I’m not even going to try to flower this up. No clever turn of phrase or perfect metaphor. This just needs to be direct and to the point. Help me spread the word to judges and to government attorneys, and especially to the gutsy people out there who insist on protecting their right to access information about their governments. SERVICE OF PROCESS IS NOT REQUIRED IN FOIA CASES.
Former University President Jim Ryan’s employment contract with the University describes several different ways Ryan could have left his position, including resignation and termination with or without cause. The path he took was resignation — Ryan announced his resignation June 27, following pressure from the Justice Department regarding diversity, equity and inclusion and affirmative action policies at the University. The Cavalier Daily obtained this contract through a page on Open The Books, a public spending database which submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for Ryan’s contract in 2024. This contract, originally established in 2018 when Ryan was hired, was renewed in 2022 and outlines the terms of his employment, including salary and benefits. His contract outlines the salary and benefits he is entitled to in the case of resignation.
The city of Lynchburg’s human resources department alerted city employees last Friday that they may receive an email from At-large Councilman Martin Misjuns in the coming days asking them to participate in a personnel review of City Manager Wynter Benda. Michelle Jackson, director of human resources for the city, emphasized in the email, a copy of which was obtained by The News & Advance, that the personnel survey was not developed in cooperation with the city manager’s office, the city’s Department of Human Resources, or a majority of city councilmembers. “If you receive this survey, you are not required to participate and you do so at your own discretion,” Jackson said. “If you do choose to participate, the city is not able to protect any personally identifiable information that may be collected, and your responses may be subject to [the Freedom of Information Act].”
Hopewell City Councilor Dominic Holloway has been found guilty of embezzlement of public funds by a jury in Charles City on July 29. The charges stem from an event held just over two years ago on July 1, 2023. The nature of the event was at the center of both the prosecution’s and defense’s case. Approximately $700 of food was purchased on a city card from Mr. B’s in Chester and delivered to the event. The defense argued the event was one of several “Stop the Violence” events attended by Holloway. The prosecution argued the event was hosted for Holloway’s family following the murder of his cousin, William “BJ” Jamal Claiborne.
