TownHound's Newsletter - 4/28/2008

NEW LOOK!

TownHound has just unveiled a NEW look! We are still working out a few bugs, but it looks great! Check it out: www.TownHound.com.

NEW! Center Spotlight

Our first story is about Denise Franklin and Patti Carter, long-time friends originally brought together by their love for horses.

Forum for Town Council Candidates

A Candidates' Forum for Ashland Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry Street, Ashland. All qualified candidates have been invited. The forum will begin promptly at 6:00pm and end at 7:00pm.

Questions for the candidates may be submitted in advance through www.TownHound.com and during the actual forum.

Here are the first three questions to be asked.

How do you think the town of Ashland could best deal with heavy traffic congestion within the town?
What do you consider to be the causes that work to prevent closer social relationships between the white and black communities of Ashland? What are your thoughts on our community moving toward a better relationship and what actions would you actively support?
How do you plan to deal with the increasing development and economic growth in Ashland? How will you protect small businesses that may be threatened by larger businesses or chains? How will you involve the community in this endeavor? How do you plan to sustain this economic growth and maintain Ashland’s small town appeal?

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amy Burgett at 804-379-9007 or a.burgett1@verizon.net.

Amtrak Service – email petition

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is conducting a rail corridor study between Doswell and Richmond to consider alternatives to improve Amtrak service. Both the Buckingham Branch Railroad (in the Hanover Courthouse area), and the CSX tracks through Ashland are being considered as part of the study area. The Town of Ashland is concerned that, while not explicitly stated, that the Buckingham Branch Railroad may serve as the primary routing for Amtrak’s north-south service, effectively bypassing the Ashland and Staples Mill Road stations. The study also mentions a new 5-acre multimodal transit center, along the Buckingham Branch Railroad.

The Town’s current train station serves as a multimodal transit center, allowing Randolph-Macon College students, professionals, and local residents use this station--often without requiring any vehicular travel.

If you do not want to lose Amtrak service, please sign one of two petitions currently circulating:

www.petitiononline.com/ASHAM08/petition.html - for Hanover County residents

www.petitiononline.com/RMCAM08/petition.html - for anyone in the world

Ashland 150 Update

Have you called Ashland "home" for more than 50 years?

Come to the R-MC football field for a photo by Ashland’s own Duane Berger on May 1st at 6:00pm. Rain date is May 8. For more information, call Susan Tucker at 798-7123.

NEW! Hall of Fame Nominations Sought!

Team 150 is seeking nominations for the Hall of Fame. If you would like to posthumously nominate someone, CLICK HERE FOR CATEGORIES AND GUIDELINES. Selected individuals will be recognized at the Grand Celebration on October 18, 2008. For more information, contact Meriwether Gilmore at 798-5018 or jmgil96@att.net.

Help spread the word! Please forward this email using this link

(We promise, they won't get any unsolicted emails from us)

	TownHound.com's Newsletter

NEW LOOK! TownHound has just unveiled a NEW look! We are still working out a few bugs, but it looks great! Check it out: www.TownHound.com. NEW! Center Spotlight Our first story is about Denise Franklin and Patti Carter, long-time friends originally brought together by their love for horses. Forum for Town Council Candidates A Candidates' Forum for Ashland Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry Street, Ashland. All qualified candidates have been invited. The forum will begin promptly at 6:00pm and end at 7:00pm. Questions for the candidates may be submitted in advance through www.TownHound.com and during the actual forum. Here are the first three questions to be asked. How do you think the town of Ashland could best deal with heavy traffic congestion within the town? What do you consider to be the causes that work to prevent closer social relationships between the white and black communities of Ashland? What are your thoughts on our community moving toward a better relationship and what actions would you actively support? How do you plan to deal with the increasing development and economic growth in Ashland? How will you protect small businesses that may be threatened by larger businesses or chains? How will you involve the community in this endeavor? How do you plan to sustain this economic growth and maintain Ashland’s small town appeal? Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amy Burgett at 804-379-9007 or a.burgett1@verizon.net. Amtrak Service – email petition The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is conducting a rail corridor study between Doswell and Richmond to consider alternatives to improve Amtrak service. Both the Buckingham Branch Railroad (in the Hanover Courthouse area), and the CSX tracks through Ashland are being considered as part of the study area. The Town of Ashland is concerned that, while not explicitly stated, that the Buckingham Branch Railroad may serve as the primary routing for Amtrak’s north-south service, effectively bypassing the Ashland and Staples Mill Road stations. The study also mentions a new 5-acre multimodal transit center, along the Buckingham Branch Railroad. The Town’s current train station serves as a multimodal transit center, allowing Randolph-Macon College students, professionals, and local residents use this station--often without requiring any vehicular travel. If you do not want to lose Amtrak service, please sign one of two petitions currently circulating: www.petitiononline.com/ASHAM08/petition.html - for Hanover County residents www.petitiononline.com/RMCAM08/petition.html - for anyone in the world Ashland 150 Update Have you called Ashland "home" for more than 50 years? Come to the R-MC football field for a photo by Ashland’s own Duane Berger on May 1st at 6:00pm. Rain date is May 8. For more information, call Susan Tucker at 798-7123. NEW! Hall of Fame Nominations Sought! Team 150 is seeking nominations for the Hall of Fame. If you would like to posthumously nominate someone, CLICK HERE FOR CATEGORIES AND GUIDELINES. Selected individuals will be recognized at the Grand Celebration on October 18, 2008. For more information, contact Meriwether Gilmore at 798-5018 or jmgil96@att.net. Help spread the word! Please forward this email using this link (We promise, they won't get any unsolicted emails from us)

TownHound.com's Newsletter