The "temporary" City Council chamber in the "temporary" City hall debuted last night with the crowd, perhaps appropriately, a little more rowdy than usual. (Photos are attached to this E-Forum as PDF files) The chamber looked anything but temporary with expensive...

Now, you can search for an item on the agenda by key word, then watch a video of the entire City Council debate on line. See the first launch of the City of Richmond's Council meeting streaming video web page. You will note the Jump to drop down menu where you may...

Yet another Town Meeting occurred yesterday to explore the impact of the approximately 200 layoffs expected to be implemented next week (See attached stories from the San Francisco Chronicle and West County Times). Hardest hit are the Library and Parks and Recreation....

The May 5, 2004, East Bay Express, in its "Best of the East Bay" edition was kind (or perverse) enough to select me as the "Best Local Politician." I am not sure whether this is a compliment or a joke, so decide for yourself. At any rate, they did spell my name right,...

In August 2005, Richmond will celebrate the centennial of its incorporation. Richmond was a relative late comer among Bay Area cities because the complex litigation resolving the tangled ownership of property in the Rancho San Pablo Mexican land grant. No one wanted...

Following are two recent articles from Western City, the magazine of the California League of Cities. Both articles tell how cities can successfully use surveys and polling to build public support for budgeting, strategic plans and revenue enhancement initiatives. The...

For anyone who might have missed it, an editorial from the April 23 San Francisco Chronicle is reproduced below. It emphasizes the absurdity with which the State is treating the WCCUSD "debt" that is now over a decade old and which has cost the children of West Contra...

OAKLAND EAST BAY SYMPHONY West County Concert Series 2004 Concert Series Concludes with the Family Concert Featuring Local Choirs The City of Richmond will host the final of three concerts, Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) West County Concert Series. The performance...

Buried in the tempestuous activities of yet another seven-hour City Council meeting focusing on layoffs and the City"s fiscal crisis was a unanimous vote on April 14 to authorize staff to initiate legal work to create Quiet Zones in Richmond and seek assistance from...

Earlier Today, in an E-Forum entitled "SECRET MOVES TOWARD GAMBLING AT POINT MOLATE," I reported an apparent effort to secure special legislation related to a tribal casino at Point Molate. Although the letter on which the piece was based, was not clearly written, it...

I have received requests and demands for corrections, retractions and apologies from several people regarding this morning"s E-Forum "SECRET MOVES TOWARD GAMBLING AT POINT MOLATE," and the follow-up "CASINOS AND LEGISLATION CLARIFIED " OR MAYBE NOT." In order to...

According to a letter to Mayor Anderson and City Council Members, dated April 4, 2004, from Daniel E. Boatwright of Sacramento Advocates, the City of Richmond"s paid lobbyist, discussions were held with Steve Duran, Jay Corey and Mayor Anderson in March about locating...

A new website, http://www.ssredoakvictory.org/, designed by Richmond"s premier webmaster, Sincere Design, is now open to describe the restoration of the Red Oak Victory and the many upcoming events open to the public. Launched on November 9, 1944, and commissioned as...

You are Invited to a Neighborhood Open House Bay Trail Interpretive Signage Project The Richmond Redevelopment Agency and the National Park Service are planning interpretive signs about Richmond"s WWII history along the waterfront. We are exploring a variety of themes...

As the City"s financial crises enters its third month, I continue to receive pleas from residents (and non residents) to save endangered programs " particularly the Richmond Swim Center, community centers and the Library. See today"s West County Times "Budget makes...

Frequently, residents inquire about how to get a "speed bump" (speed control undulation) installed. In 1996, the City Council passed Resolution 62-96 that prescribes the procedure, which is copied below. There are, however, some updates and helpful hints: The...

The Red Oak Victory was built in Richmond some 60 years ago and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park. It is undergoing restoration at the foot of Dornan Drive...

A report on the impact of closing Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo is now available. Contra Costa Health Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency directed the report. It was conducted by the Abaris Group, a Walnut Creek consulting firm. The full report and...

Oakland Releaf, a non-profit organization that has recently expanded to cover Richmond (Richmond Releaf), invites the public to participate in planting 200 trees at the Shields-Reid Community Center, 1410 Kelsey Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801, on Thursday, April 15, 2004,...

The following first quarter update on the bay Trail has been provided by TRAC (Trails for Richmond Action Committee): Since TRAC, the Trails for Richmond Action Committee, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this July, it seems appropriate to begin this first...