Contra Costa Herald

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

Following collision, vehicle recovered in Monday Alamo carjacking

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Porsche that was carjacked in Alamo on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 was recovered following a collision on Tuesday morning. Photo courtesy of CCCSheriff.

Tuesday morning, Dec. 20 at about 10:00 AM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff was notified that the vehicle that was carjacked in Alamo on Monday was apparently involved in a multi-vehicle collision on northbound 880, near 66th Avenue, in Oakland. The unknown driver, who may have been injured, and passenger fled the scene on foot.

A Deputy Sheriff responded to the location and confirmed it was the Porsche Boxster that was carjacked.

On Monday, at about 2:30 PM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery in a shopping center located on the 3100 block of Danville Boulevard in Alamo.

The victim’s husband called in to report that his wife had been carjacked. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted the victim, who stated approximately 15 minutes earlier she was sitting in the driver’s seat of her vehicle with the door open when the suspect forced her out of the car at gunpoint. The suspect entered the car and drove away. The victim was not harmed. Law enforcement agencies were notified to be on the lookout for the stolen vehicle. The vehicle was not located in spite of an extensive search. The vehicle was a white colored, convertible, 2-door, 2015 Porsche Boxster with California license plate – 7JEE656.

The investigation is still ongoing. A photo of the vehicle is attached.

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

 

Assemblywoman Baker takes oath for second term, declines perks

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Assemblywoman Baker takes oath of office for second term on Monday, December 5, 2016. Photo courtesy of Catharine Baker.

Assemblywoman Baker takes oath of office for second term on Monday, December 5, 2016. Photo courtesy of Catharine Baker.

Will continue practice of declining state-issued vehicle and per diem perks

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-San Ramon) took the oath of office on Monday, December 5 and was sworn in as the representative for the 16th Assembly District in the California Legislature. This is Baker’s second term in office. Today she vowed to continue her independent and bipartisan approach to address the important issues before our State.

“It is an honor to continue to serve the 16th Assembly District in our Legislature and provide a strong voice for the needs of our community,” said Baker. “Over the next two years, I will continue the work I began in my first term, focusing on real results, not partisan bickering, to achieve solutions that will help improve the quality of life for all Californians. Our district expects no less.”

Baker added, “My very first act will be to continue the practice I adopted in my first term, of declining both the state-issued vehicle and per diem perks for Members. I want to start my term of service by giving back to the taxpayers and constituents who elected me to office.”

“Thank you, AD16, for this honor and for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving our community. I will work hard each and every day to deserve it,” she continued. “As we begin this new legislative session, I remain committed to working across the aisle — with a focus on real results, not partisan politics — to improve the quality of life for all Californians.”

On November 8, 2016, Catharine Baker was re-elected to represent the 16th Assembly District. Baker focuses her efforts on improving our education system, our transportation and water infrastructure, public safety and fiscal discipline, with an emphasis on bipartisan collaboration. In her first term she had nine bipartisan bills signed by the Governor in each of these areas.

The 16th Assembly District includes the communities of Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek.

 

DeSaulnier announces Danville student as winner of the “2016 Congressional App Challenge” for Contra Costa County

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Congressman DeSaulnier (middle) with 2016 Congressional App Challenge participants (from left to right) Ray Altenberg, Ross Altenberg, Jasmine Steele, and Michael Chou.

Congressman DeSaulnier (middle) with 2016 Congressional App Challenge participants (from left to right) Ray Altenberg, Ross Altenberg, Jasmine Steele, and Michael Chou.

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D, CA-11) announced Jasmine Steele of Danville as the winner of the 2016 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 11th District. Jasmine Steele, a student at San Ramon Valley High School, designed and created “Allergy Blast,” an app that provides a platform to easily and quickly share allergy and medication information. The app is meant to help children, seniors, or those with special needs who may wish to inform schools or caregivers of this important information.

“I am proud of the innovative young programmers in our district who participated in this year’s app challenge. I congratulate Jasmine on the design of her creative and potentially lifesaving app, and look forward to seeing ‘Allergy Blast’ represent Contra Costa County on display in the United States Capitol,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.

The runners-up included Matt Moss of Alamo, Michael Chou of Danville, and Ray and Ross Altenberg of Moraga with their teammate Alan Brilliant from San Mateo.

The panel of judges for the competition were: Muktesh Mishra, Senior Software Engineer, Capital One; Shaun Webb, Product and POC management, Capital One and Sudha Jamthe, Part-Time Instructor, Stanford Continuing Studies, Technology.

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging U.S. students to learn how to code by creating their own applications to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. This is the second year DeSaulnier has hosted the Congressional App Challenge for the Eleventh District. More information about the Congressional App Challenge can be found here.

Antioch man appointed to Contra Costa Community College Board to fill the late John Nejedly’s Ward IV seat

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Gary Walker-Roberts in a screenshot from a video on the CCCCD website.

Gary Walker-Roberts in a screenshot from a video on the CCCCD website.

MARTINEZ, CA – At their November 29, 2016, special meeting, the Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board unanimously approved the provisional appointment of Gary Walker-Roberts of Antioch to represent Ward IV.  This appointment, in accordance with California Education Code 5091, is being made due to the vacancy created by the unfortunate passing of Governing Board member John T. Nejedly last month. Ward IV includes the communities of Blackhawk, Byron, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, San Ramon, and parts of Alamo, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, and Concord.

Walker-Roberts will be seated at the next regular Governing Board meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Walker-Roberts is an alum of Los Medanos College where he graduated Suma Cum Laude in 2013 with an A.A. in Behavioral Science and Social Science. Then he graduated again from LMC with an A.A. in Arts & Humanities in 2015. He served on the community college board as a student trustee this past school year, was student body president of LMC in 2014-15, student representative to the United Faculty, and was instrumental in the formation and opening of the Veterans Resource Center at LMC, earlier this year.

Walker-Roberts also graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in Ethnic Studies: Gender & Sexuality from Cal State East Bay in 2015 and with a Masters degree in English from Arizona State University, this year.

His public service has included working on Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson’s reelection campaign, this year and as a volunteer and mentor for foster youth with Contra Costa County Children & Family Services.

With his application, Walker-Roberts submitted letters of support from both Wilson and State Assemblyman Jim Frazier.

He works in retail as a Fragrance Expert/Trainer for Louis Vuitton, USA in San Francisco and has worked in the field of skin care and cosmetics since 2005.

When reached for comment, Walker-Roberts said, “I’m looking forward to serving Ward IV from East Contra Costa County all the way around Mt. Diablo to southern Contra Costa County. I appreciate that the trustees feel I can handle the position of trustee.”

Asked what his plans are in the new position, he stated, “I want to continue to represent under-represented minority students’ needs and also continue to develop the Veterans Resource Centers throughout the district. We’re working with the Sentinels of Freedom to open one at each of the three college campuses.”

Other applicants considered for the provisional appointment were non-profit manager and educator Carl Nichols, litigation attorney Jerome Pandell and barber college owner Frank Quattro, all of Danville, and Director of the STEM-Workforce Initiative of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, April Treece of Clayton. To see the application from and letters of support for each candidate, click here.

Unless a petition calling for a special election, containing a sufficient number of signatures, is filed in the Office of County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days of the date of the provisional appointment, the provisional appointment shall become an effective appointment until the next regularly scheduled election for Governing Board members in November 2018.

For more details on the petition process, visit the District website at www.4cd.edu.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

I-680 toll lane installation and testing underway

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Mock-up of messages to be displayed on electronic signs for toll system testing during nighttime lane closures. Photo courtesy of MTC.

Mock-up of messages to be displayed on electronic signs for toll system testing during nighttime lane closures. Photo courtesy of MTC

Toll system installation and testing on the I-680 Express Lanes is in full swing. Testing of the electronic toll signs is scheduled to begin Wednesday, November 23 and will last through the opening of the Express Lanes, scheduled for spring 2017. Through spring 2017, motorists can expect to see dots on the electronic signs throughout the corridor as they are electrified and testing occurs.

During the next testing phase, scheduled for both day and nights the week of December 5, 2016, motorists may observe messages displayed on the electronic signs reading “TEST”, followed by a number (e.g. “TEST 1”); “TESTING” followed by a number (e.g. “TESTING 1”); “$0.00” and “TESTING IN PROGRESS”.

In addition, nightly closures will occur in the northbound and southbound directions on I-680 from Walnut Creek to Dublin in the lanes closest to the median. Approved construction work hours are: Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. – 5 a.m., Friday from 8 p.m. – 7 a.m., Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.  During the nightly closures, system generated tolls, e.g. $1.00, and “TESTING IN PROGRESS” will be displayed on the electronic signs. (See photo above.) This type of message will only be visible at night, during lane closures.

This will be the first of three toll system tests through March.

Other I-680 Ongoing Construction Updates:

  • When traveling near construction activity
  • Always use caution
  • Be prepared to reduce speeds
  • Follow posted signs
  • Intermittent and alternating nightly closures will occur in the northbound and southbound directions in the lanes closest to the median, in the lane closest to the shoulder from Martinez to Dublin. Approved construction work hours are: Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. – 5 a.m., Friday from 8 p.m. – 7 a.m., Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Construction crews will be present on some city streets during the day near I-680 from Martinez to Dublin with temporary and minor pedestrian detours to maintain public safety.
  • Temporary k-rail, construction signage and orange plastic fencing will be present from Martinez to Dublin to maintain a safe work zone.
  • Construction lighting will be present and directed away from residential areas.

Construction is a dynamic process and information is subject to change without notice. Please use caution while traveling through the construction zone.

For more information on the I-680 corridor Express Lanes, visit www.mtc.ca.gov/express-lanes, email info@bayareaexpresslanes.org or call 415-778-6757

Burgis beats Barr for Supervisor in District 3, thanks community

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Diane Burgis

Diane Burgis

By Allen Payton

In the District 3 race for Contra Costa County Supervisor, East Bay Regional Parks District Director Diane Burgis beat Brentwood City Council Member during Tuesday’s elections by a wide margin of 59.45% to 40.31%.  In the hard fought battle to replace outgoing three-term incumbent Mary Nejedly Piepho, Burgis placed second in the primary behind Barr, but was able to best him in the General Election.

The latest results from the County Elections office, as of Thursday afternoon give the former Oakley Councilwoman 31,287 votes to 21,580 for Barr, a former Liberty Union High School District Board Trustee. There were another 131 write-in votes in the contest. But, as of Wednesday, there were about 180,000 votes left to be counted in the county, according to County Clerk Joe Canciamilla. That represented almost 37% of the vote.

Burgis issued a statement on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th, offering her thanks for the victory.

“I am honored to have earned the vote—and the trust—of tens of thousands of voters in District Three. I look forward to representing our community as Supervisor for the next four years.

Since this campaign first began, I have had the privilege to meet thousands of our neighbors and community members, and hear their stories as a candidate for Supervisor. I am so grateful to all of those that gave our campaign their time as we sat down at kitchen tables, in offices or on people’s doorsteps.

My heart has grown a few sizes as I have met countless people who are absolutely dedicated to their community. People who are willing to fight for what is right, take time out of their busy day and work diligently to make our County a better place. It gives me great hope for our community.

I am proud of what we have built here in East County and I am committed to helping us meet our potential. I look forward to what we will accomplish, now that the hard work of campaigning begins to transition to the hard work of governing.

I particularly want to thank everyone who has joined my campaign and gave countless hours in serving our community. Including dozens of local leaders, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and our bravest citizens: our sheriffs, firefighters, nurses and police.

Now we must look forward and work together to accomplish our priorities: faster fire and emergency medical response times, more effective community policing, a pristine Delta, a balanced budget, a strong public transportation network and reduced traffic.

I look forward to working with you as we do what we can to improve our community.

Please visit www.dianeburgis.com to sign up for updates. Thank you.”

The County Elections office has until December 10th to certify the election. Burgis will take her seat on the Board of Supervisors following that.

Candidate for Supervisor writes to say thank you, asks for support one last time

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Dear Editor:

With Election Day almost here, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you. This campaign has reaffirmed for me how proud I am to live in this community, and it’s the people that make our community so great.

I am very proud of the campaign we ran. My campaign stayed positive throughout the campaign, even when I was being attacked and my record was being distorted. This was a commitment I made to the community when I started the campaign, and I’m proud to have seen it through.

Over the last few months, as well as last spring during the primary election, I have walked door to door across most of the district. I walked so much I actually wore through two pairs of shoes. And by knocking on so many doors and meeting so many in the community I hope you saw firsthand the energy I bring to the job and how involved I would be in the actual community.

It was a pleasure meeting and talking with so many of you, and I learned a lot about the different communities within our community, as well as the daily struggles, the frustrations with policy, and the desire for actual change. Most of all I saw that the learning process is never over, and that there is always a need to be out in the community working directly with the people we serve. This job can’t be done, stuck behind a desk.

And now that the campaign is coming to a close, I’d like to make one last ask for your vote. Representing you at the County would be a privilege, and a partnership that can get results for our community. Thank you.

Steve Barr, Candidate for County Supervisor

Brentwood

Letter writer condemns mailer attacking Burgis’ salary from non-profit

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Dear Editor:

In yesterday’s mail I received an attempt at a smear ad for one of our local candidates for County Supervisor, Diane Burgis. The claim, in bold red font, states that she intends to draw a salary and benefits for that position, paid for by the taxpayers. Does candidate Steve Barr, therefore, intend to forfeit his salary and benefits if elected?

Further, it attempts to slam her for drawing a salary as Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW). She can’t be chastised for drawing a salary for that work, as she is paid with grant funding to organize and mobilize volunteers, engage in community outreach, run successful creek cleanups of our local watershed, and support academy internships for local students. FOMCW saves the County money, especially with the trash cleanups. She has done a fine job linking people of all ages to their local environment and to the scientific community.

I find the ad misleading, lacking integrity, and unprofessional. I hope fellow community members see through the lame attempt by big oil and so-called “criminal prosecutors” to discredit a person who has fought for improved health of our local environment. I doubt these folks from Sacramento have ever organized a community volunteer force like Diane Burgis has.

I’m going to donate more money to FOMCW out of spite for this negative political ad. The community organization has done a fantastic job over the fifteen years I’ve been familiar with it, and it is an honor to continue to support FOMCW as well as Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.

Sincerely,

Spencer Holmes

Brentwood

Piepho writes in support of Burgis for Supervisor

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Dear Editor:

When I made the difficult decision to not seek reelection to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, my choice was made easier by the fact that Diane Burgis would make an extraordinary County Supervisor. She is a smart and dedicated public servant, and I have been proud to work with her for many years.

I wanted to take a moment to cut through some of the smear tactics and tell you about the Diane Burgis that I know and trust.

I was surprised to see the recent hit pieces mailed by real estate developers and “Big Oil”/petroleum interests that support Diane’s opponent and attack Diane Burgis. These ridiculous mail pieces accuse Diane of “climbing the ladder.”

Well, – that’s what capable people do – when opportunities arise they move up to greater positions of responsibility and governance. Talented people, such as Diane Burgis, are recruited by the community, and by those leaving office, to carry on the work that must be done in the publics’ best interests.

That is why I asked Diane to run for County Supervisor. She has proven to be a thoughtful, regional leader, one who brings people together to find workable  solutions.

The campaign process is well known as “silly season”. It is to be expected. However, I believe we are beyond the point of telling one of our most respected female leaders that she should stay put and know her place.

I believe Diane will make an excellent County Supervisor. She is talented, compassionate and hardworking. She will work every day to improve our community by reducing traffic, boosting public safety and defending our precious Delta.

Please don’t fall for the dirty tricks. Join me, Sheriff Livingston, District Attorney Mark Peterson, local Firefighters, Deputy Sheriffs and many other community leaders in voting for Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.

Mary Nejedly Piepho

County Supervisor

Discovery Bay

College board president writes to support Burgis for Supervisor

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Dear Editor:

As an educator, I have seen Diane Burgis fight for all of Contra Costa’s students. She is a mother, a mentor and an environmental nonprofit leader who takes the time to develop young new talent. She knows the importance of a great education and how that helps create a strong local economy.

We all want our children to have a bright future. We also know a strong education is the cornerstone of our economy. Our community college system has worked diligently to partner students up with local businesses and organizations for hands on career opportunities. But to provide more of those career opportunities to our students, we need a strong local economy and a county that prioritizes career technical education and other educational opportunities.

Diane is a strong independent leader who brings different people together to find solutions. She has made it a priority to work on building our economy – creating jobs and opportunities for all county residents. As a County Supervisor, Diane will continue her work. Please join me and other educators in supporting Diane Burgis for County Supervisor in District 3.

Vicki Gordon

Contra Costa Community College District Board President