Andersen elected Board Chair for 2020
By Daniel Borsuk
Without any citizen opposition, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve an ordinance that will prohibit food vendors from using polystyrene food service ware (Styrofoam) and require vendors to use environmentally-friendly food service products.
The ordinance goes into effect on May 1, 2020. The Contra Costa County Department of Public Works will enforce the law.
The ordinance includes a procedure where a food vendor can file for a one-year hardship exemption from the county. The exemption is renewable.
Concerning the exemption, the ordinance states:
“Application for hardship exemption. A food vendor may request a hardship exemption from the requirements of this chapter by submitting a written request to the Public Works Director. The food vendor must establish to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director that use of polystyrene food service ware will cause an undue hardship to the vendor, or that no suitable alternative polystyrene food service ware is available in the form of environmentally-friendly food service ware. The Public Works Director may require the food vendor to provide additional information in support of its request for a hardship exemption, including, but not limited to a list of available alternative packaging materials and the reasons why those materials cannot be used without causing a hardship to the food vendor. A hardship does not exist solely on the basis that an environmentally-friendly food service ware product costs more than a similar polystyrene food service ware product.”
Exempt from the ordinance are raw meat trays, polystyrene-based ice chests and coolers intended to be reused, and prepackaged food products that use polystyrene-based packaging materials.
“This is great” declared Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, who briefly talked about her environmental work removing polystyrene dissolved pellets from polluted creeks in the county. “Reusable is the way to go.”
“I welcome the ban of polystyrene foodware in the proposed ordinance,” Howdy Goudey of El Cerrito, who also chairs the Contra Costa Sustainability Commission and wrote in a letter to the supervisors. Goudey also appeared at the board meeting.
“The Contra Costa County ordinance does not go far enough,” said Goudey. “It is inappropriate to exclude compostable foodware products from the definition of environmentally friendly food service ware. “
The county ordinance defines environmentally friendly food packaging as:
“(1) Single-use, disposable containers and other products made from recyclable materials and used for selling, vending, or serving food or beverages, including, but not limited to cups, bowls, plates, and hinged or lidded containers (clamshells).
“(2) Products that can be used more than once in their current form to serve or transport prepared, ready-to-consume food or beverages, including, but not limited to cups, bowls, plates, and containers made from ceramic, glass, porcelain, metal, or other composite or product intended to be reused.”
Andersen Elected Board 2020 Chair, Burgis Vice Chair
Supervisors have broken tradition on the way it elects Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson by electing the new incoming chairperson and vice chairperson in late September instead of on the first regular board meeting held in January.
The supervisors elected Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville as Chairperson and Supervisor Burgis of Brentwood as Vice Chair after unanimously adopting new rules on election of new year officers.
Supervisors switched the election of Board officers from January to September because the reorganization “requires many weeks of advance planning.” In addition, “The early selection of officers of the Board of Supervisors would facilitate a seamless transition of leadership at the time of reorganization,” the board’s ordinance states.
Also, supervisors inserted a teleconference provision so supervisors who are absent or are attending a meeting elsewhere can attend or vote on crucial business items via teleconference.
In addition, supervisors modified their Disruption of Meeting Rule to read: “For the purpose of insure the orderly conduct of the Board of Supervisors meeting, no whistles, horns, drums, noise makers, megaphones, air horns, bullhorns, or other amplified devices are allowed inside the County Administration Building while the meeting is in session. If any meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or groups so that the orderly conduct of the meeting becomes infeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the Chair may order the meeting room cleared, as authorized by law (Gov. Code, 54957.9), recess the meeting, adjourn the meeting.”
There were no public comments for or against Ralph M. Brown Act changes proposed by the supervisors.
Approve 35-Home Alamo Subdivision
Seven years in the making, developers got the green light from supervisors to begin construction of the environmentally sensitive Ball Estates subdivision development in the Alamo area. Supervisors approved the development’s ordinance on a 5-0 vote.
The development on a former orchard of which 735 trees of 3,489 total trees are on the project site will have to be removed, to clear ground for the gated subdivision’s 35, single family custom houses.
There was no public comment concerning the development that had previously earned environmental impact report certification from the Contra Costa County Department Conservation and Development.
Approve $25 Million in Housing Bonds for Walnut Creek Development
Supervisors approved the issuance of $25 million in revenue bonds to the nonprofit affordable housing developer Bridge Housing to finance the acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of Coggins Square Apartments in Walnut Creek. Located at 1316 Las Juntas Way in an unincorporated area nearby Walnut Creek, the development consists of 87 multifamily rental housing units.
Bridge Housing is a participant in the county’s multi-family mortgage revenue bond financing program.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the October 31, 2018, death of 34-year-old Michael Sanchez Hernandez of Oakley. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.
Hernandez was arrested in October 2018 after fighting with his girlfriend over their baby, and four other neighbors. He was taken to a hospital and two days later, died from his injuries.
The Coroner’s Jury reached a 12-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.
A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in all fatal inci-dents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes, or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreLast seen in Clayton, early Saturday morning
By Lieutenant Joe Donleavy #6011, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau
On Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at 1:15 AM, Antioch Police Officers took a missing person report after George Pack failed to return home (3037 Butternut Street) after visiting a friend in another part of Antioch. Mr. Pack was last seen wearing a green short sleeve polo shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers. He is possibly driving his red 1994 Nissan Pathfinder (CA license 3HLV677). The vehicle has a 49er spare tire cover on the back. The vehicle was last seen on Marsh Creek Road near Diablo Parkway in Clayton early on the morning of Sept. 21, 2019.
Mr. Pack suffers from dementia. A Silver Alert has been issued in this case. If you see Mr. Pack, please immediately call 911 or the Antioch Police Department Dispatch at 925-778-2441 or you may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
Read MoreBy Bobbi Mauler, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
A Contra Costa County Grand Jury has indicted 23-year-old Brentwood resident, Marco Salazar and 37-year-old Sacramento resident, Joseph Malfitano, a former Antioch resident, for the attempted murder of an inmate at the Martinez Detention Facility. Salazar and Malfitano were also indicted on enhancements for committing that offense for the benefit of a criminal street gang and causing great bodily injury to the victim. Additionally, they were indicted on one count of street terrorism as they were found to actively participate in the gang.
On May 4, 2019, the defendants were involved in a gang related stabbing of a fellow inmate, Edward Nachor, in the neck, in the MDF. The attack was on behalf of the Norteño and Crazy Ass Latinos (CAL) gang. The victim survived the attack but, suffered great bodily injury.
The indictment was unsealed on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019 in Dept. 3 of the county court in Martinez for their arraignment. Bail is set at $2,160,000 for Salazar and Malfitano is being held without bail. Deputy District Attorney Max Laettner is prosecuting the case. DDA Laettner is assigned to the Community Violence Reduction Unit of the DA’s office.
Salazar was arrested in Brentwood in May 2016 for attempted murder after stabbing a man in a grocery store. (See related article). Malfitano was arrested in Antioch in January 2017 for identify theft. (See related article).
Case Information: People v. Salazar & Malfitano Docket Number 05-191623-8.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Sunday morning at about 10:10, Orinda police responded to a report of a carjacking on the 400 block of Camino Sobrante in Orinda.
Two suspects in a vehicle apparently drove their car into the driveway of a resident and stole his vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma, at gunpoint.
Orinda officers, assisted by the CHP, searched for the Tacoma but were not able to locate it. The suspects and vehicle, a black colored Tacoma with California license plate 8R01259, are outstanding as of Sunday evening.
The original car driven by the suspects was a silver Audi RS5. It apparently was stolen earlier this month and led CHP officers on a pursuit just prior to the carjacking.
Anyone with any information on the Tacoma or suspects is asked to contact the Orinda Police Department at 925-646-2441.
Read MoreBy Sergeant Jason Shaw, Clayton Police Department
On Saturday, September 21st, at approximately 8:31 pm, Clayton Officers were dispatched to the area of Clayton Rd and Lydia Lane for a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision. Officers arrived on scene within two minutes.
The pedestrian suffered traumatic injuries and was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. The driver remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. It does not appear that intoxication played a factor in this collision. The investigation is on-going.
Anyone that witnessed the collision is asked to please call Sergeant Jason Shaw at 925-673-7350.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Patrol Unit continues to search for a missing boater.
On Sunday, September 22, 2019, at about 9:07 PM, Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to the area of Indian Slough and Werner Cut regarding a report of a person who apparently went into the water while his boat was being towed.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, California Highway Patrol and Pittsburg Police Department assisted the Marine Patrol Unit with the search. The missing boater was not located.
The missing boater, a 47-year-old man, is not being identified at this time. He was entered into the state’s missing persons database and local law enforcement agencies have been notified.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sheriff’s Office at (925) 646-2441 or the Marine Patrol Unit at (925) 427-8507. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreLos Medanos College (LMC) is partnering with John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) to host Olga Custodio, the first Latina to serve as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 24, at LMC’s Pittsburg Campus in Room SC-136 (Science Building, first floor); Lt. Col. Custodio’s presentation will be held 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., followed by a reception. The campus is located at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg. There is no charge to attend, and guests are asked to RSVP online.
The event, which is part of LMC’s fourth annual Equity Speaker Series, will feature Retired Lt. Colonel Olga Custodio sharing her story of “Passion, Patience & Persistence.” Custodio was the first Latina to complete military pilot training in the United States Air Force (USAF), graduating in the top five percent of her class, and the first to become a USAF fighter pilot. She went on to break even more barriers as the first female flight instructor at two major USAF bases, and later as the first Latina commercial pilot for American Airlines. Living by the mantra, “querer es poder” – loosely translated to “where there’s a will, there’s a way” – Custodio’s perseverance, fighting spirit, leadership abilities, and passion for flying took her where few women have gone before. Now retired, Lt. Col. Custodio continues to lead and inspire, championing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and motivating women and girls to pursue aviation and male-dominated professions. She is involved with a number of professional and service organizations, including: Women Military Aviators Association, as an active charter member; Women in Aviation International, as executive director and treasurer of the Alamo City Chapter; the Hispanic Association of Aviation and Aerospace Professionals, as vice president; the Order of Daedalians; and the Daedalian Foundation, as a Trustee. With her dedication to attracting more women and young people to aviation and STEM careers, she also serves as a mentor with the Aviation Explorers organization in San Antonio and with the School of Aeronautics of the Inter American University in Puerto Rico.
Collaborating on this event expands LMC’s existing partnership with JFKU. The two institutions have previously partnered on a Student Wellness Program that provides mental health counseling to students at LMC. In addition to marking Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Week and National Hispanic Heritage Month, the event with Lt. Col. Custodio reflects the shared commitment of LMC and JFKU – both Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), with undergraduate student enrollment that is at least 25% Hispanic – to providing opportunities and support toward degree completion for Latino/a and minoritized students. Lt. Col. Custodio’s visit comes on the heels of LMC celebrating its 10-year anniversary of participating in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science & Achievement (MESA) Program, which focuses on helping underserved and underrepresented students achieve success in the STEM workforce.
Questions about this event may be directed to Dr. Sabrina T. Kwist at skwist@losmedanos.edu or (925) 473-7314.
For more information about all of LMC’s Office of Equity & Inclusion, visit https://www.losmedanos.edu/equity.
Read More
Candle lighting service and prayer to be held Saturday night
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Priscilla Ann Lewis was murdered on September 24, 1996, in Crockett. The 21-year-old, who lived in Vallejo, worked as a waitress at Four Corners Pizza located at 628 2nd Avenue in Crockett. The cook at the restaurant called 9-1-1 shortly before 10:30 pm after finding Priscilla’s body in the basement bathroom. The cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation.
The men’s and women’s bathrooms were located in the basement of the Valona Square Mall that consisted of four businesses at that time.
Detectives interviewed dozens of people during this investigation and examined numerous pieces of evidence. The case remains unsolved.
A candle-lighting service and prayer in her memory will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019, 5 PM—9 PM, at 628 2nd Avenue in Crockett.
The case remains open. Anyone with information regarding Priscilla’s murder is encouraged to contact the Office of the Sheriff Homicide Unit at 925-313-2630. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MorePolicy reversal signals that Isabel Bueso and other families will likely remain in the United States
Washington, DC – On Thursday, Sept. 19, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement after learning that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reinstate deferred action. The announcement signals that his constituent, Concord resident Isabel Bueso, and other families impacted by the initial decision to end the program will likely be allowed remain in the United States. (See related article)
“In a major victory, the Trump Administration will apparently reverse course and resume the deferred action program, allowing hundreds of deserving immigrants like Isabel Bueso to stay in the United States to receive life-saving medical care. We will continue to press the Administration for answers and assurances that this program is safe from future targeting and pursue our private bill to keep Isabel and her family in the United States permanently, but in the meantime, we breathe a sigh of relief. While I am dismayed that my colleagues and I had to step in to get the Administration to do what is right, I am grateful for the leadership of Chairman Jamie Raskin, Chairman Elijah Cummings, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and the countless others who fought alongside me.”
Since Isabel Bueso and her family were denied deferred action, Congressman DeSaulnier has been actively working to save Isabel and her family from deportation. DeSaulnier has been actively working to save Isabel by:
- Introducing a private bill (H.R. 4225) that would allow Isabel and her family to remain in the United States to continue to receive treatment for her rare, life-threatening disease.
- Calling for an Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the policy change. The hearing was held on Wednesday, September 11th, at which Isabel Bueso testified.
- Sending a letter with Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) petitioning the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, to re-review the cases of the Bueso family.
- Co-leading an effort with Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and over 100 other lawmakers to DHS, ICE, and USCIS in demanding answers on USCIS’s decision to end consideration of non-military deferred action requests, including medical deferred action.