Neighborhood Teams: The System Ensured Citizen-First Governance. A Mayor Dismantled It.

"Neighborhood Teams" was a formalized system in Richmond by which the administration would meet regularly with representatives of all the neighborhoods to collaborate on solving problems, planning for growth, and addressing any other city issues. It was put in place by the city manager named Robert Bobb, before the city charter was revised which eliminated the city manager position and established the "strong Mayor" system we have in place now. The neighborhood teams system was eliminated by then-mayor Doug Wilder -- presumably because it gave the citizens too much power. Virtually all citizens who engaged with the Neighborhood Teams system speak highly of it and want it reinstated.