Ringing in the New Year // Charles Johnson, right, turned out in New Year’s gear, including celebratory eyewear, to party with the crowd to live entertainment. Organizers moved the previously free city event from its prior locations at Brown’s Island and Carytown to the Siegel Center and charged a fee

Ringing in the New Year // Brian Richardson and Jasmine Valentine cheer with hundreds of others inside Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center as a new year rolls in last Thursday.

City becomes dumping ground again // Just weeks after a community cleanup, these alleys in Highland Park have been re-trashed. Unwanted mattresses now fill part of the alley in the 3300 block of Utah Place. A pile of tires has been dumped in the 3200 block of Fifth Avenue. After hearing from angry constituents, Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson is blaming the city administration’s indifference. “When we began cleaning alleys, we forcefully warned that unless the city changed its mode of operations in managing bulk trash, dumping and accumulated trash, the cycle would start all over,” the 6th District councilwoman stated in a Dec. 30 email to residents.

City becomes dumping ground again // “No city policies changed, and the dumping and accumulated bulk trash is rapidly taking place,” she continued in pointing to these examples of what she considers a “disturbing reality.” The problem, Ms. Robertson stated, is that the city is doing too little to prevent people from driving along alleys and dumping “mattresses, old furniture and tires free of charge.” Unless residents get vehicle license plates or photos of violators, “for law-abiding citizens living in such communities — tough luck.” However, Ms. Robertson stated she is not giving up trying to find ways to hold accountable those who illegally dump refuse. She is promising to develop a strategy and to share it with residents. She urges residents with ideas to email them to Ellen.Robertson@Richmondgov.com. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Ornamental cabbage in the West End