The Antioch Music Foundation sponsors the fourth rendition of the East County Idol this Friday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the El Campanil Theatre.

On Monday, April 16th, faith leaders, community members, and struggling homeowners will gather in one of the blocks hardest hit by foreclosures in Antioch to speak out in support of the Homeowners Due Process Bill, authored by Senators DeSaulnier and Pavley.  The bill, SB 1471 would provide additional due process protections to California homeowners.  These protections would include a requirement that all assignments of interests in real estate be recorded with the County recorder, a requirement that all homeowners going through the foreclosure process be given a single point of contact at their lending institution and make a specified statement of legislative intent regarding appropriate remedies under the bill for violations of the bill’s provisions.

“Struggling homeowners have been getting the run-around for far too long.  We have heard about the many challenges that people face in communicating with one person at the bank that will be held accountable for their loan modification application.  It is time to make sure this happens and SB 1471 will do just that, ” said Ken Kelly, a CCISCO leader and Antioch homeowner.

Thousands of homeowners across Contra Costa have experienced the failure of their banks to provide them with professional and consistent service as they have applied for loan modifications and undergone the foreclosure process.  These homeowners have faced, and continue to face, challenges with their banks around issues of robosigning, multiple points of contact giving inconsistent information and the failure of homeowners to be able to determine which entities claim to have an interest in their property.  Consequently, some homeowner’s have needlessly lost their homes and been subjected to processes by the banks that lack integrity.  The Homeowner’s Due Process Bill will ameliorate some of these problems to create the needed permanent reform that Californians need and deserve.

WHO: California Senator Mark DeSaulnier, faith and community leaders from CCISCO, and ACCE 

WHAT: Press Conference in Support of Homeowners Due Process Bill (SB 1471)

WHEN: Monday, April 16th at 10:00am

WHERE: 2401 Brittany Court, Antioch, CA 94509 (directions)

The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, 7 different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network. 

CCISCO is a member of the New Bottom Line Coalition. The New Bottom Line is a national campaign fueled by a coalition of community organizations, congregations, labor unions, and individuals working together to build a movement that challenges established big bank interests on behalf of struggling and middle-class communities. 

 CCISCO, 202 G St., Suite 1 – Mailing: P. O. Box 883, Antioch, CA 94509, P: (925) 779-9302, F: (925) 779-9303,www.ccisco.org

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian and his wife Robin were surprised at their home on Saturday afternoon, April 7, 2012, when they were greeted by dozens of friends and family members gathered to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Their actual anniversary is today, April 11.

Their children, Heather, Corey and Jason coordinated the celebration, mostly through Facebook.

Congratulations to Gary and Robin on 25 years of marital bliss!

By James Ott

Nearly 200 people crowded the new boat launch at the Antioch Marina to witness the inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony and the official opening of the boat launch last Saturday.

Citizens of Antioch, the U.S. Coast Guard, Antioch Police, Contra Costa County Sheriff Marine Patrol and Jet Skiers were all on hand to watch the ceremony hosted by Antioch Deputy Director of Community Development Ryan Graham.

After the U.S. Coast Guard presented the U.S. flag on the water for the playing of the National Anthem, Graham spoke to the crowd about the new boat launch.

“This is really exciting,” said Graham. “It’s been a long time coming but… it’s a beautiful facility for the City of Antioch and this is one of many events we plan to have here.”

After the ceremony Diablo Jet Ski Action hosted a jet-ski race in front of nearby Humphrey’s Restaurant and the new boat ramp.

Saturday marked the end of eight years of planning, development and construction for the $3.7 million, state-of-the-art facility.

The facility has parking space for 129 boaters and thanks to another grant received back in January, the new launch will eventually have restrooms, a third boarding float and a payment kiosk.

The launch will be free until the payment kiosk is added, after which boaters will need to shell out $5 to launch their watercraft.

The project was funded in 2004 by a grant from the Department of Boating and Waterways.

Graham and other city leaders say the new facility will provide a better, safer alternative to the free-to-launch Fulton Shipyard Boat Ramp. Although City Council voted to keep it open while they and a core group of dedicated volunteers try to decide how best to update and clean up the decades-old boat ramp, its future is still unknown.

The unsteady future of the Fulton Shipyard boat launch remains an open wound for some Antioch residents, with some claiming the city only wants to shut down the Fulton facility to increase attendence, and thus spending, at the new facility.

Jim Boccio, owner of the Red Caboose – a restaurant near the Fulton boat ramp – was present Saturday to witness the opening of the new Antioch Marina Boat Launch.

“This new ramp is a tremendous facility, we hope that people will come to it,” said Boccio. “But we hope access will remain at both facilities.”

Rick Robinson, a resident of Antioch for 57 years and an attendee at Saturday’s event, agreed: “The more access to the river in Antioch, the better.”

Despite some opposition, overall reaction to the new marina boat launch has been positive.

24-year-old jet skier Johnny Barton was enamored with the new ramp that promises better access to the water for the sport he loves.

“It’s a beautiful day, it’s a beautiful facility and there’s a big turnout,” said Barton. “I think this will bring more people to the water.”

Twins Gabby and Molly Brodowski, 10, both had good things to say about the boat launch.

“It’ll be really good for the city” said Molly.

“It’s a better and safer launch,” said Gabby.

And they both agreed the day was, “really exciting.”

Perhaps one of the new boat launch’s biggest backers is Diablo Jet Ski Action Race Director Jim Lambert, who, until Saturday, had not had the chance to host a jet ski race on the waters of the city he grew up in for three years.

Lambert, who is also a Contra Costa County Sheriff Marine Patrolman, is big on water safety. Which is a big reason why he founded Diablo Jet Ski Action – to provide a safe outlet for speed on the water – and a big reason why he supports the new boat launch, which he said is much safer than the old Fulton facility.

“The new boat launch is incredible,” said Lambert. “Fulton wasn’t functional and safe enough for residents. This [new facility] is in the heart of downtown… [and] it’s completely lit up at night – it’s a five star facility – it really is.”

The Keep Antioch Beautiful Committee is seeking volunteers for the 2012 Keep Antioch Beautiful volunteer cleanup event. Last year several hundred volunteers turned out for the second all-volunteer event. Large amounts of trash was collected and deposited in Allied Waste dumpsters located at local schools and city sites.  The 3rd annual event is once again chaired by former Antioch Councilmember Martha Parsons and will be held on Saturday, April 21st from 8:30-11 AM. A free volunteer thank you lunch will be served following the event at Contra Loma Regional Park. This is your opportunity to give back to your community,  

Many individuals and organizations are supporting this event and the event is funded fully by the following sponsors: City of Antioch, Antioch Unified School District, Allied Waste, Honeywell, Walmart, Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, Genon, East Bay Regional Parks, Rivertown Preservation Society (RPS), DIGITAL services, Pleasant Hill & Antioch Coin & Jewelry, Pinky’s Klassy Car Wash, Paradise Skate, Dick Straub (in memoriam), Staples, Fast Signs, Antioch Police Crime Commission, Delta Bowl, Central Self Storage, REI, Target, Jim Lanter State Farm, Kiwanis, East County Military Families & Friends.

Groups, service clubs and others are volunteering at the event. Volunteer groups include: AHS & DVHS Key Club, Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission, Antioch Rotary, Boys Scouts Troops of Antioch, Kiwanis of the Delta, Operation Homefront & ECMFF, Rivertown Preservation Society, Rotary Club of the Delta, Target Employees and UCBN.

To sign up for the event, you may register on line at www.Art4Antioch.org. For more information call (925) 779-6137, option 1. You can also follow us on Facebook “Keep Antioch Beautiful” Group.

By Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann, Field Services Bureau Sergeant

LOCATION: Southbound Deer Valley Road north of Lone Tree Way

VICTIMS: Two female adults, one male adult and one17 year old male

On Sunday, April 8, 2012, at 1:23 a.m., Antioch Police received calls of a serious collision on Deer Valley Road north of Lone Tree Way. When officers arrived on scene they found a southbound two-door, black Toyota that had apparently been traveling at a high rate of speed while negotiating a curve and spun before striking a tree on the west side of the road with the driver’s side of the vehicle. The Toyota was torn in half on impact and two passengers were ejected while another passenger and the driver were trapped inside the vehicle. Fire personnel extracted the two trapped occupants. The driver and one of the ejected passengers were transported by helicopters to area hospitals. They were listed in stable condition at the time of this writing with facial and leg injuries. The other two victims were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with minor injuries and complaint of pain and were expected to be treated and released. All parties involved are expected to survive.

Alcohol is suspected to have contributed to the collision. The collision and the cause are under investigation. Names are being withheld as a courtesy pending notification of the victims’ relatives.

Anyone having information or having witnessed the collision are asked to contact Officer Martin at 779-6900 ext. 83343

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 be closing a portion of North Park Boulevard at Loveridge Road on April 9, 2012. Access to and from Loveridge Road via North Park Boulevard will be closed for approximately 6 months. Signs will be in place to direct motorists to North Park Plaza per the attached sketch. The businesses in the North Park Plaza will remain open with normal business hours during the closure period.

Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on lane closures please visit our web site at: http://widensr4.org.

The City of Antioch is very pleased to announce a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. to officially open the new Antioch Marina Boat Launch Facility located at the foot of “L” Street. The construction of this facility was funded by a grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways.

In conjunction with the ceremony, Diablo Jet Ski Action will be hosting their season opening race at the boat launch facility.

The ceremony which will begin with the playing of the National Anthem with flags presented on the water by the United States Coast Guard and the Contra Costa County Sheriff Marine Patrol followed by honored dignitaries and, of course, the ribbon cutting.

Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony and stay to mingle with the jet ski racers, visit the displays, enjoy the new launch ramp facility and stay to watch some exciting jet ski racing on Antioch’s waterfront.