Comments for Hills and Heights

Comment on McDonald’s robbed by HillsHeights

HillsHeights — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:59:59 +0000

I’ve updated the story about last night’s McDonald’s robbery with a photo of the suspect. http://t.co/xFY2fbsC #rva #rpd #rvacrime

Comment on Local hood is 3rd Hottest and some other H&H real estate stats by Emily Anderson Frock

Emily Anderson Frock — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:42:29 +0000

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Comment on Local hood is 3rd Hottest and some other H&H real estate stats by marsha

marsha — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:31:51 +0000

$152,000 for Forest Hill sounds way too low. I don’t remember seeing ANY houses priced that low, so for an average it doesn’t make sense. I wonder what area they are calling Forest Hill? Maybe they’re including the condos that aren’t technically in Forest Hill?

Comment on McDonald’s robbed by Alison Clements

Alison Clements — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:57:33 +0000

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Comment on McDonald’s robbed by Elizabeth Roderick

Elizabeth Roderick — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:42:49 +0000

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Comment on McDonald’s robbed by Pedro Aida

Pedro Aida — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:27:45 +0000

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Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Martha Newell

Martha Newell — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:05:51 +0000

Whooo stole my lunchbaaag?…. Whooooooo stole my lunchbaaaaaaag?…..

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Foust

Foust — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:03:34 +0000

I think this would make a great scenario for NPR’s Three Minute Fiction.

Comment on Victory Boxes and Patrick Henry work together for better meals by Victoria Carll

Victoria Carll — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:42:36 +0000

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Comment on Forest is the Best Dive Bar in Richmond – O’Toole’s Best on the Southside by Happy Camper Productions

Happy Camper Productions — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:27:59 +0000

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Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Harry

Harry — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:13:43 +0000

Phil- Agreed

Comment on Forest is the Best Dive Bar in Richmond – O’Toole’s Best on the Southside by Elizabeth Roderick

Elizabeth Roderick — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:12:29 +0000

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Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Phil Licking

Phil Licking — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:51:25 +0000

I think it’s interesting, a little bit spooky in a cool kinda way, and certainly better than the usual “donations” Harry finds in the Supercan.

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by PageH

PageH — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:44:02 +0000

hahahaha Stuffa!

Comment on Victory Boxes and Patrick Henry work together for better meals by HillsHeights

HillsHeights — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:17:55 +0000

Victory Boxes and Patrick Henry work together for better meals: http://t.co/9Lpnmyv7 Fresh vegetables for lunch. #rps #rva

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Stuffa

Stuffa — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:10:32 +0000

I don’t think that one is supposed to have teeth on one’s, er, um, end…or was that the emergency?

Comment on Forest is the Best Dive Bar in Richmond – O’Toole’s Best on the Southside by Willis Danger Jacobs

Willis Danger Jacobs — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:46:44 +0000

The Forest is beyond dive bar, you take your life into your own hands in that place, especially if you eat the food.

Comment on Forest is the Best Dive Bar in Richmond – O’Toole’s Best on the Southside by Pedro Aida

Pedro Aida — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:39:02 +0000

Crossroads with an honorable 2nd best Coffee Shop

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Richard.H

Richard.H — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:07:47 +0000

The only criteria a story most reach to be posted on here is that it interests me. Sometimes this is good sometimes this is bad. Posts were also down yesterday due to minor dental emergency on my end.

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Sundagger

Sundagger — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:02:39 +0000

It doesn’t have to be a polemic to be interesting.

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Harry

Harry — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:10:51 +0000

There realy aren’t many more details. Martha was a very interesting woman from what I’ve been told by my neighbors. A playwright, a teacher at Collegiate, she lived in this house and in New York. And for an empty bag with her name written on it to be in the trash can behind the house she grew up in a decade letter, it’s kind of curious. I was hoping that the public of H&H might satify a curiosity. Sorry to waste your time Brado.

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Brado

Brado — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:43:02 +0000

not that interesting–for the public– without additional details

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Heidi

Heidi — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:04:43 +0000

For those interested, you can view the final Rezoning Report that was made to the School Board yesterday here: http://sbo.rps.intand.com/index.php?type=view&action=event&id=8242880

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by PageH

PageH — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:35:55 +0000

Or the playground is part of the ADA compliance settlement. Many playgrounds seemed to have equipment that was not age-appropriate for the kids, or had no ADA accessible equipment. Patrick Henry’s playground had the same issues but has been renovated.

Comment on Music in the Park schedule released by Artsline at WCVE Public Radio

Artsline at WCVE Public Radio — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:08:34 +0000

If you would like free publicity for these concerts, please go to ideastations.org/artsline to submit them via our online form. Please read ALL submission criteria before your first submission so that you are aware of our deadlines, etc.

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Stuffa

Stuffa — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:02:43 +0000

Attic/basement clearing detritus?

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by AreaMan

AreaMan — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:21:47 +0000

The Cary playground is likely PTA-driven and paid-for, rather than an RPS project. As we’ve learned before, the parents–especially at the schools with high parental involvement– are usually the last to find out about a school’s status.

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Jennifer C.

Jennifer C. — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:54:00 +0000

My son’s Little League team plays on the field right behind JB Cary. They are just finishing up installation of a brand-new fancy playground, with brand-new, ultra-expensive rubber mulch – it should be all finished right around the last day of school. I guess the Open High kids will really enjoy it…?

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Georgia

Georgia — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:53:50 +0000

What Lisa said!!

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Harry

Harry — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:09:32 +0000

It was empty and didn’t look to be very old.

Comment on The mystery bag of 42nd Street by Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:53:52 +0000

Well….what was in the bag??

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Greg

Greg — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:41:56 +0000

Remember who the incumbants are in the fall. This is unacceptable.

Comment on Taxing incompetence by Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:55:36 +0000

The incompetence downtown is amazing…..we too have had issue after issue in regards to the personal property taxes regarding our car. The city government is a farce. Who keeps electing the folks that let so much incompetence go unanswered?

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Mark

Mark — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:58:48 +0000

Strong schools = strong neighborhoods. Why is this rocket science?

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by FHresident

FHresident — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:46:48 +0000

Appalling!

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Eric

Eric — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:12:23 +0000

Another log on the fire. I have no interest in supporting these people anymore. House for sale!

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by toesinthesand

toesinthesand — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:13:33 +0000

Seriously, at least they are consistent with their lack of respect to their voters. I’m with Phil on my vote for Kristen Larson for the 4th!!!

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Seth Humphreys

Seth Humphreys — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:45:54 +0000

If they got rid of schools would that mean more potential locations for charter schools? Hmmm, something a new board could take up!

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Anne

Anne — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:18:16 +0000

We are VERY used to this method. Impossible to cram the public in and that is their plan. Actually, probably can get 5 extra people in that room after all their big chairs are in there. Um-m? Also, makes it difficult for working parents to get there AND until the 5:00 folks leave downtown, there is no where to park. Yes, sneaky and underhanded. Such a shame!

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Phil Licking

Phil Licking — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:05:02 +0000

What’s really sad is that many people aren’t even surprised by this any more. Change is needed. I’m putting my support behind Kristen Larsen this November.

http://www.facebook.com/KristenNLarson

Comment on Taxing incompetence by Ed

Ed — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:34:43 +0000

The entire Finance Office at the City is inept. They have no idea what is going over there and just print and mail bills (it appears) at will. I know that they have been implementing a new computer system for the past few years and that there have been some real signifcnat issues with the data conversion part of hte project – transferring the old database records to the new system. I beleive that much of the problem lies in this area.

I’ll be headed over to their office later this week to pay my 2012 bill and dispute my “back taxes and penalties” charges. I feel the only way to be able to deal with these fools is to do it in person – they cannot ignore me this way.

Thanks for all of the postings on this topic – I am going to print this out and wave it around while I’m over there.

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Whitney Holt

Whitney Holt — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:49:55 +0000

what do you think this means for the 29/31 meetings? They are specifically cited as “public forums”…can they be changed last minute, too?

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Kasey Lindsay Terrill

Kasey Lindsay Terrill — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:24:53 +0000

bad form

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Ben

Ben — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:23:28 +0000

Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by the time and location change either. It simply illustrates the disdain and disrespect that many in the Richmond City government have towards its constituents.

Comment on RPS Board moves time of today’s re-zoning meeting and up to 4 schools could be “repurposed” by Page Miller Hayes

Page Miller Hayes — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:00:41 +0000

It always seems on hot button issues, the board will suddenly change a meeting’s time to prevent parents from being able to participate. sneaky and underhanded!

Comment on Taxing incompetence by eblacroix

eblacroix — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:18:35 +0000

Similar story over here! Received one of those letters last year (that apparently a lot of people received) saying that I owed about $120 for delinquent personal property taxes but no documentation on what property it was or when the amount was originally billed. After multiple calls and messages left, no one ever contacted me to clarify so I let it go. Then my 2012 tax bill came with an even higher “delinquent” amount. This time when I called, a person was able to tell me that it was for taxes unpaid back in 2010 on my car and now they’d tacked on interest and penalties. I went back, found the original bill with the cancelled check and faxed it to them as instructed but so far I’ve heard nothing further. I REALLY hope it didn’t fall into the black hole that seems to be their bookkeeping system over there!

Comment on Taxing incompetence by wshollen

wshollen — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:54:29 +0000

Glad to know I’m not the only one who’s had tax issues with the city — mine was real estate tax problems involving the sale of a my first house…I don’t recommend going thru closing in late May…Yea, bureaucracy!!!!!

Comment on Preserving Choice in RPS and Re-zoning meeting schedule by Sundagger

Sundagger — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:48:25 +0000

The rezoning meeting scheduled for 7:30 pm today in the council chambers has been changed without notice to 4:30 School Board work session, on the 17th floor, city hall.

Comment on Taxing incompetence by O

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:35:08 +0000

Every single year, the city sends me a bill of ‘Back Due’ personal property tax. Which I then pay. Then, the next year, I get the same ‘Back Due’ notice. It’s ridiculous.

Comment on Taxing incompetence by AreaMan

AreaMan — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:19:07 +0000

In 2010, I received a collections notice for unpaid car tax from a law firm. I went back through my records and, sure enough, the city had cashed my check several months earlier. I called the law firm and they had no record of this. I called the city and they confirmed that, yes, it had gone to this firm. When I asked why the firm had no record of it, I received lots of “I don’t know why” type answers, with no offer of resolution. Further, the person at City Hall told me the amount outstanding on the account was about $120 less than the amount I paid earlier in the year but could not account for the discrepancy. I ended up going to City Hall in person, with a copy of the canceled check and tax bills in hand. After waiting in line for 20 minutes, the one person working told me I had to go to another office, where I waited another 20 minutes. When I was finally helped there, I was told that “Oh, Mrs. Somethingorother will have to handle this, I don’t do this.” Mrs. Somethingorother, I was told, would be back in 5 minutes. 20 minutes later, she arrived and, full of attitude, informed me that I needed to talk to the law firm. When I explained that they had no record of this account, she grabbed by paperwork and stomped off. 15 minutes later, she returned and said that If I just paid the outstanding amount now, DMV could release the hold on my registration (which I didn’t even know I had!). I explained that I’d already paid it– showing her the canceled check– and that I should not have to pay extra for their mistake. She took my check copy and stomped off again. 15 minutes later, she returned and informed me–more full of attitude than ever– that they would look into it and, if they were in fact at fault, would issue a refund for the overpayment within 10 business days, but the only immediate solution was to pay them the amount showing as outstanding. I relented and paid and was given yet another person to contact “in a few days” to see if it had been resolved. Predictably, for the next few days, this person was never available. Finally, a week later, I received a message on my home phone (despite specifically instructing them to call my cell) informing me that I had, in fact, been correct and that I could expect a refund check within 30 days (which is different from 10 business days). No apologies or even an attempt to sympathize with my position. A week or so later, I finally did receive the refund…with my name misspelled. Fortunately, my bank took it- god only knows what Dantesque Hell-ring I’d have encountered trying to get THAT corrected.

Letters detailing this ordeal went to the offices of the Director of Finance, Dwight Jones and Kathy Graziano. Below is a summary of the responses I received: