Candidate Silver Persinger is at it again. In his own words:

I created this petition to Richmond City Council. A friend was recently stopped by police for not having a light on her bicycle and fined $100. Sign this petition to reduce the fine and pass it along to your friends. If several hundred people sign it, we may have a shot.

Click here to sign the following petition.

Petition to Reduce Fine for Riding a Bicycle without a Light in Richmond, Virginia

We, the undersigned, request that Richmond City Council reduce the fine for bicyclists who ride a bicycle at night without lights from $100 to $15.

Whereas, bicycle riding is a healthy form of transportation that is good for rider and the environment; the City Council should value and encourage the contribution that bicyclists make to reducing the impact of transportation to the city and the environment.

Whereas, bicycles are predominately ridden with young people, students, and the low income; a $100 fine presents a financial hardship for the majority of bicycle riders. On July 24, 2009 the Federal Minimum Wage was raised to $7.25. A $100 fine represents over 13.5 hours of labor at minimum wage, or over a third of an employee’s weekly wages.

Whereas, most bicycles are equipped with reflectors, the bicycles are visible at night by reflecting the headlights of oncoming automobiles.

We object to the $100 fine and request the City Council to create an ordinance which would reduce the fine to $15.

Often, the resolutions that come before City Council have their basis in one of the committees that meet before City Council. One of the most important of those Council committees is the Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Committee, which usually meets monthly on a Tuesday afternoon (for example, July 21, at 3 pm in Council chanbers at City Hall).

Here are a few items from the agenda for the upcoming LUHT Committee meeting that may be of interest to Oregon Hill residents and Richmond citizens in general:

Presentation(s)

Monroe Park Improvements Planned by Monroe Park Advisory Council – Larry Miller,
Project Management Analyst, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

Central VA Waste Management Authority (CVWMA)Presentation – Kim Hynes, Executive
Director, CVWMA

Papers for Consideration

Public Works

4. Ord. No. 2009-138 (Patron: Mr. Hilbert) – To amend *** the Code *** for the
purpose of establishing procedures and guidelines for the maintenance and removal of
trees on City-owned property and to establish an Urban Forestry Commission.

I am very glad to hear from Richmond Water Utility officials that, according to initial estimates, VCU will pay for 2,356 ERUs resulting in an annual stormwater utility charge of approximately $106,000. I am told this involves 185 parcels. This is a lot better than nothing, which is what I was initially lead to believe and I do appreciate their willingness to answer questions. Now, how does this compare to average annual residential charge of $45? And what is VCU doing to actually solve its stormwater runoff issues? More scrutiny is not a bad thing.

In the meantime, a few more notes:

The stormwater utility issue is refocusing attention to the water rates issue. Silver, as usual, is doing a lion’s share.

Its great to see more neighbors using rainwater barrels, some of them bought at the Byrd Market. It’s also good to see the City getting with the program…

I would love to see Richmond establish a ‘Green Alley’ program like Chicago’s (not to be confused with Oregon Hill’s Green Alley)

Now, what about micro-hydroelectric and grey water systems?

In a recent Times Dispatch article on the City budget negotiations, 5th District Councilperson Marty Jewell expressed concern about cut funding for the City’s Parks & Recreation Department.

Councilman E. Martin Jewell said he’s frustrated that the council didn’t do more to support parks and recreation. Jones’ proposed budget calls for eliminating 29 vacant full-time positions, and Jewell said most are assigned to recreation programs.

“At a time when we’re approaching summer, we’re cutting . . . positions. Give me a break,” he said.