July 7 Newsletter: Secret agreements
Weather: Scattered storms will appear as Tropical Storm Chantal moves through. High of 84.
On this date in 1966, Philadelphia architect Vincent G. Kling, who was chosen to design the Richmond Coliseum, said he believed the project would increase land values and revive the city's north-of-Broad corridor. (more)
Richmond cut a deal to get its inspector general to leave. It’s so secret, officials can’t even say it exists.
Former inspector general Jim Osuna left his office after a private vote by City Council and an agreement that includes sweeping secrecy measures.
- With the city refusing to explain further, The Richmonder filed six follow-up FOIA requests designed to get yes or no answers about the deal’s contents.
- Osuna was a City Council appointee who didn’t report to the mayor, but Danny Avula's office said Osuna was given $29,809 in severance.
- Later this month, Council will discuss legislation that removes the need for public votes in certain personnel matters.
New zine a tribute to the small things people love about Richmond
The Oregon Hill Review was compiled by Mathias Svalina, who offered poets the prompt: Write about something in Richmond that you love.
“It always makes me feel better to bike around town, and think, 'Wow, I love this city.' For all its faults. And the things I love about it are rarely the things that are promoted,” he said.
- Svalina made the news last fall for starting neighborhood walking tours where he makes up facts as he goes. He also runs a dream delivery service.
Also today in The Richmonder
City proposes rental inspection program to curb bad landlords
Under the ordinance, City Council would have the ability to establish rental inspection districts in areas where units are either blighted or facing deterioration.
Volunteers who help children through court cases encourage others to join in ‘meaningful’ work
Court-Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers who observe, gather input and make recommendations in a child’s best interest to judges, attorneys, foster parents and others involved in a case. There is a need for more volunteers, and the potential of national funding cuts looms.
Despite being a little too wide, Richmond’s newest fire station finally gets full occupancy approval
When building officials came to inspect the new fire station in May, they discovered that an exterior staircase and a generator butted out farther into the building’s rear and side yards than the project’s special use permit allowed.
Lindquist: Richmond's first NHL hockey player signs contract with Buffalo
Zac Jones signed with the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent, a contract that will pay him $900,000 if he makes the NHL team or $550,000 if he winds up in the American Hockey League.
In other news
- Cigarette butts sparked large fire in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom (8News)
- Rama Duwaji, NYC mayor candidate Zohran Mamdani's wife, has Richmond roots (Axios)
- 50 years after conquering Wimbledon, Arthur Ashe's legacy remains strong in Richmond (CBS 6)
The editor's desk
I've done a lot of podcast appearances over the past year, but none where I had to canoe to the site. Thanks to Andy Thompson for inviting me to be a part of the Sharp's Island podcast and share a little about myself and The Richmonder. You can watch it here.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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