Richmond Times Dispatch Interview
What prompted you to run for this office?
As Chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee the past year, I had been focused on advocating for better city government. Our first two resolutions last Spring called for a new safety-minded Department of Transportation and for better FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) compliance and transparency in city government.
I expected to spend the Fall campaigning for someone in the First District with progressive values who would pursue a vibrant city through smart growth and good governance.
Instead, people started to ask me to run for this open seat. Some asked me because they had seen the values I had worked for before – moving the city forward while protecting the vulnerable. Some asked me because I had a good head on my shoulders – as a financial data engineer, I can grasp complicated issues, ask the right questions, and make good decisions. And still others asked me because they have seen how I will bring collaboration and respect to the council.
They managed to convince me. So I got my wife’s permission to run and am thrilled at the opportunity to connect with residents and advocate for a great city.
What would you identify as the most important issue facing your district, and why? What do you plan to do to address it?
First District residents are strained by years of rising home prices and assessments. They are paying much more in taxes and do not feel that they are seeing a commensurate improvement in services.
I intend to take Richmond to the next level, with walkable neighborhoods, well-funded schools, and a vibrant downtown, all of which is downstream from good management. We have years of audits and inspector general reports prescribing the investments necessary to modernize and improve our processes so that our money is spent effectively.
Our next mayor must invest in new technology, training, and talent, and we on council must prioritize those investments in the budget. I also expect us on council to do the work of administrative oversight by asking the right questions, before lawyers and journalists are forced to do so.
What do you offer that your opponents do not? In other words: why you and not them?
I am offering experience, relationships, and vision. Before I ran for Council, my plan was to work with our Richmond House Delegation on coordinating Richmond’s regional requests for the General Assembly. These are things like equitable school funding, sewer system improvement funds, or regional housing efforts. On Council, I will be even better positioned to do this. I’ve been building relationships with other Councilmembers and our House Delegation for years, and this will be vital for finding solutions for Richmond together.
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Richmond Times Dispatch Interview
What prompted you to run for this office?
As Chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee the past year, I had been focused on advocating for better city government. Our first two resolutions last Spring called for a new safety-minded Department of Transportation and for better FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) compliance and transparency in city government.
I expected to spend the Fall campaigning for someone in the First District with progressive values who would pursue a vibrant city through smart growth and good governance.
Instead, people started to ask me to run for this open seat. Some asked me because they had seen the values I had worked for before – moving the city forward while protecting the vulnerable. Some asked me because I had a good head on my shoulders – as a financial data engineer, I can grasp complicated issues, ask the right questions, and make good decisions. And still others asked me because they have seen how I will bring collaboration and respect to the council.
They managed to convince me. So I got my wife’s permission to run and am thrilled at the opportunity to connect with residents and advocate for a great city.
What would you identify as the most important issue facing your district, and why? What do you plan to do to address it?
First District residents are strained by years of rising home prices and assessments. They are paying much more in taxes and do not feel that they are seeing a commensurate improvement in services.
I intend to take Richmond to the next level, with walkable neighborhoods, well-funded schools, and a vibrant downtown, all of which is downstream from good management. We have years of audits and inspector general reports prescribing the investments necessary to modernize and improve our processes so that our money is spent effectively.
Our next mayor must invest in new technology, training, and talent, and we on council must prioritize those investments in the budget. I also expect us on council to do the work of administrative oversight by asking the right questions, before lawyers and journalists are forced to do so.
What do you offer that your opponents do not? In other words: why you and not them?
I am offering experience, relationships, and vision. Before I ran for Council, my plan was to work with our Richmond House Delegation on coordinating Richmond’s regional requests for the General Assembly. These are things like equitable school funding, sewer system improvement funds, or regional housing efforts. On Council, I will be even better positioned to do this. I’ve been building relationships with other Councilmembers and our House Delegation for years, and this will be vital for finding solutions for Richmond together.
