By Ray Faulkenberry

Steven Siegfried, CEO of Abbey Carpet, has been pushing a little toy truck out in front of store for over 20 years. People will often wonder where Steve’s place of business is located. When Steve tells them, they will invariably state, “Oh, you’re behind where that cool little car sits.” It’s funny in how they miss the huge sign but can see the little car that sits out front.

Located at 1802 Verne Roberts Circle, off Costco Way in Antioch, Abbey Carpet been serving Antioch and its neighbors since 1981. Steve’s two key staff members have been with him for over 23 years. Brad Russell, a jolly fellow with a great smile, was a carpet installer for Steve, and their relationship grew to where Brad is now the Store Manager. Jenny McClinton, Operations Manager, is a sweet soul who provides the magic ingredient of a female touch to balance the team.

I was immediately taken on a tour of the store by Steve, whose energy and enthusiasm for his business and the community is boundless. They pride themselves on a level of customer service and honesty that is just not very common in business these days. Steve and his team have survived all these years when other carpet and flooring businesses have fallen by the wayside.
How have they achieved this?

“Very simply,” said Steve. “We treat our customers like family and our customer service sets us apart. When there is a problem, we don’t contract it out to someone to go and fix it. You’ll get me or Brad out there and we will make sure things are taken care of ourselves. We have a 100% guarantee on our labor and we stand by it. We’re not here to get rich. If we can make enough money to survive, provide for our family and basic needs, we’re doing fine.”

Listening to Steve, Jenny and Brad poke fun at each other, laugh and talk about life made me long for the work environment where it was employer and employee but friends who truly care about each other who came together to not only do business but to enjoy each other’s company as well.

Many places have great ads that promise low cost and installation for only $99. However, what looks to be an incredible deal often ends up being 2 to 3 times higher than the ad’s price.

“I’m not wanting to make enemies, but most carpet and flooring places place a price on their carpet or flooring, but that is without pads, labor, and other materials,” said Steve. “By the time you add up all of the other expenses to go along with the cost of the carpet or flooring, you get a very different price than you were expecting.

“Every (Abbey) carpet price you see includes all materials, top-of-the-line padding, installation … everything. There is no hidden cost. We do one thing – we provide carpet and flooring. We don’t try and do what we’re not skilled at. We are still here for one reason – we do honest business and we treat our customers like family.”

Steve, Brad and Jenny are good souls who work together to serve Antioch and the surrounding community. I love their honest, straight-from-the-hip communication style.

I know from experience what it is like to try and get a straight price from a flooring store, and have come away every time disillusioned. We haven’t yet replaced our carpet or flooring in the house. At least I know where I’m heading when we need get ready to buy. I’m heading for that place right behind the cool little toy truck out front.

Ray Faulkenberry, Ph.D. is a business analyst, consultant, author, coach, and entrepreneur. Log onto his website and receive his books on success, leadership, and transformation for free. He can be reached at www.rayfaulkenberry.com or rayfaulkenberry@comcast.net.

The National Republican Congressional Committee today named Ricky Gill a “Contender” candidate, the third of four stages in its selective “Young Guns” election program. Gill is one of only 11 candidates nationwide who has achieved “Contender” status.

Advancing to “Contender” status required Gill to meet a rigorous set of fundraising and organizational benchmarks that demonstrate he is “on the road to victory,” according to the NRCC. To date, Gill has raised more than $1 million and has earned endorsements from leading national figures including South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and former San Joaquin Valley Congressman Norman D. Shumway.

“Ricky Gill continues to prove himself by meeting these latest benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Ricky’s dedication and experience enables him to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed Democrat status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Democrats’ record of spending, borrowing and taxing that California families and small businesses know has failed.”

Gill is challenging Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton), a three-term incumbent who lives in the Bay Area, well outside the Valley and Delta communities of the 9th Congressional District.

Ricky Gill is a native of San Joaquin County, born and raised in Lodi, California. The son of immigrant parents, Ricky is a small business owner, a family farmer, and a former member of the California State Board of Education whose story speaks to the power of the American dream. Ricky grew up helping manage his family’s vineyard operation and serving the community as chair of the Greater Lodi Area Youth Commission. He has played an integral role in his family’s small business, which employs 60 people in the San Joaquin Valley, for several years. In 2004, he was appointed by the Governor to the California State Board of Education, where he served as the sole representative of more than six million public school students. He subsequently served as an adviser to the California Secretary of Education. Ricky now serves as a member of the Lodi Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Princeton University, he will soon complete his Juris Doctor at the University of California, Berkeley.
www.RickyGill.com

The Antioch Historical Society presents Forever Young, a nostalgic look at toys from the past through Wednesday, February 29 at their museum in Antioch. The exhibit is open to the public and free.

The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 1500 W. Fourth Street, at the corner of Auto Center Drive in Antioch.

For more information call the museum at 757-1326, email antiochhistoricalsociety@comcast.net or visit www.art4antioch.org/AHS-toy-exhibit2012.asp

The Antioch Lapidary Club presents their Jewelry, Gem & Rock Show on  Saturday and Sunday, February 18 & 19, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 West 10^th Street, Antioch.

The show will feature jewelry, gems, findings, supplies, an auction, grab bags, exhibits and hands-on projects for kids.

Cost is $4.00 for adults, Free for kids 12 and under, scouts in uniform, and active military.

For more information contact Brenda Miguel at 925-301-6957 or brenda.miguel@yahoo.com, or visit www.antiochlapidaryclub.com.

On February 10th the Antioch Police Department received several reports of shots being fired in the area of Spanos Street and Magnolia Way. Officers arrived on scene to find a 56-year-old male in an alleyway behind the apartments on Spanos Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim, an Antioch resident, was taken to a local hospital where he has been listed in critical condition.

This investigation is still unfolding and updates will be released at a later time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Stenger at (925) 779-6894.

By Amy Claire

Antioch Unified School District teachers will be receiving information about students with a history of disciplinary problems, according to a new district policy.

“Teachers will be getting a hard copy notification of the three-year history of their students,” said Kevin McIntyre, Coordinator of Educational Technology, at the February 8 meeting of the AUSD School Board. These lists will include only severe offenses.

An electronic three-year discipline history will also be available on the Teacher Access Center, which district teachers currently use to take attendance and enter grades. The online history will include all offenses, not just severe ones, as well as comments about the nature of the incidents.

The district is also working on adding a feature that notifies teachers when their students’ records are updated. “We’re aiming to have that up and running for the next school year,” said McIntyre. The notices would only be sent to the students’ current teachers.

Willie Mims, a representative of the East County NAACP, objected to the new system. “This policy really concerns me,” he said. “What kinds of safeguards are in place to protect the students?”

Mims also praised the proposed bond measure for renovating Antioch High School, saying, “I’m happy, and I hope that the bond passes, because that school needs some help. I’ve never come across a site that bad.”

Board Member Claire Smith defended AHS, stating that she has seen a large number of high schools in the Bay Area while attending her children’s band-related activities. “Antioch High School looks fabulous compared to some,” she said. “I am grateful to our maintenance people.”

Later in the meeting, Mims expressed concern about the release of 57 temporary certificated employees. “That’s a huge number!” he said. “Isn’t that going to cause a shortfall?” He cited the caseload of a Deer Valley High School counselor as an example of the need for more staff members.

Keith Rogenski, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, replied that the temporary employees were hired to cover permanent employees’ leaves of absence and to fill other short-term positions. While the employees’ contracts with the district terminate at the end of each school year, they may be rehired for the following year if needs arise.

Antioch High teacher Sean O’Neil reported great success with the new media tech academy. “There’s some amazing stuff going on in the classrooms,” he said. However, he mentioned a need for more space. “There will be a point where we will be maxed out.” O’Neil also inquired about the effect on AHS from the potential closure of the G Street off ramp.

The next meetings of the school board will be held on February 22 and March 14 at 510 G Street in Antioch at 7:00 pm.

Politicians and their special interest supporters don’t see 2012 as the ideal time to seek ways to trim budgets and reform overgenerous public pension systems. Rather they see it as the moment to impose higher taxes and fees on taxpayers struggling in a down economy.

Some prime examples are:

1) Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed initiative to raise about $7 billion by increasing the state sales tax by a half cent (hurting those at the lower income levels) and raising income tax on those who make $250,000 or more a year.

2) The California Federation of Teachers tax initiative to raise about $6 billion for schools.

3) Activist lawyer Molly Munger and the California Teachers Association tax initiative to raise about $10 billion in taxes for schools.

4) The Contra Costa County Supervisors decision to send out ballots to property owners in regard to imposition of a “Clean Water” parcel tax. The election will cost approximately $526,500. Incidentally, we already pay a federal storm water tax on our properties, half of which stays within cities to clean storm drains and creeks and half of which goes to the County’s Clean Water Program.

Additionally, supervisors are expected to ask voters in November to approve a new parcel tax on behalf of the Contra Costa County Fire District, which has been affected by declining property tax revenues and retirement costs which continue to take a greater portion of the budget.

5) The Contra Costa Community College District is in the process of conducting a voter opinion poll seeking to gather voter support for a parcel tax on the November 2012 election ballot. Voters approved the first CCC College District local bond measure in March 2002. Measure A was for $120 million. Voters also approved a second bond measure in June 2006. That bond measure was for $286.5 million.

6) The Contra Costa Water District just approved an “adjustment” in rates and charges in order to increase revenues 3.6%. You may ask what does this mean to Antioch residents, but old timers like me know that when CCWD rates go up, the city decides to increase our rates also.

7) The Antioch Unified School District, which sought approval from property owners in the non-Mello Roos districts in 2008 for a $61,600,000 bond measure to renovate and modernize schools, is now planning to ask voters to approve an additional bond measure for further “improvements,” despite the fact that each year 3% of their budget is state mandated for maintenance.

NOTE: Property owners should be wary of casting votes for any new tax proposal. The California Franchise Tax Board intends to pursue taxpayers and tax preparers who have previously ignored a state law preventing property owners from deducting certain real estate taxes on their tax returns. The tax board is referring to charges that began appearing on tax bills after Prop. 13 limited general property tax increases.

Since then local governments and school districts have been raising revenues via voter-approved parcel taxes and other charges that will now be disallowed. The tax board will require property owners to show their parcel number and total property tax bill on their 2011 tax form in an effort to educate the public and generate voluntary compliance. Next year, however, the tax board will enforce compliance.