The following letter was sent to the West County Times today by former Mayor Rosemary Corbin. Corbin served as mayor from 1993 to 2001 and was, among other achievements, a champion of community policing. During her term, Richmond homicides reached an all-time low in recent history, dropping from a high in 1992 of 62 to 26 in 1995, a drop of 58 percent.

West County Times

4301 Lakeside Dr.

Richmond, CA 94806

Readers Forum:

The current Majority on the Richmond City Council has made a series of bad decisions: unopenable windows at City Hall, causing higher energy costs; destruction of the Design Review Board in order to limit public input into the planning process; an offer of Richmond public services to the proposed Indian Casino in unincorporated North Richmond, over the objection of The County; refusal to require Chevron to provide a necessary link in the Bay Trail; refusal to require appropriate mitigation from Chevron for its pollution-increasing retrofit.

The only current Richmond City Council member who deserves to be re-elected is Tom Butt. He led the opposition to all of the above, and he consistently demonstrates his ability to listen, study, and craft appropriate solutions for our City.

I also recommend Jovanka Beckles, who is an active member of her neighborhood council and a local businesswoman. She has a great deal of experience helping young people find employment, and she is committed to environmental protection. And, finally, I recommend Dr. Jeff Ritterman, a cardiologist who has spent his entire adult life caring for people, both professionally and as a volunteer. He will work for a safe and productive Richmond.

Thank you,

Rosemary M. Corbin

Former Mayor of Richmond

114 Crest Ave.

Richmond, CA 94801

510-235-5779