The local legendary band, PhD’s will perform at Humphrey’s on the Delta, this Friday night, March 30 from 9:30 p.m. to closing. Cover charge is $5 per person, but if you’ll stop by earlier and enjoy dinner overlooking the river and admission is Free! For more information visit www.HumphreysontheDelta.com. For reservations call (925) 778-5800.

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 Somersville Road project will close all lanes on westbound SR-4 between Loveridge and Somersville Roads for several hours on Thursday and Friday evenings, March 29 and 30, 10:00 pm to 3:30 a.m.

In addition, the CHP will conduct a rolling closure of single lanes of eastbound SR-4 between Railroad Avenue and Somersville Road Thursday and Friday evenings, March 29 and 30, 11:59 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Detour signs will be in place to direct motorists to alternate routes. Please be alert and carefully follow all directional signs when encountering detours.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their commute. Please drive with caution through the detour 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.

School Locked Down

By Sergeant T. Morefield, Field Services, Antioch Police Department

On Friday, March 23, 2012 at approximately 1:54 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Antioch High School at 700 W. 18th Street. As officers arrived on scene, it was quickly discovered that the shooting actually occurred on West 16th Street, almost two blocks away from the school. However, due to the close proximity of the incident to the High School and an unknown direction of flight of the responsible, restricted access procedures were initiated at Antioch High School.

It would later be determined that the responsible fled the scene in a vehicle in the opposite direction of the high school, so the school district was notified and the restricted access procedure was lifted. There is no indication that any Antioch High School students were involved in this incident. There were no reported injuries however a broken window was located at the school. The case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

There are some serious problems with the proposed Clean Water tax (they call it a fee, but any time government takes our money it’s a tax) and the election being run to get it passed.

First, the election ballots have the property owners name on them, so it’s not a secret ballot. Those compiling the results of the election get to know how someone voted. That goes against the American way of elections.

Second, foreigners can vote. Since it’s a Proposition 218 election, in which only property owners get to vote – which I don’t have a problem with, since they’re the ones who will be paying the additional “fee” included in their property tax bill. But, many properties in California are owned by foreigners and/or foreign companies. That means they get to vote. That’s not the American way of elections, either!

Third, the campaign being waged to pass the tax is being run by the county’s Clean Water Program, and the mailings to promote it are funded by our tax dollars! Tax-dollar funded campaigning to pass another tax? Really? The craziest part – although to be fair, Clean Water Program Manager Don Freitas stated it was a mistake by a staffer at the company that was hired to print and mail the campaign material – the first mailing hit the homes on the day of the vote by the county Board of Supervisors, when they decided whether or not to allow the vote to go forward. (The election was going to happen anyway, since there wasn’t enough protest votes to stop it).

Fourth, ballots will be counted by a certified public accounting firm, Carol Keane & Associates, based in Walnut Creek and not the County Elections Division of the County Clerk’s Office. So, how can there be any accountability or public oversight when the ballots are counted, like other elections?

Fifth, and the most important part, is the tax really necessary? While if it passes, it will generate about $8 million a year, that’ s only a third of the estimated $25 million a year that’s claimed to be needed to clean up the water ways in the county. While I agree there’s a need, since it’s such a high priority, why doesn’t the county budget for the entire $25 million in their budget of $1.2 billion?

With all the flaws in this election this proposed tax should be rejected and the Board of Supervisors should just reprioritize their spending for 2012-13 and include the $25 million cost for the clean water program in next year’s budget when they adopt it in June.  Your ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m. on April 6, 2012, which means you need to mail it a few days before.

In addition, it’s clear some new state legislation is needed to clean up the Proposition 218 election ballot process, eliminating the name on the ballot of the voter to keep it a secret ballot and eliminate the right of foreign property owners from voting in American elections.

Allen Payton, Publisher

P.S. Just got this additional problem from a reader –  “Another problem is that the list of property owners is not current and I have personal knowledge of a property foreclosed last January and the ballot was still sent to the foreclosed property owner.” So, now some renter or renter can vote that ballot and mail it in.

By Walter Ruehlig

After a lively discussion at the March 21 meeting of the Contra Costa County Board of Education, the board voted against supporting the 2012 Clean Water Initiative. Board President Cynthia Ruehlig, a vocal critic of the proposed tax, and Trustees Richard Asadoorian and Daniel Gomes voted no, while Trustee Pam Mirabella voted to abstain. Trustee Ellen Elster was absent.

If it passes, the parcel tax for the County Office of Education is estimated at $2,000 per year. The three ballots received for facilities owned by the Office of Education located in Pleasant Hill, Brentwood and Concord will all be marked “no”. Ballots for the county-wide mail-in Proposition 218 election must be received by 5:00 p.m., April 6, 2012.

One interesting aspect of the election is that the process is being conducted and monitored by a private organization, Carol Keane and Associates a certified public accounting firm located in Walnut Creek, and not by the County Clerk’s Election Division.

Executive Director of Antioch’s Opportunity Junction

Alissa Friedman

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) announced today that Alissa Friedman, executive director of Opportunity Junction, has been selected as the 11^th California State Assembly District’s Woman of the Year for her significant contributions to our community. Ms. Friedman will participate in the Woman of the Year ceremony in the California State Assembly on Monday, March 26, 2012.

“Alissa has created, through Opportunity Junction, an important access point for women in our community to become educated, trained, and able to find a job.” Bonilla said. “Alissa has shown incredible community leadership and has been able to provide practical assistance to many individuals and families in the 11^th Assembly District.”

“I feel honored and humbled to be singled out by Assemblywoman Bonilla, whom I hold in such high regard,” said Friedman. “The credit for Opportunity Junction’s success in placing local residents into sustainable employment, though, goes to our dedicated staff and volunteers, fueled by the inspiration of working with participants who are determined to develop the skills and confidence to achieve self-sufficiency.”

About Alissa and Opportunity Junction:

Alissa Friedman is Executive Director of Opportunity Junction and has overseen its growth from a pilot workforce development program into a local hub for training, education, and job placement. Alissa joined Opportunity Junction in 2001 as Project Manager and took over as Executive Director in 2003.

Located in Antioch, Opportunity Junction’s mission is to fight poverty by helping low-income adults gain the skills and confidence to support themselves and their families. Programs include the flagship Job Training and Placement Program, which prepares participants for administrative careers, the evening Technology Center, Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance, and Bay Point Career Development Services. Even in this economy, 84% of those who complete Opportunity Junction’s job training enter employment within six months. For more information about Opportunity Junction and for volunteer opportunities, please visit www.opportunityjunction.org.

Antioch Delta Skimmers invites you to come and try out for the 2012 swim team.  For ages 4-18, Swim try-outs and sign-ups will be held at the Los Medanos College Pool.  2700 East Leland Rd, Pittsburg.  Dates for tryouts are:   March 24^th and April 7^th, from 10:00am to 1:00 pm.  Parents must accompany child and show proof of age when signing up. Don’t forget a towel, a swim cap and goggles! Go to www.antiochdeltaskimmers.com for more info!

From the Office of Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla