POWHATAN

Powhatan housing market on rise

The Powhatan County housing market looks healthy and even robust in many ways according to a presentation made last week to the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors. Laura Lafayette, CEO of Richmond Association of REALTORS, spoke to the board during its meeting on Monday, May 23 about the current housing market in the county, how it compares in the region, and national and regional trends and issues the supervisors should be aware of going forward. Powhatan County has seen a slow and steady growth in a variety of areas and is remaining competitive with many of the other 16 jurisdictions that make up the Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing Service, Lafayette said.

STATE/REGIONAL

Richmond area jobless rate declined to 3.5 percent in April

The Richmond region’s unemployment rate dropped below 4 percent in April for the first time since April 2008. The jobless rate for the region stood at 3.5 percent, down from 4.1 percent the month before, the Virginia Employment Commission reported Wednesday. It was down from 4.5 percent in April 2015. The local numbers from the commission were not adjusted for seasonal factors that may temporarily affect employment.

Virginia’s high-poverty school divisions get less funding than those of other states, report says

Virginia trails the majority of states in the amount of funding dedicated to students from low-income families, according to a report released Thursday. The research shows that Virginia provides low-income students with 14 to 19 percent more than other students, which is about half the 29 percent other states give on average. The report, “Weighing Support for Virginia’s Students,” was put together by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, an economic think tank in Richmond.

ELECTIONS

In Richmond’s blue mayoral race, only five candidates are running as Democrats
How well a political candidate toes the party line is a big factor in any state or national race. But in local contests, candidates tend to run as independents to keep the focus on the nuts and bolts of local government over party politics. That’s mostly holding true in the crowded Richmond mayoral race. But so far, the tradition is being bucked by a few: Jon Baliles, Michelle Mosby, Levar Stoney, Lawrence Williams and Joe Morrissey. They’re the only candidates to declare to the state Board of Elections that they’re running as Democrats. All five did so in a statement of organization, which registers campaigns for finance reporting. So far, more than 12 campaigns are registered.

Two more enter 1^st District City Council race

The number of candidates vying to fill the 1st District City Council seat Jonathan T. Baliles is vacating to run for mayor has risen to three. Andreas Addison, a management analyst in the city’s Department of Information Technology, announced this week he resigned from his job at City Hall to run for the seat. In addition, Jonathan Cruise, an information technology project manager, has filed paperwork to get on the ballot to run for the seat.

Second forum for Richmond mayoral candidates scheduled for next week; focus is North Side

Ten Richmond mayoral candidates are scheduled to participate in a forum focused on issues facing the city’s North Side on Tuesday evening. “Basically we just want the candidates to come talk to us for a change,” said Willie Hilliard, the president of the Brookland Park Area Association. “We feel like this past administration has ignored the Brookland Park corridor.” The event, which will also include City Council and School Board candidates from the city’s 3rd and 6th voter districts, will be the second forum that brings a majority of the city’s mayoral candidates together on the same stage.