Contra Costa Herald

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

Contra Costa Sheriff identifies victim in Wednesday homicide as young Lafayette man

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March 24, 2022 – The victim in Wednesday’s shooting death in an unincorporated area between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette has been identified as 20-year-old Basel Jilani of Lafayette. (See related article)

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office investigates shooting death in area between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County

At about 1:06 PM, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the unincorporated area of Taylor Blvd. and Gloria Terrace between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette.

Deputies arrived on scene to find bystanders providing lifesaving measures to a person on the ground near a vehicle. The victim, who appeared to have been shot, was pronounced deceased at the scene. He is not being identified at this time.

The investigation by Sheriff’s Office Homicide Detectives and the crime lab is ongoing. The suspect is outstanding at this time.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Rep. DeSaulnier announces re-election campaign for California’s new 10th Congressional District

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The newly drawn California 10th Congressional District. Source: wedrawthelinesca.org.  Rep. Mark DeSaulnier. Official photo.

Pledges to continue work in Congress for Contra Costa; lists his endorsements

CONTRA COSTA, CA – The DeSaulnier for Congress Campaign announced the launch of the congressman’s re-election effort for California’s newly drawn 10th Congressional district, as approved by the California Citizens’ Redistricting Commission (CCRC) on Monday, Dec. 20th. Mark DeSaulnier has represented Concord and Contra Costa County in Congress since 2015 and vows to continue to work hard for his constituents, fighting for working families.

Th 10th District encompasses most of Contra Costa County, including Lamorinda, the San Ramon Valley, Concord, Clayton, Clyde, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and portions of Martinez in Central County, and in East County, Brentwood, Oakley, Bethel Island, Knightsen and portions of Antioch, plus portions of Dublin in Alameda County.

“Throughout my time in Congress, my guiding principle has always been this: I work for you,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “It’s been my honor to represent this area for nearly three decades, on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, in the California State Legislature, and for the past six years as a Member of Congress. My priority has always been serving the people of Contra Costa and making our voices heard during the tough fights, when it matters most.”

DeSaulnier lives in Concord where he raised his two sons, Tristan and Tucker, and opened and operated a small business, TR’s restaurant.

He’s also spent three decades as a public servant: representing his community on the Concord City Council, as Mayor of Concord, as a three-term Contra Costa County Supervisor, in the California State Legislature, and currently as a Member of Congress.

As Supervisor, he served on the California Air Resources Board, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. He was elected to the State Assembly in 2006 where he served one term and received the distinction of being the first freshman in history to chair the Assembly Transportation Committee. DeSaulnier was elected to two terms in the California State Senate in 2008 and 2012 where he served as Chair of the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. During his time in Congress, DeSaulnier has been honored to represent California’s 11th Congressional District including Richmond, El Cerrito, Kensington, and Pittsburg, now in the new 8th District, and looks forward to continuing to serve them in 2022.

Congressman DeSaulnier is running for re-election to fight against the reckless Republican agenda and move our nation forward by:

  • Ensuring every American has access to quality, affordable health insurance and care;
  • Confronting racial injustice;
  • Creating national common sense gun violence reforms;
  • Helping America’s students receive a quality education without being shackled by debt;
  • Protecting Medicare and Social Security;
  • Safeguarding the environment;
  • Overseeing the largest investment in our nation’s infrastructure in modern history, and
  • Ensuring government is accountable to the public.

The campaign is proud to announce the following endorsements:

  • Alex Padilla, United States Senator for California
  • Karen Bass, United States Representative (CA)
  • Jared Huffman, United States Representative (CA)
  • Barbara Lee, United States Representative (CA)
  • Doris Matsui, United States Representative (CA)
  • Eric Swalwell, United States Representative (CA)
  • Mike Thompson, United States Representative (CA)
  • George Miller, Former United States Representative (CA)
  • Rosa DeLauro, United States Representative (CT)
  • Betty T. Yee, California State Controller
  • Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner
  • Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California
  • Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Tom Torlakson, Former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Steve Glazer, California State Senator
  • Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, California State Assemblymember
  • Tim Grayson, California State Assemblymember
  • Diane Burgis, Supervisor, Contra Costa County
  • Federal Glover, Supervisor, Contra Costa County
  • John Gioia, Supervisor, Contra Costa County
  • Karen Mitchoff, Supervisor, Contra Costa County
  • Diana Becton, District Attorney, Contra Costa County
  • Lynn Mackey, Superintendent of Schools, Contra Costa County
  • Holly Tillman, Vice Mayor, City of Clayton
  • Julie Pierce, Former Mayor, City of Clayton
  • Dominic Aliano, Mayor, City of Concord
  • Carlyn Obringer, Council Member, City of Concord
  • Edi E. Birsan, Council Member, City of Concord
  • Tim McGallian, Council Member, City of Concord
  • Newell Arnerich, Mayor, Town of Danville
  • Teresa Gerringer, Mayor, City of Lafayette
  • Susan Candell, Council Member, City of Lafayette
  • Cameron Burks, Former Council Member, City of Lafayette
  • Rob Shroder, Mayor of the City of Martinez
  • Lara DeLaney, Council Member, City of Martinez
  • Mark Ross, Council Member, City of Martinez
  • Dennis Fay, Mayor, City of Orinda
  • Amy R. Worth, Council Member, City of Orinda
  • Inga Miller, Council Member, City of Orinda
  • Kevin Wilk, Council Member, City of Walnut Creek
  • Cindy Darling, Council Member, City of Walnut Creek
  • Michael Harris, Mayor, City of Pleasant Hill
  • Sue Noack, Council Member, City of Pleasant Hill
  • Matthew Rinn, Council Member, City of Pleasant Hill
  • Ken Carlson, Councilmember, City of Pleasant Hill
  • Merl Craft, Council Member, City of Pittsburg
  • Tom Butt, Mayor, City of Richmond
  • Gabriel Quinto, Mayor, City of El Cerrito
  • Lisa Motoyama, Mayor Pro Tem, City of El Cerrito
  • Janet Abelson, Council Member, City of El Cerrito
  • Paul Fadelli, Council Member, City of El Cerrito
  • Rita Xavier, Mayor, City of San Pablo
  • Abel Pineda, Council Member, City of San Pablo
  • Linda Mayo, Trustee, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
  • Mae Torlakson, Vice Chair, Ambrose Recreation and Park District in Bay Point
  • Judy Walters, Ph.D., President, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board
  • Fernando Sandoval, Vice President, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board
  • Rebecca Barrett, Board Trustee, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board
  • Andy Li, Board Trustee, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board
  • John E. Marquez, Board Trustee, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board

 

So, you want to run for office? Contra Costa Elections to hold Candidate Workshops in Jan. and Feb.

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Have you ever considered running for office? Then consider checking out one of Contra Costa Elections Division’s Candidate Workshops.

This engaging workshop is designed to remove the mystery from running for office. Experts will cover what’s involved in running for office, including how to file and appear on the ballot, campaign finance disclosure requirements, strategies for spreading your message (including social media), and what happens when you’re in the public eye.

The first of three workshops will be held on January 18th at the Lafayette Library from 6 pm until 9 pm. Please reserve a free ticket here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/221010988817

The second of three workshops will be held on January 29th at the Richmond Civic Auditorium from 9 am until 12 pm. Please reserve a free ticket here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/219543840537

The last of three workshops will be held on February 2nd at the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Park from 6 pm until 9 pm. Please reserve a free ticket here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/221022543377

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Tedford at 925-335-7863 or by email at ktedford@cr.cccounty.us.

 

Contra Costa DA charges woman who struck and killed Lafayette crossing guard in September

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The Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney has filed charges against Phyllis Meehan pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 192(c)(1) in the death of Stanley Middle School crossing guard, Ashley Steven Dias, age 45.

“This tragic incident has impacted an entire community,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “The loss of Ashley Dias is a solemn reminder that drivers must exercise caution and care when children and pedestrians are present.”

September 8, 2021, Phyllis Meehan, 78 years old, was picking up her grandson from the Lafayette Middle School when she collided with a vehicle and proceeded to accelerate into a crosswalk. Witnesses observed Mr. Dias pushed a student out of the path of the GMC Yukon before the crossing guard was fatally struck by the driver. The student suffered significant scrapes and bruises. Mr. Dias succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon.

According to the Lafayette Police Department, “At 3:00pm today (9/8/21) on School Street at Paradise Court a vehicle struck one adult and one child, the child had minor injuries and the adult was transported to the hospital.”

ABC7 News reported the child will survive, and that the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police.

An arraignment date has yet to be scheduled. The copy of the complaint and charges can be viewed, here:

Case information: Docket Number 01-197752-9

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa DA files charges of misdemeanor Vehicular Manslaughter for death of Lafayette cyclist

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Joe Shami with his bicycle at the Mt. Diablo summit. Source: MountDiabloCyclists.org

Victim was known as the “Legend of Mount Diablo” for his 600 rides to the top of the peak

By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant to the District Attorney, Contra Costa County

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged Lori Everett with a misdemeanor Vehicular Manslaughter in violation of Penal Code section 192(c)(2), for striking cyclist Joseph Shami with her vehicle in Lafayette on April 13, 2021, shortly before 7:00 AM.

Shami was an incredibly experienced cyclist who lawfully entered the roundabout at the interchange of Olympic Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road. Despite Shami’s bright helmet and colorful clothing, the motorist failed to yield, and struck the victim cyclist who was in an established lane of travel.

According to Lafayette Police news release reported previously, “a nurse and a doctor from John Muir Medical Center and a firefighter from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, who happened to pass by, immediately began to render aid to the bicyclist. Officers arrived on scene along with the fire department which took over medical care for the victim. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and died overnight.” (See related article)

Shami, a retired AT&T engineer, was known as the “Legend of Mount Diablo” for riding to the top of the East Bay’s tallest peak for 600 straight weeks, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He completed his 11-year, 28-week streak in 2019 at the age of 85. Shami was a member of the Mount Diablo Cyclists.

Tragic roadway deaths like this are avoidable. To ensure the safety of our community, the Office of the District Attorney implores motorists to be active, attentive drivers and to be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists when sharing the roadways.

Case information: DKT# 01-197626-5

 

Superior Court upholds City of Lafayette’s approval of 315-unit Terraces apartment project

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The planned Terraces of Lafayette apartment project that will overlook Highway 24. Source: O’Brien Land Company

By Suzanne Iarla, Communications Analyst, City of Lafayette

Terraces of Lafayette rendering. Source: O’Brien Land Company

On Friday, November 12, 2021, the Contra Costa Superior Court upheld the City of Lafayette’s approval of the Terraces of Lafayette project of the O’Brien Land Company. The project would build 315 apartments, including 63 affordable housing units, on a 22-acre parcel at the southwest corner of Deer Hill Road and Pleasant Hill Road. In its ruling, the Court rejected claims by Save Lafayette, a citizens group, and found that the City’s environmental review complied with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and that the Terraces project was consistent with the City’s General Plan.

The Terraces project has been in process for over ten years — the developer’s application dates back to March 2011.  Since then, the City has worked to address community and regional concerns, including by considering a proposed alternative 44 single-family home project with a community park. The City approved the alternative project in 2015. Save Lafayette initiated the referendum process to overturn that approval in 2018.

After the alternative project was rejected by the voters, the City resumed processing the original Terraces project application. In compliance with the strict requirements of State law, including the Housing Accountability Act, the City approved the Terraces project in August 2020.

Save Lafayette sued in September 2020 to overturn the approval, in an effort to stop the Terraces project on environmental and General Plan consistency issues.  After over a year of litigation, the Superior Court rejected Save Lafayette’s claims and affirmed that the City’s CEQA review and approval of the Project complied with the law. The Court’s ruling will become final unless Save Lafayette appeals within 60 days following the notice of entry of judgment.

Terraces of Lafayette Site Plan updated 2-11-20. Source: O’Brien Land Company.

Developer Calls Court Decision “Major Victory”

The developer issued their own press release announcing last Friday court’s decision:

In a major victory for housing rights, the Contra Costa Superior Court on Friday, Nov. 12 issued a ruling rejecting in full Save Lafayette’s lawsuit challenging the Terraces of Lafayette, a 315-unit apartment community by O’Brien Land Company.  After nearly 10 years of processing and 120 public hearings, the Lafayette City Council approved the project by a 4-1 vote in August 2020.

“We have had many local people reach out to us to ask when they can rent an apartment at the Terraces,” said Dennis O’Brien of O’Brien Land Company. “The need for this type of housing is apparent, and we look forward to no further delays so we can provide homes for those individuals and families.”

Terraces of Lafayette vicinity map. Source: O’Brien Land Company.

The project site is adjacent to Highway 24 and located one mile from the Lafayette BART station.  The Terraces is considered an affordable housing project under state housing law and will set aside 20%, or 63, of its dwelling units for lower income households.  This will substantially assist Lafayette in meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for the lower income categories assigned to it by long-standing state law.

Despite the project’s robust legal protections under controlling state law, Save Lafayette has been opposing the project for years. The anti-development group also opposed a 44 single-family home compromise project by filing litigation and a ballot referendum that overturned the smaller project.  Once the voters rejected the smaller project, O’Brien and the City of Lafayette resumed processing the apartments.

Terraces of Lafayette clubhouse and pool area rendering.  Source: O’Brien Land Company.

Although the affordable housing development included a full Environmental Impact Report, Save Lafayette’s lawsuit claimed the City’s approval of the project violated the California Environmental Quality Act, a law frequently employed by anti-development groups to challenge new housing.  The lawsuit also claimed the project was not entitled to the protection of the Housing Accountability Act, which shields housing developments from changes in local land use laws after an application is deemed complete.  The Superior Court rejected Save Lafayette’s arguments and agreed that the City complied with the law.

“When people ask why we have a housing crisis in California, they should look no further than this project for answers,” Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan emphasized. “Over 10 years of foot dragging, goalpost moving, ballot measures and lawsuits, finally the construction of these much- needed homes can now begin.  This saga highlights the need for more reforms to state law so that good housing projects no longer have to run this sort of gauntlet and can be approved swiftly and fairly.”

For more information on the project, visit www.lovelafayette.org/Terraces.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Contractor from Orinda sentenced to two years in federal prison for bribing SF public official over seven years

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Also fined $127,000; defendant bribed former SF DPW Director Mohammed Nuru with money, meals and gifts – including a tractor

“Varela’s conduct with Nuru was business as usual for Varela.”

By U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO – Alan Varela was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in federal court to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay a $127,000 fine for a seven-year conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud by bribing a San Francisco public official, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable William H. Orrick, United States District Judge.

A federal complaint filed September 17, 2020, charged Varela, 60, of Orinda, and William Gilmartin, 61, of San Mateo, with bribery of a public official.  In 1991, Varela founded ProVen Management, a Bay Area civil engineering and construction firm that engaged in large scale infrastructure projects.  Varela and Gilmartin acted as the firm’s president and vice-president, respectively, during the conspiracy time period.  According to the complaint, Varela and Gilmartin provided a stream of benefits to Mohammed Nuru, then the Director of San Francisco’s Department of Public Works (DPW), in exchange for favorable treatment of their business interests, including non-public inside information.

Upon entering his guilty plea to conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud on May 27, 2021, Varela described in his plea agreement his role in the bribery conspiracy of then-DPW Director Nuru.  The bribery’s goal was to use Nuru’s prominence as a powerful San Francisco public official to ensure the success of Varela and his co-conspirators’ business ventures.  Nuru’s position as DPW Director provided him with great influence over San Francisco public contracts, permits, and construction projects, as well as over other City departments and private companies seeking DPW contracts.  In his plea agreement, Varela admitted that for seven years, from 2013 until the day of Nuru’s arrest on federal charges January 27, 2020, he conspired with his co-defendant Gilmartin, with Balmore Hernandez – a construction company CEO who pled guilty earlier and is cooperating with the FBI – and with others to pay bribes to Nuru consisting of cash, free meals and entertainment, equipment for Nuru’s ranch, and the prospect of a cut of future profits from expected City contracts.

Varela’s plea agreement detailed a scheme in which he and his co-conspirators focused on winning a lucrative DPW contract and its related Port of San Francisco lease to operate an asphalt recycling plant and a concrete plant on the Port’s land.  The plea agreement describes that Nuru agreed, in exchange for cash and other valuables, to use his official position to get Varela and his co-conspirators’ proposal selected.  Gilmartin arranged to compensate Nuru by asking an unnamed company to award a $100,000 contract to Hernandez and, in turn, Hernandez used the contract’s proceeds for Nuru.  For his part, Nuru sent early drafts of San Francisco’s Request for Proposals for the project and other inside information to the conspirators to improve their likelihood of being selected.  Nuru also regularly discussed the plans and inside information with Gilmartin and Hernandez over expensive restaurant dinners, always paid for by Gilmartin and ultimately totaling approximately $20,000.

The conspirators’ proposal was selected in September 2015.  According to the plea agreement, Nuru continued to meet with the group to supply additional inside information during the expensive meals paid for by Gilmartin.  At one of their meetings, Nuru requested a tractor for his ranch.  Varela coordinated with Gilmartin and Hernandez to deliver the tractor to Nuru.

Nuru was arrested on federal bribery-related charges on January 27, 2020, before the negotiations to finalize the asphalt recycling plant agreements with DPW and the Port of San Francisco reached completion.

In a filed memorandum addressing Varela’s sentencing, the government argued that Varela’s conduct with Nuru was business as usual for Varela.  The government asserted that Varela, whose business success had gained him a life of luxury including 50 acres in Napa, for years facilitated a casual culture of corruption, a culture that ultimately undermines the public’s faith in their government and the rule of law.  Elaborating on the tractor bribe, the sentencing memorandum points out that the value of the new John Deere tractor, including its attachments, approximated $40,000.  Varela lined up the purchase of the tractor and rushed to get it delivered to Nuru at Nuru’s ranch on February 18, 2019.  The delivery led to Nuru to happily text “Work begins at the ranch” along with a photo of the tractor being unloaded at his ranch. The government, after outlining this and other acts of bribery, submitted a sentence recommendation of 30 months imprisonment.

This case is part of a larger federal investigation targeting public corruption in the City and County of San Francisco.  To date, eleven individuals have been charged, including two high-ranking San Francisco public officials, Mohammed Nuru and Harlan Kelly.  Multiple city contractors and facilitators have been charged.  According to the charges earlier filed against Mohammed Nuru and others, Nuru allegedly took hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in cash, meals, and work on his vacation home from contractors who obtained San Francisco public contracts.  Allegations in the complaint filed against Harlan Kelly assert he received thousands of dollars in airfare, meals, jewelry, and travel expenses, along with repair work on his house.

In addition to the prison term and fine, United States District Judge Orrick also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.  Varela will begin serving his sentence on January 2022.

The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case is being investigated by the FBI.

 

Lafayette Police investigate fatal collision in front of middle school

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Two struck including a child, other person dies

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Wednesday afternoon at about 2:56 pm, Lafayette police officers were advised of a vehicle versus pedestrian collision in front of Stanley Middle School located at 3455 School Street in Lafayette. 

One person was reported to be trapped under a vehicle. Lafayette police officers, who were assisted by citizens, were able to pull an unresponsive person out from under the vehicle. Officers administered CPR until relieved by fire department personnel. He was later transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He is not being identified at this time.

One child, who was also struck by the vehicle, suffered minor injuries. He was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

An investigation is underway. The driver of the vehicle is cooperative and has been interviewed. The driver is not being identified.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Sgt. C. Jacquez of the Lafayette Police Department at (925) 299-3234 or by email – cjacq@so.cccounty.us.

 

History: Oil in Lafayette’s Happy Valley

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Extensive drilling occurred over a period of years in Happy Valley in order to locate oil. There were five more wells drilled in addition to the ones pictured here. Photos courtesy of Lafayette Historical Society.

Four workmen are to the left on the Edward Flood ranch in 1901. The man seated is Alexander Flood, and the woman is Evelyne Flood Baker, his sister.

By Laura Torkelson

It bubbled up from the ground. Edward and Anne Flood came from near Dublin, Ireland with his mother and eight children. They bought a farm in Happy Valley in 1889. Edward loved to take visitors to a section of his farm where oil seeped to the surface. He would light a match, and poof – quite a show. Once he got too close and singed his beard and eyelashes! The oil was said to be so pure that it could be used to light lamps.

In the early 1900’s, one of the Flood relatives thought that perhaps money could be made from the oil. He got investors, issued shares, drilled an oil well and made extensive plans for more. Unfortunately, no money was made on the one well. As a child, Genevieve Gallagher, born to the Flood family in 1918, remembers getting a pair of shoes with “oil money”. No fortune, and the venture was abandoned. (The Flood name might be familiar because their decedent, Nancy Flood, taught at Springhill for many years.)

Edward and Anne Flood

The oil was in the Los Arabis Drive area. That street, Timothy Lane, Rahara Drive, and Natasha Drive are all named for the Arabian horses that Dr. Leo Musser owned in the 1930s and 1940s. He reported that when it rained a lot, oily water covered his basement floor. Any Happy Valley residents still see oil? Let the Historical Society know. Come in and learn more amazing facts about Happy Valley.

Please consider becoming a member of the Lafayette Historical Society. It will help us keep our door open and lights on. To become a member or make a donation…https://lafayettehistory.org/contact-us/membership/ or follow us on our Facebook page.

Speculators formed companies, issued stock and drilled.