Richmond Is Moving in the Right Direction

For more information from the Mayor, please visit www.RichmondsMayor.com

The citizens of Richmond voted for a Strong Mayor form of government because they knew it was the only way to shed many decades of corruption, mismanagement and patronage and instead, help revive our City and lead us into the 21st Century.

In a recent Service Report conducted by the City Auditor, 81% of our citizens said Richmond is headed in the right direction, and they are correct. They know the positive changes made have been difficult ones. While all the results may not yet be clearly evident, citizens know that things are no longer run like they used to be.

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The Service Report identifies how we can continue to improve the efficiency of government, and in many cases, those changes are already underway, yet you've never read about it in the media.

Of course, why would the media report good news or run stories about what the City is doing to correct decades of indifference?

While the report's scope is somewhat limited, it is written almost as if it was a campaign platform for people to purposely look at the City in a negative light rather than showcase the successes we have achieved.

Perhaps that is due to the fact that the City Auditor, who authored the report, is a supporter of the Council President's mayoral campaign and has attended campaign events and whose spouse has donated money. In return, the auditor received personal and professional favors. He was granted a residency waiver for "social reasons" and no longer lives in the City, and also received an "Inspector General" title that took months to approve although those very powers were already afforded him in his present position.

Regardless of the political angle of the report, it does identify the City is continuing to change, as we are constantly striving to find new ways to bring greater efficiency in government and stretch tax dollars as far as possible.

The report notes the City's reduced real estate tax rate, but fails to point out that it has had the largest percentage decrease among our two neighboring localities during the last four years. Henrico's rate decreased about 8%, Chesterfield's about 10%, and Richmond's is down 16%.

The report states that citizens are frustrated because 24% feel they do not receive commensurate services for the taxes they pay. Yet, what that really means is 76% of the people surveyed believed taxes and services should stay the same or be increased.

One part of the report indicates citizens' desires for the City to improve roads. What it does not mention is that we have $52 million in "City of the Future" money that will be used to improve City streets. Without "City of the Future" money, that would not be possible, but it is becoming a reality without raising taxes.

About 25% of our citizens said property cleanliness and trash and litter removal are major concerns. That is why the City now proactively enforces code regulations and is fighting blight and requiring owners to take care of and renovate their properties.

For the first time maybe ever, we have the largest staff of inspectors enforcing the rules that have always been there - but until now, rarely enforced.

The report notes the City's high water rates, but does not mention that I instituted a five-year, phased-in plan that lowers residential water rates and finally makes them equitable between residents and businesses. You likely never knew the politicians of old thought it was fair to make residents pay more for water than businesses.

The report portrays the Police Department in a negative light as burdensome and bureaucratic.

It makes skewed comparisons between the numbers of "officers v. population" compared to other localities, but never points out that the City has 70,000 people who come here each day to work from outside the City, not to mention more than 40,000 college students.

Further, the report focuses on large increases in administrative costs, but does not explain the reasons for them. In the last four years, the Police created a dedicated Homicide Unit, a new cadet program to train high schoolers, and bought 40 marked police take-home vehicles for enhanced police presence.

Higher Police budgets would be a cause for concern if they were not working effectively. However, as you know, crime is at its lowest point in 26 years.

This year, for the first time in decades, there were zero homicides in Richmond in July and August! Of the 22 murders this year (compared to 37 at this time last year), 19 have been cleared - a clearance rate of 87%! (This compares to the national average of 62%). And three other suspects are being tracked as we speak!

Yet the report states "about one out of every four citizens is not satisfied with [Police] services," which, if your glass is half full, means 74% of citizens are happy with the work the Police are doing and appreciate their service. I know I do.

Things have turned around in this City, and the people know it and see it. The media and some of the politicians either don't know it is changing or don't want it to change. Yet, there are sadly still plenty of people, both in and out of government, who would rather see us go backward and undo the gains we have made.

Others have deliberately hindered progress to advance their own agendas. This report was immediately released to the media by City Council on Tuesday, September 2, but was not released to the Mayor or Chief Administrative Officer - the two people responsible for the daily operations of government - until the CAO sent a letter requesting a copy (and was finally received Friday, September 5).

My Administration has been fighting every step of the way trying to change what needed to be changed, and we will continue.

As I've always said, the people are always ahead of the politicians and that is certainly true in this case. The citizens of Richmond knew the change to a Strong Mayor was needed, and 81% believe the road we are on to transform this City is a long one but is well worth the trip.

It will continue after I leave office, but it will continue as the citizens know our City's direction is the right one and the one that will bring a better future for our community.