Get your tickets, now!
By Allen Payton
Under new ownership, the Antioch Speedway is back and open for spectators with races each week. This week, on Wednesday, May 5th, owners Chad and Tina Chadwick will be hosting the IMCA Speed Week Night #5.
Located at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch, the speedway will feature races including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.
Spectator Gate Opens at 4:00 p.m.
*Tickets will be sold at the Ticket Booth and on MyRacePass.com
https://market.myracepass.com/store/tickets/?i=1246122…
Adult Ticket: $20.00
Child Ticket (Under 12): $15.00
Senior Ticket (60 and over): $15.00
Children 5 and under: Free
Military: $15.00
(Please remember that any time we are out of our Seats, we must be wearing masks and follow the social distancing guidelines.)
The Mother’s Day race will be held this Saturday, May 8 and will feature Mini Vans, Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars and Dwarf Cars.
View the entire season’s race schedule and watch past races on AntiochSpeedwayTV.
Antioch Speedway – Where Action is the Attraction!
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First resentencing in county under AB 2942, for 2004 Orinda robbery conviction
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
Last month, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office petitioned the court in support of Derric Lewis to be resentenced under Assembly Bill 2942 for his 2004 residential burglary. Honorable Judge Nancy Davis Stark ameliorated his original sentence of 27 years to 17 years with credit for time served. Lewis, who is now 61 years old, was released on a two-year grant of parole and will be supported with wrap-around services to ensure his re-entry is successful.
Lewis is the first individual in Contra Costa County resentenced under this change in the law. AB 2942 allows for a district attorney to review old sentences and determine if the sentence still serves the interest of justice and the community. Individuals eligible for relief under AB 2942 must demonstrate their ability to re-enter society successfully, including our office’s thorough evaluation of their rehabilitative efforts and disciplinary record while in custody.
The DA’s Office worked in collaboration with the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, the non-profit For the People, and the Public Defender’s Office on this petition for resentencing. Importantly, those impacted by Lewis’ burglary joined in consideration of the petition and agreed that with demonstrated change after 17 years of incarceration, Lewis had had earned the opportunity to be resentenced.
In October 2004, Lewis arrived in Orinda on a Bay Area Rapid Transit train. He then walked through a nearby neighborhood and entered a home, stealing a purse valued at $125. Two victims were inside the home when Lewis entered. Additionally, Lewis took a specialized bicycle, valued at $300, from a second victim’s shed located in the backyard of their home.
Lewis was on probation at the time he was arrested for this offense and had multiple felony convictions. These factors contributed to the judge sentencing Lewis to 27 years in state prison. This offense was his third serious felony.
District Attorney Diana Becton was in support of AB 2942 during the legislature’s 2019 consideration of the bill. The DA’s Office is one of a first offices working with For the People on eligible cases for potential resentencing where the original punishment is excessive. Santa Clara, Yolo and San Diego district attorneys have also resentenced an individual under AB 2942.
“We now have the option to seek redress for excessive sentences. I will use my authority under this important law to ensure those in state prison are there for the appropriate reasons. Sentencing a man for 27 years for such an offense undermines our ability to hold the most violent accountable for crimes in our community. The strain on the state prison and criminal justice system is immense from these failed policies of our past. To truly move forward, we must be open to correcting the wrongs of the past,” stated DA Diana Becton.
“Having spent countless hours working to understand Mr. Lewis’ case, we witnessed his work towards rehabilitation,” said Hillary Blout, Founder and Executive Director of For The People. “Focusing on education helped set Mr. Lewis on a new path, and he has now obtained his GED, tutored others in prison, and completed a dozen college-level courses. With a strong education and family ties, Mr. Lewis returns home to his loving sister and son. But Mr. Lewis is just one of the many people in our prison who should be released. Hopefully other incarcerated people and their families will see this second chance on the horizon through the advent of prosecutor-initiated resentencing and AB 2942.”
“We are pleased to see that Mr. Lewis was successfully resentenced and reunited with his family. Mr. Lewis, who is 61 years old, spent the last 17 years of his life in prison. He earned his high school diploma, enrolled in college courses, and demonstrated exemplary behavior during his incarceration. Mr. Lewis’s resentencing illustrates that focusing on reintegrating people back into our community with substantial reentry resources is a more just approach than handing down excessive prison sentences,” said Robin Lipetzky, Contra Costa County Public Defender.
Case information: People v. Derric Craig Lewis, Docket 05-050238-5
Read MoreBy Jaime Coffee, Information Officer II, California Highway Patrol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The warming weather and increasing number of vehicles traveling on California’s roadways offer a timely reminder of the importance of motorcycle safety awareness for motorcyclists and motorists alike. By recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) emphasizes safe riding and driving practices for everyone.
“Motorcyclists who are responsible, informed, and properly equipped can help reduce rider deaths and injuries,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “Motorists are also key to reducing crashes by being aware of the dangers and challenges of motorcycle riding. Taking the time to look twice for motorcyclists can save a life.”
“Motorcycle riders are more vulnerable out in the elements, which is why it is important for drivers to always be mindful of riders,” California Office of Traffic Safety Director Barbara Rooney said.
With more than 1.4 million licensed riders, motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation for Californians, another reason motorcycle safety awareness is paramount. Preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System show more than 500 people were killed in motorcycle-involved crashes in California in 2020 and more than 11,500 people were injured.
As part of its continual motorcycle safety program, the CHP strongly encourages all riders, new and experienced, to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP). The CMSP has 98 training sites throughout the state and trains approximately 55,000 motorcyclists each year. For more information or to find a training site near you, visit californiamotorcyclist.com or motorcyclesafetyca.com.
Motorcyclists can help protect themselves by always wearing the proper safety gear, including a U.S. Department of Transportation-compliant helmet, observing the speed limit, riding defensively, and always riding sober. Drivers should always look at their mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and always keep a safe distance.
The CHP promotes motorcycle safety with the Get Educated and Ride Safe (GEARS) program, funded by a $750,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. All eight CHP field Divisions will hold outreach events to promote motorcycle safety throughout 2021 under the GEARS grant.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
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Aging in place: Caring for an aging parent
By Rachel Heggen, Community Relations & Development Specialist, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
In honor of National Occupational Therapy Month Yvonne Tweeten, Occupational Therapist with Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Fall Prevention Program, talked about the work we do with seniors to keep them safe at home.
Difficulty climbing stairs, feeling unbalanced, or being unsure about getting in and out of the bathtub are everyday problems that Yvonne has addressed for the past ten years at MOW Diablo Region. These are common issues for aging seniors who have difficulty accepting that everyday tasks that once were simple are now challenging. For many seniors, this can be extremely frustrating and for their adult children, it can be worrisome. The Fall Prevention Program focuses on helping seniors age safely in their home.
“We are an ally to the adult children,” said Yvonne. “I assess the home and point out potential fall risks. I also observe how the senior is getting around.” Once the assessment is completed, Yvonne works with a licensed contractor to make needed home modifications “We might recommend a ramp, railings, or a tub transfer bench. We develop trust with the senior and the adult children who are often the main caregivers. We also provide education to keep the senior safe.”
An analysis by the Center for Retirement Research found that 10 percent of adults ages 60 to 69 serve as caregivers to their aging parents, as do 12 percent of adults aged 70 and older. Having an Occupational Therapist as a part of the support team is important when it comes to caring for an older parent and helps the elderly parent maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Yvonne has a special understanding of concerns many may have with an aging parent. Her mom is 90 and lives in Wisconsin. “It’s important that a senior age with dignity, and that’s what Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Fall Prevention Program helps them to do.”
To learn more about Meals on Wheels Diablo Region’s Fall Prevention Program, visit https://www.mowdiabloregion.org/fall-prevention
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury on Friday, April 30, 2021 reached a finding in the September 24, 2020 death of 32-year-old Levele Lee Williams of Pittsburg. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident. Williams was injured after being assaulted by inmates at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was taken to a local hospital. Williams apparently suffered from complications during surgery and was later pronounced deceased while at the hospital. (See related article)
The coroner’s jury, which heard two inquests on Friday, also reached a finding in the October 17, 2020 death of 42-year-old Gregory Lane Lynds of Antioch. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide. Lynds had been arrested for elder abuse. (See related article)
The coroner’s jury reached the verdicts in both inquests after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officers, Laura Pagey and Matthew Guichard.
A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes and ast the hands of another person, other than by accident.
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Doesn’t appear random
This evening at approximately 8:34pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a possible freeway shooting incident that occurred in the area of HWY-4 eastbound on the Railroad Avenue off-ramp. The victim (adult male in his twenties) was driving a blue 2018 Honda Accord and was the sole occupant. The victim related he did not have information regarding the suspect(s) or suspect vehicle. He was transported to John Muir Hospital for a gunshot wound but is expected to survive. This does NOT appear to be a random shooting.
According to a CBSN Bay Area report, the driver was shot in the neck and crashed his car.
This is an ongoing investigation and all the information we have at this time. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident, call Contra Costa CHP at (925)646-4980.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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Joins “quite an elite fraternity”; local friends and fans celebrate
“I’m so proud of this guy. And he gets to stay in black and gold” – Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha
“Najee Harris is…the kind of person the Steeler fans will embrace.” – Super Bowl champion Gordon Gravelle, Pittsburgh Steelers Tackle 1972-76 and 2018 Antioch Citizen of the Year
“It would be great to see another Harris in the backfield” – Super Bowl champion Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers Fullback 1972-83
By Luke Jonson & Allen Payton
Antioch High School alum Najee Harris was selected No. 24 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Draft on Thursday.
He was the first running back picked in this year’s draft.
Many draft experts predicted Harris to go to the Steelers. They had the least running yards in the NFL last season and their leading rusher, James Conner, left the team and signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
“I understand that they did finish last in rushing last year, but I feel through practice and hard work that can be changed,” Harris said during a press conference hosted by the Steelers on Zoom following the announcement by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “I don’t feel pressure at all to be honest with you. I’ve been put in a lot of situations with that type of stuff put on me, especially in college. I mean the NFL is different, of course, but I feel it’s nothing that I can’t do in time for sure.”
Harris won two National Championships with the University of Alabama. He rushed for 1,466 yards and scored 30 touchdowns (an SEC record) in 13 games last season. He also broke Alabama’s records for career rushing yards (3,843) and touchdowns (57). Additionally, Harris only had one fumble out of 718 career touches.
Harris was asked how he felt about playing with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger — who many fans expect to be a future hall of famer.
“Oh man, that’s dope!” Harris immediately responded.
Harris is the 11th person to make it to the NFL from Antioch High. He’s also the first Antioch High alum to be drafted since 1999. The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the first round was 1969.
Harris’ Mom Thanks His Mentors, Najee Flies to Pittsburgh Friday Morning
Earlier in the day Harris hosted a draft party for kids at a homeless shelter in Richmond. It was the same homeless shelter where he lived for a period of time in middle school.
It was shortly after that period of time when Harris and family moved to Antioch.
“From Antioch, God sent all those angels,” said Harris’ mom Tianna Hicks. “A whole lot of people were put in my life to give me stability.”
Hicks emphasized that Marcus Malu and Mori Suesue, Harris’ personal trainers, were the most influential “angels” on her and her family’s life.
He spent the evening waiting and then celebrating with his mom, family and friends, including his high school head football coach John Lucido, at Rob Ben’s Restaurant in Emeryville, CA, owned by Marshawn Lynch who has become Harris’ mentor.
On Thursday, just seconds after the Steelers were on the clock for their draft pick, Harris received a phone call.
“I was like, ‘Oh…! They’re about to call his name!’” Hicks said.
She said it was the best day of her life.
Hicks added that Harris is reporting for duty right away and would be on a flight to Pittsburgh early Friday morning.
Local Friends and Fans Celebrate
Antioch High Principal Louie Rocha was joined by Steve Sanchez, the school’s athletic director when Harris played there, and other fans to watch the NFL Draft at local sports bar Tailgaters. They were excited with the anticipation and the outcome.
“Knowing Najee, he will make the best of all his opportunities. He will stay in character,” said Sanchez who was notified just a few minutes before the announcement that Najee had received the call from the Steelers.
“Excited,” he added.
“I’m so proud of him,” Lucido wrote on his Facebook page Thursday night.
“Congratulations to the hardest working man in the world,” Antioch High assistant head coach Brett Dudley wrote, also on Lucido’s Facebook page Thursday night. “The @steelers got the best player and best person in the Draft.”
“On behalf of Antioch High School and our community, I’m so proud of the guy,” Rocha said. “And he gets to stay in black and gold.”
Coincidentally, Harris will be wearing the same colors in the NFL as he did in high school, black and gold. Ironically, however, he’s playing in Pittsburgh, which is the name of his rival in high school, Antioch’s neighboring city — except without an “H.”
Super Bowl Champion Gordon Gravelle Lauds Najee
Harris joins a very small group of just two Antioch residents to play for Pittsburgh. The last one was two-time Super Bowl champion Gordon Gravelle, part of the team when Terry Bradshaw was quarterback. The community’s 2018 Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement and 30-year resident shared his comments about the newest member of the Steelers fraternity.
“First of all, Najee Harris is a great, young man and he has all the tools, personality especially, to do well,” Gravelle stated. “He’s respectful, he loves his mother, he takes care of his family. When he goes back to Pittsburgh that’s the kind of person the Steeler fans will embrace.”
“Franco Harris and I were drafted the same year in 1972. He was drafted in the first round I was drafted in the second,” Gravelle shared. “Franco made a comment the other day about Najee and said ‘it would be great to see another Harris in the backfield.’”
“We see each other once or twice a year and are good friends. So, to have him say something like that is really special. He knows what kind of guy Najee is. Besides that, he’s a great football player,” said Gravelle.
“I met Najee once, when Eddie Beaudin was having one of his crab feeds,” he shared. “He was very polite, very outgoing. I made a comment to him and asked, ‘is your head on straight?’ He said ‘yes sir, it is.’ He knew what I meant. That told me the kid will do well.”
“Fifty percent of the athletes who come into the NFL weren’t as good, physically as the guys that got cut in training camp,” Gravelle explained. “It takes so much more. I call it grit. It’s a combination of perseverance and passion. If you lose them, you have to leave the league. It’s hard work. It’s being you mentally. That’s why I asked Najee if he had his head on straight.”
Gravelle then offered some statistics about the game and the very few players who get to play.
“There’s over 1.2 million high school kids playing football. That goes down to about 70,000 playing college ball and that reduces to about 1,500 players in the NFL,” he shared. “There’s only 286 picks in the draft. The average player’s lifespan for playing football is 4.2 years. Only about 25,000 people have ever played professional football and that’s over 100 years. So, it’s quite an elite fraternity. And Antioch has had some good football players to come out of here, too.”
“I’ve never watched the draft before. The reason is these sports columnists all think they know what they’re talking about and they don’t know jack. So, I don’t usually care about the draft. It’s a showtime,” Gravelle said with a laugh. “But I watched, tonight up until Najee was chosen. That’s the first time I’ve watched in 20 or 30 years.”
“What I see in Najee is what I saw in Franco, and that’s a very talented athlete who worked very hard at his craft. That’s what made Franco great and what will make Najee great, too,” Gravelle added.
Apparently already receiving endorsement contracts, Harris appeared in a Progressive Insurance TV commercial, with other players in the NFL draft, immediately following his announcement. See the complete, almost 14-minute exclusive interview entitled Up All Night, in which Harris shows his custom pajamas which are part of his Young Naj clothing line, and new “hurdling man” logo, here.
The 2021-22 league schedule will be announced May 12.
Luke Johnson is an Antioch High School graduate and has been covering Najee’s football career since then.
Publisher’s Note: Congratulations, good luck and Godspeed in your career, Najee.
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office recognizes that COVID-19 restrictions may have severely impacted many businesses and commercial property owners and may have led to a reduction in property values. In order to provide assessment relief to those who may have been impacted, the Assessor’s Office is legally required to have qualitative evidence to support a reduction in value.
Not all businesses and commercial properties have been affected, but if you believe the value of your business or commercial property has dropped below the current assessed value due to COVID-19, Assessor, Gus Kramer, urges you to please visit our website at the link below for guidance on what information and documentation to submit to our office for a FREE review of your assessed value.
For information and forms to request a 2021-2022 value review, please visit the link to the Assessor’s webpage “Review Your Value” at: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6919/Review-Your-Value.
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National Champion Alabama Running Back
By Luke Johnson
Antioch High graduate, Alabama standout and 2021 national champion, Najee Harris is expected to be drafted into the NFL on Thursday. He will be the school’s first player in the NFL Draft in decades.
The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the NFL Draft was 1999 when the Dallas Cowboys picked tight end Mike Lucky. In fact, five players from Antioch High made it to the NFL in the 1990s: Lucky, Jeremy Newberry, Mark Butterfield, Frank Beede and Evan Pilgrim.
So how does a high school football program go from putting five players in the NFL in one decade to zero players for more than two decades?
We’ll get to that. But first, let’s talk more about Harris, who won the Doak Walker Trophy for being the best running back in college football last season.
He set new records at Alabama, arguably the most prestigious program in college football, for career rushing yards and touchdowns. He also shattered almost every record imaginable at Antioch High — records many experts say will never come close to being touched. For example, the previous career touchdown record at Antioch High was 32 by Brian Boccio. Harris surpassed that mark in a single season (twice!) and finished with 99 career touchdowns. His 100th was actually called back by a holding penalty.
“The kids look up to him because he’s this mythical creature to them,” said Brett Dudley, Antioch High’s assistant head coach. “He’s almost like a comic book character or an action-movie star. He’s just this larger than life character that obviously everyone knows about.”
Antioch pro wrestling legend Ferris Anthony said he knew Harris was going to be a star when he “first saw him walk on campus.”
Anthony was the freshman football head coach at the time and remembers watching campus security escort Harris to practice on a golf cart. Anthony quickly responded, “You’re taking him to the wrong team! He’s gonna hurt somebody playing over here!”
Harris was 6-foot-2 and a chiseled 185 pounds with wide shoulders and a big frame. Within just a few weeks of joining Antioch High’s football program, Harris was pulled up to varsity as a freshman.
He had a breakout performance that season against a Freedom High team led by senior running back Joe Mixon, who now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only did Harris rush for more yards than Mixon, but he scored his first varsity touchdown and also had three solo tackles on Mixon — including a forced fumble.
Almost eight years later, Harris now awaits to be the first Antioch High alum drafted in the NFL since the new millennium.
Why has it been so long? There are two key factors.
One factor, other high schools opened in the area in the mid-90s.
When Deer Valley High School began operating on the other side of town in 1996, it essentially cut Antioch High’s football team in half. Since then, Deer Valley alumni Taiwan Jones, Sterling Moore, De’Ondre Wesley and Nsimba Webster have made it to the NFL.
Freedom High School also opened in 1996 — which took away many student athletes from Antioch High who lived near the Antioch-Oakley border. The aforementioned Mixon played for Antioch Youth Football, lists his hometown as Antioch, but played at Freedom High.
Another factor, De La Salle High School established its dominance as a national powerhouse in the 90s — which compelled many star athletes from Antioch to commute to Concord for high school. This list includes three-time All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, Super Bowl Champ TJ Ward and many others.
Nine players from Antioch have made it to the NFL since 1999, but none of them attended the city’s oldest high school.
Antioch High head coach John Lucido said many high school teams tried recruiting Harris, but he stayed loyal to Antioch High because he believed in the school and the city when not many people did.
In his freshman year, Antioch High went 1-9. However, by his junior year, Antioch High went undefeated and won a league championship for the first time in 31 years.
“He’s very loyal. He knows he could make a difference and that’s what he wanted to do within the community and his school and his teammates,” Lucido said. “He wanted his teammates to get more exposure and go to Division-I schools and that’s what he did.”
Most NFL Draft experts project Harris to be picked in the late first round this Thursday. He is often slated to be selected No. 24 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in mock drafts, but predicted to go as high as No. 16 by the Arizona Cardinals.
Marcus Malu, Harris’ long-time personal trainer, said he thinks Harris fits best with the Cardinals, because his skillset compliments their quarterback Kyler Murray’s playing style. Lucido said he’s intrigued by the Buffalo Bills potentially selecting Harris, because he thinks Harris could be the missing piece to take the team to the Super Bowl within the next few years.
The 6-foot-2, 232 lb. running back has a 6.46 draft Prospect Grade, the 16th highest ranking and is one of 58 players to participate in the draft, according to the NFL.
The only Antioch High alum to be an NFL first-round draft pick was Ron Pritchard in 1969, who was an All-American linebacker at Arizona State and inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame. The last alum to be drafted in the second round was Newberry in 1998.
Malu said this is a moment he and Harris have been getting ready and “grinding” for almost nine years.
“I told him you have to be the best in high school. Then you have to be the best in college to have a chance to play in the NFL,” Malu said. “His football IQ is off the charts. His work ethic is off the charts.”
Harris is having a draft party — with limited guests — at Marshawn Lynch’s restaurant Rob Ben’s in Emeryville on Thursday.
Just a few months ago, Harris signed with Lynch’s Beast Mode Marketing and is currently working on a deal with Nike.
He debuted his “Young Naj clothing line” earlier this week with costume-made pajamas on “Up All Night” by Progressive insurance. They featured a logo inspired by Michael Jordan’s “jumpman” which resembled a hurdling football player, because those are the type of plays by Harris that dazzle the fans the most.
The NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Thursday, April 29 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (PT), Friday, April 30 at 4:00 PM PT and Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 AM PT.
Read MoreApprove $233 million Regional Action Plan for unsheltered homeless; $12.99 million Buchanan Field Terminal project; ban retractable dog leashes
By Daniel Borsuk
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors decided in closed session on Tuesday to take “no action” on Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer’s claim to pay him $325,000 in legal fees stemming from a misconduct trial that was declared a mistrial in November in Superior Court.
“This is going to cost the county much more money,” commented Kramer, who was unaware of the supervisors’ executive session decision when contacted by the Contra Costa Herald.
The supervisors’ inaction on his claim means Kramer will appeal the executive session “no decision” to Superior Court.
In his claim, Kramer says former Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa had told him on several occasions that the attorney costs for the misconduct trial would be paid by the county.
“I took him (i.e., Twa) at his word,” the 70-year-old Kramer said. “He said this to me up to 10 different times. Just how does a person who was responsible for managing the county’s money can make promises like that and then the county does not come through with the money?”
Twa, who retired as Contra Costa County Administrator earlier this year and returned to his native Minnesota, continues to work as a consultant on the county’s redistricting that needs to be completed by the end of this year.
Supervisors honored Twa by dedicating the new 3 ½ story, 72,000 square foot administration building in Martinez in his name.
Supervisors did not comment on their executive session decision on Tuesday, especially District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who when contacted by the Contra Costa Herald, refrained from issuing any remarks other than informing this reporter on the board’s executive board decision on the Kramer claim.
Supervisor Glover defeated Kramer in last November’s election for the supervisorial District 5 seat. Glover is currently serving his sixth four-year term as a county supervisor, the longest tenure of any supervisor now on the board.
Supervisors Approved Regional Action Plan for Unsheltered Homeless
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, on a 5-0 vote, supervisors accepted an ambitious regional action plan, by All Home, that aims to shelter the homeless at a cost of about $223 million, partly covered by Measure X sales tax revenues over the next three years. If funded and properly implemented as planned it will reduce by 75 percent the unsheltered homeless population by 2024.
According to the presentation to the board, “All Home is a Bay Area organization advancing regional solutions that disrupt the cycle of poverty and homelessness, redress the disparities in outcomes as a result of race, and create more economic mobility opportunities for extremely low-income (ELI) individuals and families.”
The action plan is based on a statement by the Regional Impact Council that the Bay Area is a “Region in Crisis.”
Board Chair Burgis, who represents the county on the nonprofit’s board of directors, called the plan a “bold plan” several times in addressing the complex issue of homelessness in the county.
Supervisors Gioia of Richmond and Burgis admitted that any effort to adequately house the homeless will require spending Measure X dollars, a new source of sales tax revenue county officials is expecting to come into county coffers later this year.
“This is a great time of opportunity to get people off the streets by leveraging our tax dollars,” said Gioia. “Contra Costa County is a great leader.”
“I am really excited Contra Costa County is shining the light on this crisis (i.e., homelessness). This will be presented to the Mayors’ Council and the Measure X Committee,” added District II Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville.
Buchanan Field Terminal Project Approved
Supervisors approved as a consent item the $12.99 million construction of a new Buchanan Field Terminal to replace the existing terminal at 181 John Glenn Dr. in Concord. Supervisors approved a construction contract submitted by W.E. Lyons Construction Co.
The Federal Aviation Administration will cover $6.1 million or 47 percent of the project’s cost. CalTrans will provide $150,000 or 1 percent of the construction cost and the Airport Enterprise Fund will fund $6.74 million or 52 percent.
The new building will replace the existing terminal structure at the north end of John Glenn Drive. The new terminal will include space for the Airports Divisions Administrative staff, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting staff and equipment, public space to support scheduled and unscheduled air service providers, office space for aviation businesses, and general public meeting space.
The W.E. Lyons Construction Co. bid topped six other bids for the Buchanan airport project to be found to be responsive and in good faith. The other six bids submitted for the project were:
Marcon Builders, $14,489,355; Zovich & Sons Inc., $14,559,000; Thompson Builders, $14,680,000; Patriot Contracting, $14,990,000; Rodam Builders, $15,315,000; and CWS Construction, $15,975,000.
Ordinance Bans Retractable Dog Leashes
With no public comment, supervisors approved a new Ordinance No. 2021-13, allowing community members to care for found dogs and cats and establishing new leash restrictions. Dog and cat leashes cannot be longer than six feet under the newly adopted ordinance.
Ordinance 2021-13 provides that a dog will be deemed to be “at large” if it is on a leash that is longer than six feet or that is extendable or retractable. A long, retractable, or extendable leash allows a dog to get too far away from its handler, which does not allow for effective control of the dog.
Ensuring that a dog is walked on a leash that is six feet or less could reduce dog bites to children due to helping to ensure more effective control. According to a Consumer Reports and Consumer Union’s analysis of statistics collected in 2007, there were 16,564 hospital treated injuries associated with pet leashes, 10.5 percent of those injuries were to children less than 10 years old.
Antioch Library Closure
Supervisors approved the temporary closure of the Antioch Library to the public from April 21 through May 31 so that Public Works workers can paint the interior of the library and install new carpet and new shelving. The library is slated to reopen on Tuesday, June 1.
“Although initially planned to take place the prior fiscal year, the improvements were postponed for several months due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “Despite the initial delay, shelving has been purchased and scheduled for installation, and work requests have been submitted for Public Works for the paint and carpet work.”
During the closure, Antioch library staff will be temporarily reassigned to other libraries to fill vacant positions. The book drop will not be open at the Antioch library, and holds will not be available for pickup. Those needing library services during the closure should visit the nearby Prewett or Oakley libraries or any other county library.
EHSD Language Line Contract
Supervisors approved a $1.1 million contract with Language Line Services, Inc. to provide interpretation and translation services for the Employment and Human Services Department from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Language Line Services provides telephone interpretation, on-site interpretation, and document translation services to the Employment and Human Services Department and to the clients serviced by the department.
Over One Million COVID-19 Vaccines Given in County
On the COVID-19 news front, Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth announced the county has administered over one million vaccines, the second highest in the state. That translates into 90,000 vaccines a week were administered, said Roth.
Persons 16 years old and older can now get the vaccine, said Roth. “No appointment is necessary.”
“A million doses are amazing!” said board chair Diane Burgis of Brentwood. “I want to acknowledge the hard work.”
“I also want to acknowledge everyone in Public Health on one million vaccinations,” said District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, a frequent critic of the department’s inability to adequately vaccinate minorities in underserved communities like Richmond, El Sobrante, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, and Oakley.
“County Equity Officer Gilbert Salinas has done a great job in closing the equity gap,” Gioia said.
Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said people will have a choice of vaccines when they report for their shots. Dr. Farnitano said last Friday the CDC and FDA had accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to lift pausing on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for all adults. The region’s health officers agreed that the risk of developing the rare clotting disorder in females is extremely low.
“According to the CDC, to date there have been only 15 confirmed cases of the rare clotting event among nearly 8 million total doses administered in the United States, all in females, which translates to a risk less than 2 cases per million doses overall and 7 cases per million doses among women between 18 and 49 years of age,” a joint press release of Bay Area Health Officers states.
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