DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
$9 million more added to expenses for COVID-19 By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER – The Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a budget amendment last week that adds more than $9 million to the current budget for COVID-related expenses. The allotment is the second installment of funds provided by the federal CARES Act to assist localities as they recover from financial impacts caused by the pandemic. “At the end of July, the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Finance notified the county that the state would be releasing the second round of federal Coronavirus relief funds,” said Director of Finance and
Management Services Jacob Sumner. “Hanover’s portion of these funds is another $9.4 million.” How, when and for what those funds can be used for are governed by strict guidelines that also were in place for the first round of relief. First and foremost, the funds must be used to address COVID-related issues incurred due to the pandemic. The funding also cannot be included in the current budget approved in March, and expenditures must occur between March1 and Dec. 31 of this year. “The eligibility requirements are the same as the first round of funding, but we now
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 36, No. 15 | Richmond Suburban News | September 2, 2020
BPES PTA spearheads outdoor learning
Submitted photo
The Battlefield Park Elementary School PTA recently joined with the community and local businesses in purchasing items for outdoor learning spaces for the 2020-2021 year. Principal Jackie McCaleb said the teachers are “elated and excited” to have the outdoor learning spaces and being able to return to BPES face-to-face. Emily Hulette and Kaitlin Atkinson serve as president and vice president of the PTA. They are shown with the donors. Story on page 12.
see EXPENSES, pg. 4
Voter registrar clarifies absentee applications being distributed Staff Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – Hanover County’s Director of Elections/General Registrar Teresa F. “Teri” Smithson is clarifying absentee applications being distributed by persons not affiliated with her office. In addressing Hanover County voters, she said, “You may have or will be getting an absentee application from both political parties as well as non-profits such as the Center for Voter
Information.” “Our office didn’t have anything to do with this action. However, the applications can be used to request an absentee ballot,” she said. Those wishing to use one of those applications must complete them, which, according to Smithson, include “the last four of your social security number.” On Sept. 21, her staff will have the ballot drop box open to received
SMITHSON
returned ballots. This is for those voters who would prefer to drop it off rather than mail to Smithson’s office. “The drop box area is under surveillance at all times,” she added. The Voting Center will be open starting Tuesday, Sept. 18, and until Saturday, Oct. 31, for in-person early voting in the Wickham building at the County Complex.
“Our hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct, 24, and 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day, Smithson said all county polling precinct will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. “If you are unsure of your voter registration status, please visit the Department of Elections website to check,” she said. “You can register to vote, update your voter information and even request an absentee ballot: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/.”