Wednesday, February 24, 2021

To fill a void

 

On February 3, District 2 School Board Member William Quarles, Jr. went home to the Lord. The sudden passing of this fine man has left a void in our community.

Mr. Quarles’ time on the school board was the latest chapter in a life rich with community service. He represented District 2 on the planning commission and was elected twice as District 2 supervisor. He was a founding member of the Goochland Education Foundation and served on the boards of the Goochland Historical Society and Goochland Pet Lovers.

He was a 1970 graduate of Goochland High School. When the “old” high school was renovated into the current county administration building, Mr. Quarles reminisced about lessons in various classrooms in the building. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Virginia Union University in 1974 and spent 30 years a part of the chemistry and management team at Dominion Power’s North Anna Nuclear Power Station.

Serving on boards and Commissions, Mr. Quarles often asked questions that illustrated his analytical mind. His comments  were thoughtful, constructive, and non-confrontational. He was unfailingly kind and good, an example worthy of emulation.

 Above all, Mr. Quarles understood that education is the key to a productive and satisfying life and worked hard to ensure that all of Goochland’s children have access to a wide range of educational opportunities.

He is survived by his wife Ruth, and sons Christopher and William.

Fittingly, flags in the county were flown at half-staff in his honor.

Mr. Quarles cannot be replaced.

However, life goes on as does the work of the school board and the district 2 seat must be filled. The school board will appoint an interim successor to represent District 2 until the voters select a successor at the November 2,2021 general election.

The school board is seeking qualified voters who live in District 2 to apply for the interim position. Applicants must complete an application, submit a Statement of Interest (not to exceed 300 words) and submit a resume to Diane Bennett, Board Clerk, Goochland County School Board, 2938 River Road West, Building I, P.O. Box 169, Goochland, VA 23063-0169, no later than   4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021.

The School Board will hold a public hearing on March 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at the Goochland Administration Building, Room 250, 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063, to receive interested candidate statements and citizen comments regarding the appointment. Candidates must speak in person.

The application is available at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_w1QGlDbqgOFBm3rOE0gcy6tzaj5uPew3KWAv3GEJYdRLfQ/viewform?gxids=7628 to access the application.

2 comments:

Ben Slone said...

I first met Bill at the Virginia Power Innsbruck office working on a project. We both attended the first Goochland Citizen Enterprise class sessions together. Weren't you in that class too Sandy?

And we both "worked" politics in the County.

I'm sad for Ruth and the family. He is a great loss.

I miss Bill.

Janet Lehre said...

I served on the Planning Commission with Bill and found him helpful and down to earth. Did you know he was a collector of Chess Sets? I considered him a good friend. He loved Goochland County. Janet Lehre