Richmond ballot case may cost taxpayers $100,000
“All we wanted was about a half hour of people’s time to show them they were wrong,” Paul Goldman, attorney for both candidates, said.
View ArticleLaw of Access to Government
A new open government casebook has been published. The Law of Access to Government (Carolina Academic Press 2012) is written by Richard J. Peltz-Steele, law school professor at the University of...
View ArticleRichmond Police Department sues local bloggers: A summary of the issue
This case could have long-term ramifications for the civil rights of Virginians. Possible issues might include prior restraint of speech as it applies to social media, the ethics of police agencies...
View ArticleMayor, City Council, School Board talk about legislative priorities
Richmond’s elected leaders sent a familiar message to their state representatives Friday during their annual breakfast meeting to discuss legislative priorities: more money, fewer mandates. Link
View ArticleCity Council, School Board meeting not properly announced
Mr. Anderson has not responded yet: === From: C WAYNE TAYLOR To: “Anderson, Alvin M. – City Clerk” <Alvin.Anderson@richmondgov.com> Sent: Thursday, January 3, 2013 4:07 PM Subject: Re: Anderson –...
View ArticleRe: President of City Council
From: C WAYNE TAYLOR To: Lou Ali <lou.ali@richmondgov.com> Sent: Monday, January 7, 2013 9:18 AM Subject: Council – President of City Council January 7, 2013 VIA EMAIL TO: Ms. Lou Brown Ali,...
View ArticleNew city police chief opens up
“I believe in sunshine, and I think we will shine in the sun,” Tarasovic added, referring to transparency. … A few days before Tarasovic was named chief, the department’s structure was changed so that...
View ArticleCity council could soon take action against the mayor’s office
Council members say the mayor’s office appears to be violating city law, by moving spokespeople from their departments to the press secretary’s office. Some say this could hinder the public’s ability...
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Developer comments on tax abatement program
“It’s going to be a very first-class project,” Salomonsky says. “If we didn’t own the land free and clear, plus the abatement, we couldn’t have done the project. We would have left it an empty lot.”...
View ArticleMayo Island sign dispute goes to Virginia Supreme Court
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 7:42 AM To: Jackson, Allen L. – City Attorney Subject: Jackson – Lamar curt case Dear Mr. Jackson, What is the current status of the court case between the city of...
View ArticleMeals tax issue stirs up dispute in Richmond
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery recently received a surprise from the city of Richmond: a request that the brewery pay meals tax on all beer it has sold by the glass in the past year. Link
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Richmond won’t disclose terms of pipefitters settlement
Richmond officials won’t talk about the cost to taxpayers of settling a lawsuit filed against the city by eight pipefitters over racial harassment and discrimination in the Department of Public...
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No response from Charles Samuels
No response received from Charles Samuels in request for legal authority supporting his statement: “But Samuels said council members could not discuss the settlement without a majority vote to permit...
View ArticleRichmond councilwoman plans citywide school prayer event
“As I sit here now,” said NBC 12 legal analyst Steve Benjamin. “I can’t be satisfied that this is acceptable.” Link
View ArticleCity Council approves gay-marriage ordinance
The impassioned debate over gay marriage burst into Richmond City Hall on Monday night as the City Council voted to approve an ordinance granting spousal benefits to gay employees — if Virginia law...
View ArticleGOLDMAN: Is funding plan for Shockoe stadium illegal?
It is illegal for the Mayor or his aides or anyone else in City government to force anyone to pay more taxes – that is to say a minimum amount of taxes – than would otherwise be due under state or...
View ArticleCity Hall Restrooms Lacking in Accessibility
Returning home, Smalls’ frustration found an outlet in a Nov. 14 letter penned to his city councilwoman, Kathy Graziano. He waited for a reply. “No text, no email, no phone call, no paper letter,”...
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Council waives zoning rules 31 times in 2013
The city of Richmond is the only locality in Virginia that waives zoning rules. The city charter empowers council to allow a “special use” (special privilege) to an individual landowner. Often the...
View ArticleGOLDMAN: Does Jones’ plan for Monroe Park break the law?
But at least for this one time, the RTD publicly acknowledges that Mayor Jones and his posse have a fondness bordering on the obsessive with secret, behind-the-scenes deals to sell/lease or otherwise...
View ArticleGOLDMAN: City Charter says people can demand Shockoe Stadium referendum
I predict if the Mayor and City Council do what they seem inclined to do, an organized effort will be made to gather the signatures required under Section 7B.05 to put the bond issuance on the ballot,...
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