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Vol. 3 No. 8 | Richmond Suburban News | September 6, 2017
Panel seeks answers on rail options By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local
Logan Barry for The Hanover Local
Local Richmond bluegrass band East of Afton performed Friday, Aug. 25, at a free summer concert series, Music Under the Stars, at The Center for Arts and Education in Montpelier. The community-centered event attracted a large audience.
‘Music Under the Stars’ attracts crowd to Montpelier center By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local MONTPELIER — A free summer concert series in Montpelier, once a past favorite of the community, kicked off for the first time in several years on Friday, Aug. 25; at The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education. see CONCERT, pg. 5
ASHLAND — Those attending last week’s fourth meeting of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) hoping for some definitive answers left less than satisfied as they exited the Blackwell Auditorium at RandolphMacon College. The committee is tasked with identifying alternative options for a proposed high speed rail project from Richmond to Washington, D.C. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is holding the meetings to gather public input and come up with recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. That state agency will make final recommendations to the Federal Railway Administration (FRA)
Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local
Community Advisory Committee members from Hanover are, from left, Carey Carlisle, Aubrey “Bucky” Stanley and Cecil R. “Rhu” Harris Jr. and Ashland CAC representative Kristin Riehl.
in December regarding the controversial project. On Monday, Aug. 28, DRPT director Jennifer Mitchell told committee members she expected some of the more than a dozen alternatives to be eliminated through discussion at the meeting, but it quickly became apparent that most members were not prepared to issue final recommendations, or eliminate most of the options. “What we really like to do is start taking some alternatives off the table,” Mitchell
said. “We’re hoping to get a CAC recommendation from this group.” Committee member and Randolph-Macon College representative Preston Bryant issued a warning of sorts of the consequences of the panel not reaching consensus and leaving the decision up to the CTB or FRA. “If you’re telling us that the FRA gives great weight to the CTB and the CTB is looking to us for our decision, then it’s see RAIL, pg. 5
Hanover County 9/11 Memorial Ceremony set at new courthouse HANOVER -- The public is invited to attend Hanover County’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, in front of the new Hanover County Court Complex in the U.S. 301 Government Center at 7530 County Complex Rd. in Hanover. This annual event, held in partnership
with Woodmen of the World (WOW), focuses on the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice saving others during the terrorist attacks on our nation. Guest speakers include: Angela KellyWiecek, chair of the Hanover Board of Supervisors; Wayne Anderson, regional man-
ager of Woodmen of the World; Lt. Col. Allen Davidson, Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office; and Chief Jethro Piland, Hanover County Fire/EMS. In addition, the Hanover County SheriffFire/EMS Honor Guard, will participate in the ceremony.
For questions, contact Hanover County Parks & Recreation at 804-365-7150, parksandrec@hanovercounty.gov. Information submitted by Niko Reikalas, recreation coordinator, Hanover County Parks & Rec.