Michelle Mosby for Treasurer

On November 7th, I hope you will join me in voting Michelle Mosby for City Treasurer. 

What is the City Treasurer? 
The role of Treasurer is a constitutional officer, elected every 4-years, that is responsible collecting and accounting for all revenues received. 

What does that actually mean? What do they do? 
Their role in revenue collection is detailed in state code. Many local governments, not Richmond, have a webpage to explain their role (e.g. York County). From reading these pages, it seems like the main emphasis is educational. The number crunching is completed by a Director of Finance or financially trained staff. 

1990s webpage alert! 
This state webpage still exists to explain compensation for constitutional positions and I love this large print pdf on Treasurer history. Also, her opponent L. Shirley Harvey has a can't miss webpage with music! 

Why Michelle Mosby? 
This is not a vote against Nichole Armstead or L. Shirley Harvey, but a vote for Michelle Mosby. 

In the RT-D announcement, you can understand byMichelle's comments that she is knowledgeable with the system and is ready to take on those who would do harm to our city. Even if it costs her personal gain, which it did in directly challenging Morrissey.  

My personal reasons: 

High quality person. Michelle is one of the most genuine people you will meet. She is quick to give hugs and you will always know where you stand. She is willing to take on the hard fight. 

We agree and disagree. Over the past 3-years we have discussed and debated what actions to take in transforming education in Richmond. Through these discussions, I gained the highest respect for Michelle as one who sticks to her principles, but is always looking to find a way to connect. 

Learning from experience. As a business owner, Michelle has taken personal risk and failed (bankruptcy). I see this as a positive as one who has fallen down and learned to pull herself back up. 

Bridging the Richmond and RVA gap. Michelle represents southside Richmond, but she is more than just a geography. I've seen Michelle connect with all of Richmond, from families in public housing to CEOs. Michelle engenders respect and kindness for all. She and I have a similar passion for citizen education and I know that, at a minimum, she can help us get a webpage like York County. Really Richmond, York County is beating us. 

On November 7th, I hope you will join me in voting Michelle Mosby for City Treasurer. You can help Michelle by going to her website to sign up for email updates, get a yard sign, or donate. 

Letter to Stop the Muslim Ban

February 5, 2017 

Dear Senator Kaine, Senator Warner, and Representative Scott,

I am writing today to urge you to direct Customs & Border Protection to end detention and return of refugees, and persons based solely on their religion and national origin to rescind President Trump’s Executive Order.

As a Virginian with a strong belief in Jeffersonian-democracy, we should live in a society where religious freedom is protected. The Executive Order is an anti-democratic, unconstitutional step that breaks the line between church and state. Our country does not require religious and/or value tests to determine whether a human life is worth saving and access to equal opportunity. Classification and identification based on national origin has been used as a pretext to exclude persons based on religion, regardless of whether the population is actually or perceived to be Muslim.  We should live in a society where people are free to be who they are, and free from judgment because of where they were born and how they pray.

This is a Muslim ban because Section 5(f) of the Executive Order clearly states “State and DHS can continue to process refugees with religious persecution claims, if they are part of a religious minority, while the suspension of the resettlement is underway as they conduct their security review.” This demonstrates that the Administration’s focus is not national security, as Christians are still allowed to enter the country during the 120 day ban. As a Christian, I find this appalling and a clear divide from how Jesus calls us to “do to others as you would have them do to you.” 

There is no empirical evidence to support that the Muslim ban will actually secure our nation. With the strong vetting process already in place for refugees, I believe the existing system will fulfill our national security needs. Also, why wasn't Saudi Arabia included in this list as they were the home of the majority of the 9-11 hijackers and Bin Laden? Historically programs with sweeping powers to exclude people based on nationality, race, ethnic origin or religion have proven to be ineffective. From the Japanese internment camps to the denial of Jewish refugees during WWII, we have seen how history will view those who use fear to abandon the American principle as a haven for those in need. 

Welcoming people escaping persecution secures our nation. Asylees and refugees are victims of human rights abuses, and the most susceptible to human rights violators and perpetrators that commit violence against women, ethnic killings, and persecution. By welcoming sales and refugees we prevent human rights abuses from happening, we protect them.

I urge you to take all and any means necessary to move Congress to direct Customs & Border Protection to end detention and return of refugees and to rescind this Executive Order. I will fully support you if you have to take a douche-style Ted Cruz rant to shut down the government to keep this from progressing further. 

Please contact me at (phone) or (email) if you would like to discuss further.

Sincerely, 

Garet Prior 

(address) 

Richmond, Virginia 23225