ROCKVILLE Massive fire destroys residence
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HANOVER Hanover Master Gardeners attend Master Gardener College
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Vol. 3 No. 1 | Richmond Suburban News | July 19, 2017
Local NAACP leaders question schools minority employment By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local ASHLAND – Hanover County NAACP leaders voiced their concerns regarding the number of minority employees in Hanover County Public Schools during a public comment period held at the June 11 Hanover County School Board meeting. Hanover NAACP President Eddie Nelson expressed his appreciation at the willingness of Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent of schools, to meet with his organization and discuss concerns, but said the problem still exists. “He has heard our concerns, so we cannot say we haven’t been heard,” Nelson said. “We, as minorities, are well aware of the fact that we are under-represented in our school system and want to continue to have that back-and-forth with you.” Robert Barnette is the vice chair of the Hanover NAACP chapter and echoed Nelson’s concerns regarding hiring practices in Hanover schools. “I’m here to advocate for minority hiring in Hanover County,” Barnette said. “One of the first steps in addressing the low
Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local
Robert Barnette, vice chair of the Hanover NAACP, said the low representation of minorities in Hanover County Public Schools is “troubling.”
representation of African Americans … is to acknowledge it exists. We have some in the county that do not acknowledge there is a problem in this area.”
Barnette said education has traditionally been a “tool for institutional racism” and “education must be the first step in eradicating it.” Barnette offered a series of suggested steps for school officials to accept to address the problem he perceives as “troubling.” To increase minority numbers, Barnette recommended the system develop a fiveyear plan to address low minority employment rates and interview at least two qualified minority candidates for each open position. “This does not advocate a quota system, but helps overcome the traditional social segregation of your faculty.” He also suggested the county establish a mentoring program for faculty and staff for professional development and skill enhancement. Barnette said a system that allowed minority educators in Hanover to recruit minority candidates also would benefit efforts to increase participation. He also advocated for the inclusion of diversity in performance reports for prinsee NAACP, pg. 2
Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local
Roger Bourassa, left, and Sue Dibble were elected vice chair and chair of the Hanover County School Board.
Dress code may be reconsidered Dibble, Bourassa elected to lead HCSB By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local ASHLAND — Less than a month after being reappointed to a second term on the Hanover County School Board, South Anna District representative Sue Dibble was elected chairman at the Tuesday, June 11, regular
meeting at the Central Office in Ashland. Dibble is completing her first term on the panel and served as board vice chair for the past year. The Hanover businesswoman was nominated by see DRESS, pg. 12
New Bridge at Gaines’ Mill Battlefield connects stories, partners Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com RICHMOND — At the Battle of Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862, Boatswain’s Creek was an obstacle that separated contending Union and Confederate forces.
Today, thanks to the efforts of local Eagle Scout Wyatt Schneck and dozens of volunteers from Scout Troop 534 and Fort Lee, a new boardwalk at Gaines’ Mill Battlefield allows visitors to safely cross the creek and follow in the footsteps of the soldiers. This project marks part of a larger
effort by the National Park Service in Richmond to create a trail on 300 recently-acquired acres on the Gaines’ Mill Battlefield. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, the park will hold the first public tour to cross the bridge, along with a ribboncutting ceremony.
Part of the park’s popular History at Sunset programs, the tour will begin at 6283 Watt House Rd. in Mechanicsville. “We are so appreciative of what Wyatt, the Scouts, our volunteers from Fort Lee, and the many contributors to this project have accom-
plished,” said Superintendent David Ruth. “Richmond National Battlefield Park has grown by leaps and bounds the past few years, and it is our goal to open up these lands via trails and new signage so the public can connect see BRIDGE pg. 3