Unanswered Questions for Councilman Jewell
In February and several times since, we submitted interview questions to 5th District Councilman Marty Jewell. More than once, we were promised a response, however, in recent months, there has been no answer back at all.
The questions were a blen
d of those submitted by readers, some standard questions given to his challenges (both of whom responded and have their interviews posted here and here), and some tailored to Mr. Jewell’s record and reputation as our neighborhood’s representative. Since we don’t have his answers, we can only speculate and come to our own interpretation about the silence from the office of our City Councilman.
For the record, and for the public’s discussion, here are the questions that were last submitted to Mr. Jewell through his liaison, Francine Young.
What do you hope to accomplish as a City Councilperson if you are reelected?
Which accomplishments from your previous terms on Council should voters keep in mind when deciding their vote this year?
Several months ago, then-candidate, David Gammino stirred things up by accusing you of “demagoguery.” What is your response to that?
What are your impressions of your opponents’ contributions to the city?People complain on this blog about their council rep being unresponsive. Even these interview questions went unanswered for several months. Even your opponent, Parker Agelasto, is using a slogan (“A Worker. Not just a talker”) to contrast against your reputation. What is your response?
Describe your relationship with the Mayor and your fellow representatives on Council and how do those relationships help the people you represent. From our readers:
Marty Jewell, you voted for the meals tax increase and the Center Stage deal that shielded it from FOIA. If elected again, what will you do anything about the meals tax and Center Stage?If elected, what will do you to change Richmond’s water rates? Right now, Richmond has the highest minimum water rate in the country at $47 a month. At the same time, the City utility charges less to big institutional users and actually sells water to the counties who in turn charge a lower minimum rate for their residents.For many citizens on a fixed income, this is a huge expense and keeps people in poverty. At the same time, the high minimum water rate discourages conservation and is also an environmental issue. The James River, the source of our water, deserves better stewardship. It should also be noted that the local Green Party has tried to bring attention to this issue and encourage change.
Mr. Jewel,
Parking is an issue for the residents in the Spring when Richmond Little League comes to play on the Byrd Park softball fields. These people, who do not live in our neighborhood, take all the parking spaces leaving the residents nowhere to park. Many evenings I have come home from work and there is nowhere to park. This means I need to drive around for a couple of hours until they are gone, or risk getting a ticket by double parking in the middle of the street. This has been and continues to be a consistent problem despite the neighborhood’s efforts to negotiate with Richmond Little League. Are you going to do anything about this? I pay taxes in the city and vote in your district. Most members of Richmond Little League do not.Mr Jewell, there are many issues in Oregon Hill that need attention such as student parking infringing on residents, need for appropriate zoning for the Cary Street business corridor, protection from VCU’s encroachment, preservation of the historic canal system and many others. Despite these needs, you have continually been a “no show” at community meetings despite polite invitations and in fact have supported the wrong side on many of these issues. Why should we support you again for Council? Are you going to have an epiphany and start doing things totally different from the way you have been? There were over 400 street trees planted by the city from 2002 until your election and not one has been planted since despite requests for nominal funding. How would you grade yourself on this expansive list of your failures?
Not surprising… I received the same silence the few times I directly contacted his office throughout the years.
Just one more reason not to vote for someone who is unresponsive to his constituents needs.
Richmond, its time to get rid of this loser!
We cannot trust Jewell to be our representative.
Please vote for Parker!
I’ve had the same problems with his assistant Francine Young. She needs to go as well. A totally fresh start in running the 5th is in order.
I’ll drink to that. I mean to DUI councilman Jewel.. Vote his absent but out
Someone representing Jewell’s campaign tried putting a sign in my yard. The guy looked like a bum. Now this explains everything. What has he accomplished?.. and who elects him?
I’ve met Marty a few times over the years and really like him. He seems to put the neediest people first in the community. I don’t see him being everyone’s favorite, but he takes a stand on issues that matter to him. That’s what got him elected and keeps getting him elected. Marty may not spend his time bending over backwards for this blog’s readers, that doesn’t mean he isn’t working to serve other aspects of his community. He definitely deserves better than being called a loser and having a past mistake thrown in his face during a time when issues should matter most.
Maybe “failure” is a better word than “loser”.
Marty did answer the five questions from Richmond.com and he was spot on with his answer to Richmond. He said the problem with Richmond is ” the absence of any coordinated plans attached to the Mayors’ vision of a “Tier-One City.” I was in a community meeting with the Mayor and asked what neighborhood organizations could do to help with the vision and he didn’t have an answer. In short there just didn’t seem to be any plans. And Richmond continues to suffer without direction.
I also agree with the Jewell appraiser. Marty does look out for issues that matter to him. I have heard stories from elderly long term residents of Richmond and I know they call him (or Francine) and he has responded. Probably most people who read this blog are not his target constituents. My opinion is that he is not a loser he just doesn’t represent everyone in the district, he stays more focused on the group he wants to help the most (which he also defines in the Richmond.com article).
You think its a coincidence that Mark Baker is soliciting funds for Marty the same month his client has an SUP before Council in Marty’s district?
This is the type of quid pro quo politics which puts donations above community. Mark Baker should be ashamed of himself.
The fact is we need a councilperson who cannot be bought so easily. Marty’s grandstanding with Occupy was a big act, and thankfully, most people see through it.
Vote him out or live with the consequences.
test
5th district: What kind of representation do you expect on the City Council? http://t.co/r2hqYcY2 #rva
the mayor wants all 9 votes for his projects, not being satisified with his rubber stamp by the reliable 6. marty has been in the way and parker will deliver. check out the rtd for the mayor’s latest project, the westhampton school give-a-way.
I’ve met Marty Jewell on a few occasions and he is immensely charming in person, and he seems really interested in helping people. What I don’t appreciate is his weasly political moves and distractions. He always seems to have an ulterior motive.
Speaking of unanswered questions, according to the VPAP site, Jewell received a $2500 donation from the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League which is listed as a non profit.
It is not clear to me how the contribution meets IRS rules. The League appears to be a 501(c)(3) entity and prohibited from making campaign contributions.
Marty’s a very nice man, and he really does mean well. But when he tells you he’s going to do something, he’s probably not going to do it. He won’t get around to it and won’t remember. We need representatives on the council with the capability of understanding how laws turn into policy and procedures for city employees, and how the numbers are determined. We need Parker.
I’m convinced this Lee Shewmake person is just in it to help Marty win.
I’ve been on the board of both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. The 501(c)(4) filed taxes and filled out paperwork every year. We have lawyers and accountants who keep everything staight. This was not the case with the 501(c)(3) so I asked one of the lawyers in the 501(c)(4) organization who is “watching” those organizations to see if they use their money according to their non/not for profit status and he said the banks. I know most 501(c)(3)’s don’t always file taxes so how would mis-management get caught?
Anyone know?
I am not looking for ” a nice guy.” give me that guy who gets things done… Not my drunk uncle..