Community Services Board: thanks for holiday support

On behalf of the individuals and families that are served through Hanover Community Services Board’s Case Management/Supports Coordination Department, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who donated gifts, food baskets and money/gift cards during the holidays.

As in years past, we have again been blessed with the generosity of others in our community during the Holiday Season. 

Hanover Community Services Intellectual Disabilities Support Coordination Services assists individuals with intellectual disabilities with navigating the system of care and getting connected to a wide array of services. 

Each Christmas the Case Management /Supports Coordination Department connects interested individuals, organizations and churches with the individuals we serve who have no family and/or who are in need. 

This year, under the coordination of Darcy Creech, support coordinator, 11 sponsors assisted a total of 38 individuals who were “adopted” for Christmas. 

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous donations: Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, Ashland Presbyterian Church, Lee-Davis High School’s Interact Club, employees of the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts Office, employees of Hanover Communications Department and Hanover Human Resources Department, Glynis Holcomb, Ellen Gilley, Kayellen Reisinger, Anna Antell and Heidi Creech.

During the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Kane Company and employees of the Hanover Communications Department put together Thanksgiving baskets for five families who were in need.

The outpouring of support was great and extremely appreciated.

All of the families or individuals that received support from the community over the holidays were appreciative of the support. 

On behalf of Hanover Community Service’s Intellectual Disabilities Supports Coordination Services, I would like to give you all a great big “Thank you!” You truly made the season brighter for many!

Michele Elliott
Program coordinator
for Supports Coordination
Hanover Community Services

Budget proposal cuts wrong jobs

In Wednesday’s (jan. 11, 2012) Richmond Times-Dispatch, we were hit with the headline: “100 Hanover school jobs at risk.” 

The article outlined the current budget squeeze and the manner in which the Hanover School Board chose to deal with it. I am personally appalled but not really shocked. This is simply a rerun of a very bad movie. The budget cuts fall on bus drivers, custodians, and teaching staff.

How can you run a school in Hanover County without bus drivers to safely deliver the students, food and sanitation services, and classroom instructors? 

There was not one single recommendation to cut any Central Office position, reduce some of the mega-salaries, or eliminate county-provided vehicles. Why? If there is room to cut at the bottom of the ladder, surely there is room to cut at the top of the ladder as well.

Once again, the budget game is in play and the object is to hurt parents and students just enough to produce an outcry for more and more money for education. It is shameful that our current School Board is seemingly so wimpy, lazy or afraid of the school administration forces that they are a willing participant.

I have never been an advocate for elected school boards, but this recent episode is making me reconsider. 

For the moment, our best hope is that our recently-elected supervisors will appoint some new members to the School Board who will work for reform, innovation and accountability in our education system instead of keeping the status quo.

Dale Taylor
Beaverdam

John McCain supports Romney

As the New Hampshire primaries were hours away, I saw John McCain telling the audience he is proud to support his fellow Progressive, Mitt Romney for president.

There is little difference between McCain, Romney or the Progressive Obama.

Progressives do not believe in freedom, our Founding Fathers, or our Constitution, even though they claim to. 

Progressives are elitists that have contempt for us lowly citizens.

I’m glad I stayed home on Election Day 2008!

McCain would have cooked us slowly, and we would not have awakened until too late.

There is no longer a difference in Congress between Democrat and Republican Parties. Both serve the same masters and we will get the same results whichever party has the majority, just like we see today.

The Tea Party chapters must put up candidates at all levels.

The millions and millions in our nation that agree with Tea Party values like freedom, national sovereignty and the rule of law far outnumber Republicans and Democrats combined.
We will not get a second chance.

Robert Mackay
Mechanicsville

Legislation targets loan modifications

Because of the mortgage crisis affecting Virginia families, I am introducing legislation for the 2012 General Assembly Session to provide fair and clear procedures for loan modifications, damages for wrongful foreclosure, and a requirement that the big Wall Street investment banks file liens with Virginia’s Clerks of courts.

I would like to request that your readers contact me at either .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) , 804-698-1013 or 703-853-4213 with stories about their experiences with loan modifications and foreclosures.

The big banks have all the advantages that money can buy in this fight, lobbyists, attorneys, campaign donations, etc., and I need personal stories and experiences to bring to the General Assembly to counteract that advantage.

I hope with your readers’ help we can stop the injustices being perpetrated against Virginia’s citizens in the midst of an already difficult situation.

Del. Bob Marshall, R-13
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond