Railroad Grade Crossing Blockages
I have received a number of inquiries recently from people upset about long waits at railroad grade crossings while trains are passing. Generally, people want to know what their rights are and what action they can take. Grade crossing blockages by trains are regulated...
Whom Do I Call?
I am often asked "Whom do I call in the City for _____?" Following is a list of the most commonly used contact numbers for the City of Richmond. The best place to get information without having to call anyone is via the Internet. The City's website is...
Richmond Aquatic Center Funding Moves To Front Of Line
The proposed Ferry Point Boating Instruction & Safety Center in Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline has moved to the front of the line for a $5 million California Department of Boating & Waterways (DBW) grant. The proposed facility, a collaboration among San...
Richmond City Council Resolves To Oppose The Patriot Act
At the February 25, 2003, City Council Meeting, the Richmond City Council, after listening to the passionate pleas of some 40 citizens, voted 8 ayes, 0 nays and 1 abstention to become the 48th U.S. city to oppose the Patriot Act. I was the one abstention. Based on...
Point Molate To The Highest Bidder?
After six years of waiting for the Navy to convey the former Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot to the City of Richmond, City staff is now recommending that the U.S. Government, instead, simply sell it to the highest bidder. This recommendation comes after months of secret...
Richmond Stays Alert To Terror
After Tom Ridge pushed the Orange Alert button and sent us all to Home Depot for duct tape and Visqueen, I huddled, frozen with fear along with other Richmond residents, wondering when local authorities would provide critical detailed instructions on what to do next....
Richmond Performance Evaluation A Joke?
As a member of the four person "Evaluation Committee" appointed by Mayor Anderson, I joined my three committee colleagues in breaking with tradition and recommending hiring a professional consultant to assist with the annual evaluation of one of the four City...
Richmond In The News This Week
ASTHMA Richmond was prominently featured in the regional press this week, first on February 11 in the Chronicle in an article "Asthma epidemic sickens thousands of Bay Area kids - An ill wind blows across industrial neighborhoods," in which local industries were...
Rec and Park Commissioner Opportunity
The City of Richmond Recreation and Parks Commission has several vacancies and is currently recruiting citizens who want to make a difference in the quality of life in Richmond. Application forms can be obtained from the mayor's office (510/620-6503) or the city...
The City Council and Development
Over the last month or so, I have received dozens of letters and emails urging me, as a City Council member, to oppose the "Clark Road Project." This is a proposed 144 acre development of 204 Single-Family Units near San Pablo Dam Road at Clark Road and Leisure Lane...
Garbage In – Garbage Out
A little publicized proposed amendment to the Franchise Agreement between the City of Richmond and Richmond Sanitary Service is on the City Council Agenda for February 11, 2003. The action has been touted by the administration as a win-win opportunity for the City to...
Bay Trail For The Birds
Sunday--March 2, 2003, Richmond Bay Trail: Join Phil Maynard and Steve Linsley on Sunday, March 2nd for their annual Richmond Shoreline Bird Blitz. Learn to identify shore birds and waterfowl. In past years we have identified 50+ species. Good for beginners and expert...
More Bay Trail For The Birds
On Sunday, March 9, Kathy Jarrett of Golden Gate Audubon Society is leading a Bay Trail birding trip using bicycles for transportation between Berkeley's Aquatic Park and Richmond's Marina Bay and return. If this interest you, please see the details below. Sunday...
Richmond Art Center Exhibit Headlines San Francisco Chronicle
Once again, the Richmond Art Center demonstrated its regional drawing power by dominating the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle February 5 "Datebook" Section. The full text of the article follows. All are invited to attend the reception for the artists...
City Moves Into Real Estate Speculation
In a City that has a long reputation for dubious decisions, Richmond may have trumped itself last night when eight of nine City Council members voted to make the City a real estate speculator by borrowing $35 million and tapping into $1.4 million of Richmond Housing...
Black History Month Art Exhibit – Inventors and History Makers
WHAT: In Celebration of Black History: Inventors and History Makers An art exhibit celebrating African American scientists, inventors, artists, civil rights leaders and other history makers. For additional information, contact Ann Schnake (510)374-7082 WHERE: Richmond...
Oakland East Bay Symphony Sets Richmond Attendance Record
If somebody ever told me I'd be writing music reviews, I would have told them they're crazy. But here goes: It was Saturday evening, about 6:45 PM. I knew something was up when I spotted virtually every motorist headed north on 23rd Street looking at maps and talking...
Point Richmond Summer Concert Planning Begins
The kickoff meeting for planning the 2003 Point Richmond Summer Concert Series will take place on Wednesday, January 29, 5:30 PM at Interactive Resources Conference Room, 117 Park Place, Point Richmond. Anyone interested in participating in this volunteer-driven...
Richmond Leads All Cities in Bay Trail Construction
Richmond has become the Bay Trail City with more spine Bay Trail built than any other city on this planned 400-mile recreation and transportation corridor encircling San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. In 2002 Richmond reached a milestone by completing half of its...
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors – or Do They?
A major project underway in the Planning Department is reviewing the current restrictions on fences for residential properties. The entire content of the current ordinance section on fencing, 15.04.810.033, is copied at the end of this narrative. Currently,...