Posted on Saturday, September 30, 2006

Candidates for Mayor Focus on Checking Violence
RICHMOND: Chevron utility tax among issues discussed by three contenders

CONTRA COSTA TIMES
By John Geluardi

Candidates for Richmond mayor went on the record Thursday on the city's chronic violence, Chevron's utility tax and the crumbling sewer system. The three candidates took on the issues during a taped roundtable forum in Martinez. Mayor Irma Anderson, Councilwoman Gayle McLaughlin and former Councilman Gary Bell were rarely on the same page as each presented competing visions for the future of Richmond.

The overriding issue facing the city this election season is chronic violence. Richmond was named the most violent city in the state and the 11th in the country in 2004, and this year there have been 32 homicides.

The city has begun to regain its feet after a crippling $35 million budget deficit two years ago, and now the attention of elected officials, the city staff and the community has shifted toward reducing violence.

Anderson promoted her Safe Streets Now program, which would earmark about $6 million of next year's general fund to hire more police and fund anti-violence programs. Seven council members voted against the plan in July, and she has vowed to collect enough signatures to put it on a special-election ballot.

McLaughlin promoted her Richmond Youth Corps, which would employ young people from high-crime areas in part-time union jobs with the city. The program also would include an educational component. (Emphasis added)

Bell would focus on first unifying the City Council and then on developing a strategy to reduce violence. He supports a crackdown on firearms that could include vehicle checkpoints.

The candidates also clashed over the Chevron refinery's utility tax payment. Chevron changed the way it calculates the tax this year, and the new method is expected to cost Richmond $4 million in annual revenue. But Chevron, which generates much of its own power, has declined to release any supporting data for the lower payment.

Anderson blamed McLaughlin and Councilman Tom Butt for the revenue loss because they criticized Chevron's refusal to reveal energy-use data. McLaughlin said families and other businesses cannot self-determine their utility tax payment and that the city has been giving Chevron special treatment for too long. Bell said no one can force Chevron to do anything.(Emphasis added)

Reach John Geluardi at 510-262-2787 or jgeluardi@cctimes.com