This week, we invited the candidates running for local office in the Nov. 5 General Election to write a post about why Arlington residents should vote for them. Find information on how and where to vote here.
Below is the unedited response from James Vell Rives, who is running for Arlington School Board.
I am James Vell Rives (friends call me by my middle name, Vell), and I have lived in Arlington 25 years. My wife Carmen and I have a senior at Wakefield High School and an 8th grader at Gunston Middle School.
My college degree is in music, and I have directed children’s and adult church choirs for 20 years. I’m a physician; I practice adolescent and adult psychiatry. I’m serving my 6th year on Arlington’s School Health Advisory Board (as Co-Chair 2021-2022), and I previously served 6 years as a County Election Officer.
I’m running for school board because in APS we have been having the same challenges every year: keeping excellent teachers, student achievement, school climate, and substance abuse. And we have now depleted our financial reserves.
To solve problems, we need different perspectives at the table. I’m the only non-Democrat in this race, and School Board members have been exclusively Democrats for 20 years. Even just one person from outside their circle will yield better discussion and bring more credibility to the Board and its decisions.
That’s one reason why I have earned the support of Democrats (!), Independents, Greens, and others here in Arlington. And I am proud to be endorsed by the Forward Party in Virginia. Details about my supporters are on my home page: www.rives4sb.com.
This unmatched breadth of support is not just because I am independent politically; it’s because I think independently:
https://www.arlnow.com/2024/10/15/bring-back-in-school-police-sros-one-candidate-says-yes-for-others-its-a-no-go/
I have a common sense approach to issues:
https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/news/school-board-contenders-zero-in-on-capital-spending-9494006 see also https://www.rivesforsb.com/issues
I stand up for what’s fair: https://www.arlnow.com/2024/10/25/arlington-school-board-candidate-and-lgbtq-group-clash-over-transgender-policies/
But I am respectful of my critics and try to find common ground:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hOuZflPuSktzH0OdjS0iUzj_WaddbXgJ/view (AGIA 2024 candidate questionnaire)
My background as a physician and mental health professional will be especially helpful as we navigate the ongoing tragedy of substance abuse occurring inside our high schools and other possible health or safety crises in the future.
And I have substantial experience working with adolescents and adults with disabilities:
https://www.arlingtonsepta.org/2024-school-board-candidate-responses-to-septa-questionnaire/
I happen to be the only repeat candidate in this race, so I’ve done more campaigning than my fellow candidates! I’ve been to every Arlington neighborhood, every school, every precinct, usually multiple times. Win or lose, that experience – hearing from residents all across the county – has been the greatest thing I’ve gotten from these campaigns. And even when we disagree, you can be sure that I respect our laws, our Constitution, and the rulings of our courts.
I think it’s fair to say I’m the unconventional candidate in this race. But I am not a stranger: I know Ms. Zecher-Sutton, Ms. Kadera, and Ms. Turner (the continuing Board members), and I would be so excited to work alongside them and any one of my fellow candidates. I think we could make a Dream Team for APS. I hope you can see that too, and I respectfully ask that you make me one of your two votes for School Board.
Hay información en español en mi sitio de web:
https://www.rivesforsb.com/espanol
Adicionalmente, tengo un vídeo breve en español:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moqkI7vxsFA
My website also has information in Amharic, Arabic, and Mongolian:
www.rives4sb.com
