Visitation to parks and green spaces has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but access to them is inequitable. How will you approach funding and implementation of the James River Park System Master Plan and the creation of parks and greenspaces in communities that currently have poor access?

[FILL IN]

Given the increasing magnitude of heavy rain events as a consequence of climate change and the passage of Senate Bill 1064 earlier this year, how will you approach Richmond's combined sewer system and stormwater management in general?

[FILL IN]

Richmond's formerly redlined neighborhoods - neighborhoods that continue to be predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods - experience disproportionate climate impacts. These neighborhoods see surface temperatures nearly 5 degrees hotter during the summer. They have 36% less tree canopy and have poorer air quality due to their proximity to highways. All of these factors contribute to higher instances of asthma and heat-related illness. What policies would you support to encourage climate resiliency and reduce urban heat island effects? How will you ensure funding for these proposals?

[FILL IN]

City Council recently adopted the Net Zero Resolution (2020-R024) which updated the City's carbon reduction commitment from 80% by 2050 to 100%. Emissions from transportation and gas utilities are a major barrier to achieving this goal. What specific steps will you support in fulfilling this commitment and how will you support the Office of Sustainability's efforts to reduce emissions?

[FILL IN]

Energy efficiency presents a highly cost-effective way to work towards Richmond's emissions reduction goals. What specific steps will you take to support energy efficiency in city infrastructure and buildings? Will you support updating energy efficiency standards across the City?

[FILL IN]

Richmond had an eviction crisis before COVID-19 and the pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. To put the looming catastrophe in perspective, consider the following: during July 2020, landlords were awarded an average of $1,787 in each unlawful detainer case. At the time of this writing, there were over 1,200 unlawful detainer cases scheduled to be heard in September. Assuming the average judgment remains roughly the same, this amounts to a total of over $2 million in unpaid rent in September. Not every household facing eviction participates or is eligible for the EDP, nor do they necessarily receive the full 50% of back rent the EDP provides; however, these numbers are illustrative nonetheless. The FY2021 budget allocates $485,000 to the EDP for the entire year. Those funds will be exhausted in roughly two weeks given the current numbers. Will federal and state programs cover this gap? If not, how will you adequately fund this essential program? What additional solutions do you propose to address the coming wave of evictions?

[FILL IN]

One of the most rudimentary functions of local government is to provide residents with adequate public facilities. Yet, despite paying the highest property tax rate in the region, flooding is routine on the Southside, in Brookland Park, and across the city. Backyards are falling into eroded and unmaintained alleys in the West End. Where sidewalks do exist, they are often inaccessible to people with mobility challenges. How will you make sure these basic and essential services are fulfilled by City Hall? What will you do differently?

[FILL IN]

What kind of policy would you seek to help maintain Richmond’s economic and racial diversity? Are there existing programs that are underutilized, for example the Real Estate Tax Relief Program, that could be leveraged more effectively? Would you support a longtime owner occupant program similar to Philadelphia’s?

[FILL IN]

Richmond was denser in 1950 than it is today. Increased density cuts housing costs for residents, preserves the City's limited greenspace, and saves the City money on providing essential services. What changes, either administratively or via ordinance, can the City make to help create dense residential development? What steps can Richmond take to entice, encourage, and facilitate additional residential development? How do we ensure a diversity of housing stock that is accessible to Richmonders at all income levels?

[FILL IN]

While the City of Richmond and the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA) are subject to federal regulations and budget allocations, there is nothing preventing the full engagement and partnership between these governing bodies and the residents they serve. Unfortunately, the history of public housing in Richmond is a history of distrust, betrayal, and silencing of public housing residents themselves. Like many cities across the nation, Richmond intentionally built highways to segregate and isolate public housing from the rest of the city, effectively preventing its residents from participation in the city's prosperity. Richmond used Urban Renewal to demolish public housing units without a one-to-one unit replacement which resulted in the physical and emotional destruction of public housing neighborhoods. While this is the history of Richmond's public housing, there is nothing that mandates that it also be the future. If elected, how will you work with public housing residents? How will you ensure that residents get to decide their own collective futures rather than having a government entity decide what is best for them?

[FILL IN]

Many in the City of Richmond have called for the reallocation of funding to support community based public safety response strategies. Do you support allocating funds to support training and resources for resident/community-led efforts in trauma prevention, intervention, and crisis response?

[FILL IN]

Sustainable, living wage employment opportunities are strong deterrents to crime. Felony convictions are a huge barrier to employment, including employment with the City of Richmond. Will you support incentivizing employers to participate in strategies such as "Ban the Box" and work within City Hall to review hiring practices for the re-entry population?

[FILL IN]

Support the funding priorities in the budget that will attract and retain bilingual government employees.

Yes

Accountability and transparency are critical in rebuilding trust and healing relationships between our public safety agencies and the community. Will you prioritize the ongoing need for quality policy data, reformed policing practices, and increased transparency and accountability in reporting?

[FILL IN]

This summer, we have heard and seen our communities and in particular, our young people, organize and advocate for justice and for change. If elected, will you commit to empowering and engaging young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to help inform policy? Will you commit to allocating funds to support stipends for youth serving in these roles?

[FILL IN]

Our city advocates demand a formalized process by which citizens play a strong role in investigating and reviewing claims again police misconduct. Do you support the creation of an independent civilian review board with subpoena power and the ability to investigate claims of police abuse? If not, what solutions do you support to ensure that all Richmonders are empowered to challenge they system where it fails and that police are held accountable?

[FILL IN]

When we look at our transportation network as a whole, large swaths of the city do not have sidewalks, the bike network has grown has only a handful of protected bike lanes - which are a key factor in making the average person feel comfortable biking. Additionally, GRTC has the lowest public transportation funding per capita compared to our peer cities. Walking, biking, and transit are more equitable and cleaner modes of transportation. What policies would you support and what specific steps would you take to prioritize funding for transportation infrastructure and services that would close these network gaps?

[FILL IN]

In the last five years, our peer cities have reorganized to pull transportation oversight of public works or planning departments into a focused department of transportation. "The department is particularly necessary now because the nature of transportation planning has changed. Transportation isn't a maintenance activity anymore. It's really keeping up with new design standards and meeting the really rapidly changing and growing needs of travelers," said Matt Nicholas, Oakland's transportation policy advisor about creating the Oakland DOT in 2016. Would you support establishing a Department of Transportation to comprehensively address Richmond's multifaceted needs? Why or why not?

[FILL IN]

Richmond's average WalkScore is 51 out of 100, or "Somewhat Walkable," with the most walkable areas being Church Hill, Downtown, Carytown, and VCU. Richmond has dedicated roughly $2 million in the annual budget for new sidewalks. The average cost for a mile of sidewalk is roughly $500,000. How much will you commit to new sidewalk funding annually to ensure our most vulnerable users can travel safely? How will you prioritize more affordable and immediate options to provide walk/rollways to neighborhoods that need them by repurposing existing roadways?

[FILL IN]

The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation this year to create the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) and providing new, dedicated revenue sources for the Richmond Region. The bill requires that 35% of funds be used for regional transportation related purposes, 15% of funds will be distributed to GRTC, and 50% will be given back proportionally to each locality to be used for local mobility, which can include construction, maintenance, or expansion of roads, sidewalks, trails, mobility services, or transit located in the locality. How will you ensure that the CVTA prioritizes additional funding for regional transit and equitable mobility throughout the region? Additionally, in anticipation of this new revenue source, Richmond cut its budget allocation to GRTC in half; however, it is clear that because the CVTA relies on gas and sales tax to raise funds, the expected $8 million will not be available this fiscal year. Unless the funding gap is filled, transit service in Richmond will be reduced. What steps, if any, will you take to restore Richmond's funding for GRTC to 100% of FY2020 levels?

[FILL IN]

RPS has served more than 750,000 meals since schools closed in March. What will you do to ensure RPS has the support they need to continue feeding students during the duration of the pandemic and beyond?

FILL IN

Prior to the pandemic, 9,500 children in Richmond under the age of five, live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; however, there are only 3,500 seats in both private and public early education centers in the city. What can you do to create more early educational opportunities for our most vulnerable children?

FILL IN

Schools are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods. How do you propose the Mayor's Administration and Council should work with RPS and the School Board to ensure that every student has access to a high quality education and safe facilities to learn in? What funding streams would you like to see leveraged to support Richmond Public Schools' strategic plan?

FILL IN

Visitation to parks and green spaces has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but access to them is inequitable. How will you approach funding and implementation of the James River Park System Master Plan and the creation of parks and greenspaces in communities that currently have poor access?

We should fund the James River Parks. however I do not see access to them as being inequitable. It is not governments job to deal with equitable or inequitable. Government gives the same opportunity; but the results are not the same. Nor should they be. In America, some people do very well, while others don’t, that’s the beauty of our country.

Given the increasing magnitude of heavy rain events as a consequence of climate change and the passage of Senate Bill 1064 earlier this year, how will you approach Richmond's combined sewer system and stormwater management in general?

I don’t think the heavy rains are caused by climate change. We have not had a major hurricane river flood in almost 30 years. We had multiple river floods in the 70s and 80s, Then we built a billion floodwall and have never had to use it. So I dispute that climate change is a cause of any of it. Now I do think we should upgrade our waste water management program so we don’t put raw sewage into the river, but this is another project that is very costly and no one has addressed in the previous hundred years.

Richmond's formerly redlined neighborhoods - neighborhoods that continue to be predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods - experience disproportionate climate impacts. These neighborhoods see surface temperatures nearly 5 degrees hotter during the summer. They have 36% less tree canopy and have poorer air quality due to their proximity to highways. All of these factors contribute to higher instances of asthma and heat-related illness. What policies would you support to encourage climate resiliency and reduce urban heat island effects? How will you ensure funding for these proposals?

None. If you do not like where you live move. I live directly next to a highway by choice. It is not government job to deal with these theories that are not true.

City Council recently adopted the Net Zero Resolution (2020-R024) which updated the City's carbon reduction commitment from 80% by 2050 to 100%. Emissions from transportation and gas utilities are a major barrier to achieving this goal. What specific steps will you support in fulfilling this commitment and how will you support the Office of Sustainability's efforts to reduce emissions?

I think we as a city need to conserve our money. Before we invest in green energy we need to make sure that it is cheaper than what we use now. I do not want to stick our citizens with higher expenses.

Energy efficiency presents a highly cost-effective way to work towards Richmond's emissions reduction goals. What specific steps will you take to support energy efficiency in city infrastructure and buildings? Will you support updating energy efficiency standards across the City?

None; no.

Richmond had an eviction crisis before COVID-19 and the pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. To put the looming catastrophe in perspective, consider the following: during July 2020, landlords were awarded an average of $1,787 in each unlawful detainer case. At the time of this writing, there were over 1,200 unlawful detainer cases scheduled to be heard in September. Assuming the average judgment remains roughly the same, this amounts to a total of over $2 million in unpaid rent in September. Not every household facing eviction participates or is eligible for the EDP, nor do they necessarily receive the full 50% of back rent the EDP provides; however, these numbers are illustrative nonetheless. The FY2021 budget allocates $485,000 to the EDP for the entire year. Those funds will be exhausted in roughly two weeks given the current numbers. Will federal and state programs cover this gap? If not, how will you adequately fund this essential program? What additional solutions do you propose to address the coming wave of evictions?

  • People need to work and pay their rent. There is no excuse anyone under 60 cannot work a 40 hour week and pay their rent. The problem we have is that many people are not realistic about where they can afford to live. If you work a job and make $500 a week you need to do the math and figure out where you can afford to live. It is not governments job to find you a place to live, that’s your responsibility. It’s not governments job to manage your money for you, that’s your responsibility.
  • We must get over this idea of evection crisis because people are not going to invest in the city if they cannot collect rent.

One of the most rudimentary functions of local government is to provide residents with adequate public facilities. Yet, despite paying the highest property tax rate in the region, flooding is routine on the Southside, in Brookland Park, and across the city. Backyards are falling into eroded and unmaintained alleys in the West End. Where sidewalks do exist, they are often inaccessible to people with mobility challenges. How will you make sure these basic and essential services are fulfilled by City Hall? What will you do differently?

We need to create accountability for department heads. We pay people a lot of money to oversee departments and there’s no accountability. Our City Council goes along to get along and we need someone to go down there and quite frankly raise hell!

What kind of policy would you seek to help maintain Richmond’s economic and racial diversity? Are there existing programs that are underutilized, for example the Real Estate Tax Relief Program, that could be leveraged more effectively? Would you support a longtime owner occupant program similar to Philadelphia’s?

I’m not a supporter of any of these programs. I think that business development and diversity happens organically.

Richmond was denser in 1950 than it is today. Increased density cuts housing costs for residents, preserves the City's limited greenspace, and saves the City money on providing essential services. What changes, either administratively or via ordinance, can the City make to help create dense residential development? What steps can Richmond take to entice, encourage, and facilitate additional residential development? How do we ensure a diversity of housing stock that is accessible to Richmonders at all income levels?

Again, why is this governments job?  People should live where they can afford to live. Government should stay out of the free market and let it work itself out.

While the City of Richmond and the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA) are subject to federal regulations and budget allocations, there is nothing preventing the full engagement and partnership between these governing bodies and the residents they serve. Unfortunately, the history of public housing in Richmond is a history of distrust, betrayal, and silencing of public housing residents themselves. Like many cities across the nation, Richmond intentionally built highways to segregate and isolate public housing from the rest of the city, effectively preventing its residents from participation in the city's prosperity. Richmond used Urban Renewal to demolish public housing units without a one-to-one unit replacement which resulted in the physical and emotional destruction of public housing neighborhoods. While this is the history of Richmond's public housing, there is nothing that mandates that it also be the future. If elected, how will you work with public housing residents? How will you ensure that residents get to decide their own collective futures rather than having a government entity decide what is best for them?

Quite frankly people should only be in public housing for up to a year. Public housing is one of the worst things to ever happen, especially to Black people. It has encouraged single-parent families and generational poverty. It has gotten people away from the strong bedrock of church. We need to work to develop programs so that people stay in public housing is a short one.

Many in the City of Richmond have called for the reallocation of funding to support community based public safety response strategies. Do you support allocating funds to support training and resources for resident/community-led efforts in trauma prevention, intervention, and crisis response?

Absolutely not the police are the bedrock of American society. We must have law and order. I will vote no on anything that defunds or harms the police.

Sustainable, living wage employment opportunities are strong deterrents to crime. Felony convictions are a huge barrier to employment, including employment with the City of Richmond. Will you support incentivizing employers to participate in strategies such as "Ban the Box" and work within City Hall to review hiring practices for the re-entry population?

No. Employers have a right to know who they are hiring.

Accountability and transparency are critical in rebuilding trust and healing relationships between our public safety agencies and the community. Will you prioritize the ongoing need for quality policy data, reformed policing practices, and increased transparency and accountability in reporting?

I don’t think any of this is necessary. Most neighborhoods want more police not less. I am for leaving the police as they are.

This summer, we have heard and seen our communities and in particular, our young people, organize and advocate for justice and for change. If elected, will you commit to empowering and engaging young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to help inform policy? Will you commit to allocating funds to support stipends for youth serving in these roles?

Again these are only a small minority of people mostly do not own homes or property in the city. When you do not have skin in the game it is easy to want to change policy when you have no vested interest in the city. I do not support any of this.

Our city advocates demand a formalized process by which citizens play a strong role in investigating and reviewing claims again police misconduct. Do you support the creation of an independent civilian review board with subpoena power and the ability to investigate claims of police abuse? If not, what solutions do you support to ensure that all Richmonders are empowered to challenge they system where it fails and that police are held accountable?

These are unneeded. All too often these are abused to harass the police officers who are putting their life on the line for all of us.

When we look at our transportation network as a whole, large swaths of the city do not have sidewalks, the bike network has grown has only a handful of protected bike lanes - which are a key factor in making the average person feel comfortable biking. Additionally, GRTC has the lowest public transportation funding per capita compared to our peer cities. Walking, biking, and transit are more equitable and cleaner modes of transportation. What policies would you support and what specific steps would you take to prioritize funding for transportation infrastructure and services that would close these network gaps?

They can be funded after we fix the public schools.

In the last five years, our peer cities have reorganized to pull transportation oversight of public works or planning departments into a focused department of transportation. "The department is particularly necessary now because the nature of transportation planning has changed. Transportation isn't a maintenance activity anymore. It's really keeping up with new design standards and meeting the really rapidly changing and growing needs of travelers," said Matt Nicholas, Oakland's transportation policy advisor about creating the Oakland DOT in 2016. Would you support establishing a Department of Transportation to comprehensively address Richmond's multifaceted needs? Why or why not?

No. I think in the future government transportation is going to be less critical than private on demand transportation.

Richmond's average WalkScore is 51 out of 100, or "Somewhat Walkable," with the most walkable areas being Church Hill, Downtown, Carytown, and VCU. Richmond has dedicated roughly $2 million in the annual budget for new sidewalks. The average cost for a mile of sidewalk is roughly $500,000. How much will you commit to new sidewalk funding annually to ensure our most vulnerable users can travel safely? How will you prioritize more affordable and immediate options to provide walk/rollways to neighborhoods that need them by repurposing existing roadways?

Again this is a nice idea but sidewalks come after new schools. Funding is a finite resource and we need to use what funding we have to fix the schools and then we can spend it on other things.

The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation this year to create the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) and providing new, dedicated revenue sources for the Richmond Region. The bill requires that 35% of funds be used for regional transportation related purposes, 15% of funds will be distributed to GRTC, and 50% will be given back proportionally to each locality to be used for local mobility, which can include construction, maintenance, or expansion of roads, sidewalks, trails, mobility services, or transit located in the locality. How will you ensure that the CVTA prioritizes additional funding for regional transit and equitable mobility throughout the region? Additionally, in anticipation of this new revenue source, Richmond cut its budget allocation to GRTC in half; however, it is clear that because the CVTA relies on gas and sales tax to raise funds, the expected $8 million will not be available this fiscal year. Unless the funding gap is filled, transit service in Richmond will be reduced. What steps, if any, will you take to restore Richmond's funding for GRTC to 100% of FY2020 levels?

I think we should leave the funding as it is. The GRTC should have to pay for itself. We need to work to find programs and run government like a business that is not subsidized by the taxpayers.

RPS has served more than 750,000 meals since schools closed in March. What will you do to ensure RPS has the support they need to continue feeding students during the duration of the pandemic and beyond?

The pandemic should’ve never close schools and we need to get the schools opened immediately. It is ridiculous that kids are going to school buildings for childcare and yet the teachers are sitting at home. Throughout the state other school districts are opening up however in Richmond because of teachers we are not.  It is very selfish by them and the people hurt most are the kids. As far as feeding the kids; we should fun that and we should take the money from the school administration. What are all of these people in school administration doing right now?

Prior to the pandemic, 9,500 children in Richmond under the age of five, live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; however, there are only 3,500 seats in both private and public early education centers in the city. What can you do to create more early educational opportunities for our most vulnerable children?

Again I say we need to stop worrying about things like bike lanes and busses. That money needs to be redirected towards the kids and creating educational opportunities for them.

Schools are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods. How do you propose the Mayor's Administration and Council should work with RPS and the School Board to ensure that every student has access to a high quality education and safe facilities to learn in? What funding streams would you like to see leveraged to support Richmond Public Schools' strategic plan?

  • We must allow all students to have opportunities to vouchers so that they can escape the mess that is Richmond Public Schools. We have no accountability and the result is a bloated budget with no results. We are paying more now than ever for administration, and yet our graduation rates are down and test scores are down.
  • As far as funding goes; funding the schools needs to be our number one priority.  We have excessive bloat within the budget. We pay $500,000 for a press office. We pay $300,000 for a protective detail for the mayor. We pay $850,000 for commercials for utilities. Our budget is bloated about 20% and that needs to be redirected or cut to fund and fix the schools.

Visitation to parks and green spaces has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but access to them is inequitable. How will you approach funding and implementation of the James River Park System Master Plan and the creation of parks and greenspaces in communities that currently have poor access?

To fully realize the 2019 James River Park System Master Plan, we must immediately begin the transition to a single operating entity rather than a municipal department. While the Plan itself is specific to assets located within the City of Richmond, the James River is a resource that we share with Henrico, Chesterfield, Goochland, and Powhatan Counties, among many others. Therefore, we must take a regional approach to implementing and funding a more comprehensive plan that leverages not only our neighboring localities, but the non-profit community as well including Friends of the James River Park, James River Association, etc. The establishment of a James River Conservancy is the right and comprehensive approach to ensuring this natural asset thrives for future generations. 

In relation to more parks and greenspaces, I have outlined the following proposals: (1) Allow neighborhood Civic Associations to create and maintain pocket parks on City-owned land. These pocket parks would require permits but there would be no cost to the Civic Association. Each park must be maintained by meeting specific guidelines as outlined by Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; (2) Identify vacant lots in urban heat corridors that can be leased, tax and payment free, to neighborhoods for a period of ten years if the land is used to create a park, greenspace, or community garden; and (3) Create a new, comprehensive plan and commission responsible for creating to parks, green spaces, and community gardens. 

Given the increasing magnitude of heavy rain events as a consequence of climate change and the passage of Senate Bill 1064 earlier this year, how will you approach Richmond's combined sewer system and stormwater management in general?

First, the City needs to bring in an outside consultant to conduct a thorough analysis of the City’s infrastructure and grade components based on deterioration level. The Department of Public Utilities does not have a complete picture of the state of our gas, water, and stormwater assets. City Council also need to instruct the City Auditor to analyze the Department of Public Works and Department of Public Utilities staff performance and to create an accountability timeline for deliverables in accordance with S.B. 1064. 

Depending on the outcome of the audit, City Council may need to consider binding all stormwater fees and additional revenue sources to end the combined sewer and stormwater system.

Richmond's formerly redlined neighborhoods - neighborhoods that continue to be predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods - experience disproportionate climate impacts. These neighborhoods see surface temperatures nearly 5 degrees hotter during the summer. They have 36% less tree canopy and have poorer air quality due to their proximity to highways. All of these factors contribute to higher instances of asthma and heat-related illness. What policies would you support to encourage climate resiliency and reduce urban heat island effects? How will you ensure funding for these proposals?

Reducing the urban heat island effect across the City of Richmond must be a priority for the next Richmond City Council. I have proposed the following actions: (1) Install new greenways in the medians of major roadways including Routes 301 and 360; (2) Restructure the Department of Urban Forestry’s Adopt a Tree Program so that mature trees are being planted and that more City residents are aware and can participate in the programs; (3) Conduct a new tree inventory study to map where there are immediate needs (the last inventory was done in 2015); (4) Begin phasing out construction of new surface parking lots with any new construction; (5) Work with VDOT to implement a new state-funded tree canopy program for Interstates 64 and 95; and (6) Incentivizing property owners to install green roof tops on their buildings. 

The funding for these initiatives will require a combination of City funds, grants, private donors, and state/federal funds. However, we must have a specific plan in place to solicit these funds. I will work diligently to make that plan a reality. 

City Council recently adopted the Net Zero Resolution (2020-R024) which updated the City's carbon reduction commitment from 80% by 2050 to 100%. Emissions from transportation and gas utilities are a major barrier to achieving this goal. What specific steps will you support in fulfilling this commitment and how will you support the Office of Sustainability's efforts to reduce emissions?

First, we need to immediately seek additional Federal funds for the expansion of the Pulse Corridor. The current East/West corridor can only be successful with a North/South connection. Routes 301 and 360 are opportunities for growth. 

Second, we need to invest heavily in new ADA accessible sidewalks throughout the City. I personally live in a neighborhood has no sidewalks that connect area neighborhoods to the Pulse station a few blocks away.

Third, we need to increase access to bike sharing and e-scooter opportunities in the City. The current Administration has put a chokehold on outside companies who are willing to invest these needed assets into our community.

Fourth, we need to begin transitioning the City’s vehicle fleet to electric. As part of this effort, we also need to end the personal use of City-owned vehicles which has become a serious problem according to recent audit reports. 

Finally, working with Dominion Energy, the City should explore the creation of a solar and/or windfarm on city owned properties such as the wastewater treatment plant. 

Energy efficiency presents a highly cost-effective way to work towards Richmond's emissions reduction goals. What specific steps will you take to support energy efficiency in city infrastructure and buildings? Will you support updating energy efficiency standards across the City?

There are several policy positions that I would support to support energy efficiency. They include: (1) Sponsoring an employee carpool, bike/walk, and/or public transportation incentive for every City employee who commits to lowering their carbon footprint when commuting to and from work; (2) Begin transitioning the City’s vehicle fleet to electric. As part of this effort, we also need to end the personal use of City-owned vehicles which has become a serious problem according to recent audit reports; (3) Adopt a Wind and Solar energy use plan in advance of 2050; (4) Begin the process of selling city buildings and assets which cannot be updated to meet energy standard requirements; and (5) Requiring all City departments to update energy efficiency standards.

Richmond had an eviction crisis before COVID-19 and the pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. To put the looming catastrophe in perspective, consider the following: during July 2020, landlords were awarded an average of $1,787 in each unlawful detainer case. At the time of this writing, there were over 1,200 unlawful detainer cases scheduled to be heard in September. Assuming the average judgment remains roughly the same, this amounts to a total of over $2 million in unpaid rent in September. Not every household facing eviction participates or is eligible for the EDP, nor do they necessarily receive the full 50% of back rent the EDP provides; however, these numbers are illustrative nonetheless. The FY2021 budget allocates $485,000 to the EDP for the entire year. Those funds will be exhausted in roughly two weeks given the current numbers. Will federal and state programs cover this gap? If not, how will you adequately fund this essential program? What additional solutions do you propose to address the coming wave of evictions?

At this time, it is unclear as to whether federal and state programs will cover the anticipated funding gap for the Eviction Diversion Program. It is essential the City Council re-allocate funds within the FY2021 budget to meet the needs of this program. That will require a study to anticipate need of funding through at least June 30, 2021. 

I believe that housing is a right and a robust Eviction Diversion Program is needed to help those at risk of losing their home. However, I don’t believe that the City of Richmond or any locality has the resources needed to run an EDP program that meets the needs of residents and landlords alike. That is why I have proposed a new Eviction Diversion Program trust fund administered and managed by the Virginia Housing Development Authority (now Virginia Housing). Virginia Housing has the resources to create a robust EDP program which will benefit all residents of Virginia. To make this program a reality, Council members and the Administration need to begin working with members of the General Assembly and Governor’s Office immediately to outline the program.

One of the most rudimentary functions of local government is to provide residents with adequate public facilities. Yet, despite paying the highest property tax rate in the region, flooding is routine on the Southside, in Brookland Park, and across the city. Backyards are falling into eroded and unmaintained alleys in the West End. Where sidewalks do exist, they are often inaccessible to people with mobility challenges. How will you make sure these basic and essential services are fulfilled by City Hall? What will you do differently?

The City of Richmond has decided to rely heavily on its RVA 311 application as a tool to monitor and address infrastructure challenges. However, the past several years has shown the application does little more than provide inaccurate metrics. Moreover, the City continues to divert Capital Improvement Project dollars towards non-essential initiatives. Councilman Addison likes to point to a statement claiming that he helped secure a 40% increase in additional paving funding for the First District. However, when the Councilman took office over 35% of roads in the First District received a failing grade from the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Works. That number is unchanged because the paving that has occurred was completed on streets classified as Fair or Satisfactory.   

To move our City forward, we must begin eliminating CIP expenditures that don’t immediately fulfill a public need. A few examples include: $2.5 million for security enhancements at City Hall, $1.1 million for public art, and $1.5 million for bike lane conversions. 

We cannot become the City we want and need to be if our basic infrastructure does not meet the needs of residents. This will require conducting a comprehensive audit of need and putting infrastructure, schools, and housing at the top of the list every time.  

What kind of policy would you seek to help maintain Richmond’s economic and racial diversity? Are there existing programs that are underutilized, for example the Real Estate Tax Relief Program, that could be leveraged more effectively? Would you support a longtime owner occupant program similar to Philadelphia’s?

To curb displacement, we must create a long-time neighborhood resident tax relief program. This program would defer a portion of tax payments when annual assessments increase above a determined trigger amount. This is a proven program that would help maintain Richmond’s economic and racial diversity.

Richmond was denser in 1950 than it is today. Increased density cuts housing costs for residents, preserves the City's limited greenspace, and saves the City money on providing essential services. What changes, either administratively or via ordinance, can the City make to help create dense residential development? What steps can Richmond take to entice, encourage, and facilitate additional residential development? How do we ensure a diversity of housing stock that is accessible to Richmonders at all income levels?

To increase housing opportunities in the City of Richmond and create diversity of housing stock that is accessible to Richmonders at all income levels, we must follow the Partnership for Housing Affordability’s Regional Housing Framework recommendations that include: (1) Increase the amount of land available for multifamily housing development in commercial and residential zones; (2) Support and expand the community land trust homeownership model; (3) Reduce barriers to accessory dwelling units in residential districts; (4) Establish inclusionary zoning programs that incentivize affordable dwelling units; (5) Integrate affordable housing into transportation-rich corridors; and (6) Increase the number of residential zoning districts where manufactured homes are permitted. 

These are a handful of recommendations that I believe City Council should move on immediately. There are many others which would aid in density and more affordable housing opportunities.

While the City of Richmond and the Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority (RRHA) are subject to federal regulations and budget allocations, there is nothing preventing the full engagement and partnership between these governing bodies and the residents they serve. Unfortunately, the history of public housing in Richmond is a history of distrust, betrayal, and silencing of public housing residents themselves. Like many cities across the nation, Richmond intentionally built highways to segregate and isolate public housing from the rest of the city, effectively preventing its residents from participation in the city's prosperity. Richmond used Urban Renewal to demolish public housing units without a one-to-one unit replacement which resulted in the physical and emotional destruction of public housing neighborhoods. While this is the history of Richmond's public housing, there is nothing that mandates that it also be the future. If elected, how will you work with public housing residents? How will you ensure that residents get to decide their own collective futures rather than having a government entity decide what is best for them?

Public housing residents deserve to have their voice heard and I will be a Councilman who elevates that voice. 

The most important way we as a City can empower public housing residents is by giving them the resources they need to succeed. As mentioned above, I support an ambitious affordable housing policy with a goal of making the dream of homeownership or home rental a reality for more Richmonders – including those in public housing. Programs such as the Move to Opportunity (MTO) operated by Housing Opportunities Made Equal provides families with the tools they need to successfully move from a high poverty area to a community of opportunity. There are other programs that Council must support so that all Richmonders have access to a safe, affordable place to call home.

Many in the City of Richmond have called for the reallocation of funding to support community based public safety response strategies. Do you support allocating funds to support training and resources for resident/community-led efforts in trauma prevention, intervention, and crisis response?

I do support adequately funding support training and resources for resident/community-led efforts in trauma prevention, intervention, and crisis response. However, I do not believe those funds should come from the existing Richmond Police Department budget.

Sustainable, living wage employment opportunities are strong deterrents to crime. Felony convictions are a huge barrier to employment, including employment with the City of Richmond. Will you support incentivizing employers to participate in strategies such as "Ban the Box" and work within City Hall to review hiring practices for the re-entry population?

Absolutely. Everyone deserves a second chance and it is essential that we provide those who are re-entering the population with the opportunity to a good job. 

Accountability and transparency are critical in rebuilding trust and healing relationships between our public safety agencies and the community. Will you prioritize the ongoing need for quality policy data, reformed policing practices, and increased transparency and accountability in reporting?

Yes. Public safety agencies should be held to the same standards as all government agencies. That means that accountability and transparency of policy data and practices should be readily accessible to the public.

This summer, we have heard and seen our communities and in particular, our young people, organize and advocate for justice and for change. If elected, will you commit to empowering and engaging young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to help inform policy? Will you commit to allocating funds to support stipends for youth serving in these roles?

I will engage with all residents to help inform policy as it relates to the criminal justice system – that includes young people. 

I would need to learn more about the proposal related to allocating funds to support stipends for youth serving in this role before making a decision.

Our city advocates demand a formalized process by which citizens play a strong role in investigating and reviewing claims again police misconduct. Do you support the creation of an independent civilian review board with subpoena power and the ability to investigate claims of police abuse? If not, what solutions do you support to ensure that all Richmonders are empowered to challenge they system where it fails and that police are held accountable?

I do support the creation of a Civilian Review Board with subpoena power. 

When we look at our transportation network as a whole, large swaths of the city do not have sidewalks, the bike network has grown has only a handful of protected bike lanes - which are a key factor in making the average person feel comfortable biking. Additionally, GRTC has the lowest public transportation funding per capita compared to our peer cities. Walking, biking, and transit are more equitable and cleaner modes of transportation. What policies would you support and what specific steps would you take to prioritize funding for transportation infrastructure and services that would close these network gaps?

First, we need to consolidate all transportation related functions under one department. The current approach to managing transportation initiatives is grossly mismanaged and has become a bureaucratic nightmare. A centralized department will allow for a comprehensive approach to planning and budgeting. 

The City also must take steps to prioritize funding towards existing multi-modal transportation nodes. We invested significant resources to construct the GRTC Pulse corridor but did not invest in the infrastructure needed for it to be successful. For example, I live two and a half blocks from the Staples Mill Pulse station. However, there aren’t any sidewalks along Chantilly or Blacker connecting Monument Avenue to Broad Street. This means that pedestrians must walk on failing roads if they want to get to the Pulse station. Additionally, Chantilly is the last road where west-bound traffic can make a left-hand turn before entering Henrico County because Staples Mill does not allow left-hand turns. That has resulted in Chantilly becoming a cut-through for hundreds of cars a day making it unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists alike. 

If we are going to invest in closing the transportation network gaps, we must prioritize our existing transportation nodes. Otherwise we risk the possibility of those multi-modal transportation efforts failing.

In the last five years, our peer cities have reorganized to pull transportation oversight of public works or planning departments into a focused department of transportation. "The department is particularly necessary now because the nature of transportation planning has changed. Transportation isn't a maintenance activity anymore. It's really keeping up with new design standards and meeting the really rapidly changing and growing needs of travelers," said Matt Nicholas, Oakland's transportation policy advisor about creating the Oakland DOT in 2016. Would you support establishing a Department of Transportation to comprehensively address Richmond's multifaceted needs? Why or why not?

I do believe that a Department of Transportation is needed. We must consolidate all transportation related functions under one department. The current approach to managing transportation initiatives is grossly mismanaged and has become a bureaucratic nightmare. A centralized department will allow for a comprehensive approach to planning and budgeting.

That being said, the devil is in the details. Any department must reduce bureaucratic barriers to a comprehensive network rather than create new ones.

Richmond's average WalkScore is 51 out of 100, or "Somewhat Walkable," with the most walkable areas being Church Hill, Downtown, Carytown, and VCU. Richmond has dedicated roughly $2 million in the annual budget for new sidewalks. The average cost for a mile of sidewalk is roughly $500,000. How much will you commit to new sidewalk funding annually to ensure our most vulnerable users can travel safely? How will you prioritize more affordable and immediate options to provide walk/rollways to neighborhoods that need them by repurposing existing roadways?

Richmond is a city of neighborhoods and we must prioritize connecting neighborhoods with safe, ADA-accessible sidewalks. One of my core priorities is to increase sidewalk coverage in the First District by 25 percent over four years. If we replicated that goal across all nine districts the investment would need to be at least $30 million a year. The adopted CIP transportation budget for FY21 is $62,279,000 which means we would have to reduce expenses in the CIP under the transportation line item and others. This will be an unpopular position but we cannot keep taking an incremental approach to pedestrian safety. Getting this right means we can devote future funding for other priority areas such as bike lanes.

The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation this year to create the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) and providing new, dedicated revenue sources for the Richmond Region. The bill requires that 35% of funds be used for regional transportation related purposes, 15% of funds will be distributed to GRTC, and 50% will be given back proportionally to each locality to be used for local mobility, which can include construction, maintenance, or expansion of roads, sidewalks, trails, mobility services, or transit located in the locality. How will you ensure that the CVTA prioritizes additional funding for regional transit and equitable mobility throughout the region? Additionally, in anticipation of this new revenue source, Richmond cut its budget allocation to GRTC in half; however, it is clear that because the CVTA relies on gas and sales tax to raise funds, the expected $8 million will not be available this fiscal year. Unless the funding gap is filled, transit service in Richmond will be reduced. What steps, if any, will you take to restore Richmond's funding for GRTC to 100% of FY2020 levels?

As a former Commissioner for the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (now PlanRVA), I was involved the discussions around the creation of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. During my four years on that Commission, Councilman Addison did not attend a single meeting and the attendance records will show that.  

Our partner localities – especially Henrico County and Chesterfield County – understand the importance of creating a comprehensive regional transit system that increases equitable mobility. I will be a vocal supporter of implementing such a plan with the appropriate funding. However, given the nature of the organization, it is impossible for me to say that I can “ensure” that. 

As it relates to GRTC funding, I am a huge supporter of GRTC. I used to commute downtown every day on the old Grove Avenue route and I still use the Pulse at least once a week. However, I would not restore the FY2020 budget allocation due to the fact that we have seen ridership declines and we don’t have a full grasp on what City revenues look like. Additionally, GRTC received $32 million in CARES Act funding this past April. GRTC does expect a $10-$12 million funding shortfall in its FY22 budget but it is too early to say what the best course of action is related to closing that budget gap. 

RPS has served more than 750,000 meals since schools closed in March. What will you do to ensure RPS has the support they need to continue feeding students during the duration of the pandemic and beyond?

It is important to note that food insecurity was an issue before the pandemic started. This is a major area of concern for me and one that will not just vanish when there is a vaccine for COVID-19. That is why I am proposing the formation of a Richmond Food Consortium which would bring together RPS, the non-profit community, and for-profit community to help feed those residents at risk of food insecurity. We must provide our students with healthy, nutritious meals but we also need to think about the parents of those students as well. 

The City of Richmond has an important responsibility to help fund an initiative such as this along with partner organizations. 

Prior to the pandemic, 9,500 children in Richmond under the age of five, live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; however, there are only 3,500 seats in both private and public early education centers in the city. What can you do to create more early educational opportunities for our most vulnerable children?

Since the beginning of my campaign, I have proposed the process for funding and implementing a 0-5 daycare and preschool program in the City of Richmond. Research has shown that early childhood education coupled with strong mentor/mentee relationships provide better outcomes for learning. 

The Mayor recently announced his support for a 4-5 pre-K program but I don’t believe that goes far enough.

Schools are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods. How do you propose the Mayor's Administration and Council should work with RPS and the School Board to ensure that every student has access to a high quality education and safe facilities to learn in? What funding streams would you like to see leveraged to support Richmond Public Schools' strategic plan?

We should be focusing more resources towards Richmond Public Schools which is why I’ve proposed that the City of Richmond allocate at least 25% of its annual revenues towards RPS funding for the next 20 years. This is a floor allocation percentage which can be higher based on revenues but by creating a baseline, we have a jumping off point for more productive conversations about funding. 

I also believe that City Council members have an individual responsibility to lead by example. They need to inspire Richmond residents to do everything they can to support RPS. That is why I’m pledging that if elected, I will donate 100% of my City Council salary towards the establishment and implementation of a new scholarship program for Thomas Jefferson High School students. This scholarship will be designed to help students gain access to the colleges, universities, community colleges, and technical schools of their choice. I will advocate that residents join me in this effort to provide RPS students with as many opportunities as possible.

Finally, we have yet to exhaust opportunities to increase taxes on other sources such as cigarettes. Finally, the City of Richmond needs to follow the recommendations outlined by the Office of the City Auditor. Over the past decade, the Auditor has found dozens of opportunities the City can reign in spending. Very few of these recommendations have been followed or implemented. Some estimates indicate that an additional $15-$25 million could go towards RPS annually if the City followed the Auditor’s recommendations.

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