After mulling it over with staff and political advisers, Holland says he’s “contemplating” a run.
Holland declines to give his age or specifics of what his platform may become and describes his residence as “not too far from the Fan.” He says the people he’s talked with in the area say they’re tired of high rents just as he’s tired of city officials who think they can “arrest the problem away” while putting housing projects such as Gilpin Court on the back burner.
A vocal critic of Richmond police officers, particularly in the aftermath of recent shootings by city police, Holland insists that if he runs for council, he’ll win. “There’s a lot of resentment for the incumbent,” he says of Pantele, adding that he has the “support base of public officials” as well as constituents in the 2nd District.
Pantele did not return calls seeking comment by press time. Directing Youth for Social Change, whose headquarters are at the intersection of Hull Street and Broad Rock Road, is Holland’s full-time job. The peer-mentoring program at Henderson Middle School is one of its leading outreach initiatives.
Holland, who says he has yet to start raising money for a City Council bid, isn’t the only one considering a bid for Pantele’s seat.
Kjellberg says he’s been solicited by numerous people to run for the 2nd District seat. If elected, he says, his top priority would be crime, followed by such issues as blighted buildings and city taxes. “At some point you get tired of Richmond being a joke,” he says, when there are “murders and rapes in your neighborhood.” Kjellberg’s radio program, called “The Patrick Manning Show” — he uses a pseudonym — airs daily on AM 990 and addresses local, state and national politics.
Pat Daniels, former president of the Fan District Association, may also be considering a run for council. She lives in the Fan on Floyd Avenue. But the home’s located in the 5th District, represented by E. Martin “Marty” Jewell. Floyd Avenue is the dividing line.
Daniels says she’ll decide by month’s end whether to run.
According to the city registrar’s office last week, no candidates had filed to run for City Council. The election, which involves City Council, the Richmond School Board and members of both houses of Congress, will be held Nov. 7. The filing deadline is June 13 at 7 p.m. S
