By Daniel Borsuk
At their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized Ayore Riaunda, an accountant with the Contra Costa County Health Services Department, for 20 years of service.
At the presentation were Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Riaunda, Supervisors Diane Burgis and John Gioia, Contra Costa County Health Services Director Dr. William Walker and Supervisor Candace Andersen.
Since 2004 Riaunda has been a Certified Government Financial Manager by Association of Government Accountants, and has over 30 years of fiscal management and best practices experience. He earned a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Montclair State University, New Jersey, 1990.
Riaunda is a decorated military veteran serving honorably in the U.S. Navy, including as an Action Officer, Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist, and a Navy Reservist. He was awarded with four Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and five other Navy Medals.
Riaunda has lived in the county and Bay Area for 25 years. He ran unsuccessfully for Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller in 2014 against the incumbent, Robert Campbell.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreClose to 500 friends, family and colleagues attended the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) Dinner Gala at the Concord Hilton Hotel, on Thursday evening, Sept. 28 to see Marissa Ware and Paula Raj awarded with the 2017-18 honor. Ware teaches in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Raj teaches in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. The county TOY program is produced by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).
After being named TOY by their respective Contra Costa County school districts, then passing a rigorous application screening, followed by a panel classroom observation and interview, and concluding with a speech presentation, the two winners will represent Contra Costa County as its 2017-2018 Teachers of the Year. Ware and Raj will then participate in the California State Teacher of the Year Program.
The festive evening included the 22 celebrated TOYs from throughout the county (see this year’s Class of 2017-2018), along with their families and friends, as well as numerous educators (K-college), business executives representing the sponsors, local government, and local political representatives. The El Cerrito High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Keith Johnson, provided the evening’s musical entertainment and Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata served as master of ceremonies.
Each of the four finalists, including Kari Stewart of the Walnut Creek School District and Tom Trowbridge of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, were introduced by a former student, with an inspiring five-minute speech – the same speeches given at the TOY Speech Presentations in early August.
This year’s two Contra Costa County TOYs join the long list of other finalists, dating back to the 1972-1973 school year.
Read MoreThe Board of Directors of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is pleased to announce that Brian Helmick has accepted an offer to serve as Fire Chief, effective immediately.
At its meeting on October 2, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors voted unanimously to offer the permanent Fire Chief position to Helmick, who has been serving as Interim Fire Chief since March 31, 2017.
Chief Helmick started with the District as a firefighter in 2002. Chief Helmick successfully worked through the ranks and was promoted to Battalion Chief in July 2006, serving as the District’s Operations Chief leading up to his appointment as Interim Fire Chief.
Chief Helmick has offered the following statement on the appointment:
“I am honored and privileged to assume this role, to serve the Board and this community, and to lead and work alongside the firefighters and other hard-working professionals who provide fire and emergency response in this District every day and every night. I am honored that the Board has placed its trust in me – and in the support my family will provide to me as I take on this role in a permanent capacity. This is a tremendous opportunity and I do not take the responsibility lightly.”
“I look forward to working with the Board and the community to develop and implement a plan to provide even better fire services to this community, which I, too, call my home,” Helmick added.
“I am thrilled that Chief Helmick has accepted this position,” said Board President Joel Bryant. “It has been gratifying and immensely encouraging to see Chief Helmick’s development over these last 15 years, and especially over the last six months he has served as our Interim Chief. Today is a very good day for the District, and I expect many more good days under Chief Helmick’s leadership.”
The economic terms approved by the Board of Directors on March 6, 2017 for Helmick’s service as Interim Chief will remain in place while the District and Chief Helmick negotiate a new employment agreement, which will be presented for Board approval in the coming months.
For more information about the district visit www.eccfpd.org.
Read MoreHomicide Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested two suspects in the killing of 49-year-old Aleli Avila of San Francisco. Her body was found on a roadway on August 22, 2017, at about 3:50 PM, in the area of 500 Camino Diablo Road in Byron. (See related article)
Detectives on Tuesday arrested 44-year-old Alex Estrada of Antioch. He was arrested in Pittsburg. Estrada was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on a murder charge. The D.A.’s Office has since formally charged him. Estrada is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Friday morning Detectives arrested 60-year-old Rodolfo Manalo of San Francisco. He was arrested in Daly City. Manalo was booked on a murder charge. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Detectives worked continuously on the Avila murder investigation. They interviewed numerous people, collected evidence, and followed up on all leads. They were able to obtain arrest warrants for both Estrada and Manalo.
The investigation is ongoing. The motive is still being determined. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or call the anonymous tip lines at (925) 313-1166 or (866) 846-3592. Tips can also be emailed to:tips@so.cccounty.us.
Read MoreWashington, DC – Today, Wednesday, October 4, 2017, as we recognize National Smart Cities Week, U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) announced bipartisan legislation that would establish $100 million in new grant funding for cities to invest in and use innovative technologies and solutions for the purpose of improving transportation and mobility. The Moving FIRST Act (H.R. 3901) was introduced to build upon the Department of Transportation’s Smart Cities Challenge, by increasing the funding available and making it an annual grant opportunity.
“Seventy five percent of all Americans are expected to live in urban areas by 2050. We need to invest in the best way to move our people and our goods in ways that reduce congestion, improve public health, and are tailored to the needs of our communities,” said DeSaulnier. “We’ve already seen how smart technologies succeed in the Bay Area and California, and I am proud to partner with my colleague Representative Smucker to create grant opportunities for cities across the nation, and of all sizes, to advance cutting edge technologies.”
“This week is National Smart Cities Week – a perfect time to refocus our efforts in support of innovative and creative solutions to help our cities work better,” said Smucker. “Investments in smart infrastructure projects help move people to job centers, products to market, and connect economic hubs. Expanding initiatives like the Smart Cities Challenge will help kick start improvements in transit and connectivity in cities like Lancaster and Reading. I am glad to work with Rep. DeSaulnier to introduce the Moving FIRST Act and I look forward to continuing my work to improve our nation’s infrastructure.”
H.R. 3901 would make annual grant awards available to communities of all different sizes which seek to advance projects like autonomous vehicle technology and sensor-based infrastructure in order to meet the transportation challenges they face. Specifically, the bill establishes the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Challenge Grant, which will annually award:
- A large city with up to $50 million in grant funding
- A mid-sized city with up to $50 million in grant funding
- Two rural communities or regional partnerships with up to $20 million in grant funding or 20% of the total funds available
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced companion legislation, S. 1809, in the Senate.
National Smart Cities Week brings together city leaders, innovative companies, and policymakers to engage in a national dialogue to better understand and prepare for the ways new technologies will impact the cities of the future.
Read MoreCentral County high school students get first-hand experience of modern manufacturing
WHAT:
This Friday morning, close to 250 Contra Costa County Career Technical Education/Regional Occupational Program (CTE/ROP) high school students will be visiting local modern industrial businesses, in observation of Manufacturing Day.
National Manufacturing Day, started in 2012, is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing, during which manufacturers invite their communities — including students, educators, business people, media, and politicians — to their facilities in a collective effort to educate visitors about manufacturing career opportunities and improve public perceptions of manufacturing. By working together during and after Manufacturing Day, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, strengthen the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.
WHO:
More than 250 students, currently attending CTA/ROP engineering/industrial-related courses at Antioch High, Mt. Diablo High, Concord High, and Ygnacio Valley High will be visiting local modern manufacturing businesses to get a first-hand look at their hosts’ operations, and possible career opportunities.
The Contra Costa County CTE/ROP serves nearly 12,000 students annually with classes in 34 high schools throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Currently, there are 399 state-of-the-art career development classes in this program. CTE/ROP focuses on career preparation and exploration, hands-on experience, and academic excellence to prepare students for success in college and future careers. CTE/ROP provides students with the newest equipment, rigorous academic standards, and classes in emerging technologies. All of the CTE/ROP classes and programs are directed by and funded through the CCCOE. For more information about CTE/ROP classes, visit their website.
WHEN:
Friday, October 6, 2017; primarily between 9:00-11:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Fresenius (dialysis equipment manufacturer), 4040 Nelson Ave. Concord
Dow (Dow Chemical operations), 901 Loveridge Rd. Pittsburg
Bishop-Wisecarver (producers of custom complex assemblies, linear motion solutions and optimal embedded intelligence systems), 2104 Martin St., Pittsburg
QuickMount (solar roof mounts), 2700 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek
Granberg (chain saw mills and accessories), 1051 Los Medanos St. Pittsburg
Read MoreAs of Monday, October 2, Tri Delta Transit is offering ‘Tri Delta Watch,’ a mobile security app that instantly allows riders to notify police or dispatchers of security incidents on buses and at bus stops. The free app allows riders to anonymously send text reports with pictures or videos to dispatchers who can respond to or address the problem. Contacting local police directly is an option of the app, which is made simple via a one-click 911 button for more serious situations.
The free security application is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play for iPhone and Android devices; search Tri Delta Watch. Once downloaded, riders can report suspicious activity, and incidents that might require law enforcement’s presence on board Tri Delta Transit buses.
“Occurrences that might merit the use of the app are extremely rare on our buses,” said Mike Furnary, Director of Marketing. “Having the app is just another means to help us keep it that way.”
Tri Delta Watch and similar security apps are important new components in the industry’s effort to enhance safety for customers and drivers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security adopted the “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign in 2010. Transit agencies, including Tri Delta Transit, have launched a variety of advertising and outreach efforts to educate riders about the importance of being vigilant in reporting suspicious, illegal or inappropriate behavior and activities, as well as unattended packages.
The smartphone app allows customers to assist security efforts by reporting suspicious activity in a timely manner. When a rider sees a suspicious situation, with the click of a button, they can directly call police or discretely submit a report with photos or video, incident descriptions, and GPS coordinates to transit officials. If the user chooses to submit a picture or video, the camera flash is automatically disabled to not draw attention to the rider.
The mobile app allows riders to report incidents such as suspicious activity, disruptive behavior, crime in progress, and security or safety issues. Riders may also report immediately threatening situations such as fighting, or attacks on drivers.
Once a report is initiated, real-time two-way communication is enabled. Dispatchers may ask the rider for more details about the situation or provide instructions, as needed. In the event of an active incident, the dispatcher and reporter are able to communicate concerning details about those involved, what bus they are on, and assessment of the suspect’s behavior. The dispatcher can advise and communicate with the customer or contact the appropriate person or agency for assistance if necessary.
“Safety and security begins with all of us,” said Furnary. “If you see something, say something.”
Tri Delta Transit provides over 3,000,000 trips each year to a population of over 250,000 residents in the 225 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. They operate 13 local bus routes Monday – Friday, 4 local bus routes on weekends, door-to-door bus service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and shuttle services to community events. For additional information about Tri Delta Transit, please visit www.trideltatransit.com.
Read MoreEditor:
Don’t be fooled by “green energy” or “renewable energy” groups like Marin Clean Energy and others. It’s simple economics. When you add “middle men” in to the mix, you add additional costs because you’ve not created any more customers nor produced any electricity. Not only that but their “Renewable Energy Credit” system is deceiving. Get the facts. It’s not easy but here it is. These are the facts.
Community Choice Aggregates (CCA’S) including Marin Clean Energy (MCE) are unwilling OR unable to sign the Power Purchase Agreements necessary to generate the renewable power needed by the State to reach our Renewable Portfolio Standards goals (RPS). In fact, there are currently several solar projects that have been fully approved, permitted (with Project Labor Agreements (PLA’s)) that have not begun construction because nobody is signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). PG&E and the other Utilities, including public utilities like SMUD, have already bought all the power they need to meet the 2020 requirement of 33% RPS.
But the CCAs are NOT signing these agreements.
If we don’t build these projects now, as a State, we lose the benefit of the Federal tax credits (set to reduce to 10% in 2019) which means power costs go up. It also means that MCE rates will go up noticeably while PG&E’s will remain moderate because of all the cheap long-term contracts they have signed the last 5 years. MCE signed some of these, but the term is 3-5 years, not 15-20.
There was also a big conversation at the California Energy Commission about the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA*), which is the cost sharing mechanism that the CCAs are supposed to pay to compensate PG&E for the power PG&E bought under long term contracts for its customers that the CCAs have stolen. Everybody, including the President of the CPUC, acknowledged that this PCIA is not accurately apportioning that cost. PG&E showed that MCE is paying only 65% of what it owes every month. That means you and I are subsidizing MCE customers.
*The PCIA ensures that the customers who remain with the utility do not end up taking on the long-term financial obligations the utility incurred on behalf of now-departed customers. Examples of such financial obligations include utility expenditures to build power plants and, more commonly, long-term power purchase contracts with independent power producers.
MCE and the other CCAs will have significantly higher rates (as much as 25%) than there rates today. This means some customers will leave and threaten the ability of CCAs to operate. Plus, their promises of cleaner energy are being proven false.
Michael DuPray
Oakley
Read MoreUltra-Light Rail Transit system vehicles travel throughout connected rail networks at low, medium and high speeds, direct to destination and at much lower capital deployment and maintenance costs
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – CyberTran International, Inc. (CTI) offers the most innovative approach to solving the world’s traffic congestion problems. The recent patent approval for fixed guideway transportation systems, with lower cost of ownership and optimized benefits, validates what they’re calling the Transportation Internet technology. This system can be thought of as the computer-controlled technology solution to the problems of mass transit cost overruns and inefficiency.
CTI’s Ultra-Light Rail Transit (ULRT) is a mass transit system with the ability to build out Urban Circulator systems, Commuter Rail systems and High-Speed Rail systems and connect them to one network where small rail vehicles carrying up to thirty passengers can travel throughout the network Direct-to-Destination (nonstop). This allows ULRT to serve three separate markets, low, medium and high speeds! Until today all three markets have been served by three separate distinct technologies that can only be connected at transfer points where passengers have to disembark one system only to transfer to another to reach their destination.
Currently, CTI is closing in on funding for the purpose of demonstration and deployment. “Everybody wants to be second, nobody wants to be first,” said Dexter Vizinau, President of CTI.
Transit officials are hesitant to take a chance on a small and innovative company. The BART system started out as a demonstration project and the technology was the first of its kind. Today, CTI has approximately ten cities that are willing to be first, he explained.
In every major metropolitan region of the world, people are stuck in traffic. Today’s solutions aren’t working.
“Expanding today’s transit systems are too costly to build and maintain, yet transit officials continue to approach this as a solution, with little result,” said Neil Sinclair, CTI Board Chairman. “There’s a $78 billion backlog in transit systems maintenance in the U.S. and the only way to pay for it is to raise taxes. In the meantime, we’re all stuck in traffic with no end in sight.” That is, until today.
“Our patent validates everything we’ve already proven,” Vizinau continued. “Two full-scale prototype vehicles have already been built and tested. The test vehicles have achieved speeds of up to 60 mph and have climbed a 10% grade, which means ULRT can go over the Sepulveda Pass in Los Angeles and also travel up the Grapevine Summit in Southern California. Bullet train systems and L.A. Metro-like systems cannot climb steep grades and therefore either have to tunnel or go around.”
By building out ULRT networks in cities at 35 mph, and then connecting them together throughout a region at 80 mph, ULRT becomes a commuter rail system like BART and Metro in Los Angeles. ULRT can handle the same throughput as BART during rush hour via the Transbay Tube. CTI can then connect regions with a high-speed line. The ULRT System design is flexible and can expand easily. Guideways and civil structures are manufactured offsite and assembled onsite allowing ULRT systems to be constructed more efficiently. CTI can construct long-distance systems in up to a quarter mile per day. The system was designed to reach speeds of up to 150 mph. (See related article)
CyberTran’s ULRT system also operates from solar power. Canopies of solar panels above the guideway can generate more than one megawatt per mile and eight times more energy than the system consumes, and supply renewable energy to surrounding communities resulting in a net gain to CTI.
Transit officials currently purchase transit systems from foreign companies. CTI plans to manufacture ULRT transit systems for a global market in Contra Costa County. “We’ve been to China five times in as many years. There are six hundred cities in China that can use this,” says Sinclair. Councilmember Rich Kinney of the City of San Pablo states, “West Contra Costa County in particular has to solve the I-80 corridor congestion issue to attract more businesses and jobs to our cities. This is our opportunity to effectively address that issue. May we not continue to kick the proverbial can down the road – it’s time to embrace the full deployment of CyberTran right here at home.”
Earlier this year the city councils of Oakley, Brentwood and Antioch each voted unanimously to join the cities of Richmond and San Pablo to support efforts by CTI to obtain the needed funding for systems in both Western and Eastern Contra Costa County. (See related article) In addition, CTI has the support of U.C. Berkeley in their efforts to bring the technology to market. (See related article)
The next steps for CTI are to obtain funding to build two showrooms and a factory. This calls for one low-speed demonstration track up to 35 mph, and one rapid speed demonstration track up to 150 mph – in curves and with left and right banking. Both demo tracks and factory construction are to be done concurrently. There were no funding programs to support transit innovation, such as ULRT, at the federal level until CTI lobbied Congress to create one. Program legislation was created and approved in 2014 under a Republican-controlled Congress and Senate. CTI was hopeful that President Obama would release the program funding but it did not happen. CTI is hopeful about the President Trump’s infrastructure package and is encouraged by their reception in Washington, D.C.
Note: The publisher of the Contra Costa Herald has a financial interest in CyberTran International.
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