Monthly Archives: March 2009

I Am The Sun King

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And I can do anything…
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Before you question how much these solar panels cost (a lot, but I am hoping to get tax rebate), or how long it will take to recoup that cost (less long, given recent news), I would like to pose some questions of my own:

-When will Open High, with its beautiful large windows and great roof go solar?
-Will Dominion Power finally put solar panels on its Enron-style trading floor (the building was designed with sloping roof for panels) on the riverfront?
-Will we eventually see third-party solar financing in Virginia?

Certainly not everyone has the roof exposure or resources to harness the world’s greatest power source, but everyone can make efforts to conserve more energy, and as King, I am ready to ask for more effort from my subjects. This past year I have ordered more food self-sustainability and clotheslines. I will not allow Oregon Hill to fall behind Ireland, Israel, Germany, Spain, Hawaii, and other places in terms of energy efficiency and independence.

More on this later…

TD Reports That School Board Rep Carr To Run For Hall’s Delegate Seat

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From the Times Dispatch:

A member of Richmond School Board is the first to declare for the House of Delegates seat of retiring Democrat Franklin P. Hall.

Betsy Carr, a school trustee since 2006, is outreach director of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a parish located just outside Capitol Square.

Hall announced Friday that he is quitting the House after 34 years to become one of three commissioners who oversee the state’s liquor monopoly.

The 69th House District has a black majority and is anchored in South Richmond.

Note: Oregon Hill is in the 71st District, represented by Jennifer McClellan.

Support Trees For Monroe Park

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Did you know that during its period of “historic significance” in 1904, Monroe Park boasted 362 trees of 26 species? Today, the Park has only 155 trees of 23 species- less than half of what they had back then. The Monroe Park Masterplan calls for replanting treestock to replace many trees both on the sidewalk perimeter (which will become brick sidewalk) as well as the Park’s interior. Trees benefit us all by shading us from the heat, filtering pollutants from the air and decreasing stormwater runoff by absorbing rainwater. It has been said that “the best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago”. While documents are being prepared for the infrastructure needs of the Park, the replanting of new trees in construction safe areas should begin NOW. The cost TO THE CITY is relatively low and the sooner we plant, the sooner we can enjoy the benefits. We need to get the message out that TREE REPLANTING AND MAINTENANCE is of major importance to the lovers of Monroe Park. SO I ASK THIS FAVOR! Please take a minute now and email your SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS ON REPLANTING and MAINTAINING TREES in MONROE PARK to:

information@monroepark.com

and CC it to:

Rachel.Flynn@richmondgov.com

We have another month to plant this season and we can get a lot done next season but these people need to know how important an issue this is to you. It will take many years to recover the historic canopy IF WE START NOW. so thanks for showing your TREE love. Please pass it on and thanks again.

Todd Woodson.

Dominion Power Seeks To Increase Rates

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Nope, it’s not just water.

From the Times Dispatch:

With tens of millions of dollars likely at stake, the rate case has large implications for the company’s financial well-being, Virginia’s energy security and customers’ pocketbooks.

Rate cases establish the regulated utility’s allowable profit and are different from the annual adjustments for fuel costs, such as the 18 percent increase last summer.

The electric utility company will seek a “modest” rate increase, according to Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion Resource Inc.’s chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Perhaps we will see more people partake in EarthHour next year.

Keep in mind, Oregon Hill desires better service already. Right now we have problems with under voltage on our lines. We better get what we pay for in the future.

One former Oregon Hill resident, Chris Maxwell, has made energy a recent topic on his WRIR radio show, Homespun C-Span.

Hot Tamales at WBCH!

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Learn how to make this famous Latin dish and learn some Spanish at the same time with Honduran native at the William Byrd Community House
Elicet Vonderlippe
Choose from any of these Saturdays
March 28, April 25, or May 23
Classes cost $10 which includes your tamales lunch.
Limited spaces available per class so
RSVP now by emailing librarian@wbch.org or calling (804) 643-2717.
Classes are taught in Spanish but non-Spanish speakers are very welcome!

Ukrops Monument 10K and Oregon Hill… and Traffic Again

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eager runners

eager runners

The Ukrops Monument 10K was this morning. Its a fantastic, family-friendly, fitness event for the whole region. I know some Oregon Hill residents took part and I implore them to send some photos so I can post them here.

And I am really sorry to bring up a sore subject with such a great, happy event. But I need to…

Continue reading →

And Here We Go…Proposed City Budget Has Higher Water fees

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The Times Dispatch reports

In addition, residents would pay more for gas, water and waste-water disposal. Property owners would pay a new annual storm-water fee to fund utility projects.

No surprise here, we tried to warn our fellow citizens. I guess we can join SaveRichmond.com in saying, we told you so.

And we continue to ask: What will be VCU’s rate?

As usual, white elephant schemes distract from this and other important issues.

Oregon Hill Attack, Saved By Pepper Spray

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I hope to have an update on this story soon.

From the Times Dispatch:

A woman used pepper spray late last night to fend off an attacker in Richmond’s Oregon Hill area.

Richmond police Capt. Dave Martin said the 18-year-old victim “was a little scraped up but she refused medical treatment.”

The woman told police the attack occurred at 11:50 p.m. in the 300 block of South Cherry Street, just south of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus, when an older male approached her and tried to forcibly take her backpack.

This comes right after a neighborhood association meeting last night where residents were told by police that the biggest crime in the area was theft from vehicles and crime was down in Oregon Hill 75%.