Category Archives: politics

Election Controversies Continue

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There are still some strong allegations being made about the recent election.
Received via email:

PARTICULARIZED COMPLAINT FOR CIVIL ACTION NUMBER 3:12-CV-00650

L. SHIRLEY HARVEY,
CHRISTOPHER DORSEY,
Plaintiffs

v.

JANE KIRK SHOWALTER,
GEORGE WILLIAM THOMAS,
CECELIA DABNEY,
ERNESTO SAMPSON, JR.
DONALD PALMER,
KIMBERLY BOWERS,
CHARLES JUDD,
Defendants

COMPLAINT
The Plaintiffs comes to the Court to request an investigation into the process of qualification of candidates by the Registrar, Jane Kirk Showalter, regarding local elections for the City of Richmond on November 6, 2012. The Plaintiffs research has found that in several instances, the Registrar has either made gross mistakes or deliberately made decisions that are not in accordance with the Virginia State Code 24.2 regarding elections and further noted in the procedures for registrars called the GREbook (General Registrar and Electoral Board Handbook See Exhibit I) which provides procedures for the Registrar’s office to accomplish the mandates set forth in Virginia Code 24.2.

The Richmond Electoral Board and the State Board of Elections have the authority and the power to avoid these discrepancies by overseeing the work completed by the Registrar. The lack of supervision allows that any registrar in Virginia could be bribed, could make gross mistakes, could discriminate, and could, in essence, decide elections before the citizen vote. The Plaintiffs have attempted on many occasions without success to bring about an investigation or review by filing written and verbal complaints as prescribed by the Code to several authorities including the Richmond Electoral Board and the State Board of Elections. These Boards did not respond.

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New 5th District Politics, Or At Least Coverage

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With Election Day behind us, it is noteworthy that not only do we have a new Fifth District Councilperson and School Board representative, but we also a lot of revived interest and media coverage for the district.

I am still hoping to read notes on an organizing meeting that happened this past Friday at the Randolph Community Center. But first I may need to listen to the interviews on the latest Open Source show from WRIR. The title: “Ushering in th Age of Agelasto for Richmond’s Fightin’ 5th”.

Last, but certainly not least, now might be a good time to review a new web page from watchdog C.Wayne Taylor, which ‘wiki’s’ the City’s winning candidates. Citizens should learn and track the promises made. The campaign contact info on there might alone make it worthwhile to bookmark, given some of the past lack of response from those e-mail addresses on the city’s web page!

Supporting My Neighbors

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Someone knocked on my door and told me something was happening Tuesday that I should be aware of, and then I heard a few things from the television also….

I do know that I support and endorse my neighbor from the Overlook condos, Maurice Henderson, for another term on the Richmond School Board. While I recognize that Henderson angered many of the Patrick Henry charter school parents with some blunt antics that I agree are troubling and questionable, and I really do appreciate that that he does have serious competition from challenger Mamie Taylor, I believe he is the best qualified and suited for the position. I have seen him diligently work first hand to improve standards. I am hoping that with a second term he will become even more outspoken in challenging the Richmond leadership to improve the public schools.

I also support my Pine Street neighbor, former roommate, and longtime friend Silver Persinger in yet another political campaign for office. If you are not aware of Silver’s political activities and some of the things he has accomplished with his citizen advocacy, then you have not been paying attention. This time, he is running for Mayor as a write-in. With the new electronic machines, its pretty easy to do a write-in vote, and hopefully they might actually be secure and accurate with your vote (though I have my concerns).

As for our incumbent Mayor, I have supported him in the past. And while I have applauded certain efforts, I looked down at others, and wonder how much he is considering the big picture. I support Silver, but also remain hopeful that Jones’ second term will be bring better things.

I am looking forward to new representation on City Council, but beyond that, I will leave you with the thought that my personal choices for President and Vice President were not even allowed in the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, which should tell you something about how disappointed I am with our nation’s politics these days, no matter who is visiting us.

For voting information, you can click here. Oregon Hill’s polling site is Clark Springs Elementary.

Vice President Biden At Tredegar On Monday

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From The American Civil War Center At Historic Tredegar’s FaceBook page:

BREAKING NEWS!

Vice President Joe Biden will be at The American Civil War Center At Historic Tredegar on Monday for the campaign’s final Get Out the Vote rally!

Other distinguished guests will be Jill Biden, Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine. Oh and one last guest, John Mellencamp!

If you, our Facebook fans, would like tickets, you can pick them up at the Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. SUNDAY. Two tickets per person.

The American Civil War Center and the Richmond National Battlefield Park/National Park Service will close at 3 p.m. Monday in preparation for the event.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. for Monday’s rally.

Silver Gets Results

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Oregon Hill resident Silver Persinger, running a write-in candidacy for Mayor, held the City Council’s Finance Committee accountable last week for making information available to citizens.

Listen to Silver’s comment by clicking here.

The good news is that the Richmond Open Government Project is having an effect. City Council candidates Delp and Baliles have included Open Government comments in their campaigns. The City has begun putting committee meeting presentations on-line (Click here for link). This really opens the door to much more information.

Some of the issues in the presentation binder for the NEXT Finance Committee meeting:

– COS Staff Report & Supplemental Information
– Stormwater Utility – Delinquent Account Collection Strategy and Timeline Presentation
– Boulevard Redevelopment Plan and Citywide Economic Development Strategies Presentation
– Boulevard Redevelopment Preparation Project
– Community Development – Financial Statement Report
– BPOL Tax Relief Fiscal Impact Statement

Silver Persinger To Announce Write In Campaign For Mayor

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Oregon Hill resident Silver Persinger is at it again, this time putting forward a write-in campaign for Mayor.

From press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SILVER PERSINGER TO ANNOUNCE WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
Citizen-Activist Will Announce Write-In Candidacy From Steps of City Hall at Noon

Long-time City Council gadfly, Silver Persinger, will announce his write-in campaign for Richmond Mayor in the upcoming November 6 election. This is Persinger’s eighth attempt at running for office since 2002. He has appeared on the ballot in three previously elections for City Council, State Senate, and House of Delegates; and 4 other times as a write-in candidate for City Council, Lt. Governor, for Mayor in 2004, and U.S. President in 2008.

The press conference will begin promptly at 12:05 PM Thursday afternoon on the front portico of Richmond City Hall.

Persinger will open with introductory comments lasting between 5 to 10 minutes then he will be happy to answer any questions posed by media or citizens present.

###

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with Silver Persinger, please call Silver at 804 683 7845 or email Silver.Persinger at gmail.com

“Is the U.S. preparing to attack Syria & Iran?”

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Is the U.S. preparing to attack Syria & Iran? This is one of the questions that will be brought up at an upcoming forum at the William Byrd Community House.

From the Facebook event page:

Is the U.S. preparing to attack Syria & Iran?
Is it preparing to intervene in the West African country of Mali?
Can we stand by as the lives of millions more people are put at risk?
If there’s no money for a public jobs program, how is there money for more wars?
What’s really behind the developing crisis, and what can we do about it?

On the 11th ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. WAR ON AFGHANISTAN, you are invited to a PUBLIC FORUM:

“U.S. HANDS OFF SYRIA, IRAN & MALI! We need JOBS not WAR!”

6:30 pm – SUNDAY – OCT. 7
William Byrd Community House, Richmond, Virginia
224 So. Cherry St. (2 ½ blocks south of West Cary & 3 blocks west of So. Belvidere)

FREE – CHILDREN WELCOME – LIGHT REFRESHMENTS – DONATIONS APPRECIATED

PROGRAM:

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: THE TRUTH ABOUT U.S. DESIGNS ON SYRIA & IRAN
An analysis of the developing crisis by:
PHIL WILAYTO – Editor, The Virginia Defender
Board Member, Campaign Against Sanctions & Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII)
Author, “In Defense of Iran: Notes from a U.S. Peace Delegation’s Journey through the Islamic Republic”
Coordinating Committee Member, United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC)

WHAT’S BEHIND THE UNREST IN MALI?
An analysis of the recent coup, civil war and the threat of U.S.-backed military intervention by:
ANA EDWARDS – Host, DefendersLIVE! weekly radio program
President, Virginia Friends of Mali
Chair, Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project
Coordinating Committee Member, United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC)

& A SPECIAL REPORT on a meeting of U.S. peace & social justice activists in New York City with
IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, by a meeting participant

PLUS: A SHOWING OF THE AWARD-WINNING FILM
“BAM 6.6”

This acclaimed documentary explores the humanity of the Iranian people through the prism of the devastating 2003 earthquake that struck the ancient town of Bam in southeastern Iran. Through the experiences of two young American tourists, one of whom is a Jewish woman, viewers witness how a natural disaster can overcome religious and political barriers, dispel stereotypes and unite disparate members of the human family.

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Week Long Protest Against Dominion Starts Monday

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From CCAN’s public sign-up page:

Even though Dominion Power hasn’t invested in a single wind or solar power facility in Virginia, the company is receiving $76 million in extra profit for its supposed renewable energy investments.

Monday, October 1, through Friday, October 5, join us for a sustained week of action outside of Dominion’s Richmond office to protest this huge rip-off and call for wind and solar power in Virginia. We’ll also send in a representative each day, asking for a personal response from Dominion’s CEO, Tom Farrell.

And every day we’ll highlight a specific way that Dominion’s actions are harming Virginians, from increased extreme weather from climate change, to mountaintop removal coal mining and fracking for natural gas, to health impacts of the company’s pollution. Then we’ll cap off the week with a rally on Saturday, October 6.

Fundraising in 5th District City Council Race

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The Times Dispatch has an illuminating article this morning on the big fundraising going on in this year’s City Council election contests.

In regard to the 5th district race, the article says the following:

The biggest gain was reported in the three-way 5th District race between freelance museum consultant Parker C. Agelasto, incumbent E. Martin Jewell and Woodland Heights civic leader S. Lee Shewmake, who were scheduled to face off in a candidate forum at Woodland Heights Baptist Church on Thursday night.

Agelasto raised $15,004 in July and August, the most of any City Council candidate during that period, according to the latest campaign finance reports compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. Jewell reported just $200 in fundraising during that period while Shewmake raised $2,700. Agelasto also finished the period with the most cash on hand as of Sept. 1. He had $7,333, compared with Jewell’s $5,261 and Shewmake’s $685.

Richmond Water Rates Protest On Monday

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There is a water rate protest planned for this coming Monday outside City Hall before the formal City Council meeting. The All the Saints Theater troop, the same group that organizes the Halloween Parade in Oregon Hill, is planning to attend with puppets and posters.

From the Facebook Event page:

This is an important demonstration to be held at Richmond City Hall at 5:00 p.m on Monday Sept. 24th to protest the city of Richmond’s outrageous minimum water/sewer service charge of $49.40, which is the highest in the nation. This is a real burden for every social security grandma and other low income residents to have to pay $592 annually just to be connected to the water supply. The city utility raises over $30 million annually from this residential water/sewer service charge, and almost half of this, $12 million is, paid directly into the city’s general fund. This is the most regressive means possible to raise general funds for the city– putting an outrageous service charge on the most basic necessity — water. Furthermore, Richmond’s water rate does not promote conservation because the city utility gets more than half of its revenue from the minimum service charge instead of the volume charge.

This protest is part of campaign that has seen over 1300 people sign an online petition that demands the City adopt the rate schedule used by Henrico County, which buys water from Richmond’s water utility.

From the petition:

Henrico’s water/sewer rates are equitable and promote conservation. Henrico’s minimum monthly water/sewer service charge is about a third of Richmond’s. To encourage conservation, Henrico offers a volume use discount for customers who use 6 ccf or less of water, while customers using over 6 ccf pay a premium water/sewer volume rate. Richmond can receive the same total revenue from its water works by slashing the minimum monthly service charge, eliminating the high volume discount, and charging a premium for customers using over 6 ccf of water/sewer.

The City of Richmond has a long-term financial incentive to adopt Henrico’s rate schedule. By giving customers genuine incentives to conserve water, Richmond will reduce the need for future treatment facilities and reduce pollutants downstream.

Neighbor Charles Pool is scheduled to speak on the water rate issue during the Citizen Comment period at the City Council meeting. The campaign to reform the CIty’s water rates goes back at least five years.