DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 26, No. 20 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | September 19, 2012
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
County among best youth communities By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local For a group of preschoolers at Kiddie Kingdom Day Care Center, Hanover County’s naming as one of America’s Promise Alliance top 100 Best Communities for Young People was little more than an opportunity for an extra loud lunch. But, for county officials and invited guests, it was a chance to formally announce the county’s latest feather in its cap at a
simulcast watch party held at the Ashland Daycare Center. A loud, collective hurrah erupted as Hanover was tapped for the fifth consecutive year in a live simulcast from the Newseum in Washington, D.C., streamed to the facility’s dining room. The 100 Best competition is sponsored by ING, a financial and investment company, and is closely tied to Grad Nation, a group working to increase
America’s graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020. Youth Services specialist Laura Robertson headed the county’s effort that included an extensive application process that included interviews with most of the county’s youth services, both public and private. Robertson said the results enforce a belief that Hanover has its eye on the ball when it comes to its youth. see BEST, pg. 22
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Assistant county administrator Jim Taylor spoke with children as they watched the simulcast at Kiddie kingdom in Ashland.
Cycling event brings business — with a price
First day of school in county a success
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local Richmond 2015 will attract thousands of cyclists, fans and tourists from more than 70 countries to the Richmond area and inject millions of dollars into local economies. Hanover County wants all of that business it can get, but, officials have learned the problem is it won’t come cheap. Wilson Flohr, chief executive officer for Richmond 2015,
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Hanover County officials look over recent improvements to the government complex and its grounds in Hanover.
said the county’s potential ecoIn addition, hosting the men’s Hanover, its landmarks and nomic benefit from the ICL time trials at King’s Dominion friendly business environment. But the reality of staging such World Championships could could provide national and see CYCLING, pg. 19 exceed $9 million. international exposure for
day a success. By Jim Ridolphi Assistant superintendent for The Mechanicsville Local Dr. Michael Thornton said Dr. Jamelle Wilson, superthe enrollment figures are intendent of Hanover County slightly above what officials Public Schools, told mempredicted. After several years bers of the Hanover County of declining enrollment, the School Board that opening trend appears to be leveling. day in Hanover County was After applying for and a success. receiving a waiver from the Officially, 18,019 students nation’s Secondary Schools are enrolled in the county’s 25 Act, which evolved into No schools for the 2012-2013 calChild Left Behind, state endar year. It took 246 buses and more than 1,000 teachers schools are facing a new evalto make this year’s opening
see SCHOOL, pg. 23