Search Results: chevron
As voters head to the polls, the nation’s eyes will be on Richmond as the city decides the future of its leadership. Not only are Richmonders electing a new mayor and new city council members, but they’re also passing judgement on the effects of unlimited political spending.
A week ago, a website came to Richmond residents’ attention. It urges voters to support Chevron’s slate of favored candidates: Nat Bates for mayor, and Donna Powers and Charles Ramsey for City Council. And it also touts Jim Rogers and Jael Myrick for City Council. People immediately wondered, are Rogers and Myrick now on Chevron’s team?
In February, a slick new website showed up on Richmond’s media scene. Dubbed “Radio Free Richmond,” it promised to offer its readers “independent Richmond news, without fear or favor.” But behind Radio Free Richmond’s veneer of independence, a group of Chevron’s campaign consultants act as the website’s administrators.
The ads take aim at current Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, councilmember Jovanka Beckles, and Eduardo Martinez, all running for seats on the City Council. The three candidates are running as a slate through the Richmond Progressive Alliance, and are critical of Chevron’s role in Richmond.
Chevron has poured millions into a campaign committee to influence Richmond’s mayoral and City Council elections, and the unprecedented spending has fueled questions about what the oil titan hopes to achieve with the best city government its money can buy.
About 30 sign-toting residents and activists assembled at City Hall Thursday to rail against what they say is a heavy handed attempt by Chevron Corp. to influence the Nov. 4 election. They also announced their own new political action committee backing progressive candidates. The residents raised banners and stood in front of a 10-foot sign stating, “Our Election is NOT FOR SALE,” while rallying against Chevron’s $3-million in campaign spending backing the oil company’s favored candidates for mayor and City…
A unanimous vote from the Richmond City Council provided a $19 million promise to fund Doctors Medical Center over the next three years. The principle plan that the council members voted on was the $15 million allocated through the Chevron Environmental & Community Investment Agreement (ECIA), a $90 million package contingent upon the company’s $1 billion modernization of its Richmond refinery. Beyond the $15 million contribution in three annual installments the council also approved an urgent $4 million cash infusion,…
Al Martinez is a recently retired postmaster and former Richmond police officer – having left the department after being charged and acquitted for several alleged crimes – who is backed by the city’s biggest corporation. Al is more of a mystery.
An analysis of city documents, invoices, travel receipts and bank statements dating to 2010 shows that McLaughlin has traveled less, missed fewer meetings, and spent less money on the trips than City Councilman Nat Bates.
Kelly Fimbres’ students were thrilled with Stomper, the Oakland A’s mascot who arrived in an oversized Chevron car to help deliver the goods.
Chevron has funneled $3 million into a trio of campaign committees to influence the Nov. 4 Richmond city election, including a nearly $1.3 million contribution on Aug. 8.
The fate of Doctors Medical Center remained in doubt after five hours of heated arguments at the Richmond City Council meeting Tuesday, which adjourned at 11:30 p.m. The council postponed until Oct. 21 any resolution regarding whether to provide funds to help save the failing hospital, but several members expressed a willingness to reverse their previous positions and allocate some funds to the hospital. The session featured displays of temper and insults hurled among council members as 41 public witnesses…
A panel of judges unanimously found Chevron guilty Sunday of operating its Richmond refinery “in violation of the principles of environmental justice and the rights of nature.” But the judges didn’t represent a state or federal court – rather, they were judges on a “People’s Tribunal” organized by environmental advocates. The Bay Area Rights of Nature Ethics Tribunal, convened by the Bay Area Rights of Nature Alliance (BARoNA), focused on the impact of the massive 2,900-acre refinery on surrounding communities,…