Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

President Trump approves major disaster declaration for California to help wildfire victims

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Includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, more

WASHINGTON – Oct. 16, 2020 – 9:20 PM EST – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from Sept. 4 and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou counties.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to the state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Willie G. Nunn has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY

Brentwood Vice Mayor, former Fire Board President Joel Bryant supports consolidation of East Contra Costa Fire with ConFire, re-opening two stations without a tax increase

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“This is an opportunity to provide the people of Brentwood and Far East County with the fire service we need and deserve.” – Joel Bryant

Brentwood, CA – Oct. 16, 2020 – Today, in his ad in the Brentwood Press, Brentwood Vice Mayor Joel Bryant, the former President of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board of Directors, announced his support for the consolidation of the ECCFPD with Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire District (ConFire). The proposal would provide the staffing necessary for the re-opening of two fire stations in the district, with at least one in Brentwood, to help get to the additional three stations that are needed, now.

For Bryant to support it, however, the proposal must be achieved without a tax increase to the residents of Brentwood or the rest of those in both fire districts. It must also provide better pay and benefits to the men and women firefighters of the ECCFPD.

“This is an opportunity to provide the people of Brentwood and Far East County with the fire service we need and deserve,” Bryant said. “The two districts already provide mutual aid to each other, mainly with fire stations and personnel in Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay and Antioch.”

Following is Bryant’s complete statement on the proposal:

“I am currently working with Chief Brian Helmick and Board President Brian Oftedal of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, to finalize a permanent solution which provides sustainable fire protection and medical response for not only the families and businesses in Brentwood, but for the entire fire district that we are a part of.

At this time, ConFire is conducting a feasibility study regarding the possibility of consolidating both departments. In order for this to be a successful remedy the merger would need to include significant additional resources, such as:

  • At least two additional staffed fire houses, immediately.
  • Advanced life support available as part of normal operations.
  • Bringing the salaries and benefits of our firefighters in ECCFPD equal to that of ConFire personnel.

The consolidation would, of course bring additional vehicle resources as part of the normal operations, such as a ladder truck, helicopter, and fire boat, to cover the areas that are currently vulnerable.

The goal is to accomplish this without the need to raise additional revenue, such as a local tax, by the residents.”

“I completely support this effort and appreciate the opportunity to work with both Chief Helmick and ConFire Chief Lewis Broschard, the ECCFPD Fire Board, as well as the Board of Supervisors in their diligent efforts to accomplish this goal,” Bryant added.

Joel Bryant has served on the Brentwood City Council for 10 years, 7 of them as Vice Mayor, elected by his fellow councilmembers. He has the support of the East Contra Costa firefighters.

Sexual and Domestic Violence Town Hall Saturday hosted by The Yellow Heart Committee

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Moderators include Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, NBC Bay Area’s Candice Nguyen

Citizens will have opportunity to be a party to political leaders discussing sexual assault prevention and survivor empowerment

Zoom – This town hall is to allow survivors, politicians, and non-profit leaders to engage and brainstorm tangible policy changes and actions to support survivors. We look forward to holding a space to hear potent testimonies of the struggles victims have endured post attack, to listen to the demands of victims, and to address the flaws in our criminal justice system. This will be a platform for a conversation and a chance for leaders to reflect on the direct impact they could have on victims’ lives through their policy decisions.

“I knew we needed to get the people who can make change happen in the same room,” said The Yellow Heart Committee Founder N’dea Johnson. “Getting people together, especially during COVID, is never easy. But the work we’re doing, and the education we’re spreading, it’s just too important to wait.”

The virtual town hall is scheduled for October 17th, 2020 at 4 PM PST/7 PM EST. It consists of three panels: Urgency of the Issue, Reimagining Support for Survivors, and Addressing Necessary Policy Changes. In addition, there will be testimonials from survivors, and a panel of political figures. They are listed below.

Speakers:

US Congressman Eric Swalwell

US Congressman Mike Thompson

CA State Assemblymember Rob Bonta

CA State Assemblymember Shirley Weber

Panelists:

CA State Assemblymember Tim Grayson

SC State House Candidate Dr. Jermaine Johnson

Antioch City Council Member Monica Wilson

Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan

President of Alliance For Hope International Casey Gwinn

CEO of Love Never Fails Vanessa Russell

President of SF Pride Carolyn Wysinger

Moderators

CA State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

NBC Investigative Reporter and Survivor Candice Nguyen

Suisun City Vice Mayor Wanda Williams

Event Details:

What: Virtual Zoom Town Hall

When: Saturday, October 17, 2020

Where: Zoom. Register Here: https://bit.ly/3mJ9yiv

For any additional information, please contact us at yellowheartcommittee@gmail.com

The Yellow Heart Committee is an organization that is mobilizing to help survivors of trauma through policy making and community outreach. For more information, please visit and get involved at https://www.yellowheartcommittee.com/

Contra Costa opens 13th COVID-19 test site in Bay Point as testing increases to 3,200 a day

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By Daniel Borsuk

The opening of the Contra Costa Health Department thirteenth Covid-19 testing site in Bay Point has helped the county ramp up test, the county’s chief goal in turning the tide on COVID-19, Contra Costa Public Health Director Anna Roth told the board of supervisors on Tuesday.

“Testing is one area of focus as over 45,000 tests have  been given in our county to date,” Roth told supervisors when she also informed the elected officials via teleconference about the opening this week of a COVID-19  testing site at 215 Pacifica Ave. in Bay Point, one of the county’s major underserved areas.

“This week’s opening of aa new test site in Bay Point has drawn a lot of good feedback,” Roth said. As of Tuesday, Contra Costa County had 17,728 COVID-19 cases and 230 deaths had been recorded since flu struck in March.

Before the opening of the Bay Point test site, the county was giving 3,200 tests a day at  12 sites and the goal is to eventually boost the frequency rate to 4,500 with the Bay Point location.

Roth also reported that the county has an overall COVID-19 positivity rate of 2.4 percent, which is a major improvement from a 6 percent positive rate that the county had bothered county health officials during the earlier months of the pandemic.

In Other Board Action:

At the meeting, the elected officials approved three abatement cases located in Crockett, Richmond and Bethel Island.

Supervisors assessed a $28,307.15 tax bill on the property at 232 Kendell Ave.  in Crockett for removal of debris. The Crockett property is owned by Mark Noonan. Supervisors charged a $14,481.70 bill to Donald Hampton for clean up and debris removal costs related to his property at 319 Chesley Ave. in Richmond.  Supervisors also assessed a $9,309 clean-up bill to Darlene Joy Gargulio for abatement action taken at her property at 2600 Dutch Slough Road in Oakley.

“I know neighbors are gratified for the abatement action,” Supervisor Diane Burgis of Oakley said after the vote. No one spoke on behalf of the property owners.

Supervisors approved their 2021 schedule which includes 30 regular board meetings, 12 fire commission meetings and five    housing authority commission meetings.

Without discussion, supervisors approved as a consent item the fiscal year 2020-2021 secured property tax rates will generate more than $2.5 billion in property tax revenue to be apportioned to the county, cities, and other eligible agencies.

Sportsman’s Warehouse to open store in Brentwood this week

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Grand Opening Thursday through Saturday

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. is opening a new location in Brentwood, CA this month. The store is located at 5491 Lone Tree Way near Trade Joe’s, Petco and Kohl’s. The Grand Opening is scheduled for October 15-17, 2020.

“We are glad to welcome Sportsman’s Warehouse to Brentwood,” said Vice Mayor Joel Bryant. “The quality products they offer and variety will be great for Brentwood and East County residents, and fill a gap in what people and want and need to enjoy the great outdoors. The store also fills retail space that’s been empty for awhile, adding to our city’s sales tax base, and providing more, local jobs.”

Since 1986, Sportsman’s Warehouse has been providing outdoor enthusiasts with quality merchandise in a friendly, low-key shopping environment.

“We are excited to open our new store in Brentwood and become a part of the community. We look forward to hiring local experts to serve you and outfit your next adventure,” said Jon Barker, Sportsman’s Warehouse CEO.

Like all Sportsman’s Warehouse locations, the Brentwood store will adhere to mandated COVID-19 cleaning and social distancing guidelines.

Rally held in Richmond to protest council candidates’ contributions from coal storage company and allies

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About 35 people participated in the No Coal In Richmond rally on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Photo by David Sharples of ACCE.

Organized by No Coal in Richmond, other environmental groups and SEIU Local 1021

By Janet Johnson

A public rally was held Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. in front City Hall in Richmond to oppose the Terminal and allied groups’ attempts to buy seats on the Richmond City Council. It was attended by about 35 people. The Levin-Richmond Terminal Corporation has so far donated $25,000 to city council candidates – including Vinay Pimplé, Eleanor Thompson, and Ahmad Anderson – whom it hopes will vote to overturn the ordinance phasing out coal and petroleum coke storage and handling at the Terminal. In addition, the company gave the maximum allowable contribution directly to Anderson’s campaign. The current city council adopted the ordinance after a successful two-year campaign by No Coal in Richmond, health professionals, and other environmental and community groups. Now, the Levin-Richmond Terminal has joined developers and others in trying to buy seats on the Richmond City Council.

Election buying in Richmond is nothing new. The city has suffered for decades as big industries have poured money into campaigns for candidates who will support their interests, including Chevron’s unsuccessful attempt to buy 2014 city races. However, No Coal in Richmond and allies from Alliance of Californians for Community Action (ACCE Action) the Sunflower Alliance, Asian Pacific Environmental Network Action (APEN Action), Communities for a Better Environment Action (CBE Action), and SEIU Local 1021 are actively opposing this attempt to subvert the political process.

According to the No Coal in Richmond website: “Toxic dust from coal and petroleum coke (pet coke) is polluting our neighborhoods. Richmond CA residents living and working near the Levin-Richmond Terminal see this dust outside on our cars and windowsills. What we don’t see are the microscopic harmful substances going deep into our lungs. They’re in the air we breathe, in our homes, and where we work and play.

Richmond residents and workers cannot continue to be exposed to high levels of toxic coal and pet coke dust. We already suffer from elevated levels of asthma, heart disease, and other health problems caused by bad air quality.

To make Richmond a healthier place to live, we need to end the storage and handling of coal and pet coke at the Levin-Richmond Terminal.

The Richmond Coal Ordinance establishes a fair process, gradually phasing out coal and poisonous petroleum coke and relying on the city’s legal authority to protect us.”

 

 

In person voting at 150 Contra Costa County polling places will happen on Election Day Nov. 3 just like the last two elections

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Photo from wirth4mequon.com.

Plus, Regional Early Voting Sites will be offered beginning Friday, Oct. 30

By Allen Payton

For those who want to vote in person at a polling place and not mail in their ballot, there’s good news. The Contra Costa Elections Division is providing both 150 polling places throughout the county, and 17 Regional Early Voting Sites, beginning Friday, Oct. 30, as well.

“The model that we’re using for polling places in the November election is the same as in the March election and the November 2018 election,” said Contra Costa County Assistant Registrar of Voters, Scott Konopasek. “The locations may have moved around a bit based on the availability of sites for the polling places.”

“If a voter wants to know where to go to vote at the polls, they can visit our website at cocovote.us, click on Am I Registered, then in the search box type in their name and birthdate and it will tell you everything you need to know about the election,” he continued. (Or click here.)

There will also be Regional Early Voting Sites the weekend before Election Day, beginning Friday, Oct. 30.

“You’re not assigned to any particular one and you can vote at any of them, using the exact ballot for you,” Konopasek added.

Regional Early Voting Sites *Outdoors in Event Tent

Friday, October 30   11am – 7pm Saturday, October 31   9am – 5pm Monday, November 2   11am – 7pm
REV Sites
Building Name Address City
Stone Valley Rd Chapel* 2949 Stone Valley Rd Alamo
Antioch Water Park 4701 Lone Tree Way Antioch
Somersville Town Center* 2550 Somersville Rd Antioch
Ambrose Community Center 3105 Willow Pass Rd Bay Point
Cornerstone Fellowship* 6641 Lone Tree Way Brentwood
Clarion Hotel 1050 Burnett Ave Concord
El Rancho Restaurant* 1450 Monument Blvd Concord
St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church* 1955 Kirker Pass Rd Concord
El Cerrito Community Center 7007 Moeser Ln El Cerrito
Veterans Memorial Building* 3780 Mt Diablo Blvd Lafayette
Moraga Library* 1500 Saint Marys Rd Moraga
Best Western Plus Delta Inn* 5549 Bridgehead Rd Oakley
Hyatt House Pleasant Hill 2611 Contra Costa Blvd Pleasant Hill
Hilltop Mall Parking Lot* 2200 Hilltop Mall Rd. Richmond
Richmond Memorial Auditorium 403 Civic Center Plaza Richmond
Amador Rancho Community Center 1998 Rancho Park Loop San Ramon
Heather Farms Park* 301 N San Carlos Drive Walnut Creek

Currently, voters can drop off their ballot at multiple locations throughout the county at both 24-hour sites and indoor sites during business hours.

Contra Costa County Indoor Drop Boxes Available During Business Hours*
Clayton City Hall 6000 Heritage Trail, Floor 3 Clayton Mon – Fri, 9am-5pm
Pittsburg City Hall 65 Civic Avenue Pittsburg Mon – Fri, 8am-5pm
San Pablo Library 13751 San Pablo Ave San Pablo Tues, 1pm-8pm Wed-Thurs, 11am-6pm Fri-Sat, 10am-5pm
San Ramon City Hall 7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd San Ramon Mon – Fri, 8:30am-5pm
Alcosta Senior and Community Center 9300 Alcosta Blvd San Ramon Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm
San Ramon Permit Center 2401 Crow Canyon Road San Ramon Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm

*Hours shown may vary. Check directly with the location for current hours.

 

Writer claims Brentwood Council candidate misrepresents facts about her councilmember opponent

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Dear Editor

I find it interesting that Jovita Mendoza routinely misrepresents Councilmember Claudette Staton’s positions on the important issues in our neighborhood.

Councilmember Staton voted, along with all the other council members, to put Measure L on the ballot to let the voters decide whether or not to proceed with the development and I think Ms. Mendoza would be happy that the voters rejected the development.

Ms. Mendoza knows – because she received an opinion on it – that per the California Political Reform Act, Councilmember Staton has to recuse herself from deliberations and votes on the proposed oil and gas drilling and the Bridal Gate development and recent zoning decisions. Bridal Gate will come before the Council in Feb. 2021.

Councilwoman Staton, as a private citizen, has stated that she is opposed to the oil and gas drilling.

If Ms. Mendoza continues to misrepresent facts how can we trust her on council?

JoAnn Klement

Brentwood

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Executive Director Randy Iwasaki to retire in December

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Search begins for his replacement

Randy Iwasaki. From LinkedIn.

Randell H. Iwasaki, the Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority announced recently, his intention to retire from the agency.  Following is a statement from the Board Chair Julie Pierce.

“It is with a range of mixed emotions that I announce Randell Iwasaki’s (Randy) retirement from his successful and accomplished career at the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). I am sad Randy will retire as CCTA’s Executive Director effective December 26, 2020; yet, I am immensely proud of the goals, recognition and innovations CCTA achieved in the ten years Randy has been at the helm of the Authority, and extremely grateful for the leadership Randy has demonstrated while managing this agency. His vision, as well as his ability to create, guide and inspire a remarkable workforce resulted in a small but mighty team who has made significant advances to improve mobility in Contra Costa County.

Randy and his staff have delivered on our promise to the public by completing major infrastructure improvements such as Highway 4 and the Caldecott Fourth Bore projects, while simultaneously pursuing innovative ways to improve mobility in the future. During Randy’s tenure, CCTA has become a leader in advancing new technology to solve real challenges faced by our residents. Notable achievements include establishing the nation’s largest secure, connected and automated vehicle proving grounds, securing legislation to pilot the first low-speed, multi-passenger, shared autonomous vehicles that are not equipped with a steering wheel, brake pedal, accelerator or operator on public roads in California, and more recently winning two nationally competitive grants to deploy innovative transportation technology from the United States Department of Transportation.

Throughout his tenure as Executive Director, Randy has ensured CCTA remains a responsible and prudent steward of public funds. For eight years in a row the agency’s management of sales tax dollars has been recognized with the coveted “Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting” from the Government Finance Officers Association. Last year, the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association also honored CCTA with a Silver Medal Award for Good Government.

On behalf of the CCTA Board, I’d like to express our gratitude for Randy’s extraordinary role in delivering so many projects aimed to strengthen the economy, protect the environment and enhance Contra Costa County’s transportation system. In the ten years he has served as Executive Director, he has accomplished much to improve the quality of life for our residents. We thank Randy for his dedication to this agency, and wish him all the best in his new adventures.”

The CCTA Board has appointed a sub-committee of the Board to lead the search for the agency’s next Executive Director.”

Iwasaki is the former Executive Director of CalTrans, the state Department of Transportation, said he plans to work in the private sector following his retirement in December.