Fellow Hanover residents,

The Coalition for Hanover’s Future (CHF) was established in 2006 to advocate for the citizen voice in the land use planning process. We urge residents to become informed and involved in decision making that will affect their lives – their quality of life.

In Hanover County, or any locality, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan directly affects quality of life. As an overall guide for growth, the “Comp Plan” directs how much, where, what type and how fast growth will take place. As we can all attest, growth impacts the schools, roads, tax rates, emergency services and environmental health of a community.

Though quality of life sounds like an abstract concept, we all have something specific in mind when we hear the term. We also recognize when a good quality of life might be eroded or compromised.

CHF commends the energetic efforts of Friends of Hanover Schools, citizens who clearly recognize that the funding of Hanover schools is a core quality of life issue. The reasoned, eloquent arguments on behalf of Hanover’s public education should be applauded.

Hanover County is currently in the midst of the mandated five-year review and update of its Comp Plan. CHF urges citizens to tune in and familiarize themselves with the proposed changes.
Visit the county website to see the proposed land use maps, revised growth objectives and information about upcoming community workshops.
Plan to attend one or more and see what changes might be coming for your neighborhood and the county in general.
The workshops, all Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

• February 26 Hanover High School
• February 28 Farrington Fire Station
• March 5 Brown Grove Baptist Church
• March 7 Elmont Elementary School
• March 12 Lee-Davis High School
• March 19 The Montpelier Ctr/Arts & Education
• Visit the CHF blogsite at http://www.hanoversfuture.org

Be informed. Ask questions. Let your voice be heard.

Thank you,
Pattie Bland
Chairperson, Coalition for Hanover’s Future

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Hanover County is currently working on the Five Year Update of its Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is an analysis of past growth and land development trends and sets forth a statement of goals and objectives with a 20 year horizon for land use, transportation and community facilities.

A series of public workshops have been scheduled to solicit public input. The workshops will be held on the following dates and locations:

February 26, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – Hanover High School, 10307 Chamberlayne Road, Mechanicsville, VA  23116

February 28, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – Farrington Fire Station II, 14582 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA  23059

March 5, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – Brown Grove Baptist Church, 9328 Ashcake Road, Ashland, VA 23005

March 7, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – Elmont Elementary School, 12996 Cedar Lane, Ashland, VA 23005

March 12, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – Lee-Davis High School, 7052 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, VA  2311

March 19, 2013, 7:00 p.m. – The Montpelier Center for Arts and Education, 17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier, VA  23192

Copies of the current Comprehensive Plan are available to review in the Hanover County Planning Office in the Government Building at Hanover Courthouse and at the Hanover County Website http://www.hanovercounty.gov.  Please contact the Planning Office between 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with  questions.

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Hanover Schools are facing a $5.4 million budget gap and Superintendent Jamelle Wilson had proposed making ends meet by cutting 24 teaching positions. More students would be packed in elementary school classes, and high school teachers would teach six of eight class periods, up from five of seven.

The proposed budget for next school year would also cut 12 elementary school teachers and increase the pupil-teacher ratio in elementary schools to an average of 22.1 pupils per teacher, up from 21.6.

Friends of Hanover’s Schools educates citizens of Hanover County about the budget process and the impact of both existing cuts as well as potential changes to the school system if the education budget continues to shrink.

Please attend the ASHLAND FHS RALLY tomorrow night, February 7th @ 7PM

• Location: Ashland Firehouse Theater

SPECIAL PUBLIC BUDGET WORK SESSION: February 7th @ 6PM

• Location: SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE 200 Berkley Street, Ashland, VA

More upcoming meetings:

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: February 12th @ 7:30 PM

• Location: SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE 200 Berkley Street, Ashland, VA

REGULAR BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING: February 13th @ 2PM

• Location: Hanover County Courthouse Complex

SPECIAL PUBLIC BUDGET WORK SESSION: February 14th @ 6PM

• Location: SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE 200 Berkley Street, Ashland, VA

PUBLIC BUDGET WORK SESSION/BUDGET ADOPTION: February 19th @ 6PM

• Location: SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE 200 Berkley Street, Ashland, VA

REGULAR BOARD of SUPERVISORS MEETING: February 27th @ 6PM

• Location: Hanover County Courthouse Complex

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