State Senate candidate and Orinda Mayor Steve Glazer has secured several key endorsements from prominent Republican and Democratic elected officials, including former Contra Costa County Sheriff and State Senator Dick Rainey and former Congressman Bill Baker, both Republicans and former State Senator and Democratic Majority Leader Gloria Romero.  He has also been endorsed by over two dozen local school and government leaders.

“I support Steve Glazer for State Senate” said Rainey. “He is a rare leader who can constructively find common ground with Republicans and Democrats.”

“Steve Glazer is a public education champion. He will be a powerful advocate in the Senate for our public schools and universities,” said Romero.

Baker admitted that he broke with tradition by endorsing Glazer.

“Normally, I don’t endorse Democrats but Steve Glazer is the clear choice in this State Senate election. He is fiscally conservative. He supports pension reform. He had the courage to take on the BART unions and members of his own party and oppose the strike,” he said. “We picked up two Republicans in the Senate last year, and is he going to be the best by far, yes.”

“I am honored to have received endorsements from community and state leaders that reflect the diversity of my district,” said Glazer. “Being endorsed by former Democratic Majority Leader Gloria Romero and retired Republican Congressman Bill Baker in the same week shows a broad coalition of support for my candidacy.”

“I’m a socially progressive, fiscally conservative leader who can forge alliances with members of both parties. I’m a local Mayor who is focused on problem solving, not partisanship,” said Glazer.

“My opponents believe it is more important to please special interest groups and party leaders rather than the people who sent them to the State Capitol. They have voted for raids on our school district reserves, redirected transportation funds away from local highway and transit improvements and backed the BART union’s right to strike even after their eight-day strike crippled our economy and disrupted the lives of millions of commuters,” said Glazer.  “We need leaders who aren’t afraid to speak out and fight for our interests.”

Glazer also received the endorsement of the Contra Costa Times, which cited him as a “thoughtful centrist.”

Previously, the sole Republican candidate Michaela Hertle dropped out of the race and endorsed Glazer.  Hertle’s name will still appear on the ballot, so she released a statement to members of her party saying, “I’ll still be on the ballot, but I’m voting for Steve Glazer and hope you will too.”

Glazer currently serves as the Mayor of Orinda and a Trustee of the California State University 23-campus system. During his tenure on the Orinda City Council, Glazer has helped balance budgets while making improvements to schools, libraries and roads.

State Senate District 7 includes the communities of Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Sunol and Walnut Creek. 

The primary will be held Tuesday, March 17. 

For more information visit www.GlazerForSenate.com

By Allen Payton

There’s a service being offered by a local business that property owners may not be aware of. I know I wasn’t, until now. Independence Public Adjusters, Inc. (IPA) can go to bat for you with your insurance company when you have a claim for fire or flood damage, to make sure you get the maximum settlement you deserve.

It was started in October, 2012, after company President Tony Astone spent 20 years in the insurance industry, including working for Safeco, as an adjuster handling multi-million dollar claims, and five years with one of the largest public adjuster companies in the nation.

He’s brought his expertise to Antioch, in this family owned and operated business, with his new wife Erin (they got married, last year), who works there part-time, and partner Steve Boydstun, who handles sales management, and Steve’s wife Sandy, their office manager.

For usually 10% of the total settlement, IPA is licensed by the state to handle property claims and represent a property owner’s interests, to ensure the insurance company fulfills its obligations in your policy and “have things put back the way they were before the damage,” Tony said.

“Ninety-percent of what we do is residential,” he shared. “House and contents, mostly fire or cars that run into homes, or flooding from pipe breaks.” But, they also handle commercial claims, as well.

The insurance company pay to fix it, but not always the way it should be, according to the Fair Claims Practices with the California Department of Insurance, he added.

Get the most money you deserve from your insurance

IPA has consistently been able to get clients a higher percentage of recovery by not allowing the insurance company adjusters to take short cuts. That’s because they take more time, do the detail work and have their own estimators, content specialists and forensic accountants who use their expertise for the property owner, not the insurance company’s bottom line.

“The insurance company adjuster is overworked and underpaid, handling a high volume of claims,” Tony said, who knows from his years on the insurance company side of the business. “So, we take the time to get it right.”

For example, one of their clients was offered a $25,000 settlement by his insurance company, for repairs after experiencing a pipe break and flood damage to his home. Independence was able to get that homeowner a settlement of $213,000 in repairs, after doing their analysis of the damage.

On another claim, by a church, for water damage due to flooding from a pipe, Independence was able to increase their settlement from the initial offer of $75,000 to $320,000 instead. Why? Because they discovered the complete amount of damage to the walls and carpeting, as well as from mold that the insurance company’s adjusters had overlooked.

It’s best to get Tony and his team involved at the beginning. If people wait to hire them until after the insurance company gives them their estimate, it’s usually lower and too late.

“You may have shot yourself in the foot, by saying something that becomes a coverage issue,” Tony said. “You won’t even know that you left money on the table and it will take longer to settle the claim.”

The company can even help those who have already settled their claim up to three years later. They can do an audit and determine if the settlement should be greater and they only get paid their fee if you get more money from your insurance company.

They deal with your insurance company for you

IPA not only adds financial value to your insurance claim, they also save you time by being the ones on the phone or at meetings with the insurance company.

It simply starts with signing a Letter of Representation, then Independence takes it from there.

The fact that they work on a percentage basis, means they have an incentive to get the maximum settlement for their client’s claim.

Now, after his years in the business, Tony has established credibility and good working relationships with insurance company adjusters by gaining their trust. That’s because Independence can always defend anything they claim on behalf of the property owner. Some times an insurance company adjuster, who has worked with Tony and the IPA team will just ask him what their settlement offer should be and go from there.

What Antioch residents say about Independence

They have many satisfied clients, whose testimonials can be read on their website at www.independencepublicadjusters.us.

One Antioch resident, named Helen had this to say: “Not only did they secure for me what was due on the insurance company; but they exceed my expectation in every way. Tony and Steve are A-1 professionals and awesome individuals; extremely helpful. I can’t say good enough for IPA.”

Antioch residents Robert and Tracie Hill shared their experience with Independence: “On Sept. 15, 2013, we had a fire at our home, which totaled my Garage and Laundry Room. Upon getting home to view the damage, I was met at my car by a person from a Restoration Company. He wanted me to sign this and that before I could even think about anything. A neighbor put us into contact with Steve from IPA right away. He told me to wait and think my options through. Steve told me what he does and represents with IPA. I felt comfortable with him not rushing me into a decision. The next day, my wife and I met with Steve and Tony. I was really impressed with their knowledge and experience. We signed with them, and it was the best decision that we made for our claim. Tony, took over the claim, and hit the ground running! He took care of everything and kept us informed of all things via email, texts and phone. He was able to get us an advance for living expenses and a place to stay right away. Tony was able to get us all that we were entitled to. My wife and I absolutely recommend IPA to anyone that is in need of some experts to work their claim.”

So, now that you know that this service exists, and right here in Antioch, if you experience property damage from a fire, accident or flood or know someone who has, do as their slogan states. “Claim Your Independence” and give Tony and his team a call at (925) 325-4989.

The 2015 Inaugural Gala is fast approaching.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is hosting our Annual Inaugural Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 13, 2015 at the Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center. During our evening, we award and recognize our Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, Youth of the Year and inaugurate our 2015 Chamber Board.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, March 13, 2015

Time: 6pm Social Hour, 7pm Dinner

Where: Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch

Purchase your ticket or table and secure your spot at the event!

We invite you to join us in this celebration and enjoy the festivities as we recognize those that have made an impact in our community. Tickets are now on sale at $75 per person and $575 for a table of 8. Tickets can be purchased securely online at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce website by clicking here.

No tickets will be sold at the door. Enjoy a premier event with a red carpet and local dignitaries recognizing the best of our community.

 

No tickets will be sold at the door. Enjoy a premier event with a red carpet and local dignitaries recognizing the best of our community.

State Senate candidate Steve Glazer called on his opponents to provide full transparency of their campaign promises by releasing their answers to special interest questionnaires on their webpage.

“Together we can take a positive step to end the hidden agendas and backroom deals that prevent our elected officials from addressing California’s problems in a fair and open manner. I ask you to join me in sharing with voters all of our responses to candidate questionnaires,” said Glazer.

“By publishing our responses on our websites, we will make our race a model of independence from the very special interests that use these questionnaires to pressure candidates into adopting rigid and narrowly drawn positions,” Glazer said in his letter.

To read the letter in its entirety please click this link www.glazerforsenate.com/transparency_pledge_letter

The letter was e-mailed to the three other Senate District 7 candidates:  Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla and Terry Kremin.  The fourth candidate Michaela Hertle has withdrawn from the race and endorsed Glazer. Hertle’s name will still appear on the ballot.  So far, none of Glazer’s opponents have opted to publish their answers to questionnaires.

“The focus of our campaigns should be on solutions to the big problems facing our state,” said Glazer. “The voters deserve a thoughtful and fair-minded representative in Sacramento, and they should not be left wondering what sort of promises any of us made to secure that position.”

Glazer currently serves as the Mayor of Orinda and a Trustee of the California State University 23-campus system. During his tenure on the Orinda City Council, Glazer has helped balance budgets while making improvements to schools, libraries and roads.

State Senate District 7 includes the communities of Alamo, Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Sunol and Walnut Creek. 

The primary will be held Tuesday, March 17. 

In his Assembly race last year, Glazer declined to fill out any special interest questionnaire. However, he posted detailed positons on issues on his website.  Glazer’s positions are now posted on his Senate campaign website at www.glazerforsenate.com/issues.

Dear Editor:

While both candidates for the upcoming State Senate special election are very much in alignment on paper and in their votes on the issues, one of the best reasons to vote for Joan Buchanan on March 17th is that if the current Assembly Member Susan Bonilla wins, it will trigger yet another special election, thus costing our great county over one million dollars; money that could well be spent on other programs and services.

The next step is for Assembly Member Susan Bonilla to finish up her just recently elected two-year term and let’s send Joan Buchanan back to Sacramento to continue to protect seniors, make college more affordable, and keep our budgets balanced. It is a win-win.

Ken Richard, Walnut Creek

By Allen Payton

Ashley Morgan, from Antioch, the youngest member of a musical family, auditioned for the TV show The Voice, earlier this month.

She wasn’t on either of this week’s shows on Monday or Tuesday. So, we’ll have to watch, again next Monday and Tuesday night, to see if she makes it and how she does.

Ashley’s mother Patti and father Keith sing in the choir and he plays the bass guitar as part of the worship team at Golden Hills Community Church, where her brother David is the music minister. Her brother, Stephen is also a music minister, at Concord Bible Church.

She’s already experienced some success in her blossoming musical career. According to her Facebook fan page, the 27-year-old, 2006 graduate of Antioch High School has provided background vocals for many recording projects and live performances including, The Voice, American Idol, The X-Factor, America’s Got Talent, The Grammys, the AMA’s, Duets, Dancing With The Stars, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Seal, Jackie Evancho, Janelle Monae, and Austin Mahone when he opened for Taylor Swift. She is also a session singer, worship leader, vocal arranger, performer as Alice in the Mad Hatter Band for Mad T Party and Cici for Freeze The Night, singing “Let It Go” at Disney California Adventure.

Ashley has also been a featured soloist at many churches and events around the world and is currently a freelance vocalist in the Orange County/Los Angeles area.

A 2010 graduate of Azusa Pacific University in Music Business, she was a student of local vocal teacher Nuhad Levasseur, owner of In The Light Voice Studio in Brentwood and is a singer with the band Faultlines, self-described as a Los Angeles folk outfit, which she and friends started, last summer.

You can follow her career by liking her fan page on Facebook. To see a sampling of her singing, visit www.youtube.com/user/ashleymorgan72. Follow Faultlines on Facebook at www.facebook.com/officialfaultlines and Twitter at https://twitter.com/faultlinesongs.

Good luck on The Voice, Ashley!