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Meet Your District: Central

By now, most Richmonders have heard about the numerous candidates running for local office. More than 30 different citizens declared that they want to represent YOU either in the mayor's office, City Council or the School Board.

After taking a look at the potential mayors , Richmond.com wondered about each of the city's unique districts. Sliced up into nine diverse and oddly shaped pieces, each district has its own needs and concerns about what would make it and the city better.

Some districts cover a relatively homogenous group of people while others span areas so different you wonder how two people can possibly represent all those varying viewpoints.

So twice a month, between now and November, Richmond.com is taking a look at each district to tell you what it encompasses and what the priorities are for the people vying to look out for your interests at City Hall. Today we look at District 5/Central .

District 5/Central

 

Located smack in the middle of the city, the Central District is in the center of the city and is one of two districts that crisscross the James River. It covers a diverse swath of the city, from Oregon Hill near Virginia Commonwealth University south across the river to Hull Street.

 

It includes the communities of Woodland Heights, Springhill, Reedy Creek,  Carytown , Oregon Hill, parts of the Fan  and Swansboro. Maymont and Byrd parks are also in the 5th District.  

 

There are six schools in the district: Cary, Clark Springs, Maymont and Swansboro elementary; Binford Middle; Open and Wythe High; Amelia Street; 13 Acres at Clark Springs.

 

When looking at Richmond's growing community blog scene, Central is predominately reliant on hillsandheights.net , but candidates vying to represent the area have also created their on Web sites to spread information.

 

City Council Candidates 

 

Both Mark E. Brandon and Lee Shewmake are challenging four-year incumbent Marty Jewell for his seat on City Council. Both have their own Web site, are very active with their civic associations. They also both listed communication with constituents as one of the most important issues facing their district.

 

"It's what I call real representation, which is just being available for communication with residents and promoting their partnering with that representation," said Shewmake, a 43-year-old mother who works part-time in accounting.

 

"I'd do it simply by being available via phone, Internet, being at neighborhood meetings, being in the neighborhoods. I'd hold regular meetings, have newsletters, a Web site … just to be a vigorous representative for the needs and desires of the district."

 

On her Web site, Shewmake said she'd like to have a polling capability so that her constituents could vote and tell her what decision they want her to make on issues.

 

Brandon, a 54-year-old realtor and property owner, said he'd show a little leadership in the district.

 

"I think there's been some [leadership] missing. I'm an independent guy. I stand up. I'd make sure the district is getting its fair share of stuff. I'm not sure we're getting what we deserve," he said.

 

"I'd open up the lines of communication between people. I've had people say they're not getting calls back from council people. Leadership is more than just a word."

 

Jewell, a 62-year-old business owner, listed public safety, schools and economic development as his top priorities, adding that these issues take place on a smaller scale at the levels of district, neighborhoods, homes and businesses his constituents occupy.

 

"In the 5th District, we intend to maintain the strong effort on enforcement that has led to the cleaning up of 12 street corners that notoriously served as headquarters for drug and crime activity," he said.

 

"The crackdown on graffiti and other so-called minor crime helps keep more serious crime at bay. The police respond quickly, efficiently and professionally to any call, and we will support improved communications and logistics to enhance what is already successful."

 

Jewell also touted the improved environment of neighborhoods through paving sidewalks and adding trash receptacles and street lights, all of which make streets safer and more enjoyable, he said.

 

Specifically for the Central District, Shewmake said she'd find better funding for the fire and police departments so that there would be more of a police presence in the neighborhoods and more funds for the long-time underfunded fire companies.

 

Both Shewmake and Brandon cited infrastructure, such as improved sidewalks, streets, parks and maintenance, as another top concern they've heard from residents for the district and the city as a whole.

 

"It's just making sure we have responsible growth, which encompasses several other key components, like affordable housing and police and fire presence, which increase as the population increases," Shewmake said.

 

"Infrastructure is a part of that as well. The more people you have using more public infrastructure, you're going to have to attend to maintenance and building new infrastructure.

 

"That comes into planning, really sitting down and coming up with a plan of how to address those things before they hit you. You begin with the budget, but also with the departments. Where are we and how do we position ourselves to handle additional growth in the population?"

 

Both challengers also cited tax rates and assessments as a key concern.

 

"Right now the city is in good shape. I've always thought that," Brandon said. "I thought that before the current mayor got in … People are coming back to the city. I think we need to continue to encourage more home ownership, which is good and raises the tax base.

 

"But we need to keep tax rates low. Assessments go up, which is good thing, but we can't chase people out of the city with tax rates. I'd like to see if we can cap tax rates for seniors."

 

The two challengers also said the cooperation, both with the counties and in City Hall, is important.

 

"I think the first step is to have people present on council and a mayor that (residents) can have faith that they're there to really turn it around and to get projects accomplished  and to run things in a truly responsible way," Shewmake said.

 

"Short of that, it's just getting out and meeting people and shaking hands; putting ideas forward and pursing them and getting them interested in partnering with city."

 

That's important, Shewmake explained, because the city's current population can't adequately fund all the activities in the city, such as the new performing arts center. She also thinks that if the city had reached out sooner, the area might still have the Richmond Braves.

 

"That's a prime example," she said. "We've got to do it as tri-city area, not just as Richmond, Chesterfield or Henrico. Some things would benefit all of us, but would take all to come up with ideas and pay for it."

 

Jewell said that economic development is the engine of the city and while developers need to be responsible and sensitive, the city needs to be responsive to opportunities to enhance existing businesses and to encourage new businesses and economic activities.

 

"Apart from Stony Point mall, Carytown is the largest shopping center in town and the venue for the annual Watermelon Festival, the largest one-day festival on the East Coast," he said.

 

"Provision of such simple amenities such as new trash containers, street paving, bicycle racks and sidewalk clean-ups will keep people flocking to this vital area, which puts so much back into the city."

 

The whole Cary Street corridor, Jewell said, is vibrant and booming.

 

"I want jobs for our city and job stability and homes people can afford to live in," he said. "These are economic issues, and the surest way to get there is to have a strong and growing business base."

 

As for education, Jewell said, he was committed to getting the best possible return on every dollar spent on the school system by insisting on solid, fiscal management, a system that prioritizes classroom support over a top-heavy administration; and flexibility in school operations that responds to the actual needs of students, which can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.

 

"As a council member, our input into the management of schools is basically through fiscal management," he said, adding that it was he who called for the first schools audit in 2006.

 

"I will continue to scrutinize school budgets to cut what is unnecessary and to increase what works and what makes life more promising for our young people."

 

School Board Candidates

 

Speaking of education, 5th District School Board incumbent Betsy Carr is being challenged by Otis Mallory , a 62-year-old Richmond Public Schools employee. Carr could not be reached for comment for this story.

 

Mallory, who has worked for the school system for the past 16 years, started as a substitute teacher and is now a supervisor in pupil transportation.

 

"My experiences have really opened my eyes to some of the issues that should be addressed and I do believe that I could be a good part of helping Richmond Public Schools to continue in a positive direction," he said.

 

"There are some problems, but there are some very positive things that we can also continue to grow on as we change the negative things that are affecting our school system."

 

One of Mallory's first priorities, he said, is to provide a safe and conducive atmosphere for learning.

 

"The only way to do that is to enforce the student code of conduct and we have to implement safety initiatives that provide alternatives for aggressive behavior," he said.

 

"We have a lot of young people that have a lot of aggressive behavior. We need to address these issues and find out what's causing it. We need to sit down with them and come to some understanding. We have to be very firm on discipline because with that I think we can establish a rapport of respect."

 

Building new schools and making older ones compliant with the Americans with Disables Act and up-to-date technology is another priority, he said.

 

"A new school will provide economic benefits to the entire community because where there are good schools, they will attract businesses and good businesses attract people who want to move into the city and make their home in city," he said.

 

Community involvement, however, is the overall key to accomplishing anything, Mallory said, speaking of local school administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, students, the religious community, the civic community and the business community.

 

"I do believe that if we were to partner with others we would have large range of support and opportunities for our kids in our system," he said.

 

"I think if business leaders are involved they would be able to educate kids in the area of business and let them know certain things that are expected to maintain decent employment in the future. If they have internship programs, they can teach kids different things to get them interested for careers.

 

"Civically, it would let them know each of them have responsibility for our community to do what we can, as an adult or a child, to help make our community a better place to live.

 

"Religiously, I believe anyone who has sound religious foundations, regardless of denominations or belief, would have a real sense of love and understanding and respect towards others."

 

Meet the Other Districts:

District 1  / West End District 2 / North Central District 3 / Northside District 4 / Southwest District 5 / Central District 6 / Gateway District 7 / East End District 8 / Southside District 9 / South Central