News | Contra Costa Herald

Frazier sends letter to California WaterFix to oppose Delta tunnels

November 5, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Assemblymember Jim Frazier, whose 11th Assembly District includes much of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, has called upon a state board to reject a change in water rights as proposed by proponents of the Delta twin tunnels project. frazier-waterfix-letter-nov-2016

“My constituents expect to be protected by the State of California,” Frazier said in a six-page letter to the State Water Resources Control Board, which is considering a petition to divert water from the Sacramento River into the tunnels that would be built by the California WaterFix Project.

The project requires a change in water rights. A petition for that change was filed this summer by the state Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which want to ship water to Central and Southern California by going around the Delta via twin tunnels.

With public hearings on the petition continuing this month and into the new year, Frazier denounced the proposed diversions, saying they would “devastate Delta communities that rely on a healthy Delta environment to ensure a thriving local economy.”

Frazier asserted that the WaterFix Project does not meet the requirements of the 2009 Delta Reform Act, which established the co-equal goals of providing a reliable water supply while protecting, restoring and enhancing the Delta – “in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource and agricultural values of the Delta.”

“This language was not just provided as an idle consideration for the administration, but represents a high-level declaration of policy that must be satisfied,” he wrote.

Frazier criticized the WaterFix Project, stating that it does nothing to increase or ensure a reliable water supply, nor does it take into consideration that the water it proposes to take is needed by those who live and work in and around the Delta. The diversions, he said, will endanger the livelihoods of those who depend on Delta farming, fishing and tourism, as well as the millions of Californians who get their drinking water directly from the Delta.

And a proposal to backfill the diversion by taking water from farmers and communities in other parts of the state is also unacceptable, he said.

“I urge the administration not to take water from farmers and communities around the state to give it to the Delta just so that the administration can turn around and justify shipping approximately the same volume of water to Southern California,” Frazier added.

To contact Assemblymember Frazier please visit his website at www.asmdc.org/frazier or call his District Offices at 707-399-3011 or 925-513-0411. Follow Frazier on Facebook and “Like” him for updates on events and happenings in the 11th AD.

Glover announces expansion of anti-gang program across Contra Costa, seeks coordinator

November 5, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Operation Ceasefire is a problem-oriented policing intervention aimed at reducing youth homicide and youth firearms violence. Began in Boston, it has been adopted by Chicago, Cincinnati and Indianapolis, and these cities achieved reductions in gun homicide of 25 to over 60 percent. In California, Stockton reduced gun homicide by more than 43 percent between 1998 and 2001. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has been operating a pilot program in Richmond for several years.

“We have been monitoring the success of Ceasefire in Richmond since I chaired the Public Protection Committee,” of the county, said Supervisor Federal Glover. “There has been a significant drop in violent crime in Richmond and we want to spread the program countywide.”

This strategy, based upon extensive research and experience, has evolved from a primary focus on deterring serious gang and youth gun violence, to a comprehensive approach that combines deterrence with workforce training, employment, and other services.

According to the Northern District of California U.S. Attorney’s Office, “The Operation Ceasefire model is being used in California under the program name Safe Community Partnership (SCP). The SCP is a partnership among the Governor’s Office, private funders (including the California Wellness Foundation, the California Endowment, and Kaiser Permanente, Community Benefits, Northern California Region), the Public Health Institute, and six California cities (Modesto, Stockton, Oakland, Salinas, Oxnard and Union City). These partners are working together to implement an evidence-based, data-driven approach designed to reduce serious gang violence in the near term and on a community-wide level. In addition to Oakland and Salinas in the Northern District, East Palo Alto, Richmond and Union City have been added to the Safe Community Partnership/Operation Ceasefire program.”

Contra Costa County is searching for a coordinator for the Ceasefire program, which will be run out of the County Administrator’s Office and work across the various county departments, including the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, Probation and Health Services. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for individuals interested in the position of coordinator.

Interested individuals can view the RFQ at: http://www.cccounty.us/2366/Services-Programs

Final responses will be due at 651 Pine Street, 10th floor, Martinez, CA 94553 by noon, Nov. 17, 2016. Questions about the RFQ can be submitted to lara.delaney@cao.cccounty.us by 12 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2016.

“Reaching out to these gang members, or people who are thinking about joining a gang, might make them think twice before they break the law or commit an act of violence,” said Glover. “Ceasefire will help reduce incarceration and, in the end, reduce the social and financial costs for our society.”

For more information about Operation Ceasefire, click here.

Community College Board hires DVC alum, Dr. Fred Wood as new chancellor for the district, Friday

November 4, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Dr. Fred Wood

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) Governing Board held a special public meeting on Friday, November 4, 2016, to announce they reached a unanimous decision to select Dr. Fred E. Wood as the next chancellor.

“All three finalists demonstrated strong leadership skills,” said Governing Board President Vicki Gordon. “In the end, Dr. Wood was chosen because of his focus on student success, building programs and services to help community college students successfully transfer to a four-year institution, experience working collaboratively with business on career technical education, and successful fundraising abilities.”

The announcement was made following a nationwide search, that began in May 2016. Potential candidates were reviewed and three finalists were selected to participate in public forums and final interviews this week.

Governing Board President Vicki Gordon recognized the dedication and work conducted by the Search Committee. “In addition, we were also very pleased and want to thank the faculty, staff, managers, and community leaders who attended the public forums and provided input on the candidates. Their feedback was important in making our decision.”

The District will begin negotiating the contract with Dr. Wood with the goal of placing the item on the December 14, 2016, Governing Board meeting agenda for review and approval.

“As a Diablo Valley College (DVC) alumni, I am humbled and extremely honored to be selected to serve as the next chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District,” says Dr. Wood. “My DVC experience changed my life, and I am living proof of the power and impact community colleges can make. I am excited to work with my colleagues throughout the District to transform the lives of all our students who strive to achieve their higher educational goals with us.”

Wood presently serves as Chancellor at the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC). UMC, which was a two-year technical college beginning in 1966 and transitioned to a baccalaureate granting institution in 1993, is a work-force focused campus of the U of M system of which half of the degree seeking students are on-campus students and the other half are on-line. UMC offers an experiential learning based curriculum where on-campus students are required to complete an internship and currently offers 14 degrees fully on-line.

Chancellor Wood joined UMC after a 26-year career at the University of California, Davis, where he served as vice chancellor of student affairs from 2007 to 2012, leading one of the largest student affairs portfolios in the nation. His career at UC Davis included other leadership positions, as well, such as interim vice provost for undergraduate studies and associate dean of the College of Letters and Science, while concurrently serving as a faculty member in chemistry.

He began both his college education and professional career at the community college. Prior to UC Davis, Dr. Wood was a faculty member at North Idaho College and his first teaching assignment during graduate school was at Diablo Valley College.

A first-generation college graduate, Chancellor Wood earned an A.A from Diablo Valley College, and B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from UC Davis. He is married and has three grown children. He enjoys hiking, biking and skiing with his family.

Wood will oversee the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), which is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.

County Board of Education recognizes November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

November 4, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

At the October 19^th Board Meeting, the board approved a resolution to recognize and raise awareness of the issue of youth homelessness. The goal of the resolution is to highlight the issue of youth homelessness within the county and our schools. Currently, Contra Costa County has over 3,000 children and youth living in homeless situations, as reported by the county school districts, charter schools and the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness. This includes children ages 0-5 and students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

In California, more than 298,000 youth up to the age of 18 experience homelessness each year. During November all students, schools and community members are encouraged to engage in discussions on this topic to raise awareness.

Below are some suggested activities for school sites:

Send a flyer home with students or create a display to inform students and families of homeless education rights and resources available at your school and in Contra Costa County.
Make a presentation to school teachers, staff and board members to raise awareness of homelessness in your community or school district.
Organize a food drive and donate to the local food bank or pantry.
Make a donation or volunteer at a local shelter.
Participate in Contra Costa Community Donation Day on November 19^th.

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program) coordinates the following:

Provides technical assistance regarding the proper identification, enrollment, and service needs of homeless students and their families.
Conducts professional development trainings for school personnel and community agencies regarding the rights and responsibilities of homeless students.
Educates students, parents and guardians on their educational rights, and promotes their participation in school-related activities.
Facilitates the school enrollment process to ensure equal access to educational services, free-or-reduced price meals, tutoring or other programs.
Assists unaccompanied youth with enrollment procedures, school placement options, and retrieval of records.
Provides assistance with transportation, backpacks, school supplies and clothing.
Provides medical, dental, and mental health referrals, in addition to other school/community services.
Provides assistance to specialized populations of homeless students, including pre-schoolers, homeless teen parents, children with special needs, and unaccompanied youth.

For more information, contact CCCOE’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program at (925) 942-3300.

Sheriff’s Office opens Bayo Vista Community Policing Substation in Rodeo

November 4, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Kids and Sheriff’s Deputies, with McGruff the Crime Dog help celebrate the grand opening of the new sub-station in Rodeo on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff recently received a two-year “Strengthening Law Enforcement and Community Relations Grant” to fund collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships that aim to improve or establish relationships with communities we serve.

With the funds, the Office of the Sheriff, in partnership with the YMCA, Housing Authority of Contra Costa County, and other community partners, will develop a program that will effectively engage residents at the Bayo Vista Housing Development in the community of Rodeo. This program will enhance safety, well being, health, education and public trust. Available resources and partnerships will be used to develop a plan that unifies services to meet the needs of the Bayo Vista community. A special focus will be on youths.

The grand opening of the substation took place on October 26, 2016. Please click this link to see a KRON 4 story on the opening.

Community College Board sets special meeting on chancellor appointment for Friday morning

November 3, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) Governing Board has scheduled a special public meeting on Friday, November 4, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., to make an announcement regarding the search for a new chancellor. The meeting will take place at 500 Court Street, Martinez, California, in the 6^th floor Board Room.

The nationwide search for a new chancellor began in May 2016 following the retirement announcement of current Chancellor Helen Benjamin. To review the agenda of this special meeting visit:

http://www.4cd.edu/gb/agendas_minutes/agendas/2016-11-04-spec.pdf.

State Senate candidate Rubay scolds Glazer for breaking tax hike pledge, opposes Measure X

November 2, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

East Bay State Senate candidate Joseph A. Rubay (7th District, R-Alamo) rebuked incumbent Steve Glazer, on Wednesday for endorsing a new county tax on the November ballot after promising to “hold the line on taxes.”

“Steve Glazer pledged in his official candidate statement to ‘hold the line on taxes.’ By endorsing Measure X, a new $2.9 billion county tax, Mr. Glazer has broken his promise,” Rubay stated. “He can’t have it both ways.”

Measure X would double the Contra Costa transportation sales tax rate and last for 30 years. It would increase the county’s transportation sales tax to a whole percent, making Contra Costa’s tax rates among the highest in the state, according to the website www.saynotox.com.

“The current county transportation sales tax began in 2009 and was supposed to satisfy needs for 25 years,” Rubay said. “Doubling the tax is outrageous, coming only seven years into a 25-year tax.”

Rubay is a real estate appraiser, former certified public accountant and auditor.

“I oppose Measure X because it would cost a family of four an average of $268 annually until the year 2047,” he said. “Mr. Glazer was wrong to champion AB 1665, the special legislation that busted the county sales tax cap to allow this new tax to be placed on the ballot.”

“There’s no shortage of money for transportation projects,” Rubay continued. “East Bay residents already pay fuel taxes at the pump, a county sales tax, a BART sales tax, a state Transportation Development Act sales tax, and a regional transportation sales tax, in addition to property taxes for BART and local roads, vehicle license and registration fees, and bridge tolls. We don’t need a new tax.”

“Senate District 7 taxpayers have contributed more than a half billion dollars of the existing AB 1107 sales tax to San Francisco’s Muni system,” he continued. “Why doesn’t Mr. Glazer stop this massive diversion of our local transportation funds to San Francisco instead of forcing a tax increase on us?”

“Mr. Glazer has flip-flopped on his promise – one of his ‘Ten Governing Principles’ – to ‘hold the line on taxes.’ He has betrayed voters, especially fiscal conservatives,” Rubay added. “He’s proven he can’t be trusted to represent us in Sacramento.”

The 7th District covers all of the 925 area code (except Martinez and Pleasant Hill), including the communities of Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

To learn more about the Rubay for Senate campaign visit his website at http://rubayforstatesenate2016.com/home.

The election is next Tuesday, November 8^th.

Complaint filed against BART claims Warriors’ Draymond Green ad supports Measure RR

November 2, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Screenshot of an ad featuring the Warriors’ Draymond Green supporting BART submitted as evidence for the complaint.

BART says ad was paid for by the Warriors

By Allen Payton

Another campaign trick was played on Halloween, when Lafayette attorney Jason Bezis filed a complaint against BART for using public funds, on Monday, October 31st. He claims the government agency is using public funds to promote the bond Measure RR on the November ballot. fppc-complaint-against-bart-re-measure-rr-first-supplement-oct-31-2016

In an email about his complaint, Bezis wrote, “I just filed a complaint with the FPPC about BART’s video using Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors to promote Measure RR ($3.5 billion BART bond measure). I argue that BART is illegally using public resources to influence voters to vote yes on Measure RR.”

Bezis’ complaint states, “complaint concerns BART public resources used illegally to plan, produce and publicize a video featuring basketball player Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors to promote Measure RR. On Friday, October 28, 2016, BART released a 31-second video titled ‘Draymond Says’ and an accompanying ‘news article,’ YouTube post, Facebook post, and Twitter post to promote the video. The BART video, BART World Web (sic) [Wide] Web homepage, BART ‘news article,’ BART YouTube post, BART Facebook post and BART Twitter post all contain the message ‘BART needs to stay safe and reliable.’

These communications paid for with public moneys by BART, a local governmental agency, unambiguously urge a particular result in the November 2016 election: they urge ‘yes’ votes for Measure RR, referred to on the ballot as ‘BART Safety, Reliability and Traffic Relief.’ These BART communications constitute ‘contributions’ or ‘independent expenditures’ benefiting the Yes on RR campaign (FPPC ID#1381218), officially named the ‘Committee to Keep BART Safe and Reliable,’ which uses the phrase ‘Keep BART Safe and Reliable’ in its campaign logo.”

Bezis then offered what he wants BART to basically admit they’re using public money to campaign for the ballot measure and to file the necessary finance reports for the expenditures.

His complaint concludes with the following:

“As BART has engaged in campaign activity, pursuant to Regulation 18420.1(f), the FPPC should require BART to file the necessary campaign finance reports for the direct and indirect costs of its campaign activities relating to promotion of Measure RR on the November 2016 ballot in Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties. BART needs to publicly disclose the value of public resources that it expended for campaign activities supporting passage of Measure RR as either a contribution to Yes on RR campaign or as an independent expenditure supporting Measure RR. For the “Draymond Says” video, BART needs to report as campaign activity the costs of planning the video, production of the video, and promotion of the video via YouTube, Twitter, its internet homepage, its BART “news article,” and by other means of publicity. If Draymond Green is a “paid spokesperson” for BART, then a Form 511 report must be filed.”

Bezis also provided evidence to support his complaint, which can be seen below.

When reached for comment BART Board Director Joel Keller responded “The complainant believes the District used public funds to promote a ballot measure and has filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). There is a fine line between education and advocacy and it is appropriate to wait for the FPPC’s response before discussing the merits of the complaint. However, as a supporter of the Dub Nation and admirer of the heart and intensity of Draymond Green’s play, it’s too bad that the motivation for the video about the Warriors and BART has become controversial because it is a slam dunk.”

Kerry Hamill, BART’s Assistant General Manager for External Affairs said “We have had an ongoing relationship with the Golden State Warriors for years at BART.”

“We provide extra service to their games,” she continued. “They promote BART in a variety of ways, like this video, which they showed at one of their last pre-season games.”

“We did not pay for it. The District absolutely did not pay for it,” Hamill reiterated. “It’s the Warriors’ video and they used it to show during their pre-season game. They let us use it for BARTable, which is a website and a newsletter that promotes off-peak ridership to various games, activities, shows and festivals.”

“I really want the Warriors to be applauded for encouraging people to take BART to the game and get cars off the road,” she said. “It’s a lot safer and smarter to take public transit to a game, when you’re going to drink and party.”

“The Warriors and BART shouldn’t be attacked for promoting taking transit,” Hamill added. “People should take BART to the game.”

A source within the Yes on RR campaign said that “Bezis has a pattern of filing these complaints. He did this several times against the Measure BB campaign in 2014. The FPPC declined to even investigate them.”

The FPPC has 14 days to decide if they intend to investigate the complaint, refer the complaint to another agency, take no action either because the Commission doesn’t have the authority or the allegations do not warrant any further action.

The election is Tuesday, November 8th.

exhibit-7-yes-on-rr-mailer-keep-bart-safe-reliable

exhibit-8-yes-on-rr-campaign-web-ads

Screenshot of BART’s Twitter account promotion.

BART Facebook page with the Draymond Green ad.

Screenshot of BART’s Facebook page with the Draymond Green ad.

Screenshot of BART's homepage featuring the phrase "Better BART."

Screenshot of BART’s website homepage with a link to the Draymond Green video.

Screenshot of Draymond Green video on BART’s Youtube channel.

University of California President Napolitano tells Antioch’s Deer Valley High students they can get into a UC school

November 2, 2016 By Publisher Leave a Comment

University of California system President Janet Napolitano speaks to a gymnasium full of students, faculty and staff at Deer Valley High School on Wednesday morning, November 1st, 2016.

Alumnus, U.C. Berkeley grad Hammed Suleman encourages students with his own experience

Deer Valley High alum and U.C. Berkeley graduate student Hammed Suleman speaks to students as U.C. system President Janet Napolitano looks on.

By Allen Payton

University of California system President Janet Napolitano visited Deer Valley High School in Antioch, today and encouraged the students in the standing room only gymnasium, that they can get into a U.C. school if they do the work. Before she spoke, however, Deer Valley High and U.C. Berkeley graduate student Hammed Suleman shared his experience of how he was able to get into “the best school in the world,” as he put it.

“I never thought I was college material or smart enough to get a college education,” Suleman said. “But I knew I could never achieve my goals if I didn’t do the work.”

He was on the track and field team at Deer Valley and became the number one triple jumper in the U.S., resulting in him receiving scholarship offers from colleges across the US.

Suleman chose UC Berkeley.

“It was and still is the number one university in the world,” he stated. “It has had a profound influence on who I am today and who I want to be.”

While at Berkeley Suleman was a track and field champion and earned the Most Academically Improved Student Athlete award in 2014.

Suleman is now completing his masters degree, also at Berkeley.

He then introduced Napolitano, who is also served as Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama.

Napolitano was given a warm welcome by Deer Valley High students.

“You do the work and take the SAT or ACT and some community service, work and all those things go into your application to the University of California,” she told the students. “That’s your part. Our part is to give you a great college education.”

“You’re at a great stage of your life,” Napolitano continued. “I kinda wish I was back in high school.”

Speaking of a college education, she stated, “It does matter.”

“Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?” Napolitano asked the students. “What do you want to contribute?”

She then quoted President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

“One-third of our students start at community college and transfer to UC,” Napolitano shared. “Ask yourself what you’re good at; what you think you’ll be good at. Take some classes.”

“I want to leave you here with this message. Only you can answer the question ‘what are you prepared to do?’ Get ready,” she said. “California is the only state with the higher education we have in this state.”

The former two-time governor of Arizona said while serving in that position she wished she could have brought one of the U.C. schools to her state.

“Find some quiet time. Turn off your screens. Turn off your phone,” Napolitano said in encouraging the students to think about their future.

“You won’t get where you want to go without…preparation,” she added. “UC is for you – a place to grow, to learn and leave the nest for the next generation.”

Napolitano then ended with “Thank you. Go Wolverines!” to the roar from the audience.

Before the assembly, Napolitano met and spoke with the school district’s college counselors and students interested in attending a U.C. school.

She was treated to music by the Deer Valley jazz band and a song by Divine Voices.

Principal Ken Gardner welcomed everyone and then handed the event off to teacher Bernard Stephens who served as Master of Ceremonies and had been Suleman’s track and field coach, while he was in high school. Congressman Jerry McNerney was in attendance and offered his thoughts. The students also heard from Eloy Oakley, the Chancellor of the California Community College system.

Former Supervisor files complaint against Avila Farias for using public time for private purposes, she says she’s a contract employee

November 2, 2016 By Publisher 1 Comment

By Allen Payton

Former Supervisor Tom Powers chose a trick rather than a treat for candidate for District 5 Supervisor, AnaMarie Avila Farias, on Halloween. In an email on Monday, October 31st, Powers provided a copy of a letter regarding a “Timecard Fraud Complaint Sent to District Attorney’s Office – Misuse of Taxpayer Funds to Be Investigated” against the Martinez Councilwoman. da-complaint-re-avila-farias-10-31-16

His email message read:

“Today I personally delivered the attached letter to District Attorney Mark Peterson’s office (at 3:18 pm PST) requesting an official investigation in to Anamarie Avila Farias’s official use of her time and resources at her Section 8 government job at the Contra Costa Housing Authority.

It has been brought to all of our taxpayers’ attention that on numerous times her officially signed government timecard indicates she has been at work, being paid by taxpayers to be at work, but Ms. Farias has actually been elsewhere conducting her own personal business. In fact, one of the weeks she officially signs her timecard saying she is at work, her Facebook Posts (since deleted) actually indicate she is out of the country in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Using government time or resources for personal purposes is unlawful and, on behalf of County taxpayers, I am asking the District Attorney’s Office to conduct a full investigation of Ms. Farias’ potential misuse of taxpayers funds.”

In addition, Powers provided additional documentation to support his complaint.

When asked for a comment on the complaint, Avila-Farias responded with the following statement:

“When the political machine is threatened, they strike out like a cornered snake. This filing with the District Attorney is an attempt at an October surprise, trying to entice this law enforcement agency to back up their bogus claims.

Tom Powers, a longtime Contra Costa County power broker who is actively defending the incumbent Supervisor Federal Glover because he fears the loss of control if the Board of Supervisors is governed by the people and for the people.

False and misleading attacks like this have no place in our county’s campaigns.

I am an Independent Contract Employee. My job demands a non-traditional, flexible schedule. My hours are my own to determine. End of story.

My commitment, integrity and dedication to my job and hours worked to provide housing options for Contra Costa families has never been questioned by my employer.

This is a non-story generated by the sleazy political machine in this county desperate to protect their longtime champion – Supervisor Federal Glover. They want to talk about anything other than Federal Glover’s vote to increase his own pay 33%, lack of engagement in the District and his consistent support for insider deals for Contra Costa County contractors.”

The election is next Tuesday, November 8th.