“Rosies” Kick Off Women’s History Month in Richmond
"Rosies" kick off Women's History Month in Richmond By Lisa P. White Contra Costa Times Posted: 03/01/2014 06:20:29 PM PST Updated: 03/01/2014 07:04:49 PM PST RICHMOND -- Five members of the dwindling sisterhood known affectionately as the "Rosies" gathered Saturday...
Contra Costa Times “Eye on the East Bay” Profiles CIR Critique
Eye on the East Bay Contra Costa Times Posted: 03/02/2014 12:00:00 AM PST Richmond's councilman journalist: The Eye has written before about the explosion of journalistic endeavors in Richmond, where every City Council meeting borders on slapstick and the streets are...
American Institute of Architects California Council Lifetime Achievement Award
I found out today That I had been selected to receive the American Institute of Architects California Council 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award. See below. The American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC) is the voice of the architecture profession,...
Center for Investigative Reporting Ignored Progress on Recovery Plan
When the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) listed numerous HUD criticisms of the Richmond Housing Authority, they neglected to mention that all of them had been distilled into a Recovery Plan prepared by HUD and adopted by the Public Housing Commission (City...
The Hacienda and More
Introduction The 150-unit Hacienda is the ground zero poster child of Amy Julia Harris’ sensational expose of Richmond’s Housing Authority, so on Friday, February 21, I went to the scene of the crime to see for myself. Resident Manager Debra Holter said she had been...
Procuring Security Services for the Richmond Housing Authority
One of the issues raised by Center for Investigative Reporting journalist Amy Julia Harris was security at Richmond’ public housing projects, particularly at Hacienda. She also reviewed HUD’s criticism of procurement by the Richmond Housing Authority (RHA). While I...
Chevron Paying Focus Groups to Critique PR Campaign
I received several emails the last couple of days from persons who had been paid $100 and a sandwich to sit in on focus groups apparently to evaluate the impact of Chevron’s full court public relations press in Richmond. I’m not sure this is surprising, or even news....
Weekly Report for the Week Ending Feburary 21st, 2014
Mayor and City Councilmembers: This is the weekly report for the week ending February 21st, 2014. Meeting Notes The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM....
February 25, 2014, Special City Council Agenda/Packet
The Agenda/Packet for the Tuesday, February 25, 2014, Special Richmond City Council Meeting is on the web. Follow the link below to view: http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/meet.aspx Want to receive TOM BUTT E-FORUM and other action alerts on Richmond political...
The Housing Authority Frenzy – Time for Cooler Heads to Prevail
In the wake of the shark feeding frenzy at the Richmond City Council last Tuesday night set off by a series of articles by a single journalist, I submit that the subject is sufficiently complex to deserve a more objective approach by the City Council. This is, first...
City Manager’s Proposed Improvement Strategy for Richmond Housing Authority
Mayor and Members of the City Council: This email is to provide you with a summary of what I am proposing as the short-term, medium-term, and long-term steps to improving the services provided by the Richmond Housing Authority. Richmond Housing Authority Improvement...
Of Ferries and Barges
Ferries and barges have been much in the news lately, because of the Google Barge construction at Treasure Island being stopped by BCDC and a Richmond developer’s proposal to bring private ferry service to Richmond. See...
Richmond Housing Authority Under Media Blitz
The City Council will request a report on this as an emergency item tomorrow night. Financial abuse, mismanagement leave housing agency on verge of takeover Feb 17, 2014 Amy Julia Harris From KQED News RICHMOND, Calif. – Richmond’s public housing agency has been...
City Manager’s Preliminary Response to Housing Authority Alegations
Mayor and Members of the City Council: This email is to begin to address for you the articles and KQED news reports regarding the Richmond Housing Authority, of which you are undoubtedly aware. First, as to the documented problems facing the Housing Authority's...
Work at Richmond Tibetan Center Speeds Up Ahead of Dalai Lama Visit
Work at Richmond Tibetan Center speeds up ahead of Dalai Lama visit By Robert Rogers Contra Costa Times Posted: 02/12/2014 08:20:43 AM PST | Updated: 4 days ago Pages of kangyur -- the translated words of Buddha, sit ready to be rolled up and put inside a... RICHMOND...
City Manager’s Weekly Report for the Week Ending February 14th, 2014
Mayor and City Councilmembers: This is the weekly report for the week ending February 14th, 2014. Meeting Notes The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM....
Richmond Mayor to Run for Council; Member of Progressive Alliance Hopes to Succeed Her
Richmond mayor to run for council; member of progressive alliance hopes to succeed her By Robert Rogers Contra Costa Times Posted: 02/13/2014 02:58:36 PM PST | Updated: 3 days ago RICHMOND -- Mayor Gayle McLaughlin will run for a City Council seat in November, and the...
Richmond Stands Out at New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Denver
I spent the last few days at the Local Government Commission New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Denver. I moderated a session entitled “Building Health Equity into All Polices,” that featured “Richmond’s Health in All Polices” program that featured Diane...
Chevron Joins News Publisher Wars in Richmond
Chevron Joins News Publisher Wars in Richmond By admin On February 12, 2014 · Leave a Comment ________________________________________ News Report, Sukey Lewis and Asha DuMonthier | New America Media RICHMOND, Calif. — There’s a good old-fashioned muckraker’s war...
Weird News – Richmond Safeguard Tub Call Center Gets Raided by Authorities
Richmond Safeguard tub call center gets raided by authorities Friday, February 07, 2014 GreenWorksUS' Richmond office raided by authorities Laura Anthony RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- A well-known tub company you've seen advertised with local celebrities on television is...