The Los Medanos College Debate Team will be presenting an informational debate about Proposition 30. The debate will take place on Wednesday, October 24 from 6:30-8:00 p.m at the Pittsburg City Council Chambers, 65 Civic Avenue in Pittsburg. Admission and Parking is free.

The award-winning debate team will present both sides of the argument as they focus on “Should we raise taxes to fund education?” The informational event will raise the best arguments on both sides so attendees can make up their own minds about this important ballot initiative. Light refreshments will be served following the debate.

The event is co-sponsored by the LMC Debate team and the LMC Honors Program. For more information, visit www.losmedanos.edu/honors/events.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

STOCKTON, CA, October 18, 2012 – Leading political analyst Stuart Rothenberg concludes today in Roll Call, the Washington, D.C.-based newspaper that covers Congress and elections, that Congressional candidate Ricky Gill (R-Lodi) is poised to upset three-term incumbent Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton).

“[I]nsiders on both sides of the aisle agree that Gill has become a serious threat to McNerney,” Rothenberg writes in an article titled “Looking for House Upsets? Take a Look at These.”

Listing California’s 9th District as the top prospect for an upset, Rothenberg notes that, while numbers indicate the race is competitive, Gill’s opponents are nonetheless “scratching their heads in disbelief over the development.” 

A recent poll found that Gill was leading McNerney by a margin of one point with nine percent of voters undecided.

Stockton, Calif. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) held a press conference highlighting the endorsements of prominent veterans in California.  Earlier this year, Congressman McNerney was named Legislator of the Year by the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO), receiving the Motomu Nakasako Legislator of the Year Award.

“I am proud and honored to receive the endorsements of so many of our veterans.  Standing up for our veterans and providing them with the services and benefits they have earned is a responsibility I take very personally.  These men and women have sacrificed so much to protect our way of life and they deserve to have people in office who will fight for them,” said Congressman McNerney.

Congressman McNerney has received the endorsements of the following veterans:

“Congressman Jerry McNerney has been a tremendously consistent, proactive and responsive advocate for veterans, our Wounded Warriors, our men and women serving in our Armed Forces (Active, Guard and Reserve), and their families.  Whether helping veterans in need of assistance with their VA benefits, supporting Dignity Alcove’s application to be a VA-approved outreach program for homeless veterans, locating the future VA hospital in the Valley, crafting and supporting veterans and military service legislation, or serving as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman McNerney has been a difference maker – someone who makes things happen – and a leader who cares more about others than self.” – Roger Brautigan, Ret. General, Former Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs

“Congressman McNerney has been a friend of Veterans for many years & I will continue to support him. As you well know I have advocated for Veterans issues for the past 16 years & received his support for the new VA Regional Clinic in San Jaoquin County. Voting for him is the smart thing to do.” – Tino Adame,  Vietnam Combat Veteran and Stockton Resident

“Congressman McNerney has worked hard for veterans in the community, specifically getting the VA to locate the veterans’ hospital in French Camp.  Veterans in this county know how hard he has worked and should stand up and say so.” – Richard Pittman, Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam Veteran

“There is no stronger supporter of our veterans than Congressman Jerry McNerney.” – Dave Norris, Past State Commander, California Veterans of Foreign Wars

“As a Vietnam veteran, I fully support Congressman McNerney for his track record of action for the benefit our veterans.  As a person involved in education I support him for his proven leadership and sincere dedication to making a difference in people’s lives, particularly our youth”.  – Ralph Womack, Trustee, Lodi Unified School District

“Approximately eight years ago I tried to get help and ran into brick walls and deaf people, submitting the same documents as many as four times. It wasn’t until Congressman McNerney’s office got involved, that I began to see results. His staff got more done in three days than I could in eight years. Thank you Congressman McNerney for supporting our troops and veterans.” – Republican Paul Cashion, Vietnam Veteran

This adds to a growing list of local public figures and elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Jerry McNerney.

The new 9^th district is significantly Democratic, with a voter registration that is D+11.  The new 9^th includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa County, including most of Antioch.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) has served the area for nearly six years. He is the Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. For more information visit www.JerryMcNerney.com.

Kalinowski

Congressional candidate Ricky Gill has earned the endorsement of Antioch City Council Member Brian Kalinowski, a Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Lieutenant and registered Democrat.

“Antioch is facing tough times, and we need a change in leadership to address the serious challenges we face,” said Kalinowski, a longtime law enforcement officer and Antioch resident who has served 12 years on the Council. “I know Ricky will be a strong advocate for Antioch when it comes to public safety, education, and economic development. I’m proud to endorse him, and I look forward to working with him in the future.”

“I’m honored to have Brian’s support as we enter the final weeks of this important election,” said Gill. “Antioch and communities across the 9th District need a new generation of leadership to fight for public safety, job growth and educational achievement. I look forward to working with Brian and other leaders in Contra Costa County to tackle these challenges and give our communities the fresh start they deserve.”

Ricky Gill is a native of San Joaquin County who was born and raised in Lodi, California. The son of immigrant parents, Ricky is running against incumbent Congressman Jerry McNerney in California’s 9^th Congressional district which includes most of Antioch. For more information visti www.RickyGill.com.

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Antioch Police Patrol Division

On Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at approximately 8:40 p.m., Antioch police received a report of a carjacking that occurred at a local restaurant. Two patrons of the restaurant were assaulted by a male and female in the parking lot as they were attempting to leave. After the assault, the responsible stole the victim’s vehicle. The victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Approximately an hour later a citizen notified Antioch police that a vehicle matching that of the victim vehicle was involved in a solo accident on Contra Loma Blvd., in Antioch. After the collision the driver was seen getting into a separate vehicle and fleeing the scene.

Pittsburg police located that second vehicle in their city and pursued the vehicle for a short distance as the driver fled to avoid arrest. The driver lost control, crashing into a street sign and vegetation at the intersection of East Leland Road and Loveridge Road in Pittsburg.

Isidro Gali was a passenger in the pursuit vehicle and identified as the male half of the carjacking. He was placed under arrest by Antioch Police. Pittsburg Police handled the disposition of the driver of that vehicle for their own on view charges related to the pursuit.

The investigation is ongoing and no further arrests have been made up to this point.

Gali has an extensive criminal history to include convictions for auto theft, burglary, willful discharge of firearm, and DUI. Gali was booked into the Martinez detention facility on charges of Carjacking and Possession of Stolen Property.

Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6939. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH

Congressman Jerry McNerney and his opponent Ricky Gill debated each other in their only face to face debate of the race for Congress in California’s 9th Congressional district, which includes most of Antioch. It was held at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Following is the link to the video of the debate:

www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121015/A_MEDIA06/121019971

Free Document Shredding For East County Residents

East County residents concerned about identity theft can have their unwanted confidential documents shredded quickly while they watch on Saturday, October 20, 2012, from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dow Credit Union parking lot at the corner of Lone Tree Way and

Bluerock Drive in Antioch. This event is courtesy of Dow Credit Union, a community credit union located at 4041 Lone Tree Way, and it will be the fourth annual free document shedding event Dow Credit Union has hosted for the local community.

Residents are encouraged to enter the parking lot from Bluerock Drive and follow the signs to the shred area. Iron Mountain, a certified document shredding company, will have a mobile shred truck equipped with a side-mounted viewing camera on site for the event. Residents may bring up to 6 grocery bags, or 3 small boxes, of paper material to shred. Once shredded, the material is taken to a recycling center. Residents must remain with their material until it has been shredded.

The event will take place rain or shine.

Free information on preventing identity theft will be available. Identity theft affects nearly ten million Americans annually and is on the rise. For more information about the free shredding, call 925-331-1010 or visit Featured Offers on our website at www.dowcu.org

Dow Credit Union provides free checking, interest checking, savings and money market accounts, as well as financing cars, homes, RVs and personal loans. It has provided not-for-profit financial services since 1938 and serves everyone who lives or regularly works in any east Contra Costa County community. The institution continues to serve the employees and families of the Dow Chemical Company at locations throughout California as well.

For more information, visit www.dowcu.org or call 925-331-1010.