An E-FORUM reader asked me this morning, "I thought that an agreement was reached to look into Chevron's finances to determine once and for all if they were "paying their fair share." If I recall, the sticking point was around the notion of Councilmembers signing...

We have just been informed that the U.S. Coast Guard, a branch of the Homeland Security Agency, has refused to issue Richmond a permit for what has become the traditional July 3 fireworks at Marina Bay. Although July 3 fireworks have become a Richmond tradition and...

In the September 12, 2003, E-Forum, Richmond Hosts America Cup Yachts, I wrote about Americas Cup contenders at Richmond"s KKMI boatyard. Richmond"s reputation as a waterfront city serving the maritime community and creating good paying jobs for workers skilled in...

With the addition of two homicides last night, Richmond"s annualized rate has climbed to 39.18, edging out 2003 as the second highest on record in the last 10 years, but hopefully far below the decade"s record of 52 in 1994. Media attention continues, focused on...

The media continue to make the case for a cause and effect relationship between the call for a STATE OF EMERGENCY and the allocation of millions of dollars for police, fire recreation and libraries in the City of Richmond. I continue to maintain that there is no news...

The Final Rule on Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, which allows the establishment of Quiet Zones, goes into effect tomorrow, June 24, 2005. For more information, see TOM BUTT E-FORUM February 4, 2005, Quiet Zones and Long Trains. The time has...

As the drumbeat for a STATE OF EMERGENCY continues to sound in Richmond, I thought I would share the responses from the June 17, 2005, HOMICIDE RATE FALLS, STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED. Since June 17, there have been three additional homicides in Richmond, bringing the...

The big news the last couple days has been the call for "a state of emergency" over homicides in Richmond. While there is no question that Richmond is and has been for way too long the venue for too many homicides, it would be instructive to actually consider the...

MEMORIES OF THE HOME FRONT On Tuesday, June 14, about 65 former Rosies from all over and a host of other dignitaries gathered at Richmond"s Rosie the Riveter Memorial to celebrate the release of a book of wartime memories, "Memories of the Home Front," compiled by...

At last night's WCCUSDSchool Board meeting, Superintendent Gloria Johnston announced that she will retire on August 15, 2005. This news release was passed out at the meeting: Dr. Gloria Johnston, Superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District,...

Rosie the Riveter Trust is seeking donations of approximately $18,000 to pay for materials needed to construct a foundation required for moving the 200-ton historic whirly crane from Levin Richmond Terminal to Shipyard 3. The foundation expense is part of a $150,000...

Following is a story from today"s West County Times. The substance of my complaints about Cromartie were often scoffed at, even by my City Council colleagues, who, found my concerns suspect and, largely due to Cromartie"s successful self-promotion, perceived him as an...

See you Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Baltic Square in historic Point Richmond for the kickoff of the summer concert series, an official activity of the Richmond Centennial celebration. Whether you're into the smooth jazz of Anna Maria Flechero or the complex...

In a brief letter dated June 3, 2005, Peter P. Edrington, the attorney retained to investigate charges of harassment against me by former Planning Director Barry Cromartie, wrote, "With the knowledge and concurrence of the City Manager, we are closing our file into...

As other waterfront cities ramp up efforts to secure a coveted ferry terminal site, Richmond, with its 32 miles of shoreline is strangely silent. See yesterday"s article below from the Berkeley Daily Planet. What you can do: Contact the Mayor and City Council members...

FERRY POINT TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC BUT OPEN FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS JUNE 6 TO LATE JULY Construction will begin about June 6 inside Ferry Point Tunnel Construction will begin about June 6 inside Ferry Point Tunnel to double the width of...

Don"t forget your 2 free trash pickups First pickup period ends this month Although the service description on the back of their monthly invoices makes no mention of it, Richmond Sanitary makes 2 free trash pickups a year, one in the 1st 6 months and the second in the...

Not far from Atchison Village at the western end of the Iron Triangle, employing 150 people, is the largest event production company in California outside Los Angeles, Hartmann Studios, Inc. For a quick orientation into what they do, click on...

According to the East Bay Business Times, Richmond"s Employment and Training Department, which is advised by an organization called the Workforce Investment Board made up of volunteers appointed by the Mayor, is lean and mean. This is good news, but of you are looking...

Richmond City Council Member Mindell Penn announced yesterday that she will be resigning her seat on the Richmond City Council at the end of June to move to Detroit to be with her elderly mother. Penn, who was first elected in 1999, as top vote-getter, and reelected...