Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee is now accepting applications from individuals and groups interested in enhancing the fish and wildlife resources of the County.

Grant applications must be received by January 4, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Application materials may be obtained on the Fish and Wildlife Committee website or by contacting Maureen Parkes of the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development Department by phone: 925-674-7831, fax: 925-674-7250 or e-mail: maureen.parkes@dcd.cccounty.us.

The Fish and Wildlife Committee strongly encourages applications related to improving habitat, public education, scientific research, and in addition, as a new additional focus for 2013, the Fish and Wildlife Committee wishes to fund high value, low-cost public education projects related to the scientific principles of fish and wildlife conservation in the County.

The Fish and Wildlife Committee generally does not recommend funding for operating costs and overhead, such as benefits or utilities, or on-going staff support for an organization. Further, projects awarded monies from the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund must meet the requirements of Section 13103 of the Fish and Game Code. Funding for the grant program is generated from fines for violations of the Fish and Game Code and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors receives the committee’s recommendations and holds final decision-making authority over the awarding of grants.

During the 2012/2013 grant cycle a total of $50,645 was awarded to 10 projects. The awards ranged from $1,060 to $10,000. A copy of the 2013/2014 grant application packet is available by clicking here.

Following are the responses to the questions posed to the candidates for Congress in California’s new 7^th District, which includes approximately 30% of Antioch, in the northwest part of the city. There are two candidates running, incumbent George Miller and challenger Virginia Fuller. The following information is posted here, as there was unfortunately not enough room in our November print edition.

1. Full name: George R. Miller, III

2. Background:

I’m 67 years old, have a BA from SF State University and a law degree from U.C. Davis. I was born and raised in Richmond and reside in Martinez. I’ve been a Member of Congress since 1975. I’m married to Cynthia Caccavo, have two children and six grandchildren.

3. Contact information:

David Johnson, Campaign Coordinator, 925-948-5165, dave@georgemillerforcongress.com,

www.georgemillerforcongress.com

www.facebook.com/georgemillerforcongress

4. What motivated you to run?

I first ran for Congress to end the Vietnam War, guarantee affordable health care for all Americans, and improve the education and well-being of our children. I’m running today to strengthen the middle class and rebuild the American Dream. And we’ve got work to do.

5. Top three priorities if elected – what do you plan to accomplish?

Create more jobs by strengthening the economy, improve public education, and reduce global warming by increasing energy efficiency and green energy.

6. Do you support Prop 30 and Prop 38?

I support Prop 30 to help avoid devastating cuts to education and other essential services.

7. What has been your greatest accomplishment? Why should people vote for you?

My greatest achievement as a lawmaker has been passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s health care law. I have a record of integrity and have had bills signed into law by presidents of both parties. I wake up every day ready to make a difference for people here and across our country.

 

 

Virginia O.  Fuller

As a legal immigrant, born in Suriname, I came to the United States in 1976 and gained my citizenship in 2000. I have lived in California for over 33 years. I was trained as a registered nurse in The Netherlands. My two children are both college graduates and model citizens.

I became a child advocate after I observed,, first-hand the shortage for quality long-term nursing care for children in my community, while working as a rehab nurse at Children’s Hospital, Oakland. In 1989 I established and operated two pediatric care facilities. One was a 24-hour Emergency Shelter Home for abused and neglected children located in Oakland. The other was a Nursing Care Facility in Richmond, licensed by the State Health Department.

Because that was happening in this predominately liberal and Democratic region, I became a political activist, as a result.

I am running for Congress because the incumbent, George Miller has demonstrated for 38 long years he is out of touch with his constituency. His partisan and neglectful policies have proven to be disastrous to traditional families and our communities. Many neighborhoods have deteriorated because of high crime rates and population exodus due to decades of neglect by George Miller.

As your Congresswoman, I will:

•Work to rebuild our inner cities by:

•Reducing the cost of doing business in America and keeping jobs in California.

•Giving parents school choice and greater access to better performing schools.

•Vote to repeal Obamacare and replace it with common sense healthcare reform.

•Balance the Budget by eliminating duplicate government services and departments.

•Return control of Education to the States.

•Enforce immigration laws.

•Support aid and asylum for persecuted Christians in the Middle East and Africa.

•Implement a Flat Income Tax.

•Support LIMITED government

I have integrity, decency and will maintain loyalty to the people. I am a proud Constitutionalist and a patriotic citizen with common sense and real life experiences. We need to elect a citizen politician, not career politician and lawyer!

Fuller for Congress

12 Ambrose Avenue, Bay Point, CA 94565 510-758-5854 or 925-565-4295

www.fullerforcongress.org

https://twitter.com/#!/FullerCD7ca

www.youtube.com/user/FullerForCongress

 

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

By Supervisor Federal Glover, Contra Costa County, District V

It is your vote,
your voice,
your future,
your chance,
your obligation
to take part
in the
democratic process.
_______
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To find your polling place, go to:
http://www.cocovote.us/

By Allen Payton, Publisher

I spoke with candidate for the Antioch School Board, Barbara Cowan, today about her experience with the endorsement process of the Contra Costa County Democratic Party Central Committee. Three of the five Democratic candidates running for the board had sought the endorsement, but they only endorsed two candidates for the three seats, and both are African American.

Following are Cowan’s comments about it:

“It was the first interview I’d done. I was extremely nervous going in,” she said. “But, it was a very, very unpleasant experience.”

When asked who was involved in the interview, she responded, “I believe there were at least six people involved in the interview with one Hispanic and one African American on the panel.”

So what did she think was the reason she wasn’t endorsed for the third seat?

“There was a gentlemen there who took an issue with a remark I made and interrupted all the other questions, so he could argue with me,” said Cowan. “I told him I was talking about the API scores in Antioch. I indicated that on the history scores, that the teachers needed a little training. He came across angry and said, basically, not yelling, but very firmly, that it wasn’t the Antioch teachers but that is was a lack of support for the discipline. He’s a substitute teacher in Antioch and seemed very bitter and angry.”

“Maybe they looked at me as an ingenue or that I wasn’t qualified. After I was reamed by this guy a couple times, I stumbled over my words,” Cowan added. “I can tell you my interview didn’t go well. I answered the questions that I could, but maybe they may have chosen not to endorse me because of that.”

She doesn’t believe race was a factor in the endorsement decision.

“I’m not going to pull the race card. But I don’t feel it was fair because of the way I was treated,” she said.

Cowan was never informed that she hadn’t been endorsed.

“There was no feedback, not even a notification that I had not been endorsed,” she added.

So as far as the Antioch School Board election is concerned, I believe we can put to rest the concerns that race was a factor in how the Democrats chose their candidates. What we don’t know is the criteria that was used to decline the endorsement of Cowan, the only former teacher and principal running in Antioch, this year.

However, they only endorsed two of the three candidates who requested it for the three seats on the Antioch School Board

By Allen Payton, Publisher

This is to follow up on my recent commentary about the elections in Antioch and reporting on the concerns shared by some white Democratic candidates that the Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee only endorsed minority candidates for office.

I emailed the Democrats’ Endorsement Chair, Jeff Koertzen with the following questions:

“Mr. Koertzen,

I have been informed that you are the Endorsement Chair for the Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee.

In following up on my recent commentary on the Herald website regarding the elections in Antioch, I’d like to know did any of the following candidates seek the endorsement of the Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee?

Randy Benevides, Barbara Cowan, Diane Gibson Gray

The reason I ask is that the CCDCC only endorsed two Democratic candidates for the three seats, both African Americans, even though there are three other Democrats in the race.

Also, was race used as a criteria for the endorsements for the elections in Antioch? Knowing the history of support for Affirmative Action by the Democratic Party, is there a desire to promote minority candidates over white candidates, at the local level?

Finally, why is the Democratic Central Committee endorsing in what are supposed to be non-partisan races?

I look forward to your responses.

Thank you.

Allen Payton

Publisher”

Koertzen responded:

“Mr. Payton,

Regarding the three candidates you reference.

Randy Benevides did not respond to our correspondence (email and postal mail, no answer by phone).

Barbara Cowan was interviewed but was not endorsed.

Diane Gibson-Gray told me by phone that she was not interested in seeking our endorsement. (Phone calls were made to Democratic registered candidates who had not responded by email.)

Per our bylaws and the bylaws of the California Democratic Party, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County may endorse any candidate in non-partisan races who is registered as a Democrat as long as that candidate specifically indicates he or she is interested in our endorsement. (A non-response must be interpreted as the individual is not interested in our endorsement. Our Bylaws require that we send a letter to the campaign mailing address on file with the registrar’s office. In addition, emails were sent to the email address on file with the registrar’s office and phone calls were made to the campaign phone number on file with the registrar’s office. Messages were left when answering machines were reached, but because we had attempted to reach candidates in multiple ways, it was not required that we actually reach any person to receive a yes or no response if they were interested in endorsement. Due to the multiple methods to attempt to reach candidates, it was up to the candidate to reply to us.) In addition, we may only endorse a maximum of the number of seats available in a particular race. Only one of the three you mention indicated she was interested and sought our endorsement.

As for the city council race which you mention in your blog post but not in your email, Walter Ruehlig did not respond to our correspondence and Noel Pinto was interviewed but was not endorsed.

Race is absolutely not considered as a factor. It was actually a surprise to me when I read your blog post because when we interviewed the candidates, we interviewed them as people not as representatives of a particular race. The endorsement committee made our recommendations based on the individuals we felt best met the requirements for office, would best represent their constituents, and who represented Democratic ideals.”

I then responded with the following:

Mr. Koertzen,

Thank you for your quick and complete response.

However, regarding the Antioch School Board race, since one more Democratic candidate sought the endorsement, who appears to be very qualified from her experience as both a teacher and principal, why wasn’t Barbara Cowan endorsed, instead of leaving the one position without an endorsed candidate?

Allen Payton

Publisher”

Koertzen responded:

“Mr. Payton,

The endorsement committee did indeed find her to be qualified as a teacher and administrator, and, as I recall, she is a warm and engaging person, but some committee members had some reservations and concerns based on responses to questions posed during the interview. As a result, she did not meet the threshold required for the committee to recommend endorsement. Although we may endorse up to the number of available seats, we are not required to endorse that number of candidates.

To be fair to Ms. Cowan, I would need to discuss that information with her. It would not be appropriate for me to discuss the details of our endorsement deliberations with the press, especially if I have not yet had that conversation with Ms. Cowan.

Thank you,

Jeff Koertzen”

So there you have it. The Democrats claim race wasn’t used in their endorsements, but when they had the opportunity to endorse a very qualified, white Democratic candidate for the third seat on the Antioch School Board, they chose not to. So it’s up to you to decide what to believe and determine what impact, if any, it will have in the election results.

I emailed each of the three candidates mentioned to ask if they had requested the endorsement of the CCDCC, but none of them responded before publishing this commentary. If and when they do, I will provide an update.

Now, let’s get something, straight. I’m being accused of injecting race into the elections in Antioch. Let’s be clear. I was not the one who put out the emails about the issue. I received them and spoke with a few of the white Democratic candidates for office in Antioch about the issue and shared that information in my commentary. They chose to share it with me on condition of anonymity. If people are upset, so be it. No issue is too sensitive to discuss it if it’s of concern to candidates running for office or the voters. But don’t shoot the messenger or even try to read into anything I wrote. You need to take it on its face value. Debate and discuss the issue don’t attack the one who brought it out of the shadows. If those candidates who have the concern wish to remain anonymous, that’s their choice. But it would be good if they would step forward and share their concerns, publicly and challenge their own party.

This is America where we have freedom of speech. Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak out when you feel an injustice has occurred – no matter who it might be against.

Dear Editor:

I am writing in regards to the Antioch Unified School District elections that will take place in just a matter of days. My mother Debra Vinson is indeed running for school board and I would like to state a few reasons as to why I believe she is the best candidate for the job. It would be too simple to state that I am voting for my mother simply because she is my mom or that I want people to vote on that basis alone. It would also be an immense understatement of her abilities if I left it at that.

Ms. Vinson has the kind of drive and enthusiasm that the AUSD needs, especially at a time like this. As a former student of Antioch High School, I believe that I am proof that students that come from that high school can succeed. My mother always pushed me to do the best that I could do as well as supported me in all of my endeavors. I graduated AHS as a Music Master, an athlete and an honors student who recieved mutliple college acceptance letters. I now attend the University of California, Santa Barbara and am studying abroad. I credit my drive to succeed in everything I do and try new things to my mother’s support and care. She knows what it takes to motivate students, motivate teachers and motivate parents to fight for their students in order to make sure that every child recieves the best education they can and takes full advantage of all opportunities possible. Every student from the AUSD can attend a 4-year university or trade school, they just need the right tools to do so and it is my firm belief that my mother can provide those tools.

My mother knows how the AUSD operates and as a psychotherapist, violence prevention trainer and school counselor I do not doubt for a second that she can implement strategies to turn the AUSD around. Whenever I talk to my fellow graduates from the class of 2010 I always hear about the school system and all of the elementary, middle and high schools getting worse. I want to be proud of the school I graduated from and I want the district to have a better reputation so that students have a better opportunity to get into university, as well as achieve higher test scores. So often it feels as if the district does not care about the students minus a select few; and having seen the nepotism and favoritism that is shown to some of the “star” students, I believe my mother will be able to change that. Therefore, it is for those reasons that I advise the voters of Antioch to vote Debra Vinson for School Board Member. A vote that will truly make a difference. Thank you and happy voting.

Morgan Vinson

University of California, Santa Barbara

Programming Vice President, RHA

Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Associated Students

Scholarship Chair, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi

Following are the responses to the questions asked of the candidates for State Assembly in California’s new 11th District, which includes all of Antioch, most of Eastern Contra Costa County, and much of Solano County. There is no incumbent. Unfortunately, there was not enough room in our November print edition to include this, so we present it here. Mike Hudson’s responses are below, Jim Frazier refused to respond.

1. Full name: Michael James Hudson

2. Background – age, education with degrees and subjects, city in which you live, elected and/or appointed offices held, family: marital status, how long, spouse’s name and # of children

Age: 51

Education: I have 8 years of college that I took before, during, and after my service in the military. I took college courses while being deployed during the first Gulf War. I have completed my Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP), Sun Certified Engineer, Sun Certified System Administrator, Check Point Certified Security Expert and Security Administrator, Tripwire Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Professional, Solaris System administrator, HP OpenView certified, and ISS Certified.

Residence: Suisun City since 1996

Elected: Suisun City Council in 2006

Reelected: 2010

Elected: Vice Mayor 2010 by City Council

Married to Sandi, 4 children

4 grandchildren – Derek, Nicole, Christopher & Joshua

3. Contact information – including campaign phone #, email address, street address, website, Facebook page, Twitter and any other social media sites in which you participate

Mike Hudson for Assembly 2012

Cell phone (707) 372-8389

Contra Costa HQ

1781 Vineyard #220, Antioch

(925) 755-9489

Solano County HQ

411 Main Street, Suite C, Suisun City

(707) 428-6175

mike@mikehudson2012.com

www.mikehudson2012.com

www.facebook.com/mikehudsonforcalifornia2012

www.facebook.com/VeteransForHudson?ref=hl

www.facebook.com/MikeHudsonParaCalifornia2012EnEspanol?ref=hl

www.facebook.com/MikeHudsonSupportsThe2ndAmendment?fref=ts

www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Hudson-for-Suisun-City/186020308373

http://twitter.com/MikeHudson2012

http://pinterest.com/mikehudson2012/

www.linkedin.com/in/mikehudson2012

www.flickr.com/people/mikehudson2012/

4. What motivated you to run?

While Chairman of the North Bay YMCA I had the opportunity to apply for Proposition 49 grant money for before and after school programs for Fairfield and Suisun schools.  Prop 49 grants require a nonprofit, a municipality, and the school district to act as partners and to provide a soft match for the grant money. The School district was not acting on the grant.

I successfully navigated the proposition’s requirements, got the cities and the school district involved.  That was not easy feat, yet I was able to succeed.  Suisun City Elementary was awarded the money.  In fact , I found I had the knack for getting things done in local government.  Other schools still needed these programs, so I began my first City Council campaign in 2006 to Suisun City Council; I successfully ran and we found a way to finance before and after school programs without tax dollars.

5. Top three priorities if elected – what do you plan to accomplish?

JOBS is #1!

California needs to get back to work. We need to create an economy that rewards hard work and investment, rewards job creators, that encourages small business. The economy will bloom through job growth. We need regulatory reform, reduce red tape, create road maps for success, lower taxes will help create a more business-friendly environment. We have to stop driving business out of our state.

#2 Infrastructure

California’s aging infrastructure is not keeping pace with the growth of our state. Projects take too long, are brought to a virtual standstill by environmental studies, and multi-level bureaucratic agencies. We need to cut the red tape. California has the highest administrative cost per mile for building new roads or maintaining existing roads, almost double what it costs Texas.

1. Build and maintain roads and bridges

2. Build and strengthen levies

3. Water

a. Build additional surface storage

b. Use ground water recharging

c. Build desalinization plants

d. Use existing subsurface water storage

4. Protect the Delta by defunding the Peripheral Canal

5. Stop High Speed Rail (the train to “Nowhere”), we can’t afford it.

#3 Budget

California needs to toughen up and balance the budget without counting on revenues that will never materialize, borrowing billions of dollars that will cost the state billions more in interest, new gimmicks or tricks that really disguise a poor budget. We need decisive action. A balanced budget amendment that limits borrowing, caps spending, and creates a true reserve fund, a 2-year budget cycle not tied to election years, sales tax apportionment reform, reform redevelopment, stop raiding, back filling, borrowing, and stealing from local governments.

6. Do you support Prop. 30 and/or Prop. 38?

Both are ballot box budgeting, so I am opposed to both. These propositions also demonstrate the legislature’s inability to agree on anything. We pay them to make the tough decisions. They chickened out and went to the voters.

I am especially opposed to Prop 30. The Legislature and the Governor both stated “Kids are our top priority”. Then they cut education, “we are broke”, they stated. Yet they gave raises to Sacramento bureaucrats and bought a brand new high speed train. This proposition simply back-fills the general fund without providing any monies to schools.

7. What has been your greatest accomplishment? Why should people vote for you?

My greatest accomplishment is bringing more businesses to Suisun City and more jobs, creating before and after school programs, and redeveloping the downtown. All of my accomplishments required working together with fellow Council members. Politicians may claim all the glory, in proportion to their egos, the fact remains, at no time can a single Council member get anything done by themselves; Working Together We Achieve!

People should vote for me because I am honest, hardworking, I listen, and I care about people and their communities. I offer real world solutions to jobs, education, our state budget, and protecting the delta. My vision is to return California to the top, the best in education, best transportation, balanced budgets, and real jobs.

Mike Hudson

Candidate for Assembly District 11, FPPC # 1342466

BART’s all-time ridership record was broken Wednesday with 568,061 exits reported, among them fans attending the San Francisco Giants World Series victory parade, Halloween revelers, and people relying on BART for their everyday trips to work, school and other activities.

It was the highest ridership in BART’s 40 years of service, easily passing the old record of 522,198 exits, which was set on Nov. 3, 2010, the day of the Giants victory parade after they won the World Series that year. (This year’s parade day had 45,863 more exits in all.)

Compared to a typical October Wednesday, the Oct. 31, 2012, ridership represents a whopping 40% increase.”This was a tremendous and exciting day for BART and the Bay Area,” Board President John McPartland said. “We can’t thank our passengers enough for being patient and helping make the day a success.”

BART beefed up staffing and deployed every train available to accommodate crowds. Rush hour service was used the entire day with extra event trains travelling the entire system to help carry passengers into the city and then home.

Ticket sale tables were set up at high volume stations to help speed up ticket purchasing. About 100 extra BART employees in yellow vests were stationed throughout the system to help with crowd control and to assist passengers. BART Police had extra patrol and extra train technicians were also on hand just in case.

“Safety and crowd control was our top priority,” McPartland said. “BART staff diligently managed passenger flow especially at our downtown San Francisco stations to avoid overcrowded platforms. So far, today was a great example of the power and efficiency of public transportation. That is something worth celebrating,” McPartland said.

For more on how and why the Bay Area relied on BART, watch BARTtv coverage of the parade at www.bart.gov/barttv.