Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Student Government Association (SGA) Presidents from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Monroe Park Campus and Virginia Union University (VUU) joined a conference call today that was hosted by President Barack Obama to encourage Congress to prevent college loan rates from doubling. During the national call, the President encouraged students and public officials to request Congressional action to prevent student loan rates from doubling for more than 7.4 million students, adding an average of $1000 to their debt. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on college interest loan rates on May 8. Students participating on the President's call were asked to spread the word by using social media and the hashtag #DontDoubleMyRate to encourage Congress to act. "We need to do everything we can to put higher education within reach of every resident," said Mayor Jones. "Higher education cannot be a luxury that is obtainable by only a small few. Access ...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones has announced the launch of the city of Richmond’s first smart phone application. RVA Parks was launched during the ‘Get Healthy – Stay Healthy’ Health Expo at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, April 28. This easy to use application provides searchable information, maps and directions to city parks, playgrounds and community centers using the following search criteria:  ·         Athletic Fields ·         Baseball/Softball Fields ·         Basketball Courts ·         Community Centers ·         Lighted Areas ·         Playground Shelter or Park house ·         Restrooms ·         Swimming/Spray Pools ·         Tennis Courts ·         Tot Lots, and Walk/Exercise Trails “This mobile app allows city residents ...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that the city of Richmond will close the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center and place most operational staff on administrative leave until further notice. Richmond city youth requiring juvenile detention will be housed at neighboring facilities throughout the surrounding area. The decision follows a series of mounting concerns related to staff and management shortcomings and allegations of criminal behavior. “After our last visit to the State Board of Juvenile Justice, I indicated that additional changes in management and operations would be forthcoming,” said Mayor Jones. “My determination at this time is that it would be in the best interest of the future operation of the Juvenile Detention Center if we voluntarily relinquish the license for at least one year while we work to reestablish the facility.” The city of Richmond is expected to relinquish its license by close of business Friday, April 27, 2012. The relocation of residents began to...

~ Long-term issues to be addressed as work continues ~ The Mayor’s Schools Accountability and Efficiency Review Task Force today completed the first phase of its review of the Richmond Public Schools’ budget gap of $23.8 million, and closed the gap with recommendations that exempted teacher layoffs and focused on non-instructional efficiencies. In its report the Task Force prioritized efficiencies in non-instructional programs and recommended several areas for managed competition. Some managed competition initiatives could take more than a year to implement, but will provide for long-term savings. The recommendations include, in part:  -  Immediate hiring freeze to place the decision of filling each position subject to the review and approval by the Superintendent; -   Reduction of 50 non-teacher positions across the school system, of which up to 27 are vacant;   -  Immediate in-house reform of transportation to reduce the number of rou...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that the Board of Directors of Richmond 2015, the organization that will produce the 2015 Road World Cycling Championships, has appointed Wilson H. Flohr, Jr., as its Chief Executive Officer. Richmond 2015 is Co-chaired by Mayor Jones and Thomas Farrell, the Chairman and CEO of Dominion Resources.    In making the announcement on behalf of the 2015 Board, Mayor Jones said, “Wilson’s experience as a tourism leader and business executive makes him ideally suited for this important role in our community.” “Wilson will bring the leadership and focus that we need as we prepare for Richmond to be on the international stage in 2015,” he added. Mr. Farrell said, “Wilson has demonstrated his abilities in a similar role with Richmond Region 2007, where corporate and community financial support was critical for its success.”  He added that “Richmond 2015 will be an even larger event where major local and national sponsorships will ...

Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” Rain Barrel project to be showcased during season opener of 17th Street Farmer’s Market   WHO:             Dwight C. Jones, Mayor Alicia Zatcoff, Sustainability Manager George Bolos, 17th Street Farmers’ Market Marketing Manager   WHAT:           Release of the RVAGreen Sustainability Plan Showcase of the “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” Project  Official Season Opening of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market WHEN:           Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10 a.m. WHERE:       17th Street Farmer’s Market 100 N 17th Street Richmond, VA Please join Mayor Dwight C. Jones on Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. for the season opener of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market and the unveiling of the RVAGreen Sustainability Plan.  Artwork from the “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” project will also be showcased at the market as part of th...

The Mayor’s Food Policy Task Force would like to thank all of the residents who attended the community forum to discuss and prioritize recommendations concerning access to quality, affordable, healthy fresh foods in the city of Richmond. Residents who could not attend the community forum are encouraged to visit www.RichmondGov.com   and click on the Food Policy Task Force Survey article link to provide their input on the task force’s recommendations. Resident input will help shape the action plan to address identified needs to ensure that the city has a healthy and accessible environment for all. Click here to take the survey. Haga clic aquí para tomar la encuesta. This survey will remain open until Friday, April 13, 2012. The Food Policy Task Force is part of Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign that was created to help improve the health of City residents by addressing the disparities affecting access to health care and health resources in the city of Richmond. Th...