On Tuesday September 12th the Richmond City Council will host a meeting where the 13 applicants for the vacated Council seat (created when Councilmember McLaughlin resigned to seek the Lt. Governor's seat).  Each applicant will be allowed 8 minutes to address the Council and the public to explain why they would be the best choice to fill the vacancy.

Radio Free Richmond has invited each of the applicants to pen about 500 words and provide a headshot photo.

DAVID SCHOENTHAL

I believe in living a life that matters, a life that makes a difference.

When people ask me why I applied for the open City Council seat, 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, now I call upon my heart, hands, and voice to create programs and influence decisions that help Richmond. I see myself as a servant leader. I do not see running for City Council as a chance to push forward an agenda but to be of service.

  For six years, I was President of the Point Richmond Business Association, overseeing 22 farmers’ markets and the 8^th Annual “Picnic in the Point Fundraiser” on September 9, raising more than $80,000 to benefit local nonprofits serving Richmond. Since April 2016, I have been President of the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council (PRNC), a place to discuss areas of concern such as land use, air quality, safety, and sustainability.

I believe that 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. I earned an MA in speech communication from SJSU, and a BA in speech communication from California Poly SLO.

We moved to Richmond 14 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.