Richmond.com 5 questions with 9th District City Council candidates
Richmond.com continues it’s series asking local candidates 5 questions. This time up is Douglas Conner the incumbent and Michelle Mosby the challenger. I’m listing one question and answer, click on the candidates name to see the rest.
What is the biggest issue in the City of Richmond?
Douglas Conner: We need to increase the economic base and job opportunities throughout Richmond. That is why I have been a leader on Council to enhance technical and vocational job training programs for Richmond citizens. We can not expect to attract new businesses and jobs to our communities unless we have a well-trained, educated work force.
Michelle Mosby: At large the City’s biggest problem moving forward has to be its educational system. I believe in Richmond Public Schools, I just believe they need more support from us. We spend a smaller percentage of our City budget on education than the surrounding locales and though we have smaller student populations it doesn’t excuse “trying to get a dollar out of fifteen cents” and then wondering why “we get what we pay for.” Our teachers could and should be paid more, our buildings should be more invested in and we should have technology in our classrooms to a greater degree. Our educational woes translate into decreased likelihood of student success which in turn translates into future workforce issues, economic capacity (or lack thereof) and even family and community instability. A prepared student today equals a more than capable societal contributor tomorrow. I believe that our school’s ability to provide opportunities for all of our students to excel academically and ultimately provide a top notch skilled and trained workforce is key to Richmond’s success. To address the city’s most pressing issue moving forward I suggest more amiable relations between both the School Board and City government, more encouragement for parental participation and credence to parental concerns.
I agree Michelle. Any suggestions on how we will pay for that considering the budget was short last year? Which services would you cut from other departments? What is your formal education (both candidates) in the field of public administration and specifically in regards to formulating public budgets? Details would be nice.
An open government is essential to a democratic government. The public must have access to government information and access to the decision-making process. A study undertaken by City Hall Review evaluated the City of Richmond on 105 criteria. The study found that the City failed to meet 101 of the criteria. The Richmond Open Government Project is sponsoring a petition to “Make Richmond City Hall an open government equal to the best in Virginia.” Four candidates for City Council have signed the petition (Agelasto, Delp, Diradour, and Shewmake). Will you sign the petition and pledge to “Make Richmond City Hall an open government equal to the best in Virginia?”
The Sierra Club has a petition with about 1300 signatures asking that the City of Richmond lower the minimum monthly water/sewer service charge to no more than $15 per month. The current minimum monthly service charge for water and sewer service is $49.40 per month, which is the highest in the country. This outrageous service charge is unfair to low-income residents and to those who conserve water. As a candidate for City Council, will you endorse lowering the city’s minimum service charge to $15 per month, which is line with other localities?
In his 2011 State of the City Address, Mayor Dwight C. Jones said that “While we will take advantage of good opportunities which present themselves, we are going to grow this City by design and not by default.” The City’s fundamental land planning document is the Master Plan which is implemented through the zoning ordinance. During the current 2009-2012 term, City Council has approved 67 special use applications which waive zoning rules for applicants on a piece-meal basis. Do you think that is good planning; is that “growing this city by design?”