TOMORROW, Congressman Donald McEachin is hosting his Richmond Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. The town hall will be held at Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church (14 W. Duval St. Richmond, VA. 23220).
Rep. McEachin’s Richmond Town Hall
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Category Archives: politics
‘Comey’ Over Here And Bet Me
Another editorial venture over to national politics….hey, the Times Dispatch does it…
So far I have no takers on my bet that this ‘Russiangate’ stuff will not result in impeachment of Trump. Anyone? As much as I would like to see Trump impeached, I think the ridiculous Red-baiting is a very sad attempt by Democrats to excuse their horrible Presidential campaign. I keep hoping that Trump’s other, outstanding conflicts of interest will be used to impeach him, but I don’t see corporate Democrats doing that because that tact might then be used against them in the future. All along I have been hoping that people would refocus on reforming the entire system- IRV/RCV for example, banning corporate campaign funding, or at least getting us out of these stupid foreign wars, but no, the corporate media wants us to spend time plumbing Comey’s inner soul or something.
Surely there’s someone out there-
As we have proven already today, talk is cheap. I am wagering that “Russiangate” investigation will NOT result in Trump’s impeachment. Do you want to bet? Honestly, as with the Burger Bernie Belly Crawl Challenge, I would love to be proven wrong, as I would love to see Trump impeached and I would have loved to have seen Bernie Sanders get the Democratic nomination this past election.
Solving The Middle East This Saturday
Well, that may be overselling it, but the Richmond Forum is hosting a program entitled “PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST: PROSPECTS AND ROADBLOCKS” this Saturday at the Altria Theater. It’s probably already sold out.
Ehud Barak has served as the Prime Minister of Israel and, more recently, as Defense Minister. Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and was a leading figure in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. For the first time anywhere, these two respected voices will sit down together for a discussion of their differing views on Middle East peace prospects in a conversation moderated by longtime journalist, author, and foreign policy analyst Robin Wright.
The School Budget
Recently seen flyer:
From recent Times Dispatch article:
Newly seated Mayor Levar Stoney, who promised a smoother process on the campaign trail, is hoping to head off the tense public display this year.
His administration has been working behind the scenes for weeks with representatives from the City Council and the School Board to hammer out a draft of an “education compact,” which lays out shared goals for the school system and plans to develop a long-term funding plan to support them.
People should not forget Open High’s march from two years ago.
Pipeline Protest Tomorrow
And, by the way, the RVA Environmental Film Festival (FREE ADMISSION) will be cranking this weekend. The Virginia film contest winner is Trouble Water: Voices From Bath, will be screened Sunday afternoon. It’s about Virginians facing Dominion Energy’s proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
It’s important to remember that Dominion officials themselves say they could make money from renewables like solar and wind. Why don’t they? Because they insist on using their regulated monopoly to make just a bit more profit from dirty fossil fuel. They don’t care about the risks to our water and our planet.
Radio Show Open Source RVA Shares Call For Monroe Park
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,'”
Part Of Oregon Hill Votes Tomorrow In Special Election
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.
‘Critical Mass’ Bicycle Ride On Friday
From the FaceBook event page:
Meet at 6, ride at 6:30.
Rain, fascism, or shine.
Our usual meeting spot in Monroe Park has been fenced off for renovations for the next year or more… For now we will meet at the same intersection, just across the street on the sidewalk in front of Altria Theater, to avoid too much confusion. A different meeting place may be chosen in future months, so keep an eye on the location!
What is this event?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass_%28cycling%29
Last Friday evening of every month! Come out on your bikes and ride en masse through the city, for any number of reasons: just for fun, to celebrate bicycles as an alternative to cars, to spread awareness that bicycles share the road, or as a form of political protest. Wear costumes, bring music, noisemakers, flags, ribbons, etc. Ride a skateboard, roller blades, unicycle or some other human-powered bike alternative. Make it a parade!
Many interesting routes (and stops) are planned in advance, but some are unplanned and can simply be determined spontaneously by whoever is riding in the front. Ride SLOWLY so we can all stay together, enjoy the ride, talk along the way, and encourage people to join us.
This Saturday- Shiver In The River and Richmond Democrats’ Fifth District Meeting
This Saturday is Shiver In The River, a benefit riverfront event for the Keep Virginia Beautiful organization. There is a clean up, a 5K, and yes, a ‘polar bear plunge’ in the James River.
Also, the Richmond Democrats are holding a strategy meeting to discuss how they will organize neighborhoods for the upcoming 2017 elections. They are asking everyone to invite neighbors.
Saturday at 10 AM – 11:30 AM at Tower of Deliverance Church (118 Cowardin Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23224)
(Editor’s note: I am happy to post meeting notices from other political groups as well)
Support IRV Voting Reform
Republican member of the House of Delegates, Nick Freitas, is introducing a bill which would give Instant Runoff Voting for statewide Virginia elections. It would provide for instant runoff voting in elections for statewide offices, the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the General Assembly.
https://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2017/hb2315/
The initial language is from the Piedmont, Virginia Green Party group.
Please contact the privileges and election committee members of the House of Delegates here to urge them to pass HB2315! You can get there contact information through this link:
http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php?committee=H18
Also see previous post here:
https://www.oregonhill.net/2016/11/15/some-election-thoughtstime-for-rcvirv/