DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 37, No. 36 | Richmond Suburban News | December 15, 2021
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Time capsule saves 300th memories ‘Snapshot in time’ presented to Board By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local
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anover County Administrator John Budesky and Hanover Museum of History and Culture Executive Director Jaime Fawcett concluded the county’s official 300th Birthday Celebration last week by locking a time capsule that will remain unopened for the next century. “In 100 years, when some of us are not around, folks will open this up and be able to recognize the commitment and efforts that happened here in Hanover County in 2021,” the county administrator said. The sealing of the time capsule culminates a series of events recognizing the anniversary, all of them delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizing and planning those
Tom Harris/Hanover County
Hanover Board of Supervisors chair Sean Davis accepts a time capsule from Hanover Museum of History and Culture Executive Director Jaime Fawcett as County Administrator John Budesky looks on at last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The time capsule was locked and remain sealed for 100 years.
rescheduled events added pressure for event planners, organizations, county officials and the numerous county citizens who participated, planned or worked the events. That extra effort was noted by Budesky at last week’s ceremony. “They planned a year of activities that had to be halt-
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ed just as we were about to start March 13, 2020,” Budesky said. “As we wrap up our 300th year celebration, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank many many people who were able to help us make our 300th Celebration possible over the past year.” “We did work through some challenges, but as a community,
we came together and still were able to celebrate and recognize this county in many different ways. None of this would have been possible without the commitment and engagement of our citizens,” he added. The variety of events offered during the celebration was the result of a number of partnerships, and the support of various organizations throughout the county. They included the Hanover Board of Supervisors, Hanover Tavern Foundation, Hanover Museum of History and Culture, Ashland Museum, Scotchtown, Hanover Economic Development, Parks and Recreation and Public Information. Budesky also noted the efforts of local media for their assistance in promoting the events and acknowledged the contribution of Dominion Power in making the celebration a success. “They really stepped up as a community partner and helped see TIME pg. 4
Redistricting plan approved, moves to Attorney General’s Office for further review By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local Hanover County supervisors approved a redistricting plan that adheres to both state and federal requirements ensuring proportional voting districts within a locality. Localities are required to update districts every 10 years to reflect as equal a number of voters as possible in each district. In order to achieve the required goals, four of Hanover’s seven districts required adjustments such as additions or deletions. Redistricting plans require an ordinance, public hearing and review by the State’s Attorney General’s Office. Since 2020 Census data did not reach most localities in the state until September, County Attorney Dennis Walter said the timetable for finalizing a redistricting plan was compressed.
“One of the goals staff had was to change things as little as possible,” he said. “That’s an end to itself, but that’s to ensure some continuity as to where people vote, to keep communities together that have historically been together. We wanted to maintain that wherever possible,” Walter added. “The end was not to make as few changes as possible but to see if we could get to those target numbers with as little destruction as possible,” Walter said. The county attorney introduced the plan to the public for engagement in a variety of ways including social media, community meetings, local media, a dedicated e-mail site and public notice in local newspapers. The base number for each district utilizing latest Census see REDISTRICTING, pg. 4
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