Currently, the U.S. Census bureau has over 700 enumerators walking the streets of Richmond with one goal in mind: count people where they live. Many people in Richmond have voiced their concerns about divulging personal information. However, I believe these concerns are unfounded.

Primarily, the Census Bureau wants to know where people live for various reasons, but perhaps the most important reason to fill out your census or respond to an enumerator is that the data obtained is used to determine allocation of funding. If the government thinks only 3,000 people live in your neighborhood when there are actually 6,000, you can imagine your neighborhood will receive only half of the funding it needs and deserves for infrastructure and various public costs such as schools, hospitals, and roads. Also, these are the numbers that determine how many representatives we will receive.

I did not fill out my census, so I can tell you that an enumerator came to my door and asked me questions which took little more than ten minutes of my time and the most personal question that was asked of me was my name. The enumerator also told me that if they shared any of my personal information with anyone, including the President, that they would be subject to $250,000 in fines and a possible jail term of five years.

I know how much we all love our government and enjoy doing civic duty, but why would you want to shoot yourself in the foot? Take ten minutes out of your day and help improve your community.

One of the greatest rights in our country is the freedom of speech. It’s a shame some of us make a tremendous effort to destroy freedom of thinking. Ken Cuccinelli is such a worm. God only knows why this tyrannic, small minded, ignoramus has managed to gain a law degree and has been permitted to practice in such a respectable office as Attorney General. Can you believe he received over a million votes? His understanding of the words and spirit of Sic Semper Tyrannis must be non-existent.

Enforcing every law that suits his will rather than that of the public, Cuccinelli’s latest offense, marring the historic Seal of Virginia, is so atrocious that it pushes me beyond my ability to remain silent in the face of ignorance.

I suppose Ken was introduced to sexuality by seeing Barbie naked. That would explain his obvious discomfort with Virtus’ exposed nipple. Perhaps he imagines the seal’s design as a Janet Jackson like wardrobe failure. George Wythe, “the father of American jurisprudence” designed this seal in cooperation with George Mason, which is where Ken got his law degree. Wythe and Mason are certainly rolling in their graves.

We could call Ken the father of American prudence, but he is clearly a pervert. He looks at classical art and sees an exposed breast. He has sexualized a Roman goddess for the sake of continuing his oppressive campaign on sexuality. Shame on you Ken, you dirty little boy.

Imagine if Ken could put his hands on Michaelangelo’s David. I suppose he would either cover the statue’s rather prominent penis with a loin cloth or considering his zealous tyranny over all things sexual (abortion, abstinence, and homosexuality) he would go so far as to sever the member from the statue for the sake of modesty!

So in the spirit of iconoclasm and destruction of all things sacred, I offer you the following image in protest of backwards thinking:

In a daring effort, ABC liquor store employees stopped an armed robber from harming anyone or stealing money by bum-rushing the perpetrator. However, although I can not find the news article, it’s interesting that this is not the first time Southside Plaza employees have done what some may call heroic and others foolish, but I’ll just call brave.

Perhaps it was a year or two ago, but if my memory serves me correctly, the McDonald’s at Southside Plaza was also held up and that attempt was also thwarted by employees.

Do I recommend that you risk your life for a position with minimal wages or for that matter any wages? Absolutely not. But if you’ve got the heart and the opportunity why not be a hero?

You can read the Times-Dispatch report here, but why not go down there and buy one for the employees on you?

Richmond police have made an arrest in the December homicide of a local rap artist Michael Mitchell. First Precinct Officer Brandon Hill arrested Joseph M. Rodriguez Jr., 21, of the 3900 block of Bridgeton Road, during a routine traffic stop on Saturday. Rodriguez was served with the outstanding warrant for murder in connection with Mitchell’s death.

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At approximately 8:48 p.m. Friday, Richmond Police were called to the 1400 block of Overlook Street for a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found Christopher A. Johnson, 22, last known address 6700 block of Elk Lane, dead in the street from a gunshot wound. As a result of officers’ quick response and investigation, Brandon L. Spence, 24, of the 1400 block of Overlook Street, was identified as a suspect. He was arrested and charged with murder. The motive for this homicide appears to be an argument between the pair, who knew each other.

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Thanks to Giles Harnsberger for sharing this information with us:

The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods is holding a workshop in Woodland Heights on the 10th and the 24th of April.  The workshops are intended to educate residents about the tax credit application process for renovations on historic homes, and they are open to the public. Cost is $5 for members and $10 general admission.

Workshop I
An Introduction to Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
Presented by the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association, Historic Designation Committee

Where: Forest Hill Presbyterian Church

When: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 10 AM to 12 noon

Speaker: Nancy Kraus, Historic Preservationist, First & Main LLC

Topics: Historic designation of your neighborhood.  Is your home a contributing resource, and what does that mean for tax credits?  What are the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for historic rehabilitation, and how can do they relate to your project?  What is the first step in the process?

Click HERE to sign up or go to www.historicforesthill.com

Workshop 2

Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: How to recoup up to 45% in rehabilitation expenses on your historic home.
Presented by the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods

Where: Woodland Heights Baptist Church Presentation House at 671 West 31 St.

When: April 24, 2010 (9am – 12pm)

Speaker: Karri Richardson, Tax Credit Consultatnt, Amy Vealey, Tax Credit Consultat, & Paul Goodman of Goodman & Co. Tax credit accountant

Topic:  What makes up the tax credit application process (parts I, II, and III)?  What are considered “qualifying expenses,” and how can you account for them?  Can you get cash immediately for your credits, and how?  Also, what NOT to do!

To sign up, call (804)644-5040 or email info@richmondneighborhoods.org

Richmond Police are looking for a man who stabbed and raped a woman in the 1800 block of Edwards Avenue just before midnight on Saturday. The woman told police the unknown man grabbed her and dragged behind a home where he assaulted her. The rapist is described as a white male, age 18 to 20. He was last seen wearing a lime green shirt, blue jeans and riding a blue bike toward Fairfax Avenue. The bike had the word “mountain” on the side of it.

The RTD is reporting that a trashcan fire today at George Wythe HS sent a student and a security guard to the hospital, and led to the evacuation of the school for a little while.

The RTD is reporting on a proposal that may move the city jail across the river:

A group that includes prominent contractors, architects and the law firm of state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond, has submitted an unsolicited proposal to build a jail for the city of Richmond, perhaps off Commerce Road in South Side.

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Mayor Jones has proposed a governmental restructuring plan in order to consolidate services and save money. While some of the ideas are sound, putting Richmond Animal Care and Control under the authority of the Department of Public Works (DPW) seems a bit muddle headed.

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Richmond Public Schools will host community meetings to share updates and gather input on the construction of new schools for Broad Rock Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary. The meetings will focus on design plans for the new buildings. Parents and residents of the community are invited to attend to share their thoughts on possible community usage of each respective facility, as well as physical/curriculum elements needed to ensure a 21st century learning environment.

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Chief Bryan T. Norwood and members of his Command Staff will conduct a community walk through tonight in the Oak Grove community. The walk-through starts at 6 p.m. at Oak Grove Park (2200 Gordon Avenue). Groups will fan out through the Gordon, Fairfax and Halifax area to speak with residents and business owners about their concerns.

Robert Lee Payne, 58, of the 400 block of Deter Road, is was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault, malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the shooting of a woman inside a residence in the 400 block of Laveta Drive. Her injury is not life threatening.

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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)

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The following was taken from a flier from the VEA’s website:

The General Assembly is preparing to cut $1.8 billion from education funding. That means 34,000 education employees or 1 in 6 educators will lose their jobs and it will destroy public education as we know it!
Our Senators and Delegates claim that their constituents want those cuts. Do you agree?

February 27, 2010
11:00 am – Noon
Capitol Square Grounds in Richmond
February 27, 2010
11:00 am – Noon
Capitol Square Grounds in Richmond
STAND UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.
DON’T SIT QUIETLY WHILE IT HAPPENS.
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!!
Family – Friends – Neighbors – Colleagues