Profile of Scott Burger

Working to improve a now infested with college kids area, Scott Burger is devoted to Oregon Hill and the Richmond Community. Not only is he President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, but he also is on the Board of Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, Vice Chair of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Vice Chair of the local Green Party.

Originally from Norfolk, Burger moved to Richmond in 1992.

“When I first moved here I wanted to do stuff with the music scene,” said Burger. “That’s how I learned a lot about the area.”

Burger graduated Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut with a major in Political Science. He took an interest in international events, which now has triggered his interest in the community.

According to Burger, his main goal is to try and stay active in the Oregon Hill Community and keep the neighborhood going. The main problem is getting people to appreciate and understand the neighborhood a little more, said Burger.

His work with the Sierra Club has included getting park plans to go through for the Oregon Hill community. A big thing is to encourage more people to get involved in local politics, said Burger.
Not only is Burger focused on Oregon Hill but also the community of Richmond. College students are a big target to get involved, according to Burger.

“I think there’s a lot of groups that are trying to engage the college kids,” said Burger. “But, I’d like to see more people that are more invested in Richmond take an active part in decision making.”

As for the college influence in the Oregon Hill area, there has been much cause for concern. With the influx of more college students each year, comes higher rent for the area. Also, a certain problem of respecting neighbors, said Burger.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with college students…they’re just there living for fours years and partying,” said Burger. “I understand that, but it’s harder for them to understand the consequences of long term thinking and basic respect for some of the neighbors is a problem.”

Not all the college students have created a problem though, according to Burger.

“There are college students who are more interested in celebrating the neighborhood,” said Burger. “Doing art, things like that, I think that’s good.”

John Zeugner, the Chair of the Falls of the James, part of the Sierra Club which is an environmental group, has worked with Burger for a couple of years. Having many interests in common, and multiple run-ins at meetings and public hearings, Zeugner started to become aware of Burger.

“Scott organized a Regiment Green Party that was based mainly in Oregon Hill,” said Zeugner.

“I’m with the Sierra Club and have been for a long time, and I’ve been interested in the Green Party. I kind of took notice.”

Zeugner also took notice of Burger’s activity in Oregon Hill and the community along with the blogging community. Most of the work the two collaborate on concerns the Sierra Club. Issues like the Storm Water Regulation the city has enforced to the big debate on the stadium in Shockoe Bottom, according to Zeugner.

“Some things are small, you know somebody wants to do something stupid in the city we fight that,” said Zeugner about the issues that are dealt with. “We get involved with the state environmental programs and provide input when they’re doing the right thing and try to fight and sue when they’re doing the wrong thing.”

Barbara Williamson works with Scott on the Executive Committee of the Falls of the James Group, as the Legislative Chair and Political Chair. Williamson said she is aware of his activity in the City of Richmond.

“I know he is very active in his neighborhood with the Oregon Hill Civic Association,” said Williamson. “He is very concerned for how the city of Richmond is run and also with the Richmond Greens group…in addition to his work with the Sierra Club.”

Williamson also thinks of Burger’s activism as a benefit.

“I think it would be great if more Richmonders were as committed to caring for the environment and there community as Scott,” said Williamson.

The biggest impact that Burger, according to Williamson, has on Richmond is “his commitment to the environment and all he does…in addition to being married and having a demanding full-time job”.

With Burger’s numerous activities, he is also an information technician for Springfield Financial Group. Burger also started the Oregon Hill Blog in 2007, where he posts different events and news about the Oregon Hill area.

“He likes to blog and everything,” said Zeugner. “I just tend to think he comes on a little confrontational. I’m all for fighting bad things, but sometimes it backfires.”

Zeugner thinks Burger’s blogging activity has built up a community of bloggers as a big accomplishment. Though thought as somewhat confrontational, Burger is fighting for what he has a strong opinion about, according to Zeugner.

“He tends to really give VCU a hard time,” said Zeugner. “Maybe it’s entirely appropriate for the neighborhood that’s going to be most impacted to fight the hardest against the 900 pound gorilla in the room. But, you need all types in a democracy.”

He may seem a bit controversial with his efforts but, Lora Toothman, an Urban Studies Professor at VCU, has Scott guest speak in her Intro to the City classes. Scott has led tours of Oregon Hill for the past three fall semesters for the students of Toothman.

“Scott's tireless dedication to the causes that are important to him is admirable,” said Toothman. “His service to the community sets an excellent example of an engaged citizen, and it's an example from which everyone could learn.”

William Smith, the Volunteer Chair of the Falls of the James Group, works with Scott on the executive committee.

“He is very active in the Sierra Club and does a lot of work with the group’s website and blog[s],” said Smith.