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Vol. 33, No. 32 | Richmond Suburban News | December 14, 2016
Experts to take closer look at rail project spot of the whole discussion,” said Foley. The mayor said the DRPT also acknowledged that none of the options SHLAND – Mayor James that were on the table for Ashland were Foley announced during last acceptable. week’s regular Ashland Town As a result of that acknowledgeCouncil meeting ment, the DRPT plans to that there appears to be go to the Federal Railroad hope that the communiAdministration (FRA) to ty’s voice is being heard in section out Ashland’s corthe ongoing dispute about porate limits for the time a high-speed rail being being, and to de-couple the added. town; temporarily pulling it The Commonwealth out of the DC2RVA highTransportation Board had speed rail project to review met earlier Tuesday, Dec. further studies. 6, Foley said, adding that “All of the other rail the Department of Rail options that they discussed and Public Transportation and put off the table are MAYOR JAMES R. FOLEY “came forward and discoming back on the table, cussed our fate.” which means the tunnel, [the] overpass, Foley informed council and those eastern options, the Buckingham branch attending the session about what he -- everything is back on the table, ” Foley considered as good news regarding to said. what took place during the meeting with He also said that they will create a Commonwealth Transportation Board committee of stakeholders that would (CTB). include Ashland Town Council, Hanover He explained how the DRPT dis- County, Randolph-Macon College (Rcussed the entire 123-mile line, and said MC) and whoever else the DRPT decides they acknowledged that when it came to to include. Ashland, “That’s the hotspot.” In the “next 12 months or so,” Foley “Our little 6-mile stretch was the hot-
By Logan Barry for The Mechanicsville Local
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Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
said he hopes the committee can come up with a solution that everyone can get behind “that will not devastate the middle of town by adding a third rail.” “That news was as good as we could have gotten today. There was no other option that could have been better. We’re not out of the woods -- at the end of the year they could still say that we’re putting a third rail down the center of town,” he said. Foley also said the town is very hopeful that’s not going to happen, noting they’ve offered to work with the DRPT, and that the state department is accepting their collaboration effort by “delaying the process, and doing everything we’ve asked.” Town council also made an official Resolution supporting the request of the DRPT that was sent to the CTB for them to share with the FRA. The purpose of the Resolution is to communicate to the CTB that there is a number of stakeholders involved in this proposal that want this process to be delayed to look at more studies in regards to the Ashland area, so that the FRA will approve it. Foley also said there’s always still a see RAIL, pg. 13
Cooper wins Petco award
Nick Liberante for The Local
Kristin Donaldson’s rescue dog Cooper was recognized Friday as a winner in the Petco Holiday Wishes campaign. Due to the honor, Cooper received $5,000 for Hickory Hill K9 Rescue in Ashland, the kennel from which he was adopted. On hand for the check presentation were Courtney Rice, PETCO; Alexis Moore, PETCO Foundation; Rachel Turner, PETCO store leader; Denise Zapf, Hickory Hills volunteer; Sabina Levy, Hickory Hills volunteer; Janet Moncure, Hickory Hilsl volunteer; Linda Wickham, Hickory Hills volunteer; Suzanne Donaldson, Hunter Donadlson, Alex Donaldson, Kristin Donaldson and Cooper, Andrew Donaldson, Iris Deffely Hickory Hills volunteer; and Max Sexton, PETCO market leader.
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MERRY & BRIGHT. All the best to you and yours at this special time of year.