Feb. 21 Newsletter: Rep on the ropes again
Weather: A high of 40, with some sun to help melt the snow.
On this date in 1967, Richmond Mayor “Doc” Crowe says in a speech to the Kiwanis Club of West Richmond that consolidating Henrico, Richmond and Chesterfield is the best way to advance the region. Three years later, Crowe’s efforts led to the annexation of 23 square miles in Chesterfield.
Virginia Rep cancels upcoming show after building sale falls through
The Virginia Repertory Theatre, which held an emergency fundraiser late last year to remain fiscally solvent, was dealt another blow last week when an agreement to sell one of its buildings fell through.
Without that money, the theater said it had to cancel its upcoming production of "Fat Ham," a reinterpretation of Hamlet.
- "Had we brought the cast to Richmond, it was virtually certain that we would have run out of money by opening night," the Rep's director said.
Read more, including the steps the group is taking to remain solvent, here.
In lawsuit, public housing residents say RRHA systematically hid rent waiver from poorest tenants
A class-action lawsuit alleges that the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has been systematically overcharging its poorest residents by failing to offer them a federally required exemption from paying rent in certain hardship situations.
The RRHA has over 10,000 residents and is the largest housing authority in Virginia.
- “It is common knowledge that RRHA is in the process of renewed lease enforcement and is moving forward systematically. These actions are likely creating issues and challenges to those who have not honored their responsibility for rental payments,” RRHA's CEO said in a statement.
Audit finds Richmond gave more than $1M to nonprofits that didn’t meet city criteria
In the 2023 budget year, auditors found, the city awarded $1.45 million to 15 nonprofit groups that “did not meet the published scoring criteria or deadlines noted in the application packet.”
- City officials told the auditor’s office that some key documents from that year’s process — such as scoring sheets and conflict of interest forms meant to prevent bias — had been thrown away as part of a “warehouse cleanup.”
The audit also found that late applications were accepted, and there was a lack of oversight: Of the 25 grants reviewed, eight did not meet their performance measures, and four didn't even file a final report.
Colonial Downs preparing for its biggest race to date
Seated areas are already sold out for the Virginia Derby on Saturday, March 15, with general admission tickets still available. This will be the 25th Virginia Derby, but the first where the winner will receive a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
The enhanced prize money and opportunities are funded by the Rosie's gambling parlors Colonial Downs has built around the state, as well as the facility's new ownership by Churchill Downs. Read more here.
In other news
- Study finds critical barriers to mental health care for Greater Richmond’s Latinos (VPM)
- VCU program that puts teachers in hard-to-staff schools loses federal funding (Times-Dispatch)
- As more Amish move into rural Virginia, crashes between buggies and motor vehicles are on the rise. (Cardinal News)
The editor's desk
Now that The Richmonder works out of a downtown office, I was finally able to experience the pizza at the General Assembly Building. When they opened the new building two years ago, a dedicated pizza oven was one of the big selling points — and its ability to feed tour groups and other visitors.
My review: Very good pizza. The pepperonis were crisp, and the dough was soft. It doesn't compete with Richmond's best options (hi, Zorch), but it hit the spot on a frigid workday.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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