The following has been submitted to us by a group of homeowners, business owners, and church members along Broad Rock Blvd. in the annexed area of Richmond. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of the owners, writers, or supporters of www.SouthsideRichmond.org, but as this is community news it is being published for the benefit of the community:

Citizens of Richmond,

We are addressing the Storm Water Utility tax passed on to Richmonders by city council and our mayor in May, 2009, an unfunded mandate from the EPA, DEQ, etc.
All stakeholders, meaning everyone affected by the tax, are invited to attend a meeting on March 15, at 6:30 at the Second Baptist Church, on 3300 Broad Rock Blvd. (The old Winn-Dixie)

Read more >

The forthcoming 9th District Community Meeting will feature a special presentation on an exciting potential project to transform the old CSX railroad corridor into an urban trail for Southside Richmond. (The 2.3 mile corridor currently runs from George Wythe High School, beside Reedy Creek, behind the new GRTC headquarters, to McGuire Hospital.)

Join us on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 5:00pm as we hear from Sheila Sheppard, Director of Partnership for Smarter Growth, on how trails can transform urban communities, plus learn about the Rails to Trails Conservancy and its efforts around the country.

Read more >

Style Weekly published an article identifying several candidates, especially Betsy Carr, for the 69th District Delegate seat, which Frank Hall has left for an appointment by Gov. Kaine to the Alcohol Beverage Commission. According to the article:

“A wide array of other potential candidates says they’re still considering their options for the November election. The Democratic Party of Virginia’s executive director, Levar Stoney, confirms he’s considering getting in the race, as does former Richmond Mayor Rudy McCollum. The Richmond Crusade for Voters president, Antione Green, has also expressed interest.”

The Richmond Times-Dispatch published an article, especially focused on Carlos Brown, (though this article was preceded by one article focused on Mr. Green and one on Ms. Carr) stating:

“Carlos Brown, a corporate finance lawyer, is joining the hopefuls vying to succeed Hall in the 69th House of Delegates district.”

Having recently met with Ms. Carr at the last Richmond City Council meeting, and with Mr. Green at a Southside civic association meeting, I can’t help but wonder: What do these candidates (including the others mentioned in Style and RTD) have to offer that sets them apart? What accomplishments do they have to support their campaign?

During the next few weeks, Southside Richmond wants to hear your questions for the candidates. A select group of your questions will be presented to the candidates and their answers will be published here.

Southside Richmond will also seek to highlight at least five accomplishments by each candidate.

So pull out your thinking caps and start commenting!

If you ride the bus, drive downtown, or generally care about mass transit, then meet with the Southside’s own 9th District Councilman Doug Conner at Southside Baptist Christian School, 5515 Bryce Lane in Richmond.

The meeting to be held April 28, will begin at 5:00 and continue until 7:00.

This is a great opportunity for citizens to chat with their representative regarding the GRTC Main Street Transfer Station and other issues.

The Richmond Clean City Commision will be holding a one day event to help Richmonders start composting.

On September 6, 2008 from 9am to 4pm go to the Compost Bin Truck Load Sale at the Willow Lawn Shopping Center located at 1601 Willow Lawn Dr. You’ll find them in the parking lot between Kroger’s and Gold’s Gym.

Get $100 value for just $35! The Earth Machine is an 80 gallon capacity composting bin that fits in any vehicle. Made of recycled materials, over 2,500,000 of these machines are in use across the country!

Why compost you ask?

• Reduce your garbage output and gardening water use by 30%.
• Improve your soil’s health, water retention, and porosity.
• Reduce your carbon footprint.
• Inhibit plan diseases.

Cash or checks only! Remember this is a one time event. If you find it cheaper elsewhere, we’re calling the cops.

Call 804 646 8325 for more information.

Some items are simply too large to fit in a Supercan or to physically be collected using our standard equipment. These typically include furniture and large amounts of yard waste, which should be placed beside your Supercan out of the roadway. Such items are collected by the City on a four-week, rotating schedule based on zip code. Bulk refuse collection for zip codes 23224 and 23234 is scheduled for March 16, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 6, Aug. 3, Aug. 31, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, and Dec. 21. Citizens should call 3-1-1 to schedule a pick up.