Tran Legislation Quietly Passes to Governor for Signature
After all the hoopla, chest beating and reciprocal blaming, the TRAN legislation (AB 343, An act to add and repeal Section 53856.2 of the Government Code, relating to temporary borrowing by the City of Richmond, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect...
Former Chief Samuels Surfaces in Orlando
Following are stories from the West County Times and the Orlando Sentinel about former Richmond Police Chief Joseph Samuels accepting a Federal security appointment at Orlando International Airport. WEST COUNTY TIMES, July 1, 2004 Richmond Former police chief takes...
Summer Events Not to Miss – Fireworks and More
CITY"S ANNUAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT THE MARINA The City of Richmond will host its annual "Third of July Fireworks Display" on Saturday, July 3, 2004, 9:00pm, along the Richmond Marina. Attendees should arrive early for the best spots, and bring a blanket. For...
Last of Three Railroad Initiatives on City Council Agenda
On April 13, 2004, the City Council passed Resolution 62-04, authorizing certain actions intended to result in the establishment of Quiet Zones at grade crossings where rail traffic passes through Richmond and to provide a solution to the long trains that back up...
Voters Pan City Council and City Management Support Tax Increase
In preparation for consideration of potential ballot issues to raise additional revenue, the Richmond City Council authorized retention of Evans/McDonough Company, Incorporated, to poll a random sample of 403 likely Richmond voters. The Evans of Evans/McDonough is...
Whiskey to Beer
Like an alcoholic pronouncing himself sober after switching from a bottle of whiskey to a case of beer, the Richmond City Council congratulated itself and City staff for producing and adopting a "balanced" budget for FY 2004-2005. The vote was 7-2, with Butt and Bates...
Fathers Day
It is my own sixtieth year and as fitting a time as any to recognize this Fathers Day by remembering my own father, who died four years ago, a couple of months after his 83rd birthday. My father, Thomas Franklin Butt was born March 26, 1917, in Eureka Springs,...
Virtual Richmond
Keeping up with issues and events in Richmond"s diverse and far flung neighborhoods is much facilitated by the Internet. Many neighborhood councils either have websites or distribute newsletters via email. Those with websites include: North and East Neighborhood...
Juneteenth Survives Budget Cuts
National Brotherhood Alliance Brings the Community Together to Save Juneteenth in Richmond The National Brotherhood Alliance and other community partners present Juneteenth Family Day, Saturday, June 19, 2004, 11:00 am-4:00 pm, Nichol Park on 30th and McDonald Avenue...
More on Council Downsizing
The following is from today"s San Francisco Chronicle: SACRAMENTO Senate turns down Richmond bailout request - Kelly St. John, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, June 18, 2004 The Richmond City Council's recent flip-flops over whether to cut its membership from nine to...
Does Size Matter?
Council size reduction might be called the "third rail of Richmond politics." It was on the ballot in 1993 and was rejected along with ward representation, by the voters. The idea, however, didn"t die. Rumors were rife in late 2003 about an initiative campaign,...
City’s SAP System Remains Under Siege
Following is an article from today"s East Bay Express that sheds additional light on the acquisition of the City"s SAP system and the ongoing challenges of making it perform. The article can also be found at...
Fire on Nicholl Knob and a Tribute to Goats
When we first moved to Point Richmond some 30 years ago, the annual fireworks were hosted by the Richmond Fire Department from the top of Nicholl Knob. A natural result of the display was that the falling cinders set the hill aflame, sort of an encore to the main...
Update on Industrial Safety Plans
Richmond residents can find out what kind of safety programs exist at local chemical facilities and refineries and make suggestions about how to prevent accidental releases at two public meetings this month. Contra Costa Health Services' Hazardous Materials Programs...
Point Richmond Summer Music Festival Starts This Friday Evening
The third annual Point Richmond Summer Music Festival debuts on Friday, June 11, 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, at Baltic Square in Point Richmond. This is the first in a series of monthly concerts that goes through September. For details, see...
REDF Newsletter
The Richmond Environmental Defense Fund is growing increasingly active in matters related to the environmental impact of land use decisions in Richmond and to the administration and enforcement of mitigation monitoring required for projects under construction. To view...
Budget Presentations Offer Window Into History of Richmond”s Fiscal Problems
The first City Council hearing specifically on the 2004-2005 budget began yesterday with a standing ovation by City Council members after Interim City Manager Leveron Bryant and Finance Director Pat Samsell announced a balanced budget and the end of layoffs as we know...
Rosies Converge on Richmond
On a beautiful day washed by warm breezes in front of Richmond"s interim City Hall at Marina Bay, perhaps a hundred or more Rosies proudly joined several hundred others in the ribbon cutting for the opening of the temporary Visitor Center for the Rosie the Riveter...
Battle of the Budget Begins
With a little over three weeks until the start of fiscal year 2004-2005, the preliminary General fund budget for FY 2004-2005, as well as forecast for the following two fiscal years, has been distributed to City Council members. A copy is attached to this email as a...
Dwelling on the Past or Embracing the Future?
Today is June 1, and 29 days from now on June 30, the City Council is supposed to adopt the budget for fiscal year 2004-2005. Usually, sometime in May, we start seeing the general outlines of a budget, and by early June, we are fighting over details. This year, we are...