I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to inform voters of my views. I believe the Free Press is a vital tool for an informed electorate and protecting our Constitutional rights. Thank you.

Respectfully yours, Silver Persinger

The questions are:

Name: Silver Persinger

District: 5th District

Address: 511 S. Pine Street

Age and date of birth: 34, February 28, 1972

Occupation: Project Assistant with the Virginia Newspaper Project at the Library of Virginia

Civic/Community Activities: Regular attendee at Council and Committee
meetings since January 2006 and in 2003-2004; Co-Secretary, Oregon
Hill Neighborhood Association 2005

Email: silver@6hourday.org

Telephone: 804-683-7845

I decided to become a candidate because: I am a Socialist and believe
government should do more for poor and working people such as helping
to provide access to health care, education, jobs and housing.

Voters should elect me rather than the incumbent because: My attendance at meetings makes me knowledgeable of the issues before Council. I am eager to serve, inform, and educate my constituents. I want to expand public engagement with Council, to promote open government, and government transparency. I want to promote democratic control of our government and accountability of Council to their constituents. I want to Council to promote co-operative businesses, create skilled labor training opportunities for our citizens, and create more city jobs rather than outsourcing jobs to private contractors. Finally, people should vote for me because I value people over money.

My foremost goal to accomplish if elected: My foremost goal if elected would be to repeal the extension of Council terms to four years, I believe all significant charter changes should be placed before the voters for two consecutive elections.

Top issue facing the district: I believe the top issue facing the district is city maintenance of public infrastructure, the storm waste system being my chief concern but also restoring an annual tree cutting program.

Top issue facing the city: I believe the top issue facing the city is the cost of living -- whether it is rising assessments and utility bills or the lack of good paying jobs -- economic issues are at the heart of the majority problems facing the city and our citizens.

My solutions to these issues: My solution to the problem of rising
assessments is reforming the assessment policy; however this must be
done in a fiscally responsible manner with the bounds of state law.
On the issue of City maintenance, simply make it a priority and fund
the work that needs to be done.

Role of City Council in relation to mayor: Unfortunately in recent
months I have seen a growing division and lack of communication
between the administration and Council. I think Council's role should
be to help craft the Mayor's goals and to work co-operatively instead
of divisively.