Style Weekly
Glen Allen
Member since Apr 12, 2011
Recent Comments
Re: “Is Boulevard the Next Short Pump?”
Jason, you are right. We already know the current location of the Diamond will be successful, because it already is. They already have planned to knock down the city buildings nearby, so YES, they could build mixed use there, and just count the Diamond in on the "mix" Me thinks there are other reasons (selfish ones) that the mayor wants the Diamond down in the Bottom.
Re: “Council to Mayor: Call Me, Maybe?”
This is what happens when you have a Mayor that is not properly educated, experienced, or knowledgeable about running a City. This particular Mayor, Boss Hogg, will push the limits of every rule, law, regulation, standard, or guideline, to the fullest degree to ensure it meets his personal financial interest.
You cannot rely on City Charter for the underhanded, the section quoted by District Councilman Chris Hilbert, for instance, says the mayor shall report to the city council “without delay”. You must identify exactly what that means for people like Jones. 6 hours, 24 hours, a week???? Sounds silly, but he will, has, and does, use underhanded loop holes like this to meet his agenda.
Re: “Redskins Camp Goes Over Budget, Council Members Angry”
I am pretty sure you cannot approve a Change Order without first having the funding to cover it. That is like writing a check without having money in the account to cover it. What if no one thinks that naming rights are worth $1.1 million, or what if City Council does not give them the money?
I would bet that City Schools could have used that $1.1 million the City will land up forking out for a football field.
Re: “Free and Clear”
Encouraging residential growth without increasing the tax base at the rate in Richmond has/is doing, does not appear to be economically as health as some of these people may lead you to believe. Take for instance the added families with children. These children need to go to schools, and the schools then need more teachers. Them, what about the increase in police and fire, roads, etc., etc? If the new people are not paying into the tax base, then that means those already living there are picking up the slack. It is no wonder Richmond has crappy infrastructure and crumbling schools, not to mention high taxes for those that pay them.
Re: “Richmond City Council Passes Bike Restrictions, Cyclists Protest”
I agree with jessOfRVA, bike racks are the answer, and shame on Boss Hogg for not already providing them. The Hogg is the one that is constantly promoting his bike race, and yet the City is most UN-bike friendly, but then the City is not ADA or motor vehicle friendly either. (How many decades has ADA been law)?
Bikes tied to trees, signs, and parking meters, not only look ugly, but they take up space on sidewalks for pedestrians that walk and roll. I cannot however say that I blame the bike owners for locking them to the trees, etc. what else are they suposed to do with them?
Let's face it, Richmond is not bicycle, ADA, or motor vehicle friendly. So much for southern hospitality............I think the Hogg needs to give one of his friends $250,000 to study the issue. You out there Bob Bob?
Re: “Overplayed”
Thank you Scott. I think some readers are missing the title of your article, so let me type it in here again "Can Richmond really afford its sports obsession?" That being said, the question as to where the Diamond gets built, or how many people MIGHT come watch the bicycle race, or the Red Skins practice, is irrelevant. The question is can Richmond afford it? A drive on local Richmond roads, a walk thru Richmond schools and other public buildings, the growing number of homeless folks, the number of kids on the free lunch program, the number of un, and under-employed, and the large number of poor people indicates the answer to that is NO.
Lets get the roads fixed, crime down, and schools up to par so that people will want to move to Richmond and pay their property taxes to Richmond. Property tax is far more reliable than guess numbers as to how many people will come watch a bike race or football practice, and it does not matter how much it rains, the property tax remains the same.
Other Publications
Re: “Redskins Camp Goes Over Budget, Council Members Angry”
Well said City taxpayer. Please forward a copy of your last post to members of the City Council and ask them to respond. The email addresses are as follows (I did not forget Ellen Robertson, I left her off on purpose, as the mayor makes her mind up for her): Charles.Samuels@Richmondgov.com;
jonathan.baliles@richmondgov.com;
Chris.Hilbert@Richmondgov.com;
Kathy.Graziano@RichmondGov.com;
parker.agelasto@richmondgov.com;
Cynthia.Newbille@Richmondgov.com;
Reva.Trammell@Richmondgov.com;
michelle.mosby@richmondgov.com;