Smooth Transition Will Ensure Continued Progress

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

Smooth Transition Will Ensure Continued Progress

November 25, 2008

The orderly transition of power between government administrations is a hallmark of our democratic society and a unique characteristic that is an essential function of government.

This is now occurring in the City of Richmond, as the Mayor-elect begins to assemble his Administration. My office has reached out to do everything possible to assist him during this transition.

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Such an orderly transfer is essential, especially in these uncertain economic times, and critical to maintaining the ongoing delivery of City services and the continued stability of local government operations.

My Administration is providing the Mayor-elect with his own suite of offices at City Hall, telephone and computer equipment, and most importantly, an 'open door' policy for speaking with City officials and employees.

The incoming Mayor and I have talked and I have offered to assist him on matters large and small that, in January, will be coming across his desk.

My Chief of Staff, the Chief Financial Officer and the Budget Director have already provided in-depth briefings about City finances and other matters.

The Mayor-elect and his team are scheduled to meet with the Chief Administrative Officer and Emergency Operations staff. Additional meetings with other City officials will follow in the coming weeks, and we are providing numerous documents and information as requested.

The City's current budget, and those in the coming years, will be among the most challenging responsibilities facing our new Mayor.

Despite a worsening economy and projected cutbacks from the federal and state government, my Administration continues to maintain a balanced budget, despite other stories to the contrary.

Upon submitting my budget in March, I had warned of the need to be vigilant with dwindling revenues. Since then, we have curtailed spending among City departments in order to avoid layoffs and all of these measures will provide the incoming Mayor with a solid financial standing from which to move forward.

Through careful planning, we also have been able to propose measures to meet Council's requests for the real estate tax rate reduction, City employee pay raises, and a cost-of-living allowance for City retirees. Council has not yet taken action on these measures.

Our City has made tremendous strides in the last four years, and while the new Mayor will set his own priorities, one that we all share is the need to build upon the progress we already have set in motion.

For example, a partial list of accomplishments would include:
· Reducing the City's crime rate to its lowest point in 27 years,
· Waging a highly successful campaign against neighborhood blight and vacant buildings,
· Providing multi-million-dollar drainage improvements in Shockoe Bottom and Battery Park,
· Seeking and receiving massive public input regarding the future of our Downtown, and
· Streamlining City government to make it operate more like a business for greater efficiency.

These successes were made possible by changing to a Strong Mayor form of government that has and will continue to serve our City well.

We have addressed and corrected many of the City's problems, yet there is still work to be done that will await the new Mayor. Mindful of those future challenges, I will do whatever possible to help continue to move our City forward.

A smooth transition, however, was not something I was afforded as Mayor-elect four years ago. My transition team received no space in City Hall and only one City official was allowed to speak with my transition team.

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I had to set up my own transition office at VCU and City's Department Directors were instructed not to speak with my transition team so that we could assess how City government was operating. As a result of that resistance in 2005, we could not begin to make necessary changes and address 30 years of neglect until being sworn in and taking office in City Hall.

The uncooperative attitude was not limited to City Hall, however. The incoming Sheriff also experienced transition difficulties when the then-outgoing Sheriff refused to turn over the keys or assist the new Sheriff in any way. The situation was at a stalemate until my Administration had to go to court and ask a judge to order that a proper transition take place.

You might also recall that in the final days of the old form of government in 2004, Council approved some $300,000 in severance packages for the outgoing City Manager and Police Chief. Under my Administration, you can be assured that there will be no such severance packages or sweetheart boardroom deals.

A proper and orderly transition of government is now a defining characteristic of our City government and proof that our City is continuing to move forward.

Progress - once in motion - is too valuable to impede or stop, and we are working in concert to ensure Richmond keeps moving forward.

Visiones
Versión Español

VISIONS VIDEO

The Mayor talks about the importance of a smooth transition to continue the progress Richmond has seen since 2005.

Click here to view the video.

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PROGRESS
IN RICHMOND

· City is experiencing its lowest crime rate in 27 years

· With citizen cooperation, Police reduce crime by 22 percent across the board

· 110 additional Police Officers are put on the streets

· City received $4.7 million in state and federal funds to combat illegal guns, gang-related violence and neighborhood blight

· City forges a close relationship with the Commonwealth's Attorney, with almost 90 percent of cases resulting in a conviction

·The Mayor's "City of the Future" program provides more than $300 million in community improvements, without any tax increases

· City utilized Spot Blight code enforcement to clean up neighborhoods and downtown areas

· The Mayor brings in $350 million Philip Morris research center and $100 million MeadWestvaco HQ to downtown

· Bus routes are redirected, resulting in less congestion on Broad Street

· Mayor keeps campaign promise to reverse the bus rate back to $1.25 per ticket

· The City launches the new "311" consolidated call center to provide faster answers to citizens

· The City implements a $20 million anti-flood improvement plan in Shockoe Bottom and $46 million for Battery Park

· Mayor announces plans for City's first public marina and riverfront park just east of Downtown for all citizens to enjoy

· City inspectors now proactively tour neighborhoods and can issue a citation on the spot which speeds cases going to court

· The City creates a Vacant Building Registry so owners are held responsible for their property

· The City arranges for affordable para-transit van service to any location in Henrico County for disabled citizens

· The Mayor brings in an additional developer to revive plans for a 240-room Hilton Hotel and a 130-unit condominium complex in Downtown

· The City Increases the number of minority business firms selected as prime contractors for city projects ranging from construction to information technology. City awarded 26 prime contracts to minority firms, up from 8 and 22 respectively during previous fiscal years

· Mayor establishes the "RichmondWorks" performance management program to track improved efficiency in City government

Visit

RichmondsMayor.com

and

www.RichmondGov.com

for more information!