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Vol. 28, No. 34 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | December 21, 2011
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
AAA bond Winding Brook nears reality rating returns By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com
Real estate assessments down By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com Good news and bad news concerning finances were received by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors last Wednesday. In the good news category, Hanover’s AAA bond rating had been restored, while the bad news was that real estate assessments are down for the third year in a row, creating a decrease of $1.4 billion in the tax base during that period. The county has a AAA bond rating with three rating agencies. On Aug. 4, Moody’s
assigned a “negative outlook” to its AAA rating for Hanover. “Negative outlook” is defined as a risk of downgrade over the next one to two years in a particular bond rating. At the same time Hanover received the “negative outlook” assignment, 131 other AAA ratings across the country also received the assignment. At the Aug. 24 Board of Supervisors’ meeting, it was noted that Moody’s would be performing a more detailed and thorough review of Hanover’s bond rating. The review consee AAA, pg. 4
(Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series on Hanover County development.) A major commercial real estate development planned for the area around where Bass
Jim Fields/The Local
This building under construction will house the Shoppes at Winding Brook and is supposed to be completed in February. Two restaurants, a Mariachi’s Mexican Grill and a Subway, and a Nail Theory shop have signed on as tenants.
the economy put a hold on its completion shortly after Bass Pro opened. Now, optimism flows from Holladay Pro Shop is located is closer to Properties, and, with any luck, ground will be broken becoming reality. Winding Brook was sup- for Outlets at Richmond, a posed to be open in 2010, but mall featuring about 60 stores,
sometime in 2012. For now, bits and pieces of the overall development are falling into place. To begin with, the first of two hotels for the project, Country Inn and Suites by Carlson, recently opened. A
Teen dead, another faces murder charge Atlee senior reigns as Snow Queen A Mechanicsville teen has been charged with first degree murder following the Sunday afternoon shooting of another local teen. Franklin E. Robertson III, 17, of the 6400 block of Lark Way is accused in the death of Jyreffe P. Clark, also 17, of the
6000 block of Sandy Valley Road. According to Capt. Michael J. Trice of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office, Robertson also has been charged with the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. see TEEN, pg. 21
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
R
eigning as Snow Queen has provided many opportunities to take part in Richmond traditions for Megan Isabelle. The Mechanicsville resident, a senior at Atlee High School, said she has “loved every event that I have had
the opportunity to attend. My heart felts each and every time I bend down to talk to each boy and girl. I love the seriousness on their faces when they ask me ‘personal’ Snow Queen questions.” As Snow Queen, she has participated in the parade of characters at the Jefferson Hotel Tree Lighting. “The
see QUEEN, pg. 24
Fairfield Inn also is on the drawing board. Also under construction is the building for the Shoppes at Winding Brook, scheduled to be completed in February. Three tenants are already on see REALITY, pg. 8
School district budget calendar full next month By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com Hanover County School Board members are gearing up for a busy budget season, with four meetings and workshops scheduled over a 14-day period next month. Dr. Jamelle S. Wilson, superintendent of schools, will present
the 2012-2013 budget proposal on Jan. 10. A public hearing and workshop will be held Jan. 17 and another workshop will take place on Jan. 19. The final workshop and adoption of the budget will occur Jan. 24. “We will have to grapple with difficult see CALENDAR, pg. 4