GOING TO THE DOGS COTU to host unique Halloween event Oct. 30
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HUMANE SOCIETY
Fifth Annual ‘Pup Crawl’ set Oct. 22
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Vol. 2 No. 13 | Richmond Suburban News | September 28, 2016
Law firm, council talk about rail By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local
Photo submitted by Pattie Bland
Zachary Davis, left, and Nathaniel Miles recently attended the 2016 Youth Conservation Camp at Virginia Tech.
Davis and Miles attend Youth Conservation Camp
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LACKSBURG — Zachary Davis, a student at The Carmel School, and Nathaniel Miles, a Patrick Henry High School student, recently attended the Youth Conservation Camp at Virginia Tech. They were sponsored by the Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District. The annual camp is geared to high school students who are interested in expanding their knowledge and experience with the environment and natural resources. Campers participate in hands-on, largely outdoor experiences intended to expose them to such topics as water ecology, watersheds, agricultural best management prac-
tices, urban forestry, wildlife, fisheries management and more. For the upcoming camp, eligible attendees must reside in Hanover or Caroline counties and be enrolled in grades 9 through 12 of the 2016-2017 academic school year. Twelfth graders who graduate in May, June, July or August 2017 are eligible to attend. Interested students are encouraged to contact the Hanover-Caroline SWCD at 804-537-3009/3019 or Pattie Bland, ppbland@hanovercounty.gov to receive an application packet. Materials will be available in January for the 2017 camp. Information submitted by Pattie Bland.
ASHLAND — Lobbyists from the law firm of Williams Mullen’s Government Group recently discussed with Ashland Town Council the municipality’s opposition with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) concerning the DC2RVA high-speed rail proposal. The rail issue topped the agenda for the Sept. 20 regular council meeting. Council hired the Williams Mullen firm in response to the potential addition of a third rail proposed by the DRPT. If approved, the high-speed rail would roll straight through Ashland alongside the two existing railroad tracks that already pass through the town. Kenneth Hutcheson, director of government affairs for Williams Mullen’s Richmond location and vice chairman of the law firm’s government relations practice group, along with attorney and state lobbyist Patrick Cushing, have been appointed as advocates for the town during future negotiations with the state. In addition to representing the town with negotiations between Ashland and the DRPT, they have and will continue to be dealing with the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). At last week’s meeting, Hutcheson provided an overview of what their current perspec-
tive is in regards to Ashland’s issue with the addition of a third track. He explained to council that their intentions for the presentation they introduced at the Sept. 20 meeting were to outline the lobbyists’ role in the case. On that same Tuesday, the CTB held a morning workshop as well as project tours later that afternoon to produce further con-
File photo Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local
Ashland Town Council discussed the high-speed rail proposal with lobbyists from the law firm of Williams Mullen’s Government Group. The talks dominated last week’s regular council meeting. The town has voted to oppose the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation plan.
versations regarding the DRPT’s high-speed rail proposal. Speaking about the process in how the case may play out in later dates, Hutcheson wanted to give council an idea of how it may look in terms of their roles as the town’s representation. Further explaining their predicted roles, Hutcheson told
council members that they “envision advising the town on matters and goals predicated on deadlines contained within the documents released today.” He added how they envision their relationship with key elected officials being an asset to the town as the process continues. Acknowledging how their schedule in this matter is tightly packed, Cushing emphasized particular dates that are considered to be extremely important concerning the lobbying process. Referring to the CTB workshop earlier that morning, Hutcheson boasted that Ashland’s voice was by the far the strongest. “One thing that has been evident to us since we’ve been engaged is that the town is united. And that is tremendously helpful as we’re going forward trying to develop strategies,” said Hutcheson. “This morning, it’s safe to say that Ashland dominated the public commenting period.” The Town of Ashland and Hanover County were represented at the council meeting. Also attending were members of the Ashland Main Street Association and Families Under the Rail. Council member Kathy Abbott talked about how all those parties voiced their opinions to the CBT. Abbott and Vice Mayor James Murray were expected to echo Ashland’s position to the CTB again on Wednesday, Sept. 21.