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When Hilltop Mall opened in September of 1976, the 77 acre mall (with abundant parking) was anchored by JC Penney and Capwell’s at either end with Macy’s in the middle.  And then there were many dozens of smaller shops for West County residents (and more) to frequent as they kept their shopping dollars local. Continue reading

When the WCCUSD went to the people before the March 2020 election asking for an additional $575 million—to add to the $1.8 billion the taxpayers have already given to the District to refurbish or replace their crumbling facilities—District Staff touted the well coordinated and efficient oversight through the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). Continue reading

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TASK FORCE PROPOSALS On Thursday April 22nd, the Fairmede Hilltop Neighborhood Council—in partnership with the Hilltop Community Church—hosted a community roundtable hosted by Pastor Loren Laumer with Richmond Police Chief Bisa French, Richmond Police Officers Association President Ben Therriault and Richmond Police Management Association President Tim Simmons. Questions were put to the three but the meeting was largely just a discussion of the issues in front of the RPD and the Council with regards to providing public safety to the community. This roundtable was prompted by proposals coming from the Reimagining Public Safety Community Task Force the previous evening. The video of the community roundtable can be seen here: https://youtu.be/YdkY16UVya8 Continue reading

Board of Trustees Hires District’s First Permanent African American Superintendent (A MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE WCCUSD) The West Contra Costa Unified School District’s Board of Trustees named Othello School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth “Chris” Hurst, Sr. as the District’s next superintendent. The Board voted 5-0 at Wednesday night’s board meeting on a three-year contract for Dr. Hurst that begins May 17. “We are thrilled with Dr. Hurst’s background, experience, and readiness to hit the ground running here in our District and help us to the next level,” WCCUSD Board President Mister Phillips said. “His acumen in social justice, equity, and focus on accelerating student achievement here is impressive. His approach to collaborative leadership and knowledge of teaching strategies, as well as community involvement, are just what we need here in West Contra Costa.” Dr. Hurst becomes WCCUSD’s 10th permanent superintendent and its first permanent African American superintendent. Sylvester Greenwood and Dr. Cynthia LeBlanc each served one-year terms as interim superintendents. The Board’s vote followed an exhaustive six-month search process in which WCCUSD held more than 50 listening sessions with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders. The District also gathered more than 6,000 responses from the community on the next Superintendent’s qualities and qualifications. Continue reading

FROM THE WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIEID SCHOOL DISTRICT: Richmond, Calif.: After a six-hour special meeting, the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board voted 4-1 late Friday evening to reopen its 54 schools starting April 19. Trustee Jamela Smith-Folds voted no.   Continue reading

The Richmond, CA City Council appointed community members to a Reimagining Public Safety Task Force to review alternatives to the traditional model of public safety. Continue reading

On Monday March 8th the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council (RNCC) hosted a presentation of the newly approved Richmond Safe Park Program scheduled to be installed in the Civic Center parking lot due west of the Richmond Auditorium. Continue reading

Almost every community has an unsheltered sector.  Communities want to help but no one has found the silver bullet that can solve the problem. Continue reading

A GUEST EDITORIAL FROM RICHMOND COUNCILMEMBER GAYLE MACLAUGHLIN Richmond is an incredible place to live, work and/or play. We have a history of community strength, resiliency and determination. I call on all of us today to tap once more into that strength, resiliency and determination as we move forward with addressing our major challenges in this new troubled era we are living through - with a pandemic and a devastating economic downturn. We have always been able to build alliances and coalitions to bring community together and not leave out the most vulnerable. Today we must do this once again. Building an inclusive community is a long-term project and we have no time to waste! Continue reading