City-wide Internet, a Pair of Pit Bulls, and an Underdog City Council Candidate
Cheers RVA!
Today will be sunny with a high of 82, with a low of 52 in the evening.
the juice:
Richmond City Council will meet tonight with a vote likely on a resolution to provide city-wide internet. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at 6 pm on the 2nd floor of City Hall.
The resolution notes the disparities in digital connectivity that were exacerbated during the pandemic:
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, market failures have resulted in the exclusion of lower income communities, particularly Black and Brown families, from a rapidly changing digital society and economy that would allow affordable opportunities for tele-health, education, employment, and business opportunities, that are denied homes with high-speed gigabit internet access…
The aim of the resolution is develop and implement a “Digital Equity Assessment and Plan” to provide equal access to high-speed gigabit internet via public-private partnerships.
View the meeting details and agenda here.
the pulp:
Two pedestrians were killed in the Richmond area Sunday evening. A teenager was struck by a vehicle on Staples Mill Road and pronounced deceased at the scene, and a pedestrian was struck and killed on Route 1 south of Bensley in Chesterfield. In both situations the driver remained at the scene.
Richmond Animal Care and Control is looking for a home for a pair of female pit bulls that “came from a bad situation”, via channel 6. The younger pup acts as a seeing-eye dog for the older 4-yr old who is blind. Watch a video here or consider adoption here.
the dive:
South Richmond News recently interviewed 6th district city council candidate Willie Hilliard.
According to the article/interview, Hilliard garnered 27% of the vote in a tight contest in 2020, despite being outspent 5:1 by the eventual winner.
So far fundraising in the 6th district has been quite varied, with candidate Tavares Floyd raising over $110k in the early months of the race, considerably more than all other potential candidates as of early May.
The latest election fundraising reports are due September 16. Candidates for Richmond City Council who raised the most money won 7 of 9 races in 2020, and 6 of 9 in 2016.
Candidate Hilliard is a Richmond native, graduate of John Marshall, and has owned a local barbershop on Brookland Park Boulevard for over 24 years.
In the interview Hilliard is straightforward in his responses, including questions about his criticism of School Superintendent Jason Kamras, and holding a recent event with TJ Brewer of Brewer’s Cafe.
Read the full article and interview from South Richmond News here.
the vibe:
Have a determined day RVA!
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