Why are you running for this office?  What do you want to accomplish as a city council member?

During my 12 years on the Council (8 years as mayor), with all segments of the community working together, we made great progress toward building a Better Richmond.  I am the only District 5 candidate with experience as an elected official and the only woman candidate running in the district. I not only have significant experience, but our diverse community members know and trust me as someone with integrity, kindness, and solidarity. I take no corporate donations as I feel strongly corporations have undue influence on our elections. 

We still have much to do in Richmond, as COVID-19 continues to threaten our health and demonstrates the core inequities of our society.  I have always stood strong for the 99% and am running to continue Richmond’s transformation.  See my answer below for various priorities I want to accomplish. I support our largely small business economy in Richmond and the many jobs they create for our residents. 

If elected, what issues will you be focusing on, and what will be your top priorities?

My priorities for Richmond include:

·  Stopping foreclosures and evictions

·  Ending pollution

·  Standing for social, racial, environmental and economic justice

·  Building affordable housing, while preserving our neighborhoods’ character

·  Creating a healthy and sustainable Pt Molate

·  Developing and implementing a Richmond Green New Deal with good jobs for our residents and solutions to the Climate Crisis.

·  Promoting democratic participation

·  Advocating for a comprehensive cleanup of the toxic Zeneca site on our shoreline

·  Fighting crime at its roots by providing solutions such as education, 

jobs and support for small businesses (which generate the majority of jobs)

·  Assisting small businesses with funding from federal and state sources.

·  Promoting fair taxation

·  Assisting our schools

·  Defending immigrant rights

·  Improving our parks and our streets

·  Assisting the needs of communities living in subsidized housing in District 5 and all of Richmond.

What does economic development mean to you?

Economic development means producing healthy products and services for our community, as well as providing healthy, well-paying jobs for Richmond residents. A particular aspect of economic development that is very important for Richmond is to provide truly affordable housing in the urban core, especially near transportation, such as in downtown.  We need to fully develop our city center, not only with affordable housing, but also by attracting good businesses.  There are areas in downtown and throughout the city that would benefit greatly by restaurants, cafes, grocery stores and other retail that will serve our residents and visitors.  Such businesses must commit to hire locally.

How will you work with the business community if elected?

I will outreach to and communicate with the business community to get their input on various issues that impact them and the community. I will always be happy to meet and hear their perspectives on issues.

What does job retention mean to you?

Job retention means keeping workers employed with good pay and benefits. I want to find ways (through federal and state funding) to aid businesses and nonprofits to keep their employees on the payroll despite experiencing significant declines in revenue.  I also believe that creating a healthy city with well-maintained streets and bike paths (including bike sharing), park improvements, beautification of our neighborhoods and retail services in our downtown will offer employees wonderful amenities.  Employee retention is also achieved by having such amenities available for workers.