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HCSB seeks public input
Vol. 27, No. 42 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | February 16, 2011
L-DHS goes pink for ACS Charlie Leffler/The Local
Charyssa Parent, right, a Lee-Davis High School senior, won Fox Richmond’s “Lights, Camera, Take Action!” anti-drinking video contest. She is shown being interviewed by Ashley Johnson of Hanover County Public Schools’ Channel 99 during Friday night’s basketball game. For her winning entry, Charyssa’s name was announced in a commercial during the Feb. 6 Super Bowl. Friday’s game featured a schoolsponsored a “Pink Out” event in support of the American Cancer Society. Ashley also attends LeeDavis.
Meetings set on schools chief job By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com In an attempt to receive public input on the selection of a new superintendent, the Hanover County School Board has scheduled four community meetings this week. Today (Wednesday, Feb. 16), sessions will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the library
at Lee-Davis High School at 7052 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville and the auditorium at Patrick Henry High School at 12449 W. Patrick Henry Road in Ashland. On Thursday, Feb. 17, also from 7 to 8:30 p.m., meetings are scheduled in the library of Hanover High School at 10307 see INPUT, pg. 19 `
Henry supervisor CMS student honored for volunteerism won’t seek 4th term
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Chickahominy Middle School student has been named one of Virginia’s top two youth volunteers for 2011 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Seventh-grader Ethan Cruikshank, 11, of Mechanicsville was nominated by his school. As a state honoree, he will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expensepaid trip to Washington, D.C., in early May.
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
He recruited middle and high school students to provide free beginner music lessons to elementary school children each week after his school district had to cut a musical instruction class for budgetary reasons. Ethan had benefited from the class when he was in elementary school. “Music is such an important part of my life and the lives of many of my friends,” he said. “It is important for children to have a chance to have music in their lives.” Ethan first recruited middle and high school students who had experience with various instruments and were interested in
see CMS, pg. 17 `
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com Charles D. “Chuck” McGhee, who has represented the Henry District on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors for three terms, has announced he will not seek re-election. He will retire from the office when his current term ends on Dec. 31. The growth of his agricultural business influenced his decision. “It’s time, I McGHEE think, to focus more on my business. It’s grown considerably since the first time that I ran in 2000.” see SUPERVISOR, pg. 23 `
County OKs group homes partnership By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com A public-private partnership with Good Neighbor Homes Inc. on the operation of Hanover County’s three group homes was approved last Wednesday by the Board of Supervisors. Last fall, the Community Services Board had updated the supervisors about pursuing a public-private partnership model by Dec. 31, 2010, with a goal to privatize operations of all the homes by June 30, 2011. The CSB had recommended the merger to reduce costs. Good Neighbor Homes operates 11 homes in the area, including three in Hanover County. In its proposal, the company said it would extend hiring preferences to existing CSB staff and initially use the existing homes. Also, no financial incentives are requested by Good Neighbor Homes. South Anna District supervisor John E. Gordon Jr. said he would support the publicprivate partnership if the same service could be offered at a significantly reduced cost. “It appears that they have done that,” he said. After the unanimous vote on the partnership was approved, Hamilton Holloway, president see GROUP, pg. 26 `