Najee Harris, the top running back in America, this season, hurdles a Foothill player, during Antioch’s North Coast semi-final loss on Friday, November 28, 2015. photo by Michael Pohl

By Luke Johnson

The Panthers’ magical season came to an end after a nail-biting 55-54 defeat to Foothill High School in the North Coast Section Semifinals on Thanksgiving weekend. Overall, Antioch’s football team broke countless records and reached feats that had not been witnessed in decades.

The Panthers caught the attention of De La Salle (Concord), arguably the most prestigious high school football team in the country, and have collectively agreed to battle each other in week four of the 2016 regular season. The game is scheduled to take place in Concord and is in the works of being nationally broadcasted on ESPN according to Antioch head coach John Lucido.

“They contacted us, and said they wanted a game,” Lucido said. “It’s a compliment for a team like that wanting to play us, and to be on the big stage… It will feature two great teams going at it, and we’ll see where we stand.”

This year, Antioch won a league championship for the first time since 1984, and finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1977. But two years ago, Antioch experienced the lowest of lows, finishing with a miserable 1-9 record. Despite the team’s misfortunes, the future seemed promising with five sophomores and one freshman on the roster.

“I knew we were going to be good one year,” Najee Harris said, who was the sole freshman on that team. “Last year was a year for development, and this year was the year to execute… And hopefully next year we’ll do the same and go farther.”

Harris now holds every rushing record in the 90-year history of Antioch football: yards in a career (5,127), yards in a season (2,744), yards in a game (396), touchdowns in a career (60, plus three receiving), touchdowns in a season (36, plus three receiving) and  touchdowns in a game (six on two occasions). Brian Boccio formerly held the career touchdown record at 32, but Harris shattered that with 39 this season alone — one more and he will double the previous career mark. The oldest milestone Harris surpassed was Worth Shaw’s single-season touchdown record of 25 set back in 1945. The junior also set a new record with yards per carry by averaging over a fresh set of downs each time with 11.3.

Complimenting Harris on the scoreboard was senior Ryan Payne, who found the end zone via: reception, rush, interception, fumble, kick and punt return. His 14 touchdowns combined with Harris’s set a new all-time high in the Bay Valley Athletic League for combined touchdowns by two teammates with 53 — breaking Joe Mixon and Darrell Daniels’ (Freedom) record of 50.

Another player to make a huge name for himself was senior Kobie Beltram, who eclipsed his brothers, Richie and Markie, for the most tackles in a career at Antioch by collecting 343, almost a hundred more than the previous record. On a side note, both Beltram and Payne were also on the 2013 team that went 1-9.

Out of all these records and milestones, Harris said the most memorable one was defeating arch-rival Pittsburg for the first time in nine years in a 44-42 Saturday afternoon thriller.

Lucido said the team is looking forward to next season with a sufficient amount of returning key players. Antoine Tanner, Kyle Brown, Isaiah Dunn, Neel Sahota and Joey Gray each earned All-BVAL honors as underclassman. Another player to look out for is sophomore Omari Harris, whose potential has a high ceiling according to his coaches and teammates.

Wade Harper from his Facebook page.

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper announced, on Wednesday, December 23rd, his decision to run for Contra Costa County Supervisor in the 3rd District, which includes parts of Antioch.

In his statement, Harper wrote “Due to the time consuming nature of running a winning campaign, I am stepping away from my field representative responsibilities with Senator Glazer,” which he was hired for in October, this year.

He states that he “has a proven track record of effective leadership that will benefit the Board of Supervisors and the County.”

After being appointed to the Antioch School Board in 2008, to fill the vacant seat due to the death of Trustee  Joyce Seelinger, Harper ran for and was elected to the Antioch City Council in 2010. Then, in the middle of his term he was elected Mayor in 2012, which ends next December.

Harper’s professional experience includes 24 years in law enforcement, including serving as a police manager, and teaching Emergency Preparedness, from which he retired in 2012 to serve as Mayor full time. However, currently, in addition to the position with Glazer’s office, Harper works as a part-time teacher at Antioch High School, teaching “Law Enforcement Careers” in the Leadership in Public Services Academy.

He states that he believes education and critical thinking skills are important as a leader.  Harper has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies from Patten University, where he was Student of the Year. He earned his Master of Business Administration in Leadership from John F. Kennedy University’s School of Management, and was honored as Alumni of the Year. During his career, Harper completed Executive Development Training, Management Training, and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute where he was selected as class valedictorian.

As a directly-elected mayor of the largest city in District 3, Harper has served on the board of directors for several committees such as Transplan, the Highway 4 Bypass Authority, eBART Policy Advisory Committee, as well as the East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority.

He is Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Conference of Mayors and meets with the Delta 6, which includes the East County mayors and supervisors or their representatives, to discuss regional issues.

Harper states that he believes, fiscal stewardship is of the utmost importance and that under his “leadership, the City of Antioch is operating from a solid strategic plan and has approved a policy and practice to commit 50% of all one-time funds and salary savings to reduce unfunded liabilities.  The City of Antioch maintains an AA- bond rating.”

Harper is also a member of the Board of Directors for Tri-Delta Transit and mentioned that it won “The Best Small Transit System in America” award in 2014 for the excellent operation of the transit agency. He also serves on the Delta Diablo Sanitation District Board of Directors, which Harper states “has won multiple awards for their efficient operations.”

“Delta Diablo is a leader amongst sanitation agencies,” he wrote in his statement.

Harper says he “understands water issues as the City of Antioch is a city in District III that maintains Senior Water rights, and that he “has fought to protect Antioch’s water rights and will continue to fight to protect our Delta.”

“What do I want people to know about me?” Harper asked. “That I am a man of faith and a family man.  I have prepared myself to lead and I consider my service to the community as my calling and a life-time commitment.”

Harper states that his family supports his run for Supervisor. He and his wife Lisa, an Instructional Assistant for Special Education in the Antioch Unified School District, have been married for 26 years. Their children attended Antioch Unified School District schools and the California State University system.”

“I respectfully request your support to serve as Contra Costa County Supervisor, District III,” he added.

Harper’s entry brings the total to four candidates in the race, including Oakley Councilman and immediate past Mayor Doug Hardcastle, NAACP East County Branch President Odessa LeFrancois and East Bay Regional Parks District Trustee Diane Burgis, who announced her campaign on Tuesday.

As published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated December 18, 2015 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando. (The most serious crimes shown in bold)

Calls for Service and Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 12/10/15 00:00:00 – 12/16/15 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,512

Number of Case Reports: 277

Number of Arrests: 70

Felony: 29

Misdemeanor: 41

Arrests with DUI charge: 1

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 12/16/15 at 7:36 pm a 47 year old female was on her nightly walk. As she was walking on Longview Drive near the south side of Save Mart, an unknown male emerged from the bushes. The subject struck her in the face causing her to fall to the ground. He then went though her pockets and fled the scene on foot. She was able to recover and walk home where she called APD. She did not get a good look at the suspect and could provide little information about the incident. She suffered some minor swelling on her cheek but refused medical attention. An extensive area check was completed but the suspect was not located.
• ·On 12/16/15 at 6:25 pm officers were called to West 9^th Street for a report of a vehicle on fire. When we arrived officers observed the vehicle engulfed. Once the fire was out it was obvious from the damage someone broke out the rear window and put some type of accelerant inside. No one was injured in the fire. According to the victim, she has no idea who would have targeted her. There were no witnesses present and no suspects at this time.
• ·On 12/16/15 at 2:38 pm 23 year old Tyler Belleci entered Delta RC on West 10^th St and selected two electronic drones valued at $1,000 each. Belleci ran out of the business with both drones and was detained outside by the owner of the business until we arrived. Belleci was sent to county jail on the above charge.
• ·On 12/16/15 at 8:13 am a 42 year old male struck a city owned fire hydrant located near Roosevelt Lane. There were no injuries during the collision.
• ·On 12/15/15 at 11:57pm, an officer was on routine patrol when he located an occupied stolen vehicle which abruptly pulled into a resident’s driveway. A high risk stop was conducted and 35 year old John Sanborn, 24 year old Michael Garcia, and 38 year old Robert Williams were taken into custody without incident, Garcia and Williams were later released. Sanborn was the driver so he was sent over to county jail.
• ·On 12/15/15 at 8:28 am Oakley PD officers were in pursuit of a Honda sedan with two occupants. The Honda hit a power pole that fell into the lanes of E 18th St and then ran over a fire hydrant which caused water to spray 75′ into the air. The vehicle continued another 20′ then exploded into a ball of fire. The vehicle collision was catastrophic. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot and a passenger was trapped inside. The passenger remained in place and burned with the vehicle. The driver was caught in the area, and a loaded pistol was recovered from the scene. Oakley PD and CCCSO Deputies responded to the scene and the County Protocol was invoked.
• ·On 12/15/15 at 7:52 am a 55 year old male was driving on Putnam St at Polk Ct driving his 11 year old daughter to school. The male passed out behind the wheel and the vehicle continued down Putnam. The 11 year old grabbed the steering wheel and guided the vehicle into the vacant field east of Polk Ct. and then flagged down a passing motorist for help. The motorist flagged down Ofc. Mayer who requested medical. Ofc. Miller arrived with an AED and both officers provided medical care until Paramedics arrived. Apparently the man suffered a heart attack and the actions by the officers allowed paramedics to establish vital signs and he was transported to a local hospital.
• ·On 12/14/15 at 8:35 pm a resident on Lafayette Drive called to report two unfamiliar vehicles parked in front of his residence. Each vehicle was occupied by a male driver. The resident had already chased the vehicles away once and then they returned. When the resident confronted the subjects a second time the subjects fled on foot. The resident was able to detain 26 year old Angelo Perez. Upon officers arrival they discovered that one of the vehicles had been stolen earlier in the day in Antioch. Perez was arrested and sent to county jail.
• ·On 12/14/15 at 4:50 pm 32 year old Joshua Jacobsen took and concealed approx. $250 worth of cosmetics and electronics while inside Target. When he exited Target a loss prevention agent tried to detain him. Jacobsen began wrestling around with loss prevention and tried to punch him a couple of times. Jacobsen also bit loss prevention on the hand breaking the skin. Loss prevention was able to get control Jacobsen and detain him. Jacobsen was tied to a theft from JC Penny a few hours earlier. He was sent to county jail.
• ·On 12/14/15 at 2:14 pm, 32 year old Joshua Jacobsen loaded his backpack full of clothing from JC Penny and ran out of the business without paying for them. A good description and video was collected. Several hours later Jacobsen tried the same thing at Target and was contacted by loss prevention and tackled. He was identified and then cited released.
• ·On 12/14/15 at 2:17 am officers were dispatched to Longview Road for the report of a 24 year old man who had been shot. This appears to be the case of a wife cheating on her husband with a co-worker, and the husband showing up at the co-worker’s home to find his wife there. As she was walking out of the front door of the residence, 23 year old Fernando Escobedo ran into the residence armed with a handgun. Escobedo confronted his wife’s co-worker in the residence and shot him once in the chest, once in the back, and once in the left thigh. The gunshot wound to the left thigh broke the bone in two. Escobedo stood over the victim appearing as if he was going to shoot the victim in the head. The victim’s father then came out of his bedroom and Escobedo fled the residence in his car. We put a want in the system and soon after an officer found Escobedo in his vehicle and a high risk stop was performed. Escobedo was taken into custody without incident. The victim was taken to a local hospital for surgery.
• ·On 12/13/15 at 4:05 pm officers were dispatched to Panaderia El Pueblo on West 10^th Street for 47 year old Michael Turner who was inside and yelling obscenities. Upon arrival and contact with Turner outside of the business, it was obvious he was intoxicated. Turner was taken into custody and sent to county jail for public intoxication.
• ·On 12/13/15 at 10:43 am during a suspicious vehicle stop an officer contacted 27 year old Nathalie Moala and 23 year old Malia Hoopai who both had warrants for their arrest. Moala had (2) probation violation warrants, and Hoopai had a warrant for traffic and obstruction. Both were transported to the county jail.
• · On 12/13/15 at 1:36 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hit and run collision at 26 E13th Street where it was reported that the responsible in the collision was a naked male, who fled on foot. The male had hit two parked cars and was not located. Almost two hours later officers were dispatched to Windsor Drive for a report of a naked male ringing a doorbell. Officers responded and located 52 year old Hugo Alvarez, who was wearing only a sweatshirt, and under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers were able to handcuff Alvarez without incident. Alvarez was arrested and taken to county jail.
• ·On 12/12/15 at 10:30 am officers responded to W 6^th and E Street on the report of a male on a bicycle looking into vehicles. Officers contacted 34 year old Ronald Mesina in the area and learned he had a $125K warrant out of San Francisco for burglary.Mesina was arrested without incident and booked into county jail.
• ·On 12/12/15 at 8:21 am an officer contacted 22 year old Martin Revuelta sitting in a parked car at the Riverview Lodge. The officer conducted a consent search on Revuelta and located a meth pipe and methamphetamines. Revuelta was arrested without incident and subsequently cite/released from the scene.
• ·On 12/12/15 at 3:33 am the employees at the senior living facility on Olive Lane called 911 at 0333 hrs to report that 87 year old John Cubit was last seen at 5pm on 12/11/15 at dinner by his roommate. Employees reported that Cubit is self sufficient on his own and they thought he would have returned. They finally notified APD 10 1/2 hours later and every patrol unit was sent to assist in the search. As of 0800 hrs he had not been located. The search continues…
• ·On 12/12/15 at 2:47 am officers responded to the 911 call of a male being robbed who was down on the ground bleeding on Cavallo Road. A 30 year old male was found laid out in the middle of the street bleeding from his head. He was awake and alert. He said he was struck over the head with something which knocked him down. The suspect(s) checked his pockets and took his cell phone, wallet w/cash & the Nike Air Force One sneakers off his feet. The suspect(s) fled E/B on E 18th St from Cavallo Rd and they were not located. The male was transported to a local hospital for a head injury.
• ·On 12/12/15 at 1:30 am 57 year old Debra Smith was contacted during a pedestrian stop on East 18th Street. A records check produced a $100,000.00 extraditable warrant for robbery out of Reno, Nevada. Smith was taken into custody and later transported to county jail.
• ·On 12/11/15 at 12:09 pm at JC Penny’s, security attempted to stop a 43 year old female after she stole approximately $600 in clothing. The female punched security in the face and head numerous times while attempting to flee with the stolen property. The security officer was transported to John Muir in Brentwood for swelling to her face and head from the assault. The female fled the area and was not located.
• ·On 12/11/15 at 8:47 am a 16 year old male who attends Tobin World and assaulted three different teachers today after he became upset over school issues. The 16 year old punched one teacher in the face then bit the arms of two other teachers, causing injuries. The 16 year old also kicked the door of a teacher’s vehicle causing significant damage. He was arrested and sent to juvenile hall.
• ·On 12/10/15 at 11:35 pm a suspect entered Domino’s Pizza on Buchanan Road through the front doors wearing a black ski mask and was armed with a black semi-auto style handgun. The suspect walked straight to the back office where he contacted the Manager and told him to open the safe or he would shoot him in the face. The Manager opened the safe and the suspect grabbed the money. The suspect then walked to the front counter where he emptied the money drawer. The manager was not injured. The surveillance video was requested.
• ·On 12/10/15 at 5:37 pm officers were dispatched to Lemontree Way for a report of a male who had just kicked in the front door. A female resident was asleep inside with her (2) year old child and her adult daughter. 24 year old Andrew McBride began kicking the security door and eventually was able to get the front door open. From there he forcibly entered the residence and began talking about how he was going to get a gun to “protect” the woman and her children. The woman immediately grabbed her phone and called 911 for assistance.When asked if she knew McBride, she advised she had met him yesterday when he approached her and asked if he could help her clean her residence. She does not know him other than that and does not know why he forced his way in. McBride was still on scene when we arrived and was taken into custody and sent to county jail.
• ·On 12/10/15 at 4:34 pm a homeowner called to advise of a suspicious male in his backyard. Upon officers arrival the homeowner stated the male had jumped into the rear of 85 South Lake Dr. Officers contacted the resident who allowed them to search for the subject.39 year old Kary Smith was found hiding in a wood pile. He was also found to have an outstanding warrant and taken into custody withoutincident. We believe Smith was spooked due to the numerous patrol cars working the area for a special operation.
• ·On 12/10/15 at 4:16 am, officers responded to an alarm at the Ace Hardware on Sunset Drive and found 53 year old Karl Schmidt and 49 year old Paul Wichlan exiting a gated area on the east side of the store. Both subjects were in possession of wire cutters, knives, and flashlights. A check of the business revealed that a burglary had occurred and various items had been stacked up inside the fenced area in what appeared to be preparation to steal the items. Both subjects were arrested and sent to county jail.

Diane Burgis, from 2014 file photo

Today, Tuesday, December 22, 2015, Diane Burgis, an East Bay Regional Parks District Trustee, representing Antioch and other parts of East County, announced her candidacy for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District 3.

“New opportunities sometimes come when you least expect them,” said Diane Burgis.  “After discussion with my children, Supervisor Mary Piepho and supporters, I have decided to run for Supervisor.”

Current District 3 Supervisor, Piepho announced on Monday that she will not seek a fourth term in next June’s election.  Today she announced her support for Burgis stating, “I recruited Diane Burgis to succeed me on the Board of Supervisors because she is a leader in our community who possesses intelligence, integrity and compassion.  As executive director of Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed and a trustee on the East Bay Regional Parks District Board, Diane has an excellent understanding of Delta water issues and the regional experience needed to serve the constituents of this district.  Diane is the most qualified person to succeed me on the Board of Supervisors.”

“I believe I will bring new approaches and a fresh perspective to issues before the Board of Supervisors,” said Burgis.  “My priorities are to actively represent all parts of the District and provide fiscal accountability and transparency, ensure public safety, promote economic development and job creation for East County residents, and develop solutions to reduce traffic and improve infrastructure.”

Burgis was elected last year to the East Bay Regional Parks District Board and is the Executive Director of Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed. She currently serves on the Regional Planning Committee of the Association of Bay Area Governments. Prior to her election to the Parks District Board, Diane served on the Oakley City Council for two years, where she represented Contra Costa County on the Delta Protection Commission.  Diane was named 2012 California State Assembly’s Woman of the Year for District 15 for her work with Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and her other contributions to the community.

Burgis spent over 10 years as owner of a small business that provided mobile fleet services to businesses. She has been actively involved in raising money and awareness for Tuberous Sclerosis for over 16 years and previously served as Chairperson for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance of Northern California.

Burgis and her three teen-aged sons live in Oakley.

Oakley Councilman and former Mayor Doug Hardcastle, who announced his campaign for Supervisor in September and Odessa LeFrancois, the President of the NAACP East County Branch, who announced her candidacy with an entry in the Antioch Veterans Day Parade in November, are the only other candidates in the race, so far. Filing for the seat opens in February and closes in March. The election is in June, 2016. However, if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates face off in the General election in November, 2016.

By John Fortner, Field Services Corporal, Antioch Police Department

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, Antioch Police responded to the intersection of Lone Tree Way at Davison Drive on the report of a traffic accident with injuries. An SUV traveling through the intersection struck two pedestrians walking in the roadway. Both pedestrians sustained injuries and were transported to an area hospital. One pedestrian is currently in critical condition.

The driver of the SUV remained on scene and is fully cooperating with the investigation. At this preliminary stage of the investigation alcohol and drugs do not appear to have played a role for the driver.

The Antioch Police Department’s Traffic Unit responded to the scene to conduct the on-going collision investigation.

We are in the preliminary stages of the investigation and no further information will be released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Doug Hardcastle

Today, Monday, December 21, 2015, County Supervisor Mary Piepho, who represents District 3 on the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, announced she will not seek reelection for a fourth term, next year. I want to applaud Mary on her decision and thank her for her service to the people of Contra Costa County, over the past 11 years.

While I have had differences with her over policy and some of her votes, we have served together well on the transportation boards serving East County, on which she has helped move forward the planned Tri-Link freeway and transit connection between Brentwood and Tracy. Mary has also helped lead the fight to protect the Delta, which is important to all of us who depend on it for our drinking water, as well as fishing and recreation.

As I stated when I launched my campaign in September, it’s time for new leadership in our county. I thank Supervisor Piepho for ensuring that will happen for the people of the Third District. Serving in public office should not be a career, but should be a place where average citizens can serve the people, for a time. If I’m elected, following Mary’s example, I pledge to serve no more than three terms on the Board of Supervisors, as well.

I wish Mary well and God’s blessings in her future endeavors.

Doug Hardcastle serves on the Oakley City Council and just completed a year as Mayor. From 2000 to 2012 he served as a Director for the Ironhouse Sanitary District, for which he served as President in 2011-2012. He and his wife Lyn own Hardcastle’s RV in Oakley. He’s a life-long resident of Contra Costa County. District 3 includes Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Blackhawk, Camino Tassajara, Diablo, Byron, Bethel Island, Knightsen and parts of Antioch.

For more information about Hardcastle’s campaign for Supervisor, visit www.doughardcastle.com.

Supervisor Mary Piepho, from her Government Official Facebook page.

Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho, who represents part of Antioch in District 3, announced, Monday, she will not run for reelection to a fourth term, next year.

In a statement released by her office and posted on her campaign website, today, Piepho wrote:

“After significant and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a very difficult, personal decision and decided not to pursue re-election in 2016. At this point in my life I am ready to greet new challenges, welcome new opportunities and spend more time with my family doing things that we enjoy.

I have served on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for nearly three terms and these years have been the most fulfilling of my career.   Saving lives and saving taxpayer dollars are the most rewarding achievements of my career and I have done both.

I am honored to have earned the trust and confidence from the citizens and business leaders of this County who have supported me to make tough decisions on their behalf and together build a better Contra Costa County.

When I took office in January, 2005 I had a lot of optimism, energy and many fresh ideas. After a lot of hard work and sacrifice, I’m proud to say my personal goals have been met; transportation, finance, public safety and the environment (a short list is detailed at the end of this message).

We have a diverse County with a lot of needs and I’ve done my best to work collaboratively with my colleagues and stakeholders to balance those needs. Not only for District III but for the greater needs of all Contra Costa citizens and taxpayers.

A lot has been accomplished in a relatively short period of time, especially with consideration of the financial and social impacts from the Great Recession.

My goals could not have been achieved without my dedicated office staff, our County Administrator David Twa and all County personnel. Much of what I’ve accomplished is directly attributed to these many hands involved in the heavy lifting.

My father, the late State Senator John A. Nejedly, always said to me to make sure you leave the world better than the way you found it. As I look back on my service to this County, I believe I’ve done that. I hope the citizens of Contra Costa will agree that Contra Costa County is in a much better, more secure place now than it was 12 years ago.

A County Supervisors’ job is one that is never done. It is never completed. And while I have listed many accomplishments below, there is always more work to do. I look forward to a busy and productive 2016 on the Board of Supervisors and continuing to work hard serving the citizens of this great County, region and State.

For the next year I will work on the 2016 goals outlined below, and more. Stay tuned and many thanks to everyone who has joined me for this wonderful experience.

Here are a few highlights of my accomplishments:

• Refocused our County finances to fund public safety as a top priority. The Sheriffs’ Department and District Attorney’s office are cornerstones to this accomplishment.
• Addressing and funding our Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) liability, which was $2.6 billion when I joined the Board and is now under $800 million.
• Created the Vasco Road Safety Corridor and saving lives with lane dividing delineators, safety realignment and roadway widening. This effort continues to be a work in progress.
• Stopped depending on County reserves to balance our budget and have rebuilt our reserves with new policies to protect them.
• 2015/2016 brought our fifth structurally balanced budget in a row and increased reserves of $220 million. This positions us well to achieve long term fiscal sustainability for the benefit of taxpayers.
• Grown from a declining AA rating to a glowing AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor’s. We worked hard to achieve this and there is no higher rating available.
• Highway 4 widening is nearly complete, 8 lanes to the Antioch/Nejedly Bridge in 2016.
• EBart stations are being built to Pittsburg and Antioch with studies for a Brentwood station.
• Highway 4 Bypass project nearly complete creating improved vehicle access and safety and economic development for Far East County allowing families to spend more time together.
• Designed and implemented policies that open up economic opportunities and future potential for our farmers and agricultural lands with value-added marketing and wine and olive processing. We now have nationally recognized award winning wines and olive oils from Contra Costa County.
• My Delta advocacy has been very personal to me. My father, the late State Senator John A. Nejedly, is well known for his leadership fighting against then Gov. Jerry Brown and his Peripheral Canal in 1980-1982 and I have found myself fighting against the 21st century version known as the “Twin Tunnels” and the same/new Gov. Jerry Brown.
• Lead the creation of the Delta County Coalition (DCC) to protect Delta Counties against state and federal politics that protect south Delta water exporters over in-Delta interests. I knew from my dad’s fight against the Peripheral Canal that the Delta Counties needed to stand strong together in order to be effective. And we have.
• Fought for Delta solutions that protect and enhance our Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta from further degradation, environmental harm and advocated for affordable and reasonable solutions that actually create water for all Californians.
• Sought and achieved in the 2009 Delta Reform Act a stronger Delta Protection Commission, creation of the Delta Conservancy and a seat on the newly formed Delta Stewardship Council for a Delta County Supervisor.
• Created the “No Tow Zone” for Delta waterway safety. While this was considered controversial by a few, it has made an enormous impact on saving lives and raising awareness in a very dangerous and congested area of the Delta.
• Lead the successful efforts for greater funding and treatment to fight invasive aquatic weeds in the Delta (egeria dense, water hyacinth, etc.).
• Acquired property in Brentwood for an East County Government Center to deliver County services locally for East Contra Costa County citizens.
• Leading policy and economic development efforts for the Byron Airport to grow jobs and economic development in East County.
• Leading the effort to study Route 239/TriLink connecting Brentwood and Tracy with a proposed expressway, particularly a Vasco Road to J4 connector.
• Fought for improved Veteran support services Countywide; supported funding for improvement to the Brentwood VFW Hall and lead the effort to transfer the Danville Veterans Hall to the Town of Danville.
• Lead the ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.
• Implemented Laura’s Law, a California state law that allows for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for those with serious mental illness.
• Lead efforts to create an opportunity for a more viable and sustainable East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

Goals for 2016:

• Continue my advocacy for the Delta to preserve and protect Delta resources and fight against CalWaterFix
• Design and fund the East County Government Center in Brentwood
• Phase II of Vasco Road Safety Project, funding and construction
• Continue to work with local farmers in amending land uses within agriculturally zoned lands for greater flexibility and economic opportunity
• Market and promote Northern Waterfront Initiative (NWI) as a location to build green energy projects and other economic opportunities
• Short-term treatment and long-term management for invasive species and aquatic weeds in the Delta
• State Route 239/TriLink defined alignment and plan for development”

Washington, DC – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement on the FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which passed the House by a vote of 316 to 113, and includes $1.1 trillion in spending.

“This vote is the quintessential example of compromise. As Thomas Jefferson believed, the purpose and goal of an American politician oftentimes is the art of compromise. The Omnibus bill staves off devastating cuts that would kill jobs and weaken our economic growth and invests in education, renewable energy, infrastructure and research. For these reason, I voted in support of the Omnibus bill.

However, I was deeply disappointed that the bill did not make any advancements in reducing the influence of special interests. Seeing the influence of money in Washington, in my first year in Congress, has reinforced my belief that in order to change the things that challenge this country we have to moderate the amount and the influence of outside money in politics — from Congress all the way down to the city council.

Equally concerning is the fiscally irresponsible $622 billion tax extender package that is not paid for and will increase our deficit. This package largely benefits corporations at the expense of working families and undermines programs like Pell grants, Headstart, job training and health research. I could not support a package that mortgages our children’s future, reduces our payments on the nation’s debt and robs from the Social Security Trust Fund.”

DeSaulnier, a Democrat, represents parts of Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives.