On November 8^th we will have a chance to use the full weight of the electoral process to determine who will be the next President of the United States.  As important as this is, here in Richmond there is also a critical race being contested for three seats on the Richmond City Council.

Radio Free Richmond has extended an offer to all nine candidates to post their own words to let you, the voters, know their positions on what they believe to be the important issues.

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

November 1, 2016

I am a former Richmond City Councilmember and served from January, 2011 – January, 2015.  In my service as a Councilmember, I also served as your Vice Mayor. 

After graduating from Berkeley High School, I furthered my education and obtained two (2) lifetime teaching credentials from U.C. Berkeley Extension. I taught Adult Education as well as grades K-12 in the Oakland Unified School District. My background also includes teaching various programs (Comprehensive Employment & Training Act – CETA); Work Incentive Network – (WIN) and Veterans Program. I encourage drop-outs to return to school, complete their education and proceed into programs that will train them for careers that can help them provide for their families.

I mentor seniors and the disabled encouraging them to get involved in activities and events that will encourage them in their “golden years” or “challenged times”.  I am still very active and involved in the Richmond Community working tirelessly

Before coming to Richmond, I took over my family’s business and moved that business to Richmond.  Today, I am a self-employed businessman and my passion is helping others, civic government, jobs, vocational training and housing rights. 

In my community service, I have been the recipient of various awards (NAACP Peace and Freedom Award, Tent City Peace Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Peace Award, Bay Area Civic Pride Youth Service Award).  In January 2011 I became a member of the California Black Elected Officials and the California Black Caucus.  I still attend and serve in those organizations.

I need your support to return to the Richmond City Council where my commitment and knowledge will allow me to continue to serve the City and the people of Richmond.  I am familiar with budgets, policies, procedures, management and the operation of the City.  I can perform—and have performed—statutory duties without exception.  I am concerned with the future development of the City.

Employment is a very serious issue with me.  I do all I can to see that the citizens of Richmond are trained and employable.  When a perspective employer comes into the City of Richmond, I always ask the question “how many Richmond citizens are you planning to hire”?  Based up0n their response, I then ask “how soon will you be hiring”?

While serving as Vice Mayor of the City, I travelled to China seeking development deals for the City.  I was able to secure a development project known as Terminal #1 Development.  This is a $300 million project.  This project will secure employment for at least five (5) years with high paying union wages. This project will also help reduce the budget shortfall of the City.

I am a big supporter of the RichmondBuild /YouthBuild program.  When it was brought to my attention that the program was about to close due to the lack of funding, I was able to secure $200,000 to keep it going, and that funding also brought forth a new training program for a certified fork-lift operator. 

I am very concerned about crime in the City and have plans to increase public safety. 

I am always accessible to the community whether it be at City Hall or away from City Hall.  It is known through-out the community that I can be reached at “Casper’s Hotdogs” on any given day.  When citizens have pressing issues and can’t get to anyone at City Hall, I am always available to assist them.

Like all of you, I am concerned with the future development of the City and know that we need the right kind of leadership to forge pathways towards success.

In or out of office, I work tirelessly day and night responding to the needs of those who call upon me.  As a community leader I can only do so much but when returned to the Council, I will have a louder voice to work for the issues that are important to all of us.

I’m ready for the citizens of Richmond to put me back to work!