Contra Costa Herald

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

New Orleans Coroner may not release cause of College Board Trustee Nejedly’s death for two to four months

By Leave a Comment

John. T. Nejedly

John. T. Nejedly

By Allen Payton

In an effort to determine the cause of death of Contra Costa Community College District Trustee John T. Nejedly, while he was in New Orleans over the weekend, following a conference, inquiries were made to both the New Orleans Police Department and New Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office, today.

“The New Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office releases the names of victims,” said Dawn Massey, Senior Public Information Officer in the New Orleans Police Public Affairs Division. “We’ve had a couple of unclassified deaths that came in over the weekend.”

Unclassified means there was no obvious signs of death.

When asked for information about Nejedly’s death, Gayell Johnson of the Coroner’s Office said, “Once the person is autopsied it takes awhile to determine the cause of death. That is not something we know at this time.”

The Nejedly case “came in as a UI which is ‘under investigation’,” she added.

When asked how many days that will take, Johnson replied, “You mean how many weeks. The usual time is eight to sixteen weeks” for the results of the autopsy to be released.

However, his body can be released once the autopsy is completed, which is within 24-48 hours, so a memorial service can be held, she added.

Grayson campaign claims Torlakson campaign TV ad false, inaccurate

By Leave a Comment

Attempts to spin Grayson’s work to eliminate taxpayer expenses for healthcare benefits for elected officials

Tim Grayson’s campaign for State Assembly released the following information about a TV ad produced by his opponent’s campaign which began airing, last week:

Mae Torlakson’s campaign for California Assembly District 14 released an ad Friday containing false and inaccurate information on former Mayor of Concord Tim Grayson’s work to eliminate local elected officials’ lifetime healthcare benefits.

The Claim:

The ad claims Grayson “voted to keep his taxpayer funded healthcare for life.”

The Facts:

  1. As Mayor of Concord, Grayson sought to eliminate lifetime taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits for Concord’s elected officials. A memo written by city staff in 2014 (attached) states that as Mayor, Grayson created an Ad Hoc committee and “gave direction to develop a method to eliminate elected officials retiree health benefits going forward.” The Mercury News covered Grayson’s efforts in a story on July 23, 2014.
  2. The city’s contracts with CalPERS and PEMHCA entirely prohibit the elimination of taxpayer funded healthcare benefits for elected officials.In the July 2014 memo city staff write that research indicated “that this desired outcome [eliminating lifetime benefits] is not possible based on the City’s contract with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and regulations in the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA).”
  3. As Mayor, Grayson was prohibited from eliminating these lifetime taxpayer funded healthcare benefits, so instead, he sought to “significantly limit eligibility for retiree medical benefits for incoming, newly elected officials by establishing stringent vesting and retirement age criteria.” (July 22, 2014 memo). Under the new rules, newly elected officials can only qualify for lifetime healthcare benefits if they serve a minimum of 30 consecutive years in Concord government as an elected official.
  4. Grayson does not qualify for lifetime healthcare retiree benefits.Current elected officials must be 50 years or older and serve five consecutive years as an Elected Official. Grayson is younger than 50 years old and does not qualify for the benefit. City documents also clearly show that CalPERS’ rules severely limited the ability to make changes to future officials’ healthcare benefits and prohibited these changes from applying to current councilmembers.

Bottom Line:

City documents clearly show that as Mayor, Grayson’s intent was to entirely eliminate lifetime taxpayer funded healthcare for Concord’s elected officials and now the Torlakson campaign is seeking to mislead voters with false information on Grayson’s record as Mayor.

“Mae Torlakson is spending BIG to try to mislead voters but the facts are clear. Tim Grayson worked to make it nearly impossible for any elected official to qualify and because of his work, Concord taxpayers will almost certainly never have to foot the bill for elected officials’ lifetime healthcare coverage,” said Grayson Campaign Manager, Naser Javaid. “To make matter worse, Mae Torlakson is lying about Grayson’s record all while enjoying taxpayer-funded Cadillac health care coverage valued at $20,000 a year from her work in Administrators’ offices at the University of California.”

BACKGROUND:

Additional False Claims from Torlakson’s ad: 

The Claim: Grayson improperly accepted over $16,000 from lobbyists for the developer of the Concord Naval Weapons Station development.

Fact Check: Grayson returned the contributions once he became aware of their source. He also recused himself from the decision to select the developer.

Ad Script:

The Concord Naval Weapons Station development.

A $6 billion scandal inside city hall.

At the center of it, Assembly candidate Tim Grayson.

The same politician who voted to keep his taxpayer funded healthcare for life.

This time, Grayson was caught by an independent investigator

for attending secret illegal meetings on the deal

and improperly accepting over $16,000 from lobbyists for the developer.

The last thing the legislature needs is another ethically challenged member.

 

John T. Nejedly, Contra Costa Community College Board Member and scion of political family, has died

By Leave a Comment

John. T. Nejedly

John. T. Nejedly

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) sadly announces the passing of Governing Board (Board) member John T. Nejedly this past weekend.  Mr. Nejedly represented Ward 4 which includes Blackhawk, Byron, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, San Ramon, and parts of Alamo, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, and Concord.

“Our prayers and sympathies are with the Nejedly family and friends,” says Board President Vicki Gordon.  “Mr. Nejedly’s long tenure on the Board demonstrated his support of the community college mission.  He will be missed.”

Mr. Nejedly was first elected to the Board in 1994, and was serving his sixth consecutive term of office.  He is only the fourth member to represent this area since the District was created in 1948.

“We are saddened and shocked by his passing and will miss his consistent, rational approach to issues facing the District.  The success of our students was his top priority,” Chancellor Helen Benjamin said.

After graduating from Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Construction Management, Mr. Nejedly completed his education at John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he received his law degree.  In addition to being a member of the California State Bar, he was a California licensed Real Estate Broker and licensed General Engineering Contractor.

The oldest son of the late State Senator John A. Nejedly, he was the brother of County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Board Member James Nejedly.

He first ran for public office, in 1992, but unsuccessfully for the Danville Town Council. He also ran for County Assessor in 2010, losing to incumbent Gus Kramer.

“Trustee Nejedly was the only Board member who worked on the passage of all three District bond campaigns, Measures A 2002 and 2006, and Measure E 2014,” said Board member John Márquez who has served on the Board with Mr. Nejedly for six years.  “His construction knowledge and experience provided a sound and critical voice as we modernized our campus facilities to improve the learning environment for students.”

He grew up part of his life in Walnut Creek and was a resident of San Ramon. Mr. Nejedly and his wife have three children and enjoyed spending time in the mountains and playing golf.

Missing Antioch teen girl, victim of human trafficking, found safe in San Diego is home

By Leave a Comment

Naomi Lomax. photos courtesy of Antioch Police.

Naomi Lomax. Photos courtesy of Antioch Police

By Allen Payton

Antioch Police confirmed, today that Naomi Lomax the 15-year-old Antioch teen who went missing Saturday morning, September 17, is home safe.

“I can confirm she has been located safely,” said Corporal Gary Lowther of the Antioch Police Department. When asked for more details, he responded, “that’s all I can say at this time.”

Lomax was found in San Diego by her mother, with the help of social media.

“It was a human trafficking situation, not a runaway,” said her mother Elizabeth Chavez. “She needs healing time. So, that’s all we’re ready to say, right now.”

Check back in a few days for more details.By Allen Payton

Antioch Police confirmed, today that Naomi Lomax the 15-year-old Antioch teen who went missing Saturday morning, September 17, is home safe.

“I can confirm she has been located safely,” said Corporal Gary Lowther of the Antioch Police Department. When asked for more details, he responded, “that’s all I can say at this time.”

Lomax was found in San Diego by her mother, with the help of social media.

“It was a human trafficking situation, not a runaway,” said her mother Elizabeth Chavez. “She needs healing time. So, that’s all we’re ready to say, right now.”

Check back in a few days for more details.

Busby wins John Soares, Sr. Memorial Race at Antioch Speedway, Saturday night

By Leave a Comment

Scott Busby's #73 division record 65th career A Modified feature win was worth $1,500. Busby now has 71 career wins, which leaves him one win behind speedway legend J.D. Willis for the lead on the all time list. Photo by Paul Gould

Scott Busby’s #73 division record 65th career A Modified feature win was worth $1,500. Busby now has 71 career wins, which leaves him one win behind speedway legend J.D. Willis for the lead on the all time list. Photo by Paul Gould

By Don Martin II

When Scott Busby began his racing career at Antioch Speedway in 1979, he ran a Street Stock, and the track was promoted by it’s founder, John Soares Sr.  On Saturday night, Scott scored one of the biggest wins of his career in the John Soares Sr. Memorial Top Dog Shoot Out.  Busby won his heat race earlier in the evening to set the stage for his big $1,500 30 lap Main Event win.

Busby was the early Main Event leader, but the race changed after a yellow flag for a Turn 4 wreck involving Troy Foulger and Duane Cleveland on lap nine.  Busby lost the lead as another A Modified legend, Randy McDaniel, moved by.  McDaniel won the Jerry Hetrick Memorial Race earlier this year.  Busby settled back into third behind three time winner Brian Cass, but the three cars ran in close formation up front.  Busby made an inside move in Turn 4 of the 23rd lap to take second from Cass, and a spin in Turn 1 forced a lap 26 caution flag.  Two false starts by the leaders followed and could have resulted in the first two rows being swapped.  However, track officials wanted to let the two battle it out for the $1,500 win.  McDaniel ran the inside line, and Busby got a good run on the outside.  As they headed down the back stretch, Busby pulled ahead, and he carried that momentum through Turns 3 and 4 to take the lead.  From there, Busby went on to a hard fought victory ahead of McDaniel, Cass, Michael Paul Jr. and Bobby Motts Jr.

Richard Papenhausen #4p scored his third $1,500 DIRTcar Late Model win of the season, and he appears to be headed for his second championship in three seasons. Photo by Paul Gould

Richard Papenhausen #4p scored his third $1,500 DIRTcar Late Model win of the season, and he appears to be headed for his second championship in three seasons. Photo by Paul Gould

Richard Papenhausen took an emphatic step towards the DIRTcar Late Model championship with an impressive 20 lap Main Event victory.  With mechanial issues striking fellow heat winner Troy Foulger early, the anticipated battle with Papenhausen never materialized.  Papenhausen grabbed the lead early and steadily pulled away from the competition for what is surely a championship clinching $1,500 victory.  Terry Kuntz and Dennis Souza were season best second and third place finishers, both on the lead lap.  Danny Malfati returned and finished fourth ahead of Shawn DeForest.

Reigning B Modified champion Fred Ryland returned to Antioch Speedway and won the $850 first prize in the 20 lap B Modified Main Event.  Brian Pearce was running strong and won his heat race by a straightaway.  Pearce led the early goings of the Main Event, but F. Ryland was quickly into second and shadowing Pearce.  Chuck Golden stalled at the Turn 1 exit midway through the race for a yellow flag.  Ryland managed to grab the lead from Pearce on the restart, but one more yellow slowed the pace three laps from the finish.  The “psyche game” saw Ryland jump a start that was called back.  Pearce did the same thing the next time.  On the third attempt, Fred Ryland maintained his pace and held off Pearce for the big victory.  Many time Merced and Hanford A Modified champion Paul Stone drove the Tim Hammett car to a third place finish as heat winner Patti Ryland and Mitch Enos rounded out the Top 5.

Fred Ryland #7j returned to his home track and scored an $850 victory in the B Modified Main Event. It was the fourth win of the season for the reigning track champion. Photo by Paul Gould

Fred Ryland #7j returned to his home track and scored an $850 victory in the B Modified Main Event. It was the fourth win of the season for the reigning track champion. Photo by Paul Gould

Three time reigning Hobby Stock champion Kimo Oreta returned for only the the second time and once again won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event.  Oreta, who is the division’s all time Main Event win leader with 23 wins, could not resist the lure of the $850 payday.  The early goings of the Main Event were just a bit rough, and one incident saw Frank Furtado lose a wheel to end his race.  Oreta had to bring his A Game to this race as point leader Guy Ahlwardt and recent winner Melissa Myers were running closely behind him.  However, Oreta was just a bit faster and grabbed Bob Kempf’s checkered flag ahead of Ahlwardt and Myers.  John McClendon got the opportunity to drive the Bob Brown owned car for the first time and piloted it to a fourth place finish ahead of Fred Ryland.

The championship season wraps up on October 22nd with a loaded seven division program that includes A Modifieds, DIRTcar Late Models, Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com

Unofficial Race Results
Hobby Stocks
Heat 1-Guy Ahlwardt, Chris Sorensen, Kimo Oreta.  Heat 2-Natalie Perry, Cameron Swank, Fred Ryland.  Main Event-Oreta, Ahlwardt, Melissa Myers, John McClendon, Ryland.
B Modifieds
Heat 1-Patti Ryland, Fred Ryland, Chuck Golden.  Heat 2-Brian Pearce, Mike Salazar, Al Johnson.  Main Event-F. Ryland, Pearce, Paul Stone, P. Ryland, Mitch Enos.
A Modifieds
Heat 1-Richard Papenhausen, Carl Berendsen II, Bobby Motts Jr.  Heat 2-Bobby Montalvo, Randy McDaniel, Troy Foulger.  Heat 3-Scott Busby, Sean O’Gara, Darrell Hughes II.  Main Event-Busby, McDaniel, Cass, Michael Paul Jr, Motts.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat 1-Troy Foulger, Shawn DeForest, Danny Malfati.  Heat 2-Richard Papenhausen, Kimo Oreta, Terry Kuntz  Main Event-Papenhausen, Kuntz, Dennis Souza, Malfati, DeForest.

Fellow councilman says Barr best choice for fiscal responsibility in Supervisor’s race

By Leave a Comment

Dear Editor:

Fiscal responsibility are nice buzzwords for most politicians. Unfortunately, few practice what they preach during election season.  Council Member Steve Barr has proven with his voting record at the City of Brentwood that fiscal responsibility is a belief versus a talking point.

Fiscal sustainability is a primary pillar of being fiscally responsible. Without sustainability the public entity can’t allocate the resources to where they’re needed most, such as public safety and maintaining a great quality of life.  As we slowly came out of the recession Steve was instrumental in adjusting the budget to allow us to hire more police officers that can be sustained during challenged times.

To the community’s detriment, most politicians view public finance through the short-term lens of ‘What can I do during my term?’ or ‘How will I achieve my campaign promises?’  Steve has shown his ability to view finance in the only way to sustain a great quality of life in a community, through long term conservative budgeting such as the 10 year fiscal model which he helps direct as part of the finance sub committee on the Brentwood City Council.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Steve to help position Brentwood to build a new library, hire more police officers and most important to improve the quality of life in Brentwood for our residents.  I have no doubt his proven record will end in similar results for the residents of East Contra Costa County.

Sincerely,

Erick Stonebarger

Council Member

City of Brentwood

40 Performance Mechanical construction workers wear pink hard hats for job sites in October

By Leave a Comment

PMI construction workers proudly pose wearing their EMCOR/ PMI Pink Hard Hats.

PMI construction workers proudly pose wearing their EMCOR/ PMI Pink Hard Hats.

Company creates “Call to Action” during Breast Cancer Awareness Month for EMCOR’s 8th Annual “Protect Yourself. Get Screened Today” campaign

Performance Mechanical, Inc. (PMI) of Pittsburg, proudly announces that 40 of its construction workers at various job sites throughout the area are wearing EMCOR Pink Hard Hats in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as a “Call to Action” supporting breast cancer screening and awareness as part of EMCOR’s 8th Annual “Protect Yourself. Get Screened Today.” campaign.   PMI employees will be seen by scores of people as they work at a host of client locations, ranging from commercial and healthcare, to manufacturing and industrial facilities.

A market leader in industrial mechanical contracting services, Performance Mechanical, Inc. is a subsidiary of EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME), a Fortune 500® leader in mechanical and electrical construction, industrial and energy infrastructure, and building services for a diverse range of businesses.

“This is EMCOR’s 8th consecutive year of spearheading the national Pink Hard Hat initiative. Over the years people have come forward to say they believe this unique way of raising awareness of the importance of breast cancer screening has had a positive impact on their own lives or that of a

loved one,” stated Andy Hosler, President & CEO, Performance Mechanical, Inc.  “Many of our employees wear hard hats on a daily basis for personal protection, and we’re proud of their commitment to wear an EMCOR/Performance Mechanical Hard Hat in October to raise awareness for breast cancer, reminding women and men they can help protect themselves by getting screened.”

PMI employees will be joined by thousands of additional EMCOR employees nationally wearing Pink Hard Hats during October at hundreds of work sites, ranging from hospitals to bridges, malls to military bases, and data centers to refineries.

The “multiplier effect” continues as even more people are reached with the “Protect Yourself. Get Screened Today.” message when EMCOR employees take the Pink Hard Hats home each night and they are seen by spouses, daughters, sisters, neighbors, and many others.

Millions more people will be reached nationally by EMCOR’s fleet of 7,000+ service vehicles, including PMI vehicles, which are displaying Pink Hard Hat posters during October with the “Protect Yourself. Get Screened Today.” campaign message.

Visit EMCOR’s Pink Hard Hat site: http://www.emcorgroup.com/pinkhardhat

About Performance Mechanical, Inc.

Founded in 1985, Performance Mechanical, Inc. (PMI) is a full-service industrial mechanical contractor providing process piping and equipment installation, civil, structural, instrumentation, and boiler installation and repair to electrical generating plants, food and beverage producers, pipeline compressor and metering stations, manufacturing facilities and water treatment plants. PMI’s expertise also includes mechanical maintenance service for industrial turnarounds and maintenance for refineries, terminals, and chemical plants.  Headquartered in Pittsburg, California, PMI is a subsidiary of EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME), a Fortune 500 company with estimated 2016 revenues of ~$7.4B. EMCOR is a leader in mechanical and electrical construction, industrial and energy infrastructure, and building services.  A provider of critical infrastructure systems, EMCOR gives life to new structures and sustains life in existing ones by its planning, installing, operating, maintaining, and protecting the sophisticated and dynamic systems that create facility environments—such as electrical, mechanical, lighting, air conditioning, heating, security, fire protection, and power generation systems—in virtually every sector of the economy and for a diverse range of businesses, organizations and government.  EMCOR represents a rare combination of broad reach with local execution, combining the strength of an industry leader with the knowledge and care of 170 locations. The ~33,000 skilled employees of EMCOR have made the company, in the eyes of leading business publications, amongst the “World’s Most Admired” and “Best Managed”. EMCOR’s diversity—in terms of the services it provides, the industries it serves and the geography it spans—has enabled it to create a stable platform for sustained results. The Company’s strong financial position has enabled it to attract and retain among the best local and regional talent, to undertake and complete the most ambitious projects, and to redefine and shape the future of the construction and facilities services industry. Additional information on EMCOR can be found at www.EMCORGroup.com.

Breast cancer community comes together at the Cow Palace during annual Grand National Rodeo

By Leave a Comment

Stacey Freitas of Galt, CA placed 2nd in the barrel racing competition during the 2016 Grand National Rodeo. photo by Allen Payton

Stacey Freitas of Galt, CA placed 2nd in the barrel racing competition during the 2015 Grand National Rodeo. photo by Allen Payton

‘Tough Enough To Wear Pink’ Day, Friday October 21st

Free tickets for breast cancer survivors and their families from the Contra Costa Herald!

Pink Plate founders, including co-founder Chere Rush (second from right) of Discovery Bay.

Pink Plate co-founders, Carla Kimball (center) and Survivor Sisters of Contra Costa County (L-R) Deborah Bordeau, Heather McCullough, Chere Rush and Heather Solari. photo courtesy of pinkplate.org.

For the first time ever the 70th Annual Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show, and Rodeo announces Friday, October 21, 2016 as “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” Day, and plans to bring together the Breast Cancer community in a day of solidarity and awareness. As a national campaign, Tough Enough to Wear Pink Programs in rodeos across the nation have raised almost $10 Million dollars. But the biggest asset of the program is that the money stays in local communities.

The Grand National Rodeo has partnered with Bay Area Cancer Connections, and California Pink Plate. To get involved attendees can stop by booths in the Western Marketplace to learn about early detection and other resources for cancer patients and survivors. Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit that provides free programs and services that address survivorship needs of all those facing breast and ovarian cancer in the Bay Area, including early breast cancer detection services for low-income uninsured young women and men.

By partnering with the California Pink Plate organization, the Grand National hopes to help the organization reach the DMV requirement of 7,500 paid orders which will then move the Pink Ribbon license plate into production. The Pink Plate is almost halfway to their goal, with nine months left until the deadline, the Grand National can play a big part in helping to make the plate a reality. All proceeds from the pink license plates goes to the ‘Every Woman Counts’ initiative, which provides underserved women all over California the opportunity to get free screenings, something that the founder of the pink plate feels is the key to beating the disease.

pinkplatecar“I am a nine-year stage IV breast cancer survivor and I ignored my lump for several months. I don’t want that to happen to another woman/man. What better way to remind people everyday about early detection than on the California roadways. Pink Plate can become a part of the solution. This is an opportunity to save countless lives and remind people daily about the importance of early detection. We are all in this together, and excited to partner up with Tough Enough to Wear Pink and the Grand National Rodeo this year! I don’t think about myself as a breast cancer SURVIVOR, I think of myself as a breast cancer FIGHTER! I know we’ll meet our goal and encourage Rodeo fans to purchase or gift a Pink Plate through our website www.pinkplate.org, so we can reach our goal of 7,500!” – Chere Rush, California Pink Plate Co-founder

For 70 years the iconic Cow Palace Arena & Event Center has been celebrating the old west and inspiring youth to take part in the agriculture industry through their annual Grand National Livestock Exposition, Horse Show and Rodeo event. From top to bottom, the Cow Palace is filled with the ultimate western experience including an agriculture exhibition, a professional Rodeo in partnership with the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), and a classic western marketplace – including mechanical bull rides, live music, BBQ, shopping, and more.

The family-friendly event takes place all day over two, action-packed weekends on Oct. 14-15 and Oct. 21-22, 2016. Although tickets must be purchased for the Grand National Rodeo in the main arena, the Livestock Exposition, Horse Show, Interactive Agricultural Area, and Marketplace are FREE to the public.

Use coupon code ‘PINK’ to receive $6.00 off reserve Dress Circle tickets or $11.00 off reserved Box Seat tickets to the Oct. 14-15 & 21-22 rodeo performances. Tickets can be purchased on the Cow Palace website (cowpalace.com). For more details contact info@cowpalace.com or call 415-414-4100.

Event Schedule, Friday Oct. 21 – ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day’

NCA Dog Trials

PRCA Rodeo

About California Pink Plate:

Pink Plate’s mission is to educate, promote and raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness in California. Early detection saves lives. We can think of no better way to spread this message than through the California Pink Ribbon License Plate. All funds generated from sales of the California Pink Ribbon License Plate will be deposited into the Breast Cancer Control Account, which funds the Every Woman Counts (EWC) program (click here). EWC is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and provides free clinical breast exams and mammograms to California’s underserved women.

About Bay Area Cancer Connections

Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit organization that supports people touched by breast and ovarian cancer by providing comprehensive, personalized services in an atmosphere of warmth and compassion. The nonprofit provides free programs and services that address survivorship needs of all those facing breast and ovarian cancer in the Bay Area, including early breast cancer detection services for low-income uninsured young women and men. Learn more at www.bcconnections.org.

Free Tickets

If you know a breast cancer survivor who would like to attend the Grand National Rodeo with their family on Friday, September 21st for free, contact the Contra Costa Herald at info@contracostaherald.com and we’ll reserve a ticket good for them and four guests. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, we also have a free General Admission ticket good for any of the four days, available to each of the first four readers who contact us.

See the full schedule of the 2016 Grand National Rodeo, by clicking here: www.cowpalace.com/p/grandnational

21 new East Bay chaplains certified in colorful ceremony

By Leave a Comment

The new East Bay Chaplains display their certificates. Top Row: Pastor Will Byrns from His Praise in Antioch, Pastor Charles Salter, John Foster, Jeffery Robinson. Second Row: Rudy Hernandez, Tim Vaughn, Reverend Austin Miles, Major General Dan Helix. Third Row: Salena Boatner-Miller and her husband Pastor George Miller, Pat Martin, Bill Swenson and his wife Julie Swenson, Felicia Purcell, Angrett Davies, Dusty Salazar, Karen Manuel, Laura Collin, Jose Chavez. Seated: Kermese Harrell, Segura, Chaplain Priscilla Martinez and Olga Chavez. Photo by Jane Vaughn

The new East Bay Chaplains display their certificates. Top Row: Pastor Will Byrns from His Praise in Antioch, Pastor Charles Salter, John Foster, Jeffery Robinson. Second Row: Rudy Hernandez, Tim Vaughn, Reverend Austin Miles, Major General Dan Helix. Third Row: Salena Boatner-Miller and her husband Pastor George Miller, Pat Martin, Bill Swenson and his wife Julie Swenson, Felicia Purcell, Angrett Davies, Dusty Salazar, Karen Manuel, Laura Collin, Jose Chavez. Seated: Kermese Harrell, Segura, Chaplain Priscilla Martinez and Olga Chavez. Photo by Jane Vaughn

By Rev. Austin Miles

In a colorful ceremony complete with pageantry, on Sunday, September 25th, 21 chaplains were certified for duty in the East Bay area of Northern California. The sacred and joyful event began with this writer (who founded the East Bay Chaplains and trained them), starting the ceremony with a brief talk and opening prayer, then introduced Priscilla Martinez who had been appointed as the new Chaplain Instructor.

From L to R: Colonel Timothy Vaughn, Rev. Austin Miles,Chaplain Trainer Priscilla Martinez, Felicia Purcell, General Dan Helix. Photos by Jane Vaughn.

From L to R: Colonel Timothy Vaughn, Rev. Austin Miles,Chaplain Trainer Priscilla Martinez, Felicia Purcell, General Dan Helix. photo by Jane Vaughn

Following her informative address, Priscilla next introduced the graduates. General Dan Helix and Colonel Timothy Vaughn, both in dress uniforms, led the processional. After each was standing in place, the certificates were presented.

General Helix gave the keynote address which was interrupted several times with appreciative applause.  Then, in a totally unexpected move, The General called this writer up, “Front and Center.” to present an award certificate and medal-of-honor for having organized and taught the original chaplain classes.

Pastor Felix Golden, who graciously hosted this event in his church, His Presence Christian Worship Center, the home church of Chaplain Priscilla and 17 of the new chaplains, wrapped it up with a brief but very meaningful talk. And the entire event packed with action, went exactly one hour. Two other churches were represented, as well, including His Praise in Antioch and the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in Oakley.

The East Bay Chaplains play a vital role in Contra Costa County. Their motto is: Stand Ready, Be Prayed Up, and Keep the Vessel Clean.

Several have already received assignments. New chaplain Felicia Purcell, dressed in colorful African apparel, is being asked to be the chaplain for the wives and family members the Golden State Warriors basketball team.

Joan Segura is already officially the Chaplain for El Pueblo low-income housing in Pittsburg. Christian Rap Artist George Miller and his wife, Salena Boatner-Miller will be chaplains for their concerts while Bill and Julie Swenson who both were certified, work as a team to broaden their ministry to the homeless and addicts.

Olga Chavez and her husband Jose Chavez are looking to take their ministry back to their homeland Peru when Jose retires. Jeffery Robinson is interested in serving in a prison ministry. John Foster plans to work with addicts. Tim Vaughn works with veterans and holds a position with East Bay Chaplains. Pat Martin will use her new position as part of her counseling ministry. Karen Manuel has been working with Visions Beyond Borders helping where needed and will be taking her ministry to Southeast Asia, Thailand, Nepal, Burma, India Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and Romania. Kermese Harrell, who is 80-years-old mentors young women.

All others will be placed, some with Instructor Priscilla, who is chaplain of Shepherd’s Gate, a home for battered women and children. And this is just the beginning.

At the end of the service there was a long standing ovation. The chaplain’s motto is: “To serve others at their time and place of need.”

It is a totally devoted ministry where they willingly give up all rights to themselves to always be available to others. There is no such thing as convenience for chaplains. They are there for the convenience of others who need them, often at a split second notice. It is a totally unselfish endeavor that places all others before themselves.

This new class is an example of diversity at its best, with graduates coming from all backgrounds and a couple from different countries. Each one would be a welcome addition to any community.

“I am looking forward to see these new chaplains ministries grow and helping them along the way,” said Chaplain Priscilla Martinez. “I feel so honored to know each one of them.”

Priscilla Martinez contributed to this article.