Contra Costa Herald

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

East Bay Parks District Ward 7 Director faces opponent’s very unique campaign

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Incumbent Colin Coffey is facing challenger Inderprit Sekhon in this year’s East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7 race. Photos: EBRPD and LinkedIn

Colin Coffey touts his accomplishments and plans while Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon, wants “to promote and educate about ecological medicine” and “dance for office instead”

By Allen D. Payton

Running for a third four-year term as a Director on the East Bay Regional Parks District in Ward 7, Colin Coffey faces a unique candidate, Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon, who is running a different campaign while dancing to a different tune and offering an alternative focus and approach to the position. Ward 7 includes the northern waterfront portion of Contra Costa County from Pinole and Hercules in the west to the eastern county line north of Discovery Bay. (See map and below)

Cities and Communities in Ward 7 include: A portion of Alhambra Valley south of Martinez, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Clyde, Crockett, Hercules, Knightsen, Martinez, and the adjacent Mountain View on the east side, Oakley, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Port Costa, Rodeo and Vine Hill between Martinez and Pacheco.

The Regional Parks in Ward 7 include: Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline, Bay Point Regional Shoreline, Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, Briones Regional Park west of Pleasant Hill, Browns Island Regional Preserve north of Pittsburg, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Clayton Ranch Regional Preserve, Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch, Crockett Hills Regional Park, Delta Access Regional Recreation Area north of Discovery Bay, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline in Martinez, Rancho Pinole Regional Preserve east of Pinole, San Pablo Bay Regional Shoreline, and the Waterbird Regional Preserve/McNabney Marsh near Martinez.

Asked why Rancho Pinole doesn’t appear in the list of parks on the District’s website, Coffey shared, “Rancho Pinole lands in a section of the 2013 Master Plan that will be a regional park. It’s not currently operated by the District, but by the John Muir Land Trust. It includes Fernandez Ranch, about 1,000 acres, also includes the Franklin Canyon Ranch, surrounding the golf course. It totals about 2,000 acres so far. The Park District has partial ownership interest in Fernandez Ranch. The plans show someday it will all be converted to an East Bay Regional Park District park.”

Also, Deer Valley Regional Park south of Antioch, which includes the former Roddy Ranch Golf Course “is being returned to its original natural habitat. They’re ripping up the golf course paths as they’re not suitable for hiking,” he continued. “We recently acquired more land on Briones Valley Road near Brentwood. It will possibly break ground early next year. Within a year it’s possible we’ll open to the public. We already have a parking lot there, which really helps. We’re doing public programming there, already.”

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7 boundary map. Source: EBRPD

About Coffey

According to his bio on the East Bay Regional Parks District website, retired attorney Coffey is a resident of Hercules and “was appointed to the Board in January 2017. Previously, he served on the Park District’s Park Advisory Committee twice, first appointed by former EBRPD Director Ted Radke from 2001-2009 and appointed by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors from 2012- 2017. He has also been a volunteer Ambassador for the parks for 19 years. He is a longtime supporter of the John Muir Land Trust and a member of the Regional Parks Foundation.

“Director Coffey is a retired partner with the (law) firm Best, Best & Krieger in Walnut Creek. Director Coffey is a public health attorney, representing public and nonprofit healthcare providers. He is a past president of the Contra Costa Bar Association. Director Coffey is married, has two children and resides in Hercules. He is a lifelong resident of Contra Costa County.”

According to his campaign website, Coffey “was elected to the Board in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He was a public health attorney, representing public and nonprofit healthcare providers and is a past president of the Contra Costa BAR association.

“Coffey’s family was politically active, and he served as an intern in then-Congressman George Miller’s Washington, DC office in his youth and later was the Congressman’s appointee to the Democratic Central Committee for 23 years.

“Coffey, his wife Mila and their two adult children are life-long parks and trails enthusiasts.”

His campaign is focused on the following issues: “Preservation of New Open Space and Wildlife Habitat / Aggressive Pursuit of Wildfire Risk Reduction / Enhanced Public Safety in the Parks; New Open Spaces; and Wildfire Mitigation.”

Coffey offers a long list of his accomplishments while in office under the categories of Leadership, Preservation of Open Space and Wildlife Habitat or Restoration of Natural Areas and Excellence in Programs and Policies.

He also shares under “Looking Forward – If Re-elected:” that fact that in “2027 I will be President of the Board and working with our new GM Max Korten. This will represent a huge opportunity for North and East Contra Costa input into open space preservation and wildlife habitat preservation. I will help complete a new 10 year Master Plan, highlighting future preservation of open space and wildlife habitat, more ways to enjoy open space, and continued focus on wildfire risk reduction.” Plus, other projects such as, “Extend the Marsh Creak Regional Trail to Dutch Slough on the North and to Round Valley Regional Park on the South” and “Build the proposed Delta Bay Trail from Bay Point to Antioch/Oakley and beyond,” and “Repairing and funding Hazel Atlas Mine and Great House Visitor Center to keep consistently open,” in East County.

Plus, “Rancho Pinole acquisitions and regional park development in partnership with JMLT (John Muir Land Trust) to create a future large regional park in the Hercules and Pinole area” and “Support Rodeo Community Association campaign to have EBRPD expand Lone Tree Point Park and clean up contaminated land in the area. Incorporate Greenway Vision for Rodeo shoreline into Master Plan” in West County.

About Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon

According to the campaign website for Crockett resident Inderprit “Indy Rishi Singh” Sekhon, he “is a regenerative farmer, community organizer and systems thinker. His work focuses on the relationship between personal health, community wellbeing and the health of the land. He is running because he believes the Park District can build on its legacy of land protection and become a more active partner in public health, climate resilience, ecological restoration and community stewardship. His question is straightforward: How can the land we have already protected do more good for the people and places around it?”

In a post in August on his LinkedIn profile page, Sekhon wrote, “I’m on the California ballot as Inderprit Sekhon (government name). Check out what East Bay Regional Park District does and get involved with our campaign. We are seeking to collaborate with healers, artists, educators, ecological stewards, farmers, and anyone who feels like their skills/ideas are important, but not valued enough by government or current economic systems. Learn more about my intention to promote and educate about ecological medicine,” with a link to the website for his non-profit organization named Cultivating Self.

In that same LinkedIn post is a video which he says, “I don’t know why I’m doing this. But I’m running for office this fall. But, yeah, maybe I do know why I’m doing this. But I also feel it’s good to not know why I’m doing this,” with a laugh. “How can an organization with so much money and have so many resources how can it be a resource for the community, an asset for the community…how can that be part of our preventative, ecological medicine? That’s why I’m doing this. I don’t even know why and also, I do know that we need to do something…”

Then, in a post on Friday, Sept. 18, Sekhon wrote, “What if a neurodivergent Generalist ran for office? What if he decides to dance for office instead? find out what’s possible: https://lnkd.in/gsQVRw8h.”

That takes you to his campaign website where it shares his slogan, “Healthy land. Healthy people. Public money that works.” He writes, “The District has spent generations protecting land. Indy’s campaign asks how that protected land can more fully sustain the people and communities around it,” and his platform is to “Protect. Connect. Deliver.”

Under “Protect” Sekhon writes, “Care for the land before the emergency. Keep land, water, roads, trails and fire-prone landscapes healthy and safe — with maintenance and ecological stewardship matched to the places the District manages,” and lists “Wildfire resilience, Wetlands and shorelines, and Healthy soil and habitat.”

Under “Connect” he writes, “Make parks work for more people. Treat parks as public-health and belonging infrastructure, with better access, locally relevant programming and meaningful ways for residents to participate,” and lists, “Health and wellbeing, Transit and first-visit access, and Youth and paid stewardship.”

Finally, under “Deliver” Sekhon wants to, “Make public money produce visible results. Modernize field systems, publish priorities and costs, and make it easier to see what is being fixed, restored and improved,” and lists, “Transparent priorities, Modern field tools and Measurable outcomes.”

The first-time candidate also offers what he calls his Donut Vision 2036, of “A safe and thriving place for people and planet,” and writes, “Doughnut Economics asks how we meet more human needs without damaging the living systems we depend on. Indy’s 2036 vision applies that question to Ward 7’s parks and communities.”

Under the subheading, “People thrive” Sekhon shares about “Health, Food, Youth and Access,” and under the subheading, “Nature thrives” he writes about “Fire resilience, Shorelines, Biodiversity and Circular systems,” specifically, “Turn organic material back into useful ecological value.”

Sekhon also writes, “The theory of change: If we invest in parks as infrastructure for both people and planet, healthier land can support healthier communities, healthier communities can become stronger stewards, and accountable public systems can reinforce both.”

He then offers what the future will look like by following his vision, writing, “Ward 7, 2036. See the place. Imagine the next chapter.” Sekhon offers six parts to his vision: “The Shoreline We Can Restore, The Park That Heals, The Park That Feeds, The Park That Creates Work, The Government You Can See, and The Land We Care for Before Crisis.”

Under “Public money that works – You should be able to see what your Park District is doing,” Sekhon writes, “The argument is not that every public dollar is discretionary. It is that a large public institution should make its priorities, costs and results understandable.”

He includes eight focus areas: “Maintenance response & repair times; Trail & facility condition over time; Wildfire hazards treated & acres restored; Water quality & ecological outcomes; Residents reached; Local organizations contracted; Ward 7 investment; and Project costs, owners & timelines.”

Under “Heartstorming Ward 7 Listening that leads somewhere” Sekhon explains, “Most public engagement begins with a survey. Heartstorming begins with a place, a conversation and a practical question: What would help your community thrive here?” He lists five tasks to accomplish it: “1 Experience the place, 2 Share what you see and need, 3 Imagine what could change, 4 Connect ideas to policy and action, and 5 Invite people back into the work.”

Finally, Sekhon offers, “Plain-language FAQ What does this mean?” and asks and answers four questions: “Why call it ‘Doughnut Vision’? The doughnut is a simple model: make sure people can thrive while keeping ecological systems healthy. The campaign uses it as a long-horizon method, not as a prerequisite for understanding the platform.”

He continues, “Is every 2036 idea already an official Park District program? No. The site distinguishes campaign proposals and future concepts from existing District programs. Partnerships are not implied until they are actually established.”

Recognizing his limitations as only one of seven board members Sekhon writes, “What does one Park District director control? One director does not control the District alone. Indy would need to build public support and Board support for pilots, policies and investments.”

Finally, the challenger asks, “Why focus on public systems?” His answer is, “Maintenance, ecological care, field data and capital decisions are connected. Better information and clearer priorities can help staff, the Board and residents understand what needs attention and what progress looks like.”

Sekhon then invites voters to “Help shape Ward 7’s next decade. Vote. Volunteer. Share a park story. Come to a Heartstorming event. Help turn a long-horizon vision into practical work.”

He also shares more videos about his campaign on his Facebook page.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Endorsement: Walnut Creek’s Measure U for senior housing, mixed-use development near BART station just makes sense

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By Allen D. Payton, Publisher

While it shouldn’t have to take a developer to get a measure placed on the ballot to obtain approval for a transit-oriented development housing and mixed-use project next to a BART station, the fact that Hall Equities Group has gone the extra mile to do so with Measure U is worth noting, having gathered public support to go directly to the voters and send a clear message to a different Hall, that is City Hall.

As previously reported, Measure U would update zoning in Downtown Walnut Creek to allow for more than 200 units of high-quality senior housing on a 2.4-acre, transit-oriented site near the Walnut Creek BART station. The rezoning would create an opportunity to address the city’s growing need for senior housing while allowing residents to remain close to family, friends, healthcare, shopping and other community services as they age.

The initiative would also support a mixed-use community with retail, a plaza and food-oriented businesses, creating a more vibrant and walkable downtown while supporting local businesses. By directing new housing to an area already served by BART, the initiative advances smart, sustainable growth and makes it easier for seniors to maintain mobility and independence without relying solely on a car.

Summary – What Measure U Does

Measure U takes an existing vacant office building, large above-ground parking structure and office-only zoning and changes the zoning to senior housing, market and retail, and office space.

Please see the Resolution, City Attorney Analysis and Argument in Favor.

As is stated by the Yes on Measure U’s Argument in Favor, “This initiative aligns with Walnut Creek’s General Plan, including the City’s recently adopted Housing Element and North Downtown Specific Plan. It advances Walnut Creek’s goals for sustainable growth, reduced traffic, and enhanced quality of life, and to begin to balance the supply Of housing in Walnut Creek designated for seniors. Measure U is a responsible, forward-thinking investment in Walnut Creek’s future. It provides the housing our seniors need while creating a thriving mixed-use area for everyone – without raising taxes.” I especially like that last part. The housing will not be taxpayer subsidized as are so many other residential projects currently under development in the county.

Aerial view of location and map of the proposed project and elements near the Walnut Creek BART Station. Source: Yes on Measure U

No Organized Opposition

The fact that there has been no organized opposition to the measure and no Argument Against it was submitted for inclusion in the County’s election guide, reflects the broad community support for creating more senior housing and a connected, transit-oriented community in Downtown Walnut Creek.

My Connection to Walnut Creek

For parts of my life, I grew up and graduated from high school in Walnut Creek and my first job after college was working for a small, boutique, Walnut Creek-based in-fill housing developer that built 10- to 40-lot subdivisions in Walnut Creek and Concord. Also, I first became involved in public service in 1989 with an appointment by the City Council to the Land Use Subcommittee of the Walnut Creek in the Year 2000 Committee. While it’s 37 years later, the long-term plans of focusing high-density housing near the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill (Contra Costa Centre) BART Stations just made sense, then and still do, now.

Long-Time Supporter of TOD

I later went on to serve on the Antioch City Council from 1994-98 and during that time – with the knowledge I’d gained in Walnut Creek – co-authored a growth management advisory measure, also labeled Measure U, which tied new growth in that city to widening of Highway 4 and new school construction, which was sorely needed then, called “growth metering”, and it passed overwhelmingly by 69% of the vote. I also represented East County on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and three other East County transportation boards.

For full disclosure, because of that experience I later helped start and currently serve in leadership for three companies which are focused on bringing a low-cost, solar-powered electric, ultra-light rail transit system for both passengers and freight as well as the associated real estate development surrounding the stations, known as transit oriented development (TOD) and transit villages, also referred to as livable, walkable, sustainable communities. (On a side note, I was there the night one of the Long brothers, after speaking and pounding his cane on the floor in defiance, was told by the Walnut Creek City Council his company could not build on their own land on North Civic Drive. As a result, Long’s Drugs ended up building offices in Antioch for their support personnel, also, because they learned so many of their employees lived in that city. But it would have made more sense for them to build just blocks away from the Walnut Creek BART Station).

So, I’m clearly a supporter of high-density housing, commercial and retail next to and near transit stations. It also helps implement one of the bills signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger, specifically, SB 375 (2008) which requires “coordinating the regional housing needs allocation process with the regional transportation process while maintaining local authority over land use decisions,” and formed the basis for the Plan Bay Area effort.

But to be perfectly clear, my businesses have no interest in or connection to the Walnut Creek BART station area TOD plans and projects. Our companies’ plans are focused on other parts of the county, the Bay Area, throughout the state, nation and internationally. So, this endorsement of Measure U will serve no benefit to either my businesses or me, personally.

Connection to Mark Hall

While I’ve been familiar with Mark Hall, Chairman of the Board of Hall Equities Group, since his father Merle was Mayor of Walnut Creek and nominated me for that appointment to the committee in 1989, I am primarily familiar with the work Mark and his company have done through the years to bring good projects to Walnut Creek, including the COPA Soccer Training Center in the Shadelands and the Shadelands Sports Mall, where it’s located.

So, it’s not because of any personal benefit or connection that I support the measure he and his company are championing.

Measure U Makes Sense

I’m endorsing Measure U because it just makes sense and I trust that Mark and his company will bring a quality project to the city which will benefit not only the seniors who will end up living there, but the entire Walnut Creek community and beyond. For example, those of us who chose to live in East County (mainly due to housing affordability over the past 35 to 40 years) and whose parents choose to live in this new development, we will be able to ride BART from Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point, or anywhere else along the BART system, to visit them and vice versa. (Assuming the BART Board doesn’t end up closing the East County stations. But that’s another matter for discussion, with a related measure also on the November ballot). Actually, thinking about it, I’m getting up there in age and I might end up wanting to return to Walnut Creek and live in the senior housing there some day, myself! That would be the only way this project could benefit me, personally. LOL

Seriously, I encourage the voters of Walnut Creek to support the project, allow for the senior housing, retail, restaurants and community plaza near the BART Station by voting yes on Measure U.

While the election is on Tuesday, November 3rd, you should have already received your ballot in the mail. If you haven’t done so, yet please get it out and fill in the oval next to “Yes” under Measure U. Thank you for your consideration.

For more information visit www.wcseniorhousing.org.

Con Fire to hold annual Open House in Concord Oct. 10

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Anual 2026 Exposición

By Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Save the Date! Please join us for our 2026 Annual Contra Costa Fire Open House!

Learn about the Fire District’s programs, meet your firefighters, enjoy live demonstrations, food and drinks, and educational booths.

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: 2945 Treat Blvd., Concord

For more information about Con Fire visit www.cccfpd.org.

Pleasant Hill to welcome new Harvest Festival Oct. 10

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Children’s “Stampede” and community food drive will open a day of live music, family activities and fall festivities in Downtown

By Miranda de la O, Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

Pleasant Hill’s youngest residents will lead the way into a new community tradition on Saturday, October 10, when the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce presents the inaugural Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival on Crescent Drive in Downtown Pleasant Hill.

Before the festival opens at noon, children from local preschools, Transitional Kindergarten programs and families throughout the community will gather for the first Pleasant Hill Stampede, a food-drive procession that will officially open the new fall festival.

Staging begins at 10:45 a.m. at the Plaza near Jack’s Restaurant. At 11:15 a.m., participating children will make their way down Crescent Drive to the Community Stage beneath the Pleasant Hill Arch, where they will help kick off the day’s festivities.

The Stampede is not a race. Children are encouraged to dress for the occasion with cowboy hats, cow ears, bandanas and other western or harvest-inspired attire as they parade through Downtown Pleasant Hill.

Participation comes with one important requirement: a donation of non-perishable food benefiting the Food Pantry at Hillcrest Congregational Church.

Local schools are being encouraged to collect food in the weeks leading up to the event and arrive at the Stampede with their collective donations, turning the opening celebration into a community-wide food drive. Families may register through participating schools or directly through the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce.

“Harvest has always been about celebrating what we have and sharing it with others,” said Jeremy, Executive Director of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. “There is something very special about having our youngest residents begin this new tradition by giving back to their own community. My hope is that years from now, some of these children will remember participating in the very first Stampede and eventually return with children of their own.”

At noon, the Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival officially opens along Crescent Drive, with free admission and activities continuing until 9 p.m.

The day will feature live entertainment, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating competition, petting zoo, face painting, balloon artists, midway games, rock climbing, artisan vendors, seasonal displays, and beer and wine. Select activities and beverages will require separately purchased tickets.

Local schools and community performers are expected to open the entertainment schedule, with final participants still being confirmed. The afternoon and evening will feature live performances by Spinout, FirePeach and Zebop!

Downtown Pleasant Hill restaurants and merchants will also be part of the festival experience. Rather than separating the event from the surrounding business district, the Chamber has designed the festival to encourage attendees to eat, shop and explore throughout Downtown Pleasant Hill.

“The Harvest Festival gives us an opportunity to bring the community together while putting local businesses at the center of the experience,” said Alex Khodadad, Chairman of the Board of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. “We want to create something that feels distinctly Pleasant Hill and that families will look forward to year after year. This October is the beginning of that tradition.”

The Harvest Festival draws inspiration from Pleasant Hill’s agricultural past, when orchards, farms and harvest seasons were part of the landscape. The Chamber developed the event as a contemporary celebration of that history, bringing the idea of the harvest into today’s Downtown through food, music, family activities, local businesses and community giving.

For its inaugural year, the festival will be concentrated along Crescent Drive, creating a walkable event connecting the Community Stage, family activities, artisan vendors, restaurants, merchants and gathering spaces.

The Chamber intends the Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival and Stampede to become annual traditions, with the children of the community ceremonially opening the festival each year.

Event Information

Pleasant Hill Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Crescent Drive, Downtown Pleasant Hill
Festival: Noon–9 p.m.
Admission: Free; tickets required for select activities and beverages. www.pleasanthillchamber.com/harvest-festival/

Pleasant Hill Stampede
Staging: 10:45 a.m., Plaza near Jack’s Restaurant
Stampede begins: 11:15 a.m.
Participation requires a non-perishable food donation benefiting the Food Pantry at Hillcrest Congregational Church.

For Stampede registration, activity and beverage ticket information, festival updates and additional information are available through the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce visit PleasantHillChamber.com/harvest-festival.

About the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce supports and advocates for the local business community while creating opportunities for businesses, residents and community organizations to connect. Through advocacy, partnerships, business programs and community events, the Chamber works to strengthen Pleasant Hill’s local economy and community.

Clayton to hold second of two Town Hall Meetings Oct. 7

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Source: City of Clayton

To learn about City finances, Landscape and Maintenance District

After council placed one-percent sales tax, landscape maintenance assessment measures on November ballot

By City of Clayton

The City of Clayton invites residents to “Come participate in our next Town Hall! This Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Hoyer Hall, come learn more about the City. Join City leaders for an open and informative Town Hall Meeting to learn more about the future of our community.”

The City’s Financial Picture: An update on City revenues, expenses, financial challenges, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

The Landscape Maintenance District: Learn about LMD funding, the services it supports, and what renewal means for Clayton’s landscaping, trails, open space, weed abatement, and community appearance.

Measure M –  1% Local Sales Tax Measure

In June, the Clayton City Council voted unanimously to place a one percent (1%) local sales tax measure on the November ballot as Measure M.

The language reads, “CITY OF CLAYTON SALES TAX MEASURE. To provide local funding to maintain City of Clayton programs, services, and facilities, including: police services, traffic enforcement and road safety, road and sidewalk improvements, enhance library and recreation opportunities, park maintenance, recruitment and retention of city employees and other city services, shall the City of Clayton levy a 1% sales tax until ended by voters generating approximately $1,000,000 annually, subject to public review, the annual audit and all funds benefitting Clayton?”

Measure N – Renewal of the Landscape and Maintenance District

On July 7, the Council voted unanimously to also place on the November ballot a renewal of the Landscape and Maintenance District as Measure N. The language reads: “CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE EXTENSION AND ALTERATION OF RATE OF EXISTING SPECIAL TAX. Shall the measure to fund on-going trail system operations and maintenance, roadway landscaping, open space weed abatement, and related services of the Clayton Community Facility District No. 2007-1 (Citywide Landscape Maintenance) by extending the special tax for ten years and amending its rate and method of apportionment of the special tax to $354.54/year per residential and $354.54/acre per non-residential parcels, for FYs 2027-2037, including annual inflationary adjustments to the special tax rates not to exceed 3% per year, and subject to continued citizen’s committee oversight, be approved?”

In City Manager Kris Loftus’ August Newsletter he wrote, “Like many California communities, Clayton faces rising costs, aging infrastructure, increasing service demands, and limited revenue growth. These challenges require responsible financial decisions and careful stewardship of public resources. Our focus remains on maintaining essential services, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring the City’s long-term financial sustainability.”

Hoyer Hall is located at 6125 Clayton Road.

More details on the City’s website at Calendar • Town Hall.

City of Concord to host 11th Annual Health Expo Oct. 8

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Photo: City of Concord

At Senior Center

By Colleen Awad, Community Relations Manager, City of Concord

Concord, CA — The City of Concord is proud to present the 11th Annual Health Expo, a free community event, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Concord Senior Center (2727 Parkside Circle). This free event brings together local organizations, healthcare providers, and community resources to help seniors, families, and caregivers connect with information and services that support healthy living and well-being. No reservations are required.

While we offer health and wellness resources for all ages, many focus on seniors and caregivers, including information on Medicare, transportation, assisted living, nutrition, fitness, and more. The event will also feature free haircuts, along with opportunities to speak directly with local healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.

Whether you are looking for resources for yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about healthy aging and wellness, the Health Expo provides an opportunity to discover local services and connect with organizations serving the Concord community.

The Health Expo reflects the City of Concord’s commitment to providing accessible resources and creating opportunities for residents to stay informed, connected, and engaged in their health and well-being.

For more information about the Health Expo, please visit www.cityofconcord.org/SCEvents, call 925-671-3320, or email concordsc@cityofconcord.org.

City of Walnut Creek Below Market Rate home ownership opportunities for very-low and low-income first-time homebuyers*

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3- to 4-bedroom 2,000+ s.f. single family residences.  Sale price $262,750 to $377,00 with up to $70,000 in additional homebuyer assistance financial subsidies

By Walter Zhovreboff, Administrative Director, Bay Area Affordable Home Ownership Alliance

The City of Walnut Creek is providing a very rare and highly beneficial opportunity for very low to low income first time homebuyers to secure home ownership of newly constructed three and four-bedroom single family homes.  The price for these homes will range from $262,750 to $377,000.  These newly constructed large two-level homes are part of the City of Walnut Creek’s Below Market Rate (BMR) home ownership program.  The same market-rate residences in the premier communities are for sale at prices ranging from $1,100,000 to $1,300,000

State and City ordinances enable developers building new homes in Walnut Creek to secure advantageous density bonuses by designating a percentage of their newly built inventory for very low to moderate income households.  Eligibility for these low-income BMR homes is restricted to first-time homebuyer households with a minimum household size of three to four persons.  Furthermore, the household’s combined gross income may not exceed the maximum thresholds outlined in the schedule below.

Household size 3 4 5 6 7 8
Maximum income allowance $122,200 $135,750 $146,650 $157,500 $168,350 $179,200

*To qualify as a first-time homebuyer, no household member may have owned or held an ownership interest in a residential property within the past three years.

The City of Walnut Creeks Below Market Rate homebuyer program is administered by the Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance (BAAHA), a 501c3 non-profit organization.  BAAHA and the City are also partnering with the Richmond Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) to help provide access to essential first-time homebuyer education and counseling.  Furthermore, this collaboration, alongside support from Mechanics Bank, provides access for up to $70,000 in additional down payment assistance subsidies for qualifying buyers.   One of the loan subsidies provides up to $32,800 which is forgiven after five years of ownership.

To review the eligibility criteria, application process, and submission requirements for the currently available $262,750 four-bedroom very low-income home, please visit the BAAHA Abigail Place website at: https://myhomegateway.org/walnut-creek-bmr—abigail-place.html.  Households interested in purchasing the Walnut Creek BMR will be required to submit an application to BAAHA to participate in a lottery. The two remaining affordable Below Market Rate (BMR) units are scheduled to be released to the market shortly.

The City of Walnut Creek, BAAHA, and CHCD invite interested households to attend a virtual BMR program informational workshop scheduled for 6:00PM on October 21, 2026.  Topics covered at the workshop will focus on: BMR program purchase eligibility guidelines and requirements; gaining access to BMR Programs; required HUD education and valuable homebuyer counseling services; next steps households should take to apply to an upcoming BMR lottery. To get additional information and make a reservation for the virtual workshop please visit BAAHA’s website at https://myhomegateway.org/wc-bmrworkshop.html

Hospice East Bay announces extensive staffing, care coverage during planned strike

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Comprehensive hospice services and admissions to proceed without interruption

By Rico Marcelli, Communications Director, Hospice East Bay

Pleasant Hill, CA — Hospice East Bay announced its comprehensive plan to support patients, families, and the community with exceptional hospice care and admission services throughout a planned seven-day strike of National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) employees that is scheduled for October 5 to October 12, 2026.

To maintain continuity of care during this period, the following plans are in place:

A contingency team of qualified, trained clinicians will be available to respond to needs and provide necessary care, including admissions and daily operations at the Bruns House.

Hospice physicians and administrative staff will remain on call and accessible by phone for any time-sensitive concerns.

Medication, equipment, and supplies will be closely monitored and proactively managed to minimize any risk of disruption.

Volunteer activities and social support services will continue without interruption.

“Our commitment to serve the East Bay community is unwavering and we will ensure the necessary support to create seamless care for those in our care,” said Tonya Lyons, Regional Clinical Director, Hospice East Bay. “As a nonprofit

hospice provider, we are deeply disappointed by the National Union of Healthcare Worker’s plan to strike. The Hospice East Bay team continues to bargain in good faith and remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that will lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability and growth into the future,”

Hospice East Bay has provided nonprofit, community-based hospice care and grief support to local families for nearly 50 years.

“Thanks to the incredible commitment of our outstanding team members, volunteers and community supporters, we are achieving our vision of creating an environment of collaboration, celebration, opportunity and growth.” said Lyons.

Hospice East Bay provides compassionate end-of-life care to terminally ill patients, while offering emotional, spiritual, and grief support for the entire family. As a not-for-profit organization, we accept all medically qualified patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Hospice East Bay has been caring for patients and their families since 1977. Proceeds from our thrift shoppes support the programs of Hospice East Bay. For more information visit Hospice East Bay – Palliative, Hospice & Grief Support.

Pleasant Hill hospice workers to start 7-day strike Oct. 5

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Caregivers at Hospice East Bay to protest new Florida-based owner imposing severe layoffs, service reductions

By Matthew Artz, Assistant Communications Director, National Union of Healthcare Workers

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. — Three years after becoming among the first Northern California hospice workers to form a union, caregivers at one of the Bay Area’s oldest hospice providers are launching a 7-day Unfair Labor Practice strike, starting at 6 a.m., Monday, Oct. 5.

“We’ve lost local control of the hospice, and now we’re about to lose caregivers who help people through some of the hardest moments of their lives,” said Claire Eustice, a chaplain at the hospice. “This is a critical moment, and we’re taking a stand to protect a program that has served generations of East Bay families.”

Dozens of hospice workers will be striking Hospice East Bay headquarters alongside elected leaders and community supporters from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 to Sunday, Oct. 11, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill.

The approximately 70 nurses, social workers, pharmacists, chaplains and bereavement counselors at Hospice East Bay made statewide headlines in November 2023 when they joined the National Union of Healthcare Workers. They are still seeking their first contract after nearly three years of negotiations. During that period, Hospice East Bay, which was founded in 1977 and remains the second-largest hospice provider serving Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties, surrendered local control and turned over operations to Chapters Health System, a national hospice chain based in Florida, whose CEO, Andrew Molosky, was paid over $2.5 million in 2024, the last year for which records are publicly available.

Since Chapters took over last October, contract bargaining has stagnated, and staffing has declined. After a smaller layoff last year, Chapters is now set to lay off the equivalent of 21 full-time workers effective Oct. 16, including top executives, non-union nurses and four union members: two chaplains, a psychosocial resource specialist and a bereavement counselor.

Following the layoffs, the hospice will have just two bereavement counselors for a census of 1,200 patients and immediate family members, precluding it from offering all its traditional services to help grieving family members, including peer support groups, one-on-one counseling sessions and in-home counseling for clients with mobility issues. The hospice already eliminated a program two years ago for school-aged children who lost a parent.

“We’re about to be down to only two counselors, which means we can’t offer all the services we know help those in grief,” said Dawn Torre, a bereavement counselor at the hospice. “It’s painful to know that we won’t have the capacity to help families cope with the loss of a loved one.  It’s not fair to anyone, and there’s no excuse for it.”

Hospice unionization and consolidation are increasing throughout the Bay Area. Since 2022, more than 400 hospice workers in Northern California have joined NUHW, including at two hospices in Sonoma County whose operations were recently taken over by Compassus, a private equity-backed company.

Although Chapters is not a for-profit operator, it touts a reputation for helping its member hospices to “maximize administrative resources and minimize expenses.” Among those set to be laid off on Aug. 16 is Hospice East Bay Executive Director Chris Falley. Rather than replace Falley, Chapters is planning to appoint a new executive to oversee Hospice East Bay and four other Chapters hospice programs in the western United States.

The chain went months without holding any negotiating sessions with workers despite conditions placed by Attorney General Rob Bonta on Chapters’ acquisition of Hospice East Bay requiring that the national chain to “collectively bargain in good faith.” Chapters also laid off three workers last year and withheld merit raises until the National Labor Relations Board ordered it to provide the wage increases while negotiations continued.

In contract negotiations, the chain is insisting on being able to increase health care premiums at any time, while offering only a 2.5 percent raise over the next year. Chapters is also demanding that workers effectively waive the right to ever sue Chapters and accept employment arbitration to settle disputes.

“It’s clear to us that Chapters is trying to break our union and defund our services,” said Marie Yang, a chaplain at the hospice. “Their strategy seems to be to drag this out until we give up — but that won’t happen. We’re defending a community institution, and we are committed to being able to provide our patients with the compassion they deserve.”

Workers have filed several Unfair Labor Practice charges against Hospice East Bay. There are currently two outstanding charges citing Chapters for unilaterally changing employee health insurance and refusing to bargain over it, eliminating two union job titles, and then offering to rehire the union workers into non-union job titles, but still doing the same job.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers is a member-led movement that represents 19,000 healthcare workers in California and Hawaii, including more than 400 hospice workers.

Gov. Newsom signs Concord Naval Weapons Station bill moving redevelopment forward

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SB 328 authored by Senator Grayson, co-authored by Assemblymembers Ávila Farías and Wicks provides CEQA exemptions, requires 25% of housing to be for lower-income

Base Reuse Project plan includes 12,272 new homes, 6 million SF of commercial space for up to 26,500 jobs, over 800 acres of parks & trails

By Colleen Awad, City of Concord Community Relations Manager

Concord, CA (September 30, 2026) – The City of Concord applauds Senator Tim Grayson for authoring Senate Bill 328, its principal coauthors, Assemblymembers Ávila Farías and Wicks, and thanks Governor Newsom for signing it into law.

Senate Bill 328 (SB 328), entitled, “California Environmental Quality Act (CEQ): exempt surplus land,” supports the City’s path to redevelop the former Concord Naval Weapons Station into a world-class neighborhood for current and future Concord residents after many years of planning and public input. It would exempt the property from certain requirements of CEQA and requires 25% of the housing be for lower-income renters and owners.

According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, “This bill would revise the definition of ‘exempt surplus land’ to remove the reference to buyers and instead mean 2 or more adjacent or nonadjacent parcels combined for disposition to one or more persons or entities, as specified.

Source: City of Concord

“The bill would also exempt surplus land that is a former military base that was conveyed by the federal government to a local agency or a local reuse authority, and that is all or any portion of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, if certain requirements are met, including that the former military base has an aggregate area greater than 5 acres and that before disposition of the land, the local agency or local reuse authority has entered into a disposition and development agreement that stipulates that at least 25% of the aggregate residential units permitted to be developed will be restricted to lower income households with an affordable housing cost or affordable rent for a minimum of 55 years for rental housing and 45 years for owner-occupied housing, as specified. The bill would regulate actions challenging the disposition and would prescribe penalties for violations of these provisions. The bill would also regulate the actions of the local agency or local reuse authority, including, among other things, requiring the local agency or local reuse authority to include in the annual report the status of development of residential units on the former military base, as specified.”

Furthermore, “This bill would provide that specified environmental review documents satisfy the requirements of CEQA for any project within the portion of the Concord Naval Weapons Station included within the boundaries of the area plan for the Concord Community Reuse Project, as provided, that has land use types that are consistent with the area plan land use types and locations for those land use types that are consistent with the area plan diagram and the project does not cause the aggregate development in the area plan to exceed the area plan maximum planning areawide total, as specified. The bill would further provide that a project that contains land use types that are consistent with the area plan land use types in locations that are not consistent with the area plan diagram would be subject to review pursuant to CEQA, and would be limited to review of the location of land use types that are not consistent with the area plan diagram, as provided.”

Thank you to Governor Newsom, Senator Grayson, and our state partners for your leadership, and to residents, community leaders, and stakeholders for supporting this legislation and this transformative neighborhood.

“Passage of SB 328 gives the City of Concord, Brookfield, and Concord residents certainty to move from vision to reality,” said Mayor Laura Nakamura. “Coming on the heels of the landmark agreement with the U.S. Navy, the legislation keeps this project moving forward to produce thousands of well-paying construction jobs and add many homes to our community.”

The vision for the project is to deliver a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive new community that reflects the values and aspirations of Concord. Among its elements are 12,272 new homes, 25 percent of them affordable to working families, seniors, and first-time buyers, along with approximately 6 million square feet of commercial space supporting up to 26,500 jobs, and more than 800 acres of local parks and trails.

In the months ahead, the City will continue working with Brookfield as they engage the community in the preparation of a Specific Plan. A Specific Plan serves as the detailed blueprint for future development by establishing land uses, neighborhood character, transportation networks, infrastructure, public amenities, parks and open space, and the design standards that will guide the community’s evolution.

With SB 328 now law, the Concord Naval Weapons Station Base Reuse Project continues its forward momentum.

For more information visit https://concordreuseproject.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.