DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 32, No. 31 | Richmond Suburban News | December 9, 2015
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Oath of office
Photo submitted by Chris R. Whitleyr
Dr. Michael Gill, left, was sworn in Monday, Nov. 30, as the 13th superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools. The Honorable Frank G. Uvanni, right, presided over the oath of office ceremony, which was held at Washington Henry Elementary School. Dr. Gill was accompanied by his wife Sherry, center, and their two children, as well as his parents, sister and brotherin-law. Several Hanover County School Board members and other Hanover County officials attended.
‘Call if you can, text if you can’t’ By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER — Beginning this month, Hanover County residents will have one more option available when contacting emergency service personnel in the county. Hanover becomes the 16th locality in the state to institute a text 911 program that allows citizens to contact rescue or police personnel by texting when calling is not possible.
of
Curt Shaffer, director Hanover’s Emergency
Hanover County is the 16th locality in the state to institute a text 911 program that allows citizens to contact rescue or police personnel by texting when calling s not possible.
Communications, presented
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
an update at a recent Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting, outlining the new program and how it will impact the public. “I’m excited to tell you about Text to 911,” Shaffer said. “This has been something that has been in our strategic plan and we’re ready to bring it to our citizens in Hanover County.” Shaffer explained that the new service is vitally impor-
Sunshine, Santa and smiles light up parade By Laura McFarland Richmond Suburban News
M
ECHANICSVILLE — Sunny skies and tons of Christmas cheer greeted the several thousand people who lined the streets Sunday, Dec. 6, for the annual Mechanicsville Rotary Club/Mechanicsville Ruritan Club Christmas Parade in the Village. Temperatures in the low 50s and an almost cloudless day set the stage on for a great parade, said announcer Harold Padgett, past president of the Rotary Club. “This is a beautiful day – about as close to a perfect day as I have ever seen for the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade,” he said, adding it was a huge improvement over the frigid weather spectators
Laura McFarland for The Local
Santa Claus waves to the crowd as he makes his grand appearance for the annual Mechanicsville Rotary Club/ Mechanicsville Ruritan Club Christmas Parade in the Village. More photos on page 9, Community.
faced during the 2014 parade. Parade co-chair David Fuller said, “What a remarkable day. The weather was a major contributor to a beau-
tiful and spectacular parade. We had 104 units, 1,500 participants and 7,500 people along the route to usher this see PARADE, pg. 7
see TEXT, pg. 8
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