Disappearing Bubble

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Scott

VCU workers were preparing to dismantle the ‘bubble’ over the tennis courts.

What Is More Important? Schools, Water Utility, Or Homeless Shelter? Welcome to Richmond’s Ranked Choice Voting Day!

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Scott

Hi everyone! January 23rd is traditionally recognized as Ranked Choice Voting Day!

Of course, here in Richmond, VA, that does not mean too much as the political establishment is still squashing Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), despite encouragement for it.

But, hey, don’t let the General Assembly, City Council, and winter doldrums get you down. For it is I, Scott Burger, the pirate king of Oregon Hill, here to entertain you and (counterintuitively to my monarchial rule) encourage grassroots democracy with yet another exciting public RCV poll.

Given yesterday’s RPS announcement, the noteworthy recent anniversary of last year’s water crisis, and ongoing struggles for the ‘unhoused’, what is more important?

1) Fully funding our public schools

2) A reliable, working, public water utility

3) larger homeless shelters

Now, I could add as choices a sustainable environment and larger rainy (sleety? snowy) day emergency fund, but let’s not get too crazy or hopeful. Let’s keep it relatively simple. This is not a mayor’s race.

After all, we are supposed to be beginning a new City budget process…

Remember, with ranked choice voting (RCV), you are allowed to vote for more than one choice, but you need to rank them.

Also remember that the political establishment (and their corporate masters) will not allow an all-of-the-above choice as it wants large corporations and tourism to get a steady stream of taxpayer dollars in the form of tax breaks and subsidies. LIVE Nation and New Market Corporation were not going to build their new riverfront amphitheater by themselves (or were they?). Co-Star was not going to incentivize itself, now was it? Otherwise VCU might not have received their money. The corporate welfare must continue, according to our current leadership, opportunity costs, public choices, and alternatives be damned.

Remember what I said about keeping the pressure on!

Happy Ranked Choice Voting Day!

Ready? Vote:

I will try to update this post with results later, if I am not thrown into the new ICE facility in Hanover. (Remember, ICE received “only” $14 billion in funding, despite public demands to abolish it altogether. But that goes back to national priorities…)

Fruit Fundraiser for Open High School

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Scott

Go to this link, www.ifundraise.com/841758, for this fundraiser, which ends December 12.

October Festivities

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Scott

October is a busy month for Oregon Hill…

October 10-12, is the Richmond Folk Festival.

From the website blurb:

The Richmond Folk Festival is one of Virginia’s largest events, drawing visitors from all over the country to downtown Richmond’s historic riverfront. The Festival is a FREE three-day event that got its start as the National Council for the Traditional Arts’ National Folk Festival, held in Richmond from 2005-2007. The Richmond Folk Festival features performing groups representing a diverse array of cultural traditions on six stages.

But also, Richmond Zine Fest, a two-day event.
From website…

On day one, Friday October 10th from 12 PM – 5 PM (note: this is has been changed since the printing of the poster) is ONLY programming aka workshops, presentations, dialogues, and opportunities to learn something new. The programs are held in the basement of the library.
Day two is Saturday, October 11th from 10 AM – 4:30 PM, and this is the big vendor day that is recognizably “zine fest” to the average attendee. We take over multiple spaces on the first floor and the basement levels of the library with exhibitors that have produced zines for purchase and/or trade. Please see our section on zine fest etiquette for tips about how to engage with tablers and what is inappropriate.
Masks are required for all participants in Richmond Zine Fest.

Don’t forget that for Richmond Public Schools, October 13 is Divison-wide Professional Learning Day (Student Holiday) and October 20 is Diwali holiday and RPS are closed.

“An Evening With David Byrne – Who is the Sky tour” is at the Altria Theater on October 14th.

There is supposed to be another No Kings protest march on October 18th but details are hazy at this time. Maybe a march to or from Monroe Park.

Dylan Gossett and The Westward Tour w/ Drayton Farley and Buffalo Traffic Jam are playing Brown’s Island on Oct. 18.

Tedeschi Trucks Band and Little Feat are playing the corporate amphitheater on Oct. 21.

Neighborhood block party:

And, Friday, October 31st.. the 20th anniversary edition of the All the Saints Theater Company Halloween Parade through Oregon Hill.

Open High Students Demonstrate For Gun Control

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Scott

Earlier today at noon, Open High School students walked out in protest of gun violence and advocated for gun control.

NBC Channel 12 covered the protest. From their report:

This was part of a nationwide movement organized by Students Demand Action. Three 11th graders: Lucy James Howlett, Kai James and Rose Woodward organized the 30-minute protest at the school.

They said while district has taken steps to make campus safer, like metal detectors and clear backpacks, it’s those very measures that remind students just how unsafe the world can be.
…
There have been 44 school shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. A recent report from the CDC shows that firearms were the leading cause of death for children and teens in 2020 and 2021.

“The student body is very aware of the nation’s issues, political issues,” James said.

No. 62

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Scott

Richmond’s Open High School just ranked 62 in a report of the nation’s best high schools.

The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on more than 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.
Click here for the article.

RCV Prize for a Richmond University SGA Increases

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Scott

With students coming back to Richmond universities, and with student government associations meeting again, it is worth noting that no Richmond university student government association (SGA) has claimed the previously announced $1,000 prize.

Just to refresh memories, in 2022, I, Scott Burger, pledged to reward whichever Richmond university student government is the first among Richmond university student governments to conduct a campus wide election of student government officers using ranked choice voting and incorporate ranked choice voting into its constitution/bylaws with a $1,000 prize.
(Please refer to the notes on the original post-
https://www.oregonhill.net/2022/11/16/1000-rcv-prize-for-a-richmond-university/)

In the last three years, this city, state, and country has seen some remarkably close elections, a few vote recounts, and much concern about voting and elections in general. Sadly, despite RCV progress elsewhere, and so much overall local change in general, Richmond politics is still languishing on its hotbed of apathy. It does not help that local media, including the college newspapers and media, have ignored this contest altogether, refusing to even mention it.

Some have suggested that I should just endow money directly to a university administration or department (as if I trust them to spend the money well!) or, completely ignoring the simple, grassroots approach to this promotion of RCV, should use the money instead to fund research or ‘a study’. As if there has not already been enough studies! Over 100 colleges and universities in the United States use ranked-choice voting (RCV) for student government elections. RCV is used at George Mason University, James Madison University, University of Virginia, and Washington and Lee.

I will state again that while I don’t think money should equal speech (I support www.MoveToAmend.org), for this contest, I am willing to make an exception.

I thought about doubling the prize amount, but between Trump’s tariffs and job threats from AI threatening the economy, I am not going to do that. I have decided to split the difference. I will increase my prize pool by $500. So, among the eligible Richmond university student governments, University of Richmond SGA, Virginia Commonwealth University SGA, or Virginia Union University SGA, the first SGA who satisfies the contest to my satisfaction will get $1,000. And now, the second one to do so will get $500. If there is not a second one within a year, the first winner will be rewarded the $500 in addition to the $1,000. Again, pay attention to the original caveats.

Remember, this city, state, and country need young people to lead. With emboldened fascism growing, we need to keep pushing for true democratic reforms that empower voters.