Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today on the outcome of the City Council President and Vice President elections. "I offer my sincere congratulations to all newly sworn-in members of Richmond City Council.  Special congratulations go to newly elected Richmond City Council President Charles Samuels and Richmond City Council Vice President Ellen Robertson. Their leadership, foresight and attention to detail will benefit all of us as we continue to work together to address issues in our city. As we enter 2013, our city is poised for great things!  We have made much progress and have had many accomplishments over the past four years. I look forward to working with the entire Council as we continue to Build a Better Richmond.   “President Samuels will bring his parliamentary skills and his level judgment to the job.  He has a balanced approached to complex problems.   “Vice President Robertson brings her experience and grace under pressure to her continuing role

Two new elementary schools opened today in the city of Richmond.  School children returning from winter break at Oak Grove–Bellemeade and Broad Rock Elementary Schools began classes in new facilities today with river and forest themes, outdoor learning spaces and community wings; to name a few amenities. “There are no schools like these in the city of Richmond,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “It was very exciting to open these two schools today and to see the look on the children’s faces as they entered their new classrooms.” Mayor Jones held a ribbon cutting ceremony along with members of Richmond City Council and Richmond Public Schools Board.  A brief tour of each school was taken before the student bodies were addressed in each school’s Commons area. Oak Grove–Bellemeade is a 91,000 square foot facility with campus construction costs of $20,689,189; and Broad Rock is a 94,136 square foot facility with construction costs of $19,882,309. There is wireless technology throughout each sch