By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
With the start of boating season this weekend, the Marine Services Unit of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is hosting a Delta Blitz on Sunday, May 26, 2019.
Numerous local, state, and federal agencies will be taking part in this operation and will focus on boating safety, education and enforcement in the Delta.
The ‘ABC’s of Boating’, a handbook of boating rules, is available from most boating shops. Boaters can go to the California Division of Boating and Waterways website at www.dbw.ca.gov for information on boating safety and the California Boater Card. If anyone has any questions about boating safety, please contact the Marine Services Unit at (925) 427-8507.
Read MoreExclude Blackhawk, Bollinger Canyon from commercial cannabis ordinance; prevent rail service from returning to line through Richmond park
By Daniel Borsuk
The possibility Contra Costa County residents might be voting on a sales tax measure, perhaps in the November 2020 general election, gained traction Tuesday when Supervisor Karen Mitchoff convinced supervisors to have the Finance Committee study the feasibility of placing a tax measure before the voters, next year.
Supervisors voted 5-0 to assign the Finance Committee to examine the pros and cons of putting a sales tax proposition on the November 2020 ballot while also considering another agenda item — the pros and cons of placing a half-cent sales tax ballot measure to fund transportation projects laid out in the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s Transportation Expenditure Plan.
As it turned out, supervisors rejected the idea of pushing ahead on a new transit tax proposition, thinking the timing might be off-track. Mitchoff reasoned another half-cent sales tax for transportation projects might not draw the necessary two-thirds majority voter approval particularly when voters remember passing the half-cent Measure J by a 71 percent voter approval in 2004. Measure J’s $2.5 billion will not be exhausted until 2034.
“I don’t believe our taxpayers will support a transit tax measure requiring a two-thirds voter approval” Mitchoff said. “We need to have a conversation on a countywide general sales tax.”
The supervisor from Pleasant Hill thinks a county sales tax that needs a 50 percent voter approval might be a better route to go, even though the revenue would have to be disbursed to diverse services like medical, social services, public defender, sheriff, public works, district attorney and other county services.
“You should focus on other services,” said Justin Decker of the International Federation of Professional Technical Engineers Local 21. “We’re against the transit proposal.”
County eligibility worker Kathy Beverly said the county is seriously understaffed with eligibility workers at 170 unfilled positions.
“County workers oppose a transit sales tax proposal,” she said.
SEIU Field Representative Ye Do cautioned supervisors that placing a transit tax on the ballot could backfire when there is a need to financially address social services. She cited how a single father of three children needed county assistance when he had to move three time under hardship conditions.
San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda counties assess sales taxes in order to generate additional revenues to fill in funding gaps that property tax and state and federal resources fall short on funding county services, especially social and medical services. Alameda county draws $150 million in annual revenue from its sales tax.
“It’s very clear we need a sales tax for transportation, “said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who also serves as the county representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “It’s a quality of life issue. It may not be optional. Just to get to work, to go home. These services are so crucial. I don’t know if we have any other bargaining chips.”
“This is a helpful issue,” said Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville. “What we need are more park and ride lots.”
Board Chair John Gioia, who has at previous board meetings promoted the county sales tax concept, remarked because of passage of Measure J, “Things have changed. When one sales tax measure for transportation passes, it makes the next sale tax measure much harder to pass.”
Supervisors Exclude Blackhawk, Bollinger Canyon from Commercial Cannabis Ordinance
In other action, supervisors voted 5-0 to add Blackhawk and Bollinger Canyon to the list of areas to be excluded from the county’s commercial cannabis ordinance. The ordinance had prohibited commercial activities in Alamo, Bethel Island, Contra Costa Centre, Sandmound Slough, and Saranap.
Dan Clancy, owner of the Bollinger Canyon property that he had planned for cannabis cultivation and distribution purposes, pleaded with supervisors “give us a shot.”
But the site, which was a former Nike missile site, apparently fell through the cracks during the planning process, according to Ruben Hernandez of the Department of Conservation and Development and was meant to be excluded for any type of cannabis activity.
Supervisor Andersen, who represents the Bollinger Canyon area, said the Bollinger Canyon site was “a clerical error” during the planning review process.
Blackhawk Police Tax Election Set for August 28
Supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize an August 28 election in the County Service Area P-2 Zone A Blackhawk area even though there was opposition from the Blackhawk Country Club that did not want to be included in the police assessment district for the first time in the 35-year history of the police zone. The country club claims it does not need the police services provided by the county sheriff’s department because of the low crime activity emanating from the club. There have been two calls for police services in the past year.
The Blackhawk Police Department consists of one lieutenant and three deputies provided by the county Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, but according to Ron Banducci, chairman of the Blackhawk Police Advisory Committee and president of the Blackhawk Homeowners Association, unless voters pass the August tax measure the police department will have to cut one of the deputy positions.
“Although physically within the district, the Blackhawk Country Club has not historically been included in the parcel tax structure” Banducci told supervisors. “This means that for 35 years, the country club has been receiving services from the Blackhawk police, but has not provided financial support. The Blackhawk Police Advisory Committee believes it’s time for the country club to pay its fair share. The Blackhawk County Club is the largest country club in Contra Costa County. It’s not fair for our residents to be subsidizing police services for a county club which has annual revenues of over $20,000,000.”
Supervisors Oppose BNSF Railway Co. reactivating rail service through Richmond park
Supervisors voted 5-0 in approving a resolution opposing the plans of BNSF Railway Co. to reactivate rail service through Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park and Ferry Point in Richmond. Supervisors cited potential safety, health, and environmental impacts should the railroad resume rail service through the popular park owned and maintained by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).
No one from the railroad spoke, but based on an Oct. 9, 2018 letter to the EBRPD, the railroad has “indicated that regarding extending use of the rail line through Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park, including Ferry Point, that ‘it has notified the Park District of its expanding business of Richmond Terminal, necessitating the reactivation of its rail use with the easement in the near future.”
Among the impacts the supervisors concurred would affect residents frequently using the park are:
- Creating a significant safety hazard for the community, especially children at the park.
- Allowing trains to cut off visual and physical access to the shoreline and Bay.
- Bisecting a heavily used community and regional park.
- Allowing storage of railroad cars carrying hazardous substances.
- Increasing harmful diesel emissions in the community and the park, leading to increased health risk, a community which is already disproportionately impacted by local emissions.
- Increasing asthma rates in a city that already has one of the highest asthmas rates in the Bay Area.
- Increasing blockage of the West Richmond Avenue railroad grade crossing.
Supervisors receive report on performance bond reduction for solid waste collection ordinance
Supervisors also approved as a consent item a two-page report from Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood about the effects of the board’s 2018 decision to reduce the performance bond amount from $50,000 to $20,000 for the Solid Waste Collection & Transportation Ordinance.
“Environmental Health issued the first non-franchise solid waste collection and transport permit on March 19, 2019 to JUNKCAT, LLC, “Underwood’s report states. The company serves mostly West County.
“More recently, EH staff have had productive conversations with local representatives from O2E Brands (parent company of 1-800-GOT-JUNK) and anticipate an application for a non-franchise solid waste collection and transport permit from the Central Contra Costa County branch office in the near future,” the report states.
Underwood’s report also mentions, “EH staff continues to attempt to engage with companies such as Junk Beez and Vets Move Junk (local companies that have begun advertising to Contra Costa County residents) in an effort to inform these companies about the requirements of the non-franchise waste collection and transport permit program.”
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Library is releasing five new library card designs and needs help to narrow down the choices. Beginning today, May 20, the public can vote for their five favorite designs. The voting, which takes place online, will allow people to choose from nine options.
Visit ccclib.org and look for the VOTE HERE button. Voting will remain open through June 1, 2019.
“Helping us decide on our new cards is a fun way to get the public excited about the library,” said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “As part of our Strategic Plan, we are always looking for ways to engage with library customers.”
The five winning cards will be revealed, and available to the public, later this year.
Read MoreThe USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Clarimer Hernández-Vargas as the new Contra Costa County District Conservationist, based in Concord.
“I am very excited to be in this position,” said Hernández-Vargas. “I am excited to meet the local farmers and see how we can help them address their resource concerns across the county.”
Popular conservation practices in the county include irrigation improvements on cropland and orchards, assistance to organic producers, and wildlife habitat, in addition to dozens of other conservation priorities.
Hernández-Vargas holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with a minor in animal science from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus. She is a native of Puerto Rico.
Hernández-Vargas started her NRCS career as a soil conservationist in Sioux Falls, S.D. She worked in different counties throughout South Dakota, before moving to Delaware. When this position became available in California, she jumped at the opportunity. Hernández-Vargas started her new position on March 18.
NRCS is a federal agency that works in partnership with resource conservation districts. With the mission of “Helping People Help the Land,” NRCS provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the nation’s soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands.
The Contra Costa Resource Conservation District was formed in 1941. Their service area includes all of Contra Costa County and covers 516,191 acres. CCRCD is one of California ’s 103 Resource Conservation Districts. It is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors appointed by the County Board of Supervisors.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreEven liberal Bill Maher says, “Enough already. Either move to impeach Trump or shut up about it”. He’s right on, it’s time the Democrats stop wasting their time and the president’s, too trying to take the president down.
It’s time for them to concentrate on things they were elected to do, important issues confronting the country, like the southern invasion of illegal aliens, China trade issues, Iran, etc. Instead they keep calling for silly investigations.
Calling for Trump’s financial and tax returns has nothing to do with running the country. Most people don’t give a whit about them either.
Pelosi is a weak leader. The real leaders in the House today are a Jew hating woman and a Congresswoman from New York whose IQ is less than her age.
The country is split, and the Democrats are fueling it. Instead they should calm down and help bring the nation together.
Ken Hambrick
Walnut Creek
Read MoreThe Contra Costa County Public Works Department will begin construction of the Marsh Creek Road Traffic Safety Improvements project. The project will consist of installing a centerline rumble strip, restriping of the centerline, and traffic sign replacement and upgrades along the 14-mile stretch of Marsh Creek Road between the Cities of Clayton and Brentwood. Improvements will also include a streetlight installation on a wooden pole, and two solar flashing beacons at the intersection of Marsh Creek Road and Deer Valley Road.
Construction will begin on Monday, May 20, 2019, with completion by July 1, 2019, barring unforeseen circumstances. Drivers can expect traffic delays up to 30 minutes. Work hours will be 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to minimize impacts to commute traffic.
Funding for this project is gas tax revenues provided by the SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act and the Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. More information for this project can be found at http://www.cccounty.us/pwdmap.
Read MoreBy Don Martin, II
Brent Curran won his second 25 lap All Star Series B Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The race had three yellow flags during the first four laps as Kenny Shrader set the early pace. An inside pass in Turn 4 of the fifth lap gained Curran the lead from Shrader. Curran continued to set the pace through a pair of yellow flags during the next 10 laps, and point leader Cameron Swank pitted on lap eight. As Curran pulled away to win by about a straightaway, Shrader won a good battle with Todd Gomez to finish second. Previous winner Tommy Fraser and reigning champion Trevor Clymens completed the Top 5.
Bobby Motts Jr won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Motts was driving the car that he built for his daughter Madison, who was riding passenger with him in this race. Motts raced into the lead at the start with point leader Chris Sorensen and Josh Leach running closely behind him. Second changed hands a couple of times after restarts on laps four and seven, but Motts continued to set the pace. The lead three cars ran closely until Sorensen and Leach hooked bumpers briefly in Turns 1 and 2 on the 15th lap. They broke free on their own, and Sorensen closed in on Motts on the final lap. However, Motts took the checkered flag ahead of Sorensen, Leach, Breanna Troen and Ken Johns.
David Rosa won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. This was the 60th career feature win for the two-time Street Stock champion. Chuck Conover led early, and it wasn’t long before David Michael Rosa and father David Rosa were running closely behind in a good battle for the lead. A low pass in Turn 2 of the 11th lap gained David Rosa second from his son, and he made an inside pass on the front stretch to take the lead from Conover on lap 14. Moments later, David Michael Rosa’s race came to an end with a Turn 1 crash. David Rosa continued to lead the race as 10th starter Scott Dahlgren and Devan Kammermann settled into second and third. With Dahlgren pressuring him in the remaining laps, David Rosa kept his cool and scored a well-earned victory. Dahlgren settled for second, followed by Kammermann, Chuck Conover and Toby Brown.
Richard Papenhausen won his third-straight DIRTcar Late Model Main Event. Papenhausen ran second for one lap before leader Mike Hynes spun in Turn 4. Papenhausen led Rod Oliver and Danny Malfatti on the restart and would rapidly pull away from everybody. Malfatti and Kimo Oreta had a good battle going for third until Malfatti pitted on lap 13. Papenhausen lapped second place Oliver late and won the race easily. Oreta settled for third, followed by Malfatti and Hynes.
Saturday night, the Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars will run special races during the Contra Costa County Fair. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
Antioch Speedway All Star Series
B Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Tommy Fraser, Mark Garner. Main Event (25 Laps)-Brent Curran, Kenny Shrader, Todd Gomez, Tommy Fraser, Trevor Clymens, Mark Garner, Kevin Brown, Kelly Campanile, Dennis Gilcrease, Tommy Clymens Jr.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-John Wacht, Josh Leach. Main Event (20 Laps)-Bobby Motts Jr, Chris Sorensen, Josh Leach, Breanna Troen, Ken Johns, Jacob Mallett Jr, John Wacht, Will Buirch, Jeff Betancourt, Dalton Jewel.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Travis Dutra, Mario Marques, Toby Brown. Main Event (20 Laps)-David Rosa, Scott Dahlgren, Devin Kammermann, Chuck Conover, Toby Brown, Troy Stevenson, Jerry Doty, Travis Dutra, Giovanni Bertolli, Mario Marques.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat Winner (6 Laps)-Richard Papenhausen. Main Event (20 Laps)- Richard Papenhausen, Ron Oliver, Kimo Oreta, Danny Malfatti, Mike Hynes, John Soares.
Read More3 from Antioch, 2 from Pittsburg, 2 from Bay Point
By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California
SAN FRANCISCO – Thirteen defendants were indicted on narcotics trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris D. Nielsen. The indictment follows the arrest of five of the defendants on April 30, 2019, and the execution of search warrants at thirteen locations, including nine residences in Contra Costa County, Humboldt County, Fairfield, Suisun City and Modesto.
Three defendants are from Antioch including 66-year-old Lorenzo Lee, 63-year-old Deborah Polk and 40-year-old Timothy Peoples. Two others from Pittsburg were indicted, 46-year-old Jeffrey McCoy and 38-year-old Deshawnte Gamboa, as well as 57-year-old Anthony Brown and 26-year-old Evan Martinez-Diaz, both of Bay Point
All thirteen defendants were charged in a single indictment which charges controlled substance offenses involving methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base. The defendants and the charges pending against them are as follows:
Defendant | Age | Residence | Charges | Maximum Statutory Penalty |
LORENZO LEE, a/k/a “O.G.” | 66 | Antioch, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
Distribution of and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Including Cocaine, Cocaine Base, Methamphetamine, and Heroin (Counts 4, 7, and 13-15)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
|||
JEFFREY MCCOY | 46 | Pittsburg, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
Distribution of Controlled Substances, Including Cocaine Base, Cocaine, and Heroin (Counts 2-7 and 9)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
|||
ANTHONY BROWN, a/k/a “Ant Man” | 57 | Bay Point, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
Distribution of Cocaine Base
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Count 7) |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
|||
DESHAWNTE GAMBOA | 38 | Pittsburg, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
Distribution of Heroin (Count 9)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
|||
DEBORAH POLK | 63 | Antioch, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin (Count 15)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
|||
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Count 16)
21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(2) |
20 years imprisonment
3 years supervised release
$500,000 fine |
|||
EVAN MARTINEZ-DIAZ | 26 | Bay Point, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine (Counts 13 and 14)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
|||
MAGO AGUILAR-PACHECO | 38 | West Covina, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
CESAR ALVARADO | 38 | Desert Springs, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 1)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Heroin, and Methamphetamine (Counts 11-14)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
|||
JESSE LOPEZ, III | 30 | Fowler, California | Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (Count 8)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
JOSE DELGADILLO, a/k/a “Tepa” | 41 | Fairfield, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Counts 1 and 10)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
MARCO DELGADILLO, a/k/a “Tonio” | 39 | Fairfield, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 10)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
LUIS TORRES-GARCIA, a/k/a “Guero” | 33 | Rio Dell, California | Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (Count 10)
21 U.S.C. § 846 |
Not less than 10 years imprisonment and up to life
Not less than 5 years supervised release and up to life
$10 million fine |
TIMOTHY PEOPLES, a/k/a “Tee” | 40 | Antioch, California | Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine Base (Counts 17 and 18)
21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) |
Not less than 5 years imprisonment and up to 40 years imprisonment
Not less than 4 years supervised release and up to life
$5 million fine |
The defendants arrested on April 30, 2019, were originally charged by complaint. The complaints have been unsealed. Eight defendants were charged in complaints that were supported by an affidavit describing the underlying investigation (the Affidavit). In addition, a separate complaint was filed against defendant Timothy Peoples, and that complaint has been unsealed as well.
According to the Affidavit, this investigation started in 2017 and involved the DEA, the United States Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Antioch Police Department, Oakley Police Department, and Concord Police Department. In 2017 and 2018, the investigators used informants to conduct a series of purchases of cocaine, cocaine base and heroin from JEFFREY MCCOY. In furtherance of their investigation, the agents also obtained federal wiretap orders in 2018 and 2019 to monitor communications over telephones used by the conspirators.
According to the Affidavit, the agents also seized significant quantities of narcotics from various defendants during the investigation. The following chart summarizes the seizures, which are discussed in more detail in the Affidavit:
DATE | SEIZED | CIRCUMSTANCES |
5/15/2018 | 4 kg of heroin mixed with fentanyl and $46,000 | Seized from courier after leaving LEE’s residence |
8/8/2018 | 18 lbs of methamphetamine | Seized en route to TORRES-GARCIA from Jose DELGADILLO |
1/26/2019 | 2 kg of cocaine | Seized en route to meeting point with LEE |
2/9/2019 | 7 kg of narcotics and $104,505 | Seized from courier after leaving LEE’s residence |
2/9/2019 | 20 lbs of methamphetamine and 1 kg of cocaine | Discarded from courier’s vehicle after leaving LEE’s residence |
In addition, any sentence following conviction will 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.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by member agencies of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read More
By Allen Payton
On Thursday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) terminated the 2010 grant of $928.62 million to the California High-Speed Rail Authority, due to the new governor’s plans to scale back the project and the failure of the authority to deliver the project within the timeframe originally projected.
The FRA issued the following statement regarding the matter:
“After careful consideration, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has terminated Cooperative Agreement No. FR-HSR-0118-12-01-01 (the FY10 Agreement) with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), and will deobligate the $928,620,000 in funding under that agreement. The decision follows FRA’s Notice of Intent to Terminate and consideration of the information provided by CHSRA on March 4, 2019. FRA finds that CHSRA has repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of the FY10 Agreement and has failed to make reasonable progress on the Project. Additionally, California has abandoned its original vision of a high-speed passenger rail service connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles, which was essential to its applications for FRA grant funding. FRA continues to consider all options regarding the return of $2.5 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds awarded to CHSRA.”
The action was in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement during his State of the State speech in February, in which he outlined his administration’s plans to scale back the project, and threats to revoke the funds from President Trump.
“[L]et’s level about High-Speed Rail. The project, as currently planned, would cost too much and take too long,” Newsom stated. “There’s been too little oversight and not enough transparency. Right now, there simply isn’t a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to LA. I wish there were. However, we do have the capacity to complete a high-speed rail link between Merced and Bakersfield.”
In addition to the FRA’s statement, FRA Administrator Ronald Batory sent a scathing letter to Brian Kelly, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, detailing the reasons for the revocation of the funds. CHSRA – FRA Ltr 5-16-2019
“FRA has determined that CHSRA has violated the terms of the FY 10 Agreement and consistently failed to make reasonable progress on the Project. Despite FRA’ s identification of Project issues, and the ample time provided to CHSRA to take appropriate remedial actions, CHSRA instead chose delay and inaction,” Batory wrote in conclusion. “In FRA’s view, there is nothing in FRA’ s long working relationship with CHSRA to suggest that CHSRA would likely be able to initiate and complete the necessary corrective actions, if given yet another opportunity. Finally, the dramatically reduced scope of California’ s current plan for its HSR System is simply not consistent with the Project as CHSRA proposed in its applications for Federal financial assistance on the Project. For these reasons, and those set forth in this decision, FRA has determined to terminate the FYlO Agreement, effective today, and will deobligate the associated funds.”
To see all the related documents related to the termination of the grant, click here.
Read MoreThe following four teachers have been named as the 2019-2020 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) Finalists: Gina Capelli, Liberty Union High School District; Shay Kornfeld, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; DarVisa R. Marshall, Antioch Unified School District; and Maureen Mattson, Pittsburg Unified School District. Two of these four finalists will be chosen in late September, and will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program. See below for the entire listing of the 22 Contra Costa County TOYs, class of 2019-2020.
With 27 years of education experience, Gina Capelli has been teaching at Liberty High School, in Brentwood, since 2002. Capelli’s courses include psychology, government, ethnic studies, and social studies. Capelli joined Liberty High School with an impressive resume of teaching experience with school districts in San Jose, Livermore, and Brentwood. “My most important contribution to my students is to model selflessness and the importance of school and community involvement,” says Capelli. “Living in a small, tight-knit community has helped me to participate in many community activities alongside my students.”
Science instructor and robotics club advisor, Shay Kornfield, has been teaching at Diablo View Middle School, in Clayton, for the past three years. Five years prior, Kornfield taught grades 4 and 5 at Fair Oaks Elementary School, in Pleasant Hill. Kornfield says that he was lucky enough to grow up in a loving household with educated parents and grandparents that fostered his sense of curiosity and adventure. “Then, I had a teacher, Glen Barker [2018 CCCOE Teacher of the Year], who made school feel like summer camp for the first time in my life,” remembers Kornfield. “Without these amazing people, perhaps I would not have chosen the career path I have – but choose it I did, and what an amazing ride thus far!”
Like so many teachers, DarVisa Marshall was influenced by a special teacher in her life. For Marshall, it was in the 11th grade, back in Cincinnati, Ohio. “No matter the circumstances, Mrs. Bryant never gave up on me,” remembers Marshall. “She saw potential that I never saw and my parents didn’t understand. Because of her, I became a teacher.” For the past five years, Marshall has been teaching English language arts (ELA) and history to grade six, at Antioch Middle School, in Antioch. Her 21 years of experience also includes teaching ELA and history in middle and elementary schools in Oakland and Cincinnati.
Maureen Mattson has been a positive fixture for the past 33 years at Pittsburg High School. The honored teacher has been teaching physical education during her entire career at the school. Along with teaching physical education, she has served many other rolls, including the school’s women’s basketball coach, assistant principal, and assistant athletic director. “My biggest influence in becoming a teacher was my father, Bob Matson,” reflects Mattson. “He was a physical education teacher, department chair, athletic director, and coach of multiple sports at Hollister High School for 38 years.”
The county’s TOY program is directed by the CCCOE, and with such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from (18 teachers eligible this year), the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:
I Application Screening:
On April 12, a committee of 13 judges, representing the county’s education, business, and public-sector partners carefully reviewed the TOY representative applications submitted by the school districts. This committee independently read and rated each application. After the application screening and scoring are completed, four teachers (see above) will be selected to advance to the next two phases as finalists.
II Classroom Observation and Interview:
April 22-May 17, a small committee of education specialists and business partners will observe the four finalists interacting with their students. Immediately following, the committee will interview the candidates, discussing topics such as their teaching philosophy and techniques.
III Speech Presentation:
On July 24, the four TOY finalists will each give a three- to five-minute speech to another panel of a dozen educators, business, and public-sector representatives who will judge the finalists on their speech and presentation skills.
On the evening of September 26, 2019, all 22 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of close to 500) will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey, who serves as the evening’s master of ceremonies, will introduce all 22 TOYs to the attendees. This will be followed by the four finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches (same speeches given in July) to the filled banquet room. Finally, the night will come to a dramatic conclusion with the announcement of the two 2019-2020 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.
2019-2020 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:
- Paul Verbanszky, Acalanes Union High School District, Campolindo High School
- DarVisa R. Marshall, Antioch Unified School District, Antioch Middle School
- Ezra Smith, Brentwood Union School District, Pioneer Elem/Loma Vista Elem
- Alicia Woodson, Byron Union School District, Discovery Bay Elementary
- Cheri Etheredge, Contra Costa Community College District, Contra Costa Community College
- Kevin McKibben, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Mt. McKinley School
- Nagia “GG” Abdu, John Swett Unified School District, John Swett High School
- Katy Bracelin, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary School
- Cindy Fisher, Lafayette School District, Happy Valley Elementary School
- Gina Capelli, Liberty Union High School District, Liberty High School
- Pamuela Galletti, Martinez Unified School District, John Muir Elementary School
- Jennifer Strohmeyer, Moraga School District, Donald L. Rheem Elementary School
- Emily Andrews, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Bancroft Elementary School
- Shay Kornfeld, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Diablo View Middle School
- Maria Fernandez, Oakley Union Elementary School District, Oakley Elementary School
- Jennifer Dodd, Orinda Union School District, Del Rey Elementary School
- Maureen Mattson, Pittsburg Unified School District, Pittsburg High School
- Athena Agustin, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Dougherty Valley High School
- Nusheen Saadat, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Quail Run Elementary School
- Jana Palmquist, Walnut Creek School District, Walnut Creek Intermediate School
- Daniel O’Shea, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Pinole Valley High School
- Doug Silva, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Helms Middle School
Note regarding eligible participants:
Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented, and the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program.
Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Contra Costa College’s turn.
Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates.
Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter and Instagram at: #cocotoy
Read More