Ashland-Hanover Local – 09/21/2022

COMMUNITY

ASHLAND

Important dates for Nov. 8 General Elections

Ashland officers receive state recognition PAGE

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Vol. 8 No. 4| Richmond Suburban News | September 21, 2022

School Board to reorganize equity advisory board

By Christina Amano Dolan Editor

D Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Several citizens attend Hanover County School Board’s Sept. 13 meeting to voice their opinions on the board’s Community Equity Advisory Board during the evening’s public input portion.

Black Heritage Society presents history of Hanover schools

By Christina Amano Dolan Editor The Hanover County Black Heritage Society hosted the second installation of the organization’s fall Historical Guest Speaker Lecture Series last week, inviting community members to listen to historic accounts of the county’s rich African American history within its school Christina Amano Dolan/The Local system.

Harold Stills Sr. shares stories of his The Historical Guest Speaker Lecture Series, which personal experiences as a former is hosted at Pamunkey Regional Branch Libraries and Hanover County student and retired virtually, was introduced in February of this year in Hanover County educator, assistant response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After receiving principal and administrator. positive feedback from participants and the libraries, the Hanover County Black Heritage Society entered into another partnership with the Pamunkey Regional Library to present a full slate of robust presentations throughout September and October.

Last week’s presentation was an encore of the series’ first installation, “Early AfricanAmerican Schools in Hanover County,” and was hosted at the Atlee Branch Library on the evening of Sept. 7. The featured speakers of the evening were the Rev. Dr. Evans C. White Jr. and Harold Stills Sr. who shared first-hand oral histories and perspectives from their extensive history within the county’s school system.

White is the pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Aylett and co-author and cosee HERITAGE, pg. 5

iscussion surrounding the future of the Hanover County School Board’s Community Equity Advisory Board (CEAB) was at the forefront of last week’s school board meeting, with several citizens calling for its dismantling during the public input portion of the evening.

CEAB was first established in late 2018 in response to the HCPS Long Range Plan 20172023, which states the goal: “By fall of 2019,

HCPS will explore opportunities that promote equity and cultural competence, to include parent and community outreach and input.”

CEAB has up to 25 members who meet monthly as a group and as needed in smaller groups that focus on policy, communication and membership. As stated in the committee’s bylaws, members are nominated by the advisory board and approved and appointed by the school board to two-year terms.

CEAB’s stated mission is “to guide and advise the Hanover County School Board on policies see SCHOOL pg. 4

Supervisors discuss removal process following allegations against school board member

By Christina Amano Dolan Editor The Hanover County Board of Supervisors recently had a lengthy discussion about the complex process of removing an appointed public officer in light of recent allegations that an unnamed school board member had violated federal student privacy laws and other forms of misconduct.

During the Aug. 24 board of supervisors meeting, supervisors entered into a closed session to discuss the removal of appointed public officers. Chair Angela Kelly-Wiecek then requested that Hanover County Attorney Dennis Walter present a detailed overview of the process in last week’s open session, which took place on Sept.

14.

Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Hanover County Attorney Dennis Walter offers an overview of the process of removing appointed public officers from office to the board of supervisors and citizens.

The presentation was informational and required no action by supervisors. The board of supervisors never named the school board member they were discussing.

Walter noted how supervisors have received a “number of comments” and questions regarding their role in appointing school board members and

actions taken by school board members after appointment.

The Hanover County School Board is comprised of representatives of the county’s seven magisterial districts appointed to staggered fouryear terms by the board of supervisors.

Walter discussed the prosee SUPERVISORS, pg. 4

Lutron Electronics to build manufacturing facility in Virginia creating 200 jobs in Hanover County Contributed Report The Local RICHMOND—Governor Glenn Youngkin announced last week that Pennsylvania-based Lutron Electronics, the trusted global leader in lighting control, automated shading solutions and intelligent fixtures, will invest $28.3 million to build a manufacturing facility in Hanover County. The 145,000-square-foot facility in Ashland will increase the company’s manufacturing capacity and create approximately 200 new jobs.

“Lutron Electronics is pioneering lighting technology in the 21st century, developing innovative products that save energy and set the company apart from its competitors,” said Youngkin. “We are proud that Lutron is growing its presence in Hanover County with a new manufacturing operation and creating 200 high-quality jobs that will boost Virginia’s economy and our robust manufacturing sector.”

“As Lutron Electronics expands its domestic and global reach, a Hanover County manufacturing location offers the strategic location, infrastructure and workforce needed to accommodate continued growth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia is proud to support the company’s expansion and strengthen our long-term corporate partnership.”

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Hanover County community and further supporting our global customers with increased manufacturing capacity,” said Lutron President Ed Blair.

“Lutron has been a fixture here in Hanover County, Virginia for many years.

It is exciting to see them invest in a manufacturing facility in our industrial park along Lakeridge Parkway and to have quality jobs created for the citizens of Hanover County and the Greater Richmond Region,” said Faye Prichard, Ashland District Representative for the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. “Due to our favorable business climate and low cost to do business, we continue to see significant

2

growth in the cultivation of our existing businesses, which we recognize are the backbone of our community.”

“Lutron’s nearly $30-million investment into a new manufacturing center is amazing news for Hanover County and Virginia,” said Senator Ryan McDougle.

“Lutron’s investment in Hanover is testament to the pro-business environment our county and state have worked so hard to create. We owe thanks to Lutron for this expanded commitment, which will bring 200 new jobs to Hanover.”

“I am thrilled by the fantastic news of Lutron Electronics’ $28.3 million expansion to the current manufacturing facility in Hanover County,” said Delegate Buddy Fowler. “This expansion will create 200 new jobs for Hanover residents and helps confirm the fact that Hanover County and Virginia is a great place to do business. Keeping the businesses we have is just as important as attracting new investment, which is why maintaining our positive business climate is so very important.

Thank you, Lutron Electronics, for choosing Hanover County!”

A family-owned company founded in 1961, Lutron Electronics manufactures lighting controls, automated shading solutions and intelligent lighting fixtures for residential and commercial applications.

Headquartered in Coopersburg, PA, the company offers more than 15,000 energysaving products, sold in 100+ countries.

In the U.S. alone, Lutron products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. The company’s early inventions – including the first solid-state electronic dimmer invented by Lutron founder, Joel Spira, are housed within the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History archives in Washington, D.C. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Hanover County to secure the project for Virginia.

Youngkin approved a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Hanover County with the project.

Funding and services to support Lutron Electronics’ employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

CALENDAR | News, Updates & Listings Friday, Sept. 23 The Ashland Strawberry Faire’s annual membership meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Ashland Branch Library and will be followed by the Faire’s Board of Directors meeting at 10:30 a.m., which is also open to the public. For more information, email info@ashlandstrawberryfaire.com or call 804-997-1946.

Saturday, Sept. 24 The seventh Annual Hanover AutumnFest presented by Anton Paar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd, in Hanover and feature onsite smoked pork, turkey and beef brisket, Brunswick stew, side dishes and fresh pies from Hanover Tavern’s restaurant. In addition, there is local craft beer and wine, live music by the Anvil Brothers and Coleman & Fuller, as well as games and activities for the kids. Children’s activities include pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, hay slide, face painting, outdoor scavenger hunt, magic show and kids’ crafts.

Admission is free and open to the public

Sunday, Sept. 25 Enon United Methodist Church is hosting a “Homecoming” celebrating 185 years at 10:30 a.m. More information is available at 804-7464719 or enonumc.org.

The Veterans Administration (VA) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will conduct a VA Claims Clinic and Benefit Information Session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NAACP King William Branch, located at 694 Sharon Road, Suite K, King William, VA, 23086.

Topics of discussion will include changes in VA policy and pro-

Fax submissions to calendar to 344-8746, email to events@mechlocal. com, or mail to 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville VA 23116.

Deadline is 1 p.m. Thursday for the following week’s issue. Calendar announcements cannot be taken by phone. We reserve the right to edit all items submitted to Ashland-Hanover Local. cesses, Health Care Eligibility/ Caregivers Program, Women’s Veterans Program, Burial and Memorial Benefits. Veterans who are interested in filing a claim must bring DD-214 and a recent VA decision letter. All military veterans, spouses and dependents are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Lonnie O. Pierce, Sr. at: 410-991-5871 or ajplop@yahoo. com.

Saturday, Oct. 1 The Community Salt Fish Breakfast will resume from 8 to 10 a.m. at Enon UMC, 6156 Studley Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. The Buffet includes salt fish, corn cakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, hash browns, sausage gravy, biscuits, waffles, apples, beverages & fellowship.

Adult admission is $10 and ages 6 and under are free, with all profits benefiting Enon UMC Missions.

Hanover NAACP presents a free Community Health Fair at Pole Green Park from 10 to 4 p.m. and will feature free health assessments, line dancing, karate, hip hop dancercize, vendors and games for children.

St. Paul Lutheran Church is seeking vendors for their 2022 Fall Craft Sale. This event will be rain or shine and held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8100 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will need to bring their own table, chair and tent and cannot sell food or quilts. Vendor spaces offered will be outside and are limited to a first come/

first serve basis. The cost to rent a 9’x16’ space is $25. Vendors should contact Debbie Harris at Saintpaul.sec@gmail.com to sign up or call the church office at 804-427-7500.

Cool Spring Baptist Church, located at 9283 Atlee Station Road in Mechanicsville, is hosting an “Understanding Dementia” workshop from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information call 804-789-5510.

Thursday, Oct. 6 The Hanover NAACP will host a Citizens Community meeting with Hanover County Sheriff Hines at the Montpelier Center from 6 to 7 p.m. All are welcomed at this event to ask questions of Hines and to get a better understanding of law enforcement in Hanover.

Saturday, Oct. 8 Shady Grove United Methodist Church Women in Faith is hosting their annual Bazaar and Craft Show from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is seeking vendors. To become a vendor, contact 804-543-9973, 804-2182072 or 804-370-0649 for more information. Deadline for acceptance is Oct. 1.

Thursday, Oct. 13 The Hanover NAACP will host a Citizens Community meeting with Hanover County Sheriff Hines at the Mechanicsville Branch Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

All are welcomed at this event to ask questions of Hines and to get a better understanding of law enforcement in Hanover. see CALENDAR pg. 15

Raccoon in Hanover tests positive for rabies virus Contributed Report The Local The Chickahominy Health District would like to notify the residents in the areas located near Honey Meadows and Deer Run Subdivisions between Tazwell Green Drive and Deer Stream Drive, off Atlee Station Road, that a raccoon has tested positive for the rabies virus. The raccoon is deceased.

Potential exposures to a rabid animal

include bites, scratches or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose and/or mouth. Anyone having information regarding any exposure to this animal in the days leading up to Sept.10, 2022 should contact the Hanover Health Department at (804) 365-4313. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal. After hours, contact the Hanover County Animal Control at (804) 365-6140.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease carried by mammals that is endemic to

the area.

The District would like to remind all citizens to follow these three important rabies prevention guidelines: Vaccinate your pets.

Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.

Enjoy wildlife from a distance – do not feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, or foxes to visit your premises.

746-5853 WE WANT TO BE YOUR PLUMBER

Hanover Fire-EMS completes investigation into barn fire Contributed Report The Local At approximately 2:49 p.m. on Sept.

9, Hanover Fire-EMS responded for the report of a barn fire at 15549 Stone Horse Creek Road.

Crews arrived to find a barn fullyinvolved with fire. Bystanders reported

multiple horses trapped inside, and one had escaped with minor burns, which were treated. Unfortunately, nine horses are deceased as a result of the fire. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Crews operated on the scene in a defensive mode due to the fire conditions upon their arrival. Additionally, due to the location of the incident, this scene was a rural

water operation, utilizing multiple highcapacity tankers from Hanover Fire-EMS. The Office of the Fire Marshal has completed their investigation. The cause of the fire is considered accidental and electrical in nature.

Information submitted by David Johnston, public information officer for Hanover Fire-EMS.

For subscription information or delivery questions contact:

Michelle Wall 804-775-2711

email: mwall@timesdispatch.com 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, VA 23116

SHERIFF’S REPORTS | Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue

Brandishing firearm was reported in the 9700th block of Sliding Hill Road, Ashland.

Destruction of property, monument was reported in the 16000th block of Bradleys Country Lane, Montpelier.

Destruction of property, monument with value $1000 or more was reported in the 9300th block of Sliding Hill Road, Ashland.

Carrying a concealed weapon: First offense was reported in the 13200th block of Mountain Road, Glen Allen.

Simple assault was reported in the 16000th block of Theme Park Way,

June 29

Destruction of property, monument was reported in the 13000th block of Mountain Road/Henrico County, Glen Allen.

Causing a computer malfunction was reported in the 13100th block of Waltons Tavern Road, Montpelier.

Driver not reporting accident with damage more than $250 was reported in the 10100th block of Lewistown Road, Ashland.

Failure to appear on a

Petit larceny, less than $500, not from a person was reported in the 16000th block of Theme Park Way, Doswell.

Petit larceny, less than $500, not from a person was reported in the 16000th block of Theme Park Way, Doswell.

July 1

Eluding police: Endangering persons or a police car was reported in the 9000th block of Rutlandshire Drive/Chamberlayne Road, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument with value $1000 or more was reported in the 7400th block of Stuart Drive, Mechanicsville.

DWI: First offense was reported in the 6400th block of Pole Green Road/Midday Lane, Mechanicsville.

Concealment of pricealtered merchandise, $500 or more was reported in the 7400th block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Simple assault was reported in the 6500th block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Failure to appear on a

Identity fraud, use of identifying information to defraud was reported in the 8200th block of Powhickery Drive, Mechanicsville.

June 30

June 28

Assault and battery on a family member was reported in the 16000th block of Theme Park Way, Doswell.

Give us a call: (804) 401-7007

Upcoming Events:

felony charge was reported in the 7500th block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

felony charge was reported in the 7500th block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Doswell.

June 27

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Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 3

SCHOOL Continued from pg. 1

and practices surrounding equity, inclusion and access in both internal and external matters.”

Several citizen speakers voiced their opposition to the committee, including Jack Dyer of the Beaverdam District, who said the advisory board “has been problematic” since the beginning.

Dyer and others labeled the advisory board as misrepresenting a “majority of Hanover County,” which Dyer said is comprised of citizens with “conservative values and principles” that “define equity in real life terms as being a product of seizing opportunity and working hard to achieve equity… and rejects teaching applications of socialism in our schools or into our lives.”

“The word equity is the key word, which defines what the left wants to do and what its goals are,” said Charlie Hogue of the Ashland District. “Instead of equity meaning being fair and impartial, the left now defines it as the government treating people differently in order to achieve equal results.”

“Equity in education means the death of exceptionalism,” Hogue added. “Please abolish the Community Equity Advisory Board.”

Kiri Berdan, a resident of Beaverdam and recently-

appointed CEAB member, said the committee “has been the subject of a lot of misconceptions, questions, controversy… especially the concept of equity.”

Berdan clarified his definition of equity, which is not a specific political agenda or movement but a “simple downhome concept” like kindness, decency, liberty and freedom.

He additionally clarified that equity does not mean “flat equality” and is a different word entirely.

Berdan said equity is summarized by the question of asking any parent of a straight, white, well-off student, “Would you allow or want your child to be treated like a black student, poor student, gay student, trans student? Would you want people to look at them the way they look at those students?

Would you like them to have the opportunities those students have and nothing more?”

“The idea of equity is trying to restore that balance, where we look to people and we say instead, ‘Yeah, I’d trade because it doesn’t determine where my child will go,” Berdan added.

“It doesn’t determine which doors are open to them, which people smile or turn away, or who slanders them at school board meetings.’”

Alicia Neumann, the former chairperson of CEAB,

SUPERVISORS Continued from pg. 1

cess of removal of an appointed public officer as outlined in the Code of Virginia. He said while there are no specific statutory requirements for the board of supervisors when they receive allegations, they have certain moral obligations, such as determining the validity of the allegations.

As outlined in Section 24.2-234 of the state code, a removal proceeding for an appointed officer must be brought by the authority who appointed that officer. Because the supervisors are the appointing authority for

4

Alicia Neumann, the former chairperson of the Community Equity Advisory Board, speaks on behalf of the committee during the public input portion of the Sept. 13 meeting.

Citizen Mark Kyllingstad voices his opposition to the school board’s Community Equity Advisory Board during the public input portion of the Sept. 13 meeting.

said the committee has been made up of administrators, hard-working parents, business owners and faith leaders in the community and parents of children in the school district. She said a majority of the committee’s members have been people of color.

“And yeah, that’s not really representative of Hanover County. But when you think about it, where else in HCPS does the board have access to a group of volunteer parents from different groups… backgrounds, different races, different religions, immigrant status, languages?” Neumann said.

“That’s what CEAB actually was meant to be.”

Neumann said she made an effort as chair to organize the meetings so that they could accomplish more work more

efficiently, establish bylaws to develop a “fair and impartial” way to judge applicants who sign up for the committee, and engage with May and Ikenberry as frequently as possible.

She additionally said there has been a lack of engagement with the committee by the school board and was unaware that CEAB was a topic of discussion at last week’s meeting.

School board members Steven Ikenberry, representative of the Cold Harbor District, and Bob May, vice chair and representative of the South Anna District, brought forth CEAB for discussion in last week’s meeting as liaisons of the committee. From working closely with the committee, Ikenberry and May identified a need for restructuring in order to achieve the committee’s

school board members, a majority of the board of supervisors members must sign a “penalty of perjury” with the petition, meaning a majority of the board believes that the information contained in the petition is true “to the best of their knowledge.”

Once the petition is filed with the circuit court, the court would issue a ruling requiring the officer to show cause why he or she should not be removed from office. The return date is within five to 10 days and would be served to the officer with a copy of the petition. The case would be heard on that return date unless there is good cause for continuance or postpone-

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

ment to a later day in the term, as stated in the code.

“While I mentioned up front that five to 10 days is what state code provides, I have not seen any cases where the trial happened five to 10 days later,” Walter said. After reaching out to the circuit court recently, he found that it would take approximately three to six months before a two-day jury trial could be conducted, he said.

He outlined other procedural issues with the removal process, mentioning how most cases of removal proceedings are unsuccessful, which is typically due to some procedural defect, insufficient evidence of misconduct or

Photos by Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Cold Harbor representative Steven Ikenberry and South Anna representative Bob May, liaisons of the Community Equity Advisory Board, discuss the committee’s need for reorganization.

goals.

Ikenberry highlighted how the school board adopted CEAB from the superintendent’s committees around 18 months ago and has had little to no structural change, which has had a negative effect on CEAB’s efficiency and functionality, he said.

Ikenberry suggested a restructuring to the committee in order to establish a more productive relationship with the school board.

May echoed Ikenberry’s suggestions, mentioning how the school board did not receive an annual report or recommendation from CEAB this year along with the school board’s other advisory committees.

“We need to consider putting a pause and wait for now to give us an opportunity to … figure out exactly what we want

because the official in question decides to resign.

Courts in Virginia follow the “clear and convincing” standard of proof in these cases, he said.

“It’s more than just you have a little bit more evidence, but it isn’t beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said. “It has to be convincing.”

Although supervisors have heard from many residents desiring the removal of a particular school board member based on individual votes on issues or school operations in general, those are not appropriate grounds to seek removal of a school board member, Walter pointed out.

to do and give some guidance,” May said.

Ikenberry moved to pause the work of CEAB pending additional deliberations by the school board to determine how to best serve the needs of all students. The motion carried with unanimous approval.

He clarified that the proposed “pause” to CEAB’s operations will be as brief as possible.

He said he and May will engage with existing CEAB members prior to or during the school board’s Oct. 21 fall work session to bring forth a solution. The board will likely workshop the matter further during the same work session.

For more information on CEAB, visit the website: https://www.hcps.us/about_us/ school_board/community_ equity_advisory_board.

“To remove somebody, at least here in Virginia, requires a very, very good reason for doing so,” he said. “They are not based on policy decisions.”

Walter said recent allegations against the school board member in question surround improper conduct, which requires two components to form the basis for removal per the state code.

“The officer must have done something that constitutes either neglect of duty, misuse of office or incompetence in the performance of duties, and that neglect of duty, misuse of office see SUPERVISORS, pg. 7

MEMORIES ARE FOREVER

Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Attendees filter into the Hanover County Black Heritage Society featured presentation on Sept. 14 titled “Early African-American Schools in Hanover County” at the Atlee Branch Library.

HERITAGE Continued from pg. 1

publisher of “Eastern Hanover County Churches, Schools, & Organizations: A Brief History from A Black Perspective,” which was written in 1985 with the help of his wife, Rose B. White.

White shared his years of extensive research in compiling the novel and overall inspiration behind the written work, which was rooted in his own experiences of growing up in the county.

“My aim tonight is not to bash heads or to rehash old memories just to stir up anger and resentment and ill feelings, but it’s to… give some insights on the experiences that I encountered, that I have matriculated through the education system here in Hanover County,” he said.

He said he and Rose were inspired to share stories of those who lived through the county’s history through studying the evolution of its school system.

He shared an April 1950 newspaper report on the selection of the name “John M Gandy” for a new high school for black children. The then-Hanover County Board of Supervisors went on record to abandon public schools if integration was enforced in the county, he said.

“As I’m looking at the audience tonight, you all are of

the age bracket that you can remember some of these types of things in your own personal life and in your own community,” White said. “These are the type of things that inspired myself and my wife to pull this information together.”

White shared other newspaper clippings and photographs of segregated schools throughout time, such as a 1930s photograph of the original Pole Green School and its modest student body, which included a few of White’s family members.

He pointed out that every child pictured was barefoot.

He mentioned other challenging conditions that he similarly faced as a young student, including how he and others used any schoolbooks they could find, which were often “hand me downs at best.”

Despite these restrictions, he highlighted how the teachers within the schools brought quality education to their students.

Displaying a photograph of the newly-built John M Gandy School that White himself attended in childhood, he looked to the audience and said he recognized fellow classmates among the crowd.

“And you matriculated well, and you esteem yourself, and you demonstrate your proficiency and your ability to… be more than what somebody else thought you would never be,” White said.

The Hanover schools for

Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Dr. Evans C. White Jr., pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Aylett and co-author and copublisher of “Eastern Hanover County Churches, Schools, & Organizations: A Brief History from A Black Perspective,” gives a presentation on his book to attendees.

black students were comprised of a single teacher who taught several grades, subjects and even generations, White said.

He additionally described how classrooms operated under a stricter regime, including daily personal hygiene inspections conducted by teachers.

“The teachers were respected by everyone,” he said. “The teaching profession was, and I hope it still is, an honorable institution that people want to get involved with to better their offspring in their own community.”

Stills offered a different perspective to attendees from his own childhood limitations as a black student in Hanover schools.

“You will also hear me talk about a way of life that was

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Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 5

OPINION | The Local Views From the editor

Remembering the fallen sycamore that saved the chapel on 9/11

By Christina Amano Dolan Editor

F

or 21 years now, the country and world have paused for a day in September to honor the commitment to never forget. For many, that commitment is one that can never be waived, as the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, remains engrained in the hearts and minds of those who watched its atrocities unfold.

While I was no older than an infant on this day, the remembrance of 9/11 has served as a solemn, painful memory since I could remember – whether from listening to accounts of the day by my parents who worked in Washington, D.C., hearing of family friends who lost a loved one or the weight of each name read aloud at Hanover County’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony earlier this month – a list of the fallen that seemed to never end.

As the community, first responders and leaders gathered on that beautiful, sunny morning of Friday, Sept. 9 to honor

the fallen in a powerful way, there was one story shared by Ashland Mayor Steve Trivett that made an indelible impression. It was a story that called for the recollection of everything I knew about that painful day and those who lived it, but then asked us to look beyond all that was lost that day to cherish what was found.

“As you listen to my comments, at the same time in the back of your mind, I’d like you to be reflecting a bit on what resilience means to you,” said Trivett.

He recounted the day he toured the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City last month, adorned with “plantings, stones, artifacts – everything all together moving, solemn and inspiring.”

Trivett carried listeners to what he found most inspiring of his venture, as his tour began in lower Manhattan at St. Paul’s Chapel. The chapel was built in 1776 and stands as the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan.

“And survive it has,” Trivett said.

In 1776, the British captured the city and burned a quarter

of it to the ground after winning the battle of Long Island.

Despite this, 13 years later, George Washington was inaugurated and he and members of our new country’s Congress worshiped in that very church.

The rear of the chapel faces Church Street – less than 100 yards from the site of the World Trade Center.

A large sycamore tree on the northwest corner of the chapel toppled from the debris and ash that rained from the skies on 9/11.

“Though fallen, the sycamore’s canopy shielded St. Paul’s,” Trivett said. “Miraculously, not one of those old windows were broken – even when everything seemed to collapse to Earth.”

This chapel has since been transformed into a beacon of hope and remembrance, with an “avalanche” of photos, flowers, teddy bears, notes and more covering its metal fence.

According to Trivett, they added 400 more fence points to that area that all stand covered with tributes – “tributes left to see FALLEN, pg. 8

Virginia and Queen Elizabeth II: A special relationship LETTERS | Reader Views

By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist Queen Elizabeth visited more than 117 countries during her 70-year reign as England’s monarch. Due to the immense demands on her time, a return visit to any of those destinations was unusual.

Virginia was fortunate to host the queen on three separate occasions, and Her Royal Highness seemed to have a genuine affection for the

Commonwealth.

Early in her tenure, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Jamestown and Williamsburg to honor the 350th anniversary of the founding of the first English colony in the New World.

According to reports, more than 25,000 Virginians welcomed the royals to the newly formed Jamestown Festival Park.

As a 7-year-old, I had little appreciation for the importance of the visit, but I could sense a special feeling of excitement as my father and mother

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loaded us into our old Plymouth for the ride to Jamestown.

We got a brief glimpse of the queen and her husband as she greeted the throngs of visitors who waved and jockeyed for position to get a better view of royalty.

As a young child, I had envisioned Jamestown as a developed national historical site with many attractions, but was sorely disappointed with the sparse surroundings along the James River. see VIRGINIA, pg. 8

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.

School name should be a fresh start Dear Editor, This letter is to comment on and to offer guidance to the Hanover School Board in the naming of the new elementary school that will replace Clay and Gandy elementary schools.

First and most importantly, it is the school board`s stated policy that new schools will not be named after persons.

Therefore, I offer my comments and suggestion for naming this new school.

This new facility is not a facelift or modernization of an existing facility; it is a new school. Therefore to continue the use of any existing name for this new facility violates existing school board policy.

During the Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting on May 11, 2022, Superintendent Dr. Gill gave a briefing on the status of the new school. He and Shawn Dowdy, the representative for the see LETTERS, pg. 8

6

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

HERITAGE Continued from pg. 5

introduced to me in the home, and that was to comply and conform,” he said.

Stills said he began school in the 1950s and recalled when there was a single desk per classroom.

“If you get that desk early in the morning, when you went to recess and you came back, everything had been moved, and you no longer had that desk,” he said. “That’s how things were.”

He spoke of his journey to becoming a Hanover County educator, assistant principal and administrator in human resources, and how he learned a powerful lesson in realizing his role as an educator within a

changed cultural setting.

Stills said he was the first black faculty member at Mechanicsville High School, which was named Lee-Davis at the time, and after five years of teaching, was eventually promoted to the position of assistant principal. Aiming to teach the same principles of compliance and conformity that guided his education, he saw a pushback from black students.

After meeting with them to establish a solution, the students taught him the necessity of “moving the needle.”

Stills saw this necessity throughout his career while facing similar roadblocks as those in his childhood. He shared how he came to “move the needle” away from his teachings of compliance and

conformity and began fighting for change, mentioning several quotes that he developed over the course of his long career.

“In life, you have to strike the right balance between the job that you do and the role that you play,” he said. “And I will admit that there have been times in my career that I was so busy playing the role that I perhaps neglected to do the job that I could very well have done.

But there is a reason for that.”

He said he recognized at an early age that when “a black person will do… a bad thing, he takes the entire race, but a white person can do something bad and he is an anomaly.”

“So that is why I was very careful of the role I played, because I didn’t want to besmirch my entire race

SUPERVISORS Continued from pg. 4

or incompetence has to have a material adverse effect upon the conduct of office,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of proving “some harm or injury” to the school board’s operations as a result of the accused officer’s misconduct.

“So each case falls or rises on its facts – both as to what the officer has done, but also what the impact is on that public body,” he said.

Although the name of the accused school board member was not stated during the meeting, Walter said allegations of improper conduct have surrounded a possible disclosure of student records in violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and misconduct in school board meetings, specifically referencing the public input portion.

FERPA governs student records and the protection of those records and applies to all educational agencies, whether public or private. It prohibits federal funding of schools that have either a policy or a practice

Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Ashland Supervisor Faye Prichard asks Walter a series of questions regarding other possible options for removing a public officer and other policy questions for clarity.

that permits the release of students’ education records without a parent’s written consent, or if the student is over 18, the student’s consent.

“The allegations basically here are that a school board member disclosed personal information about a student or student records without that student’s consent. That disclosure violates the provisions of FERPA,” he said. He added that allegations include the use of the school board member’s personal email account to disclose the information.

Walter said the board has requested additional information to see how much they can determine as to “what happened, when it happened and what that conduct actually entailed.”

He continued, saying allegations surrounding public input at meetings include how speakers and attendees of school board meetings have been treated and how the board has responded to actions taken by non-speakers, such as “folks who are holding signs, those who break out in spon-

because of something that I may have done,” he added.

He urged listeners to remember another quote: “That which confounds you, confronts you.”

“If you find yourself being confronted with something often, that is that thing that you need to conquer, that is the thing that you need to improve upon,” he said. “And so the idea here in these presentations is not so much to talk about the past – we’ve got to address the present and the future.”

Both presenters and audience members discussed a need for more black educators within the school system.

Many audience members pulled from their own experiences as educators and offered other ways to “move the needle

forward.”

Audience member Clara Scott said educators must listen to their young students, their wants and needs, and be “persistent” in bringing about change based on their feedback. Other audience members emphasized the importance of participating in local elections and local government.

Stills concluded the discussion by emphasizing how “the needle moves both ways,” encouraging everyone to be open to all perspectives in order to truly bring about progressive change within the community.

The next installation of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society’s Historical Guest Speaker Lecture Series is “Genealogy 101:

Climbing Your Family Tree – An Introduction to African American Genealogy” and will be held at the Ashland Branch Library today, Sept. 21, from 7 to 8 p.m. The same presentation will be held at the Atlee Branch Library on Oct. 12 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The Atlee Branch will additionally host the Oct. 19 installation, “Digitizing and Preserving Historical Documents,” from 7 to 8 p.m.

For more information on these installations and others, visit the Pamunkey Regional Library website: https:// pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/.

For more information on the Hanover County Black Heritage Society in general, visit the website: http://www. hanoverbhs.org/.

taneous applause or booing… sometimes there are comments that are made from the dais about what will happen if the speaker doesn’t change what they’re saying… and sometimes that involves the possibility of asking law enforcement to get involved. “ Law enforcement officers are present during school board meetings to “ensure something really bad doesn’t happen,” and they are generally not enforcers of public bodies and should not be commanded by the chairman or another school board member, Walter said.

Although the board of supervisors never named the school board member they were discussing, several citizen speakers spoke during the same meeting’s citizen’s time and the Aug. 24 meeting to voice disapproval of the conduct of the school board chairman and long-standing representative John Axselle.

During the Aug. 24 board of supervisors meeting, Hanover NAACP President Pat HunterJordan referenced an incident that occurred during the Aug. 16 school board special meeting,

which was held as an extended public comment period on a then-proposed Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) policy that would require a case-bycase review of transgender and non-binary students who request access to facilities that align with their gender identity. The policy was eventually adopted by the school board on Aug. 30.

During the meeting, Axselle requested that the onsite sheriff ’s deputy escort citizen Wendy Kersey out of the board room during the public input portion of the meeting.

Kersey, who spoke in opposition of the Hanover Patriots group in attendance, was cut off by Axselle, who stated that she must speak of the policy in question before she was eventually escorted out of the room by security.

Hunter-Jordan suggested that Axselle did not issue the same treatment to other speakers who spoke off-topic during the meeting, as Kersey was the only citizen removed from the board room.

“We would like to have that addressed so that we can have a consistent way of commu-

nicating with all of the representatives of Hanover County,” Hunter-Jordan said.

Walter said the board is still receiving information on the allegations but should consider a number of factors concerning the conduct of school board meetings, including if the rules are being applied in a “viewpoint neutral standard,” if a school board member makes comments based on whether or not they agree with the citizen speaker, if conduct has discouraged public comment and if it has a “chilling effect” on certain viewpoints.

“The allegations that are out there I think are serious enough to continue to investigate, and I continue to remain ready to help the board out in that information-gathering role,” Walter said.

The Local reached out to Kelly-Wiecek for a comment on the next steps in the process if the board moves forward with the investigation. She had not responded at press time.

The next Hanover Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 7

Important dates for Nov. 8 General Election Contributed Report The Local The Hanover County Office of Voter Registration and Elections is committed to helping all eligible registered voters maintain the ability to cast a ballot in the upcoming Nov. 8, 2022, General Election.

In-person absentee and vote by mail ballots are available beginning Sept. 23. You may request your vote by mail ballot or visit the Voter Registration and Elections Office in the Wickham Building at Hanover Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday – Friday. In addition, the office will be open on Sunday, Sept.

25 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. to cast an in-person absentee ballot. Curbside voting is available during early voting hours.

Saturday, Nov. 5 is the last day to vote an in-person absentee ballot.

Monday, Oct. 17 is the deadline to register or make changes to your voter registration in time for the General Election. Check your voter registration to make sure it is correct.

Friday, Oct. 28 is the final day you can request an absentee ballot by mail. Your request must be received by your General Registrar by 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. is the cut-off for voting an emergencyonly absentee ballot in the Voter

VIRGINIA Continued from pg. 6

The highlight of the trip was the tour of one of the tiny replica vessels that carried the colonists across the Atlantic to this tiny spur of land along the James River.

Another pavilion featured the original version of the Magna Carter, a loaner from the queen.

Later that day, the queen was received at the College of William and Mary by 6,000 fans gathered on the lawn of the Wren Building.

The queen’s party departed early

8

Registration and Elections Office.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Election Day. Polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. the Electoral Board will hold the canvass meeting to ascertain the election results and to rule on Provisional ballots cast. Monday, Nov. 14 at 12 p.m. (noon) is the deadline to cure your absentee ballot.

The Electoral Board will reconvene on Monday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.

You can register to vote, update your information, and request an absentee ballot online at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/.

Ballot drop off stations: Your ballots can be dropped off beginning Friday, Sept. 23 through Tuesday, Nov. 8 until 7 p.m. These ballot drop off stations are located at the Wickham building of the Hanover County Government Complex and on Election Day in all polling locations.

The Hanover County Voter Registration and Elections Office is in the Wickham Building, Room 119, of the Hanover County Government Complex. The phone number is (804) 365-6080. The e-mail address is hanovervoting@hanovercounty.gov.

Information submitted by Tom Harris, communications specialist for Hanover County. the next morning for Washington and a visit with President Dwight Eisenhower, and we made it to our home in Richmond. It was a visit my parents would recall for years. My sister and I were less impressed as we were probably too young to appreciate the importance of the queen’s visit.

Queen Elizabeth returned to the area in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial celebration and again visited Williamsburg and other portions of the state, including Charlottesville.

Years after that visit I spoke with

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

LETTERS

FALLEN Continued from pg. 6

engineering firm, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, repeatedly referred to it as a “new” school no less than nine times. Even the minutes of the BOS recognize this new facility as being a new school. In fact, there is explicit recognition that this facility is a new school; the visual presentation made at the meeting was titled “Hanover County Public Schools New Elementary School.”

To even suggest that the new facility is a continuation of the existing Gandy facility is disingenuous at best. While the new school is sited on the existing site of the Gandy school, it replaces the academic structure in size, capacity, footprint and appearance.

When the new structure replacing the Clay and Gandy elementary schools is dedicated, I request that the existing school board policy prohibiting the naming of schools after people be respected. For a school board to choose which policies to follow and which to ignore is not good governance, it is indefensible and it reeks of hypocrisy.

In keeping with the current naming protocol, I suggest that the new facility be named Ashland Elementary School. That name should offend no one and would recognize the community that it serves – like a number of other similarly-located schools.

To my fellow Hanoverians: Your tax dollars fund the county schools and will pay for this new construction. Your voice counts. I urge you to weigh in on the naming of this new school.

School Board members’ emails and phone numbers are found on the Hanover County Public Schools website. Contact them and remind them of the naming policy. Ask them to approve a name for this new elementary school that honors the entire community that it serves.

Allen Burnette Hanover County a man who served on the greeting committee at University of Virginia and he recalled his experiences that day as he accompanied the queen from the airport to the campus.

John Herring served as director of Newcomb Hall on the campus for decades and was involved in many aspects of campus life.

John’s immense dedication to the arts allowed him to welcome numerous artists and musicians to the campus as he managed and produced the University’s Artist Series.

I was fortunate to meet John late in his life as a neighbor. His kindness

Continued from pg. 6

honor, to mourn and to encourage.”

For eight months following 9/11, that chapel stood as a place of rest and refuge for the multitude of ground zero recovery workers. Firefighters, police officers, rescue and construction workers gathered at St. Paul’s for food, rest, comfort and prayer along with volunteers from “all walks of life doing what they could to help shoulder, with all of us, the weight of it all,” he said.

“Resilience – is it only about individual strength, strategy or endurance? I had previously thought that,” he said. “And yes, we all do need resilience within, but beyond that resilience within there is so much more.”

“Consider in 1776: Yes, the British won that battle, but united American resilience won that war,” he added. “That little chapel has been a witness to resilience across the years again and again. And the sycamore’s resilience, even in falling, it served.”

Trivett’s powerful words invited a swarm of images of this resilience – ones that have shaped my understanding of that day throughout my life. The resilience of the first responders who climbed thousands of stairs to never again make it back home. The resilience of those who watched as the skies were swallowed by ash and returned

was immediately evident as he often left goodies on my doorstep for my three small children.

One of our last conversations involved that momentous trip in 1976 and his role in the visit. As a member of the team who officially welcomed the queen at the Albermale Airport, he recalled his brief encounter with royalty.

On the trip from the airport to the campus, thousands lined up along Route 29 to greet Queen Elizabeth.

As they progressed along the route, John attempted to ignore the piercing odor not unfamiliar to

to work just days later. The resilience of those who, stuck in their cars on the highway next to my father as smoke from the Pentagon bled into the skies, ran from their cars down to make it home to their families. The resilience of the country as, in the aftermath of such atrocities, neighbors held the hands of neighbors and republicans held the hands of democrats along the Capitol steps.

The resilience of those who resolved to hope again – to look at that toppled sycamore tree and see the chapel tucked safely beneath its canopy, offering the very image of resilience that has coursed through this country’s veins since the very beginning.

Even as the Pentagon’s smoke lingered in the air and the Capitol’s streets stood empty after evacuation, the image of congressmen and senators joining hands to sing “God Bless America” was the evening’s chapel of the fallen sycamore tree, and it is an image that my parents will never forget.

So I invite you to recall what images of resilience appear when looking toward this painful day, and to look at these powerful displays of resilience as inspiration to strengthen your own.

More powerfully, picture that fallen sycamore tree and remember how even in the face of painful loss, there is always hope to be found in that little chapel that still stands today.

Virginians, the smell of a skunk.

According to his account, the queen was curious and asked about the origin of the unique odor to which John explained, “That’s a Virginia skunk, Your Majesty,” he said.

My friend and neighbor passed away in 2012, but the story survives and seems appropriate for this sad week in royal history.

It’s just a small part of the legacy left behind of a relationship a queen enjoyed with Virginia, a state fortunate to receive her visits several times during her reign.

Sports

UPCOMING EVENTS

09

23 2022

Prep football: Atlee at Patrick Henry 7:00 p.m.

09

23 2022

Prep football: Armstrong at Hanover 7:00 p.m.

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Raider runners head pack at RVA Relays

By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor MECHANICSVILLE — Atlee’s Raider boys led the way at the RVA Relays at Pole Green Park Saturday. The great depth of the Raider boys cross country team gave them advantage in the team title stakes.

With a fourth-place finish in the boys championship race, a win in the ‘B’ race and a thirdplace in the ‘C’ race, Atlee’s boys won the overall team championship.

The Raider girls excelled as well, finishing third in the girls championship race.

The performance overall was unexpected given the fact that the Relays were just the second competition for the Raiders this season.

“I was really pleased with how our teams ran and competed,” said Atlee head cross country coach Neil Mathews. “We haven’t raced but, you know, one time this year at this point.

So that being the second time we’ve been out there competing, we competed very well and I was just thrilled with how both teams did.”

In a cross country relay, rather than all runners tackling a 5-kilometer course, teams of five compete relay style with each individual running 2.5-kilometer legs. Atlee’s championship race quintet of Jake Stanley, Patrick Allen, Carson Echard, Travis Albon and Josh Haley finished in 38:10, behind Patriot (37:32), Glen Allen (37:59) and Mentor (38.02).

Dave Lawrence/The Local

Above, Atlee’s Courtney Mudd passes the half-way point of the anchor leg in the girls championship race in the RVA Relays at Pole Green Park Saturday night. Mudd’s 8:40 split wrapped up a third-place finish for the Raiders. Right, Hanover’s Ellie Agustin brings the Hawks home for a seventh-place finish, also in the girls championship race.

The Raider quintet of James Mulcahy, Owen Guest, Ashton Shultz, Justin Patterson and Christan Schultz won the boys ‘B’ race in 41:10. Atlee’s ‘C’ team of Jack Halferty, Braden Silveria, Jace Gourley, Mason Lahrman and Jonah Willard finished third in that race in 43:33.

Atlee’s girls championship team of Amelia Waggoner,

Addison Crow, Teagan Gilhooly, Sarah Bland and Courtney Mudd finished third in 44:41 behind Deep Run (44:20) and Western Albemarle (44:27).

“Our girls’ numbers aren’t quite all the way there but we’re getting close,” Mathews said.

“Our team ran very strong and as a team really surprised us.

We knew we were pretty solid,

but we didn’t know we were going to do what we did last night.”

Hanover’s girls likewise finished in the top 10 of their championship race. The Hawks — Hannah Clarke, Adelynn Carpenter, Alli Crytser, Bella Faudale and Ellie Agustin — finished seventh in 45:30.

“They had fun,” said

Hanover head cross country coach Rich Firth. “We had some good performances as a team.”

Mechanicsville and Patrick Henry both held their own against the field, which included teams from all over the state as well as from other states.

In the championship races, Mechanicsville’s boys —

Connor Butchyk, Curtis Fox, Josh Gray, Carter Smith and Jack Standridge — finished 19th in 29:38. The Mustang girls team of Andi Darko, Sara Hale, Ines Hon Delcourt, Abby Hughes and Reese Osborn finished 32nd in 53:04.

“It went pretty well,” said Mechanicsville head cross country coach Joey Wingo. “I was happy with both my boys team and my girls team. We ran faster than last year in both ‘A’ relays and we placed higher — and then, you know, each of the individual runners all had their best time in the RVA relays compared to the previous year.

So I was very pleased with that.

It was a good day.”

The Patrick Henry quintet of Landon Morris, Thomas Leff, Jameson Tobin, Marcus Parrish and Andrew Senfield finished 23rd overall in the boys championship race.

Dave Lawrence can be reached at dlawrence@mechlocal.com.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 9

Patriots rebound with shutout of Wildcats this Friday when the Hawks welcome surprising Armstrong, who, at 2-1, upset Goochland 26-14 Friday night. The following week, defending Class 4 state champion Varina comes to Hanover to close out September.

Both games kick at 7 p.m.

By Dave Lawrence and Rob Witham Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND — Patrick Henry’s football team knew it had some work to do after a close loss to Glen Allen on Sept.

9. The Patriots clearly put forth some effort to correct their mistakes last week.

The team never gave its visitor, Deep Run a chance as Patrick Henry rolled to a 39-0 walloping of the Wildcats Friday night.

The Patriots amassed more than 400 yards total offense.

Still, they have plenty to work on.

“We’ve still got a lot to fix, but it’s always better to have a lot to fix after a loss,” said Patrick Henry head football coach Ken Wakefield. “Penalties at the wrong times, turnovers — stuff that we’ve got to clean up, but like I said, we’ll take it, learn from it and continue to get better.”

The Patriots scored 13 points in three different quarters, starting with the first. From their first score, the Wildcats were on their back foot, and the Patriots made it clear who was in charge.

Patrick Henry’s tandem of quarterbacks, Jayden Brown and Grayson Johnson, performed well combining for 19-of-23 passes for 245 yards. Brown was 12-of-15 for 185 yards and two touchdowns — a 28-yard connection with Jeremiah Graham and a 14-yard strike to Gracyn Ross.

Johnson connected on 7-of8 passes for 60 yards. He also ran for a touchdown.

Ross led all receivers with 11 catches for 138 yards.

Shamar Williams was the a 3-yard run and another on a Patriots’ workhorse on the 20-yard fumble return. ground. Williams finished with 13 carries for 77 yards.

Two-way connections He scored one touchdown on HENRICO — The connec-

10

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

Rebels rough up Raiders RICHMOND — Atlee gained traction at times, but not enough to overcome host Douglas Freeman Friday night.

Raider quarterback Brooks Hollins led the team offensively, running for a touchdown and completing 18-of-31 passes for 148 yards and three interceptions. J.J. Lewis rushed 20 times for 82 yards and a touchdown, and Bryce Bucholz had nine carries for 36 yards and another touchdown.

Scott Holmes was Hollins’ favorite receiving target, catching seven passes for 64 yards.

Dave Lawrence can be reached at dlawrence@mechlocal.com.

Deep Run P. Henry

Dave Lawrence/ The Local

Above, Patrick Henry’s Jeremiah Grant (7) artfully dodges Deep Run’s Behrad Davari (12) in the Patriots’ 39-0 victory Friday. Left, Patrick Henry’s Shamar Williams (3) gets help in the form of a block from teammate Gracyn Ross (2).

tion between Beau Sahnow and Cole Elrod works both ways.

After Sahnow had thrown two touchdown passes to Elrod in the first half of Hanover’s

41-24 victory Friday night, the offense flipped the script, as Elrod threw a scoring pass to Sahnow, as the combination outdueled Mills Godwin quar-

terback Daniel Viener to pull away in the second half for a victory.

Key to shutting the door down on the Eagles were consecutive defensive plays by Zach Tyler, who, on a delayed blitz, sacked Viener to force a third down-and-24 situation. On that play, Tyler, in coverage, intercepted Viener near midfield, returning the ball to the Mills Godwin 11 to set up another score.

Grady Fahed continued his top notch defensive play with eight tackles, four of them for losses. Peyton Seelmann had 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Hanover (3-0) now enters Capital District play at home

0 0 0 0— 0 13 13 0 13 — 39

PH — Ross 14 pass from Brown (Crabbe kick) PH — Ross 31 run (kick failed) PH — Grant 28 pass from Brown (Crabbe kick) PH — Williams 20 fumble return (kick failed) PH — Williams 3 run (Crabbe kick) PH — Johnson 2 run (run failed) RUSHING DR: Taylor 15-12, Taber 7-(minus 5), Kaltsounis 1-0; Gauch 4-(minus 26); PH: Ross 2-36, Williams 13-77, Sylvia 2-9, Johnson 4-27, Brown 5-(minus 6), Johnson 5-21.

PASSING DR: Gauch 8-16-69-0; PH: Brown 12-15-185-0, Johnson 7-860-0.

RECEIVING DR: Taylor 3-34, Patel 3-21, Dube 1-6, Kaltsounis 1-8; PH: Ross 11-138, Grant 3-63, Sylvia 2-11, Roose 2-25, Keck 1-8.

Yellow Jackets 3-0, but still have much to learn Oct. 8, followed by a home date with an improved Bridgewater team that also uses two talented signal callers.

Then it’s back-to-back trips to Shenandoah and Washington and Lee, the team that cost the Yellow Jackets an NCAA bid last season.

We may not know precisely who the Yellow Jackets are as we enter October, but, surely, we will know when the month comes to a close.

The Guilford game on Oct. 1 is part of Family Weekend at Randolph-Macon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Rob Witham can be reached at sports@mechlocal.com.

By Rob Witham for The Local ASHLAND — Camp is behind them. They hold two home wins and a successful road trip to Washington, D.C. Now, on their bye week, preparing for Old Dominion Athletic Conference play, one question hovers over the RandolphMacon College football program?

Who are they?

Their defense is stingy against the run, allowing 96 yards over three games — just 62 yards to Southern Virginia University in Saturday’s 47-20 victory. Their offense, guided by two quarterbacks who didn’t take a snap for the Yellow Jackets in 2021, is averaging 45 points and 500 total yards per game.

But the Yellow Jackets, preseason favorites in the ODAC, were expected to win their three non-conference games, and win big. Now, the seven-week sprint known as conference play is on the horizon. The good news coming out of Saturday’s victory was the ability to get reps to players far down the depth chart, key experience for critical situations down the road.

“I thought they were pretty dialed in. We had our best week of practice,” said RandolphMacon head coach Pedro Arruza. “I think we played hard.

I don’t think we played well.

We’ve got some things to clean up.”

The Knights were able to hit multiple big plays against the Yellow Jacket defense, including a 64-yard touchdown pass in the third period which brought Southern Virginia, down 19-13 at halftime, back within six points at 26-20.

The scoreboard read 26 rather than 28 due to two blocked extra point attempts in the first half. Randolph-Macon

SVU R-MC

Joel Klein for The Local

Randolph-Macon junior running back Kwesi Clarke (25) leaves Southern Virginia defensive back Alex Sewell in his wake as he rumbles 19 yards for his second touchdown of the second quarter in the Yellow Jackets’ 47-20 victory Saturday afternoon at Day Field. Clarke carried the ball 13 times for 78 yards and the two touchdowns as Randolph-Macon improves to 3-0.

(3-0) allowed three quarterback sacks, while JoJo Marinella, who had a touchdown reception in the second quarter, fumbled a punt that was recovered by the Knights and turned into a field goal.

However, the offense scored on six-of-nine possessions. Kyle Ihle’s only punt of the day went 61 yards and was downed by the special teams at the 1-yard line. Four different Yellow Jackets scored rushing touchdowns, including two by Kwesi Clarke of 20 and 19 yards in the second quarter.

Sophomore D.J. Cone’s first carry this season went for 25 yards and a Yellow Jacket score with 2:25 left in the third period which began a 21-0 spurt that put the Knights away for good.

Quarterback Drew Campanale’s play continues to impress. He went 14-of-19 for 198 yards and the scoring pass to Marinella.

Andrew Ihle impressed, too, completing both of his passes for 41 total yards while rushing seven times for 40 additional yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run that ended a 12-play drive to open the second half.

Even the defense got points on the board when Knights quarterback Colten Shumway was hit near the goal line, the ball knocked away by Wade Grubbs. Jacob Hutchinson pounced on the football in the end zone for a touchdown.

Back, though, to the original question. Who are the 2022 Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets?

“There’s been some frustration in the way we’ve played these first three games, you know,” Arruza said. “We’ve got a good group of guys, but it’s

early. I don’t know how good we are. Our guys know we need to get better, and this is a good opportunity to do that.”

That opportunity is this Saturday’s bye, which is the case for all eight ODAC teams. So when conference play begins on Oct. 1, each conference member must line up seven consecutive Saturdays, starting with the Yellow Jackets’ game at Day Field against Guilford.

That schedule only gets tougher. A trip to Danville for Randolph-Macon’s first conference game against Averett is on

3 10 7 0 — 20 0 19 21 7 — 47

SVU — Brown FG 36 R-MC — Marinella 7 pass from Campanale (K. Ihle kick) SVU — Brown FG 39 R-MC — Clarke 20 run (kick failed) R-MC — Clarke 19 run (kick failed) SVU — Shumway 6 run (Brown kick) R-MC — A. Ihle 1 run (Graham kick) SVU — Boxley 64 pass from Shumway (Brown kick) R-MC — Cone 25 run (Graham kick) R-MC — Team 17 pass from Schaeffer (Graham kick) R-MC — Chatmon 2 run (Graham kick) RUSHING SVU: Wood 12-44, Nelson 4-11, Shumway 7-10, Lanktree 2-(minus 3); R-MC: Clarke 13-78, Hale 8-57, A. Ihle 7-40, Pennington 8-38, Cone 2-28, Chatmon 4-9, Highter 1-2, Campanale 4-(minus 1), Deaver 1-(minus 12).

PASSING SVU: Shumway 16-25-224-1, Audette 0-1-0-0; R-MC: Campanale 14-19-198-0, A. Ihle 2-2-41-0, Lenard 2-8-8-0.

RECEIVING SVU: Washington 6-101, Boxley 2-69, Pope 1-15, Wood 1-7, Howard 1-6, Lanktree 1-6, Johansson 1-6, Nelson 1-5, Jones 1-5, Francois 1-4; R-MC: Wallis 3-80, Clarke 1-34, Mayfield 3-25, Bowman 2-24, Clemmons 2-24, Marinella 3-24, Hunt 1-15, Pennington 1-13, Campbell 1-8, Chatmon 1-0.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 11

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 6:00 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the Board’s consideration of the administrative agenda permits, 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: REZ2022-00016, LAURIANNE B. AND CHARLES P. FREEMAN Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District to AR-6(c), Agricultural Residential District with conditions on GPIN 7799-56-6779, consisting of approximately 11.54 acres, and located on the east line of Mechumps Creek Lane (private road) approximately 0.25 miles north of Mount Hermon Road (State Route 656). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Agricultural. The proposed zoning amendment would permit the creation of one additional building lot for family for a gross density of one (1) dwelling unit per 5.77 acres.

(PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam SE2022-00016, KGLJ PROPERTIES, L.L.C. Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-175.1 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to allow a child day care center on GPIN 8704-74-4460, consisting of approximately 0.76 acres, zoned M-2, Light Industrial District, and located on the east line of Elm Drive (State Route 1108) approximately 350 feet south of its intersection with Eagle Drive (private road). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Mechanicsville SE2022-00018, ESL MECHANICSVILLE, L.L.C. Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-334.2 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit a temporary sales trailer on GPINs 7796-94-6872, 7796-95-4087, and 7796-95-8003, consisting of approximately 8.34 acres, zoned R-1, Single-Family Residential District, and located on the south line of Atlee Road (State Route 638) at its intersection with Hollycroft Court (State Route 2329). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Chickahominy SE2022-00009, WIGEON CAPITAL Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-336 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit a structure taller than permitted on GPIN 7787-47-6301, consisting of approximately 25.95 acres, zoned M-1(c), Limited Industrial District with conditions and R-5(c), Multi-Family Residential District with conditions, and located on the west line of Lakeridge Parkway (State Route 782) approximately 0.39 miles north of its intersection with Sliding Hill Road (State Route 656). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: South Anna REZ2022-00015, LISA G. WAITMAN Request(s) to rezone from R-1, Single-Family Residential District, to B-2(c), Community Business District with conditions, on GPINs 8705-53-2068 and 8705-52-4989, consisting of approximately 1.57 acres, and located on the east line of Meadowbridge Road (State Route 627) approximately 700 feet north of its intersection with Atlee Road (State Route 638). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Commercial. The proposed zoning amendment would allow for the development of a three (3) unit retail strip center that includes a single drive-through restaurant. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Mechanicsville REZ2022-00012, TL HUNT, L.L.C. Request(s) an amendment to the proffers and conceptual plan approved with rezoning request C-20-04, Am. 1-15, TL Hunt, L.L.C., on GPIN 8706-24-3693(part), consisting of approximately 1.05 acres, to rezone from B-1(c), Neighborhood Business District with conditions, to B-2(c), Community Business District with conditions, and located on the west line of Chamberlayne Road (U.S. Route 301) approximately 450 feet north of its intersection with Rutlandshire Drive (State Route 2320). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban General (1.5 – 3 dwelling units per acre). The proposed zoning amendment would permit a restaurant with a drive-through in the proposed B-2 District. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Chickahominy REZ2022-00010, 7147 MECHANICSVILLE TURNPIKE, L.L.C. Request(s) to rezone from B-1(c), Neighborhood Business District with conditions to RM(c), Multi-Family Residential District with conditions, on GPIN 8714-77-2332, consisting of approximately 6.5 acres, and located on the south line of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. Route 360) approximately 350 feet east of its intersection with Meadow Drive (State Route 1120). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Multi-Family (8 to 15 dwelling units per acre). The proposed zoning amendment would permit the creation of 144 age-restricted apartments. This development will share an internal road that provides cross access with the Cambridge Square Apartments (GPIN 8714-87-1189). The total number of dwelling units for both developments will be 351 units on 26.2 acres for a gross density of 13.4 units per acre. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Mechanicsville REZ2022-00020, C & O REAL ESTATE, L.L.C., ET AL. Request(s) to rezone from R-1(c), Single-Family Residential District with conditions, B-2(c), Community Business District with conditions, and B-O(c), Business Office District with conditions, to B-3(c), General Business District with conditions, on GPINs 8714-57-1638, 8714-47-9589, 8714-47-8592, 8714-47-8443, 8714-47-9308, 8714-47-9457, 8714-57-0448, and 8714-57-0592, consisting of approximately 1.61 acres, and located on the south line of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. Route 360) at its intersection with Bell Creek Road (State Route 642). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Commercial. The proposed zoning amendment would allow for an automated carwash. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Mechanicsville 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., please contact the Planning Office or you may also go to https://www.hanovercounty.gov/697/Board-of-Supervisors-Upcoming-and-Archiv for more information.

12

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

HANOVER COUNTY CITIZEN INFORMATION MEETING LEWISTOWN RD / ASHCAKE RD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS & OVERVIEW OF THE HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT Hanover County will hold an information meeting on Monday, September 26th, 2022, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Hanover County Airport Terminal Building located at 9500 Sliding Hill Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia, to hold a citizen information meeting on preliminary roadway plans for the proposed improvements for the Lewistown Rd / Ashcake Rd intersection and provide an overview of the Hanover County Airport.

The purpose of this meeting is to present the preliminary roadway design including the road alignment and the intersection layout early in the development of the project to allow the public to have early input in the design process. Right of Way needs have NOT been fully assessed at this time. In addition, the County will provide an overview of the Hanover County Airport and a chance to ask questions about the Airport.

Questions and comments will be accepted prior to and following the meeting and every effort will be made to address questions received prior to the meeting during the presentation. Questions and comments regarding the road project should be submitted to publicworks@hanovercounty.gov or mailed to the Dept. of Public Works, P.O. Box 470, Hanover, VA 23069. Please reference “Lewistown Rd / Ashcake Rd Intersection Improvements” in all correspondence. Comments will be received until 5:00 PM, October 6th, 2022 to be included in the public record. Questions regarding the Airport should be directed to Charles Sobrito at cjsobrito@hanovercounty.gov. Please see the County’s website for more information at the following link: https://www.hanovercounty.gov/1209/HanoverCounty-Municipal-Airport”.

A diagram of the preliminary road alignment, plans and other exhibits can be viewed on the Dept. of Public Works web page under “Quick Links” at the following link: https://www.hanovercounty.gov/816/Roads-and-Transportation Hanover County ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may contact the Dept. of Public Works at (804) 365-6181 or TTY/TDD 711 or via email at publicworks@hanovercounty.gov.

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

Public Notice Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 6:00 P.M., in the Board Room of the Hanover County Administration Building at Hanover Courthouse, 7516 County Complex Road, Hanover, Virginia, as the day, date, time, and place for a Regular Board Meeting.

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

HANOVER COUNTY 2022 REAL ESTATE TAX NOTICE SECOND HALF Due October 5, 2022 Notice is herewith given that all second half 2022 Hanover County real estate taxes are due and payable on or before October 5, 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.

M. Scott Miller, Treasurer Hanover County Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 13

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Upcoming programs at Hanover area libraries Richard S. Gillis, Jr./Ashland Branch Library In-Person Programs

Mad about Mahjong! at the Ashland Branch Library. Friday, Sept.

30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Looking for experienced players to play with? Join other Mahjong enthusiasts in playing the cultural tile game at the Ashland Library.

Mother Goose Storytimes at the Ashland Branch Library. Monday, Sept. 26, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Mother Goose is a Storytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers.

Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler Storytimes at the Ashland Branch Library. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 10 to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a Storytime of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2 to 3 and their caregivers.

Preschool Storytimes at the Ashland Branch Library. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m.

Enjoy books, music, fingerplays and much more at preschool Storytime. For ages 3 to 5 with a caregiver.

Bubbles with Babies at the Ashland Branch Library. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 11 to 11:30 a.m. Ages 0 to 3 years old. Enjoy some bubbles, toys and friends.

Genealogy 101: An Introduction to African American Genealogy at the Ashland Branch Library. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6 to 9 p.m. Bessida Cauthorne White, Esq., a genealogist for more than 40 years and co-founder and president of the Middle Peninsula AfricanAmerican Historical and Genealogical Association, provides an introduction to African American genealogy and provide tips and strategies for getting started. Session attendees will receive multiple handouts containing relevant resources.

From the Heart Stitchers at the Ashland Branch Library. Thursday, Sept. 22, noon to 4 p.m. From the Heart Stitchers began in 2001 making chemo hats for the Massey Cancer

Center and today has over 1899 stitchers making thousands of items for service groups across Virginia. Sew, knit, crochet or loom anything from blankets to shawls and everything in between. Bring a sewing machine, knitting needles, etc. and supplies, and make items for “From the Heart” every fourth Thursday. See https:// fromtheheartstichers.org/ for more information about this organization.

Influenza at the Ashland Branch Library. Thursday, Sept. 22, 7 to 8 p.m.

Ages 18 & up. Why is the influenza vaccine important? What types of influenza does the vaccine provide protection for? Adult vaccine recommendations and vaccine answers will be provided.

End of the Line: The history of Virginia’s death penalty Part 2: Race and the death penalty at the Ashland Branch Library. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Continuing the journey of the death penalty in the Commonwealth by discussing its roots. Black men historically were executed faster, far more often, and for crimes such as assault and highway robbery. No white man was executed for a crime against a Black person until 1997. Presented by Dale M. Brumfield, anti-death penalty advocate, cultural archaeologist, “American Grotesk” history teller and author of 12 books.

Let It Grow! Investing for Teens at the Ashland Branch Library.

Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Ages 12-18. Learn about the magic of compound interest - investing a little now to become a millionaire later with financial expert, Ted Bess.

Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information.

Hanover Branch Library In-Person Programs Hanover Book Club at the Hanover Branch Library. Tuesday, Sept. 20, noon to 1 p.m.

Join the fun group, in-person or on Zoom, to enjoy “Quiet” by Susan Cain and discuss questions about it.

Registration is required for the Zoom meeting at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/9433718. The meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs.

If you don’t receive your reminder email, contact the library.

Call 804-365-6210 or visit the library at 7527 Library Drive for more information.

Lois Wickham Jones/ Montpelier Branch Library In-Person Programs

Family Storytime at the Montpelier Branch Library.

Thursdays, Sept. 22 & 29, 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes and much more. Family Storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Genealogy at the Montpelier Branch Library. Thursday, Sept. 22, 1 to 2 p.m. Discover your family history and explore the tips, tools and technology available at the library. Presented

by Stephanie Harris of the Montpelier Branch Library. Refreshments will be provided by Friends of the Montpelier Branch Library.

Call 804-883-7116 or visit the library at 17205 Sycamore Tavern Lane for more information.

Cochrane Rockville Branch Library

The Hanover Tavern presents 7th annual Hanover AutumnFest Contributed Report The Local The fall season kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 24 with the seventh annual Hanover AutumnFest presented by Anton Paar.

AutumnFest is the Hanover Tavern Foundation’s signature community event of the year. The tavern grounds become the backdrop for a day of food, family fun and live music from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event features onsite smoked pork, turkey and beef brisket, Brunswick stew, side dishes and fresh pies from Hanover Tavern's restaurant. In addition, there is local craft beer and wine, live music by the Anvil Brothers and Coleman & Fuller, as well as games and activities for the kids. Children’s activities include pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, hay slide, face painting, outdoor

CALENDAR Continued from pg. 2

Ongoing Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions One Stop Shop (MCEF OSS) is open for food, clothing and linens from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 7235 Stonewall Parkway in Mechanicsville (rear parking lot). The shop is available for residents in the 23111 and 23116 zip codes with identification and proof of residency.

In-Person Programs Family Storytime at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. Fridays, Sept. 23 & 30, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes and much more. Family Storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Call 804-749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Walnut Grove Baptist Church will be conducting Free Adult English Classes (ESL) and Citizenship Classes (Passing the Test) Wednesday mornings with open enrollment through May 17, 2023. Classes will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m at 7046 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. For more information, contact the church office at (804) 746-5081 or contact Frank at wgbcinfo@comcast.net or (804) 402-7701. The classes are free

scavenger hunt, magic show and kids' crafts. Admission is free and open to the public.

Proceeds from this event benefit Hanover Tavern Foundation with a mission to preserve, interpret and utilize Historic Hanover Tavern as an historic, educational, community and cultural resource center for the enjoyment of all.

but students are asked to purchase the books required for the class.

The men of Mechanicsville United Methodist Church will be preparing and selling Brunswick stew again this year for $10 a quart. They strongly encourage you to preorder your stew by calling the church office at 804746-5118 starting on Oct. 3. Church office hours are Tuesday - Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m. Pick-up will be on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 8 to 10 a.m.

Stew not sold in the preorders will be available for purchase on Saturday morning along with delicious baked goods prepared by the women of the church. The women of the church will also be selling their fabulous baked goods on Saturday morning! Contact the church office with any questions.

Saturdays Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Campus, located at 11515 Ashcake Road in Ashland 2 miles west of U.S. 1, holds its church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor Rev. Dr. Roy Minnix. Visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804270-9626.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022 15

Ashland officers receive state recognition StaffReport The Local Two Ashland Police Department (APD) officers were among 19 Virginia law enforcement officers and one K-9 that received the 2022 Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) Awards for Valor.

On Sept. 13, VACP presented the nineteen Virginia law enforcement officers and one K-9 from Arlington County, Ashland, Big Stone Gap, Bridgewater College, Colonial Heights, Covington, Marion, Martinsville, Norton, Roanoke, and Virginia State Police agencies with the association’s highest honor: the Award for Valor. The awards were presented during the VACP Awards Banquet at the 97th Annual VACP Conference held at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia.

The Award for Valor recognizes a law enforcement officer who, in the line of duty, performs an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged with an adversary at imminent personal risk.

Lt. Grant Bonistalli and Officer Jennifer Beyers received this distinction for their heroic actions in the following incident, as noted on the VACP website: “On Sept. 9, 2021, Bonistalli and Beyers responded to a domestic situation at an apartment involving an assault with injuries. The

Photo courtesy of Erin Schrad of VACP

Lt. Grant Bonistalli and Officer Jennifer Beyers of the Ashland Police Department hold their 2022 VACP Awards for Valor at the 97th annual VACP Conference.

officers knocked at the door several times before an adult male answered the door. While the male remained behind a screen door, Bonistalli observed something in his hand. When asked what he was holding, the suspect stated, ‘a newspaper.’ The officers continued to speak with the suspect, who was not compliant with the officers’ requests.

Upon further observation, Bonistalli observed a knife inside of the rolled-up newspaper and asked the suspect several times to place the knife upon the ground. The suspect

began to back up, failing to comply with officer commands.

Concerned for the safety of the victim inside, Bonistalli and Beyers entered the apartment where they challenged the suspect to drop the knife. The suspect turned toward the rear of the apartment. Not knowing where the victim was located and concerned for the victim’s safety, officers pursued the suspect further into the apartment.

Due to the suspect’s possession of a knife and to prevent the possibility of an additional assault, Bonistalli discharged his taser. Once the uninjured suspect was taken into custody and the butcher knife was secured, the officers quickly refocused their attention to locating and assessing the female’s condition. They located her upstairs in the residence with significant injuries. They were able to address her injuries alongside the Hanover Fire-EMS Department and have her transported to the emergency room.

Both officers used their extensive training and exercised excellent de-escalation techniques and decision-making skills to safely take the suspect into custody. The VACP is proud to honor Ashland Lieutenant Grant Bonistalli and Officer Jennifer Beyers with the 2022 Award for Valor.”

For more information on the VACP Awards for Valor recipients or the VACP in general, visit the website: https://www.vachiefs.org.

The Ashland Museum transitions into fall with flowers Contributed Report The Local This week the Ashland Museum welcomes the arrival of fall with an exhibition celebrating the Ashland Garden Club’s 100 years of stimulating the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs. For Ashland’s Fourth Friday on Sept. 23, the Club’s civic landscaping, conservation education and Historic Garden Week in Virginia work will be highlighted. It will be on display at the Ashland Museum, located at 105 Hanover Avenue, Ashland, through January 2023 and will also feature special flower arrangements.

To open the exhibition, Miriam Green will profile Mary Beirne, daffodil specialist and the first Ashland Garden Club president on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Beirne lived at Rhodeen on North Center Street in Ashland and cultivated daffodils on her 14-acre property. This HistoryTalk will be in the SunTrust

16

Theater in Brock Commons, located at 304 Henry Street, Ashland, on the RandolphMacon College campus. It is free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Hanover County Black Heritage Society with the Pamunkey Regional Library and the Museum will offer a program “Genealogy 101: An Introduction to African-American Genealogy” presented by Bessida Cauthorne White, Esq. This program will be at the Ashland Library at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Also in the coming week, the museum will offer a guided walking tour of historic Woodland Cemetery on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. Details and reservations are at ashlandmuseum.org.

For information on these and other events, contact the Ashland Museum by emailing: Photo courtesy ofAshland Garden Club ashlandmuseum@comcast.net, calling: 804- Students participate in Ashland Garden Club’s 368-7314, or visiting the website: ashlandmu- Roots & Shoots conservation program at Henry Clay Elementary School. seum.org.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 21, 2022

County offers updated information on septic systems Contributed Report The Local State law requires septic tanks located in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas (CBPA) be pumped out at least once every 5 years. The Department of Public Works monitors compliance of these state requirements for Hanover County. The program requires reporting updated information about your septic tank to the County.

The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) also includes Resource Protection Areas (RPA) and Resource Management Areas (RMA).

Additional information about the CBPA and an FAQ about the septic tank pump-out program can be read on the County’s website at: www.hanovercounty.gov under the Department of Public Works > Areas of Responsibility.

If you wish to avoid pumping out your septic tank, a sewage handler can inspect the system and certify it does not need to be pumped. You can also install a Virginia Department of Health (VDH) approved plastic filter. Plastic filters require on-going maintenance.

Contact the Virginia Department of Health for more information about these filters.

To comply with requirements, you will need to provide the county with your name, address and the date your septic tank was pumped out or inspected. You will also need to confirm that your drain field is not located in the CBPA or alternatively, that your system has an approved plastic filter.

If you have questions or want to report your information, email septic@ hanovercounty.gov or call 804-3656263. It is a 24/7 septic voicemail line.

Pumping your septic system is not mandatory if you are outside of a CBPA; however, pumping and inspecting your septic system may extend its life.

Information submitted by Tom Harris, communications specialist for Hanover County.