DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 26, No. 49 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | April 7, 2010
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
County budget gets final public airing By Jim Ridolphi news@mechlocal.com
Jim Ridolphi
Sarah Chenault made a heartfelt plea not to cut the number of group homes in the county at last Wednesday’s public hearing on the 2011 budget. Her sister Hannah helped her with the microphone.
As Hanover County enters the final phase of its 2011 budget process, the public got a final opportunity to voice opinions on the proposed $384 million document. Despite substantial cuts in most departments in the county, including schools, most speakers voiced support for the proposed plan, and many urged using recently added state allocations to minimize the cutbacks. The current proposal cuts 35 teaching positions in the coun-
ty, and increases work hours for program provides vital services about 30 percent of Hanover for family members and urged employees. the county not The budget “Sharon’s dream to cut the prorecommends gram. The reto be working cutting the duction would has come true C om mu n it y force the counServices sti- with her job at the ty to maintain American Family only two group pend, forcing the closure homes, a womFitness Center, of one of the and thanks to the en’s facility in county’s three services provided by Montpelierand group homes Hanover County.” a men’s house designed to in MechanicsJANET JONES meet the needs ville. of intellectually Janet Jones, an Ashland resident who cares disabled citizens. Several speakers said the for her intellectually disabled
When State Farm agent Julie Whittaker’s parents learned about a Mechanicsville family’s need for a vehicle, they told their daughter. And that set in motion a collaborative effort among
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
State Farm, Collision One, The Interior Guys and Keystone Automotive that led to the presentation of a 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLS fourdoor sedan on Friday. Thanks to the involvement of Whittaker’s parents, see CAR, pg. 4 `
see BUDGET, pg. 4 `
Local man dies in Friday crash
Businesses join forces to provide family with car By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
sister, wondered aloud what would happen when she can no longer care for her sibling. Jones said her sister takes advantage of several community services. “Sharon’s dream to be working has come true with her job at the American Family Fitness Center, and thanks to the services provided by Hanover County,” Jones said. “Many of her prayers have been answered thanks to the services you have put in place making it possible for her to be a taxpaying, contributing citizen,” Jones said. News of the county’s inten-
Melody Kinser
Beau Morris and Julie Whittaker, at left, present the keys to the Chris Edwards family.
An accident in Charles City Council has claimed the life of a 28-year-old Mechanicsville man. According to Sgt. T.J. Molnar of the Virginia State Police, Joseph S. Wooddy III was killed today on Route 106, see CRASH, pg. 4 `
¸°^¥ -¸¥p^ ¨ E /^Pw pÁ - ^Pz> z¨°¨ ÞÌ i À " - Ìi -iÀÛ Vi Û> >L it È x ` >ÀL À ,`° U iV > VÃÛ i Ç{È ÇÇÇÇ
, 6 ÀÕà -V> E , -ÞÃÌi "«Ì â>Ì U À> `à v * ½Ã] >«Ì «Ã] 1«}À>`ià E ,i«> Àà U /À ÕL iÃ Ì } U 6 ÀÕà E -«ÞÜ>Ài ,i Û> U 7i ÃÌ V * ½Ã] >«Ì «Ã] Ì Àà U «ÕÌiÀ /Õ i 1« v À >Ý Õ vwV i VÞ U ÕÃÌ Õ Ì * ½Ã Ì iiÌ Þ ÕÀ ii`à U i E - > Õà iÃà -«iV > ÃÌ
%
50 Off
A SERV LL ICES!
Applies to labor only. Value up to $75. Good in store anytime, good on-site service, Wednesday and Thursday only. Exp. 4/21/10.