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Vol. 34, No. 30 | Richmond Suburban News | November 29, 2017
Santa Claus is coming to the Village Sunday By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
Santa Claus will be on hand before the parade in the area of the Judges’ Platform on the parking lot of the Mechanicsville Drug ECHANICSVILLE – The Village Store. He will be available to have photos taken of Mechanicsville will with children. come alive with the As is tradition, the Jolly Old Elf sounds of the holiday will appear again magically atop the 2 p.m. season on Sunday, Dec. 3, when Sunday, Dec. 3 fire truck at the end of the parade. the Mechanicsville Rotary/Ruritan Food carts will be manned by Christmas Parade kicks off at 2 Village of the Mechanicsville Ruritan Club p.m. Mechanicsville and Mechanicsville Rotary Club Participants, including floats, members. All profits from the food bands and officials, will line up and drinks sold benefit the Hanover at noon and follow a route along Christmas Mother program. Strain Avenue, Hillis Way, Atlee Road and
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Mechanicsville Turnpike.
see SANTA, pg. 4 }
Grand Illumination
2012 file photo
No matter the year, the enthusiasm for the Mechanicsville Rotary-Ruritan Christmas Parade is a constant. Spectators fill the streets in the Village to celebrate the official kickoff of the season.
Fire-EMS volunteers’ policy changed By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Photo submitted by Doug Blue
Historic Polegreen Church will host the Grand Illumination at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at 6411 Heatherwood Dr. in Mechanicsville. More details on page 15.
HANOVER – Hanover Fire-EMS Chief Jethro Piland asked the Hanover County Board of Supervisors last week to approve an ordinance change that clarifies and adds consistency to a policy regarding county fire and rescue volunteers. In what chair Angela Kelly-Wiecek, Chickahominy District, described as “more clarification than change”, the proposal outlines a consistent grievance procedure for the more than 300 volunteers who staff and support emergency services. The process will remain basically the same but will end with Piland’s final decision. Paid staff that file grievances are allowed to pursue their grievances through county government.
Piland said the change would address three areas of the county’s current code regarding fire and rescue, including revising the review policy for grieved volunteers. The chief said policy review discussions began nine months ago and discussions with volunteers, administration and the Chief ’s Staff were involved in the process. He described PILAND the changes as more clerical and noted the proposals did not alter and diminish opportunities for volunteers.
“I do not want to inhibit the opportunity for any volunteer to come to the county administration or you all if they disagree with my decision,” Piland said. “I understand the gravity of this but, in my opinion, we are just cleaning up some procedures.” The change in final authority regarding volunteer grievances received the most attention from supervisors, some who had received calls from volunteers regarding the changes. Vice chair Sean Davis, Henry District, supported the measure, but said there’s no question regarding the proposal’s effect on current procedure. “The grievance process would stop with the chief, which is a difference from the paid staff and volunteer firefighters,” see POLICY, pg. 35 }