Low Turnout, Inlight, Tenants Rights, and the Riparian Zone
Cheers RVA!
Today will be cloudy in the morning, giving way to sunshine in the afternoon, with a high of 75. The weekend looks cooler with highs in the low 60’s, and a chance of rain Sunday evening.
the juice:
Voter turnout in Tuesday’s election in Richmond was historically low, with 62% of eligible voters casting a ballot, as compared to the state average of 68%.
The Richmonder asks why, suggesting school closures on Friday, Monday and Tuesday created a five-day weekend that some families may have used to travel.
A lack of Latino outreach and disinterest among VCU students were other possible factors mentioned in the article.
Notably, while all nine districts are nearly equal in population, turnout in the 6th, 8th and 9th was significantly lower than in other districts.
Check out the article here including a chart representing turnout by district.
the pulp:
The Virginia Mercury reports that after three years of localities being allowed to implement ranked-choice voting, only Arlington County and Charlottesville use the method.
South Richmond News reports on opportunities to learn more about Tenants Rights via a series of workshops.
RVA Mag recommends heading to Pine Camp on Northside for Inlight 2024, an annual public exhibition of contemporary art. The free event takes place tonight and tomorrow night from 7 - 11 pm. Bring a lantern or arrive early to make one.
The Richmond Chess Club is hosting a free chess class every Saturday from 1 to 3:30 pm at the Main Library on Franklin. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
the dive:
The James River Park System has cleared out some trees by the overlook at the T. Pott Bridge.
One of the trees being removed is the Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven), a fast growing tree which pushes out native species.
Native to Northern China and Taiwan, the tree was first brought to the United States in the late 18th century, and was used extensively as a street tree.
The wetlands adjacent to rivers, known as the riparian zone, are “important for slowing and filtering stormwater runoff into streams and rivers, mitigating shoreline erosion, stabilizing water temperatures, and providing food and shelter for a variety of native wildlife.”
Learn more about the Invasive Plant Task Force and the top 10 worst invasives in the James River Park System here.
the vibe:
Have a flourishing day RVA!
Thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a comment. Help this newsletter grow by convincing a friend to subscribe.