Anyone for higher taxes? Not I, which is why folks, after seeing a legal notice that the Board of Supervisors was holding a hearing on June 26th to discuss adoption of storm water utility assessments for fiscal 2012-13, I sent a letter to the Board stating that I opposed any increase in fees.

I was concerned that, since taxpayers voted down the Clean Water Fee, the Board might increase the storm water fees. I thought I saw a nexus being that it was the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District who proposed imposition of the Clean Water Fee (the failed election cost approximately $526,5500) but apparently, from the reply I received from Tim Jensen, Senior Civil Engineer of the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, there isn’t one.

The good news is that Mr. Jenson informed me that the $25 per year assessment for Antioch will not be increased as all participating cities, towns and the unincorporated county reached their maximum assessed rate in 2008 and there is no proposal or any mechanism in the County or city codes to increase the amount. (So why hold a hearing to discuss adoption for storm water utility assessment for fiscal 2012-13 if no changes were proposed?)

The rest of the news is bad: The Delta Diablo Sanitation District board once again approved another rate increase – this one 7.6% which is outrageous. Antioch Mayor Jim Davis cast the only vote AGAINST the hike – thanks Jim!

Of course, we all know that the Consolidated Fire District and Antioch Unified School District will be asking for more money but my jaw dropped when I heard that the Antioch City Council was considering asking voters to consider a tax for city services on a future ballot.

I can’t wait for the next election!

By Lieutenant John VanderKlugt, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, Antioch police officers were called to 2800 Gentrytown Drive for a report of a subject that had been shot. Upon arrival they found the victim in the center of the complex suffering from a head injury and a single gunshot wound to his leg. The victim was taken by helicopter to John Muir Medical Center for treatment. It was later determined that his injuries were non-life threatening.

Initial statements obtained suggest the assault was the result of an argument between the victim and another male. The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Antioch Police Department.

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

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Antioch Police Narcotic / Property Crimes

Paul Morales

On Monday, June 25, 2012 at approximately 2:20 pm, Antioch Police attempted to serve an arrest warrant in the 2200 block of Reseda Way on 36-year-old Paul Morales. Morales was wanted for a parole violation, as well as a recent felony child abuse charge stemming from an incident in Antioch.

When officers confronted Morales, he fought with officers and was armed with a handgun. From preliminary information, it appears that one officer discharged their weapon in defense of their and his partner’s life during this event. Morales sustained a gunshot wound, and was transported to an area hospital, where he has undergone surgery and is expected to survive.

Morales has an extensive criminal history to include theft, weapons, evading police and obstruction of justice.

The investigation is ongoing, and is being conducted in a joint effort of Antioch Police, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, as well as the Contra Costa Crime lab.

Once again, Waldie Plaza, located in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown, will be hopping with good music, families and fun this summer. Due to the generosity of the Lesher Foundation our summer concert series has been expanded to every Saturday in July and August, from 6-8 PM for the 2nd year! Thank you Lesher Foundation and all of our sponsors: Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, City of Antioch, East County Times, Genon, Give Always to Others & Company, Clay, Millias & Co, LLP and the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

The Waldie Plaza lineup: July 7th, Spindrift California (Easy listening to foot stomping tunes); July 14th: Pittsburg’s PHDs (Latin/Jazz/Old School); July 21st: Sumac (Blues & R&B); July 28th: Juke Joint (Classic Soul & R&B); August 4th: Jessica Caylyn (Hometown Country Rocker & Nashville Recording Artist); August 11^th: Soul Request (R&B, Pop, Urban Jazz); August 18th: Bell Brothers (County Rock); August 25th: Tuck & Roll (50’s & 60’s Rock & Roll).

A special kick off concert will be held June 30^th, featuring local favorite, Vocal Ease & the Boogie Men, at the Antioch Historical Society (outside grounds) from 6-8 PM.

Seating is not provided; please bring blankets, folding chairs. For more information, visit www.Art4Antioch.org or call (925) 325-9897.

By Lieutenant Diane Aguinaga, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

Ernan Hediberto Montiel

On Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at approximately 7:20 AM workers from the Antioch Corporation Yard on West 4th Street reported finding a man on the roof of one of their buildings, bleeding from the neck. The man asked for help and the police were called. The male (Victim 1), an Antioch resident, stated he and his brother had been kidnapped at gunpoint by Ernan Hediberto Montiel. The brother was later found safe at his workplace in Pittsburg. (Victim 2).

Montiel was upset that Victim 1 may have had a relationship with his estranged wife. Montiel kidnapped Victim 2 from his home in Antioch in order to find Victim 1. Once Victim 1 was located, Montiel let Victim 2 go.

An argument started while Montiel was driving Victim 1 back to Antioch, and Montiel produced a knife. He began slashing at Victim1, cutting him on the neck. Victim 1, fearing for his life, jumped out of the car while it was moving. While running away he heard a single gunshot. He was not hit by the gunfire. He then climbed onto the roof of the Corporation Yard and waited for help. Victim 1 was treated for his injuries and released.

Montiel has not been located, and should be considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen driving a 2000, gray, Nissan Maxima with a California license plate of 6HLP460 or Washington plate AFZ0446. He may be traveling to Washington State. Montiel is also wanted for a drug warrant out of Antioch.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Stenger at 779-6894. Anonymous tips may be texted to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword ANTIOCH in the body of the narrative.

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 will begin demolishing the abandoned roadway bridge and railroad bridge over the highway at Loveridge Road. In order to ensure crew and public safety during this work, the contractor will be doing complete closures of SR-4 in both directions overnight during the next several weeks. The closures will take place on Monday nights through Saturday mornings for approximately 4 weeks beginning on June 18, and continuing until approximately July 13, 2012. The eastbound closure will take place between 12:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. The westbound closure will take place between 10:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.

The detours for this work will be as follows:

o Eastbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Loveridge Road and immediately back on the highway at the eastbound SR-4 on-ramp from Loveridge Road.

o Westbound motorists will be directed off the highway at Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive exit, 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 westbound SR-4 on-ramp.

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.

(L-R) Joy Motts, Bill Cook, Kerry Motts, Bob Corrado, Lori Cook, Walter Ruehlig and Nancy Kelly

In preparation for the upcoming Antioch July 4th parade and fireworks, volunteers from the Antioch Garden Club, Rivertown Preservation Society and the Antioch July 4th Celebration Committee braved three-digit temperatures to plant flowers and mulch to beautify the planters along Second Street in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown.

Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report 1205 studied the three open- admission public animal shelters in the county – two operated by the County and one operated by the City of Antioch.

This month, the Antioch Chief of Police sent the Mayor and City Council suggested responses (see below) to the Grand Jury asking that Council transmit “as is” or propose alternative language to the responses. (State law requires the City Council respond to Grand Jury reports).

GRAND JURY FINDING: The Antioch Shelter currently has an insufficient number of volunteers to provide adequate time out of kennels for training, socialization, playtime or exercise for the animals each day, which is part of the humane treatment of animals. REPLY: Respondent disagrees. We are unaware of any widely accepted standards for the ratio of volunteers to animals in a shelter. Furthermore, the number of volunteers a shelter has “on the books” seems less important that the number of effective hours that active volunteers as a whole are providing and what duties they are actually completing. (NOTE: In 2010, the Animal Shelter laid off its volunteer coordinator, losing a resource to recruit, train and supervise volunteers.)

FINDING: The Antioch Shelter spay/neuter fees are higher than fees charged for comparable services by nearby shelters and, for this reason, may discourage adoptions from the shelter. REPLY: Respondent agrees.
FINDING: The cost differences between the shelters (Antioch and the County) are great enough to merit closer examinations of the cost effectiveness: REPLY: Respondent agrees.
FINDING: Both the Antioch Shelter and the County Shelters should examine its cost per animal to ensure the amount being spent provides efficient, effective and humane treatment of the animals. REPLY: The recommendation has been implemented.

FINDING: The Antioch Shelter and the County Shelters should consider establishing advisory councils to provide direction and suggest priorities for each shelter. REPLY: The recommendation is not reasonable. Comment goes on to state the formation of an advisory council would create another step of additional bureaucracy for information to reach the Chief of Police, City Manger and the City Council and that currently there is insufficient staff or resources to support such an advisory council.