DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 39, No. 8 | Richmond Suburban News | October 19, 2022
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
7-year-old Javi’s wish of becoming a firefighter becomes a reality
County schools expand mental health services using state grant By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
I
n the Hanover County Administration Building’s board room last week, a 7-yearold boy raised his hand and pledged to live the Hanover FireEMS department’s values of pride, accountability, courage and teamwork every day. With the board room packed with county officials, friends, family and community members, all rose from their seats to offer a standing ovation to the county’s newest firefighter. see WISH pg. 5
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Christina Amano Dolan/The Local
Plans to expand on mental health services offered in all Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) are making an exciting advancement with the help of a recently-announced state grant. With this generous supplemental funding, HCPS will retain four new counselors and other resources before the next fiscal year. The announcement came during last week’s Hanover County School Board meeting.
Christina Amano Dolan/The Local
HCPS Superintendent of Schools Michael Gill discusses how the new state grant will accelerate plans to hire mental health clinicians in all high schools see SCHOOLS, pg. 8 and middle schools.
Javi Guzman holds up his right hand as Hanover Fire-EMS Chief Jethro Piland swears him in.
Hanover County Supervisors vote to reduce burden on vehicle owners this tax year
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see COUNTY, pg. 15
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decreased availability of used motor vehicles and an increase in demand by customers. “The local personal property tax revenue is significantly impacted by motor vehicle sales prices,” Harris said. “As the cost to purchase a
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Harris outlined how since 2021, motor vehicle values have increased at an unprecedented rate. He said this is likely due to disruptions in the manufacturers’ operations, reductions in the labor force, disruptions in the manufacturers’ ability to deliver finished motor vehicles,
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Motor vehicle owners in the county will have their tax burden lessened this year thanks to a one-time reduction to the local property tax assessment ratio approved by the Hanover
County Board of Supervisors last week. During last week’s Oct. 12 meeting, commissioner of the revenue Scott Harris presented supervisors and citizens with three potential courses of action to address skyrocketing motor vehicle sale prices.
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By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
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