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Vol. 26, No. 39 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | January 27, 2010
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Public appeals to save, continue programs By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com (Editor’s note: After the Tuesday, Jan. 19, public hearing, several questions arose from a work session held Thursday, Jan. 21, by the Hanover County School Board. See MLeditor on Twitter and www.mechlocal.com for action from last night’s meeting on the 2010-2011 budget adoption.)
Impassioned pleas, promises of support and a recommendation to increase real estate taxes dominated a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 19, conducted by the Hanover County School Board. What impact they had were determined last night when board members were scheduled to adopt the 2010-2011 budget for Hanover County Public Schools.
Two cadets were joined by one’s father and a concerned resident in appealing to the board to save the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Lee-Davis High School. In preparing for an $18 million loss in revenue and anticipated cuts of 52.6 positions, Dr. Stewart D. Roberson, superintendent, had proposed eliminating positions at Lee-Davis (Navy)
While he is enthusiastic about his new position as chairman of the Hanover County Board of Super visors, G. Ed Via III knows t o u g h economic VIA times are a harsh reality for residents. Last Wednesday, he said –
despite recommendations from citizens during a public hearing the night before to the Hanover County School Board – there are no plans to increase real estate taxes. The School Board accepted input on the proposed 2010-2011 budget. Via said he will work “to maintain the property tax at the 81 cents per $100 it is now. People who are laid off – they just can’t afford it [an increase in taxes].” “The board wants to remain responsive to the citizens’ con-
The 2010-2011 budget proposal includes a Naval JROTC program at Patrick Henry and an Air Force JROTC program at Hanover High School. Students from Lee-Davis and Atlee will have the opportunity to participate in either. The school district will explore how the transition will see PROGRAMS, pg. 15 `
Tea party film screenings set
Via: no plans to raise real estate taxes By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
and Atlee (Air Force) high schools. Students at Hanover High School participate in both programs. Patrick Henry has a Navy program. The original plan called for all four high schools in the county to have a program. Lee-Davis and Atlee have not been able to meet the enrollment thresholds required by the Armed Forces for several years.
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
LUKE LIVINGSTON Producer, Tea Party The Documentary
“I want to tell the story.” That’s what Luke Livingston said about producing “Tea Party: The Documentary Film,” which will be presented in two screenings – 1:30 and 3:45 p.m. — on Feb. 13 at Hanover Tavern. Last Wednesday, Livingston talked about the project from his business in Atlanta. According to the Web site,
www.teapartypatriots.org. Tea Party Patriots “is a national grassroot organization that provides logistical, educational, networking and other types of support to over 1,000 community-based tea party groups around the country.” A neighbor, Jenny-Beth Martin, is a national coordinator of www.teapartypatriots.org. She invited him to attend the April 15 tea party. He said he was “aware that
see VIA, pg. 4 `
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see FILM, pg. 8 `