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Kathy Graziano to step down as city council president

Posted at 11:58 PM, Dec 07, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-08 01:44:18-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Kathy Graziano says she enjoyed her four years as council president, but that was enough and she will step down as president when the new council is seated.

She said she's proud of her tenure, which includes collaboration with city leaders, a new jail, the Redskins practice park deal, and four new schools being built.

She`s been on council since 2005. During that time she`s found a consistent sticking point in the rebirth of the city and wants to focus on it.

Although she's stepping down as president, she will still remain on council.

Graziano told CBS 6 News’ Mark Holmberg that she is doing it “to give other members leadership opportunities.”

The new city council will elect a president once they are seated on Jan. 1.

Graziano sent this statement to CBS 6 News:

“We, the city, have made significant progress over the past four years. Working with administration, during these difficult economic times, we have passed budgets that continued to provide services, that kept city workers in their positions and provided funding for a new jail and four new schools. Broad st and downtown are experiencing much development and,of course, the redskins are coming to Richmond. Collaboration between Council and the Mayor has proven to bring about positive change for the city. One of my main focuses for the future will be to improve the permitting and inspection procedures we presently have in place. We need to be user friendly in this dept. To encourage economic growth, large and small.”