Mayor Jones will be honored during the National Action Network’s 11th Annual “Keepers of the Dream” Awards tonight in New York, New York. The Mayor will receive the award from the National Action Network, which annually honors those who share the same vision and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “To receive this award and be mentioned in the same breath as Dr. King is very humbling,” said the Mayor. “I am truly honored and I hope my efforts continue to inspire and make a positive difference in the lives of others as we strive as a nation to achieve Dr. King’s dream.” Other 2009 Keepers of the Dream honorees are Andre Harrell, Harrell Music; Larry King, Larry King Live; Esther Silver-Parker, Senior Vice President of Diversity Relations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Alfred Liggins, Chairman and CEO of Radio & TV One, Inc.; Andy Stern, President of Service Employees International Union; Robin Roberts, Good Morning America; Maurice Cox, VP Diversity &...

Richmond, VA – In this year’s first assessment by a major rating agency, Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the City’s already high utility revenue bond rating from AA- to AA. Bonds rated in this category are judged to be of high quality by all standards. “The raised utility revenue bond rating is welcomed news in this difficult economy,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “This achievement provides us with the added momentum we need as we pursue our goal of ‘Building a Better Richmond,’ by striving for a Triple-A bond rating for the City.” The City’s improved standing is in part due to the interactions of Standard & Poor’s with the Mayor and president of City Council along with the impressive leadership in managing the City’s utility and their belief that financial planning will position the City for positive results in the years to come. CONTACT: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today issued the following statement: "I am very pleased Union First Market Bankshares Corporation will headquarter in downtown Richmond. Today’s announcement is encouraging news during a time of national economic distress and uncertainty. I see this merger as a positive step forward in rebuilding Richmond as a financial center. "The banks of Union Bankshares have a long history of local banking and a strong commitment to the communities they serve, including a healthy presence here in greater Richmond. Jim and Bobby Ukrop have built First Market Bank with the same commitment to customer and community service that Ukrop’s customers have enjoyed for decades. I know Union First Market will be a responsible corporate citizen and community leader, and I look forward to working with them to build a better Richmond." Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

FY 2009-2010 and FY 2010-2011 Mayor Dwight C. Jones presented the 2009/10-2010/11 fiscal budgets to City Council today. The Fiscal Year 2009-2010 general fund budget is proposed to be $629.6 million, a decrease of $28.5 million (4.3%) from the current fiscal year. Fiscal Year 2010-2011 projects a budget of $636.5 million, an increase from the prior year of about $7 million (1%). The second year reflects slight growth, but is still a decrease from the current FY 2008-2009 budget plan. “Our nation is in the midst of the worst economic downturn in some 75 years. In these difficult financial times even tougher choices and belt tightening is called for,” said the Mayor. “Our theme for the next two years will be ‘Making Efficient Decisions in Challenging Economic Times.’ The fiscal plan we are presenting represents a comprehensive spending plan in line with current revenue projections and we will not be dipping into the Rainy Day Fund in the proposed budget. "The good news is that this...

Continues Emphasis on Regional Cooperation WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones WHAT : Mayor to attend Henrico County Board of Supervisors meeting WHEN: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 7 p.m. WHERE: Administration Building, Board Room 4301 East Parham Road Henrico, VA 23273 BACKGROUND: Mayor Jones, in a continued effort to generate regional cooperation, will make his second county visit today at the Henrico County Board of Supervisors meeting. "I want today’s visit to serve as a representation of my continuing commitment to a New Beginning of closer working relationships with the City's regional partners," the Mayor said. The Mayor last month met with the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, where he emphasized education and collaboration to address common challenges among school districts. “Our hand of cooperation will remain outstretched to our neighboring counties, as we strive to make Richmond not only a great city but a gr...

Mayor Dwight Jones expressed his commitment and support for the minority business community and noted his interest in ensuring that the small and minority business community has every opportunity to participate in the city procurement process. "My commitment to entrepreneurship and business opportunity has been present throughout my public service career. We are reviewing City performance where small and minority business inclusion is concerned and we are sending a message to all City contractors of the importance of inclusion," said Mayor Jones. Mayor Jones' commitment was expressed following a news conference held by the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP in support of contracting opportunities for minority businesses and entrepreneurs. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

New Beginning Seeks AAA Bond Rating for City As a tool to “Build a Better Richmond,” Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced his goal to pursue a Triple-A (AAA) bond rating for the City of Richmond. The announcement came during the Informal Session of the Richmond City Council in the Council Chambers, during which the mayor issued the following statement: "I am before you today with what is perhaps the most important of my New Beginnings: the new start of planning for our long-term financial future. We are in a unique moment in time – in a dire economy – to plot our pathway into the future. We know that the economic downturn is not over and we know that the economy will rebound. During this period, the best thing we can do is to tighten our fiscal belts, assess our finances, and develop a bold plan into the future – by setting our goals now and then implementing those goals. "Today, I am setting in motion our Tier One Plan. We want to become a Tier One City and we aren’t go...