Samuel B. Parker
@samuel-parker.bsky.social
Reporter for @richmond.com. Believer in human progress. Probably watching the Chicago Cubs. Samuel ≠ Sam
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]
In a statement, a city spokesperson acknowledges that the failure of an electric panel in the plant has “slowed progress” and “extended the restoration process timeline.”
Avula has called in local and national experts.
The statement does not lay out an updated timeline.
Avula has called in local and national experts.
The statement does not lay out an updated timeline.
January 8, 2025 at 1:21 AM
In a statement, a city spokesperson acknowledges that the failure of an electric panel in the plant has “slowed progress” and “extended the restoration process timeline.”
Avula has called in local and national experts.
The statement does not lay out an updated timeline.
Avula has called in local and national experts.
The statement does not lay out an updated timeline.
This could push the testing period and the restoration of drinkable water into Thursday.
January 8, 2025 at 1:21 AM
This could push the testing period and the restoration of drinkable water into Thursday.
The IG investigated and found that the department failed to reconcile a cash account for over 3 years, leading to a $14M "overstatement" of the city's cash balance.
In the suit, the plaintiff alleges this was a deliberate misrepresentation aimed at securing an AAA bond rating.
In the suit, the plaintiff alleges this was a deliberate misrepresentation aimed at securing an AAA bond rating.
December 19, 2024 at 9:22 PM
The IG investigated and found that the department failed to reconcile a cash account for over 3 years, leading to a $14M "overstatement" of the city's cash balance.
In the suit, the plaintiff alleges this was a deliberate misrepresentation aimed at securing an AAA bond rating.
In the suit, the plaintiff alleges this was a deliberate misrepresentation aimed at securing an AAA bond rating.
City officials reactivated Balmer's credit card in September while he was still the subject of the fraud probe, but Stevens said she was not notified of the decision.
“I’m mad, I don’t know how else to say it,” Stevens told me.
“I’m mad, I don’t know how else to say it,” Stevens told me.
December 10, 2024 at 9:34 PM
City officials reactivated Balmer's credit card in September while he was still the subject of the fraud probe, but Stevens said she was not notified of the decision.
“I’m mad, I don’t know how else to say it,” Stevens told me.
“I’m mad, I don’t know how else to say it,” Stevens told me.
“My god, I’m not the mayor,” a frustrated Balmer said when media arrived at the Office of Elections for questions.
December 4, 2024 at 6:53 PM
“My god, I’m not the mayor,” a frustrated Balmer said when media arrived at the Office of Elections for questions.
Balmer and Richardson were accused of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds and breaking city policy by hiring and awarding contracts to family members.
Multiple city probes substantiated those allegations.
Multiple city probes substantiated those allegations.
December 4, 2024 at 6:14 PM
Balmer and Richardson were accused of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds and breaking city policy by hiring and awarding contracts to family members.
Multiple city probes substantiated those allegations.
Multiple city probes substantiated those allegations.
It's not the first fight over this. In an April email I obtained through a public records request, Mosby told Trammell she was "really saddened" that she has to "fight for funding" every year.
"I’m trying not to take (it) personally," Mosby wrote.
"I’m trying not to take (it) personally," Mosby wrote.
December 3, 2024 at 5:26 PM
It's not the first fight over this. In an April email I obtained through a public records request, Mosby told Trammell she was "really saddened" that she has to "fight for funding" every year.
"I’m trying not to take (it) personally," Mosby wrote.
"I’m trying not to take (it) personally," Mosby wrote.
At issue was whether Council should approve a $125K state grant on top of the $100K the nonprofit will get from the city next year (down $150K from 2024).
The exchange got so heated that Council President Nye threatened to end the meeting.
The exchange got so heated that Council President Nye threatened to end the meeting.
December 3, 2024 at 5:26 PM
At issue was whether Council should approve a $125K state grant on top of the $100K the nonprofit will get from the city next year (down $150K from 2024).
The exchange got so heated that Council President Nye threatened to end the meeting.
The exchange got so heated that Council President Nye threatened to end the meeting.
It seems like a confusing, dysfunctional system that lacks accountability.
After countless phone calls, dozens of testimonies, and exploring this process, I definitely understand Richmond residents' frustration.
After countless phone calls, dozens of testimonies, and exploring this process, I definitely understand Richmond residents' frustration.
November 29, 2024 at 9:19 PM
It seems like a confusing, dysfunctional system that lacks accountability.
After countless phone calls, dozens of testimonies, and exploring this process, I definitely understand Richmond residents' frustration.
After countless phone calls, dozens of testimonies, and exploring this process, I definitely understand Richmond residents' frustration.
• The allowable towing fees are set by Richmond's Tow Board. A representative for the board did not respond to numerous requests for comment.
• One of the board members is Melvin Lawson, who runs Seiberts Towing — which is under a $1M contract with the city.
• One of the board members is Melvin Lawson, who runs Seiberts Towing — which is under a $1M contract with the city.
November 29, 2024 at 9:19 PM
• The allowable towing fees are set by Richmond's Tow Board. A representative for the board did not respond to numerous requests for comment.
• One of the board members is Melvin Lawson, who runs Seiberts Towing — which is under a $1M contract with the city.
• One of the board members is Melvin Lawson, who runs Seiberts Towing — which is under a $1M contract with the city.
• Such a case is also summarily closed if the towing company disputes the complaint.
• In both cases, the AG's office recommends taking the issue to court — something many Richmond residents cannot afford to do.
• In both cases, the AG's office recommends taking the issue to court — something many Richmond residents cannot afford to do.
November 29, 2024 at 9:19 PM
• Such a case is also summarily closed if the towing company disputes the complaint.
• In both cases, the AG's office recommends taking the issue to court — something many Richmond residents cannot afford to do.
• In both cases, the AG's office recommends taking the issue to court — something many Richmond residents cannot afford to do.
• The commonwealth's attorney and the DMV both referred us to the AG's office.
• The AG's office investigates consumer complaints against towing companies. But we learned that the process is voluntary — if a company doesn't respond, investigators simply close the case.
• The AG's office investigates consumer complaints against towing companies. But we learned that the process is voluntary — if a company doesn't respond, investigators simply close the case.
November 29, 2024 at 9:19 PM
• The commonwealth's attorney and the DMV both referred us to the AG's office.
• The AG's office investigates consumer complaints against towing companies. But we learned that the process is voluntary — if a company doesn't respond, investigators simply close the case.
• The AG's office investigates consumer complaints against towing companies. But we learned that the process is voluntary — if a company doesn't respond, investigators simply close the case.