Ashland-Hanover Local – 04/18/18

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POLITICS

FUNDRAISER

Lieutenant governor to address Democrats’ Blue Wave Bash

CREW Pars 4 Ours golf tourney to be held on Friday

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Vol. 3 No. 35 | Richmond Suburban News | April 18, 2018

Candidates tell voters why they should fill council seats By Logan Barry for The Hanover Local ASHLAND – As the May 1 General Election approaches in the Town of Ashland, the three candidates seeking two seats on Ashland Town Council made their case for the voters’ support on Monday, April 9, during a forum at Ashland Town Hall. Seeking the council seats are Terry “Les” Cook, Daniel “Dan” McGraw and current council member John Hodges. Mayor James Foley decided not to run for re-election; his

term ends on June 30, marking his second term as mayor. Hodges was appointed to council last year after former Vice Mayor James Murray resigned to attend law school in North Carolina. That seat expires on June 3; Hodges announced his intentions early to retain the office he holds. The League of Women Voters and Randolph-Macon College joined in sponsoring the forum, with R-MC professor Laura Bell serving as moderator. see COUNCIL, pg. 5

Logan Barry for The Local

Ashland Town Council candidates, from left, Terry “Les” Cook, Daniel “Dan” McGraw and John Hodges took part in a forum on April 9 at Ashland Town Hall. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1.

School board votes to retain names

Lee-Davis, Stonewall Jackson also will keep mascots By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

Wanda Burcham is a Lee-Davis High School graduate who supports keeping the names of the two schools. She cited other pressing financial needs in the school system that should take priority — projects like renovations of aging facilities. She also said the public spoke clearly in the citizens’ survey and the board should follow their input. Avi Hopkins also is a graduate of Lee Davis but said his experience was not one of inclusion or community. He supports changing the names and said the move would not change history, only the name of a school. Both spoke at last week’s Hanover County School Board meeting where representatives voted 5-2 not to change the names of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School.

ASHLAND — The Hanover County School Board voted to not change the names of Stonewall Jackson Middle or Lee-Davis High Schools by a 5-2 margin at last week’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The panel also declined to remove the schools’ mascots, the Rebels and Confederates. Chair Sue Dibbles, South Anna District, said the board had received a large number of emails and other messages regarding what she described

as an “emotional issue.” She also noted a citizens’ survey that indicated an overwhelming support to retain the names and mascots. More than 77 percent of respondents chose not to change the names. “For the past eight months, we have received numerous emails, phone calls and personal conversations with our constituents during our travel in our communities,” Dibble said. “Of equal importance, we received significant feedback as a result of community input that we solicited a few months ago, both online and in print.” “Our primary focus

throughout this process was to carefully consider and discuss the various perspectives presented to us in a dispassionate and civil manner and make the best decision possible,” Dibble added. Cold Harbor board representative Norm Sulser endorsed Dibble’s comments and moved to decline a name change, a move seconded by Mechanicsville representative Roger Bourassa. “We have studied this issue patiently for the past eight months during which time we have received much input from the community,” Sulser

said. “I move that we decline to change the names and mascots of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School at this time.” A number of speakers addressed the name change issue during a public comment period earlier in the meeting schedule. Most spoke in favor of a name change, many of them Lee-Davis alumni. Even though groups supporting the change did not speak during the public comments, their support for the board’s decision to decline a name change request was evisee NAMES pg. 5


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