Several people have emailed me about a letter they were surprised to receive yesterday from West County Toxics Coalition (WCTC) Executive Director Dr. Henry Clark advocating for support of Measure U and defending the casino project based on public access and environmental cleanup.

According to Dr. Clark, “That’s why so many environmentalists are strongly supporting Measure U.”

Wait a minute. What’s going on here?

Your first clue is printed on the flap of the envelope, which states: “Richmond Residents for Opportunity, Jobs, the Environment and the Point Molate Destination Resort – Yes on Measure U sponsored by the Winehaven Partners LLC and the Guidiville Indian Tribe, 770 South 13th Street, Richmond, CA 94804.” The originating address is that of a building owned by Ted Smith at 770 South 13th Street, Richmond,  California 94804. Give Ted, who is a resident of Pinole, a call at  510-529-0688.

First of all, the premise that a casino is essential for the environmental cleanup is just plain wrong. The City of Richmond has 90% of the money required to complete cleanup, which it received from the U.S. Navy, in the bank. The last of the cleanup work, which is still in the design stage, is moving along as fast as it can, with or without a casino.

Support of the environmental community is somewhat murkier. Back in early 2009, Citizens for Eastshore Parks (CESP) sued to block the casino at Point Molate, but for over a year has been discussing a potential settlement with the developer, Upstream point Molate LLC, that would result in Upstream paying CESP and a handful of other environmental group tens of millions of dollars. The quid pro quo is that the environmental groups would agree to not only not oppose the project but also to actively support it. It goes even further. Reportedly, there is clause in the proposed agreement that would kill the deal if any “major environmental organization” continues to oppose the project.

But wait, there’s more. The environmental groups would not get their payoff until the casino opens and is operation. With the opening at least five years – and maybe a decade away even if all the hurdles are cleared – CESP and the other environmental groups have traded support today for money that may or may not come years from now.

We suspect that West County Toxics Coalition, headed by Dr. Henry Clark, who lives not in Richmond but in Antioch, has agreed to support the project in return for some payment to the WCTC, now or in the future. In short, they sold their support for money and lied about the reason.

The Mission of the WCTC is to “empower low and moderate-income residents to exercise greater control over environmental problems that impact their quality of life in County Costa County, particularly West Contra Costa County (West County), in Northern California.” Their website goes on to say: “The programs of WCTC empower residents, particularly those living in West County and the City of Richmond, to become actively involved in the development and implementation of environmental justice policies and programs that affect their communities.”

We are glad to know that The WCTC has gone to bat for the low and moderate-income residents of West Contra Costa County to further environmental justice and increase their quality of life with California’s first urban casino.

Not all environmental organizations have sampled the kool-aid. One such holdout is the California Native Plant Society, which rightly recognizes that the project would adversely impact native plant communities on the site, and is unwilling to abandon their principles for promises of future money.

See the WCTC letter below:

Several people have emailed me about a letter they were surprised to receive yesterday from West County Toxics Coalition (WCTC) Executive Director Dr. Henry Clark advocating for support of Measure U and defending the casino project based on public access and environmental cleanup.

According to Dr. Clark, “That’s why so many environmentalists are strongly supporting Measure U.”

Wait a minute. What’s going on here?

Your first clue is printed on the flap of the envelope, which states: “Richmond Residents for Opportunity, Jobs, the Environment and the Point Molate Destination Resort – Yes on Measure U sponsored by the Winehaven Partners LLC and the Guidiville Indian Tribe, 770 South 13th Street, Richmond, CA 94804.” The originating address is that of a building owned by Ted Smith at 770 South 13th Street, Richmond,  California 94804. Give Ted, who is a resident of Pinole, a call at  510-529-0688.

First of all, the premise that a casino is essential for the environmental cleanup is just plain wrong. The City of Richmond has 90% of the money required to complete cleanup, which it received from the U.S. Navy, in the bank. The last of the cleanup work, which is still in the design stage, is moving along as fast as it can, with or without a casino.

Support of the environmental community is somewhat murkier. Back in early 2009, Citizens for Eastshore Parks (CESP) sued to block the casino at Point Molate, but for over a year has been discussing a potential settlement with the developer, Upstream point Molate LLC, that would result in Upstream paying CESP and a handful of other environmental group tens of millions of dollars. The quid pro quo is that the environmental groups would agree to not only not oppose the project but also to actively support it. It goes even further. Reportedly, there is clause in the proposed agreement that would kill the deal if any “major environmental organization” continues to oppose the project.

But wait, there’s more. The environmental groups would not get their payoff until the casino opens and is operation. With the opening at least five years – and maybe a decade away even if all the hurdles are cleared – CESP and the other environmental groups have traded support today for money that may or may not come years from now.

We suspect that West County Toxics Coalition, headed by Dr. Henry Clark, who lives not in Richmond but in Antioch, has agreed to support the project in return for some payment to the WCTC, now or in the future. In short, they sold their support for money and lied about the reason.

The Mission of the WCTC is to “empower low and moderate-income residents to exercise greater control over environmental problems that impact their quality of life in County Costa County, particularly West Contra Costa County (West County), in Northern California.” Their website goes on to say: “The programs of WCTC empower residents, particularly those living in West County and the City of Richmond, to become actively involved in the development and implementation of environmental justice policies and programs that affect their communities.”

We are glad to know that The WCTC has gone to bat for the low and moderate-income residents of West Contra Costa County to further environmental justice and increase their quality of life with California’s first urban casino.

Not all environmental organizations have sampled the kool-aid. One such holdout is the California Native Plant Society, which rightly recognizes that the project would adversely impact native plant communities on the site, and is unwilling to abandon their principles for promises of future money.

See the WCTC letter below: