Item by Chris Graham
A community forum scheduled for tonight might be the kickstart to an effort to fight the opening of an adult-themed retail store in Staunton.
The meeting – “Staunton Against Pornography” – will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at the intersection of the Va. 262 bypass and Shutterlee Mill Road at 7 p.m.
The goal of organizers is to begin a citywide petition drive and to identify churches, civic groups and neighborhood leaders who are willing to take a role in fighting the opening of the store.
Presenters at the forum will include former Staunton School Board members Andrea Oakes and Sarah Crenshaw, Travis Smithdeal, a candidate for the Pastures District on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, and Augusta County Republican Committee chair and Valley Family Forum member Kurt Michael.