The chief selling point to Measure J on the March 3 ballot is to “reduce congestion”, a laughably empty promise. The 75 words on the ballot create a smokescreen for a 1/2% sales tax increase.
Measure J allots $148 million to BART, who has their own mega-budget and a long history of wastefulness. Only Contra Costa would shoulder the additional tax to be handed over to BART with no assurance that Contra Costa would benefit.
This measure contains hiring restrictions that will drive up costs of taxpayer-funded projects. It requires that all apprenticeship labor must come from certain politically favored sources, rather than the largest qualified pool of applicants. Construction labor short supply due to recent wildfire rebuilding efforts. As a result, projects everywhere are currently facing massive cost overruns. This is the wrong time to impose even further hiring restrictions.
Residents may see signs on the highway referencing Measure J for current projects. This refers to a Measure J generously passed by voters in 2004. The suspicious letter designation is confusing, but clearly this is not the same. This is an additional increase for 35 years.
We encourage a no vote on Measure J.
Susan L Pricco
President, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association
Read MoreBy Lieutenant Tracie Reese, Walnut Creek Police Department
On February 7, 2020 at approximately 2:10 p.m., Officers from the Walnut Creek Police Department went to a residence in the 200 block of Hall Drive in Orinda to interview 41-year-old David Martin Justice (born 6/13/78) in regard to a sexual assault that occurred in Walnut Creek. As officers arrived, Justice left the residence in a vehicle. Walnut Creek Police Officers attempted to pull over Justice’s vehicle, but Justice sped away at a high rate of speed.
Justice eventually returned to the address on Hall Drive and ran into the residence. Moments later, Justice exited the back of the residence with a shotgun pointed to his head. The Central County Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) responded to the address to assist officers on scene. The Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) established communication with Justice and negotiated with Justice for approximately four hours. Justice peacefully surrendered at 6:02 p.m. and was taken into custody.
Justice will be booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a warrant for multiple counts of PC 261, with a bail amount of $5,000,000.
This investigation is in the early stages and further information will not be released at this time. Additional details will be provided as they become available.
The Central County Special Weapons and Tactics Team and the Crisis Negotiations Team is made up of members from the San Ramon Police Department, Martinez Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, BART Police, and the Walnut Creek Police Department.
The Walnut Creek Police Department would like to thank the Orinda Police Department, the Lafayette Police Department, the Danville Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call Detective Gerstner at 925-943-5878. WCPD Case Number: 20-4426
Read MoreIdentified as Mark Anthony Thomas. Second suspect still at large.
By Pittsburg Police Department
On December 14, 2019, the Pittsburg Police Department was notified of a person who was shot inside of a residence in the 200 block of Havenwood Circle in Pittsburg. At the time of the incident, the victim, along with his wife and children, were present when two armed and masked gunmen entered the residence and shot the victim following a brief struggle. Upon arrival, officers located a 34-year-old male resident (later identified by his fiancé as Rafael Lopez) suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso.
From initial information, officers learned that two masked gunmen entered the residence and engaged in an altercation with the man and other people inside the residence. Officers provifed aid to the main until medical personnel arrived. The man later died from his injuries. (See related article).
Detectives began working the case immediately and painstakingly poured over many leads and pieces of evidence until they were able to identify one of the shooters involved in the homicide. That shooter has been identified a 35-year-old Mark Anthony Thomas from Antioch.
According to his Facebook page, Thomas is a rapper whose stage name is M80.
On February 4, 2020, Thomas was located at a residence in the 5000 block of Ranch Hallow Way in Antioch and arrested by our agency. He is currently in custody in Martinez on murder charges.
This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information to please contact Detective Ruff at 925-252-4089.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBarnes & Noble in Antioch, is all ready for Sarah Sundin’s book signing on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 2-4 pm. As you can see, they have plenty of copies of the entire Sunrise at Normandy series, Sundin’s latest trilogy. The store is located at 5709 Lone Tree Way.
She has written three other trilogies based on actual events and people during World War II, entitled the Wings of Glory series, Wings of the Nightingale series and Waves of Freedom series.
Sundin, who lives in Antioch, has won multiple awards for her writing and credits her own family’s war-time experience for her inspiration.
“In January 2000, I woke from a dream so intriguing I had to write it down. I proceeded to write a really bad 750-page contemporary Christian romance,” she writes in her bio on her webpage. “That book will never be published, but it led me to join a critique group, attend writers’ conferences, and join American Christian Fiction Writers.”
“Family tales drew me to the World War II era,” Sundin continues. “I first submitted A Distant Melody in 2003, and over the next five years I accumulated a pile of rejection letters. In 2008, a submission at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference led to the sale of the Wings of Glory series.”
Since then she has received four more three-book contracts. The Sea Before Us received the 2019 Reader’s Choice Award from Faith, Hope, and Love. Both When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romances of the Last 10 Years,” Through Waters Deep received the 2016 INSPY Award and was a 2016 Carol Award Finalist, and my novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in Where Treetops Glisten was a 2015 Carol Award Finalist. In 2011, She received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.
When not writing, Sundin teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies and speaks to school, community, women’s, historical, and church groups. Visit her speaking page for more information.
To learn more about Sundin and her books, visit www.sarahsundin.com.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreAccording to papers filed in court Thursday by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, the 18-year-old Concord teen who called police telling them he had killed his mother on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 has been identified as Harrison William Mercier. He is charged with the murder of Elizabeth A. Barry. (See related article)
The filing papers allege Mercier used a knife to kill Barry and that it was premeditated, with “malice aforethought”. Complaint Mercier February 6 2020
According to Concord Police press release, on February 5th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Mercier called Concord Police Dispatch saying he had just killed his mother at their home located in the 3000 block of Treat Blvd. When Officers arrived, the man was outside waiting for them. His mother was found deceased inside the home. Mercier was arrested and CPD Detectives are currently investigating the case.
Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective Greg Mahan with CPD’s Major Crime Unit at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #20-1552
Read MoreBy Allen Payton
According to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, murder suspect, Mark Thomas was arraigned in Contra Costa County Superior Court yesterday, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 for allegedly killing Rafael Rodriguez Lopez with a shotgun during a robbery in Pittsburg on Dec. 14, 2019. Complaint Mark Thomas February 6 2020
According to a Pittsburg Police press release issued later that day, “Early Saturday morning, just after midnight, Pittsburg Officers responded to the report of a shooting at a residence in the 200 block of Havenwood Circle. Upon arrival, officers located a 30-year-old male resident suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. Officers provided aid to the man until medical personnel arrived. The man later died from his injuries.
Pittsburg Police Department Detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the residence to conduct the investigation. From initial information, officers learned that two masked gunmen entered the residence and engaged in an altercation with the man and other people inside the residence. During this, the two suspects shot the victim and fled the residence in a gray or silver import sedan. Investigators are working to confirm information the man and the suspects knew each other, and this incident was the result of a disagreement that had occurred.”
It was the city’s seventh murder in 2019.
Thomas is being held without bail.
Read MoreOn February 5th, at approximately 9:00 PM, an 18-year-old male called Concord Police Dispatch saying he had just killed his mother at their home located in the 3000 block of Treat Blvd. When officers arrived, the man was outside waiting for them. His mother was found deceased inside the home.
The man was arrested and CPD Detectives are currently investigating the case. There are no further details to be released at this time. We are not releasing the identity of the deceased woman at this time, pending next of kin contact.
Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective Greg Mahan with CPD’s Major Crime Unit at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #20-1552
Read MoreIn a news release, today the Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs Association announced they are “proud to recommend Supervisor Federal Glover on Election Day, March 3rd. Please join us.”
“Under Supervisor Federal Glover’s leadership, Contra Costa County has opened three Family Justice Centers to help victims of domestic violence, elder abuse and human trafficking and hired new deputies to respond more efficiently to 911 calls,” the announcement continued. “Supervisor Glover also fought for cameras to deter freeway shooters. Contra Costa’s Deputy Sheriffs wholeheartedly support Supervisor Glover’s re-election. We ask you to join our deputies in voting for him on or before Election Day, March 3rd.”
Glover is running for his sixth term on the Board of Supervisors, having first been elected in 2000. He faces two opponents, County Assessor Gus Kramer and Martinez Planning Commissioner Sean Trambley. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the Primary, the top two candidates will face off in the General Election in November.
Read MoreSupes finalize appointment of County Clerk, approve agriculture land use policy
Contra Costa County Health Department officials told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the county is “taking extra steps to control” the global Novel Coronavirus epidemic.
Dr. Louise McNitt, Director of the Contra Costa County Communicable Disease Unit, told supervisors, “We are still learning about it, but we are taking the extra steps to control it, who to test.”
As of Tuesday, there were no Novel Coronavirus cases reported in Contra Costa County while four cases had been reported elsewhere in the Bay Area. Overall, six Novel Coronavirus cases had been reported in California. There were 11 cases reported throughout the United States. McNitt reported there were 20,000 cases worldwide.
McNitt said the county checks daily with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta to get the most recent information on how to medically combat Novel Coronavirus.
“The Centers for Disease Control answers a lot of our questions,” she said.
“What happens if in four months there are a large number of cases?” asked District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond. “We cannot build new hospitals overnight like how China does.”
“We have the tight network of health officials in the Bay Area to quickly respond to this virus should it get out of control,” said Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth. “We are ready if we have a case that comes to us.
“The risk is low,” added Roth. “We are continuously updating our website and advice line.”
“I have every confidence any hospital is ready to treat patients with this disease” said District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill. But the supervisor said that citizens can get help by getting flu shots and frequently washing their hands.
McNitt agreed with Mitchoff about the flu shots. “Right now, there are more people who have the flu than have this virus,” she said.
Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who requested that the Novel Coronavirus topic be placed on the Board Agenda, requested that the county’s health department’s website be continuously updated with information about this virus.
Finalize Appointment of Deborah Cooper as County Clerk
The Supervisors appointed Deborah Cooper as the County Clerk-Recorder to the remaining term of the office that will expire on January 2, 2023.
“The Board held an open process over the past three months to find, interview, select and appoint a new County Clerk-Recorder,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Candace Andersen. “During this time, the Board of Supervisors has strongly affirmed the integrity and the professional work of County staff in the Clerk-Recorder-Elections Division. We have every confidence that Debi Cooper will continue to move the team forward during this important election year and beyond with the utmost integrity.”
Deborah Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder, said, “Our primary purpose is to serve the public, whether conducting elections or providing Clerk and Recorder services. Maintaining the public trust while remaining impartial and neutral is crucial. I appreciate our talented and dedicated staff. We will continue to provide great customer service to the people of Contra Costa.”
Most recently, Cooper served as the Acting County Clerk-Recorder since November 1, 2019 and, prior to that, as the Deputy County Clerk-Recorder since 2012.
County Administrator David J. Twa who announced the recruitment for selecting and appointing a Clerk-Recorder, remarked, “It was important to conduct a clear and transparent process with each step. The public was able to attend or watch Board of Supervisors meetings, make public comment, and see the timeline and other key information on the website.”
Ag Land Use Policy Gets Green Light
Supervisors flashed the green light for the county planners to proceed in the development of an Agricultural Land Use Policy that envisions the transformation of agricultural land use to various types of lodging accommodations and food services.
Funded on a $150,000 Livable Communities Trust Grant since 2016, the Department of Conservation and Development presented an update to supervisors on where the study stands.
So far, more work needs to be done since there is no consensus on the study’s recommendations about different types of lodging accommodations, including short-term rentals for 9-days or less, farm stays for up to 90 days, bed-and-breakfast, and camping, yurts or little houses on wheels.
Food service use proposals include farm dinners, farm-to-table restaurants, updating the Winery Ordinance, and allowing hosting of large events. These uses may require a zoning permit like an administerial permit or a land use permit or other permits required by other agencies.
“This is not a total road map. We are checking into with the Board to see if you accept the report,” said Contra Costa County Conservation & Development Department Director John Kopchik.
“There’s tension in the farm community,” Supervisor Mitchoff said about the preliminary land use plan. “You need to work it out.”
Where once fertile farmland once stood with real estate prices might fetch $10,000 an acre, some farmland is being snapped up by developers at $100,000 an acre or higher.
The county’s Agricultural Land Use Policy is in response to the skyrocketing real estate prices shaking up the rural areas in Brentwood, Oakley, Knightsen in East County and Danville.
The planning study occurs at a pivotal time in the county’s steadily declining agricultural economy. In 2017, county crop production from corn, berries, and other crops fell to $120.4 million, a six percent decline from 2016 due mainly to crop marketplace conditions.
The planning study also includes recommendations to promote agriculture use to include equestrian and bike trails to connect farms, consider allowing equestrian facilities within additional agricultural districts, exploring funding for signage to promote farming in the county, updating the county’s sign ordinance, and working with other agencies to promote agricultural vitality in the County.
Funds for 30-Unit Pittsburg Rental Housing Project Approved
Supervisors unanimously approved as part of the consent agenda items, the issuance of $18 million in state Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to finance the cost of the acquisition and construction of a 30-unit rental housing development at 901 Los Medanos Street and 295 E. 10th Street in Pittsburg.
Veterans Square will provide 29 units of affordable housing and one manager’s unit. Fifteen units will be reserved for households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income and 14 units will be reserved at or below 30 percent of the area median income.
The Board of Supervisors had previously allocated about $2.2 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds for Veterans Square and approved the county submission of an application to the state for $3.6 million in No Place Like Home funds. On Dec. 17, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved a Reimbursement Resolution for this prospective issuance of bonds.
When asked why it’s costing $600,000 for each of the one-bedroom apartments, county Affordable Housing Program Manager Kristen Lackey said, “That is what we are seeing in affordable housing units, and with other projects, as well. Construction costs are going up. Affordable housing is typically more expensive to develop based on the different sources of funds, which adds to the complexity and they have to pay prevailing wage, so the labor costs on it are higher, than what normal residential construction will be.”
“It’s an unfortunate reality of the housing crisis,” she added.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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