COUNCIL Continued from pg. 16
ness grant, a new program asking businesses to submit an application to show they were down at least 25% in revenue. Federal guidelines mandate it must be a small business to qualify. Farrar and council then entered into a discussion about how to best use the money. Farrar suggested allowing 45 businesses to apply for $10,000 each. He said that using $10,000 as a placeholder would put the town in “a very competitive position with our regional partners.” “I am asking you to give me a long leash right now because I want to get the money in business’ hands,” Farrar said. His goal was to release the program last week. Mayor Steve Trivett said it was an issue of less money to more businesses. “The town has a value to the community, and so I’ve gotten the feeling that some people have begrudged the town for spending money on the town.”
NEWTON Continued from pg. 15
about two hours after sunset, finds Cygnus (the Swan) at zenith, appearing to glide along the Milky Way from northeast to southwest. The bright star Deneb marks the tail of the swan, about ten degrees north-
BIKES Continued from pg. 14
ing, also passionate about safety,” Margaret Davis of Bike Walk Hanover said. “Increased outdoor activity in Hanover, safely biking and walking in our community is a silver lining moment in the midst of the pandemic.” In anticipation of increased alternative modes for before/ after school transportation,
He also pointed out that he agrees that acting on releasing the funds would be best if handled “the sooner the better.” Farrar said there has to be a list of uses for the funds. The application period may run until about Sept. 30, with checks being mailed by Oct. 15 at the latest. “The earlier folks get their applications in to us; they’re going to be good once the checks are ready to roll. I guarantee this is being audited so I want our ducks in a row.” Those who are awarded funding must certify the paperwork with a signature. Council member John Hodges asked what happens if a business is proven to be ineligible to receive the funding. Farrar said the monies would have to be returned. Council member Kathy Abbott said her concern stems from at least 45 businesses and possibly more applying for the funding. “So what I struggle with is kind of throwing out that $10,000 and we receive perfectly wonderful applications in the 60 range and we immediately go into a lottery. There are probably some businesses that can
do with a little less.” “All right, we’re over 45 (applicants), let’s flip it to a lottery. We have another threshold. This is going to reduce everyone’s amount to $7,500, which would still be on par with the county. I want people to be cognizant that their [request] may impact other businesses that need money,” she added. She did say, “I love that we’re making that extra effort to help Ashland businesses.” A concern for Hodges is helping more rather than less. With $10,000 available, he said, “If we get more than 45, then you go to $7,500 and [businesses] would automatically come to us.” Farrar explained that an equal division would be no lower than $7,500. “The bottom line is we’ve got to get the word out,” Hodges said. “I’m more inclined to make it a hard number,” Trivett said. “Is it better for a business to have something set or waitand-see?” “If they know the least amount coming in is $7,500, they can plan,” Abbott said. In addition to small busi-
nesses, Farrar said they want to help with a non-profit assistance grant. That would aid those organizations that, he said, “enhance our quality of life.” He said he had a list of seven non-profits, and three are business support organizations. The non-profits must be Ashland-based, with a home or office location within the town limits. Of the $680,010, Farrar said he would like the town to use the last $4,000 for outside furniture, which would enable the issue of social distancing. He said he’d like to see an environment created “where you could safely meet with people outside.” The budget amendment received unanimous approval in the vote. In closing that segment of the meeting, Abbott offered her thanks, saying it was “a smart way to use this funding, and should resonate well in our community in trying to help.” Ashland Town Council next meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Ashland Town Hall at 101 Thompson St. in Ashland.
east of zenith, and the head is at Albireo – a beautiful binary system. At a similar angle to the west we see brilliant Vega in the constellation Lyra. These two bright stars make a triangle with Altair, about 30 degrees south of zenith. With binoculars, on a clear dark night, just east of Deneb you may find
the ghostly, familiar outline of the “North America Nebula. Cassiopeia is to the northeast, looking like a W tipped backwards. If you follow the line of the “left” side of the W toward the east you’ll notice the faint fuzzy patch of the Andromeda Galaxy, about 45 degrees above the eastern horizon. It’s best
Bike Walk Hanover encourages vehicle drivers to be alert for pedestrians and cyclists, especially when they are in close proximity to schools during arrival and dismissal time periods. Bike Walk Hanover suggests these safety tips for cyclists and pedestrians: z Parent planning and practicing safe routes to/from school with children z Young children (under
grade 3) walking/biking with an adult z Older students (grades 3-12) walking/biking with a neighbor z Walk against traffic / bike ride with traffic z Playful behavior is not safe (no pushing, shoving, or chasing) when walking/biking near the street z Wear bright-colored clothing z Flashing lights on bike
FARMSTEAD Continued from pg. 13
easy access to shopping in the Town of Ashland and greater Richmond to include: restaurants, entertainment, recreational facilities and parks, continuing education and the area’s best health care facilities. Downtown Richmond, the beaches and mountains, as well as the nation’s capital, are a short distance from home. Founded in 1998 Cornerstone Homes exclusively builds active adult communities, having constructed more than 2,000 homes in communities across Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana. Cornerstone Homes, headquartered in Richmond, is a franchisee of Epcon Communities, one of the top builders of single-story active lifestyle communities in North America. The sales office for The Farmstead is located in The Barn at Chickahominy Falls. For more information about this new section, con-
tact Ina Hill or Greg Smith at 804-256-8360 or sales@ chickahominyfalls.com or visit Chickahominyfalls.com.
seen on a clear, moonless night, and best by “averted vision” without binoculars. That you can see it at all gives some sense of the scale of our Universe, since this is the most distant object visible to the naked eye. It’s practically in our back yard! This spiral galaxy is only 2.2 million light years away, and
is on a collision course toward our home Galaxy … though we have about 5 billion years to get ready. It was Edwin Hubble who first resolved the Andromeda Galaxy into individual stars and made a first calculation of its distance. He got the number wrong, but at least was able to show that it
was not a nearby cloud, but a system of hundreds of billions of stars, much like our own Milky Way. If readers have questions about astronomy or science in general that you would like to see covered in one of these columns, please feel free to contact me at gspagna@rmc.edu.
rear and front make cyclists more visible z Watch and listen for cars at driveways and intersections z Do not cross behind a bus or between parked cars z Bike ride with others in a single file line z Helmet wearing (properly fitted) when bike riding is recommended z Stay alert - avoid distracted biking and walking
z Safer street crossing: Stop at the curb or edge of the street prior to crossing Cross using the aids of traffic lights, crossing guards, and crossing within designated crosswalks Look left, right, left, behind you, and in front of you for traffic, and do not cross until the path is clear of traffic Keep looking and listening for traffic until you are
done crossing Make eye contact with stopped drivers before crossing the street Find more tips at www. walkbiketoschool.org. Interested in starting a Safe Routes to School Program for your school? Contact Bike Walk Hanover at www.facebook. com/bikewalkhanover or visit www.virginiadot.org/saferoutes.
The Mechanicsville Local
September 9, 2020 17
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Nease
Frank Lackman, president of Cornerstone Homes, addressed the crowd gathered for the recent groundbreaking ceremony for The Farmstead. This is the latest development in Chickahominy Falls.
