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FREE CLINIC CHALLENGE CUP

On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, the inaugural FREE CLINIC CHALLENGE CUP golf outing will be held at beautiful Hunting Hawk Golf Club. The event will get underway with the first tee-time at 8:30 AM. The format will be individual play, USGA rules, and with final net scores determined by the Callaway scoring system.

At the finish of your round an inexpensive lunch can be purchased in the Hunting Hawk grill and the group will then gather at the Hunting Hawk pavilion for lunch. The event winner will be awarded the Free Clinic Champion Award at the conclusion of the lunch.

Entry fee for the event is $80 per player and covers green fees, carts, and use of the driving range. Every dollar above the costs will be contributed to the St. James The Less Free Clinic. In addition the amount contributed to the Free Clinic as a consequence of your entry fee will be matched …dollar for dollar…by Hawk Hill Associates of Ashland.

Our goal for this event will be to raise $1500 for the Free Clinic. Any check amount in excess of the $80 will also be contributed…and matched by Hawk Hill…to the Free Clinic. Please consider writing your entry fee check for $100 or even $150 or more. Checks should be made out to “St. James The Less Free Clinic.”

Please contact either Lee Chambers @ 798-6647 or Ragan Phillips @ 798-9721 to sign up for this great golf outing in support of the marvelous Free Clinic. This inaugural event is limited to only twenty (20) players so do call as soon as possible.

Checks may be mailed to “St. James The Less Free Clinic, P.O. Box 117, Ashland, VA. 23005.

The St. James The Less Free Clinic is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization formed to provide free medical, dental, and eye care services for uninsured neighbors in need.

July 27, 2001...

Supporters of the Foundation will hold several informal fund -raisers over the next six months. It is understood these fund-raisers will not begin to raise the kind of money needed to lease or buy a community theater venue but they will serve to spread the word about the Foundation's vision for Ashland.

An excellent article by Joshua Garstka appeared in the July 19 edition of the Herald-Progress..along with a photo of the seemingly ever-black Ashland Theater.

Comments and ideas about this plan to try and bring community theater to Ashland will be much appreciated.

Ragan Phillips
rtphil204@aol.com

July 27, 2001....Long over due update of the status of the Theater.

Efforts to lease the Theater on behalf of the Ashland Classic Theater Foundation ( a planned 501C3 non-profit) were unsuccesful. The Owner was then approached with an offer by the Foundation to purchase the Theater. After some consideration this offer was rejected by the Owner.

After a period of time during which the idea of a community theater became rather dim a group of people met to determine what could be done. Out of this meeting grew a plan to take several steps forward in an effort to revive the concept of a community theater.

It wa decided that we should continue to look for a venue with the idea of being able to show films AND to hold live theater and muscial entertainment as well. Although it appears purchase of the Ashland Theater is beyond the reach of the Foundtion there may be other locations that would meet the needs of a community theater.

First, a new non-profit will be formed and is going to be called the Ashland Community Theater Foundation. On July 19 the State issued the certificate of incorporation for the Foundation. A federal tax ID will now be obtained andthen the 501C3 filing will be made.

Secondly, several people have been meeting to gain a better understanding of grants. Curtis Shifflet has been extremeley helpful in determining a course of action realted to, in time, seeking grants for purchase of a venue.

April 15, 2007...A group of about fifty Ashland citizens have been exchanging ideas about the Ashland Theater. The discussions have also considered the possibility of forming a new non-proift (the Ashland Classic Theater Foundation, ACT for short) to lease, manage, and operate the Theater. A lease, in detail Term Sheet form, has been presented and discussed with the Theater's owner.

If the leasing of the Theater proves successful ACT hopes to have a "Premier" opening on Saturday, June 2, 2007. This would be the first film of a ten film Summer Festival, with films being shown every Saturday evening. Tentative plans are also being made to hold four or five Saturday afternoon movie matinees for children in the 5-12 age group. ACT's plan is to show inteligent, thought-provoking AND family-oriented movies and live entertainment...and to serve the best popcorn in Virginia!

Ragan Phillips

March 28,2007....A new 501c3 non-profit, the Ashland Classic Theater Foundation, is in the formation stages. This new organization would attempt to lease, manage, and operate the Ashland Theater. Lease negotiations are underway with A. D. Whittaker and a "Premier" is tentatively planned for Saturday, June 2, 2007.

Good morning on February 13...

Quick update on what I am hearing about the disposition of the Theater.

Apparently a second group of local citizens has made an offer to purchase the Theater so that now there are two groups vying for the Theater. Hopefully all of this will work out well for A. D. Whitaker (who currently owns the Theater) and the Theater will soon be open for business.

The Ashland community will benefit by having the Theater up and running. It will draw people into downtown Ashland and could be part of a surge in business for Ashland merchants. That survey taken several months ago clearly showed that a lot of dollars were being "exported" from Ashland to Virginia Commons, Short Pump, etc. when people went out for movie entertainment.

Let's hope the great old Ashlnd Theater is soon back in business.

Ragan

GOOD AFTERNOON ON A COLD FEBRUARY 6...
The following article was sent today to the Times-Dispatch as a response to the op ed piece (Jan 26) written by Harold Padgett, Chairmnman of the Planning Commission. The paper will probably not publish my response so please feel free to circulate to anyone interested in the futurre of Hanover County and Ashland.

TO: RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

POINT…COUNTERPOINT

The “Counterpoint,” written by Ragan Phillips, is in response to the January 26, 2007, Richmond Times- Dispatch op-ed piece titled “ Hanover’s Challenge: Channel Growth.” Harold Padgett, Chairman of the Hanover County Planning Commission, wrote that article. Mr. Phillips is a retired business executive who resides in Hanover County and currently serves as the financial officer for the Ashland/Hanover Citizens for Responsible Growth.

Mr. Padgett: “Several recently published items about Hanover’s Comprehensive Plan review claimed a lack of citizen input or failure of the Planning Commission to respond to pleas for slower growth. …I believe much of this criticism is exaggerated and unwarranted.”

Mr. Phillips: The process for this major revision to the Comprehensive Plan commenced in early 2006. Outside consultants developed planning assumptions and objectives and selected the location and acreage designated for intense development. During the first six months of this work there was no opportunity for citizen input into the process. Eventually the Commission held time-limited forums and heard comments from the County’s citizens.

The problem: To state that this criticism is “unwarranted” ignores reality. By the time the public was finally allowed into the process it was too late. The Commission had already poured the “concrete”. Worse, it had hardened into the very foundation of the Comprehensive Plan.


Mr. Padgett: “ We regret the perception by some that our process was unresponsive…It is not a popularity contest in which we abide by those speaking most often, most passionately, or for whom applause is loudest.”

Mr. Phillips: On January 9, 2007, the Commission held the “official public hearing” prior to voting on the Plan. There were about sixty persons who spoke and nearly 400 in attendance. Fifteen of the speakers were in favor of the Plan and 45 expressed various degrees of dissatisfaction.

Of the fifteen who spoke for the Plan less than five were citizens of Hanover County. With few exceptions, they were developers, consultants, bankers, lawyers representing developers, and even a local individual who thrives on real estate sales. (Note that conflict of interest rules do not apply in these public hearings so these individuals do have the right to speak in favor of this extensive development plan.)

Conversely those 45 residents and farmers opposed to the Plan were all Hanover residents who protested being excluded from the planning process, as well as taking issue with the specifics of the Plan. If the Plan were put to a referendum there is no question, based on this strong public opposition, that a properly informed public would vote 3 to 1 AGAINST the Plan.


The problem: The Commission, after hearing these comments from the citizens and the “pro-development “ faction, then proceeded to vote 7-0 in FAVOR of the Plan. It is not, as Mr. Padgett alleges, a “perception” that the Commission was “unresponsive.” It is actually a fact.

Mr. Padgett: “ Citizens expect taxes to be kept affordable, but this will become increasingly difficult unless steps are taken to lessen the jobs gap.”

Mr. Phillips: This Comprehensive Plan is noteworthy for not including any financial analysis. Mr. Padgett and the Commission may have financial data, but if so that data has been removed from the document available to Hanover County residents.

The problem: How can the Board of Supervisors approve, and the citizens of the County accept, a Plan where the property and personal tax implications are not spelled out?
In order to maintain the excellence of our public schools, low taxes, little crime and our high quality of life (all of which Mr. Padgett mentioned) Hanover County will need to spend at least 30% more than will be collected from new residential property taxes.

A Second Problem: Why hasn’t this question of payment for the new infrastructure been answered by the County Planners? Who will pay for this required infrastructure? Residents? Business? The people in Fairfax and Arlington counties, who already pay much higher property taxes, may know the answer: current residents and business owners will, in time, pay higher taxes to support this flood of new infrastructure.


Mr. Padgett: “ Private property rights and state limitations on local authority do not permit us to “stop growth.”

Mr. Phillips: No responsible party would advocate a policy to “stop growth.” Mr. Padgett is using this inflammatory phrase to cover up the issue. It is possible to have future growth in Hanover County and not lose those qualities we all want to preserve.

Opposition to the current Plan arises because the citizens do not want to see Hanover County turned into a Disney-land of fast food outlets and sprawling residential tracts…because there is no plan for public transportation or open spaces… because the public was allowed no “ownership” of the Plan.

I believe that the people who now live in Hanover County reside here to enjoy the rural setting, the small towns and villages, and the very real sense of community spirit that prevails today. It certainly appears that Mr. Padgett’s Comprehensive Plan will destroy these qualities of life over the next two decades.

Mr. Padgett: “Change is inevitable----and we must be prepared to meet the growing needs of our community.”

Mr. Phillips: I agree.

The problem: 1) Citizens were not asked, at any appropriate time, what were their “growing needs.” 2) Those “growing needs” have been defined, not by citizens, but by planners, developers, bankers and real estate moguls. 3) There is no financial analysis to support the proposed “growing needs.”

It is more than reasonable to question the validity of a Comprehensive Plan excluding citizen input and missing a sound, independent financial evaluation. The current Plan is a huge risk. Hanover County can do better…and the citizens of the County deserve better.


Ragan Phillips
Feb 6, 2007

IN MY OPINION
rtphil204@aol.com
Ragan Phillips

“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Martin Luther King

If one opens the Richmond or Washington or New York newspapers on any day we are flooded with a steady stream of sordid news as people wrong each other.

Drugs linked to slaying of family in Fla.
Robbery may be motive in Richmond van slayings
Arson fire kills four firefighters in California
Los Angles Abuse Cases are Settled for $10 Million

Good news and good people seldom make front-page headlines. “Bad news sells newspapers” is a familiar mantra. But there is good news in our society and our small town of Ashland has recently proved this fact.

On October 23, 2006,The Free Clinic opened its doors at St. James the Less Episcopal Church for the first time. The Free Clinic provides medical and dental service to adults who are unable to afford proper health care. There are many good people in Ashland and Hanover County who have made this Free Clinic possible.

The driving force, a man with a very clear vision, is Dr. Tom Hubbard who has benefited from the steady, loving support of his wife, Susan. And of critical importance in the long run, the Hubbard’s have been strongly supported and assisted by an array of other good people. Over twenty-five doctors, dentists, dental technicians and nurses are providing their skill and experience--- free of charge--- to the Clinic. Lay people, such as retirees, college professors, attorneys, contractors and equipment suppliers have given time, energy and dollars to put The Free Clinic into service.

None of these people are looking for accolades. They, one and all, are working diligently to “…do what is right.” The medical and dental services of the Free Clinic will beneficially touch the lives of many people in Ashland and Hanover County and will make those many lives healthier and more productive.

Now, with this thoroughbred out of the gate, our community must make sure that The Free Clinic has a long, successful career. The people, the businesses, the churches and the social organizations of our community must, IN MY OPINION, get behind The Free Clinic with service, supplies and dollars. The Free Clinic is just that; free to those in need of medical and dental services. But, obviously, there are substantial costs: prescription drugs, dentures, insurance, replenishment of medical supplies, utility bills, and over time, new equipment that must be funded.


We – citizens from all cultural communities in Ashland and Hanover County – have every right to be pleased with the good news of The Free Clinic. The parishioners of St. James the Less Church are to be heartily applauded for turning Dr. Hubbard’s vision into reality. But in the months and years ahead, our entire community must join in and support this very worthwhile endeavor. These “better-life” medical and dental services are so essential to so many in this day of expensive, complicated health care. The time – “the time is always right…” to act on this recognition. I am certain Ashland and Hanover County will warmly respond. Good people do make good news.

One final thought, inspired by a poem, “Lingering in Happiness,” by Mary Oliver:

“After rain, after many days without rain…the roots of the oak will have their share, and the white threads of the grasses and the cushion of moss …and soon so many small stones, buried for a thousand years, will feel themselves being touched.”

It is the time to let the quiet rain of our compassion touch the stones that are the lives of others. The compassion that The Free Clinic brings to our community touches us all.

Ragan Phillips
rtphil204@aol.com




The Free Clinic, located on the lower level of St. James the Less Episcopal Church at the corner of Beverly Road and Lee Avenue, offers professional medical and dental care, diagnosis, education, and referral services to uninsured Hanover County adults who cannot pay for these services. The Clinic will be open from 6 – 9 PM on Wednesday evenings. Patients must register prior to an appointment by calling (804) 798-8890.

As some may know I made a proposal to A. D. Whitaker last December (2006) to lease and manage the Theater. My idea was to establish a new 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization for the express purpose of leasing and manging the Theater. A. D. and I had two good discussions about this approach and I believe he thought we had a sound business plan.
Mr. Whitaker called me last week, however, and indicated he was in the process of selling the Theater to a local businessman.
I was, of course, disappointed. But the good news is that ,hopefully, the Theater will soon be open and back to showing movies. The Theater can be a wonderful venue to bring folks into Ashland and could be used to draw the community closer.
The Hanover Arts & Activities Center would certainly like to sponsor another series of classic movies as we did in the first part of 2006. Maybe, with the reopening of the Theater ,we will be able to do exactly that.

Ragan
Jan 22, 2007