DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 26, No. 31 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | December 5, 2012
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Supervisors, on 4-2 vote, ax proffers By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local Once known for the highest proffer amounts in the Richmond metro area, Hanover County now has none. Last Wednesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-2 to revoke the county’s current proffer policy that requires new residential lots pay a $19,000plus levy before a certificate of occupancy can be granted. Concern over the possible economic development impact
of the proffers prompted the board to task a special committee with finding acceptable alternatives to the program. Since May, that committee met eight times and presented a recommendation to the board earlier last month that the policy be eliminated. Board vice chairman Canova Peterson, who represents the Mechanicsville District, moved that the panel accept the committee’s recommendations and remove the policy, a motion
Consoling
“I would like more time to digest this proposal and how it fits in with the schools’ plan.” ANGELA KELLY-WIECEK Supervisor Chickahominy District
seconded by supervisor Wayne Hazzard of the South Anna District. In addition to Peterson and Hazzard, the 4-2 measure
eliminating the proffer policy was approved by chairman Ed Via, Ashland District, and Sean Davis, Henry District. Supervisors Angela KellyWiecek, Chickahominy District, and Aubrey “Bucky” Stanley, Beaverdam District, voted against the measure. Cold Harbor supervisor Elton Wade was absent due to illness. While the supervisors cooperatively expressed concerns about the current system and its lofty amount, the problem
of replacing the more than $1 million generated annually was the sticking point to the plan’s removal. They approved a measure establishing a public hearing for Jan. 9, 2013, to discuss the committee’s recommendation that a $10 vehicle license fee be instituted to replace the proffer revenues for road construction. Peterson presented a plan that would establish a debt reserve fund that replaces see PROFFERS, pg. 4
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Deputy county administrator Frank Harksen presented a brief history of Hanover County’s proffer system and displayed charts showing projected revenues from the program initiated in 1990 during last week’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Christmas Parade makes memories in Mechanicsville By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
S
Kenny Moore for The Local
Hanover High School assistant coach Todd Rogers hugs his son, senior quarterback Sam Rogers (10), to console him after the Hawks fell to Stone Bridge 28-21 in the state semifinals. More on the game in Sports, page 38.
anta Claus and Mother Nature came together on Sunday to provide an ideal day for the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade. Sunny skies and mild temperatures brought residents into the village for an afternoon of holiday cheer. With the sounds of high school marching bands filling the air, church groups, scouts, civic organizations and businesses took part in the parade, sponsored by the Mechanicsville Rotary Club and Mechanicsville Ruritan Patrick Dobbs for The Local Club. The village was filled with spectators on Sunday as the holiday season kicked into high gear see PARADE, pg. 23
with the annual Mechancsville Christmas Parade. More photos can be found on Community, page 9.