A Whale of a Tale
Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads A whale of a tale or two 'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved On nights like this with the moon above A whale of a tale and it's all true I swear by my tattoo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Whale_of_a_Tale)...
In Resolution Sponsored by Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, U.S. Mayors Affirm Support for Cities’ Right to Sue Fossil Fuel Corporations for Climate Damages
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 9, 2022 U.S. Mayors Affirm Support for Cities’ Right to Sue Fossil Fuel Corporations for Climate Damages U.S. Conference of Mayors Calls Efforts by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Curb Court Access “A Direct Threat to Municipal and Taxpayer...
Outreach Request: Bay Ferry 2050 Community Advisory Group
I am reaching out to you on behalf of Bay Ferry 2050, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority’s 2050 Service Vision and Business Planning effort. Are there public transit advocates/representatives who would want to participate on the Bay...
Dysfunctional City Council
As with most recent City Council meetings, we adjourned last night without dealing with multiple agenda items, some of which have been continuously held over for weeks. And it was not for lack of time. The City Council met for 7 hours, beginning at 4:30 PM in closed...
Waste of Taxpayer Money
After spending $400,000 investigating and suing me, the RPA City Council members dismissed the lawsuit. Just before that, they sold Point Molate for $400. You get what you vote for!
The Price of Gas
I was recently in Arkansas, about 500 miles from the closest refinery. Gas prices are about half what they are in California, where I live across the street from a refinery. I have been shopping for an electric vehicle (I have a hybrid now), but the ones I want are...
Former RPA City Council Member Endorses Shawn Dunning for Mayor
Figure 1 - Shawn Dunning Figure 2 – Dr. Jeff Ritterman Former city council and RPA member Jeff Ritterman endorsed Shawn Dunning for mayor of Richmond, penning the following: Hello, my name is Jeff Ritterman. Some of you might know me from my work as a cardiologist at...
USW Local 5 Chevron Strike Ends
The Chevron Richmond Refinery and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5 announced on May 28, 2022, that USW membership has ratified a new agreement. USW employees will return to work over the upcoming weeks. See https://richmond.chevron.com/uswstrike for details.
Mayors Letter to Senate on Gun Safety Action
I joined 218 mayors in signing the following letter: Mayors Letter to Senate on Gun Safety Action (May 2022) Signed-On: 218 In response to the recent tragedies in Uvalde and Buffalo and the continuing increase in gun violence that is plaguing our cities and our people...
SunCal Point Molate Complaint
Click here for a copy of theSunCal Point Molate Complaint.
SunCal sues city of Richmond over Point Molate
As expected, SunCal has filed a lawsuit against the City of Richmond, which will cost the City millions to litigate and perhaps tens of millions to settle or pay a judgment. Stopping Point Molate development is perhaps the highest public policy priority for the...
City Council Approves Fatally Flawed “Quarry Project”
By a narrow 4-2-1 vote on May 24, 2022, (McLaughlin, Jimenez, Willis and Johnson voting “yes” and bates abstaining) the City Council approved a project with 76 tightly packed single-family homes in the former quarry west of Seacliff Drive. The Original Project,...
MCE Board Update – May 2022
Learn how MCE is advancing equitable access to clean transportation. Board and Municipal Update May 2022 I wanted to share some recent news, achievements and upcoming opportunities regarding MCE and the communities we serve. If you have any questions about these...
Point Molate to Become Indian Country
The latest news is that SunCal fell short on their attempt to close the purchase of Point Molate by May 21. Apparently, the City of Richmond will proceed to closing the Point Molate purchase for $400 with Upstream and the Guidiville Band of the Pomo Indians. The new...
Who Ended Up With Point Molate?
As the deadline for SunCal to purchase Point Molate for $45 million came and went on May 21, 2022, the giddy Richmond Progressive Alliance and its alter ego, the Point Molate Alliance, continue to gloat over their perceived victory, the celebration of which may,...
Media Coverage of Point Molate
San Francisco Business Times:As a crucial project deadline fast approaches, Richmond braces for legal blowback over Point Molate Point Molate. SunCal has until May 21 to close on the sale of the land at the site — a deadline city officials say they do not believe the...
Try Richmond Moves!
We may be biased, but we think you should give us a try. Here are a few reasons why: Affordable. Rides cost $2 each. Students and seniors ride for FREE. Safe. We put a number of safety measures in place, including plexiglass partitions in all vehicles and a cap on the...
“Greenway” Documentary Premiere Invitation
From: Jed Terrence Lee BS <jedtlee@berkeley.edu> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 7:00 PM To: Tom Butt <tom.butt@intres.com> Cc: richmondgreenwayfilm@gmail.com Subject: "Greenway" Documentary Premiere Invitation Dear Mayor Butt, Hope you are doing well. I’m...
Point Molate to Sell for $400!
At last night’ City Council meeting, the four RPA City Council members (McLaughlin, Jimenez, Willis and Martinez) voted to end the attempt by SunCal (Wineheven LLC) to purchase the developable portion of Point Molate for $45 million. Bates and I dissented, and Johnson...
Point Molate Showdown Tonight
The RPA-controlled City Council is playing a dangerous game that will most likely cost the City of Richmond tens of millions of dollars and ignite new litigation that could continue for years, costing the City of Richmond even more. In Item V.6, “Point Molate DDA...