ENTERTAINMENT Daryl Davis and The Josh Christina Band to perform at Bluemont Concert Series PAGE 2
SPORTS Golf season begins with new faces at helm PAGE
8
Vol. 3 No. 5 | Richmond Suburban News | August 16, 2017
School board OKs dress code revisions By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local ASHLAND — A recent change to Hanover County Public Schools’ dress code continues to draw comments from the public, but the nature of the remarks has taken a positive turn in the past 30 days. During a public comment period at the July meeting, a number of parents and students expressed their frustration with the new policy. The school board addressed those concerns at this month’s regular meeting with discussion and consideration of a revised version of the policy that included relaxed restrictions on the length of skirts and shorts and allowed the use of leggings when worn with a top that covered some of the pelvic area. Chair Sue Dibble, South Anna District, called for the reopening of the issue when
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Brenna Peterman, Emma Lindley, Carrie Lindley and Kate Lindley addressed the Hanover County School Board and thanked them for revising the dress code to allow more choices and permit comfortable clothing. The board adopted the revised policy by a unanimous vote.
students and parents lined up at the July meeting to express concerns with the new guidelines, approved in June by the board with a number of other student conduct related revisions. Parents and students
expressed frustration in finding items that would be allowed under the new policy, and many students wore outfits banned by the updated policy. Dibble heard those concerns and asked staff to reopen
the discussion and consider revisions. The board formed an advisory committee last December to comprise a county-wide dress code. That focus group received public input and studied dress code policies in other school districts. Prior to the June approval, the student conduct code offered guidelines to proper attire, but school principals made the ultimate decision regarding appropriateness on their campuses. “We were looking for more consistency in the policy,” Chris R. Whitley, HCPS public information officer, said. “The intent of this focus group was to recommend that we pull together for consistency’s sake and for clarity’s sake,” assistant superintendent Jennifer Greif said. Carrie Lindley is the spokesperson for a group of parents and students consee DRESS CODE, pg. 5
Parks and Rec Committee reviews town’s ‘Trail Guide’ By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local ASHLAND – Three presentations were made before the Ashland Parks and Recreation Committee during its Thursday, Aug. 10, regular meeting. Members reviewed the “Parks and Recreation Trail Guide,” heard a request for a proposal (RFP) to design and con-
struct a new playground for Carter Park, and received some park updates. Joseph Collins, Clerk of Council, presented the agenda items, with the trail guide appearing to be the center focus of parks and recreation departmental objectives. Trail Guide Their “Parks and Recreation Trail
Guide and Priority List” is the result of a collaborative effort between the Town of Ashland and its citizens to develop a philosophy to form a network of interconnected trails throughout town. Ashland Town Council, town staff, and town residents, through careful time and energy, are collaborating to cresee PARKS, pg. 12
Planners discuss comp plan, name Flanagan vice chair By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local
A
SHLAND — The Ashland Planning Commission recently listened to a request (SUB17-0802) for a preliminary plat on the “Lauradell”development, as well as a presentation about implementing the town’s comprehensive plan (CP), coming after a work session in which commissioners convened in discussion focused on a residential zoning update before the regular meeting began. Planning Commissioner Bob Flanagan became the new vice chair of the Ashland Planning Commission during an official election at the beginning of the Wednesday, Aug. 9, public meeting. “I would like to nominate Bob Flanagan. I think he has some seniority here and would be very good at it,” said Lou Ann Jewel, chair. In Ashland, the individuals who cast their votes to elect a vice chair in the planning commission, are the members that compose the current commission. All commissioners voted
“aye,” giving their approval to elect Flanagan as vice chair, except for Flanagan, who abstained. “We welcome our new vice chair, so you’ll have to sit next to me next time,” Jewel joked to Flanagan. SUB17-0802 A request seeking a preliminary plat for the new development, dubbed “Lauradell,” was denied by the Planning Commission. Ashland Town Council recently voted to defer action on a rezoning proposal submitted by Yancey Jones, the applicant, who has plans to construct a 148house residential development; in order to allow for more time to plan a road design and to examine further details that could help improve the development. A preliminary plat does that. Its purpose serves as an approval process formed to establish: lot designs for a new subdivision, street and intersection designs, and utility layout, as well as to approve subdivision regulations waivers. Due to legalities, it is required that a preliminary plat be submitted along with an application for planned district rezoning. see PLANNING, pg. 4