In brief: Richmond’s U.S. Rep. Garamendi comments about attacks on Iran

RICHMOND

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Richmond, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s military strikes against Iran:

“Once again, in direct violation of the United States Constitution, President Donald Trump has ordered attacks against Iran without congressional authorization. This marks the second instance this year in which the president has undertaken military action without the approval of Congress, an action that should concern all Americans.

“For decades the Iranian regime has violated human rights, created chaos in the Middle East and supported terrorism around the world. But the decision to attack another nation without clearly articulating the legal justification, strategic objectives and anticipated consequences to Congress and the American people runs counter to the constitutional framework established by our founders.

“As with the removal of (Venezuelan President Nicolás) Maduro, these strikes raise serious and fundamental questions: What is the strategy to promote stability and democratic governance in Iran? How can such objectives be achieved without the deployment of American ground forces or significant escalation? Most importantly, what is the president’s plan?

“I am deeply concerned that there is no strategy and that this action risks drawing the United States into another prolonged conflict in the Middle East, exactly at odds with the wishes of the American people and the promises made by the president. Trump has once again risked pulling the United States into a Middle East war and put thousands of servicemembers at risk.

“While we all hope for a peaceful and prosperous future for the Iranian people, there is a substantial risk that further escalation could destabilize the region and lead to broader conflict. This is a critical and dangerous moment. The preservation of our constitutional system and our nation’s credibility abroad will be defined by what we do in this moment. It is time for Congress to act.”

— U.S. Rep. Garamendi’s office

Completion of housing complex to be celebrated Friday

The Community Housing Development Corporation of North Richmond (CHDC) and Eden Housing on Friday will celebrate the completion of Legacy Court, an all-electric, energy-efficient affordable housing development in Richmond supporting low-income households earning 30 to 60% of the area’s median income.

From 12 to 2 p.m. Friday at 1243 Fred Jackson Way in Richmond, speakers will include Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, state Sen. Jesse Arreguín, state Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and several others.

Thirteen of the units are dedicated to support residents who have been homeless or at risk of homelessness, as well as people in need of mental health services, ensuring critical support for some of the community’s most vulnerable members. Contra Costa Behavioral Health Services will provide additional support services for these units, including case management, peer support, mental health care, substance use services and benefits counseling and advocacy.

The development is seven, two- to three-story buildings situated across three different sites, all of which are located within one block of each other at the intersection of Fred Jackson Way and Sanford Avenue in North Richmond. The project includes a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.

One of the units is set aside for a live-in community manager to help ensure the property is well-managed. On-site amenities for residents include a community room, community kitchen, laundry rooms, a computer lab and bike parking. The common areas serve as spaces for resident gatherings, community meetings, and social events. For more information online, visit edenhousing.org.

— Eden Housing

BERKELEY

Volunteers needed to plant trees and more around town

Come volunteer to plant trees and native plants in Berkeley at four events in March and April designed to help improve the city’s parks, a public corridor and the waterfront. City staff will be on-site to lead the work, demonstrate techniques, share safety guidance and answer questions as you go.

Depending on which event you attend, you’ll help add shade near an active city park; plant a native garden to support bees, butterflies and other pollinators; learn a new technique for planting trees that will grow quickly with little maintenance; plant trees, shrubs and native flora near the shoreline and then take a walking tour to learn about the symbiosis of different tree species in this area.

Events will take place at this Saturday at San Pablo Park and in South Berkeley, March 28 at Willard Park and April 25 at the Berkeley waterfront. Register in advance when noted and arrive on time ready to participate. For more details online or to register, visit bit.ly/3Nd7f9v.

— city of Berkeley

EL CERRITO

Two of three city projects receive federal funding so far

Three of the city of El Cerrito’s projects have been included in federal appropriations bills as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending process, with two projects funded to date: $850,000 for complete streets and multimodal safety improvements in the El Cerrito Plaza BART station area and $3 million to support affordable housing development at 11965 San Pablo Ave.

Funding for a third project, focused on fuels mitigation and wildfire risk-reduction efforts in the Hillside Natural Area, remains pending and is tied to the status of the U.S. Homeland Security Department’s appropriations bill. El Cerrito officials appreciate the advocacy and partnership of U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Richmond, and California’s U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla in advancing these requests on behalf of the city.

City staff will continue to track federal budget negotiations and provide updates as additional information becomes available. For further information, visit elcerrito.gov online.

— city of El Cerrito

ALBANY

Applicants sought for city’s advisory board vacancies

Get involved in local government! The city of Albany is seeking applicants to serve on advisory bodies to the City Council. Apply for a new vacancy on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission or Transportation Commission.

Note that the Planning and Zoning Commission has an additional supplemental questionnaire to complete the application. Visit the city’s advisory bodies webpage for more details at bit.ly/4r6GpO7.

— city of Albany

To submit an item for the Berkeley Voice and El Cerrito Journal’s “In brief” section, which is now usually published in print on each month’s first Friday, please email it, at least three days before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.