| |
|
| The Official Site of the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce
|  |
From The Courier Record
For more related stories and other local and regional news, subscribe to the award-winning Courier-Record.
Call 434-292-3019 or email THE LOCAL PAPER at email@courier-record.com
Check out the Online Courier Record News Archives
BLACKSTONE TEEN
IS HEAD PAGE
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
by Billy Coleburn
Editor, Courier-Record
©COURIER-RECORD 2004
Taylor Quicke liked the House of Delegates so much last year, he decided to
return for the 2004 session.
Quicke, 14-year-old son of Dunc and Myra Quicke of Blackstone, didn't have
to run on the ballot.
But he did have to be selected for his current job, that of Head Page, by
Speaker of the House Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg).
Quicke served as a House Page last year and was named Best All-Around Pledge
of 2003.
The only way he could return to Richmond was to be named Head Page.
Quicke wrote Delegate Tommy Wright seeking the honor, and he received
official approval in December.
"I'm excited," the Kenston Forest 9th grader said last Friday afternoon, the
eve of his departure. "I look forward to a good session."
Those who know Quicke well say the well-mannered, bright young man is
"Taylor Made" for the position of Page. Quicke is known for respecting his
elders, being considerate, and understanding the value of work.
Pages run a variety of errands for state lawmakers. They work Monday through
Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"We get their lunch, and do their billbooks, which is getting their bills in
order. Most of them use a computer, but some of the older Delegates still
use their billbooks."
As Head Page, Quicke will see to it that Pages serve lawmakers' needs. "I'll
make sure the regular Pages do what they're supposed to do. I'll tell them
what errands to run, and I'll make sure they get everyone's order," Quicke
smiles.
"And he'll also be there to comfort some of the Pages who get homesick,"
Quicke's mother adds. "Some of the younger ones can get intimidated during
the first few days."
And when Quicke lodges in the Richmond Omni near The Tobacco Company
restaurant, he'll have his own room. "No roommate this year."
There are only 32 Pages in the House. Two are Head Pages (one boy and one
girl). There are 20 Pages in the Senate.
Quicke will be paid $130 per week during the nine-week, 2004 session. He'll
return home on week-ends (except during bill "crossover" week-end), to
pick-up classwork assignments and visit his family. Mandatory two hours of
study each night will help Quicke and other pages keep pace with their
classes back home.
Quicke is believed to be the first Blackstonian in anyone's memory to serve
as a Head Page in Richmond.
Others have served as Pages, including Quicke's older brother Morgan, who
was a Senate Page in 2000.
Quicke says he enjoys following government. "I read the papers and watch
TV," he smiles.
Quicke says he's neither a Democrat nor a Republican and tries to judge
lawmakers on issues, not labels.
Quicke says it's interesting--and pleasing--to see lawmakers who have just
engaged in heated debate on the floor, get along well after hours.
"Last year, (Senators) Louise Lucas and Frank Ruff were on opposing sides on
some issues, but they seemed to work together fine. That makes me feel
good."
Quicke and his brother (Morgan's a senior at Kenston) operate a local
vending machine business, trading as "Quicke Fix Snack Co."
Quicke and his brother enjoy following politics.
Their father serves on Town Council.
And their late grandfather, Robert "Bob" Quicke, was a Governor-appointed
member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Might Morgan and Taylor Quicke pursue public service as well?
Taylor Quicke smiles.
"We might."
|
| |
|