DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 28, No. 46 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | March 14, 2012
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Budget won’t hurt technology services By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com As the Hanover County Board of Supervisors continues its budget process for 2013, technology issues should not be a problem, especially in regards to public safety and disaster preparedness. Last Wednesday, technology director Kirk Baumbach said that, even with anticipated technology problems, there would be no reduction in levels of service for public safety and being
prepared for a disaster. “You can expect system failures due to aged equipment,” he said. “There will be an increased workload on staff supporting old equipment, and workforce experiencing downtime due to equipment failure and poor performance.” Baumbach also said the county was losing a competitive edge to competing localities and businesses and losing employees to higher paying jobs. With budget work ongo-
Charge reduced in Clark shooting attorney, John Luxton, waived a preliminary hearing and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s One defendant in the Dec. office agreed to reduce the 17 shooting death of charge. Jyreffe Patrick Clark A second-degree had a murder charge murder conviction against him reduced could carry up to 40 and two others were years. found guilty of misBecause two of demeanor charges the three defendants on Thursday. are juveniles, Judge Franklin Eugene Shannon Hoehl preRobertson III, the sided over the closed confessed shooter hearing in Juvenile in the incident, had LUXTON and Domestic his case moved to Relations District Court. She Hanover County Circuit Court also heard misdemeanor chargand will stand trial on May 9 for see CLARK, pg. 19 second-degree murder after his
By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com
Technology director Kirk Baumbach said Hanover County was losing a competitive edge to competing localities and businesses and losing employees to higher paying jobs.
ing, the supervisors received requests from more department heads who talked about what reduced revenues and cutting personnel would do to their operations.
Budget director Shelly H. Wright gave an overview and noted the county had only created new mandated positions since fiscal 2009. The proposed 2013 budget of $199.4 million is $19.5 million less than the 2009 operating budget of $219.9 million. Personnel director Janet Lawson also warned about stagnant salaries. “Employee pay has not kept pace with the private sector, see BUDGET, pg. 4
40 county employees apply for early retirement incentive By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com Forty Hanover County employees have expressed an interest in the early retirement/ voluntary separation program addressed in the 2013 budget proposal. County administrator Cecil
R. “Rhu” Harris Jr. said senior staff members are reviewing the applications to determine how they fit into the county’s financial needs. Harris’s budget proposed cutting 50 positions. Most of see APPLY, pg. 4
R-MC group’s volunteer efforts boost Henry Clay kids By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com
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hey run and jump, scream and yell. The 40 children in the afternoon Positive Action club at Henry Clay Elementary School in Ashland enjoy themselves and have a good time. Michelle Johnson, who directs the class, said she receives a wealth of help from the Brothers 4 Change, a student volunteer group from Randolph-Macon College. When watching the volunteers interact with the kids, Jim Fields/The Local the question could be who Kenneth White, president of Brothers 4 Change, a student-volunteer group from Randolphsee R-MC, pg. 17
Macon College, is surrounded by children in the Positive Action Club at Henry Clay Elementary School and other group and school volunteers.