Contra Costa Herald

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

East County fire district funding workshop attracts Ghost Ship fire Councilman, local agencies invited to attend

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East County Voters for Equal Protection (ECV) announced that the Honorable Noel Gallo, Oakland City Councilman, has agreed to be the Keynote Speaker at a Fire District Funding Workshop being held February 23, 2017, in Brentwood.

Councilman Gallo represents Oakland’s District 5, where the Oakland Ghost Ship fire occurred causing the death of 36 people.  He will describe the importance of adequate fire and emergency medical services to a community and the implications of a catastrophic fire on local public safety policy and elected leaders.

East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is currently underfunded, receiving the lowest property tax allocation rate in the county.  A recent study indicates that the district receives just $106 per resident, while fire districts in other parts of the county receive $366 or $349 per resident to provide the same services.

The funding workshop will cover the historical causes of the underfunding situation, how lack of funds has impacted ECCFPD response capability, and the procedural steps needed to correct the situation.  While the public is not invited, members of the press will be in attendance, and State Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblyman Jim Frazier have also been invited.

Roughly two dozen government entities are on the guest list, including the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, the county, nine special districts and eight school-related entities.

Councilman Gallo has represented District 5 on the Oakland City Councilsince 2013.  He is chair of the Council’s public safety committee, where he advocated for the creation of a Public Safety Oversight Commission.  Gallo previously served on the staff of Oakland city manager Robert Bobb, and in 1992 he was the first Hispanic elected to the Oakland School Board, also serving as its President.

In addition to Gallo’s presentation, members of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection Board of Directors will present current and proposed conditions.

East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is currently underfunded, receiving the lowest property tax allocation rate of all fire districts in the county.  A recent study indicates that the district receives just $106 per resident, while fire districts in other parts of the county receive $366 or $349 per resident to provide the same services.

There are 110,000 residents in the 249 square-mile district, and the district has funding for just three fire stations and nine firefighters.  Response times far exceed national standards, as well as those standards mandated by Brentwood’s General Plan.

Entities invited to the Fire District Funding Workshop are:

General government role (5): Contra Costa County (David Twa), City of Brentwood (Gus Vina), City of Oakley (Bryan Montgomery), Town of Discovery Bay (Mike Davies), Bethel Island Municipal Improvement Dist.(Jeff Butzlaff);

Special/independent districts (9): Bay Area Rapid Transit (Grace Crunican), East Bay Regional Parks (Robert Doyle), BBK Union Cemetery Dist.(Barbara Fee), East Contra Costa Irrigation District (Patricia Corey), Contra Costa Mosquito Abatement District (Craig Downs), Contra Costa Flood Control (Mike Carlson), Contra Costa Water Dist. (Jerry Brown), Ironhouse Sanitary Dist. (Chad Davisson), RECL-800 Dist.(Robert Lyman);

School-related entities (8): Liberty Union High School Dist. (Eric Volta), Brentwood Elementary School Dist. (Dana Eaton), Contra Costa Community College Dist. (Dr. Fred Wood), County Board of Education (Karen Sakata), Oakley Elementary School Dist. (Greg Hetrick), Byron Elementary School Dist. (Debbie Gold), Antioch Unified School Dist. (Stephanie Anello), Knightsen Elementary School Dist, (Theresa Estrada).

California fire districts are funded principally by local property taxes, and the allocation percentage rate was set over 30 years ago.  ECCFPD receives about 7.5% of the property taxes collected in East County while other fire districts in the county receive 14%, 15%, 20%, and 30% of the taxes collected in their respective areas.

ABOUT ECV

East County Voters for Equal Protection is a non-partisan grass roots citizens action committee formed to address the unequal funding of fire and emergency medical services existing in 249 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County.  About 110,000 residents, as well as those who work and play in Eastern Contra Costa, have services funded at a level one-fourth to one-third of those levels in other parts of Contra Costa County.  For more information contact committee Co-Chairs Hal Bray at hal.bray@pacbell.net or Bryan Scott scott.bryan@comcast.net.    The group’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/

Two men from Oakley, Pittsburg arrested in Antioch following high-speed stolen car chase, Saturday night

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The stolen car recovered on Eagleridge Drive in Antioch by County Deputy Sheriffs and Antioch Police following a high-speed chase, Saturday night, Jan. 28. 2017. photo by Allen Payton

By Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Saturday, January 28, 2017, at about 8:22 PM, a deputy sheriff observed a stolen vehicle travelling in the area of Somersville Road in Antioch.

Office of the Sheriff helicopter STARR3 was overhead as the deputy followed the vehicle on surface streets. A traffic enforcement stop was initiated at Buchanan Road and San Jose Drive in Antioch once Antioch PD units were in position to assist. The suspect vehicle failed to yield, leading the deputy and officers on a pursuit.

STARR3 stayed overhead following the pursuit.

The pursuit continued onto eastbound Highway 4 and then exited onto Hillcrest Avenue. In the area of Eagleridge Drive and Eagle Court, the two suspects fled on foot trying to hide in backyards. One person driving by who called the Herald said it looked like there were about 10 police and sheriffs vehicles on the scene.

One witness said he saw Sheriff’s Deputies and Antioch Police capture the two men in the backyard of a nearby home after they ran from the suspect vehicle. STARR3 directed ground units to where both suspects were hiding on Owl Court. They were taken into custody.

They are identified as 31-year-old Herbert Williams of Pittsburg and 29-year-old Etuate Faiva of Oakley. Both were booked on numerous charges: vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evasion, obstruction, and probation violation.

Both are being held at the Martinez Detention Facility without bail.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

County CASE Team seizes weapons from Pittsburg home, arrest couple, Tuesday

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The cache of weapons seized by a the county’s CASE Team from a Pittsburg home on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. photo courtesy of CCCSheriff

After an investigation into alleged illegal gun sales, the CASE (Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort) team on Tuesday served a search warrant at a home on the 5100 block of Kirker Pass Road in Pittsburg.

During the search of the residence, CASE team members recovered a .416 Barrett rifle, .308 rifle, and a .223 Colt M4 semi-automatic rifle.

Two people were arrested at the residence: 34-year-old Mitchell Coelho and 32-year-old Mehgan Coelho. Both resided at the home.

They were booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: felon in possession of a firearm, illegal transfer of a firearm and child endangerment.

Both are being held in lieu of $310,000 bail.

The CASE Team is a joint effort by the Office of the Sheriff, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa County Probation Department, Pittsburg Police Department and Walnut Creek Police Department. CASE was created in November 2011 as a collaborative effort to reduce violent crimes in Contra Costa, especially those related to illegal firearms.

 

Delta Diablo wins Governor’s Award for Sustainability Leadership

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From Left to Right: Mike Bakaldin, Interim General Manager; Phil Govea, Engineering Services Director; Joaquin Gonzalez, Operations Manager holding the plaque; Amanda Roa, Environmental Programs Manager; and Robert Brothers, Environmental Compliance Specialist II.

Delta Diablo was honored in Sacramento on Thursday evening, January 19th with a prestigious 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). GEELA is California’s highest environmental honor, administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency.

The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the state’s economy.

This award recognizes Delta Diablo for its commitment and achievements in sustainability. At Delta Diablo, sustainability is not just one project or program, but rather a mindset that is holistically expressed throughout the entire organization. This can be observed through the recycled water and renewable energy projects that we implement, the innovative technologies we pilot, and the regional coalitions we lead.

These projects and programs reflect how Delta Diablo embodies sustainability and excellence throughout the organization, achieving 12 consecutive years of 100% permit compliance, and awards at every level in the organization for public education, safety, financial reporting, human resources, labor relations, procurement, engineering, leadership and innovation. Delta Diablo is proud to help maintain sustainable facilities, practices, and communities, and desires to be a Utility of the Future to advance the state of the industry for water resource recovery, helping to create a sustainable California.

Delta Diablo’s Board of Directors’ Chair Pete Longmire confirms: “This award recognizes every aspect of Delta Diablo’s services and the efforts of all our dedicated employees across every department. It is a recognition of the daily work they do providing critical public health and resource recovery services to 200,000 people in Antioch, Bay Point and Pittsburg, as well as their leadership with several regional industry coalitions.”

Each year GEELA recipients are chosen from five categories and Delta Diablo was recognized under the “Sustainable Practices, Communities or Facilities” category.

Delta Diablo (District) provides water resource recovery services for the City of Antioch, the City of Pittsburg, and the unincorporated community of Bay Point, serving a population of nearly 200,000. The water resource recovery services consist of conventional treatment of wastewater, recycled water production and distribution, pollution prevention, energy recovery, beneficial reuse of biosolids, street sweeping, and household hazardous waste collection. For more information visit www.deltadiablo.org.

Share your ideas of the art you want in Pittsburg at Arts Café, tonight

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Tonight – Don’t let the Rain stop ART

Join us for an Exciting Arts Café

What Would Art Look Like in Pittsburg?

at Croskey Real Estate in Pittsburg

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Guest Speaker Sculptor Jason Griego

What kinds of events would enhance living in Pittsburg – Arts- Music-Street performers – Community gardens? Join other community members at an Arts Cafe’ on January 18 to share your ideas for community activities to enhance life in Pittsburg.

Meet Pittsburg resident, artist, and internationally known sculptor, Jason Griego who will share some of his graceful, thought-provoking sculptures of resin, bone and bronze. Organized by Creative Pittsburg, the event will introduce a new grassroots community organization with the goal of encouraging and organizing fun arts and culture activities for Pittsburg. www.creativepittsburg.org

Thank you to Croskey Real Estate, host of the evening event.

Who Should Go?

Creative Pittsburg is a cooperative intended to harness innovative thoughts about how to create a quality sense of community and place. We also  supports the role of  the arts in developing a vibrant community that embraces innovation, creativity and action to help transform Pittsburg into a place where residents are proud to live, work and play. Everyone is invited to bring their ideas, make new friends to collaborate and envision the future of the community.

Tonight -January 18th

Free to the public

AC5 Arts Cafe  – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Croskey Real Estate, 745 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg

Supervisor Burgis announces committee, board and commission assignments

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Last Tuesday, January 10, 2017, County Supervisor Diane Burgis was officially sworn into office, representing District Three on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. The district includes most of Antioch, and all of Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen in East County, as well as Blackhawk, Diablo and Camino Tassajara in the San Ramon Valley.

“It’s truly an honor to have earned the trust and confidence of the voters of District Three,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis. “I’m excited to follow in the footsteps of East County’s loyal advocate, Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho, and to work hard for my constituents defending the Delta, improving public safety and strengthening our local economy.”

During last Tuesday’s meeting each board was also appointed to various county committee and regional boards and commissions. Supervisor Burgis was appointed to the following posts:

Chair:

  • Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee

Vice Chair:

  • Airport Committee
  • East County Transportation Planning (TRANSPLAN)
  • Internal Operations Committee
  • Legislation Committee
  • Open Space/Parks & East Bay Regional Parks District Liaison Committee
  • State Route 4 Bypass Authority

Commissioner:

  • Delta Protection Commission

Director:

  • Tri Delta Transit Authority Board

Member:

  • California Identification System Remote Access Network Board
  • City-County Relations Committee
  • Dougherty Valley Oversight Committee
  • East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy Governing Board
  • East Contra Costa Regional Fee & Finance Authority
  • East County Water Management Association
  • eBART Partnership Policy Advisory Committee
  • Northern Waterfront Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee

Alternate Member:

  • Association of Bay Area Counties Executive Board
  • Contra Costa Transportation Authority Board
  • Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
  • Mental Health Commission
  • Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board

In her first term, Diane’s policy priorities include:

  • Transportation infrastructure improvements and expansion
  • Responsible stewardship of natural resources, open space and the Delta
  • Preservation and revitalization of the county’s agricultural core
  • Faster police, fire and emergency response times
  • Efficient and effective delivery of county services

Prior to her election as a County Supervisor, Diane was the Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and also served as:

  • Ward 7 Director of the East Bay Regional Park District
  • Oakley City Councilmember
  • Delta Protection Commission Member
  • Association of Bay Area Governments Regional Planning Committee Member

District 3 includes most of Antioch, and all of Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen in East County, as well as Blackhawk, Diablo and Camino Tassajara in the San Ramon Valley. Click here for additional information about the office of Supervisor Diane Burgis.

Discover Diablo, new Free Public Hike Series offered by Save Mount Diablo, beginning this weekend

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Hikers enjoy the trails on Save Mount Diablo’s Four Days Diablo Group Camping Trip, a 30-mile trek along the Diablo Trail over 4 day leading you on an adventure through rarely seen Mount Diablo landscapes. Photos by Scott Hein, Save Mt. Diablo Board President

Discover Diablo is Save Mount Diablo’s new free public hike series, offering an annual schedule of guided walks, hikes and interpretive tours open to any and all trail blazers. Generously sponsored by the Shell Martinez Refinery, the Discover Diablo Free Public Hike Series will launch in early 2017. Discover Diablo will offer two events per month for the entire year (please see schedule, below) – one taking place and focusing on a Save Mount Diablo property and one designed for families on other public parks.

Hosted by Save Mount Diablo, the new Discover Diablo program seeks to build awareness of local land conservation efforts and to convey the importance of protecting open space for habitat and recreation. With the launch of Discover Diablo, we intend to reach new audiences, build our membership base of adventurers, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts, and spark a passion for the Diablo Range.

Four Days Diablo 2012

We invite you to join us in exploring the Bay Area’s beautiful wild lands and open spaces. We hope that with two events per month in various locations, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Save Mount Diablo’s Family walks are for hikers of all skill levels and will take place on other portions of open space on and around the mountain. Save Mount Diablo’s Property tours will illustrate the importance of preserving wildlife habitat, building corridors between existing parks, and of course, all the beauty that the Diablo Range has to offer.

To honor Save Mount Diablo’s mission, we aim to display both our current property holdings as well as those we have helped protect over the years. Hosting monthly hikes is an effective way to engage and grow communities invested in the sustainability of local open space. SMD properties aren’t usually open to the public, so these are rare opportunities.

To complete the land conservation picture in the Diablo Range and pay homage to collaborating agencies, we also host monthly outings on Mount Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation lands. Save Mount Diablo’s new hike series, Discover Diablo, ties these outings together by offering an annual schedule of free public hikes to explore these diverse lands – with the added bonus of being guided by staff and experienced volunteer hike leaders.

According to Ted Clement, Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo, “It is the goal of the Discover Diablo program to build connections between people and land, helping communities develop a strong sense of place and a deepened appreciation for our collective backyard. Most importantly, we want to cultivate a love of the land in participants – so as to grow the land ethic and stewardship for our precious Mount Diablo area.”

We intend to reach audiences from all over the Bay Area to improve awareness of and advocacy efforts for the Diablo Range. There is something for us all to discover in the nooks and crannies surrounding Mount Diablo. Please join us on the trails to find your own individual inspiration!

Visit us on Eventbrite to our full schedule of upcoming hikes: Discover-Diablo.eventbrite.com. RSVP required.

What: Save Mount Diablo’s Discover Diablo Free Public Hike Series

When: Two monthly events throughout 2017. (See schedule below)

Where: CONTRA COSTA COUNTY – Walnut Creek, Clayton, Concord, Livermore, Pittsburg.

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, non-profit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide recreational opportunities consistent with the protection of natural resources. To learn more and support Save Mount Diablo please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.

Furry Friends Food Relief Program to hold Roaring 20’s benefit dinner, Feb. 11 in Brentwood

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The Furry Friends Food Relief Program (FFFR) will hold their second annual benefit dinner Saturday, February 11, 2017. Just in time to spend a wonderful evening with family, friends or that special someone for Valentine’s Day.

We assist families in need in Contra Costa County with dog and cat food.  We now have our food pantry open every Monday from 7-8 pm and Wednesday from 6-8 pm, located at 1300 Central Blvd, Brentwood. We do low cost vaccine clinics and food distributions to the public every four weeks. Please check our calendar on our website for the next upcoming clinic.

We are always in need of donations of medical supplies, flea treatment, food, bedding, collars, leashes, crates, anything to assist families and their furry friends.

The theme for this year’s dinner will be The Roaring 20’s and it will be held, once again at the beautiful event center at Shadow Lakes Golf Course in Brentwood, located at 401 W Country Club Drive from 5:00 to 10:00 pm.  The evening will be filled with music, dancing and wonderful silent auction items.

Cocktail hour from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Appetizers and salads will be served along with rolls. Dinner choices are pork tenderloin, salmon, the vegetarian option is Eggplant Parmesan with sides of mashed potatoes and mixed veggies.  The pork tenderloin has a creamy Dijon-wine sauce and Salmon is topped with garlic, lemon, butter and onions. No-Host Bar.

We have wonderful raffle and silent auction items to bid on. Stop by to have some fun at the Photo Station. It’s going to be a great night of fun to raise money for this organization who helps families keep their pets out of the shelters.

Get your tickets before February 3, 2017 and join us in a fun and different way to spend time with friends, family, or that special someone.  Each table seats up to 8-10 people.

Ticket sales are going on now at http://furryfriendsfoodre.wixsite.com/fffr/roaring-20-s-benefit-dinner-2017.

Furry Friends Food Relief Program – “Helping those in need feed their Furry Friends.” Tax ID 47-2163583.

For more information visit us online at www.furryfriendsfoodre.wix.com/fffr,  “Like” us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FurryFriendFoodReliefProgram or you can contact us by phone or text at 925-240-3178.

Antioch man shoots, kills himself following Hwy 4 CHP chase for DUI, Thursday night

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Pursuit began in Pittsburg, ended in Concord

Thursday night, January 12, 2017 at about 11 pm, CHP began a DUI investigation of a driver suspected of driving impaired at Harbor Court and Harbor Street in the city of Pittsburg. The driver showed signs of impairment and CHP requested him to exit his vehicle for a DUI investigation. The driver refused to exit and fled the scene prompting CHP to pursue him on westbound Highway 4.

CHP pursued the Honda sedan as he exited Port Chicago Highway, drove to and parked in a driveway located on Gratton Way in Concord. At that point, two CHP units and a CHP supervisor were parked behind the suspect vehicle. While still in his Honda, the suspect (a 45-year-old white male from Antioch) brandished a semi automatic pistol, turned it on himself, discharged it and suffered a self-inflicted wound and subsequently killed himself.

No CHP Officers were injured nor did any CHP officers fire their weapons. CHP’s Golden Gate Divisions Special Investigative Unit (SIU) is conducting a full investigation. This is still an open investigation. A call into the CHP Contra Costa office for the suspect’s name and any other details was not returned before press time and that is all the information the CHP has released as of now.

Frazier to be guest speaker at East County Boost Your Business workshop in Antioch, Jan. 27

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Assemblymember Jim Frazier will be a special guest at an upcoming free workshop for East Contra Costa County businesses that want to learn more about using social media to promote their work. Co-sponsored by the Antioch and Brentwood Chambers of Commerce, the workshop will run from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2017, at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch.

The “Boost Your Business” event will give participants up-to-date tools, insights and best practices for using Facebook and Instagram to grow their business. Participants will also hear tips and tricks from local business owners and learn about creative ways to reach out.

The workshop is free, but registration is encouraged. To sign up, or for more information, visit https://boostantioch.splashthat.com.

To contact Assembly member Jim Frazier please visit his website at www.asmdc.org/frazier or call his District Office at 925-513-0411. Follow and “Like” him on Facebook for updates on events and happenings in the 11th AD.