More School Speed Cameras on the Way and a $233 Email
Cheers RVA!
Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 94 and a low chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm.
the juice:
Three more speed cameras have been approved to be placed around Richmond schools.
Swanboro Elementary, Boushall Middle, and MLK Jr. Middle will be have speed cameras nearby before the school year starts as part of the Vision Zero plan to reduce crashes at high risk areas.
The cameras only ticket those going 11 mph or more above the speed limit, which is 25 mph in school zones during drop-off and pick-up in the mornings and afternoons.
First offenses are a $50 fine, with repeat offenses at $100.
During the summer, only Linwood Holton had it’s cameras on for the summer session, but still continued to issue an average of 73 tickets per day.
Five more Richmond schools have applied for the cameras and are likely to be installed soon.
the pulp:
The Virginia Department of Forestry is taking down it’s “No Open Fires Before 4 pm” signs after 75 years, from the Mercury. Social Media and Nextdoor will be used instead to spread awareness. The estimated 1000+ signs in the State displayed “Keep Virginia Green” for most of the year, but would be flipped over from February 15 - April 30 to display the preventative measure to reduce wildfires during the spring season.
GRTC’s Micro LINK program is expanding to Sandston and Elko in Eastern Henrico, from the Henrico Citizen. The microtransit initiative has been expanding since 2021 an aims to connect communities that don’t have access to public transit.
the dive:
VPM takes a look at Mayoral Candidate Michelle Mosby’s request to city council for more funding for her non-profit “Help Me Help You” foundation, which took place back in April after she had announced her mayoral run.
She wrote:
“I am now going to address the elephant in the room; yes, I am running for Mayor, and so is [Councilor Andreas Addison]. How is the taxpayer dollar being spent to provide services to those in need through a [candidate's] organization, that mind you my daughter is in town to learn and take over, any different from the taxpayer continuing to pay council salary.”
The non-profit had received $250k in the 2024 fiscal budget and $200k in 2023. The 2025 budget has allocated only $100k.
Mosby noted her sister would take over the non-profit, which provides re-entry assistance for those released from jail or prison, if she were to win the mayoral election.
The FOI request on July 8th was originally priced at $433 but was reduced to $233 when the request was reduced to one specific email from Mosby to Councilwoman Reva Trammell.
Josh Stanfield, an open-government advocate, submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for Mosby’s April email. After narrowing that request, he was told it would cost $233.30 to retrieve the single piece of correspondence.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Have an informative day RVA!
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