Courtland “Corky” Booze

Courtland "Corky" Booze is running for Richmond City Council with the dedication to bring the voices of the community back into power.


After attending every city council meeting for the last 12 years, Booze is determined to empower the voices of the community to present their issues and concerns to the city council.


"I ran because the people's voice is not being heard in the city of Richmond," he said.


The council meetings initially scheduled an open forum for public comments at 7 p.m., but changed the policy to 11 p.m., which means some voices cannot be represented, he said.


Booze plans to bring solutions to issues concerning criminal prevention, unemployment, funding and infrastructure in the city.


"We, the elected officials, should be held accountable for every single issue within the city of Richmond," Booze said.


He monitors the re-entry of people coming into Richmond from prison for a "smooth transition" by visiting San Quentin State Prison twice a month to assemble trust groups and discuss plans of residency, anger management and employment.


Booze is helping with Measure T, a raw materials tax, to fund street repairs and youth centers in Richmond.


He helped organized the Tent City Peace Movement to promote the prevention of young people from fighting each other and encourage the various parts of the city to come together.


Born in Oakland, raised in Berkeley and residing in Richmond since 1979, Booze has always been involved in politics.


He was a former school teacher for the Oakland and Alameda Unified School districts, teaching automotive and introductory business courses at various colleges.


"What I'm promising to do is help stop crime, return the voice to the city of Richmond and rebuild the infrastructure," Booze said.




—Asia Camagong