The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association will meet Tuesday, February 28, at the St Andrews parish house on S Laurel St next to the sanctuary at 7pm. All Oregon Hill residents are welcome.
From announcement:
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Thursday, 16 February 2017Councilman Parker C. Agelasto to hold a meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District
All Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents invited and encouraged to attend
WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, will hold a meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District. Councilman Agelasto typically holds individual meetings for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District every other month throughout the year. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend. The planned agenda for this meeting includes:
· Richmond Real Estate Tax Abatement Program for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Ms. Valerie Weatherless, Revenue Manager/Real Estate Collections, Richmond Department of Finance· Richmond Real Estate Tax Delinquency and Vacant Properties
Ms. Valerie Weatherless, Revenue Manager/Real Estate Collections, Richmond Department of Finance· Richmond Food Cooperative
· Richmond Central 5th Voter District Updates
· Questions and Comments
WHEN Thursday, February 23, 2017
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.WHERE Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts
3411 Semmes Avenue; Richmond, Virginia 23225CONTACT The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, at 804.646.6050 (tel), or parker.agelasto@richmondgov.com (email)
– E N D –
Councilperson Parker Agelasto has released his latest 5th District newsletter and it’s packed, so packed that you will need to follow this link to read it all:
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,'”
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.
From FaceBook Event page:
Come join your fellow Trail Users for an open discussion about the Richmond Trail System. Hosted by the City of Richmond & James River Park Trail Crew this moderated forum will touch on…
1) The History, ownership, and roles of the park system
2) Diversity of users, their needs, and park volume
3) Sustainability and trail designA Q&A session will allow the public to voice their ideas & concerns. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GY27L7D to submit.
Wednesday at 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Byrd Park Roundhouse
700 S Davis Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23220
The planners working on the Richmond Transit Network Plan have released their Draft Recommended Network. This is your first look at what the future of Richmond’s public transportation system will look like.
Public meetings will be held throughout the second half of January. Each meeting will begin with a presentation followed by a question answer period and open house.
January 18th, 12:00–2:00 PM, Main Public Library (101 E. Franklin Street)
January 18th, 6:00–8:00 PM, DMV Central Office (2300 W. Broad Street)
Click here for planner’s website: http://www.richmondtransitnetwork.com
After studying the proposals, you can provide feedback and comments on the Recommended Network by taking their survey.
There’s also a quick review on the RVA Rapid Transit group’s website:
https://www.rvarapidtransit.org/blog/first-look-the-richmond-transit-network-plan
More donated gravel was spread this morning on the 600 block alleys. This follows previous volunteer work.
Correction: Neighbors actually raise money for this gravel. Volunteers donated their time though.
It does a good job of exploring the concerns and the responses. In conclusion, the City does not disallow dogs on the new bridge, but there are reasons for dog owners to be careful.
This might be a good time to remind everyone of the meeting next week on riverfront development.
(Ed. note: my own personal experience is that when I walked my dogs on the bridge, I did not see any evident injury, but did notice their apprehension. I will certainly be more careful in the future and may not take the dogs on the bridge again.)
The Times Dispatch had an article this morning on the Council meeting last night, where new members were sworn in and 3rd District Councilperson Chris Hilbert was elected President of City Council.
The article reported that 5th District Councilperson Parker Agelasto (Oregon Hill’s representative) had a pointed statement released after the meeting:
However, in a departure from what is typically a unanimous, nine-member vote for council president, Agelasto opted to abstain.
After the meeting, Agelasto distributed a statement saying he didn’t vote for Hilbert because he was disappointed Hilbert didn’t appoint him to any leadership positions on the council’s committees and, instead, stripped him of the position he had held as vice chair of the council’s finance committee.
“During my first four years on City Council, I attempted to bring greater transparency to council operations and greater accountability over how taxpayer monies are spent,” he said. “I realize this new way of doing things was not greeted with open arms by some on council, who were wedded to past council actions that too often led to spending abuses and fixations on shiny projects at the expense of funding for schools, public safety and basic city services.”