Dwight Clinton Jones starts his new job as Richmond’s mayor on Thursday and will face a number of pressing issues. Among them will be filling key administrative posts and balancing the city budget in light of state cuts and a long-standing dispute between Mayor L. Douglas Wilder and the City Council. Jones and the new council also will help decide where and how quickly minor-league baseball might return to the city.

Charles R. Samuels will take his seat on the Richmond City Council next month with a healthy respect for those who came before him. The 2nd District, which sweeps across the Fan District and includes Gilpin Court and part of Jackson Ward, has been represented since 2001 by the council’s president, William J. Pantele. He was preceded by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, whose political ascendancy to mayor, lieutenant governor and governor started in 1994 with his ouster of a district incumbent.

Charles R. Samuels will take his seat on the Richmond City Council next month with a healthy respect for those who came before him. The 2nd District, which sweeps across the Fan District and includes Gilpin Court and part of Jackson Ward, has been represented since 2001 by the council’s president, William J. Pantele. He was preceded by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, whose political ascendancy to mayor, lieutenant governor and governor started in 1994 with his ouster of a district incumbent.

A few weeks before he enters Richmond City Hall, Mayor-elect Dwight Clinton Jones is focusing on three appointments, planning an inaugural celebration and underscoring his desire to work with—not against—the City Council. In a recent interview, Jones gave no hints at a possible agenda and said he’s begun meeting with all nine council members to set a tone of respect and cooperation.

The Richmond City Council’s next president appears likely to be 4th District representative Kathy C. Graziano.

Richmond city government retirees will have to wait a little longer to find out whether they’ll get a raise in their pensions, but it could be worth their while. The City Council postponed last night’s scheduled vote on a proposed 1 percent cost-of-living increase for retirees and discussed taking up the matter in January, after Mayor-elect Dwight Clinton Jones takes office. Jones supported a raise for retirees during the fall campaign and reiterated that position in general terms yesterday.

The Richmond City Council could decide Monday between giving a 1 percent raise to city retirees and squirreling away funds to weather the stormy economy.