Parks: Our public green space is a treasure and few cities can compete with the natural beauty abundant in Richmond. As Council representative, I would build on the relationships created in my position as President of Friends of Forest Hill Park to work with the Department of Parks and Recreation in addressing the needs relating to the care of these properties and on ways to expand the programs and use of public space. I am also interested in exploring conservation easements or other measures that would protect the existing green space for future generations. As the population in the city grows, public green space will become more precious and the preservation of such space more critical.

Trees: I support expanding the tree planting program in the city. Trees are more than a beautification project. They clean the air, which offers substantial improvements to an urban landscape dealing with high smog levels. Aside from the health benefits, the environment improves with the addition of trees by assisting with erosion and providing shade in summer that can reduce utility usage. We are fortunate to have a substantial tree inventory in Richmond, but many areas of our city remain bare. We also need to ensure a proper level of staff arborists to care for these assets. Dollar for dollar, trees represent one of the best investments in improving our city.

Riverfront development: I support the careful development of a portion of the riverfront to produce new access points, recreational outlets and business development. Such plans should be carefully evaluated, include citizen input and provide a detailed plan that offers a wide variety of amenities, while addressing concerns like traffic and parking issues. Done wisely, such a development would become a huge asset to the city as a whole.

Services: Service complaints are common among 5th district constituents. These issues are about quality of life and involve the small but vastly annoying problems that cause irritation for residents. While there has been an improvement in small cost services, larger cost issues like sidewalk repairs/installations continue to reside on the back burner. Proper funding is often the culprit and my experience in budget construction and public-private partnerships will be used to make certain these issues receive the appropriate attention.

Business Development: Richmond is a city with fixed borders and a shortage of huge tracts of vacant land awaiting development. What we do have is a wealth of commercial space suitable for small – medium sized business, yet virtually nothing is being done to actively attract or create such businesses and the jobs they create. Every community I visit has vacant commercial space and a resident’s wish list of desired community business. As your Representative, I would work to bring the goods and services you desire to our community and work to structure incentives that make selecting the city a smart choice for business.

Minority Business Development: I would work with the Mayor to further streamline the bidding process and to make certain that payments were structured in a way that is workable. The majority of minority businesses are small to mid size companies with neither the staff nor the credit lines to effectively bid and carry out the existing governmental bid projects. Tweaking the existing system could dramatically increase the number of minority businesses winning city contracts.

Meals Tax: Eliminate it or at the least, reduce it and give our local restaurants a fighting chance against their competition in the counties. This increase was put in place to pay for the Arts Center. That task has been accomplished. It is time to do the right thing and drop the meals tax rate.

Property Tax: If we want to compete with the counties in attracting more residents and increasing our population, we must get the property tax rate down to a more competitive level. With the counties only a few minutes away in any direction, higher living costs contribute significantly to prospective residents choosing another locality to call home. We need people on Council capable of structuring a budget free of waste. My experience in business makes me an ideal candidate to make our city the best buy for those looking to relocate to the area.

The poverty rate among Richmond Public School students means additional challenges for RPS as does the continuing loss of middle class families. As Council Representative, I will work with the School Board to make certain that schools are properly funded and structured to promote success. By providing excellence in education, we provide all families in the city with a valuable service and an incentive to remain in the neighborhoods they love.

In a city with several colleges and universities, it has never made sense to me that so few internships are available to those who will soon enter a highly competitive job market. Whether paid or unpaid, internships that offer the opportunity to hone skills and acquire experience (not just at a copy or coffee machine, but in the thick of the field) give our college graduates a much valued addition to their resumes. As a Council member, I will create internship opportunities in my office and seek to expand similar opportunities across the district and the city.

We are fortunate to have top notch police, fire and paramedic services in Richmond, though the funding received by these departments has at times made their jobs more difficult to accomplish. These men and women, those we call upon on the worst days of our lives, deserve to work in departments that are properly funded. One of the common complaints across the district is crime, mostly of a nuisance level. Community officers average four per shift per precinct. While an officer on every corner is not realistic, I know we can do better than the current citizen/officer ratio, just as I know this will impact crime statistics in a positive way.

Whether it is new equipment, additional “on the street” personnel both in cars and on bicycles, or some other need, I will work to make certain those who have sworn to protect and serve will not have to settle for react and serve.

Read more about my positions on Public Safety, Public Schools and Public Infrastructure.

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