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COMMUNITY WWII veteran Nelson Eddleton celebrates 100th birthday

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HANOVER Aaron Reidmiller to lead Hanover County Parks and Recreation

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Vol. 7 No. 38 | Richmond Suburban News | May 25,2022 Joel Klein for The Local

Cassis and Sutkus lead AHS as valedictorian and salutatorian

The engines were clean enough to eat off of at the 2022 Kiwanis Club of Ashland Kar-Wanis Car Show May 15 at the Ashland Junction Shopping Center.

By Christina Amano Dolan Editor

ophia Cassis and Jonathan Sutkus lead the Class of 2022 at Atlee High School as valedictorian and salutatorian, with grade point averages of 4.557 and 4.556, respectively. Cassis is the daughter of Teresa Owens and Brett Cassis. She has been involved in a number of student organizations throughout her time at Atlee. She has participated in the SODA club, which trains Atlee students to serve as positive role models for fourth graders; the National Honor Society; Key Club, which provides services to the school and community, and the Math Team. In addition, she actively volunteers at Hanover Animal Control and works as a kennel assistant at a veterinary hos-

Sophia Cassis VALEDICTORIAN

Jonathan Sutkus SALUTATORIAN

pital. Cassis plans to attend the University of Virginia and pursue a major in biology. Looking back on her overall high school experience with graduation fast approaching, she said she is thankful for Atlee’s environment that has ultimately offered her an opportunity for growth. “My teachers, friends and family have all pushed me to do my best, and each of them have

taught me skills and knowledge that I will use in the future,” Cassis said. Cassis also expressed her gratitude for being named as the Class of 2022 valedictorian. “I feel grateful to be at the top of a class of incredible people and look forward to seeing what we all achieve,” she said. “Go ‘Ders!” Sutkus is the son of Douglas and Kimberly Sutkus.

Kar-Wanis Car Show a first time success A crowd of spectators flocked to the Ashland Junction Shopping Center this month to witness an impressive display of vintage and new cars for the first Kar-Wanis Car Show. The show was initially scheduled for Saturday, May 14 but was postponed to the following day due to inclement weather. Despite the delay, the show proved to be a great success, with around 36 cars, trucks, sports cars and muscle cars from 70 years old to nearly new on display.

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Citizens oppose landfill expansion proposal By Christina Amano Dolan Editor A proposal to amend a conditional use permit in regard to an existing construction debris landfill and borrow pit faced pushback from residents during last week’s Hanover County Planning Commission meeting. A public hearing was held for the proposed amendment on behalf of Ashcake Road Landfill, Inc. Nick Moore, owner of the landfill and applicant, filed a request to allow for the closure of the existing landfill, which is located on the north line of Ashcake Road at its intersection with Johnson Town Road. The current area will reach its permitted limits in see LANDFILL, pg. 13

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KAR-WANIS Continued from pg. 1

“We had a great turnout, with a lot of variety of cars, and the owners of the cars had a lot of fun and an opportunity to show off their cars,” said Roy Mills, the chairman for the Kar-Wanis Car Show. “And also, we had a lot of spectator traffic that stopped by.”

Trophies were awarded to all class and specialty award winners, with cars judged on cleanliness and condition only. The People’s Choice Award winner was a red and white 1955 Chevy Bel Air owned by Cathy Moore. Two sponsor trophies, with the first by the UPS Store and the second by Mac’s Tire Pros, were awarded to Chris Carter for a

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Thirty-six classic automobiles of yesteryear were on display at the Kiwanis Club of Ashland Car Show May 15 at the Ashland Junction Shopping Center. Trophies were awarded in several different categories.

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Ashland-Hanover Local May 25,2022

1966 Chevy Nova II and John Budesky for his 1966 Pontiac GTO. The class winners, in order from Class A to Class F, were: Phil Robinson’s 1959 Ford Galaxie 500, Earl Crowder’s 1948 Ford Coupe, Terry Hoffman’s 1969 Ford Mustang, Sidney Bryce’s 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS, James Pitts’ 2011 Ford Mustang and Barry Wilkerson’s 2018 Chevy Camaro. Trophies were also awarded for second and third in class. Glass Castle Events provided music for the venue and the Ashland Kiwanis Club’s grilling team sold burgers, hot dogs and cold soft drinks. All proceeds from the show and food sales directly benefit the children of Ashland and Hanover County in the spirit of the Kiwanis mission. The club raised over $3,000 in proceeds from the event. “Ultimately, you know, it gave us a great opportunity to raise some funds for our mission, which is to serve the children of our community and a great opportunity to get

the Kiwanis name and our Ashland Kiwanis Club name out there to the public as well,” Mills said. Founded in 1923, The Kiwanis Club of Ashland is one of the oldest Kiwanis clubs in Virginia and the only one in Hanover County. The Ashland club is one of over 6,000 Kiwanis clubs in 80 countries that focus on local, national and international service needs. The Ashland club has offered a variety of programs and service projects to benefit both the Ashland and Hanover County community in the 99 years of its existence. According to Mills, the

club has over 50 members that frequently volunteer their services to a number of staple community events, including the Ashland Holiday Parade, Ashland Train Day and the upcoming Strawberry Faire. In addition, the club is an active sponsor of Key Club programs in Hanover, Mechanicsville and Patrick Henry High schools along with the Glen Allen High School Key Club in Henrico County. Key Clubs are studentled organizations that often combine the efforts of students and Kiwanians for a number of service projects. The club also sponsors a Circle Kiwanis International

(CKI) Club at RandolphMacon College (R-MC) and the Aktion Club of Ashland, which is a service organization for adults with disabilities. They also support a Perfect Attendance Program at six Hanover County schools and a Reading Mentor Program, which involves Kiwanians working with elementary school students to improve their reading skills. The Kiwanis Club of Ashland additionally offers four-year scholarships to selected graduating Key Club high school seniors and a oneyear scholarship to a selected qualifying CKI Club member at R-MC. Mills said they hope to establish the Kar-Wanis Car Show as an annual fundraising event in order to support their overall mission moving forward. For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Ashland, visit the website: https://ashlandvakiwanis.org/. Greg Glassner, former editor of The Herald-Progress, contributed to this report.

Luck Farm Market project receives Planning Commission review By Jim Ridolphi For Ashland-Hanover Local Ashland Town Council has referred a Comprehensive Plan amendment request by local realtor Todd Rogers of Rogers-Chenault to the Planning Commission for further review. The request would change the future land use classification from Open Space to Neighborhood Commercial and a rezone 3.6 acres from RR-1, Residential Rural to B-1, Central Business. On May 17, director of planning and community development Nora Amos presented the council with a brief overview of the project known as the Luck Farm Market located on West Patrick Henry Road and Henry Street near the Laura Dell subdivision. “They are requesting a rezoning to B-1 to allow for a farmer’s market type use and restaurant, so this is the beginning of the process, but what we are asking for tonight is for town council to refer this to the planning commission for their formal review and for them to be able to take time to review that and provide input and then send it back to you for formal action,” Amos said. The first public hearing at the planning commission will be held at 6 p.m. June 8, and citizens are encouraged to provide input either in person or in writing. The planning commission could take action on the matter that evening, but has up to 120 days to review the request. “They could take action after that public hearing or they may defer it and have additional discussion in the following months,” Amos said. The referral request was originally included on the consent agenda of last week’s meeting, but was moved to the Action section in order to allow citizens an opportunity to express their thoughts on the proposed project. Michael Morris told council members he is not an Ashland resident but does live in the area of the proposed project. When his family decided to move from Mechanicsville to the western portion of the county, Morris said he did his due diligence researching what could be built around his property. “Due to previous experience and my personal experience in commercial construction industry, I looked at all the lots of land around me and where the potential developments could be,” Morris said. He said it was apparent that the two parcels of land that were adjacent to Route 54 had commercial possibilities. “I knew that would eventually at some point in time, whether now or 10 years

from now, be prime real estate and could be open for development. “With all that being said, I was not naive to think that piece of land would eventually get developed,” Morris said. “You guys have a consituent responsibility to meet the needs of the people of the Town of Ashland. That’s prime real estate.” He requested that as the process moves forward, residents be included in the process. “All that I ask is that as you go through the process that you understand what we as residents go through,” Morris said. “I’m not telling you to not do it because I know that a WaWa or a Mexican restaurant could be put there,” he continued. “I’d rather have influence on something that is going to be of good use to the residents and be a tax benefit to the Town of Ashland. I’m for the market in a tasteful fashion.” Morris noted the benefits that a project like the market could provide for the community. “I think it helps the people in Lauderdale… in Luck Farm and the Town of Ashland and attracts people from the Montpelier area who want to go to the farmer’s market and the restaurant,” he said. Morris said Rogers and his team has listened to the voices of the residents. “He’s listened and his team has listened and they have made concessions as best they can and still meet the intent of the development.” He conceded the plan won’t suit everyone. “It’s never going to be Luck’s Farm again. The people around the farm probably didn’t want the houses there.” Susan Morrison lives in Ashland but purchased a preservation lot at Luck Farm and is in the process of building a home in the development. She expressed concerns regarding the transition from RC to B-1 that could possibly open the door for more commercial and residential opportunities. Morrison also questioned why a conditional use permit wasn’t requested that would allow the council to place specific proffers and regulations regarding usage. “If this restaurant was to fail five years down the road, are we going to have a WaWa there or is there going to be a biker bar there,” she questioned. “How much does it open the ability to lose control of this rural quality that we want to maintain for that stretch?”

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On Saturday, May 14, at approximately 9:40 p.m., deputies responded to the intersection of Mountain Road (Route 33) and Devonwood Road for a two-vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2021 Dodge pick-up truck was traveling eastbound on Mountain Road when it crossed into the westbound lane and collided with a 2013 Subaru sedan head-on. The Subaru was occupied by four individuals that were all transported to VCU Medical Center by Hanover Fire-EMS. The driver, and sole occupant of the 2021 Dodge pick-up, was also transported to VCU Medical Center.

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The front seat passenger in the 2013 Subaru, Taylor Carr Lynn Klug, 23, Fredericksburg, was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Investigators are still collecting information regarding this crash. The Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office extends their deepest condolences to the family of Taylor Klug during this difficult time. Information submitted by Lt. James Cooper, information officer for the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

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WWII veteran Nelson Eddleton MEMORIES ARE FOREVER celebrates 100th birthday June 6

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By Christina Amano Dolan Editor World War II veteran and Hanover County native Eugene Nelson Eddleton will soon celebrate his 100th birthday surrounded by the people he loves and who love him. About 200 of his family and friends will gather to celebrate the soon-to-be centenarian— who was born June 6, 1922, and has gone by Nelson his entire life – with a birthday celebration that will take place at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Ashland. Thinking back over almost 100 years of memories, Nelson’s thoughts went to his gratitude for what he treasured most: his loving wife, friends he made along the way, memorable encounters with his brother oversees and years of service to his country. “I just think that so many times the good Lord has been with me and still is today,” Nelson said. “Why? I don’t know. I can’t answer that. But I just have a feeling that he was with me all the way through the war and is with me as of today.” Nelson was born and raised in Montpelier, Hanover County by his Aunt Lucy. He is the youngest sibling of his brothers, Earnest and Henry Lee, and his sister, Viola, and is the older brother to Mason, Bert, Adell and Lee. He has a daughter, Joan Eddleton, three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is the oldest known Eddleton to have lived. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1941 and moved to Richmond soon after. He said he was sitting in a movie theater on Broad Street on Dec. 7, 1941, when suddenly, the movie cut off and a man instructed all

Contributed photo. Right,Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Above, World War II veteran Nelson Eddleton sits in his Ashland home.

servicemen to report back to base. He walked outside the theater to find a special edition of the newspaper announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor. Nelson was drafted in December 1942 into the U.S. Army. Before he was shipped off, he had the privilege of meeting Grace, who would later become his wife of 67 years. He can recall the memory of when he first laid eyes on her as if it was yesterday. In what was once a grocery store with a jukebox and beer bar, he approached young Grace and asked her to dance. “She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in my life,” he said, recalling how difficult it was to part with her as he set off to serve. Keeping a promise they made before his departure, the two wrote to one another throughout their time apart. He set off to serve in the Sixth Infantry Division, where he would eventually reach the rank of sergeant by the end of the war. He said his years of service to his country offered some of his most memorable experiences. “The time that I was in military service fighting for my country, I think those were the days that lingered with me up

until right now,” Nelson said. His infantry saw 306 total days of combat. They traveled to New Guinea, landed in the assault waves at Lingayen Gulf to spearhead the drive for the liberation of Manila, drove across the Bataan Peninsula and fought 219 days of continuous combat on Luzon. While in the Philippines, Nelson received notice from his family that his brother, Henry Lee, was possibly stationed in the nearby city of Manila. “So I said, ‘well, if he’s here, I’m going to find him,’ ” Nelson said. “So I didn’t hesitate.” With permission from his lieutenant, Nelson set off with other soldiers to locate his brother, miraculously finding him “just a stone’s throw away” from where he stepped off the truck playing cards among other soldiers. The brothers hugged one another in both shock and joy, and the two would often visit one another throughout their time on the island with the help of fellow soldiers. Nelson’s daughter Joan commented on how incredible it was that the two had reunited overseas, as it was an unlikely see EDDLETON, pg. 16

OBITUARIES | Death Notices & Funerals

ELIZABETH EWING MOORE

MOORE, Elizabeth Ewing, 91, of Bowling Green died Friday, May 6, 2022, at her home in Bowling Green. She was the wife of the late Ottie Jackson Moore Sr. for 66 years. She was born January 7, 1931, in Norfolk, Virginia, a daughter of the late George Malcolm Thomas Ewing and Olivia Booker Ewing. She was

a member of Bowling Green United Methodist Church. Elizabeth first was an X-Ray Technician at MCV Hospital, a graduate of RPI College, then stayed home to raise her children and eventually began working in the school system once both of her children were in school. She was a devoted wife and mother to her husband and children before anything else. She is survived by one son, Ottie Jackson "Jack" Moore Jr. of Toano, Virginia; and one daughter, Mary Moore Madison of Bowling Green, Virginia. A private memorial service was held Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Wesleybury United

Methodist Church Cemetery by Pastor William Duganne. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider the Children's Hospital Foundation-VCU, P.O. Box 980693, Richmond, Va. 23298 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105. Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Gladys, is in charge of arrangements. Please visit the online tribute at www.finchandfinchfuneralservice.com to share a memory or send a condolence to the family.

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Memorial Day ceremony at Hanover Wayside Park honors those who gave all Contributed Report news@mechocal.com All are invited to honor the veterans who gave their life defending the country and those who are currently serving the military to ensure freedom by attending a Memorial Day ceremony at Hanover Wayside Park on Monday, May 30. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The guest speaker will be Steven J Combs, Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. American Legion Post 175 will lead in the laying of the Memorial Wreath. Veterans of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office will perform the Rifle Salute. George Navas, Hanover County Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman, will serve as master of ceremonies. Taps will be performed by the Hanover Concert

for here ation Scan for m n i e mor

Photo courtesy of Hanover County Parks and Recreation

The Hanover Veteran’s Memorial honors Hanover military veterans who served from World War I to present day.

Band. Memorial and honorary pavers will be available for purchase at a discounted price of $75 if purchased at the event. Parking will be available on the site. Hanover Wayside Park is located on U.S. Route 301 about a mile north of Hanover High School. Dedicated in 2007, the Hanover Veteran’s Memorial

honors Hanover military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in hostile action from World War I to the present day and those who have or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. For more information about this ceremony or about the Hanover Veteran’s Memorial, call Hanover County Parks and Recreation at 365-7150 or email parksandrec@hanovercounty.gov.

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Ashland-Hanover Local May 25,2022 5

OPINION | The Local Views From the editor

Important moments survive passage of time By Christina Amano Dolan Editor

here is so much joy to be found in exploring the hidden stories of Hanover County residents. Recently, hearing the enriching story of a resident who will soon turn 100 has offered a comforting message of life – specifically, the curious nature of time. Hanover County native Nelson Eddleton recounted his life’s journey sitting in his living room alongside his daughter, Joan. While the stories themselves were compelling on their own, perhaps one of the most extraordinary aspects of the experience was how he told certain stories, many from what must have been 80 years ago, with such clarity, as if they happened only yesterday. As he spoke, he seemed to relive those meaningful encounters with friends, loved ones and even strangers, most now long gone. He vividly remembered the heartache of the day he parted with the love of his life, Grace, before

setting off for war, how devastated he was, and how two kind strangers kept him company throughout his train ride to ease his pain. He never saw the couple again and wondered what had become of them, but he will always remember and be grateful for their kindness that day. Father and daughter spent the afternoon sharing these stories from many years ago. Joan floated around the house, grabbing picture frames sitting on mantles and dressers or books with relevant information, putting faces and images to the stories of family and friends. “Life passes by so fast,” she commented as the visit came to a close. “I say the same thing that my children say… ‘Where did the time go?’” It is a question that has interestingly arisen far more frequently in this past year than ever before. In my own life, my family is preparing to pack up our childhood home – now an empty nest with my youngest sibling away at college – which means tokens of the past long forgotten are being unearthed on a regular basis and

bringing back memories. Photo albums, old VHS tapes, forgotten art projects and toys once hidden away in the attic have resurfaced, inviting a wave of nostalgia and amazement with each discovery. Memories that seem so distant yet close have reappeared, serving as a reminder that time never ceases and new phases of life are constantly in motion. This is true at any age. The person reading this could be graduating from high school and ready to turn the page into the next chapter of his or her life, whether that is college, the military, the workforce or some other unknown path. You could be a young person navigating the intricacies of new relationships, new jobs and children. You could be a parent watching your children leave the nest one by one. You could be working hard to juggle all that life is throwing at you, shifting careers later in life, or considering what to do upon retirement. There are so many moments that make up a lifetime of memories – life changes appear in seemingly every corner of life, steering us in an array of different directions.

So the question may constantly remain, “Where does the time go?” Time and change can be daunting no matter what phase of life, but spending time with the Eddletons talking about almost a century of memories, some big and some small, offered an important and comforting reminder. While thinking about the flow of time and the changes it inevitably brings with it may seem daunting – OK, sometimes downright terrifying – it can also serve as a reminder to value and cherish the friends and loved ones that enrich your life. Temporality, after all, is what gives these fleeting phases of life the most value and what drives the necessity to cherish the present and the blessings that we have in our life. “Where did the time go?” With time moving ever forward and our experiences with family, friends and even strangers leaving their own imprints on our lives in various ways, it’s strange to think about what moments, when you look back on a lifetime of memories, will be the “defining” moments of your life.

Look beyond the imperfections to find sweetness By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist Like all Americans, the past years have taught me that dealing with disappointment is something we all need to get used to. The cause of that dismay

could be motivated by anything from the lack of your favorite item at the supermarket to a long waiting list for that new vehicle you’ve promised yourself for years. I’m not sure how becoming accustomed to life’s disappointment somehow better prepares one for

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Ashland-Hanover Local May 25,2022

the looming dilemmas that surely await, but acceptance is sometimes the best remedy. On a recent trip to the grocery store, a display counter was filled to capacity to red, seemingly ripe strawberries. They all appeared almost perfect, each the perfect candidate for a scrumptious photo shoot.

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 © 2022 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.

As I continued my day, I thought about those luscious berries in my refrigerator, and I immediately pulled them out after I returned home. As I washed and sliced some of fruit , I noted the lack of aroma usually associated with strawberries, especially when you douse them with a healthy dose of sugar. Although brilliantly red and inviting on the outside, the final product was, well, disappointing. My collection lacked any real flavor, or at least did not contain that treat to the taste buds that I associate with the seasonal fruit. After some research, I learned that I was not alone in my frustration regarding the current flavor of supermarket strawberries. It seems America’s demand for bigger and better fruit is the culprit see SWEETNESS pg. 7

Hanover’s redistricting plan is approved Aaron Reidmiller to lead Hanover Contributed Report news@mechocal.com The Virginia Attorney General’s Office has approved the redistricting plan adopted by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. The redistricting plan makes minor changes to Hanover’s magisterial districts and polling places. The general registrar will send out new voter registration cards to Hanover voters notifying them of where they are to vote. Most voters in Hanover will not see a change. Most will vote at the same location and will remain in the same magisterial district. While there have been limited changes to local election districts, there have been significant changes to the boundaries of Congressional districts. As a result, many voters in Hanover will now be in new districts for those federal elections. Redistricting is required by the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia to ensure that all voters are equally represented in government. The results of the 2020 U.S. Census showed that Hanover’s population had grown from 99,863 in 2010 to 109,991 in 2020. As a result, the boundaries of at least five of Hanover’s seven magisterial districts had to be adjusted to ensure that the populations of each district complied with federal and state law. The Hanover Board of Supervisors began

SWEETNESS Continued from pg. 6

when it comes to strawberries. Producing fruit that is large, red and perfect looking for anxious consumers keeps the shelves full, but it is also responsible for some of that flavor loss. Apparently, breeding fruit for those desirable traits often affects other characteristics of the fruit, i.e. taste. With the national supply chain, there’s also the question of where your berries were grown and the fact that it is sometimes tough to judge ripeness accurately. Unlike many other dilemmas in my life, I discovered an

PROJECT Continued from pg. 3

Vice mayor John Hodges requested that those resident

preparing for the redistricting process in early 2021, before the release of the population figures from the Census Bureau. The board adopted a public engagement plan in September 2021 and held several public hearings to allow the public to learn about the redistricting process and provide comment. The board adopted a redistricting plan at its meeting on Dec. 8, 2021. After the board adopted its redistricting plan, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued an order that created the boundaries for Congressional districts and the state legislative districts. In response to the order, the board made some minor changes to its redistricting plan. Pursuant to requirements set out in state Code, the board requested that the Virginia Attorney General’s Office review the plan to ensure that it did not deny or abridge, even if unintentionally, the right to vote or effective representation of Hanoverians based on their race or color or membership in a language minority group. The Attorney General’s Office conducted its review and, on May 9, 2022, issued a Certification of No Objection, which indicates that the Attorney General’s Office does not object to Hanover’s redistricting plan. Information submitted by Kerri O’Brien, Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Hanover County.

immediate and satisfying solution to my strawberry quagmire. The experts I discovered all had the same advice: shop and buy local, especially when it comes to strawberries. I stopped at a small fruit stand last week and picked up a quart of locally grown strawberries. Despite them being almost double the price of the ones I had purchased at the grocery store, they didn’t appear as perfect or plump as the previous purchase. But, the first slice accompanied by that wonderful aroma immediately returned me to my fonder days of fresh strawberries, and one bite provided a comments be included for the planning commission to consider. Council also approved a conditional use permit request

County Parks and Recreation

projects coming up, including the parks and recreation master plan and the construction of a new recreation center and library in Montpelier. We believe he will bring great energy and enthusiasm to Hanover.” “I am continuously impressed with the level of talent that we are able to attract here in Hanover,” said Deputy County Administrator Jim Taylor. “We are getting Aaron at a great point in his career, and we are expecting great things. We are lucky to have him.” The Hanover County Department of Parks and Recreation provides a wide variety of recreational and leisure activities for residents and visitors. The department offers over 1,500 acres of parkland throughout Hanover, with

beautiful trails, historic landmarks, athletic fields, relaxing shelters as well as safe, accessible playgrounds. The department boasts a wide range of yearlong events and programs for all ages and interests, including the Hanover Tomato Festival. Additionally, the department oversees the Hanover County Museum of History & Culture. In the past, Hanover County has been designated as both a Playful City USA and as a 100 Best Communities for Young People. “I am truly honored to be selected for this position in Hanover. I am very familiar with the work of the Hanover Parks and Recreation Department and admire the facilities and programs made available to county residents. It is apparent that Hanover County takes quality of life very seriously, and that was a major reason for my interest in this position,” said Reidmiller. Reidmiller and his wife, Shannon, love to spend time outdoors exploring new trails, spending time on the water and discovering new playgrounds with their daughter. Information submitted by Kerri O’Brien, Director of Communications for Hanover County.

“I will forever cherish the friends and relationships I have made during my high school experience and hope they will continue even after high school,” he said. He said his recognition as this year’s salutatorian has been “extremely rewarding” after years of dedication to his studies. “It feels extremely rewarding to be recognized for the effort I have put into my academics over these past four

years,” Sutkus said. “Achieving this title certainly wasn’t easy, so this recognition makes all of the sacrifices worth it.” “Lastly, I would like to thank my family, teachers, coaches and peers for their encouragement and support over these four amazing years,” he added. The Atlee High School Class of 2022 will bid their final farewells on June 17 at the Farm Bureau Center at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell.

Contributed Report news@mechocal.com County Administrator John A. Budesky is pleased to announce the hiring of Aaron Reidmiller as Hanover’s Director of Parks and Recreation. He will start June 16 and replace Derek Stamey, who became the county administrator in Cumberland County. Reidmiller comes to Hanover County from the City of Hopewell, where he has served as the director since 2014. Prior to that position, he worked in Henrico County Recreation and Parks for six years. He has a bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks and sports management from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and has previously served as president of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society. “We are extremely impressed with Aaron’s skills and qualifications, and look forward to him joining our leadership team,” said Budesky. “Aaron will be joining a great parks and recreation department with some important

familiar awakening to my taste buds. I should not have been surprised that perfect looks are not always associated with positive results. Hanover County will celebrate its association with the fruit on June 11 as the Ashland Strawberry Faire returns for its 40th edition on the Randolph Macon campus in Ashland. Visitors will enjoy hundreds of vendors, a wide variety of music and entertainment and Continued from pg. 1 plenty of red, ripe local strawberries. Now, I can’t guarantee During his time at Atlee, he the sweetness of this year’s final has served as team captain of product, but suffice to say, the the school’s varsity soccer team. ones my family purchases each He also plans to attend the year never make it home. University of Virginia following graduation and will later determine an area of study. to construct a convenience Looking back on his years store/fueling station at the interas a Raider, Sutkus said his high section of Route 54 and Telcourt school experience has been see PROJECT, pg. 16 “nothing short of incredible.”

ATLEE

AARON REIDMILLER Director of Hanover County Parks and Recreation

Ashland-Hanover Local May 25,2022 7

Sports

UPCOMING EVENTS

26 2022

Prep baseball: Quarterfinal at Mechanicsville 6:00 p.m.

26 2022

Baseball/Softball: Quarterfinals at Hanover TBA/TBA.

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Raider softball gets dramatic win at PH Mechanicsville baseball earns first-round bye

Region tourney schedules

By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor ASHLAND — Even from quite a distance away, one could hear there was something exciting going on at Patrick Henry’s softball diamond Friday evening. The Patriots were posting county rival Atlee, and both teams — on their final game of the regular season — were battling each other to a standstill through the first five innings. But no one can keep good teams down forever, and both gave their share of offensive sparks as the Raiders scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh for a 2-1 victory. The season is not over for the two teams, however, as third-seeded Atlee earned a bye in the first round of the Region 4B tournament. The Raiders (15-4) will host the winner of the Eastern View at Powhatan game Friday at 4 p.m. The 12thseeded Patriots (9-10) faced fifth seed Matoaca in the first round of the regional tournament Tuesday after this edition went to press. After falling behind 1-0 in the sixth inning, Atlee pitcher Carsen Sanders got their seventh-inning rally started with ner Casey Hughes. Hughes to third on a groundout by Blake Jamerson. a one-out single. She yielded scored on a double by Kaitlyn Sierra Kegley and scored the Sanders stepped back into the base paths to courtesy run- Crenshaw. Crenshaw advanced winning run on a single by the circle in the seventh inning

Ashland-Hanover Local May 25, 2022

Region 4B Baseball (all games at higher seed) First Round Tuesday, May 24 Game 1: No. 9 Atlee at No. 8 Powhatan, 5 p.m. Game 2: No. 12 Spotsylvania at No. 5 Dinwiddie, 6 p.m. Game 3: No. 11 Patrick Henry at No. 6 Courtland, time TBA Game 4: No. 10 Monacan at No. 7 Varina, time TBA

Dave Lawrence/The Local

Above, the Atlee dugout celebrates as courtesy runner Casey Hughes (6) scores the Raiders’ first run in their 2-1 win over host Patrick Henry Friday. Left, Mechanicsville shortstop Ethan Serrano goes airborne to center field in the fourth inning of the Mustangs’ 10-0 victory over visiting Patrick Henry Wednesday.

and held the Patriots to one single for the win. She finished with eight strikeouts. “My blood pressure is through the roof right now, but it’s a positive,” said Atlee head softball coach Tim McIntyre. “We came out against a great see DRAMATIC, pg. 9

Quarterfinals Thursday, May 26 Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. No. 1 Hanover, time TBA Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. 4 Chancellor, time TBA Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. 3 Mechanicsville, 6 p.m. Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. 2 King George, time TBA Semifinals Tuesday, May 31 Game 6 winner vs Game 5 winner, time TBA Game 8 winner vs Game 7 winner, time TBA Championship Thursday, June 2 Semifinal winners, time TBA Softball (all games at higher seed) First Round Tuesday, May 24 Game 1: No. 9 Courtland at No. 8 Monacan, 5:30 p.m. see SCHEDULE, pg. 10

Patriot boys defend pitch against Raiders By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor ASHLAND — On the final night of regular season play, one should expect two county rivals to put up quite a battle. Friday night at Patrick Henry, visiting Atlee and the host Patriots fulfilled such expectations for boys soccer fans. By the time the final whistle was heard on the pitch, Patrick Henry had overcome a stubborn Raider team that had equalized the score before halftime with a 3-1 victory. Three different Patriots — Griffin Fleming, Greyson Basso and Greg Cofer — scored. Three different Patriots — Cofer, Patrick Dane and Fleming — had assists. Patrick Henry led much of the first half before Atlee scored an equalizer just before intermission on a goal by Will Apostolides. But the Patriots regrouped in the second half.

DRAMATIC Continued from pg. 8

team, Patrick Henry, and they fought tooth and nail. So I don’t mind the blood pressure being up a little bit.” Patrick Henry took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Anna Nidermaier reached on a bunt, moved to third on a Lola Bradley single, and scored on an Atlee error. Patrick Henry’s freshman pitcher Isabel Gonzalez pitched a solid game, matching her Atlee counterpart by giving up just five hits while striking out four Raider batters. Her performance helped keep the defense sharp. “My freshman pitcher threw great tonight,” said Patrick Henry head softball

Cofer set a single-season goal record for the Patriots. His goal that night was his 23rd. “Twenty-three goals in a season is very hard … that’s almost one and a half a game,” Altizer said. “He’s very competitive, very, very aggressive. He wants to win. You can see it every day when it comes to practice and in games. He wants to do whatever it takes to win.” Patrick Henry goalkeeper Mason Dycus finished with seven saves. Atlee keeper Evan James finished with 11. The third-seeded Patriots will host the winner of the Monacan at Eastern View game in a Region 4B quarterfinal Thursday at 6 p.m. The other three county teams have to fight their way to the quarterfinals Dave Lawrence/The Local in first round games that were Patrick Henry goalkeeper Mason Dycus denies Atlee’s Zach Tshantre (19) a clear path to the goal in the the Patriots’ 3-1 win Friday. played Monday or Tuesday after this edition went to press. Dave Lawrence can be “The kids responded just we’ve had all year,” said Patrick our lineups that allowed us to us last time. We were able to get like we thought they would — Henry head coach Chuck get more space for some of our into those spaces and create a reached at dlawrence@mechlocal.com. one of the best passing games Altizer. “We did some things in scorers against a team that tied lot of chances.”

coach Lance LeStourgeon. “It makes the defense a little more focused, play a little bit better, when they’re active and doing stuff.” The county’s other two softball teams qualified for the Region 4B tournament. Hanover (16-1), the region’s No. 1 seed, has a bye for the first round and will host the winner of Courtland at Monacan in the quarterfinals Thursday at 6 p.m. Mechanicsville, seeded No. 10, faced seventh seed Spotsylvania Tuesday after this edition went to press. Mustang baseball earns bye MECHANICSVILLE — Mechanicsville needed wins the final week of the regular season to clinch a first-round bye in the Region 4B baseball tournament.

Varina 3-2 on May 17, beat Patrick Henry 10-0 on May 18, Dave Lawrence/ and knocked off Monacan 7-4 The Local Friday to cement their seeding. Atlee pitcher “We finished up strong,” Carsen Mechanicsville head baseball Sanders coach Tyler Johnson said. “We (22) delivers a strike to were the fourth seed (going into Patrick Henry the Monacan game) and then batter Braelyn with the win we get the three Blackstone seed. We had the bye either (5) in the fifth way, but it was big to, you know, inning of the Raiders’ 2-1 move up a seed.” win over the Mechanicsville will host the host Patriots winner of the Patrick Henry at Friday night. Courtland game Thursday at 6 Blackstone p.m. in the quarterfinals of the fouled several pitches Region 4B tournament. off before Top-seeded Hanover will connecting for host the winner of the Atlee a single to left at Powhatan game Thursday field. as well. Start time is yet to be The Mustangs got them, in the tournament and join rest when regional play began determined. All first-round games were played Tuesday sweeping all three of their top seed Hanover among the Tuesday. opponents to be seeded third four teams earning the right to The Mustangs defeated after this edition went to press.

Ashland-Hanover Local May 25, 2022 9

R-MC tournament run comes to an end

Logan Smith/ Randolph-Macon

RandolphMacon pitcher Gracie Ellis pitched gems in an NCAA Division III super-regional against host Eastern Connecticut State, striking out 10 in an eight-inning, complete game loss to the Warriors Friday, then striking out five more in 6-2/3 innings of relief in a 4-0 loss Saturday that ended the Yellow Jackets’ season.

SCHEDULE Continued from pg. 8

By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor MECHANICSVILLE — Randolph-Macon softball’s historic season came to an end Saturday at the hands of host Eastern Connecticut State in an NCAA Division III Super-Regional in Mansfield, Connecticut. The No. 3 Warriors, who won the first game of the bestof-three series 1-0 in eight innings Friday, took advantage of three first inning runs to shut out the No. 16 Yellow Jackets 4-0 Saturday. Randolph-Macon finished

Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. Game 4: No. 11 Monacan at No. 3 Mechanicsville, time TBA 6 Eastern View, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Semifinals Quarterfinals Tuesday, May 31 Thursday, May 26 Game 6 winner vs Game 5 winGame 5: Game 1 winner vs. No. Game 2: No. 12 Patrick Henry at ner 1 King George, 6 p.m. No. 5 Dinwiddie, 6 p.m. Game 8 winner vs Game 7 winGame 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. Game 3: No. 11 Eastern View at ner 4 Chancellor, 6 p.m. No. 6 Powhatan, 3 p.m. Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. Game 4: No. 10 Mechanicsville Championship 2 Powhatan, 6 p.m. at No. 7 Spotsylvania, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2 Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. Semifinal winners, time TBA 3 Patrick Henry, 6 p.m. Quarterfinals Thursday, May 26 Boys tennis (teams) Semifinals Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. No. (all matches at higher seed) Tuesday, May 31 1 Hanover, time TBA First Round Friday, May 20 Game 6 winner vs Game 5 winGame 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. Match 1: No. 8 Mechanicsville 5, ner, 6 p.m. 4 Matoaca, 6 p.m. Game 8 winner vs Game 7 win- Spotsylvania 0 Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. Match 2: No. 5 Hanover 5, No. ner, 6 p.m. 3 Atlee, time TBA 12 Varina 0 Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. Match 3: No. 6 Patrick Henry 5, Championship 2 King George, time TBA Thursday, June 2 No. 11 Dinwiddie 0 Semifinal winners, 6 p.m. Match 4: No. 7 Atlee 5, No. 10 Semifinals Powhatan 2 Tuesday, May 31 Girls soccer Game 6 winner vs Game 5 winner, (all games at higher seed) Quarterfinals time TBA First Round Monday, May 23 Game 8 winner vs Game 7 winTuesday, May 24 Match 5: Mechanicsville at No. 1 ner, time TBA Game 1: No. 9 Patrick Henry at Matoaca, 4:30 p.m. No. 8 Eastern View, 5:30 p.m. Match 6: Hanover at No. 4 King Championship Game 2: No. 12 Henrico at No. 5 George, 3 p.m. Thursday, June 2 Chancellor, 6 p.m. Match 7: Patrick Henry at No. 3 Semifinal winners, time TBA Game 3: No. 10 Powhatan at No. Chancellor, 4:30 p.m. 7 Hanover, 6 p.m. Match 8: Atlee at No. 2 Eastern Boys soccer Game 4: No. 11 Spotsylvania at View, time TBA (all games at higher seed) No. 6 Monacan, 6 p.m. First Round Semifinals Monday, May 23 Quarterfinals Tuesday, May 24 or Tuesday, May 24 Thursday, May 26 Match 6 winner vs. Match 5 winGame 1: No. 9 Hanover at No. 8 Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. No. ner, time TBA Atlee, Tuesday, 6 p.m. Match 7 winner vs. Match 8 winGame 2: No. 12 Spotsylvania 1 Courtland, time TBA Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. ner, time TBA at No. 5 Mechanicsville, Monday, 4 Atlee, time TBA 6 p.m. Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. Championship Game 3: No. 10 Matoaca at No. 7 2 Matoaca, time TBA Wednesday, May 25 Courtland, Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Ashland-Hanover Local May 25, 2022

its season 35-11, tying the 2017 team for second-most wins in a season. “We played really well,” said Yellow Jacket head softball coach Kevin Proffitt. “If we had gotten a couple of timely hits, we’d have been right in it. We were still right in it.” Randolph-Macon pitcher Gracie Ellis capped her freshman season in the NCAA tournament with 32 strikeouts and no walks in the tourney while finishing with a 0.99 ERA. Ellis led the Yellow Jacket pitching rotation, finishing the season with 33 appearances — 25 starts — 190.1 innings

Semifinal winners, time TBA

pitched, a 22-6 record with three saves, 128 hits, 50 runs (33 earned), 244 strikeouts, 21 walks and a 1.21 ERA. Ellis held Eastern Connecticut State scoreless for 7-2/3 innings in first game of the super-regional series Friday, striking out 10 and giving up five hits. The game ended in a walk-off with two outs when Warrior Cassie Woods singled to center field to drive in Alyssa Vilchez, who opened the inning with a single. Proffitt hoped to give Ellis a rest in the second game, but Eastern Connecticut State scored three runs off starter

Rilee Baughan, including a two-run homer by Brooke Matyasovsky. After the Warriors scored another run when Alexis Michon singled in Julia SanGiovanni, who had doubled, Ellis stepped back into the circle and shut them down until the sixth inning, when they added another run. “She didn’t look bad. They just hit her,” Proffitt said of Baughan’s start. Ellis was one of five freshmen who started for Proffitt. “Getting to Round of 16 is great for anybody,” he said. “The fact that we did with it some real young kids is kind of cool.”

Monticello, 7:30 p.m. Boys tennis (doubles) Game 3: Orange County at Girls tennis (teams) First Round: Thursday, May 26, Western Albemarle, 5:30 p.m. (all matches at higher seed) at Mechanicsville HS, 3 p.m. Game 4: Powhatan at Hanover, First Round Quarterfinals: Friday, May 27, at 7:15 p.m. Friday, May 20 Mechanicsville HS, 11 a.m. Match 1: No. 8 Monacan 5, No. Semifinals: Friday, May 27, at Semifinals 9 Henrico 2 Mechanicsville HS, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 26 Match 2: No. 5 Eastern View 5, Final: Tuesday, May 31, at or Friday, May 27 No. 12 Spotsylvania 0 Mechanicsville HS, 1 p.m. Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. Match 3: No. 11 Powhatan 5, No. Game 1 winner, time TBA 6 Matoaca 0 Girls tennis (singles) Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Match 4: No. 7 Hanover 5, No. 10 First Round: Thursday, May 26, Game 3 winner, time TBA Patrick Henry 0 at Dinwiddie HS, 11 a.m. Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 26, Championship Quarterfinals at Dinwiddie HS, 1 p.m. Monday, May 30 Monday, May 23 Semifinals: Friday, May 27, at or Tuesday, May 31 Match 5: Monacan at No. 1 Dinwiddie HS, 1 p.m. Semifinal winners, time TBA Dinwiddie, 8 a.m. Final: Tuesday, May 31, at Match 6: Eastern View at No. 4 Mechanicsville HS, 11 a.m. Girls lacrosse Mechanicsville 5 p.m. (all games at higher seed) Match 7: Powhatan at No. 3 Girls tennis (doubles) Atlee, 4:45 p.m. First Round: Thursday, May 26, Quarterfinals Match 8: Hanover at No. 2 at Dinwiddie HS, 3 p.m. Monday, May 23 Courtland, time TBA Quarterfinals: Friday, May 27, at or Tuesday, May 24 Dinwiddie HS, 11 a.m. Game 1: Monacan at Powhatan, Semifinals Semifinals: Friday, May 27, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 Dinwiddie HS, 11 a.m. Game 2: Fluvanna County at Match 6 winner vs. Match 5 winFinal: Tuesday, May 31, at Monticello, 5:30 p.m. ner, time TBA Mechanicsville HS, 1 p.m. Game 3: Orange County at Match 7 winner vs. Match 8 winWestern Albemarle, 7:30 p.m. ner, time TBA Track and field Game 4: Atlee at Hanover, 5:30 Region 4B championships at p.m. Championship Atlee HS Wednesday, May 25 Day 1: May 24, 11 a.m. Semifinals Semifinal winners, time TBA Day 2: May 25, 10 a.m. Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27 Boys tennis (singles) Region 4A Game 5: Game 2 winner vs. First Round: Thursday, May 26, Boys lacrosse Game 1 winner, time TBA at Mechanicsville HS, 11 a.m. (all games at higher seed) Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 26, Game 3 winner, time TBA at Mechanicsville HS, 1 p.m. Quarterfinals Semifinals: Friday, May 27, at Tuesday, May 24 Championship Mechanicsville HS, 1 p.m. Game 1: Monacan at Atlee, 6 Monday, May 30 Final: Tuesday, May 31, at p.m. or Tuesday, May 31 Mechanicsville HS, 11 a.m. Game 2: Fluvanna County at Semifinal winners, time TBA

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HANOVER COUNTY 2022 REAL ESTATE TAX NOTICE FIRST HALF Due June 6, 2022 Notice is herewith given that all first half 2022 Hanover County real estate taxes are due and payable on or before June 6, 2022. Anyone owning property who has not received a bill and whose real estate taxes are not processed by their Mortgage Company may go on-line to https://taxes. hanovercounty.gov to pay, review and/or print their bill(s), or may call the Hanover County Treasurer’s Office at 804-365-6050 or 804-730-6050. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the owner of penalty and interest if payment is not made by the due date. Tax bills are sent to owners of record on January 1, 2022; therefore, if property was conveyed by you in 2022, you should forward the bill to the new owner. If you purchased a parcel during 2022, contact the Treasurer’s office to have a copy of the tax bill forwarded to you. If you are 65 years old or over, or are permanently disabled, you may qualify for real estate Tax Relief. There are very specific criteria which must be met, including residing on the property for which you are applying. You must apply for tax relief each year between January 1 and March 1 with the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office. For questions, phone 804-365-6128 or 804-730-6128.

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TOWN OF ASHLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please take notice that on the 8th day of June, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA, the Ashland Planning Commission will conduct public hearings pursuant to Virginia Code section 15.2-204 for the purpose of receiving input, and may provide a recommendation on the following: CPA2022-03 LUCK FARM MARKET, GPIN #7870-25-2549 Todd D. Rogers of Rogers-Chenault, Inc., requests a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) to change the future land use classification from Open Space to Neighborhood Commercial for the property identified as GPIN #7870-25-2549. The property is approximately 3.642 acres in size and is located along the western line of West Patrick Henry Road/Thompson Street (State Route 54) and along the southern line of Luck Brothers Drive. The applicant intends to develop a farmers market and restaurant. REZ22-0414 & ORD2022-04 LUCK FARM MARKET, GPIN #7870-25-2549 Todd D. Rogers of Rogers-Chenault, Inc., requests a rezoning from RR-1 Residential Rural to B-1 Central Business for the property identified as GPIN #7870-25-2549. The property is approximately 3.642 acres in size and is located along the western line of West Patrick Henry Road/Thompson Street (State Route 54) and along the southern line of Luck Brothers Drive. The applicant intends to develop a farmers market and restaurant. Copies of CPA2022-03, REZ22-0414 and ORD2022-04 may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at (804) 798-1073, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to planning@ashlandva.gov or mailed to Town of Ashland, PO Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005. All interested persons may attend and express their views. Any person with a disability requiring assistance in order to participate in this public hearing is asked to contact Town Hall in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

M. Scott Miller, Treasurer Hanover County Ashland-Hanover Local May 25,2022 11

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Patrick Henry Boys Volleyball receives proclamation from Town Contributed photo

At their May 17 meeting, members of the Ashland Town Council recognized the Patrick Henry (PH) Boys Volleyball team with a commending proclamation, highlighting the team’s sixth straight state championship, the leadership of head coach Michael Townsend and ‘the hard work, dedication, sportsmanship and exceptional team chemistry.’ Pictured from left to right are council members Daniel McGraw and Anita Barnhart, PH Athletic Director Matt Crowder, team members Larson Flanagan and Davis Luck, Mayor Steve Trivett, and council members Kathy Abbott and John Hodges.

LANDFILL Continued from pg. 1

the next few years. In addition, the proposed amendment would allow for the conversion of the site’s borrow area to a new landfill once the existing landfill is closed. The borrow area operates under a permit from the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), and landfills are monitored on a regular basis by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). If approved, the conversion of the borrow area to a landfill must be constructed and operated in accordance with DEQ policies and regulations. A condition of the application stated that all requirements of the closure plan must be completed, inspected and approved by the DEQ within six months of beginning operation of the new landfill. Hanover County Planning Department staff recommended approval of the overall plan with an expansion of the time frame to 12 months to allow for enough time for all necessary studies to be completed. A community meeting was

held on March 22 at Brown Grove Baptist Church where the applicant provided background on the landfill site, which has been at its location since 1987. He and project officials additionally addressed commonlyraised concerns by residents, including traffic generated by the landfill, dirt and debris on Ashcake Road and the life of the borrow area. The applicant plans to extend the pavement from the entrance of the landfill, with the gate relocated approximately 700 feet from the road, to reduce dirt and debris on Ashcake Road. A traffic study was also conducted that determined the site generates roughly 5% of trips per day along Ashcake Road. Because the new landfill area would open after the existing is closed, traffic is predicted to remain the same. The applicant also clarified that there is no more land on which they can expand since the remaining areas are the required buffers or wetlands. Scott Courtney of Resource International spoke on behalf of the applicant during the public hearing and proposed the land-

fill’s benefits to the community. “Ashcake Road provides a service to the county,” Courtney said, pointing out the site’s location, with its close proximity to I-95 and centralized location for the county, minimizes traffic to local roads and takes pressure off the county’s own landfill site. He said the Ashcake Road Landfill additionally provides a service to small businesses and contractors, which make up around 40% of its users, as well at the community and its members. Several residents spoke during the public hearing to raise concerns over the landfill’s potential environmental impacts on the Brown Grove community, including hazardous materials contaminating the soil and groundwater, air pollution by asbestos and unpleasant smell omitted from the landfill. Courtney said any liquid material or municipal waste are not permitted in Industrial and Construction and Demolition Landfills and regular inspections are conducted to prohibit these materials from entering the landfill. He also said the

existing borrow pit’s environmental impact will remain unchanged. DEQ regulations require the base of a landfill to be 5 feet above the groundwater, so drinking water from shallow wells will not be affected, he said. Director of planning David Maloney recommended adding conditions to the application that specifically prohibit the acceptance of any hazardous material or asbestos to provide greater assurance. Further discussion surrounded environmental justice issues raised by Brown Grove residents, specifically in regard to increasing industrial growth in the area. “Brown Grove over the last several years has become… an environmental justice community across the nation, with impacts dating back to Interstate 95 split into the community physically, heavy industry and the airport and landfill following,” said Chris French, environmental justice committee chair for Hanover NAACP. Bonnica Cotman, a lifelong Brown Grove resident, said any

further applications for industrial growth should be put on hold until the county fully examines the long-term effects on the historic district. “At what point are we going to say enough is enough?” Cotman said. “We didn’t choose for I-95 to come through our property, but it did,” she added. “That doesn’t mean we’re supposed to become the hub for all of this industrial growth.” She and others also called attention to the pending nomination of the Brown Grove Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR), which will likely reach a resolution in early June. The Hanover County Historical Commission reviewed the proposed landfill request during its meeting on May 3 and recommended that no zoning action be considered before a determination on the district’s nomination is completed. Discussion among planning commission members surrounded how the proposed

application would be affected if the district is nationally registered. Maloney said the Ashcake Landfill, which is adjacent to the proposed historic district boundary, would likely require a higher level of environmental and historic scrutiny in order for the project to move forward. He said the historic designation process is complex and unanswered questions may remain. “I would suggest that the commission perhaps defer this matter for a month. My staff and I will work with the applicant, work with the state to clarify some of those questions and then we can come back next month and provide more specific direction for the planning commission with regard to the historic designation itself,” he said. The planning commission voted unanimously to defer the application to the June 16 meeting. Maloney said because the commission is allotted 100 days to act on the application from May 19, they will further address questions related to implications of a historic designation if it is required.

Ashland-Hanover Local May 25,2022 13