RICHMOND
U.S. Reps. John Garamendi, D-Richmond, and Don Beyer, D-Virginian, and U.S. Sens. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, co-chairs of the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, led a letter Monday to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin regarding concerns about the Department of Defense’s (DOD) handling of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program.
On Jan. 18, Congress was notified of a “critical” Nunn-McCurdy breach on the Sentinel program, which is triggered if a program incurs a cost or schedule overrun of more than 30%. The program is now estimated to cost more than $130 billion, a staggering 211% higher than initial estimates from 2015.These inflated costs stem from underestimated budgets, poor assumptions and incomplete data. Despite these issues, public statements from senior DOD officials indicate a bias toward continuing the program.
“We write to express our concern that the Department of Defense is not completing a comprehensive, thorough and unbiased assessment of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program, the replacement to our nation’s current ICBM, the Minuteman III, as required by the Nunn-McCurdy Act,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Recent comments, particularly by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante, who is overseeing the process, stating ‘Nunn-McCurdy or not’ that the program must proceed, suggest that the review is being prepared with an end-state in mind,” the letter continues. “Given the imperative of advancing nuclear policies that promote stability and prevent escalation, we demand a thorough review of all alternatives.”
This month, the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Association co-chairs announced a July hearing to provide oversight on cost overruns of nuclear modernization programs. This follows the failure by the House Armed Services Committee majority to pass several amendments to curb wasteful and dangerous nuclear weapons spending in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (H.R.8070) in committee.
“We write this letter as concerned lawmakers to remind the DoD that the American people have not granted them a blank check to pursue wasteful, unnecessary programs that are improperly managed and incur waste. … We look forward to hearing how your evaluation will provide essential oversight to this program and, if it is not terminated, begin applying the necessary scrutiny to this project,” the lawmakers’ letter concludes.
In addition to the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group co-chairs, the letter was co-signed by Democratic U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee from Oakland, Sara Jacobs from San Diego, Jerry Nadler from New York, Pramila Jayapal from Washington, Mark Pocan from Wisconsin, and Jim McGovern from Massachusetts, and Democratic U.S. Sens Ron Wyden from Oregon, Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, and Chris Van Hollen from Maryland. To read the letter’s full text online, visit bit.ly/3VymA4E.
— U.S. Rep. Garamendi’s office
PINOLE
City to host July Fourth event, drone show at high school
From 6:30 to 10 p.m. July 4, the city of Pinole will host a July Fourth celebration and drone show at Pinole Valley High School. No roadways will be closed for the event, but expect heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Please contact the Pinole Police Department at 510-724-1111 with any questions.
— city of Pinole
RICHMOND
Art center’s opening reception for two exhibitions Saturday
Artists living and working in Richmond, as well as incarcerated artists, will present their work at Richmond Art Center in two new exhibitions opening this summer
In the main gallery, San Quentin Prison Arts Project and Philadelphia Mural Arts will present “The View from Here,” an exhibition featuring artwork by incarcerated artists from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center and Philadelphia’s State Correctional Institution Phoenix who participated in a creative exchange over the past year.
The theme — “The View from Here” — emerged from the artists’ communications, exploring life inside prison and the realms where their minds wander beyond its gates.
A panel discussion and paint day featuring alumni and facilitators from both prison arts programs will be held on July 13 starting at 11 a.m. After a panel discussion, former program participant Eddie Ramirez will showcase his mural painting technique, and community members are invited to join in the process.
Also opening at Richmond Art Center this summer is the Richmond Open Studios Preview Exhibition. In its second year, this event will bring together nearly 50 artists in Richmond who are opening their studios to the public during the weekend of Aug. 17-18.
The Preview Exhibition offers visitors an advance showing of work by participating artists, letting them plan their self-guided tours throughout different Richmond neighborhoods in August. Richmond artists are also being hosted at ar.ti.fact Gallery, NIAD Art Center and Richmond Art Center.
An Opening Reception for “The View from Here” and the Preview Exhibition will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, and all are welcome to attend. The Richmond Art Center is at 2540 Barrett Avenue in Richmond, admission is free and gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Visit richmondartcenter.org online for more details.
— Richmond Art Center
SAN PABLO
City’s new administrative services director to start July 16
The city of San Pablo has appointed Arturo Castillo as its new administrative services director.
Castillo, selected from a field of 58 applicants, has served as an administrative services officer with Contra Costa County for the last nine years, and as a program manager within county government since 2009 handling complex budget, finance and IT management services.
Before that, Castillo held multiple administrative services positions in local, nonprofit and community-based service organizations focused on administration, budget, fiscal and public heath services since 1999.
Following the retirement of former City Finance Director Norman Veloso in late February, the city retained Peckham and McKenney, an executive search firm based in Roseville, to conduct this important and successful executive search.
“Mr. Castillo brings forward a solid and operational reputation in local governemnt, with vast knowledge and expertise in managing administrative, fiscal and IT management services to the city. He will definitely ‘hit the ground running’ and will serve as a valuable member of the city’s executive team,” said San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez.
Castillo earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from San Francisco State University. His starting annual base salary is $217,597 and official start date will be on July 16. Castillo is married with two children and lives in Martinez.
— Agility PR
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