Gayle in the Media, 2009

Gayle in the Media, 2009

To read the articles, click on the headlines.

December 31, 2009, Richmond Confidential:
Struggle between Chevron and City Intensifies
A political showdown between the city and its biggest taxpayer continues to unfold, and no one is quite sure how it will end. On one side is Chevron Corp., the nation’s second-largest oil company and a multibillion dollar, multinational corporation. Chevron has maintained . . . .

December 28, 2009, National Public Radio:
Chevron Threatens To Leave Longtime Home
The biggest producer of greenhouse gases in California is the Chevron Corp.'s oil refinery in the Bay Area town of Richmond, just east of San Francisco. The refinery opened more than a century ago, and in spite of the bad air, Richmond has always been a loyal company town.

December 25, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Richmond Nurseries Will Make Way for Housing, Shops
Dozens of greenhouses where three Japanese families built a flower-growing business in Richmond starting in the early 1910s that continued after World War II are slated for demolition in March or April. In their place will rise a mix of affordable and market-rate housing with . . . .

December 9, 2009, Richmond Confidential:
Local Eateries Honored for Contributions
When Eduardo Pineda decided to solicit some donations from local businesses, he didn’t get his hopes up too high. “With the economy the way it is, you sort of go in knowing that small businesses may not be willing or able to give,” said Pineda, who . . . .

Fall 2009, Race, Poverty & the Environment:
Chevron in Richmond
As oil reserves dwindle across the planet, the oil industry is seeking to exploit energy-intensive, dirtier, ‘bottom-of-the-barrel’ crude oil, such as can be found in the Alberta Tar Sands of Canada and the Orinoco Belt in Venezuela. Rather than shifting to renewable energy . . . .

November 8, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Gayle McLaughlin: A Better Society is Possible
It has been a very difficult past few weeks in Richmond. The horrific rape and assault of the 16-year-old rape survivor at Richmond High School has deeply impacted us. Our police department has made multiple arrests and continues to be fully engaged . . . .

November 8, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle:
Richmond March and Rally Supports Rape Victim
The Richmond girl gang-raped outside her high school last month received a very public show of support Saturday - a march and rally. Upward of 200 people marched from Richmond High School to nearby Wendell Park, where speakers decried violence against women and . . . .

November 5, 2009, Indymedia, East Bay:
After Gang Rape, Richmond Students Come Together for Healing
Hundreds of Richmond High School students gathered on the football field with teachers, parents and community members to express their support for the victim of a horrendous gang rape on the school grounds and their determination to act together . . . .

November 3, 2009, The Mercury News:
Richmond High Rallies Against Violence, in Support of Rape Victim
They care. That's what the youth tried to convey Tuesday afternoon on Richmond High's football field. A band played, students read poetry, dancers performed. The lineup of speakers for a vigil supporting the 15-year-old raped on campus two weekends ago featured . . . .

October 27, 2009, ABC 7 News, KGO TV:
20 Suspects Sought in Richmond Gang Rape
Police search for eight suspects who participated in the gang rape of a 15-year-old Richmond girl after her homecoming dance. As many as 20 others may have either watched the rape or recorded it with cell phones. There were more arrests on Tuesday evening.

October 15, 2009, Los Angeles Times:
Outrage over Gang Rape of 15-year-old Girl; More Arrests Made Overnight
Outrage grew in a Bay Area town over the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl as police made more arrests overnight. National attention has been focused in Richmond over what police described as a gang rape of a 15-year-old student who struggled with attackers . . . .

October 20, 2009, Accent Advocate:
Youth Conference Combats Violence
When former gang member Gonzolo Rucobo was growing up in Richmond, he never imagined himself standing on stage explaining the vitality of violence prevention. Years later, however, his voice and the voices of others have worked to combat the crime affecting . . . .

October 15, 2009, San Francisco Business Times:
Governor Opposes Richmond Casino
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration announced its opposition to a large casino proposed for the Richmond waterfront, saying the urban project was not what California voters had in mind when they approved tribal gaming a decade ago.

October 15, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Governor Opposes Point Molate Casino Project
The Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Monday that it wants to terminate the Point Molate casino project. Andrea Lynn Hoch, the governor’s legal affairs secretary, has asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to reject the proposal by a Berkeley developer . . . .

October 10, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Chevron, Richmond Spar in Court Over Voter-approved Fee
Nearly a year after Richmond voters approved a manufacturers fee to generate at least $16 million a year, the question of whether the city can legally collect the money still awaits an answer. City officials stand behind the new law, but Chevron, which would pay . . . .

September 17, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle:
Richmond Victim's Family Wants Answers
The family of a 19-year-old woman who was shot and killed at a Richmond gas station along with her boyfriend pleaded Wednesday for anyone with information in the case to come forward. Kaneesha Mallard of Hercules and Alfred Thomas, 20, of Vallejo were sprayed with bullets . . . .

September 16, 2009, East Bay Express:
Richmond Council Opposes the Dam
The Richmond City Council passed a resolution last week, officially opposing the East Bay Municipal Utility District's plans to build a huge new dam on the Mokelumne River. Although the dam proposal has received widespread opposition from cities and other public agencies . . . .

September 16, 2009, Richmond Globe:
Hundreds Celebrate Grand Re-opening of Richmond Civic Center Complex
Early morning thunderstorms didn’t deter hundreds of East Bay residents from venturing out to Richmond’s grand-opening gala for its newly renovated Civic Center on Saturday. Outside performance stages were scrapped . . . but the show went on.

September 14, 2009, KCBS Radio:
Richmond Responds to Spate of Shootings
Elected officials and community leaders in Richmond are once again debating how best to respond to gun violence after a rash of shootings over the weekend claimed five lives. Police have identified four of those victims, including a carjacking suspect . . . .

September 9, 2009, Richmond Globe:
McLaughlin Makes Time for Residents
Although only a handful of people were present at Friday’s Meet with the Mayor session in Richmond, it was a productive one. Cynthia and Ken Roberts were two residents who attended and voiced their concerns about their rental property being subjected to unsanitary pet care . . . .

September 9, 2009, Richmond Globe:
Civic Center Grand Re-opening Celebration to Feature Music, Art, Food
On Saturday, the city of Richmond’s grand re-opening celebration at its new Civic Center Complex will occur — just one week shy of the original civic center’s 60th anniversary. And what a celebration it will be. The free, all-day community festival will feature . . . .

August 27, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Letters From Our Readers: Healthy Jobs
Thank you, Times, for your excellent Aug. 20 editorial, "Ball in Chevron court," concerning the Richmond refinery. As you so rightly point out, if Chevron contends it will not be refining heavier, dirtier crude oil, then it should have no objection to putting this in writing . . . .

August 22, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Students Paint a Brighter Future
About the only downside to be found with a summer youth apprenticeship program in the Crescent Park neighborhood is that the nine young men participating came away with paint-spattered bluejeans. Everything else about the program looks like a winner . . . .

August 17, 2009, San Francisco Bay Area Indymedia:
500 Protest Chevron at Richmond Refinery for Climate Justice, to Cap the Crude
Hundreds of Richmond community members joined climate change advocates, public health experts, local government and labor leaders today in a colorful march, protest and non-violent civil disobedience at Chevron’s Richmond refinery. After a festival . . . .

August 13, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Cuban 5 Art Exhibit Opens at La Peña Cultural Center
The Cuban 5 have come to Berkeley—in spirit if not in person. “From My Altitude,” a touring exhibit of 25 paintings by Antonio Guerrero, one of the five men facing stiff sentences in U.S. prisons for spying, opened at La Peña Cultural Center Aug. 6 and will continue . . . .

August 12 , 2009, San Francisco Chronicle:
Public Hearings Set for Richmond Casino Resort
The public will get a chance to weigh in Wednesday night on details of a tony $1.5 billion casino resort proposed nearly five years ago for the bay shores of Richmond. Billed as a destination that will draw 5,000 wealthy tourists a day, the Point Molate resort, . . . .

August 12 , 2009, Cuba:
Alice Walker Speaks at Opening of Original Paintings by Antonio Guerrero
In a great display of solidarity, the La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley was filled to capacity on August 6 to hear about the case of the Cuban 5. The moving meeting was a blend of the political injustice surrounding the case and cultural presentations that paid tribute to . . . .

July 25, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Readers' Forum: Casino Benefit Still Doesn't Add Up for Richmond
ON MAY 14, 2005, the Times published an article I wrote titled: Casino at Point Molate is a losing bet for Richmond. In this article, I took issue with the idea that a casino would sustain our local economy, our environment and our social well-being here in Richmond.

July 24, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Richmond Heeds Call for Rule Changes for Cell Antennas
The way a bunch of cell antennas went up in Point Richmond won't happen again. Residents caught off guard by antennas atop an apartment building in 2007 lobbied city leaders for tougher standards and public notice. They got it. The Richmond City Council soon will require . . . .

July 15, 2009, Richmond Globe:
Richmond Earns ‘Solar Champion’ Recognition
On Tuesday, Environment California presented Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and the city of Richmond with a “2009 Solar Champion” award for ranking among the top 15 cities in the state for solar capacity. Richmond has more than 144 solar roofs totaling . . . .

July 9 , 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Judge Halts Chevron’s Richmond Refinery Expansion
Chevron must stop all work on expanding its Richmond refinery until a new project environmental review is completed and approved, a Contra Costa County judge has ruled. Superior Court Judge Barbara Zuniga issued the second crucial rulings July 1 . . . .

July 3, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle:
Judge: Chevron Must Halt Richmond Expansion
A judge has ordered Chevron Corp. to stop work on its controversial oil refinery expansion in Richmond, handing environmentalists their biggest victory in a long fight over the project. Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Barbara Zuniga gave Chevron 60 days to . . . .

July 2, 2009, UC Berkeley News:
Green Corridor Partnership Picks Up Steam as UC, LBNL Drive Innovation
When the East Bay Green Corridor Partnership staged its official launch in December 2007, Steven Chu was on the dais as the director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, one of the fledgling initiative's six signatories.Last Friday, when Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau . . .

July 2, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
East Bay Green Corridor Meeting Long on Talk, Short on Details
If it’s not easy being green, as Kermit the Frog famously sang, it’s getting easier in the East Bay—at least for businesses spawning clean, green tech and for programs that train workers how to use it. But for Berkeley’s Tom Bates, the region’s first car-free mayor, . . . .

July, 2009, Sierra Club Yodeler:
Something is Working in Richmond
Richmond, with an incredibly diverse community, 32 miles of Bay shoreline (more than any other city, even San Francisco), and the second-largest oil refinery in California, is a city of persistent problems, grand opportunities, and a history of struggle.

July, 2009, Le Monde Diplomatique (English edition):
California’s Green Dream
America is waking up to the reality of peak oil and climate change. In California there are very different responses to the crisis: some pin their hopes on new technology, while others advocate a radical change of lifestyle. At the entrance to Silicon Valley, . . . .

June 25, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Richmond Gives Thumbs Up to Its Front-Yard Gardeners
In nearby Richmond, Garden Club activist Jayma Brown had raised concerns with city officials after she was told during a monthly neighborhood council meeting that the city had banned front-yard gardens. Brown, who also serves on the city’s Historic Preservation and . . . .

June 18, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Richmond Toxic Oversight Panel Gets Mixed Message From State
What began as a heated confrontation ended with qualified applause for the state’s top environmental cop during last week’s meeting of the citizen panel advising the state about the cleanup of toxic sites in South Richmond. Last Thursday’s meeting brought other news, . . . .

June 17, 2008, The Mercury News:
License Checkpoints a 'Low Priority,' Richmond Council Decides
Citing unlicensed drivers officially became a "low priority" in Richmond on Tuesday night, or so the City Council voted after a heated exchange regarding the Police Department's program of driver's license checkpoints. The resolution passed on a 4-1 vote with two abstentions . . . .

May 29, 2009, Matador Change:
First Person Dispatch from the Chevron Protest
How many activists does it take to shut down the main entrance to the headquarters of the 2nd largest U.S. oil corporation? Six. Well, six, plus dozens of supporters and organizers of an international campaign called The True Cost of Chevron. The purpose was to . . . .

May 28, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle:
Pointed Exchanges at Chevron Annual Meeting
Activists took aim at Chevron Corp.'s human rights record Wednesday during the oil company's annual shareholder meeting - and Chief Executive Officer David O'Reilly fired right back. In a series of cordial but tense exchanges, critics accused Chevron of . . . .

May 22, 2009, CBS5:
Education Secretary Urges Innovation in SF Visit
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Friday urged California officials to use the current economic crisis as an opportunity to reform the state's ailing public schools. Duncan met with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and mayors from around the state to . . . .

May 21, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Plaintiffs Win Pesticide Fight; Feds Withdraw Apple Moth Spray
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered a ban on two controversial sprays used to battle the light brown apple moth (LBAM), ending a lawsuit filed by attorney Stephan Volker on behalf of environmental activists and the mayors of Albany and Richmond.

April 13 , 2009, U.S. Mayor Newspaper:
Solar Richmond at the Forefront of Green Jobs Training Programs
Solar Richmond (SR) is a solar panel installation green jobs training program that works with the City of Richmond to train and employ Richmond’s low-income residents and youth. The City of Richmond faces challenging local demographics . . . .

April 13 , 2009, ACN Cuban News Agency:
Richmond California Support the Cuban Five
The Council of the Californian city of Richmond, in the United States, unanimously approved a resolution in support of the five Cuban antiterrorism fighters unjustly incarcerated in that country and the right of their relatives to visit them.

April 8 , 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Richmond on Track to be First in Contra Costa to Pass Green Building Law
Richmond city leaders are on the verge of making "green building" more than a catch phrase; they want to make it law. A new green building ordinance would award points for buildings that use recycled materials, are energy efficient or that employ other "green" measures . . . .

March 11 , 2009, Richmond Globe:
Second Annual Women in Solidarity Event Focuses on Unity, Social Justice
More than 200 women, and a smattering of men, gathered to honor themselves and the community as Richmond held its second annual Women in Solidarity event on Saturday. The five-hour event, sponsored by Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin’s office, featured . . . .

February 27, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle:
Chevron Sues Richmond Over Business-license Fee
Chevron filed a long-expected lawsuit against the city of Richmond Thursday, asking the courts to toss out the city's new business-license fee that would extract millions of dollars from the oil giant for city coffers. The suit targets Measure T, passed by voters in November, . . . .

February 25, 2009, RushPRnews:
EPA Suppress Disclosure Of Chemicals Used In Aerial Spray
Environmental leaders from throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas asked Federal District Judge Saundra Armstrong to deny the US Environmental Protection Agency’s motion to block disclosure of the chemicals used in CheckMate pesticides . . . .

February 25, 2009, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Supreme Court Ruling Raises Richmond Casino Questions
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling handed down Tuesday raises new questions about the fate of two Richmond area casino projects. But Berkeley entrepreneur James D. Levine, backer of the proposal for a $1.5 billion resort at Point Molate, said his lawyers have advised him . . . .

February 2, 2009, People's Weekly World:
Historic Local Victory Points the Way Forward
Along with its historic national result, the 2008 election brought groundbreaking local victories, too — among them, passage of Measure T by this city’s voters. The measure, “A Fair Share for Richmond,” upgrades the fee the city’s largest manufacturers must pay . . . .

February 2, 2009, Contra Costa Times:
No Bay Trail Construction Money in State Lease to Chevron
Where funding to construct a section of the San Francisco Bay Trail at the Chevron Richmond refinery will come from remains up in the air. The State Lands Commission has renewed Chevron's 30-year lease of state tidelands where . . . .

January 28 , 2009, Richmond Globe:
Richmond to Pilot Solar Thermal Rebate Program Linked to Local Green-Collar Jobs
A ground-breaking initiative in Richmond to pilot a solar thermal rebate program that requires the customer utilizes locally-trained labor passed unanimously at the city council meeting Tuesday night. The initiative was introduced by Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and co-sponsored by . . . .

January 28 , 2009, Richmond Globe:
Mayor Dubs 2009 Richmond’s ‘Year of Unity’ During State of the City Address
During her annual State of the City address Tuesday night, Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin dubbed 2009 as the city’s “Year of Unity,” expressing high hopes for building upon the gains started in 2008, including a reduction in violent crime and the continued “greening” of the city.

January 3 , 2009, Contra Costa Times:
Gayle McLaughlin: Unity is the Way Forward for Saving our Schools
IN RECENT WEEKS I have received many comments from Richmond residents about the possibility of school closures in our city. I have heard concerns about certain individual schools in particular, as well as suggestions for all of our schools.

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