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State’s challenge
Vol. 35, No. 1 | Richmond Suburban News | May 9, 2018
Hodges returns, McGraw elected
Workforce partnership struggling to match its applicants with jobs By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
tor of the Partnership, said, “So, why does workforce development matter? It’s a basic simple RICHMOND -- Despite a question of demand and supply.” historically low unemployment In February, there were rate in Virginia, the need for a 38,000 jobs listed with the bulk better-prepared workforce to fill of them in healthcare, retail, a number of open skilled posiprofessional and scientific. tions is a challenge “Those are jobs for localities across where we need the Commonwealth. people to fill them,” The Capital Davis said. Region Workforce In the same Partnership assists month, there were localities in the about 20,000 people Greater Richmond in the metro area area in training and searching for jobs. job placement for For employers, it potential employees means they must DAVIS seeking skills that draw from that better qualify them pool of unemployed for today’s job market. workers and also recruit some So, how does workforce people who are working. development fit into Hanover And there’s the question of County’s future economic how qualified the available workdevelopment and availability of force is to perform the types of good jobs for its citizens? Brian Davis, executive direcsee CHALLENGE, pg. 16
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By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
Photo courtesy of Lorie Foley
The Ashland Strawberry Faire Committee recognized scholarship recipients during last week’s inaugural event at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center. Shown are, from left, Abigail Carter, Lee-Davis High School; Josephine Garner, Hanover High School; Erin Dugai, Atlee High School; Jessica Baskerville, Lee-Davis High School; Joshua Gordon, Jay Pace Scholarship; Rowan Hierholzer, Randolph-Macon College; and Daniel Folds, Hanover Center for Trades & Technology.
Scholarship recipients, business sponsors honored by Faire group By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
A
SHLAND – Symbolically, the Ashland Strawberry Faire train left the station last week when the committee hosted an inaugural event recogniz-
ing scholarship recipients and business sponsors. On Wednesday, May 2, the Hanover Arts & Activities Center was the scene of the special evening, which paid tribute to the students who will not be able to take part in the Faire since Hanover County Public
Schools will be holding commencement exercises on the same day, Saturday, June 16. The 2018 scholarship winners are: Hanover High School – Andrew Loce, Jay Pace Scholarship, and Josephine
see FAIRE, pg. 14
ASHLAND – A familiar face and a newcomer were elected to Ashland Town Council last week in the General Election that brought out 555 voters out of the 4,082 registered. John H. Hodges, who was appointed in August to fill the seat vacated by James Murray, led balloting with 398, 38.05%. Daniel McGraw will join Hodges, Steve Trivett, George Spagna and Kathy Abbott on town council. He garnered 329 votes, 31.45%, on Tuesday, May 1. Mayor James Foley chose not to seek re-election. A third candidate seeking one of the two seats was Terry L. “Les” Cook Jr., who got 291 votes, 27.82%. There were 28 write-in see HODGES, pg. 20