DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 30, No. 44 | Richmond Suburban News | March 5, 2014
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
County budget ref ects economic recovery Funding for services up with no tax increase
compared to recent editions. After four years of declining revenues, real property values are on the rise, and contributions from the state and sales tax revenues also are increasing. County Administrator Cecil R. “Rhu” Harris Jr. presented his $390.6 By Jim Ridolphi million proposed budget at last for The Mechanicsville Local Wednesday’s regular meeting of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. The news is all good when it comes He said there is additional funding for to next year’s budget, especially when increases in public safety and increased
investment in Hanover’s workforce It increases funding for education without raising taxes on its citizens. with a $2 million increase for schools Harris outlined a budget that adds that will allow the system to hire 18 six deputies to the Sheriff ’s Office, additional positions in the classroom. The county administrator’s proposed budget includes a $24 million Public safety presentations. capital improvements program (CIP) turn to page 5. for the county’s aging schools and their increases funding for education, maintenance. The total school budget operation rewards county employees with pay raises and reflects a recovering trend budget increased 5.3 percent or $8.6 million. in the county’s economy.
“In this budget I will share a more optimistic tone and set of financial plans for Hanover,” Harris said. “Our economic indicators are consistently showing that Hanover residents are returning to work, are spending in our retail stores, and feel more secure about their home values.” The proposed budget also includes funding for 2 percent raises for county
Waters — ‘born to be a principal’ — retiring after decades in education By Jodi Deal jdeal@mechlocal.com
S
DEBORAH WATERS
ince Deborah Waters became an assistant principal at the Battlefield Park Annex in 1982, she has reviewed students’ report cards and written personalized comments at every school where she has served. One day, Waters, who is principal at Kersey Creek Elementary
School, received a note from a student thanking her for that. In the card, the student remarked, “You were born to be a principal.” Waters has spent all but five of her years as a full-time educator as either a vice principal or a principal — more than 30 years in all. That’s a long time to be “on call,” she noted in a written statement released to Kersey Creek
see RECOVERY, pg. 5
Photo provided by KCES
Kersey Creek Elementary School principal Deborah Waters hugged students Ben Ford, left, Morgan Broce and Gavyn Broce on the first day of school in 2010. After more than 40 years in education, Waters will retire at the end of this year.
see PRINCIPAL, pg. 4
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