RICHMOND, Va. -- Hundreds of Richmond community members gathered Tuesday night to lay out concerns surrounding affordable housing in the city.

The community group Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities better known as RISC wants to see more funding in the budget allocated for the cities mobile home repair and replacement program.

This is a group of people who have been forgotten," shared one speaker.

Paulina Chavez who is a member of their organization shared her story of how bad the conditions are in some mobile homes in the city.

She detailed how their were cracks in her home where water would get in, floors rotting, mold, pests and more.

This is my story but its not only my story. There are so many more people still living like this," she said.

Her mobile home is now repaired because of some of the previous funding the city had given her.

RISC said the city put forth 800,000 dollars towards mobile home repairs and replacements in the 2024 budget. They said 11 homes have been completed because of that and additional 10 are underway.

The group is asking city council to put another 2 million in the 2025 budget for the program.

They asked city council members in attendance to commit to adding it to the budget. All four in attendance said they would.

"I appreciate your advocacy. Keep holding us accountable and lets make the city great again," said Ann Frances Lambert.

RISC said they plan to hold these leaders accountable As they continue to partner with city leaders to bring change for people like Chavez.

That is why it is so important for city officials to dedicate more money to repairs and and the replacement of these mobile homes," Chavez said.

The group also spoke on advocating for changes to how the city handles gun violence. They are continuing there push for the city to adopt a gun violence intervention strategy like the one Hopewell is currently using.

Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more information canemail newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.

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Richmond community lays out concerns over affordable housing - CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR

ELIOT (WGME)-- In southern York County, money is being raised to buy a Vietnam veteran a new mobile home after his old one had to be demolished.

Tom Barr is a Vietnam vet and former Eliot police chief. Right now, people are donating their time, items and money to help him.

Barr's friend, Wayne Avery, says on a recent visit to Barr's mobile home, he found it was beyond repair.

"I could smell the mold outside. And then I went inside the house and I just saw the black mold everywhere. He's already got breathing problems, and he shouldn't be living in it," Avery said.

Avery started getting the word out, first to fellow veterans, then to people and businesses in York and Eliot.

"They stepped up and started donating stuff, and then they asked if they could help, and probably close to 30 people showed up. And we did a bunch of yard work. Got the place cleaned up," Avery said.

Another veteran, who owns an excavation company, donated his time to demolish Barr's old mobile home. It had deteriorated past the point where it could be rebuilt.

"There's just so much mold. There's nothing that we can salvage at all," Avery said. "I thought it was going to be an episode like 'Hoarders,' where people don't want to get rid of things. And much to my surprise, he pretty much let me do anything I wanted."

Right now, a local hotel is temporarily putting Barr up at no cost.

Barr will soon temporarily move into a donated trailer until enough money is raised to buy him a new home.

"The smallest, basic mobile home that we can get our hands on," Avery said.

Barr told Avery he's overwhelmed by all the support.

"I think he's just amazed that times have changed so much. That we're here to help all our vets," Avery said.

Right now, they're still raising money to try to buy a mobile home for Barr. While there's no definite timeline, there is a deadline they'd love to meet.

"The community just opened up and it's just amazing. It almost brings tears to my eyes," Avery said.

If you'd like to help, you can send a check to "Post 188," with "Tom Barr" in the memo, to Kennebunk Savings Bank, 7 Levesque Drive, Eliot, ME, 03903.

You can also donate online here.

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Community comes together to raise money for new mobile home for ... - WGME

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, many residents and businesses must exert extraordinary efforts to begin the recovery from the massive damage caused by the storm. Initial efforts must be focused on removal of debris and related waste. These efforts become much more complicated when dealing with hazardous materials that include but are not limited to:

Below is a brief outline of initial considerations in the removal of debris by business owners or contractors.

A. Document the current condition

Take pictures and videos for insurance. Document all conditions with photographs and videos. Give immediate notice to all potential insurers to determine if they want any Independent Verification of Conditions.

B. Identify The Nature of Waste Debris and Determine Proper Disposal

The entire state of Florida is a declared disaster area pursuant to the Governors Emergency Order. Similarly, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) have issued emergency orders addressing immediate debris removal procedures.

Pursuant to these Orders, Florida Emergency Management teams are creating Disaster Debris Management Sites (DDMS) at strategic locations to expedite the cleanup process.

For many, the debris acceptance requirements may seem daunting, especially in light of Emergency Orders that alter or suspend traditional waste management practices. This guide is meant to simplify the emergency and temporary changes that affect waste management after Hurricane Ian.

1. Debris Disposal:

a) Nonhazardous waste such as vegetative storm debris and untreated wood can be burned in a contained outdoor device by individuals that is attended, or otherwise cared for in the manners listed below.

b) DDMS sites will be created to process and dispose of what is considered to be Class III waste. This includes but is not limited to: non-hazardous construction and demolition debris, land clearing debris, yard trash, and vegetative debris. DDMS are likely to burn everything possible through open burning or air curtain incinerators to reduce the volume of waste that will later be taken to landfills.

c) Class I waste, which includes household garbage, hazardous waste, putrescible (likely to decay) waste, and asbestos-containing material or mixed waste should be taken to a landfill. Some DDMS locations may accept Class I waste, to process and remove to landfills at a later date.

i. Asbestos:

Crucially, asbestos-containing materials must still be handled and disposed of properly and never burned. All structures built before 1975 may contain significant amounts of asbestos. Emergency demolition of buildings that have been determined to be structurally unsound by a state or local official can be demolished without further inspection. Emergency renovations of asbestos sites can be undertaken immediately, but in all cases where the demolition or repair consists of a commercial building or residential buildings containing more than four units, a notice must be provided to the local asbestos air program office. A mobile home park with more than four homes is subject to these requirements even if the homes are individually owned. Additionally, the FDEP suggests best practices be followed, including adequate wetting of debris, the use of personal protection equipment (PPE), and the avoidance of crushing or grinding debris that would free asbestos fibers.

2. Other Waste Requirements:

a) Storage Tanks that have been damaged or discovered due to Hurricane Ian can be repaired or replaced without prior notice to the Department, but notification should follow within 30 days including a description of the work, identification of the location, and the name, address, and phone number of the owner or operator.

b) Petroleum Contact Water can be discharged to impervious surfaces for a limited time as long as the discharge does not contain a visible sheen, will not contact storm water management, and does not exceed 25 gallons.

c) Mineral Oil Dielectric Fluid Discharges (MODEF) are allotted an extension of 30 days for responding and cleanup of discharges that were created as a result of the storm. Record-keeping requirements still apply.

d) Generators of Hazardous Waste under the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act (RCRA) and its Florida regulations have an extended thirty days for onsite storage of hazardous waste in addition to existing regulatory time requirements.

C. Water Resource Repair or Restoration:

Notice is not required to restore or repair structures or drainage systems that are not completely destroyed to the conditions, dimensions, and configurations that were authorized or otherwise legally existing prior to the Storm. Emergency provisions allow for slight deviations in design and material standards. Field authorization is needed for the replacement of structures that were destroyed, for activities on submerged land, or removal of sunken or submerged vessels, vegetation, or structural debris. Field authorization can be procured through notice to the local water management district with a description and location of work to be done, as well as the name, address, and phone number of the owner or operator.

D. Beach or Surfside Cleanup:

Generally, no permit is needed for the cleanup of storm debris, stranded vessels, and navigation markers that is landward of the sea. Additionally, nonstructural (windows, doors, deck, or handrail) repairs and piping needed to reduce flooding can be can be undertaken without permit. All other repairs, including temporary bracing of an existing structure, requires the approval of local official or a Coastal Construction Control Line.

E. Future Reconstruction

Based on the extent of damage that occurred throughout the State of Florida, the initial process of debris removal will likely take several months. Reconstruction of demolished structures will then need to comply with applicable requirements of the building code, zoning restrictions, FEMA and related agencies. Adams and Reese will provide further updates as they become available.

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Dealing with Dirt Problems Caused by Hurricane Ian: Debris and Damaged Structures - JD Supra

If sprinting down dirt tracks or performing breathtaking stunts aren't thrilling enough on their own, LA-based startup Chimera has added in throttle-on-demand electric drive, a lightweight-but-strong titanium frame and an easy repair ethos into the BMX biking mix.

Rather than a pedal-assist ebike, the Chimera BMX is more of a classic unpowered pedal bike that has throttle when you need a burst of speed or are faced with a steep hill.

This is served up by a "hellishly powerful" 3.4-lb (1.5-kg) frame-integrated High Drive inrunner motor which the developers say can peak at up to 5,000 watts, and features a belt-drive gear assembly with silent 4130 clutches along with a high-performance ASI BAC855 controller.

Riders can tap into 59 lb.ft (80 Nm) of torque, and thumb-throttle up to 28 mph (45 km/h) on the street but those who head off road can look forward to a 5-second sprint from standstill to 30 mph (48 km/h) on the way to a top speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). Motor parameters and settings can be tweaked via a mobile companion app paired with the bike over Bluetooth.

Chimera

The patent-pending motor setup is paired with a 52-V/8.4-Ah battery mounted under the top tube. Chimera reckons that, in 1,100-watt throttle-only modes, a 165-lb (75-kg) rider could roll for up to 20 miles (32 km) per charge, but that will go down to around 8 miles (13 km) in 3,800-W mode.

To keep the weight down, the material of choice for the BMX-style frame, fork and handlebar is titanium because "it's nearly half the weight of steel, drastically stronger than aluminum, rust-proof, looks killer, and isnt suffering the supply chain issues currently plaguing other bike companies."

There's no mention of footpegs being included, but customization has been built into the DNA so it should be fairly painless to add such things in. The bike has also been designed for easy home repair, and is reported compatible with numerous off-the-shelf components.

The electric BMX tips the scales at around 37.2 lb (16.8 kg), rolls on 24-inch spoked rims wrapped in 2.3-inch-wide street tires, and relies on Magura MT5/MT4 disc brakes with 180/160 rotors for stopping power.

Chimera

The Chimera team is currently raising funds for a limited production run of a hundred numbered BMX bikes on Indiegogo. Two editions are up for grabs, and both will be hand-assembled in Los Angeles.

Pledges for the Standard model outlined above start at US$4,200 representing a saving of 23% on the expected retail price. Founder's Edition pledge levels start at $5,300, and will carry a retail price tag of $7k.

This latter model shares the main basic specs with the Standard but comes with a variable-current fast charger, its tires rock vinyl Tubolito inners rather than generic rubber, the rotors on the disc brakes will be laser cut, the pedal cranks are titanium instead of steel, and it gains an enduro clutch, titanium bolts and a better saddle. It also comes in lighter at around 35.4 lb (16 kg), including the battery.

If all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in July 2023.

Source: Chimera Cycles

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Throttle-on-demand electric BMX motors to 30 mph in 5 seconds - New Atlas