There were two events this weekend that celebrated both traditional and new Richmond institutions, but City Council members and City staff were nowhere to be seen.

The first was the 100th anniversary of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, which attracted hundreds to a celebration at the Riggers Loft. Most of the hundreds of Chamber members in Richmond are small businesses. The current City Council is anti-business and is trying to put the Riggers Loft out of business, which may explain their conspicuous absence. Only one City Council candidate, Ahmad Anderson was there.

I was disappointed to see that the City-owned historic General Warehouse, just 50 feet away from the Riggers Loft and the office of the Richmond port director, was surrounded by trash and covered with Graffiti.

Figure 1 - Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary at the Riggers Loft. Note Harpreet Sandhu representing Congressman Garamendi

Figure 2 - Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary

Figure 3 - Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary. Note Sailing Goat Chef  Arnon Oren on the right

Figure 4 - Port of Richmond-owned Historic General Warehouse surrounded by trash and covered with graffiti. This is part of Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park

Figure 5 - General Warehouse

The second events was last night at Salesians Boys and Girls Club, the 25th Anniversary Gala fundraiser of Rosie the Riveter Trust, the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, supporting projects and programs that enhance the mission of Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park by saving historic structures, such as the Maritime Child Development Center, and inspiring young people with programs such as Rosie’s Service Corps. The Trust has raised millions of dollars for such programs.

Again, there was not a single Richmond City Council member or City staff member in attendance, although several City Council members from other cities were present.

Eleven actual Rosies attended, ranging in age from 98 to 109! Each was introduced with a short summary of their Home Front experience.

Ruby Webb, a teenager from Gilbert Arizona, reprised her performance that garnered her an oratory win. The keynote speaker was Tracey Panek, Levi Strauss & Co, historian, who gave a history of Levi Strauss & Co. and the adoption of jeans at work garb by Rosies in WWII.

Figure 6 - The silent auction before dinner

Figure 7 - Some of the 11 Rosies at the event

Figure 8 - Rosie Role Call - Some of the Rosies

Figure 9 - Tom Baca of the Boilermakers supported the event with a $60,000 donation

Whan I was on the City Council and especially as mayor, I rarely missed events of civic importance like these. The Charter prescribes, among other duties, “The Mayor shall be … the ceremonial head of the City.”  In these days of RPA control of the City Council, the people of Richmond rarely see their elected officials.