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To encourage and support participation in the “Love Lights” program for the 2018-2019 year and each year thereafter, with the display lasting through January 1, 2019, and through January 1 of each year thereafter.
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WHEREAS, the holiday lighting of downtown Richmond typically begins with the Grand Illumination, usually on a Friday at the end of November or the beginning of December; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, Raymond H. Boone, the editor and publisher of the Richmond Free Press newspaper, conceived and promoted an initiative known as the “Love Lights” program; and
WHEREAS, the goals of the “Love Lights” program are to add to the aesthetics of the city, to increase citizen pride and to give visitors to the city a positive, upbeat impression of the Capital City of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, partners in the “Love Lights” program include the Richmond Free Press, the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and Venture Richmond as well as other businesses and institutions located in downtown Richmond; and
WHEREAS, the “Love Lights” program has earned local and national recognition, including a 2006 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Muse Award and the 2006 DaimlerChrysler Financial Services/NNPA Foundation Entrepreneurial Award; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2009, the Council of the City of Richmond presented Raymond H. Boone with an official recognition to honor his efforts in implementing the “Love Lights” program; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that the “Love Lights” program is a benefit for the City by displaying cooperation among businesses and institutions in downtown Richmond and creating a positive impression of the City for citizens and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2009-R187-185, adopted November 23, 2009, the City Council encouraged and supported the “Love Lights” program for the 2009-2010 year; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2010-R182-182, adopted November 22, 2010, Resolution No. 2011-R163-155, adopted November 28, 2011, Resolution No. 2012-R154-152, adopted December 3, 2012, Resolution No. 2013-R253-242, adopted November 25, 2013, Resolution No. 2014-R237-232, adopted December 8, 2014, Resolution No. 2015-R62-66, adopted November 9, 2015, Resolution No. 2016-R089, adopted December 12, 2016, and Resolution No. 2017-R082, adopted November 13, 2017, the City Council again encouraged and supported the “Love Lights” program for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 years, with the display running until January 1 in an effort to conserve energy; and
WHEREAS, the Council therefore believes that in an effort to conserve energy, it is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Richmond that the City encourages and supports participation in the “Love Lights” program each year until January 1 of each year;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the City encourages and supports participation in the “Love Lights” program for the 2018-2019 year, and each year thereafter commencing on such date as may be established for the program known as The Grand Illumination of James Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That, in an effort to conserve energy, the time of the display of the “Love Lights” should end on January 1, 2019, and on January 1 of each year thereafter.