Jones pleased with committees’ work

Richmond Mayor-elect Dwight Clinton Jones takes office on Thursday as the city's second elected mayor under a new form of government.

Richmond Mayor-elect Dwight Clinton Jones met this week with committees helping his transition into City Hall but said he'll wait until next month before rolling out any plans.

"I'm very pleased with the process," Jones said Tuesday afternoon after wrapping up his sixth briefing of the day and seventh overall. "The citizens have taken it very seriously, very conscientiously."

Jones, who takes office Thursday as Richmond's second elected mayor under a new form of government, set up 10 volunteer committees a month ago and asked them to assess the strengths and weaknesses of city departments and services.

Jones would not release the committee's reports but did allow a reporter to sit in when he and transition co-director William Leighty were briefed by the public safety and transportation committees. Its members included city officials, lobbyists, residents and business leaders.

In the meetings, Jones listened, offered observations and asked for recommendations that could be put into effect quickly.

The public safety committee plugged for an ordinance that's designed to crack down on false alarms at homes and businesses. The measure, pending before the City Council, would require a $20 permit and impose financial penalties after three or more false alarms in a year.

Victoria Pearson, general counsel for the Richmond Police Department, said the ordinance would be an easy way to increase officer visibility by reducing the time spent responding to false alarms. She said the committee focused on ways to continue crime-reduction efforts in light of expected budget cuts.

She also relayed the interest of local universities in partnering with the city on training and grants, and highlighted how the city could profit by reworking its towing contract.

The transportation committee suggested a regional summit on transportation. Jones, who has been serving in the House of Delegates from the 70th District, was receptive but asked whether such a meeting would duplicate recent efforts. He was advised it would not.

John M. Lewis Jr., chief executive officer of GRTC Transit System, brought up GRTC's looming budget crunch, saying it would require immediate attention -- either with the elimination of routes as proposed to the City Council or with additional funding to address a deficit that's grown to $3.5 million.

The committee also offered a longer-term solution to the politically thorny task of scrapping or altering routes. It suggested code changes so route modifications could be made administratively by GRTC and no longer require approval by the council.

Lewis also said that GRTC hasn't had a regular, high-level contact with the administration of Mayor L. Douglas Wilder.

While Jones avoided making commitments during the meetings, he assured Lewis that he'd have a point person in the new administration.
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .