Judge Breyer just granted the City's motion to dismiss the banks' lawsuit "for lack of jurisdiction." More later. So far, the City leads the banks 2-0 in court decisions regarding using eminent domain for mortgage acquisition.

For pertinent orders, see www.tombutt.com/pdf/fed court 1.pdf and www.tombutt.com/pdf/fed court 2.pdf.

Click on Business Times Richmond Supplement to see a nice all-Richmond supplement to the San Francisco Business Times.

Peter Dreier: Richmond, California Defies Wall Street to Help Homeowners Despite enormous pressure from Wall Street and real estate lobby groups, the Richmond, California City Council voted Tuesday night (actually, after 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning) to take the next...

The Tuesday, September 17, 2013, Successor Agency to the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency/Richmond City Council Regular Agenda/ Packet is on the web. Follow the link below to view: http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/meet.aspx

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Point Richmond Music Presents Orquesta Dharma & Viento y Marea on Friday, 9/13 Point Richmond Music (PRM) wraps up its 2013 season in September with TWO free concerts! On Friday, September 13,...

For Immediate Release: September 11, 2013 Media Contact: David Yogi, yogi.david@epa.gov , 415-972-3350 EPA Awards $60,000 in Environmental Justice Grants to Northern California Projects Organizations focus on issues in Oakland, Richmond; $1.1 Million Awarded to Groups...

First indication from federal court—Judge Breyer did NOT grant the preliminary injunction. “Not ripe for determination” as the City argued. Supplemental briefing requested on whether banks’ complaint should be dismissed, or merely stayed in the event the matter became...

Judge: Wall Street suit against Richmond's eminent domain plan is premature By Robert Rogers Contra Costa Times Posted: 09/12/2013 11:38:26 AM PDT | Updated: 10 min. ago Richmond residents and homeowners attend a city council meeting at Richmond Memorial Auditorium in...

Richmond: Divided City Council votes to stay on course with plan to use eminent domain to seize mortgages By Robert Rogers Contra Costa Times Posted: 09/10/2013 10:11:09 PM PDT Updated: 09/11/2013 11:07:31 AM PDT...

I had an interesting trip today on a trial run to establish time of a potential water taxi service from Richmond to San Francisco. The company is Tideline Marine Group, which currently offers service along the San Francisco waterfront and from Tiburon, Angel Island,...

Tom Butt is a solon I truly admire So I turn to you today To share my heart's desire Let me be truthful And let me be plain. On Tuesday - tomorrow - Vote for eminent domain. It's smart and it's bold it will help people out Homeowners in Richmond Will benefit, no...

At the Craneway Pavilion on September 29th. Jackson Browne is staging a benefit concert to help a wonderful local non-profit, Los Centzontles. David Hidalgo of Los Lobos will also perform. Details below. Jackson Browne & David Hidalgo Benefit concert for Los...

Nonprofit installs solar panels on inner-city homes in Richmond By Mark Boyer Contra Costa Times Posted: 09/09/2013 11:45:02 AM PDT | Updated: about 8 hours ago RICHMOND -- A big smile spread across Raul Valencia's face as he watched volunteer workers prepare to...

Fair housing groups ask courts to squelch investor lawsuit against Richmond By Robert Rogers Monday, September 9th, 2013 at 5:04 pm Fair Housing Groups Ask Court to Deny Banks’ Effort to Stop Richmond’s Mortgage Rescue Plan Industry threats constitute illegal,...

EMINENT DOMAIN AND CASPERS: The battle over whether to use eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages from lenders and keep residents in their homes is heating up in Richmond. So the pregame is going to the logical place: Caspers Hot Dogs, aka "City Hall West." The...

Mayor and City Council: This is the weekly report for the week ending September 6th, 2013. 1. Meeting Notes The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM....

The Tuesday, September 10, 2013, Richmond City Council Special Regular Agenda/Packet is on the web. Follow the link below to view: http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/meet.aspx

Both sides in Richmond eminent domain plan set for showdown at City Council meeting By Robert Rogers Contra Costa Times Posted: 09/06/2013 12:00:00 AM PDT | Updated: about 12 hours ago RICHMOND -- Reeling from legal and financial challenges and mortgage...