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With just over two weeks to go in the Mayors race, the articles and interviews and podcasts are coming on now like a tsunami and early voting is ongoing, but a lot of people are still asking themselves, “Who should I vote for? Who can fix the mess at City Hall?” We did a three part series two weeks ago, but there is still so much more we decided to keep going and will provide a few more updates in the coming days with snippets of interest and links to longer pieces for you to dive deeper on then candidates that peak your interest.
Today we have a look at some of the distinguishing answers to a couple of questionnaires, the campaign finance landscape, one particular answer to a question about VCU, and how a simple answer using Domino’s pizza could be an example for the next Mayor.
Questionnaire Highlights
VPM ran an article about a questionnaire they sent to all five candidates, and we picked out a few answers to some of their questions that shed a bit more light on each of them.
Q: Can you describe three steps to improve the administrative efficiency of city hall?
Andreas Addison gave a good answer but the synopsis in the VPM article left out the best part — it included the standard “I will have weekly meetings with the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and department directors” (which already takes place — or at least it used to). What was left out of the article were two relevant points by Addison — he would focus on improving customer service, employee training, and performance focus, both of which have been a complaint of many Richmonders since William Byrd II first arrived in 1637. He also mentions creating a new new Chief Technology Office which has been badly needed and, if done right, would help streamline operations and efficiency both internally and externally (and has been ignored by the current Administration for eight years; and btw, the RVAPay platform is not the panacea solution the current Administration promises it will be).
Danny Avula also mentioned the first task is to find a new and experienced CAO and “hire top-quality professionals” and rebuild trust with employees. He also notes that he will “enhance core functions like Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, and Finance” which just so happens to name the exact same four departments that Stoney identified as needed fixing when he ran in 2016. His much touted 2017 Performance Review identified those same four departments with recommendations for enhancing and improving them — yet they are still the topic of a top mayoral promise eight years later.
The 2017 report states on Page 4: “While it is suggested in the report that residents of Richmond should be interested in the function of all areas, almost every department surveyed revealed a recurring theme springing from four key departments: a need for improved financial controls and reporting (Finance), better hiring processes and career development (Human Resources), streamlined procurement practices (Procurement), and upgraded and integrated technology (Information Technology). While all departments’ shortcoming must be improved upon, these four touch each department in major ways and are essential if all departments are to effectively deliver services and make City government as a whole healthy.”
Michelle Mosby has also said she will hire not only a new CAO but other “skilled and experienced executives and managers who can drive change and deliver results.” She also mentions the needs to improved employee training and accountability as well as
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