Contra Costa Herald

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

Resolution designating portion of HWY 4 in East County as ‘Police Sergeant Scott Lunger Memorial Highway” approved

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Sgt. Scott Lunger (Hayward Police Dept. photo)

SACRAMENTO – An Assembly Concurrent Resolution designating a portion of Highway 4 between Brentwood and Oakley in East Contra Costa County the “Police Sergeant Scott Lunger Memorial Highway” passed both houses of the Legislature and has been enacted.

ACR 49 was authored by Assemblymember Frazier (D-Discovery Bay). It designates the section of Highway 4 from Balfour Road in Brentwood to Laurel Road in Antioch in memory of Sgt. Lunger, a Brentwood resident who was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving with the Hayward Police Department in 2015.

“Sergeant Lunger was an exemplary peace officer who served with distinction and honor,” Frazier said. “His loss had a devastating impact on his family, his local community and the entire East Bay law enforcement community. Fortunately, the Legislature has a process that allows us to remember him by designating a portion of the state highway in his community to carry his name.”

Sgt. Scott Paul Lunger conducted a traffic stop with the assistance of a second unit in Hayward on July 23, 2015. As Lunger and the officer approached the vehicle, an occupant in the vehicle opened fire, striking and killing Sgt. Lunger. The officer with Lunger returned fire as the vehicle fled. The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later and the suspect, who was wounded, was taken into custody.

Sgt. Lunger was born in Hayward and raised in Dublin. He graduated from Dublin High and continued his studies, playing football at both Diablo Valley College and Chico State University. He followed in the footsteps of his father and brother by completing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 595’s apprenticeship program and worked his way up to general foreman to become a partner in the family’s electrical business.

In 2000, Lunger fulfilled a longtime desire to serve in law enforcement when he was hired by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department. Following his graduation from the 109th Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Class of 2000, Lunger accepted a position with the Hayward Police Department in May 2001.

He had found his true calling as a police officer, where he served in many capacities including: Special Duty, the Gang Task Force, SWAT and as a Field Training Officer.

He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Oakland A’s fan and enjoyed attending games. He also served as the assistant coach for the Freedom High School softball team in Oakley.

Sgt. Lunger left behind two daughters, Ashton and Saralyn, and his fiancée Jennifer Lee and her two sons, Trevor and Ethan, with whom he was close.

“I am thankful he is being remembered in the community where he lived and where he spent his time off-duty,” said Ms. Lee, who helped decide which section of Highway 4 should be named for her fiancé. “Scott was passionate about coaching youth sports, especially the Freedom High School softball team, and I am grateful the signs designating his memorial highway will be seen daily by the many people whose lives he touched.”

ACR 49’s final passage clears the way for the Brentwood Police Activities League to raise funds to pay for the signage and work with Caltrans to have them installed. By law, state funds cannot be used to pay for and install memorial signs. All the funds must be raised privately.

According to Andrew Bird, Frazier’s Communications Director, “The designation does not in any way usurp or infringe upon on the John Marsh Heritage Highway, which is a different type of designation.”

County Office of Education employee honored at Board of Supervisors’ meeting

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County Office of Education employee Derrick Kirk with his award plaque. Photo by CCCOE.

At the July 18 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’meeting, Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) employee, Derrick Kirk, was honored with the 2017 People Who Make a Difference Award. Annually, the Contra Costa Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board acknowledges both volunteer and non-volunteer individuals and groups that have significantly contributed towards reducing substance use in our communities.

Kirk is a youth development specialist for CCCOE’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program. In earning this special award, he was recognized for his work last year in training nearly 500 middle and high school students as TUPE peer educators throughout Contra Costa County. In addition, he’s co-coordinating the CourAGE Youth Health Coalition, along with the Center for Human Development’s Friday Night Live Program.

“Anyone who has had the privilege of working with Derrick is not surprised to learn that he is more commonly known as ‘Mr. Awesome’ among our middle and high school peer educators,” says TUPE Manager Emily Justice. “Since he began his work at CCCOE, the number of students in our county trained as tobacco prevention peer educators has increased from an average of 200 per year to 500 and those students reach 30,000 of their peers annually. Derrick’s enthusiasm, positive attitude, humor, and dedication are inspiring to those around him and I am honored to be his colleague.”  

CourAGE is a youth-led group that plays a countywide leadership role in addressing issues such as tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use and misuse. He continuously encourages young people to “shoot for the stars.” With the training and ongoing support from Kirk, hundreds of local students have been given the tools and the confidence to present issues associated with underage substance use to their classmates.

The purpose of the TUPE program is to reduce youth tobacco use by helping students make healthful tobacco-related decisions through tobacco-specific educational instruction and activities that build knowledge as well as social skills and youth development assets. TUPE maintains a Web page for additional information.

The CCCOE provides technical assistance to school districts to develop and implement effective, comprehensive tobacco education programs. Training and technical assistance provided includes:

  • Tobacco-free schools’ certification
  • Annual countywide TUPE Site Coordinator training
  • California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) administration and data sharing training
  • Alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) curriculum trainings for teachers
  • Grant writing support
  • Quarterly district and community partner networking meetings
  • Current research on adolescent ATOD use, as well as effective prevention and intervention strategies

Antioch fitness trainer competes on American Ninja Warrior tonight, Monday, July 24

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Anthony Trucks competes on American Ninja Warrior on Sunday, June 12, 2017. Photo from Christina Trucks’ Facebook page.

Qualifies for next round; participation was “accidental”

By Luke Johnson

If you aren’t into basketball and were watching TV on Monday night, June 12th, you might have seen a familiar face. Without telling him, Anthony Trucks’ wife signed him up for NBC’s hit competition show American Ninja Warrior.

“This was accidental,” Trucks said. “My wife started filling out the application without me knowing.”

Anthony Trucks. Photo from his Facebook page.

Trucks finished in 10th place out of 135 competitors in the regional qualifier that aired June 12 – the same night the Golden State Warriors clinched the NBA Championship – but still reached over five million viewers. Trucks was one of 30 to move onto the next round which will broadcast July 24.

“My wife pushes me into doing a bunch of things because she knows I’m capable of doing them,” Trucks said. “Not that I don’t think I’m capable, but she always has the desire to see me do well – which is awesome.”

Trucks is a locally renowned owner of Trucks Training gym, as well as an author, speaker and former football player.

He recorded 99 tackles and 11 sacks his senior year at the University of Oregon. His 15 sacks in a single season at Antioch High School (Class of 2002) is the third most in school history despite missing three games. He then played on the practice squads in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To prepare for the show, Trucks trained at APEX NorCal in Concord – which is self-labeled the “Parkour and Ninja Warrior Gym.” It is owned by Alan Connealy who has appeared on American Ninja Warrior several times.

“I went there because it’s not your typical kind of training,” Trucks said. “Overall, I worked on grip strength stuff, and hanging from obstacles and tried to cut some weight.”

Trucks was the heaviest contestant to advance in the regional qualifier at 225 pounds. “This truck has no breaks,” he said during his preview on the show.

To watch his performance on the June 12th show, click here. To watch the complete episode of the Los Angeles regional final, click here. To learn more about Trucks and his compelling life story visit www.anthonytrucks.com/about/.

Contra Costa man named one of 40 under 40 by the American Association of Political Consultants

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“40 exceptional individuals who have made an impact in the political industry and their communities early in their careers.”

Matt Shupe at the AAPC Pollie Awards & Conference.

Contra Costa County resident and Republican political consultant Matt Shupe, age 31, was selected by the American Association of Political Consultants for the 2017 class of 40 under 40.

Over 200 political consultants under the age of 40 from throughout the United States were nominated, the most in the history of the AAPC. Shupe is one of 18 Republicans selected for this honor.

“We are delighted to welcome our class of 2017—40 exceptional individuals who have made an impact in the political industry and their communities early in their careers,” said AAPC President Mark Mellman. “We are excited to honor this class at a special event sponsored by Facebook, a fitting partner who exemplifies the same spirit of innovation as our distinguished Award winners.”

“The Pollie Awards & Conference is a key opportunity to connect members of the political community that use Facebook and we are honored to continue our ongoing partnership with the AAPC in sponsoring this ceremony,” said Crystal Patterson, Government & Politics Outreach Manager, Facebook. “We salute the Class of 2017 and look forward to their continued contributions to the industry.”

“It’s an honor and humbling to see my hard work be recognized nationally among my peers,” Shupe said. “I am especially grateful to my clients, mentors, and opponents who have pushed me everyday to do the best I can.”

Shupe owns the San Francisco Bay Area-based Praetorian Public Relations and has served as staff or chief strategist on campaigns in California, Oregon, and Washington State that range from municipal races to President of the United States. Shupe currently serves as the executive director of the California Young Republican Federation, a delegate to the California Republican Party, and as the communications director for Assemblyman Devon Mathis (R-Visalia).  In 2016, Shupe worked for the Republican National Committee as a “professional volunteer” and managed the $1 million Facebook advertising budget for the Cleveland convention.

The award was presented to Shupe at this week’s AAPC’s 2017 Annual Pollie Awards & Conference, an event which has been called “the Oscars of political advertising” by Esquire magazine, in Huntington Beach, California.

Antioch Speedway to remember local legend Larry Damitz during season opener, Saturday night

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Larry Damitz #15 after one of his Limited Late Model wins last season. Photo by Paul Gould

By Don Martin, II

When Antioch Speedway opens for its 57th season of All Star Series racing this Saturday night, they will do so without Larry Damitz. During the offseason, we learned that he passed away.  On March 11th, many of his friends and family came to remember him at a special memorial service.  His three race cars were on display.

Larry started his racing career back in 1953 and competed or helped others at the race track every year since.

“I’m really not sure what got me started in racing,” Larry shared in an older interview. “I’ve always liked cars and I started working on cars when I was nine.  I’ve always been interested in automobiles.  Another guy and I knew of a Hardtop that was halfway completed, so we went over and finished it off and started racing.”

He was hooked.  He continued to race his Hardtop at the old Vallejo Speedway and Contra Costa Speedway in Pacheco.  The competition was much tougher than it is today.

“They had one class, and they had enough cars that they had a C Race,” Larry recalled. “Every car in the Main Event could win.  There were always some Main Event cars in the B Main.”

Winning seemed to come easy for Larry in Limited Late Models at Antioch.  At 87-years-old, he was still winning and was track champion for the fifth time in six seasons.  However, he paid his dues to get that first win.

“I didn’t win a Main Event until 1963,” said Larry. “Everybody that comes out here and they think in their first year they’re supposed to clean house and win a Main Event.  They race all year, two years, don’t win a main and they quit.”

By the time Larry was done with Hardtops In the mid 1970’s, his resume included three track championships and a win in the Chet Thomson Memorial 100 lap race.  He was second to Gene Dudley by just 8 points at Vallejo in the 1960’s.  The highly competitive Super Stock division awaited.  He was Vallejo champion in 1978 and Petaluma champion in 1980 and 1981.  For good measure, he raced on Friday nights in Chico when he could make the tow and won 11 times in 1977.

It was 30 years into his career when he started racing at Antioch Speedway.  He won his first Late Model feature there in 1984.  He broke a shoulder blade in a crash there in 1985.  After recovery time, he returned and won 10 Main Events in 1986, finishing second to Ed Sans Jr. in points.

“Back then, the configuration of this track was altogether different than any other track,” Damitz recalled.  “It was fun to drive.  It was a lot of fun.  They had it banked right up to the wall, and you had to run right around the wall.  I just wanted to come back and run on that track some more.”

Larry ushered in Late Models at Petaluma in 1987 by winning the first championship.  He then took on the role of crew chief for his nephew, Milt McGinnis, who won the next two championships.  He started racing and winning again after that, but he again took on a helper role with Jim Pettit II.  He let Jim drive his car at times in 1991 as Pettit won that Antioch championship.

“Winning the championship definitely wouldn’t have been possible without Larry Damitz and everybody’s involvement in the the whole Sundrop Racing Team,” Pettit recalled.  “I mean, there were no balks or anything about me driving their car.”

After that, Larry won another three Late Model championships at Petaluma.  Track statistician Harlan Osborne counted 58 wins just in a 20-year span at Petaluma from 1987 to 2007, and there were more than that.  As the current decade came around, Larry entered his 80’s with no signs of slowing down.  Why was he doing it?  He loved cars, he loved the sport and he loved people.  Winning was just the icing on the cake.

After finishing second to Mitch Machado in 2010, Damitz won five of the next six championships and two more at Merced.  Jim Freethy bears the distinction of being the only driver during that run to beat him for a championship.  He wasn’t planning to quit.  He would have turned 88 in May and had every intention of competing in his familiar blue and orange Limited Late Model once again.  He had over 60 wins just at Antioch, and estimates are that he won over 150 Main Events in his career along with 17 track championships.

The loss of Damitz hit the people at Antioch Speedway pretty hard.  Promoter John M. Soares raced with Larry for many years.  As Soares enters his 20th season as Speedway Promoter, he had a crew put a special monument to Larry where he used to park.  He was an inspiration to many.  It wasn’t just that he could still win races at that age, but because he was a genuinely nice and down to earth guy.

On My 13th, Antioch Speedway will hold the Larry Damitz Memorial Race in Limited Late Models.  This Saturday night, there will be a special Memorial Lap as Antioch Speedway opens with DIRTcar Late Models, Limited Late Models, Wingless Spec Sprints, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars.  For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Movie filmed in Antioch last summer by director from Antioch to premier Sunday on TV

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Forgotten Evil starring Kyle McKeever and Masiela Lusha shot in Antioch, will air this Sunday night on LMN. photo courtesy of LMN

By Allen Payton

A film shot in Antioch, last fall by Antioch High School graduate and director Anthony C. Ferrante – of Sharknado fame – will premier on Lifetime’s LMN TV channel, this Sunday night at 8:00 p.m.

Director Anthony C. Ferrante and crew shooting outside scenes at Antioch’s historic El Campanil Theatre in downtown Rivertown in August, 2016. photo by Allen Payton

Entitled, “Forgotten Evil” the movie was filmed in various locations in Antioch for a few weeks in August, including Antioch High School and the historic El Campanil Theatre in downtown Rivertown and included Antioch residents as extras. (See related Herald article.)

The movie synopsis is, as follows: Renee awakens, sinking underwater inside a tightly tied sack. Struggling, she somehow breaks out from her underwater coffin. When she awakens again, she remembers nothing. Without a past, she is released from the hospital and forced to start a life anew. Amongst the new faces that enter her life, there is an old one, one that she does not recognize–her husband. As he grows closer and closer, those around her fall victim to deadly accidents. Now Renee must remember her past if she is to have a future.”

The film stars Masiela Lusha and Kyle McKeever in the leading roles, as well as Angie Teodora Dick, Adrian Bustamante and Jeff Marchelletta. To learn more about the full cast and crew, click here.

It is scheduled to show again at Midnight from For more information about the film, visit http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/forgotten-evil and for show times, click here.

Alameda Co. Deputy Sheriff, Antioch resident, who died last week to be eulogized at Concord Pavilion, Friday

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Deputy Michael Foley. photos courtesy of the Alameda Co. Sheriff’s Office

By Allen Payton

The funeral service for Michael Foley, an Alameda County Deputy Sheriff and Antioch resident, will be held this Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Concord Pavilion.

The 60-year-old was struck by a bus at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Wednesday, February 22 and died from his injuries, the next day. Foley worked for the Concord Police Department for 29 years, prior to his service with Alameda County.

A message was posted on the Sheriff’s Facebook page on Thursday: “It is with great sadness we report that Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Michael Foley has died from his injuries. Mike started his law enforcement career in 1978 as an Officer with the Concord Police Department. After a long and successful 29 year career there, he retired and was hired by ACSO in 2007. Michael was one of the hardest working Deputies on this agency. He used his experience and wisdom to mentor countless numbers of young officers throughout his career. He was an extremely kind man who loved his family, friends, co-workers and community. He believed in public service and making the world a better place. All of us who were touched by his life will never forget him. He is a role model and a great example for others to follow. Our hearts are broken today. Please keep Mike and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Sheriff’s escort for Deputy Foley’s body on Sunday, Feb. 26.

On Sunday, Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs escorted Foley’s body from John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau, according to a post on the Alameda County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

He is survived by his wife Tammie, and children Michael and Tonya. A GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit the Foley family and verified by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. http://www.gofundme.com/deputy-mike-foleys-family-fund According to that site, Foley “chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college.”he chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college. After 29 years with the Concord Police Department, he chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college. We are hoping to lighten the burden of this sudden loss. After 29 years with the Concord Police Department, he chose to work as a deputy at the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to put his son, Michael Jr., through college. We are hoping to lighten the burden of this sudden loss.

In addition, the San Francisco Police Credit Union has established an account under the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County Charitable Foundation for the benefit of Deputy Sheriff Michael Foley. Contributions may take place in person at a local branch, mail or electronically utilizing account #1387350 S5 M Foley Memorial Fund.  Funds may be forwarded to SFPCU via mail or electronically as follows:

ACSO DSA Charitable Foundation for Michael Foley 2550 Irving St San Francisco, Ca 94122 Acct#1387350 S5 Routing#321076496

Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust hires retired Save Mt. Diablo executive as interim executive director

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Ron Brown from his LinkedIn page.

The Board of Directors of the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust (BALT), announced via email, Monday night, December 19, 2016 a change in their executive directors. Following is their announcement:

“We are writing to let you know about some significant changes that are taking place at the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust.  Since 2002 BALT has been working to preserve Contra Costa’s productive agricultural land and to work with farmers and the community to create a vibrant local agricultural economy.

In June of 2003 BALT hired Kathryn Lyddan as our first Executive Director.  Prior to her work at BALT, Kathryn had 10 years of experience as a practicing attorney, specializing in land use and public finance law.  During the past 13 years, under Kathryn’s professional leadership, BALT has permanently protected nine farms and has been instrumental in reforming County zoning to support a sustainable economic future for Contra Costa farmers.

Kathryn recently informed us that she has accepted a position Assistant Director of the California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection.  In her new role, Kathryn will be overseeing programs to protect California’s farmland and open space resources, including the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, the Williamson Act and Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program   This is an exciting opportunity for Kathryn and we know that all of you join our Board in congratulating Kathryn and wishing her well in this exciting new professional position.

While we are sad to lose Kathryn and her professional expertise, we are excited to let you know that our Board of Directors is currently engaged in the development of a new strategic planning process that is exploring a number of opportunities for ways in which BALT can be even more successful in protecting and enhancing our agricultural protection mission and in strengthening our community’s agricultural economy.

To assist us in conducting our Strategic Planning process, the Board of Directors is pleased to let you know that we have engaged Ron Brown to serve as our Interim Executive Director.  Ron recently retired as the Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo where he served for over 15 years.  Ron has a Master’s Degree in Management with a specialty in Marketing Non-Profit organizations.

Ron’s experience as a successful non-profit organization leader, in addition to his familiarity with Contra Costa County will assist us in maintaining our current operations and in supporting the Board of Directors, as we excitedly undertake the responsibility of planning for the next phase of BALT’s organizational lifecycle.

We value your support of BALT, so please feel free to contact Ron or any of the members of the Board of Director by emailing us at info@brentwoodaglandtrust.org.

Sincerely,
Tom Bloomfield, Chairman
Janet Caprile, Secretary
Jon Harvey, Treasurer
Patrick Johnston, Stewardship Director
Jim Gwerder, Director”

About BALT

BALT works with Contra Costa farmers and the community so that future generations in the Bay Area will have a local source of food. The rich agricultural lands on the urban edge of Contra Costa County include more than 12,000 acres of irrigated farmland located just fifty miles from the Bay Area. With rich delta soils, ample water and a year-round growing season, Brentwood farms have provided food for the Bay Area since the 1880’s. Today Brentwood farmers continue to grow a remarkable diversity of food, primarily fruits and vegetables.

BALT permanently protects the fertile orchards and farms in this rapidly developing region with an active farmland conservation program. BALT promotes local farming and builds new markets for farmers through the Buy Fresh Buy Local marketing program. Working closedly with local governments, BALT develops programs and policies that supports a vibrant agricultural economy for Contra Costa farmers. Together with community partners, BALT is creating food connections between farmers and their urban neighbors.

For more information on BALT, visit www.brentwoodaglandtrust.org.

New Orleans Coroner may not release cause of College Board Trustee Nejedly’s death for two to four months

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John. T. Nejedly

John. T. Nejedly

By Allen Payton

In an effort to determine the cause of death of Contra Costa Community College District Trustee John T. Nejedly, while he was in New Orleans over the weekend, following a conference, inquiries were made to both the New Orleans Police Department and New Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office, today.

“The New Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office releases the names of victims,” said Dawn Massey, Senior Public Information Officer in the New Orleans Police Public Affairs Division. “We’ve had a couple of unclassified deaths that came in over the weekend.”

Unclassified means there was no obvious signs of death.

When asked for information about Nejedly’s death, Gayell Johnson of the Coroner’s Office said, “Once the person is autopsied it takes awhile to determine the cause of death. That is not something we know at this time.”

The Nejedly case “came in as a UI which is ‘under investigation’,” she added.

When asked how many days that will take, Johnson replied, “You mean how many weeks. The usual time is eight to sixteen weeks” for the results of the autopsy to be released.

However, his body can be released once the autopsy is completed, which is within 24-48 hours, so a memorial service can be held, she added.

John T. Nejedly, Contra Costa Community College Board Member and scion of political family, has died

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John. T. Nejedly

John. T. Nejedly

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) sadly announces the passing of Governing Board (Board) member John T. Nejedly this past weekend.  Mr. Nejedly represented Ward 4 which includes Blackhawk, Byron, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, San Ramon, and parts of Alamo, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, and Concord.

“Our prayers and sympathies are with the Nejedly family and friends,” says Board President Vicki Gordon.  “Mr. Nejedly’s long tenure on the Board demonstrated his support of the community college mission.  He will be missed.”

Mr. Nejedly was first elected to the Board in 1994, and was serving his sixth consecutive term of office.  He is only the fourth member to represent this area since the District was created in 1948.

“We are saddened and shocked by his passing and will miss his consistent, rational approach to issues facing the District.  The success of our students was his top priority,” Chancellor Helen Benjamin said.

After graduating from Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Construction Management, Mr. Nejedly completed his education at John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he received his law degree.  In addition to being a member of the California State Bar, he was a California licensed Real Estate Broker and licensed General Engineering Contractor.

The oldest son of the late State Senator John A. Nejedly, he was the brother of County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Board Member James Nejedly.

He first ran for public office, in 1992, but unsuccessfully for the Danville Town Council. He also ran for County Assessor in 2010, losing to incumbent Gus Kramer.

“Trustee Nejedly was the only Board member who worked on the passage of all three District bond campaigns, Measures A 2002 and 2006, and Measure E 2014,” said Board member John Márquez who has served on the Board with Mr. Nejedly for six years.  “His construction knowledge and experience provided a sound and critical voice as we modernized our campus facilities to improve the learning environment for students.”

He grew up part of his life in Walnut Creek and was a resident of San Ramon. Mr. Nejedly and his wife have three children and enjoyed spending time in the mountains and playing golf.