Stolen Stereo and Car Chase

From Richmond Police:

4th Precinct
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
11/20/12 10:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
100 block of South Laurel Street
An unknown person(s) stole a stereo from a vehicle.

Also, in a different incident, from the Times Dispatch:

A man appeared to escape injury early today when he flipped his car multiple times down a steep hill near the James River in downtown Richmond several minutes after police had terminated a brief pursuit.

Richmond police Capt. Angela Greene said the man, whose identity was not immediately released, was taken to VCU Medical Center for observation but was not complaining of any pain and did not appear to be injured following the incident.

Greene said the incident began at 2:09 a.m. when a Richmond police officer at Oliver Hill Way and Hospital Street observed the man driving the wrong way at a high speed down a one-way street. Greene said the officer activated his blue lights and siren and tried to follow the man but terminated the pursuit after 26 seconds when it became apparent the man was not going to stop.
Roughly three minutes later, Greene said, the vehicle was found, wrecked, in a large field along Second Street that serves as a main performing stage for the Richmond Folk Festival.

New 5th District Politics, Or At Least Coverage

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!

Assault and Death Investigation

From latest Richmond Police crime report:

4th Precinct
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
11/15/12 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
300 block of South Pine Street
A male reported he was assaulted by a known male. Warrants were obtained on the male.

4th Precinct
DEATH INVESTIGATION
11/17/12 10:30 p.m.
100 block of Tredegar Street
A male fell from the Lee Bridge. He was transported to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead an hour later.

Pre-Holiday Renegade Market Today

From email announcement:

Greetings All!
For your last-minute pre-holiday farmers-market shopping-pleasure
this week’s Renegade Market vendors will offer…

Fresh, seasonally delicious foods:
Apples, Cider, Jams, Jellies, Honey…
Salad mix, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Radicchio, Escarole…
Grass-fed Beef, Pork, Free-ranging Chicken – in roasts, parts, ground, sausages…
Eggs, Cheese and Noodles…
Artisan Breads, Rolls, Biscuits, Pies, Tarts and other desserts…
Raw food Dog and Cat foods and treats…
information about CSAs and Herd Shares
See you at the Market: 3pm to 6pm Tuesdays, November through April

byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Visit wbch.org for more doings at William Byrd Community House

_____________________

Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306

Speech to Council

This is a speech that neighbor Todd Woodson gave to City Council this past Monday night:

Hi- I’m Todd Woodson and I’m here to speak for the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association. I have served as treasurer for the last 11 years. We have serious concerns on an sup proposal pending on the Victory Rug Building on S Cherry St. We feel there have been serious flaws committed and don’t think that fair or due process has been served to our residents.

some background info on sup:

The Victory Rug current parcel assessment of 270K has risen 236% in last 10 years. We believe this assessment is correct and fair for a building in this condition.

The parcel was bought at auction for 660,000 by developer.

a message was sent to developer from OHNA before closing on the property outlining inherent problems in developing the building.

Consequently, hardship cannot be used to justify the aggressive density requested with off street parking limited to only 8 questionable spaces. The proposal is for 29 bedrooms which would require somewhere between 30 and 45 parking spaces. Parking is already a hardship due to our proximity to VCU. This development is 2 1/2 blocks from the mammoth VCU recreation center.

The City has received 114 letters of opposition- no letters in favor—

A main concern is that in early October, neighborhood reps met with Mr. Jewell, the developer and Mark Baker of Baker Development Resources who is representing the developer on this sup. No concessions were made and the meeting was a disappointment. On Oct 22, the SUP ordinance was introduced. Sometime between then and Oct 30, Councilman Jewell solicited help in securing campaign funds from Mr Baker and an email was sent to other developers as well as to a networking group maintained by Baker. I mean no disrespect to Mr Jewell and am not an attorney so I cant say if this is illegal. I will say that the hundreds of residents facing hardship from this sup find the appearance of impropriety of major concern.
I have included the solicitation in your package.
————————————————————————-

we feel it to be prudent and reasonable for the Council hearing on this SUP be postponed until after our concerns are fully resolved and the new council is seated.

We are anxious for a quality reasonable development at the Victory Rug Building and hope for an enterprise that has the best interest of the community at heart.

Landmark Theater Reopens Tonight with Free Concert

From the Times Dispatch:

Richmond’s Landmark Theater is reopening after a $50 million renovation.
The theater, which had been closed since July for façade work, roof repairs and other renovations, reopened Monday, the facility’s management company announced.
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The Landmark will host a free concert tonight. The U.S. Army Chorus will perform with the Richmond Pops Band at 7:30 p.m. Call (804) 275-5253 for more details.