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Vol. 31, No. 33 | Richmond Suburban News | December 17, 2014
Project OK’d in 2nd vote
It’s that time!
Atlee Station Road subdivision approved by supervisors By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
ABBY BRIGHT
AHS student finalist for Snow Queen By Jodi Deal jdeal@mechlocal.com hen Abby Bright, 17, saw a note on Atlee High School’s internal website about the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s Snow Queen scholarship program, she said her interest was instantly piqued.
W
see FINALIST, pg. 17
In an unusual but not unprecedented move, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors reconsidered a request from the Estate of Tyrell Chappell to rezone 41 acres on the west line of Atlee Station Road to allow for construction of 68 homes. Supervisors denied the request at a meeting last month, but Cold Harbor District supervisor Elton Wade indicated he wanted to change his no vote on the project. He requested a reconsideration of the request, and there was no shortage of citizens willing to Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Ed Pemberton, a recent graduate of Patrick Henry High School, spoke in opposition to more restrictive policies regarding controversial materials and said he learned one important lesson in Hanover County Public Schools: how to think.
comment on the upcoming project. Wade, a 23-year veteran on the board, told a packed gallery, “I’m the person who voted no. I made a mistake and I couldn’t let it go and not bring it back.” The request was approved by a 5-2 vote as Wade was joined by South Anna District supervisor Wayne Hazzard, vice chair. Hazzard cited the time period between board approval and actual construction, estimated at 18 to 24 months by county planning director David Maloney, as the reason for his change. He also endorsed a lowered speed limit
Photo submitted by Lorie Foley
Sign-ups are underway for the 2015 Ashland Musical Variety Show. This photo is from the 2011 event. For more information, turn to page 14.
see PROJECT, pg. 14
School Board rejects appeal for ban on film By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local A complaint regarding the showing of the documentary “Thomas Friedman Reporting: Searching for the Roots of 9-11” got its final administrative hearing at last week’s regular meeting of the Hanover County School Board. The panel voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Dr.
Jamelle Wilson, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, to allow the film to remain on the list of available classroom materials. But, there is one major difference. Parents will be notified prior to and receive opt out information for the airing of any controversial material used in Hanover County classrooms. The complaint requested the system ban the film and not allow its
airing in county schools. Before the vote, a number of citizens, many of them high school students, spoke against what they perceived as a form of censorship. Daniel Longest, a Patrick Henry student, spoke in opposition to any changes in the county’s current policy regarding controversial materials. “Restricting teachers and students see FILM, pg. 16