Charles Samuels is the new 2nd District Council Representative, winning 45% of the vote in a 3-way race. Kim Gray is the new school board rep, with a decisive margin over Lisa Dawson. Pantele is out.

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As called by the Free Press 3 weeks ago, 2nd District Representative and City Council President William Pantele used last night’s fund raising event to announce his candidacy for mayor:

“I want to fulfill the promise of this great capital city,” he said. “Five years ago, we were frustrated by the poorly-run government, the poor ethics and the city was not reaching its potential so we moved to an elected mayor form of government to put aside politics, unify the region and realize those dreams. Today, we’re still unfulfilled. [via]

The Richmond Free Press is reporting that 2nd District Representative and City Council President William Pantele will soon be joining Delegate Jones, Paul Goldman, and Lawrence Williams in the upcoming mayoral race. Pantele would have to give up his council seat to run…

Richmond City Council President and 2nd District Representative William J. Pantele has reportedly received a $1,000 campaign donation from developer of the proposed Echo Harbour project, U.S. Property Development Co. The RTD reports that Pantele “is a longtime family friend of George T. Ross, who is contract developer for the Echo Harbour project”. The proposed development is located in the 7th District. [via]

The winter issue of The Ward (PDF), the Historic Jackson Ward Association’s newsletter, is now on the way to residents. This issue includes a message from Councilman Pantele that is a kind of update on the non-action on the Jackson Place project, a list of neighborhood businesses (shop locally!), profiles of Aller & Company Jewelers and Moizelles Cleaners, and more.

One of the interesting handouts at Pantele’s meeting last week was a map of the gerrymandered-looking 2nd District, particularly useful since the map on the city site is basically worthless. See a larger version of the map…

After a move over to the Children’s Museum, Bill Pantele’s 2nd District Meeting opened with just over 60 people in attendance. He touched in district concerns and the Richmond city government, and then opened the floor for questions…

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Richmond City Hall issued a press release today saying officials are investigating “a pattern of ‘porn site’ usage on the City Hall computer located in the office of Council President William Pantele.” [via]

Video of Second District Representative Pantele from the September 10th City Council meeting has been popping up on local blogs. Check out what Pantele has to say about the downtown development. [via]

Just a reminder: City Council President Bill Pantele is hosting a constituents meeting on Tuesday, September 25th at 6pm @ the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad). For more information, call 646-6532.

Download the September issue of the The Ward (pdf), the Historic Jackson Ward Association’s most excellent quarterly newsletter. Topics include an overview of the HJWA Strategic Plan, info about the upcoming strategic plan meeting, a letter from Councilman Pantele, photos from National Night Out, and more.

2nd District Representative and Council President William J. Pantele on moving to an appointed city school board: “That simply will not happen. I see no support for that proposal on city council. I see no support for that from the public.” [via]