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Vol. 34, No. 9 | Richmond Suburban News | July 5, 2017
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Routing options narrowed at DPRT meeting By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Ashland Mayor Jim Foley asked why a third rail option running through Ashland’s downtown was included in the options. Related article on page 5.
ASHLAND — Following the second of six scheduled public meetings established to gather comments from the people who will be most affected by a proposed high-speed rail project from Richmond to Washington, D.C., many attendees left with more questions than answers. “I feel like they are just going through the motions and then are going to do whatever they decide,� one attendee said as he exited the meeting. While Department of Public and Rail Transportation representatives have assured
the public that the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) process is designed to consider alternative routes, it seems most of the most viable suggestions have been eliminated. Both opponents of adding a third rail through the center of Ashland and the western bypass alternative favored the consideration of eastern bypass routes that would eliminate significant impacts on both of those areas. But initial screening of those options narrowed the list of alternative routes to four primary paths, none taking advantage of an old RF&P consee DRPT, pg. 5
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Jennifer Mitchell, director of the Department of Public and Rail Transportation, said her department is willing to consider alternatives that did not score well in the initial screening process.
Tomato Festival kicko oers contests and vendors By Melody Kinser Managing Editor MECHANICSVILLE – Now in its 39th year, the Hanover Tomato Festival will be kicking off Friday, with an evening filled with contests and food vendors. Hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at
Pole Green Park at 8996 Pole Green Park Lane in Mechanicsville. Marcy Durrer, recreation program director for Hanover County Parks & Recreation, said the kickoff will include the Papa John’s 4K Run and Relay, music and contests. As for food options, about
50 vendors will be set up, “so folks can pick up dinner.� “We’re going to do some fun contests where they [participants] can win Papa John’s pizza,� she said. Among the contests are pizza box folding, dough throwing, and pepperoni stacking. Pizza
aficionados are encouraged to show off their skills. Music will be provided by a DJ. This year’s festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is being dedicated to the late Henri Moore Jr., who had see TOMATO, pg. 7
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