02/20/19

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DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111

STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN

Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141

Vol. 35, No. 42 | Richmond Suburban News | February 20, 2019

Budget plan boosts public safety, education By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local

Hines and Piland present requests

HANOVER -- County Administrator Rhu Harris told the Hanover County Board of Supervisors that a prospering local economy allowed him to present an ambitious FY2020 budget that expands county services, rewards the workforce, and funds education without raising local real estate taxes. Harris said this year’s proposed $492.4 million budget is an increase of $29.4 million

RHU HARRIS

see BUDGET, pg. 5

By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER – Col. David R. Hines, sheriff, stressed the importance of community partnerships and school safety as he presented a detailed explanation of his proposed 2020 budget at the Feb. 13 meeting of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors.

DAVID R. HINES

JETHRO PILAND

see REQUESTS, pg. 3

HCSB approves $194.7 mil budget By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local

Jim Ridolphi for The Local

Bob Hundley, left, chairman of the Hanover County School Board, congratulates Dr. Michael Gill on being named Superintendent of the Year for Region 1. Shown in the background are Roger Bourassa and Sue Dibble.

ASHLAND -- Hanover County School Board members unanimously approved superintendent Michael Gill’s proposed 2019-2020 budget that includes a 3 percent across-theboard salary increase for all employees. The $194.7 million operating budget also includes funding for additional counselors, mental health and special education special-

ists, and continuing technology efforts and improvements. The board also approved a five-year $78 million Capital Improvement Program that includes plans to construct a new elementary school, currently identified as a consolidation of Henry Clay and John Gandy elementary schools. The approved CIP also provides funds see HCSB, pg. 15

Wyatt seeks 97th District House seat Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – Scott A. Wyatt, Cold Harbor District representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, has announced his candidacy for the Virginia House of Delegates to represent the 97th District, comprising part of Hanover County, New Kent County and King William WYATT County. Regarding his decision to run, Wyatt said, “Delegate Chris Peace’s recent vote to join the Democrats to advance Medicaid Expansion in see WYATT, pg. 4

Building inspector becomes one of youngest to reach certification milestone HANOVER -- Paul Messplay, residential plan examiner for the Hanover County Building Inspector’s office, recently completed all the requirements for his Master Code Professional certification. The 30-year-old is believed to be among the youngest -- if not the youngest -- person in the

world to reach this milestone. “There are roughly 900 master code professionals worldwide,” said Richard T. Gordon, chief building official for Hanover County. “It is the highest certification offered by the International Code Council and indicates proficiency in virtually all areas of code enforcement.”

Messplay took 20 certification exams. Each took multiple hours to complete for a total of 52 hours. “It was part of my five-year goal,” Messplay said. “Then I decided to ramp it up to see if I could do them all before I turned 31 and within a year.”

Topic areas included electrical inspection, fire plans, energy inspection, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, accessibility, property maintenance, building codes and standards and legal. Being superstitious – a trait that Messplay dates back his days of playing baseball as a see BUILDING pg. 12


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02/20/19 by Mechanicsville-Ashland Local - Issuu