Contra Costa Herald

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

Coalition calls CA AG’s ballot initiative title, summary false, misleading

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Source: Our Neighborhood Voices

Effort “to bring back a local voice in community planning” co-sponsored by Brentwood Councilwoman

By Daniel Payne, Our Neighborhood Voices

This past week the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative received a title and summary from the office of Attorney General Rob Bonta that is false, misleading and likely to create prejudice against the initiative.

The title and summary provided by Bonta’s office falsely claims that the measure “automatically” overrides the state’s affordable housing laws. It does no such thing. It gives communities the power to shape local growth in a way that better meets affordable housing requirements – and it restores the ability of local communities to negotiate even higher affordable housing rates, which one-size-fits-all laws passed in Sacramento have taken away.

In 2021, Bonta’s own office issued a title and summary for the first draft of this initiative that did not include this misleading language. It correctly stated that the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative would return land-use and zoning decisions back to local communities – instead of forcing top-down mandates on cities that damage neighborhoods and only benefit for-profit developers.

Brentwood District 1 Councilmember Jovita Mendoza is one of the three co-sponsors of the initiative which has been endorsed by the Contra Costa County city councils of Brentwood and Clayton, as well as Oakley Vice Mayor Randy Pope.

In fact, the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative will increase the chances of more affordable housing being built according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. In their report, the LAO states that the initiative “May enable additional flexibility for affordable housing development.” This is exactly the intent of the initiative – to help local cities choose which state housing laws work best for them and modify them in ways that will make them more successful.

The only substantial changes in the new version of the initiative submitted to Bonta’s office this year was the addition of a provision that exempts 100% affordable housing projects at 80% of AMI, and a repeal of Article 34 of the California Constitution that makes it more difficult to create affordable housing.

Yet Bonta’s office still added the argumentative and prejudicial language that the initiative would “automatically override” affordable housing laws.

“Bonta’s claim that our initiative would ‘automatically override’ affordable housing laws is clearly and provably false,” Brentwood City Councilmember and initiative proponent Jovita Mendoza said. “Our initiative would allow cities to choose where and how new housing projects get built, instead of forcing them to comply with blanket mandates from Sacramento that give for-profit developers a blank check to gentrify and destroy our communities.”

The laws that the Attorney General’s office is apparently referring to are not even correctly called “affordable housing” laws. Sacramento politicians have given developers the ability to override local communities and governments to build luxury housing with affordable requirements so low that these new projects contribute to displacement and gentrification.

A law like SB9, which eliminated single family zoning in California, is being challenged in court because it was passed on the premise that it WILL create affordable housing, but clearly will not. “There is nothing in laws like SB9 that would get us anywhere close to the number of new affordable units that the state says we need,” said Kalimah Priforce, an Emeryville City Councilmember and advocate for BIPOC homeownership. “Instead, we will continue to see projects that are largely unaffordable to most working families, communities of color, or other Californians who need housing most. ‘Trickle down housing’ doesn’t work – and we certainly shouldn’t be relying on debunked theories to guide important housing decisions in our state.”

“Without a fair and accurate title and summary, our initiative cannot go forward on the 2024 ballot,” explained Susan Candell, Lafayette City Councilmember and proponent of the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative. “We are weighing our options to sue, although such a delay will run out the clock for an initiative like ours – which relies on volunteer efforts to qualify. But our fight for local democracy will go forward – and we won’t stop until we restore our right to have a say in the future of our own communities.”

“In fact this politicized attack against our initiative is just further evidence that Sacramento will continue to put developer profits over the needs of our communities – unless we stand up and fight back. And while we focus our efforts on seeing that this misleading language is changed, we will continue to grow our grassroots coalition and fight back for our neighborhood voice,” said Redondo Beach City Councilmember and supporter of the initiative Nils Nehrenheim.

Learn more about the Our Neighborhood Voices coalition and

how you can get involved at www.OurNeighborhoodVoices.com

Antioch Councilman, businessman, retired police lieutenant Mike Barbanica kicks off campaign for Contra Costa Supervisor

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Source: Barbanica for Supervisor campaign

Third candidate to announce for District 5 to replace Glover; touts major endorsements

On Thursday, September 21, Antioch City Councilman, business owner, retired police lieutenant Mike Barbanica announced his campaign for Contra Costa County Supervisor District 5. The campaign held its kick-off event later that evening at the Deputy Sheriff’s Association Hall in Martinez.

“We had a better turnout than expected,” Barbanica shared following the event. “We had well over 100. All the tables were full. It could not have been a more successful event. It was incredible.”

Barbanica is a 21-year veteran of the Pittsburg Police Department, where he retired in 2007 as a police lieutenant and earned the Bronze Medal of Valor Award for his service. Barbanica and his team were credited by the police chief with bringing about a 20 percent decrease in crime. Barbanica and his wife Kristine are the owners of Blue Line Property Group where they help local families access affordable housing. In 2020, Barbanica, a Democrat, was elected to the Antioch City Council and currently represents District 2.

“I am thrilled to announce my campaign for Supervisor for Contra Costa County District 5,” Barbanica said. “With over 20 years of experience protecting our community as a police officer and now an elected councilmember with a thriving small business that is taking on the housing crisis, I will proudly put my public service track record up against all-comers while I continue to fight for Contra Costa families. I will do what it takes to ensure Contra Costa County is a place where every family has an equal opportunity to thrive. I will use my experience as a long-time police officer and now councilmember to tackle the housing crisis, ensure we get serious about public safety, and build a stronger community for all who call Contra Costa County home.”

Barbanica is a real estate broker and owns Blue Line Property Management in Antioch handling both residential and commercial real estate sales, leasing and management.

He enters the race with a growing list of influential and respected endorsers, including Mary Knox, Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney,  Sue Rainey, former Mayor of Walnut Creek, Mary Erbez, former Mayor of Pittsburg, Frank Aiello, former Mayor of Pittsburg, Angelica Lopez, Pittsburg City Councilmember, Tony Oerlemans, Brentwood City Councilmember, Sean Wright, former Mayor of Antioch, and Arne Simonsen, former Antioch City Clerk and City Councilmember, as well as the United Steelworkers Local 326.

Barbanica is running for Contra Costa County Supervisorial District 5, which spans the north shore of Contra Costa County, including the cities of Hercules, Martinez and Pittsburg, and portions of Antioch and the unincorporated communities of Alhambra Valley, Bay Point, Briones, Rodeo, Pacheco, Crockett, Tormey, Port Costa, Mt. View, Vine Hill, Reliez Valley, and Clyde.

So far, he will face Pittsburg Mayor Shanelle Preston and Pittsburg Councilman Jelani Killings in the primary election in March. Filing closes December 8.

More About Barbanica

Barbanica, a lifelong resident of Antioch, is the small business owner of Blue Line Property Group in Antioch. He has received numerous awards for his teaching and coaching of others, including the California and Hawaii Region “Outstanding Brokerage of the Year” and the region’s “Broker of the Year.” Barbanica also authored an international bestselling book.

Before serving residents’ real estate needs, he began his career with the Pittsburg Police Department where he served 21 years and retired in 2007 as a police lieutenant. On the force, Barbanica ran a street level narcotic and crime unit for six years that was credited with reducing crime by 23% in Pittsburg.

In 2020, Barbanica was elected to represent District 2 on the Antioch City Council where he’s been cracking down on dilapidated properties, improving public safety, and getting small businesses the funds they need to succeed.

Barbanica is also active in the Antioch community, is a member of the Elk’s Club, the local Knights of Columbus, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the National Association of Realtors, the Pittsburg Italian American Club, and other service organizations.

Barbanica is married to Kristine Barbanica, and together they have raised three children in the Antioch community and are grandparents to 4 grandchildren.

For more information on Barbanica for Contra Costa County Supervisor, please visit www.mikebarbanica.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

San Ramon councilwoman announces campaign for State Senate

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Marisol Rubio. Source: FB

Will face Assemblyman Tim Grayson in March primary election

By Allen D. Payton

In her first year on the San Ramon City Council, Marisol Rubio announced Thursday, August 17, 2023 that she has officially launched her State Senate campaign to replace State Senator Steve Glazer who cannot run for reelection due to term limits. With the recent redistricting the Senate district is now Senate District 9. This is her second run for the State Senate. According to Ballotpedia, Rubio ran in 2020 to represent District 7 but lost to Glazer in the March primary.

The current district includes portions of Contra Costa County, including the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, the towns of Danville and Moraga, and portions of Alameda County including San Leandro and the unincorporated communities of Ashland, Castro Valley, and San Lorenzo.

State Senate District 9 map. Source: Rubio campaign

A press release issued by her campaign reads as follows:

In November of 2022, Marisol was elected to the San Ramon City Council District 4 with over 64% of the vote. She previously served as Director and Vice President of the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). Marisol is a 100% Pro-Choice Democrat with a strong record of fighting to protect our environment.

She is also a Founding Advisory Board Member of a nonprofit that advocates for women’s reproductive health education and treatment, as well as a fund that advances policies to protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I am a results-oriented, proven leader that will bring to the California Senate a strong, much-needed progressive voice with knowledge and lived experience in public health, social justice, the environment, and education,” said Marisol.

Marisol is the proud parent of a childhood brain cancer survivor who has lived with lifelong disabilities. She worked closely with her daughter for over two decades to ensure that she had quality health care and a strong education.  As a result, her daughter is a long-term survivor and student in college double majoring in Psychology and Spanish.

More on Marisol

Rubio received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley with a major in Molecular and Cell Biology, Neurobiology emphasis, where she was the recipient of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Women’s Leadership Scholarship Award, and a member of the Biology Scholars Programs. She is a former bilingual science teacher and original research mentor.

She has applied her science background and personal experience to work for the benefit of ourcommunity, including:

  • Protecting our water quality and supply at DSRSD as Vice Chair, then Chair ofDSRSD-EBMUD Recycled Water Authority (DERWA) and as a liaison for Zone 7, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, and the City of San Ramon.
  • Supporting the health and fair employment practices, benefits, and wages for home care providers.
    Championing environmental efforts as an Executive Committee Board Member at Sierra Club California and the San Francisco Bay Chapter.
  • Implementing Just Transition as the Environmental Co-Chair of a joint pilotLabor-Climate Task Force

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According to her Facebook page, Rubio is also Co-Chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the California Democratic Party.

According to her responses to questions by San Ramon Patch during last year’s campaign, Rubio shared more information about herself.

  1. What is your day job, and how will that prepare you to serve on the council?

I am a Home Care Provider, Translator, and Learning Coach. COVID impacted the latter position. I have also worked in a variety of positions as a K-5 Bilingual Science Teacher, Original Research Mentor, Health Promotion Officer, and Student Disability Advisor. Collectively, I have in-depth understanding of the needs of our children and our most often overlooked members within our community – people with disabilities and the elderly. I also have a deep understanding about human health, psychology, and the environment based
on my academic, volunteer, and professional background.

  1. What experience do you have serving the community?

CURRENT ELECTED & VOLUNTEER WORK

  • Vice President, Elected Division 1 Director, Dublin San Ramon Services District
  • Chair, DSRSD-EBMUD Recycled Water Authority (DERWA)
  • San Ramon Government 101 Academy
  • President, Diablo Valley Democratic Club
  • Elected San Francisco Bay Chapter Executive Committee At-Large Member, Sierra Club
  • National and State Leadership Council Member, Elected Officials to Protect America

o EOPA connects elected officials to bring about strong environmental policy.

  • Co-Chair, Contra Costa Labor Council Labor – Climate Task Force

o A collaboration between the Contra Costa Labor Council and various Bay Area environmental organizations to identify points of intersectionality in order to lay the groundwork for Just Transition.

  • Director of Government Relations, San Francisco Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

o Bringing government, community, and commerce together across the Bay Area.

  • Founding Executive Board Member, The Natalie Project

o Fund advocacy group for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

  • Founding Executive Board Member, FemTruth YouthTM

o Nonprofit based in Danville that advocates for reproductive health education.

  • Co-Chair, Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee, California Democratic Party
  • Co-Chair, Rules Committee, Contra Costa County Central Committee
  • Elected Assembly District 16 Delegate
  • SEIU 2015 Delegate, Contra Costa Labor Council

PAST VOLUNTEER WORK

  • Elected Tri-Valley Group Executive Committee Member, Sierra Club
  • Organizational and Operations Manager & Government Outreach, United Latino Voices
  • Issues Committee Co-Chair, Contra Costa County Central Committee
  • Ad Hoc Educational Committee Co-Chair, Contra Costa County Central Committee
  • Educational Committee, California Democratic Party Disability Caucus
  • Patient- & Family-Centered Care, Guest Lecturer, Samuel Merritt University FACES Summer Medical Academy
    • Pediatric Oncology Clinic Volunteer, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  1. Of which accomplishments are you most proud?

Getting my education in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology and, in turn, using that knowledge to help my daughter overcome her learning disabilities and, ultimately, attend college and pursue her dreams.

  1. What is your education?
  • A.A., German, French, Italian at Diablo Valley College (4.0 GPA)
  • Recipient of the President’s Scholar Award, American Mathematical Association of Two- Year Colleges (AMATYC) Honorable Mention Award (Top 10% Nationally), and Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at Oakton Community College.

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According to her LinkedIn page, she currently serves as the Council Liaison to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD), Arts Advisory Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Teen Council, Arts Foundation, Housing Advisory Committee, Tri-Valley Water and East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) & Water Issues.

Since her election last November, Rubio’s role with the Sierra Club expanded as a member of the Sierra Club’s California Executive Board and since January a member of the organization’s Summit Committee. Also, since January Rubio has been a member of the Council of Club Leaders for the Sierra Club, San Francisco Bay Chapter.

Her campaign website provides more details about the two foundations she helped start, including Founding Executive Advisory Board Member for The Natalie Project: Fund advocacy group for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In addition, it shows she is a Founding Executive Board Member for FemTruth Youth™: Nonprofit based in Danville that advocates for reproductive health education. According to CharityNavigator.org, the organization’s mission is “Representing an inclusive, grassroots coalition of youth, patient advocates and supporters at the intersection of womxn’s health, mental health, adverse childhood experiences and education; and reimagining inclusive new policy and standards for wellness.”

Rubio will face Assemblyman Tim Grayson who announced his campaign for the State Senate seat earlier this month in the primary election next March.

Her campaign website shows a slogan of “Putting Families and Communities First” but does not provide what her platform is, explaining the issues she will focus on if elected. Rubio and her campaign consultant were asked what those are.

“There will be more to add. This is just the announcement,” Andrew Acosta of Acosta Consulting responded. But she did not.

To learn more about Rubio’s campaign visit www.marisolforca.com.

 

 

Assemblyman Tim Grayson announces run for State Senate

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Assemblyman Tim Grayson and in his role as pastor on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Sources: Official photo and Lifepoint Church of Concord.

The bi-vocational pastor touts his “strong legislative record in consumer protection, affordable housing and public safety”; can only serve one term

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Friday, August 11, 2023, Assemblyman Tim Grayson announced his run for the California State Senate. Grayson has served in the Assembly since his election in 2016 and was previously the Mayor of Concord. He currently represents the 15th Assembly District and is seeking to represent District 9 in the State Senate, encompassing Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The district is currently State Senate District 7 and is represented by State Senator Steve Glazer who is termed out.

“Californians are struggling to keep pace with rising inflation and skyrocketing housing costs. I’ll stand up for them in the State Senate and expand on the work I did to stand up for middle-class Californians – expanding statewide protections for renters, standing up to Big Banks and pharmaceutical companies, providing affordable housing, and improving our roads, bridges, and infrastructure,” said Grayson.

He made his announcement with a video posted on social media for his supporters.

Grayson, a registered Democrat, was the first in his family to earn a college degree. His father was a Teamster, and his mother was a public transit worker. Starting in 1997, Tim operated a business as a general building contractor and still holds a license today. In 2010, he was elected to the Concord City Council, winning reelection in 2014 and eventually serving as the city’s mayor. As mayor, Tim worked to balance Concord’s $90 million budget and built up the city’s rainy-day fund.

Grayson co-founded the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, a nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. He fought for funding for survivors of abuse during the coronavirus pandemic and wrote a law making it tougher for sexual predators to avoid justice.

Since being elected to the Assembly, Tim has authored and passed historic legislation to build more affordable housing for middle and working-class families, establish statewide rent protections to help more Californians stay in their homes, increase access to effective mental health services for our California firefighters and first responders, and put an end to predatory lending and rein in the payday loan industry.

Grayson’s major legislative accomplishments include:

  • Serving as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. Assemblymember Grayson has championed innovative solutions that will benefit all Californians and lead to economic growth.
  • Securing $30 million in state funding for Family Justice Centers throughout California to streamline services for victims of interpersonal violence.
  • Securing $34M to improve the Interstate 680/State Route 4 interchange in Concord.
  • Passed laws (AB 1482 and AB 1481) to protect California renters from unfair evictions and significant rent increases.
  • Authored legislation, AB 1116 (Grayson, 2019), to increase access to effective mental health services for firefighters.
  • Supported legislation and funding to help law enforcement recover stolen merchandise to protect local businesses.
  • Supported funding a permanent Smash and Grab Enforcement Unit to fight organized retail theft.
  • Supported a state budget that included $30 Million to support the National Guard’s drug eradication efforts, targeting transnational criminal organizations.
  • Supported $156 Million for gun violence prevention programs, and $25 Million for gun buyback programs.
  • Supported $30 Million investment for fentanyl & other drug trafficking prevention programs.
  • Supported legislation to ensure officers receive strong use-of-force training in order to protect them in the field and help keep our communities safe.
  • Passed AB 539 to stop the predatory payday lending industry by capping the interest rates on small loans between $2,500-$10,000.

According to Grayson’s biography on his official Assemblymember website, “Grayson serves as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee and as a member of the Business and Professions Committee, the Insurance Committee, and Revenue and Taxation Committee. Grayson also chairs the Select Committee on Streamlining Services for Victims of Interpersonal Violence.

Grayson continues to serve as the Concord Police Department’s Critical Response Chaplain, a position he has held since 2007, providing emotional support and counseling to first responders, victims, and their families during and after traumatic events. Grayson also has maintained a license as a general building contractor since 1997.”

He “is eligible to serve up to twelve years in the Legislature through 2028,” allowing him one, four-year term in the State Senate if he’s elected.

According to Grayson’s Wikipedia page, “Although once a Republican, he switched parties upon making a bid for Assembly.”

His run for State Senate triggers the campaign by Antioch City Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s campaign for Assembly, which she announced in June and was conditional upon Grayson not running for re-election. (See related article)

Grayson is also pastor of Lifepoint Church formerly, Calvary Apostolic Church, in Concord. He lives in Concord where he raised his two children with his wife of more than 35 years, Tammy who is the principal of Calvary Christian School which is operated by the church along with Calvary Christian Preschool. According to corporationwiki.com, Grayson is currently president of Calvary Apostolic Church of Concord, and formerly affiliated with United Pentacostal Lighthouse of Rodeo, for which according to bizapedia.com Tammy served as Chief Financial Officer, and Grace for Grace Ministries, which according to bizapedia.com was located in Stockton.

Additional details are available at www.GraysonforCA.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Pittsburg mayor announces campaign for District 5 Supervisor if incumbent Glover doesn’t run for re-election

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Shanelle Scales-Preston. Source: Facebook

Shanelle Scales-Preston says her priorities will include investing in youth services, transportation, promoting economic growth, strengthening public safety, and protecting our environment.

By Allen D. Payton

In a Facebook post on Friday, August 4, 2023, Pittsburg Mayor Shanelle Scales-Preston serving her second term on the city council, announced she will run for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District 5 if current, six-term incumbent Federal Glover doesn’t run for re-election in the 2024 Primary next March.

She currently works as District Director for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, serving in the position since 2016.

In her post, Scales-Preston wrote:

“Hello Facebook Family and Friends,

I’m excited to announce I’m running for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District V if Federal Glover decides not to seek re-election.

It has been an honor to represent Pittsburg residents as mayor and serve on the city council since 2018. Together, we have strengthened our community and improved services. I firmly believe that a strong and vibrant community is the foundation for a prosperous and fulfilling life. It is this belief that drives me to step forward and offer my dedication, experience, and passion to serve as your County Supervisor.

Pittsburg is my home and has shaped who I am today. I understand the day-to-day struggles we all face. Throughout my life, I have witnessed the power of unity and the strong ties of community built from our relationships with our neighbors, churches, and organizations where we volunteer, and the incredible potential that lies within each individual. That’s why I believe in fostering an inclusive and diverse community that celebrates our differences and embraces our shared goals and aspirations. I am devoted to working tirelessly to ensure that our county is a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.

My campaign is centered around the idea that community and people mean everything. I am committed to being an accessible representative for all residents in District V. My priorities include investing in youth services, transportation, promoting economic growth, strengthening public safety, and protecting our environment.

My community service started in the federal government more than twenty years ago and has equipped me with the tools I need to effectively advocate for residents and fix problems. District V is sprawling and diverse, covering the northern waterfront. I have worked in these communities for my whole career in public service and have built lasting relationships with residents here.

I look forward to engaging with people across District V to learn what matters most to you and all residents. I am excited for the campaign and hope I can earn your support.

Your involvement, ideas, and support are invaluable in shaping the future of our community. Together we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous community.

Sincerely,Shanelle Scales-Preston

Website: www.shanelle4supervisor.org

Donate: https://www.efundraisingconnections.com/c/ShanelleScalesPreston

Letter: https://conta.cc/44WuQPw”

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According to her campaign website, Scales-Preston is Chair of the Board for MCE, the local electricity provider, Chair of TransPlan which coordinates regional transportation projects in East County and is President of the League of California Cities East Bay Division. She is married and a mother of two boys.

According to her LinkedIn page she has worked for the U.S. House of Representatives for the past 22 years, first as a Field Representative from 2001 to 2015 for Congressman George Miller.

According to her page on votersedge.com during the 2022 campaign in which she was re-elected as the top vote-getter, Scales-Preston wrote, “Growing up in Pittsburg, I benefited from youth programs. Now, I have led efforts to expand activities for young people by investing $3 million dollars in Youth Services.” She has been mayor since December, a position rotated annually among council members in Pittsburg.

If Scales-Preston runs, she will join fellow Pittsburg Councilmember Jelani Killings in the race.

The filing deadline in the race is December 8. If no one wins a majority of the vote in March, the top two candidates will face off in a run-off election in the November General Election.

Efforts to reach her for comment and to reach Glover to determine if he has made a decision about the 2024 election yet, were unsuccessful prior to publication. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Pittsburg councilman announces campaign for District 5 County Supervisor

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Jelani Killings. Source: Facebook

Jelani Killings will focus on government accountability, public safety, economic development and homelessness

May challenge six-term incumbent Glover

“The county has to do a better job of partnering with cities.” – Jelani Killings

By Allen D. Payton

In a post on his personal Facebook page on July 20, two-term Pittsburg Councilman and former mayor, Jelani Killings announced his campaign for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District 5 in the March 2024 Primary. He wrote, “I am thrilled to announce that I am running for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5! I look forward to sharing my vision for the County and earning the vote of District 5 residents. See press release for the official announcement and stay tuned for more details about the campaign and how you can get involved! Thank you in advance for the support, prayers, and contributions that will make this campaign a success!”

District 5 includes the cities of Pittsburg, Hercules, Martinez, Pittsburg and portion of Pinole, the northern portion of Antioch and the unincorporated communities of Bay Point, Rodeo, Pacheco, Crockett, Clyde, Port Costa, Alhambra Valley, Briones, Tormey, Mt. View, Vine Hill and Reliez Valley.

Six-term incumbent Federal Glover has not yet announced if he is going to run again in 2024. But that isn’t stopping Killings from jumping in the race.

A July 20th press release about his campaign reads, “A visionary leader for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5: Jelani Killings

Jelani Killings, a dynamic and experienced public servant, announces his candidacy for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5. With a fresh perspective and a passion for addressing the community’s needs, Killings brings the energy and leadership necessary to ignite positive change. With an impressive track record serving on the Pittsburg City Council, Killings is poised to bring his experience, integrity, and forward-thinking approach to the next level.

During his two-term tenure on the Pittsburg City Council, Jelani Killings has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to his community and has proven himself as a leader who thinks critically and acts independently. His passion for serving the people and dedication to government accountability has earned him the trust and respect of his constituents as well as leaders throughout the region.

“District 5 has the potential to be the economic and cultural backbone of Contra Costa County,” said Killings. “I envision a future where our community thrives, and its potential is fully realized. Together, we will build a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

Killings’ platform is centered around three core pillars: government accountability, public safety and economic development. As a tireless advocate for transparency and responsible governance, he aims to foster an environment of trust and cooperation between the County and its residents.

Regarding public safety, Killings understands that a safe community is the bedrock upon which all other progress is built. He is committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies and community leaders to ensure a safer environment for all District 5 residents.

Furthermore, Killings recognizes the immense potential for economic growth in District 5. With his passion for economic development and a clear vision, he plans to increase support for small businesses, champion additional investments for workforce development, and revitalize local industries, ultimately boosting the county’s economy.

His campaign’s motto, “Vision, Integrity, Accountability,” reflects Killings’ unwavering dedication to serving the people and bringing positive change to Contra Costa County. With his proven leadership qualities and experience, Jelani Killings is undoubtedly the candidate to lead District 5 into a prosperous future.

About Jelani Killings

Jelani Killings is a well-respected public servant, having served on the Pittsburg City Council for the past seven years. He brings a wealth of experience, determination, and fresh ideas to his campaign for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5. Jelani is a champion of government accountability, public safety, and economic development, and he envisions a brighter future for the community he loves.

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Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5 map. Source: Contra Costa County

When reached for comment Killings said, “I’m excited. I’m already feeling the heat a little bit. My campaign is not predicated on whether Glover runs for re-election or not. For the past two elections he said it would be his last.”

Killings has worked for the City of Oakland for the past 10 years and currently works for the City’s Public Ethics Commission dealing with campaign finance, government ethics, transparency and lobbyist laws in Oakland. Previously he worked as an Office Manager for H&R Block and a Youth Program Coordinator, STS Academy.

He was first elected to the Pittsburg City Council in 2016 then re-elected in 2020 the year he served has mayor.

His bio on votersedge.org during the 2020 campaign reads, “A Pittsburg native and Pittsburg High School graduate, Mayor Killings has dedicated his life to serving others and giving back to the community that inspired him growing up. He is a proud husband, father, minister, and mentor. He currently serves on the City Council’s Finance, Economic Development, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) committees. Mayor Killings also serves as a city representative to the East Bay League of California Cities, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and the 2×2 School District committees.”

On the issues and his major concerns in the supervisor’s race, he shared, “The county has to make some tough decisions in the next few years. There’s going to have to be some cutbacks. Finance has shared that there are issues that will have to be addressed with the budget. Economic development is going to be a focus and public safety is definitely a strong focus.”

“When I talk about accountability, I’m talking about efficiencies and sustainability of the programs the county runs,” Killings continued. “They’re looking at what to do about homelessness. We’ve seen exorbitant amounts of money spent on homelessness over the past decade but statewide, countywide and even in East County the outcomes haven’t been addressing the problems surrounding it.”

“The county has to do a better job of partnering with cities,” he stated. “In Pittsburg we had the county working with the state to take over Motel 6. The City really had no say in the process. Our consolation prize was them giving us two years of a dedicated CORE team in our community.”

“The larger conversation must be about housing itself,” Killings explained. “I’m more of a supply and demand person, when the government is holding the purse for new, affordable housing, then you have local regulations and litigation that’s slowing down the approval process and production overall of new housing.”

The councilman and candidate for supervisor, earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University in 2009 and a Master’s in Public Administration – Public Management and Policy from Cal State East Bay in 2015. He is married with two children, a daughter age 8 and a son, age 5.

Killings said he is in the process of forming a campaign committee and developing a website. For now, for more information or to contact the candidate email killingsforsupervisor2024@gmail.com or visit his official city council Facebook page.

The filing deadline in the race is December 8. If no one wins a majority of the vote in March, the top two candidates will face off in a run-off election in the November General Election.

An effort to reach Glover to determine if he has made a decision about the 2024 election yet, was unsuccessful prior to publication. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

Antioch councilwoman running for State Assembly

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Source: Wilson for Assembly campaign.

Second attempt at higher office, seeks to succeed Tim Grayson as part of effort to elect an equal number of women to the state legislature

By Allen D. Payton

On June 1st, Antioch District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson announced her campaign for State Assembly in District 15 which includes portions of Central and Eastern Contra Costa County. Current incumbent, Tim Grayson (D-Concord), is expected to run for the State Senate seat currently held by Steve Glazer who is termed out at the end of 2024. Although California state legislators can now serve a total of 12 years with a combination of time in each house, Glazer won a special election in 2011 to replace Mark DeSaulnier who was elected to Congress in 2015, midway through his term. If Glazer were re-elected for a third term, he would end up serving over 13 years.

First elected to the city council in 2012 then re-elected in 2016 for four-year terms, following the formation of council districts Wilson was re-elected again in 2020 for a two-year term garnering over 55% of the vote against two other candidates. This past year she was re-elected for another four-year term, but the support in her district had dropped to less than 37% in a field of four candidates, including fellow Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock. (See related article)

This is Democrat Wilson’s second run for higher office which included a failed attempt for District 3 County Supervisor in 2016 in which she placed fifth out of six candidates in the primary. (See related article)

The following press release was issued by her campaign:

Four-term Councilmember Monica Wilson announces her candidacy for State Assembly (AD15). Current Assemblymember Tim Grayson is widely expected to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Steve Glazer.

For the past two decades, Monica has served the people of Contra Costa County as a community organizer, high-profile advocate to end human trafficking, and leader in the fight for safe neighborhoods and healthy families.

“I am ready to take my results-oriented leadership to Sacramento – where I can do even more to maintain and improve the quality of life for our Contra Costa County communities and all Californians,” said Wilson. “Too many families are getting priced out due to skyrocketing cost of living and expensive housing. And creating effective solutions to homelessness is not only a regional, but statewide crisis. I have a proven track record of tackling today’s tough problems to provide the leadership every Californian needs.”

“These are all issues I have experienced myself,” she continued. “As your Assemblymember, I’ll fight to address pocketbook issues for the well-being of every Contra Costa County family and residents throughout the Golden State.”

Wilson announced her Assembly candidacy with endorsements from State Board of Equalization Member Sally Lieber, women and human rights advocate Christine Pelosi (Former Speaker of the House and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s daughter) and local leaders including Concord Vice Mayor Edi Birsan and Brentwood Councilmember Jovita Mendoza.

“Monica has led efforts to protect our clean air and water for future generations,” said Board of Equalization Member Lieber. “Monica will lead the fight in Sacramento to make real progress toward the governor’s goal of dramatically cutting carbon pollution to reduce the risk of drought and wildfire.”

“It is more important than ever to elect women with proven track records of results to be our state policymakers. I am thrilled Councilmember Monica Wilson has answered the calls to run,” said Susannah Delano, Executive Director of Close the Gap California, (which is working for “gender parity in the state legislature by 2028”).

15th Assembly District map. Source: Wilson for Assembly campaign.

Assembly District 15 includes the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, a portion of Walnut Creek and the unincorporated communities of Bay Point and Pacheco.

ABOUT MONICA: Antioch Councilmember Monica Wilson champions police reform and safe neighborhoods; solutions to homelessness; expansion of mental health response teams; and bans on new liquor stores. Monica is a regional and statewide leader in the fight against human trafficking, serving as a program manager for a Bay Area nonprofit battling exploitation – and also worked closely with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office to create the County’s Human Trafficking Task Force.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP & EXPERIENCE:

  • Serving 4th term on Antioch City Council; first African American woman elected
  • Vice Chair, Northern California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus; former Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County
  • Board Member, Tri Delta Transit
  • Staff Advisor, FemDems; Outreach Coordinator, Grateful Garment Project
  • Program Manager, Human Trafficking nonprofit Love Never Fails
  • Staff Member, Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County
  • San José – Evergreen Community College District and Mills College professional positions in Workforce Institute and Student Life divisions

———————-

Wilson is also one of five board members for the Celebrate Antioch Foundation which serves as the fiscal agent for her East Contra Costa Women’s Leadership Initiative.

Issues

According to the Priorities page on her campaign website, Wilson’s platform includes the issues of Cost of Living, Affordable Housing and Homelessness, Safe Neighborhoods and Schools and Climate Change.

Accomplishments

Wilson’s main accomplishment as a member of the Antioch City Council was last year’s approval of the pilot program for a mental health response team to assist the police department, which is expected to begin operating this year. In addition, she championed a moratorium on gas and oil drilling in the city, and rejection of the franchise agreement renewal for the natural gas pipeline that runs through the city. That has resulted in an ongoing lawsuit by the operator of the pipeline. The councilwoman is now pushing for a moratorium on new gas stations in the city.

For the past two-and-a-half years Wilson has been the least controversial member of the council majority that has approved rental housing protections, a homeless motel for transitional housing, reversal of a $750,000 grant for six police officers to serve as School Resource Officers on Antioch middle and high school campuses, multiple cannabis dispensaries and businesses, a ban on the sale of certain tobacco products and the sale or transfer of tobacco retail businesses including to other family members, a gerrymandered council district map, hiring their own part-time secretaries, as well as the hiring of the current city manager, who she later voted to place on paid administrative leave pending at least two investigations.

According to her LinkedIn page, Wilson has held a total of six jobs since 2009. She is unmarried and has no children.

For more information about Wilson’s campaign visit www.MonicaforAssembly.com.

 

Tickets still available to see author and Trump advisor George Papadopoulos speak on book “Deep State Target” in Brentwood May 19

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East Contra Costa Republic Women Federated presents former member of foreign policy advisory panel during 2016 presidential campaign

For an individual ticket visit https://square.link/u/QxL23oBt

For a couple’s ticket visit https://square.link/u/YiLOI20c

For more information email RepublicanWomenECC@gmail.com.

Pleasant Hill community group claims council produced gerrymandered district maps

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Pleasant Hill City Council Draft District Maps for five or four districts with a directly-elected mayor showing where the incumbents live and the order in which their  seats would be up for election. Source: PH Community Alliance

City faces possible lawsuit if they don’t switch to district elections; next public hearing Monday, May 1

By Pleasant Hill Community Alliance

Kevin Shenkman of the law firm Shenkman and Hughes has issued a notice of an impending lawsuit against the City of Pleasant Hill if they do not move to by-district elections. The attorney is representing the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) and the Pleasant Hill Community Alliance.

Founded in 1974, SVREP is the oldest and largest non-partisan Latino voter participation organization in the United States.

The Alliance is a community group composed of residents and California Voting Rights advocates who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the city’s district maps are drawn in a fair and equitable manner that accurately reflects the communities of interest within the city. However, their efforts have been met with resistance from the City Council, who have refused to take into account the input of residents and instead have instructed a demographer to create two maps that appear to be based only on councilmember input.

According to the City’s districting process webpage, the Council is considering remaining with five council members and a rotated mayor and maps with five districts or changing to a city-wide, directly elected mayor and maps with four council districts. Following the April 17, 2023, public hearing, the City demographer prepared a draft electoral division map with five districts and another with four districts. In addition, five more five-district maps were submitted by members of the public, including Draft Map 2 submitted by the SVREP and the Alliance referred to below as the “Minority Coalitions”. The seven draft maps are available for viewing by clicking on the links on that page. The City will hold public hearings on May 1, May 6, and May 22, 2023, to discuss and gather feedback on the draft maps.

The draft maps look to protect incumbency, with jagged lines drawn around councilmembers’ homes and the homes of candidates from the 2022 City Council election. In addition, it appears that Councilmembers have instructed the demographer to diminish minority votes in East Pleasant Hill by creating only one minority majority coalition, when there could be two. The minority coalitions in Pleasant Hill which are largely composed of Asian, Latino, and mixed-race residents.

The Alliance is deeply concerned about the City Council’s actions and the potential harm that could be done to the democratic process if these maps are adopted. They have called on the City Council to reconsider their approach and to work with the community to create district maps that accurately reflect the interests of all residents.

“We cannot stand by and allow the City Council to ignore the voices of the community and create district maps that are designed to protect their own interests,” said Alliance spokesperson Michelle Simone. “We will take all necessary action to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and that the voices of all residents are heard.”

Comparison of Pleasant Hill City Council Draft District Map for five districts and proposed map submitted by the Minority Coalitions showing minority populations. Source: PH Community Alliance

The Alliance is urging residents to attend the next City Council meetings on May 1 at 7pm and May 6 at 2pm to voice their concerns about the proposed district maps. They are also calling on the City Council to work with the community to create district maps that accurately reflect the diversity of Pleasant Hill.

A post on the group’s Facebook page challenges the districting maps claiming they result in “cracking” which reduces the influence of Communities of Interest, specifically minority communities. The post reads, “Cracking refers to the practice of drawing electoral districts that divide the population of a community or constituency across several districts. In doing so, the influence of the community or constituency may be reduced, preventing the group from forming a voting block within any single district sufficient to elect the group’s preferred candidates. This practice contrasts with packing, in which the population of a community or constituency is consolidated within a small number of districts, thereby minimizing its influence in other districts. Cracking and packing may be used in conjunction to minimize the influence of a particular voting bloc to benefit another, a practice referred to as gerrymandering.” https://ballotpedia.org/Cracking

For more information, please contact the Pleasant Hill Community Alliance at Community94523@gmail.com, visit their website or Facebook page.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Anti-gerrymandering redistricting reform gaining momentum in CA Legislature

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The original gerrymander in 1812 of a Massachusetts State Senate district approved by Gov. Elbridge Gerry. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

AB 764 and AB 1248 would help end gerrymandering in the state and bring local redistricting into alignment with statewide and congressional redistricting standards

SACRAMENTO – A package of statewide redistricting reform bills that would help end gerrymandering and the abuse of local redistricting processes in California passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday. AB 764 (Bryan) and AB 1248 (Bryan and Allen) have recently gained a groundswell of support, pushing the bills past a massive legislative hurdle and inching them closer to becoming law.

“The abuse of our redistricting processes by incumbent politicians is a statewide issue that requires statewide solutions if California is to build a fully inclusive and representative democracy that works for everyone,” said Jonathan Mehta Stein, Executive Director of California Common Cause. “Informed by evaluations of over 100 of local jurisdictions’ redistricting processes and conversations with dozens of community-based organizations, AB 764 and AB 1248 make this vision a reality.”

Backed by civil rights, good government, and community organizations, these bills would empower communities in the redistricting process and would help end gerrymandering at the local level by strengthening current redistricting protections and establishing independent redistricting commissions for larger local jurisdictions.

AB 764 amends 2019’s FAIR MAPS Act (FMA), a bill that requires cities and counties to use standardized, fair redistricting criteria that prioritize communities when drawing district lines. The bill strengthens the FMA’s redistricting criteria, public engagement requirements, and transparency measures, and would extend its protections to additional local governments, like school boards. It would also prohibit incumbent-protection gerrymandering and would give the public greater control over a process that fundamentally should belong to them.

Under AB 1248, all counties, cities, school districts, and community college districts with a population over 300,000 would be required to establish an independent redistricting commission before the 2030 redistricting cycle that meets their own local needs. If they do not act on their own, they would be required to utilize a more detailed default commission structure outlined in state law.

“Comprehensive redistricting reform is a long-term solution for building truly representative elections and a democracy that includes everyone,” said Laurel Brodzinsky, California Common Cause’s Legislative Director. “The momentum of AB 764 and AB 1248 shows there’s a real chance that California can end the abuse of our redistricting processes and set the national standard for prioritizing people over politicians.”

AB 764 is sponsored by California Common Cause, League of Women Voters of California, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California. AB 1248 is sponsored by California Common Cause, ACLU of Southern California, Asian Law Caucus, and League of Women Voters of California.

Registered Support for AB 764:

AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund, ACLU California Action, AFSCME, Alameda County Coalition for Fair Redistricting, Alliance San Diego, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, California Environmental Voters (formerly CLCV), Catalyst California, Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy, California Common Cause, Communities for A New California (CNC), Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), Community Health Councils, Courage California, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Indivisible CA Statestrong, Indivisible Marin, Initiate Justice, Initiate Justice Action, Inland Equity Partnership, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of The San Francisco Bay Area, League of Women Voters of California, Oakland Rising Action, OC Action, Peninsula Family Service, San Francisco Rising, Secure Justice, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Resistance Northridge-indivisible, The Santa Monica Democratic Club, Thrive, the Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County, Voices for Progress, Young Women’s Freedom Center

Registered Support for AB 1248:

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Southern California, California Common Cause, League of Women Voters of California, AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund, ACLU California Action, AFSCME, Alameda County Coalition for Fair Redistricting, Alliance San Diego, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Southern California, California Environmental Voters (formerly CLCV), Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy, Community Health Councils, Courage California, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Indivisible CA Statestrong, Initiate Justice, Initiate Justice Action, Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective, Inland Empire United, Inland Equity Partnership, OC Action, San Francisco Rising, Santa Monica Democratic Club, The Resistance Northridge-Indivisible

About Common Cause

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.