I am very disappointed and upset with the outcome of Richmond’s mayoral election — disappointed because we had an opportunity to have a trained, experienced person to operate the city and get us back on solid ground.

I’m upset with those who used their influence to cause us to miss this desperately needed opportunity. Injustice is injustice and it does not matter on whom or how it is inflicted.

Influence asserted by people, some of whom do not even live in the city, was a disservice to Richmond residents. Their mission was only to further their political agenda to secure whatever position that is desired by a cohort. Qualifications for the position are not a consideration.

The mayoral form of governance will never be the most successful for the City of Richmond. There can be no stability when, every four or eight years, there will be a change in leadership and possibly other key staff positions. This form of government is like playing Russian roulette. We are taking a chance on whoever is elected. The fate of our city should not rely on a gamble.

Citizens of Richmond, we need to band together and seek the return to a city manager form of government. A person with formal training and experience needs to be hired to operate our city. Let us no longer be relegated to the possibility of trickle down incompetence. Bad decisions and mismanagement slowly erode a locality. An employee who does not perform his or her job well can be fired. However, an elected official cannot.

I truly hope Mayor-elect Levar Stoney does a very good job and learns quickly. We are in need of strong, knowledgeable leadership. The residents of Richmond are depending on his success for our success.

CHARLETA F. SHORTS

Richmond