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Vol. 2 No. 16 | Richmond Suburban News | October 26, 2016
Theater exceeds goal; town says bye to Hartgrove By Logan Barry for The Mechanicsville Local
Logan Barry for The Local
Ashland Police Chief Doug Goodman, in the photo above, on the stage of the Ashland Theater, expressed his appreciation for the years of service Charles Hartgrove gave the municipality as town manager. Hartgrove is shown standing at the right.
ASHLAND — The Ashland Theater Foundation has raised $95,000 as plans continue for the theater’s future. Clark Mercer of ATF made the major announcement during last
Thursday evening’s farewell party for outgoing Town Manager Charles Hartgrove. Fundraising for the theater exceeded the original goal, which was $75,000. Community donations are leading to the success of the theater’s long-term lease with the Town of Ashland.
Hartgrove has accepted the position of assistant city manager in the City of Lynchburg. The ATF has been operating the Ashland Theater in a “popup” mode with all volunteers since November 2014. During see THEATER, pg. 7
Residents still sharing concerns about rail plan ASHLAND – The forward-moving high-speed rail proposal took center stage at last week’s regular meeting of Ashland Town Council, with the term “faster rail” seeming to be a more appropriate title by the time the session wrapped up. The rail dominated citizen comments at the Tuesday, Oct. 18, meeting. Items that aren’t necessarily on the designated agenda may be brought to the council’s attention during that time.
Sheila Tompkins, a life-long resident of the 23005 zip code and a member of the Families Under The Rail (FUTR), approached council to emphasize the need for unity among the town, its citizens and the residents of neighboring Hanover County who live in the “western bypass” area ahead of the upcoming public commenting periods surrounding the ongoing process. The western bypass is an area west of Ashland’s town limits that the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) have
designated as one of the potential sites for construction. According to its website, FUTR is a nonprofit organization formed by citizens, private property owners, business owners and elected officials who have been “thrown under the rail.” Their purpose is based upon a group of community members sharing a core belief of combating eminent domain for private use, and Logan Barry for The Hanover Local their opposition to any tax-subsi- Outgoing Ashland Town Manager Charles Hartgrove is surrounded by members of Ashland Town Council who wished him well at his last meeting with the municipality. dized railway. “We can’t stop the expansion, He has accepted the assistant city manager’s position in the City of Lynchburg.
Real Estate Professional
Serving Hanover County since 1989 judy.kilgour@LNF.com
Shown are, from left, Vice Mayor James Murray, Mayor James Foley, council member
see RAIL, pg. 4 Steve Trivett, Hartgrove, and council members George Spagna and Kathy Abbott.
Real Estate Professional kevin.kilgour@LNF.com
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By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local