Chevron has a complicated relationship with Richmond. The company's Richmond refinery have been given an assessed value of more than $3 billion, making it a significant contributor to the city's tax base. The refinery has about 1,200 employees. It's also been criticized for not paying its fair share in taxes, creating a dangerous environment in the city and generating pollution.
Anger at Chevron seemed to prevail among attendees of its Tuesday-night town hall meeting on Monday's refinery fire. Some, however, also noted that there might not be an easy way to address local criticism of the company. Bay Area News Group reporter Daniel Jimenez Tweeted that one meeting attendee said, "If Chevron leaves we all die, but if Chevron stays, we all die too." (Here's Jiminez's story in the Contra Costa Times today.)
Several in attendance at the meeting called for more information from the company and local officials about the impact of the fire. Others said Chevron needs to do a better job alerting the community when there is an emergency. Below are Tweets from Jimenez and others who covered the event...
http://storify.com/kqednews/chevron-holds-town-hall-meeting-on-richmond-refine