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Vol. 28, No. 50 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | April 11, 2012
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Fire/EMS cuts top public budget concerns By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
Hanover County Fire/EMS members rose in support for restored funding for their programs at last week’s public hearing on the 2013 proposed budget.
Radio Disney
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
see FIRE/EMS, pg. 16
Warner in Ashland: economy improving By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
Tracey Magner was chosen as a captain on Thursday at Mechanicsville Elementary School for the Tree Trivia program hosted by Dominion Resources. She headed the Redwood Team. Choosing team members was the hard part and rotating teams of five got an opportunity to play. For more on the event, see the story on page 7.
After a long and arduous budget process, Hanover County citizens got their first opportunity last Wednesday to voice their opinions on the proposed 2013 document. As supervisors prepare to vote on the $367.4 million budget this week, the message from their constituents was clear. Substantial cuts to Hanover’s Fire/EMS services are not popular with the public — or the many volunteers and employees who work in the system. In response to a challenging budget crunch, officials proposed cutting the Fire/EMS budget
in staffing, training, equipment replacement and maintenance. Many rose to speak against those cuts at a public hearing on April 4. Speakers echoed the sentiment that the cuts were short-sighted and would seriously affect the department’s ability to perform its duties if they are prolonged. Several said the system could survive a temporary cut in the funding, but the reductions could have serious long-term consequences. “This not a realistic plan,” said fire chief staff representative Steve Taylor. “We’re willing to concur with these changes for a few years to do our
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., displayed an energetic enthusiasm as he greeted a supportive group of local Democrats at Ashland Coffee and Tea last week. The appreciative audience was the perfect warm-up for an afternoon appearance on Tuesday, April 3, at RandolphMacon College, a question and answer session with students and interested citizens. Before the informal session at Ashland Coffee and Tea, Warner took a walking tour of
Ashland hosted by Tom Wulf, president of the Ashland Main Street Association, and other officials. The senator said he was impressed with what he saw and heard. “I love Ashland,” Warner said. “Every time I come back, there’s more going on. The best news is everyone I talked with said the economy is getting better, which is good news. For anyone in retail, it’s been a long haul the last three years. People are optimistic. Now we just have to make sure we don’t mess that up in Washington [D.C.],” he added.
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., told members of the Hanover County Democratic Committee that the current debt and deficit problem will require shared sacrifice for all, and entitlement programs should be readjusted (for future users) to realistically meet the challenge.
“This is a better tonic for Committee. me than umpteenth weeks and Warner said his R-MC mesthe stuff I have to deal with in sage would focus on current Washington,” Warner told the see WARNER, pg. 5 Hanover County Democratic