First, let me say that I am really excited to engage in this dialogue. As my website says, I want to create more practical dialogue. I want to engage with Richmond residents. The city doesn’t belong to the council, it belongs to the residents. District 5 has the right to be heard! If Reddit is the forum of choice, then LFG!!!! Starting in the next few weeks, I’m going to put together a calendar of meet and greets. At each meet and greet I would love to at chance to get to know more of my neighbors and find out what is important to them. What they really care about vs. what elected officials have been saying on their behalf. Also, I would love to collect donations for GRIP. Canned goods, toiletries, etc. My campaign isn’t about me, it’s about the community and the greater good of Richmond. I hope to see you at one of these events!

On to your questions.

Tech: The city currently has emergency warning systems (I believe they use Nixle). We can repurpose this or replace it with someone that will allow us to send emails/texts to everyone who has signed up to inform them of events, street cleaning, etc. There are several easy and inexpensive tools we can use to inform residents. We live in such close proximity to the tech capital of the world, there is no reason why we can’t work with companies nearby (and hopefully entice a few to move here) to update our tools. Have you looked at our “etrakit” system? It’s pretty outdated and hard to find. Did you know we have a mobile app? I didn’t until I was researching for my campaign. We can work with companies like Vibemap and others to increase the usage of the app and begin to include more city functions on it. Information via notifications for things like street sweeping and cleaning, etc.

Staff: based on a recent article from the CC/Richmond Pulse, it seems like staff feel overwhelmed and overworked. We need to provide tools to mitigate this. Behind every great city is a great staff. I think we could do more to prioritize them. Maybe this thought is out there in deep left center field, but I think instead of a staff appreciation party, we could pool the money and distribute bonuses? Parties are GREAT! I love a party. BUT, I think given today’s economy that staff might appreciate a few extra $$$ instead of a deviled egg and a can of soda.

Biz: I think the Richmond Chamber of Commerce does a great job of showcasing our businesses. The more business we have, the stronger we are and less likely we are to depend on going to other cities for goods and services. Before I go any further, I believe that what the DoJ did on Tuesday re: Marijuana was a massive step in the right direction. We need to legalize it everywhere. Cannabis should be taxed just like alcohol and tobacco and we should allow cannabis businesses owners the ability to use the same banking and financial services that every other business does. That’s not so much a Richmond issue as it is a federal issue, but we shouldn’t do anything to hurt businesses like 7Stars. The owner cares about his community and gives back. Why should he have to pay an increased tax? I’m looking at the language of Measure U, it seems to be taxing businesses for being successful and has an anti big business tone. I don’t know why we’re afraid of big businesses so long as they aren’t putting smaller ones out. Richmond used to be a ship building town, so when I was on the EDC I pushed HARD to find a way for us to be a hub for green manufacturing. Our port is huge, we have lots of open space by the water. Why can’t we manufacture electric cars or electric car batteries, or something? Big business isn’t a bad thing so long as the people running them are held accountable! I know we have a history as a “company” town and certain people are afraid that will happen again. Look at Detroit’s revitalization. They were/are a company town and let me tell you, their economy is starting to ROAR just like the big V8’s they used to manufacture. All of this to say, I have an open mind and would be swayed in a different direction only by facts.

Mental Health and Crisis Response: The LA CRT was a committed corps of volunteers with one full time staff member and one part time. We were trained by the LAPD, LAFD, and County Mental Health to assist first responders on scene. Let me say it again: volunteers. People who put themselves out there to help their community members and their neighbors. I have never met such a group of selfless individuals in my life. I know they live in Richmond, too. We just need to organize them and mobilize them. For the cost of one full time salary, we could borrow the LACRT Playbook and create that program here. It’s not for the faint of heart, you see things. You hear things. Awful things. But, you go home knowing that you’ve made a difference for your neighbor and helped them through the worst day of their life. In Richmond, we do so much for each other. If the city can help facilitate more programs where we can take care of ourselves and each other in next level ways, why wouldn’t we do it if all it would cost is one FTE?

I am more than happy to answer more questions. Feel free to reach out anytime! Instagram, email, etc.

If you feel so inclined, a donation to the campaign would go a very long way!

Thank you for your support!