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Vol. 1 No. 40 | Richmond Suburban News | April 6, 2016
Piland: Rockville station will be manned By Roslyn Ryan Richmond Suburban News
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OCKVILLE — Hanover Fire-EMS Chief Jethro Piland had good news for the roughly 75 people gathered at the county’s Fire Station # 9 for a community meeting Thursday evening: As of May 1, the station will be staffed with nine full-time firefighters. It was a positive development after a difficult year, one that saw the Rockville Volunteer Fire Company officially disband after 62 years of service. But it didn’t completely alleviate concerns expressed by many during the meeting that the fire station may still be dangerously understaffed. When Piland explained that the new hires would likely allow him
Roslyn Ryan for The Hanover Local
Hanover Fire-EMS Chief Jethro Piland addressed the concerns of Rockville area residents Thursday in a community meeting about the fire station.
to keep the station fully staffed and operational for at least six days of the week, one woman asked what
would happen “if my house catches fire on the seventh day?” The question served to under-
line what has been a growing concern as volunteer numbers continue to decline nationwide. As current volunteers advance in age and gradually leave the ranks, many fire stations have had to scramble to cover shifts and maintain service levels. The problem is due to a number of factors, Piland said, chief among them the fact that younger people today are simply not willing or able to volunteer the way the previous generation did. “The issue is just the dynamics of life,” Piland said, pointing out that many young people who do sign up to volunteer do not stay more than a few years before moving on to paid jobs with other departments. Piland stressed that he is tresee PILAND, pg. 7
Sheriff: Hanover faces nationwide challenges By Melody Kinser Managing Editor MECHANICSVILLE – As Col. David R. Hines looks to a new budget year, he is quick to point out that the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office “had a great year” in 2015 --“crime was down.” His tone then becomes more serious as he says, “We have challenges facing us; we have the same challenges that are facing this nation.” Hines, as sheriff, is the top law enforcement officer in the
county, and he quickly notes that his department has to consider the ongoing growth. “We also have to look at terrorism. To some degree, we probably have a little bit better experience than perhaps some localities across the nation, because, back in 2002, we dealt with it.” He was, of course, referring to John Allen Muhammad, “the Beltway Sniper,” who struck in Ashland, just off Interstate 95. Hines was in charge of operations under the command of
COL. DAVID R. HINES Hanover County sheriff
his predecessor, Col. Stuart V. Cook. Hines said the country is experiencing a similar methodology as they saw with the Beltway Sniper. “We saw what two individuals with one rifle and a Chevrolet Caprice could do. They literally shut down commerce on the entire East Coast.” The shooting took place on the parking lot of the Ponderosa restaurant. Fortunately, no one was killed, but a customer was
injured. Hines said he was “in charge of all law enforcement. We handled the crime scene; we worked with the rest of the task force. We had the opportunity to see what the type of crime could have on an entire nation.” That incident served as a reminder that the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office does “understand what happens -whether it happens in Hanover or somewhere else in the see SHERIFF pg. 8
Submitted file photo
The community of Beaverdam will celebrate with a Wine Festival Saturday.
Beaverdam Wine Festival set Saturday Staff Report news@mechlocal.com BEAVERDAM – The Beaverdam Wine Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at 19419 Beaverdam Rd. in Beaverdam. Tastings from local Virginia wineries will be included in the event, which will take place rain or shine. Live music will be provided by Cobalt Whiskey and Ron Moody. There will be a cruise-in of classic vehicles; arts and crafts vendors; and food vendors. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be given by the Virginia Percheron Association. Tours will be available of the Beaverdam Depot and Pop’s Country Store. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.beaverdamwinefestival.org or at Montpelier Family Chiropractic, Goodway Store, or Beaverdam Quick Stop.