INSIDE Through thick and thin, siblings share a special bond > page 6
Volume 66 Number 28 • July 22, 2021
“I
n today’s society, there are forces that would like to keep history taught as it was. When I was in school we were taught, when there were cowboys and Indians, that the cowboys were the good guys and the Indians were the bad guys. We were taught that the Civil War was about states’ rights not about slavery. It’s important that our children know the truth. It’s not about revisionist history, but truthful history.” —Vernon Fleming
“H
onestly, what he was talking about does not sound like anything I would want my kids to learn about at all, in any way, shape or fashion. I don’t want people to be looking at everyone through the prism of race. I want them to be judged on the content of their character. When you end up talking about race as a black and white scenario, where black people end up being treated as second class citizens all the time…it doesn’t reflect reality...I don’t want kids to be taught that.” — Patrick Jackson
The future of the past As school sch hooll divisions diviisiions grapple grapplle with h calls for for changes to the way history is taught, some parents have taken aim at what they call a divisive message creeping into classrooms
By Roslyn Ryan Editor
As school divisions across the nation continue to wade into the debate over how history should be taught in public schools, several Goochland residents recently told county school board members that they vehemently oppose any inclusion of Critical Race Theory
see History > page 1
BOS: Marijuana still a no-no for county workers By Roslyn Ryan Editor
While Virginia may have legalized recreational marijuana use on July 1, those employed by Goochland County should not expect much to change when it comes to the county leadership’s view on the matter. During the July 6 Board of Supervisor’s meeting, board members voted to amend the county’s Human Resource Policy manual to clarify the definition
of controlled substance to specifically include marijuana. But while the manual will now include language acknowledging the changes in the Code of Virginia, Goochland County will continue to conduct preemployment and random drug screening for controlled substances, which includes marijuana. According to the policy, “candidates for positions that do not require a commercial driver’s
see Marijuana > 4
Elk Hill’s Spears reappointed to state Children’s Services Council Contributed report Gov. Ralph Northam has appointed Ronald K. Spears, Chief Executive Officer of Elk Hill, to the State E xe c u t i ve Council of Children’s Services. Spears was first appointSPEARS ed to the E xe c u t i ve Council in April 2021 to fill an open vacancy. Last week,
Governor Northam reappointed him to the position for three additional years. Spears’ 40-year career has been dedicated to improving the lives of children across the Commonwealth of Virginia. He has been with Elk Hill for 38 years, beginning his tenure as Chief Executive Officer in July 2020. “I am incredibly honored to serve on the Children’s Services Executive Council and appreciate the confidence Governor see Spears > page 3