<sh>Dillard Hits the Road
<bt>Del. James Dillard (R-41st) recently participated in a two-day tour of logging jobs west of Richmond. Dillard accompanied Del. Kirk Cox (R), Del. Riley Ingram (R) and James Garner, state forester and head of the Virginia Department of Forestry.
In the most recent legislative session, Dillard authored a law that imposed a penalty on loggers who failed to notify the Department of Forestry when they began a new logging operation. The number of notifications has doubled since the law took effect.
Dillard also traveled to St. Louis over the July Fourth holiday and received the 2003 Legislator of the Year Award from the American School Counselors Association (ASCA). The award is presented annually to the one legislator in the nation who best responds to children's needs for school counseling services.
ASCA president Brenda Melton presented the award to Dillard in recognition of his championing legislation providing a counselor for every elementary school in the state. Dillard is chairman of the House Education Committee
<sh>Rabies Alert in Burke
<bt>On Thursday, July 10, a Fairfax County Animal Control officer responded to a complaint of a fight between a dog and a raccoon at about 2:10 p.m. in the 9700 block of Ironmaster Drive in the Burke area. When the officer arrived, the raccoon was found to be dead. The raccoon carcass was taken to the Fairfax County Health Department, where it tested positive for rabies. The dog was to receive a rabies booster shot and will be home-quarantined for 90 days.
<sh>Obituary
<bt>Grant David Wright, 65, died on Sunday, July 13 at Inova Hospital. The Springfield man is survived by his wife Nancy; his three sons, David, Brian and Matthew; their wives, Felicia, Emily and Susan; and four granddaughters Michaela, Abigail, Linden and Cailin. He is also survived by his brother James A. Wright.
Grant Wright attended the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Post Graduate School. He also earned an MBA from Virginia Tech.
As a pilot in the United States Marine Corps, Wright served in the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star and Air Medal 5th Award.
Later, Grant worked in the private sector and as a civilian for the U.S. Navy. In 1997, he retired as business manager for the Naval Warfare Center.
A memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday, July 16 at the Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road. Memorial contributions can be made in Grant's name to the church. Demaine Funeral Home of Springfield provided arrangements.