DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 36, No. 49 | Richmond Suburban News | March 10, 2021
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
VFW Post OK’d for CUP to build storage facility By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER -- Members of VFW Post 10657 have received approval on their request for an amended Conditional Use Permit (CUP), paving the way for the group to begin construction on a 6,000-foot storage facility at their Cedar Lane headquarters. Even with the approval, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors emphasized that all conditions must be met prior to that construction, including a new wetlands delineation study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and the filling of four foxholes located on the property. The numerous antique military vehicles and other vintage-themed displays are currently displayed outside their clubhouse, but will be moved inside when the new building is completed. “We’ve planned this thing for quite some time and have had quite a lot of difficulty with it,” said Post Commander Frederick Eley. The new facility would house those vintage vehicles in a safe secure location, including an M-60 Tank that cur-
Amtrak construction work on track
Submitted photo
Ashland businesses and residents eagerly anticipate the conclusion of Amtrak's year-long improvement project for the town's historic train station. Scheduled for completion this spring, the project includes new ADA-compliant ramps and brick platforms, goose-neck streetlights, landscaping and a storm-water management system. With the construction ongoing, the station still serves as the region’s Visitors Center and as an Amtrak stop. A community leader said Amtrak has been very responsive to suggestions from the town. As for the changing look at the site, he added, “I especially like it at night, bathed in soft light from the twin rows of lamps.”
see VFW, pg. 7
NAACP condemns permit in Brown Grove Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – Hanover County NAACP President Patricia Hunter-Jordan issued the following statement in response to the State Water Control Board’s decision to allow a permit for Wegmans to build in Brown Grove: “Despite an overabundance of evidence presented to the board from environmental experts, geologists and lawyers, the board, some of whom seemed to be presenting the case for Wegmans, agreed to allow the permit to move for-
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
ward in a 4-3 vote. “Dozens of Brown Grove residents, other community subdivision residents, and environmental groups spoke of the disastrous effects this project would have on the Brown Grove Community and on our Wetlands here in Hanover County. “Not one person spoke in favor of the passage of this permit other than members of the Virginia State Water Control Board and staff members who presented what appeared to be the case for Wegmans instead of Wegmans presenting their own case. “Our Brown Grove community has
suffered enough. Their community has been denigrated for years. The pattern is familiar as we see our Black communities become targets for commercialization. “Brown Grove currently has a concrete plant, the Airpark, and other industrial businesses. Interstate 95 intersected their community as it did Jackson Ward years ago. The same situation can be seen in the community of Union Hill. “There is no plan to improve Ashcake Road, a small two-lane country road, where hundreds of cars will now be travsee NAACP, pg. 30
Juvenile charged in shooting that took life of Mechanicsville man Staff Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – A male juvenile was arrested in the shooting death of Jacob Dwayne Martin, 23, of Mechanicsville. Lt. James R. Cooper, public information officer for the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office, said the fatal shooting took place Thursday night. The juvenile was charged with first degree murder and
use of a firearm on the commission of a felony. Deputies with the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office responded around 9:57 p.m. Thursday, March 4, to the 8000 block of Bell Creek Road in Mechanicsville. “There is no threat to the community and deputies are not looking for any additional suspects in connection to this incident,” Cooper said.