OHNA meeting recap

A lot happened at this past week’s Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.

A representative from Patrick Henry Charter School Initiative made a short presentation and answered questions.

VCU announced the opening of the controversial student recreational center at the corner of W. Cary and S. Cherry Streets. It was also announced that Oregon Hill residents who wished to buy monthly prorated membership to the new Student Recreational Center on W. Cary Street would pay a rate roughly equal to that of VCU alumni ($281.67 per year). VCU suggested that a monthly list of interested residents be kept by OHNA. (The attendance list from this past meeting was dutifully sent to VCU Community Development.) All eligible residents who purchase a membership will be required to got to the VCUCard office (located at 701 West Broad Street) to purchase a VCU Recreational Sports ID. All VCU Recreational Sports rules, policies, and guidelines apply.

Scott Burger, citing new responsibilities outside the neighborhood, voluntarily stepped down as President. Jennifer Hancock volunteered to serve as OHNA’s interim President for a few months until new leadership can be elected. She did note that she is already volunteering as the President of the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council‘s Board of Directors. One possibility that was mentioned was for OHNA to change its bylaws to rule by an elected board.

Some other issues that were discussed included a new greenway grant by City, the light from the new Mead WestVaco building(I understand that company officials may have had the light turned down a bit since the meeting), and a proposed tree removal on Pine Street.

Oregon Hill Resident Runs For School Board/ Lots of meetings next week

Oregon Hill resident Maurice Henderson is planning to run for the Richmond School Board.

There is an upcoming meeting to introduce him on 2nd Baptist Church, 1401 Idlewood Avenue on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 2:30 P.M.

This is an opportunity to meet and ask him questions regarding his candidacy for this position vacated by the former representative, Betsy Carr, who ascended to the position of 69th district representative in the General Assembly.

Also,

The next 5th District meeting with Councilperson Jewell will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. It will be held at the Binford Middle School, 1701 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220.

In addition,

The Mayor’s State of the City Annual Address will be next Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. It will be held at the Richmond Center Stage, Carpenter Theater, 6th & Grace.

But please note: The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association holds its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, at 7 pm.

Flying Brick Library Meeting

Paraphrasing a recent announcement from the Flying Brick Library:

The Flying Brick Library would like to announce that the first volunteer interest meeting will
be at 5pm on Friday Jan. 22nd! @ 506 South Pine Street (The Flying Brick!)

This meeting will be more of a discussion and presentation about the
library and its history. Folks will also share stories and talk about
their goals for the space. There will be food and tea and hopefully a lot
of good discussion. This is a great opportunity to check out the space if
you haven’t had the chance to come by yet! We hope people will leave
feeling excited about the project and thinking about ways they want to
contribute.

After this initial meeting there will be another meeting on Tuesday Feb.
2nd at 7pm. This meeting will be a little more organized and for folks who
are pretty positive that they are interested in volunteering. At this
meeting we hope to start plugging people into working groups, and just
helping folks get a better idea of exactly the kind of work they want to
be doing with the library.