Green and Progressive Local Politics On-the-Line in Richmond

www.JeffRitterman.com	www.JovankaBeckles.org

Two years ago, with a strong progressive movement behind her, Gayle McLaughlin won election as mayor making Richmond California the largest U.S. city with a Green Party Mayor.  Richmond is an industrial city with beautiful shoreline, a diverse population, beautiful residential neighborhoods, as well as poverty and crime.  By far the largest industry in Richmond is a Chevron refinery which with its deep pockets controls a bare majority of the city council against the Mayor. 

This fall’s election will see whether progressive and green politics can meet the joint challenges of the problems of an American city and politics as usual.

Measure T

On the ballot is Measure T, which supporters call a “Fair Share for
Richmond.” The measure restructures the business license so that large manufacturers, particularly Chevron will pay significantly more to the city. The more than $20 million raised every year from this fee can be used for green job creation programs in the city. One is a pioneering program already started centers on solar installations (www.solarrichmond.org) while training Richmond youth for real jobs.  Another proposal is an urban agriculture project to provide both work and quality produce for city residents.

City Council races

It does little good to get Chevron to pay its fair share to the city if we do not have a city council that will stand up to Chevron and appropriate the money for social programs. Chevron’s plans for modernization recently came before the council. The community supported Chevron modernizing its facilities, especially if it meant cleaning up pollution that threatens the health of Richmond flatlands residents and reducing Chevron’s greenhouse gas emission. But there was an outpouring of opposition to allowing Chevron to use heavier, dirtier crude oil which meant more dangerous pollution from its refining operation.  Nonetheless, a narrow majority of the city council made a backroom deal with Chevron. 

Two new council candidates, progressive Democrats Jovanka Beckles, an economic development specialist, and Dr. Jeff Ritterman, a long-time Kaiser Richmond Cardiologist are running for council seats.  Both Jovanka and Jeff are strong  supporters of Measure T and work hard to get it on the ballot.

This election gives Richmond the chance to get a progressive majority that can work in coalition with the Mayor for a green economy, to stand up to Chevron, and to attack the social problems in the city at their roots: poverty, unemployment, despair.  Measure T means the resources to carry out the program.  Success in Richmond is possible and it will light-up the path of  progressive and environmentally friendly change.

Green’s have to meet the Chevron challenge

We are seeing a well financed  PR, mail, and TV attack bankrolled by Chevron.  On top of  this, the pro Chevron forces have also launched a racist campaign attempting to blame the Latino community for drugs and violence in Richmond, and attempting to tie it all arounf the necks of progressive candidates Jovanka Beckles and Jeff Ritterman. You can see the racist mailer at  www.tombutt.com/pdf/rpoahitpiece1.pdf

 As always our answer to their big money has to be lots of volunteer work and small contributions.    Every Green can help with contributions.  Greens who live near Richmond can do volunteer work—phone banking, canvassing, leafleting, and office work.

Contact the campaigns at 510-233-3112      
SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS   PayPal available at these websites

www.aFairShareForRichmond.org (Measure T)
www.JovankaBeckles.org
www.JeffRitterman.com 

See the Mayor McLaughlin’s newsletter at http://content.enewslettersonline.com/12939/17825.html

Don't be confused! RichmondGreens.ORG is our counterpart in Richmond,Virginia.