’TIS THE SEASON
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Light Up the Tracks: A season of holiday celebrations
Gunnar Hicks gets scholarship from late deputy’s family
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Vol. 3 No. 12 | Richmond Suburban News | October 4, 2017
Important election dates announced Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
— Last day to request an Absentee Ballot by mail/fax. Thursday, Nov 2 ANOVER–Teresa — Officer of Elections – “Teri” Smithson, Schools of Election Training voter registrar for will be held at 2:30 p.m. and Hanover County, 6:30 p.m. at the County’s and her staff are preparing for Emergency Communications the Nov. 7 General Election. Training Room 7501 Library She has released a sched- Drive in Hanover. ule of important Saturday, dates as the elecNov 4 – tion nears. They Registrar’s office are: opens 8 a.m. to In-person 4 p.m. Last Day absentee voting of In-Person now available — Absentee Voting If you qualify to Monday, vote by absentee, Nov 6 – 2 p.m. ballots are availcut-off for votSMITHSON able from 8:30 a.m. ing an Emergency to 5 p.m. Monday Ballot at the through Friday and 8 a.m. to Registrar’s office. 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in Tuesday, Nov 7 the Voter Registration office — Polls open at 6 a.m. and in the Wickham building at close at 7 p.m. the County Complex. Wednesday, Nov 8 — Smithson noted that this Election Canvass will begin year there is a new item for at 1 p.m. in the Wickham voters. She said, “You may Bldg room 119 of the County now apply online for an Complex. Absentee Ballot at www.vote. Smithson added, “You virginia.gov.” may register to vote or update Monday, Oct. 16 your registration online at — Last day to register or make www.vote.virginia.gov.” changes to your voter registraTo check your voter station. tus or polling place, visit Saturday, Oct 28 — www.vote.virginia.gov or Registrar office opens from 8 contact the Hanover County a.m. to 4 p.m. for In-Person Director of Elections | Absentee Voting. General Registrar at 804 Tuesday, Oct. 31 365-6080.
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Town still split by rail option talks By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER — Following a Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting earlier last month, some Ashland residents found themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place regarding where to place a high-speed rail project from Richmond to Washington, D.C. At that meeting, Aubrey “Bucky” Stanley, Beaverdam District representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, told CTB members Jim Ridolphi for The Local that county supervisors had Ashland District representative Faye Prichard talks with Aubrey passed a resolution stating that “Bucky” Stanley, Beaverdam District, about the rail project.
both a third rail above ground alternative and a western bypass were both unacceptable options and should be eliminated. Falling short of an endorsement for the third alternative listed as least objectionable by a Community Advisory Committee formed to study alternative routes and their impacts, Stanley said the third rail trench proposal offers the least impact on county residents. At last Wednesday’s board of supervisors meeting, at least one supervisor made it clear she did not agree with that see RAIL, pg. 2
Outlet mall plan nixed by developer By Melody Kinser Managing Editor ASHLAND – In the May 27, 2009, edition of The Mechanicsville Local, an article that dominated the 35th anniversary issue focused on the efforts of Holladay Properties’ plans to build a major shopping development at what was being touted as Winding Brook off Interstate 95. Bass Pro Shops had already been welcomed to Hanover County in the Lakeridge Parkway and Lewistown Road area as plans were being made for the opening of shops, hotels and a park. On Friday, Sept. 29, developer Craig Realty Group, based in Newport Beach, California, put a halt to the Outlets at Richmond. The Local attempted to contact Craig
Monday morning. On its website, Craig said it “owns, operates and manages nearly 5 million square feet of existing retail development – 15 centers in 9 states, and we’re in development of 4 more projects across
the U.S.” Wayne Hazzard, who represents the South Anna District on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, told the Times-Dispatch that he had not heard that the Outlets would not be developed, but he cited the recent opening of a hotel nearby as a sign that the area can thrive on its own. “I think the area is continuing to develop without it,” Hazzard said. “We’ve made it this far without them.” Holladay, in planning to expand Winding Brook, had targeted a fall 2010 opening. The centerpiece of the project was to be the Outlet Shoppes of Richmond, with 375,000 square feet. Friday’s edition of The Richmond Times-Dispatch listed the square footage at 400,000, with Craig Realty as the see MALL, pg. 6