Name: Reverend Robin Mines
Bio: Rev. Robin Denise Mines is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She is the firstborn of three daughters to Mrs. Dorothy Harrison Mines and the late Deacon Robert W. Mines.
Robin Denise Mines received her primary and secondary education in the Richmond Public School System. She attended Norfolk State University and she’s a United States Air Force Veteran serving from 1980 to 1986. She earned the Air Force Outstanding Achievement and Good Conduct medals. She’s also held several lead, supervisor and manager positions in the manufacturing and health insurance industry.
Robin Denise Mines graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
What do you see as the biggest issue facing residents of the 5th District and how do you plan to address it, if elected?
The biggest issue facing residents of the 5th District is the lack of accreditation of Richmond Public Schools. I will seek additional funding by reassessing budget priorities and use that money to attract stronger teachers and support community schools.
Where do you stand on the public financing of a new downtown arena/coliseum and related developments?
I am for growth and development of the city because of the opportunities for employment and economic growth for our city. However, to achieve this I would foster a more balanced approach that would require more buy-in from the private sectors as well as surrounding localities, both of which stand to share in the economic gains that come from having a quality venue in the city.
In 2017, the City of Richmond published its Vision Zero Action Plan with the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities. Despite those efforts, there's been more than 100 crashes involving pedestrians in the first seven months of 2019 that resulted in three fatalities and 113 injuries. What will you do, if anything, to work toward the goals of Vision Zero and create safe streets for pedestrians?
I would collaborate with the Mayor's Office to establish a task force comprising GRTC, RPS and RPD to develop specific strategies for reducing hazards to ensure the safety of pedestrians, school age children, cyclist and drivers and commercial drivers. I would also propose safety measures such as (i) a plan for consistent and aggressive enforcement of speed limits, especially in problem areas, (ii) ensure that more available funding is directed to correcting problematic intersections and unsafe traffic corridors, and (iii) installation of raised sidewalks and more clearly delineated crosswalks.
Property values in the 5th District are increasing rapidly: recent assessments showed a 25% year-over-year increase in Swansboro and about a 10% increase in Randolph. Rents in Richmond have also increased by about 25% since 2012, according to the RTD. How do you plan to address the need for affordable housing, both for moderate and low-income residents?
I would work to get legislation passed at the General Assembly to allow the City to have more flexibility in addressing the problem with an adequate affordable dwelling ordinance. I would also partner with real estate developers to establish common sense development to include a percentage of units in multifamily dwellings and homes in subdivisions to ensure even growth.
Where do you stand on efforts to remove or relocate Confederate monuments in Richmond?
The confederate monuments in Richmond give reverence to a history that we are trying not to repeat. I firmly believe that these particular monuments belong in a museum and that the facts be taught correctly in our education system and be made available to our citizens who are unaware of the facts. With that being said, I find it difficult to reconcile spending any tax dollars on moving the monuments- other budget priorities must take precedence.
The 5th District encompasses much of Richmond’s green space including Maymont and Byrd Parks, as well as parts of the James River Park System. What will you do to ensure future access and protection of Richmond’s natural resources?
As a member of the Sierra Club and the Interfaith Climate Justice Team, I am a strong advocate for preserving our green spaces and waterways. I would promote expanding public transportation to alleviate pollution caused by commuters from surrounding counties. I would encourage workers who live in the city to use public transportation to reduce automobile traffic and pollution which affect air quality.
A common complaint among Richmond residents is the perceived inefficiency of city services. How will you hold the city administration accountable to getting the basics right (i.e. filling potholes, promptly responding to service requests, permitting, etc.)?
My view is to make customer service paramount; I would support Partnering with the Mayor's Office and collaborating with the Department of Public Works to ensure that issues are addressed in a timely manner. I would start with an inquiry to determine the extent of the problem and then act on the results of that inquiry to make improvements to the process. There is also a need for the cooperation of citizens and city workers to report problems and so that issues are addressed issues in a timely manner.
Richmond Public Schools has hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance and construction needs. Would you support raising taxes to fund facilities? If so, which taxes? If not, how would you address those needs?
I believe that there should be an increase in taxes on cigarettes and gun sales. I would work with the City’s legislators to introduce a bill that would raise alcohol taxes with the proceeds to be used to provide grants to localities, including Richmond, to support funding for critical facilities.
