On October 27, the Board of Directors authorized BART to enter into an agreement with Solar City to install, operate, and maintain solar panels at the new, upcoming Antioch station as well as Lafayette Station.
BART will purchase electricity generated from these two new installations, which once constructed will be the largest solar generation facilities on District property. As an additional benefit to customers, the panel canopies will provide shade over a portion of the parking lots at each location.
“The BART to Antioch project is putting a brand new face on transit in eastern Contra Costa, and it’s exciting to see new, environmentally-friendly technologies like solar powering up these upcoming stations,” said BART Director Joel Keller.
The cost of the project will be paid from the energy operating budget, and will cost a cumulative $3.75 million and $3.85 million at Antioch and Lafayette stations, respectively, over the 20-year term of the agreement.
Construction of the panels is expected to be completed at Antioch station by fall 2017, and in Lafayette by late spring 2017.
Read MoreOn October 20, 2016, at about 11:05 AM, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CON Fire) requested assistance from Sheriff’s Office STARR 3 helicopter. Firefighters hiked approximately 1.5 miles on a remote trail on Mt. Diablo to evaluate a hiker who was injured. CON Fire requested a short-haul rescue from STARR 3 because of the rugged terrain and distance and time it would have taken to carry the victim out.
As the video shows, STARR 3’s Tactical Flight Officer and onboard CON Fire Captain/Paramedic were short-hauled to the scene and secured the victim in a rescue device. The victim was extracted to awaiting firefighters and paramedics and transported to a local hospital.
Just two days later, STARR 3 performed another short haul rescue of an injured mountain biker at Briones Regional Park.
To view the video, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlND8CUWdNY
Read MoreHonored for Work on Resolution Rectifying Mistreatment of African-American Servicemen in WWII and for Calling Attention to Veterans’ Suicides
Sacramento, CA – Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, was named 2016 California Legislator of the Year by the AMVETS Department of California for his support of U.S. Veterans and his commitment to ensuring their concerns are heard.
The AMVETS honor is awarded to legislators “who have gone the extra mile to support California’s veterans and their families.”
Glazer authored SR 69, which called on the President of the United States to exonerate 50 African-American U.S. Navy Seamen and overturn their unjust convictions for mutiny. Glazer also won praise for bringing attention to the issue of 22 veteran suicides per day by participating in a challenge of doing 22 pushups each day for 22 days throughout his district and in Sacramento.
“Upon taking office, Senator Glazer immediately supported veterans by signing onto a legislative letter regarding funding for country veterans service officers, even before he had hired a staff,” said Lorraine Plass, the legislative chairperson of Team AMVETS. “Since then, he has enthusiastically fought to bring awareness to the epidemic of veteran suicides.”
Glazer said he’s been honored to work on behalf of veterans.
“These men and women deserve our respect and gratitude for serving our country and putting their lives on the line to keep our freedoms intact,” Glazer said. “I want veterans to know that I have their back and will stand up for them at every opportunity.”
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Residents of Pittsburg and Bay Point can breathe a little easier today, after Chief Jeff Carmen of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District announced that Station 87 would be reopened. Chief Carmen made his announcement at Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors, acting as the County Fire Protection District Board of Directors.
“Thanks to the partnership with the City of Pittsburg and an improved economy, ConFire can fill a gap that has existed since the station was shuttered three years ago,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, in whose district the station is located.
Station 87, located on Leland Road and John Henry Johnson Parkway in Pittsburg, is expected to
be staffed and open for service by January 1, 2017. While the station was closed, it took two stations – one in Bay Point and one in Pittsburg – to answer the calls that normally would be serviced by Station 87.
“Without Station 87, fire services took longer to reach residents and businesses on the western half of the City,” said Pittsburg Mayor Ben Johnson. “We needed it to come back, and we’re pleased the County and the Fire District are able to restore this critical service to Pittsburg.”
Station 87 opened in 2000, serving the western end of Pittsburg and portions of Bay Point until the fire district’s finances forced its closure on July 8, 2013. The station closure, one of six that were shut down, was necessary because the district had failed to secure voter approval of a parcel tax in 2012 to address its budget woes.
In the years since the station closed, the ConFire has made several cost-saving changes, including partnering with a private contractor for ambulance service and seeking new revenue to
support its operations. The economic recovery has also helped.
For its part, Pittsburg’s City Council recently approved a new Fire Services Community Facilities District, which will collect a fee from every new home built in the city to support fire services. It is a model Contra Costa County is looking at duplicating, but for now, Pittsburg is the only city in the county to use this method to support fire services. For the past decade, Pittsburg has used a similar special district to support police services in newly developed areas of the City.
“With Prop. 13 limiting our property tax, which funds fire-fighting services, we need to find other funding sources,” said Glover. “Pittsburg’s special district fees is one way of making up the gap in what is collected and the market increases in wages and equipment.”
Read More![BART Director candidate Debora Allen speaks at a news conference to oppose BART bond Measure RR, as State Senator Steve Glazer and fellow candidate Jennifer Hostermann listen at the Lafayette BART Station on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Photo special to the Herald.](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Deb-Allen-speaks-1024x768.jpg)
BART Director candidate Debora Allen speaks at a news conference to oppose BART bond Measure RR, as State Senator Steve Glazer and fellow candidate Jennifer Hosterman listen at the Lafayette BART Station on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Photo special to the Herald
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, October 26, 2016, State Senator Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa) and candidates for the BART Board of Directors announced their opposition to BART’s $3.5 billion tax Measure RR, at the Lafayette BART station.
Joining Glazer was BART Board candidates Debora Allen, Jennifer Hosterman, and Ken Chew, as well as David Kersten, president of the Kersten Institute for Governance & Public Policy.
A press release about the press conference stated they planned to outline major problems with the tax increase measure.
Read MoreDear Editor:
I am a businesswoman here is East Contra Costa County. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to have more involvement again in how Sacramento hears us and works for our needs in our Community. Dave Miller is the man to be hands on with our Community and give us that access to share our important issues and get things done. To once again here our Voices in Sacramento. I encourage your reader to join me in voting for Dave Miller for Assemblyman.
Mary Bevacqua
Brentwood
Read MoreDear Editor:
You have probably received a lot of fancy mailers saying very different things. I wanted to take a moment to talk to you all directly about someone who I have worked with for years – Diane Burgis. Diane’s environmental credentials are unparalleled. She has a long history of fighting for our local waterways, parks, farms, ranches and natural lands. By electing her to the Board of Supervisors I know we can count on her to defend the Delta and our open space while also responsively developing the county’s economy so that our children and grandchildren will be able to live in and enjoy the land we love.
I am confident that Diane has the unique skill set that a leader needs to balance strong fiscal discipline with our universal desire to protect our environment, invigorate and enhance our historic agricultural lands, create high paying jobs, expand transportation options to ease congestion, revitalize each of our city’s downtown areas and to strengthen the safety net for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Please join me in supporting Diane Burgis for County Supervisor. She will be an energetic and effective advocate for all of East County, not just for the big developers and special interests that pay for her opponent’s campaign.
Ron Brown
Retired Executive Director, Save Mount Diablo
Walnut Creek
Read MoreFor the 19th year the Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) will be honoring those who have made a significant artistic or philanthropic contribution to Contra Costa’s arts and culture, during the Board of Supervisors meeting, Tuesday, October 25th at 9:30 a.m.
Contra Costa County demonstrates a wealth of artistic expression in every corner of the county. This year the commission will present five Arts Recognition Awards to honor outstanding achievements in the Arts to:
Richmond RYSE Center. Works with youth from distressed parts of the City of Richmond. The youth have written, directed and performed multi-media plays dealing with violence, drugs and crime creating platforms for youth to share their own stories and dreams.
Sylvia Amorino and Solo Opera. Sylvia Amorino is the Founder and Artistic Director of Solo Opera. Ms Amorino also works with Cantabella Children’s Chorus and Contra Costa Children’s chorus to perform operas that include children and teens that help teach audience, adults and children alike about social aspects of living.
Michael and Shannon Demers. Shannon and Mike have shared their talents and skills to Productions Teams, casts and crews for a collective 70 years; with many of the Performing Arts organizations throughout the area; including Contra Costa Musical Theater, Diablo Theatre Company, and Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.
Jay Bedecarre. Mr. Bedecarre has been involved in the Contra Costa County Art Scene since 1974. He was the Marketing Director for the Concord Pavilion for the first 12 years, Oakland and SF Ballets, and world famous acts such as NY Philharmonic with Leonard Bernstein.
Lawrence Kohl. Lawrence Kohl was president of the Orinda Art Council as well as music director and conductor of the Pacific Chamber Symphony. Lawrence recently led the expansion of the Orinda Art Council to become the Lamorinda Arts Council.
The Supervisors meetings are held in the County Administration building at 651 Pine Street
in Martinez. For more information about the 5AC, visit www.AC5.org.
Today, Monday, October 24, 2016, 19 environmental groups and community leaders, including the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay and the Sierra Club, collectively representing more than 30,000 members fighting the Delta Tunnels, announced their support for Diane Burgis for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District 3.
“The Sierra Club proudly endorses Diane Burgis for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors,” said Norman La Force of the Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter. “She will be a strong voice for protecting the urban limit line and promoting smart growth in our county. She will also add to the elected officials opposed to the destruction of the Delta with the ill-conceived tunnels that will not only be destructive to the environment but also harm future economic development that relies on our water staying where it belongs, with us.”
Diane, a former Delta Protection Commission member and advocate for the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, is the Executive Director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and an elected member of the East Bay Regional Parks District Board representing most of District 3. She was recently inducted into the Contra Costa County Women’s Commission Hall of Fame for her work protecting county natural resources.
In addition to the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay and the Sierra Club, Diane earned the endorsement of the following environmental champions and regional leaders:
Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho, District 3 Contra Costa County Supervisor & Chair of the Delta Protection Commission; Erik Vink, Delta Protection Commission Executive Director; Joan Buchanan, President of Restore the Delta & Former State Assemblymember; Congressman Jerry McNerney, Member of the House Subcommittee on Environment and Economy; Ron Brown, Former Save Mount Diablo Executive Director; Seth Adams, Save Mount Diablo Land Conservation Director; Lori Cook, Fmr. Antioch Parks & Recreation Commissioner; Sandra Myers, Brentwood Parks and Recreation Commissioner; Ayn Weiskamp, East Bay Regional Park District Director; Beverly Lane, East Bay Regional Park District Director; Doug Siden, East Bay Regional Park District Director; Dennis Waespi, East Bay Regional Park District Director; John Sutter, East Bay Regional Park District Director; Whitney Dodson, East Bay Regional Park District Director; Bette Boatmun, Contra Costa Water District Director; Constance Holdaway, Contra Costa Water District Director; John Coleman, East Bay Municipal Utility District Director; Andy Katz, East Bay Municipal Utility District Director
“Diane’s environmental credentials are unparalleled,” said Ron Brown, Retired Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo. “She has a long history of fighting for our local waterways, parks, farms, ranches and natural lands. I know we can count on her to defend the Delta and our open space on the County Board of Supervisors, while also developing the county responsibly so that our grandchildren can enjoy the land we love.”
Before joining the parks board in 2014, Diane Burgis served for two years as an Oakley City Councilmember and spent over ten years as a small business owner. She highlights four priorities for her candidacy: improving public safety, attracting economic development, ensuring fiscal accountability and preserving the delta for future generations.
Voters can learn more about Burgis and her platform at www.dianeburgis.com.
Read MoreDear Editor:
I have lived my entire life In East County, my 34 year teaching/counseling career was in the Brentwood Union School District.
I have known Steve Barr for all 34 years: he is a trustworthy man of integrity, and dedicated to bringing the resources we need to East County.
Steve is truly qualified to be our next District 3 County Supervisor. In the past 11 years he has finished a four-year and a two-year (appointed) term on the Liberty Union High School Board, a four-year term on the Brentwood City Council and is now in his second term. When Steve starts something, he sees it through. On the other hand let’s look at Diane Burgis’ record: in less than four years she was on the Oakley City Council for two years, then left that position to run for East County Regional Park District Board, is in her second year, and is now willing to leave that position to run for County Supervisor. What next?
I am a member of the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee. Starting in March of this year I attended every Transportation Authority Board meeting advocating for the need to have funds appropriated for the airport connector (SR 239) to be put on this November ballot (Measure X). Steve Barr was at every meeting advocating as well and also spoke up for the funds that were needed in Brentwood and Oakley. I do not recall seeing Diane Burgis at any of these meetings or speaking up on the behalf of East County.
It is extremely important that we elect someone to be our County Supervisor who has true leadership experience and is willing to spend the time needed to get the job done.
In my professional opinion, longevity counts. Please join me in this election and vote for Steve Barr, the most qualified to be our District 3 County Supervisor.
Patricia Mantelli Bristow
Brentwood
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