Dear Friends,
At 12:30 a.m. this morning (after
a long City Council meeting that started at 6:30 pm last
night), we approved a resolution to discontinue
consideration of a casino use for Point Molate. The
Richmond City Council found that a casino use for Point
Molate would be detrimental to the general welfare
of the people of Richmond. We concurred with the 58.3%
of Richmond voters last November who defeated Measure
U by saying that a casino use at Point Molate was not
in the interest of the people of Richmond.
What an historic night it was! I
want to thank the nearly one hundred public speakers
who spoke on the item (76% of speakers were against
the casino). Thank you also to the hundreds of individuals
who sent emails, almost 100% against the casino.
Now that the casino is behind us,
let us focus our energies on advocating for a use for
Point Molate that reflects the current era in Richmond
-- an era of empowerment and liberation, where people are
no longer held hostage by big corporations or big developers. Cities
rise and fall based on the way they focus their energies. We
have overcome a major stumbling block, by rejecting the
casino, that has divided our energies for too long. It
is a political and social necessity that we unify and
put our collective energies into play on projects that
will truly help us rise together.
The good jobs and healthy image we
all seek require our undivided attention. Our work
for a sustainable Richmond must continue to gain momentum,
as we build on our history of resiliency and overcome
challenges together...leading with our dreams for a
better future. Our belief in each other and in the power
of community defining its own destiny must continue
to deepen - thus furthering us on our journey for a
more just and equitable society. We can and must reflect
this vision at Pt. Molate and throughout Richmond.
To those who say we must "take what we get" even if it is
a dead-end road for our city, let us remind them of April
5, 2011 as the day democracy prevailed with a chorus
of voices saying: No, No CasiNO!
Thank you for your courage, your perseverance,
and your passion
Gayle McLaughlin
Mayor, City of Richmond |
