Get free passes for donating to Maya Community Foundation
By Greg Heckman, Director of Marketing, Maya Cinemas
Maya Cinemas, known for developing movie theatres in underserved communities with state-of-the-art presentation, first-class amenities and community involvement, is offering free movies passes for donations to the Maya Community Foundation. Beginning on April 1st and running through April 15th, movie-goers can make a donation at any Maya Cinema and receive 1 free movie passes (valid 4/1/24 – 5/15/24) for every $10 they donate and 3 passes for every $25. One hundred percent of donations will be granted as college scholarships to members of the communities surrounding the theaters. Scholarship applications are live at wearemaya.org/scholarship-applications.html and will be open until May 30th.
The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas’ theatres serve. The foundation is dedicated to fostering and supporting under-served, low-income communities through a variety of programs.
Donations can be made in-theatre at any of Maya’s six locations:
Pittsburg, CA – 4085 Century Boulevard
Salinas, CA – 153 Main Street
Delano, CA – 401 Woollomes Avenue
Fresno, CA – 3090 East Campus Pointe Drive
Bakersfield, CA – 1000 California Avenue
North Las Vegas, NV – 2195 North Las Vegas Blvd.
“Support of higher education is an important building block. The Maya Community Foundation and Maya Cinemas endeavors to enrich the community through several efforts with education being a primary focus.” said Heidi Garcia, Maya Community Foundation.
ABOUT MAYA CINEMAS
Maya Cinemas was chartered in 2000 with a mission to develop, build, own and operate modern, first-run, multi-plex movie theaters in underserved, family oriented, Latino-dominant communities. Maya Cinemas offers first-run Hollywood movies and unique content through its Canal Maya program in high-end theaters focused on quality of design, state-of-the-art film presentation technology, and providing first-rate entertainment with superior customer service. The Maya Community Foundation is dedicated to the development and enrichment of the lives of people in the community in which Maya Cinemas serve.
Read More
Sacramento, CA – March 28, 2024 – After immense pressure from California Senate Republicans, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has finally listened and is scrapping the income-based utility bill scheme proposed by California’s largest utilities, which came to fruition as a result of Assembly Bill 205 (2022). The non-elective commission released a flat fixed rate proposal, with reduced charges for low-income customers, and is expected to vote on it on May 9, 2024. (See related article)
“I’m cautiously optimistic to see that CPUC’s preliminary decision on a new fixed-rate plan for electrical billing includes a flat rate rather than one of the ludicrous income-based charges that had been proposed,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego). “I’m looking deeper into the proposal and studying how it will affect my constituents and ratepayers across the state. Still, I hope this may be a compromise Californians can live with. At the same time, I anticipate that electricity rates will continue to be a huge affordability issue in California, even under this new flat rate proposal.”
“As vice chair of the Senate Energy, Utility and Communications Committee, l have strongly advocated for affordable and reliable energy for Californians, but the majority party’s misguided approach has been driving up the rates for years,” said Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber). “This income-based utility scheme was another disastrous measure. I appreciate the CPUC heeding Republicans’ advice to pause this nonsensical bill, and I will continue to work tirelessly with my colleagues to make energy reform a reality in our state.”
The CPUC’s fixed rate proposal has a 20-day comment period and is eligible for a vote at the next CPUC public meeting on May 9, 2024.
California Senate Republicans have been leading the fight against the income-based electricity charge after Capitol Democrats rammed it through budget trailer bill AB 205 in 2022. In 2023, and as recent as January 2024, Senate Democrats thwarted Senate Republicans’ efforts to provide Californians a lifeline by repealing AB 205. Additionally, this year, Senate Minority Leader Jones and the entire Senate Republican Caucus introduced SB 1326 to repeal the income-based fixed charge mandated by AB 205. Click here to learn more about the caucus’ efforts.
After immense pressure from California Senate Republicans, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has finally listened and is scrapping the income-based utility bill scheme, which came to fruition as a result of Assembly Bill 205 (2022). The non-elective commission released a flat fixed rate proposal and is expected to vote on it on May 9, 2024.
Read MoreFrom SF to Martinez last October
San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Thursday, March, 28, 2024, that her office secured a conviction of Daniel Garcia (42), of Concord, after a trial by jury for detonating explosive devices and leading police on a high-speed chase from San Francisco to the East Bay. Mr. Garcia was convicted of three counts of detonating an explosive device with intent to injure, (PC 18740), four counts of possession of an explosive device (PC 18710) and one count of evading an officer with willful disregard for people or property (VC2800.2(a)).
“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this case,” said DA Jenkins. “The jury’s verdict holds Mr. Garcia accountable for his brazen lawlessness which endangered countless lives, including San Francisco police officers who bravely pursued him in the face of explosive devices being thrown at them.”
According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on October 29, 2023, Mr. Garcia drove from his home in Concord to San Francisco and attended the 5pm mass at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. During mass, he confronted a parishioner and accused him of ripping his shorts and demanded $50 from the parishioner. The parishioner, who was kneeling in prayer, tried to ignore Mr. Garica who then punched him twice on the side of head, knocking him unconscious.
Mr. Garcia then fled the church and went to his car followed by parishioners who called 911. Mr. Garcia then got in his car and drove away as Police arrived. Two police cars, with three total officers inside, tried to pull over Mr. Garcia for further investigation. Instead of complying, Mr. Garcia slowed down and tossed a pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline out of his window into the path of the officers. He then sped away and the pipe bomb exploded, engulfing a police vehicle in a fireball.
San Francisco Police chased Mr. Garcia as he sped through city streets, running stop signs, red lights, and driving on road shoulders toward the Bay Bridge. At the intersection of 8th Street and Mission Street, Mr. Garcia threw a second pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline which again exploded.
The pursuit continued onto the Bay Bridge and into the East Bay. The chase eventually included three SFPD vehicles, three California Highway Patrol vehicles, and a helicopter. Mr. Garcia eventually failed to navigate a turn in Martinez and blew out his tire. He continued driving until the wheel literally fell off at which point he finally pulled over and surrendered. A third pipe bomb strapped to a 40 oz. bottle of gasoline was found in his vehicle. Garcia said he was trying to get home to Concord to barricade himself inside with the last bomb and quipped to the officers “How many GTA stars do you think I had?” which is a reference to the video game Grand Theft Auto where you earn stars based on your threat level and how many police officers are chasing you.
Garcia’s home in Concord was subsequently searched, and all of the materials used to make the pipe bombs were located there including four additional 40-ounce bottles filled with gasoline. Garcia admitted on the stand he had built the three bombs in his home the three days prior to using them in San Francisco.
The case against Mr. Garcia was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Gino Guerrero, paralegals Melissa Cruz, David Ma, and Jennifer Java and Victim Advocate Tony Leung who worked closely with the victims throughout the pendency of this case. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Garcia because of the outstanding investigation of the San Francisco Police Department’s Arson Task Force.
“Mr. Garcia time and again placed civilians and law enforcement in danger by choosing to construct dangerous explosive devices, transport them to San Francisco, and then explode them on city streets, not to mention assaulting an innocent man while he prayed in church,” said Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario. “Mr. Garcia has shown no remorse for his actions, but the jury’s verdict ensures that he will face accountability for his unprompted violent and reckless behavior.”
Mr. Garcia is currently in custody pending sentencing. Prior to sentencing, the court will hear and rule on an outstanding allegation that Mr. Garcia committed these offenses while on bail for another felony matter in another county. He faces up to fourteen years in state prison for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2024. Court Number: 23017823
According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, Garcia was charged with the following crimes:
211 PC/F/2 SECOND DEGREE ROBBERY;
245(a)(1) PC/F ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON-NOT A FIREARM;
three counts of 69(a) PC/F THREAT TO EXECUTIVE OFFICER;
three counts of 187(a) PC/F/1 MURDER Attempted Crime;
three counts of 12305 HS/F POSSESSION OF AN EXPLOSIVE;
2800.2(a) VC/F EVADING AN OFFICER WITH WILLFUL DISREGARD;
18715(a) PC/F POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE IN PUBLIC PLACES;
18755(a) PC/F EXPLOSION CAUSING DEATH;
six counts of 18745 PC/F EXPLOSION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE WITH INTENT TO MURDER;
21453(a) VC/I FAILURE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT;
148(a)(1) PC/M RESISTING, OBSTRUCTING, DELAYING OF A PEACE OFFICER OR EMT;
five counts of 18740 PC/F EXPLOSION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE WITH INTENT TO INJURE;
three counts of 18725(a) PC/F CARRYING AN EXPLOSIVE IN A PASSENGER VEHICLE FOR HIRE;
three counts of 18710(a) PC/F POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE;
two counts of 18715(a) PC/F POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE IN PUBLIC PLACES; and
453(a) PC/F POSSESSION OR MANUFACTURE OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL OR INCENDIARY DEVICE.
NBC Bay Area previously reported Garcia was charged in 2011 with possession and use of explosive devices.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read More“…it’s important that people with average risk get screened starting at age 45” -Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Gastroenterologist Arun Suryaprasad, MD
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, and it’s the second most common cause of overall cancer deaths.
More young people are also getting diagnosed with the disease. In 2021, the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer was lowered to 45 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
“With more young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it’s important that people with average risk get screened starting at age 45,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Gastroenterologist Arun Suryaprasad, MD. “Regular screening saves lives, and it can prevent cancer altogether by finding precancerous growths. At Kaiser Permanente, we encourage our members to keep up with their health screenings.”
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and a good time to remember the importance of routine screenings.
“Colon cancer rarely has symptoms,” Suryaprasad said. “Most patients with colon cancer have no symptoms at all. Early detection is key.”
Suryaprasad is a proponent of the highly effective FIT (fecal immunochemical) test. It is a simple test that is safely done in the comfort of patients’ homes.
“Since launching our Kaiser FIT outreach program, where more than 80% of Kaiser Permanente members are getting colon cancer screenings done every year, we have reduced colon cancer deaths by 52 percent and have prevented the incidence of colon cancer by 26 percent,” Suryaprasad noted.
As long as FIT tests remain negative, they can be repeated every year for screening. Another at-home stool test offered by Kaiser Permanente is Cologuard testing. This stool test can be done once every three years, as long as it remains negative. Cologuard measures various types of stool DNA.
“If a patient has a positive FIT test or a positive Cologuard test, we recommend a follow-up colonoscopy exam,” Suryaprasad explained. “Colonoscopies are usually done every 10 years, but they may be done sooner if precancerous growths called polyps are removed.”
Earlier and more frequent screening might be recommended for those with a family history of colorectal cancer, who have certain health conditions or hereditary syndromes and who are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Suryaprasad said maintaining a healthy weight with diet and exercise is extremely important.
“Smoking increases your risk of colon cancer,” he said. “If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. In addition, high processed foods, red meat, and processed meats such as hotdogs and deli meat can also increase your risk for colon cancer. A diet high in fruits, vegetables and fiber keeps your colon healthy. Reducing alcohol also decreases your risk of colon cancer.”
According to Suryaprasad, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for several decades. A statistic he credits to people doing their routine screenings.
“Colorectal polyps are now being found more often by screening and removed before they can develop into cancers,” he said. “By encouraging colon cancer screening, we will continue to see this reduction in colon cancer. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.”
Read More
The total number of layoffs won’t be finalized by the school board until May
WCCUSD says preliminary layoffs due to county Office of Education directive for “fiscal solvency”
By Monica Velez, EdSource.org
Dozens of educators in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) will be laid off in the upcoming school year, including grant-funded positions the district can’t afford to absorb.
The district plans to eliminate 104 positions, nearly 40 of those grant-funded, according to district officials. Assistant principals, instructional specialists, psychologists, bilingual paraprofessionals, academic support providers, special education and general education teachers are among the positions being eliminated.
Although some educators received preliminary layoff notices on March 15, the board won’t finalize the total number of eliminations until May, officials said. Some of the eliminated positions were already vacant.
“We understand the community’s concerns about the impact of these layoffs on classroom staffing,” district spokesperson Raechelle Forrest said in an email. “It is important to note that the district is committed to hiring and maintaining qualified and credentialed individuals and that classroom teachers have not received preliminary notices.”
The school board approved layoffs at a meeting earlier this month. Dozens of parents, educators and students spoke during the public comment period, pleading with the board to vote against the layoffs. In particular, many people spoke about the importance of school community outreach worker positions that will be eliminated.
School community outreach workers serve as liaisons between schools and families. Many of those workers are bilingual and can help with translations and teaching non-English speaking parents and students how to navigate the school system. Outreach workers also connect families with resources and can help facilitate meetings when there are language barriers.
Outreach workers were among the grant-funded positions district officials said they couldn’t afford to keep without the extra money. The district would need about $9.4 million to keep the nearly 40 positions that are being axed, district data showed. Many of the positions relying on grant money provided extra support for students: bilingual instructional aides, graduate tutors, coordinators, academic support providers and bilingual paraprofessionals.
In the 2022-23 school year, nearly 32% of students in West Contra Costa Unified were English learners, according to data from the California Department of Education. The percentage of English learners in the district who became fluent in English has dropped significantly since 2018, data shows, dropping from nearly 13% to about 3% in the 2020-21 school year, the most recent data available.
The majority of English learners speak Spanish, about 27% or nearly 8,000 students in the 2022-23 school year. About 30,000 students are enrolled in West Contra Costa Unified.
During public comment, parents and teachers spoke about the vital role outreach workers have for schools and the community. Without them, people contemplated how some families would continue to stay engaged in school communities.
Educators were also outspoken about how the lack of staffing in schools has been affecting learning. Because of larger classes, there are fewer one-on-one opportunities; there’s an uptick in behavioral issues in classes with consistent substitutes, and teachers are losing prep periods in order to fill in for other classes. One student said he hasn’t had permanent teachers in core classes in recent years and, as a result, he hasn’t learned much.
Three complaints were filed with West Contra Costa Unified earlier this year alleging some schools failed to provide students with qualified teachers. The complaints also allege there’s been a pattern of filling vacancies with long-term substitutes, which attorneys at Public Advocates, a nonprofit civil rights law firm, say is illegal.
WCCUSD Says Preliminary Layoffs Due to County Office of Education Directive for “Fiscal Solvency”
Dr. Kenneth Chris Hurst, WCCUSD Superintendent and all five board trustees were asked via email for their perspective.
In response, Forrest, the district’s Interim Communications Director, wrote, “It’s important to clarify that the recent preliminary staff layoff notices are not due to declining enrollment or a shift in priorities, but rather a response to the directive from the Contra Costa County Office of Education to improve our fiscal solvency. We are making difficult decisions with complete transparency and integrity, striving to reduce the impact on classrooms.”
“While it’s true that positions are being eliminated, we are working to retain as many positions as possible, such as SCOWS (School Community Outreach Workers) and music teachers, by making cuts in other areas of the budget,” she continued. “We also want to clarify that while 104 employees received layoff notices, it is inaccurate to state that 104 positions were affected. Of the positions, 58.9 positions were vacant.”
“We want to clarify that SCOWS and music teachers were not included in the RIFs (Reductions in Force) approved by the WCCUSD School Board,” Forrest added.
Monica Velez covers West Contra Costa Unified school district, student well-being and math.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreWanted by Pittsburg Police, has history of arrests
By Allen D. Payton
On Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service with the help of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a wanted fugitive, Timothy Demetrius Jeffrey of Antioch, on Almondwood Drive in Antioch for escaping federal custody. According to a resident who lives in the neighborhood officers could be heard yelling through a loudspeaker, “You are surrounded. Come out with your hands up.”
According to Abigail Meyer of the United States Marshals Service Office of Public Affairs, “The Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) arrested Timothy Jeffrey, 43, on both his federal Supervised Release Violation warrant and Pittsburg PD Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant, the original charges for both were distribution of dangerous drugs. In addition, his FTA included charges for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of large capacity magazine, and resisting arrest.
The PSWRFTF requested assistance from local law enforcement and a Contra Costa Sheriff’s K9 officer assisted with the rear perimeter.”
According to localcrimenews.com, Jeffrey was arrested by Pittsburg Police on April 25, 2023 for the aforementioned charges. He had previously been arrested on Feb. 29, 2016, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department for federal (21 U.S. Code Section 846) attempt and conspiracy charges. Jeffrey was also arrested in Jan. 2010 by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department for vehicle theft.
According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 11-inch, 200-pound suspect who is Black, (born 4/24/80) is being held in Santa Rita County Jail in Dublin on no bail.
Read More
Maxwell Michael Hayworth, Danielle Kumerow are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, child endangerment.
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at about 9:52AM, detectives from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at a residence on the 800 block of Shasta Daisy Drive in Brentwood.
During the search, they found a DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) manufacturing laboratory. While processing the lab, a team from the Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program found a possible explosive compound stored in three containers.
The Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad responded to the location. Officers suspected the compound was TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide), which is a highly volatile explosive compound. It was determined that two of the containers could be moved to another location for detonation, while one needed to be detonated in place. Nearby residents were evacuated.
The three containers were later detonated without incident. One person was arrested: 29-year-old Jonathan Thomas McCarthy (born 2/18/95) of either Oakley or San Jose. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for an outstanding arrest warrant for parolee at large. The Sheriff’s Office is still looking for two suspects:
-44-year-old Maxwell Michael Hayworth of Brentwood
-42-year-old Danielle Kumerow of Brentwood
Both are wanted for burglary, narcotics violations, possession of an explosive device, and child endangerment.
The six-foot, two-inch, 230-pound McCarthy is currently at the West County Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. at an out of county court. According to recentlybooked.com, he was also arrested in Napa County on Sept. 19, 2023 for a probation violation.
According to localcrimenews.com, Hayworth was arrested by the CCC Sheriff’s Department on Jan. 10, 2024, for multiple weapons drug charges. He was arrested again on March 13, 2024, by Martinez Police for drug possession and burglary. But he bonded out of custody the next day.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on this incident or the location of the suspects is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance: Walnut Creek Police Department Bomb Squad, Brentwood Police Department, FBI, JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force), Con Fire, AMR, and Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Program.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read More
Christopher Cabaldon makes run-off for State Senate race in District 3, which includes far Eastern Contra Costa County
By Allen D. Payton
With almost all the remaining votes counted in the five counties included in State Senate District 3, former 22-year West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon bested three other candidates to place second in the March 5th primary election to qualify for the run-off in the general election on November 5th.
According to the unofficial election results on the California Secretary of State’s website, as of Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 4:05 PM, he had 59,082 votes or 26.6% of the vote, trailing Dixon Councilman Thom Bogue who placed first with 61,811 votes or 27.8%.
On his Facebook page, Cabaldon wrote today, “The votes have been counted…we’ve won the primary election by a margin of nearly 13,500 votes, with voter turnout in our district significantly beating earlier projections. Having received 30% more votes than the next closest Democratic contender, I will be our party’s candidate in the November general election. I am profoundly honored, and immeasurably grateful for your support.
A special thank you to the people who knew me best, no matter what absurd smears the barrage of daily attack mailers tried to peddle. Among the Democratic candidates, we received nearly two-thirds of the vote in West Sacramento and 55% of the vote in Yolo County (winning by a large margin in all four cities). My hometown and our neighbors never wavered, and my heart is full with appreciation. Serving as mayor and successfully transforming West Sacramento was the great honor of my life, even more so now that I may be the first-ever state legislator to hail from the city.
Remarkably, though, we prevailed even without Yolo County, winning a majority of the other counties in the district, too (including the largest, Solano County). I ran to be a champion for every part of our diverse district, from its rural towns to mid-sized cities, so I was proud to be the sole candidate to place in the top three in every one of the six counties in the district. Thank you to the countless community leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, working men and women, small business owners, elected officials, and friends in Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, Sacramento, and Sonoma who gave me a chance, introduced me to thousands of people in their communities, and helped to build a movement.
Now on to the November general election!”
However, according to the Secretary of State’s election results page for the State Senate District 3 race, Cabaldon actually received 38.4% of the vote for first place in Yolo County, 24.9% for second place in Napa County because Bogue and Democrat Rozzana Verder-Aliga tied for first place, 22.6% of the vote for second place in Solano County, 24% for second place in Sacramento County, 25.1% of the vote for second place in Contra Costa County and 21.4% for third place in the Sonoma County portion of the district.
Experience & Views – “A Democrat’s Democrat”
On his campaign website, Cabaldon stresses his Democrat and LGBTQ bona fides while spouting partisan rhetoric and tying himself to national leaders and issues. He says, as mayor in 2016, he answered Obama’s “clarion call”, about “the incoming federal government (i.e. Trump Administration) poised to be the largest threat to civil and human rights, democracy and elections, the safety net, and America’s role in the world…to protect the nation and its people.”
Cabaldon claims he rushed “to the Texas border with a bipartisan delegation of mayors to shine a national spotlight on the incarceration of immigrant children stolen from their families” even though that practice had begun during the Obama Administration.
A quote on the About page of his website reads, “Sometimes fighting for West Sacramento means taking the fight to Trump.”
Labeled a “progressive” by the Sacramento Bee, the former mayor claims to be “A Democrat’s Democrat” and “Promoting a Democratic Agenda Across America”. Cabaldon also shares he was elected to the Solano County Democratic Central Committee, then “appointed by the Chair of the California Democratic Party (CDP) as lead Co-Chair of the CDP’s Legislative Committee and was elected to the state central committee as an Assembly District delegate. He pitched in as a member of the state party’s AAPI, Filipino, and LGBTQ caucuses.”
According to his website, “As a co-chair of Filipinos for Hilary and a member of her National AAPI Leadership Council, Christopher crisscrossed the country, walking precincts in battleground states to turn out AAPI voters for the Democratic ticket.”
In 2020 he was elected to the Democratic National Committee and according to his Wikipedia page, as mayor, he served as Vice President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors. Cabaldon was also inaugural chair of the national LGBTQ Mayors Alliance, and former chair of both the Asian/Pacific and LGBT caucuses of the League of California Cities.
During his time as mayor, Cabaldon also served as a member of the state’s Delta Protection Commission, he fought to stop the tunnels project. But the governor is currently pushing for a single tunnel, known as the Delta Conveyance, which will move water from the Sacramento River, north of the Delta, to southern California.
Cabaldon also stresses his experience in education. He served as Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges System from Sep. 1997 until March 2003.
Obama appointed him to the national board at the launch of College Promise, on which he served with the chair, current First Lady Jill Biden. The organization is a national non-profit working to make the first two or more years of college education free.
Cabaldon represents the State of California on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education,, for which he has served as Commissioner and Chair of the Policy Research & Analysis Committee since March 2011. He also served as Chair of U.S. Conference of Mayors‘ Jobs, Education, and Workforce Committee.
Cabaldon serves on the board of directors for EdSource, which, according to its website, is a “source of education information, research and analysis” and “the pre-eminent multimedia education news organization in California.” According to his bio on the organization’s website, “As mayor of West Sacramento for two decades, he implemented universal preschool, college savings accounts, digital badges, free community college, and automatic admission to college, and served as education/workforce chair for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Previously, Cabaldon was vice chancellor of the California Community College system, the Hazel Cramer Endowed Chair and professor of Public Policy and Administration at CSU Sacramento (from Aug. 2019 to Dec. 2020), president of EdVoice, president of the Linked Learning Alliance, and chief (Staff Director) for the California Assembly’s Higher Education Committee” (from April 1989 to Nov. 1996) to which he was appointed by “anti-war and civil rights activist” State Senator Tom Hayden.
Cabaldon also serves on the boards of education-related Project Attain, California Competes and All4Ed.
Current Work
According to his LinkedIn profile, since July 2009 the former mayor has worked as a Partner of Capitol Impact, which, according to its website, “is a leading provider of strategy design, policy development, capacity building, and philanthropy advising to the social sector…with a track record for catalyzing small initiatives to statewide movements.”
In addition, since Oct. 2021 he has held the title of “Mayor in Residence” at the Institute for the Future, a not-for-profit think tank in Palo Alto, whose “mission is to prepare the world to create better, more equitable futures by disrupting short-term thinking with visions of transformative possibilities,” known as futures studies.
Education & College Activism
Cabaldon earned a B.S. degree in Environmental Economics from U.C. Berkeley where he was student body vice president and earned a Masters degree in Public Policy Administration at Cal State Sacramento.
An activist during his college days, “at UC Berkeley, Christopher protested the university’s investments in South Africa’s apartheid regime, and as student body vice president led the statewide student lobbying campaign to pass divestment legislation by then-Assemblymember Maxine Waters. He helped enact an ethnic studies curriculum, root out anti-Asian policies and practices in admissions procedures, end the “zero club” of academic departments with no women or faculty of color, and created the state’s first Tagalog language course at a public university. Christopher led the first statewide organizing campaign for UC student employees participating in the United Farm Workers’ grape boycott.”
Election Experience
In addition to serving as mayor from 1998-2020, this is Cabaldon’s second run for state office having run unsuccessfully for State Assembly in 2008. In 2020, he served as California co-chair of Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign during the primary, and lost re-election for mayor that November.
Issues
Cabaldon lists his issues as building a stronger economy, building housing and preserving communities, addressing the homeless crisis, protecting our environment, expanding access to education and keeping communities safe, which he mentions last.
Personal Background
Also according to his Wikipedia page, in 2017, Comstock’s Magazine ran a cover story about Cabaldon entitled, Behind Closed Doors, which told the story of the death of his mother when he was a young boy and the ongoing process of coping, persevering, and finding meaning and purpose after loss.
Cabaldon is openly gay and in 2006, the Logo network featured him in an episode of the series Coming Out Stories of when he came out publicly in his annual State of the City address.
About State Senate District 3
The District includes all of Solano County, Napa County, and Solano County and portions of eastern Sonoma County, southwestern Sacramento County and far eastern Contra Costa County, including the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, and the communities of Discovery Bay, Byron, Bethel Island and Knightsen.
The seat is open as incumbent State Senator Bill Dodd is termed out and could only serve two of the four-year term according to a last-minute decision by the Secretary of State. But Dodd disagreed saying he’s only eligible for two more years in the State Assembly but chose to not run for either.
Read More
By Richmond Police Department
On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 5:51 a.m., Richmond Police Dispatch received a call about a disturbance in the 300 block of South 36th Street. The caller reported that a subject had been injured at the location and needed medical assistance. Medical personnel and RPD officers responded to the location where they had located a victim. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to their wounds at the scene.
RPD Homicide Detectives are at the scene actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact RPD Detectives at (510) 233-1214.
Read More