Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Dudenhefer and other county officials dine with the victims of a landslide during a fundraiser to help repair their property Tuesday night. (Mary Davidson/PotomacLocal.com)
STAFFORD, VA, (October 25, 2011) — This evening, Mark Dudenhefer, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, along with several of the county staff sat down to eat dinner with the O’Leary and Barnes’ families at Ruby Tuesday. Michele and Dan O’Leary and Ora and Katrina Barnes were forced out of their houses over a month ago when county officials condemned their homes due to a massive landslide in their backyard. Today, the homeowners and County officials sat down to dinner together as a way to raise awareness of the landslide problem and help raise funds for landslide relief together.
Jason Thompson, the manger of the Doc Stone Ruby Tuesday is holding a three-day fundraiser to support the landslide victims and the County was out in force supporting the effort. Joining Mark Dudenhefer and the O’Leary’s was Anthony Romanello, County Administrator; Mark Doyle, Executive Officer/Volunteer Coordinator of the Office of the County Fire Chief; and Chief Robert Brown, and Pastor Chris Bennett, the Executive Pastor of Ebenezer United Methodist Church which set up a disaster relief fund a week following the slope failure.
Ruby Tuesday was inundated with supporters who came to the restaurant with their landslide flyers to ensure 20% of their purchase would be given to landslide relief. A significant number of patrons were from Ebenezer United Methodist Church. “It’s amazing to see so many people out here helping to support us.” stated Michele O’Leary. “This means more to us that we could ever express.”
Earlier this afternoon, Henderson Construction began working on the Brush Everard properties to dig a trench which will help to drain the water in the landslide area. The work by Henderson Construction is focused on relieving the water built up below the land collapse and provides a way for the area to dry and firm up so heavy equipment can be safely brought in for more extensive work needed to stabilize the homes. Henderson Construction, located in Fredericksburg, is working in collaboration with Stafford County and the homeowners to offer equipment, expertise and services required for the difficult first steps needed to save the two homes and begin restoring the failed hillside.
