imported post
The Richmond Times Dispatch choose to write a glowing article on Mayor Jones:
Richmond mayor cites first-year accomplishments
Palsy-Walsies Kaine and Jones
Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones spent his first year at City Hall nurturing relationships with the City Council and the School Board, assembling his administrative team, and reviving plans to build schools and modernize the city jail.
In practically every way, the Baptist minister and former state delegate has operated in cool contrast to his fiery, unpredictable predecessor, former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.
"If we're going to get something done, it's going to require us to work together."
Oh really? Is he willing to work with gun owners?
Council members and others credit Jones for restoring order after four tumultuous years under Wilder, but some question whether the mayor may be too deliberate and City Hall too cozy.
The relationship also has improved at the administrative level, she said. "Just in day-to-day dealings with the city, things are much more collegial and cooperative."
Jones, the second elected mayor under Richmond's new form of government, said he's pleased with the work and the tone of his administration, and he declared that "city government is beginning to work again."
Richard Cullen, chairman of the McGuireWoods law firm who represented Wilder in the legal cases, said Jones has "shown himself to be very smart and savvy. He has tried to build coalitions. He's reached out to the business community. I think he's had a very productive first year."
One byproduct of the cooperation has been an agreement by the mayor and the council to seek General Assembly approval of only a
few amendments to the city charter that both sides support.
Oh yeah, like what?
"On the major issues, I think there's a willingness to compromise on both sides," Council President Kathy C. Graziano said.
Sen. State
Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond,
a longtime friend of Jones who was hired to provide government advocacy assistance to the Shockoe Center developers, praised the mayor's work and cautious style.
"I think there's optimism among many people of Richmond because of his leadership style and vision for the city," said Marsh, a former Richmond mayor. "The challenges of the city are great, and I think if you rush in and make hasty decisions, it would be a mistake."
He's at ease in public forums and City Council meetings and more reserved than his predecessor.
While acknowledging that some critics may want more fireworks at City Hall, Jones said he's determined to be judged on accomplishments and not style.