BROWN Continued from pg. 11
people of Brown Grove. They deserve justice,” Guzman said. Pat Hunter-Jordan, president of Hanover’s NAACP Chapter, said she is pleased with the support of groups like the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus but questioned why other local elected representatives have not lent their voices to the environmental justice concerns raised by the Wegmans’ project. “We are here to express our concerns regarding the proposed Wegmans’ distribution project and the dismantling impact on the Brown Grove
PAT HUNTER-JORDAN
community,” Hunter-Jordan said. Jordan said the project would have significant health and safe-
746-5853 WE WANT TO BE YOUR PLUMBER
ty effects on the Brown Grove community and areas surrounding the proposed project. She also pointed to the numerous unmarked graves and cultural history that could be trampled in the process. “Our ancestors deserve better,” she said. Sen. Jennifer McClellan described Brown Grove as the center of African American history in Hanover County, and said all projects should be considered regarding their impact on the communities altered and their histories. “The time has come to listen to these communities, preserve their history, and not just say profit is the ultimate goal,” McClellan said. “We can look holistically and find other places to build projects like the Wegmans’ center that don’t disrupt our history and our communities.” Several other legislators and representatives from environmental groups expressed support for Brown Grove during the session.
o t . . e . m i T
DECLUTTER
Thursday, February 4 • 12:00pm
via Zoom Dani Washington with Caring Transitions will share tips and trends in decluttering and organizing! Please register by February 1st to receive your link by emailing hcarson@heritagegreenal.com.
AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITY
7080 Brooks Farm Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111 www.heritagegreenhanover.com • 804-723-1336
12
The Mechanicsville Local
January 27, 2021
Pets of the Week Photos submitted by Andrew Hodnett
The Hanover County Pound, located at 12471 Taylor Complex Lane in Ashland, has wonderful pets available to a good home. Ben, Animal ID# 577459, is a 5-year-old (estimated) male canine/ hound mix. He has had his first set of vaccines and is Heartworm test negative. Ben is a really nice dog. He came to the shelter last month as a stray. Ben likes to be around people. He is friendly and does well on a leash. Ben also is compatible with most other dogs. He likes to run and play. Ben will make a good indoor family dog. Rei, Animal ID# 577639, is a 1-year-old female feline domestic short-hair. She has had her first set of vaccines and is FELV-FIV test negative. Rei is a very sweet cat. She was surrendered to the shelter earlier this month. Rei seems to be well litter trained and keeps her cage clean. She also likes to be around people. Rei is laid-back and likes to lounge and observe. She is used to living indoors, so she will make a great house cat. For more information on these great pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Hanover County Pound Facility, call 804-365-6485 during the day. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The facility is closed on Sunday and county holidays. You also can visit the website to see other animals available for adoption at http://hanovercounty.gov/Animals/Adopt-a-Pet/.
BUDGET Continued from pg. 7
those charged with reporting those types of incidents. More than 40 percent of homebound students are being taught at home due to mental health issues. Gill said the behaviors being displayed are not unique, but being displayed at a much younger age than in past years. Special Education needs also are on the rise with a 58 percent increase in 2016, including a 46 percent increase in autism. More teachers also are needed for English Language Learners whose numbers increased to 500 last year. Gill’s proposal included nine positions to address mental health, counseling, and behavioral management
concerns, including a director, two school counselors and six behavioral or emotional teachers. In addition to those positions, the new budget addresses needs for the county’s Online School, in its first year of operation. Gill proposes 10 new positions for the online school, including three new assistant principals. Gill outlined several other wage-related items contained in this year’s proposal. In addition to the 2.5 percent proposed salary increase, potentially the largest increase (including compression adjustments and Governor Northam’s proposed increases) since 2008, the budget features an increase of $1 per hour for bus drivers and hourly increases for instructional assistants.
A major portion of increases in health care costs for employees also will be mitigated at a cost of $1.7 million. Assistant superintendent Terry Stone presented the fiveyear Capital Improvement Plan that includes plans for a new replacement school for John Gandy and Henry Clay elementary schools in Ashland and planning for a new secondary school in the eastern portion of the county has been moved up a year to 2023 in the new plan. Year five of the CIP features the design for the new Battlefield Elementary School replacement project. “A budget should be a reflection of a school division’s priorities, and what I hope I’m able to demonstrate tonight is through this proposed budget, see BUDGET, pg. 18
