(This blog was influenced by a social media post that raised important concerns about how leadership responds to residents.) Mayor Wysinger, Your handling of the Richmond Street project reflects a troubling disregard for the people who are most vulnerable in this city — the elderly, the disabled, and multigenerational families — and a pattern ofContinue reading “The People You’re Leaving Behind”
Category Archives: Richmond St
The El Cerrito Democratic Machine Is Failing Us
A micro blog For years, the El Cerrito Democratic Club and its political allies have backed the same cast of characters—Greg Lyman, Gabe Quinto, Carolyn Wysinger, and their revolving-door circle of endorsements. What do they all have in common? A long record of prioritizing their own egos and personal agendas over the real needs ofContinue reading “The El Cerrito Democratic Machine Is Failing Us”
Demanding Honest Climate Leadership
By a Concerned El Cerrito Citizen At the July 15 City Council meeting, something fundamental became painfully clear: the real greenhouse-gas giants—the military-industrial complex, Big Oil and refineries, industrial agriculture, and the chronic underfunding of clean, long-range mass transit—are going unchallenged, while working-class residents, seniors, and disabled individuals on Richmond Street are the ones being askedContinue reading “Demanding Honest Climate Leadership”
Displacement Disguised as Progress
It’s hard to believe what the mayor said during the recent debate over the Richmond Street bike lane project. In an effort to justify a deeply flawed ordinance, she accused longtime residents of “appropriating the language of the oppressed.” Somehow, homeowners—many of them retired, working-class, or first-time buyers—were cast as the oppressor class. This isn’tContinue reading “Displacement Disguised as Progress”
El Cerrito Moves Forward with Richmond Street Bike Plan—Without Richmond Street residents on Board
On July 15, 2025, the El Cerrito City Council voted to proceed with a controversial redesign of Richmond Street, which eliminates nearly two-thirds of on-street parking. Despite passionate opposition from many residents, the revised plan is moving forward with little interest in compromise from city leadership. Residents who live on Richmond Street say they hadContinue reading “El Cerrito Moves Forward with Richmond Street Bike Plan—Without Richmond Street residents on Board”
Richmond Complete Streets: A Resident’s Perspective
Over the holiday weekend, a local resident shared a detailed history of the Richmond Complete Streets public engagement process. Their reflection included conversations with a couple of El Cerrito residents—neither of whom lives on Richmond Street. While both individuals were neutral about the plan, they reportedly felt the project was being pushed from the topContinue reading “Richmond Complete Streets: A Resident’s Perspective”
“Seniors Deserve More Than Lip Service”
— Reflections from El Cerrito’s July 4 Event By Concerned Citizens At the July 4 celebration in El Cerrito — a day filled with vendor booths, food, and community spirit — we had the opportunity to speak with Will Provost. Amid the festivities, we discussed something far more serious: how to ensure that senior issuesContinue reading ““Seniors Deserve More Than Lip Service””
El Cerrito Library Campaign Has Significant Presence at July 4 Event
— But Where’s the Cost Analysis? And long-term Forecast From a Concerned Citizen At this year’s July 4 celebration in Cerrito Vista Park, the campaign to build a new El Cerrito library was out in full force — banners, booths, and volunteers circulating petitions for a proposed parcel tax to fund an inaccessible “trophy library”Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign Has Significant Presence at July 4 Event”
Walking Richmond Street — A Community Journey
This Fourth of July weekend, while many are celebrating with barbecues and fireworks, one El Cerrito resident is inviting neighbors to celebrate in a quieter, more reflective way. Mimu Tsujimura, a local resident and gentle presence in our community, is offering something both simple and profound: a series of walking conversations on Richmond Street. HerContinue reading “Walking Richmond Street — A Community Journey”
Richmond Street: The Train Has Left the Station
Informed by a concerned citizen Yesterday on June 26, 2025, El Cerrito management presented their vision for the Richmond Street project—and if you missed the meeting, you can watch the recording here: 🔗 Watch the Presentation 📊 View the Survey Results Let’s start with the good news. There were a few bright spots: Public EngagementContinue reading “Richmond Street: The Train Has Left the Station”
Budget Approved. Services Denied. El Cerrito’s Fiscal Path Back to the Brink – Again
Despite mounting deficits, rising liabilities, and a shrinking cushion of reserves, the El Cerrito City Council voted 4-1 to adopt the FY 2025–26 budget. The lone dissenting vote came from Council Member William Ktsanes—the only member to stay true to his campaign commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparent governance. He recognized what the others ignored:Continue reading “Budget Approved. Services Denied. El Cerrito’s Fiscal Path Back to the Brink – Again”
UP TO 80% OF CURBSIDE PARKING ON RICHMOND STREET TO BE REMOVED FOR BIKE LANES
The City of El Cerrito has released the updated Richmond Street Complete Street Project plan—dated Monday, June 9, 2025—and the implications for neighborhood parking are serious. Under the proposed plan, 160 of the 247 current on-street parking spaces along Richmond Street will be permanently removed to make way for dedicated bike lanes. Only 88 spacesContinue reading “UP TO 80% OF CURBSIDE PARKING ON RICHMOND STREET TO BE REMOVED FOR BIKE LANES”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 