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Vol. 28, No. 33 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | December 14, 2011
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Gaskin: how to approach development Hanover County official looks to commercial future section by section By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com (Editor’s note: A three-part series on Hanover County development — results and plans — debuts today with an interview with Edwin A. Gaskin, Hanover County’s economic development director.) When Hanover County’s director of Economic Development talks about the direction he envisions, different geographic
areas come to mind. “There are certain areas of Hanover County that lend itself to commercial development and areas that don’t,” Edwin A. Gaskin said. “The I-95 corridor and area around Mechanicsville are prime areas for commercial development. They have road and infrastructure needed to support industry and business. They are already developed to a degree and the big problem now is making sure that future development is with the
Sager named to interim Community Services post Ivy T. Sager, Hanover dual role,” Cecil R. “Rhu” County’s director of Harris Jr., county administraCommunity Resources, will tor, said. “Her relationships be doing two jobs for months with the strong senior management team to come. She already in place at has been named the Community acting execuServices Board tive director of should make this Hanover County a very easy transiCommunity tion.” Services, meanSager is replacing she will be ing Dr. Thomas responsible for M. Slaven, who supervising both is retiring this departments. STANLEY month as execu“Ivy’s great leadership skills and tive director of the Hanover unmatched knowledge of CSB. “I’m excited to take on human services in Hanover County make her the ideal this role,” Sager said. “I see it person to fill this important see SAGER, pg. 4
types of industries and business we want.” Gaskin said there are other sections of the county where the goal is to maintain the rural lifestyle. “One of the big selling points for Hanover County is the quality of life offered,” he continued. “We have excellent schools for the children of families moving here and medical facilities all around the area that serve see GASKIN, pg. 4
L-DHS DECA spotlights ‘motel families’ By Jim Ridolphi news@mechlocal.com It’s hard to turn on the national news without hearing about the growing homeless problem in America, but it’s a subject that seems foreign to Hanover County. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Three Lee-Davis High School DECA students are spearheading an effort to raise awareness for a uniquely affected group of families who rely on local motels to provide housing. Currently, there are 42 families who live week-to-week, or day-to-day in some cases, in motel/hotel complexes in the Ashland area. Each year, the DECA chapter at Lee-Davis chooses a public service project, often spotlighting local charity efforts. This
year, the group partnered with Ashland Supportive Housing to raise awareness and funds to assist motel families. Last week, DECA sponsored a showing of “Motel Families,” a film that addresses the homeless problem in local motels. Lucinda Jones, executive director of Ashland Supportive Housing of Virginia (ASH), followed the featured families for four months and spoke with local agencies such as the Salvation Army and Ashland Christian Emergency Services (ACES) to gain perspective on the growing problem. Ashland Supportive Housing is a nonprofit group that seeks to transition motel families into more stable housing. In most cases, obtaining an apartment or renting a house costs less
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Ashley Berry, Logan Bryan and Lindsey Neal, all senior DECA members at Lee-Davis High School, spearheaded efforts to support Ashland Supportive Housing.
than the $220 plus weekly rental fee at the motels. The film points out the obstacles that prevent these families from obtaining permanent housing. Most apartment
rentals require large deposits and stringent credit checks, and these families have neither. Many of the families involve children, who exist almost see DECA, pg. 28