CURB

Our Mission,

Open spaces, excellent schools, a small-town community — these are just some of the reasons why we choose to make Brentwood our home. We know that we are privileged to live in a place that has a quality of life worth preserving and provides the economic opportunity of the wider Bay Area.

But this year, the reason for living in Brentwood is also a reason we need CURB: Citizens for Urban Planning and Responsible Spending in Brentwood.

Now, more than ever, the qualities and values that make Brentwood great are under strain and pressure. The housing market has plummeted. The economy is weak. Growth and development from surrounding towns challenge police department resources, increase paramedic and fire department response times, create traffic congestion, crowd our schools, and limit recovery from the foreclosure-heavy mortgage meltdown. Meanwhile, the Brentwood city government is spending too much money on unneeded projects like the civic center and a garbage transfer station just as subsidies to county programs has mandated cutbacks to parks and recreation program and as several fire stations may be closed because of lack of money from the county to fund the district.

For the last four years I have had an insider’s view of the challenging processes and the delays that stifle the city’s progress as I have watched my husband, Brandon Richey, as a sitting councilman of the City of Brentwood. And I have realized a more productive way to give voice to the community through CURB. Brentwood needs positive change in economic development, transportation, sustainability, and government spending: issues that are important to everyone in Brentwood, regardless of political affiliation.

And that’s the purpose of CURB. It’s not about politics, but about good government. A poorly run government is usually exposed in the news media, but the decline of daily journalism has left a significant gap in local news coverage. The mission of CURB is to fill that gap, to provide a forum and voice for the concerns of the citizens of Brentwood who want transparency and accountability from their city government.

Through this website, letters to the media and community activities we will work to affect positive change. And though we are a nonprofit and will not endorse political candidates, with your involvement we will hold candidates and elected officials accountable for the inherent responsibilities of their positions.

We hope you will join us. But if you decide not to, that’s OK. If you read the pages of this website and join in our public discussion in the coming months and, as we hope, you feel that the issues raised here have helped make Brentwood a better place, then we have accomplished our mission.

Sincerely,

Christine Richey

About Christine Richey

Christine Richey describes herself as “first and foremost a dedicated wife and stepmother of three.” Her stepchildren are a 15-year old Liberty High student, an 18-year old college student at UCSB, and a 20-year old student transferring to Sacramento State University.

Christine is passionate about the welfare of her community and about humanity. She has spent many years training and working in public service in law enforcement, child development and health care. And she endeavors to continue to study the human condition and revels in the idea of future volunteer work focusing on world health.

Christine has lived in Brentwood, CA., since 1998, and she is proud and excited to be serving her community through CURB.