With the November 2014 election rapidly approaching, it’s more important than ever that we encourage communities of color to participate and ensure their voice is heard.   There are many organizations dedicated to this mission, including the Black American Political Action Committee (BAPAC) of Contra Costa County. Continue reading

RICHMOND -- Wrestling with a budget deficit that had soared as high as $20 million, city management and finance officials said Tuesday they have driven the gap down to $5.4 million, but that more painful cuts must be made. Continue reading

Two weeks after issuing a 10-page detailed letter highly critical of the Chevron Modernization Draft EIR, the California Attorney General’s Office issue a second letter on June 20, 2014, confirming that all the attorney general’s concerns had been addressed in the Final EIR. Continue reading

The Richmond City Council hosted a Special Called meeting of the Council on Wednesday June 18th to discuss the budget deficit for the upcoming year. Continue reading

Earlier this month, and for the first time, the political arm of the California Charter Schools Association campaigned heavily against a proposed school construction bond in a district that hadn’t agreed to share the proceeds with charter schools. Continue reading

Richmond City Councilwoman Jovanka Beckles felt the dread sweep over her earlier this month as she prepared to submit a proclamation honoring Gay Pride month. Continue reading

Editor’s Note: For this latest installment of our ongoing interview series with the Richmond Police Chief, we eschewed the usual crime related topics for a more human conversation about family, the benefits of living where you work, and the mental strains of doing police work. Continue reading

RICHMOND -- Facing a deficit of more than $7 million and with budget cuts imminent, the City Council on Tuesday turned back an attempt to slash the budget for its novel public financing law. Continue reading

The Richmond City Council retained its “wild west” reputation at Tuesday’s meeting, as Vice Mayor Jonvanka Beckles was unable to corral the members to accept her suggestions for new rules of order.   The meeting dissolved rapidly and ended in disarray. Continue reading

My day job for the past 14 years has been that of a mental health clinician specializing in work with children and adolescents and their families. Perhaps the most important aspect of my work beyond keeping the child safe, has to do with examining and shifting behaviors that do not serve them. When there is an identified problem within the family, it is critical to look at the behaviors - especially behaviors that are tied to agreements families make. When the agreements do not serve the family in a healthy way, an unhealthy system is established. The whole family is affected and everyone must look at the behaviors that result in the identified crisis that brought the family to seek assistance. Continue reading