Someone knocked on my door and told me something was happening Tuesday that I should be aware of, and then I heard a few things from the television also….

I do know that I support and endorse my neighbor from the Overlook condos, Maurice Henderson, for another term on the Richmond School Board. While I recognize that Henderson angered many of the Patrick Henry charter school parents with some blunt antics that I agree are troubling and questionable, and I really do appreciate that that he does have serious competition from challenger Mamie Taylor, I believe he is the best qualified and suited for the position. I have seen him diligently work first hand to improve standards. I am hoping that with a second term he will become even more outspoken in challenging the Richmond leadership to improve the public schools.

I also support my Pine Street neighbor, former roommate, and longtime friend Silver Persinger in yet another political campaign for office. If you are not aware of Silver’s political activities and some of the things he has accomplished with his citizen advocacy, then you have not been paying attention. This time, he is running for Mayor as a write-in. With the new electronic machines, its pretty easy to do a write-in vote, and hopefully they might actually be secure and accurate with your vote (though I have my concerns).

As for our incumbent Mayor, I have supported him in the past. And while I have applauded certain efforts, I looked down at others, and wonder how much he is considering the big picture. I support Silver, but also remain hopeful that Jones’ second term will be bring better things.

I am looking forward to new representation on City Council, but beyond that, I will leave you with the thought that my personal choices for President and Vice President were not even allowed in the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, which should tell you something about how disappointed I am with our nation’s politics these days, no matter who is visiting us.

For voting information, you can click here. Oregon Hill’s polling site is Clark Springs Elementary.

Oregon Hill resident Silver Persinger, running a write-in candidacy for Mayor, held the City Council’s Finance Committee accountable last week for making information available to citizens.

Listen to Silver’s comment by clicking here.

The good news is that the Richmond Open Government Project is having an effect. City Council candidates Delp and Baliles have included Open Government comments in their campaigns. The City has begun putting committee meeting presentations on-line (Click here for link). This really opens the door to much more information.

Some of the issues in the presentation binder for the NEXT Finance Committee meeting:

– COS Staff Report & Supplemental Information
– Stormwater Utility – Delinquent Account Collection Strategy and Timeline Presentation
– Boulevard Redevelopment Plan and Citywide Economic Development Strategies Presentation
– Boulevard Redevelopment Preparation Project
– Community Development – Financial Statement Report
– BPOL Tax Relief Fiscal Impact Statement

Perhaps inspired by other local online petitions, the Richmond Open Government Project launched theirs recently:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/684/909/771/make-richmond-city-hall-an-open-government-equal-to-the-best-in-virginia/

Knowledge comes from unfettered access to information. Currently the City of Richmond lags far behind the other six most populous cities in Virginia (Alexandria, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach) in terms of the information that is made available to its citizens and their ease of acquiring said information. The City of Richmond impedes the public’s access to information and participation in many ways. A short list of what the City does not do is below. For a complete list of the comparisons between the seven cities go to: http://cityhallreview.com/opengov/index.html

City Council does not post meeting agendas on its website.
City Council does not broadcast meetings at which most deliberations occur.
City Council does not hold public hearings at convenient times
City Council does not post meeting videos on its webpage.
City Council does not provide for downloading its meeting audios.
City Council does not archive meeting audios on its webpage.
City Council does not post all reports or presentations on its webpage.
City Council does not report deliberations in its minutes.
City Council does not report public comments in its minutes.
The Planning Commission provides very limited meeting information on its webpage.
The Board of Zoning Appeals provides no meeting information on its webpage.

People who want public accountability and the opportunity for meaningful participation in the City of Richmond government can and must change the status quo. Armed with information and the opportunity to participate, the public can be a watchdog, an agent of change and a collaborative partner in the decision-making process. As the Capital of the Commonwealth and the epicenter of the development of America’s popular government, the City of Richmond should be at the top of the list for offering unfettered citizen access to public information. The people can open city hall through a united and relentless demand for change. The Richmond Open Government Project intends to start this demand for change with the following petition to City of Richmond’s government leaders:

As a citizen, stakeholder, or candidate for political office in the City of Richmond, I pledge to call for, support, and vote for the following:

That the City government, in accordance with state law, immediately begin to publish City Council minutes that include a summary of the discussion on matters considered.

That the City government broadcast live all regular public meetings on the City website; and

That the City government commit to raising its open government standards to a level that meets or exceeds those of the other six most populous cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.