Nov. 22 Newsletter: Ginter garden employees vote to unionize
Weather: It’s cold, but not for good. High of 50.
On this date in 1959, Councilmember Phil J. Bagley called for the city to purchase the Boulevard Bridge from the private company that owned it, after a recent closing for repairs caused “a gross inconvenience to our citizens at the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.”
He added that the purchase of the bridge should not stand in the way of plans for a future “expressway” bridge across the James River further west.
Ginter gardeners form union
By a vote of 37-13 on Thursday, employees of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden voted to form a union and collectively bargain.
The Ginter employees will be represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM, which also represents TrueTimber tree care company locally.
Employees advocating for the union expressed concern their voices and suggestions were not being heard by management.
Read more on the vote, and the lead up to it, here.
City wants to expand speed camera program
State legislators who represent Richmond are planning to push for new laws during the next General Assembly session that would increase the number of areas where the city is allowed to use speed cameras.
Proposed legislation, which is supported by City Council, will allow the cameras around college campuses, and increase the hours they can be used in K-12 school zones.
Another proposal would allow the cameras to be placed on roads where high numbers of people have been killed or severely injured in traffic accidents.
Overtime loss a sour start to key weekend for VCU hoops
The Rams lost 69-66 in overtime to Seton Hall on Thursday night in the opening round of the Charleston Classic. One loss isn't the end of the world for the Rams, but this was a particularly valuable opportunity.
- VCU will play three games in Charleston against quality opponents. Because top teams are reluctant to come to the Siegel Center, these games often carry outsized weight when NCAA tournament bids are announced.
The Rams get a chance to bounce back tonight against Nevada before finishing the tournament on Sunday. Read more about last night's loss, and the return of injured guard Zeb Jackson, here.
Also in The Richmonder:
Richmonder Staff
Graham Moomaw
Tom Allen
In other news:
- More Richmond drivers share concerns with school bus stop-arm ticket program (CBS 6)
- Kabana Rooftop, the city’s tallest rooftop bar, to be replaced with new concept next year (BizSense)
- Style Weekly’s Scott Elmquist wins Lifetime Achievement Award (Style Weekly)
The editor's desk
Tonight brings the best high school football game of the year (so far) as Varina takes on Huguenot in the playoffs.
Varina lived in the shadow of nearby Highland Springs for a few years as the Springers claimed multiple state titles, but the Blue Devils got the better of them this year.
Huguenot is one of three Richmond-city schools that had stellar seasons. New coach Charles Scott rebuilt the program practically overnight.
Meanwhile, the playoffs have been delayed by legal fighting in Northern Virginia, where a high school ruled ineligible to participate got a court injunction overturning that decision, pushing games back by a week.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
