One of the good guys

The Nelson family moved to the Totopotomoy subdivision in the late ’70s. Lee, I and our two daughters were very pleased to have relocated to a neighborhood that was so actively involved and had so many families with children, which included the Via family.

It was through working together at Atlee Recreation Association’s swim team and youth programs over the course of 10 years that Ed Via and I got to know each other. And over the years, we have purchased fencing from Ed’s company, both at several residences and our commercial property.

In the last seven years or so, Ed and the local Rotary clubs have been quite active with Operation Hope (http://www.operationhopeplayground.com), the effort to build all-inclusive playgrounds in Hanover, which has inspired other communities, both in Virginia and as far as Michigan, to do the same.

Although typically an administrator, Ed physically worked on the construction of the Operation Hope playgrounds.

A few years after Ed was first elected to the Board of Supervisors, I heard the comment that one of the “good ol’ boys” had been brought into the county government, so I responded, “It’s apparent you don’t know Ed Via.” It only took a few months for this person to realize that Ed would listen and respond to the people he represents – that he is one of the good guys.

As I have personally witnessed over the last 30 years, Ed Via is a true believer in Hanover County and is committed to working – both physically and administratively – to make this the premier community in our country to live.

Dana Nelson
Mechanicsville

Click Here to check out the article at Mechanicsville Local.