Follows lead of City, Concord Historical Society
Irony: only a British encyclopedia website offers the historical origin of the name of both the city and school
Contact school board members to reconsider their vote, or vote out two of them, next year
By Allen D. Payton
This past week, the Mt. Diablo Unified School Board voted 4-1 to change the name of the mascot for Concord High School from the Minutemen to the Bears, supposedly in response to a request by students, which is in dispute. According to a news report by The Pioneer, the change has many people upset including some students who say they weren’t asked during the process, as well as alumni.
“Several alumni spoke before the board vote, all in opposition to the change. One of those speakers mentioned that of 2,400 comments on the issue in an online forum there was not one comment in favor of the change.” Board members took “the action in order to make the school ‘more welcoming and inclusive’ to its students”, according to The Pioneer’s report.
According to USHistory.org, “Minutemen were a small hand-picked elite force which were required to be highly mobile and able to assemble quickly. Minutemen were selected from militia muster rolls by their commanding officers. Typically, 25 years of age or younger, they were chosen for their enthusiasm, reliability, and physical strength. Usually about one quarter of the militia served as Minutemen, performing additional duties as such. The Minutemen were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle. By the time of the Revolution, Minutemen had been a well-trained force for six generations.”
They sound like pretty good examples for students at any school or any American to follow – elite, prepared, ready, responsive, enthusiastic, reliable, with physical strength and the first to arrive.
According to the staff report for the board meeting agenda item, “Concord High School, through the New Mascot Student Committee, is requesting the review and approval of a mascot change at Concord High School. The Student Body has conducted multiple petitions, town hall meetings, as well as conducted multiple rounds of student discussions and voting over several months, involving all stakeholders of the Concord High School community including students, alumni and staff. As a result of the discussions and multiple rounds of student voting, the Concord High School community has selected the mascot name ‘The Bears’ to replace the name ‘Minutemen’ as presented to the Board on May 10, 2023 and June 28, 2023.”
Supposedly, one of the reasons is because the “Latinx” students (the “woke” term they were referred to during the board meeting even though most Hispanic or Latino Americans don’t use that term to describe themselves) which make up the majority of the student body don’t share that culture.
The Pioneer article shares more about the decision. School Board Area 4 Trustee Cherise “Khaund said, ‘The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Governing Board is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in education. We as a school district should listen carefully to student concerns, especially if they feel unwelcome or unsafe on our campuses.’ She also pointed to MDUSD board policy 0410 which states that ‘District programs and activities shall also be free of any racially derogatory or discriminatory school or athletic team names, mascots, or nicknames.’”
How is the Minutemen mascot racially derogatory or discriminatory? Because it refers to only men? Seriously? The women didn’t fight in the militia during the Revolutionary War in the 1770’s. How ignorant of history do you have to be to not understand that fact? How patronizing and actually racist to assume Latino students aren’t aware of or know the history of our country, or that it’s not part of their “culture”? If that’s truly the case, then work to make it part of their culture. Why do you think their ancestors who weren’t born here, came to this country? For the freedoms won during the Revolutionary War and the opportunities they afford.
Interestingly enough, girls in the school’s marching band wear the same three-cornered hat and uniform as the boys do.
How do any students feel “unwelcome or unsafe” with the Minutemen mascot? Nobody on any of the school’s sports teams, cheerleading squads, in the band nor any faculty or staff member actually carries a real musket or any other gun on the campus. Do they? Of course, not. (Well, maybe security personnel do. But that’s doubtful.)
Name Change Originated with Teachers, Not Students
Yet, while explaining the history of both the original name and its change, The Pioneer claims the proposal for a new mascot came from teachers not students.
“The name Minutemen was chosen as the mascot when the school opened in 1966 in honor of the men who formed the Minutemen militia in Concord, Massachusetts as the American Revolution was beginning in 1775,” the report reads. “The Pioneer first spoke to former Concord High principal Rianne Pfaltzgraff during the 2020-21 school year when she stated she had a discussion with some of her teachers when the idea was brought up that ‘Minutemen’ refers to only one gender and the symbol holding a rifle is not reflective of the school in the third decade of the 21st Century. At that time, it was not mentioned that students had brought the issue forward.”
Board Votes Switch from 2-2 to 4-1
The board vote on June 28 to change the mascot name failed on a two-two tie with Trustee Khaund absent. But then with her in attendance at the board meeting on August 16 and Area 2 Trustee Linda Mayo flip-flopping, the mascot name change passed 4-1.
Decision Ignores and Attempts to Erase U.S. History
Whatever the reasons, the fact is the decision completely ignores our nation’s undisputed history.
It also shows the board’s disinterest in actually educating the students who attend the school about the rich history of the name of both the city in which it is located and the school itself, as well as what the Minutemen signify in the history of our nation, as shared by The Pioneer. They helped us win our freedom from the King of England and beat the British troops in the Revolutionary War! Hello?
Heaven forbid the Minutemen carried guns. Well, what do you think helped them fight and win the war? What do you think helped all of our military men and women fight and defeat the enemies in all the wars we’ve ever won? Guns! It was accomplished by bearing arms, as it’s written in the Second Amendment of the 10 Bill of Rights to the Constitution – another historical fact that should be taught to high school students. (I hope it still is during U.S. History classes in both 8th and 11th grades). That amendment mentions the militia as it reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Another interesting fact is the Drum Major of the Concord High Marching Band carries a replica of a musket while leading the band – even as of last year while in a parade at Disneyland.
Even today’s Army National Guard logo is of a Minuteman.
The School Board is Not Alone, Ironic Source for Name Origin
Yet, the school board is not alone in ignoring and even appearing to bury and hide the history of the origin of the name of both the city and school. The most ironic thing about this entire matter is, you have to find the origin of the name Concord, California on a British encyclopedia website. No joke!
On Britannica.com about Concord, California it reads, “the city was renamed in 1869 for Concord, Massachusetts.” For those who don’t remember their U.S. History classes, as The Pioneer reported, that was the city where the American Revolution began. (I learned as an adult after I bought a set, that the Encyclopedia Britannica is written from a British perspective, and at that time didn’t even include Niagra Falls as something important to Americans, while the Encyclopedia Americana is written from an American perspective).
But you won’t find that origin fact on the History page of the City’s website, the Concord Historical Society’s website nor even on the Wikipedia page about the city. The City’s website only provides links to other websites without mentioning anything about the city’s history. On the historical society’s concordhistory.com website’s chronology page, under the section entitled, “1860’s: Todos Santos Town Established”, it merely reads, “Name ‘Concord’ is used immediately by new settlers to re-identify town of Todos Santos.” On the Early History page it reads, “Within months after Todos Santos has been recorded as the official name, CONCORD was heralded by the Contra Costa Gazette as the actual name. In an article dated April 17, 1869, the paper, published in Pacheco town, congratulated the residents of Concord for adopting such a meaningful name for their new village. They highlighted the harmonious spirit and euphony of this fine name.” But there’s no mention of the origin of the name nor why it was so “meaningful”.
Concord Massachusetts Location of “Shot Heard Round the World”
Also, for an additional history reminder, it was during the battles of Concord and Lexington, Mass. on April 19, 1775, where the opening shot, referred to as the “shot heard round the world”, sparked the American Revolutionary War.
In fact, in Concord, Mass. is The Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French erected in 1875 and located in Minute Man National Historical Park, which looks a lot like the Concord High Minutemen mascot.
Board Spending $200K on Name Change
Oh, one more thing. The board is literally going to spend, actually waste, $200,000 of taxpayer money on the mascot name change at a time those funds could be spent in the classroom to actually help students obtain a better education – and maybe learn some U.S. history. The three-corrnered hats worn by the marching band members will have to be replaced, as they represent the hats worn by the Minutemen during the Revolutionary War. (That’s the same type of hat I wore as part of the uniform for the band I was a member of during my first semester in high school – the Marching Patriots of Patrick Henry High School in San Diego. As of last year, in front of the school, the mascot could still be seen wearing the three-cornered hat and – surprise – holding a musket with even a bayonet attached! Oh, and a painting of the American flag on the front wall could also be seen. Hope that doesn’t offend the four school members’ delicate sensibilities).
Their action follows the cancel culture decisions in professional sports to rename teams that some oversensitive people have found offensive – usually on behalf of others, such as the Washington Redskins to the Commanders. Guess what? Now, a group of Native Americans are petitioning to get the name changed back because they believe it honors rather than degrades them and promotes their history.
School Board Must Reconsider Their Vote
The board must reconsider its vote and spend the $200,000 educating the students at Concord High on the history of the school’s and city’s name and of our nation, and how the Minutemen played a significant role in obtaining the freedoms we enjoy, today – including property ownership and representative government in our constitutional republic.
If not, then Mt. Diablo School district voters need to replace the four who voted for this foolishness and who are failing their students by not educating them properly. Shame on those board members, especially the one who changed her vote, Trustee Mayo who caved between the meetings of June 28 and August 16, for some reason. Kudos to the one board member, Area 1 Trustee Debra Mason, who used wisdom and demonstrated having a backbone to stand up for common sense by voting both times against the change. (By the way, Common Sense is the name of the pamphlet published in 1775 by Thomas Paine, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, that sparked the American Revolution, as it argued that the colonists had a natural right to self-government and independence from the British monarchy. Perhaps the $200,000 should be spent buying copies of that and distributed to the Concord High School students each year during their American History classes!)
Oh, and how do I know this information about U.S. history? Because I’m a graduate of Northgate High School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, where I attended the U.S. History class in my junior year (as required for graduation) taught by a great teacher, actually did my homework and learned the subject matter!
Two Trustees Who Twice Supported Change Face Re-Election Next Year
Seriously, voters in the district, there are only two trustees, who voted for the change both times, that are up for re-election, next year when their terms expire: Board President and Area 3 Trustee Keisha Nzewi and Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Erin McFerrin. If they don’t reconsider their vote and change the mascot name back, it’s indicative they don’t care about our nation’s history, the history of the City’s and school’s name nor about educating the students in your district and specifically, at Concord High, about it all. Take back your government from the foolish, wasteful, weak leaders who are contributing to the dumbing down of the education system in the largest school district in Contra Costa County. Just maybe, this latest decision will serve as a lightning rod to wake people up, get them to take action and change things for the better for our future and the benefit of our youth.
Here’s how to contact each of the five trustees by email:
Board President & Area 3 Trustee Keisha Nzewi, Term expires 2024 – nzewik@mdusd.org
Vice President & Area 5 Trustee Erin McFerrin, Term expires 2024 – mcferrine@mdusd.org
Area 1 Trustee Debra Mason, Term expires 2026 – masond@mdusd.org
Area 2 Trustee Linda Mayo, Term expires 2026 – mayol@mdusd.org
Area 4 Trustee Cherise Khaund, Term expires 2026 – khaundc@mdusd.org
Historical Society, City Must Stop Hiding History and Origin of Their Name
One final thing, to the Concord Historical Society, you really need to add the fact of the origin of the city’s name to your website and the Concord History website, and don’t make it so difficult to find; and to the City of Concord council members and staff, you should actually provide some history about your city on the history page of your website.
Read MoreHalf marathon, 10K, 5k and 1-mile Family Fun Run fundraiser benefiting Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation
By Patti Shaner Runners and Volunteers are needed to participate in the 12th Annual Delta Harvest Run. 100% of the net proceeds goes to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates. Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay. It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County. The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1 Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets. The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail. The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company. All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performance-shirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line. Back by popular demand the runners will receive a token for a free beer, an ice cream or a coffee. The DHR will also award age group metals as well as overall male and female trophies. The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time. The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race. For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at www.deltaharvestrun.com. You can also call the race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614. Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December. Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application. The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community. Read MoreDuring early Friday morning response; assault on officer reported
By Martinez Police Department
On August 18, 2023, around 3:27 a.m., the Martinez Police Department received a report of a video alarm at Velvet, a cannabis dispensary, located at 4808 Sunrise Drive. While enroute, officers were advised of multiple subjects at the business along with two vehicles.
Officers arrived on scene around 3:32 a.m. and one of the vehicles, described as a white SUV, fled the scene. Officers broadcast that shots were fired and there was an assault on an officer. The second vehicle attempted to flee and then crashed into a fire hydrant. The two occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital.
Additional law enforcement agencies responded to secure the scene. The Martinez Police Department initiated an investigation with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in accordance with the countywide protocol for officer-involved shootings. One officer is receiving treatment at the hospital for what is believed to be a minor injury.
Based on the investigation, it is believed that four Martinez police officers discharged their firearms in this incident. The four officers have been placed on administrative leave as per department policy.
One of the civilians in the incident who was transported to the hospital is deceased. In accordance with Assembly Bill 1506 (https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents), the Martinez Police Department notified the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The CADOJ is leading the investigation and will independently review the officer-involved shooting.
The investigating agencies have responded with extensive resources to determine exactly what took place. The area where the incident occurred remained closed while crime scene investigators collect evidence. The officers involved were wearing body-worn cameras and footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
The investigation is in its early stages and ongoing. Our understanding of the incident may change as more individuals are interviewed and evidence is collected and analyzed.
If you have information regarding this incident, please contact Investigations at 925-372-3450.
Read More
Face six complaints; three APD personnel arrested Thursday now on unpaid leave
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced Friday, August 18, 2023, the filing of charges against five officers who engaged in a criminal conspiracy and accepted bribes for voiding the citations of friends while serving as sworn police officers for the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments.
“The charges set forth in these complaints allege offenses of public corruption,” said District Attorney Becton. “As District Attorney for Contra Costa County, my role is to seek justice and work on solutions to improve our communities. The legal action we’ve taken here today reflects that commitment.”
In all, six complaints were filed in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The alleged offenses center on fixing traffic violations of associates of sworn peace officers. The defendants are: former Antioch officer Timothy Manly Williams and current officers Calvin Prieto, Andrea Rodriguez and Ben Padilla and former Pittsburg officer Juan Ernesto Mejia-Orozco.
On March 22, 2022, state and federal investigators obtained search warrants for the cell phones of a number of officers. During a forensic analysis of the phones, investigators uncovered evidence of criminal wrongdoing, which culminated in conspiracy to obstruct justice and bribery.
Timothy Manly-Williams also faces a federal criminal indictment related to violations that arose out of a joint DA/FBI investigation.
In addition to the criminal conduct, a large trove of overtly racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages was uncovered. The conduct of the officers has compromised a number of cases and triggered scrutiny under the California Racial Justice Act (PC 745).
As previously reported, Manly-Williams, who is no longer with APD, and Mejia-Orozco, were indicted on Wednesday and arrested Thursday following the FBI investigation, along with two current and two former Antioch officers as well as one current Antioch community service officer and one current and two former Pittsburg officers.
In a Friday evening email, Acting Antioch City Manager Kwame Reed wrote, “All staff members that received federal indictment have been placed on unpaid administrative leave.” They include Officers Morteza Amiri and Eric Allen Rombough and Community Service Officer Samantha Genoveva Peterson.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read More“what do we do? I’ve never been in a coup before…So, our team got together and prayed and worshiped the Lord… Let’s skip the panic part and say the Lord will rescue us. And you guys came together here and prayed. Then we said, let’s get to work,” – Pastor Steve Miner
“somebody from the embassy said the airport has refused fuel. But make no mistake we are leaving on this plane, today.” – Maria Miner
“The Lord is faithful, and I knew he was going to get us home” – college student Madison Heyer
By Allen D. Payton
During a Welcome Home service Sunday morning, August 13, 2023, 10 of the 11 missionaries from Antioch’s Cornerstone Christian Center and School shared their experiences while stranded for a week in Niger, following a military coup that shut down the West African nation’s borders. The only one who wasn’t there for the reunion was the youngest team member, Madison Heyer, the daughter of Principal Logan Heyer, as she had already returned to college preparing for the fall semester. (See related articles here and here)
Pastor Steve Miner Shares About Trip
“We went to put on a camp for 250 children in the Niamey region. Our theme for this camp was the Kingdom of God over the kingdom of darkness. We felt attacks from the kingdom of darkness from the minute we got to SFO,” Pastor Steve Miner shared Sunday morning about the challenges they experienced on the trip.
“That’s Thursday night,” he continued. “We get to Niger on Saturday and all 22 bags don’t make it. We called Turkish Airlines. Sunday night we get a call from the airport and all 22 bags were there. We get there and they won’t release the bags to us. It was a shakedown. They wanted some money from us. They shake us down for $200. It’s all we had.”
“Then we faced an African rainstorm. By this time, it was well into Monday morning,” Miner said. “But we put on a camp. It was wonderful. The second to last day we were told it was a coup de tat. I think we learned of it from people back here. I thought ‘what do we do? I’ve never been in a coup before’.”
“It was the last day, we were supposed to go on an excursion to see the hippos. We were to go to the Radison Hotel the nicest one in Niger,” he continued. “We learned that day we weren’t going anywhere, and we couldn’t go on the hippo ride.”
“For Americans being told not to go where we wanted to go” was difficult the pastor explained.
But they had the help of “a Christian General from the American Air Force, we had the head of security from Samaritan’s Purse who started to text me. It was such a blessing.”
“Our airline tickets meant nothing, now,” he stated. “The Holy Spirit put a verse in my heart. Psalm 31. It was David who wrote, ‘Praise be to God for he showed me his love while I was in a city under siege,” reading from Psalm 31:21-22. “David was in fear.”
“We forget the thing the Lord brought us through last week, last month,” Miner continued.
“Yet, you heard my cry for mercy,” he finished reading the Bible passage. “So, our team got together and prayed and worshiped the Lord.”
“Let’s skip the panic part and say the Lord will rescue us,” Miner stated. “And you guys came together here and prayed. Then we said, let’s get to work.”
“We got to put desks together. Fix desks. Sanded, primered. We washed walls,” he explained. “We were getting ready for a new school year.”
“We came back last Sunday. Praise the Lord,” Miner exclaimed.
“Fox News who did the initial interview with us. They asked, ‘Would you do it, again?’ Everybody on the team said, ‘yeah, we’d do it again’. Because they understand what it means to be a disciple.”
“We are on mission here in Antioch. We have been sent,” he continued and saying “As the Father has sent me I am sending you,” quoting John 20:21.
“You feel the weight of people’s prayers lifting you up. You experience the presence of the Lord,” Miner stated.
“I wouldn’t trade living in the middle of a coup for anything. We get interviewed. It gives you a story to tell about God’s faithfulness,” the pastor continued.
“They said ‘yes, we’d go back’. And I said, “yes. We’re making disciples’,” he concluded.
Team Members Share of Their Experiences
Elidia Bird was the first to share saying “My biggest take away from this trip is the power of prayer…the partnership with God. The enemy was trying to stop us at the gate. But God had a plan.”
She then shared about a girl named Zarah (in photo) and that she wrote a letter to one of the girls.
“There’s no language barrier that can stop the Word of God,” Bird stated.
“I wouldn’t want to be led by anyone else,” Nutce Castelluccio said of Pastor Steve and Maria Miner, when sharing of his experiences on the trip. “The kids. They were so joyful. When we worshiped, they’d be dancing and dancing.”
Pastor Steve’s wife, Maria Miner was next to share saying, “This is a faithfulness of God celebration.”
“I do know the reason this team was so amazing was we were supported by your prayers,” she continued.
She chose the Armor of God as the theme for the week. Maria read from Ephesians 6:10-18 which describes the parts of the armor and then said, “You will be proud to know that all of the children left that camp with that entire passage memorized.”
“I have never felt the schemes of the devil like I did in Niger, Africa,” she stated. “The final day we taught during the storm…all the power went out. There is a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Our weapons are invisible. I felt harassed by the enemy. When I felt weak…I reached out to people to pray with me. We would worship and pray and go do what the Lord had for us to do. We were not battling against flesh and blood.”
“We got to the airport. The airport was closed. There was one plane there, our plane,” Maria stated. “About four hours in somebody from the embassy said the airport has refused fuel. But make no mistake we are leaving on this plane, today. We may have to go to another country to get fueled. It was at that point I felt the Lord saying start praying.”
“Nine hours later we were on the plane and told to unbuckle…when we were refueling,” she continued. “Then they announced we have enough fuel to get to France.”
Jennifer Bartoni shared next saying, “We’re going back. I want to thank all of you guys for your prayers and support. My plan was to go to Mexico on a mission trip. But my passport didn’t come in on time. God had a plan for me to go to Niger.”
“I was scared. I reached out to God for strength,” she stated. “Before the trip I was afraid to fly, afraid to speak in front of people.”
Bartoni then quoted Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
“I asked God to help me face my fears. So, He did,” she stated.
When it was her turn to share Jill Lawrence said, “He knew this coup was coming. We didn’t.”
She spoke of facing health issues before they went.
“I sing on the worship team. Worship really speaks to my soul,” she stated.
“After the coup happened, I was asked to go share my testimony at a church there,” Lawrence continued. “We felt like the early church. We felt like we were in the Old Testament. We were tramping through the sand. The whole church, everyone was one accord. It was after the coup had happened. Had we left we would not have experienced it.”
“We were able to tune into our local church service and worship with you” while at a home in Niger, she shared with the congregation. “It’s that one accord. God’s got you in the palm of his hand. That was what was so life changing about this trip.”
Margret Rickli shared next, saying, “This is my second year to go on the trip. I know on mission trips I hear God a little bit clearer. This one morning I heard very clear ‘wait’.”
“I’m a planner. I make my plans. My plan was to be home that week and set up my classroom. I was thinking ‘wait’? The plan was to be home. God spoke to me and said my plans are what’s best. This weight came off my back.”
She spoke of cleaning and organizing the classrooms in Naimey.
“I would have never had that experience had I not been there,” Rickli stated.
“A group of girls came running up to me and I said those are my girls,” she continued. “My family was back here…sometimes at 3 and 4 in the morning I was on the phone with them.”
They set up her classroom back here.
“That’s one of the ways God showed me the waiting,” Rickli shared. “God was not just working in us, there he was working in you. I just needed to see, let go, let God. Be patient. I just thank Him for that opportunity, this year.”
Scott Wells, Holly Heyer’s father and Madison’s grandfather shared next saying, “What I learned is God can use you no matter how old you are.”
“We’re missing someone up here. Maddy’s back at college,” he continued. “My wife stayed home. Sheila (his other daughter who lives in southern California) came up and stayed with her.”
“We worked. We couldn’t go home. We prayed. We worshiped every morning,” Wells said. “We said, ‘OK, God. We’re here, what do you want us to do?’”
“I was a teacher, a principal for 41 years and that’s what we did,” he stated. “It was familiar to me to go to the school every day…and fix desks. We worked for the Lord.”
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…for it is the Lord Christ you are serving,” Wells said quoting Colossians 3:23-24.
“It was a blessing to me just to help that school. We got to do a little part to help them for that school year coming up,” he added.
Holly Heyer, Wells’ daughter and Madison’s mother shared last saying, “We were a trio. Dad, me and Madison. But this team is my family. We lived that way for a while.”
“Our bonus time we were there, as we called it…some of us were scared. I never felt more peaceful in my life,” she continued. “We’re here. We’re working together and we felt the peace of God. I know that was from your prayers, here.”
“We were just praying. People were in random, different rooms. If a song came up to somebody, we were just singing. Praying for the preschool kids because this is where they’re going to meet Jesus,” Heyer said. “It was a blessing for us just to be praying for the kids. They’re just the same people. They have a school, it’s just in Niger. I got to pray for them. I got to see some of the kids. They’re so precious. I wanted to bring them home with us.”
“Scraping gum for Jesus,” she said with a chuckle.
Bobbi Jennings shared about their trip home.
“We land in Washington DC. We’re all still together. Then the separation starts,” she stated. “We came as a team. We wanted to leave us a team. But that was not to be. It was hard. Steve and Maria were frantically trying to get flights for us. So, we went in four groups. I wanted to be with our team, with our family. It was on the last flight, that last plane in Texas we were able to be together.”
She and Elidia were together on the flight. They were able to get into the cockpit and take a photo with the pilots after sharing about their trip and photos.
“I said, ‘you know, you’re our final flight home. Can I pray over you?’ So, I prayed over our pilots,” Jennings said. “I said, ‘when I get home, I’m going to get down on the ground and kiss it’ and I did.”
“I give all the thanks and glory to God,” she added.
Pastor Steve closed out the sharing time and service saying, “I have to say thank you to you and to Hannah (Foster) and Logan (Heyer). I think they lost more sleep than we did.”
“We all had a part in this. My mom in Texas went to her Senator’s office,” he continued. “There’s nothing better than to be a part of the family of God. We had people back home working their tails off. I just want to thank you.”
“We are on a mission and Antioch needs us. And the Lord has placed us here for a reason,” Miner stated. “We’re going to be strong abroad. But we’re going to be really strong, here…where we live. We’re going to get after it.”
College Student Madison Heyer Shares About Her First International Trip
When reached for comment about her experience, Madison Heyer, a 2022 graduate of Cornerstone Christian High School said, “When everything went haywire with the coup, I was thinking, this is a bummer, I have to get home and get back to school. But I had to rethink and change my heart and determine what the Lord wanted me to do. I thought, ‘you have to go where the Lord wants you to go and do’.”
She’s a sophomore at California Baptist University and a Resident Assistant in one of the apartment complexes on campus which required her to return before school starts September 5th. Madison is studying elementary education, following in her grandfather’s, grandmother’s, dad’s, mom’s and older sisters’ footsteps who have all been or are currently educators. She’s also minoring in Christian Studies.
About her trip experience Madison said, “the whole time, I was really excited to go, it was VBS (Vacation Bible School) and something I wanted to do for my career. I was doing the most as possible since I was the kid. No one required me to. But I wanted to be as helpful as I could.”
“This was my first international trip and what a story,” she exclaimed.
“My first thought was disbelief. Especially with the missionaries (Pastor Neil and Dannette Childs) who are there,” Madison shared. “With the news, there, it isn’t always accurate. It was initial fear. Then lots of questions came to mind. How was I going to get back to school? Are we able to fly home? Can we finish Vacation Bible School?”
“I was thinking, I’m going to finish that VBS program, then decide what else to do,” she continued. “We rallied around with the team and prayed. Pastor Steve was really great. We didn’t let the kids know about the coup.”
They did finish the VBS and “we ended up deciding to help even more to get the school ready for when the school year starts in October,” Madison shared.
“I was helping out the same way (as the others on the team), cleaning the classrooms. What I did, specifically was scrape the gum off the floor,” she said with a laugh. “I did a lot of sweeping. I was happy to do it.”
“I was communicating with my boyfriend (who is a student at CBU) through Whatsapp, and he was kind of freaking out. So, he called the White House,” Madison shared with another laugh.
About the trip home she said, “That was one of the scariest points. We were in the airport, and we could see the plane. They said, ‘we don’t have any gas for this plane’. So, I was praying a lot about that. Then we got on the plane, and they said we have enough gas to get to France. That was such a relief.”
Asked about her future plans and what she wants to do with her degree Madison responded, “I’ll go on mission trips in the future. That’s what the Lord has called me to do. I have a strong call for missions. I want to teach overseas, probably teach missionaries’ kids. Teach children in different countries, especially about Jesus.”
“With my mom being there, that was a blessing. It was such a comfort. So was my grandpa. It was so exciting being there with her. It’s something my siblings didn’t get to do. She’s truly amazing,” Madison stated.
“The Lord is faithful, and I knew he was going to get us home,” she added.
Pastor Steve Thanks Senator, Congressman
During the previous week’s service, Pastor Steve offered thanks to those who helped the team leave Niger and return home.
“First of all, I am so grateful to be part of such an incredible family. The support and efforts from people back home have been incredible. We would not be home today if it were not for their prayer and actions,” he said. “Hannah and Logan galvanized so many people into action including our government. If it wasn’t for our people making them aware there is no way they would know we were even there.”
“And I am grateful that Senator Feinstein’s and Rep. Garamendi’s offices listened and went into action,” the pastor continued. “When the State Department called me in Niger to tell me they were going to take our team, I thanked him and he said, ‘You can thank your congressmen and senator for this’. So, I am grateful that they truly did represent their constituents.”
“I hope everyone can experience the power of Jesus through a healthy church as we during this crisis. If everyone did, we would have less coups in the world!” he added.
For more information about Cornerstone Christian Center and School visit their websites at cornerstoneantioch.com and www.cornerstonechristianschool.net.
Read MorePress conference held on arrests, indictments of 3 current, 3 former APD officers, 3 former PPD officers and 1 Oakland Housing Authority officer
Three Antioch officers charged with civil rights crimes for their alleged conspiracy to use unnecessary force in deploying munitions and a police K-9
“This is a complicated investigation. These always are.” – U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey – “Every defendant is assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. No defendant is charged with all the charges in all the conduct.”
By Allen D. Payton
U.S. Attorney for the Northern California District Ismail Ramsey in his first press conference in San Francisco and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Francisco Division Robert Tripp, shared information about the 10 current and former Antioch and Pittsburg Police officers who were arrested this morning on multiple charges. It follows the four indictments issued by the federal Grand Jury, yesterday and which were unsealed, today.
Joining Ramsey and Tripp at the press conference were Contra Chief Assistant District Attorney Simon O’Connell and several members of the prosecution team, Laura Vartain, Chief of the U.S. Department of Justice Northern California Special Prosecution Unit including Alethea Sargent, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, Eric Cheng Assistant U.S. Attorney, Special Prosecutions, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay Krishnamurthy.
Indicted and arrested are current Antioch officers Morteza Amiri, Eric Allen Rombough and Community Service Officer Samantha Genoveva Peterson, former APD officers Daniel James Harris, Devon Christopher Wenger and Timothy Allen Manly Williams, as well as former Pittsburg officers Amanda Carmella Theodosy (aka Nash), Patrick James Berhan and Ernesto Juan Mejia-Orozco, and Oakland Housing Authority officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa.
After a year-and-a-half investigation by the FBI and Contra Costa DA’s Office for what were referred to as “crimes of moral turpitude”, committed by the current and former officers were finally described. Ramsey said they include conspiracy to violate civil rights, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, distributing anabolic steroids, obstruction and civil rights violations.
“Every defendant is assumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. No defendant is charged with all the charges in all the conduct,” he stated.
Ramsey then described the four indictments against the officers.
The first he labeled the “college degree benefits fraud indictment” in which “officers sought to defraud the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments. They hired people to attend classes and take exams for them. They conspired…to reap the financial benefits without putting in the work.”
“Two defendants are charged with distributing anabolic steroids,” Ramsey continued. “One of the two defendants destroyed evidence. Those are former Antioch officers Daniel Harris and Devon Wenger.
“One defendant is charged with obstruction indictment,” he continued. “A police officer destroyed, altered evidence to obstruct a federal investigation…monitored a wiretap. He used his own personal phone to call a defendant in the wiretap.” That refers to former Antioch officer Timothy Allen Manly Williams.
Ramsey said he is “Also charged with a civil rights violation in confiscating a citizen’s phone and destroying it to conceal evidence.”
The fourth he referred to as the “deprivations of rights indictment…a 29-page indictment of three officers in the Antioch Police Department.” They include the “improper deployment of canines and weapons to harm individuals in and around Antioch. They boasted about illegal use of force and texted photos of injured individuals,” Ramsey said. That indictment includes current officers Morteza Amiri, Eric Allen Rombough and Wenger.
He referred to them as “a group of officers who acted is if they were above the law. They tried to escape scrutiny by failing to submit truthful reports and deploy body warn cameras.”
Asked later about that claim since Antioch officers didn’t have body worn cameras during the time period of their alleged crimes, DOJ Nor Cal spokesman Abraham Simmons responded, “I am certain he is referencing the allegations actually in the indictments. I can look again at the indictments.”
“Officers take an oath,” Ramsey continued during the press conference. “The indictments paint a picture, today that demonstrate officers who have violated that oath.
“All officers indicted have been arrested,” he added and thanked those involved including CCDA Becton.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Tripp said, they “arrested nine subjects. All are or were associated with the Pittsburg or Antioch Police Departments. Three were current employees who had been placed on administrative leave.”
The arrests were made in “the Bay Area, Hawaii and Texas” and “more than 100 law enforcement employees participated,” he stated.
Tripp said it was the result of “more than two years of painstaking work.”
“The FBI treated these arrests like any other operation,” he said. “We used the same techniques and assessed the risks.
“This case has been the SF Field Office’s top priority,” Tripp continued. “We use the term color of law for the shorthand of someone using their official position to undermine public confidence in the law and undermine the fundamental rights of our citizens.”
“Color of law violations will not be tolerated. Not all indictments are color of law violations. Any breach of the public trust is unacceptable. Nobody is above the law,” he stated.
In response to a question from a member of the media “will more indictments be coming down,” Ramsey said, “The investigation is still continuing,” Ramsey said.
Asked “can we expect any state charges?” he said. “We’re here to comment on our charges. The investigation on the federal side is continuing. We are now at the point where we have indictments returned and individuals in custody.”
Asked where the court cases will be held Ramsey said, “This case is venued in Oakland. There have been numerous hearings today. The schedule for additional appearances is being worked out.”
Asked about those arrested in Texas and Hawaii Ramsey said, “The arraignments for those will happen in the districts where they were arrested. They then have to…be brought to here, to address the charges on this case.”
“Civil rights violations under the color of law are a priority…of my office and the FBI’s,” he stated
Asked about the text messages he responded, “As laid out in the indictment there’s a series of text messages…in which officers are bragging about violating citizens’ civil rights and texting photos of citizens. We believe these are egregious and has led to these charges. This is a complicated investigation. These always are. We have four of the ASA’s who worked tirelessly on this case. They’re prepared to take steps necessary to prosecute.”
“Civil rights violations are a unique priority of ours. I don’t want you to think steroid distribution or wire fraud are not serious. They’re federal violations,” Ramsey added.
Press Release Offers Additional Details in Indictments
A press release labeled “Bad Apples Indictment” was issued later Thursday with additional details about the indictments:
At the press conference, U.S. Attorney Ramsey referred to the first indictment as the “college degree benefits fraud indictment.” According to the indictment, six defendants engaged in a conspiracy to defraud police departments out of taxpayer dollars, including the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments, by claiming they had earned college credits toward degrees when, instead, they paid others to attend classes and take exams for them. Specifically, beginning in June of 2019, Officer Patrick James Berhan of the Pittsburg Police Department utilized a person identified as “Individual 1” to complete multiple college courses on his behalf. The courses were credited toward Berhan’s completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Berhan allegedly received a degree and then applied for and received reimbursements and increases to his pay from Pittsburg Police Department. Further, the indictment alleges Berhan “promoted Individual 1’s services” and “benefited from payments received by Individual 1 in furtherance of the scheme.” The indictment describes how five other members of the police departments retained Individual 1 to complete similar coursework from the university. Each paid money to Individual 1, obtained a degree based on the fraudulent coursework, and applied for benefits including reimbursements and increases in pay from their law enforcement employer.
The second indictment charges two defendants with conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids. The indictment describes how Officers Daniel Harris and Devon Wenger, both of the Antioch Police Department, allegedly conspired illegally to distribute the drugs to an unnamed customer. The indictment also alleges that Harris possessed and attempted to possess the drugs, and that Wenger attempted to delete evidence of the scheme from his cellular phone prior to handing the phone over to law enforcement officers.
The third indictment charges a single defendant, Timothy Allen Manly Williams (Manly), also then with the Antioch Police Department, with three charges—two involving alleged interference with a wiretap investigation and the third involving the illegal seizure and destruction of a telephone. The indictment alleges that on March 23, 2021, Manly was assigned to a “wire room” where, pursuant to a court order, he was supposed to monitor communications between a target and others who contacted the target by telephone. While monitoring the target, Manly allegedly used his personal cellphone, dialed a special code to ensure his number would not appear to others, and called a target of the investigation. After dialing the number, Manly also designated his call to the target to be “non-pertinent” ensuring the 14-second conversation would not be recorded. Manly also allegedly made entries on the wire logs to suggest that the call he made resulted in no answer and no audio. The indictment further alleges that on May 6, 2021, Manly was on the scene when another officer deployed a police dog when arresting a person. Upon seeing a witness using a cellular telephone to record the aftermath of the incident, Manly allegedly seized the witness’s telephone and destroyed it.
The fourth indictment charges three Antioch police officers—Morteza Amiri, Eric Rombough, and Devon Wenger—with conspiracy against rights and deprivation of rights under color of law. The 29-page indictment describes how the defendants allegedly communicated with each other and others about using and intending to use excessive force against individuals in and around Antioch. The uses of excessive force included deployment of a K9, deployment of a 40mm “less lethal” launcher, and other unnecessary violence. Further, the indictment alleges that the defendants deployed uses of force as “punishment” to subjects “beyond any punishment appropriately imposed by the criminal justice system,” and allegedly made repeated reference to or suggestion of violating the civil rights of their victims. Examples in the indictment include the following:
- On July 24, 2019, Amiri allegedly pulled over a bicyclist, identified as A.A., for failing to have lights on after dark. The indictment alleges that “[i]n the course of apprehending A.A., Amiri punched him multiple times; K9 Purcy then bit A.A. in the arm, injuring him.” Amiri then shared pictures of the victim’s wounds with other Antioch police officers who exchanged text messages including: “Yeah buddy good boy pursy,” “F[expletive] that turd,” and Amiri later stated “Detectives already called PRCS and got him a 45 day violation and we are gonna leave it at that so i don’t have to go to court for the bite. easy.” In response to a question from another officer about what cut the dog’s face, Amiri responded, “that’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol.”
- On October 8, 2020, Amiri allegedly sent a text message identifying a transient living in Antioch identified as M.Z. stating “anyone that finds him gets code [a free meal or beverage]. This f[expletive] stole my mail and was trying to open accounts under my name.” Wenger responded “Lets beat his f[expletive] ass I’m down after work morty” According to the indictment, the recipients of Amiri’s message located M.Z. later that evening. Amiri then arrived on the scene, shoved M.Z. against a wall and threatened to kill him. The indictment also alleges that a few months later Amiri texted another group of officers in reference to M.Z., “few months ago, I tracked him down and dragged him to the back of a car to ‘discuss’ the matter,” and “putting a pistol in someone’s mouth and telling them to stop stealing isn’t illegal. . . it’s an act of public service to prevent further victims of crimes”
- On May 5, 2021, Rombough accompanied other Antioch police officers who responded to a report that transients were living inside a privately-owned unit. While responding, Rombough and another officer located a couple lying on a bed inside a room. Rombough deployed a 40mm less lethal launcher at one of the persons on the bed, hitting them in the chest and knocking them off the bed.
- On August 24, 2021, Rombough accompanied other Antioch police officers as they executed a search warrant at a residence in Antioch. Officers located a subject—identified as J.W.—inside a locked bedroom holding a video game controller while sitting on an air mattress, with a video game on a television screen. W. removed a pair of headphones and raised his hands as officers, including Rombough, entered the room. One officer took J.W.’s left arm to arrest him as four other officers surrounded J.W. As the other officer held J.W.’s left arm on the bed, Rombough deployed the 40mm less lethal launcher at J.W., injuring him.
The indictment describes several other incidents of excessive force as well as the collection and sharing of pictures to memorialize acts of violence and the collection by defendant Rombough of spent munitions to commemorate his deployment of the 40mm launcher.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The indictments charge the following defendants with crimes as follows:
In addition, as part of any sentence following conviction, the court may order defendants to serve an additional term of supervised release to begin after a prison term as well as additional fines, and restitution, if appropriate. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section and Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the District Attorney of Contra Costa County.
Further Information:
Case #s:
23 CR 264 JSW – 23-cr-00264 JSW 08162023 indictment
DEFENDANT(S)
PATRICK JAMES BERHAN,
MORTEZA AMIRI,
AMANDA CARMELLA THEODOSY,
a/k/a AMANDA CARMELLA NASH,
SAMANTHA GENOVEVA PETERSON,
ERNESTO JUAN MEJIA-OROZCO, and
BRAULI RODRIGUEZ JALAPA
INDICTMENT
18 U.S.C. § 1349 – Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (one count)
18 U.S.C. § 1343 – Wire Fraud (six counts)
18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C) and 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c) – Forfeiture Allegation
23 CR 267 YGR – 23-cr-00267 YGR 08162023 indictment
DEFENDANT(S)
TIMOTHY ALLEN MANLY WILLIAMS
INDICTMENT
18 U.S.C. § 1519 – Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations;
18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2) – Obstruction of Official Proceedings;
18 U.S.C. § 242 – Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law
23 CR 268 HSG – 23-cr-00268 HSG 08162023 indictment
DEFENDANT(S)
DANIEL JAMES HARRIS and
DEVON CHRISTOPHER WENGER
INDICTMENT
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids;
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) – Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids;
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) – Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids;
18 U.S.C. § 1519 – Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations
21 U.S.C. § 853 – Forfeiture Allegation
23 CR 269 AMO – 23-cr-00269 AMO 08162023 indictment
DEFENDANT(S)
MORTEZA AMIRI,
ERIC ALLEN ROMBOUGH, and
DEVON CHRISTOPHER WENGER
INDICTMENT
18 U.S.C. § 241 – Conspiracy Against Rights (one count)
18 U.S.C. § 242 – Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law (seven counts)
18 U.S.C. § 1519 – Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations (one count)
A copy of this press release will be placed on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.
Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.
“Police officers promise to enforce laws for the protection of the public and to protect the rights of the accused,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. “That is the job. The indictments describe officers who are alleged to have violated this oath. When this happens, the damage done to the public trust cannot easily be calculated. This office will not rest until all persons who have engaged in this sort of behavior are apprehended and prosecuted.”
“This case is one of the highest priorities for the San Francisco Field Office,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Tripp. “Law enforcement officers bear a tremendous responsibility to police our communities lawfully in keeping with the constitution, and we must always be true to that guiding principle. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the FBI agents, analysts, and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case and whose efforts culminated in the operations today.”
Read More
Will face Assemblyman Tim Grayson in March primary election
By Allen D. Payton
In her first year on the San Ramon City Council, Marisol Rubio announced Thursday, August 17, 2023 that she has officially launched her State Senate campaign to replace State Senator Steve Glazer who cannot run for reelection due to term limits. With the recent redistricting the Senate district is now Senate District 9. This is her second run for the State Senate. According to Ballotpedia, Rubio ran in 2020 to represent District 7 but lost to Glazer in the March primary.
The current district includes portions of Contra Costa County, including the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, the towns of Danville and Moraga, and portions of Alameda County including San Leandro and the unincorporated communities of Ashland, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo.
A press release issued by her campaign reads as follows:
In November of 2022, Marisol was elected to the San Ramon City Council District 4 with over 64% of the vote. She previously served as Director and Vice President of the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). Marisol is a 100% Pro-Choice Democrat with a strong record of fighting to protect our environment.
She is also a Founding Advisory Board Member of a nonprofit that advocates for women’s reproductive health education and treatment, as well as a fund that advances policies to protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I am a results-oriented, proven leader that will bring to the California Senate a strong, much-needed progressive voice with knowledge and lived experience in public health, social justice, the environment, and education,” said Marisol.
Marisol is the proud parent of a childhood brain cancer survivor who has lived with lifelong disabilities. She worked closely with her daughter for over two decades to ensure that she had quality health care and a strong education. As a result, her daughter is a long-term survivor and student in college double majoring in Psychology and Spanish.
More on Marisol
Rubio received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley with a major in Molecular and Cell Biology, Neurobiology emphasis, where she was the recipient of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Women’s Leadership Scholarship Award, and a member of the Biology Scholars Programs. She is a former bilingual science teacher and original research mentor.
She has applied her science background and personal experience to work for the benefit of our
community, including:- Protecting our water quality and supply at DSRSD as Vice Chair, then Chair of DSRSD-EBMUD Recycled Water Authority (DERWA) and as a liaison for Zone 7, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, and the City of San Ramon.
- Supporting the health and fair employment practices, benefits, and wages for home care providers.
Championing environmental efforts as an Executive Committee Board Member at Sierra Club California and the San Francisco Bay Chapter. - Implementing Just Transition as the Environmental Co-Chair of a joint pilot Labor-Climate Task Force
——————-
According to her Facebook page, Rubio is also Co-Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the California Democratic Party.
According to her responses to questions by San Ramon Patch during last year’s campaign, Rubio shared more information about herself.
- What is your day job, and how will that prepare you to serve on the council?
I am a Home Care Provider, Translator, and Learning Coach. COVID impacted the latter position. I have also worked in a variety of positions as a K-5 Bilingual Science Teacher, Original Research Mentor, Health Promotion Officer, and Student Disability Advisor. Collectively, I have in-depth understanding of the needs of our children and our most often overlooked members within our community – people with disabilities and the elderly. I also have a deep understanding about human health, psychology, and the environment based
on my academic, volunteer, and professional background.
- What experience do you have serving the community?
CURRENT ELECTED & VOLUNTEER WORK
- Vice President, Elected Division 1 Director, Dublin San Ramon Services District
- Chair, DSRSD-EBMUD Recycled Water Authority (DERWA)
- San Ramon Government 101 Academy
- President, Diablo Valley Democratic Club
- Elected San Francisco Bay Chapter Executive Committee At-Large Member, Sierra Club
- National and State Leadership Council Member, Elected Officials to Protect America
o EOPA connects elected officials to bring about strong environmental policy.
- Co-Chair, Contra Costa Labor Council Labor – Climate Task Force
o A collaboration between the Contra Costa Labor Council and various Bay Area environmental organizations to identify points of intersectionality in order to lay the groundwork for Just Transition.
- Director of Government Relations, San Francisco Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
o Bringing government, community, and commerce together across the Bay Area.
- Founding Executive Board Member, The Natalie Project
o Fund advocacy group for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
- Founding Executive Board Member, FemTruth YouthTM
o Nonprofit based in Danville that advocates for reproductive health education.
- Co-Chair, Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee, California Democratic Party
- Co-Chair, Rules Committee, Contra Costa County Central Committee
- Elected Assembly District 16 Delegate
- SEIU 2015 Delegate, Contra Costa Labor Council
PAST VOLUNTEER WORK
- Elected Tri-Valley Group Executive Committee Member, Sierra Club
- Organizational and Operations Manager & Government Outreach, United Latino Voices
- Issues Committee Co-Chair, Contra Costa County Central Committee
- Ad Hoc Educational Committee Co-Chair, Contra Costa County Central Committee
- Educational Committee, California Democratic Party Disability Caucus
- Patient- & Family-Centered Care, Guest Lecturer, Samuel Merritt University FACES Summer Medical Academy
• Pediatric Oncology Clinic Volunteer, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- Of which accomplishments are you most proud?
Getting my education in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology and, in turn, using that knowledge to help my daughter overcome her learning disabilities and, ultimately, attend college and pursue her dreams.
- What is your education?
- A.A., German, French, Italian at Diablo Valley College (4.0 GPA)
- Recipient of the President’s Scholar Award, American Mathematical Association of Two- Year Colleges (AMATYC) Honorable Mention Award (Top 10% Nationally), and Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at Oakton Community College.
—————
According to her LinkedIn page, she currently serves as the Council Liaison to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD), Arts Advisory Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Teen Council, Arts Foundation, Housing Advisory Committee, Tri-Valley Water and East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) & Water Issues.
Since her election last November, Rubio’s role with the Sierra Club expanded as a member of the Sierra Club’s California Executive Board and since January a member of the organization’s Summit Committee. Also, since January Rubio has been a member of the Council of Club Leaders for the Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter.
Her campaign website provides more details about the two foundations she helped start, including Founding Executive Advisory Board Member for The Natalie Project: Fund advocacy group for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In addition, it shows she is a Founding Executive Board Member for FemTruth Youth™: Nonprofit based in Danville that advocates for reproductive health education. According to CharityNavigator.org, the organization’s mission is “Representing an inclusive, grassroots coalition of youth, patient advocates and supporters at the intersection of womxn’s health, mental health, adverse childhood experiences and education; and reimagining inclusive new policy and standards for wellness.”
Rubio will face Assemblyman Tim Grayson who announced his campaign for the State Senate seat earlier this month in the primary election next March.
Her campaign website shows a slogan of “Putting Families and Communities First” but does not provide what her platform is, explaining the issues she will focus on if elected. Rubio and her campaign consultant were asked what those are.
“There will be more to add. This is just the announcement,” Andrew Acosta of Acosta Consulting responded. But she did not.
To learn more about Rubio’s campaign visit www.marisolforca.com.
Read More
On Thursday, August 17, 2023, the Pittsburg Police Department issued the following statement regarding the arrests of two former officers following indictments issued by the Federal Grand Jury, yesterday and more than a year’s investigation by the FBI and Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. (See related article)
In September 2021, the Pittsburg Police Department became aware of allegations of illegal activity by an employee. Pittsburg PD immediately contacted the District Attorney’s Office and asked it to conduct a criminal investigation.
That investigation, which the FBI joined, led to a Grand Jury indictment and the arrest of two former Pittsburg employees and several current and former officers from the Antioch Police Department.
Consistent with our previous statements, we cannot expand on the details of this allegation as there is an ongoing investigation and now, a criminal proceeding.
The Pittsburg Police Department will continue cooperating with investigators from the FBI and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
8/18/23 UPDATE: A third former officer, Amanda Carmella Theodosy (aka Nash), was also arrested on Thursday according to Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read More“…disheartening and undermines the incredible work our staff does on a daily basis.”
“No individual – including a police officer – is above the law.” – Acting Chief Joe Vigil
August 17, 2023 – Antioch, California – Acting Chief of Police Joe Vigil released the following statement regarding the arrest of current and former APD Officers as announced by the United States Attorney today in San Francisco (See related article)
“Today’s announcement reporting the arrest of current and former APD officers is disheartening and undermines the incredible work our staff does on a daily basis. Any police officer who breaks public trust must be held accountable, especially because our effectiveness relies heavily on confidence and support from our community.
I would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Justice, and United States Attorney’s Office for their diligence in this investigation. From the beginning of this investigation, our administration has been fully cooperating with these agencies, and will continue to do so. No individual – including a police officer – is above the law.
We are precluded from making any further statements on this matter out of concern for the ongoing criminal and internal investigations.”
According to U.S. Attorney for the Northern California District Ismail Ramsey, 10 current or former officers were arrested today in California, Texas and Hawaii, including two former Pittsburg Police officers and eight officers from Antioch, three of whom are no longer with the department. They include Timothy Allen Manly Williams, as previously reported, and according to APD spokesman Lt. Michael Mellone, Daniel Harris and Devon Wenger are also no longer employed by the department.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreWHAT: The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission seeks applicants for two open alternate seats.
The commission is a voluntary body appointed by the county Board of Supervisors that makes policy recommendations to the board and county staff regarding hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
WHO: The commission’s 14 members and alternates serve 4-year terms and include representatives from industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the public and elected officials.
Open seats include the General Public Alternate and Environmental Organization Alternate seats. Alternates must be prepared to fill in as needed when commission members are not available to attend or vote.
Applicants must live or work in Contra Costa, have a demonstrated interest in hazardous materials issues, an understanding and commitment to the principles of environmental justice as defined in county policy, and be able to attend monthly meetings as needed. Candidates for the Environmental Organization Alternate seat should represent an environmental organization to which they belong.
HOW: Applications are available from Michael Kent, the executive assistant to the commission, at 925-250-3227 or mkent@cchealth.org, or from the Clerk of the Board at 1025 Escobar St., First Floor, in Martinez.
Applications may be submitted by email or by mailing them to the clerk of the board. An online application form is also available at contracosta.ca.gov/3418/Appointed-Bodies-Committees-Commissions.
WHEN: The deadline to apply is August 31. Interviews for qualified applicants will take place between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on September 8.
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