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?
Last year I led the anti-Casino Campaign. May your stony council and some very powerful forces in this city did much like the fact that. As as reported in the media, was subject to vile anti-Semitic attacks, My associates to racist and sexist attacks. That's the newspapers description you can look it up. A single group with the newspaper shelf publicly apologized any of this. They thought it would work. I'm the only white person that had the guts to stand up for Wilder and run his campaign in the 1980s. You can read more in my book, There is a reference on my website, Goldman4Council. Until we stop this kind of political thinking and culture in RVA government, don't expect the progress needed on these and other issues. I am known around the country as someone who's worked successfully to change the nation and the state in the area of more inclusion in our governmental process and politics. So if elected leaders in this town are so brazen to think can do this to me, and none of the groups will to say anything because they're afraid- you'll be asking the same question for as long as there are elections unless you get new elected leadership.
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?
I'm not an expert in this area. Moreover, I've had success in politics to know the most important lesson of leadership: know what you don't know. I've been successful in making changes, but remembering a lot of people are way more than I do on many things. So I can pledge to do what I've always done: Talk to people that know more than you and whose experience is more than you: then use that input when you're trying to pass laws and create new policies
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?
As I've indicated above, as long as the politics in this city is such that the mayor, the elected officials and others think you could play the kind of antisemitic racist, sexist campaign they did and win: then, you never going to get the change we need. 62% of the people rejected that stuff. So what didvthe mayor and city Council do next? They take $170 million of money that should go to modernize schools and use it to subsidize a new baseball stadium project for a team owned by a hedge fund in New York. If that's what you want, don't bother to vote for me. I'm putting the kids in the city first.
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?
You can't build a new and improved city on the politics of the old divisions, cronyism, and the politics of racism sexism antisemitism. The people of this city deserve better. As people know, I've worked with Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and Doug Wilder among others to move our state and city forward. One particular initiative would allow the city to modernize its school facilities, at far less cost than the price paid by previous elected leaders. To the best of my knowledge, we received no meaningful help from city elected leaders. Our leaders were perhaps too busy maxing out the city credit card For their personal use.
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?
Years ago, they built schools for the city's black children on or near landfill. Do I really need to say anything more?
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?
Yes
Tell us more: How can low and median income households be protected and supported throughout an energy transition? *
This is going to take cooperation and coordination at the federal state and local level. I don't claim any expertise in this area.
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 last studied zoning law as part of a class in law school. Zoning law, of course, intersects with very powerful forces of a financial social technological nature. I've helped right laws at the state and federal level. But none involving zoning. I don't feel knowledgeable enough to start making suggestions right now.
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?
What exactly do you mean by "fair share"? "Affordable housing" can apply to ownership or the ability to rent. It's not clear from your question. I have a 28-year-old son. So I'm quite familiar with me the situation in terms of affordable shelter for his generation. As I understand certain federal incentives, developers don't have to build million dollar mansions to make a boatload of money. There are other projects far more affordable to the average person where using these incentives makes such projects financially attractive. So why aren't they doing it?
In 2023, Richmond City declared a housing crisis. Should the city make it easier to build more housing?
Yes
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?
I haven't had sufficient time to talk to enough residents in my district to answer. A Council representative has to see the position as a service position. This is local government, not the Congress. Hopefully, before the campaign is over, I will have time to discuss this issue with enough residents in the district to feel I can fairly represent their point of view
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 haven't had the need to use
public transportation in Richmond for sometime. So before answering, I We need to bring myself up to speed in this area.
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?
I believe it is incumbent upon if elected to first find out how we are spending our transportation dollars. Has the council ever done such a study? You just can't rely on what the administration tells you. An affordable viable public transportation system is vital to any modern city. So is providing children with a top quality public education. I don't believe the council has actually thought to do its own review of that either. If you want someone on Council that's just going to rubber stamp whatever the mayor says as has been the case recently: Then I'm not your guy.
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?
As indicated above, I don't consider myself sufficiently knowledgeable in this area to start saying what I will and will not do. I'll be frank: I have little confidence our elected leaders have been doing the oversight needed in these areas. So if elected, I will be urging the council to do a review. This is actually one of their responsibilities under the City Charter.
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?
I address this on my website and in my book. Every student who graduates from RPS needs to either be college ready or have a job skill that they can use immediately. Moreover, we need to bring physical education back into the schools. We also need to reinvigorate teaching the importance of a fair, functional, thoughtful, political culture. I worked my way through college graduate grad school and law school. I paid for myself because my parents could not.
We need to help people be all they can be. Dr. Martin Luther King said "education is the great equalizer." It's time for city Council to play its rightful role it showing equal educational opportunities for all the children in this city. In recent years, Richmond of courses with attracting more and more young adults. They love their city. The city has amazing potential. In my view city government has been an obstacle. There are things we need to do for the younger generation to have all the possibilities they should. As I say, government has been more an obstacle than it should. I intend to help change that.
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?
Public safety as I indicate on my web site is job #1 for any government. 20 years ago, Richmond was known as one of the murder capitols of America. One reason was the attitude of the police chief at the time. I helped convince the mayor at the time to get a new police chief after being assigned to attend a meeting of the police leadership. The new police chief, with a more community policing approach, helped to drastically reduce the level of violence and murder in our city. But while this progress is of course most welcome, we still have a long way to go to provide the peaceful environment and freedom from fear every citizen deserves.
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?
First, they should stop misleading the public. According to the mayor and Council, we needed a Casino because otherwise there wouldn't be any money to build affordable daycare centers. The casino got defeated and I was happy to lead that charge.
But not long afterwards, we suddenly had $170 million for a taxpayer subsidized baseball stadium. But I thought affordable daycare was their big push and priority?
For me at least affordable daycare is far high priority than a $170 million baseball stating project. But I'm the only one running For any office in this city not only willing to lead the fight against the Casino but also who, at least, tried to convince people that we needed to find higher priorities than a baseball stadium.,
If you're happy with the status quo, no need to vote for me: but if you think we need leadership for change, then I think my record says that's something I can do for our city and successfully so.