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PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 28, No. 12 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | July 20, 2011
New goals set School Board readies for 2011-12 By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com Doors will open on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Hanover County Public Schools students will officially begin the 2011-2012 school year. To prepare, the Hanover County School Board has approved goals for the
upcoming term. Action was taken during the regular meeting on July 12. The goals are: I. The board will assert its role in the community as the educational policy leader of public education in Hanover see GOALS, pg. 22
Melody Kinser/The Local
The Hanover County School Board recognized Lee-Davis High School girls’ softball team for winning their first-ever Virginia AAA State softball championship during the July 12 regular meeting. Chair John F. Axselle III, right, honored the team and coaches.
Chickahominy seat sought by Ellis
Cemetery owner tries to save burial ground By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com Several years ago, Kevin Monaghan, who owns and operates Hanover Memorial Park, discovered some casket handles dating back to the 1800s on an AfricanAmerican Burial Ground adjacent to his property. The burial ground is a tiny section of a two and a half-acre plot owned by
the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) that is for sale. Monaghan said he is concerned that whoever buys the land might try to develop the entire plot without concern for those buried there. A VDOT spokesman originally said they weren’t aware of a burial ground on the property. However, Elizabeth Jordan, a VDOT archaeolosee BURIAL, pg. 4
Jim Fields/The Local
Kevin Monaghan, above, shows the barbed wire fence at the burial ground property. At left, casket handles he discovered at the site.
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exist here, but we Jim Ellis, 50, has have to change the announced his plans attitude at the top to run as an indepento keep our quality dent candidate for of life while we reap the Chickahominy the benefits of develDistrict seat on opment. I’ve been the Hanover involved as a citizen County Board of with local issues Supervisors. since 2005. We need “We enjoy many ELLIS advocacy for regular advantages here in folks, not politically Hanover, including a strong fiscal rating and dedi- connected folks.” Ellis said his main goals as cated county staff,” Ellis said. “Tremendous opportunities see ELLIS, pg. 4
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