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PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 28, No. 51 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | April 18, 2012
Supervisors adjust, approve final budget By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local The Hanover County Board of Supervisors apparently heard its constituents at the April 4 public hearing on the 2013 budget proposal. After hearing a chorus of objections to cuts in the Fire/EMS budget and reductions in school administration, the supervisors adjusted the numbers to meet some of those concerns. County administration and staff worked with school officials to restore two assistant principal positions previously slated for elimination. Thanks to a grant for breathing apparatus
Wiecek said. “We’re going and the discovery of some to continue to explore a lot matching county funds, of different ways to retain portions of the Fire/EMS quality combination staff.” budget also were restored, She also noted that the including protective clothproposed two man engine ing and physicals for all crews is not an ideal situemployees and continued ation, but stressed that training. some coverage is better “We fully support our than none at all. fire chief and we comKELLY-WIECEK HAZZARD “It’s often the differmend our EMS workers for the outstanding work they do every day,” ence between having some level of coverage or Chickahominy District supervisor Angela Kelly- none at all in some areas of the county,” she said.
South Anna District supervisor Wayne Hazzard acknowledged the diligence and hard work of Hanover school officials to complete a budget with some tough realities. “This has been a fast track for us newbies and we’ve learned a whole lot in a little bit of time,” Hazzard said. “I want to acknowledge the [Hanover County] School Board and the hard work they put forward. They managed to save some teaching jobs and worked hard to present us with a budget. They hung in there with us.” With the Virginia General Assembly still see BUDGET, pg. 15 `
Community Call is out March of Dimes support is all in the family challenges to for vendors The Hanover Tomato Festival is in search of vendors who make or sell unique tomato-related products. This fun-filled event highlights the Hanover Tomato and features children’s activities, crafters, artisans and live entertainment. With so much to offer, Hanover’s most popular event draws close to 40,000 attendees, making it a great platform for your company to reach thousands. The Hanover Tomato Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, see VENDORS, pg. 13 `
Lola followed a minute later. Cathy and Alan Fitch welcomed the twins, who, hen Lola Jayden she recalled, “were perfectly Fitch arrived healthy” at birth. A eight weeks early week later, however, in 2009, Cathy Lola died as a result Motley-Fitch didn’t realize the of necrotizing impact her daughter’s birth enterocolitis. The — and brief life — would have condition, which on her. primarily affects Lola and her fraternal twin, premature infants Grayson Howard, were born or sick newborns, on May 29, 2009. They were is said to be the due on July 29. Lola weighed death of intestinal tisthree pounds and four ounces, sue. while her brother came in at Grayson three pounds, seven ounces. remained in the He arrived first, at 1:51 p.m.; Neonatal Intensive
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
W
Photo courtesy of Cathy Motley-Fitch
Cathy Motley-Fitch, her sons, from left, Sawyer and Grayson, and her husband Alan Fitch are serving as the March of Dimes Ambassador Family. They will kick off Sunday’s Richmond Walk.
Care Unit (NICU) at VCU
be addressed
see FAMILY, pg. 4 `
In January, 400 people gathered at the New Song Church to remember a slain Mechanicsville teen. At that gathering, Pastor Chad Herndon asked, “What are you willing to do to have no more events like this? What are you willing to stop doing?” On Saturday, April 21, the Hanover Cares coalition will once again ask those questions from 4 to 6 p.m. at a Town Hall meeting at Atlee High School. The meeting will include a panel of Hanover County high school students who will discuss the challenges facing today’s students, as well as what the community needs to know about teens growing up in Hanover County. see CHALLENGES, pg. 13 `