Contra Costa’s Urban Limit Line was established in 1990 and strengthened in 2004. Its purpose was to prevent urban sprawl into virgin agricultural land and preserve for the county’s citizens open space for their enjoyment.
A developer is now petitioning the county’s supervisors to approve a so called 30-acre development that breaks the ULL and will build 125 homes in rural Tassajara Valley. In 2006, Contra Costa voters approved Measure L that further strengthened the ULL by requiring an election and a majority vote of the county’s voters to approve any development outside the ULL. An exception was granted to allow the supervisors to approve developments not exceeding 30 acres and if one of seven named exceptions could be cited.
It is very important that this development be stopped. The developer is offering the county a check for $4 million and to dedicate another 500 acres for non-urban use. While enticing, this offer should be rejected by our supervisors. If the county accepts this “deal”, it will establish a precedent for other developers to “break the line”. The blueprint of a $4 million check and land donation will have been established.
Measure L required five year reviews by the county’s Department of Conservation and Development to determine if the ULL needed to be adjusted for reasons that included population growth and the availability of land for development within the ULL. This department concluded in their December 20, 2016 report to the supervisors that there was sufficient developable land within the ULL through the year 2036, i.e., no need to build outside the ULL.
Our supervisors, Federal Glover of District 5 and Diane Burgis of District 3 have good environmental records. Indeed, supervisor Glover has consistently supported the ULL. In a May 2016 interview by another news source, Glover stated: “I have always contended that the Urban Limit Line was necessary so that our region would not grow more than what our infrastructure could handle. Traffic, police services and schools are the main services that suffer when growth happens too fast.”The recently elected District 3 supervisor, Diane Burgis, has strong environmental credentials having established them in her position as executive director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed.
The proposed development, “Tassajara Parks”, will be coming soon before the Board of Supervisors for a vote. While this development is not in the eastern portion of our county, the precedent that this development would set will make all lands outside the ULL susceptible to development. Write or E-mail your supervisor and make your voices heard. Tell them not to compromise, reject this development project and protect the ULL. Our supervisors will listen to us, the voters. E-mail supervisors Glover and Burgis at district5@bos.cccounty.us and dist3@bos.cccounty.us. More information is available at tassajaravalleypa.org.
Gretchen Logue
Richard Fischer
Tassajara Valley Preservation Association
Tassajaravalleypa.org
Read MoreApplications now available for advisory boards, commissions and committees
Supervisor Federal Glover has announced opportunities for District 5 residents to make decisions affecting their communities by serving on an advisory board, commission or committee in Contra Costa County.
“A lot of policies begin in theses county commission and boards,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for people who have a desire to make difference.”
Glover is seeking to fill openings on the following advisory bodies: Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board; Contra Costa County Mental Health Commission; County Service Area R-10 Citizens Advisory Committee; County Service Area M-16 Citizens Advisory Committee; Crockett-Carquinez FPD Fire Advisory Commission; First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission; Library Commission; Pacheco Munipal Advisory Council; and West Contra Costa Unified School District, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee.
Commissions are appointed by the Board of Supervisors based on the recommendation of the Supervisor Glover. Interested individuals should contact his office at (925) 335-8200 to obtain an application form. Completed applications must be received in Supervisor Glover’s office by close of business Friday February 10, 2017.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board: the mission of the Contra Costa County Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board is to assess family and community needs regarding treatment and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse problems. They report their findings and recommendations to the Contra Costa Health Services Department, the Board of Supervisors and the communities they serve. The Board works in collaboration with the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Division of Contra Costa Health Services. They provide input and recommendations as they pertain to alcohol and other drugs prevention, intervention, and treatment services. The current 3 seats that need to be filled: District V-A, District V-B, and District V-C. The Board meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m. at 1220 Morello Avenue, Suite 200, Martinez. The current openings have three year terms ending June 30, 2019. For additional information call Fatima Matal Sol at (925) 335-3307.
Contra Costa County Mental Health Commission: members review and evaluate the community’s mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems; to review any County agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5650 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; to advise the governing body and local mental health director as to any aspect of the local mental health program; to submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors; review and make recommendations regarding the appointment of a local director of mental health services; review the County’s performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the State Mental Health Commission; and assess the impact of the realignment of services from the State to the County on services delivered to clients and the local community. The current seats are for 1 District V Family Member Seat, 1 District V Member-At-Large Seat, and 1 District V Consumer Member Seat. The Committee meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at 2730 Grant St. Classroom A, Concord. The current openings have terms ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Karen Shuler at (925) 957-5140.
County Service Area R-10 Citizens Advisory Committee: members advise the Board of Supervisors on the desires of the community in the area of local park and recreation facilities and services. The current seat is for 1 Regular Seat. The Committee meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Lefty Gomez Field Recreation Building, Rodeo. The current regular opening has a term ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Susan Cohen at (925) 313-2160.
County Service Area M-16 Citizens Advisory Committee: advises the Board of Supervisors and the administrative department regarding the desires of the community of Clyde in the following areas: Street lighting facilities and services, recreation and park services. The seats that are open are for 2 Alternate Members. The Board meets as needed. The current regular opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. For information call Lynn Reichard-Enea at (925) 427-8138.
Crockett-Carquinez FPD Fire Advisory Commission: to review and advise on annual operations and capital budgets; to review district expenditures; to review and advise on long-range capital improvement plans; pursuant to district ordinance to serve as the Appeals Board on weed abatement matters; to advise the Fire Chief on district service matters. The seats that are open are for 3 Regular Members. The Board meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at 746 Loring Avenue, Crockett. The current regular opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. For information call Gerald Littleton at (510) 787-2717.
First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission: commission shall adopt an adequate and complete County strategic plan for the support and improvement of early childhood development within the County. The seat that is open is for 1 Regular Member and 1 Alternate Member. The commission meets the 1st Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at 1485 Enea Court, Suite 1200, Concord. The current alternate opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. For information, call Sean Casey, (925) 771-7316.
Library Commission: serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; to provide a community linkage to the County Library; to establish a forum for the community to express its views regarding goals and operations of the County Library; to assist the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian to provide library services based on assessed public needs; and to develop and recommend proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian for the betterment of the County Library including, but not limited to, such efforts as insuring a stable and adequate funding level for the libraries in the County. There are 2 current seats available: one Regular Seat and one Alternate seat. The commission meets the 4th Thursday of every other month from 7-9 p.m. at 75 Santa Barbara, Pleasant Hill. The current regular opening has a term ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Brooke Converse at (925) 646-6423.
Pacheco Municipal Advisory Council: role is to advise the Board on services which are or may be provided to the community by the County or other government agencies, feasibility of organizing the existing special districts serving the community in order to provide public services such as, but not limited to, water, sewer, fire and park and recreation; and to represent the community before LAFCO and the County Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator, and to provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or any County body on issues of concern to the community. The opening is for 1 Regular Seat. The council meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 5800 Pacheco Blvd., Pacheco. The current regular and alternate opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2020. For information, call Lynn Reichard-Enea at (925) 427-8138.
Rodeo Municipal Advisory Council: role is to advise the Board on services which are or may be provided to the community by the County or other government agencies, feasibility of organizing the existing special districts serving the community in order to provide public services such as, but not limited to, water, sewer, fire and park and recreation; and to represent the community before LAFCO and the County Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator and to provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or
any County body on issues of concern to the community. The opening is for 1 Regular Seat. The council meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at 199 Parker Avenue, Rodeo. The current regular term ends Dec. 31, 2020. For information, call Vincent Manuel at (925) 427-8138.
West Contra Costa Unified School District, Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee: the purpose of the Committee is to inform the public concerning the expenditure and uses of bond revenues. The committee’s legal charge is to actively review and report on the expenditures of taxpayer’s money for school construction. The current seat is for 1 Regular Seat. The Committee meets once a month on the 3rd Wednesday of every month 6:00-8:30 p.m. at 1400 Marina South, Richmond. The current regular opening has a term ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Luis Freese at (510) 307-4544.
Read MoreContra Costa testing facility selected to be part of first-ever “Community of Practice” for automated vehicle technology
GoMentum Station was named one of ten federally designated automated vehicle proving grounds by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The announcement was made by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Thursday, January 19, who noted that the pilot sites were selected to encourage testing and information sharing around automated vehicle technologies, foster innovations that can safely transform personal and commercial mobility, expand capacity, and open new doors to disadvantaged people and communities. GoMentum Station was selected from more than 60 applicants to help advance the safe deployment of automated technology.
“We are honored to have been selected as part of this elite group of test facilities,” said Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Executive Director Randell Iwasaki. “When we established GoMentum Station a little over two years ago with our partners, our goal was to make it the country’s premier secure test facility of autonomous and connected vehicle technology. To be selected as a federally designated proving grounds is a confirmation of the significant value our facility adds to the field and its role in redefining the next generation of transportation.”
“The designated proving grounds will collectively form a Community of Practice around safe testing and deployment,” said Secretary Foxx. “This group will openly share best practices for the safe conduct of testing and operations as they are developed, enabling the participants and the general public to learn at a faster rate and accelerating the pace of safe deployment.”
Each of the ten sites have a unique testing environment. Among the qualities that set GoMentum Station apart is being one of the largest, secure proving grounds in the United States, which enables partners to safely push their technology to its limits while testing at GoMentum Station. Founded in 2014, GoMentum Station is located at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, making Contra Costa County a center of cutting-edge transportation research. The innovative technology being explored at GoMentum Station will reinvent the ways we will move through our communities over the next 25 years and beyond.
Contra Costa’s autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility is built on a public/private partnership model, allowing the private sector space to innovate and test while providing the public sector with access to new technologies as they are being developed. The work being carried out at GoMentum Station facilitates informed policy, regulation and planning decisions around the technology.
“We are excited that there may be opportunities to potentially collaborate with other test facilities around the nation. If we can coordinate on testing, we can eliminate redundant and duplicative testing, learn from one another and accelerate our ability to bring this transformative technology to market,” noted Iwasaki. “We hope this designation will be valuable to our partners and the public in helping to further this life-saving technology. We’re looking forward to working with USDOT on advancing this technology for a public good.”
About GoMentum Station
GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.
About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.
Read MoreBestMile’s cloud-based computing platform will support and enhance efforts to solve the first-and-last mile challenge
GoMentum Station and BestMile announced a new partnership today to further the shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) pilot project aimed at addressing the first-and-last mile challenge in Contra Costa. BestMile will offer its cloud-based computing platform to support the operation and optimization of SAV fleets, including the full testing of EasyMile shuttles. The EasyMile shuttles arrived at GoMentum Station in September of 2016, and the pilot demonstration project with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority marks the first time EasyMile shuttles will be utilized in the United States. BestMile’s computing platform will not only allow the EasyMile shuttles to work more effectively together, it will facilitate the ability of riders to interface with the shuttles.
“GoMentum Station is putting Contra Costa and the Bay Area squarely at the center of the transportation technology revolution with this innovative project to address first and last mile transit accessibility challenges, which we hope will allow people to use transit and commuter rail more effectively and efficiently,” said Randy Iwasaki, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). “We are excited to leverage BestMile’s unique technology capabilities to incubate transportation solutions that will help further shared mobility.”
“We believe the future of mobility isn’t in autonomous vehicles themselves, but in what they can offer when they’re operated and managed collectively in an integrated ecosystem. It is an incredible opportunity for BestMile to be able to showcase its fleet optimization platform within the framework of this exciting project at GoMentum Station, Bishop Ranch and then hopefully expand to the Bay Area. It will allow passengers of SAVs to experience a truly optimized, sustainable and efficient SAV service. Ordering your own SAV will be only one click away thanks to the traveler app we are also providing as part of our platform” said Raphael Gindrat, CEO of BestMile.
BestMile has created the world’s first cloud platform for the operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, designed to support shared electric connected and automated mobility. Using cutting-edge algorithms, it sends optimized missions to vehicles and seamlessly handles planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management. Their first commercial project launched in June 2016 with Switzerland’s main transport operator, PostBus. The collaboration with GoMentum Station marks the first time BestMile’s technology will be incorporated into a project within the United States and aligns with BestMile’s mission to accelerate innovative autonomous transportation solutions for cities everywhere.
About GoMentum Station
GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.
About BestMile
BestMile is a Swiss company with offices in Lausanne (Switzerland), San Francisco (USA) and London (UK), developing distributed and highly scalable cloud technology leveraging the full potential of autonomous vehicles to tackle urban mobility challenges. By providing the first platform allowing for the intelligent operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, BestMile is revolutionizing mobility. It manages both scheduled trips and on-demand service and is independent of any vehicle manufacturer, thus allowing customers to remotely manage heterogeneous fleets composed of autonomous vehicles of different types and brands. By using cutting-edge algorithms to handle planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management, BestMile is shaping “individual robots” into an intelligent, innovative and flexible mobility system. After launching its first commercial project with Switzerland’s main transport operator in June 2016, BestMile now has a foot in the US thanks to GoMentum Station, located in Contra Costa County. More information is available at www.bestmile.com.
About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.
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McEwen Road is closed between Highway 4 and Carquinez Scenic Drive near Port Costa due to mudslides. The road is open to emergency vehicles only.
Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road is closed indefinitely.Signs and message boards will alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time.Drivers are encouraged to use the routes on the map above as alternate routes for Alhambra Valley Road.
Morgan Territory Road is open to local traffic only between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road is anticipated to reopen the week of January 23-30
The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Crews are monitoring County roads during the storms and additional closures may be necessary for public safety. The County will continue to provide updates as conditions change.
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BART is taking steps to prepare for what are expected to be large crowds for Inauguration-related events in downtown Oakland and San Francisco. Longer trains will be available for riders all day Friday and Saturday. BART also plans to have a few additional event trains on standby at key locations on Saturday ready to deploy if warranted by the size of the crowds.
Additional employees will be at the ready to assist BART riders during the next few days. That includes more Station Agents at what are likely to be the busiest stations. We will have extra technicians at the ready at those stations to make sure our ticket machines are working and to respond to any new elevator or escalator outages. Also, additional officers and sergeants from the BART Police Department will be working through Saturday to help with crowd control.
Dozens of events are planned for the region starting Thursday night and continuing through Saturday. We are expecting some our busiest stations to include 12th Street and Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland as well as Civic Center and Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Riders also play an important role in preparing for these busy travel days. We strongly encourage everyone to either buy roundtrip tickets or use their Clipper cards. Also, if you see something suspicious at a station, please tell BART police or a station agent. If you see something say something.
The ceremonies for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States will begin Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 8:30 a.m. Paficic.
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Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa on Thursday, January 19, 2017, signed a proclamation of local emergency in response to winter storm damage that has occurred in a variety of locations throughout the unincorporated parts of the County. The local emergency declaration will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for ratification in a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 8:30 a.m. The emergency status enables the County to be eligible for disaster relief funding that might be available in the future.
The strong series of storms has led to widespread flooding, mudslides, sinkholes and damage to public buildings, flood control facilities and roadways. Notably, Alhambra Valley Road remains closed between Bear Creek and Castro Ranch Roads. Signs and message boards remain in place to alert drivers; there is no estimate yet on a date for reopening Alhambra Valley Road.
Morgan Territory Road remains open only to local traffic between Marsh Creek and Manning Roads, with the goal of reopening entirely next week.
Read MoreContra Costa County has reopened the following roads:
- Marsh Creek Road between the Clayton city limits and Deer Valley Road
- McEwen Road between Highway 4 and Carquinez Scenic Drive
The following road is open to local traffic only:
- Morgan Territory Road between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road is anticipated to reopen the week of January 23-30
The closures were required due to mudslides and flooding concerns. The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road is closed indefinitely. Signs and message boards will alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time. Drivers are encouraged to use the routes on the map below as alternate routes for Alhambra Valley Road.
If you’re concerned about flooding at your home or business, it’s not too late to visit one of the free sandbag stations located throughout the county. Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free. Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.cccounty.us/sandbags.
County Public Works Maintenance road crews maintain the storm drain inlets through a program of annual inspection and cleaning. To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441.
Important phone numbers and webpages:
(925)313-7000 Public Works Maintenance Division- For emergencies during normal business hours
(707)551-4100 California Highway Patrol- For emergencies after hours
(925)646-2441 Contra Costa County Sheriffs Dispatch- For emergencies after hours
http://www.cccounty.us/sandbags – Contra Costa County Sand Bag Locations
http://www.cccounty.us/5906/Winter-Storm-Preparedness-Winter Storm Preparedness
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5895/Flooding-Information-Flood Information
http://www.cccounty.us/332/FEMA-Floodplain-Program- FEMA Floodplain Program
http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1578/Flood-Forecast-Information-How to Flood Forecast
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5907/Flood-Preparedness-California Flood Preparedness
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Tonight – Don’t let the Rain stop ART
Join us for an Exciting Arts Café
What Would Art Look Like in Pittsburg?
at Croskey Real Estate in Pittsburg
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Guest Speaker Sculptor Jason Griego
What kinds of events would enhance living in Pittsburg – Arts- Music-Street performers – Community gardens? Join other community members at an Arts Cafe’ on January 18 to share your ideas for community activities to enhance life in Pittsburg.
Meet Pittsburg resident, artist, and internationally known sculptor, Jason Griego who will share some of his graceful, thought-provoking sculptures of resin, bone and bronze. Organized by Creative Pittsburg, the event will introduce a new grassroots community organization with the goal of encouraging and organizing fun arts and culture activities for Pittsburg. www.creativepittsburg.org
Thank you to Croskey Real Estate, host of the evening event.
Who Should Go?
Creative Pittsburg is a cooperative intended to harness innovative thoughts about how to create a quality sense of community and place. We also supports the role of the arts in developing a vibrant community that embraces innovation, creativity and action to help transform Pittsburg into a place where residents are proud to live, work and play. Everyone is invited to bring their ideas, make new friends to collaborate and envision the future of the community.
Tonight -January 18th
Free to the public
AC5 Arts Cafe – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Croskey Real Estate, 745 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg
Read MoreBy Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney
Justice was served on January 12, 2017 when a jury returned guilty verdicts in the case against Ronald David Guinto. Guinto, a former sixth grade science and math teacher at Making Waves Academy in Richmond, was charged with 90 counts related to repeated and long term child molestation of 13 charged and two uncharged victims between 2002-2013. The jury found the defendant guilty as charged on 87 counts and hung on three counts.
In 2002, Guinto enticed his first victim through an AOL chat room to sneak out of his house and with Guinto in order to molest thethen 12-year-old boy. The molestation occurred on multiple occasions, in both Santa Clara and Solano Counties. Defendant was convicted of twenty nine counts of child molestation and kidnapfor acts committed with this victim.
Between 2008 and 2009, Ronald Guinto participated as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and Camp Counselor for summer camps and local Cub Scout troops in the greater San Jose area where he groomed and molested multiple victims. Through Guinto’s contacts with the Boy Scouts, Guinto gained access to a church in San Jose where he kidnapped and took one of the charged victimsand molest him and showed him pornography. Defendant was convicted of three counts related to the kidnap and molestation of this boy, also twelve. Defendant also molested multiple uncharged victims from his Cub Scout Pack in his home and on camping trips.
In 2009, Ronald Guinto created a camp he called, “Camp Epic” as a project in his Master’s Program at Tuoro University. In 2012, Guinto graduated from Tuoro University and began teaching at Making Waves Academy as a full time teacher.Ronald Guinto invited students at the school to join “Camp Epic,”and attend camping trips, adventure trips to amusement parks, and other overnight trips. Ronald Guinto persuaded parents to allow these children to go with him alone overnight. At the trips, Guinto molested children in tents, showed them pornography, and encouraged sexualized conversations.
The camping trips spanned multiple counties across Northern California, including, El Dorado, Placer, Mariposa, Santa Clara, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Napa, and Solano. Guinto committed dozens of acts of sexual assault inside the tents during these camping trips on multiple victims. Ronald Guinto had victims spend the night at his home, molested them and showed them pornography during his brief employment at Making Waves Academy between 2012-2013.
Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler, the prosecutor on this case said,”The jury delivered verdicts of justice for all the victims in this case. The courage and perseverance of these survivors inspires me. I am proud of them.”
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Contra Costa’s Urban Limit Line was established in 1990 and strengthened in 2004. Its purpose was to prevent urban sprawl into virgin agricultural land and preserve for the county’s citizens open space for their enjoyment.
A developer is now petitioning the county’s supervisors to approve a so called 30-acre development that breaks the ULL and will build 125 homes in rural Tassajara Valley. In 2006, Contra Costa voters approved Measure L that further strengthened the ULL by requiring an election and a majority vote of the county’s voters to approve any development outside the ULL. An exception was granted to allow the supervisors to approve developments not exceeding 30 acres and if one of seven named exceptions could be cited.
It is very important that this development be stopped. The developer is offering the county a check for $4 million and to dedicate another 500 acres for non-urban use. While enticing, this offer should be rejected by our supervisors. If the county accepts this “deal”, it will establish a precedent for other developers to “break the line”. The blueprint of a $4 million check and land donation will have been established.
Measure L required five year reviews by the county’s Department of Conservation and Development to determine if the ULL needed to be adjusted for reasons that included population growth and the availability of land for development within the ULL. This department concluded in their December 20, 2016 report to the supervisors that there was sufficient developable land within the ULL through the year 2036, i.e., no need to build outside the ULL.
Our supervisors, Federal Glover of District 5 and Diane Burgis of District 3 have good environmental records. Indeed, supervisor Glover has consistently supported the ULL. In a May 2016 interview by another news source, Glover stated: “I have always contended that the Urban Limit Line was necessary so that our region would not grow more than what our infrastructure could handle. Traffic, police services and schools are the main services that suffer when growth happens too fast.”The recently elected District 3 supervisor, Diane Burgis, has strong environmental credentials having established them in her position as executive director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed.
The proposed development, “Tassajara Parks”, will be coming soon before the Board of Supervisors for a vote. While this development is not in the eastern portion of our county, the precedent that this development would set will make all lands outside the ULL susceptible to development. Write or E-mail your supervisor and make your voices heard. Tell them not to compromise, reject this development project and protect the ULL. Our supervisors will listen to us, the voters. E-mail supervisors Glover and Burgis at district5@bos.cccounty.us and dist3@bos.cccounty.us. More information is available at tassajaravalleypa.org.
Gretchen Logue
Richard Fischer
Tassajara Valley Preservation Association
Tassajaravalleypa.org
Read MoreApplications now available for advisory boards, commissions and committees
Supervisor Federal Glover has announced opportunities for District 5 residents to make decisions affecting their communities by serving on an advisory board, commission or committee in Contra Costa County.
“A lot of policies begin in theses county commission and boards,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for people who have a desire to make difference.”
Glover is seeking to fill openings on the following advisory bodies: Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board; Contra Costa County Mental Health Commission; County Service Area R-10 Citizens Advisory Committee; County Service Area M-16 Citizens Advisory Committee; Crockett-Carquinez FPD Fire Advisory Commission; First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission; Library Commission; Pacheco Munipal Advisory Council; and West Contra Costa Unified School District, Citizens Bond Oversight Committee.
Commissions are appointed by the Board of Supervisors based on the recommendation of the Supervisor Glover. Interested individuals should contact his office at (925) 335-8200 to obtain an application form. Completed applications must be received in Supervisor Glover’s office by close of business Friday February 10, 2017.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board: the mission of the Contra Costa County Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board is to assess family and community needs regarding treatment and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse problems. They report their findings and recommendations to the Contra Costa Health Services Department, the Board of Supervisors and the communities they serve. The Board works in collaboration with the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Division of Contra Costa Health Services. They provide input and recommendations as they pertain to alcohol and other drugs prevention, intervention, and treatment services. The current 3 seats that need to be filled: District V-A, District V-B, and District V-C. The Board meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m. at 1220 Morello Avenue, Suite 200, Martinez. The current openings have three year terms ending June 30, 2019. For additional information call Fatima Matal Sol at (925) 335-3307.
Contra Costa County Mental Health Commission: members review and evaluate the community’s mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems; to review any County agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5650 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; to advise the governing body and local mental health director as to any aspect of the local mental health program; to submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors; review and make recommendations regarding the appointment of a local director of mental health services; review the County’s performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the State Mental Health Commission; and assess the impact of the realignment of services from the State to the County on services delivered to clients and the local community. The current seats are for 1 District V Family Member Seat, 1 District V Member-At-Large Seat, and 1 District V Consumer Member Seat. The Committee meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m. at 2730 Grant St. Classroom A, Concord. The current openings have terms ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Karen Shuler at (925) 957-5140.
County Service Area R-10 Citizens Advisory Committee: members advise the Board of Supervisors on the desires of the community in the area of local park and recreation facilities and services. The current seat is for 1 Regular Seat. The Committee meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Lefty Gomez Field Recreation Building, Rodeo. The current regular opening has a term ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Susan Cohen at (925) 313-2160.
County Service Area M-16 Citizens Advisory Committee: advises the Board of Supervisors and the administrative department regarding the desires of the community of Clyde in the following areas: Street lighting facilities and services, recreation and park services. The seats that are open are for 2 Alternate Members. The Board meets as needed. The current regular opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. For information call Lynn Reichard-Enea at (925) 427-8138.
Crockett-Carquinez FPD Fire Advisory Commission: to review and advise on annual operations and capital budgets; to review district expenditures; to review and advise on long-range capital improvement plans; pursuant to district ordinance to serve as the Appeals Board on weed abatement matters; to advise the Fire Chief on district service matters. The seats that are open are for 3 Regular Members. The Board meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at 746 Loring Avenue, Crockett. The current regular opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. For information call Gerald Littleton at (510) 787-2717.
First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission: commission shall adopt an adequate and complete County strategic plan for the support and improvement of early childhood development within the County. The seat that is open is for 1 Regular Member and 1 Alternate Member. The commission meets the 1st Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at 1485 Enea Court, Suite 1200, Concord. The current alternate opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2018. For information, call Sean Casey, (925) 771-7316.
Library Commission: serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; to provide a community linkage to the County Library; to establish a forum for the community to express its views regarding goals and operations of the County Library; to assist the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian to provide library services based on assessed public needs; and to develop and recommend proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian for the betterment of the County Library including, but not limited to, such efforts as insuring a stable and adequate funding level for the libraries in the County. There are 2 current seats available: one Regular Seat and one Alternate seat. The commission meets the 4th Thursday of every other month from 7-9 p.m. at 75 Santa Barbara, Pleasant Hill. The current regular opening has a term ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Brooke Converse at (925) 646-6423.
Pacheco Municipal Advisory Council: role is to advise the Board on services which are or may be provided to the community by the County or other government agencies, feasibility of organizing the existing special districts serving the community in order to provide public services such as, but not limited to, water, sewer, fire and park and recreation; and to represent the community before LAFCO and the County Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator, and to provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or any County body on issues of concern to the community. The opening is for 1 Regular Seat. The council meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 5800 Pacheco Blvd., Pacheco. The current regular and alternate opening has a term ending Dec. 31, 2020. For information, call Lynn Reichard-Enea at (925) 427-8138.
Rodeo Municipal Advisory Council: role is to advise the Board on services which are or may be provided to the community by the County or other government agencies, feasibility of organizing the existing special districts serving the community in order to provide public services such as, but not limited to, water, sewer, fire and park and recreation; and to represent the community before LAFCO and the County Planning Commission and the Zoning Administrator and to provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or
any County body on issues of concern to the community. The opening is for 1 Regular Seat. The council meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at 199 Parker Avenue, Rodeo. The current regular term ends Dec. 31, 2020. For information, call Vincent Manuel at (925) 427-8138.
West Contra Costa Unified School District, Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee: the purpose of the Committee is to inform the public concerning the expenditure and uses of bond revenues. The committee’s legal charge is to actively review and report on the expenditures of taxpayer’s money for school construction. The current seat is for 1 Regular Seat. The Committee meets once a month on the 3rd Wednesday of every month 6:00-8:30 p.m. at 1400 Marina South, Richmond. The current regular opening has a term ending June 30, 2018. For additional information call Luis Freese at (510) 307-4544.
Read MoreContra Costa testing facility selected to be part of first-ever “Community of Practice” for automated vehicle technology
GoMentum Station was named one of ten federally designated automated vehicle proving grounds by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The announcement was made by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Thursday, January 19, who noted that the pilot sites were selected to encourage testing and information sharing around automated vehicle technologies, foster innovations that can safely transform personal and commercial mobility, expand capacity, and open new doors to disadvantaged people and communities. GoMentum Station was selected from more than 60 applicants to help advance the safe deployment of automated technology.
“We are honored to have been selected as part of this elite group of test facilities,” said Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) Executive Director Randell Iwasaki. “When we established GoMentum Station a little over two years ago with our partners, our goal was to make it the country’s premier secure test facility of autonomous and connected vehicle technology. To be selected as a federally designated proving grounds is a confirmation of the significant value our facility adds to the field and its role in redefining the next generation of transportation.”
“The designated proving grounds will collectively form a Community of Practice around safe testing and deployment,” said Secretary Foxx. “This group will openly share best practices for the safe conduct of testing and operations as they are developed, enabling the participants and the general public to learn at a faster rate and accelerating the pace of safe deployment.”
Each of the ten sites have a unique testing environment. Among the qualities that set GoMentum Station apart is being one of the largest, secure proving grounds in the United States, which enables partners to safely push their technology to its limits while testing at GoMentum Station. Founded in 2014, GoMentum Station is located at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, making Contra Costa County a center of cutting-edge transportation research. The innovative technology being explored at GoMentum Station will reinvent the ways we will move through our communities over the next 25 years and beyond.
Contra Costa’s autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility is built on a public/private partnership model, allowing the private sector space to innovate and test while providing the public sector with access to new technologies as they are being developed. The work being carried out at GoMentum Station facilitates informed policy, regulation and planning decisions around the technology.
“We are excited that there may be opportunities to potentially collaborate with other test facilities around the nation. If we can coordinate on testing, we can eliminate redundant and duplicative testing, learn from one another and accelerate our ability to bring this transformative technology to market,” noted Iwasaki. “We hope this designation will be valuable to our partners and the public in helping to further this life-saving technology. We’re looking forward to working with USDOT on advancing this technology for a public good.”
About GoMentum Station
GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.
About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.
Read MoreBestMile’s cloud-based computing platform will support and enhance efforts to solve the first-and-last mile challenge
GoMentum Station and BestMile announced a new partnership today to further the shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) pilot project aimed at addressing the first-and-last mile challenge in Contra Costa. BestMile will offer its cloud-based computing platform to support the operation and optimization of SAV fleets, including the full testing of EasyMile shuttles. The EasyMile shuttles arrived at GoMentum Station in September of 2016, and the pilot demonstration project with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority marks the first time EasyMile shuttles will be utilized in the United States. BestMile’s computing platform will not only allow the EasyMile shuttles to work more effectively together, it will facilitate the ability of riders to interface with the shuttles.
“GoMentum Station is putting Contra Costa and the Bay Area squarely at the center of the transportation technology revolution with this innovative project to address first and last mile transit accessibility challenges, which we hope will allow people to use transit and commuter rail more effectively and efficiently,” said Randy Iwasaki, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). “We are excited to leverage BestMile’s unique technology capabilities to incubate transportation solutions that will help further shared mobility.”
“We believe the future of mobility isn’t in autonomous vehicles themselves, but in what they can offer when they’re operated and managed collectively in an integrated ecosystem. It is an incredible opportunity for BestMile to be able to showcase its fleet optimization platform within the framework of this exciting project at GoMentum Station, Bishop Ranch and then hopefully expand to the Bay Area. It will allow passengers of SAVs to experience a truly optimized, sustainable and efficient SAV service. Ordering your own SAV will be only one click away thanks to the traveler app we are also providing as part of our platform” said Raphael Gindrat, CEO of BestMile.
BestMile has created the world’s first cloud platform for the operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, designed to support shared electric connected and automated mobility. Using cutting-edge algorithms, it sends optimized missions to vehicles and seamlessly handles planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management. Their first commercial project launched in June 2016 with Switzerland’s main transport operator, PostBus. The collaboration with GoMentum Station marks the first time BestMile’s technology will be incorporated into a project within the United States and aligns with BestMile’s mission to accelerate innovative autonomous transportation solutions for cities everywhere.
About GoMentum Station
GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization will converge to define the next generation of transportation network infrastructure. More information about GoMentum Station is available at gomentumstation.net.
About BestMile
BestMile is a Swiss company with offices in Lausanne (Switzerland), San Francisco (USA) and London (UK), developing distributed and highly scalable cloud technology leveraging the full potential of autonomous vehicles to tackle urban mobility challenges. By providing the first platform allowing for the intelligent operation and optimization of autonomous vehicle fleets, BestMile is revolutionizing mobility. It manages both scheduled trips and on-demand service and is independent of any vehicle manufacturer, thus allowing customers to remotely manage heterogeneous fleets composed of autonomous vehicles of different types and brands. By using cutting-edge algorithms to handle planning, real-time automated dispatching, intelligent routing, and electrical energy management, BestMile is shaping “individual robots” into an intelligent, innovative and flexible mobility system. After launching its first commercial project with Switzerland’s main transport operator in June 2016, BestMile now has a foot in the US thanks to GoMentum Station, located in Contra Costa County. More information is available at www.bestmile.com.
About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.
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McEwen Road is closed between Highway 4 and Carquinez Scenic Drive near Port Costa due to mudslides. The road is open to emergency vehicles only.
Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road is closed indefinitely.Signs and message boards will alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time.Drivers are encouraged to use the routes on the map above as alternate routes for Alhambra Valley Road.
Morgan Territory Road is open to local traffic only between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road is anticipated to reopen the week of January 23-30
The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Crews are monitoring County roads during the storms and additional closures may be necessary for public safety. The County will continue to provide updates as conditions change.
Read MoreBART is taking steps to prepare for what are expected to be large crowds for Inauguration-related events in downtown Oakland and San Francisco. Longer trains will be available for riders all day Friday and Saturday. BART also plans to have a few additional event trains on standby at key locations on Saturday ready to deploy if warranted by the size of the crowds.
Additional employees will be at the ready to assist BART riders during the next few days. That includes more Station Agents at what are likely to be the busiest stations. We will have extra technicians at the ready at those stations to make sure our ticket machines are working and to respond to any new elevator or escalator outages. Also, additional officers and sergeants from the BART Police Department will be working through Saturday to help with crowd control.
Dozens of events are planned for the region starting Thursday night and continuing through Saturday. We are expecting some our busiest stations to include 12th Street and Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland as well as Civic Center and Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Riders also play an important role in preparing for these busy travel days. We strongly encourage everyone to either buy roundtrip tickets or use their Clipper cards. Also, if you see something suspicious at a station, please tell BART police or a station agent. If you see something say something.
The ceremonies for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States will begin Friday morning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 8:30 a.m. Paficic.
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Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa on Thursday, January 19, 2017, signed a proclamation of local emergency in response to winter storm damage that has occurred in a variety of locations throughout the unincorporated parts of the County. The local emergency declaration will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for ratification in a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 8:30 a.m. The emergency status enables the County to be eligible for disaster relief funding that might be available in the future.
The strong series of storms has led to widespread flooding, mudslides, sinkholes and damage to public buildings, flood control facilities and roadways. Notably, Alhambra Valley Road remains closed between Bear Creek and Castro Ranch Roads. Signs and message boards remain in place to alert drivers; there is no estimate yet on a date for reopening Alhambra Valley Road.
Morgan Territory Road remains open only to local traffic between Marsh Creek and Manning Roads, with the goal of reopening entirely next week.
Read MoreContra Costa County has reopened the following roads:
- Marsh Creek Road between the Clayton city limits and Deer Valley Road
- McEwen Road between Highway 4 and Carquinez Scenic Drive
The following road is open to local traffic only:
- Morgan Territory Road between Marsh Creek Road and Manning Road is anticipated to reopen the week of January 23-30
The closures were required due to mudslides and flooding concerns. The amount of rain received has saturated the soil which makes it more difficult to remove the mudslides and clean the roadways. Alhambra Valley Road between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road is closed indefinitely. Signs and message boards will alert drivers of the closure. There is not an estimated timeframe for reopening Alhambra Valley Road at this time. Drivers are encouraged to use the routes on the map below as alternate routes for Alhambra Valley Road.
If you’re concerned about flooding at your home or business, it’s not too late to visit one of the free sandbag stations located throughout the county. Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free. Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.cccounty.us/sandbags.
County Public Works Maintenance road crews maintain the storm drain inlets through a program of annual inspection and cleaning. To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441.
Important phone numbers and webpages:
(925)313-7000 Public Works Maintenance Division- For emergencies during normal business hours
(707)551-4100 California Highway Patrol- For emergencies after hours
(925)646-2441 Contra Costa County Sheriffs Dispatch- For emergencies after hours
http://www.cccounty.us/sandbags – Contra Costa County Sand Bag Locations
http://www.cccounty.us/5906/Winter-Storm-Preparedness-Winter Storm Preparedness
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5895/Flooding-Information-Flood Information
http://www.cccounty.us/332/FEMA-Floodplain-Program- FEMA Floodplain Program
http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1578/Flood-Forecast-Information-How to Flood Forecast
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/5907/Flood-Preparedness-California Flood Preparedness
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Tonight – Don’t let the Rain stop ART
Join us for an Exciting Arts Café
What Would Art Look Like in Pittsburg?
at Croskey Real Estate in Pittsburg
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Guest Speaker Sculptor Jason Griego
What kinds of events would enhance living in Pittsburg – Arts- Music-Street performers – Community gardens? Join other community members at an Arts Cafe’ on January 18 to share your ideas for community activities to enhance life in Pittsburg.
Meet Pittsburg resident, artist, and internationally known sculptor, Jason Griego who will share some of his graceful, thought-provoking sculptures of resin, bone and bronze. Organized by Creative Pittsburg, the event will introduce a new grassroots community organization with the goal of encouraging and organizing fun arts and culture activities for Pittsburg. www.creativepittsburg.org
Thank you to Croskey Real Estate, host of the evening event.
Who Should Go?
Creative Pittsburg is a cooperative intended to harness innovative thoughts about how to create a quality sense of community and place. We also supports the role of the arts in developing a vibrant community that embraces innovation, creativity and action to help transform Pittsburg into a place where residents are proud to live, work and play. Everyone is invited to bring their ideas, make new friends to collaborate and envision the future of the community.
Tonight -January 18th
Free to the public
AC5 Arts Cafe – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Croskey Real Estate, 745 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg
Read MoreBy Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney
Justice was served on January 12, 2017 when a jury returned guilty verdicts in the case against Ronald David Guinto. Guinto, a former sixth grade science and math teacher at Making Waves Academy in Richmond, was charged with 90 counts related to repeated and long term child molestation of 13 charged and two uncharged victims between 2002-2013. The jury found the defendant guilty as charged on 87 counts and hung on three counts.
In 2002, Guinto enticed his first victim through an AOL chat room to sneak out of his house and with Guinto in order to molest thethen 12-year-old boy. The molestation occurred on multiple occasions, in both Santa Clara and Solano Counties. Defendant was convicted of twenty nine counts of child molestation and kidnapfor acts committed with this victim.
Between 2008 and 2009, Ronald Guinto participated as a Cub Scout Pack Leader and Camp Counselor for summer camps and local Cub Scout troops in the greater San Jose area where he groomed and molested multiple victims. Through Guinto’s contacts with the Boy Scouts, Guinto gained access to a church in San Jose where he kidnapped and took one of the charged victimsand molest him and showed him pornography. Defendant was convicted of three counts related to the kidnap and molestation of this boy, also twelve. Defendant also molested multiple uncharged victims from his Cub Scout Pack in his home and on camping trips.
In 2009, Ronald Guinto created a camp he called, “Camp Epic” as a project in his Master’s Program at Tuoro University. In 2012, Guinto graduated from Tuoro University and began teaching at Making Waves Academy as a full time teacher.Ronald Guinto invited students at the school to join “Camp Epic,”and attend camping trips, adventure trips to amusement parks, and other overnight trips. Ronald Guinto persuaded parents to allow these children to go with him alone overnight. At the trips, Guinto molested children in tents, showed them pornography, and encouraged sexualized conversations.
The camping trips spanned multiple counties across Northern California, including, El Dorado, Placer, Mariposa, Santa Clara, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Napa, and Solano. Guinto committed dozens of acts of sexual assault inside the tents during these camping trips on multiple victims. Ronald Guinto had victims spend the night at his home, molested them and showed them pornography during his brief employment at Making Waves Academy between 2012-2013.
Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler, the prosecutor on this case said,”The jury delivered verdicts of justice for all the victims in this case. The courage and perseverance of these survivors inspires me. I am proud of them.”
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