Friday, June 26, 2015

Saturday’s Event Rescheduled: Councilwoman Michelle R. Mosby’s “Take it to the Streets” event rescheduled to Saturday, July 11, 2015

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov
                                                            
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 26 June 2015

Saturday’s Event Rescheduled: Councilwoman Michelle R. Mosby’s “Take it to the Streets” event rescheduled to Saturday, July 11, 2015

WHAT         (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – Due to anticipated inclement weather, The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond South Central 9th Voter District, has rescheduled her “Take it to the Streets” Community Outreach Event, previously scheduled for tomorrow. It will now take place on Saturday, July 11, 2015; 3:00-6:00 p.m.

WHEN         Saturday, July 11, 2015
                  3:00-6:00 p.m.
                  Not being held Saturday, June 27, 2015

WHERE        Southside Community Center
                       6255 Old Warwick Road; Richmond, Virginia

WHO          The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond South Central 9th Voter District

CONTACT   For more information, please contact
                  The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby, Councilwoman
                       Richmond City Council, Richmond South Central 9th Voter District,
                       at 804.912.6465 (tel), or michelle.mosby@richmondgov.com (email)



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____________________________________________________
Steve Skinner
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 U.S.A.
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)
www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA
____________________________________________________

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.




Posted by Richmond Va at 3:24 PM

Tomorrow’s Event Rescheduled: 2015 Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail Bike Ride & Walk Rescheduled to July 11, 2015 - Due to Anticipated Inclement Weather

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 26 June 2015

Tomorrow’s Event Rescheduled: 2015 Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail Bike Ride & Walk Rescheduled to July 11, 2015 - Due to Anticipated Inclement Weather

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson invites all to sign up now/register for the 2015 Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail Bike Ride & Walk: First Time Event Being Held

Free: Two Options to Choose from: 10.5 Mile Bike Ride or 2.2 Mile Walk
          
WHAT         (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – Due to anticipated inclement weather, the 2015 Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Bike Ride and Walk, previously scheduled for tomorrow, has been rescheduled.  It now will now be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015. The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, invites everyone to register/sign up now for event.

                             This fun-filled family event provides an exciting opportunity for residents to enjoy inspiring scenery that includes a budding wooded urban oasis being established in Richmond. The Cannon Creek Greenway and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail are sterling examples of the thriving beautification, reinvestment and reclamation of the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District and Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District.

                             The event is free and open to the public and includes the following two options to choose between: a 10.5 mile bike ride or a 2.2 mile walk. Free food will be provided to participants.

                               Interested residents are invited to register/sign up now by going to the webpage, at cannoncreektrail.wix.com/bike (web) and/or by calling 804.937.6836 (tel).

WHEN         RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2015
9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Not being held Saturday, June 27, 2015
                   
WHERE        Meet at the Small Park Across from the
                  Old Virginia Army National Guard Armory
500 Dove Street (Intersection of Dove Street/Richmond-Henrico Turnpike)
Richmond, Virginia

WHO          Being held by:
                       The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman
                       Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District

                       Friends of Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail
                      
                       Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District Neighborhood and Civic Associations  

CONTACT   For Easy Sign up/registration, go to cannoncreektrail.wix.com/bike (web) and/or by calling 804.937.6836 (tel).

                       For more information, please contact Mr. Michael Winborne, Liaison for The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, at 804.646.7964 (tel), or michael.winborne@richmondgov.com (email)


BACKGROUND

Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Project
The Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail is an ongoing community improvement and reclamation initiative for 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 Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District and Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District.
           
      The Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail is a nature, bike and pedestrian trail that includes family-oriented park facilities and a 1.9 mile, 10 foot wide, asphalt-surfaced path. The vision of the Greenway’s is to help increase the social, economic, and physical revitalization of the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District and Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District.

     The sidewalk and street intersections of the bicycle and pedestrian trial connect the business and commercial corridor along East Brookland Park Boulevard residential neighborhoods, schools, and community centers for ease of access by bicycling or walking. It also provides 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. 

      The Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Project is supported by The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, Richmond Department of Public Works, Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Virginia Army National Guard, Southern Barton Heights Community Association, Virginia Chapter 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 the Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design - Landscape Architecture Program.

TIMELINE
The following is a summarized Progress Timeline:

May 5, 2012
A Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail First Phase Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Community Bike Ride was held to officially mark a significant milestone and achievement of the ongoing community improvement and reclamation initiative for the 1.9 mile area that comprises the Cannon Creek Greenway. The Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail First Phase Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Community Bike Ride commemorated the official opening of a .4 mile stretch (Dove Street to Valley Road) of the 1.9 mile planned project. A community bike ride was held immediately following the ribbon cutting.

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, with the assistance of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Richmond Department of Public Works, cleared sizable undergrowth and grading the land for a pedestrian and biking trail along Cannon Creek. The Petersburg-based Virginia Army National Guard – Forward Support Company of the 276th Engineer Battalion provided logistical support for the units on site to keep them fed and fueled. The work performed was valued at more than $275,000 and was provided to Richmond residents at no charge. 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.

July 26, 2011
The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District and the community surrounding the Cannon Creek Greenway held a thank you dinner and celebration for the Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion. The celebration dinner was sponsored and hosted by the community in appreciation of their outstanding work and included a community tour of the site. The work performed was valued at more than $275,000 and was provided to Richmond residents at no charge.

Saturday, March 20, 2010
A Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Community Cleanup was held to remove unwanted trash and debris from the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway. The cleanup included an estimated 100 community volunteers.

July 22 - July 27, 2010
The First Phase of the Project was begun to clear undergrowth in the Cannon Creek Greenway. This included approximately 25 Citizen Soldier Engineers from the Powhatan-based Virginia Army National Guard - 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion and the assistance of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Richmond Department of Public Works. This project included the clearing of sizable undergrowth and grading the land for a walking and biking trail. The Petersburg-based Virginia Army National Guard - Forward Support Company of the 276th Engineer Battalion provided logistical support for the units on site to keep them fed and fueled. The work performed was valued at more than $20,000 and was provided to Richmond at no charge. The use of heavy and light engineering 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. 


Saturday, January 24, 2009,
A Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway Community Cleanup was established to remove unwanted trash and debris from the Richmond Cannon Creek Greenway. The cleanups have been extremely successful in helping transform the area, which, over the years, had been used as an illegal dump site. The cleanup included more than 200 volunteers who cleaned up 20 tons of trash, which included 400 tires.

October, 2009
A stakeholders’ Planning meeting was conducted to decide on the features of the reclaimed Cannon Creek Greenway by faculty and students of the Virginia Tech Landscape Architectural Program. The Richmond Government Administration also completed an environmental study of the Greenway site began conducting an engineering study of the area and hired an engineering consultant contractor to study of the proposed alternative routes of the Greenway’s bike and pedestrian trail.

December 1, 2009
Richmond submitted an “Innovative Readiness Training Request for Military Assistance Application to the Virginia Office of the Office and the Virginia Adjutant General to the Virginia Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Reserve Affairs. The request was for them to establish, as a training function of the Virginia National Guard, the clearing of undergrowth and construction of the Cannon Creek Greenway’s bike/pedestrian trail and park by the Virginia Army National Guard, 180th Horizontal Construction Company, 276th Engineer Battalion.

2008
Planning for the features of the Greenway began in 2008 and has 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, and several environmental and recreation organizations.           




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______________________________________________________________
Steve Skinner
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 U.S.A.
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)
www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA (facebook)
______________________________________________________________

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.
Posted by Richmond Va at 2:52 PM

Richmond City Council Statement: Regarding: United States Supreme Court decisions confirming freedom to marry

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov
                                                            
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 26 June 2015

     Richmond City Council Statement

Regarding: United States Supreme Court decisions confirming freedom to marry

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – "Today we celebrate the United States Supreme Court's ruling regarding marriage freedom, which coincides with Richmond City Council’s recent Proclamation recognizing June 2015 as Richmond Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Queer Pride Month. Progress on this issue reflects Richmond City Council’s ongoing support of civil rights, equality and freedom from discrimination.

To quote Julian Bond, Former National Chairman of the NAACP, who has previously spoken on the issue of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Queer rights, “Civil rights are positive legal prerogatives — the right to equal treatment before the law. These are rights shared by everyone; there is no one in the United States who does not — or should not — share in enjoying these rights.”

A portion of the Richmond City Council proclamation reads “… The Richmond community includes people of all ages and races who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Queer and each of us should have the same equal rights, benefits and responsibilities that are shared and enjoyed by all…” Today’s decision reflects this fundamental tenet.

The historic United States Supreme Court's ruling today means that same-sex couples will soon have the freedom to marry under the law in across our nation. We join with Richmond residents and families in celebrating the significance of this important decision.”

Background
A quick summary of some of Richmond City Council’s historic support of equal civil rights includes:

1.    Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
     Richmond Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and
     Queer Pride Month (June 2015)
Sponsored by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District 
Presented June 18, 2015

2.    Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
Richmond Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Day (September 27, 2014)
Sponsored by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District
      Presented September 27, 2014

3.  Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL JOINT PROCLAMATION
     Richmond Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2013)
Sponsored by The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7th Voter District
      Presented November 20, 2013  

4.    Richmond City Council
     Ordinance Number 2013-154-205
The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District; The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District; and, The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District
      Adopted October 26, 2013
To amend Richmond City for the purposes of, to the extent now or hereafter permitted or required by law, recognizing same sex marriages that have lawfully occurred in other states and requiring the Richmond to extend all of the benefits offered to the spouses of City employees in heterosexual marriages to the partners of City employees in same sex marriages that have lawfully occurred in other states.

5.    Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
Richmond Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Day (September 28, 2013)
Sponsored by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District
      Presented September 28, 2013

6.    Richmond City Council                    
     COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
      Thursday, June 27, 2013
      A Joint Statement by
      The Honorable Charles R. Samuels
      Councilman, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District and
     The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto
      Councilman, Richmond Central 5th Voter District
                                                                                  
Regarding: United States of America Supreme Court decision on the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act and the State of California's Proposition 8

Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – "We are encouraged by yesterday's United States Supreme Court's decision in striking down a provision of U. S. federal law, known as the Defense of Marriage Act, that has denied federal health, pension and tax benefits to legally married same sex couples. We are also pleased that they chose to leave in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriage in that state, was unconstitutional.
                                                                                  
      The Supreme Court decision coincides with the Richmond City Council Proclamation that recognizes June 2013 as Richmond Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. A portion of the proclamation reads "… each of us should have the same equal rights, benefits and responsibilities that are shared and enjoyed by all…"  Yesterday's ruling echoes this sentiment.."

7.    Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
     Richmond Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (June 2013)
Sponsored by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District and The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District
Presented May 28, 2013

8.    Richmond City Council
     Ordinance 2013-10-98
      Approved May 28, 2013
Richmond City Council approved updated Richmond Personnel Rules for city employees, which included prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

9.            Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
     Richmond Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (June 2012)
Sponsored by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District 
      Presented June 15, 2012

10. Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
     Richmond Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (June 2011)
Sponsored by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District 
      Presented June 13, 2011

11. Richmond City Council
     RICHMOND RECOGNITION AWARD
     Mr. Tracy Thorne-Begland
Sponsored by The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District
Presented February 14, 2011
To officially recognize, honor and celebrate Mr. Tracy Thorne-Begland for his personal history of advocacy and dedication on behalf of the rights of people who are gay and lesbian to serve in the United States of America Military Armed Forces.

12. Richmond City Council
     Resolution Number 2009-R73-91
Sponsored by The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Southside 8th Voter District, and The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District,
      Adopted June 22, 2009
To express the support of Richmond City Council for legislation in the Virginia General Assembly codifying the basic human right of all public employees to be free from discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or other veteran covered by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, and sexual orientation, including gender identity.

CONTACT    For more information, please contact Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052; or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com


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______________________________________________________________
Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Council Executive Offices
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (tel)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA (facebook)
______________________________________________________________

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.


Posted by Richmond Va at 12:36 PM

A statement on behalf of Richmond City Council regarding the Passing of Ms. Maggie Lee Ingram

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov
                                                            
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 26 June 2015

A statement on behalf of
Richmond City Council regarding the

Passing of Ms. Maggie Lee Ingram


"The members of Richmond City Council express their heartfelt sorrow at learning of the death of Ms. Maggie Lee Ingram. Council’s thoughts and prayers are with her family in mourning her passing and celebrating her life.

Known as the Gospel Queen of Richmond, Ms. Ingram’s amazing gifts, talents and calling as an American Gospel Musician, Singer, Matriarch and Founder of the Ingramettes, entertained and uplifted audiences for more than half a century. An acclaimed Richmond institution, Ms. Ingram was a humble but powerful spiritual community leader and evangelist who will be greatly missed.

Ms. Ingram leaves deep footprints and a rich legacy for all to honor and respect and her life that was so well lived will be rejoiced and remembered for many generations to come.”


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______________________________________________________________
Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Council Executive Offices
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (tel)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA (facebook)
______________________________________________________________

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.


Posted by Richmond Va at 8:41 AM
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