Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #RVAMayor
Most recents (21)
Unsustainable #RVA finances @RTDNEWS We already have higher tax rate than Fairfax Co. $1.5B in #DD TIFs are payday loans against future taxes while future also has MANDATORY Wastewater Bill Cost of $1.3B @rvabizsense #RVAcouncil @CBS6 @DaveRess1 @NBC12 Can't afford #DD project 
Cost figures for DiamondDistrict $1.5B AND $1.3B for MANDATORY WasteWater project, NOT reflecting inflation.The loss of TIF payday loans $ is money we don't have 4 Sewer Project, let alone for @RPS_Schools & @RichmondPolice Please review @Jeffersoninst Tell #RVA if this works
#RVA's mismanagement of federal funds from #CARES can adversely impact the city's ability to get future fed funds. This reflects admin lack of fiduciary responsibility, from day 1. City auditor told #RVAMayor @RPS_Schools needed audit. Stoney fired him next day. Still the same.
Twitter made me mad today. Must be time for an #RVAMayor Campaign thread!
Incumbent Mayor Stoney says "I choose Richmond." WTF does this mean? Lots of things. But it also suggests a campaign strategy
1/
Incumbent Mayor Stoney says "I choose Richmond." WTF does this mean? Lots of things. But it also suggests a campaign strategy
1/
Stoney's tenure has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Before #GeorgeFloyd, it seemed the failed #NavyHill development would be the albatross that possibly ended his career. But the #BLM protests have made his re-election prospects even trickier
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A lot of folks, largely conservatives and property owners, oppose protests by default. They don't understand them, & rely on media and authorities who continue to refer to "violence" and "looters" to de-legitimize any political claims that animate them
3/
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Here's the section of VA code #RVAMayor is talking about in terms of "protecting health and safety": law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title44…
This section of code is invoked in @GovernorVA 's exec order from yesterday. governor.virginia.gov/media/governor…
Fun fact: the Governor's exec orders declaring and extending the state of emergency mean that the City of Richmond is officially a "disaster area" - congrats everyone, we did it
@andersoncooper CDC data are national numbers 4 yr period. @nytimes @TheAtlPolitics @PostOpinions YES! #BlackLivesMatter but #FactsMatter NO rational action possible w/o #facts @RTDOpinions Monuments r red herring, distracting from other failures. @60Minutes
Stoney is losing mayoral race badly in every District to @kimgray4rva in whose District are the Monuments. She co-chaired Monument Ave Commission, which conducted a thoughtful methodical process recommended remove Davis, add HISORY/context & ADD HISTORY of African Americans.
This issue which had been settled with CONSENSUS, Stoney brings back now in a desperate act trying to resurrect his currently losing campaign. Division as a political tactic.
It is painfully obvious from the past few days that #RVA needs police reform. NOW. #protests2020 #GeorgeFloydProtests #BeyondPolicing #Thread
1/11
1/11
Protests seem to transform police into what looks like an occupying army. The point of #BlackLivesMatter (and decades of civil rights) is that it's not transformation, but revelation: For too many communities, police are not source of protection and order but agents of fear
2/11
2/11
Sure, there are nice folks in uniform! But good intentions don’t amount to much when embedded in institutions designed to surveil and control. Worse in recent years as police more openly militarized
3/11
aclu.org/issues/crimina…
3/11
aclu.org/issues/crimina…
#NavyHill, #6thStreet, #StoneBrewing, #Redskins - why does it seem like the city is always involved in a “big shiny project”? Why the same developers, law firms, wealthy elites? Why always #RVA Voldemort Tom Farrell? Social science has answers - 4 of them.
#Thread
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#Thread
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1st: LOCAL POLITICS ALWAYS ABOUT LAND USE. Paul Peterson notes cities try to "enhance economic position" - basically need to expand tax base to do more stuff for citizens. Main tool? LAND USE - zoning, development incentives, etc.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book…
2/
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book…
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2nd: This means PROPERTY INTERESTS DOMINATE. Landowners want economic development to ensure that their property values go up; city leaders need these owners/developers to grow tax base
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Here's more on the #TIF financing that will pay for #NavyHill arena. How do TIFs go wrong, and can we avoid it here in #RVA? #Thread 1/12
#RVAMayor #RVACouncil
#RVAMayor #RVACouncil
First, a reminder: TIF uses future revenue from a thing to pay for that thing. (More in this thread from last week: ) 2/12
Lots of skepticism about TIF, especially from Chicago, where TIF districts eat up 1/3 of city revenue:
illinoispolicy.org/report-tifs-fa… 3/12
illinoispolicy.org/report-tifs-fa… 3/12
I’m seeing some serious misunderstanding of the financing for the #RVA #NavyHill project - TIF, “TIF district”, which taxes go to pay for what, etc. So let's ask: how will city pay back a $350M loan ($560M w/ interest)? #Thread 1/9 #RVAMayor #RVACouncil
First: city is taking out this huge loan ONLY TO BUILD A NEW ARENA; private $$ pays for hotel, apartments, retail, VCU dorms/labs, and even renovated Blues Armory (GRTC pays for bus transfer station through state funds; no one knows what VCU's role is yet) 2/9
The #NavyHill #RVA downtown development plan includes hundreds of pages in two binders. Why so much paper? I took a look. #Thread 1/
The proposal from @LevarStoney 's office includes NINE proposed ordinances (city laws) and one resolution. The resolution is about any future surplus $$. It's non-binding - basically a political statement, not a law, so I will ignore for now. What's in the 9 ordinances? 2/
The first four ordinances (in my count - they're in no particular order) set up the mechanics of the deal - funding, land ownership, and specific actions for the city and developer. 3/
I haven’t dug into the details yet but I am so grateful that #RVACouncil found compromise at some level and were able to reach an agreement on a budget that prioritized funding for @RPS_Schools and a number of other key initiatives. Thank you for finding a path forward. (1/?) 🧜🏻♀️
I know it wasn’t easy but I really appreciate that at the end of the day #RVACouncil pulled together and found a middle ground that maintained funding for several priorities. It ain’t perfect but neither was #RVAMayor’s proposal. (2/?) 🧜🏻♀️
Governance is all a work in progress and the more we can worth together to productively negotiate a path forward, the better off Richmond will be. Dropping political motives to be upfront, proactive, and honest will go a long way to help make collaboration possible. (3/?) 🧜🏻♀️
Who is stoked for another week of #RVACouncil? 🙋🏻♀️‼️
Monday. 6PM. See you there.
Check out the agenda in the 🧵 ⬇️. 🧜🏻♀️
Monday. 6PM. See you there.
Check out the agenda in the 🧵 ⬇️. 🧜🏻♀️
First up, we have 3 formal awards on the docket.
1. Ms. Annie Reese, for nearly 50 years of School Crossing Guard Service #RVACouncil 🧜♀️
1. Ms. Annie Reese, for nearly 50 years of School Crossing Guard Service #RVACouncil 🧜♀️
2. Ms. Dorthy Irene Height for her "national leadership and service on behalf of African American rights, and social welfare reform and economic development for black women, children & families across our nation." #RVACouncil 🧜♀️
It’s budget season y’all! #RVAMayor presented his budget to #RVACouncil today. Here is all 826 pages of glory. Imma sift through it and post random thoughts (good, bad, ugly, indifferent) in this thread. 🧜🏻♀️
richmondgov.com/PressSecretary…
richmondgov.com/PressSecretary…
Here’s the readers digest version of the budget highlights. 🧜🏻♀️
richmondvaannouncements.blogspot.com/2019/03/mayors…
richmondvaannouncements.blogspot.com/2019/03/mayors…
Alright. Time to stop the #NorthamResign hot takes and start a thread for Monday’s #RVACouncil agenda. 🧜🏻♀️
richmondva.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…
richmondva.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…
Two awards and recognitions on Monday. One is for @RichmondPolice Captain Michael Snawder. Another is for the Richmond 34. #RVACouncil 🧜🏻♀️
Two people signed up for citizen comment period. If you want to speak on ANYTHING your heart desires, you have until 12PM on Monday to sign up with the city clerk’s office. Their number is 646-7955. Be prepared to give your name, topic, and district.
#RVACouncil 🧜🏻♀️
#RVACouncil 🧜🏻♀️
I'm seeing lots of conspiracy theories being thrown around the #VAGovernor mess. Here's why most, if not all of them, are probably wrong. #Thread 1/
First, the Northam yearbook photo that came out last week. Lots of speculation that this was either (a) a hit job by right-wing media, or (b) a set-up from an enemy (LG Fairfax or AG Herring) who wanted Northam out. 2/
The "right-wing hit job" idea is only half true. Northam's yearbook picture was first published by right-wing media site with ties to Roy Moore (as @SarahKing__ reported). Sure, this site has an interest in taking out Dem politicians. 3/
This is a list of a running thread of every democrat/left-leaning individual or organization that we can find who has called for @GovernorVA to resign or step down.
#NorthamResign #ResignNortham #ByeRalph 🧜♀️
#NorthamResign #ResignNortham #ByeRalph 🧜♀️
Former Governor L. Douglas Wilder has made 2 statements. First saying it was Northam's choice but ultimately calling him to resign following the press conference.
DNC Chair Tom Perez.
Senator Tim Kaine.
Senator Mark Warner.
Congressman Bobby Scott.
Virginia House Democrats.
All have called for Northam to resign. Statements included here.
Senator Tim Kaine.
Senator Mark Warner.
Congressman Bobby Scott.
Virginia House Democrats.
All have called for Northam to resign. Statements included here.
Starting a thread for anything we find on google about Richmond City Board of Elections member Cherlyn Starlet Stevens. Feel free to contribute. 🧜🏻♀️
There are 7 RTD articles that she is referenced in. These are the 2 that are not related to her service on the board of elections. One article says she is a sales representative. 🧜🏻♀️
Her only campaign donations have been to Gilmore’s 1998 campaign for $200. This listed her then-employer as CM Pula Co. 🧜🏻♀️
Good morning RVA! Anyone remember Leon Benjamin who ran for 9th District #RVACouncil in 2016? Did you know he is the Richmond City Republican Party Chairman now?
He is out here prospecting Republican and conservative candidates to run in #RVA. 🧜🏻♀️
He is out here prospecting Republican and conservative candidates to run in #RVA. 🧜🏻♀️
If you don’t remember Leon Benjamin from him #RVAMayor run, maybe you’ll remember him from when he was stumping for Trump on Fox News.
Or maybe you remember a week or so ago when he was with Pence stumping for Brat. #VA07 #RVACouncil 🧜🏻♀️
Or maybe you remember a week or so ago when he was with Pence stumping for Brat. #VA07 #RVACouncil 🧜🏻♀️
He also runs the website makervagreatagain.com
What is the point? For as “safe” as people may think #RVA is on Election Day... don’t lose sight of the fact that there are people in Richmond actively pushing Trump’s policies encouraging people to Vote Republican. 🧜🏻♀️
What is the point? For as “safe” as people may think #RVA is on Election Day... don’t lose sight of the fact that there are people in Richmond actively pushing Trump’s policies encouraging people to Vote Republican. 🧜🏻♀️
In the name of accountability and transparency, #RVAMayor @LevarStoney, can you and your Police Chief clarify the @RichmondPolice press release today regarding the completion of the #MarcusDavidPeters investigation and what you and Durham have committed. #HelpNotDeath (1/14)
In this press release, it is stated that Durham will host a discussion AFTER the CA’s office reviews the report. Durham also states that the promised community meeting is to explain and educate.
Will this be a discussion or lecture? (2/14) #HelpNotDeath #MarcusDavidPeters
Will this be a discussion or lecture? (2/14) #HelpNotDeath #MarcusDavidPeters
A lecture doesn’t seem to meet the family’s demand for Durham and Stoney to attend a community meeting to discuss police, procedures, and accountability. Durham’s statement sounds like an informational session about curriculum. (3/14)
#HelpNotDeath #MarcusDavidPeters
#HelpNotDeath #MarcusDavidPeters
Late night reading a Style Weekly article from 2006 about Paul Goldman. Anyone else read it and get a sense of déjà vu? 👀
Brace yourself for a thread of receipts. (1/25)
#RVA #RVAMayor #RVACouncil #RPSBoard 🧜🏻♀️
Brace yourself for a thread of receipts. (1/25)
#RVA #RVAMayor #RVACouncil #RPSBoard 🧜🏻♀️
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past year, you have probably heard about the “School Modernization Referendum.” Here is a great article that summarized what it is. Basically what it does is tell #RVAMayor @LevarStoney to get a plan together (2/25)
richmond.com/news/local/edu…
richmond.com/news/local/edu…
to fully fund school infrastructure without raising taxes or publicly state it can’t be done. This was put forward by none other than Paul Goldman and carried primarily by the Richmond Crusade for Voters. The original plan was for Loupassi and Sturtevant to carry (3/25)
Just arrived at the community meeting to call for justice and accountability for #MarcusDavidPeters. There are chairs reserved for #RVAMayor @LevarStoney and @RichmondPolice Chief Durham. Will they come to fill them? #HelpNotDeath 🧜🏻♀️
We are about to get started and I’m counting over 75 attendees. No #RVAMayor or Chief Durham at this point but 9th District #RVACouncil member @thedrmikejones is in attendance. #MarcusDavidPeters #HelpNotDeath 🧜🏻♀️
This is a thread that is intended to show how important community involvement and advocacy is. People often speak about gentrification as if it is an inevitable conclusion to development but recent efforts by South Richmond community members tell a different story. #RVA 🧜🏻♀️
In March 2018, @StyleWeekly named Michael and Laura Hild “Best Revivalist Couple” in their Best of Richmond edition. #RVA
Following a May community meeting, on June 15th @__MarkRobinson reported on the expansion of Manchester Historic District. He states that investment following historic district designations often coincide w/ gentrification. #RVA 🧜🏻♀️
