I was asked by Chevron-funded 4Richmond to publicize a visit by Willie Brown to Richmond hosted by 4Richmond to celebrate Black History Month. We will be honoring a number of African-American Richmond residents at our next City Council meeting to recognize Black History Month, but as far as I know, Willie Brown will not be among them.
First of all, he is not a Richmond resident, but that is not the main reason.
Willie Brown has appeared in Richmond a number of times over the last few years, but mostly for the wrong reasons.
In 2004, he appeared to lobby for Chevron.
In 2010, paid by PG&E, Brown lobbied for Proposition 16 and against Consumer Choice Aggregation, the electrical energy program that brought MCE to Richmond and saved Richmond ratepayers $2 million in 2014.
In 2012, Brown appeared in Richmond to campaign against the soda tax, against the Richmond Progressive Alliance and for Nat Bates and Corky Booze.
Robert Rogers of the Contra Costa Times wrote, “He [Brown] railed against the current political coalition, backed by the Richmond Progressive Alliance, and told supporters that he felt more disdain ‘from progressives than conservatives when he led San Francisco. Brown praised Councilmen Nat Bates and Corky Booze, whom he called "the most resilient cat I know.’"
In 2014, he endorsed Nat Bates for mayor.
As it turns out, None of Brown’s candidates won their elections.
There is no question that Willie Brown is an icon, but he is not Richmond’s icon. We have plenty of home grown icons and great leaders and do not have to import Brown for Black History Month.
You would think that 4Richmond would be more sensitive to the current political leadership in Richmond and not shove Brown in their face.
Following is the email from 4Richmond Director Kyra Worthy:
From: kyra.4richmond.org@gmail.com [mailto:kyra.4richmond.org@gmail.com] On Behalf Of kyra worthy
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 6:47 PM
To: Butt, Tom
Subject: For Richmond to Host the Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. during Black History Month | For Richmond
Greetings Mayor Butt,
Can you please share this information on your e-forum for Richmond residents 19-30 years of age.
http://4richmond.org/for-richmond-to-host-the-honorable-willie-l-brown-jr-during-black-history-month/
Thanks!
Regards,
~ kw
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Kyra Worthy
Executive Director
For Richmond
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