School Board Candidate Forum Covers Wide Range of Topics

This event was organized by the VCU Political Science Department, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, The Alliance for Progressive Values, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, People of Faith for Equality, RePHRAME - Residents of Public Housing in Richmond Against Mass Evictions, Richmond NOW, Sierra Club - Fall of the James, S.O.N.G. Southerners On New Ground, UniteWomen.org - Virginia Chapter, Virginia New Majority - Central Virginia Chapter, and Virginia Organizing.

The Forum started about 8:10 PM. Scott Price, Policy Director for The Alliance for Progressive Values, opened the forum and introduced the moderator for the evening, Kirsten Gray. Kirsten described the format and rules for the evening and then allowed each candidate two minutes to make an opening statement.

Mary Blanchard, 4th District [3:41], Dr. Patricia C. Churchill, 4th District [5:25], Kristen Larson, 4th Distict [7:21], Mamie Taylor, 5th District [9:21], Maurice Henderson, 5th District [10:53], Shondra Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [12:59], Rich Savage, 4th District [14:44], Vaness Womack Easter, 4th District [16:46], Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [18:49], Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [20:58], Kim Gray, 2nd District [23:05], Mariah White, 2nd District [25:03], Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [27:11], Trent Park, 1st District [29:36], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [31:53], Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [33:58], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [34:44].

Candidates from the 3rd and 2nd Districts were asked their position the School Board's recent decision to reopen A.V. Norrell, a fifty year old school built on or near an old city landfill for a kindergarten class of 3 and 4 year olds.

Current School Board member Dr. Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District, supported the decision [1:24]. Jeff Bourne, 3rd District candidate, did not support the decision [3:25]. Current School Board member Kim Gray, 2nd District, was the only School Board member to vote against the decision [5:13]. Mariah White [7:22] and Daisy Weaver [8:56], 2nd District candidates, also were opposed to the decision to reopen Norrell.

The five candidates for 4th District were asked what they thought of the recommendations from the Citywide Task Force on Rezoning and its recommendations for school closures.

Rich Savage [0:40], Kristen Larson [2:34], Vanessa Womack Easter [4:37], Dr. Patricia C. Churchill [6:54], and Mary Blanchard [9:10] responded to the question.

Several candidates were asked "When administrators lack incompetence or misbehave are you comfortable with their being promoted in the system? What would you do to stop this?" The example of the former Blackwell Elementary principal was cited.

Trent Park, 1st District [1:24], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [3:33], Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [5:18], Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [7:43].

Candidates were asked if they supported incorporating specific language about gender and sexual orientation into the schools' anti-bullying policy.

Maurice Henderson, 5th District [1:05], Mamie Taylor, 5th District [2:56], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [5:26] responded.

"How did our schools get millions of dollars in debt?"..."Was it a good idea to cut plant service transportation jobs and to give 5 day furloughs to all employees in order to balance the budget?"

Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [1:29], Mariah White, 2nd District [4:08], Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [6:14], and Kim Gray, 2nd District [8:37] responded.

5th District candidates Mamie Taylor [1:53] and Maurice Henderson [3:50] were asked, Why are test scores so low and how can they be improved?

The question: What recommendations of the Mayor's RPS Budget Task Force do you support or oppose? Please be specific.

Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [0:55], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [2:31], and Trent Park, 1st District [4:12] responded to the question.

How can we replicate the success of some Richmond schools in other schools that do not perform so well?

Kristen Larson, 4th District [0:39], Patricia Conn Churchill, 4th District [2:34], Mary Blanchard, 4th District [4:36], Rich Savage, 4th District [5:47], and Vanessa Womack Easter, 4th District [7:40] responded.

Candidates were asked about recent salary increases for the Superintendent in the face of budget cuts for schools.

Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [1:00], Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [2:59], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [5:14] responded.

What interest or stake do 1st District Parents and Voters have in devoting its resources to struggling schools in other districts?

First District candidates Trent Park [0:47] and Glen Sturtevant [2:41] responded.

How can Richmond Public Schools become more green?

Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [0:35], Mariah White, 2nd District [2:12], and Kim Gray, 2nd District [3:18] responded.

The question: Traditionally, Superintendents have had a powerful influence on their boards. How will your tenure be different?

Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [0:47], Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [1:51], Maurice Henderson, 5th District [3:43], and Mamie Taylor, 5th District [5:56] responded to the question.

What would you do to make RPS meetings more accessible to the public?

Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [0:42], Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [2:10], Vanessa Womack Easter, 4th District [3:35], Rich Savage, 4th District [4:26], Patricia Conn Churchill, 4th District [5:32], Kristen Larson, 4th District [7:22], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [9:25] responded.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to make closing comments.

Patricia Conn Churchill, 4th District [1:06], Kristen Larson, 4th District [1:26], Mamie Taylor, 5th District [2:11], Maurice Henderson, 5th District [3:05], Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [5:05], Albertina Carter, 8th District [6:34], Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [8:27], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [9:18], Trent Park, 1st District [10:08], Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [10:56], Mariah White, 2nd District [11:52], Kim Gray, 2nd District [12:15], Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [12:58], Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [13:44], Vanessa Womack Easter, 4th District [15:55], and Rich Savage, 4th District [16:45] made closing comments.

Economic Development & Finance Committee Meeting

2012 Sept. 20 - Economic & Finance Committee - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Called to order: 3:12 PM / Meeting running time: 59 minutes.

Land Use, Housing, & Transportation Committee Meeting

Land Use, Housing, & Transportation Committee - 2012 Sept. 18 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Short Public Safety Meeting without Trammell

Public Safety Committee - 2012 Sept. 17 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Called to order: 5:09 PM / Meeting Run Time: 1 hour, 9 minutes

This was the first Public Safety Committee meeting since Council's August break. Reva Trammell [8 District], the regular chairperson, was not present at the monthly meeting. Chris Hilbert [3rd District] chaired the meeting and was joined by Cynthia Newbille [7th District] and later by Marty Jewell at 5:12 PM [5th District] and Council President Kathy Graziano at 5:20 PM [4th District].

City Council/Mayor Candidate Forum at VCU

A public forum featuring candidates running for Richmond City Council and Mayor was held at a VCU building located in a former grocery store. The event was organized by The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government in partnership with the A. Philip Randolph Institute, The Alliance for Progressive Values, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, People of Faith for Equality, RePHRAME - Residents of Public Housing in Richmond Against Mass Evictions, Richmond NOW, Sierra Club - Fall of the James, S.O.N.G. Southerners On New Ground, UniteWomen.org - Virginia Chapter, Virginia New Majority - Central Virginia Chapter, and Virginia Organizing.

The Forum started about 8:10 PM. Scott Price, Policy Director for The Alliance for Progressive Values, opened the forum and introduced the moderator for the evening, Dr. Kim Allen from the Martin Luther King Jr. Living History Center. Dr. Allen described the format and rules for the evening and then allowed each candidate make an opening statement.

Facebook event page: facebook.com/events/234730533315637/

Part 1/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - Introductory Comments - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Parker Angelasto, 5th District [4:34], Ellen Robertson, 6th District [6:52], Bruce Tyler, 1st District [9:03], Chris Hilbert, 3rd District [9:54], Charles Samuels, 2nd District [11:58], Mike Ryan, candidate for Mayor [14:09], Johnny Walker, 4th District [16:18], Jimmy Hart, 8th District [18:34], Marty Jewell, 5th District [20:07], Lee Shewmake, 5th District [22:23], Erin Delp, 3rd District [24:43], Dawn Page, 8th District [25:57], Michelle Mosby, 9th District [27:38], and Charlie Diradour, 2nd District [29:59].

Part 2/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - Building by Design or Default? - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

The first question posed to candidates referenced Mayor Jones' statement about building the City by design and not by default in the context of so many Special Use Permits being granted recently. The question was put to Mayoral candidate Mike Ryan [1:07], and 5th District City Council candidates Marty Jewell [3:16] and Lee Shewmake [4:41].

Part 3/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - Redeveloping Public Housing - 1 to 1 Replacement? - Richmond, VA from Silver.

The second question directed to candidates Dawn Page, 8th District [0:51], and Ellen Robertson, 6th District [2:42], asked if they supported one to one replacement of units for individuals who currently live in Public Housing.

Part 4/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - On Spot Zoning - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

The question referenced varying parking requirements for recently proposed developments in Richmond's West End and Oregon Hill. The questioner asked, "Why is Spot Zoning like this allowed?"

Bruce Tyler, 1st District candidate [0:43] and Charles Samuels, 2nd District candidate [1:43] responded to the question.

Part 5/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - On Transportation/GRTC - Richmond, VA from Silver.

A question about improving Public Transportation and their support for a rapid transit bus line to Willow Lawn was posed to 4th District candidates Erin Delp [0:55] and Chris Hilbert [2:18]; Mayoral candidate Mike Ryan [4:29] and 8th District Council candidate Dawn Page [6:30] also commented on the question.

Part 6/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - On LGBTQ - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Moderator Dr. Kim Allen asked Council candidates Johnny Walker, 4th District [1:13], and Jimmy Hart, 8th District [3:08], what they would do to promote a safe and tolerant community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer youth? Mr. Walker initially tried to avoid the question by attempting to discuss the previous question but Dr. Allen made him answer the question.

Part 7/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - On $10M from Altria - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Considering a recent agreement between the city and Altria for naming rights to the Landmark Theatre for $10 million, Dr. Kim Allen asked how this money could be used to benefit people of Richmond. Jimmy Hart, 8th District [0:28], Marty Jewell, 5th District [1:50], and Ellen Robertson, 6th District [4:25] responded.

Part 8/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - How will you create jobs? - Richmond, VA from Silver.

A perennial favorite was asked, "What would you do to create jobs in Richmond?" Attempting to answer the age-old question were Charles Samuels, 2nd District [0:31], Marty Jewell, 5th District [1:43], Johnny Walker, 4th District [4:04], Dawn Page, 8th District [5:27], Lee Shewmake, 5th District [7:02], and Mike Ryan, candidate for Mayor [8:57].

Part 9/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - Should City Sell Monroe Park to VCU? - Richmond, VA from Silver.

The question was initially asked to Charlie Diradour, a real estate developer and 2nd District candidate [0:33]. Diradour was the only candidate who publicly supported the idea of selling Monroe Park to VCU. Charles Samuels, 2nd District [1:29], spoke in opposition to the proposal and got a big round of applause; other sitting Council members also spoke in opposition to the proposal including Chris Hilbert, 3rd District [3:25], and Ellen Robertson, 6th District [4:20].

Part 10/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - On Working with the School Board - Richmond, VA from Silver.

The question this go-round was, How will you work with the School Board to address future budget shortfalls?

Many candidates answered this question including Dawn Page, 8th District [0:49], Jimmy Hart, 8th District [3:05], Michelle Mosby, 9th District [4:23], Bruce Tyler, 1st District [5:55], Erin Delp, 4th District [7:36], Lee Shewmake, 5th District [8:25], and Johnny Walker, 4th District [10:30].

At the end of this clip, moderator Dr. Kim Allen asked if there was an ordinance that prevented the sale of City Parks, Council members thought there was such an ordinance [12:32].

Part 11/11 Richmond City Council Candidate Forum 2012 Sept. 13 - Backyard Chickens? - Richmond, VA from Silver.

All candidates present were asked their postion on allowing backyard chickens in the City. Michelle Mosby, 9th District [0:42], Dawn Page, 8th District [1:41], Erin Delp, 3rd District [2:40], Lee Shewmake, 5th District [3:18], Marty Jewell, 5th District [4:05], Jimmy Hart, 8th District [6:15], Johnny Walker, 4th District [6:48], Mike Ryan, candidate for Mayor [6:59], Charles Samuels, 2nd District [7:39], Chris Hilbert, 3rd District [9:36], Bruce Tyler, 1st District [11:33], Ellen Robertson, 6th District [13:30], Parker Angelasto, 5th District [14:40], and Charlie Diradour, 2nd District [16:04].

Formal Meeting

2012 Sept. 10 - Richmond City Council Meeting - Entire Meeting - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Over 3 1/2 hour long meeting called to order at 6:30 PM. All members were present.

Informal Session

2012 Sept. 10 - Informal Session - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Docket Review. Much discussion about the granting of tax exempt status to local nonprofits. The recipients of tax exempt status included James River Apartments [2 properties assessed at $720,000 for $8640 in annual relief], Good Samaritan Ministries, Ltd. [2 properties assessed at $1,134,600 for $28,276 in annual relief], Cary Street DFIND, LLC [2 properties assess at $356,300 for $7980 in annual relief], FIND, Inc. [1 property assessed at $477,000 for $5724 in annual relief], Chestnut Hill Apartments, LLC [1 property assessed at $221,000 for $2652 in annual relief], The Byrd Theatre Foundation [1 property assessed at $1,250,000 for $15,000 in annual relief], Cherokee Hill of Richmond, Inc. [1 property assessed at $369,000 for $4,428 in annual relief], Boaz and Ruth, Inc. [9 properties -- More time is needed to calculate, attachments with the Ordinance are incomplete], Bliley Manor, Inc. [1 property assessed at $399,000 for $4788 in annual relief], and Friends of East End Day Care, LLC. [1 property assessed at $2,680,000 for $32,160 in annual relief].

[1:51:35] Urban Hens Presentation from Keith Rogers, Assistant to CAO Byron Marshall, and formerly of the City Clerk's Office.

Organizational Development Meeting

Organizational Development 2012 Sept. 4 - Entire Meeting - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Items on the meeting's agenda. A report from Deputy City Auditor Amarilis Hernandez on the process the Auditor's office follows when conducting investigations and issuing reports.

Tax Exemption Papers (Ord. No. 2012-112 to Ord. No. 2012-138)

Setting the date for the 2012 Budget Retreat.

Current GRTC Members were reappointed with little discussion.