Richmond

News from Richmond, California

Editor2 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:30:55 -0500

Urban Habitat and the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative collect and reproduce news articles related to Richmond California on a variety of topics. Posting of these stories does not necessarily indicate support or agreement, but relevance to the work of REDI and the collaborative partners and allies.

Organizations and individuals interested in Richmond and REDI’s work should regularly check this page for important news and are welcome to syndicate the content.

Teens show their urban planning prowess

Editor2 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:41:52 -0500

By Chris Treadway

DEVELOPERS, PLANNERS, city officials and community members have tried for years to devise a cohesive and appealing plan for the area along San Pablo Avenue at the Del Norte BART station in El Cerrito. Now, 10 students from Kennedy High School in Richmond have come up with their own ideas for the area as the culmination of their summer internship in a program sponsored by the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee.

Chevron refinery project approved - concerns raised about health risks

Editor2 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:04 -0500

By Katherine Tam

Chevron's contentious plan to replace decades-old equipment at its Richmond refinery was approved early Thursday by city leaders and denounced later that day by opponents.

A divided Richmond City Council approved Chevron's bid to replace its power plant, hydrogen plant and reformer so it can refine a wider range of crude with higher sulfur content, and produce 6 percent more California-grade gasoline. In addition, the council approved a separate agreement in which the oil company will give the city $61.6 million for more police officers, job training and other programs.

Opponents shouted "Shame on you!" and "Sell-out!" from the audience.

Try community input

Editor2 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:37:08 -0500

By MediaNews Editorial

WE ARE PLEASED that Chevron is making a major financial contribution to the Richmond community where it operates the Bay Area's largest refinery. But the way the company struck it's $61.6 million community benefits deal smells — and the stink is coming from both sides of the table.

Opponents sue Richmond, Chevron

Editor2 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:54:12 -0500

By Katherine Tam

The lawsuit comes six weeks after a sharply divided City Council approved the contentious project, along with a $61 million community benefits agreement for Chevron to give funds for public safety, job training, health care and local groups. Officials drew more public criticism July 29 after council members Nat Bates, Ludmyrna Lopez, John Marquez, Harpreet Sandhu and Maria Viramontes appointed Bates, Lopez and Sandhu — with Marquez as an alternate — to a committee that would disperse $10 million from Chevron to local groups.

Smoke Stacks Spew Green in Richmond

Editor2 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:40:36 -0500

By John Geluardi

Newspaper reporters who cover the city of Richmond like to say it’s a great town to write about because of the “Three Cs,” which refers to crime, corruption and Chevron.

The Richmond City Council has long been an easy date for any organization or business willing to plow money back into re-election campaigns.

Rep. George Miller tours Richmond BUILD Training Program

Editor2 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:47:47 -0500

Congressman to view City of Richmond’s nationally recognized “Best Practices” program

Richmond, CALIF – Congressman George Miller will visit and meet with students at the Richmond BUILD Construction Skills & Solar Installation training program. Richmond BUILD has received local, national and international recognition as a “best practice” Green-Collar Job training program. To date, 19 graduates (20% of the program’s total graduates) have obtained a Green-Collar job, 16 of whom obtained professional Solar Installation jobs.

Try community input

Editor2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

MediaNews editorial

WE ARE PLEASED that Chevron is making a major financial contribution to the Richmond community where it operates the Bay Area's largest refinery. But the way the company struck it's $61.6 million community benefits deal smells — and the stink is coming from both sides of the table.

El Cerrito to purchase furniture store site

Editor2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Shelly Meron

After 72 years on San Pablo Avenue, the owner of Tradeway Furniture said the store will be closing its doors in about a year, after agreeing to sell its buildings to the City of El Cerrito.

"It's an emotional thing," said owner Joseph Conwill. "We'll certainly miss all of our friends and customers. But the time has come."

The sale of 10860 and 10848 San Pablo Ave. — at $4.05 million — was approved by the City Council earlier this week. The city used money from its low-moderate income housing fund for the purchase, and is obligated to use the property for low and moderate income housing. The details of the project have not been nailed down.

Health Officials Say Campus Bay Safe for Current Use, Not Homes

Editor2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Richard Brenneman

While state and county health officials said a chemically contaminated site in southeast Richmond poses no dangers to their current users, concerns remain about past users and those to come.

They also acknowledge that their findings don’t include the possible interactions between the more than 100 toxic metals and chemicals found at the site.

Ethel Dotson, who initiated the Community Advisory Group [CAG] now advising the state about cleanups at Campus Bay and UC Berkeley’s Richmond Field Station, died Nov. 1 in the firm conviction her cancer was caused by exposure during her childhood.