Question and Answer
Candidate's responses are published as submitted, without edits.
Root Causes: Often, studies tend to focus on the individual characteristics of offenders, while neglecting ethnic and racial differences associated with neighborhood contexts...like resource scarcity, redlining practices, disparate treatment in legal settings, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Can you talk about the root causes you've identified as the precipitators of violence in our region?
From my experience, drug and domestic related crimes are major root causes that I can identify as precipitators of violence in the region.
Systemic Solutions: Research tells us that race or ethnicity are not violence indicators. They are markers highlighting external social contexts differentially allocated by racial, ethnic, and economic status. Segregation by these social contexts disproportionately exposes members of these racial, ethnic, and lower socioeconomic groups to key violence-inducing or violence-protecting conditions. What are some systemic solutions that will consider these factors?
There is established research that ties domestic violence to certain identifiable behaviors. Solutions to systemic factors are education, employment (jobs that pay a living wage), removing elements from the community/environment that rob the community of it's wealth building capacity and teach wealth building principles.
Immediate Solutions: Motions, Resolutions, Ordinances, Referrals, Deferrals - and all policy changes can take time. What immediate solutions do you propose that will invite our neighbors and your constituents across Richmond to co-create and jointly implement efforts to change the trajectory of violence in Richmond?
To change the trajectory of violence, a good place to start is to change the trajectory of the people. In order to do better, they need to know better. Work with residents, nonprofits and others to put together seminars/training to arm and help people improve their financial literacy. Community policing by a well staffed Police Department may also help.
Climate Policy: After nearly 6 years of community engagement and climate analysis, the RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action Plan was adopted in early 2023 as the City of Richmond’s official sustainability plan. As Mayor, will you fully execute this plan and seek to exceed the goals set out with respect to carbon pollution reduction and community climate resilience?
Yes
Tell us more: As Richmond makes progress, what is the City getting right and what actions will you as the next Mayor take to overcome any challenges?
I wish I could point to something the City is getting right. Unfortunately, as I go around the district citizens have nothing but concerns and issues they raise with me. Things like services, taxes, safety, food insecurity, housing, schools and more. It doesn't help that most of the news concerning the City lately has not been flattering. There has to be a culture and possibly leadership change at City Hall. The Council working with the Mayor can be the agent for change. They can't continue to do the same things and expect to get different results.
Environmental Justice: Richmond has just begun to repair some of the lasting harms of racially motivated redlining, highway construction, and disinvestment in low-income and Black and African American communities. Today, models like the City of Richmond Climate Equity Index, the Trust for Public Land ParkScore, and the White House’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool show disparities across neighborhoods in community resources, environmental quality, health outcomes, and economic opportunity. Do you see a relationship between climate action, poverty, and justice in Richmond?
Yes
Tell us more: If so, how would you describe this relationship and what actions, policy-related or otherwise, do you feel are necessary to address these issues?
It is a well known fact that because of the racially motivated treatment of the South Richmond many parts of the area are heat islands which adversely affects what was primarily African American communities. There is already greening actions being taken and more to come to increase the tree canopy in the area. There needs to be action taken to reduce the heat absorbing surfaces all of the multi-family developments bring into the area.
Equitable Energy Transition: Richmond Gas Works is owned and operated by the City of Richmond. The Department of Public Utilities is facing financial and logistical challenges maintaining the network of 100-year-old gas pipes. The aging system has had nearly a thousand known gas leaks, with each jeopardizing public safety and the health of local residents. When leaked, methane is a potent climate pollutant that has a significant impact on climate change. When burned indoors in stoves and heaters, people can be exposed to fumes containing carcinogens like benzene, formaldehyde, and nitrogen oxides. If elected, would you work to develop a plan to phase out Richmond Gas Works in a financially responsible manner?
It's Complicated
Tell us more: How can low and median income households be protected and supported throughout an energy transition? *
The question about Richmond Gas Works has come up several times and if elected I will definitely delve into this issue. If this is a losing proposition due to the aging infrastructure, at some point the City needs to be planning on an investment or exit strategy. What the City can't afford to do is not plan one way or the other.
Local governments are responsible for land use and zoning, impacting housing supply and the various types of housing that gets built. With Richmond Planning Department beginning the work of rewriting their zoning code, are you supportive of the citywide zoning code rewrite?
It's Complicated
Tell us more: What kinds of zoning changes would you support to allow for a variety of home types?
I would support zoning changes that make sense for all. It would be very concerning if the code changes appear to benefit some more than others.
Do you believe each district in the City should develop its fair share of affordable housing?
It's Complicated
Tell us more: How would you implement that?
My concern is not about what I would implement its has to do with what the definition of affordable is. This term is used often. The City needs to establish what it defines as affordable so that when the term is used we at least know what it means or what is intended.
In 2023, Richmond City declared a housing crisis. Should the city make it easier to build more housing?
It's Complicated
Tell us more: Cities across the country are starting to repeal provisions of zoning regulation that make it harder to build - especially for small and part-time builders. Richmond, by eliminating parking requirements in 2023, has started down this path. What types of rules would you support relaxing or eliminating and why?
This housing crisis should be revisited. Are we going down the right path with the bulk of what's being built being rental? Should there be more interest in? What is the percentage of occupancy of the developments that have been built and how many units are in progress? Is it really a housing crisis or a housing affordability crisis?
Leadership in Transportation: Following decades of planning around primarily one mode of transportation - vehicles - residents and businesses have increasingly called upon Richmond leadership to retool its transportation system to work for many ways of getting around, including walking, biking, public transportation, rideshare, bike share, scooters, and beyond. Do you support expanding funding and implementation of a multi-modal transportation system in Richmond that prioritizes safe, walkable, and bikeable streets and frequent and far reaching public transit?
complicated
Tell us more: What legislation and funding will you support to meet the challenge of providing seamless, interconnected multimodal networks for the communities you serve?
I will support what makes sense for Richmond. Whether I support something or not will be based on the information available pros and cons.
Equitable Transportation Funding: Richmond has a history of inequitable investment in sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and bus stops. Zero fare GRTC Bus service has resulted in a ridership boom, lowering barriers to mobility and increasing access to jobs, health care, and schools. Yet, the state grant for zero fare is ending soon, leaving a funding gap. Many low-income Richmonders rely on equitable transportation solutions, and they need consistent leadership to deliver equitable transportation policies and programs. Will you prioritize equity in funding and implementation of transportation projects?
complicated
Tell us more: What projects or programs would best support equitable transportation access in your district as well as others? If not, how will you ensure all Richmond residents have access to essential transportation options?
Again, I will support what makes sense for Richmond. This is going to need additional funding to make it continue to happen. You know how the budgeting process goes. I will prioritize seeking additional grant funds from both state and federal to keep it going as well.
Transportation Infrastructure: Richmond Connects – the City of Richmond’s recently-adopted multimodal transportation plan – was developed through years of deep community engagement and prioritizes equitable investment in roadways, bike, pedestrian, and essential public transit infrastructure over the next several years. Meanwhile, Richmond has developed strategies to address transportation safety through the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program and Vision Zero. Will you continue to fund the implementation of the Richmond Connects plan?
complicated
Tell us more: What Richmond Connects projects would you like to see implemented in your district as well as others?
While the Richmond Connects is a big issue especially in areas where there are no sidewalks or if there are they are in bad shape. There is a bigger issue in many areas of the district that flood during heavy rains that needs to be addressed.
Emerging Adults: What kind of future do you envision for young people coming out of school today and transitioning to adulthood? What are your priorities to ensure they are set up for success?
As I have shared with the Richmond Education Association, I believe Richmond students deserve to receive a quality education that well prepares them to pursue opportunities beyond RPS. Whether it be college, or some sort of certification or trade they should be equipped to transition to the next level successfully. This starts with the City Council fully funding RPS and working in concert with the School Board so that efforts to deliver this are realized.
Youth Centered Question: As students, so much of our lives revolve around school; because of this, the lingering fear and dread we face when doing basic everyday things in school is more than just debilitating. Everyday we fear that while doing our school work or walking down the road, a senseless act of gun violence will take our life. Virginia and Richmond specifically needs to do better, not just for the current teenagers directly affected by the gun violence, but for the small children who grow up and see the same things we do, with little to no explanation or understanding of why. We see what happens in our neighborhoods; in our state; in our country as a whole. We need change but we have to start here, at home. We need you to promise to help us make that change. Tell us your plan and overall strategy for addressing gun violence, including but not limited to, allocating funds and leveraging resources to support violence prevention, intervention, and crisis response?
Because gun violence is usually a product of some criminal activity. I plan to work with 8th District residents to reclaim community spaces reducing evidence of crime such as used syringes, trash, graffiti, tagging and towing abandoned vehicles, and sealing abandoned buildings.
Family Centered Question: Access to year-round high-quality childcare, education, afterschool and summertime activities, and family-oriented community resources are key priorities voiced by families in our community. How do you propose the Mayor’s Administration and Council should work to ensure that every child (birth – 18) has access to high-quality care, education, wraparound services, and safe spaces to thrive in?
Part of the reason I am running for City Council is because my community wanted to take a city owned property and have it renovated to house community space, early childhood education and childcare and more and when it came time to support a decision for use of the property. It was decided to sell it to a developer to build apartments in the middle of the residential area. Not something the community wanted or needed. Should they work to have these services available? Yes! Will they? Not if there is a developer that wants to build apartments.