I have been informed that the Draft EIR for the Chevron Refinery Modernization Project will be available at http://chevronmodernization.com at 9:00 AM this morning. Public review will begin March 18 and end May 2, 2014. A Study Session will be held at the April 3,...

On March 11, I shared the results of a poll of E-FORUM readers about raising the minimum wage in Richmond; see Public Favors $11.00 Minimum Wage, March 11, 2014. I got 58 responses, and all but seven were in favor of Richmond adopting a minimum wage. The most, twenty,...

The following was received from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce this morning. There were 18 responses, nine of which did not support raising the minimum wage in Richmond beyond state levels. From: Christina Phipps [mailto:chris@rcoc.com] Sent: Monday, March 17, 2014...

Mayor and City Councilmembers: This is the weekly report for the week ending March 14, 2014. Meeting Notes The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM. South...

The latest on California politics and government March 16, 2014 California energy official says state wasn't aware of crude by rail facilities A California Energy Commission official Friday said the agency wasn't aware that the state had become a destination for crude...

Since I published Richmond Residents Overwhelmingly Reject LED Billboards, March 11, 2014, another 28 people have weighed in. Twenty-five are against LED billboards while three favor them, at least at Hilltop. One reader remarks about how you don’t see them across the...

In an election year with everyone on the City Council but me campaigning for something, I suppose it’s not surprising that the fear of losing an election has overtaken the satisfaction of making rational choices. The entire City Council seems to have adopted the “The...

The agenda item referred to in Mr. Lindsay’s email below was placed on the agenda by Nat Bates (F-2 Vote of no confidence in the performance of: (1) Tim Jones, RHA Executive Director, and (2) Kathleen Jones, RHA Administrative Staff - Commissioner Bates). Mayor and...

So far, I have received 98 responses to my invitation to weigh in on LED billboards in Richmond (LED Billboards Coming to Richmond Highways and Byways?, March 10, 2014). Eighty-seven persons are opposed, and nine persons support, most with conditions. The biggest...

I asked E-FORUM Readers to respond to Your Thoughts on Increasing the Minimum Wage in Richmond? March 06, 2014, with their suggestions of what a minimum wage should be, and if we should even go there. The item is supposed to appear on the March 18 agenda. I got 58...

I have been among the few who has looked at HUD funding as the root cause of the RHA problems instead of pillaring RHA Director Tim Jones and his staff or various City Council members. I have always agreed that the RHA needs to make improvements, and they have come a...

Richmond is now an open city for marijuana cultivation on an industrial scale. The precedent was set by an industrial grower in a M-1 zoned district across the street from an elementary school. Richmond has a generous marijuana ordinance that allows six dispensaries...

OPINION: Richmond’s investment in youth development is path to ending gun violence By DeVone BogganPosted February 27, 2014 12:00 pm When I arrived here seven years ago as Neighborhood Safety Director, Richmond was under (gun)fire, literally. Since that time, city...

I hope you will sign up again this year to attend the annual fundraiser for Rosie the Riveter Trust. invitation is shown below. Every year, Rosie the Riveter Trust calls on supporters of Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park to contribute to the...

According to Jean Buckley, the City's financial advisor, S&P upgraded the City’s Issuer Credit Rating by one notch from A+ to AA- , classified as “high grade,” and further defined as “An obligor has VERY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It...

The soulful sounds of folk duo Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman return to Point Richmond Acoustic on Friday, March 14, 2014 at 8 pm. Winners of seven SAMMY Awards, the duo’s notable appearances include The Today Show, A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, Big Top...

Probably before the end of 2014, the Richmond City Council will be grappling with the issue of LED (light emitting diode) billboards in Richmond. Pressure is mounting from more than one source. I am requesting E-FORUM readers to let me know whether you support or...

Eye on the East Bay: Richmond council grouchiness reaches another nadir Contra Costa Times Posted: 03/09/2014 12:00:00 AM PST "SHUT 'EM DOWN!": Election year is upon us in Richmond, which means The Eye must endure dysfunction beyond the usual circus at City Council...

Mayor and City Councilmembers: This is the weekly report for the week ending March 7, 2014. Meeting Notes The next meeting of the City Council meeting is a special meeting of the Housing Authority, scheduled for Wednesday, March 12th at 6:30 PM. Personnel Notes: Chris...

The reality of Richmond’s public housing is a lot like the parable of “feeling the elephant,” an ancient tale wherein a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one feels a different part, but only one part, such as the...