The longest-serving member of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors does not expect radical changes because four new members were elected Tuesday night.
Beaverdam District Supervisor Aubrey M. Stanley, who ran unopposed in his re-election to an eighth term on the board, said the only difference could be a slightly more conservative board.
All four newcomers — Wayne T. Hazzard of the South Anna District, Angela Kelly-Wiecek of Chickahominy District, Sean M. Davis of Henry District and W. Canova Peterson of Mechanicsville District — ran as Republicans and stressed being fiscally conservative.
The overhaul means the majority of the seven-member board are first-time supervisors.
"Over a period of time, it may be some change, but it won't be radical," said Stanley, who was first elected to the board in 1983. "Hanover is going to continue to be conservative, maybe more conservative with some of the ones coming on now."
Hazzard knocked off longtime Supervisor John E. Gordon Jr., while Peterson defeated first-term incumbent and board Chairwoman Deborah B. Winans. Davis and Kelly-Wiecek filled seats for which the incumbents did not seek re-election.
County Administrator Cecil R. "Rhu" Harris said he enjoyed working with the current board and wished the best to the outgoing supervisors, while looking forward to working with the new board.
Hazzard campaigned with a message of limited government and more fiscal responsibility. He understands there will be a learning curve as he settles into his new role but said it would be foolish to abandon his principles now that he is elected.
"My overall responsibility to my citizens, I think, is to live up to what I said I thought needed to be done," he said.
Hanover's conservative values have served the county well, said Kelly-Wiecek, noting that the county has attained the coveted AAA bond rating and the high percentage of school funding that goes into the classroom.
"We need to make sure … we're doing the best that we can with the money taxpayers entrust to us," said Kelly-Wiecek, the only woman on the new board.
She also noted that there has been a coordinated effort to get Republican women more involved in all levels of government.
New and veteran board members said Wednesday they don't expect the board to be combative. Though there will be some disagreements on issues, they believe they will be able to work toward a consensus to make decisions that best serve county residents.
Hazzard said one thing he noticed about the current board is that there may have been too much agreement on issues.
"If nothing else, we need to discuss issues a little more before we rubber-stamp them," he said. "I see what you might call controversy as a plus."
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement