I joined John Reid, WRVA, yesterday and discussed the 2024 elections and explored the outcomes of recent polling from the Wilder School Commonwealth Poll, a longstanding bellwether of the voices and perspectives of the people of Virginia. I stated that the presidential and local elections will indeed be a “turn out” election. The people are more concerned about the many issues impacting their lives on a regular basis.
I ask that you listen to the full program.
The amount of money spent on elections is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, but that begs the question; what are the people getting out of it? Does this really improve services? Much of this continues to be wasted resources, and you need to look no further than Richmond as a prime example.
Millions of taxpayers’ dollars have been wasted through failed real-estate development projects at VCU. But which of our local mayoral candidates, or others seeking office, have said anything about it? I asked John to name some person or organization that has raised any questions demanding answers; sadly, there have been none. Also, none of those seeking to become Richmond’s next mayor consider it important enough for discussion. I have not heard nor read anything about anyone seeking statewide election next year addressing the issue.
In fact, mayoral candidates say they are going to find someone to tell them what to do, even launching a national search to bring in a chief administrative officer to straighten things out in Richmond. When I was mayor, that responsibility for sound governance rested solely on my shoulders. If a CAO is running the show, then what use is the mayor?
Sometimes when I travel from Charles City to Richmond and traverse along Broad Street, it brings reminders of what was to what is.
Richmond was not only the “Capital City” politically, but also a leader in culture, business, and entertainment.
I remember how I worked to get that “hole on Broad Street,” which was to be a performing arts center, converted to practical and realistic utilization. I am reminded of how we took the stalled Miller & Rhoads project and successfully converted it into a residential and commercial downtown development.
The new Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige, Jr., U.S. Courthouse was constructed on Broad Street. We fought to keep the Medical College of Virginia downtown rather than surrender it to a Short Pump development.
I won’t go further in outlining things accomplished during my mayoral administration, but I will point to what we see today.
Along the ride from east to west of town, the number of vacant and abandoned buildings is distressing. The increased number of the homeless population who need assistance is likewise distressing. Crime alerts are sounded on a daily basis from all across the city. I instituted “community policing” to prevent crime, which is absent today for unexplained reasons. Crime rates were dramatically reduced as a result of community policing.
I discussed more of the key concerns of all of our citizens on WRVA, including the critical issues of affordable housing, education, crime, the economy, reproductive rights, and more. These are not simply Richmond issues, but top concerns of all Virginians.
We know that elections are near, and candidates are now begging for votes and money. When I’m approached by people asking for whom they should vote, I respond by asking them if they can tell me what they look for in a candidate.
I follow up by telling them that I ask the candidates, “What have you done or tried to do?” I constantly opine, “Local government is the most important, as that’s where the rubber meets the road.”
Without dialogue on these vital topics, and without leadership that is willing to confront them and propose timely and realistic solutions, little will be accomplished.
I will continue to ask those in office or seeking to be elected, “What have you done?” I encourage the people to make their voices heard through their votes.
Nothing less will suffice for our democracy.
Stay tuned.
