| Contra Costa County, CA | November 4, 2008 Election |
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Chevron Hydrogen Renewl Project & Richmond Police Check PointBy Nathaniel R. "Nat" BatesCandidate for Council Member; City of Richmond |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
Chevron Hydrogen Renewal Project & Richmond Police Check PointA recent guest editorials in the West County Times personally attacked my integrity on my vote in support of the Chevron Hydrogen Renewal Project. I would like to set the record straight as to my vote on the project. The council received numerous written reports, video tapes from the Design and Planning commission hearings, Environmental Impact Report, Consultant's reports and testimonies in excess of 14 hours of public comment prior to making a decision. My vote was based on the fact that the current plant was constructed around 1903, I am told. Although there have been considerable upgrades etc, in my opinion, a plant that old represents a serious accident ready to happen. We could deny the permit and stand the possibility of allowing the plant to eventually blow up in our face, or, we could grant a permit to rebuild. In hearing all of the testimonies, and reviewing the EIR, I fully believe a new 800 million dollars plant with up to date new technology will provide greater safety, less emissions, less health risks, while being more productive and efficient is in the best interest of the City of Richmond. Another important factor for my vote was the Attorney General and each of the federal and state agencies who will oversee this project provided no substantial opposition. Those were the primary reasons I voted for the project. Unfortunately, the hearing was very emotional with a great deal of anger directed at Chevron. I recognize Chevron's poor public relationships with the city and various communities. I certainly do not agree that a company which has profited millions of dollars should be requesting a reduction in their property tax nor opposing a city tax measure two years ago in view of their excessive profits through high gas prices, etc. Yet, we must recognize, that is their legal right to challenge their Property Tax Assessment and we have to live with the final results. However, as a responsible elected official, I have a duty and responsibility to work with the largest tax payer or any other tax payer in the city so long as I represent what is in the best interest of the City of Richmond. I am confident time will validate that the majority vote by the council members voting for the Chevron Hydrogen Renewal Project will be justified. Position Paper #2 Richmond Police Check Point program designed to protect residents Several years ago, I introduced the idea of police sobriety check points to former Police Chief Joe Samuels. Despite the city's high incidence of drive-by shootings, drunk driving, and driving without a valid license, registration or insurance, my request fell on deaf ears. I was told all sorts of reasons why it would not work, including possible legal challenges from the ACLU. This was most disappointing, since I knew personally where other cities had successfully implemented these types of programs. When Chief Chris Magnus was hired, I again presented the idea at one of our Public Safety Committee meetings. He was enthusiastic and indicated he would return with a program that would withstand a legal test. As Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, we worked diligently with the chief to assure the check points would indeed meet the legal requirements. One of the goals was to implement the program citywide in order to avoid allegations of racial or ethnic profiling. After a few check points, the program was halted as a result of legal questions by the Ninth Circuit District Court about when a vehicle can legally be confiscated. This question has been resolved, and I am pleased to report after our April 5 Public Safety Committee meeting that the check points will resumed. In my opinion, these check points have nothing to do with Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE). The intent of the check point program is to provide greater safety to all of our residents. There is a need to remove from the street drivers who are unlicensed, uninsured, driving on a suspended or revoked license, intoxicated, carrying weapons or drugs or involved in other criminal violations. This is the responsibility of our law enforcement and the entire community should welcome this approach. I diagree with the mayor when she states the police can better be utalized in other areas. Nat Bates is vice-mayor of Richmond. Printed in the Richmond Globe Newspaper April 25-May 1, 2007 Edition. |
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