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ELECTION 2015
Stokes pursues Kelly-Wiecek Ashland office announces bid Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com MECHANICSVILLE — Web Stokes announces his intention to run as a candidate for the Hanover County Board of Supervisors representing the Ashland District. His plans come in the wake of G.E. “Ed” Via III’s announcement that he will not seek re-election at the end of his term. Stokes said he is committed to responsible development and community engagement in significant STOKES issues that impact the present and future of Hanover County citizens. “We must continue to find ways of maintaining the character of our community, while being open and inviting to business growth,” Stokes said. “As a community we should also look to promote our locally owned small busisee STOKES, pg. 24
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com MECHANICSVILLE — Angela KellyWiecek, Chickahominy District representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, is seeking re-election this year. “It has been my honor and my pleasure to serve the citizens in this capacity for the past three years,” KellyWiecek said. “I have enjoyed advocating for commonsense decisions on school and public safety funding. I take very seriously our KELLY-WIECEK ongoing commitment to smart growth to preserve our sense of community and Hanover’s truly rural areas.” She said she is an outspoken supporter of the Hanover County School Board and its efforts to provide updated technology in classrooms and increase facility maintenance see KELLY-WIECEK, pg. 24
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Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 31, No. 44 | Richmond Suburban News | March 4, 2015
Budget plan calls for more deputies, Fire-EMS staff County administrator proposes $396.5 million for 2016 By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER — Last Wednesday, Hanover County officials unveiled their 2016 budget, a document that reflects a continuing upward trend in the county’s financial
picture. The proposed $396.5 million budget features increased funding for public safety and education and a 1 percent across-the-board raise for all county employees, including teachers. County Administrator
Jim Ridolphi for The Local
County Administrator Cecil R. “Rhu” Harris Jr. presented a budget proposal of $396.5 million last Wednesday to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors.
Cecil R. “Rhu” Harris Jr.s’ proposal contains funding for four more deputies for the Sheriff ’s Office and eight full-time FireEMS employees. Education accounts for45 percent of the total budget while 13 percent is earmarked for public safety. Over the next five years, funding for a total of 15 additional deputies is included in the long-range financial plan. Hanover deputies also will be equipped with body cameras by the end of this year in a project that is funded under the current budget. Harris said those monies will come from reserve funds from the 2015 budget. Eight added Fire-EMS positions will allow full staffing at the Ashland Fire Station and East Hanover. see BUDGET, pg. 26
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