SATURDAY RALLY & MARCH FOR JOBS, PEACE & JUSTICE

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Scott

The following is not particular to Oregon Hill, but this event is close by in downtown where I am not sure there is another community blog to cover it. Besides, this neighborhood does have a history of activism…

From announcement:

On Saturday, Jan. 15, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., community advocates and supporters from across Virginia will gather in downtown Richmond to tell the 2011 General Assembly:

Reform the prison laws!
Equal rights for immigrants!
Reclaim Richmond’s African Burial Ground!
Don’t balance the budget on the backs of Virginia’s working people!
Money for jobs & education, not for wars & occupations!

1 p.m. – RALLY – Kanawha Plaza, 8th & Canal streets, Richmond, VA
2 p.m. – MARCH – to the Virginia State Capitol and the African Burial Ground

RVANews Covers City Council on Nearby Controversies

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Scott

RVANews.com features an article on recent City Council meeting. In the meeting, there was much discussion on two issues that resonate near Oregon Hill, the Monroe Park renovations and a film scheduled for the Civil War Center (Tredegar).

Excerpts:

Speaking with 5th District Councilman Marty Jewell (pictured above) after the meeting presented a different view point from the council. “Monroe park is and has always been a public park, and it should remain a public park,” said Jewell, who has been seen attending some of the charity events held every Sunday in Monroe park. He said he sympathized with those involved in helping the homeless who come to Monroe Park for food and shelter.

“If you look at the master plan wordage from [the year] 2000, the language was there that we need to ‘reduce the visibility of homeless people,’” he said. “That’s always been the intent of certain corporate types who simply don’t want to see poor people.”

No part of the plan was to be voted on that night, so no issues concerning the park or the master plan were directly addressed in the meeting.

—

“If they want to show it there as historical fact, then that’s one thing, but to show this in a sponsored event and in a movie theater and get everyone to come out for it,” said Hilbert, “We need to move forward with our city.”

However, 1st District Councilman Bruce Tyler (pictured in the main image of this story) brought up the fact that it was not City Council’s job to be a censor.

“There is nothing in this film that I wanna see or have shown,” said Tyler, “But I have to sit here and say that freedom of speech is what makes our country great, and i don’t think its our right to censor freedom of speech.”

The Monroe Park issues have been previously covered on this site quite a bit.

City Revises Bulk and Brush Refuse Collection

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Scott

From City of Richmond press release:

The city is revising its procedure for bulk and brush refuse collection. Beginning January 17, 2011, bulk and brush refuse collections will be performed by area: northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest, rather than the current zip code method. Each area will have a truck assigned to remove bulk and brush refuse items Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

City residents are required to call the Customer Care Center at 3-1-1 or (804) 646-7000 to request a pick up. Items must be placed out for collection on the day the call is made. There is a $50 service fee for the removal of appliances and a $100 service fee for same day service bulk and brush emergency pick up. Non-emergency bulk and brush pick up will be collected within ten working days of the request with no service fee. If applicable, the service fees will be applied to the resident’s utility bill.

City residents can dispose of appliances; bulk and brush refuse items for free by taking them to the East Richmond Road Convenience Center, 3800 E. Richmond Road, or the Southside Transfer Station, 3520 N. Hopkins Road.

For more information on city services and schedules, please visit www.RichmondGov.com.

Richmond City Council to begin 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Scott

With all of the, um, renewed interest in City Council, I thought I would post this reminder from the City:

Numerous opportunities for Richmond Citizens to learn more, provide input and participate: New Plan to be adopted by December 31, 2011

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A) — In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time. New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011.

The 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting will be a year-long open public process that will include a comprehensive array of public information communications and numerous opportunities for Richmond Citizens to learn more, provide input and participate, which will include many Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings, and Public Hearings. All Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to learn more about the process and to participate during each step of the way. Some of the many ways to engage in this process include:

1. Contacting the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents you via phone, email, meeting or letter (contact information below)

2. Sending a letter to Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Richmond City Hall; 900 E. Broad St., Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219

3. Attending Public Information Meetings, Council Public Meetings and Public Hearings to learn more, ask questions and make suggestions (dates, times and locations listed below)

4. Visiting the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting website to learn more (to be established soon)

5. Asking questions, learning more, and sending suggestions or information by email to steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

6. Sending suggestions or asking questions by sending a fax to 804.646.5468

7. Learning more, asking questions and providing suggestions by calling 804.646.6052

8. Signing up for information and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meeting and Public Hearings email updates/alerts, at: steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

Continue reading →

“a political faceoff between Council President Kathy Graziano and City Councilman Marty Jewell”

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Scott

An excerpt from Richmond Magazine article (click here for full article):

Richmond City Council’s first meeting of the new year typically is one filled with little more than a vote to select its president and vice president for the next two years. Instead, tonight’s meeting was a political faceoff between Council President Kathy Graziano and City Councilman Marty Jewell, who promised on Jan. 2 to ask for an investigation into e-mails that outlined alleged inappropriate behavior by Graziano’s Council liaison and close political advisor, David Hathcock, at the meeting. He accused Graziano of mishandling the situation.

Jewell followed through on his promise, making a motion to defer voting on a new president until an investigation could be conducted by the city’s office of the inspector general, referring to an alleged incident in which Councilman Bruce Tyler’s liaison, Jennifer Walle, was allegedly inappropriately touched on April 21 by Hathcock. The alleged incident was detailed and acknowledged in an e-mail exchange between Walle and Hathcock on May 6.

“When I asked Graziano, she said that issue was done with — over,” Jewell said, referencing conversations that he had with her in December.

Despite Jewell’s motion calling for an investigation, which failed, and despite his nomination of Tyler for the presidency, Graziano carried the vote five to three (Trammell, Tyler and Jewell voted against her, and Councilman Doug Conner was absent).

But Jewell, Trammell and Tyler each said that the matter of Hathcock’s alleged behavior was far from over. They all said that the unofficial inquiry that was conducted, overseen by Graziano herself, was flawed.

Richmond City Council official meeting schedule for January 2011

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Scott

From COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE:

Richmond City Council official meeting schedule for January 2011

All Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT Richmond City Council, the governing body of Richmond, holds an average of 12 official monthly public meetings to discuss, deliberate, and act on laws, finances and policy on behalf of our community.

A summary of official Richmond City Council Official Public Meetings for the upcoming month is listed below. Meeting times and dates are subject to change and more meetings may be added as needed.

All Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend all Council meetings and to contact the Richmond Councilmember elected for their voting district (by phone, in person, via email, or by mail) to learn more; provide input; and/or ask questions. Meetings include (but are not limited to) two “Council Formal” Meeting Sessions, two “Council Informal” meetings, six Council Standing Committee meetings, and Council Public Hearings/ Special Events/Commission meetings held on an as-needed basis.

Mission – The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

Vision – Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Parking – Free parking is available for Formal Council meetings in the lot next to Richmond City Hall on E. Broad St., between 10th and 11th Streets.

Televised – Formal Council meetings are televised live on local PBS TV Station, WVCW and replayed daily at Noon and 7:00 p.m. on Richmond Government Access TV Channel 17.

For scheduled meetings, click below
Continue reading →

City of Richmond Schedules Upcoming Annual “Bring one for the Chipper” Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Scott

From City press release:

RICHMOND, VA – On Saturday, January 15, 2011, the city of Richmond is sponsoring a Christmas tree recycling program called “Bring One for the Chipper 2011.” City residents are invited to recycle their Christmas trees by having the city chip them into mulch for use in landscaping.

This is the second year for the program, which is heralded among the city’s efforts to actively participate in environmental education and to actively pursue more green initiatives.

“Bring One for the Chipper 2011” will take place at the Parker Field Annex, 1710 Robin Hood Rd., at the corner of Robin Hood Rd. and N. Boulevard across from the Arthur Ashe Center, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on January 15. Also, Christmas trees can be dropped off from December 26 through January 14 at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center, 3800 East Richmond Rd. and the Richmond Southside Transfer Station, 3520 N. Hopkins Rd.

This project is being spearheaded by the city’s Department of Public Works. For more information on city services and schedules, please visit us on line at www.RichmondGov.com.

Christmas and New Year Holiday Schedule for Solid Waste Collection

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Scott

From City press release:

RICHMOND, VA – In observance of the Christmas holiday, city offices will be closed on Thursday, December 23 and Friday, December 24. The Solid Waste Management Division will continue to operate normal trash collection routes both days.

In observance of the New Year holiday, city offices will be closed on Friday, December 31. The Solid Waste Management Division will operate normal trash collection that day.

East Richmond Road Convenience Center will open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 23 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, December 24. The facility will be closed on Christmas Day.

During the New Year holiday, East Richmond Road Convenience Center will open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, December 31. The facility will be closed on New Year’s Day.

The Hopkins Road Transfer Station will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

For more information on city services and schedules, please visit www.Richmondgov.com.

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‘Wreaths Across America’ To Stop At Va. War Memorial

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Scott

City press release:

Richmond to receive wreath from Wreaths Across America on behalf of departed U.S. Military Veterans

Delivered by convoy of 200 motorcycle riders, which will include Virginia State Police and Richmond Police Department Motorcycle Squad

WHAT The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Southside 8th District, is scheduled to accept a wreath on behalf of Richmond citizens from Wreaths Across America, honoring the service of departed United States of America Military Veterans.

Part of a national tribute sponsored by the Worchester Wreath Company (Harrington, Maine) and its Wreaths Across America initiative, wreaths will be placed on the graves of departed U. S. Military Service Veterans and at other official memorials, locations and sites nationally and worldwide.

The day’s events in Richmond include a motor convoy comprised of an estimated 200 motorcycle riders, which will include the Virginia State Police and Richmond Police Department Motorcycle Squad. An 18-wheel truck will be carrying wreaths.

This day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia and proceed with wreaths being placed nationally and worldwide at official sites and cemeteries.

Official worldwide ceremonies will begin simultaneously at Noon, Eastern Standard Time, 1700 Zulu.

WHEN APPROXIMATE SCHEUDLE – Saturday, December 11, 2010

9:00 a.m. Convoy will muster at Cox Transportation (1044 Dow Gil Road, Ashland, Virginia). Convoy will include an 18-wheel truck, Virginia State Police and Richmond Police Department Motorcycle Squad and up to 200 motorcycle riders.

10:00 a.m. Convoy departs Ashland, Virginia (Traveling I-95 South).
Route in Richmond includes Richmond Diamond, Virginia War Memorial for presentation; Virginia Capitol Square; Richmond
City Hall for Presentation; and, then to Richmond National Cemetery.

10:45 a.m. Branch of convoy proceeds to Richmond City Hall (900 E. Broad Street) 9th Street Entrance – to present wreath

Noon Ceremony at Richmond National Cemetery (1701 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, Virginia)

WHERE Richmond City Hall, 9th Street Entrance (900 E. Broad Street)

WHO The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Southside 8th District

CONTACT For more information, please contact Rev. Rocky Angone, at 804.586.5060 (tel); or rjangone@yahoo.com (email) Wreaths Across America,

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Charter Schools Forum To Feature Henderson

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Scott