Hurricane Helene Info; 2nd Street Festival in Richmond; How Virginia FOIA Shields Police
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Misinformation Complicates FEMA Efforts After Helene
After former President Donald Trump lied about the efforts of FEMA in response to Hurricane Helene, FEMA has posted a “rumor response” page on its website. The American Red Cross also posted about disinformation (see below).
FEMA: Disaster Recovery Center opens tomorrow (10/7) in Damascus to help survivors apply for assistance & get other info/resources. You do not need to go to a DRC to apply, but they can help w/ the process. 736 Beaver Dam Ave., 8a-6p, Mon-Sat. More locations opening in the coming days!
In addition to Galax and Giles, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties, folks in Montgomery & Pulaski counties can now also apply for direct assistance from FEMA. Get the process started ASAP by visiting http://disasterassistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362.
Photos: 2nd Street Festival in Richmond
All photos by 📸 Paulette Shipman Singleton
Each year thousands come to Jackson Ward, once known as “the Harlem of the South,” to reminisce about the days when 2nd Street was the heart of Richmond's African American community. The 2nd Street Festival celebrated its 36th anniversary this past weekend. The annual free festival celebrates the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood in Richmond.
Blocked by FOIA: Secrecy of Officers’ Names and Salary
By Roger Chesley at Virginia Mercury: Virginia’s feckless Freedom of Information Act – so riddled with exemptions and other shortcomings that transparency experts say it’s subpar compared to other states – has suffered another loss. Recently, a Chesterfield County judge sided with that locality’s police department in refusing a citizen’s request to reveal the names and salaries of hundreds of its officers.
The ruling occurred despite a section in the Code of Virginia providing access to records “of the name, position, job classification, official salary, or rate of pay” of public employees. Andrew Bodoh, the attorney who sought the release of information for his client, told me this part of state law should’ve resolved potential conflicts with other code portions involving FOIA. READ ENTIRE
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