play Halloween games. There are many different Halloween games that kids can play, such as pin the tail on the black cat, bobbing for apples and mummy wrap.
Tell scary stories. Gather around a campfire or under the covers at a sleepover and tell each other scary stories.
Watch Halloween movies. There are many classic Halloween movies that kids can watch, such as “Hocus Pocus,” “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Casper.”
Visit a haunted house. If you’re looking for a scare, visit a local haunted house. Most haunted houses have a variety of scares for all ages, so you sure to find one that’s perfect for your family. If you’re feeling adventurous, King’s Dominion is chock full of Halloween festivities in the park.
Go on a haunted hayride. This is a great way to experience the spooky side of Halloween without having to go into a haunted house. Visit Braehead Farm for a day of fun, fall activities and a great hayride.
Have a Halloween parade. If you live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids, organize a Halloween parade. Everyone can dress up in their costumes and walk around the block.
No matter what you choose to do, Halloween is a great time to have some spooky fun with your kids.
Odds & Ends at FXBGAdvance.com
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