Beaverdam, which once was almost exclusively a traditional farming community, is now a much more diverse area which finds itself in the midst of change. Although much more diverse than in the past, the Beaverdam District still includes a large farming community; but it also has a strong business segment and subdivisions. Beaverdam District Chair Willie Mills takes a look at Beaverdam’s diversity and the needs of these three very different population segments. Mills was born and raised in Beaverdam and has lived with the changing character of this large district for more than 50 years.
“Beaverdam is the largest district in Hanover County in terms of land mass. It runs from the rural western most area of Hanover, borders the Hanover Industrial Air Park and the business corridor there, and takes in large subdivisions along Ashcake Road, including Sycamore Hall, Stony Run, Oak Hill Estates, and others. Just by looking at the map, you can see that each of these areas has unique features and different needs.
"In spite of the size of the Beaverdam District, in spite of the diversity and growth the area is experiencing, Beaverdam still retains its rural character and belief in strong family values that reflect the importance of God, Country, Family and Neighbor.
“In the western area of the Beaverdam District, where faming is a viable part of the economy and a way of life for local people, only some farming families are fulltime farmers. And even for those who are fulltime farmers, usually somebody in the family has to go out to work a 9 to 5 job to supplement the income from farming or to get health insurance. So this means that even in the most rural areas of Beaverdam, where farming dominates, the economic downturn has had a very definite impact. We are not isolated from economic trends any more.
“While the Board of Supervisors talks about saving family farms, the reality is that you have to balance family farms with the subdivisions, and business interests. At times, it seems the Board tilts too much in favor of big business interests and development. But it’s a juggling act. You have to balance all three segments. We do want to save our family farms. We do need to accommodate subdivisions and development. And a strong business community is essential to the health of the Beaverdam District.
“One thing each of these different segments could benefit from is a more representative county government that includes more Democrats on the County Board of Supervisors. Beaverdam, along with most of Hanover County, has long term, entrenched Republican leadership, which is fueled by moneyed interests that keep elected officials in power. They don’t necessarily get elected year after year, term after term, because of the way they have served the community and represented constituents, but because they are heavily bankrolled and have a large power base.
“Our challenge is to get people in the Beaverdam District to start considering voting Democratic again so that their needs are front and center, not just the needs of big business interests. We need to reintroduce the people of the Beaverdam District to the Democratic ideals of protecting family values, supporting small businesses and helping the hard working middle class. The interests of our residents should not be forsaken for the interests of big business and county politics as usual.”
Willie Mills, Beaverdam resident and native
