With only days left in the election and very little time left for candidates to make an impact with voters, here’s an editorial I did not want to write:
I am still undecided on who I want to vote FOR Mayor.
I already know who I do NOT want to vote for- the two frontrunners, Joe Morrissey and Jack Berry. While I do admire Morrissey’s willingness to speak truth to power (and wish other candidates would learn from him), I can’t get past his tawdry personal history. Yes, I know the media is laying it down thick, but that does not mean I can excuse it either, regardless of whether or not the latest professional allegations prove true or not.
I hope everyone recognizes what Jack Berry represents- corporate hegemony with disregard for citizen concerns. The fact is that Berry, head of Venture Richmond (and previously Richmond Renaissance) has long been behind persistent efforts to put corporate welfare projects ahead of the needs of Richmond schools and neighborhoods, from 6th Street Marketplace to the Redskins to the Shockoe stadium scheme. The local corporate media, as far as I can tell, is sold out and dares not say anything too negative about Berry, lest they incur the wrath of Venture Richmond’s powerful board. The Times Dispatch and other outlets shamefully support Berry without any disclosure of the partnerships with Venture Richmond.
THIS historic neighborhood has particular reasons to distrust and fear Berry as Mayor. He still has not made any amends for breaking promises to community and government. In my humble opinion, Berry represents a bigger threat to THIS neighborhood than Morrissey, and anyone who cares about it will know to vote AGAINST Berry, who long ago labeled Oregon Hill ‘an edge zone’ to downtown, along with other less wealthy areas of the City.
As I have said elsewhere, if we do go to a runoff election where Morrissey and Berry are the only choices, I will vote Morrissey without hesitation. Blame the ‘business community’ that backs Berry if that happens. I find the frontrunners in both the Mayoral and Presidential elections to be extremely unpalatable, and it has not been unexpected in that regard. I can’t help but wonder how different these elections would be with reforms like ranked choice/instant runoff voting.
Let me add right here the old disclaimer that I do NOT necessarily represent the opinions of all my neighbors. A few landlords have been putting a lot of Berry signs up. But people should remember that for a small neighborhood, Oregon Hill residents do vote. And because we are visible in the 5th District, the Central District, our opinions do matter and should be listened to, as we will have a lot to do with who is elected Mayor.
In the past week we have seen a lot of door-to-door canvassing for candidates Stoney and Baliles. Pine Street neighbor Stephenie Harrington wanted me to remind you all that there is still time to RSVP and attend her event for Baliles this Friday, which is now also open to City voters outside of the neighborhood.
Most if not all of the candidates say they want to work for all the neighborhoods. While I may ask candidates about everything from the water to the sun, ultimately my questions zero in on what they can and will do for THIS neighborhood. It’s important to exact promises now, especially given the existing threats and still-existing threats. Hopefully Stoney and Baliles can help me make up my mind between them.
I think everyone can agree that this election year has been especially difficult, and I am sorry to say, things are likely to get darker before there’s a turn for the better. I am thankful to our City Council candidates for serving as a better example. (Where are the 5th District Richmond School Board candidates?) Chins up and keep the brave faces.
