Lies, Damned Lies and ...

A week ago I had a chance to speak to City Council. It is a privilege afforded citizens of Richmond to speak for 3 minutes to council several times a year. Whenever I do this, there is the dilemma of what topic to focus on. I can usually think of ten. There is crime, the DMP, baseball, Centerstage, Echo Harbor, $2,000,000 cement plants, etc., but three minutes is three minutes. Some rant and scold, some just ramble. I think I did all three on this occasion, but my topic was public safety, real and perceived, and it's effect on business and tourism downtown.

As a downtown resident I have a personal interest in this. I walk these streets everyday and at all hours. For myself I have been willing to take chances, but I have had a distinct feeling lately that our streets are less and less safe. This at a time when it is more important than ever to present our best face to the world. Like it or not our performing arts center is opening and we all have a stake in its success. It should take a major event like this to call attention to the unsafe and intimidating aspects of downtown, but now seemed like a good time to do it.

Madam President, Members of Council

My name is Paul Hammond. I am a resident of Monroe Ward in the 2nd District. I would like to recount some of our recent achievements downtown.

• A spectacular Broad Appetite with 20,000 people celebrating Richmond, downtown and the great restaurants and chefs in our community
• The opening of the Miller and Rhoads Hilton. It is great to see that name resurrected.
• The renovation of the Marriott
• The reported renovation of the John Marshall
• First Friday’s and the renewal of Jackson Ward
• The imminent opening the CenterStage. It has been a long time coming.
  
  All this in a down economy. It’s rather amazing.

As a longtime resident of downtown, I’d like to share with you a major concern of mine and that is the safety of our downtown streets. I have lived here for 8 years and have never been so concerned. It doesn’t take a lot of crime nearby to cripple the growth that we have seen.

I often drive near Adams and Broad and am surprised when I see regular folks, not urbanites (and I know the difference) crossing Broad in droves. I think, “What are they doing here?” and then I think Theater IV. What gumption these people have. I think the same thing when I see parents leading their kids to Peter Pan or Little Orphan Annie. I thank God for them. The down side is many, and I mean many people won’t come downtown on a dare and I don’t blame them.

I walk outside almost every night and see people hanging on the almost every street corner. It is a creepy feeling when you are looked at as either a target or a customer. It is still not safe or comfortable for ordinary people and tourists to walk our streets. If you aren’t a seasoned urbanite or are a stranger to this town you would be best to stay close to home. I’m embarrassed to say this, but it is true. I would never send any family member of mine for a walk downtown at night. I doubt you would too.

If we are ever going to reap the benefits of all our investments, we are going to have to make our streets safer, not just in reality, but in perception. Visitors should feel save walking from the Convention Center or the Jefferson to our art galleries and restaurants.

I hope this changes and soon. We owe it to our visitors, businesses and ourselves. I want to feel proud of our city and I am, but we have a long ways to go before we can rest. We have a lot to gain and lose.

Thank you for your time.

I was not comfortable speaking that evening, but after reviewing the tape, I am satisfied I made my point. I was even more pleased when Marty Jewell felt it necessary to question me by quoting old statistics that said downtown was safer than ANY suburban shopping mall. My feelings about that is that "there are lies, damned lies and statistics". If there is no one on our streets at night, then there is no one to rob. I'd trade the retail activity of any mall in Chesterfield or Henrico (excluding Cloverleaf) for the business that is done downtown after five. Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks. His reply? "Cause that's where all the money is.", one of the greatest deadpan lines in history. I wish I would have thought of it.

I like it when Marty Jewell interrupts me, because he usually hands me a straight line I can run with and he usually just embarrasses himself. As always, he gets in the final word, "Well even the malls close at 9:00 pm." I've got news for Mr. Jewel. Our downtown has been on life support for decades and is now starting to turn the corner. I hope we never settle for a downtown that closes at nine.

Citizen Comment Period - Richmond City Council July 27, 2009

Let the Music Keep Our Spirits High

How To Save The World

Despite popular opinion, I care about the planet, my fellow man and our common future. A few things I am doing.

• I reuse everything, paper towels, newspapers, plastic cups, printer paper (I use both sides) and anything else I can think of.


• I keep the AC near 80 and turn it off when I leave the house.


• I turn the water off in between rinsing each dish, take short showers and never let the water run while shaving or brushing.


• I flush only when necessary.


• I work from home.


• I drive as little as possible for economic and social reasons.


• I am working towards a livable city where people want to live.


• I maintain hope and encourage it in others. Without hope, people give up and stop trying.


• I don't panic. Panic leads to mistakes, wasteful solutions and bad decisions.


• I work for incremental change.

Why am I tooting my own horn. Because you can do these things yourself. Wherever you live you can save water and electricity. You can shop close to home. You can cut back on driving and you can remain hopeful. Without badgering your neighbors you can set an example they will want to follow and we can cut out this useless fighting. There is a lot we can do if we set our mind to it and the results will be immediate. I lot of people doing a little bit will accomplish a whole lot.

You are welcome to add to this list. I encourage you to.