WEST COUNTY FORUM

Thursday, November 14

On November 14th, we are excited to be joined by journalists from the new local publication, Richmondside. Our guest speakers will be their Editor-in-Chief, Kari Hulac, and Reporter, Joel Umanzor, who will give us a post-election analysis. Hulac has worked in journalism for more than twenty years to include leadership positions at the Bay Area News Group and the (Hayward) Daily Review, in addition to her contributions to the Oakland Tribune, Patch, and Bay City News. Umanzor is a Richmond native who covers local government and public safety. He has also reported for the San Francisco Standard, Houston Chronicle, and San Francisco Chronicle.

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RICHMONDSIDE

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December 12                    Jim Becker, President Richmond Community Foundation

January 9                            Republic Services representative

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Ruthie Abelson Olivas

West County Forum Secretary

The West County Forum was honored to have West Contra Costa County Unified School District Superintendent, Dr Chris Hurst return as our guest speaker. He will be departing from the district in December 2024, and he shared his thoughts about the efforts put towards addressing critical issues the district has faced. We also heard about future plans in work consistent with a new Strategic Plan, and “Moon Shot Thinking”. Dr. Hurst brought along incoming Superintendent, Dr. Kimberly Moses, who the Forum already gave an open invitation to be a future Forum speaker.

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Ruthie Abelson Olivas

West County Forum Secretary

Thursday, October 10

The West County Forum is honored to have West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Dr Chris Hurst return as our guest speaker. Dr Hurst so graciously presented to us when he first joined the district years ago and we are so grateful he has agreed once again to come back. Our hard-working Superintendent just announced his upcoming departure from the district in December 2024, due to family health issues, so it is truly an honor to have him return and very timely indeed! Be sure to reserve a seat as soon as possible.

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West Contra Costa Unified School District

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Ruthie Abelson Olivas

West County Forum Secretary

What a great forum we had in September! Five of the seven candidates for Richmond City Council were there to include (District 6) Shawn Dunning; (District 5) Ahmad Anderson; and (District 1) Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg, and Melvin Willis. All seven candidates were invited and two declined. The five candidates present each took time out of their busy schedule to educate us more about their positions on various topics in Richmond. It was informative, upbeat, and overall, a delightful time. Our attendance was also probably the biggest since Congressman Garamendi was the speaker!

Ruthie Abelson Olivas

West County Forum Secretary