RTD on 4th District Council race
The article in today’s RTD features a bit of back and forth on some issues between the incumbent Kathy Graziano and challenger Johnny Walker. For example Mr. Walker says this about the proposed changes to Forest Hill Ave.
By way of explaining the popularity of his yard signs on the street, he also took Graziano to task for ignoring the will of some Forest Hill Avenue residents who have opposed a median project between Hathaway Road and the Powhite Parkway that will impact some residents’ front yards.
“My promise is I’ll be a public servant, not a politician,” he said.
Graziano comes back with,
The Forest Hill median project, which will also add sidewalks to the stretch of road in addition to a center divider, is still being finalized but is necessary because of high crash rates in the area, she said.
“When you’re elected, sometimes you have to make hard decisions. … It is unfortunate for the people who live on that road, but in terms of safety, it’s something we need to do,” she said. “The city is doing its very best to work with the citizens who live along that corridor. “
There is much more to read in the article and it gives a good look at each candidate.
In an interesting sidenote, Walker has challenged Graziano to a one on one debate. All the forums that have been scheduled have included the 5 person race for 4th District School Board. Walker feels that the citizens of the 4th would benefit from seeing the two going head to head. Graziano sees no reason to change the forum format since it was driven by neighborhood associations.
It’s time for new leadership in the 4th. Time to get away from professional polititions.We need new people with new ideas who will look out for the citizens and not the city.This is why I support Mr. Walker
It was my impression, from what I read here and in other venues back when there was still discussion about the changes to Forest Hill Avenue, that Ms Graziano pretty much blew off all complaints and resistance by the people who live along the Avenue. She appeared to simply tell them it was for their own good, and they should appreciate what she was ramming through the Council. (full disclosure: I live two blocks off Forest Hill and must use it to go anywhere.)
It seems to me that no real notice was taken of public feelings, nor of the reality that this reconstruction would create a raceway for massive amounts of traffic to slice through the neighborhoods here on their way in and out of the city from Chesterfield County. That’s what the Powhite is for, folks – we’re not looking to become another Jeff Davis Highway.
While my yard won’t be affected, and sidewalks and some serious repaving would be nice, this plan was too ambitious and would return too little benefit to the neighborhood to be worth the financial outlay and ultimate loss to those living along the Avenue. But apparently Kathy Graziano, like honey badger, don’t care.
Twice in the last month I’ve received campaign propaganda from Queen Kathy, each with a handwritten note reminding me to call for a yard sign. This is hilarious not only because 6+ years of correspondence on district matters went unanswered from her end but also because I’ve lived north of the river for 6 months, very much outside her district.
Stellar attention to detail, Kathy.