An Ordinance on Residency Requirements and a Threat from the Governor
Cheers RVA!
The heat and humidity continues today with a high of 95 and a low of 74 in the evening. Stay hydrated.
the juice:
Governor Youngkin is threatening to withhold state funds from Richmond if the city does not pay a wrongly imprisoned man $5.8 million by August 15.
Marvin Grimm Jr. was convicted of rape and murder in 1976 and served 44 years in prison before being paroled in 2019, was issued a writ of actual innocence in 2024, and received $5.8 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is one of the longest wrongful convictions in the country.
However a new state law requires localities to match those payments in cases with intentional misconduct my local officials.
According to WRIC, the City is reviewing the letter and has no comment at this time.
the pulp:
RICtoday has compiled a list of 30 things to do in August, including the Watermelon festival in Carytown and NASCAR weekend at Richmond Raceway.
RVAMag explores the artists performing at the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival, noting hip-hop is taking center stage with rappers T.I. and CeeLo Green performing at the weekend festival at Maymont on August 9-10.
the dive:
Samuel Parker from the RTD dives into City Council’s recent decision to pass a resolution accusing the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing authority of breaking state law by entering into a contract with a private subsidiary to rebuild Gilpin Court.
Parker writes:
The resolution, brought by 3rd District Councilwoman Kenya Gibson, references a section of state code that forbids Virginia housing authorities from “mak(ing) any contract for the construction of any additional housing not authorized or approved by the governing body” of the locality in question.
All nine members of City Council have interpreted that to mean they could be entitled to hold public hearings and ultimately vote on the proposed transfer of Gilpin Court from the RRHA to the Richmond Development Corporation — a private subsidiary of the housing authority.
At Monday’s evening the Council also passed an ordinance to require the directors of departments of offices overseen by the body to obtain residency within the city of Richmond. The ordinance will apply to new hires.
Another ordinance passed will require vape shops to obtain special use permits to operate. This ordinance will only apply to new establishments.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Have a glowing day RVA!
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