My Fellow Richmonders:

It was with much deliberation and consideration that I recently decided not to run again for re-election for Mayor of Richmond.

It is a position I have held and served with much pride. Only a few of my many years have been spent outside Richmond and I have always tried to make it a better place to live for those of here now as well as those of us in the future. 

It has not been an easy road. Many of the systemic problems that were cemented in the culture and dysfunction of City Hall when I arrived we have tackled head on. Many of these problems have been identified and are being addressed or already changing.
 
But it is difficult to undo 40 years of complacency. It is impossible to do so without stirring up public sentiment and stepping on toes. But I did not work to change this form of government or serve as Mayor to endorse the same behavior and work ethic that got us here.
 
I have worked diligently to change the nature of government so it can be more responsive to the needs of the City as a whole and not piecemeal district by district. And in the process, I have taken much of the heat for making those hard decisions.
 
But I believe those decisions have already begun to bear fruit. This City is improving in many areas in a way unimaginable five years ago. You hear it on the streets, you can see it in the economic activity, and you can feel the “vibe” that the ways of the past will not be the path to the future. Richmond is a more diverse City and that diversity is part of our recent success.
 
The new form of government has helped to bring the change and we will continue to address our problems and build on our successes. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure we do not regress into “district” politics where the interests of the few always outweigh the needs of the many. 
 
The end of such a narrow focus has made possible our success to date - but not without criticism from those who were always opposed to the change. There are many more success stories to come. Richmond can and will achieve even more as we further distance ourselves from the past - from our past form of government, our past record of favoring special interests, and our past of not having an engaged or informed citizenry. 
 
Our future is in front of us. Richmond has shed its cocoon and is now engaged and focused on bettering all aspects of our City and society. It is not a short or specifically defined journey. It is one fraught with decisions and uncertainty and it will not always be popular.
 
However, I am proud to say that Richmond is now on course to a future we have until now only dreamed about. The City we love to call home and dream of being great is within our reach, and I am proud to have served you and will continue to do so. I look forward to our continued journey.