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Vol. 36, No. 29 | Richmond Suburban News | December 4, 2019
NAACP lawyers update lawsuit By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
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SHLAND Attorneys representing the Hanover Unit of the NAACP in a lawsuit against the Hanover County School Board provided an update last week on the status of the case at the November meeting of the local chapter of the NAACP in Ashland. Kaitlin Banner and Azadeh Erfani of Washington Lawyers Committee gave a brief update and answered questions regarding upcoming events in the rapidly moving case. In September, the judge pre-
siding over the case approved a motion to dismiss the suit by Hanover County, citing they were not the legal governing body regarding school names. The school board remains the sole defendant, and its motion to dismiss will be heard in January. Banner said her team is preparing for those oral arguments early next year, but also proceeding with discovery in preparation for the case. “So, where we are now is that we have filed the case, submitted some briefings, and we’re waiting for the judge to make a decision about where the case is going next,” Banner said.
“At the same time that is happening, we’re also proceeding to move along with the case. The parties are starting to exchange discovery,” she added. The judge has requested more information regarding the suit’s constitutional claims involving compelled speech and equal protection. The NAACP’s suit also relies on other claims, one citing a violation of the Equal Education Opportunities Act. “These decisions (naming the schools, Lee-Davis High and Stonewall Jackson Middle) were made at a time of desegregation, but the schools were never fully desegregated
because the message continues to be there for African American students that they are not welcome in a school that essentially endorses the message of the Confederates,” Erfani said. Despite the recent ruling that dismissed the Hanover County Board of Supervisors from the suit, Erfani said that does not indicate her team will not seek documents regarding the case from the panel. “Even though the board of supervisors is not in the lawsuit anymore, that does not mean we are not getting their papers,” Erfani said. “We are still fighting to get those and
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Washington Lawyers Committee attorneys Kaitlin Banner, left, and Azadeh Erfani presented an update and answered questions from local NAACP members last week.
we are still going to make them give evidence that will be pertinent to our case.” Banner said discovery will continue through March of next year followed by motions for summary judgment.
Providing all of that proceeds according to schedule, the case could go to trial in early May 2020. There’s also the possibility of a settlement. School board see NAACP, pg. 12
Parade means tradition in Village By Melody Kinser Managing Editor MECHANICSVILLE – Tradition quickly comes to mind when anyone in the Mechanicsville area thinks about the second Sunday in December. Calendars throughout the community are marked for the annual Mechanicsville Christmas Parade. Participants will kick off at 2 p.m. on Dec. 8 and follow a parade route through the Village of Mechanicsville. This year’s theme is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. And, in keeping with tradition, Santa Claus will make an appearance before his big
night on Christmas Eve. This year’s Grand Marshal will be Karlis Graubics, a Rotary past district governor. As always, the event is being presented by by the Mechanicsville Rotary and Ruritan Clubs. Eleven categories will be judged for awards, with staff representing Richmond Suburban News – The Mechanicsville Local, AshlandHanover Local, Powhatan Today and The Goochland Gazette handling the honors. The parade lineup starts on Hanover Green Drive and travels through the Windsor Subdivision, south on Atlee
Road, and west on Old Mechanicsville Turnpike to Elm Drive. It runs 1.8 miles. The lineup is as follows: VFW Battlefield Post 9808; Col. David R. Hns, Hanover County sheriff; Chief Jethro H. Piland III, Hanover County Fire-EMS; Mechanicsville Rotary &Mechanicsville Ruritan presidents. U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman; Sen. Ryan McDougle; Sean Davis, Henry District supervisor; Grand Marshal Karlis Graubics); Scott Wyatt, Cold Harbor Disctrict supervisor. Miss Hanover Abilities / Hanover Community Support Services; Atlee Marching
Joel Klein/2018 file photo
Village Bank’s float entry in last year’s parade featured some characters from “The Wizard of Oz”.
Raiders Band; American Legion Post 175; Hanover Christmas Mother Carolyn Bowles. Richmond Twisters; 15
Cub Scout Pack 503 (Church of the Redeemer); Hanover Chamber of Commerce; Bruce Paulus; Lowry Motorsports;
The Dance Lab LLC; Phillip Downey. Eastern Hanover Volunteer see PARADE, pg. 12