Contra Costa Herald

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

Supervisor Burgis honors long-time Contra Costa Aviation Advisory Committee member

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Ron Reagan, accompanied by his wife Pat Reagan, was honored for his 11 years of service to Byron Airport and the Contra Costa County Aviation Advisory Committee. Photo: Office of Supervisor Diane Burgis

Brentwood resident Ron Reagan thanked during her annual District III open house

By Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis

I was joined by several dozen community members at my 2024 Office Open House on Monday, and had a chance to catch up after the holidays, introduce my newest staff members, and share my plans for the new year.

If you weren’t able to attend, here are some of the highlights:

  • East County has twice the number of firefighters on duty at any time than we did three years ago. With two fire stations planned to break ground in Brentwood this year, we’ll have triple the coverage we did in 2021.
  • In the coming months, the Delta Protection Commission, which I chair, will submit its management plan for the Delta National Heritage Area, the only National Heritage Area on the West Coast. This will be the biggest step forward for the Delta National Heritage Area since its creation by Congress in 2019.
  • Industry-leading aviation testing continues to occur at Byron Airport and Buchanan Field, with companies like Pivotaland Elroy Air leading the way.
  • The County is bringing more services to East County, including a County Resource Center, Youth Centers and an African-American Wellness Hub, all of which are in stages of study or planning.

I also had the opportunity to present Brentwood resident Ron Reagan a signed resolution from the Board of Supervisors honoring his work on the Contra Costa County Aviation Advisory Committee.

Ron began serving on the Aviation Advisory Committee in 2012 as the District III representative. Through 11 years of service, he successfully advocated for many of the major improvements to Byron Airport and Buchanan Field, including the establishment of the Bay Area Test Site for drone testing, the 4.14-acre Byron Phase I Development, and the completion of the Byron Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting/Maintenance Storage Building.

My thanks to Ron for his years of service to our airports and our community, and thank you to everyone who attended the open house.

Supervisors honor Contra Costa Humanitarians of the Year

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Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Chair Federal Glover with Humanitarians of the Year Willie Mims, Vedant Kathrani, Robi ToZulAhmad and Noor ToZulAhmad. Photo by Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.

Willie Mims of Pittsburg and three Dougherty Valley High students recognized during annual Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony

By Allen D. Payton

During their 46th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. themed “Beloved Community” ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors honored Humanitarian of the Year, Willie Mims for his tireless commitment and Student Humanitarians of the Year, Vedant Kathrani, Robi ToZulAhmad, and Noor ToZulAhmad for improving the lives of Contra Costa County residents and all for reflecting the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mims has been a community activist since 1963 and helped found the East County NAACP and Pittsburg’s Black Political Association. He has been a constant presence in the community and in public meetings, where he has always been ready to weigh in with his perspective. A retired teacher, Mims has been an advocate for quality education, especially, making sure students know history, particularly the history of the African-American experience. See video of and about Mims.

The three honored students were recognized for founding PlatetoPeople, a non-profit committed to ending hunger, preventing food waste and positively impact the environment. They partnered with White Pony Express and RecycleSmart to distribute meals. See video of the three students.

“Our students are remarkable young people who do remarkable things,” said San Ramon Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. John Malloy. “These three students have followed a path of exemplary service to their community, and we are so proud.”

Noor and Robi Tozulah are brothers from Rohingya, Myanmar, and Dougherty Valley High School students. Hunger is personal for the Tozulahmad brothers; they were born and Myanmar and had to live parts of their childhood begging on the streets in Malaysia to get their next meal.

At six years old, the brothers took a harrowing 11-day boat journey to Malaysia, where they faced moments when they feared their fate. In 2016, the Tozul Ahmad brothers arrived in America and gained a deeper understanding of global issues, with one problem standing out prominently – food waste and its environmental impact.

Vedant Kathrani, a Dougherty Valley High School junior, is an aspiring computational environmentalist committed to community improvement through STEM, innovation, and environmental sustainability. He has been acknowledged locally and globally for his academic achievements and community service, and he is also a Global Youth Ambassador for the Gates Foundation. When he discovered that food from restaurants often went to waste at the end of the day rather than being given to those in need, he joined forces with Robi and Noor to make a difference.

PlateToPeople collects food from restaurants, schools, and other businesses to provide food for the homeless. Their mission is to fight hunger and provide food for those in need in their community and beyond. The organization believes that everyone deserves access to healthy and nutritious food.

“Through our journey from Rohingya to America, I’ve learned the value of food, resilience, compassion, and the potential for positive change in the face of adversity,” said Noor Tozul Ahmad, Co-Founder of PlateToPeople.

“Our initiative involves saving surplus food and serving it to the homeless, one plate at a time,” shared Robi Tozul Ahmad, Co-Founder of PlateToPeople.

Learn more about PlateToPeople at https://platetopeople.org/. 

Ilana Israel Samuels, Director of Communications, Family and Community Engagement, SRVUSD contributed to this report.

Supervisors seek nominations for Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame

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César Chávez. Photo source: Contra Costa County

To be honored during 30th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration March 26; deadline Feb. 16

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding county residents between 12 and 18 years old.

Students will be recognized at the 30th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 11 am in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of five categories:

  • GoodSamaritan: Goes out of their way to do for others without seeking recognition
  • Volunteerism:Lends a helping hand for the good of the community; Gives their time and energy to a worthy cause or organization
  • Teamwork:Works unselfishly for the good of the team
  • Leadershipand Civic Engagement: A natural leader who inspires others and works to make a difference in school and the community
  • Perseverance:Has worked hard to overcome obstacles and achieve success

For more information and the application form to nominate youth in our community, visit Form Center • 2024 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards

We invite you to submit your nomination by completing the form and uploading it to the County website or emailing the application and your letter of recommendation to Lia Bristol at YouthNomination@dcd.cccounty.us.

Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 16, 2024. Recipients will be recognized at the March 26, 2024, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ César E. Chávez Celebration.

East By Park District honors Congressman DeSaulnier with 2023 Radke Championing Advocacy Award

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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (center with award) is joined by (L-R) Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth, Board President Dennis Waespi, Board Members Colin Coffey and John Mercurio, and Regional Parks Foundation Immediate Past President Les Hausrath. Photo: EBRPD

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

Friday, December 8, 2023 (Oakland, CA) – The East Bay Regional Park District and the Regional Parks Foundation recognized U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier today with the 2023 Radke Championing Advocacy Award at a ceremony along the Iron Horse Trail in Walnut Creek. U.S. Representative DeSaulnier has been a long-time supporter and avid user of Park District parks and trails. In 2022, he was instrumental in securing $3 million in federal funding for the District’s planned visitor center at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50.

“U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier has been a great champion and supporter of the East Bay Regional Park District,” said Park District Board President Dennis Waespi. “The 2023 Radke Championing Advocacy Award recognizes the Representative for his many years of advocacy for the Park District, including as a Concord City Council Member, Contra Costa County Supervisor, State Legislator, and now as a U.S. Representative.”

Representative DeSaulnier is the first award recipient serving in Washington, D.C.

“The Park District thanks Representative Mark DeSaulnier for his leadership in obtaining critical funds in the Federal budget for expanding access to the outdoors and providing a welcoming space for visitors to learn the important history at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “Representative DeSaunier has been a true partner and champion for the Park District throughout the years.”

Representative Mark DeSaulnier is known for championing policies that promote sustainability, environmental protection, and mitigate the consequential effects of climate change. He led the effort to secure a $3 million Community Benefit Project application for a future Visitor Center at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50. The visitor center is envisioned as a joint facility with the National Park Service (NPS) to provide outdoor recreational opportunities, connect the public with the natural and human history of the park, and serve as a welcoming center for NPS to share the history of events commemorated by the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.

“The East Bay Regional Park District provides invaluable service to our community by creating opportunities for outdoor activity that benefit our physical and mental health, protecting the environment, and hosting wildlife educational programs,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to have called the Park District a partner over many years in our efforts to ensure public access to parklands, preserve habitats, and share the history of our East Bay lands, and am honored to be recognized with the 2023 Radke Championing Advocacy Award.” The Radke Championing Advocacy award is named for late Park District Board Member Ted Radke, who advanced state and federal support for park funding. Former Director Radke strengthened the Park District’s ties in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Radke served 36 years on the Park District Board of Directors and was the longest-serving Board member in its 89-year history.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Contra Costa College President Rogers honored by Garamendi at Annual Women of the Year Awards

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By Tim Leong, Director, Communications & Community Relations, 4CD

Dr. Kimberly Rogers. Photo: 4CD

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is proud to announce that Contra Costa College (CCC) President Dr. Kimberly Rogers was among the 20 residents from Contra Costa County honored by Congressman John Garamendi at his 11th Annual Women of the Year Awards ceremony held on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Dr. Rogers was chosen for her tireless dedication in higher education as an administrator and teacher over the past 20 years. She has spearheaded efforts to greatly expand student services such as launching the Free Lunch program, increasing mental  health services, extending housing assistance, expending access to professional attire and increasing staffing. CCC is located in San Pablo, CA.

“The service and dedication each honoree has shown their community is deserving of recognition, and by receiving this award, their work will be commemorated and chronicled at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC,” Garamendi said.

Another 33 women from Solano County were also recognized this year, and all 53 women from throughout his 8th Congressional District were acknowledged for making significant contributions to society through public service, business, education and the local economy.

“We congratulate Dr. Rogers and Contra Costa College for this wonderful recognition,” says Interim Chancellor Mojdeh Mehdizadeh. “It is a team effort to successfully serve the thousands of students each of our colleges and centers help every year, and it is our passion to continue our 75-year legacy of making a positive difference in the lives of our students and our communities.”

For more details about the 10th annual Women of the Year Event, awards program, bios and photos of all the honorees, and a link to the live streaming video of the event, see related article.

About 4CD 

The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves 1.2 million residents, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College with campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, and Los Medanos College with campuses in Pittsburg and Brentwood. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.

Each college is individually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Garamendi honors 53 women at 11th Annual Women of the Year Awards

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Patricia & Congressman John Garamendi. Source: Office of Rep. John Garamendi Legislative Update.

DA Diana Becton one of 20 from Contra Costa County, 33 from Solano County honored

BENICIA, CA – Today, Thursday, October 12, 2023, at his 11th annual Women of the Year event, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) honored 53 women from the 8th Congressional District of California who are leaders and visionaries in their communities. These honorees have all made significant contributions to society through public service, business, education, and local economy.

“Every year I have the honor of recognizing the achievements and service of distinguished women in my district,” Garamendi said. “These leaders come from a variety of backgrounds, but every one of them has made a real difference to their communities and the people around them. It’s a privilege to be able to honor them.”

“The service and dedication each honoree has shown their community is deserving of recognition, and by receiving this award, their work will be commemorated and chronicled at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC,” Garamendi said.

You can view photos and biographies of this year’s honorees here.

A video of the event can be found here.

A legislative update that was shared at the event is available here.

The list of 2023 Women of the Year included 20 honorees from Contra Costa County and 33 from Solano County.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton was among the 53 women honored by Congressman Garamendi on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Video screenshot

Contra Costa County:

Alissa Stolz (El Cerrito)

Anjali Rimi (Antioch)                                   

Audrey Cormier (Richmond)

Betty Reid Soskin (Richmond)

West County Wastewater District Board President Cheryl Sudduth (Richmond)

City Councilwoman Claudia Jimenez (Richmond – District 6)

Municipal Advisory Committee Chair Debra Mason (Bay Point)

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton (Martinez)

Eleanor Thompson (Richmond)

Janet Scoll Johnson (Richmond)

Contra Costa College President Kimberly Rogers (San Pablo)

Marinda Elaine Keith (Richmond)

Rose Akoro (Bay Point)

Ruthie Dineen (Richmond)

Sylvia Serrano (Hercules)

Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker (Antioch – District 1)

Velma Wilson (Antioch)

Katrinka Ruk (Richmond)

State Senator Nancy Skinner (Oakland – who represents portions of Western Contra Costa County in the 9th District)

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (Oakland – who represents portions of Western Contra Costa County in the 14th District)

Solano County:

Adjoa McDonald (Vallejo)

Alice Wilson-Fried (Vacaville)

Amber Duncan (Fairfield)

Amy Fabi (Vacaville)

Barbara Brewer (Vacaville)

Brenda Plechaty (Vallejo)

Callie Aberin (Lathrop)

Cat Moy (Fairfield)

Courtney Tindall (Fairfield)

Donna Ebert (Fairfield)

Ebony Antoine (Fairfield)

Elizabeth Aptekar (Travis Air Force Base)

Elizabeth Hoffman (Vallejo)

Erin Garcia-Robles (Fairfield)

Jameelah Hanif (Vallejo)

June Mejias (Benicia)

Karen Freeman (Fairfield)

Kayleigh Migaleddi (Vacaville)

Kris Corey (Fairfield)

La Toya Thomas (Vallejo)

Lisa Tinbrink-Howard (Fairfield)

Margaret Kolk (Benicia)

Maryanne Perlmutter (Vacaville)

Melvinia King (Vallejo)

Monica Brown (Fairfield)

Nancy Nelson (Green Valley)

Pippin Dew (Benicia)

Princess Washington (Suisun City)

Rhonda Rochon Smith (Vallejo)

Tamuri Richardson (Fairfield)

Tara Beasley-Stansberry (Vallejo)

Tiffanee Jones (Vallejo)

Virgie Roy (Fairfield)

Garamendi serves California’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives which includes portions of Contra Costa and Solano counties.