2016
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Vol. 1 No. 26 | Richmond Suburban News | December 30, 2015
Top 10 stories of 2015 New rules governing long-term 1 Ashland Police Department and 1 Ashland Town Council address issue of long-term residents at local motels
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2 R-MC record enrollment 3 HCPS superintendent resigns, Gill appointed 4 Prichard and Peterson win HCBOS races 5 HCPS tuition policy
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6 HHS graduate re: Ebola treatment 7 “Light Up the Tracks!” a success 8 Ongoing discussion about the future of the Ashland Theater 9 2015 Musical Variety Show a success 10 First-ever Spooktacular draws Halloween fans to downtown Ashland
motel stays in town named top story By Meredith Rigsby News Editor
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aced with increased criminal activity and concern from local faith-based organizations, the Town of Ashland’s decision to toughen rules on longterm motel stays takes the lead in the Top 10 stories of 2015. For years, Ashland Town Council has struggled with the problem of homelessness and long-term rentals at the town’s 14 hotels and motels, and has considered numerous measures to combat the situation.
On Nov. 17, members took action that begins to address the problem. Prompted by an increase in police calls to area motels regarding longterm residents involved in crime, and a willingness of the local faith community to assist and fill gaps the new regulations might create, council unanimously approved new rules regarding long-term rentals at Ashland motels. The action does not target residents who are experiencing hard times and using the motels for transitional housing, but, according to
Mayor George Spagna, puts teeth in current ordinances governing the rentals. Hotels or motels with 25 rooms or more and two floors must obtain an extended stay permit that allows long-term rentals of 30 days or less in 5 percent of the rooms on the site. The changes do not affect motor courts along U.S. 1 because they don’t have 25 rooms or two floors. Ashland Inn owner Siddharth Rangan told council members the new ordinance would affect his revsee TOP, pg. 3
Martin’s presents donation
‘ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ in Ashland
Senior Law Day event held Photo submitted by Tom Harris
The Ashland Theater was filled with excitement on Tuesday, Photos submitted by Jen Chambers Dec. 15, when Head Start children from Hanover County were treated to a showing of “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer joined in the festivities.
The Senior Law Day program, sponsored by Senior Connections and the Williams Mullen law firm, recently wrapped up another successful halfday session for older adults in Hanover County seeking legal life planning documents. Held at the First Baptist Church in Ashland and coordinated locally by the Hanover Council on Aging, the session provided simple wills, advance medical directives, and power of attorney documents for 17 residents, at no cost to the participants. Shown are, from left, Dylan Arnold and Grey O’Dwyer, students from University of Richmond, along with Ronald Martin of McCaul, Martin, Evans & Cook; Senior Law Day founder G. Andrew Nea Jr. of Williams Mullen; Lisa Adkins of the Hanover County Department of Community Resources; Virginia Grigg of Christian & Barton; and Karen M. Matthews of Karen M. Matthews Law Office. Also participating were attorneys Rebecca Bray of Rebecca Law office and Robert Kane of Kane, Jefferies, Cooper and Corollo.
Meredith Rigsby/The Hanover Local
Beverly Samuels, left, Louis Luscher, manager at Martin’s, and Kay Beazley, 2015 Hanover Christmas Mother gathered at the Ashland store last week for a check presentation. Luscher, on behalf of Martin’s Food Markets, gave the Christmas Mother program a donation of $14,060.47. So far, the Christmas Mother and volunteers have been able to help 668 families, 1,578 children and 120 seniors through fundraising and other selfless acts.