Category Archives: government

Idlewood Roundabout Plan Becomes Funded and Closer To Reality

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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Hancock announced good news in regard to the Idlewood Roundabout proposal by making public an email from Councilperson Parker Agelasto:

Our roundabout is finally going to become a reality thanks to Parker.

Thanks
Jennifer
OHNA

From: Agelasto, Parker C. – Council Member
Subject: Idlewood Roundabout

Hello everyone,

I wanted to provide an update regarding the Idlewood Roundabout. Each and everyone one of you contributed to a campaign to make this a priority. My fellow Councilmembers and the Administration heard you clearly. The project that has been discussed for nearly 15 years is finally going to be a reality.

Thanks to Brian Ohlinger for working with us to secure the $250,000 funding support from VCU for this initiative. This provided the necessary leverage for the project to get the attention of those at City Hall. Likewise the commitment from the St. Andrews Association to permit easements for the project made it very doable. The City has set aside $200,000 in the FY2014 capital improvement budget. This will leverage another $200,000 through VDOT’s revenue sharing program. The project thus has $650,000 and should begin over the next 12 months.

CAO Byron Marshall has been very helpful throughout the process. If you happen to see him, please thank him for his support of the Idlewood Roundabout. In the meantime, I will try to organize a public presentation on the project once the Department of Public Works has more specific information to share.

Sincerely,
Parker C. Agelasto
Richmond City Council, 5th District

Editor’s Note: This corresponds to number 5 of my own top ten issues for the neighborhood. With issues 4,5,6,7 all getting somewhat addressed (and a sincere hearty thanks to those who helped make that happen), it may be time to repopulate the list with some new issues.

Mailbox Improvement Week Arrives in Time for Spring Cleaning

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From Postal Service press release:

The U.S. Postal Service is asking all homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 19- 25.

Each year, the Postal Service encourages customers to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance and function of their mailboxes. Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of the community and makes delivering and receiving mail safer for carriers and customers.

The Postal Service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that can occur to mailboxes through normal use every year.

Some of the typical activities that may need to be done include:

· Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.

· Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or started peeling.

· Remounting a mailbox post if loosened.

· Replacing or adding house numbers.

If a homeowner plans to install a new mailbox or replace a worn one, he or she must use only Postal Service-approved traditional, contemporary or locking full/limited service curbside mailboxes. Customers should be careful when purchasing curbside mail receptacles because the use of the unapproved boxes is prohibited. Customers may use a custom-built mailbox, but they must consult with their local Post Office to ensure it conforms to guidelines applying to flag, size, strength, and quality of construction.

For more information on the use of names or numbers on mailboxes, or answers to any other questions, contact your local Postmaster.
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2nd Street Connector’s Official Opening On Thursday

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Despite continued questions and controversy, the Mayor’s Office released the following press release:

For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Wallace
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 (804) 646-2772 Michael.Wallace at Richmondgov.com

Mayor to Officially Open New 2nd Street Connector Road

WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones
Ellen Robertson, Richmond City Council Vice President, District 6
Parker Agelasto, Richmond City Council, District 5
Carter Reid, Vice President – Administrative Services & Corporate Secretary, Dominion
Bruce Hazelgrove, Vice President – Corporate Resources, NewMarket Corporation
Jack Berry, Executive Director, Venture Richmond

WHAT: Official opening of the new 2nd Street Connector road.

WHEN: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 3 p.m.

WHERE: New 2nd Street Connector Road
Street extends from 2nd Street to Tredegar Street
Richmond, VA

BACKGROUND:

Mayor Jones, members of Richmond City Council, Dominion, New Market Corporation, and Venture Richmond will officially open the new 2nd Street Connector road. Project represents the first completed project of the 2012 Richmond Riverfront Plan.

Free parking is available in the parking lot off of Tredegar Street just west of the American Civil War Museum parking lot.

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Better Government Asks Chief Questions

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Questions from individual citizens did not get answered, but with more interest in the canal, now Better Government is posing questions. From Better Government:

May 13, 2013

VIA EMAIL TO: ray.tarasovic at richmondgov.com

Police Chief Ray J. Tarasovic
Police Headquarters
200 West Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23220

Re: Canal Wall Destruction Investigation

Dear Chief Tarasovic,

On April 16 Better Government Richmond sent you a letter regarding criminal and civil investigations of the destruction of the pre-Civil War canal wall on City property that took place in October 2012. We asked if the Richmond Police Department had conducted an investigation of this apparent crime and, if so, the status of the investigation. A copy of the letter was sent to Mr. Gene Lepley, Jr., your Director of Media Relations.

We have not received any response from you. This is disappointing since you describe yourself as a “transparent person” and say you “believe in sunshine.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch, February 20, 2013)

We repeat our request for information. Please send us free copies of the records that indicate the current status of the investigation. Please see §2.2-3704 of the Code of Virginia for your response options.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors
Better Government Richmond

Better Government – US LLC
By: C. Wayne Taylor, Secretary

Copy:
Mr. Gene Lepley, Jr., Director of Media Relations
Mr. Michael Herring, Commonwealth’s Attorney
Honorable Parker C. Agelasto
Press

Celebrate Richmond Bike Month Friday

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From City press release:

Richmond, VA — Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission invites the city of Richmond to participate in Richmond Bike Month during May. The goal of the 2nd Annual Richmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge to show how easy, affordable, and healthy bike commuting can be.

“The Richmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge is a great way for our residents to learn and experience the tremendous health and sustainability benefits of bicycling. It is my hope that local businesses and large employers alike partner with us to promote a healthy Richmond, and be a central resource in increasing the overall health of our city,” commented Mayor Jones. “My Administration has the goal of making Richmond one of the most bicycle and pedestrian-friendly cities in the country.”

Participants are encouraged to ride their bicycle to and from work, and report days commuted at the end of each week for the entire month of May. Riding a bicycle for only part of the commute, such as to join a car pool, ride the bus can still be counted. Participants can register now online and log their weekly commutes at www.riderichmond.net/bike-month-commuter-challenge. All commutes must be reported on the website by Friday, June 7, and the results will be announced by Friday, June 15.

“This is an opportunity to encourage everyone to try bike commuting and possibly make cycling a routine as well as a healthy travel option for commuting or running errands. Richmond Bike Month will also allow Richmond area cyclists to see the City’s infrastructure improvements, including widespread bike parking racks and improved bike routes across the city,” said the City’s Bicycle Coordinator Jakob Helmboldt.

Mayor Jones and the Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Commission will celebrate Richmond Bike Month on Friday, May 17, 2013, at 7 a.m. during the Bike to Work Day rally at Monroe Park, 620 West Main Street. The public is encouraged to attend and participate by bicycling to work that day.

Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians have shared rights and responsibilities when using city streets. Please visit the Richmond Bicycle Commuter Challenge link on www.Richmondgov.com for safety tips and laws.

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Renovations Close Lane Of Laurel Street Temporarily Near Monroe Park

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From City announcement:

For Immediate Release
May 8, 2013
For more information, contact:
Sharon North – (804) 646-5607

Lane Closure – Laurel Street
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT: Lane Closure

WHEN: Monday, May 13 through Friday June 17

WHERE: Laurel Street between Cathedral Place and West Franklin Street

BACKGROUND: The northbound lane of the aforementioned street will be closed to allow for renovations at 801 W. Franklin Street.

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Breaking Down The Water Bill

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From press release:

Better Government Richmond, a citizen advocacy organization, is pleased to announce the release of a new video about the City of Richmond Water Utility Charges and Rates. Better Government members produced this video in order to inform the public about the Mayor’s proposed plan that is under review by City Council. Better Government mentioned a study of the water utility by paid consultants as one of its top issues in its first press release in February.

The 9-minute video includes information regarding the consultants’ study as well as an explanation of charges on a sample City of Richmond utility bill. It has been made available online at Vimeo.com as well as on Better Government Richmond’s website and Facebook page. Supporters are asked to share with their neighbors and contacts.

The Vimeo.com url is http://vimeo.com/64618134

See also:

www.bg-us.org
www.facebook.com/BetterGovernmentRichmond