Cannon Creek Greenway gets Greenlight / Carillon Advisory Committee Wants to Drop Deadbeat Members

Dec. 16, 2009 - Health, Human Services, & Education Committee from Silver Persinger.

Only one paper on the agenda for this meeting, Resolution 2009-R190 (Patrons: President Graziano, Vice-President Robertson, Mr. Hilbert, Mr. Jewell - added) -To support the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Transportation Enhancement grant funds for the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian commuter trail, family recreation and environmental education features, landscaping, and scenic beautification of the Cannon Creek Greenway; and to express the Council’s commitment to work cooperatively with the City Administration to either identify appropriate matching funds in the current Capital Improvement Plan or to include such matching funds in the 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plan.

There was a presentation on the Carillon Advisory Committee by Barbara Brock and veteran member Ryland Yancey Bailey. Ms. Brock explained to the committee that several members do not attend the meetings regularly and the Advisory Committee is unable to achieve a quorum to conduct business. They desire new members to be appointed. The committee is made up of 8 members. One position is vacant. Only 3 members attend meetings regularly. By deduction, the non-participating members are Richard G. Steele [appointed Feb. 26, 2007], Thomas Wagstaff [appointed Oct. 25, 2004], Shawn Freude [appointed Oct. 25, 2004], Ezra Hitzeman [appointed Nov. 8, 2004].

Ms. Brock recommended the Council recognize Larry Robinson who has played the Carillon bells for the last 50 years as of 2010.

Joyce Davis, City Council Policy Adviser, gave the standing committee staff report.

Robin Robinson, formerly a candidate in the Nov. 2009 election for the 7th District City Council seat, spoke to the committee.

Ellen Robertson's Hip Hop Community Meeting / Cannon Creek Greenway / Matthew Heights Replacement

Ellen Robertson held two community meetings in the 6th District on Saturday April 11, 2009. The first was held at the Bank of America building in Downtown Richmond from 10 to noon. The second meeting was held at Overby-Sheppard on the North Side.

Overby-Sheppard was still locked at 2 o'clock when the meeting was supposed to begin. We didn't get in for another 25 minutes. It was cold and windy too. Only about 20 people came out for the meeting. There were chairs for 200.

From Richmond City Council Reporter & Telegraph

Matthew Smith [aka "Fundamental"] opened up the meeting by performing a couple of songs. The video below, combines the a cappella versions of "Death of a MC" and "What if I was Obama?" from the beginning of the meeting and the song performed at the end of the meeting, "Maybe." For more information about Fundamental, www.myspace.com/3rdeyeup




Charles Price talked to the assembled citizens about continuing momentum for the Cannon Creek Greenway. He suggested incorporating as a nonprofit to enable the organization to raise funds and support the Greenway. Charles' talk was a plea for community buy-in, participation, input, and support.



Smitty Smith from the Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation spoke to the group about the conceptual progress for the replacement development to replace Matthew Heights. Previously there had been talk of a highrise and row houses but Mr. Smith said residents at a previous meeting had expressed interest in seeing single family detached houses developed and that is what his organization is pursuing.