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Vol. 27, No. 2 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | May 12, 2010
County gets AAA rating Financial service upgrades Hanover to highest bond status Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com Moody’s Financial Service, one of the three major municipal bond ratings agencies in the U.S., has upgraded Hanover County to a “AAA” rating, the highest possible. Hanover was already rated “AAA” by Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s. The Moody’s evaluation makes Hanover County one of a small number of county governments nationwide with “Triple A” bond ratings. It also may be the smallest “Triple A” county measured by population.
“There is a very short list of counties our size that have been able to achieve two AAA bond ratings, let alone three.” G. ED VIA III Chairman Hanover County Board of Supervisors
Since the recession begun in 2008, ing a recession. Hanover has now been upgraded to AAA “This is a great day for Hanover County,” by two of the rating agencies; a great said Board of Supervisors Chairman G. Ed accomplishment during normal economic times and a remarkable achievement dursee AAA, pg. 26 `
Habitat fulfills hopes, dreams with new house By Jim Ridolphi news@mechlocal.com The Hanover Habitat for Humanity organization continues to change lives, one family at a time. Last week, the group dedicated its 38th house in the area, and the owner couldn’t have been more appreciative of their efforts. Jill Tribble, the single mother of two daughters, said the new home would transform her family’s life. “It’s a life-changing experience for us,” she said. “Just to have our own bedrooms and a place we can truly call home is almost unbelievable.”
Hundreds of volunteers, including Tribble, donated hours of sweat equity to make the project a success. The result is a three-bedroom rancher located on Ashcake Road near Center Street that any homeowner would be proud to call home. “We try to build homes that fit the neighborhood,” said Habitat executive director Tim Bowring. “The people who own these houses have jobs and conJim Ridolphi tribute sweat equity in the proj- New homeowner Jill Tribble, accompanied by her daughters Danielle and Desirae, cuts the ribbon on her new home on ect to construct these homes.” Bowring said this house Ashcake Road. Hanover Habitat for Humanity built the home, its see HABITAT, pg. 28 `
Melody Kinser
Deborah Altizer, right, was determined to locate her brother, David Allen (born Stuart Wayne Stephens), who had been placed in foster care and then adopted in the 1950s. They are shown with their sister, Betty Adkins.
38th in the area, and Tribble and many volunteers provided the sweat equity.
Reunited: 35-year search successful By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
Sitting in the swing on her front porch on New Ashcake Road, Deborah “Debbie” Altizer kept watching this new man in her life. David Allen was moving about the porch and the front yard. The date was May 4 and Debbie excitedly talked about the relationship she had already forged with David, who had been born
Stuart Wayne Stephens. While they had only met a few days before, the connection was immediate and strong. They are, after all, sister and brother. David had been placed in foster care in 1953 and was adopted by a Henrico County couple in 1958. “He was raised right here under my nose,” Debbie said. David see REUNITED, pg. 4 `