“People of Richmond” is a regular series in which reporters pose a question to people in the community. Answers are presented verbatim, though sometimes edited for brevity. Q: What should Richmond do with the $550 million Chevron has agreed to pay over the next decade? Ricardo Sanchez “They could be major funders for the school district because schools are generally understaffed all the time. And there’s also not enough funds for kids to have their supplies. Sometimes they don’t have…
The Richmond Progressive Alliance has held a majority on the City Council since 2020 and held at least half of the seats for the past 10 years. This year, there were three seats up for election, which has the potential to flip the council. Early returns showed two RPA candidates — incumbent Claudia Jiménez and Sue Wilson — leading their opponents. A third, Melvin Willis, was in second place after all precincts had reported around 1:10 a.m. Wednesday. At an…
Jovanka Beckles and Jesse Arreguín are running for the District 7 California state Senate seat, which covers Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Incumbent Nancy Skinner, who is not seeking reelection, represents the same geographic region, which was called District 9 before redistricting occurred in 2021. Richmond Confidential interviewed the two candidates, both Democrats. Here is a summary of their responses. Jesse Arreguín, Berkeley mayor Jovanka Beckles, AC Transit director What are your top three priorities as state senator? Arreguin said…
This year, there are three seats up for election on the West Contra Costa Unified School District board, but only the Area 2 race will appear on the ballot. The other two candidates are running unopposed and will automatically get the seats. For her second term, Incumbent Jamela Smith-Folds will represent Area 1, which includes part of Hercules, Pinole and the Hilltop neighborhood of Richmond. Incumbent Mister Phillips is leaving the board, saying he needs a break after eight years…
George Ellis walked down Sixth Street, greeting neighbors he passed in a community he has called home for decades. While he and his wife hung a poster of the City Council candidate they both planned to vote for, Ellis couldn’t remember the candidate’s name. “I need to get more in-depth and do more reading. I know I should,” he said, confessing his lack of knowledge about this year’s election. At the nearby Nevin Community Center, which also is an Election…
District 5 City Council candidates fielded questions Tuesday night on issues ranging from police funding and environmental concerns to plans for diversifying city revenue and reducing reliance on Chevron, Richmond’s largest employer. The chairs in Richmond’s Eastern Hall Methodist Church were just over half full, with about 40 community members, organizers, and journalists. Another 30 people joined the discussion virtually. The forum was co-hosted by Richmond Confidential, Richmondside, The Contra Costa Pulse, and El Tímpano, and was moderated by Richmondside…
“People of Richmond” is a regular series in which reporters pose a question to people in the community. Answers are presented verbatim, though sometimes edited for brevity. Q: Have you noticed a difference in BART’s service now that the fleet has all new trains? “They have certainly got more aesthetic appeal which I appreciate. In terms of service being better, worse or same, I’d say same. I’m always struck by how few riders there are, which just shocks me. I’d…
District 1 City Council candidates fielded questions Wednesday night on quality-of-life issues ranging from public safety and clean streets to economic development and how to spend the $550 million windfall the city is set to receive from Chevron. About 50 people attended the candidates’ night at CoBiz Richmond, hosted by the media outlets Richmond Confidential, Richmondside, The Contra Costa Pulse and El Tímpano. Journalists and residents asked Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg and incumbent Melvin Willis how they would promote business…