Richmond City Audits Local Tea Party After Standoff with Mayor
by Colleen OwensTwo weeks after the Richmond Tea Party delivered an invoice to Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones for costs incurred for previous rallies, we received a letter from the City of Richmond formally stating that the city is auditing our Tea Party. Coincidence? This audit is an obvious attempt to intimidate and harass us for standing up against the unfair treatment and discrimination against our Tea Party.
First some back story: as reported on the front page of the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Richmond Tea Party delivered an invoice for charges incurred in our previous three Tax Day rallies at Kanawha Plaza because Mayor Jones chose to allow Occupy Richmond protesters to convene in the same park for two weeks.
The Mayor not only allowed the Occupiers to break the law, but he visited them in the city-owned park. “Jones said that as a ‘child of civil rights’ and protests, he had allowed the group to remain in the park but understands his mayoral responsibility to uphold laws of the city,” reported the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Apparently his mayoral duties included preferential treatment for a group he sympathizes with ideologically at the expense of the taxpayers.
The blog Virginia Right reported that the city provided services such as portable toilets, trash pickup, etc. The incomplete invoices obtained from the city totaled $7,000. This was only a portion of the actual costs to taxpayers because the costs of police, helicopter and incarcerations were not included. Also not accounted for was the 24-hour police protection of the Mayor’s home after the Occupiers moved their camp next door to the Mayor’s house. The Richmond Tea Party, conversely, paid for all services for our rallies, including the police, portable toilets, park fees and permits, amounting to approximately $8,500.
Our actions apparently struck a nerve. Our invoice to the Mayor was covered by hundreds of news outlets, including the AP, Richmond Times Dispatch, Baltimore Sun, and the Washington Post. On October 31, I appeared on Fox Business, Neil Cavuto’s show, and was interviewed about our actions. Reportedly, at least two Richmond City Council members agreed with our plight. “I guess we’ll be writing a check to the Tea Party people,” said Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, as quoted in the Richmond Times Dispatch. “You can’t treat one group different from the other. It’s unfair.”
On November 14th, representatives of our Tea Party attended the City Council meeting to speak to the Mayor and Council during the citizen forum. Mayor Jones, apparently too busy to listen to his constituents, got up and left before we spoke. He had no problem inviting members of the Occupy group to his office for a closed door meeting days later, at the same time refusing to meet with us.
His administration, however, found the time to send us an audit letter (provided in full below). No need for the city to audit the Occupiers, because, as the Mayor knows, all of their costs were provided by the taxpayers of Richmond(via Gateway Pundit). Here is the City Audit Letter Notification:
In the audit letter signed by Cynthia Carr, Field Auditor for the City of Richmond, it states that our Tea Party is delinquent in filing of Admissions, Lodging, and Meals Taxes with the city and as such our group has been targeted for a comprehensive audit. Well, aren’t we special? In fact, as part of the Business License we have with the City, a form is filled out by our treasurer every month (as required). We have never charged admission or had lodging or meals associated with our rallies. Every month the forms are appropriately filled with zeros. Ms. Carr goes on to say that if we don’t respond within 15 days, the City will make a statutory assessment–meaning they’ll pick an amount to charge us.
So the City and Mayor apparently feel that the Richmond Tea Party has not paid its fair share for use of Kanawha Plaza. We challenged the Mayor’s unequal treatment between groups and he responded with even more unequal treatment.
This story has also fired up other Tea Party groups across the country that have had the laws and fees applied unequally in regards to Tea Party rallies and Occupy protest camps. The message coming from mayors in numerous cities is that they are willing to spend millions in taxpayer money to accommodate the Occupiers that are breaking the law but have no problem charging Tea Party groups that follow the law exorbitant fees and making them jump through hoops to acquire permits (via Yahoo News).
The Richmond Tea Party stands for constitutional adherence, and clearly this has been unequal treatment under the law. We stand for fiscal restraint, and this is a case where a mayor used taxpayer money for his personal agenda. We stand for virtue and accountability in government and that is why we have taken a stand. We will be submitting a Virginia Freedom of Information Act request for all city correspondence pertaining to our Tea Party and its decision to audit us. We will not be intimidated and we will not back down. A Richmond attorney and fellow Tea Partier is currently reviewing our situation. Also, the ACLU has also contacted us inquiring about this matter.
For inquiries pertaining to this story you can email Colleen Owens at ColleenO@richmondteaparty.com
Colleen Owens
Media Contact
Richmond Tea Party
Twitter: @Colleen4Tea
email: Colleeno@richmondteaparty.com
Cross-posted from Right Side News.
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426 Comments
Hope Corky and the gang win this battle. The City is very corrupt, someone needs to bury them.
Isn't the city treading close to a Color of Law civil rights violation?
"This audit is an obvious attempt to intimidate and harass us for standing up against the unfair treatment and discrimination against our Tea Party."
Don't let the ba$tards intimidate you. Hold you position and take them to court if necessary. Take a page out of their playbook and bring to light any transgressions committed by the "mayor" and his minions.
They are so panicked that they just react without thinking, as the world watches.
Nothing new – politicians use intimidation tactics just like the union brethren and the mob.
"Nice little Tea Party ya' got here shame if sumpin' happened to it, ya' know?"
And the most ironic part of this is that it still points out that the Occutards are protesting against the wrong people. It is the government that is the root of all that's wrong in this country. From the state and local level all the way to DC the smell of corruption is overpowering.
So the liberals are using tax payer money to advance their causes and help with their re-election. Not a big surprise since Obama and the Democrats are some of the most corrupt politicians in decades. Expect that you, me and all other conservatives will continue to fund, illegally, these liberal causes through our tax money.
"Apparently his mayoral duties included preferential treatment for a group he sympathizes with ideologically at the expense of the taxpayers."
What part of "progressive" did people not understand there?
In a century-long exercise in circular reasoning, progressives believe and insist on their being RIGHT as justification for violating any law necessary to advance their cause because any law that fails to advance their cause is obviously wrong and invalid.
arbitrary power of the State
This is outrageous. Unequal treatment under the law is NOT how this country operates. Our elected officials and the insidious bureaucracy it creates are NOT ours lords and masters who get to apply the law as they see fit in their little fiefdoms. Vote them all out.
I expect donations to your group will start pouring in. I know I'll be contributing.
All hyperbole aside, apparently Ultra-Corrupt Absolutist Dictator tactics are alive and well and being vigorously exercised within the scumbag leftist bureaucracy that "serves" Richmond.
Rulers of their pathetic little fiefdom over there in Richmond, they are. Cretinous punks.
I used the word "fiefdom" too, posted my comment, and only afterward did I read yours above mine. The description is that obvious, isn't it? Weak, puffed-up bureaucratic bullies.
It's just more of the same hypocrisy that the left thrives on. The left is allowed to break the law and everyone else is just supposed to accept it but watch out if the right even looks the wrong direction as the left throws the full power of the government on them.
I am sure the city government of Richmond is on the up and up. ///sarc////
whew…..hard to believe…..this is gonna hurt someone.
So I guess the ACLU has contacted the TeaPs. This could get funny. Getcha popcorn!
I vote for literally.
Smells like politically motivated use of government resources. Isn't there a law that prohibits this abuse of power?
Do we have volunteers to start signing petitions calling for the Mayors Recall?
So we wonder why the city would even consider this tactic???
Rush's Hope and change!!!
Voting the the useful idiots out of office is the first step since it seems that David Jones is one of the bad guys. Wonder if this Davey Jones is a relative of the infamous "Kool-aid" Jones? Interesting.
Has their abuse of the power of their office crossed the line?
The ends justify the means.
OR
We are just too stupid to realize that they are right and it would take too long to explain.
They'll just drag us to the truth and we'll never know what laws they broke to get us there (stupid as we are and all). By the time they are done dragging, the laws will be irrelevant, because they will be nonexistant in the United World Union.
I know I don't have to say this as the thought never entered your mind(s) but do not give up. You'll get all the support you need and then some.These Progressives are afraid of what's coming for them hence the Chicago tactics. Go Colleen! Go Richmondteaparty!!!
This double standard is the very reason the 2012 elections throughout the country are so very important. Conservatives must take back town, city, county, and state governments, especially the Sec of state positions since they are the ones responsible for ratifying the votes and in charge of the voting rolls.
Typical Progressive way of thinking.We are right (no pun intended) and we will use every Law we have created to put the boot to your neck.
Unfortunately, I imagine this quasi-Jim Crow behavior is the norm in areas that have been controlled by the Left for decades.
It's been my experience that most people in government — whether it's local, state, or federal — are self-important boobs who are out to enrich themselves, pander to those who voted for them, and punish those with whom they disagree politically. This story only reinforces that belief.
I'd say a lawsuit would settle this, but everyone knows the judicial system is just as corrupt at this point, and no doubt there are judges who would side with the city in this case.
In case you didn't notice it, the SEIU thug who sent the threatening letter is one Cynthia Carr, at
Cynthia.carr@richmondgov.com
Drop her a note in support of her thuggish actions, will you….wink wink
Or call her at 804 646-1849
Remember, to democrats, the Tea Party is public enemy #1. Their orders from King Barack is to take them down… BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!
Thanks for standing up for what's right. This just goes to show how rare fighting for what's right really is when these people are so willing to publicly dig the hole their in even deeper. Keep up the good work!
And who, exactly, do you think would be in charge of investigating/prosecuting that? Why none other than Eric "My People" Holder, that's who.
Re-submit the same forms again, with the same zeros.
What these clowns DO NOT UNDERSTAND is that TEA Party members and advocates are typically small business owners and people active in the charities, school boards and the general welfare of the communities.
THEY are the taxpayers and contributors… NOT the moochers!
THIS WILL COME BACK TO BITE THE POLITICIANS AND LIBERALS!
VOTE LOUD in 2012!!!!!
Great article, Ms. Owens.
I assume you know you are being set up?
They will bill you – perhaps exhorbitantly. If you fight it, and if the matter is not resolved by the next time your Tea Party group wants to apply for a permit, they will deny your permit with cause.
They will legally suppress your First Amendment rights.
I'd be on the phone with Jay Sekulow if I were you.
Im from Richmond, and this is total BS. The MAyor let the OWS kids camp out with generators, couches, lazy-boy chairs, Etc Right across the stree from the Federal Reserve, for about a month, for free.
The Tea party had to pull permits. pay rent (per day), pay for police, pay for port-a-johns, have a four foot stage inspected, Etc Etc…..to the tune of 10k over the last three years.
All of the 'food vending' was done by private vendors, with their own commercial licenses, permits, sanitation inspections, etc.
Right now, the OWS kids are camped out in the property next to the mayor's house, soooooo……maybe he should audit his neighbor for all of the above.
But the world doesn't care and that is what is so disappointing.
Sue the City for Billions of Dollars.
Every TEA Party Member in the Nation may end up getting a Check from the Federal Government for 50,000 dollars.
Stand fast in the face of tyranny for it relies upon fear, uncertainty and doubt to succeed.
Ms. Owens,
Thank you for your article.
It was informative.
Time for the Tea Party to file a suit against the city for whatever reason possible. This is malicious and blantantly illegal. The mayor is a small man in a big job.
I would file both civil and criminal charges. That way you get them coming and going.
Sounds like the mayor has "Targeted" the Tea Party. This stinks on ice.
Absolutely! And the rest of your description is spot on, too. The lot of them are bullies and cretinous punks and their tactics are totally in line with a dictatorship. I sincerely hope the Richmond Tea Party wipes the floor with them.
Big government intimidation tactics. Nothing new here, it is standard fare for leftists. You see a double standard, I see normal liberals acting as I expect them to.
This upcoming election cycle is the most critical we have had since the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan.
One thing I haven't understood is the near silence of the tea party movement in the fact of all of these OWS protests. Time for the tea party movement to once again flex its muscles and show what a rally really looks like. These OWS protests with their hundreds are a joke. Routine tea party gatherings pull more people in a local rally than all of the OWS bums in all of the cities together.
surprised?
teabaggers are the root of evil in this country. They will get theirs in 2012.
Isn't that the ultimate tools used by government…..
Use the deep pockets to throw litigation, threats and audits to intimidate you into submission.
Punks? You are a tough guy when there is no threat.
Whiny teabaggers… put some cream on that nasty infection.
They are so stupid and short sided that they don't even realize how bad this makes them look.
When you're in a hole…Stop digging dumb ass.
haha niiiice
Kudos to the Richmond Tea Party for standing up against the special treatment handed out by d-cRAT socialist slimebags to their leftist extremist pals. I suspect that the Tea Party will have to take this through the courts to try and get justice – lets' hope they get better than leftist activist judges who don't know what real justice is.
We bathe.
Haaaaahahaha
Remember 2010? You haven't seen anything yet. It's gonna suck when we turn your welfare into workfare, won't it?
You're right. As Dennis Prager says, "The Left never, ever has to say they're sorry."
Or they will never admit they were wrong.
The DDT issue w/ 40 million dead comes to mind. Or the recent pipeline issue and how the Left forces us to remain more dependent on countries that hate us…and so perpetuating more death and suffering on earth. Or the failed schools after 40 years of leftists State control. Or how they've decimated the black community. It just goes on and on. The Left is swimming in oceans of blood. Of course they'll never admit how wrong they really are.
Go for it, Richmond Tea Party folks! Don't let them grind you down!
Remember, its not a crime when Democrats, Commies, etc., do it.
One better on you. He'll burn your country to the ground rather than face off against a Candidate who isn't a member of the politico. "I'M NOT THEM" is the thing Obama fears most from his opponent. The more Obama is painted as just another member of THEM, the worse off things get for him. Also the answer to every harp about foreign policy is merely a "Can't do any worse than X." and if need be I can provide the documented instance of 2009-2011 idiocy myself.
So why would a Canadian be willing to go to bat for an American in the American election? For purely selfish reasons I assure you. Obama is economic Ebola, the rest of your politico is truly shot through with rot and as neighbours go we share a lot more than a fence line.
Colleen…..if you're not too busy………….you should run for mayor.
Dwight Clinton Jones can go back to being a minister………..and praying for sinners like himself.
We need LandMark legal – come on Levin .. take the case !!
The reason you use the term 'teabaggers' in your attempt to insult people, is because you know it brings to the mind of the reader the image of what it means: Two men sucking on each other's genitals.
In other words, you are further evidence of how commonly low-class and even perverted the OWS and the Left really are. Well done, you Jerry Springer type, you. lol!
What is indicated is a need for KARMA. These dirty politicians need a taste of their own medicine. Sooner or later the boom will be dropped on them. We should all be watching to ensure that when it comes around, it is hot and heavy.
Particularly the slimeball in chief. Calling out his 'corpse man' for help. Cannot wait to see this one come around.
There's nothing wrong with an audit. If the tea party has nothing to hide, why are they complaining?
She'll probably sic the IRS on you. Make her day. Lots of people should call and e-mail Give phony names. Too bad we don't have pay phones to call from any more.
So I take it you support unequal enforcement of the law? You'd make a fine brownshirt.
If you all eventually decide to go full-retard, you'll finally realize how outnumbered you are and how civil we've actually been — right before you get your asses handed to you.
All you EVER have to do…is watch the Richmond City Council on closed circuit TV…what a sideshow of idiocy! The fact that this has happened is hardly a surprise…….the city is long know for racially biased motivations/decisons. Whites ignored in long DMV and other city service lines…..harrassed by black cops for no reason…..having trouble getting permits…on and on. It's pervasive and pernicious, so a punishment of the larely white Tea Party is no surprise whatsoever. The white/conservative minority in Richmond needs to grow a pair and stand up to the racists…yes…I said racist…..thugs.
Showing preferential treatment to one group over another based solely on political differences is AGAINST THE LAW, scumbag. Nice try.
Is that a threat commie?
Yes
And I've yet to read an apology from the Democrat Party for decades of Jim Crow laws and the actions of the KKK doing their bidding and the lies that they were for the Civil Rights Act.
Not to mention the Vietnam conflict and others.
The list is truly long.
Occupy the Richmond Department of Finances!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leave a mess!!!!!!!!!!!! Crap all over the floors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And what is worse, maybe, is when a so called conservative is in position to strike a resounding blow, they make a weak slap or back off completely. The DDT issue is enough to make anyone with decency sick.
I think everyone reading this article should send Cynthia Carr – Field Auditor and note expressing their belief that this is an unfair act by the Richmond City Government. Her e-mail address and phone number are on the letter:
Cynthia.carr@richmondgov.com – 804-646-1849.
I am sure she would enjoy the feedback.
Hit a nerve there UT? Would you like us to explain for you the meaning of Cretinous? Having more than one syllable it probably had no meaning to you, but we'll be more than happy to explain or even demonstrate if you like.
I've read about 6 of your responses on this thread and realized you don't contribute much to an argument there you big dummy, do you?
And just when I thought you couldn't be stupider you evacuate your bowels through your mouth.
If you have to ask that question after reading this article, you lib/dims/socialists truly are a lost cause. Does it hurt to be so dang stupid?
They've buried themselves. Typical leftists need no help in failing at whatever they set their hands to. Socialism IS NOT OF GOD. Jesus only told ONE rich guy to give it all up. That was because that ONE rich guy had an issue with his wealth. You don't see Him telling the soldiers to stop being soldiers or the rich to just hand over all they built up. He DOES warn them, as is appropriate, that their souls are in danger when they don't keep God first.
Take it all the way if necessary. The Supremes are corrupted but, not totally, yet.
go after these liberal bastards
this mayor is a POS
Again, you know the official, her name and her HOME address
go protest her house
Richmond, thanks to a long line of race-batin', bribe-takin' city council members…many of whom were convicted of corruption… is now a total sewer. Crime is rampant. Corruption goes straight to the top floor of City Hall. Zimbabwe has nothing on Richmond.
The mayor is your typical racist no-class liberal.
They deleted my comment…yea, a first for me! But I agree with you…and thank you for your comment!
Are you the 99% Unitard? Are you already missing Bwarny?
Abuse of power under color of authority.
Field Auditor Cynthia Carr will either go to jail/pay fines (not to mention lawyer fees) or roll over on who told her to violate the civil rights of of the Richmond Tea Party. As if we didn't already know.
In other words, by following the law we Tea Party activists are enabling our own destruction. Maybe it's time to go "off the grid" and just show up like the Occupiers. And from now on, let's skip the clean up.
99% Unitard. Upset because Bwarny is quitting?
Maybe ol Traveller took a dump on city streets…..
This is the same tactic that panty-waist nanny Bloomersberg used against Rush L., causing him to move out of the city to tax-free Florida. Similarly, the Dums do the same in California, auditing Conservative and religious Orgs. , where-upon they also move out of the state to friendlier ones. Millions have left with their money, and taxes they and their employees would have paid. Moving in are foreign Socialists who don't pay taxes, are on Welfare, and think that there is a pile of gold just laying somewhere – and they want their share. Every man should mine their own gold pile!
Corrupt? Check
DemOcrat? Check
UniOn Backed? Check
RedistributioNist? Check
Do I have to spell it out?
99% Unitard. You will miss Bwarny.
"……Richmond City Audits Local Tea Party After Standoff with Mayor……"
AHHA,……..!!!!!
So that's where all those hundreds of billions went.
Fight the Power!!!!
IMPEACH obozzo and his buddies
The illiterate twit who sent the letter , typically for this kind of official, doesn't know the difference between "respectively", and "respectfully." Shouldn't spelling ability be part of the job requirement for these ignorant thieving "leo"-tards.
I don't think those who put stock in either side's politico really wants to admit there would be but a handful still standing in Washington after a serious forensic audit. There are contracts galore handed out to personal acquaintances of both Republicans and Democrats with family members enjoying positions they'd never have gotten based upon actual ability as one of the minor rewards. The "affecting policy which creates market movement and capitalizing on foreknowledge of such" by the politico is merely the tip of the iceberg I assure you.
Well what else would we expect from a black power civil rights 60s mayor ,someone needs to tell him to stick his audit up his black a-s ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
When a public official like Jones uses the power of his office to give preferential treatment to some groups, and persecute others who seek fair treatment, he's acting like a criminal and should be investigated. He violated the law by refusing to enforce it. I hope some municipal whistle blower leaks emails revealing how this went down.
Evidence, please.
Ironically, all the disease appears to be happening at the #OccuLoser encampments.
I'm absolutely certain the Tea Party would accept an audit and as a gesture of good will I'm certain the local unions who have tied themselves to the Occupy meme will accede to the same. Right?
Ummm…this isn't PC, but has anyone else noticed that the mayor is black? I say this because had no idea until I did a search. Do you suppose this fact has something to do with his treatment of the Tea Party?
Ya think?
Wow, the Tea Party isn't above acting like a wounded liberal when the opportunity to play victim becomes available. Stay classy Ricmond Tea Party.
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