Summer Candidate Survey Series: Week 4
This week we asked Richmond’s mayoral, council, and school board candidates about public engagement. We wanted to know:
How will you use your elected office to provide strong community engagement?
The candidate’s responses are listed below, followed by their answers to a second question:
When faced with a tough decision that requires quick action, how will you balance the need for timely decision-making with the need for community engagement?
This second question is only for the blog - where we have the space for longer answers - so we doubled the candidates’ character limit.
Answers are listed below in the following order:
Mayoral Candidates (in the order in which they responded)
City Council (districts 1-9, alphabetical order)
School Board (ditto)
Community Poll Results
Let’s dive in!
Mayoral Candidates
Andreas Addison
On Council, I created the Participatory Budgeting Commission & helped create the Civilian Review Board & DPU Commission so residents have a voice in how we develop policies and investments. As Mayor, I'll continue to ensure Richmonders are with me at the decision-making table.
During my two terms on City Council, I championed initiatives to give oversight and decision-making power to residents. Now we have $3 million for the Richmond Peoples’ Budget and a Public Utilities Commission to oversee billing and operations, and exploring options to move away from our dependence on natural gas.
As Mayor, I will rely on robust year-round engagement mechanisms, meeting residents where they’re at and accommodating their needs. When presented with an issue that requires timely action, we will have earned your trust through consistent, proactive transparency and communication.
Maurice Neblett
As Mayor, I'll prioritize community engagement through regular town halls, online forums, and neighborhood visits to ensure residents' voices shape policies. We'll establish advisory boards and utilize social media for real-time feedback, fostering transparency.
When a tough decision demands swift action, I will balance timely decision-making with community engagement by using digital platforms for immediate feedback, consulting key community leaders, and hosting emergency forums. Prioritizing transparency, I will explain the rationale behind decisions and ensure follow-up discussions to maintain trust and inclusivity.
Dr Danny Avula
We must recognize and treat residents as experts! As Mayor I will: 1) attend City Council meetings, 2) hold listening sessions with residents, 3) require agencies to treat engagement as core to their mission, and 4) demand transparency from leaders in City Hall, myself included.
When urgency is used as a reason to exclude community input, it’s not surprising when outcomes don’t reflect community priorities. I will make community engagement foundational to the city’s work, so when tough decisions arise we’ve built a practice of listening to residents. By building a workforce of capable and committed professionals and top-quality leadership, the right team will be in place when we need to move quickly. I have 15 yrs of experience building teams and solving complex problems in the public sector. I will do my best to get it right. When I don’t, I will take responsibility.
Harrison Roday
As Mayor, I will hold an event in every district every quarter. I’ll work with City Hall’s frontline workers to improve constituent relations and create a City Hall that is welcoming and open to community feedback.
Many critical decisions the Mayor makes have long lead times (e.g. the budget).
That said, when quick decisions are necessary, I’d consult a diverse set of people in our community who I’m fortunate to have worked with - and open the door to people I don’t know as well.
In cases where there isn’t time to reach out to community leaders, I’d work to lead from values that prioritize the whole of our City.
Michelle Mosby
I will reinstate the neighborhood teams model that was effective for many years. I will engage our residents, neighborhoods, and businesses on key issues such as selecting the CAO, budget development, road and sidewalk paving, affordable housing, and public safety.
As a mayoral candidate, I understand that balancing quick decision-making with soliciting input is a fundamental skill for effective leadership. In my roles as a non-profit leader, business owner, and Council President, I have consistently demonstrated this ability. My approach prioritizes what is best for the community, ensuring that every decision is made with the goal of achieving the greatest amount of input and benefit for all. This commitment to community-focused decision-making will also guide my actions as mayor.
City Council Candidates
Andrew “Gumby” Breton
1st District
My fabulous liaison and I will host town halls, post on socials & reddit, and hold office hours in the district. Expect me to be at civic association & PTA meetings as well - I love to meet in person because it makes for better relationships and an easier exchange of ideas.
Sometimes there isn't time for a 3-6 month community engagement process before a vote. I prepare for those moments by listening to and learning from the community throughout the year.
If time allows for an expedited engagement process, I rely on a rolodex of experts and community representatives who can express their guidance on pressing questions quickly.
Digital outreach such as online surveys can also be a speedy way to collect additional feedback in an organized fashion.
Zac Walker
1st District
As a former civic association president, I encourage residents to engage with local neighborhood associations. If none exist, I’ll help establish one for direct city council connections.
When faced with challenging decisions, I meticulously balance the need for swift action with robust community engagement. As a seasoned Richmond resident, I actively collaborate with community experts who prioritize the city’s best interests. Their informed recommendations guide my commitment to effective and efficient measures that enhance our community’s well-being.
Maria Carra Rose
3rd District
By re-creating the Teams Process: effective & inclusive community engagement. Ensuring all neighborhoods & Civic Associations have representation city wide & that there's an ongoing dialogue to establish public service priorities & cooperative action plans for neighborhoods.
Having strong connections with community organizations such as tenant, civic & commercial associations and being able to call upon the leadership of these orgs in real time will be crucial to gauging my decision for the community I serve. Stakeholder engagement is necessary and sometimes there isn't time to poll the entire community before being required to make a decision. Forming and maintaining these relationships and ensuring that there is continual communication between council and community will be key in maintaining and understanding the pulse of residents & business owners alike.
Sarah Abubaker
4th District
I will proactively communicate with citizens in the ways they want to be communicated to, not just through one medium. I will host bi-monthly community meetings to share important advocacy techniques like how to navigate city hall, how to apply for a business license, etc.
I consider myself a decisive, inclusive leader. I intentionally engage people into the decision making process, but will be decisive when it’s time to act. To balance timely decision-making with community engagement, I’ll rely on multimodal communication. I’ll work with media outlets to quickly inform the community of the issue and seek input through expedited channels like social media polls, Google forms, or emergency town halls. I’ll ensure the community understands the urgency of the issue while also emphasizing the value of their input in the decision making process.
Tavares Floyd
6th District
Communication is key. I will be transparent and share information about how decisions are being made, I will be accessible & regularly available, have a feedback loop for input to be responsive, inclusive to engage all district residents & stakeholders, consistent & resourceful.
In urgent situations, I will prioritize timely decision-making while ensuring transparency and accountability. I will leverage outreach tools for immediate community input and keep open lines of communication. My approach will be to act decisively with the information at hand, while committing to ongoing dialogue and review to ensure community voices are heard and considered. This balance ensures responsiveness without sacrificing the inclusiveness and engagement that are vital to effective governance - even in moments that require swift action. #peoplefirst
Ellen Robertson
6th District
Use all electronic and social media communication tools to provide updated interactive information with assessments and responses. A cabinet of community reps will serve as ambassador connectors. All decisions will require all communities to buy in.
With a spirit of urgency, we shall elevate the importance of the decision to a crisis status, attracting all public information outlets to rush to be first to report the issue. With the support of neighborhood ambassadors, electronic and virtual public hearings will be held. Council's special meeting will be encouraged. Community engagement is an ongoing, continuous responsibility that requires inclusion and fair representation for all voices. An effective, established community engagement system works because is built on a strong foundation of interactive relationships and communications.
Eric Sundberg
7th District
• Take meetings with constituents—we should always strive to be available
• Hold block meetings to discuss concerns directly in the neighborhood
• Attend local meetings—maintain a relationship and seek input
• Conduct community survey and use feedback to represent constituents
To ensure constituents are engaged in the decision-making process in time-limited situations, it is critical that:
1) constituents are already engaged before decisions are made—that the community has a direct line to their councilmember and the councilor is familiar with and considerate of their interests;
2) that the councilmember engages in dialogue after time-dependent decisions are made—feedback should be accepted and incorporated in future decisions or used to correct issues with a previous decision;
3) a councilmember should fight for Richmonders to speak at council meetings.
Reva Trammell
8th District
I have a very large turnout at my monthly district meetings, where I have various speakers. Most of the speakers who talk are who my constituents have requested. I also send out emails with information about what I going on in the city.
I can use my email to reach constituents for feedback. I also speak to many of them each day. We can also call a special meeting for City Council and ask for citizens and community leaders to speak. I take community feedback very seriously and vote on things the way that the majority of my constituents want me to. I represent them for the 8th district.
Frank Wilson
8th District
Rotate district meetings between locations in the 6 voting precincts to provide more opportunities for residents to participate. Consider hosting meetings on the weekends. Add a virtual component. Attend Civic Association meetings. Just make it easier to be civically engaged.
If faced with this situation, I would balance the decision made with feedback previously obtained from citizens through prior engagement interactions. However, in the event I don’t have the benefit of prior feedback or engagement to fall back on. My go to will always be to make the decision that is in the best interest of residents of the district. Holding the office of an elected official should come with a level of trust and expectation that a decision with the best possible outcome for constituents would be my guide in a case like this.
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
Kathryn “Katie” Ricard
2nd District
Strong community engagement happens when people feel seen and heard. Seen: partnering with organizations to offer programs that address schools' needs. Heard: offering community town halls for questions and feedback and sending out newsletters with district 2 information.
When I become elected, I want to spend time getting to know my communities and their priorities for their schools and children. By spending this time, I will have the knowledge to make a timely decision because I will understand their needs. However, it also depends on creating partnerships with trusted community leaders who have a finger on the pulse of their community. Through these partnerships, I'll also develop a short list of key people I can get quick feedback from. Decisions have to be made, but investing in relationships at the beginning will better prepare me to make them.
Ali Faruk
3rd District
I have been attending our neighborhood/civic association meetings and talking to people directly about their experiences with Richmond Public Schools. If I were elected to School Board, I will visit each 3rd District School at least once a year.
I will create a broad and diverse kitchen cabinet of 3rd District residents that I will keep informed and consult very closely. This will include parents, youth, educators, and longtime community residents. I will also consistently advocate for School Board meetings to be run efficiently and effectively so that the public is given enough notice about important decisions and opportunities to give feedback.
Charlene Riley
3rd District
I will encourage the community to get involved, things have taken a turn for the worst because we stopped getting involved, in our communities, our schools, we have to join organizations come together on issues.
I understand that decisions have to be made quickly, but we live in the age of technology, it's really not a big thing to create polls or reach a lot of people, I know if I'm elected I want to start a third district newsletter or Facebook group and have members join were can also spread work quickly and keep folks updated to rapid changes.
Kevin Starlings
3rd District
My plan to foster greater involvement and transparency if elected: Regular Community Meetings, Open Communication Channels, Community Partnerships, Transparency in Decision-Making, Representation of Diverse Voices, Support for Bilingual and Multicultural Programs.
In urgent situations, it's vital to strike a balance between swift action and community input. Emergency Input: Establish a network of community representation who can provide immediate input during crises. Transparent Rationale: Clearly communicate the reasoning behind the decision, even if there's no time for public comment beforehand. Follow-up Engagement: After the decision, hold community forums. Preparation is Key: Proactively engage the community on potential issues that may arise. Have frameworks in place so timely, informed decisions can be made.
Angela Fontaine
4th District
I'm committed to developing policies through community engagement involving parents, teachers, students, and stakeholders affected by decisions. This keeps our community informed and active in shaping our schools' future. The community's voice matters in every decision.
In situations requiring quick action, my primary focus will be on transparency. It is crucial that the rationale behind such decisions is readily accessible to the community to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the process. A lack of transparency often leads to confusion, frustration, and tension between elected officials and the community. Transparency is an integral component of effective community engagement. Then, I will explore how a policy could have prevented the situation and engage the community for input if appropriate.
Wesley Hedgepeth
4th District
As your school board member, I will convene regular evening meetings at each of our 5 schools to engage with families and regularly survey the community. I will also schedule regular meetings with administrators & teachers in each school. I will be accessible via phone & email.
As your school board member, I will work through difficult decisions strategically alongside my 8 other colleagues, making sure our decisions align with our strategic plan and best serve our students and teachers. I will support additional listening sessions and community surveys as necessary, in addition to hearing regular public comment at board meeting.
Garrett Sawyer
4th District
Starting in August, I will be launching monthly meetings at all 4th District schools to hear directly from my constituents about their questions and concerns, but also provide updates regarding what is happening in the district. Accessibility is critically important to me.
As a School Board Representative, it is important to thoroughly review all information presented by the Superintendent and his administration prior to school board meeting. It is also very important to conduct research on topics and ask necessary and pressing questions to the Superintendent and his administration prior to the school board meeting where the tough decision will be required. We must strive for stakeholders to have the ability to provide feedback prior to major decisions being made. After a decision is made, education on the decision within the community must occur.
Stephanie Rizzi
5th District
Engaging with the community is my top priority. They are whom we serve. I will seek community input through Zoom meetings, newsletters, community gatherings, email lists, and neighborhood walks. With the support of constituents, I am committed to utilizing all these methods.
This question underscores a common challenge for elected officials. I place a high priority on community engagement before making significant policy decisions, including those that could impact the daily lives of our residents and their children. However, there are instances where emergency decisions are unavoidable. In such cases, we rely on rigorous research, advice from the Superintendent, insights from subject matter experts, and feedback from accessible stakeholders. I anticipate hearing from constituents about their perspectives on what is most beneficial in these critical situations.
Mamie Taylor
5th District
Collaboration with all stakeholders, modeling a partnership that facilitates communication and exchange. I will also work with councilwoman Lynch to coordinate quarterly meetings and listening sessions to ensure that voices are heard and considered in the decision-making process.
When faced with a tough decision that requires immediacy, I will work tirelessly to strike a balance between timeliness in decision-making and the need for communication with my constituency. I will prioritize obtaining input and feedback from all stakeholders to ensure that their concerns are taken into consideration via online platforms and forums.
I will take an approach that is transparent; including process, timeline, and potential impacts of the decision on all who are invested in hopes that our communication and collaboration will build trust, even if we don't all agree on the outcome.
Dr Shonda Harris-Muhammed
6th District
As an elected official I believe in remaining in contact with the voters. I will proactively implement zoom meetings, town halls, and restart my newsletters to remain in contact with my voters. Feedback is critical, good, bad or indifferent.
1) Include the facts as they are provided to me as a school board member
2) Trust but verify the information provided to me prior to providing it to the public
3) I will also balance the need using transparency.
PH Cruz Sherman
8th District
Community Engagement has been a norm for me since High School. I participated in a call to action rally, to obtain a signal light at a very busy intersection where a 10 year girl was fatally struck crossing the street in our community. I was 17 then. My community work continues.
I have read a book entitled "Split Second Decisions " written by an ER Physician. In essence, he lays out steps he uses in the ER and everyday situations to make decisions. You want to make fast, concise and reliable decisions. Preparing you mind daily allows you to access situations, make best practice decisions in crisis. Weight out the pros and cons. What is best for the community and consider the short and long term impact of your decisions.
NO RESPONSE PROVIDED
Paul Goldman (1st - City Council)
Matthew Percival (1st - School Board)
Katherine Jordan (2nd - City Council)
Mariah White (2nd - School Board)
Kenya Gibson (3rd - City Council)
Ann-Frances Lambert (3rd - City Council)
Stephanie Lynch (5th - City Council)
Willie Hilliard (6th - City Council)
Cheryl Burke (7th - School Board)
Cynthia Newbille (7th - City Council)
EJ Jafari (8th - School Board)
Nicole Jones (9th - City Council)
Stephanie Starling (9th - City Council)
Shavonda Dixon (9th - School Board)
As a reminder, all candidates have been invited to participate via the email address listed on their candidate registration paperwork. If there’s a better way to reach a candidate, please reach out to us at info@rvadirt.com. Thanks!
Community Poll Results
This week, we asked Richmond’s Reddit and Twitter community:
What is a constituent’s role in policy/decision-making?
1. Constituents should decide; their elected representatives just cast the vote.
2. Constituents elect representatives to make decisions for them.
We got mixed results! Twitter said that representatives should make policy decisions… it wasn’t even close (67%). Reddit was more torn. 15 folks said representatives decide, 17 said constituents should decide.
We also asked…
What is the best way for elected officials to engage their constituents? Social media outreach, town hall meetings, email newsletters, or “other”?
It wasn’t even close! Town Hall meetings were the clear winner (47%), with email newsletter coming in as a distant second (22%).
What do you think of these answers? Pop on over to Twitter or Reddit to let us know!