Values

Views

Richmond should be proud of its outdoor recreational activities. Maintaining existing farmland is important since Rhode Island is a net importer of food, the more farmland Richmond has, the more food security and local supply will be available. Additionally farms and farmland is an important part of Richmond's identity, and provides critical avenues for small businesses.

Solar farms are viable, but they should not come at the cost of converting existing farmland, or logging forests. Once the local energy grid can support more solar farms, we should seek alternative brownfield sites or rooftop solar.

Commitment

I promise to protect public access to hiking, fishing, kayaking, etc. New solar farms will receive my scrutiny about available grid capacity and effective land use.

Views

Small businesses located in Richmond drive a circular economy where money spent in Richmond stays in Richmond. Larger companies provide employment for our residents. Main Street in Richmond should be a source of pride and enjoyment for residents, where they can shop and meet up with others. These businesses serve the needs of residents providing them with access to groceries, doctors, dining, banking, and fuel.

Increasing the business tax base will lower the residential tax burden. Unlike some other towns in Rhode Island, Richmond raises much of its taxes from residential property, so growing our commercial sector helps relieve residential property taxes along with providing local employment.

There is currently a shortage of entry-level wage workers in Richmond, which is likely tied to the shortage of affordable housing. Students who graduate from Chariho or nearby URI, who want to stay local, often can't due to the high cost of housing. Young families can't afford to live here, reducing the amount of children in the school, leading to higher costs per pupil in our schools. Since state funding is linked to enrollment, this shifts school costs to the local taxpayer.

Commitment

I promise to review unnecessary regulatory roadblocks for businesses in our town. I will take opportunities to promote Richmond as place where business can occur. I am going to continue the goal of revitalizing main street and Chariho Plaza. Reasonable steps towards lowering the cost of housing and rent in Richmond is an important part of attracting businesses.

Views

I am a supporter of strong public education, and believe that Chariho's students, programs, teachers, and excellence is something that Richmond residents should be proud of. However, I recognize Richmond's budget expenses are dominated by the Chariho school system, which it not in the hands of the town council.

The rest of the budget for municipal expenses should be carefully spent. Police, public works, and town administration all are important parts of a functioning town government. It is important to retain our experienced workers in all of our town departments, and not increasing wages with inflation is a recipe for high turnover. High turnover ends up being more expensive in the long-run due to time and costs associated with finding and training new hires.

As debt service expires and lessens over time, the excess budget will be available for use. The most responsible thing to do is invest that money into projects that add to our shared infrastructure, such as repaving roads, or purchasing necessary equipment for public works or public safety. Keeping large expenses up to date means that the town will have less reasons to go out to bond over time, keeping money lost to interest down in the long run.

Taxes in Richmond are indeed high, due to a small business tax base and the geometry problem of providing services for residents spread out thin in a rural town like ours. The tax rate has been essentially stagnant for a good amount a time, which demonstrates austere spending in the face of rising inflation. I don't foresee a way to reduce residential taxes in the short-term, especially with anticipated reduced federal and state aid to the town. Richmond's residents should get the most services from their taxes as they exist.

Commitment

I will continue to advocate for and allocate funds to Chariho. Any increases to the budget over CPI inflation rates over the year, I will question and ensure proper justification for. I would like to adjust wages paid to town employees to be comparable with similar Rhode Island towns, and ensure that fair raises occur to account for inflation. I promise to not raise tax rates more than inflation rates, and I will attempt to keep tax rates as flat as possible. The taxpayers of Richmond will be my guide for the review of the yearly budget.

Views

Town Councilors are elected as public representatives. They should listen to every voice and choose the best course of action with their recommendations in mind. Collaboration with the town staff, state officials, and Richmond community is an essential part of effectively utilizing the position.

Decisions made should be transparent and justified. Available information should be published for residents to understand decisions to be made. Elected representatives should be public servants and lead by example.

Commitment

I will keep open communication with the town residents, regardless of political affiliation. My votes will be transparent and rationalized. I will work with town staff, and will be available to the Richmond community.

Views

Richmond should grow its housing stock in order to provide more affordable homes, maintain or increase school enrollment, and allow seniors to age in place. More housing will help reduce the tax rate for existing houses. Lower housing prices and rents will allow young families and entry-level workers to live in Richmond, which our schools and businesses need.

We sit in a very convenient geographic location such that work, even if it isn't in town, isn't very far away. Plenty of people would like to live here, but cost and housing availability are barriers to entry.

Rural character is more than just open fields and vast forests. Richmond's mill villages are a good example of housing that maintains rural character. Small duplexes and housing developments help contain sprawl, which preserves the forests that make Richmond appealing. Mixed developments that blend housing, small retailers and services provide walkable areas for residents to enjoy. Larger apartment complexes like Fox Run are only appropriate directly adjacent to the I-95 corridor, where rural character is less of a concern, or in a fairly isolated forested area, such that residents of the apartments can enjoy the nature around them.

Commitment

I will work with the Affordable Housing Committee and Planning Board to help meet the goal of more affordable housing in Richmond. I will not advocate for the approval of "just any" housing project, and will perform due diligence looking at proposals.