Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Councilmembers Jewell and Newbille invite all to join Champions Youth Basketball Camp Award Ceremonies in Richmond and Petersburg

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Councilmembers Jewell and Newbille invite all to join Champions Youth Basketball Camp Award Ceremonies in Richmond and Petersburg

Limited Richmond slots open on first-come/first served-basis: Free camp for boys and girls, ages 9-13; Celebrating 5th-year in Richmond

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A; July 15, 2011) -- The Honorable Marty Jewell, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Central 5th District, and The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, invite the community to attend the Champions Youth Developmental Basketball Camp Awards Ceremonies in Petersburg and Richmond. The events will celebrate the success of the week-long free basketball camps held this week for youth (boys and girls) ages 9-13 in Petersburg and Richmond.

These week-long camps were free and included 100 participants per location. Each student received free breakfast and lunch, basketballs, expert instruction, t-shirts, school supplies and awards. Each camp will include 100 students.

WHEN/ Petersburg Camp Ceremony (Thur., July 28, 2011: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
WHERE Petersburg Public Schools - Petersburg High School; 3101Johnson Road
Petersburg, Virginia

Richmond Camp Ceremony (Fri., July 29, 2011: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
Richmond Public Schools - Armstrong High School; 2300 Cool Lane
Richmond/Henrico County, Virginia

CONTACT For more information (not registration), please contact Mike Pearson, President/ Founder, Friends Helping Friends, at 804. 405.4472, or Dr. Leon Wright Bey, Camp Director, at 804.536.6394, lwbey@msn.com (email).

BACKGROUND
Established by the nonprofit organization Friends Helping Friends, which is led by Founder/President, Mike Pearson, Champions Youth Developmental Basketball Camp (CDBC) began in Petersburg, Virginia in 2005 and focuses on holistic youth skills development and includes: Basketball, Academic, Life and Leadership (BALL) education.

CDBC is produced by the nonprofit organization, Friends Helping Friends, Petersburg Department of Parks and Leisure Services, and through the leadership of Director Tami Yerby, and Camp Director Dr. Leon Wright Bey of Virginia State University, who previously served as Virginia State University's (VSU) Women’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Director.

In addition to the support provided by a variety of sponsors, key to the success of these camps is the help of numerous high school and collegiate basketball coaches; current/former athletes, educators, administrators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, who serve as clinicians, motivational speakers, and support staff.

Assistance in bringing this camp to Richmond included, but was not limited to, support by The Honorable Marty Jewell, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Central 5th District, The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation; Dr. Howard Hopkins, Athletic Director, Richmond City Public Schools' Armstrong High School (AHS); Darryl Watts, AHS Head Coach for Boys Basketball; and former local high school and Virginia State University Head Football Coach, Lou Anderson.

Important assistance was provided over the years by the (now) retired Athletic Director of Richmond City Public Schools' Armstrong High School (AHS), Randy Ashe.

The 2011 Camps were held as follows:

Richmond Camp: MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011– FRIDAY July 29, 2011
8:00 A.M. – NOON – Armstrong High School; 2300 Cool Lane

Petersburg Camp: MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011 – THURSDAY, July 28, 2011 - 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. - Petersburg High School; 3101Johnson Road

- E N D -


______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Richmond City Council to hold 5 Citywide Public Information Meetings in August regarding Draft Redistricting Plan

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Richmond City Council to hold 5 Citywide Public Information Meetings in August regarding Draft Redistricting Plan

Draft Plan Attached: Meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A) – Continuing on a year-long process that began in August 2010, Richmond City Council will be presenting a draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to Richmond residents during five Council Public Information Meetings being held throughout the city during the second and third weeks of August. The meetings are in keeping with Council’ ongoing open public information process and will be held to present a draft plan and receive public input before it is officially introduced, on Oct. 24, 2011, and voted on by Richmond City Council, on Nov. 14, 2011. The draft plan is attached.

The schedule for the upcoming 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Draft Plan Public Information Meetings is as follows:

Monday, August 8, 2011 Richmond Police Department - Police Academy;
6:00-7:30 p.m. 1202 W. Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220
(Richmond’s Northside)

Tues., August 9, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Lucille Murray Brown
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School; 6300 Jahnke Road; Richmond, VA 23225
(Richmond’s Southwest)

Wed., August 10, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Martin Luther King Jr.
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School; 1000 Mosby Street; Richmond, VA 23223
(Richmond’s Eastside)

Thurs., Aug, 11, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Thomas Jefferson High
6:00-7:30 p.m. School; 4100 West Grace Street; Richmond, VA 23230
(Richmond’s West End)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Richmond Southside Government Services Center
6:00-7:30 p.m. 4100 Hull Street; Richmond VA 23224

These meetings, originally scheduled for June, were rescheduled to allow Richmond City Council more time for input, discussion and drafting of a plan.

New Richmond Voter Districts are to be based on the 2010 Census population figures for Richmond (available from U.S. Census website, at www.census.gov) and the following criteria (the first five of which are mandatory):

1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)
2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)
3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)
4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)
5. Compliance with the Voting Rights Act (Redistricting Plan must comply with the U.S. Voting Rights Act and be approved by the U. S. Department of Justice
6. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, avoid splits of voting precincts between the Council, School Board, state legislative and congressional election districts.
7. The 2011 redistricting plan should maximize voter convenience and the effective administration of elections.
8. The 2011 redistricting plan should preserve communities of interest.
9. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, consolidate smaller voting precincts so that the number of registered voters in each precinct is at least the statewide average of 2,013.

CONTACT For more information and/or to discuss the Richmond City Council 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting plans or process, Richmond citizens should contact the Richmond City Council Councilmember (contact information below) that represents them or Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052 (o); or, steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

BACKGROUND __________________________________________________________________________

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
We, as Americans, govern ourselves at the state, local and national level and choose (elect) fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our government. In order to do this, we organize ourselves into geographical areas (districts) based on population and we use these "voter districts" to determine where we vote, which positions we vote for and who we wish to represent us. This self-governance includes deciding how tax monies are invested; what laws are needed; and, what types of services are provided and how they are managed.

As populations shift over time, we redraw (redistrict) these areas to reflect population changes and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, every 10 years (decennially), we perform a United States Census to gather statistical information about ourselves and we use this (in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines) to update the boundary lines of our voting districts.

In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials (which include: Members of Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees) in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time.

As Richmond citizens, we use our Richmond Voter Districts to elect the following positions that are established in the Richmond City Charter:

Richmond City Charter Officials
• A Mayor (who must receive the most votes in at least five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts and who serves a 4-year term)
• Members of Richmond City Council (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)
• Richmond Public Schools Board Trustees (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)

Virginia Constitutional Officers (Elected Government Officials)
Additional local positions we elect persons to include Virginia Constitutional Officers, which serve at the Richmond level but are established by the Virginia Constitution and are independent of local government. These positions are elected in Richmond citywide (not by district) but voting may be affected due to changes to voting precincts and locations, they include:

• A Richmond Sheriff (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Richmond Clerk of the Court (elected citywide to serve an 8-year term)
• A Richmond Treasurer (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)

National and State Elected Government Officials
Voting for the following national and state positions may also be affected due to changes to Richmond voting precincts and locations (Note: Decennial redistricting of voter districts in which these positions are elected will be performed in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly:
• A President/Vice President of the United States of America (elected nationally to serve a 4-year term)
• Members of the United States Senate (elected statewide to serve 6-year terms)
• Members of the United States House of Representatives (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia State Senate (elected by state districts to serve 4-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Input
The 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting will be a year-long open public process that will include a comprehensive array of public information communications and numerous opportunities for Richmond Citizens to learn more, provide input and participate, which will include many Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings, and Public Hearings. All Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to learn more about the process and to participate during each step of the way. Some of the many ways to engage in this process include:

1. Contacting the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents you via
phone, email, meeting or letter (contact information below)

2. Sending a letter to Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Richmond City Hall; 900 E. Broad St., Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219

2. Attending Public Information Meetings, Council Public Meetings and Public Hearings to learn more, ask questions and make suggestions (dates, times and locations listed below)

3. Visiting the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting website to learn more. The website is located on the City of Richmond website under the “Highlighted Information” button by clicking the word Redistricting. The direct address is: http://www.richmondgov.com/Redistricting/index.aspx. The Redistricting website contains information and documents regarding Richmond’s redistricting process and will be updated with new information throughout the year as the process proceeds. Richmond citizens are invited an encouraged to visit the site, provide input, and to attend all Redistricting meetings scheduled for the process.

4. Asking questions, learning more, and sending suggestions or information by email to steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

5. Sending suggestions or asking questions by sending a fax to 804.646.5468

6. Learning more, asking questions and providing suggestions by calling 804.646.6052

7. Signing up for information and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meeting and Public Hearings email updates/alerts, by sending a request email to: steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

Six Stage Process (Note: STAGE 4 Updated) _______________________________________________
The 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting process will be organized into six stages. In the First Stage, Richmond City Council will choose what redistricting criteria are to be used, which will include Public Input and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. During this First Stage, Council will implement a multi-faceted and comprehensive Public Information communications plan to help ensure Richmond citizens are aware of the Redistricting process. This Public Information is critical to the process and will continue throughout the process. In the Second Stage Council will vote to adopt their selected criteria, which will include Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. In the Third Stage, Richmond will receive 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond. In the Fourth Stage, Council will use the criteria and Census Data to draft a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan (This will probably include three proposals to choose from.), which will include Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. In the Fifth Stage they will vote to adopt a Plan, which will include Public Hearings. New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011. In the Sixth Stage, they will seek approval (clearance) required from the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6).

Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings
Throughout this six-stage process, Richmond City Council is implementing a multi-faceted and comprehensive Public Information communications plan to help ensure Richmond citizens are aware of the Redistricting process. As part of this plan, Council will hold and publicize a number of Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings to help provide information, discuss, receive input, and answer questions regarding the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. All meeting locations are located on a GRTC bus line and are accessible by people with disabilities. The meetings will include the following topics, dates, times and locations (which are subject to change):

STAGE 1 – Choosing Richmond Redistricting Criteria
Richmond City Council will choose from among a number of criteria to decide which ones they want to use to base their redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts. In the first stage of the process they will choose the criteria. There are a number of Mandatory Criteria that must be used. There will be a number of Public Information Meetings and Public Council meetings held with regard to this important part of the process.

Mandatory Redistricting Criteria that Council must use include the following:

Mandatory Redistricting Criteria
1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)
2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)
3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)
4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)

Council, at its discretion, may choose (or choose not to) add other Traditional Redistricting Criteria, which may include some, all, none and/or other types of examples of criteria listed below:

Other Traditional Redistricting Criteria
1. Avoidance of splits of voting precincts
2. Preservation of communities of interest
3. Preservation of shape of existing district
4. 4. Protection of incumbents and avoidance of pairing of incumbents
5. Political fairness or competitiveness
6. Voter convenience and effective administration of elections

The following Stage 1 Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings will be held to present and discuss the different redistricting criteria that Richmond City Council may choose to use to base their redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts:

Public Input and Pubic Information Meetings to Present and Discuss Redistricting Criteria
The following Stage 1 Richmond City Council Public Input and Public Information Meetings will be held to present, discuss and receive public input on the legal redistricting requirements and the different criteria that Council may choose from to base redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts:

Friday, January 14, 2011 Richmond Southside Social Services Center
6:00-7:30 p.m. 4100 Hull Street; Richmond, Virginia 23224
(Richmond’s Southside)

Monday, January 17, 2011 Richmond Police Department - Police Academy
6:00-7:30 p.m. 1202 W. Graham Road; Richmond, Virginia 23220
(Richmond’s Northside)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Martin Luther King Jr.
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School
1000 Mosby Street; Richmond, Virginia 23223
(Richmond’s East End/Gateway)

Wed., January 19, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Lucille Murray Brown
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School
6300 Jahnke Road; Richmond, Virginia 23225
(Southwest Richmond)

Thursday, January 20, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Thomas Jefferson
6:00-7:30 p.m. High School
4100 West Grace Street; Richmond, Virginia 23230
(Richmond’s West End)

Results of Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings presented to Council
Results of the Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings will be presented to Council during the following Public Council Informal Meeting:

Monday, January 24, 2011, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council discussion of redistricting criteria
Richmond City Council will discuss the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting:

Monday, February 7, 2011, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council discussion of redistricting criteria
Richmond City Council will discuss the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Council Informal Meeting:

Monday, February 14, 2011, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council Introduction of Redistricting Criteria Resolution
Richmond City Council will introduce a Resolution that selects the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Council Formal Meeting

Monday, February 14, 2011, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 2 – Public Hearing and Adoption of Richmond Redistricting Criteria
Richmond City Council will hold the following Public Hearing and vote to officially adopt Richmond Redistricting Criteria during the following Richmond City Council Formal Meeting:

Monday, February 28, 2011, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 3 – 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond received
Richmond City Council will receive the 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond and make them available to the public.

February or early March 2011
Data estimated to be received/available from U.S. Census Office in late February or early March 2011

STAGE 4 – Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings regarding Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will use their officially adopted redistricting criteria and the 2010 U.S. Census Data to draft a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan. As part of this process, Richmond City Council will hold Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. These will include information regarding legal requirements for redistricting, criteria selected by Council, Richmond population shifts over the past 10 years and the approval (clearance) required from the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6).

Initial Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan worked on by Council
Richmond City Council works on plan for redistricting - meetings and locations to be scheduled as needed and shared with the public.
March-July 2011

Council reviews and informally “OKs” a Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to present at Public Information Meetings

Monday, Tuesday July 19, 2011; 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Redistricting Work Session
Richmond City Hall, 5th Floor Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Council Informally “OKs” a Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to present at Public Information Meetings

Monday, July 25, 2011; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Public Information Meetings to Discuss
Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan
The following Richmond City Council Public Input and Public Information Meetings will be held to present the Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to the public to present, discuss and receive public input.

Monday, August 8, 2011 Richmond Police Department - Police Academy;
6:00-7:30 p.m. 1202 W. Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220
(Richmond’s Northside)

Tues., August 9, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Lucille Murray Brown
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School; 6300 Jahnke Road; Richmond, VA 23225
(Richmond’s Southwest)

Wed., August 10, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Martin Luther King Jr.
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School; 1000 Mosby Street; Richmond, VA 23223
(Richmond’s Eastside)

Thurs., Aug, 11, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Thomas Jefferson High
6:00-7:30 p.m. School; 4100 West Grace Street; Richmond, VA 23230
(Richmond’s West End)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Richmond Southside Government Services Center
6:00-7:30 p.m. 4100 Hull Street; Richmond VA 23224

Richmond City Council Discussion of Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will review and discuss proposed Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan during the following Public Council Informal Meeting:

Monday, Sept. 6, 2011; 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting;
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Council Reviews/Makes Any Final Adjustments to Draft Plan and Determines Final Plan to be Introduced

Monday, October 10, 2011, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting;
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 5 - Public Hearing and Adoption of 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan

Richmond City Council Introduces Final 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan as an Ordinance

Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council Public Hearing/Adoption of 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will hold a the following Public Hearing on the Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan and vote to officially adopt it during the following Public Richmond City Council Formal Meeting:

Monday, November 14, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 6 – Approval of the U. S. Department of Justice
Richmond City Council will send a copy of the adopted 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan (which will be provided to the public) to be approved (cleared) by the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6). Anticipated clearance to be received by December 31, 2011

Member of the 2009–2012 RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL ______________________________

PRESIDENT (2009-2010 and 2011-2012)
The Honorable Kathy Graziano
Councilwoman, Richmond City Council - Southwest 4th District
804.320.2454 (office tel); 339.8393 (mobile)
kathy.graziano@richmondgov.com (email)

VICE PRESIDENT (2009-2010 and 2011-2012)
The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson
Councilwoman, Richmond City Council - Gateway 6th District
804.646.5724 (office tel); 314.7658 (mobile)
ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)

West End 1st District
The Honorable Bruce W. Tyler, Councilman
Richmond City Council - West End 1st District
804.357.6007 (mobile)
bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com (email)

North Central 2nd District
The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman
Richmond City Council - North Central 2nd District
804.646.6532 (office tel); 690.0898 (mobile)
charles.samuels@richmondgov.com (email)

Northside 3rd District
The Honorable Christopher A. Hilbert, Councilman
Richmond City Council - Northside 3rd District
804.646.6055 (office tel) 306.0875 (mobile)
chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com (email)

Central 5th District
The Honorable E. Martin Jewell, Councilman
Richmond City Council - Central 5th District
804.646.5724 (office tel); 332.3654 (mobile)
marty.jewell@richmondgov.com (email)

East End 7th District
The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman*
Richmond City Council - East End 7th District
804.646.3012 (office tel)
cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com (email)
*Elected November 3, 2009 in special local election

Southside 8th District
The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman
Richmond City Council - Southside 8th District
804.646.6592 (office tel); 240.5050 (mobile)
reva.trammell@richmondgov.com (email)

South Central 9th District
The Honorable Douglas G. Conner, Jr., Councilman
Richmond City Council - South Central 9th District
804.646.6592 (office tel); 512,0500 (mobile)
doug.conner@richmondgov.com (email)

MAILING ADDRESS/WEBSITE

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suit 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219 - 804.646.7955
www.council.richmondva.gov (website)

Richmond City Council __________________________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

CONTACT _______________________________________________________________________________
For more information and/or updated schedule, Richmond citizens should contact the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents them or Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052 (o); or, steven.skinner@richmondgov.com


- e n d -

______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille encourages residents to come out for the East End 7th District National Night Out Event and Bike/Walk Parade

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille encourages residents to come out for the East End 7th District National Night Out Event and Bike/Walk Parade

All East End 7th District residents invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A; July 26, 2011) -- The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, encourages residents to attend the East End 7th District National Night Out Event and Bike/Walk Parade.

This event will include:

• Free kids activities
• Entertainment
• Kids Zone
• Goodies and Fun for Everyone
• Bike/Walk Parade

Attendees are encouraged to bring the following:

• Bicycles
• Walking shoes
• Lawn chairs
• Happy friendly faces


Sponsors for this event include:
• Church Hill Neighborhood Association
• Church Hill Central Civic Association
• New Visions Civic Association
• Union Hill Civic Association
• Unity Civic Association
• Bon Secours Richmond Health Care System
• Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority
• Robinson Theatre
• The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District

National Night Out is an annual neighborhood crime fighting event that establishes a vehicle for families to come together and focus on fighting crime in their neighborhood through unity and education. The event empowers citizens and strengthens neighborhoods by creating an opportunity for families to mix and mingle and talk with civic groups, law enforcement, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials.

National Night Out events are citizen-led and include crime prevention activities ranging from turning on porch lights and porch sitting; to block parties and cookouts that include food and games for children.

Held each year on the first Tuesday of August, the National Night Out event was established in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch as a program to build neighborhood unity in fighting crime. The event includes participation in all 50 U. S. states, U.S. territories, Canada and U.S. military bases around the world. This is the 28th year of the National Night Out event being held in the United States of America.

WHEN Tuesday, August 2, 2010; 5:00-9:00 p.m.

WHERE Corner of 25th Street and Fairmount Avenue
Richmond, Virginia (In the East End 7th District)

WHO The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District

CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th District, at 804.646.3012; or Cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com.

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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
______________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Tonight: Community celebrates Virginia Army National Guard for clearing Cannon Creek Greenway: Dinner and walking tour of site

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Tonight: Community celebrates Virginia Army National Guard for clearing Cannon Creek Greenway: Dinner and walking tour of site

This event is free and open and residents, volunteers and supporters of the Cannon Creek Greenway are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A; July 26, 2011) – Tonight, The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District and the community surrounding the Cannon Creek Greenway will hold a thank you dinner and celebration for Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion. This event is free and open and residents, volunteers and supporters of the Cannon Creek Greenway are invited and encouraged to attend

The celebration dinner is being sponsored and hosted by the community in appreciation of their outstanding work in clearing the Cannon Creek Greenway and will include a community tour of the site. The work performed is valued at more than $120,000 and was provided to Richmond citizens at no charge by the Virginia Army National Guard.

WHEN Tuesday, 26 July 2011
5:00-6:30 p.m.

WHERE Fifth Street Baptist Church
2800 3rd Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23222

WHO The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District

Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, Director
Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

Mr. Manouchehr Nosrati, Senior Civil Engineer
Richmond Department of Public Works

Capt. Dave Baber, Commander of the Virginia Army National Guard –
180th Horizontal Construction Company

Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company
276th Engineer Battalion

Virginia Army National Guard - Forward Support Company of the
276th Engineer Battalion

Dr. Charles Price, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club

CONTACT For more information, please contact:

Steve Skinner, Richmond City Council Public Affairs Manager, at 804.9237.1386 (mob) or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

Mr. Cotton Puryear, Communications Director, Virginia Department of Military Affairs, at 804.539.1451 (mob); or cotton.puryear@us.army.mil (email)

Dr. Charles Price, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, at 804.229.0075 (mob) or fewmit@comcast.net (email)

The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District, at 804.314.7658 (mob) 804.646.7964 (home) or ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)


BACKGROUND - Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway project __________________________

This work represents a continuation of Phase I of the Cannon Creek Greenway Project, and is a continuation of ongoing community reclamation and improvement of the 1.9 mile area that comprises the Cannon Creek Greenway, which includes a heavily-wooded ravine located adjacent to a section of the north-south Richmond-Henrico Turnpike between Valley Road on the south and Craigie Avenue, located in the Northside 3 District and Gateway 6th District of Richmond. When all phases are completed, there will be a 1.9 mile, 10 foot wide, asphalt-surfaced nature trail.

The immense clearing project was accomplished by the Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, with the assistance of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Richmond Department of Public Works. From July 17- July 27, 2011, approximately 100 Citizen Soldier Engineers from the Powhatan-based Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion cleared sizable undergrowth and grading pedestrian and biking trail along Cannon Creek, which runs parallel to the Richmond Henrico Turnpike, as a part of the Cannon Creek Greenway Project. The Petersburg-based Virginia Army National Guard - Forward Support Company of the 276th Engineer Battalion provided logistical support for the units on site and kept them fed and fueled.

The use of heavy and light engineer equipment on the site helps provide “real world” training in preparing Soldiers for the Defense Support to Civilian Authorities mission in responding in the aftermath of devastating hurricanes, floods, tornados and ice/snow events.

Other projects leading up to this work have included two community cleanups, held in 2009 and 2010 to remove unwanted trash and debris, and a clearing of area in 2011 by Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion.

The clearing and cleanups are expected to prepare the Greenway for the construction of a bike/pedestrian trail and family-oriented park facilities. It is envisioned that this project will help to increase the social, economic, and physical revitalization of the Northside and Gateway Districts of Richmond.

The work of the Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, is critical to the success of this community project.

The Cannon Creek Greenway Project is a community improvement initiative supported by: Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, Richmond City Council - Gateway 6th District, Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, Richmond City Council - Northside 3rd District, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Richmond Department of Public Works) Southern Barton Heights Community Association, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, Richmond Public Schools, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Green Park Civic Association, Highland View Civic Association, Chestnut Hill Action Team, Battery Park Civic Association and Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design - Landscape Architecture Program.

Planning for the features of the Greenway began in 2008 and have included a series of community meetings and workshops involving neighborhood civic associations, elected Councilmembers, residents of the Highland Park and Barton Heights communities, Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation, Richmond Department of Community Development, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), and several environmental and recreation organizations.

Beginning in 2009, an annual Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Community Cleanup has been held to remove unwanted trash and debris from the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway, which is a 1.4 mile area that includes the heavily-wooded ravine located adjacent to a section of the north-south Richmond-Henrico Turnpike between Valley Road on the south and Craigie Avenue on the north in Northside Richmond. The cleanups cleanup each year (held March 20, 2010 and January 24, 2010) have prepared the area for beginning the transformation of the site into a bike/pedestrian trail and family-oriented park facilities. It is envisioned that this project will help in increasing the social, economic, and physical revitalization of Northside Richmond. In both years, more than 200 volunteers removed tons of trash from the area that, over the years, has been used as an illegal dump site.

A stakeholders’ Planning “Charrette” was conducted in October, 2009 to decide on the features of the reclaimed Cannon Creek Greenway by faculty and students of the Virginia Tech Landscape Architectural Program. The Richmond city government administration has also completed an environmental study of the Greenway site and is currently conducting an engineering study of the area and a study of the proposed
alternative routes of the Greenway’s bike and pedestrian trail are being completed by City of Richmond engineering consultant contractors.

On December 1, 2009, the City of Richmond submitted an “Innovative Readiness Training Request for Military Assistance” through the Virginia Governor’s Office and the Virginia Adjutant General to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Reserve Affairs. As a training function of the Guard Unit, the clearing of undergrowth and construction of the Cannon Creek Greenway’s bike/pedestrian trail and park features by the Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion.

Plans for the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway’s include serving as a scenic park and recreational area for the 300 unit, mixed income housing revitalization initiative of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) that will be built nearby. Construction of the RRHA initiative are planned for the near future.

The Cannon Creek Greenway Project may also be linked to the United States of America East Coast Greenway, which is being built in sections from Main to Florida, and to the Virginia Capital Trail, which would link Richmond to Williamsburg and Jamestown.

The sidewalk and street intersections of the Greenway’s bicycle and pedestrian trial will connect the Northside’s business and commercial corridor along E. Brookland Park Boulevard residential neighborhoods, churches, schools, and community centers for ease of access by bicycling or walking. It will also provide an alternative transportation route for bicycle commuting from the residential neighborhoods of Highland Park and Barton Height to the City’s downtown. In addition to its use for family-oriented, recreational activities, the Greenway may also serve as an outdoor environmental laboratory for the science classes of nearby schools.


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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Richmond City Council encourages everyone to come out for National Night Out events being held throughout city: Tuesday, August 2, 2011

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Richmond City Council encourages everyone to come out for National Night Out events being held throughout city: Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Events are free and open to the public

WHAT Richmond City Council encourages all Richmond citizens to come out and attend National Night Out events and activities being held in neighborhood throughout the City, these events are great way to meet, talk and play with neighbors and enjoy fun-filled family activities.

Richmond National Night Out events and/or activities include (but are not limited to):

• Block parties
• Cookouts
• Bike rids
• Walks
• Kid games
• Giveaways
• Free food
• Entertainment
• Civic Groups
• Local Businesses
• Neighborhood organizations
• Richmond elected/community leaders
• Local government departments/Fire and Law enforcement personnel

National Night Out is an annual neighborhood crime fighting event that establishes a vehicle for families to come together and focus on fighting crime in their neighborhood through unity and education. The event empowers citizens and strengthens neighborhoods by creating an opportunity for families to mix and mingle and talk with civic groups, law enforcement, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials.

National Night Out events are citizen-led and include crime prevention activities ranging from turning on porch lights and porch sitting; to block parties and cookouts that include food and games for children.

Held each year on the first Tuesday of August, the National Night Out event was established in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch as a program to build neighborhood unity in fighting crime. The event includes participation in all 50 U. S. states, U.S. territories, Canada and U.S. military bases around the world. This is the 28th year of the National Night Out event being held in the United States of America.

WHEN Tuesday, August 2, 2011

WHERE Being held in neighborhood throughout Richmond
For more information regarding Richmond National Night Out events, please visit the Richmond Police Department Website, at http://www.richmondgov.com/police/NationalNightOut.aspx

WHO Citizens, Civic Groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, Richmond elected/community leaders, local government departments/Fire and Law enforcement personnel

CONTACT Each event is organized individually, for publicized neighborhood events, please contact one of the following:

West End 1st District
The Honorable Bruce W. Tyler, Councilman
Richmond City Council - West End 1st District
804.357.6007 (mobile)
bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com (email)

North Central 2nd District
The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman
Richmond City Council - North Central 2nd District
804.646.6532 (office tel); 690.0898 (mobile)
charles.samuels@richmondgov.com (email)

Northside 3rd District
The Honorable Christopher A. Hilbert, Councilman
Richmond City Council - Northside 3rd District
804.646.6055 (office tel) 306.0875 (mobile)
chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com (email)

Southwest 4th District
The Honorable Kathy Graziano
Councilwoman, Richmond City Council - Southwest 4th District
804.320.2454 (office tel); 339.8393 (mobile)
kathy.graziano@richmondgov.com (email)

Central 5th District
The Honorable E. Martin Jewell, Councilman
Richmond City Council - Central 5th District
804.646.5724 (office tel); 332.3654 (mobile)
marty.jewell@richmondgov.com (email)

Gateway 6th District
The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson
Councilwoman, Richmond City Council - Gateway 6th District
804.646.5724 (office tel); 314.7658 (mobile)
ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)

East End 7th District
The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman*
Richmond City Council - East End 7th District
804.646.3012 (office tel)
cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com (email)
*Elected November 3, 2009 in special local election

Southside 8th District
The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman
Richmond City Council - Southside 8th District
804.646.6592 (office tel); 240.5050 (mobile)
reva.trammell@richmondgov.com (email)

South Central 9th District
The Honorable Douglas G. Conner, Jr., Councilman
Richmond City Council - South Central 9th District
804.646.6592 (office tel); 512,0500 (mobile)
doug.conner@richmondgov.com (email)



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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Richmond City Council seeks five people to serve on Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 22 July 2011

Richmond City Council seeks five people to serve on Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission

Deadline to apply is September 1, 2011


(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A; July 22, 2011) – Richmond City Council invites all interested persons living or working in the City of Richmond to apply to serve as a member of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council has five open positions to appoint to this commission. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2011.

Established by Richmond City Council in1998, the purpose of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is to assist Council with oversight and assistance in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond, Virginia. The Commission typically meets monthly and includes 17 members that are appointed by Council to serve for three year terms.

All persons interested in applying to be appointed to serve as a member of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission can:

1. Apply online at: http://www.richmondgov.com/CityCouncil/CouncilBoardsCommissions.aspx or http://eservices.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/boardscommissions/index.aspx

2. Pick up an application from the
Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200; Richmond, Virginia 23219

3. Call the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, at 804.646.7955, to be mailed an application.

CONTACT
For more information, please call the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, at 804.646.7955.


BACKGROUND __________________________________________________________________________
Application/Appointment Process
The Richmond City Council appointment process for local or regional public government bodies or non-government organizations includes the following:

1. Application is completed and submitted to Richmond City Council

2. The Richmond City Council Standing Committee providing oversight over that entity/appointment reviews application and makes recommendation

3. Application recommendation is forwarded to Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee for consideration

4. Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee has Richmond City Council Resolution for Appointment prepared

5. Applicant is invited to attend Richmond City Council Formal Meeting where Council Resolution will be considered for official approval

6. Richmond City Council holds Formal Meeting, which includes a public hearing, and votes on Resolution of Appointment (applicant must be in attendance)

7. Resolution of Appointment is approved or rejected

8. Approved Applicant is officially sworn in

9. Member’s service begins

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission
The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is a government entity of Richmond City Council that was established by Resolution Number 98-R 102-107, adopted July 13, 1998, as amended by Resolution No. 2000-R111-109, adopted July 24, 2000, as amended by Resolution No. 2003-R132-123, adopted July 14, 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 2003-R155-141, adopted September 8, 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 2004-R125-131, adopted June 28, 2004.

The purpose of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is to assist Council with oversight and assistance in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. The Commission meets monthly and includes 17 members that are appointed by Council to serve for three year terms. The composition of membership is as follows:

The Commission shall be composed of seventeen (17) members. Such persons shall be appointed by the Council and shall serve for terms of three (3) years. The membership of the Commission shall include at least one (1) member of City Council, not less than three (3) members of the “Hope in the Cities” organization and a representative from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Any appointed Council members shall be given the first option of serving as the Chair of the Commission in order of their appointment. Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for meetings.

Over the years, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has worked on a number of important projects, which have included:

• 2011
Unveiling of 17 Richmond Slave Trail Markers located throughout the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, marking sites that help tell the historic journey, human impact, and the role Richmond played in the tragic history of slavery.

The Richmond Slave Trail Markers will serve to recognize the regrettable time in our nation’s history when parts of the United States allowed the enslavement of fellow human beings and an estimated 8 percent of U.S. families owned slaves just before the U.S. Civil War. The site of the event and location of one of the 17 markers, Lumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave-holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. The Confederate Army surrendered Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy, on April 3, 1865.

Following shortly after the end of the U. S. Civil War, which ended in Virginia on April 9, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States of America Constitution was adopted on December 6, 1865. This amendment officially abolished slavery. A precursor for this amendment was the Emancipation Proclamation, an Executive Order signed by President Abraham Lincoln, on January 1, 1863, which proclaimed the freedom of slaves living in states under Confederate control.

• 2009
Development of the conceptual Richmond National Slavery Museum
Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management, promotions and fundraising. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.

• 2009
Development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program, Signage and
Commemorative Site: Lumpkin’s Slave Jail

• 2008
Discovery of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail historic foundation and architectural
artifacts.

• 2008 – 2009
Phase II Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment: which
included engineering and storm water engineering

• 2007
Richmond International Unveiling of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue on Friday, March 30, 2007, erected at 15th and E. Main Streets. Included design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza and erection of the statue. This project was part of a global initiative placing three statues in three countries. Dedicated to slavery reconciliation, the installation of the statue represents nearly 10 years of work between the City of Richmond, Virginia, USA (North America), Liverpool, England (Europe), and the Republic of Benin (Africa). A statue was erected in Liverpool in 1989 and the Republic of Benin in August 2005.

• 2006
Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment
Lumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. Owned by Robert Lumpkin, the jail was a place that tens of thousands of African men, women and children were "stored" before being transported to slave owners living in states where slavery was legal. Following Lumpkin's death shortly after the Civil war, his common law widowed wife Mary Lumpkin, who was African-American, inherited the estate. In 1867, she leased the jail to Reverend Nathaniel Colver, who established a school for freed slaves at the site. Founded by the American Baptist Home Missionary Society and the National Theological Institute, the school grew into what is now Virginia Union University.

• 2003
Acquisition of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue. For three quarters of the 18th Century, Virginia (North America), Liverpool, England (Europe), and the Republic of Benin (Africa) represented one of the largest global commercial trade triangles of enslaved Africans. Liverpool's shipbuilding industry provided the vessels that sailed to the Kingdom of Dahomey, now the Republic of Benin, where Africans were loaded on ships and transported to the Americas, with Richmond, Virginia being one of the major recipients.

Support
Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance as available and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.
Council financial support is provided through appropriations in the Richmond City Budget. This includes appropriations in the Richmond City Budget Capital Improvement Plan, Non-Departmental budgets and Departmental budgets. Funding is predicated on requests made by the Commission and as determined by Council.

Examples of Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission financial investment support, per Fiscal Year (FY), include:

• FY 2011- $6,000
For general Commission support

• FY 2010- $6,000
For general Commission support

• FY 2009 - $75,000
For general Commission support ($30,000 - spent $5,124) and for development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program; signage and commemorative site; Lumpkin’s Slave Jail; development of conceptual National Slavery Museum; and, paid sponsorship for Symposium at the University of Richmond for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

• FY 2008 - $370,000
For general Commission support ($30,000 - spent $7,748) and for Phase II of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment, which included $155,000 for earthmoving and $35,000 for engineering and stormwater engineering (floodplain and proximity to I-95 berm) and $150,000 for archaeological services to hire a vendor.

• FY 2007 - $511,000
For general Commission support ($11,000) and design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza; erection of the statue; and, the International Unveiling of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue


• FY 2006 - $35,000
For Richmond Slave Trail Brochure Creation/Printing Phase I of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment


• FY 2003 - $119,000
For acquisition (purchase) of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue and freight
from the United Kingdom

Additional financial, staff and archeological support has also been provided by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, and a number of corporate, nonprofit and individual financial sponsors.



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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Councilman Chris A. Hilbert to hold meeting in Northside 3rd District

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 22 July 2011

Councilman Chris A. Hilbert to hold meeting in Northside 3rd District

Entire Richmond Northside 3rd District invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council Northside 3rd District, will hold a meeting in the Northside 3rd District. Councilman Hilbert holds individual meetings in Richmond’s Northside 3rd District throughout the year that include information on his goals and accomplishments; a topical agenda; and, special guests. These meetings are free and all Richmond Northside 3rd District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend.

The agenda for this meeting include:

• Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Discussion, question and answers and input session to be held regarding any proposed changes to current boundary lines of the current Richmond Voter Districts.

• Northside 3rd District - Public Safety Report
Richmond Police Department

WHEN Wednesday, 27 July 2011
6:00-8:00 p.m.

WHERE Richmond Police Department Training Academy - Auditorium
1202 W. Graham Road
(1 Block west of Brook Road – Near Virginia Union University)

WHO The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Northside 3rd District

CONTACT For more information, please contact Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, at 804.646.6055 or chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com.


BACKGROUND __________________________________________________________________________

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
We, as Americans, govern ourselves at the state, local and national level and choose (elect) fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our government. In order to do this, we organize ourselves into geographical areas (districts) based on population and we use these "voter districts" to determine where we vote, which positions we vote for and who we wish to represent us. This self-governance includes deciding how tax monies are invested; what laws are needed; and, what types of services are provided and how they are managed.

As populations shift over time, we redraw (redistrict) these areas to reflect population changes and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, every 10 years (decennially), we perform a United States Census to gather statistical information about ourselves and we use this (in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines) to update the boundary lines of our voting districts.

In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials (which include: Members of Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees) in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time.

Richmond City Council began working on this process in 2010 and New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011.

As Richmond citizens, we use our Richmond Voter Districts to elect the following positions that are established in the Richmond City Charter:

Richmond City Charter Officials
• A Mayor (who must receive the most votes in at least five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts and who serves a 4-year term)
• Members of Richmond City Council (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)
• Richmond Public Schools Board Trustees (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)

Virginia Constitutional Officers (Elected Government Officials)
Additional local positions we elect persons to include Virginia Constitutional Officers, which serve at the Richmond level but are established by the Virginia Constitution and are independent of local government. These positions are elected in Richmond citywide (not by district) but voting may be affected due to changes to voting precincts and locations, they include:

• A Richmond Sheriff (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Richmond Clerk of the Court (elected citywide to serve an 8-year term)
• A Richmond Treasurer (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)

National and State Elected Government Officials
Voting for the following national and state positions may also be affected due to changes to Richmond voting precincts and locations (Note: Decennial redistricting of voter districts in which these positions are elected will be performed in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly:
• A President/Vice President of the United States of America (elected nationally to serve a 4-year term)
• Members of the United States Senate (elected statewide to serve 6-year terms)
• Members of the United States House of Representatives (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia State Senate (elected by state districts to serve 4-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)

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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

THE FOLLOWING MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED - Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold a Special Community Meeting in the Gateway 6th District: Redistrict

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Thursday, 21 July 2011

THE FOLLOWING MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold a Special Community Meeting in the Gateway 6th District: Redistricting and a proposed Richmond Noise Ordinance to be topics

All Gateway 6th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District, will hold a Special Community Meeting in the Gateway 6th District. This meeting is in addition to the regular meetings she typically holds on the second Saturday of each month, which include information on her Gateway 6th District goals and accomplishments; a thematic agenda of current interest; and, special guests. All Gateway 6th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. Parking is Free. The planned agenda for this Special Community meeting will include:

• Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Discussion, question and answers and input session to be held regarding any proposed changes to current boundary lines of the current Gateway 6th District.

• Proposed Richmond Noise Ordinance
Discussion, question and answers and input session to be held regarding a proposed new Richmond Noise Ordinance.

WHEN Saturday, July 23, 2011
10:00-Noon

WHERE Richmond City Hall – 5th Floor Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

WHO The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District

CONTACT For more information, please contact Cybelle O’Sullivan-McDaniels, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District, at 804.646.7964 (office) or cybelle.o’sullivan@richmondgov.com; www.ellenrobertson.com (website)


BACKGROUND __________________________________________________________________________

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
We, as Americans, govern ourselves at the state, local and national level and choose (elect) fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our government. In order to do this, we organize ourselves into geographical areas (districts) based on population and we use these "voter districts" to determine where we vote, which positions we vote for and who we wish to represent us. This self-governance includes deciding how tax monies are invested; what laws are needed; and, what types of services are provided and how they are managed.

As populations shift over time, we redraw (redistrict) these areas to reflect population changes and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, every 10 years (decennially), we perform a United States Census to gather statistical information about ourselves and we use this (in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines) to update the boundary lines of our voting districts.

In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials (which include: Members of Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees) in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time.

Richmond City Council began working on this process in 2010 and New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011.

As Richmond citizens, we use our Richmond Voter Districts to elect the following positions that are established in the Richmond City Charter:

Richmond City Charter Officials
• A Mayor (who must receive the most votes in at least five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts and who serves a 4-year term)
• Members of Richmond City Council (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)
• Richmond Public Schools Board Trustees (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)

Virginia Constitutional Officers (Elected Government Officials)
Additional local positions we elect persons to include Virginia Constitutional Officers, which serve at the Richmond level but are established by the Virginia Constitution and are independent of local government. These positions are elected in Richmond citywide (not by district) but voting may be affected due to changes to voting precincts and locations, they include:

• A Richmond Sheriff (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Richmond Clerk of the Court (elected citywide to serve an 8-year term)
• A Richmond Treasurer (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)

National and State Elected Government Officials
Voting for the following national and state positions may also be affected due to changes to Richmond voting precincts and locations (Note: Decennial redistricting of voter districts in which these positions are elected will be performed in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly:
• A President/Vice President of the United States of America (elected nationally to serve a 4-year term)
• Members of the United States Senate (elected statewide to serve 6-year terms)
• Members of the United States House of Representatives (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia State Senate (elected by state districts to serve 4-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)

- E N D -




______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
______________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold a Special Community Meeting in the Gateway 6th District: Redistricting and a proposed Richmond Noise Ordinance

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Thursday, 21 July 2011

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold a Special Community Meeting in the Gateway 6th District: Redistricting and a proposed Richmond Noise Ordinance to be topics

All Gateway 6th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District, will hold a Special Community Meeting in the Gateway 6th District. This meeting is in addition to the regular meetings she typically holds on the second Saturday of each month, which include information on her Gateway 6th District goals and accomplishments; a thematic agenda of current interest; and, special guests. All Gateway 6th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. Parking is Free. The planned agenda for this Special Community meeting will include:

• Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Discussion, question and answers and input session to be held regarding any proposed changes to current boundary lines of the current Gateway 6th District.

• Proposed Richmond Noise Ordinance
Discussion, question and answers and input session to be held regarding a proposed new Richmond Noise Ordinance.

WHEN Saturday, July 23, 2011
10:00-Noon

WHERE Richmond City Hall – 5th Floor Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

WHO The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District

CONTACT For more information, please contact Cybelle O’Sullivan-McDaniels, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District, at 804.646.7964 (office) or cybelle.o’sullivan@richmondgov.com; www.ellenrobertson.com (website)


BACKGROUND __________________________________________________________________________

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
We, as Americans, govern ourselves at the state, local and national level and choose (elect) fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our government. In order to do this, we organize ourselves into geographical areas (districts) based on population and we use these "voter districts" to determine where we vote, which positions we vote for and who we wish to represent us. This self-governance includes deciding how tax monies are invested; what laws are needed; and, what types of services are provided and how they are managed.

As populations shift over time, we redraw (redistrict) these areas to reflect population changes and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, every 10 years (decennially), we perform a United States Census to gather statistical information about ourselves and we use this (in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines) to update the boundary lines of our voting districts.

In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials (which include: Members of Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees) in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time.

Richmond City Council began working on this process in 2010 and New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011.

As Richmond citizens, we use our Richmond Voter Districts to elect the following positions that are established in the Richmond City Charter:

Richmond City Charter Officials
• A Mayor (who must receive the most votes in at least five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts and who serves a 4-year term)
• Members of Richmond City Council (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)
• Richmond Public Schools Board Trustees (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)

Virginia Constitutional Officers (Elected Government Officials)
Additional local positions we elect persons to include Virginia Constitutional Officers, which serve at the Richmond level but are established by the Virginia Constitution and are independent of local government. These positions are elected in Richmond citywide (not by district) but voting may be affected due to changes to voting precincts and locations, they include:

• A Richmond Sheriff (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Richmond Clerk of the Court (elected citywide to serve an 8-year term)
• A Richmond Treasurer (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)

National and State Elected Government Officials
Voting for the following national and state positions may also be affected due to changes to Richmond voting precincts and locations (Note: Decennial redistricting of voter districts in which these positions are elected will be performed in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly:
• A President/Vice President of the United States of America (elected nationally to serve a 4-year term)
• Members of the United States Senate (elected statewide to serve 6-year terms)
• Members of the United States House of Representatives (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia State Senate (elected by state districts to serve 4-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)

- E N D -




______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
______________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

TODAY – Braving heat: 75 Citizen Soldiers carry out massive clearing of New Cannon Creek Greenway, worth $120,000: Maj. General Daniel E. Long and Cou

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

NEWS ADVISORY - CAMERA OPPORTUNITY- NEWS CONFERENCE
Thursday, 21 July 2011


TODAY – Braving heat: 75 Citizen Soldiers carry out massive clearing of New Cannon Creek Greenway, worth $120,000: Maj. General Daniel E. Long and Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold Special Walking Tour today

Virginia Army National Guard work on Phase I of new modern biking, hiking, walking trails and park facilities; Protective helmets to be provided onsite

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A; July 20, 2011) -- A special walking news tour will be held today to explain the massive work currently being undertaken in Richmond’s Cannon Creek Greenway. The work being performed is valued at $120,000 and is being provided to Richmond citizens at no charge by the Virginia Army National Guard.

This important “walk and talk” event will include:

• Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., Adjutant General of the Virginia Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force

• The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Gateway 6th District

• Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, Director, Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

• Dr. Charles Price, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club

This immense project is being accomplished by the Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, with the assistance of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Richmond Department of Public Works.

From July 17- July 27, 2011, approximately 75 Citizen Soldier Engineers from the Powhatan-based Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion are clearing sizable undergrowth and grading pedestrian and biking trail along Cannon Creek, which runs parallel to the Richmond Henrico Turnpike, as a part of the Cannon Creek Greenway Project. The Petersburg-based Virginia Army National Guard - Forward Support Company of the 276th Engineer Battalion is providing logistical support for the units on site and keeping them fed and fueled.

The use of heavy and light engineer equipment on the site helps provide “real world” training in preparing Soldiers for the Defense Support to Civilian Authorities mission in responding in the aftermath of devastating hurricanes, floods, tornados and ice/snow events.

WHEN NEWS CONFERENCE
Thursday, 21 July 2011
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE In Richmond’s Cannon Creek Greenway
Near the (Former) Virginia Army National Guard Armory
500 Dove Street (Intersection of Dove Street and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike)

WHO Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., Adjutant General of the Virginia Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force

The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District

Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, Director
Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

Capt. Dave Baber, Commander of the Virginia Army National Guard –
180th Horizontal Construction Company

75 Citizen Soldier Engineers of the Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion

Virginia Army National Guard - Forward Support Company of the 276th Engineer Battalion

Dr. Charles Price, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club

Mr. Champe Bumley, Chairman, Mayor of Richmond Pedestrian,
Bicycling and Trails Planning Commission

CONTACT For more information, please contact:

Steve Skinner, Richmond City Council Public Affairs Manager, at 804.9237.1386 (mob) or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

Mr. Cotton Puryear, Communications Director, Virginia Department of Military Affairs, at 804.539.1451 (mob); or cotton.puryear@us.army.mil (email)

Dr. Charles Price, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, at 804. 229.0075 (mob) or fewmit@comcast.net (email)

The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council,
Gateway 6th District, at 804.314.7658 (mob) 804.646.7964 (home) or ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)


BACKGROUND - Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway project __________________________

This work represents a continuation of Phase I of the Cannon Creek Greenway Project, and is a continuation of ongoing community reclamation and improvement of the 1.9 mile area that comprises the Cannon Creek Greenway, which includes a heavily-wooded ravine located adjacent to a section of the north-south Richmond-Henrico Turnpike between Valley Road on the south and Craigie Avenue, located in the Northside 3 District and Gateway 6th District of Richmond. When all phases are completed, there will be a 1.9 mile, 10 foot wide, asphalt-surfaced nature trail.

Other projects leading up to this work have included two community cleanups, held in 2009 and 2010 to remove unwanted trash and debris, and a clearing of area in 2011 by Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion.

The clearing and cleanups are expected to prepare the Greenway for the construction of a bike/pedestrian trail and family-oriented park facilities. It is envisioned that this project will help to increase the social, economic, and physical revitalization of the Northside and Gateway Districts of Richmond.

The work of the Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, is critical to the success of this community project.

The Cannon Creek Greenway Project is a community improvement initiative supported by: Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, Richmond City Council - Gateway 6th District, Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, Richmond City Council - Northside 3rd District, Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Richmond Department of Public Works) Southern Barton Heights Community Association, Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, Richmond Public Schools, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Green Park Civic Association, Highland View Civic Association, Chestnut Hill Action Team, Battery Park Civic Association and Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design - Landscape Architecture Program.

Planning for the features of the Greenway began in 2008 and have included a series of community meetings and workshops involving neighborhood civic associations, elected Councilmembers, residents of the Highland Park and Barton Heights communities, Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation, Richmond Department of Community Development, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), and several environmental and recreation organizations.

Beginning in 2009, an annual Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Community Cleanup has been held to remove unwanted trash and debris from the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway, which is a 1.4 mile area that includes the heavily-wooded ravine located adjacent to a section of the north-south Richmond-Henrico Turnpike between Valley Road on the south and Craigie Avenue on the north in Northside Richmond. The cleanups cleanup each year (held March 20, 2010 and January 24, 2010) have prepared the area for beginning the transformation of the site into a bike/pedestrian trail and family-oriented park facilities. It is envisioned that this project will help in increasing the social, economic, and physical revitalization of Northside Richmond. In both years, more than 200 volunteers removed tons of trash from the area that, over the years, has been used as an illegal dump site.

A stakeholders’ Planning “Charrette” was conducted in October, 2009 to decide on the features of the reclaimed Cannon Creek Greenway by faculty and students of the Virginia Tech Landscape Architectural Program. The Richmond city government administration has also completed an environmental study of the Greenway site and is currently conducting an engineering study of the area and a study of the proposed
alternative routes of the Greenway’s bike and pedestrian trail are being completed by City of Richmond engineering consultant contractors.

On December 1, 2009, the City of Richmond submitted an “Innovative Readiness Training Request for Military Assistance” through the Virginia Governor’s Office and the Virginia Adjutant General to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Reserve Affairs. As a training function of the Guard Unit, the clearing of undergrowth and construction of the Cannon Creek Greenway’s bike/pedestrian trail and park features by the Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion.

Plans for the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway’s include serving as a scenic park and recreational area for the 300 unit, mixed income housing revitalization initiative of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) that will be built nearby. Construction of the RRHA initiative are planned for the near future.

The Cannon Creek Greenway Project may also be linked to the United States of America East Coast Greenway, which is being built in sections from Main to Florida, and to the Virginia Capital Trail, which would link Richmond to Williamsburg and Jamestown.

The sidewalk and street intersections of the Greenway’s bicycle and pedestrian trial will connect the Northside’s business and commercial corridor along E. Brookland Park Boulevard residential neighborhoods, churches, schools, and community centers for ease of access by bicycling or walking. It will also provide an alternative transportation route for bicycle commuting from the residential neighborhoods of Highland Park and Barton Height to the City’s downtown. In addition to its use for family-oriented, recreational activities, the Greenway may also serve as an outdoor environmental laboratory for the science classes of nearby schools.


- E N D -




______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.