Ethyl may have changed its name, but it still has a knack for ticking off its neighbors. An Oregon Hill resident took these pictures of Afton Chemical watering their campus despite the City’s mandatory, emergency water restrictions. This happened during 2002 drought also until enough citizens complained.
City Councilperson Bruce Tyler (1st District) has an ordinance before council next Monday that addresses the panhandling problem at city intersections.
This ordinance makes it illegal to solicit funds from city intersections without a permit. The permit will cost $25 and must be obtained from the police department. Anyone interested in acquiring one of these permits should call 646-6566 and ask for Detective Caldwell once/if the ordinance is passed.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. I want to see the more obnoxious panhandling stopped, but I also do not want to curtail freedom of speech.
I will defend panhandling for food (but not beer). I will defend Food Not Bombs’ right to serve food to the homeless.
I think Tyler’s permitting idea is an honest attempt at a compromised solution, but I am not sure about all the ramifications. I am undecided right now about the specific resolution.
I would be interested in hearing neighbors’ views.
I recognize that VCU President Dr. Trani may be the most powerful person in Richmond, I realize that this is “tobacco country“, and I doubt if any local mainstream media will touch this, but I do think it is important to note that Oregon Hillians are not the only ones to question the character and integrity of his actions…
Continue reading
VCU’s latest plan to demolish one historic livery stable in the Oregon Hill Historic District and to move another is strongly opposed by the neighborhood’s civic association. “We strongly object to VCU’s biased study that the livery stable at 917 Green Alley proposed for demolition lacks integrity,” stated OHNA President Scott Burger. “It is obviously the University that lacks integrity by going back on their promise to not encroach further into our historic neighborhood. The latest in a long string of misrepresentations on the project is VCU’s assertion that it will make the 100,000 sq. foot addition fit in with the modest 1,500 sq. foot Oregon Hill homes.”