Here is a list up to date of the people who have lost their lives in violence in Richmond this year.

1) Jimmy Lai

57, Asian male

Stabbed Jan. 12, 1600 blk of McDonald Avenue

no suspects.

2) Edwin Martinez

22, Hispanic male

Shot Jan. 23, 2100 blk of Nevin Ave.

Suspect named – DA did not file

3) Frank Potts

24, black male

Shot Feb. 4, 1700 blk of Chanslor Ave.

No arrests

4) Tiye Freeman

24, black female

Stabbed Feb. 5, 300 blk of Sixth Street

Suspect in custody

5) Rene Garcia

25, Hispanic male

Shot Feb. 21, 1400 blk of Kelsey Street

Suspect in custody

6) William Cantrell

23, white male

Shot 2900 blk of Florida Ave.

No arrests.

7) Bonny Morris

54, black male

Shot Mar. 28, 1500 blk of Virginia Ave.

No arrests.

8 )  Donald Washington

27, black male

Shot May 16, 500 blk of Eighth Street

No arrests.

9) Caleb Smith

24, black male

Shot June 5, 4600 blk of Overend Ave.

No arrests.

10) Emmanuel Miranda

19, male

Shot June 22, 37th Street/Nevin Ave.

No arrests.

11) Ulysses Grijalva

16, Hispanic male

Shot August 5, 200 block of West MacDonald Ave.

No arrests.

12) Jamonte Barrett

34, black male

Shot toon Aug. 17 in the 4700 block of Hartnett Avenue.

No arrests.

13) Javier Campos

38, Hispanic male

Shot September 1, 2300 block of Barrett Ave.

Suspect in custody 

14) Isaiah Thomas Jr.

27, black male

shot. sept. 12, 600 block of 17th Street

Suspect in custody

15) Van Hopkins Jr.

23, black male

Shot, Sept. 24, 23rd Street and Gaynor Avenue

No arrests

16) Lavelle Wallace

37, black male

Shot, Nov. 21, 500 block Fifth Street

no arrests.

17) Armon Brown Jr.

22, black male

Shot, Nov. 23, 500 block Fifth Street

18) Unknown name

32, male

Shot, Nov. 28

PRESS RELEASE:

RICHMOND, CA  On December 1^st, The Latina Center will host its annual Christmas Festival to offer to our families in the community a day full of joy.

Festivities will take place from10 am to3 pm located at 3701 Barrett Avenue in Richmond.  Holiday food baskets and blankets will be provided to families in need.

This initiative began with a donation from The San Francisco Foundation that allowed us to prepare 20 food baskets.  This ”Christmas spirit of giving” grew and we asked our community to join us in making a contribution so that we could give 100 food baskets and blankets to 100 families.

Because of the response from our staff, community leaders, local businesses, non-profit organizations, churches and our family and friends, The Latina Center is grateful to be able to provide 100 food baskets, blankets and a day of celebration to the families during our annual Christmas Festival on December 1^st.  Walgreens will also be on hand to provide flu vaccines to those who need them.  The LatinaCenter is thankful for this opportunity to serve.

3701 Barrett Ave

Richmond,CA 94805

Miriam Wong, Executive Director

TheLatinaCenter

miriamwong2003@yahoo.com

http://www.thelatinacenter.org

PRESS RELEASE:

Media Advisory

For Immediate Release

Contact: David Sharples (415) 377-9037

Richmond City Council to Adopt Housing Element, Community Groups Advocate for Rent Stabilization, Affordable Housing and Blight Mitigation

RICHMOND, CA – The Richmond City Council will vote to adopt the 2007-2014 Housing Element on December 4th. The Housing Element is a critically important state-mandated document to assess a city’s housing needs, production and site availability. As part of advancing its equitable development platform, the REDI (Richmond Equitable Development Initiative) coalition, a coalition of Richmond community based organizations, has been involved in education and engaging residents to provide policy recommendations that help Richmond’s historically under-served populations and neighborhoods. REDI’s policy priorities have since been approved and recommended for adoption by the Richmond Planning Commission on November 1st.

REDI’s policy priorities include:

•

Stronger renter protections via Just Cause and Rent Stabilization

•

More affordable housing production via amending the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance

•

Foreclosure and blight mitigation via adoption of a Vacant Property Registration Ordinance

As REDI and ACCE leader Melvin Willis said “It is crucial that the Richmond City Council adopt the Housing Element with REDI’s recommendations. We need more affordable housing, protections for tenants and to strengthen Richmond’s blight program. 50% of Richmond residents are tenants. We need to protect them from unfair evictions. Its also crucial that we adopt the Vacant Property Registration Ordinance so that the city can track who owns these vacant, foreclosed, blighted properties that are destabilizing our neighborhoods.”

When: 5:30 pm Tuesday December 4th Press Conference followed by 6:30 pm City Council Meeting

Where: Richmond City Hall, City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA

What: A press conference followed by a City Council Hearing. Dozens of community leaders will turnout to testify in support of adoption of the Housing Element

Policy Detail

KEEP HOMES AFFORDABLE AND SAFE

H-1 3.2 Amend Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Strengthen inclusionary housing provisions to limit circumstances under which developers can pay in-lieu fees instead of building affordable housing, and we support increasing the amount of in-lieu fees to fully cover the cost of constructing new units.

H-1 3.4 Community Land Trust

Expedite the development of a community land trust to stabilize neighborhoods and increase the supply of affordable housing.

KEEP NEIGHBORHOODS CLEAN AND SAFE

H-2 5.3 Vacant Foreclosed Residential Property Ordinance Adopt an ordinance that would require the registration of vacant foreclosed properties, which would collect fees and track maintenance and bank ownership in conjunction with code enforcement.

H-2 5.4 Code Enforcement for Residential Neighborhoods Use code enforcement to rehabilitate substandard rental housing without displacing existing residents or raising their rents. Reduce foreclosure blight by aggressively enforcing SB 1137 to make banks maintain foreclosed properties or pay the $1000 per day fine. The fines collected should be allocated toward foreclosure prevention or foreclosure buy-back efforts. The City should collect data on a bank-by-bank basis regarding foreclosures, loan modifications, substandard housing conditions and blight so that the City can track whether or not banks are in compliance with the State of California’s Homeowner Bill of Rights.

KEEP FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES

H-4 2.2 Just Cause for Eviction

Establish rent control measures that include Just Cause and Fair Rent ordinances for all tenants, which protects against unjust or arbitrary evictions by defining fair reasons for evictions. Rent Control should also stabilize and regulate rents.

H-4 2.3 Rent Stabilization Ordinance

Adopt an ordinance to establish rent stabilization policies and a rent board that will register landlords and hear and resolve landlord-tenant disputes.

Press release:

November 13, 2012

Dear Generous Gift Giver,

The RYSE Youth Center is excited to partner with the Office of Supervisor John Gioia in hosting a Holiday Toy Drive for students at Verde Elementary (5 to 14 years) in North Richmond and children (newborn to 14 years old) attending RYSE’s Winter Wonderland event on Saturday, December 8 from 2-5pm.

To ensure that every child receives a brand new toy this holiday season, we are asking for your support by making a toy or monetary donation. If you wish to participate, we kindly request that all donated toys be new/unopened, unwrapped and a minimum $10.00 value. All financial contributions will be used to purchase additional toys for the event. The drop off center* for toy and monetary donations will be held at the RYSE Youth Center located at:

205 41st  Street Richmond, CA 94805

Please note:

checks can be made payable to the “RYSE Youth Center”.

For online contributions, please go to:

http://www.rysecenter.org/support-ryse/

and, when processing payment, please include “Toy Drive” in PO Number box.

*The RYSE Center will be accepting toys until Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:00pm.

RYSE’s Winter Wonderland event will be at no cost to those who wish to attend. The event will be held in celebration of our grand opening of RYSE OUTSYDE; a safe outdoor space built for our youth members to participate in a variety of performing arts and health and wellness activities including dancing, music performances, visual arts, sports, exercise and gardening. The program will include a toy give-away food, music, arts and crafts, tree decorating, snow machine, raffles, prizes and more!

For more information or questions, please contact Development Associate, Raquel

Toledo, at 510.374.3401; email

Raquel@rysecenter.org

We thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.

 Happy Holidays,

 Dan Reilly

Media, Arts, & Cutlure Director

RYSE Center

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 CONTACT: Jorge Amaro, (202) 412-4998

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

BAY AREA WALMART WORKERS TO STRIKE

ON THANKSGIVING AND BLACK FRIDAY 

WHAT:           Walmart workers on strike against company’s continuing retaliation against workers for speaking out

WHO:             Walmart workers, community leaders, and other allies rally in support of striking Walmart workers

WHEN/WHERE:        Thursday, November 22, 2012
8 P.M., 15555 Hesperian Blvd., San Leandro

Friday, November 23, 2012

7 a.m.., 2701 North Texas Street, Fairfield
9 a.m.., 1400 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond

12 p.m., 777 Story Road, San Jose
4 p.m., 15555 Hesperian Blvd., San Leandro

Visuals:            Crowd of striking Walmart workers, clergy, and community groups chanting, singing, dancing, and carrying signs reading: “Stand Up, Live Better, Stop Retaliation.”

BACKGROUND: Following the first-ever strikes in Walmart’s history, Walmart workers’ frustration around the attempts to silence workers is continuing to build as Black Friday approaches. Walmart has refused to address concerns that are affecting 1.4 million workers across the country and also attempted to silence its employees who speak out for improvements such as cutting hours, schedule reduction, and even firings.
Walmart workers in the Bay Area have been calling on Walmart to address the issues of low take-home pay, safety and security at their store and understaffing that is keeping workers from receiving sufficient hours and is also hurting customer service. Bay Area stores have a history of violence, especially during the Black Friday sales. In the last month, there have been multiple attempted robberies at the San Leandro store. Last year during Black Friday, a customer was shot outside the same store while walking back to his car with his family.  Many other workers are also speaking out against the early start of Black Friday sales, which will keep many of them from being able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with their families.  The Black Friday actions in the Bay Area will be one of nationwide rallies, flash mobs, direct action and other efforts to inform customers about the illegal actions that Walmart has been taking against its employees.

###

Making Change at Walmart is a campaign challenging Walmart to help rebuild our economy and strengthen working families. Anchored by the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW), we are a coalition of Walmart associates, union members, small business owners, religious leaders, community organizations, women’s advocacy groups, multi-ethnic coalitions, elected officials and ordinary citizens who believe that changing Walmart is vital for the future of our country.

From the agenda. This was passed last night 5-1-1.

DATE:

November 20, 2012

TO:

Mayor McLaughlin and Members of the City Council

FROM:

Councilmember Jovanka Beckles

SUBJECT:

CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN ORDIANCE EXTENDING

RICHMOND’S “BAN THE BOX” POLICY TO CITY VENDORS AND

CONTRACTORS

STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE:

On November 11, 2011, Richmond City Council passed the resolution “Ban the

Box” requiring city employment application forms, either printed or online, to

exclude questions pertaining to an applicant’s prior criminal convictions.

However, this measure does not protect formally incarcerated persons when

applying for employment opportunities with private vendors and contractors

conducting business with the city.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

DIRECT the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to expand the “Ban the Box”

policy to include contractors and vendors conducting business with the City of

Richmond – Councilmember Beckles (620-6568).

FINANCIAL IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATION:

There is no financial impact related to this item at this time.

DISCUSSION:

Councilmember Beckles proposes that the City Attorney draft an ordinance for

Council consideration extending Richmond’s “Ban the Box” policy, which was

AGENDA REPORT

November 20, 2012 Page

2 of

2

passed on November 11, 2011, to require private vendors and contractors

conducting business with the city adopt the same employment application

process as the City of Richmond.

To date, the “Ban the Box” resolution requires any questions regarding prior

criminal convictions be removed from printed and online City of Richmond

employment application forms, and limits the gathering of information on

applicant’s potential conviction history. The intent of this resolution is to support

the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated people into the community

by removing barriers to employment after their release from prison.

Recognizing that 78% of local parolees are unemployed and over 70% are

homeless, according to Safe Return Project, extending this proposal to private

vendors and contractors will expand employment opportunities for all qualified

individuals seeking employment and also contribute to the community’s

economic system.

Nationwide, several cities and counties, including Boston, Hartford, New Haven,

Worcester, Chicago, Minneapolis, St Paul, San Francisco, and Alameda County,

have already adopted policies aligned with the “Ban the Box” initiative. The City

of Richmond, one of the three largest employers in Richmond, has the

opportunity to lead the way toward greater economic growth and social equality

for individuals by providing equal opportunities for employment, including

members who were formerly incarcerated and are attempting to rebuild their

lives.

DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:

Attachment 1 – Safe Return Policy Research Memo

Press release below:

For Immediate Release                                                                                November 21, 2012

East Bay Italian restaurant continues tradition of serving full course Thanksgiving Dinner to homeless and low-income families
Attendance expected to double from last year

Date: Thursday, November 22, 2012

Times: 10 a.m. (1st Seating) & 12:30 noon (2nd Seating)

Location:  Salute E Vita Ristorante, 1900 Esplanade, Richmond CA

(Richmond, CA)  For the second year, Menbere Aklilu, owner of Salute E Vita Ristorante in the City of Richmond’s Marina Bay neighborhood, will be opening her restaurant to provide a free full Thanksgiving dinner for families and individuals in Richmond and West Contra Costa County who wouldotherwise not have access to a healthy and gourmet meal served in an elegant atmosphere.

600 dinner guests – double from last year – are expected to walk through Salute’s restaurant tomorrow morning greeted with appetizers served by volunteers waiters. They will be seated at white table cloth tables surrounded by stunning views of San Francisco Bay and served a formal three course meal, which will include a salad, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

“For many people, Thanksgiving is a day we spend celebrating with our families over a lovingly prepared dinner,” said Aklilu. “However, there are many in Richmond who do not have access to a warm and beautifullycooked meal.  That’s why we’re doing this.”

Born in Ethiopia, Aklilu has operated Salute’s with a emphasis on community service and has enrolled the help of guest servers including Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus, Richmond Fire Chief Michael Banks, Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, Contra Costa County Presiding JudgeDiana Becton, Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, Chevron Richmond Refinery Manager Nigel Hearne, Olympic Gold medalist Michael Johnson, and San Francisco 49er alumni Eric Wright.

The event is supported by many local businesses including Nancy Hakkinen of “Made to Order” who will be donating 600 totes, which will be used for goody bags; Jean-Yves Charon of Galaxy Dessert who will be providing the pumpkin pies; Dr. Robert Pearce, a Pt. Richmond dentist who provided more than 1000 tooth brushes, toothpaste, and dental floss; apparel by designer Dosho Shifferaw, turkey’s provided by Richmond Wholesale; Douglas Reil of Bay Food Shed, and additional support by many Salute restaurant customers and Richmond residents who donated supplies and give-away items.

For moreInformation please contact:

Traci McWain

Manager Salute E Vita Ristorante

www.salutemarinabay.com

(510) 215-0803 – office

(323) 215-6672 – cell

tracermc@gmail.com<mailto:tracermc@gmail.com>

As of Nov. 11, the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s long tradition of Thanksgiving feasts for all was in jeopardy.

They didn’t have enough food. Donations were scant.

“It was pretty critical,” said Executive Director John Anderson.

At the time, they had just 33 turkeys.

Eight days later, they have 1,500, and they are set to dish up 24,000 meals this week.

“It was overwhelming,” Anderson said. “We tried to get the word out through media sources, donors and friends, and word got around and people reacted  in typical Bay Area, compassionate fashion.”

The major donors included AAA and Bay Alarm, which dropped off 320 turkey’s Monday morning. Dozens of individuals, churches and businesses also donated, bringing the total haul of food to an amount representing a 15 percent increase over last year, Anderson said.

The turkeys are 25-35 pounds each.

Hundreds of volunteers are also involved in preparations.

There will be turkey dinners open to all at the Mission every night through Thursday, and an 11:30 a.m. meal event on Thursday.

The full press release is below: