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Guest speaker will be Robert L. Fitzgerald I. retired U. S. Army veteran and Gold Star Father. American Legion Post 175 and VFW Post 9808 will lead in the laying of the Memorial Wreath. Veterans of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office will perform the Rifle Salute. Jim Kickler, Hanover County Veterans Memorial Committee chairperson, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Taps will be performed by the Hanover Concert Band. Memorial and honorary pavers will be available for purchase at a discounted cost of

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Proceeds will go toward the many projects American Legion has for veterans and the youth of the community. Youth programs include

$75 if purchased at the event. Dedicated in 2007, the Hanover Veteran’s Memorial honors Hanover military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in hostile action from World War I to the present day, and those who have or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. Parking will be available on the site. For more information about this ceremony or about the Hanover Veteran’s Memorial, call Hanover County Parks and Recreation at 804-365-7150 or email parksandrec@hanovercounty.gov. Information submitted by Marcy G. Durrer, recreation program director, Hanover County Parks and Recreation. Boy’s State, Girl’s State, American Legion Baseball, JROTC sponsorships, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Oratorical Contests, Essay Contests, and Junior Law Cadet Program. The public is welcome to attend.

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The Mechanicsville Local

May 22, 2019

School board considers solar options to save money By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Seth Herman, a representative of Sun Tribe Solar, addressed the Hanover County School Board on Tuesday, May 14, about a proposal that may save $10 million in electricity over the course of 30 years.

ASHLAND -- Hanover County School Board members are scheduled to consider a power-to-purchase agreement with Sun Tribe Solar that could potentially save $10 million in electricity costs during the 30-year life of the contract. The proposal being considered would place solar panels at eight county schools, either in roof-mounted arrangements or ground-based collectors. Board representatives took Circle, Mechanicsville.

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reported in the 14000 block of Verdon Road/Hewlett Road, Beaverdam. 

Identity fraud use of identifying information to defraud was reported in the 8800 block of Thorneshire

SUPERVISOR Continued from pg. 1 

these last eight years to ensure that any growth that must come to Hanover is high quality, provides amenities, and respects our rural heritage. This often means reducing density and negotiating developer provided road improvements, “said Kelly-Wiecek. “I championed an initiative to reduce the allowable suburban density while maintaining our requirement that all new neighborhoods have a minimum of 20% open space.” The Chickahominy District is one of three in the county entirely in the Suburban Services Area -- marked by access to public utilities and served by major road networks -- and designated for suburban resi-



a tour of a Middlesex campus serviced by Sun Tribe earlier this month and came away impressed with the operation and its potential long-term savings. Seth Herman of Sun Tribe presented some highlights of the potential plan and its benefits at last week’s regular school board meeting. “This is an opportunity to provide electricity to you at a rate cheaper than you are currently paying,” Herman said. “It’s a way for the system to

save $100,000 in year one by purchasing electricity from Sun Tribe Solar, with cumulative lifetime savings of over $10 million.” Sun Tribe, according to Herman, is the largest solar power provider in the state and is currently in relationships with communities like Henrico and Fairfax. The key element of this plan is the power-to-purchase agreement that works like this: HCPS will receive two



Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 7500 block of Mechanicsville Bypass/ Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.



Unauthorized use of a vehicle, boat or animal was reported in the 7200 block of Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville.





Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Bypass/Elm Drive, Mechanicsville.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 3100 block of Westwood Hill Road, Mechanicsville.

Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 8200 block of Meadowbridge Road, Mechanicsville. Petit larceny building was reported in the 16400 block of MLC Lane, Rockville.

dential and commercial uses. Hanover is 80% rural and, per the Comprehensive Plan, will remain so for the next 30 years. Hanover maintains an average 1.4% growth rate, which Kelly-Wiecek said is very low but healthy in terms of maintaining a healthy business climate. “We’ve developed a reputation as a business-friendly county with an outstanding workforce and award-winning law enforcement.” She opposed the elimination of cash proffers in 2012, and helped restore $15 million in “sliding scale” transportation proffers in 2013. As Legislative Committee chair, she fought the 2016 Proffer Legislation in the General Assembly. She also listed restoring

funds for the Atlee Library, passing the “Active Living Chapter” to improve amenities in future developments and provide connectivity in future developments, Phase 1 Atlee Station Road widening, and working with the school board to initiate the school technology/device program among her accomplishments. “We delivered a balanced budget every year without raising taxes. Property values are up and Hanover remains in excellent financial shape as one of the smallest counties in the nation with a AAA bond rating,” Kelly-Wiecek said. She hosts a budget town hall meeting every year, as well as “A Positive Vision for Hanover” to engage citizens on long-term plans for landuse and growth. As board chair in 2017, she published

see SOLAR, pg. 5 

the County Checkbook online to show residents how tax dollars are being used. She said she focuses on public safety, education, and state-mandated human services. Raised in Central Virginia, Kelly-Wiecek is a 21-year resident of Hanover County. She has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree from Averett University and graduated from the Hanover County’s Citizens Planning Academy. With 25 years of communications and public relations experience in private industry and manufacturing, she is self-employed as an industrial marketing consultant. Kelly-Wiecek and her husband Paul are the parents of an Atlee High School student.