> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # July 7 Newsletter: Secret agreements - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/july-7-newsletter-secret-agre/ - Published: 2025-07-07T10:00:14.000Z - Updated: 2025-07-07T10:00:14.000Z - Description: Richmond cut a deal to get its inspector general to leave. It’s so secret, officials can’t even say it exists. Plus, a zine celebrates what we love about Richmond, and a rental inspection program gets one step closer to reality. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **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](https://richmondmagazine.com/news/richmond-history/downtown-transformation-richmond-coliseum/)) --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/Richmonder_Politics_Final_102924-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-cut-a-deal-to-get-its-inspector-general-to-leave-its-so-secret-officials-cant-even-say-it-exists/) ### 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. [**Read more about the agreement, and The Richmonder's attempts to get information from city officials, here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-cut-a-deal-to-get-its-inspector-general-to-leave-its-so-secret-officials-cant-even-say-it-exists/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/Richmond-literati.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/new-zine-a-tribute-to-the-small-things-people-love-about-richmond/) ### 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. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/new-zine-a-tribute-to-the-small-things-people-love-about-richmond/) ### Also today in The Richmonder [**City proposes rental inspection program to curb bad landlords**](https://www.richmonder.org/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**](https://www.richmonder.org/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**](https://www.richmonder.org/despite-being-a-little-too-wide-richmonds-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**](https://www.richmonder.org/lindquist-richmonds-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**](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/shockoe-bottom-fire-cause-released/) (8News) - [**Rama Duwaji, NYC mayor candidate Zohran Mamdani's wife, has Richmond roots**](https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/02/rama-duwaji-zohran-mamdani-wife-richmond-vcu) (Axios) - [**50 years after conquering Wimbledon, Arthur Ashe's legacy remains strong in Richmond**](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/50-years-arthur-ashe-historic-wimbledon-victory-richmond-virginia-july-5-2025) (CBS 6) --- ### The editor's desk [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/07/andy-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWM-fsMMYE) 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.**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKWM-fsMMYE) *Michael Phillips, founding editor* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Want to support The Richmonder? [**Become a donor for $9.99 a month**](https://donate.stripe.com/aEU8xm7EWefggx29AP) and keep quality local journalism in the community.