Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today: “I hope that the property owners are successful in restoring the Eggleston Hotel. For decades, it has been one of our City’s historic treasures - right in the heart of Jackson Ward. We will continue to work with the property owners, and provide any available assistance during the construction and restoration process.” Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

WHO: Richmond residents can register to receive free training in basic emergency survival skills. WHAT: “Survivor Day,” sponsored by the City’s Office of Emergency Management, is a four-hour, free training session in fire safety, first-aid, anti-terrorism, and weather response measures. WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 18, 2009 WHERE: John Marshall High School (Auditorium) 4225 Old Brook Road Richmond, Virginia BACKGROUND: This training is designed to prepare citizens with information and planning tools in the event of a widespread disruption of public services, commerce and transportation due to a local emergency. Training is free and open to all City residents. Citizens can register by calling 311 or visiting www.RichmondGov.com . A free Survival Kit, with supplies including flashlight, gloves, batteries, toilet paper and a blanket, will be provided upon completion of the training (limit one per household). Contact: Chris Dettma...

Marketing Effort to Promote Richmond Public Schools WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones School Superintendent Yvonne Brandon WHAT: New Beginning announcement of unified effort and multi-tiered public awareness campaign to highlight and promote Richmond Public Schools. WHEN: 10 a.m. - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 WHERE: City Hall Second Floor Large Conference Room 900 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 BACKGROUND: The mayor and the school superintendent will share about efforts toward a multi-tiered schools promotional project that will consist of a creative advertising campaign entitled "The Choice." Such efforts are designed to highlight and promote Richmond Public Schools and to increase enrollment of school-aged children. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

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...