DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 29, No. 37 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | January 16, 2013
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Schools: doing more with less By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local Since the economic downturn began more than four years ago, Hanover County Public Schools has cut more than $33 million in expenditures and eliminated more than 300 jobs. The district accomplished those budget reductions while boasting the state’s lowest dropout and second best graduation rate in its category. That theme of doing more with less continues in the department’s proposed 2013-2014 budget presented on Tuesday, Jan. 8, by superintendent Jamelle Wilson
at a regular Hanover County School Board meeting. At its first airing, this year’s document represents a decrease in the county’s overall school budget, and a more than $6 million anticipated WILSON shortfall wasn’t quite as bad as expected. Wilson said the cuts are not as “deep as it could have been,” as she reported a shortfall of $5.4 million.
“Budget details from the state and targets from the county administrator have been refined, and we now know our budget deficit for 2013-2014 stands at $5.4 million, not $6.5 million,” Wilson said. The system’s proposed General Fund budget is balanced at $177.2 million, a $2.5 million decrease from 2012-2013. The system hopes to make up the revenue shortfall through a coordinated strategy that addresses six specific areas. They include: ✏ A $1.4 million cut in non-basic funding. see SCHOOLS, pg. 29
Peterson named supervisors chair
‘Bandstand’ will help raise the roof By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
W
ith a mix of the late Dick Clark and Don Cornelius influencing their selections, Ashland Musical Variety Show organizers Sue Watson and Lorie Foley are using “Ashland’s Bandstand: Raise the Roof!” for this year’s event. As has become tradition, thanks to the support of the administration at RandolphMacon College, the Blackwell Auditorium will be the site of the show. The curtain will
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
W. Canova Peterson IV, left, who was elected chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors last Wednesday presents outgoing chair G. Ed Via III with a plaque in appreciation of his service.
File photo/Melody Kinser
Two years ago, the stage of Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College came alive with the Ashland Musical Variety Show, a fun-filled evening of entertainment featuring talents from throughout Hanover County.
rise at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 21-23. As work continues to raise funds for the roof at the
Hanover Arts and Activities Center, the variety show, presented during odd-numbered years, will add to the effort. Clark and Cornelius,
pioneers in the musical television genre with “American Bandstand” and “Soul Train,” see BANDSTAND, pg. 4
months. By Jim Ridolphi He cited a balanced county for The Mechanicsville Local budget, maintaining the counW. Canova Peterson IV of ty’s AAA bond rating, removthe Mechanicsville District was ing the cash proffer program elected chair of the Hanover and lobbying against tolls on County Board of Supervisors Interstate 95. during last Wednesday’s meetSouth Anna supervisor ing. Henry District supervisor Wayne T. Hazzard nominated Sean Davis was chosen vice Peterson and he was elected chair. with a 6-1 vote. Peterson and Davis are Davis was nominated by in their first terms on the Via and was unanimously board, having been elected in elected. November 2011. Angela Kelly-Wiecek, G. Ed Via III of the Ashland Chickahominy District, cast District served as chair for the the only opposing vote to last year. He noted the accomplishments of a board that fea- Peterson’s selection. “Sadly, no,” tured four freshmen supervi- she said during the roll call. Peterson’s first official act sors, including the incoming see PETERSON, pg. 30 chairman during the last 12