Fed Up, frankly I think before I’d post against anyone who has read it, I’d read it myself so that I could speak about it intelligently. And given what I know about it, I don’t think the cliff notes version will do it, one might actually have to read the real book.

And since you get into poli-speak sometimes it could be a worthwhile reference. Check it out and use some of the stuff on the city council. You will blow them away. No shit. Some might come up afterwards to talk. I bet you could sell them mao’s little red book of quotations. Try it

But, saying “hypocritically,” for the truth-challenged is such a mouthful.

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear a politicoe announce: “Disingenuously speaking, Sir/Madam ……”

Why can’t we look at having baseball on the Boulevard and a cultural/historic resource in Shockoe Bottom? It doesn’t have to be either/or.

I want more for our city than this perpetual fighting over who gets a bigger piece of the action. Wouldn’t it be nice to have City leadershp looking at the BIG PICTURE?

if the downtown element (your downtown master plan) of the comprehensive plan fails to meet the requirements of a comprehensive plan (say less than what is required), then once all of the other geographic plan pieces, when lumped together, to make a comprehensive plan, then they make a valid comprehensive plan?

can you do that with a venn diagram?

i doubt that ms robertson will do a venn diagram cause (if it was possible for her to do it) it would, well you know.

but look at the requirements from the general assembly and it says consider future development. the comprehensive plan is not just to have a justification for a zoning ordinance. it is a stick/carrot for local govt to plan/see a vision for the future.

prior to any of this “downtown master plan” stuff, it was already recognized (1) commercial slave trade is a cultural/historic resource in the area (2) a new ball park here had already been proposed (3) money had already been spent on the main st station multi-modial trans center.

so why were do these things not stand out in the master plan (that as you say) will be a part of the comprehensive plan?

How much money do you stand to make from the libelous ad hominem attacks on Flynn?

You and the late Rev. Jerry Falwell seem be of the opinion that Flynn is, if not, the anti-Christ, then at least his sister.

Get real, man. She is neither as good nor as bad as people are making her out to be. That said, the lady doesn’t deserve to be treated this way.

I admire her courage. Just because I think she is right on this issue, doesn’t mean I agree with her other stances. But on this issue, she is exactly right.

I credit Mr. Wilder with much of the staff turnover and tumult that has infected City Hall. And, just because Dwight Jones IS NOT Doug Wilder, that doesn’t mean he is a good mayor. He’s just different and from the looks of things, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Jones’ silence on this matter and that of Graziano is deafening. No matter how one looks at this, it is shameful. Utterly shameful and sad.

BTW- For all those that are opposing the construction of “additional housing units” in the Bottom area because “the need isn’t there” and “the developers will lose money” or “we already have enough apartments/condos”, how come you guys weren’t speaking against the recently approved 204 unit project that was submitted via a Special Use Permit at 318 North 18th Street? Is it just certain housing projects that you oppose or all of them? (Ordinance 2009-45)

it is just more of the abuse of power that came from the previous mayor, when he (the mayor) told developers that they would not work in/for the city if bfe construction was involved in the hilton hotel.

an example of “doing it my way”, flynn refuses to have the comprehensive plan say that the Commercial Slave Trade archaeology area exists in shockoe bottom.

check out the comprehensive plan required elements in the code of va. then check the most recent “master plan” and see how many elements are there.

I am still trying to figure where they plan to find people to live in Rocketts Landing,Tobacco Row, The expensive parts of Church Hill and now Echo park,Shockoe Properties and The New complex next to the Firestation. when there are Condo Complexes that have vacancies right now in Shockoe Bottom. In this case if you build it they will leave it empty applies.

Considering 18th Street Required no zoning issues and they plan do it on their own dime if they want to build tons of Useless Expensive Condos let them. Their money but considering we have so many Vacancies around Shockoe Bottom I really don’t get this need to have more stuff that is out of most people’s price range

I am still trying to figure where they plan to find people to live in Rocketts Landing,Tobacco Row, The expensive parts of Church Hill and now Echo park,Shockoe Properties and The New complex next to the Firestation. when there are Condo Complexes that have vacancies right now in Shockoe Bottom. In this case if you build it they will leave it empty applies

There is a process for addressing Echo and pretty much any project that doesn’t conform to zoning. It is called a Special Use Permit.

While Rachel may not personally approve of Echo, it is not her prerogative to NOT process the project under this application. She can certainly provide her recommendations to council and others. However it is her job to follow the planning commission’s recommendations and the rule of law.

BTW- For all those that are opposing the construction of “additional housing units” in the Bottom area because “the need isn’t there” and “the developers will lose money” or “we already have enough apartments/condos”, how come you guys weren’t speaking against the recently approved 204 unit project that was submitted via a Special Use Permit at 318 North 18th Street? Is it just certain housing projects that you oppose or all of them? (Ordinance 2009-45)

Richmond needs to keep or get more green space. Thank you Ms. Flynn.

(a) The head of the department of community development shall be the director of community development, who shall be appointed by the chief administrative officer. The director shall be a person trained and skilled in city planning.

(b) The director shall have general management and control of the department and, subject to applicable personnel policies adopted by ordinance, shall appoint and remove all officers and employees of the department. The director shall have power to make rules and regulations consistent with the Charter, this Code and other city ordinances for the conduct of the department’s business and shall have such other powers and duties as shall be assigned by this division or by ordinance.

Re-read the last sentence once or twice. No power derived except what is permitted by and consistent with the law.

Regardless, she is eerily silent and she is the Council President.

For “Mendacity and Amoral Politicking” –Bruce Tyler, Marty Jewell, Reva Trammell and Doug Conner.

For “Offensive Spineless Silence” —
Dwight Jones, Charles Samuels, Chris Hilbert, Kathy Graziano, Ellen Robertson, Betty Squire

Do you offer your erudite opinion as a citizen or government employee? Does your opinion also reflect that of the esteemed Mrs. Graziano?

Thanks in advance for the clarification.

The problem with Richmond is that the old guard tends to stiffle “vision” – in favor of a neverending petty game of one-up-manship and look-out-for-me-ship.

Do you realize that this area was colonized BEFORE Boston? We have loads of history from the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War periods. And we have a number of great colleges & businesses and historic neighborhoods in the area. And the river? the parks? SOOOOO much potential here.

But Richmond has been too poorly managed to become a “great” destination city – cosmopolitan, forward looking, but with lots of well preserved history -like a Boston.

The difference?

Leadership, cooperation, integrity, and… vision.

Taking a stand is difficult in most circumtances. I applaud her rejection of the amendments to the city’s master plan. Rachel made that stand knowing all too well the size and influence of the opposition to her opinion. Tyler’s voice does not carry much weight but he should be ashamed of his statement. A person should not be in fear of losing their job for DOING their job.

I’d much rather have someone making a stand for what they believe in working for the city over a “tool” put in place to move along an agenda.

Email, call and write the Mayor’s office. You can email your thoughts to your council person, or all of city council as a whole but that may be falling on deaf ears. I’m sure the local news would pick up the story if we, the citizens called with our concerns.

PointCounterPoint – would you mind listing the printed law you are referring to?

Good luck Ms. Flynn!!

Hey, what’s up with the $300K the city is spending to “maintain” the boarded up and defunct remnant of 6th St. Marketplace? Anyone got the scoop on that?

I think where Ms. Flynn has a problem is with the business leaders, design community and potential developers is where she has chosen to “create policy” vs. “implement policy” as defined by the zoning laws that Council has adopted. It’s the same rules and laws you and I are expected to follow.

What if the Chief of Police started interpreting the laws and enforcing something that wasn’t law? Would you be bothered by this? Are you willing to give up your rights as a citizen, taxpayer and property owner?

An unelected administrator shouldn’t be creating laws and rules that run contrary to the printed law.