“During the campaign, I talked about how I was going to be hands-on, that I was going to be disciplined,” he said. “And I think that’s a total different approach than — you know, the current occupant.”

Asked about those big, seemingly intractable problems — schools, crime, tight budgets — Stoney said all he’s asking for is a little patience.

“I prefer to take a more optimistic view of things,” he said. “There are a lot of little things we can fix right away. But some of the major, cultural deficiencies within the organization will take some time. All I request is giving me a chance to get the job done and get the right people in the seats to make it happen.”

And about those big, future career ambitions?

“I can only be mayor of Richmond for eight years,” Stoney said. “Hey. I haven’t even had an opportunity to work in the job yet. I’d like to do this job well and, if the people of the city think I’ve done a good job, then maybe there will be another opportunity for public office.