Author Archives: Scott

Radio Show Open Source RVA Shares Call For Monroe Park

Posted on by
Reply

From WRIR radio show Open Source RVA:

Open Source RVA has been following the progress of the Monroe Park renovation for more than three years, and our next episode will explore breaking news on the controversial dealings of the private Monroe Park Conservancy, which has been given control of the park. Here is former Monroe Park Advisory Council member, and Sierra Club Green Giant award-winner, Todd Woodson on a hastily-scheduled meeting that is happening next week that would apparently (no pun intended) cover up the destruction of healthy trees in the park. He also has a call-to-action:

“As you’ve probably noticed, the historic tree canopy in Monroe Park has recently been decimated by the removal of mature healthy trees. Last December, 14 beautiful trees were destroyed illegally- 7 without the requisite variances and 7 after being declared dead, although photographic evidence refutes that claim.
Now, in typical Richmond form, there is an application before the Richmond Urban Design Committee (UDC) this Thursday, February 9, 2017 seeking approval of a component in the updated Monroe Park Plan called “Tree Removal Plan” – this “plan” seeks to legitimize this tragic removal of tree canopy, even though the trees were destroyed over a month ago without public notice. We’ve seen the tree damage Richmond is capable of – the Redskins Training Park as well as Kanawha Plaza and the Maggie Walker Memorial live oak.

I urge you to read the following paragraph and if you agree, please sign and forward to the UDC at Kathleen.Onufer@Richmondgov.com

‘Dear members of the Urban Design Committee
I am opposed to the component in the updated Monroe Park Plan seeking approval this Thursday, February 9, 2017 entitled “Tree Removal Plan”. Mature healthy trees were removed in December 2016 with no public notice or requisite variance. I support a full investigation into this loss which is not only aesthetic and ecological, but constitutes a financial loss to the taxpayers of Richmond as well. I also support holding those accountable for the replacement of these trees. Thank you,'”

Part Of Oregon Hill Votes Tomorrow In Special Election

Posted on by
Reply

There is a special election for the 71st District Virginia House of Delegates tomorrow, February 7.

It looks like Oregon Hill voters who reside north of the Expressway are part of the 71st District and can vote in the election tomorrow. This boundary is confusing and aggravating.

There are three candidates running to replace Jennifer McClellan (recently elected to VA Senate):

John Barclay – Libertarian candidate, public school teacher at Franklin Military.

Jeff Bourne – Democrat, 3rd District School Board Representative, Deputy Attorney General at Virginia Office of the Attorney General.

Regie Ford – Independent, Air Force veteran, past President of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

“On Valentine’s Day, Bring the Love Out into the Street… Cumberland St That Is.”

Posted on by
Reply

From unstoppable Cherry Street neighbor Jimmy Blackford:

How ’bout helping us clean litter late morning on Valentine’s Day? Meet at Fine Foods Market parking lot 11am. We’ll collect litter along a manageable stretch of Cumberland St. & Idlewood Ave. We will supply equipment (grabbers, bags & gloves). Enjoy being under healthy clear skies. Plus help to beautify our land in time for the onset of springtime. Remember: on Valentine’s Day, even trash deserves a little attention.

Here’s the Meet Up link.

St. Andrews Church Holds Friends & Family Day This Sunday

Posted on by
Reply

From email announcement:

St. Andrew’s Church is having its annual Friends and Family Day this Sunday, February 5. All are invited to join us for our services and/or lunch (of course, everyone is always welcome any day!). Services are at 8:30 am and 11:00 am with a special offering from the Violin Ensemble of St. Andrew’s School. Lunch is at 12:30 pm in the School Building (Baldwin Hall).

Sierra Club Calls For Ending The MPC And Awards Neighbor For Activism

Posted on by
Reply

This past week, the Sierra Club Falls of the James, the area’s oldest environmental organization, sent an open letter to City government concerning the deliberate cutting of trees in Monroe Park and the appearance of impropriety. In the letter, the Sierra Club suggested, among other actions, that the City’s lease with the Monroe Park Conservancy be terminated. The Shockoe Examiner posted the entire letter, minus some of the maps and photos. It is noteworthy that so far there has not been more media coverage of this detailed call for accountability and transparency from the new Mayoral administration.

Furthermore, today the Sierra Club Falls of the James announced that Oregon Hill neighbor Todd Woodson would be one of the recipients of the prestigious Green Giant awards. The award is being given in recognition of Woodson’s previous and current advocacy for Monroe Park and urban trees (including his previous service on City Council’s Monroe Parks Advisory Commission), as well as his promotion of animal welfare with the Richmond Animal Advocacy Alliance.

In the announcement, the SCOFOJ stated that City Parks worker Wyndham Price would also be receiving a Green Giant award posthumously. Price was an ardent environmentalist who helped with a variety of projects within and outside the park system. He was a familiar face around Oregon Hill and he will be missed.

The next SCFOJ monthly membership meeting, to be held Tuesday, February 14th (yes, Valentine’s Day) at 7 pm at the Science Museum of Virginia, will include a brief award ceremony for our Green Giants. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

Posted on by
Reply

This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

From Recycling Today.com:

The Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant program has opened its 2017 application process, offering new opportunities to make recycling convenient for communities across the country.

Now in its fifth year, the grant program from Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keep America Beautiful, Stamford, Connecticut, has awarded more than 3,400 recycling bins to local governments and community organizations across 38 states to expand the availability of recycling in a variety of park settings, including neighborhood and larger regional parks, beaches, athletic fields and walking trails.

To apply for the merit-based grant program, interested organizations and communities complete an online form, detailing their proposal and selecting the number and style of recycling bins from available options. Keep America Beautiful says it will competitively review and award grants based on need and likelihood to recover significant quantities of recyclables. Arrangements will be made to deliver the recycling bins directly to the grant recipients in May 2017.

Applications are open for submission at irecycleonthego.wordpress.com through Feb. 24, 2017.