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Style Weekly takes a look at 5th District City Council race

The 5th District City Council race for my money is the most interesting race going on in local politics. Three candidates each with a unique style and approach. Style Weekly has an article that focuses on Jewell and Angelasto.

“I think Marty likes to make accusations without having his facts to back it up,” Agelasto says. “What I’m offering is someone who is less likely to point fingers, but sit down and have the conversation and work together to implement the solutions we need to implement and provide good outcomes.”

The fight for the district is a microcosm of a much larger debate over the city’s immediate political future: Namely, what kind of City Council do Richmonders want? One that aggressively checks the mayor’s growing influence and power, or a muted one that puts more emphasis on collaboration and cooperation?

Jewell and a small but vocal minority on council say progress has been too slow and the mayor’s office too autocratic to truly push the city forward. Others say the pace has been slow for a reason. Following former Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, whose combative style damaged his relationship with City Council, Jones has spent much of the last four years rebuilding and repairing. Progress will come only by working hand-in-hand with the mayor and his administration, the theory goes.

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