Station agent on duty and restrooms open only 4 hours/day, no escalators

By Dave Roberts

Smile – you’re on eBART camera. Antioch’s leaders did not get their wish to have escalators in the Hillcrest eBART Station when it opens in four years. But they will get no fewer than 38 cameras in and around the station to deter criminal activity.

Antioch’s City Council had threatened in December to oppose the station planned at Hillcrest Avenue and Highway 4 if it does not include station agents, restrooms and escalators. That threat was made by Councilman Brian Kalinowski, backed strongly by former Mayor Don Freitas and not questioned or contradicted by other council members.

But there was nary a discouraging word from city leaders at Tuesday night’s council meeting when eBART Project Manager Rick Rattay showed the council an updated station plan that provides space for future escalators but does not include the escalators themselves.

Whether escalators will later be provided will depend on whether there is adequate ridership to justify the expense, according to a staff report. However, the station and platform will each have an elevator for the disabled.

The end-of-the-line eBART terminal will include a station agent. But he will be on site for only four hours each day – two hours during the peak morning commute and two for the afternoon peak. The station will also include restrooms, but they will be open only for the four hours per day that the station agent is on the job to monitor and service them.

The council’s opposition in December to a scaled-down Hillcrest Station was led by Kalinowski, who said, “It has to be the full option, and we see what the bids reveal and move from there,” he said. “If it can’t be included in the bid document, I direct city staff to bring back to the City Council a resolution to request the BART Board to not approve the bid to go out. At the end of the day if the project and facility doesn’t meet the needs of the city of Antioch, then it’s the wrong project for Antioch and it should not be a project built in Antioch.”

Freitas also blasted the scaled-down Hillcrest plan at the December meeting: “I cannot believe at this stage we are talking about a station agent, an escalator and a bathroom. It just boggles my mind. The concept of eBART is that we would always, always, always build the extension to classic BART standards – and in the interim we would have the eBART standard. So to see a design that doesn’t have some of the basic components of a station is absolutely unbelievable and, frankly, unacceptable. This council should say ‘no.’

“I’m just appalled that this is the type of discussion that we are having. These elements are basic to a station. We’ve all been to a city park after an event when the bathrooms are closed and they smell like urine. This station should not smell like urine. And there is a safety issue. You want to see a station agent that you can run to if there is an emergency. Having something 10 miles away (at the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station) on congested Highway 4 is not going to make it. This council should say ‘hell no’ to this project unless these elements are in the overall bid.”

But neither Kalinowski nor Freitas were at Tuesday’s council meeting. The other council members did not voice opposition to the lack of escalators and restriction of station agents and restrooms to just four hours per day.

Mayor Jim Davis did ask several questions about security at the station, which will be on a BART police patrol beat that includes the Pittsburg/Bay Point Station and the North Concord Station. That means that the nearest BART officer could be 14 congested highway miles away when needed at Hillcrest. Davis was assured that Antioch police would be notified in case of an emergency.

Council members were also comfortable with the station’s security plan, which includes:

· Thirty-eight cameras that can be monitored at the BART Police Dispatch Center in Oakland, the Hillcrest Station Police Room and the eBART Central Control and Maintenance Facility, which is a half-mile from the station. Fifteen cameras will be in the station, 15 on the platform in the median of Highway 4, six in the parking lot and one in each elevator.

· Ten courtesy phones, including five in the station, three on the platform and one in each elevator.

· Five emergency call boxes in the parking lot (which provides 1,000 spaces).

· Additional BART police patrol in the evening.

· An unsworn community service officer patrolling during the day when the station agent is not on site.

· A public address system in the station and on the platform that can be used to warn criminals or would-be criminals that they are being monitored. Passengers will also see themselves on a large monitor as they enter the station.

“I was initially skeptical about some of the issues,” said Councilman Gary Agopian. “I’m very pleased we received a listening ear. The outgrowth is an improved plan. ‘Safe and clean’ is the mantra every day when the station is open. That will improve the possibility of the station being used. We will have a nice widened highway out there. It would be great to have less cars on it. That would be the goal.”

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, the council:

· Recognized Dozier-Libbey Medical High School for receiving the California Distinguished School Award.

· Learned that there will be two free housing workshops on June 25 – from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. a loan modification clinic at Black Diamond Middle School, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. a home buyer seminar in the City Council chambers. Call 779-6138 for more information.

· Learned that there will be a Fourth of July parade this year beginning at 10 a.m. at Second and E streets in downtown Antioch, but no fireworks. For more information call Walter Ruehlig at 756-7628 or e-mail walter.ruehlig@gmail.com or antiochjuly4th@yahoo.com. Applications to participate in the parade are at antiocherald.com and art4antioch.com.

· Approved an urban water plan that ensures an adequate water supply in the city for the next 20 years.

300 Poles Downed Since Beginning of the Year!

A report on the CBS Channel 5 news website, yesterday, stated that copper thieves have hit PG&E hard in Antioch this year.  For the story, click here.

The story even made Matt Drudge’s national news website, at www.drudgereport.com with the headline “Copper Thieves Knock Down 300 Utility Poles In CA Town…“

According to the City of Antioch’s revised Special Revenue, Capital Projects, Enterprise and Internal Service Funds budget presented to Council in the May 24, 2011 study session, the city’s planning to spend the funds which came from passage of Measure WW (the East Bay Regional Park District Bond which provided funds to improve regional parks, trails and recreational facilities) for the following projects: Fishing Pier Pavilion, Prewett Park Eastern Parking Lot, Parks and Rec Security Cameras, Deerfield and Eagleridge Park playground equipment and a new lighting system for the driving range at the Lone Tree Golf Course ($247,000).

There are a number of golf courses in East County but the Lone Tree Golf Course, established in 1934 as a 9-hole course and expanded to 18 holes in the early ’50s is unique in that it’s owned by the City of Antioch.

In March of 2001 the City Council approved a plan to replace the clubhouse with a larger building, which would quadruple banquet space and add locker rooms and conference space. The $4 million project was to be paid mostly through bonds that would be paid back by green fees and income from the banquet room, restaurant and bar.

Regrettably, the 2001 ABAG Lease revenue bonds are currently outstanding for $5,305,000 and have a final maturity in 2031. The golf course, undoubtedly affected by the tough economy, is currently behind in its reimbursement for the debt service.

As for the Antioch Unified School District, their board just put out to bid a project consisting of the removal of the existing swimming pool and diving pool finishes at Antioch High School, something that has been talked about for a number of years that were far better economically.

The timing of the bid announcement is interesting due to the fact that the state budget is still in flux. In fact the board, who held a special budget study session in February considered three scenarios at their meeting.

Scenario 1 assumes the governor’s budget passes as proposed, resulting in a $320,00 reduction in funding from 2010-11 levels. Scenario 2 assumes the special election to extend taxes fails, impacting the district by another $5.9 million. In the 3rd scenario, the district assumes the special election doesn’t pass and Prop. 98 is suspended by the legislature to allow the state to fund schools below the level required by law, the district then sustaining an additional funding reduction of $632 per student, which equates to over $11.2 million.

AUSD does admit it has sizable reserves but – due to the fact that 87% of their general fund budget is utilized for salary and benefits of district personnel if the funding reduction as calculated in the third scenario should occur – the district would lose 12.5% of its current fund, which would result in cuts to district personnel and programs.

By Tami Barrera

Antioch High’s graduation ceremony was filled with a rambunctious crowd eager to graduate, balloons in the air being popped incessantly, beach balls erupting into the senior crowd accompanied by strong, rich and full oooohs and ahhhhhs swiftly followed by boos to the Antioch staff that kept confiscating the items.

The seniors just wanted to have fun on their last day as reigning seniors.

Senior Class President Paul “Lenny” Costa III took to the stage with the message, “Every single one of you makes a huge difference.”

Before telling everyone “to dream their own dream,” he reminded the senior class that they witnessed the introduction of new technology – the iPhone and the PlayStation 3, they experienced Britney Spears’ shaved head, they were part of history in the making when Barack Obama was elected president, they saw the San Francisco Giants finally win their sixth World Series after 56 years of a dry spell, they saw the death of the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the death of Osama Bin Laden, they were inspired by artists Lady Gaga, the Foo Fighters, Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift and they enjoyed the movies The Dark Knight, Transformers and 300.

Costa explained that every graduating senior is more than just a number, and encouraged them to take the world by storm and “stand up and make a difference.” He let the graduating class know that they are meant for greatness, they are made with a purpose and they “have the power to do whatever they set their minds to.”

Before stepping down and turning the podium over to the four salutatorians and seven valedictorians, Costa gave some last minute advice: “First, never use your teeth or your car keys as tools. Second, never criticize a man’s driving; it makes us very upset. Never ever cook a corndog in the microwave – it needs to be cooked in the oven. And never take sleeping pills and laxatives at the same time.”

He closed with a poem by his grandmother that was written in 1969:

Today
Why give yesterday and its dwellers
one mite of consideration
if it sheds one dim light on today.
Why fret about the past
or its stigmas attached to it
when the only thing it accomplishes
is to depress the present.
Each new day
should bring a fresh awareness of life.
The realization of goals
and dreams come true.
Be vital today –
let no thoughts of yesterday prevail
unless it adds glory today.

Antioch Unified School District Superintendent Donald Gill accepted the class of 2011 and told them the secret of making a million dollars in their lifetime: stay in school and finish post secondary certificates and bachelor degrees. “After you further your education use your newly acquired knowledge for the economic and social well being in any community where your career ultimately takes you,” he said.

May all Antioch High’s graduates know that they have accomplished a feat that will propel them to greatness in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2011.

By Tami Barrera

What comes to mind when we hear the phrase “my son/daughter is graduating”? A dignified young person in a cap and gown finishing one journey and getting ready to embark on a new one, a seat in the bleachers listening to a few speeches that may run just a little too long, or fidgety young people chomping at the bit to see their name on a piece of paper with a signature?

Deer Valley High School valedictorian Nada Rendradjaja sees 600 people, lives, heartbeats that all beat individually.

“Sure, we may all be here in our matching caps and gowns,” she said. “We were freshman when we were required to wear lanyards around our neck on campus, and sure you can’t forget the uniform policy implemented right at the beginning of our last semester, but despite all of this we are far from being complete clones of each other.”

She believes that all have struggled in some way or another to reach this all important milestone in their lives. A teacher’s advice that “we should all be a little bit uncomfortable” provides room for growth and progression in life. She added, “Make the best of who you are and never stop being a little bit uncomfortable.”

Co-principals Scott Bergerhouse and Clarence Isadore took the stage to offer encouragement for the students’ future and let the graduating class of 2011 know how close to their hearts they truly are and how proud of them they are.

The graduates were on their best behavior. They were dignified ladies and gentleman that showed by their actions in their seats how proud they were of this accomplishment and knew not to take it lightly let alone for granted.

Bergerhouse said, “It is an honor to stand in front of excellence, and I want you to know you have outstanding character. You are standing alone as leaders of our future.”

Isadore said, “Someone important once said, ‘It is not what you achieve, but what you overcome.’ Most of all your being here today has set you up for tomorrow. In the four years you have been here there have been 33 championships, an award winning DVTV program, visual arts program, career tech program, auto tech program, 16 North Coast Section Banners, and 7 North Coast Section Academic Banners. This is no doubt a product of the academies that make Deer Valley High School their home. The academies are comprised of The Science Research Ace Academy, Law Academy, Delta Performing Arts Academy and The Business Technology Academy.”

Isadore called Deer Valley High School “The Academic Power House.” Bergerhouse reinforced that with, “Deer Valley High School is a home where opportunities are endless.” Both principals told the graduates to go out into the world – set the tone, make a difference, find new horizons, cherish the Deer Valley High School memories and to always remember that they are the class of 2011.

Congratulations, class of 2011.

This past week, Congressman John Garamendi, who represents Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives, was interviewed by irreverent funny man Stephen Colbert during his Comedy Central television show, the Colbert Report.

It was one of the many “Better Know A District” segments on the satirical show that pokes fun at politics.

Click here to watch the funny, bizarre and, at times uncomfortable, excerpt.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) are widening State Route 4 (SR-4) through Pittsburg and Antioch. As part of this construction work, the contractor for the Loveridge Road project will close all lanes on west bound SR-4 between Somersville Road and Loveridge Road on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, June 6, through June 9, between 10:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.

Due to the inclement weather this week an additional night will be required to complete this work. The contractor will close all lanes on west bound SR-4 between Somersville Road and Loveridge Road on Friday night, June 10, between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. This work is to ensure public and crew safety while crews work to open the new traffic lanes between Somersville Road and Century Boulevard.

• The detour for this closure will be as follows: motorists will be directed off SR-4 at Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive, left on Somersville Road, continue on to Auto Center Drive, left on Tenth Street, left on Loveridge Road, right on California Avenue, and left on west bound SR-4. Work may be rescheduled if there is inclement weather.

As part of this construction work, the on-ramp to west bound SR-4 from Somersville Road will be closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, June 6, through June 9, between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Due to the inclement weather this week an additional night will be required to complete this work. The on-ramp to west bound SR-4 from Somersville Road will be closed on Friday night, June 10, from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

• The detour for this closure will be as follows: motorists will either drive south on Somersville Road, right on Delta Fair Boulevard, continue on to Leland Road, right on Loveridge Road, left on California Avenue, and left on west bound SR-4, or they will drive north on Somersville Road, continue on to Auto Center Drive, left on Tenth Street, left on Loveridge Road, right on California Avenue, and left on west bound SR-4.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their commute. Please drive with caution through the detours and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on all SR-4 corridor closures please visit our web site at: http://widensr4.org.