DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 28, No. 21 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | September 21, 2011
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Team effort brings county Early numbers: enrollment up through Hurricane Irene By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com Departmental teamwork made the difference in assisting Hanover County residents – who suffered $2.9 million in personal property losses — when Hurricane Irene rolled through on Aug. 27. Those efforts were praised during last Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Before Irene had passed, Fire/EMS Director Fred Crosby said 82 percent of the county’s residents had lost electricity and 200 roads were impassable. There were no deaths of serious injuries as a result of the
storm. An emergency shelter was established at Hanover High School that Saturday. In the first three days, Crosby’s department re-sponded to 856 incidents and assessed damage to 94 homes and businesses. Four Fire/EMS vehicles CROSBY were damaged by falling trees as personnel responded to calls.
The Emergency Communications Center enhanced staffing during the event and maintained dual dispatch channels to meet demand. Personnel also worked to maintain operation of tower sites. Two sites experienced generator failures and the 911 system experienced a failure. However, Crosby noted, the new radio system performed well. The Sheriff ’s Office, which received 1,027 calls in the first 72 hours, developed an incident plan to keep overtime at a minimum. Deputies were situated in heavily traveled intersections to direct traffic see TEAM, pg. 17
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
Hanover County Public Schools started the 20112012 year by beating the trend in terms of enrollment. Preliminary figures presented on Sept. 13 to the Hanover County School Board show 18,181 for kindergarten through 12th grade. Dr. Michael Thornton, assistant superintendent of Business and Operations, said that number “actually exceeds our forecast by 116 students.
That’s a relatively new trend for us over the last four years.” “The prior three years,” he THORNTON added, “we were on a declining trend.” He said the school system hopes “to see a flattening out as the economy see ENROLLMENT, pg. 19
Jackson again seeks ‘Motor Maid’ honors fallen firefighters Henry District seat By JimFields jfields@mechlocal.com
Patti Jackson, County for 28 years. who ran for the There is too much Henry District beauty, too much Board of Supervisors history here to see seat in 2007 and lost it cut up, sliced and to the incumbent by diced by developonly 34 votes, has ers. So my concerns announced that she are the same as in will run as an indethe last election, but pendent again this greatly magnified JACKSON year. because my oppoJackson will run nent is in the real against Sean Davis, a real estate estate business,” Jackson said. developer. “We need to ensure sensi“I have lived in Hanover see JACKSON, pg. 4
Beverly Williamson is not your typical “motorcycle riding mama.” The 64-year-old has a Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe and rides with her husband, friends and a group named Motor Maids. Motor Maids was founded in 1940 and was the first women’s motorcycle riding organization. The group recently was invited by the International Associations of Firefighters Motorcycle
Group and the Orange County Choppers to participate in a tribute ride on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 to honor fallen firefighters and those who died when the World Trade Center was attacked. The event was named the “Always Remember, Never Forget” 9/11 Tribute Ride and went from Newburg, N.Y., about 74 miles to the “Fallen Photo courtesy of Beverly Williamson Firefighter’s Memorial” on Mechanicsville resident Beverly Williamson stands by her Riverside Drive in New York Harley-Davidson motorcycle just before the beginning of a 74see MOTOR, pg. 14
mile tribute ride to honor the firemen and others who died after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center.