Municipal Mania: Recent Episodes
RVA Dirt
We're baaaaAaaaaack! And better than ever! Fran and Melissa are joined by new education correspondents Becca and Emily. And fan favorite Taikein Cooper returns to give us his insight on the state of education in the Commonwealth. Original air date: January 19, 2023
It's #WomensHistoryMonth and we are so inspired by today's guests. We're talking cannabis law with two of the hardest working women in the game - Sheba Williams of Nolef Turns, Inc. and Ngiste Abebe of Columbia Care. Both are also on the board of Virginia NORML.
📚The Revolution will be LITERATE📚 On today's #BlackHistoryMakers episode of #MUNICIPALMANIA we honor our favorite National Teacher of the Year and 22 yr vet of Richmond Public Schools Rodney Robinson 💕💐Remember to give people their flowers while they are here, y'all💐 #BHM
On this week's episode of our Black History Makers series we welcome Renaissance woman Amy Wentz to the show to talk Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, BLK RVA, Southside Releaf, and all things good for Black Richmond.
We are so pleased to honor and amplify the voice of Duron Chavis on #MUNICIPALMANIA to kick off our #BlackHistoryMakers series this month!
We talk Virginia Solidarity Economy Network with Matthew Slaats.
Who needs capitalism when you could have CoOps?
Melissa is back turning #rvacouncil tweets into radio.
Chronicling the January 10, 2022 meeting of Richmond City Council.
Today begins the 5th season of #MUNICIPALMANIA! We are excited to be back after a heckin long hiatus. As is tradition, our first guest of the year is #rvamayor Levar Stoney. Fran & Melissa also give y'all a little life update.
Last Wednesday evening I was supposed to sub on Midtown Swing for the lovely and amazing DJ Ginger. Well, the Universe had other plans and thwarted me by borking everything in my path. LOLSOB. Anyway, I really wanted to share my not-so-normal holiday show with all y'all, so here it is, in it's entirety, as it would have aired on WRIR-LP 97.3FM RICHMOND. Please enjoy HOLIDAY MIDTOWN SWING: XMAS CHEER & BAH HUMBUGS, TOO!
Playlist: Keenan Thompson (SNL) - Sump'n Claus
Rebel Cats - Santa Claus Llego A La Ciudad (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)
The Killers - The Cowboy's Christmas Ball
Holly Golightly - Christmas Tree's On Fire
Carol of the Bells - Trans-Siberian Orchestra (my absolute fave carol EVERRRRR)
DropKick Murphys - The Seasons Upon Us
If 50 Cent's 'In Da Club' Was A Christmas Carol - Ali Spagnola and Chriss Rupp
DOKKEN - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler - Zombie Christmas
Bootsy Collins - Boot-Off
The Flaming Lips - Christmas at the Zoo
Corey Taylor - X-M@$
Stephen Colbert - Just Another Christmas Song
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Ronnie James Dio
The Waltons - Christmastime on Waltons Mountain
Star Wars Christmas - R2-D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Erin McKeown - Santa is an A**hole
The Squirrel Nut Zippers - Sleigh Ride
Skaza - Last Christmas
Bobnoxious - The Police Nabbed My Dad
Sesame Street - Counting The Days
Save Ferris - Christmas Wrap
Amon Amarth - Viking Christmas
Akim & Teddy Vann - Santa Claus Is A Black Man
Lemmy Kilmister, Dave Grohl & Billy F. Gibbons - Run Rudolph Run
Pledge Drive - Christmas Rhapsody
The Killers - Joel the Lump of Coal (feat Jimmy Kimmel)
Joe Satriani - Heavy Metal Christmas
Bob Rivers - Be Claus I Got High
Sum 41 & Tenacious D - Things I Want
Arleisha - Pop That Booty For Santa (feat. Scholar Kuwgi)
Big Dumb Face - Christmas in the Cave of Dagoth
Melissa Vaughn speaks with Brian Palmer, a descendant and volunteer with Friends of East End Cemetery, a non-profit organization working to restore, preserve, and archive the lives interred in this and neighboring Evergreen Cemetery, both historic African American burial grounds located in Richmond, VA. This piece is part of KCRW's 24 Hour Radio Race.
Melissa chats with creator/host/producer of Richmond's only locally produced children's radio show & podcast, RPS parent Mario Brown of Mr. Dad's Storytime.
Melissa welcomes the Friends of East End Cemetery back to #MUNICIPALMANIA! Thank you to Brian Palmer, Erin Hollaway Palmer, Melissa Pocock and everyone else involved for their continued dedication to uncovering and telling the stories buried here.
Fran and Melissa round out Pride Month with friends Melanin Monroe, Identity Crisis, and Jasmen ClitO'patra. Just some gals having a shit chat.
Fran and Melissa chat with 5 members of the LGBTQ+ small business community -- Natasha McKeller Crosby, Emmett Wright, Lilith Zarling, Bethany Frazier, and Luise 'Cheezi' Farmer.
Welcome to our #MUNICIPALMANIA #Pride2021 🏳️🌈series! We begin with the most powerful show we've done. (TW) Conversion Therapy survivors Adam Trimmer and Apryl Prentiss join us to talk advocacy, legislation and a light at the end of the tunnel.
Fran and Melissa welcome back multiple time guest Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to get an update on his priorities for the City.
The gals speak with Dr. Eli Coston and Angela Fontaine, co-chairs of the Task Force to create a Civilian Review Board for the City of Richmond.
We speak with Richmond's Democratic Candidates for Commonwealth's attorney Tom Barbour and incumbent Colette McEachin ahead of the June 8 primary.
Melissa chats with Sam Schwartzkopf, Peter Briel, and Tina Haney about the newest in new when it comes to Citizen Services by the City of Richmond for the people. Give us a listen then go play on RVA.gov and the RVA 311 app!
We sat down last month during Women's History Month to talk about ALL THINGS GRTC Transit System with CEO Julie Timm and Marketing & Comms Director Carrie Rose Pace. 🚎🚌🚍 Thanks, ladies!
Fran and Melissa needed to blow off some steam so they invited some of Richmond's hottest Drag Queens to join them for a kiki. Chicki Parm, Melanin Monroe, Identity Crisis, and Javon Love fill us in on what they've been doing to survive and thrive during this endless pepperoni pandemonium.
Melissa and Fran open up about Melissa's breast cancer diagnosis and Fran's cancer caregiver role, plus we speak with Erin Steigleder, Kirsta Millar, and Tara Daudani with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. More information on this absolutely fabulous resource for anyone affected by breast cancer can be found at vbcf.org
Melissa is feeling generous and not gentrifous on this week's Q&D, chronicling the March 22, 2021 meeting of Richmond City Council.
We wrap our Women-Led Supermajority of Richmond City Council special with some truly powerhouse gals! Stephanie Lynch (5th), Council Vice President Ellen Robertson (6th) and Council President Dr. Cynthia Newbille (7th) Check out our upcoming Youtube channel for an extra 20 minutes on Municipal Mania Uncut! Just search RVA Dirt on Youtube!
We talk with Katherine Jordan (2nd), Ann-Frances Lambert (3rd), and Kristen Nye Larson (4th) about the lady-led supermajority on #rvacouncil and what it's like for women in Richmond politics. Happy Women's History Month.
Fran and Melissa check in with RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras to see what the kids are up to these days.
It's the last episode of #MUNICIPALMANIA for 2020‼️‼️‼️ Today's guest: recently reelected #rvamayor Levar Stoney checks in with us on his continuing Rona priorities and what the next term holds.
MaskItOrCasket😷⚰️
An historically accurate recounting of the December 14, 2020 meeting of Richmond City Council, thankfully the last of this turdburger of a year.
Fran and Melissa talk election fatigue, self care, and current events in their return to the air after a loooooong and much needed break.
What in the H-E-L-L? A recounting of the November 9, 2020 meeting of Richmond, VA City Council.
We are so excited to wrap our candidate forum series with the Mayoral Forum. Such a pleasure speaking with incumbent #rvamayor Levar Stoney and challenger Alexsis Rodgers. Justin Griffin and Tracey McClean couldn't make our deadline and Kim Gray sent us a robo campaign message and no actual reply. Shocker. Enjoy and remember, if you haven't already, VOTE!
Our last district forum is here! We welcome 1st district #rvacouncil candidates incumbent Andreas Addison and his challengers Mike Gray and Mike Dickinson, plus bonus appearance by uncontested #rpsboard incumbent Liz Doerr. It's a good one and it should gear you up for our grand finale.... The Mayoral Forum! Next week!
Bringing a bit of pumpkin spice magic to the 2nd District Candidates Forum! Today Fran and Melissa speak with Scott Barlow the #RPSBoard incumbent, as well as Katherine Jordan and Tavarris Spinks who are both running to fill the #RVACouncil seat, which will be vacated by Kim Gray who is running for #RVAMayor.
The 3rd is up as we near the last few episodes of our Candidates Forum series. Francesca and Melissa are joined by #rvacouncil candidates Willie Hilliard, Ann-Frances Lambert, and Elaine Summerfield, plus #rpsboard incumbent Kenya Gibson and her challenger Sabrina Gross.
Today we are joined by 4th District candidates Deanna Fierro for #RPSBoard and unopposed #RVACouncil incumbent Kristen Nye Larson to discuss their platforms and why they deserve your vote November 3rd.
This week Fran and Melissa are joined by the 5th district candidates for #RPSBoard and #RVACouncil -- Stephanie Rizzi, Jenny Aghomo, and Decardra Jackson for School Board and incumbent Stephanie Lynch and her challenger Jer'Mykeal McCoy for Council.
It's another candidate forum! This time candidates for the 6th district #rvacouncil and #rpsboard join us to convince us to vote for them! Ellen Robertson and Allan-Charles Chipman for Council and Shonda Harris-Muhammad and Lynette Plummer for School Board.
We are joined by multiple time guest, Superintendent Jason Kamras, who lets us in on the state of Virtual RPS!
MUNICIPAL MANIA EPISODE 105 - "7th District Candidates Forum" - August 19, 2020 by RVA Dirt
We are excited to continue our Candidate Forums, this time with the 8th District! We are joined by Amy Wentz and Regie Ford, vying for the council seat held for 17 years by Reva Trammell. And also, school board incumbent Dawn Page joins us to let you know how she plans to continue improving life for the 8th District's children.
Councilwoman Reva Trammell and School Board challenger Dana Sally Allen were contacted for this show, but neither replied to multiple requests.
IT'S OUR #ELECTION2020 CANDIDATE FORUMS!!! We begin with the 9th District. School Board Candidate Nicole Jones and City Council Incumbent Dr. Mike Jones join us and let me tell you, IT IS A FIRE EPISODE!
It's the return of the Quick and Dirty Council Roundup, hosted by RVA Dirt's Melissa Vaughn. Get all the dirt on the July 27, 2020 meeting of Richmond City Council and a heavy dose of shade, to boot.
We're back from hiatus! We missed you! Join us for a much needed discussion about the state of policing in Richmond w/special guest Dr. Eli Coston repping RTAP.
This week we welcome 2 of our faves to Municipal Mania for the first time! Artist Hamilton Glass tells us about his new project Mending Walls and the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson chats with us about the state of education.
Music by Poor Righteous Teachers "Each One Teach One"
7th District Representative and #rvacouncil President Dr. Cynthia Newbille joins us, "... I'll be looking, let me say, relentlessly for the funding to undertake the full study because we must have an equity agenda for our city. It is no longer acceptable."
We also revist our 16th episode covering the murder by police of Marcus David Peters and the ensuing protest. Can you believe it's been 2 years?
Thank you for listening to All 100 episodes of RVA Dirt's Municipal Mania! We look forward to 1000 more shows where we learn and grow together with you on our paths to local government and community enlightenment. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Stay safe, stay 6 ft away, and stay informed.
2nd District Councilwoman and mayoral candidate Kim Gray interrupts the Operational Development Standing Committee meeting to raise alarm about "riots" on Monument Ave.
Melissa had the absolute pleasure of hanging out via Zoom w/ Francesca Lyn & Amber Hendrix, 2 of our faves in #RVA comedy!
RVA DIRT'S MUNICIPAL MANIA EPISODE 98 - HOPEWELL MAYOR JASMINE GORE - May 6, 2020 by RVA Dirt
The gals and one of Fran's 6 Christmas trees chat with Richmond City Mayor Levar Stoney about RVA and the Rona. Thank you to the Open Source RVA crew for their Ken Burnsesque Fund Drive pitch. If you can, please donate at WRIR.ORG to keep YOUR community radio station on the air. Thank you!
Today Fran and Melissa discuss the fallout and frustrations stemming from the revelations of racist iconography in a #rvacouncil member's kitchen. This episode is... something else. It's a doozy. It's not about shade, but it is about understanding and holding elected officials & ourselves accountable. Oh, and being anti-racist every day, all day, forever and ever. Amen
It's a super packed bonus time edition of #MUNICIPALMANIA! Fran and Melissa welcome a large group of friends to discuss equity in the Rona Era. Guests include Natasha Crosby, Victor McKenzie, Jr., Taikein Cooper, Danielle Greene, Allan- Charles Chipman, and Duron Chavis.
We ride the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience brunch trolley and talk to Unlocking RVA's Faith Wilkerson. Then, Elijah from the VUU Radio Production class interviews Kelli Lemon.
This week we had the pleasure of meeting and talking with some really fun, insightful, knowledgeable folks about Virginia's(and Richmond's)triumphs and tribulations in the realm of climate and environmental issues. Our guests were Harrison Wallace of Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Kendyl Crawford with Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, Danielle Simms of Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and Jeremy Hoffman, Chief Scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia. Tune in from your own lil' heat island and learn how these issues affect you!
7th District Representatives Council President Dr. Cynthia Newbille and School Board Vice Chair Cheryl Burke join Fran and Melissa to discuss the state of the lucky #7th and their partnership on today's super extended edition of #MUNICIPALMANIA!
This week Francesca and Melissa get mobilized with the movers and shakers in Richmond Transit! Joining us are Julie Timm, CEO of GRTC, Carrie Rose Pace, GRTC's Director of Communications, Adam Lockett, VCU Student and Vice Chair of TAG, and last but never least, our birthday boy Wyatt Gordon, member of TAG, writer of transit related articles for Greater Greater Washington and RVA Mag... Oh! And he's your guy for land use and transportation at Virginia Conservation Network. Get on the bus with us!
This show is WILD, y'all! To kick off #BlackHistoryMonth (#BlackHistoryYear in Dirtlandia) we were blessed w/ some Black Girl Magic courtesy of Melanin Monroe & Javon Love Lopez. Catch Black Girl Magic featuring The Vixen at Fallout Feb. 16th. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-girl-magic-featuring-the-vixen-tickets-89353694305
Even the fires of Hell and a catty Councilwoman can't stop Melissa from delivering the Quick & Dirty.
Melissa records a missive about the last 2 meetings of City Council from her downstairs bathroom. This week's major players include RTAP, Councilman Mike Jones, and the KREVA Hydra.
Recorded Jan. 10, 2020
This episode we welcome back State Senator Jennifer McClellan bacon to the show to discuss the papers she is putting forth during this session of the General Assembly. Hot off an historic takeover of both Houses by the Democrats, she says if you have an issue, "We've got a bill for that!"
We are pleased to host #RVAMayor Levar Stoney on Municipal Mania to close out 2019 and ring in 2020.
It's Francesca's Birthday! We invited some friends to pop by and discuss 2 topics important to our gal and then we close out with some projections and hopes for 2020. Our guests this week are Sheri Shannon, Wyatt Gordon, Taikein Cooper (Mr. 6'1" and Counting 😂), and first timer Danielle Greene.
Melissa and Francesca check in with 6th District reps #RPSBoard member Felicia Cosby and #rvacouncil woman Ellen Robertson.
FINALLY!!! Re-edited the episode and here it is! Fran and Melissa get to know Richmond's newest Councilperson, the 5th District's Stephanie Lynch!
This week Francesca and Melissa tackle the topic of homelessness with Kelly King Horne, executive director of Homeward, a data-driven organization that partners with other non-profits to provide services to the homeless population while working towards viable solutions to get them into housing. And stay tuned for a special message from Councilman Dr. Michael Jones!
Melissa talks with Kristin Reed of Richmond For All, Ben Teresa of RVA Eviction Lab, and Omari Al-Qadaffi with Legal Aid Justice Center about the ongoing housing and eviction crisis in Richmond.
It's our super duper double feature election special!!! We interviewed Ghazala Hashmi (who's up first and didn't actually say her name LOL) candidate for 10th District State Senate, and Sheila Bynum-Coleman, candidate for Delegate in the 66th District.
Eric Steigleder of The Valentine joins Melissa for a deep dive into the goings on at Richmond’s history museum.
This week's episode features Friends O' The Dirt Wyatt Gordon, Sheri Shannon, and Taikein Cooper for a little chit chat on the State of Richmond. It's also our Fall Fund Drive episode for our home station WRIR-LP 97.3FM Richmond Independent Radio. If you can, please give at wrir.org to keep us and shows like us on the air!
Today's guest is Matthew Slaats, a PhD student from UVA working to bring Participatory Budgeting to Richmond! Richmond City Council passed a resolution on 9/23/19 giving us the chance to pick and budget for a project of the community's choice. $3M a year, y'all! Check out RES. 2019-R051 and, of course, this episode for all the deets!
Did you know you had other choices politically in Richmond? Is capitalism just not working out for you, and downright pissing you off? Well, there's a party for YOU!
We had the pleasure of welcoming Ayame and Austin from the Richmond Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and Kathryn from the Young DSA at VCU. Listen and learn with us, won't you?
This week we invited friend o' the Dirt Taikein Cooper, AKA Mr. 6'1", to join us for a rousing discussion on funding for children in Richmond.
Francesca and Melissa joined forces with Chelsea and Cat from Race Capitol to bring you "Plead the 5th," a radio forum where we questioned the candidates running to represent the 5th City Council District in Richmond, VA.
Candidates: Grant Sturm Thad Williamson Stephanie Lynch Jer'Mykeal McCoy Robin Mines Nicholas DaSilva
We sit down with comms strategist and Manchester resident Sheri Shannon to spill all the latest tea on the Hilds and how their influence has affected the Manchester and Blackwell neighborhoods. We also discuss how developers all over Richmond change the face and feel of certain neighborhoods based on their "vision" for them, and maybe not so much the community's wants and needs.
Melissa Pocock and Brian Palmer & Erin Hollaway Palmer, part of the Friends of East End Cemetery join us for a discussion about their volunteerism and passion for restoring this historic black Richmond resting place. It's one of our favorite episodes yet!
This episode is all about Marijuana Justice in VA! Our guests include Prince Hudson from Black Hemp Family, Ngiste Abebe with Virginia NORML and our Sis in all things, Chelsea Higgs Wise, wearing her Marijuana Justice VA hat!
This is a rebroadcast PLUS! new material of the ICA/WRIR-LP 97.3 FM "Local Voices Live at Summer Sessions: Commonwealth - Built Environment" episode from July 3, 2019. Original recording is from June 29, 2019 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU. The bonus material features a talk given by guest Marshall Brown of Princeton School of Architecture. It's good stuff. You should check it out!
Francesca and Melissa speak to Iman Shabazz about BEYOND CONTAINMENT, a discussion guide on improving Public Safety in Richmond.
Local Voices Live - A collaboration between the ICA at VCU Summer Sessions: Commonwealth and WRIR-LP 97.3 FM Richmond Independent Radio. Subject: Built Environment
Featuring Duron Chavis, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Jonathan Knopf, Maggie Walker Community Land Trust Ryan Rinn, Storefront for Community Design Marshall Brown, Princeton
With Melissa out and Jordan producing... RVA Dirt girls Fran and Jessee were left to their own devices. So what did they do? Brought in Mr. 6-1 himself, Taikein Cooper and regular DirtGuest Chelsea Higgs Wise to talk all about Virginia's Mueller report. Listen in to a lively discussion about Ralph, why Ralph should resign, and 1 OUTSTANDING Ralph Northam impression.
For this week’s episode of #MUNICIPALMANIA, we recorded off site at the end of the last day of New Leaders Council Virginia Chapter's inaugural institute to talk about progressive visions for rural areas, job creation, and housing.
A HUGE thank you you to our special guests for joining this week including: - NLC VA fellows Lena Rivera, Denver Supinger, Antonio Ingram, and Amy Wentz. - NLC Virginia co-directors and co-founders Ngiste Abebe and Ben Stolz
I know we all heard it... but what is it we were hearing in the budget debate? We invited some #DirtFriends favs to the studio to talk about it. Using clips from actual budget discussions, the panel took the opportunity to talk about the power dynamics and history as some context that can help us filter through what is argument supported by fact-based evidence.... and what isn't.
Be sure to check out our esteemed panelists on their other platforms! Chelsea Higgs Wise on Race Capitol Allan-Charles Chipman on A Difference in Thought Rich Meagher on RVAPol.com
On this week's show, we talk with Bret Clawson about his recent paper that analyzed health inequity data by #RVACouncil district.
Continuing our way through the districts, this week's Municipal Mania is a 4th District Special with #RVACouncil member Kristen Larson and #RPSBoard member Jonathan Young.
Listen to this week's discussion about Richmond Police and VCU Police with members from Richmond Transparency and Accountability Project, VCU YDSA, and VCU Amnesty International.
The Queer Crimer and Antifa Seven Hills join us on Municipal Mania to talk about their work on recent published doxxes of local white nationalists.
In honor of women's history month, we talk about the women of RVA Council past and present.
RVA Dirt sits down with Omari Al'Qadaffi to discuss the complaint he filed requesting investigation of the GRTC Transit System's new route structure.
Lillie A. Estes was an important community leader for Richmond who meant a lot to us personally. To honor her life, we assembled audio from people talking about Lillie and what she meant to them as well as audio from Lillie's past speeches. She may be gone but her legacy will live on forever in our hearts and the impact she had on our lives. Thank you Lillie A. Estes.
On this week's edition of Municipal Mania, we have a round table discussion about the current events of Virginia's state-level politics.
This week we continue our district-focus episodes with the 3rd District's Councilman Chris Hilbert and School Board member Kenya Gibson.
This week on Municipal Mania, we sat down with Delegate Jeff Bourne in the midst of a chaotic time in Virginia politics to talk about how we are also halfway through the 2019 session of the General Assembly.
We continue our series of interviews with each district's #RVACouncil and #RPSBoard reps. Unfortunately, the snow storm situation threw off our schedule last year for the 2nd District. For our interview with 2nd District Councilwoman Kim Gray, you can go back and check out the December interview. Now, this show is our snow day make up interview with 2nd District School Board Member Scott Barlow.
For this week's episode, we sat down with former 5th District Councilman Chuck Richardson to talk about the current efforts surrounding current 5th District Councilman's residency.
As broadcast on the January 18th episode of Open Source RVA on WRIR, here is the Quick and Dirty City Council Round Up for the January 14th meeting of RVA Council.
In advance of the January 17th screening of Until the Well Runs Dry, RVA Dirt sat down with Chelsea Higgs Wise and Dr. Shawn Utsey to talk about MCV's documented history of using black bodies for medical advancement, how that history has been handled by VCU to date, and why this history means so much in the present.
We sat down with state Senator Jennifer McClellan ahead of this year's General Assembly Session. Session begins TODAY January 9th. Check in on RVADirt.com for General Assembly coverage from Richmond 2Day editor, Brandon Jarvis.
It's our last show of the year, folks! The magical Hopes and Dreams for 2019 episode starring: Francesca Leigh-Davis Jessee Perry Melissa Vaughn Chelsea Higgs Wise Porshia Foster Open Source RVA's Krysti Albus and Don Harrison Ennis Cole Let's Get Drunk and Talk About It's Nate Peterson and Shonda Harris-Muhammed.
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Economic Development Chat and Learn. For those who couldn’t make it, here is the audio of the event, and the video can be found on our Facebook page.
Thank you to our facilitator for the evening, Chelsea Higgs Wise. You did a superb job keeping the conversation flowing and taking us to different places to consider. And thank you Dr. Ben Teresa for your TIF expertise.
One segment we are not uploading is the beginning where all attendees introduced themselves and what brought them to the meeting. We made the decision to withhold the names from this posting as we acknowledge the real concern of retaliation for truth-telling. To give the viewer some context, there were community members from a variety of backgrounds including health, food justice, civic associations, education, environmental protection, affordable housing, and beyond. There were no elected officials in attendance; however, Jeff Kelley of Kelley Communications who was contracted by NH District Corp for Communications work on the Navy Hill Project registered and attended the event. He introduced himself in his capacity at the beginning.
Keep checking back as there is additional follow up to come. We will post the PowerPoint used as a PDF in the near future. But wait... there’s more! We will be sending out a google form with follow up questions about the meeting. That form will include a question for if people want to make their, their organization’s, or their blog’s information publicly available. The goal of doing this is to facilitate the connection of people beyond this one meeting. We posted the notecards y’all wrote but we will also upload them as a file and create a space for people who couldn’t attend to add theirs.
We look forward to hosting more of these chat and learn style meetings. Thank you as always for your support.
And a huuuuuuuge shout out to Allan-Charles Chipman for holding it down on the audio and video for the evening! We really appreciate it. Thank you.
Jessee and Melissa endure a painfully long and fraught meeting of Richmond City Council on 12.17.2018.
Listen to a discussion about the Richmond Public Schools strategic plan followed by an interview with Superintendent Jason Kamras where we talk about all things RPS in 30 minutes.
On this week's Municipal Mania, we sit down with 2nd District Councilwoman Kim Gray. Due to snow, we had to reschedule with 2nd District RPS Board member Scott Barlow. So, instead, you will hear a selection of speeches from the December 8, 2018 March for More.
On December 8, 2018 people gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School to demand the General Assembly fulfill its constitutional obligation and fully fund the true cost of education. Before leaving MLK Jr Middle, various politicians, teachers, and students gave speeches to get the crowd rallied up. Ultimately the march ended at the Virginia State Capitol where more people gave speeches. In addition to demanding more funding for schools from the General Assembly, some attendees came with the message of funding schools over building a coliseum.
Here you can listen to speeches from the beginning and end of the march.
On December 8, 2018 people gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School to demand the General Assembly fulfill its constitutional obligation and fully fund the true cost of education. Before leaving MLK Jr Middle, various politicians, teachers, and students gave speeches to get the crowd rallied up. Ultimately the march ended at the Virginia State Capitol where more people gave speeches. In addition to demanding more funding for schools from the General Assembly, some attendees came with the message of funding schools over building a coliseum.
Here you can listen to speeches from the beginning and end of the march.
On December 8, 2018 people gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School to demand the General Assembly fulfill its constitutional obligation and fully fund the true cost of education. Before leaving MLK Jr Middle, various politicians, teachers, and students gave speeches to get the crowd rallied up. Ultimately the march ended at the Virginia State Capitol where more people gave speeches. In addition to demanding more funding for schools from the General Assembly, some attendees came with the message of funding schools over building a coliseum.
Here you can listen to speeches from the beginning and end of the march.
This week is the beginning of a series where we interview district representatives for Council and School Board together. First up is the First and Fabulous Andreas Addison and Liz Doerr.
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
Audio is from the November 16, 2018 information session regarding the Navy Hill Development proposal hosted by NH District. Audio files are in order from the meeting and are named based on content. I can't stress enough how big of a shout out needs to go to Whitney Whiting for this labor of love.
Audio Credit: Whitney Whiting
On November 28, 2018, Mayor Stoney hosted a press conference calling people to action for the December 8th March for More. The purpose of the march is to demand the General Assembly fulfill its constitutional obligation by fully funding the true cost of education. The March will begin at 10AM at MLK Middle.
Audio credit: Whitney Whiting
The amazing Open Source RVA hosted a special panel about the North of Broad development for their November 30th show. Featured on that panel: Richard Meagher, Justin Griffin, Chelsea Higgs Wise, Jessee Perry, and Marc Cheatham. Thank you to Don Harrison for hosting and Krysti for her outstanding production skills and allowing us to post this on our SoundCloud too. Listen to Open Source RVA on WRIR 97.3FM every Friday at noon.
RVA Council is halfway through their term and we got curious... what have they done? For this episode, Melissa pulled together a run down of ordinances and resolutions that have been in front of council over the past two years.
With all of the discussion around the North of Broad Downtown Development project and Navy Hill proposal, we asked our followers for questions and tried to answer as many on air as possible. There will be a follow up post that continues to answer the ones we didn't get to on air.
In the wake of #BlueWave2018, the RVA Dirt girls jump on air for a special LIVE broadcast of Municipal Mania to talk election results.
This week's MUNICIPAL MANIA is packed with interviews about the proposed renaming of South Side Community Center to Lonnie Battle Community Center. First we speak with Lonnie Battle aka DJ Lonnie B to learn more about him. Then you can hear from 9th District Councilman Mike Jones who proposed the name change and former 9th District Councilwoman Michelle Mosby who has concerns about the process.
In this episode of Municipal Mania, RVA Dirt hosts two interviews about education funding advocacy efforts. Interviewees include RVA Mayor Levar Stoney, Senior Policy Advisor for Youth Initiatives Eva Colen, RPS Teacher and REA Building Representative Sarah Pedersen, and CCPS Teacher and CEA 1st Vice Chair Cody Sigmon.
RVA Dirt interviews former 5th District Councilman Chuck Richardson. Richardson was 28 years old when he was elected to be a member of the first black-majority city council in Richmond. The year was 1977 and it was the first election following a 6 year moratorium on council elections per the Department of Justice due to the annexation of Chesterfield County intentionally diluting black votes by adding more white people to the city. In this interview Chuck shares stories from his experience on council.
The Quick & Dirty City Council Round-Up for the October 12th edition of OpenSource RVA on WRIR were we dig in on the October 8th Council Meeting.
RVA Dirt cracks open the opinionated history book for a little civics lesson on Virginia voting. Go register! Get out the vote!
RVA Dirt interviews 7th District School Board candidates Gary Broderick, Cheryl Burke, and Bryce Robertson. They respond to questions ranging from school suspension rates to public-private partnerships and the candidates have an opportunity to articulate their vision for the district.
Francesca and Melissa give you a quick and dirty city council round-up of the September 24th council meeting. Tune into OpenSource RVA on WRIR 97.3FM every Friday after a council meeting to listen!
RVA Dirt's Melissa, Francesca, and Jessee talk about some current headlines that relate back to zoning.
Learn some Richmond Government History on this week's Municipal Mania. RVA Dirt takes you on a walk down memory lane from the founding of Richmond to the present.
RVA Dirt interviews Max Hepp-Buchanan to talk about the proposed ordinance impacting the planned, approved, and funded Brook Road Bike Lane.
Before we dive back into politics as usual, this week we paused to reflect and expound on who we are and why we do what we do. Enjoy.
Jessee took one for the RVA Team and dropped in on that dang training camp a few weeks ago. So this week, the RVA Dirt girls team discuss the problematic nature of the team's name and the finances behind the camp.
On this week's episode of Municipal Mania, we interview Goad Gatsby and Zeno about the events in Charlottesville on A11 and A12 in remembrance of Heather Heyer. We also expand the discussion to the counter protests to Unite The Right 2 in DC. The main focus of the discussion is about a perspective that may have been missed by many media outlets and on policing at the events.
RVA Dirt highlights updates on many current city issues including Stone Brewery Bistro, Westhampton School, and Carver Elementary SOLs.
Update on the fight for justice and reformation and an interview with Princess Blanding.
RVA Dirt sits down with Shonda Harris-Muhammed to talk about Northside Coalition for Children's annual back to school rally and Amy Wentz to talk about Blackwell historic district.
RVA Dirt sits down with Danny Gomez with STAY RVA to talk about segregation and integration in Richmond Public Schools.
RVA Dirt brings out the shovels to dig into the RPS Budget, Toilet Paper, SOL Retests, and renaming JEB Stuart Elementary.
On May 14, 2018, Richmond Police Officer Michael Nyantakyi shot an unarmed and naked Marcus-David Peters on I-95. Marcus passed away the following day. In this episode, you have an opportunity to hear from two of Marcus's sisters, LaToya Jarrell and Princess Blanding, about Marcus's life and death. In addition, you will hear many of the speeches from the March for Justice & Reformation for Marcus-David Peters that took place on June 2, 2018.
For those interested in helping Marcus's family with their fight for justice, you can donate on their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/5k9sz54
Listen to RVA Dirt's Municipal Mania discuss 3 papers up for #RVACouncil review: Stone Brewing, Anna Julia Cooper, and the residency requirement.
Listen to #MUNICIPALMANIA on Wednesday at 11AM on WRIR 97.3 fm Richmond Independent Radio to talk city school funding. 💁🏻♀️🐝&💄 are joined by Sarah Pederson, RPS teacher and REA building rep and Emma Clark organizer with Support Our Schools and former RPS teacher. #RVA #RVAMayor #RVACouncil #RPSBoard
In celebration of the last day of WRIR 97.3 fm Richmond Independent Radio FUNddrive that supports local volunteer radio, 🐝 interviewed #RVA residents about their government. Tune in, laugh, and learn something on Wednesday at 11AM on WRIR 97.3FM. #RVA
Melissa and Francesca discuss the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust. Plus some extra bonus fun! A Chilly Chillbz compilation and girlscout cookie tasting with Mr. Mayor.
The Quick & Dirty City Council Round Up makes a special appearance this week in Municipal Mania! In addition, RVA Dirt sits down with local activist, Omari al-Qadaffi who is an organizer with Leaders of the New South to discuss the current public housing crisis in Richmond.
In the April 4th edition of Municipal Mania, listen to an interview with new RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras discuss his 100 Day Plan followed by our thoughts about his plan.
Part 1 of 2 discussing Superintendent Jason Kamras. In this episode we talk about the idea of performance based pay for teachers.
RVA Dirt take you back to school to talk School Board by introducing it's members and chatting about facilities plans.
In episode 2 of Municipal Mania, we talk about the proposed cigarette tax with 5th District Councilman Parker Agelasto.