Issuu

TOWN COUNCIL

IN MEMORY

Ashland town manager: COVID-19 forces budget plan revisions for FY 2021

Lee Nelson continues to raise funds for MS via virtual walk

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Vol. 5 No. 33 | Richmond Suburban News | April 29, 2020

Governor postpones May 5 elections

Memorial Day ceremony Ashland among municipalities that will hold town council balloting on May 19 canceled due said Northam. “I am grateful to the House of Contributed Report Candidate profiles to appear to COVID-19 Delegates for taking action to move our upcoming news@mechlocal.com in May 13 edition.

(Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Marcy G. Durrer, recreation program director, of Hanover County Parks and Recreation.) ASHLAND -- As Governor Northam’s Executive Order 53 and 55 remain in effect, as well as the need for social distancing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Hanover County Memorial Day Ceremony, scheduled for Monday, May 25, at the Hanover Veterans Memorial in Hanover Wayside Park, has been canceled. While unable to physically gather to honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, this Memorial Day tribute will be different than any other. Please take time to do something special with your family to recognize the importance of this holiday. As part of our tribute, Hanover County Parks and Recreation will be sharing ideas through social media (Facebook and Twitter @ hanoverparksrec and Instagram @ hanovertomatofestival) leading up to Memorial Day. Hanover County is proud to honor all who have served our great nation. For more information, contact Hanover County Parks and Recreation at parksandrec@ hanovercounty.gov or 804-3657150.

RICHMOND — Governor Ralph Northam on Friday invoked his statutory authority to postpone the May General and Special Elections by two weeks, from May 5 to May 19. Elections are scheduled in 56 Metro Creative Services localities, including

the Town of Ashland, across the Commonwealth. The Governor also moved the June primary elections from June 9 to June 23. Earlier this month, Northam recommended moving the May elections to November, which required action by the General Assembly. While the House of Delegates approved the measure, the Senate failed to do so. “Virginians should never have to choose between casting a ballot and risking their health,”

elections, but unfortunately the Senate failed to make the same commonsense decision. While we strongly encourage every Virginian who can vote by mail to do so, we will also take every necessary step to conduct these elections in a way that ensures in-person voting is done safely and responsibly.” The Governor has directed the Department of Elections to provide the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to General Registrars on best practices to maintain social distancing and sanitization standards at pollsee ELECTIONS, pg. 3

HCSB addresses instruction plans, coronavirus financial impacts By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local

SHLAND -Calculating the budget impacts of an ongoing pandemic that has shuttered most of America’s economy is tricky in the best of circumstances. Finding and filling those holes on a tight deadline is even more difficult, but that’s the situation facing Hanover County school officials. The Hanover County School Board met electronically on Tuesday, April 21, to begin considering that problem, but firm answers are still not set in stone.

Image courtesy of Hanover County Public Schools

The Hanover County School Board made history last week by holding a fully virtual meeting.

Utilizing a Zoom application, board members held their regular April business meeting from remote loca-

tions, with as many as 80 people attending, virtually. There were few technical glitches and the board con-

sidered a limited agenda that included items directly related to the COVID-19 crisis.

Terry Stone, assistant superintendent for Finance, provided an update on how the crisis will affect the system’s FY 2020 and FY 2021 budgets. Regarding the 2020 budget that runs through July 1 of this year, Stone said initial estimates indicate the system is on sound financial ground and “on track” to return unused funds from this year to the county’s budget for use in the school’s Capital Improvement Plan. In addition, the school system has pledged $750,000 to assist in offsetting the county’s fourth quarter shortfall. see HCSB, pg. 2

COVID-19 forces revised FY 2021 budget for Ashland By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local ASHLAND -- Ashland Town Manager Josh Farrar presented his proposed FY 2021 budget at a meeting last week, and said the process started off smoothly enough, but quickly hit a snag. “This would normally be an easy slide where we talked about our unofficial budget hearing where we asked people to come out ahead of time, the work sessions that we had but we were interrupted in the middle of all that,” Farrar

said. “Essentially, we had to rewrite the budget,” he added, referring to the coronavirus (COVID-19) impact. While Farrar acknowledged some of the budget goals outlined before the pandemic will be delayed, base level of service will be maintained. Farrar said the proposed budget protects jobs but allows flexibility to ensure efficiency. “I’ve really tried to have a keen eye on not doing things in this budget that set us up for failure in FY 2022,

PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING

because I want us to try to roar out of the recession that we’re going to be in …. but we’re also going to have to do some things to get through it,” Farrar said. “I want to position us for a strong recovery and make sure we can come out of this and not just limp out but really help the business sector come out of this in a good way,” the town manager added. Farrar proposed a $9,782,632 General Fund budget, which represents a 4.3 percent decline from the 2020 figures. The proposed FY 2021 Capital Budget is $6,313, 258. The $16,099,889 total budget will require a transfer of $1,356,838 from the General Fund Reserve, leaving that backstop within policy limits, but close to the minimum required balance. Farrar said he has a historical hesitancy to tap those reserve balance funds and said they are the product of decades of good financial planning on the town’s part. The transfer was necessary to balance a budget during these challenging times. “It’s out of the norm for us,” he said. “Unusual times call for unusual measures.” The unusual times referred to have resulted in a dramatic reduction on meals and lodging taxes in the town, two

of the town’s largest revenue accounts. “We are a meals and lodging tax-based economy,” Farrar said. “This is going to be a really difficult one for us to manage as we go through.” That huge hole in revenue, about $2 million, is forcing the delay of new programs and capital programs and has forced the town to reduce spending. Broadband expansion and the England Street project are an example of projects put on hold. Discretionary funding also has been reduced in the current FY 2021 proposal. “We hope this is a worst case scenario,” Farrar told council members. “We can withstand a really bad dip for April, May, June, July, August, but -- when you get into September -- that’s when we would have to have another conversation.” Farrar said the COVID-19 impacts were less felt in the FY 2020 final quarter due to the strong performance the town enjoyed for the first three quarters. Farrar said this year’s proposal will require ongoing budget management and the town will constantly search for ways to increase revenues and decrease spending. Monthly updates will be provided to council on that progress.

HCSB Continued from pg. 1

“This pandemic will have some impacts on our revenues for the current year and certainly for our expenditures,” Stone said. “We’re monitoring that closely and we believe we are on track to meet our cash turn back to the county at year-end, which helps to fund our subsequent year CIP.” Regarding the county’s request for assistance in meeting their budget short-

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

And some projects will continue due to existing funding such as the branding and marketing campaign. But, there’s no doubt sacrifices will be necessary, and Farrar outlined some measures being considered like a retirement incentive program that would ask retirement-eligible employees to leave early so their position could be filled at a savings to the town. The town is expecting a refund from VRS (Virginia Retirement System) for unused funds for workers’ compensation claims and auto liability, and changes to the current state budget could provide relief funds. Real estate taxes will remain the same, but state code requires an advertisement because assessments increased more than 1 percent in the last year. Farrar’s proposed budget continues support for Downtown Ashland Association and the Dominion Energy Innovation Center and implementation of the town’s FY20-25 Tourism Marketing Plan. “As I read the budget, I see we don’t have new initiatives but you have invested in planning fiscal and comprehensive planning to use the time to come up with concepts we can implement particularly

fall, Stone said, “We think we can meet that also.” Due to the lack of lunch sales, the School Nutrition Fund will end the year with a negative balance of about $1 million. Stone said there are indications the schools would receive about $860,000 in stimulus funds and a federal reimbursement for the mobile meals provided for the past weeks, more than 28,000 of them served so far. Not unlike other localities or school systems, Superintendent Michael Gill

as it relates to our transportation plan update. We have less money to spend but or3 time to plan,” council member John Hodges said. Council member Kathy Abbott noted that the town’s previous efforts provide the key to weathering this crisis. “We have done such an amazing job over the course of the last few years, being overzealous in our Rainy Day Fund that we can weather this. At least from what we know now, we are positioning ourselves to weather it,” she said. “I’ve said it before. We are in a great financial position that allows us to weather storms like this,” Farrar said. He summed up this year’s budget efforts in a letter to council members that said: “The FY 2021 budget is the result of carefully forecasting a historically uncertain future. Thanks to prudent actions adopted in previous years by Town Council we are in a healthier financial position relative to many other localities in Virginia and the nation; however, the current economic restrictions caused by the health crisis are rocking the town’s financial foundation. This budget allows us to maintain our core services and prepare the organization and community for an eventual economic recovery.”

said reworking the 2021 budget is a bit like starting over. “We wish we had better news to bring you, but, as has been stated, this situation is not unique to Hanover County Public Schools,” Gill told the board. “Everyone is having to look very hard and start the budget process from scratch with the reality of this new situation.” Impacts on the FY 2021 budget are less clear, but it is certain a reducsee HCSB, pg. 7

SHERIFF’S REPORTS | Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue accident with damages, $250, in the 12000 block of Doswell Road, Doswell.

March 6

Obtaining money by false pretenses, $200, was reported in the 9100 block of Atlee Lake Court, Mechanicsville. Simple assault was reported in the 10100 block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell. DWI, 1st offense, was reported in the 7100 block of Fire Lane, Mechanicsville. Sale and distribution of imitation Schedule IV drugs was reported in the 7100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike/Old Hickory Drive, Mechanicsville.

March 7

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 11100 block of Washington Highway, Glen Allen.

DWI, 1st offense, was reported in the 10200 block of Ashcake Road, Ashland.

Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7200 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Driver did not report an

ELECTIONS Continued from pg. 1

ing locations. The Governor encourages voters to vote absentee by mail if their municipality is holding a General or Special Election on May 19. The Department of Elections recommends voters who request an absentee ballot use the reason code for having a disability or an illness. Voters can request online that an absentee ballot be mailed to them by visiting elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo or by downloading and printing a request form at elections.virginia.gov/forms and returning

Simple assault was reported in the 8300 block of Raven Run Drive, Mechanicsville.

March 8

11000 block of Washington Highway, Glen Allen.

Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 6500 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville. Simple assault was reported in the 7500 block of LeeDavis Road, Mechanicsville. DWI, 1st offense, was reported in the 7100 block of Catlin Road/Aquarius Drive, Mechanicsville. Possession of marijuana, subsequent offense, was reported in the 11200 block of Washington Highway, Glen Allen. Reckless handling of firearm was reported in the 16000 block of Theme Park Way, Doswell. Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville. DWI, 2nd offense in 5 years, was reported in the

the completed and signed form to their local General Registrar’s office by mail, fax, or scanned attachment to an email. Contact information for General Registrar offices is on the form. Forms also are available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Voters completing a paper application may use reason 2A, “my disability or illness” to complete their form. Voters completing an online application to request an absentee ballot will need to follow the prompts and select “I have a reason or condition that prevents me from going to the polls on Election Day.” They

Vandalism was reported in the 15100 block of Dunn Road, Montpelier.

March 9

Shade Drive, Ashland.

Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 8200 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville. Petit larceny shoplifting was reported in the 6600 block of Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville.

Grand larceny, $500 or more not from a person, was reported in the 9500 block of Chamberlayne Road, Mechanicsville. Simple assault was reported in the 6000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 12500 block of Harley Club Drive, Ashland.

Credit card theft was reported in the 7900 block of Kenmore Drive, Ashland.

Unauthorized use of vehicle, boat or animal was reported in the 9500 block of Windsor

will then have the option to choose “my disability or illness” as the reason for their request. “Elections are a critical function of our government,” said Attorney General Mark Herring. “We will do everything in our power to maintain the integrity of our democratic process while ensuring the safety of all Virginians.” Only individuals who were eligible to vote on May 5 may participate in the elections on May 19 and no new candidates are eligible to participate in the postponed elections. Voters can find contact information for their local General Registrar at elections. virginia.gov/localGR.

England Street, Ashland.

Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 12100 block of Washington Highway, Ashland.

Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 8200 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike/Henrico County, Mechanicsville.

Simple assault was reported in the 7200 block of Garden Park Lane, Mechanicsville.

Larceny or theft, 3rd or subsequent offense, was reported in the 7300 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Bomb/burn threat accused, 15, was reported in the 6400 block of Cardinal Way, Mechanicsville.

DWI, 2nd offense in 5 years, was reported in the 8300 block of Stumpy Road, Hanover.

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 12600 block of Greenwood Road/wins Church Road, Glen Allen.

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 6000 block of Northfall Creek Parkway, Mechanicsville.

March 10

Petit larceny shoplifting was reported in the 16500 block of Mountain Road, Montpelier. Breaking and entering into building to commit larceny/ assault and battery/etc. was reported in the 10400 block of Leadbetter Road, Ashland.

Simple assault was reported in the 13400 block of Liberty School Road, Ashland.

Failure to appear on a felony charge was reported in the 7500 block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Profane and threatening language over a public airway was reported in the 16400 block of Little River Drive, Beaverdam.

Credit card theft was reported in the 7300 block of Dress Blue Circle, Mechanicsville. Obtaining money by false pretenses, $200, was reported in the 200 block of

Petit larceny from auto was reported in the 7200 block of Pegway Lane, Mechanicsville.

Simple assault was reported in the 7600 block of Left Flank Road, Mechanicsville.

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Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020 3

WE NEED YOUR HELP With the pandemic-related cancellations and delays, we could use your story ideas.

Contact Dave Lawrence at dlawrence@mechlocal.com with your suggestions.

For more information go to www.mechlocal.com

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Reaching for the stars — or at least a disc Hawk grad goes pro with the help of a Frisbee By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor MECHANICSVILLE – One gym class at Hanover High School was all it took to change James Pollard’s life. They would have classes where the coaches would describe the rules of a sport, then send the students out to play it. One day, the sport happened to be ultimate frisbee. James fell in love, so much so that, when it was time to go to college, he looked for schools that had it as a club sport. That experience led him to a tip. The tip led to a tryout. And now Pollard is playing the sport professionally for the Philadelphia Phoenix of the American Ultimate Disc League. “I’ve been an athlete my whole life,” Pollard said. “When I was younger, like 7-8 years old, people would always ask what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I was, like, ‘I don’t know, just something to do with a sport.’

Courtesy of Alison Pollard

Hanover High School graduate James Pollard beats an opponent for a pass in his first season with the Philadelphia Phoenix in 2018.

“I was playing basketball, baseball, soccer at the time. Totally transitioned over to tennis and golf, and then ended up sticking with tennis and being really good at that.” Good might be an understatement. Pollard, who graduated from Hanover in 2014, was part of a Hawk team that reached the Class 4 semifinals. He reached the state semifinals in doubles, with fellow senior Danny Polk, and in singles. (Polk went on to win Hanover’s first state championship in tennis by defeating Michael Drougas of Salem 6-1, 6-2 in the singles final.) Pollard attended Philadelphia University in Philadelphia (which in 2017 merged with Thomas Jefferson University as the combined schools are now called). He played all four years on the tennis team, graduating in 2018 with a degree in mechanical engineering. In his freshman year, he took up ultimate – as devotees refer to the sport – to help him stay in shape for tennis. Ultimate is a combination of football, soccer, basketball and see DISC, pg. 5

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

DISC Courtesy of Alison Pollard

Continued from pg. 4

hockey. The sport is played on a football field or possibly a soccer pitch, and the goal is to get the disc – which may or may not be an actual Frisbee (Frisbee is trademarked) – into the opposing end zone. But instead of running, players on offense must pass the disk down field without letting it hit the ground. Upon reception of the disc, the receiver must come to a complete stop and within seven seconds pass the disk to a teammate. If the player takes more than seven seconds, it is a turnover. If the pass is incomplete, it is a turnover. If the pass goes out of bounds, it is a turnover. And if the disc is intercepted by an opposing player, it is again a turnover. At first, Pollard was just playing for exercise and fun, but an alumnus of Philadelphia University planted a bug in his ear. “One of the alumni . . . always mentioned trying out for the Philadelphia Phoenix,” Pollard said. “I finally did in 2018 – that was the first year I finally decided to try out. And I made the team. I’ve made the team since. This is going to be my third year on the team.” Philadelphia is one of nearly two dozen teams in the American Ultimate Disc League. The AUDL is international, with teams across the United States and several in Canada. Because of the addition of a Boston franchise, the league announced a realignment for the 2020 season, with the Phoenix now assigned to the Atlantic division which includes teams from Atlanta, the District of Columbia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, and Tampa Bay. The sport itself is growing. While the AUDL is potentially co-ed – something of a tradition in ultimate – there is a women’s professional league. The sport

Hanover High School graduate James Pollard winds up to pass a disc in a game in 2018.

sional sports such as football, baseball, basketball and hockey. But one time, Pollard got to play for a large crowd at one of the most unforgiving venues in professional sports – Lincoln Financial Field, the home of NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. “We were able to play an exhibition at the [Seattle] has global reach. For example, a Russian women’s team beat the U.S. in an international championship competition recently. Ultimate is under consideration for the 2024 or 2028 Summer Olympics. Pollard may have his eye on the Olympics. In his first year of play, he was invited to try out for the U.S. under-24 national team. While he did not make it, the invitation was still quite an honor. And as he grows in the sport, he can expect to get better. He is certainly doing his part to promote the sport. He is one of the AUDL’s 2020 player-ambassadors and a participant in the AUDL Inclusion Initiative. Pollard plays cutter – to use a football analogy, a receiver when the team is on offense and a defensive back when the team is on defense. He starts on defense, but there are no line changes as in hockey when a team switches from a defensive to an offensive posture. A good cutter is quick and athletic, with good hands to either catch or bat away the disc. In addition to cutters, there are handlers – akin to quarterbacks – who are usually the best throwers, an advantage especially for long passes downfield. In total, each team fields seven players on the field. Substitutions only occur when the clock is stopped, generally after a point, during a time out (in the AUDL, at least), or after

an injury. What Pollard enjoys most about ultimate was the team aspect. “It’s one of the few sports that you can’t score unassisted. Someone has to throw the disc to you,” he said. “The only way to score, technically, without having your teammate throw is catching a Callahan, which is similar to a safety in football. The other team is in their end zone and they throw the disc and the defense catches it in the end zone. That’s really the only way to get a goal unassisted. Any other time, you have to have one of your own teammates throw you the disc.” The Phoenix just missed the AUDL playoffs last year, but Pollard expects this season – which is delayed because of the novel coronavirus pandemic – to be better. Since the season is delayed, and since social distancing guidelines are in place, team members are spread out, but maintaining contact online. “We have our team group meetings. People post their workouts: lifting; running, whether it is long-distance or sprints at whatever field or whatever they can get to,” Pollard said. “I’ve been running here and there and playing a lot of disc golf, actually. It helps with my throws a lot.” Since ultimate is something of a new – and relatively low-profile – sport, games the crowd sizes are small compared to traditional big-league profes-

Seahawks and Eagles game,” Pollard said. “That was unbelievable. What made it even better was that the team we scrimmaged was Dallas, and Dallas got introduced first. And they just booed them, which was amazing.” Pollard admitted to getting a few butterflies waiting in the tunnel for his team’s introduction, but once on the field, he was ready to play. And he is ready – and eager to play.

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Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

CALENDAR | News, Updates & Listings Saturday, Sept. 19 Rescheduled The Highland Springs High School Class of 1970 will now hold its 50th Reunion at the Hill Building at Sandston Pool, located at 501 Beulah Rd. in Sandston. Music will be presented by DJ Dalton Beagle. Dinner,

drinks and dessert will be provided by Champagne Taste Catering. Bring your own mixers and alcohol. Small coolers are welcome. The doors will open at 4 p.m.; cocktails at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; and cleanup will be at 10 p.m. The cost is $45 per person. Those who may have recently paid $50 after March 1 have been refunded

$5. No tickets will be sold at the door. For invitations or more information, contact Bill Brooks at 1970HSHS@ gmail.com.

Ongoing Families Anonymous Support Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every

Monday at the Episcopal Church of the Creator at 7159 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville. The group is a self-help fellowship for the friends and family members of addicts who are in need of understanding and healing themselves. For details, call Sandy at 804-730-4812 or email sandy.leigh@verizon.net.

OPINION | The Local Views

Saturdays

From the managing editor

Thank you to those who sacrifice all during crisis By Melody Kinser Managing Editor uch deserved praise is being heaped upon those health care workers who are being referred to as the front lines as we continue to battle a pandemic unlike anything most of us have ever seen in our lives. One evening last week, I was thinking how many family members and friends devote themselves to caring for others. The majority of them are or have been employed as nurses, with varying levels of education. I was impressed as more names came to mind. Their sacrifices on a daily basis have always amazed me and left me with such a sense of pride for the incredibly giving work they do for others. As we continue to function in a day-to-day existence of the unknown, health care workers have become the heroes of this deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

Without hesitation, they are spending countless hours in hospitals and quarantining themselves from their families and loved ones when they aren’t on-site at work. This has become one of those times that we recognize and fully appreciate a population of our society that goes through the process of helping the sick, with little, if any, thought to their own safety. They are living proof of the oath they took when they entered the medical field. I can’t imagine the sadness they have experienced in losing patients to COVID-19, yet I celebrate the images of those who survive and are applauded as they leave the hospital. Hooray to the health care folks on the front lines! No one is seeking fame in this tragic time, but those involved merit our thanks and support if and when we return to a normal lifestyle. I’m not going to speculate about that.

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Overcomers Outreach and Women’s Codependency, a Christcentered anonymous support program offering hope and healing for recovering alcoholics, addicts and their families meet every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Christian Center at 8061 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville. For more information, call 804-366-9645 or email kjfaith1@ gmail.com.

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Melody Kinser

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Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

Saying “Thank you” doesn’t seem adequate during these circumstances. But it’s heartfelt and sincere. Photos and videos of the health care workers stream across various outlets. Whenever they get a break to dance and lip sync, it’s a sweet feeling of relief to witness. Their lives have certainly changed -- and improved -- ours. Even though it doesn’t seem enough, I do offer a “Thank you” to our local hospital, clinic, and private practice health care workers. Without you, we wouldn’t have any hope as the numbers seem to jump around with deaths and cases reported. I can only imagine the adrenalin rush of seeing a coronavirus survivor bid goodbye to the hospital, eager to return home. To the health care workers on a local, state, national and global level, “Thank you!” You are our hope and in our prayers.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Campus, located at 11515 Ashcake Road in Ashland two miles west of U.S. 1, holds it church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor Roy Minnix, senior pastor, and Nycholas Greig, associate pastor. For more information, visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804-270-9626.

Sundays Outside the Walls, a new Narcotics Anonymous group, has been organized and will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Pamunkey Regional Jail at 7240 Courtland Farm Rd. in Hanover. For more information, contact John Shinholser, McShin president, at 804249-1845. The website is http://www. mcshin.org.

Tuesdays A Commanders Coffee is held from 10 a.m. to about 11 a.m. at the Beaverdam Post at 17662 Beaver Dam Rd. in Beaverdam. Members discuss issues of interest/befits of the American Legion. There also will be donuts. Eugene Truitt is the Post commander. He can be contacted at 804-746-4734.

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Hanover residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Ashland-Hanover Local. Send letters to: The Ashland-Hanover Local 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@mechlocal.com © 2020 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 13,776.

The Hanover Concert Band rehearses from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday, mid-January through mid December, at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 S. Railroad Ave. in Ashland, just south of U.S. 54. Membership is open to anyone who can read music and play a non-string instrument. High school students are welcome with parents’ permission. For more information, visit www. hanoverconcertband.org or call 804789-0536.

County: paving starts on roundabout

OBITUARIES | Death Notices & Funerals WERNER, Ruth Hemp, 78, of Glen Allen, passed away on April 16, 2020, following a brief illness. A beloved wife and devoted mother, Ruth is survived by her husband, Helmut Werner; children, Karen Werner, Heidi Werner Stansbury and Dan Werner; grandchildren, Linus Stansbury, Zane Stansbury and Ridge Stansbury; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Clara Hemp; brother, John Thornton; and son-

HCSB Continued from pg. 2

tion in state revenues is going to affect school divisions across the state. The General Assembly met last week to discuss those impacts. “We don’t know what the funding loss will be from the state for FY 2021, but we do expect there will be a loss,” Stone said. Initial indications there will not be funding for a pay increase for next year in addition to other cuts, including additional counselors and increased funding for at-risk students in the state budget. Stone expects sales tax revenue reductions of $2.2 and $2.7 million from projected FY 2021 figures, and also anticipates a reduction in local funding. “We don’t have that number yet,” she said. Assistant superintendent for Instruction Jennifer Greif updated the board on continuing at-home learning programs, the current meal distribution program and plans for the upcoming year. She said the county began the remote instruction program with a two-week agenda designed to keep students engaged in learning for a short period of time and expanded to a program allowing students to complete work assignments for this year. Students will receive final grades based on the first

in-law, John L. Stansbury IV. After earning a B.S. degree from the Medical College of Virginia, she worked as a physical therapist for many years, and later in real estate. The service will be private, and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in remembrance of Ruth to VCU Massey Cancer Center.

three grading periods, the last completed March 13. Learning from home materials will be assessed on a “met expectations or did not meet expectations basis,” but will not affect final grades. No final exams will be given. Seniors who were on track to graduate in June will receive their diplomas, and spring SOL (Standards of Learning) tests have been cancelled. “The state has been taking action on various aspects of the graduation requirements in order to ensure that students’ ability to graduate is not hampered by the unexpected closure of the schools,” Greif said. “The overarching philosophy has been that students who are on track for graduation before the suspension of the academic year would be permitted to graduate.” A final policy is expected when Virginia Department of Education officials and the General Assembly make final adjustments to current requirements for graduation. Greif said the remote learning program recognizes that many Hanover students do not have access to devices or broadband internet, and paper packets have been distributed to those students. Special education teachers are closely monitoring those students and designing

remote programs to ensure continued instruction and engagement by those communities. In addition, ESL students have been contacted by teachers and materials distributed to those students. Officials also are focusing on plans once schools reopen. “We need to create some curricula documents to assist teachers in scaffolding material from the spring into the 2020-2021 academic year,” Greif said. She said the department also will attempt to build on lessons learned during the current remote learning experience and design unified and consistent approaches toward digital resources. Teachers also will receive additional professional training in digital and blended learning, and options are being explored that would allow students to show “evidence of learning outside of traditional methods.” Summer school could provide the answer for some students to re-enter classroom learning settings, but whether or not they will take place is unknown at this time. “We are designing summer programs, if allowable, that will support students in accessing new instruction, supporting past learning and re-acclimating them to the school setting,” Greif added.

HANOVER -- Paving activities for the Creighton Road/Cold Harbor Road Roundabout Project will begin starting Monday, April 27, if weather permits. This is the first phase of paving and will build up sections of existing roads up to the same level as the new sections of the roundabout. The Hanover County Department of Public Works advises drivers to be aware that these paving activities will slow traffic through this area and would recommend, if possible, that you use other alternate routes.

There will be additional paving activities as the project progresses and the county will work to keep the public informed when those are planned to occur. The project is scheduled to be completed at the end of July. For more information, contact Randy Hardman, deputy director of Public Works, at 804-365-6376 or wrhardman@hanovercounty. gov. Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County public information officer.

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Hanover Cares is a non-profit 501 c (3) community coalition dedicated to eliminating the use of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs among Hanover County youth, through education and community collaboration. Hanover Cares currently receives federal funding from the White House Office of Drug Control Policy Drug-Free Communities grant and has received a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Education & Prevention grant. This article was sponsored by VA ABC. Hanover Cares collaborates with its local, state, and national partners to support Hanover families. Among the various prevention and outreach activities of the coalition, one is the Safe Homes initiative.

According to the 2017 Hanover Youth Survey, most youth report that teens (in general) get the substances below from their own homes or from a family member (in their homes): Source of Access to Drug

Prescription Alcohol Marijuana Cigarettes Drugs

Brother or sister Parents Take it from home Total access from within the home

27.8% 25.3% 35.3%

20.4% 8.4% 12.3%

30.3% 15.2% 27.3%

21.0% 22.3% 27.0%

E-cigs or vapor products 25.6% 15.5% 20.8%

number of the parents who are hosting a party or get together. Ask if an adult will be present for the duration of the party and if any substance use will be allowed. 5. Let the parents of your children’s friends know that your home and property are substance-free zones, and that no party that you host will provide or allow any youth substance use. They will appreciate your commitment!

• Hidden in Plain Sight – allows adults to look through a mock teen bedroom for indicators of drug and alcohol use and learn conversation tips to engage in conversations about paraphernalia, behaviors and/or activity potentially related to substance use

We suggest having a designated family time to discuss and set your expectations together. This offers a sense of connectedness and trust, as talking early and often helps to build relationships and trust. This is also important for when and if tougher conversations arise, such as substance use, mental wellness, stress, and other pressures kids face today. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Hanover Cares, its members, and community partners work together to help families have conversations, make healthy decisions, and of course maintain a Safe Home. Coalition partners include county government agencies, schools, law enforcement, youth, parents, media, businesses, youth-serving organizations, religious and fraternal organizations, civic & volunteer groups, healthcare professionals, state and local agencies with substance use expertise, treatment professionals, recovery community and more. Hanover Cares supports youth engagement in its coalition activities through collaboration with its liaison youth coalition, Teens Care Too, and youth who participate in school-based programs, 7th 4. Get to know your children’s friends and their parents and UP (Understanding Pressures) and SODA (Students Organization maintain communication when necessary. Ask for the cell for Developing Attitudes).

Ashland-Hanover Local | April 29, 2020

• Café Conversations - designed to support conversations and family engagement among those with middle school students

How does your family decide on child privileges and responsibilities? Have you ever wished for a standard to help you make those decisions? Hanover Cares has tips on its website, such as what • Juvenile Driver’s License Ceremonies – provides educational 88.4% 41.1% 72.8% 70.3% 70.0% to do when your child is experiencing peer pressures, having or resources about drugged driving prevention for new teen invited to a party, and many general conversation tips to dispel drivers and their parent or guardian to review together and This tells us that parental perceptions are such that kids won’t go myths and discuss the facts. While the goals are to maintain a safe set expectations surrounding the new privilege of driving looking for the alcohol. Our youth data shows just the opposite, that home and prevent underage substance use, these standards start youth do in fact search for alcohol in the home. This doesn’t mean The coalition’s community partners also provide REVIVE & Rapid that every teen in Hanover is engaging in this behavior. It simply with parental expectations being established in the home. REVIVE Trainings free of charge to community members to learn means it offers an opportunity for us as a community to reduce signs and symptoms of a potential opioid overdose and administer access by taking action in advance, or as we call this, prevention. the overdose reversal drug, Narcan (Naloxone). This is how we recommend maintaining a Safe Home! Medication Lock Boxes are also being distributed at local libraries and various community events.

Safe Homes is an initiative designed to help parents and caregivers of children to establish a clear ‘NO USE’ prevention message for FIVE WAYS TO CREATE & MAINTAIN A SAFE HOME youth. This includes parent-child conversation around not using 1. Discuss what a Safe Home means to your family and alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs in the home or on the begin communicating and setting your family expectations property. surrounding a ‘No Use’ position about youth alcohol, Prevention starts in the home and begins with expectations. Every marijuana, tobacco and other drugs. *Explicitly state a parent is different, and every family has different expectations they “No Use” rule for your children and any youth in your home. choose to establish for their household. Making clear, consistent, 2. Be present and visible in your home and actively supervise all and fair rules and consequences while children are young, starting youth gatherings or parties. This includes knowing who has in elementary school, can be one of the most impactful prevention been invited and who is present. Always arrange supervision tools. Research shows that the brain continues development until with responsible adults who support alcohol and drug-free age 25. This is why discussing expectations early and often is youth activities if you cannot be present. important, in addition to identifying ways children can navigate 3. Provide secure storage for any alcohol, prescription & peer pressure and other societal pressures. over-the-counter medications, as well as any firearms you Hanover Cares believes that family conversations are the key to may have in your home. Young people are naturally curious, prevention of youth substance use. We believe that 60 1-minute so securing (hiding, locking up) these items in the home may conversations are better than one 60-minute conversation. help avoid any temptation and can keep your children safe. As part of a statewide initiative called Lock & Talk, our coalition Talk early and talk often. Just Say Something. Keep talking. has the opportunity to partner with the Hanover Community Keep caring. Kids do listen. Services Board to provide and distribute medication lock boxes, prescription drug disposal bags, and gun locks free of charge to community members. These initiatives are how Hanover Cares and its partners promote a Safe Home.

A few notable coalition initiatives include:

HOW TO GET INVOLVED Hanover Cares relies on its volunteer coalition members to support its various community prevention initiatives. Join the coalition and become an active partner to prevent youth substance use in Hanover. Complete the contact form on the coalition website to get involved. Visit hanover-cares.org to learn more, find resources, or get involved as a prevention advocate. Follow Hanover Cares & Teens Care Too social media platforms, linked on the website, for routine education and resources to prevent youth substance use. For questions, please contact Octavia Marsh, Executive Director, Hanover Cares at info@hanover-cares.org or (804) 564-6119. Ashland-Hanover Local | April 29, 2020

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE SECONDARY SIX-YEAR PLAN (FY 2021-26) AND CONSTRUCTION BUDGET (FY 2021)

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Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

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The Hanover County Board of Supervisors and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in accordance with Section 33.2-331 of the Code of Virginia, will conduct a joint public hearing on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room in the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, Hanover, Virginia. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comment on the proposed Secondary Six-Year Plan for FY 2021-26 and Secondary Construction Budget for FY 2021 for roads in Hanover County. Copies of the proposed Plan and Budget may be reviewed at the office of the County Administrator, Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, Hanover, Virginia any regular work day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All projects in the Secondary Six-Year Plan that are eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds. All persons wishing to comment on the proposal should appear at the stated time. Persons requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this hearing should call (804) 365-6176.

_____________________________________ Cecil R. Harris, Jr., County Administrator

TOWN OF ASHLAND 2020-2021 ADVERTISED BUDGET A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on May 19, 2020 at the Town Hall, 101 Thompson Street, Ashland, Virginia, on the FY 2020-2021 Budget. A complete copy of the FY2020-2021 Budget may be reviewed or obtained between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 101 Thompson St. and online at www.AshlandVA.gov/186/budget. All interested persons may attend and express their views, however the number of people admitted to Town Hall is being limited in accordance with CDC Guidelines. Community members are encouraged to participate electronically. Written comments may be submitted to Matthew Reynal, Assistant Town Manager, via email at Mreynal@ashlandva.gov or through regular mail to Clerk of Council, Town of Ashland, P.O. Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005. Anyone requiring assistance to participate in the public hearing is asked to contact Town Hall, at 798-9219 in advance so that appropriate arrangements may be made. GENERAL FUND REVENUE Revenue from Local Sources $6,254,264 Revenue from the Commonwealth $2,158,780 Revenue from the Federal Government $ 12,750 Revenue from Other Sources Unappropriated Funds Transfer $1,356,838 Total Revenues – General Fund

$9,782,632

EXPENDITURES Administration Public Safety Public Works Parks, Recreation and Cultural Planning & Community Development Non-Departmental

$1,524,123 $2,964,722 $3,344,151 $ 233,019 $ 600,444 $1,116,173

Total Expenditures—General Fund

$9,782,632

CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND REVENUES Transfer from General Fund Capital Bond/Loan Local Revenue Grants/VDOT Revenue Sharing Federal Funding Balance Forward

$ 511,446 $ 0 $ 148,057 $ 16,974 $ 407,381 $ 5,229,399

Total Revenues – Capital Project Fund

$ 6,313,257

EXPENDITURES Public Works—Streets—Local Stormwater Facilities Vehicles Parks and Recreation Economic Development Non-Departmental Total Expenditures— Capital Project Fund Total Revenues & Expenditures— All Funds

$ 380,046 $ 518,905 $ 3,733,428 $ 358,809 $ 529,659 $ 417,864 $ 374,546 $ 6,313,257 $16,095,889

TAX RATES AND FEES 2020-2021 RATE Real Estate Property Tax $0.10 per $100 Mobile Homes $0.07 per $100 Personal Property Tax $0.77 per $100 Public Service Corp. $0.77 per $100 Machinery & Tools Tax $0.77 per $100

Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged

OTHER LOCAL TAXES Business, Professional, Unchanged Occupational License Tax $30 License Fee, $.0.07 per $100 of all gross receipts when gross receipts exceed $1,000,000 Consumer Utility Tax – Each Service per month Electric: Residential $1.00/month Unchanged Commercial/Industrial $10.00/month Unchanged Natural Gas: Residential $3.00/month Unchanged Commercial/Industrial $10.00/month Unchanged Utility License Tax Telephone service .5% Unchanged Meals Tax 6.0% Unchanged Motor Vehicle License Tax Cars & trucks $25.00 Unchanged Motorcycles $15.00 Unchanged Transient Tax 8.0% Unchanged Cigarette Tax $.22 per pack Unchanged Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020 11

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at 7:00 P.M., in the Board Room of the Hanover County Government Building at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the day, date, time, and place for a public hearing to consider the following cases, at which public comments will be accepted: REZONING REZ2019-00037, AIR PARK ASSOCIATES, L.P. Request(s) an amendment to the proffers approved with rezoning request C-13-94(c), Air Park Associates, on GPINs 7798-44-0937, 7798-440663, 7798-44-2350, 7798-33-3765, 7798-34-2121, 7798-24-8382, 7798-24-6569, 7798-24-4811, 7798-25-1001, 7798-35-3160, 7798-35-4750, 7798-35-0225, 7798-25-6471, 7798-45-3554, 7798-54-5903, 7798-33-9427, 7798-43-4904, 7798-43-4481, 7798-43-8505, 7798-53-1614, and 7798-35-1840, consisting of approximately 217.34 acres, zoned M-2(c), Light Industrial District with conditions. The property is located on the west line of Sliding Hill Road (State Route 656) approximately 1000 feet south of its intersection with Ashcake Road (State Route 657) and on the south line of Ashcake Road (State Route 657) approximately 800 feet west of its intersection with Sliding Hill Road (State Route 656). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Limited Industrial. The proposed zoning amendment would permit the development of a warehouse/distribution facility. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Ashland SPECIAL EXCEPTION SE2020-00005, AIR PARK ASSOCIATES, L.P. Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-336 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to allow a building height taller than permitted on GPINs 7798-44-0937, 7798-44-0663, 7798-44-2350, 7798-33-3765, 7798-34-2121, 7798-24-8382, 7798-24-6569, 7798-24-4811, 7798-25-1001, 7798-35-3160, 7798-35-4750, 7798-35-0225, 7798-25-6471, 7798-45-3554, 7798-54-5903, 7798-33-9427, 7798-43-4904, 7798-43-4481, 7798-43-8505, 7798-53-1614, and 7798-35-1840, consisting of approximately 217.34 acres, zoned M-2(c), Light Industrial District with conditions, and located on the west line of Sliding Hill Road (State Route 656) approximately 1,000 feet south of its intersection with Ashcake Road (State Route 657) and on the south line of Ashcake Road (State Route 657) approximately 800 feet west of its intersection with Sliding Hill Road (State Route 656). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Ashland Copies of the above case may be reviewed in the Planning Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 12

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular Board Meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, Hanover Courthouse, Hanover Virginia. This meeting is in addition to the ones listed in the previously adopted schedule of meetings. If you need further information, please call the County Administratorâ€™s Office at 365-6005.

____________________ Cecil R. Harris, Jr. County Administrator

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set May 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room at the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the time, date and place for a public hearing concerning the disposal by quitclaim deed of the following real estate: All that certain tract of 0.346 acres of real property abutting Rt. 360, Bell Creek Rd and Sandy Ln located in the Mechanicsville District, Hanover County Virginia. All persons desiring to be heard above may appear at the stated time and place. A plat of the subject property is available for inspection at the office of the County Administrator any regular working day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Cecil R. Harris, Jr., County Administrator

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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Zoning Appeals has set Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 7:00 P. M., in the Board Room of the Hanover County Government Building at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the day, date, time, and place for a public hearing to consider the following case, at which public comments will be accepted: VAR2020-00003, THOMAS KAESER, Requests a variance from Section 26-26. 1. (b) of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance, which specifies that dwellings in the A-1, Agricultural District, when located on an eighty (80) foot ultimate right-of-way shall have a minimum front yard setback of (100) feet. The request is for a 69.7 foot front yard variance, which would allow a building lot to have a front yard setback of 30.3 feet. The property is identified as GPIN 7768-56-9166, consisting of approximately 2.02 acres, zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located on the south line of Cedar Lane (State Route 623) approximately 1,376 feet west of Winns Church Road (State Route 660). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: South Anna Copies of the above cases may be reviewed in the Planning Office any regular business day, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p. m. C. Jason Hazelwood Code Compliance Supervisor

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The Hanover County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on May 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room at the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, on the following ordinance being proposed for adoption: ORDINANCE 20 - 09 AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE HANOVER COUNTY CODE TO THE CONTRARY, DUE TO THE IMPACTS OF THE LOCAL EMERGENCY AS DECLARED ON MARCH 13, 2020 AND RATIFIED ON MARCH 25, 2020 BYTHE HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THAT: 1. BETWEEN MARCH 13, 2020 AND AUGUST 20, 2020 THERE SHALL BE NO PENALTY OR INTEREST CHARGED FOR THE LATE REMITTANCE OF TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAXES; AND 2. BETWEEN MARCH 13, 2020AND THE DAYTHAT IS 30DAYSAFTERTHECONCLUSIONOFTHELOCAL EMERGENCY,THERESHALLBENOPENALTYOR INTEREST CHARGED FOR THE LATE PAYMENT OF WATER AND SEWER CHARGES. A complete copy of the proposed ordinance and related information is available at the office of the County Administrator any regular working day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All persons wishing to comment on the proposal may appear at the stated time and place.

_____________________________________________ Cecil R. Harris, Jr., County Administrator

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020 13

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room at the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, on the following ordinance being proposed for adoption:

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on May 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room at the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, on the following ordinance being proposed for adoption:

ORDINANCE 20-05

AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HANOVER COUNTY IN LIGHT OF THE DISASTER CAUSED BY THE SPREAD AND EFFECTS OF COVID-19 (NOVEL CORONAVIRUS).

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE III, LAND APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS A complete copy of the proposed ordinance and related information is available at the office of the County Administrator any regular working day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All persons wishing to comment on the proposal may appear at the stated time and place.

Cecil R. Harris, Jr., County Administrator

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

ORDINANCE 20 - 08

A complete copy of the proposed ordinance and related information is available at the office of the County Administrator any regular working day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All persons wishing to comment on the proposal may appear at the stated time and place.

Cecil R. Harris, Jr., County Administrator

A survivor: Shrader rebounds from COVID-19 By Melody Kinser Managing Editor MECHANICSVILLE – “It felt like my head was going to explode.” That’s how Raymond Shrader remembers the most excruciating symptom he was experiencing when he became a victim of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Mechanicsville resident said, “I didn't feel anything unusual Saturday morn-

ing. I was out running errands and by Saturday afternoon [March 28], I had to lie down because I suddenly started feeling bad.” He said he was in bed all day Sunday and knew that he would not be able to go to work on Monday. “I got my son to take me to my primary care doctor. They met me in the parking lot to refer me to Med Express to be tested for COVID.”

On Wednesday, April 1, he learned he tested positive for the virus, which reached pandemic status earlier this year. “I was instructed to stay home and treat the symptoms and to go to the emergency room if anything got worse. By Friday morning, I was struggling to breathe and my son had to call 911. I was rushed to MRMC [Memorial Regional Medical Center],” Raymond said last Thursday.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ASHLAND TOWN COUNCIL Please take notice that on May 6, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at a meeting of the Ashland Town Council a public hearing will be conducted at 101 Thompson Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005 to receive public comment on a proposed amendment to the FY 2019-2020 budget. The proposed amendment would add $24,818 in expenditures and revenues to the General Fund, and $200,930 in expenditures and revenues to the Capital Project Fund. Currently, the total amount of the budget is $21,560,099. If the proposed amendment is approved, the total budget would be $21,785,847. All interested persons may attend and express their views; however, the number of people admitted to Town Hall is being limited in accordance with CDC Guidelines. Community members are encouraged to participate electronicallysubmittingwrittencommentstoAssistantTownManager Matt Reynal at mreynal@ashlandva.gov, through regular mail to Clerk of Council, Town of Ashland, P.O. Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005, or by calling (804) 798-9219. A complete copy of the proposed amendment to the FY 2019-2020 budget may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at (804) 798-9219, 101 Thomopson Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005. Any person with a disability seeking assistance is asked to contact Town Hall in advance of the meeting for necessary arrangements. Following the public hearing, the Council may take action to approve the budget amendment and appropriation. BY ORDER OF THE ASHLAND TOWN COUNCIL

Photo courtesy of Chris Mead

Raymond Shrader was cheered by staff as he left Memorial Regional Medical Center after his battle with the coronavirus (COVID-19).

“All I remember in the ambulance was feeling like the driver was flying and the paramedic kept saying, ‘Stay with me, Buddy! Stay with me!’ I knew then, I was in trouble.” Upon admission to the hospital, he said the worst symp-

tom was what he described as “a raging headache.” On April 6, Raymond was moved to the Critical Care Unit. The following day, he was placed on a ventilator. “It was touch-and-go for a few days. The nurses told my family I was ‘very’ sick and the national average for COVID patients being intubated was two weeks,” he said. “By God’s grace, and with prayer from so many friends and family, I was extubated only three days later, which happened to be Good Friday.” Raymond praised the efforts of the medical teams that helped him survive the coronavirus. “I had so many amazing nurses and doctors. One of my nurses told me I was the first one who had been intubated and extubated and left CCU alive.” When he had improved enough to be moved to the “step-down floor,” the nurses cheered for him. “As word got around the

hospital that I made it out alive, I had so many nurses stop by to say ‘Hi’ because they just couldn't believe it. And when word got out that I had a window in my room, I had friends and family I hadn't seen in forever stop by to wave through the window.” A nurse named Angie [last name wasn’t available] told Raymond a story that “made me realize just how hard this is for our frontline. She told me -- as I was being prepared to be intubated -- I looked her in the eye and held her hand and said, ‘Please don't let me die.’ She knew she couldn't promise me that and cried all the way home.” With so much appreciation, this local survivor added, “This is just one of many nurses to see things you can't even imagine. I feel like they are the true heroes.” In summing up his miraculous recovery, Raymond said, “I guess God just isn't ready for me yet.”

Pet of the Week Photo submitted by Andrew Hodnett

The Hanover County Pound, located at 12471 Taylor Complex Lane in Ashland, has wonderful pets available to a good home. Tyson is a 2-yearold male pitbull. He has had his first set of vaccines and is Heartworm test negative. Tyson is a big ball of playfulness. He came to the shelter as a stray earlier this month. Tyson is sweet around people, but he is very strong. He likes to run and play with his dog toys. Tyson does great on a leash and he loves to go on long walks. He is still learning to play with other dogs, but this will come with more exposure. Tyson will do best with an active owner with no small children. For more information on these great pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Hanover County Pound Facility, call 804-365-6485 during the day. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The facility is closed on Sunday and county holidays. You also can visit the website to see other animals available for adoption at http://hanovercounty.gov/ Animals/Adopt-a-Pet/.

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020 15

Lee Nelson’s drive to find a cure for MS goes virtual By Melody Kinser Managing Editor MECHANICSVILLE – In memory of her late husband Dana, Lee Nelson will continue her family’s efforts of helping to find a cure for multiple sclerosis by participating in the Walk MS Richmond on Saturday, May 2. However, due to the guidelines surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, her “walk” will be in the virtual world. Finding a cure for the disease is Lee’s ultimate goal. “You know how important finding a cure for this disease is to me. My husband Dana was always sure that there would be one for him in his lifetime. It would be awesome if the funds that Team Hanover raises helps even one person!” she said. She recently joined with other top fundraisers, as well as “old and new friends who are living with MS, and tons of warriors trying to fight this terrible disease.” Despite her very personal loss, she added, “I’m so excited to be fundraising to find a cure! We are confident that it will happen soon!” To Lee, the support she receives from what she calls “wonderful donors” has helped “Team Hanover raise almost $132,000 since 2003.” “Since 2010, I have personally raised $84,855.25! I hope you will support me this year as I try to reach

Chart courtesy of Hanover Department of Community Resources

Photo courtesy of Lee Nelson

Lee Nelson continues to raise funds to find a cure for multiple sclerosis, which took the life of her husband Dana. She will take part in a virtual MS Walk on May 2.

$20,000. No donation is too small. Every dollar counts. Start collecting your pennies and, if you’re local, I will come to get them,” she said. While Lee said her team is very small, she welcomes more members to her team as a walker of virtual walker. “And I challenge you to raise $100 for the team. I would love to see lots of new team members on May 2. Register now to join Team Hanover,” she said. To access Lee’s personal page to make a secure online donation, go to https:// secure.nationalmssociety. org/site/TR?fr_id=30614& pg=personal&px=7827376.

Ashland-Hanover Local April 29, 2020

Contacts listed for residents in need of specific assistance HANOVER -- Following recommended guidelines during COVID-19 has been challenging for every community across our country. Many individuals and families are experiencing the financial and emotional impacts of this unprecedented health crisis. This may be the first time many have sought assistance. Help is available. Hanover residents who have questions or need specific assistance can get help by calling one of four important County phone numbers: CHICKAHOMINY HEALTH DISTRICT COVID-19 HOTLINE PUBLIC: 365-3340 / PROVIDER: 365-3341 HANOVER COUNTY COMMUNITY RESOURCES 365-4300

HANOVER COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD– MENTAL HEALTH 365-4222 HANOVER SOCIAL SERVICES 365-4100 Hanover residents that are facing financial challenges are also reminded to apply for food assistance (SNAP), temporary financial assistance (TANF) or health insurance benefits (Medicaid) through Hanover Social Services. For more information on these programs you may call the Social Services Call Center at 1-855-635-4370 or apply on line at www.Commonhelp.Virginia. Gov Hanover County Government also is participating in a regional food kit distribution program as long as supplies last. For updates, visit the county’s website

at www.hanovercounty.gov, subscribe to Hanover Access News on the website or follow Hanover County social media. (Note: The Hanover community is fortunate to have the support of a number of local food pantries that provide food resources to families or individuals who are experiencing financial challenges, not only during the COVID-19 outbreak but all year long. Because of social distancing and other CDC guidelines, some pantries are suspending services. Others have modified their schedules and procedures during this time. Attached is a calendar of local pantry operations. Remember to call all pantries to confirm details before visiting.) Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County public information officer.