RECENT COMMENTS
Council candidates seek to differentiate themselves
Twenty-six people turned out last night to a forum for the 6 candidates running for the City Council 7th District seat at the Robinson Theater sponsored by the Church Hill Association. If you were one of the thousands that couldn’t make it, we’ve got some must-see video for you…
There is still one more segment to process and upload, in which the candidates respond to “Why should we elect you?”. An entire chunk of time in which it was elicited that most people do not know about the Dillon Rule was not recorded due to technical issues.
The six candidates were seated in two groups by random drawing. From left to right, they were: Clarence Kenney, Garry Powell, Ronald Bond, Deanna Lewis, Robin Robinson, and Cynthia Newbille.
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Candidate Introductions
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Bond and Lewis on Echo Harbor, James River, and Downtown Master Plan
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Robinson, Newbille, Kenney, Powell on Echo Harbor, James River, and Downtown Master Plan
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Candidates were asked, “If you had to leave the race, which candidate would you support?”. Ronald Bond owns this one.
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Candidates were asked, “How would you communicate with your constituents?”
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Ronald Bond on the Dillon Rule
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Ronald Bond on the jail and the Dillon Rule (2)
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Contrary to earlier reports, Kenney never actually promised to represent the district “from the window, to the walls”. Also, Garry Powell is probably not actually a socialist. Sorry for any confusion.
For those of you (like me) who aren’t familiar with the Dillon Rule, here is a succinct explanation: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/about/dillon-rule.htm
Can we get a transcript of the Bond response to the Dillon Rule question? I think it could be poetry like some of the Rumsfeld press conferences:
Glass Box by Donald Rumsfeld
“You know, it’s the old glass box at the—
At the gas station,
Where you’re using those little things
Trying to pick up the prize,
And you can’t find it.
It’s—
And it’s all these arms are going down in there,
And so you keep dropping it
And picking it up again and moving it,
But—
Some of you are probably too young to remember those—
Those glass boxes,
But—
But they used to have them
At all the gas stations
When I was a kid.
—Dec. 6, 2001, Department of Defense news briefing
I was disapointed that the real challenges we face in Church Hill were hardly touched upon, and hence no discussion what would the candidates would do to change the situation:
e.g:
1) Around 70% of our young children are at or below the poverty line
2) The number of young unmarried mothers is way above the national average
3) What about the unemployment record here in Church Hill ? What can we do as a community to help our fellow citizens?
4) How can we help families have well balanced meals when there are very limited local sources for sensibly priced fresh vegetables and fruit?
5) How do we engender great schools in Church Hill so we stop the rot of young families moving away when their children get to school age?
What we heard was:
How every candidate would spend their time “communicating” with their constituents and how their past beaucratic experience would enable them to successfully work with their fellow councillors.
There were a few flashes of heartfelt emotions ( from two candidates in particular)- but on balance there was a lot of hot air and no hard hitting on “what I’ll do to solve specific problems”
A number of “wonderful ideas” came out, but not in sync with today’s tough economic climate. Additional spending is not on the cards, moving the jail is a case in point.
Echo Harbor was, I believe, roundly condemmed by those candidates who actually understood the issues.
It’s nice to know that Ronald Bond showed up to at least one candidate’s forum. The Church Hill North Civic Association never heard from him after several attempts were made to get him to come to their forum on 9/29.
Sorry I frankly forgot about the meeting but I do have a few comments:
1. Ms. Newbill has received campaign funds from Delores McQuinn and Henry Marsh (see List of donors on the candidates profile.
2.Ms Newbill has been seen with Marsh and McQuinn throughout Richmond at different political events this year. Come on folks look these things up.
3. A vote for Ms Newbill means a contiuation of The Marsh Machine in Church Hill. Look at our neighborhood!! Does it look like they have been interested in our economic development or having owners fix up blighted properties??
4. A vote for Ms Newbill is a vote FOR Echo Harbor! She was been overheard saying she thought it would be good for the community: Bring in jobs, tax money etc.
5. And do all of you understand the tax financing that was planned for the proposed Ball Park??? Tax Increment Financing allows tax dollars to go to the Developer to pay off bonds and not in the City’s General Fund. If the City needs tax dollars so badly how come they would allow such a financing plan. DEVELOPERS WIN, CITIZENS LOSE!! How does the developer plan to finance Echo Harbor??
#4. John Whitowrth check out youtube.com/user/funbobbasso videos. This is how we as a community will help to promote change in our community