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Vol. 30, No. 34 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | December 31, 2013
Budget issues for county top story of year By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com Hanover County was not exempt from the economic turmoil that crosses the nation when budget talks became the center of attention in 2013, making the actions of planning for the future by the Board of Supervisors and School Board the top story for the year. In the No. 1 spot, the supervisors unanimously approved a total budget of HARRIS
$372.6 million, which includes the school division’s approved operating budget of $162 million. County administrator Cecil R. “Rhu” Harris Jr. presented the Board of Supervisors with a proposal that maintained the county’s 81 cents per $100 of assessed value real estate rate, but included slight increases in county water and sewer charges, about $2 and 75 cents per bill, respectively. The General Fund budget plan had a WILSON
Top 10 stories of 2013 1—County budgets 2 —New court buildings 3 —Movie theater proposed 4 —Mother pleads to attack 5 —AAA bond rating 6 —Conservative stronghold 7 —Bridge work 8 —Valor awards 9 —Tomato Festival 10 —Chimps moved
While challenges were acknowledged in moving forward, she received overall support for her proposal from education organizations and the community at large.
This artist’s rendering shows the 0.2 percent decrease. design of the proposed new court Before the School Board adopted buildings at the government complex. the 2013-2014 budget, Jamelle Wilson, superintendent of schools, said she was “desirous of us landing this plane at a New courthouse Just before the Thanksgiving particular place.”
Local man charged in Christmas homicide
see TOP, pg.5
L-DHS grad to bike with 4K For Cancer
Staff Report news@mechlocal.com A Mechanicsville man has been charged with first degree murder in the Christmas morning death of another Mechanicsville resident. George A. Teal, 49, of the 8400 block of Lincoln Road died as a result of what Lt. Chris R. Whitley of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office described as “apparent trauma.” He was found lying on the floor of KEITH M. WOOD Keith M. Wood’s home in the to a call about an unresponsive 8000 block of Peaks Road. Deputies arrived at Wood’s person. Teal was taken to Memorial home around 8 a.m. on see HOMICIDE, pg. 4 Wednesday, Dec. 25, in answer
holiday, the supervisors appropriated more than $44 million for a new courthouse project that may open as early as 2017. By using the county’s new debt savings plan, the project will be financed without any tax increases for citizens and without exceeding the county’s established debt ceiling levels. The two court buildings are considered to be seriously out of code in several areas, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and security upgrades. With two new judges, the old facilities are said to be bursting at the seams and renovation would not solve the overcrowding.
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
A
Submitted photo
Stephanie Cario, a graduate of Lee-Davis High School who attends Virginia Tech, will travel from Baltimore to San Francisco as part of the 4K For Cancer project.
Lee-Davis High School graduate will be biking from Baltimore, Md., to San Francisco, Calif., with the 4K For Cancer. Stephanie Cario, a senior psychology major at Virginia Tech, said the trip will take 70 days and cover 4,000 miles. In addition to biking, the group will be involved in various service projects. Before she starts on her
cross-country trek, she needs to raise more than $4,500 toward the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. see CANCER, pg. 4