Author Archives: Scott

Of Interest to ALL Richmond Taxpayers- Future of the City’s Water Utility

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The next meeting of the Sierra Club’s Falls of the James group will feature city officials to discuss recent flooding (hello Battery Park!), rate fee changes, and how well the utility is actually addressing water quality and stormwater runoff. The City has already held public meetings in various locations but this will give another chance to citizens to learn and question proposed changes in how Richmond manages H2O.

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First Saturday Litter Pickup

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img_0056-cropped.jpgThe Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association started doing first Saturday workdays about four years ago and OHNA Co-President Josh Irwin has done a great job keeping it alive with the litter pickups. We worked on Belvidere and the Greenway this morning. I hope to see more neighbors volunteering in the future.

Pantele and the Schools

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I am troubled by what I am hearing from Pantele these days. It seems like he is playing politics with ADA school settlement/City of the Future money. Both Wilder and Council want to use the issue against each other, rather than solving the issue.

It sounds like the School Board chair, Braxton, is siding with Pantele and Council against Mayor, though that is not helping the schools or students either. Wolf is at least vocal and wants to see ADA solved, but I am not hearing much from our School Board rep, Carr.

If they are looking for “large renovation projects” (because that is what Pantele is insisting on), then Open High could certainly use a ADA elevator addition.

I find it disgusting that the City is giving 50 million to the VaPAF/downtown arts center, but can’t give squat to solve this ADA crisis NOW.
ADA Kids and parents are still suffering needlessly. Is the City waiting until they sue again? What’s it going to take, the National Guard, just like in Little Rock?

Proposal:

Fix up Open. Energy audit, put solar on the roof and make it part of the science curriculum, add ADA elevator and other needed items. Bring in Community High program from West End to Grace Arents building THOUGH keep Community High and Open High programs separate (keep good teacher/student ratio), Make sure at least some of the money from sale of Community High building sale goes back into school system (do NOT let developers have all the profits), Maintain Community and Open High’s building and standards (hello local media, they just won NATIONAL RECOGNITION!). Do NOT let Trani and VCU decide the future of Open High, but hopefully keep allowing Open/Community students attend some college classes. Bring in more community gardening and park service projects.

I would like to hear other suggestions.

William Byrd Community House Library Holiday Hours

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For more info, contact Patty Parks at librarian@wbch.org or 643-2717.

  • During the school holidays the library will be open Dec. 18 – 21, and Dec. 26 – 28 from 10-5.
  • Dec. 19 10-11 a.m. Story Time with Mary West
  • Dec. 19 1-3 p.m. Afternoon Movie: Transformers
  • Dec. 21 8:30-10 a.m. Coffee, tea and news open to community and WBCH staff.
  • Saturday Dec. 22 the library is open from 10 – 4 p.m.
  • We are closed on Dec.24 and 25.
  • Dec. 26 Story time 10 – 11 a.m. with Mary West.
  • Dec. 26 1-3 pm afternoon movie: Freedom Writers
  • Dec. 27 6:30 – 8:30p.m. Documentary:Sicko Michael Moore’s Healh Care doc.
  • Dec. 28 8:30-10:00 a.m. Coffee, Tea and news – open to community and WBCH Staff
  • Dec. 31 Library Open 10-4, Movie: 1-3 Surf’s Up

Motorcycle explosion

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burning_motorcycle.jpg

A string of small arsons in Oregon Hill and the Fan that took place late Friday night/Saturday morning is being investigated. While the police and fire marshal were on the scene, more trash can fires were reported on Cumberland and in the Fan.

A motorcycle parked in front of a house on the 400 block of Laurel Street exploded after it’s seat was on fire. Fortunately the fire was put out before it spread to any of the nearby wood frame houses.

Mugging on Laurel Street

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A resident was robbed at gunpoint by two individuals around 12:30AM on November 29th while entering residence. She literally had about an 8 foot walk from her car parked on the street to the side door of the house. While putting her key in the door two men came up behind her and demanded money. They got all the cash on her (three dollars), as well as an old cell phone and her ID. She was not physically hurt in any way. This occured at the corner of Laurel and Idlewood.

The muggers were described as 2 black males. One was about 5’8, the other unknown. Both had dark hoodies and jeans. They had no facial hair and both had semi-automatic pistols. It all happened in about 30 seconds-1 minute or so. They took off around the corner down Laurel St. towards the river.

The police were called and reports were filed.

What if…and Oregon Hill and CSNT

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Despite attrition, the neighborhood is regarded as a survivor. New houses stand among the historic, old ones, and the character, though always changing, remains. But residents are well aware that staying on top of the Hill carries risk and requires vigilance, whether it be from eminent domain, corrupt developers, or sudden, natural or man-made disaster.
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