Mayor-elect Wilder to seek injunction against Jamison severance

NBC12 Richmond, VA ^ | 12/16/2004 | WWBT NBC12 Richmond, VA

[Doohickey]

Richmond Mayor-elect Doug Wilder is going to court to try and block the $175,000 severance package approved by City Council for the outgoing City Manager. In a statement from Wilder, released today by Richmond attorney Don McEachin, Wilder says he has enlisted McEachin to "..begin the process of preparing the papers to file what I will call the "people's law suit" against the Jamison/City Council law.”

Wilder argues that state law prohibits such a “gift,” and he calls on Council to rescind its action.

“But if they insist on their raid of the public treasury,” says Wilder, “I have instructed Mr. McEachin to seek an injunction until such time as a court of law can hear the merits of the people's case.”

In the statement, Wilder says, “We, the people, need that $175,000 not for a golden parachute, but to hire more homicide detectives, or forensic investigators to catch the killers: right now, a murderer in Richmond knows he or she has a better than 50-50 chance of never being arrested.”

Meanwhile, Wilder’s attorney who is representing the case, Donald McEachin, calls the severance unconstitutional. He points to an article in the state constitution that says, “The General Assembly shall not exact any law granting extra compensation to any public officer.”

[Doohickey]

Doug Wilder has to be one of a very short list of my favorite Democrats. It's notable, however, that Wilder is being represented by AG wannabe and general shyster Don McEachin.

[goldstategop]

He was VA's first black Governor, if I'm not mistaken. Like Jerry Brown, he's taken to a less glamorous position way down the political ladder.

[Doohickey]

He was. I don't think the comparison to Jerry Brown is really fair. Governor Moonbeam was and is a whackjob. Wilder ran for senate in '94 as an independent if I remember correctly, but other than that I don't think he's aspired to the national political scene.

Anyway, Wilder is Richmond's first elected mayor in...well, years and years. The mayore used to be a position appointed by City Council. Pound for pound, Richmond is one of the most corrupt cities in the country. Unlike cities like Chicago though, the corruption and cronyism is purely bush-league.

[MissMagnolia]

I live in a neighboring county and I am watching the battle royal that's shaping up between Wilder and City Council with interest, to the extent that I stayed up late the other night to watch the last council meeting of the year. It was definitely an exhibition of the good ol' boys network in action. Wilder has grabbed the corruption bull by the horns and I think it will be a good thing for the City of Richmond. He appears to truly have the interests of the people of the City at heart and it's about time somebody did, even if it is a Democrat!

[Corin Stormhands]

Wilder ran for senate in '94 as an independent if I remember correctly, but other than that I don't think he's aspired to the national political scene.

While he was Governor Wilder toyed with a Presidential run. Didn't get very far. He got a lot of criticism for excessive out of state travel.

This position may be less glamorous than being Governor. But he's well on his way to straightening out one of the most corrupt (for a city this size) governments in the country.

Richmond City Council Motto: We Stand By Our Convictions

[iceskater]

Richmond City Council Motto: We Stand By Our Convictions

LOL! You are sooooo bad.

[Corin Stormhands]

I haveta confess, someone said that to Mac Watson the other day on WRVA...

[iceskater]

He came out of retirement because the city is so completely and totally corrupt, I honestly think that he's about the only one on the planet who can turn things around. In the last few years, several members of city council were convicted and sent to jail for a variety of things from bribe-taking, to non-payment of taxes, to drugs. There've been stories in the paper about major conflict of interest between the chairman of a council-appointed board and the constituents that board serves and has now prompted an audit.

This is just a small bit of the corruption and malfeasance that happens on a daily basis.

Doug is no-nonsense - if anyone can make a dent in this pile of garbage, he can. NONE of the others who ran for mayor would have been able to do what he has the potential to do.

[iceskater]

Even if you heard it on Mac Watson's show, it's still hilarious. (I am no fan of Mac Watson)

[HenryLeeII]

Well, maybe Calvin Jamison can get the case into the courtroom of Richmond General District Court judge Birdie Hairston Jamison, who just happens to be his wife!

[iceskater]

Do what????!!

I did not know his wife was a judge.

[Doohickey]

Or is that: We stand by our convicts

[Doohickey]

Didn't Reva Trammell almost get elected to council again?

[iceskater]

I don't know what the margin was but she ran again for her old seat. Thank the good Lord she lost.

[Doohickey]

Found it. She lost to Jackie Jackson 48-52%

[HenryLeeII]

Yep. Mrs. Jamison holds a BBA (bachelor's of business administration) and a JD from the College of William & Mary, and is currently the presiding judge in the traffic division of the Richmond General District Court.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Doug Wilder has to be one of a very short list of my favorite Democrats

Same here - was almost sorry I moved out of the city in 2003, because I would have loved voting for him for mayor. I'm afraid that Doug's going to make little headway against City Council, though. Too entrenched in their corruption, and too many people have a stake in the status quo. I wish him luck, though.