On November 6^th we will have a chance to use the full weight of the electoral process to determine who will be the next Governor of California and our representative in the US Senate.  There will be numerous state propositions, school board races, a critical race for the 15^thAssembly District as well as the State Superintendent of Education.

 As important as these are, here in Richmond there is also a critical race being contested for three seats on the Richmond City Council as well as for the Mayor of Richmond.

Radio Free Richmond has extended an offer to all thirteen candidates for the Council and the two candidates for the Mayor’s position to post their own words to let you, the voters, know their positions on what they believe to be the important issues.

The candidates have also been invited to post guest editorials on the issues of importance.

RFR will post a new candidate statement every couple of days.

When people ask me why I decided to run for Richmond City Council, I say that my deepest desire is to be in service to others—family, friends, colleagues, and community. I have had great success in sales and business development, and now, after 9 years of community volunteering, I decided to follow my heart and serve Richmond in a deeper and more meaningful way. I believe serving as a Richmond City Council Member is not an opportunity to push ideology, but to be in service of Richmond, by ensuring that core city services are provided, to create a vibrant city for all to enjoy.

For six years, I was President of the Point Richmond Business Association, overseeing 22 farmers’ markets and the 8th Annual “Picnic in the Point Fundraiser” on September 9, raising more than $100,000 to benefit local nonprofits serving Richmond. I was also President of the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council (PRNC), a place to discuss areas of concern such as land use, air quality, safety, and sustainability.

Economic opportunity is a fundamental social justice issue. While Richmond has low unemployment rates, there are families and businesses struggling to survive. Working multiple jobs, under the poverty level, it is difficult enough to make a better life for their children or start a business, let alone fight for their rights at City Council. Without economic opportunity people do not have a voice. I plan to work on creating an environment where the needs of the community who are seeking jobs and starting businesses are delivered by city government in an efficient and timely manner.

I have also been deeply impacted by the loss of family members and friend’s due to the accessibility of guns in our society. I would like to work with community members, RPD and my fellow City Council members to reduce and eliminate gun violence in Richmond.

I am an investor in Kaleidoscope Coffee in Point Richmond, this way I can get my fix of great coffee, community connections and organic ice cream, my favorite is salted caramel. I currently own a LegalShield business where we are working to change the legal justice system by leveling the scales for families and businesses that is affordable to all. I am a board member of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of the East Bay and Mayor’s Community Fund. My education and vocation emphasize collaborative solutions and advocacy with multiple degrees in Speech Communication. As a Professor, I taught students how to better communicate and speak effectively.

We moved to Richmond 18 years ago, since then we have gained so much from Richmond, our daughter has learned Spanish at Washington Elementary. We have made numerous friends over the years because of our involvement in the community. What I love most about Richmond is that there is always something new to learn. The stories of Richmond are deep and vibrant. I look forward to working on writing the next chapter in Richmond history. I ask for your support.

Schoenthal For Richmond