Gayle in the Media, 2008
To read the articles, click on the headlines.
June
29, 2008, San Francisco Chronicle:
Steeped
in History, Richmond Looks Forward
Home to some 103,000 people in western Contra Costa County,
Richmond is the 56th most populous city in the state, just behind Berkeley
and ahead of Santa Clara. Composed largely of residential, inner suburbs
and heavy industry, it is a major seaport, . . . .
June
20, 2008, San Francisco Chronicle:
Ruling
Reversed for Chevron
Richmond's planning
commissioners on Thursday reversed a decision to limit the kind of crude
oil that Chevron can process at its refinery in the city, a move decried
by environmental groups concerned that a planned expansion of the plant
would increase air pollution.
June
18, 2008, Contra Costa Times:
Richmond
Planning Ordinance Revisions for Massage Businesses
Richmond city officials
plan to revamp the local ordinance for massage businesses, citing public
and police concerns that there might be too many in the city —
or that some could be fronts for criminal activity.
June
12, 2008, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Point Molate
Casino Gets Fast-Track Status
Reports of its death having been greatly exaggerated, Richmond’s
Point Molate casino is not only alive—it’s being fast-tracked
by state and federal agencies. And the tribal venture is being bankrolled,
says developer James D. Levine, with the cash of another tribe, . .
. .
June
9, 2008, Contra Costa Times:
Richmond Looks
at Updating Regulations as Interest from Biofuel Developers Grows
More developers are calling Richmond City Hall to inquire about
opening a biofuel facility, prompting city planners to start updating
regulations that were passed before alternative fuels began gaining
momentum.
June
6, 2008, News Blaze:
The Largest,
Solar-Powered, Affordable Housing Community in the U.S.
The new solar installation at the Crescent Park apartments in
Richmond, California will be dedicated on Tuesday, June 10, making this
large apartment complex the largest, solar-powered affordable housing
community in the United States.
June
5, 2008, ABC 7 News, KGO:
Chevron Talked
About Expansion Plans
Hundreds of people packed a high school auditorium in Richmond
Thursday night to talk about Chevron's plan to expand its operation
there. It's a contentious issue because it would mean hundreds of jobs,
but some residents are worried about the trade-offs.
May
19, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Hip-hop Artist's
Message to Students is no Bad Rap
To avoid the bullets that whizzed past his south Richmond apartment,
a young Stephen Ashford often did homework while lying on his belly.That
he tackled his schoolwork at all is commendable, as Ashford had plenty
else to fret about.
May
15, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Green
Goals Take Hiring, City Advised
Richmond needs to hire more staff dedicated to
creating and developing environmental programs if it wants to be as
green as it says it wants to be, a consultant told the city.
A new environmental manager came on board in January, but one person
isn't enough, . . . . "
May
15, 2008, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Berkeley,
Richmond Council Target Berkeley Lab Projects
While Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
has made minor changes to its plans for its planned biofuel lab, the
project’s recently released environmental impact review (EIR)
rejects any move to another site.
May
11, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Stop the Secret
Oil Deal
The Richmond City Council decision to enter a secrecy deal with
the Chevron refinery should offend anyone in the Bay Area who values
open government. The refinery is seeking permission to replace its hydrogen
plant, power plant and reformer.
May
7, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
Adds Another Consultant to Study, Advise on Chevron Project
Richmond has hired
an outside consultant to help determine what kind of crude oil the Chevron
refinery processes and whether a series of proposed upgrades would allow
the company to process heavier crude. Both questions are at the forefront
of the public debate . . . .
April
27, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Groups
Fighting for Local ID Cards
A group of immigrant
rights organizations in Contra Costa County is looking to create a municipal
identification card in the East Bay, encouraged by adoption of a similar
program in San Francisco. Their Board of Supervisors approved a local
ID card in November.
April
22, 2008, News
Blaze:
Green
Party Elected Officials Oppose State Aerial Spraying Plan
Green Party elected
officials in Bay Area cities are helping oppose a $74 million plan by
the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to conduct
aerial spraying of a pheromone pesticide to eradicate the Light Brown
Apple Moth, scheduled to start this summer.
April
21, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Equal
Passion, Disparate Styles
The
Richmond fracas over a proposed $1 billion Chevron oil refinery upgrade
illuminates the disparate styles of the City Council's two most powerful
women and offers a window into a prospective 2010 mayoral contest.
April
20, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
Hits its Local-hiring Goals
As Richmond pushes its contractors to hire more local residents, a Times
review of city records showed that the city itself meets the goals it
set: A third of Richmond public employees live within its borders. The
city requires that at least 20 percent to 30 percent of the workforce
be local.
April 3,
2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
Council Members to have Say on Public Comments
Richmond City Council members now can respond to "erroneous"
charges leveled against them by speakers during public meetings. Under
the policy adopted Tuesday, council members are permitted to make a
statement of up to 1 minute after all public speakers are finished.
April
3, 2008, KCBS Radio:
More
Cities Oppose Aerial Spraying
More Bay Area cities
are expressing their opposition to the state's plan for aerial spraying
to kill off the light brown apple moth. State officials insist their
plan is safe, and will proceed as scheduled this summer.
April
3, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
Says No to Moth Spraying
Richmond has joined
the growing chorus of local governments denouncing a state plan to use
an aerial spray to eradicate the light brown apple moth. The City Council
on Tuesday unanimously opposed the spray, saying that the state must
study the health effects first.
April
2, 2008, Richmond Globe:
McLaughlin,
ACLU Representatives Discuss Immigration Reform with Residents
Mayor Gayle McLaughlin recently joined ACLU
representatives and community members to discuss immigration reform
and immigrant rights during a public forum at the Richmond library.
The event was designed to inform the public about current immigration
laws.
April
2, 2008, Richmond Globe:
Richmond Public
Library Unveils New Community Garden
Inspired by the young adult novel Seedfolks, city of Richmond
employees, community volunteers, literacy students, seniors and library
users celebrated the creation of a community garden last week at the
Richmond Public Library.
April
1, 2008, San Francisco Chronicle:
Red
Car Used in Deadly Church Shooting Found
The car used by the
gunman who shot and killed a homeless man outside a Richmond church
and wounded four other people was recovered Monday, police said as city
and community leaders gathered at the house of worship to condemn the
violence.
March
29, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
May Shift Rules for Special-event Permits
Richmond city officials
are looking at changing what residents need to do to host a block party,
parade, march or other event. The proposed changes
are designed to clarify the guidelines and expectations for events.
March
18 , 2008, San Francisco Chronicle:
Mayor
Aside, Richmond No Match for Chevron
The Richmond Planning
Commission will likely approve Chevron Oil Co.'s expansion plan this
week but without one lone vote - Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. If the permit
is approved, she expects it to be appealed by at least one of its opponents
to the Richmond City Council.
March
16 , 2008, San Francisco Chronicle:
Protest
Against War and Oil Profits at Chevron's Gate
More than 300 people marched from downtown Point Richmond to the
Chevron refinery today to protest the company they say is profiting
from the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Twenty-four
demonstrators were later arrested after entering refinery property and
linking arms.
March
15, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
24
Arrested at War Protest Outside Chevron
Two dozen people were
arrested peacefully outside the Bay Area's largest oil refinery late
Saturday at the end of a daylong protest aimed at a planned upgrade
of the plant and the war in Iraq. They
were later booked on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing.
March
15, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Whole
Truth, Nothing but the Truth (GAYLE
McLAUGHLIN From City Hall)
On Aug. 11, the Times
published my guest commentary "Chevron can do better; Richmond
should demand it." In that commentary, I pointed out that Richmond
residents have suffered decades of severe consequences from the presence
of the Chevron Refinery, . . . .
March
12, 2008, The Advocate:
City
Pays Homage to Women
Residents and organizations
from Richmond came together Saturday to hold its first annual International
Women's Day luncheon. Organized by Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and the Mayor's
Office, the event drew a crowd of about 200 people, including numerous
civic leaders.
March
12, 2008, Richmond Globe:
Richmond
Holds Women in Solidarity Event on International Women’s Day
Nearly 200 people attended Richmond’s first annual Women
in Solidarity event at Lavonya DeJean Middle School on Saturday, International
Women’s Day, to celebrate, network and share information.
February
20, 2008, Richmond Globe:
McLaughlin
Issues Proclamation in Honor of Black History Month
During
Tuesday night’s Richmond City Council meeting, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
issued a proclamation in honor of Black History Month. "Black History
month is an opportunity . . . to pay tribute to the contributions and
struggles of African Americans . . . ."
February
19, 2008, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Richmond
Improvement Agency Offers a Faith-Based Approach
For Rev. Andre Shumake Sr., head of a faith-based community alliance
in the East Bay’s most troubled city, Richmond’s Green Party
mayor has proved a strong ally. "Thank God we have someone who’s
listening," said the man who heads the Richmond Improvement Alliance.
February
8, 2008, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Violence
Marks Start of CHP Fight against Richmond Gangs
California Highway
Patrol officers joined Richmond Police on patrol this week in a three-month
concerted effort to stem the bloodshed that has plagued the city in
recent months. murder is the third leading cause of death among African
American men in Richmond.
February
5, 2008, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Richmond
Design Board Gives Qualified Nod to Chevron Plans
Richmond’s Design
Review Board (DRB) voted to approve Chevron’s plans to upgrade
its refinery, but before the vote was taken Thursday night, few folks
had anything nice to say about the world’s seventh largest corporation.
February
1, 2008, BayCrossings:
East
Bay Coalition Aims to Incubate Green Corridor
The buzz of activity
at a typical city hall grinds to a halt between Thanksgiving and January
2. But the mayors of Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and Emeryville were
determined not to let the holiday season slow the momentum of their
joint plan to nurture a strong, regional green economy.
January
29, 2008, Berkeley Daily Planet:
Richmond
Refinery Plans Face Strong Opposition
Richmond’s Design
Review Board this week will take up major renovation plans for the city’s
Chevron Refinery, using an environmental impact report (EIR) one city
councilmember calls "really pathetic." Too many questions
remain unanswered.
January
25, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Officials
Target Housing Crisis
With the number of
home foreclosures climbing, West County officials are backing a six-month
moratorium on foreclosures to give residents on the verge of eviction
time to work out agreements with mortgage lenders.
January
24, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
Mayor Envisions a Greener, Less Violent City
Richmond took steps
last year to reduce street violence and become more environmentally
friendly, a road the city must continue down in 2008, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
said. In her State of the City address, McLaughlin discussed pathways
to healing and violence prevention.
January
23, 2008, Richmond Globe:
Mayor
Gayle McLaughlin Delivers State of the City Address
Richmond Mayor Gayle
McLaughlin addressed the City Council and the public during her second
State of the City address, noting that 2007 was a year of contrasts.
"It was a very
good year in many ways, and a very, very difficult year in other ways,"
said McLaughlin.
January
23, 2008, Richmond Globe:
McLaughlin
Presents MLK Community Leadership and Service Awards
During Tuesday night’s
Richmond City Council meeting, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin presented the
Martin Luther King Jr. Richmond Community Leadership and Service Awards
to a select group of organizations.
January
17, 2008, Contra
Costa Times:
Richmond
Mayor Joins Call for Foreclosure Moratorium
Richmond Mayor Gayle
McLaughlin on Thursday added her support to a nonbinding county resolution
that seeks a six-month moratorium on home foreclosures by subprime mortgage
lenders, saying she will bring a similar measure before the Richmond
City Council.
January
6, 2008, The News-Times
Danbury's
Proposed ICE Deal Doesn't Hold Water
Gayle McLaughlin refuses to buy into the immigration witch hunt. McLaughlin,
the mayor of Richmond, Calif., refuses to give Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) a blank check to storm her city and throw anyone it
wants into the back of a van.
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can be reached at: Gayle_McLaughlin@officeofthemayor.net
Address: 1401 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA 
94804
Phone: (510) 620-6503
Fax: (510) 412-2070