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Public hearing set to decide use of ARPA funds By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
HANOVER – The Hanover County Board of Supervisors scheduled a public hearing next month to consider the allocation of almost $30 million headed the county’s way thanks to funding provided through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Finance Director Jacob Sumner provided an outline of a proposed plan to spend the money, with the bulk slated for broadband development in the county and a third of
the money planned for county schools. The U.S. Congress passed the relief bill in March, and the package includes funding for states and localities recovering from the COVID0-19 pandemic, infrastructure assistance, emergency rental assistance, education stabilization and stimulus checks sent to Americans earlier this year. “Hanover County was allocated $20.9 million as a direct allocation from the U.S. Treasury as a part of this local and state fiscal recovery fund
Vol. 37, No. 12 | Richmond Suburban News | June 30, 2021
Governor joins county in welcoming ABC
Daniel Sangjib Min/Richmond Times-Dispatch
Governor Ralph Northam, center, shares a laugh with Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Authority CEO Travis Hill, center left, Public Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Brian Moran, center right, and others during the ribbon-cutting on Monday, June 21. For more on the event, turn to page 12.
see ARPA, pg. 12
Superintendent explains ‘Why’ in his address to Class of 2021
Joel Klein/The Local
Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent, addresses one of Hanover County Public Schools’ graduating classes.
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(Editor’s note: Our apologies to Dr. Michael gill, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, for inadvertently publishing his end of year comments to parents and guardians in last week’s edition rather than his speech to members of the Class of 2021. Today, we share his speech.) Why? That single three-letter word is one we hear often, typically without giving it a second thought -- from a curious preschooler learning about the world, bombarding a tired parent with questions like “Why do dogs have tails?” or “Why can’t I have cookies before dinner?” to questioning all of the events that have unfolded
since last March and throughout your senior year. It is the first word of unlimited questions, yet by itself seemingly nondescript. I can recall that the theme for one of my middle school yearbooks was “Why Ask Why?” The question seemed to indicate that we should not try to make sense of the world’s many mysteries, but rather accept them as the so-called spice of life. I think it is okay to ask why, though. It is by being inquisitive that true growth and learning takes place. Without someone being inquisitive, think of all the many inventions or see WHY, pg. 4
Tomato Month in full swing: 4K Pizza Race & Relay set (Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Marcy G. Durrer, recreation program director for Hanover County Parks and Recreation.) MECHANICSVILLE – The 4K Pizza Race & Relay is, well,
all about pizza! With Tomato Month officially kicking off tomorrow (Thursday, July 1), the pizza event will get underway at 6:30 p.m. with an indisee PIZZA, pg. 20