Government
With no dissenting votes, the council on Tuesday decided to ask local voters to approve a half-cent raise in their sales tax.
In a long meeting Tuesday night during which Richmond’s City Council noticeably voted in lock step, the council took on a number of issues including the rights of corporations in a democracy, whether or not to allow chain restaurants in Point Richmond, Chevron’s once-rejected Renewal Project and the purchase of new air quality meters to be deployed near the Point Richmond wastewater treatment plant.
The poorly maintained Las Deltas Housing project could impact the future of North Richmond.
Police and religious leaders gathered to explore how to better work together.
The city of Richmond is considering an ordinance that will prohibit the distribution of plastic bags and allow retail establishments to charge customers a fee for paper bags. The city’s Environmental Initiatives department, which is the agency facilitating the ordinance, held a community meeting Wednesday night to solicit feedback from residents and business owners.
Proposed budget cuts to adult education threaten adult literacy program.
One of Richmond’s greatest community leaders was honored for his lifetime of work during an emotional ceremony Tuesday night.
When Richmond’s code enforcement manager Tim Higares realized his unit was bringing in less money this fiscal year than the last, he was actually happy. He said less money means more clean-up cooperation from property owners—mostly banks—who face steep fines for allowing foreclosed properties to fall into disrepair. “We need to stabilize these communities,” said Higares. “The drop in penalty fees means that we’re getting compliance.” Richmond was hit particularly hard by the foreclosure crisis. Higares said code enforcement receives…
Cortland “Corky” Boozé is a rarity in local politics: The hard-luck local provocateur who finally broke into the inner circle.