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Name: Richard S. Grizzard

Age: 55    

Family: Wife: Leigh Ann Grizzard; Sons: Nicholas Grizzard, married to Katelyn Grizzard and has a daughter, Savannah Grizzard; Tyler Grizzard; Deklyn Grizzard; and Trevor Newlon (stepson); Daughters: Julia Flythe, married to Matt Flythe and had a son, Maddox Flythe (deceased); Tori Grizzard, has a daughter, Emery; and Hilary Newlon (stepdaughter)

Education: Graduate of Southampton High School, Class of 1986; some college, many leadership classes for the fire service; Virginia Fire Officers Academy; Hampton Roads Fire Officers Academy; Fire Officer III; Fire Instructor III; instructor for many classes in the fire service

Career: Courtland Volunteer Fire Department (1982-current); Franklin Fire and Rescue (9/1/1987-6/1/2020); Suffolk Fire and Rescue (3/1996-10/2011) part-time firefighter/medic; Isle of Wight County Fire and Rescue (8/1/2012-current); Prince George Fire and EMS (10/1/2021-current); and Southampton County Fire and Rescue Association secretary (6/2009-current)

1.) Why do you want to be elected as the Ward 2 representative on the Franklin City Council?

I want to work with the council to improve our infrastructure and our most valuable asset (employees). Staffing for Fire and Rescue, Police, Dispatch and Public Works needs to increase to provide critical services. Repair our school system to above average. Provide more recreation for our youth and future growth.

2.) What would you list as your primary qualifications for this role?

I was employed by the city of Franklin for 32 years and nine months, with most of that time being in a leadership role in Fire and Rescue. I have attended many leadership classes, hazard mitigation and officer-level courses dealing with budget, finance, resources, management, including HR issues. I listen to what people have to say and weigh out the best option for the group. In this case that would be my constituents and the citizens and visitors of the city of Franklin, not only for today’s needs but those of the future as well.

3.) What do you think are the city of Franklin’s greatest strengths?

The way our community feels like home. The way we strive to be family oriented. Franklin is still small enough to be a community where almost everyone knows everyone. There are still some great employees here, and we need to capitalize on their expertise to move this city forward. The longevity of those employees proves their love of the job and their love for this city.

4.) What do you think are the greatest challenges facing the city of Franklin?  

1. A) The loss of valued employees. We are training Fire/EMS/Police and Public Works employees only to lose them to other localities after investing hundreds and thousands of dollars and hours to certify them. Bring up our staff by increasing retention benefits. Treat your current employees right, and they will recruit and retain employees for you. You must show them that you respect their value and commitment to our city. 
2. B) Our crumbling educational system. Hire educators that are here for the children not just a paycheck. Make their hard work noticed. Praise them appropriately.

5.) If elected, what will be your leading priorities during your term?

I want to make our city great for our citizens as well as our guests. I want this to be a place where people want to come, stay and live. Increase our infrastructure to guarantee the safety and well-being of everyone. Strive to make Franklin great. This will take some work but can be done as long as we all have a group of goals we can achieve together. We are all different and have different ideas, but together we can meet on common ground and do what is best for our citizens and the visitors of Franklin.

6.) Real property value is reassessed every two years in the city. Do you think this interval should be changed? Please explain your answer.

No, I do not feel this interval should be changed. I believe it should be updated every two years so that we lessen the burden of drastic increases that have happened in the past. It would always be nice to have a reduction in our bills, however, in our current state, we know this is not the case; we need to work to manage our budget to reduce the stress of our taxpayers.

7.) What, if any, key improvements do you think need to be made to the city’s public education system, and if elected, what will you do to help ensure those needed key improvements are made?

Our public education system can improve by allowing our educators to educate. There need to be consequences for poor and rude conduct from the students, not just the teachers. There is a need to increase the disciplinary process and consequences for non-compliance of rules, regulations and conduct. We need to stop allowing our youth to think they are in charge. This is why they are not learning and not being good stewards to our current and future workforce.