Hey, Joe, I’m glad Ron outted Robertson for the sake of opennnes in government, but sometimes he seems like such a sneaky, stuck-up individual all the time telling us what is “best” for us and how smart he thinks Council is.

Like you, I am tired of being talked down to ……

You write: “Council is attempting to make a political process empirical, which probably will make all advocates mad.”

The only thing I have heard advocated in this blog has been that the appointment be a bonafide resident of the district. And, now that Newbille has opted to run for the office and not seek the appointment, the discussion has been simply that — a discussion of merits.

Since CC is keeping the public out (we can’ be trusted to be empirical?), where doyou or the members of CC get off talking down to us as if we are a bunch of fools?

BTW, what does Robertson think about the way you outed her e-mail to the players involved with the stadium? Does she know what you did?

It is easy to “see” the racial piece. But, please take a moment and “think” it through. If you do, then you will encourage others to “see” beyond the color line.

High city property taxes and poor public education chases out the lower to middle classes to the county which leaves Richmond with the extremes of upper classes and a huge poor population which hurts the public schools. The rich send their kids to private schools meaning less federal and state dollars flowing into public education and the poor go to school with the poor. To see how bad it can get, just take a look at middle schools in Richmond -that’s what happens when the working class citizens pack up and leave.

Eric, I agree with your number of $30k without children. Maybe there should be some kind of sliding scale for real estate taxes like the one the YMCA uses for memberships. Their monthly fees for family memberships start dropping for those making under $60k.

Ron, Our family is of the educated working class and living in this city in the east end with children is “sleepless nights” stressful. Our taxes are high, our public schools are unsuitable, and private school and college tuition well out of our range; and if we fall ill, we lose our health insurance that we’ve paid monthly for years (I guess that’s what you get for being self-employed). I’ve been talking to a lot of working class citizens and we are tired of paying welfare to the mega wealthy (bailouts, etc) and poor, only to be a hair away from the poor house ourselves. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not against helping the poor, I just don’t believe it’s right to rest the burden on those struggling not to slide into poverty themselves.

Ron, I don’t know what services to cut but if we start attracting the working and middle classes like the counties do, the city will naturally pull in more dollars through sales, services, property/real estate taxes; and the public schools would also see an increase in student population thus an increase in funds. A city with the majority being poor will only increase poverty but maybe the powers at-be want that. Reminds me of my history lessons in Latin American dictatorships.

Tiny, Read the entire chapter:
“There is no Refuge in Conservatism”

The issue isn’t racial as much as it is how poor and middle class BLACK AND WHITE people have been DOMINATED by CONSERVATIVE politicoes BLACK AND WHITE.

I am a little disturbed by some of the racial comments on this thread. I really thought the we as a community had overcome a lot of these racial tensions. I can only hope that by the spotlight this forum sheds on this issue will leading to healing and tolerance in our neighborhood.

McQuinn has been re-elected over and over again by huge margins. In these elections, she always faced strong opponents, yet the voters continue to vote her back in. Clearly, the majority of voters in this district is satisfied with her service and show up at the ballot box to voice their support. They vote because they think she does a good job, not because they have all been mass-brainwashed by the “Marsh Machine”.

I know many people oppose McQuinn and it is certainly their right to express their opposition. I am simply pointing out the fact that McQuinn and her son J.J. enjoy great support by the majority of her constituents.

That is very true and I wan’t trying to say that it is only the blacks but when you look at the big picture starting from the 1980s onwards when things started to turn around, this makes better sense.

And “gray”, a more realistic picture would be people who make less than $30k per year. I fit into that catagory and if we didn’t have a 2-person income, could not afford to live in Church Hill!

Eric

There is already Property Tax Relief for the elderly and disabled. Many folks already make use of this, you just have to apply before the tax bills are due.

If your net hh income is less than $50k per year, and you’re either 65 or older/disabled, you qualify. Contact the city Finance office or go to the city website for more info.

Did she put forth any initiative for affordable housing? Both issues cut across racial lines, they affect white, black, and any other races. And they affect the entire city, not just the 7th district.

Frankly, I’d like to see the next council person for the 7th put forth initiatives to address both those issues. I happen to know several people who are retired and having problems, and McQuinn did absolutely nothing to help them.

Mr. Murden, #93, as always, thanks for your succinct comment re. neighborhood public schools. Too true.

“Which are the neighborhood public schools whether you choose to send your other-pigmented offspring out of district or not, actually.”

And there you have it… an off-balanced area of the city that has lent itself to backward self-segregation which has been allowed to continue unopposed by city officials. Maybe because they wanted it that way????

The City Clerk on the 2nd Floor of City Hall [or LOU.ALI@RICHMONDGOV.COM ] will accept resumés and applications through January 22.

(which were black schools)

Which are the neighborhood public schools whether you choose to send your other-pigmented offspring out of district or not, actually.

With McQuinn it was all about what she could do for the black community and some of the recent self acclaimed kudos point that way: “McQuinn’s colleagues and residents praised her leadership on Richmond’s slave trail and Slavery Reconciliation Statue projects, as well as its annual back-to-school rally and parade ” (which were black schools). And I am sure there are other examples. Like several have said here, what did she do for EVERYONE both black and white across the board or was her agenda for selfish reasons?

Also you can’t assume people’s income. tiny you don’t know who is and isn’t among the poor.

Regarding education in the 7th district: if in fact McQuinn has done a fabulous job in promoting education, how come our school is practically all out of district students? A miniscule amount of neighbors attend their zoned school.

McQuinn might of done well with the poor like you say and I think it would be great to see the specifics listed but education a) Is not the job of the city council members b) Even so, promoting neighborhood schools has not been McQuinn’s strong suit.

“The reason many of the posters do not know what McQuinn has done for the neighbor is because they are not among the poor, at-risk, elderly, or other people who in need in our community. McQuinn and JJ have reached out to that population in-person and hands-on.”

What about the rest of us Tiny? Shouldn’t she have served EVERYONE in the community not just the poor, at-risk, elderly or other people in need in our community? Part of the community in need is the rest of us who need someone who will represent us as well.

So is that why JJ, Delores, Henry and Dwight are moving Cynthia Newbille into the district?

Giving away free school supplies is not exactly the way I expect an elected official to promote education.

And, now we have the brand-new School Board Chair, who was lobbied for by promoted by McQuinn, Marsh, Jones, allowing the administration to remove 6-8 teachers from MLK.

Yes, you read that right — RPS is trying to remove 6-8 teachers from MLK! In the middle of the school year!

I understand concerns about historically preservation, but I disagree about its priority in our neighborhood. We have so many that are in need. They live here too, and deserve representation.

I read the petition and the names on that list are all exactly who thought would sign it (referring to another thread). I understand where this group is coming from. However, I do not think this group is in touch with the needs of the majority of our residents.

There must be a way of balancing these sometime conflicitn issues without simply taking one side or another. If our representative does not uphold historic preservation standards, our community will suffer from it and its impact will last years. Likewise if our representive does not adequately serve the needs of at risk, working class, and elderly citizens, the impact will be catastrophic. Our representative must be able to make in-roads to rid Church Hill of its gangs, reduce crime, and promote education.

We have to be able to see beyond our own backyards to be able to see the needs for the whole neighborhood.

Instead of saying “stop the hate and participate” I would say “stop the deliberate segregation and participate”

You know it is happening or you cast a blind eye and follow the McQuinn groupies? Most everything she has involved herself with benefits the black community. What has she done specifically to also help the white aspect of Church Hill or Richmond? Examples please.

I’m still waiting to hear what he and his Momma have done other than what Master Henry Marsh has told them to do.

But hey, McQuinn did one thing – she bought tacky Christmas decorations for 25th Street. And she got a million dollars a year for a couple of years there, for her PAYGO account, to dole out. No, that’s truly sad, sorry I’m being so sarcastic about it.

Your post #80 is truly great. Now will you go out in the district to all those who don’t have a computer, or who don’t read this blog, and spread that word? Thanks.

Just a few questions people need to ask themselves, if Marsh, McQuinn and Newbille have done so much for the 7th , then why do the youth and families in the east end have the worst outcomes in the city ? This community has had more money pumped in it then any other parts of the city. Along with the money coming in, it has also walked away miserably with no accountability. Who is really representing us in this district? Is it fair to give someone a job just because you help get me elected?

If James Minor bka JJ get a job, everyone who worked on the Campaign should get a job!! Rod and Rosalie Bullock, Marilyn, Delores, Evelyn and everyone else who worked for them, did you all get a job offer? Hell No, as far as they are concern we are just cheap help. We may have gotten a few dollars, but we won’t get $70,000. I once believed in them, but this Newbille thing opened my eyes!

I for one, support John Murden for 7th district council seat and I certainly would not oppose Dotts being appointed in the meantime. Is that considered “hate” and lack of “participation” because it’s not JJ or Newbill?

First of all, you have introduced the word “hate.” No one on this — or any other — blog has expressed anything that even remotely resembles “hate.”

So, stop putting words in other people’s mouths, ok?

Cynthia Newbille’s last known address was in the 6th District. If she wanted to serve on Council, she should have run against Ellen. Now, the word is out that she is moving into the 7th in order to be appointed. No matter how you look at this, this is wrong. If she wants to run for the seat in November, fine. But, don’t move to the 7th one week and think that you are therefore entitled to be appointed just because McQuinn, Marsh and Jones want to control the process and pick the person themselves.

And, I respectfully disagree that she is more qualified than anyone currently residing in the 7th. People need to trust the citizens in the 7th District to choose who they think is most qualified.

So, you should consider stopping the hate and condescension — the people in the 7th District are smarter than you might think.

“If JJ (McQuinn son) gets a job, he sure damn deserves it.”

Why does he deserve it so much? Would you be so kind as to cite specific examples please?

History teaches us that an informed electorate is the best safeguard against demagogues and despots. And, I agree, we may indeed be the proverbial “day late & dollar short.”

However, my sincere hope here is that this information can help inform citizens and the members of City Council why appointing a “bonafide” 7th district resident to McQuinn’s Council seat is so very important.

Re: Crd Post #73 Good eye! I caught two unfortunate typoes: Sa’ad El-Amin and Howard Carwile’s names are spelled incorrectly. Plus, Wilder is referred to as “then-Governor” when I am sure the authors meant to say “future-Governor.”

Errors duly noted, I fact-checked the other points in the article and found them to be accurate. The excerpt is from:

Dimensions of Black Conservatism in the United States: Made in America
By Gayle T. Tate, Lewis A. Randolph
Published by Macmillan, 2002
ISBN 0312293704, 9780312293703
244 pages

History Lesson, I found the book interesting but saw some major typos that I hope are the result of scanning errors. I didn’t catch who wrote the essay you linked to, either. But thanks for posting it.

if everyone is so pissed off by the status quo, why didn’t folks mobilize and run to oppose the “machine” in 2008? i’m afraid we may be a day late & dollar short, at this juncture.

Follow the link below and note especially the quotation from Oliver W. Hill on page 61 ….

Rise and Decline of the Black Majority Council

2.) “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

But, it is absolutely wrong for the “power brokers” to decide Ms. Newbille is their choice, have her move into the district, and then hand her the seat with an appointment.

If Ms. Newbille, therefore, wants to represent the district on Council, she should forgo seeking the appointment by the the power brikers and instead, run in the November election and let the district citizens decide if she is worthy of their support.

You nailed it! As someone once pointed out to me, Richmond has long had “Gang” trouble. For far too many years, it has been the “Henry Gang” vs. the “Doug Gang.”

The stuff they pull was “old” when they first pulled it and it has kept our city and region back for far too long. We need CHANGE.

chgal – various posts, please keep posting. Sounds to me as if you are very in touch with some grass roots info.

Elaine #63- no disrespect and nothing offensive meant, but I think you are being naive, or perhaps you don’t understand the problem – this is about Henry Marsh’s years-long hold on the east end. He was a major player in the civil rights struggle way back in the 60′s and 70′s but his time has run out, same as Jesse Jackson’s. He’s old guard. Ms. Newbille may care about the area, BUT SHE DOES NOT RESIDE HERE. She may be a caring person and good administrator and of great character, and care for the folks at the FMC, but she doesn’t live here! It’s not about character, it’s about Henry Marsh pulling invisible strings, and busing people into polls on election day to keep his sense of power alive in the east end.

And, I keep hearing good things about John Murden and wish him all good things in his effort to win the seat in the coming election.

I do not think it is too much to expect that a district be represented by someone who actually lives in the district.