Question from West Richmond
Mrs. Smart, you seem like a nice person but seriously, this commission has cut taxes, built Paradise Cove, given police a raise, attracted new jobs and new retail stores at the new mall. What have you done for the city to top that? Why should any commissioner give their seat up to you?
Rita Smart answered:
Thank you for pointing out the positives the present commisssion have accomplished. It is true they have some perks to their commission resume but considering the number of years in office, should there not be more? I am very concerned about the budget in these economic times. There are so many areas that need attention, will we have the funds to address them? For example, public safety; yes the police force did receive a raise but are still lower that other cities our size plus we need addition safety personnel for the continued growth of city. What about other qualified employees, fire department and professional staff, don't they deserve top salaries if they are doing outstanding work?
Paradise Cove is a great addition to our park system, I only wish my children and all the other citizens would have had such facilities over the past thirty years, other cities have them. As far as new jobs and new retail, Carolina Holdings indicated no one from the city recruited them to Richmond, they sought us out. If we can have all these good things happening just by chance, think what this city could be if citizens, business and the government leaders put their heads together and worked on infrastructure(up-grading streets and sidewalks), safety and traffic on the by-pass(still no lights or walk over ramps and any news on 911),Youth-related opportunities (maybe a Skate Board park, teen board, summer work program),economic initiatives for some new tax dollars, jobs, downtown revitalization. As a consultant to the city the past two years I organized the Richmond Downtown Association. This is a citizens run group. We have increased awareness in the historic district, helped get the old bus station on the National Register and renovated, developed guidelines for the downtown historic district, recruited a major regional bank to locate downtown and build a new facility complying with the historic look and ordiances of the area. We are presently working to establish an arts district and recruit more housing for professional in the downtown area. I think the citizens need to decide which candidate can do the most for the city in the next two years. I don't think City commissioners should see this as a long-term position they can just keeping riding on. You decide which is best.
Paradise Cove is a great addition to our park system, I only wish my children and all the other citizens would have had such facilities over the past thirty years, other cities have them. As far as new jobs and new retail, Carolina Holdings indicated no one from the city recruited them to Richmond, they sought us out. If we can have all these good things happening just by chance, think what this city could be if citizens, business and the government leaders put their heads together and worked on infrastructure(up-grading streets and sidewalks), safety and traffic on the by-pass(still no lights or walk over ramps and any news on 911),Youth-related opportunities (maybe a Skate Board park, teen board, summer work program),economic initiatives for some new tax dollars, jobs, downtown revitalization. As a consultant to the city the past two years I organized the Richmond Downtown Association. This is a citizens run group. We have increased awareness in the historic district, helped get the old bus station on the National Register and renovated, developed guidelines for the downtown historic district, recruited a major regional bank to locate downtown and build a new facility complying with the historic look and ordiances of the area. We are presently working to establish an arts district and recruit more housing for professional in the downtown area. I think the citizens need to decide which candidate can do the most for the city in the next two years. I don't think City commissioners should see this as a long-term position they can just keeping riding on. You decide which is best.