Smithson teaches Scouts about voting
Photo submitted by Sheila A. Frattini
Teri Smithson, Hanover County’s Director of Elections, recently visited Doug Dompkowski’s Boy Scouts of America Webelos II Den, Pack 503, at the Church of the Redeemer. Members of the Pack are working on their “Building A Better World” requirement. Smithson said she was happy to spend time teaching the boys about the importance of voting, and the difference voting makes in our community.
Heritage Green providing help for Cyber Seniors Photo submitted by Ronnie Bolton
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com M E C HA N I C S V I L L E – A Cyber Seniors kickoff meeting will begin at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 22) at Heritage Green at 7080 Brooks Farm Rd. in
OPIOIDS Continued from pg. 16
Anthony Keitt will serve as the moderator. The committee includes: Keith Cartwright, Randolph-
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this neighborhood who have 40-foot shallow wells,” said Ed Gooding, a life-long resident of Montpelier. The applicant has proposed to drill an 800-foot deep well. “We had a pretty tough drought a number of years ago, and what happened was the deep wells dried the aquifers down, so the people with the shallow wells had to drill new
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Mechanicsville. The event will include the documentary, “Cyber Seniors,” to help learn how to enhance computer skills. Heritage Green and students from Lee-Davis High School will be available to help seniors learn more
about Facebook, YouTube, etc. Coffee and pastries will be available while participants pick up some tips on how to stay connected in your senior years. Attendees are invited to tour the newly renovated and
Macon College; Maureen Early, Hanover Cares. Doug Goodman, Ashland Police Department; Emily Haswell, Herald-Progress. Anthony Keitt, Ashland resident; Octavia Marsh, Hanover
Cares; Ragan Phillips, Ashland resident. Kierstin Streitel, Hanover County Public Schools; and Maj. Michael Trice, Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office. Hanover Cares Coalition
expanded community. An Ashland Beekeepers Association (ABA) beekeeper teaches While you’re visiting for how to inspect a bee colony. this meeting, take a tour of our newly renovated and expanded community. For more information, or to RSVP, call 804-746-7370 or visit www.heritagegreenhaCourse,” running from 6:30 to Contributed Report nover.com. 9 p.m. Mondays, from March news@mechlocal.com 6 to 27, at Family Life Baptist ASHLAND — Do you have Church at 206 S. Washington is presenting the community- a desire to keep your own honey Hwy. in Ashland. driven event will focus on the bees? Help the environment? Class topics include: state-wide crisis in the abuse of Enjoy your own raw honey? Honey Bee Biology, Beekeeper prescription opioids and heroin. The Ashland Beekeepers Equipment, Seasonal Hive To register and get free tick- Association (ABA) is offer- Management, Pest & Disease ets, go to http://tinyurl.com/ ing a four-session class, “A Management, and much more. zc6wh3v. Beekeeper Introductory Short see BUZZ, pg. 19
wells,” he said. Gooding also pointed out to the Planning Commission that a resident he’s been in contact with has claimed that he was offered money to sign a petition in approval of the proposal, and Gooding presented a “sworn, notarized affidavit” from one of the residents who claimed he was offered $100 to sign his support. In other comments, residents who favor the proposal expressed how they felt bullied by others in the community
and were afraid to come forward with their support for Harris’ plans. “People are feeling bullied in our community, [they have a] fear of speaking out and I wanted to use this opportunity to speak for me and other people who agree with this proposal,” said Kelly Schips. “I truly believe that this development is for the better outcome of the community; yes, it will affect a few. But I’ve always been taught that what benefits the most, rather than
what’s affecting the few, is the better outcome,” Schips said. After hearing all of the public input provided during the meeting, the commissioners announced their decision to recommend denying the proposed application to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. “One thing that gets my attention in this country and this county … is that we vote on things, and when we have a turnout like tonight — that opposes something to this
The Mechanicsville Local
February 22, 2017
Four-session beekeeping class: It’s all about the buzz
degree — that gets my attention. I believe that when you vote, you show up to vote,” said Commissioner Frederic McGee Jr., who represents the Cold Harbor District. The fate regarding the applicant’s proposal will fall in the hands of the board of supervisors, who will make the final decision whether to approve or deny the application. “Keep Montpelier Rural” is a recently formed group of residents who disagree with
the proposed change in land use designation for the area in question, as well as the development that would follow it. Offering more information about the group and its mission, its website also includes a section where people can sign a petition to oppose the comprehensive plan amendment (CPA-1-16). Anyone interested in learning more about the group can visit www.keepmontpelierrural.com.