By Barbara Zivica

Under the California Constitution, as in most states, there are two basic forms of city government. The “charter city” has a degree of self-determination and executive powers. Formed by the citizens by a specific charter, they are generally independent of the legislature and have direct control over local affairs. (There are a total of 477 cities in the state, 105 are chartered.)

Antioch is a general law city. General law cities are limited by existing law in the Government Code and acts of the legislature. While all cities have a technically nonpartisan elected city council, there are two basic forms of general law cities. Seventy five percent of cities, including Antioch, have a professional administrative head e.g. city manager, city administrator, who directs day to day operations and has executive powers, while the city council sets policy by ordinances, usually generated by staff.

There are also two types of mayoral forms: 1) The strong mayor system where the mayor acts as the executive head of government. The strong mayor system is most common in charter cities such as Oakland and San Francisco. 2) The “weak mayor” system where mayors can be appointed by council or elected. These mayors serve primarily as a figurehead. They often run the council meetings, but are otherwise equal to the council members. This is the type of mayor system Antioch has which is why

I’m wondering why newly elected, newly retired Mayor Wade Harper has decided he needs to move in and occupy an office at city hall.

From the looks of it, Harper may want to “micromanage” far more than Freitas did or else he doesn’t comprehend how limited a mayor is in a General Law City like Antioch.

Antioch’s new representative in Sacramento has secured positions on two key California State Assembly committees that will benefit the community.

Assembly Speaker John Pérez assigned Assemblyman Jim Frazier to three standing committees for the 2013-2014 legislative session: Insurance Committee, Transportation Committee and Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.  As previously announced by Pérez, Frazier will also serve as Chair of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee.

In addition, Frazier announced the selection of his Sacramento Chief of Staff, Debra Gravert, as well as his District Director, Jennifer Barton.

Gravert has over 25 years of experience working in the State Capitol and brings vast expertise to the position. She formerly served as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills).  Gravert will manage all staff and operations for Frazier’s District and Capitol offices and serve as his principal staff advisor on legislative issues.

As District Director, Jennifer will direct the staff in the two local offices of Assemblyman Frazier, overseeing District operations such as constituent services, community outreach, town hall meetings and events.  Barton is a seasoned District Director having served as the District Director for former Assemblywoman Helen Thomson, Senator Lois Wolk, and Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher.

In addition to Gravert and Barton, the Frazier team also includes Lawrence Cooper, Legislative Director; Tisha Simpson, Scheduler; Zachary Leary, Legislative Assistant; and Brandon King, Field Representative.

“I am excited and honored to serve the residents and communities in the 11th Assembly District,” said Frazier.  “Having talented professionals on my team will help me to do just that.”

Assemblymember Frazier’s Sacramento office is located at:

State Capitol, Room 3091

Sacramento, CA 95814

916/319-2011 (phone)

916/319-2111 (fax)

A Contra Costa County District office will open as soon as office space is found.

The City of Antioch and the Antioch Unified School District, along with community partners and sponsors, will present the 5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration in the Deer Valley High Theater (4700 Lone Tree Way), on January 21st, from 1-3 PM.  The deadline for DR. MLK Jr student scholarship applications is 4 PM, Tuesday, January 15th, at the Antioch Unified School District office (510 G. Street). Applications are available at http://art4antioch.org/MLKScholarship.asp.

This celebration began in 2009 with then Antioch City Council Member Reggie Moore’s desire to celebrate Dr. King’s historical contributions, along with creating a scholarship program for high school and middle school students.  Antioch’s Mayor Wade Harper and AUSD School Board President Joy Motts, will continue the celebration with the support of business and community leaders. The celebration will include a keynote speaker Sylvester Henderson, gospel recording artist Alfreda Lyons-Campbell, Comedian Lenard Jackson and student performances.

The event is sponsored by the City of Antioch, Antioch Unified School District, CCC Supervisor Federal Glover, Arts & Cultural Foundation of the City of Antioch. For more information, visit http://art4antioch.org/MLK-Program.asp, contact Diane Gibson-Gray, (925) 325-9897 or email Diane@Art4Antioch.org.

 Friday January 11, 2013   7:30 pm and Sunday January 13, 2013   2:00 pm

Classic tale by Hans Christian Anderson, adapted by Vera Morris

Thumbelina is one of Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen’s most delightful characters, a miniature girl born from a flower who has to find her own way in the world of nature. “Once there was a girl no taller than a thumb, so she was called Thumbelina.”  This classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, is a wonderfully imaginative production which takes us into Thumbelina’s world, fraught with dangers for one so small.  A water rat named Walter and an unpleasant family of toads are both determined to capture her.  Plus, a grumpy old mole thinks she’ll make a fine companion in his gloomy house.  If only Thumbelina can find Prince, the boy who promised to take her to the Land of the Little People, where she’ll be safe.  Good things truly do come in small packages!

Performed by our own Children’s Theatre company.  Performers usually range from ages 7 – 16.

Directed by: Sharon Redman

CAST:

Thumbelina – Ali Higby

Useful Person – Jordyn Kim

Woman – Kiera Kawalski

Cat – Sarah Pfieffer

Prince – Alex Marenales

Princess – Marissa Clenney

Widow Toad – Giulianna Seminario

Toady Son – Nolan Lozano

Toady Daughter – Sabrina Ascenelo

Toady Daughter – Stephanie Westphal

Old Mother Field Mouse – Montana Gurecki

Swallow – Caitlin Todd

Fish – Ariah Sanve

Walter Rat – Zack Pakin

Baron Beetle III – Evan Butler

Brenda Beetle -Brianna Pecknold

Bertha Beetle – Kierstyn Pool

Betty Beetle – Caitlin Valdez

Maude Mouse – Rebecca Morganstein

Margaret Mouse – Kailyn Lozano

Suzi Spider – Bella Tressa

Mole – Zach Pakin Prince’s Mother – Allison Aydelette “Land of the Little People” – Drew Morganstein, Hannah Aydelette, Ariss Firkins, Hannah Paoli, Connar Pauline, Deahnna Lacayo, Trezza Fuller, Jennifer Miller, Aubrey McNabb

Tickets: Adults: $12, Seniors (62 and Older): $10, Child (17 and Under): $8

Tickets May Be Purchased in Advance at the Ticket Office: 604 W. Second Street – Next Door To The Theatre
Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 1 hour before showtime or by phone: (925) 757-9500 or ONLINE at www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

Whether you buy your tickets by phone or online please consider requesting E-Tickets (Print At Home) and bypass the wait at Will Call.

 

 

Nominations for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s Business, Citizen, Youth and Nonprofit of the Year awards are underway. Nomination forms are on the chamber’s website, www.antiochchamber.com or by calling the chamber at 757-1800 and are due January 25, 2013.

The Business of the Year Award honors a company’s contributions in developing the social and economic well-being of Antioch. The Citizen of the Year Awards honors an individual for his/her contributions in developing the social and economic well-being of Antioch.

There are two categories: Lifetime Achievement Award (this category looks at the entire body of work over many years) and Most Impact for the Year (This category looks only at accomplishments in the year of 2012, although the nominee may have worked in the community in other years).

The Youth of the Year Award honors a youth for his/her contributions to the community of Antioch. A new category has been added this year, the Non-Profit of the Year Award, honors a local non-profit’s dedication, time and service contributions in developing the social and economic well-being of Antioch.

The awards will be presented at the Annual Inaugural Gala on Friday, March 8, 2013, which will be held at Lone Tree Golf Course Event Center. For more information, please visit www.antiochchamber.com or call (925) 757-1800.

“Dynamic” according to Webster’s Dictionary, definition #3: of energy, motion, or force in relation to force.

Your Pro’s Corner

By Ron Parish, PGA Director of Golf, Lone Tree Golf Course

Have you ever made a swing and it seems like you have to strain with your hands and arms to get enough power for the shot? Or you get stuck on the way down and then slap at the ball? You don’t end in balance and the ball doesn’t go as you intend. I see a lot of beginning and intermediate golfers trying to be perfect and under the misconception that locking or straining your muscles, giving a feeling of control is what you are supposed to do to make a good swing.

The concept of dynamic balance and being synchronized can help address this misconception (Important Note: with this discussion there is the assumption that the grip, alignment, and ball position fundamentals are all in place). To understand dynamic balance and its role in the golf swing, let’s start with some analogous comparisons with other sports.

Tennis: When waiting to receive and return a serve, what do top tennis players do? They’re in the ready position with feet shoulder width, knees slightly bent and in balance, spine aligned, and they are ready to move. They start shifting their feet right before the server launches their serve. Baseball: Stealing second base. Runners getting ready to make the jump to second shift their weight back and forth between their feet. It is very small, subtle and quick, but if they don’t do this they will be slow on the jump or get stuck. Playing catch. Two players throwing a ball back and forth stays in constant motion and balance; think about it. Snow skiing: Right before launching from the starters gate snow skiers move their skis back and forth to get the whole body working together, legs working with torso, and arms.

All of the above are references at the start of the given motions and each are “athletic positions” and “dynamic” or “of energy, motion, or force in relation to force”. A good concept to convey to the golf swing. I always remember Jimmy Connors shuffling his feet before receiving a serve. Why do Jimmy and other athletes do this? Because the last thing they want is to be stagnate or stuck with their body motion; if that happens, only parts of their body can make the move and not the entire body working together. The little shifting back and forth allows them to move with their whole body working together and in balance. Watch really good golfers up close and you will notice this. It is in a more subtle manner, but they have honed their routines so that they stay athletic and “in motion” and “in balance” (better to notice in person then on television). A great player to watch who you can see stay athletic despite television, is Tom Lehman on the Senior Tour. Watch his set up and routine. There is a smooth rhythm to it, several looks to the target which is a good thing, a little shifting back and forth that keeps the muscle supple, ready, all in tune with the body’s weight shifting, followed by a great, powerful athletic move.

To learn a feel for this dynamic balance and motion try the following:

• Work on and know your routine. Hit balls on the range and practice just like you play on the course, start from behind the ball and walk into each shot; learn your routine and what you feel comfortable with and always stay in motion. Take this routine to the course, it will help.

• Know and develop your trigger. As you start your swing, learn what it is that really starts it. This will take time. It is different for everybody. Ernie Els uses a press of his hands and arms towards the target. Sam Snead had the same thing but tied it into his feet and legs. I trigger with my feet and legs. Gary Player kicked in his right knee. Jack Nicklaus the turning of his head and a firming of his left side. A trigger is a little shifting of weight towards the target and the subtle recoil from that shift starts the swing consistently and in balance (sounds “dynamic” doesn’t it?).

• Over the top drill. Take a seven iron and tee up a ball. Instead of starting the backswing with the clubhead directly behind the ball, hover the clubhead over the top of the ball, swing the clubhead forward towards the target 18-24 inches and then flow back into a backswing but pass over the top of the ball on the way back (fyi: this is teaching you a trigger); from there, hit through the ball as normal. This drill teaches dynamic balance and motion better then any in my opinion. It is Jack Nicklaus’s favorite drill.

• Hit these two balance points. Hit balls on the range and notice your balance 1) on your back leg and foot at the top of the backswing and 2) at the finish. Be balanced with both and I will bet you hit a good shot. Swing only 70% power and just really stay in motion but in balance at these two points.

• Line drill. Tee up five balls in a row on the range two inches apart. Take a seven iron and start making practice swings back and forth and work your way towards the line, and start hitting right down the line one right after the other. Never stop swinging and after you hit a ball, flow into the next backswing but inch your way towards the next ball and hit it on the way through inching as you go. To work into each ball you will have to keep dynamic balance.

Like all aspects of the game, a little experimentation and trial and error is necessary for you to understand dynamic balance, but give the above a try and I think you will further your understanding of this important concept for your game and improve with that understanding. Good luck and have some fun with it.

Thank you for all you do for Golf and for Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center.

If you are interested in reviewing other articles from Coach Ron go to www.lonetreegolfcourse.com under “The Course” tab.

By James Ott

In a proclaimed attempt to lure veteran police officers to combat it’s surging crime rates, Antioch City Council voted during their special Christmas week meeting on Thursday, December 27, 2012 to raise the pension benefits for certain new police hires.

With a four to one vote – Councilman Gary Agopian was the lone dissenter – the city council reversed course on a decision it made earlier this year to pare back police retirement benefits through a Public Employees Retirement System, (PERS) contract change that sought to reduce financial strain on the city.

Just months ago the city had voted to reduce the pension plans for new police hires from a “3 percent at 50” pension calculation formula to a cheaper-for-the-city “3 percent at 55” formula.

The old pension calculation would mean that eligible police officers would be able to start collecting pension at age 55 that is equal to 3 percent of their final year of pay multiplied by the number of years they served. Tuesday’s vote will allow police hired before Jan. 1 of this year to collect that same pension five years earlier. Estimates say the move will cost the city $4,500 more per qualified officer, per year.

In an effort to be fair and consistent for all city workers, Thursday’s vote also boosts the pension plans for certain new public employees and other future hires as well. Veteran employees hired for non-police work – including 7 recent hires who will be credited retro-actively – will get an increase from the old “2 percent at 55” formula to a higher-earning “2.7 percent at age 55.”

This pension restructuring is expected to cost $23,670 extra per year for those hires already employed by the city that will benefit from the change.

Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando was the primary founder and supporter of the idea to increase police benefits, saying that Antioch has had a lot of trouble attracting enough officers to fill it’s ranks.

The city is looking to hire up to 30 additional officers within the next year and a half and Cantando said that they need all the help they can get to attract quality officers. In particular Cantando said that he is looking to use the new pension plan to hire veteran officers from other cities or even out of state officers who will bring a lot of experience and need little training, which could also save the city money.

“What people need to understand is that if we hire an entry level [officer] that we have to put through the academy, they’re going to be in the academy for six months and we’re going to be paying them a reduced salary and a minimum benefit while they’re in the academy,” Cantando said.

That doesn’t include the FTO program that rookies would then have to be in for up to four months as well, said Cantando. So, while they will inevitably hire less experienced trainees, Cantando wants to use perks like the newly upgraded pension plan hire veterans who will be able to avoid nearly a year of training that would keep them off of the streets fighting crime.

Cantando has previously stated however, that he has not personally had any potential hires tell him that the city’s current retirement plan would prevent them from taking up a police position with Antioch.

Nevertheless, Cantando and most of the council feel that the new pension perks could help bring quality new officers to a city in dire need of them.

Antioch’s Human Resources Director Michelle Fitzer has said that the city council could also consider offering additional incentives such as an increased base pay or lump-sum cash payments if the police department continues to struggle to bring in enough new officers.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Brentwood resident Lisa Finnie, was awarded two tickets in the lottery from Congressman Jerry McNerney, to President Obama’s inauguration, this month.

The event will be held on Monday, January 21st at 11:30 am. in Washington, D.C.

Finnie is raising funds to help pay for her trip by selling her homemade 7-up cakes. To buy one of her cakes, she can be contacted at lisafinnie9@yahoo.com or (925) 584-9643.

McNerney represents most of Antioch in the U.S. House of Representatives.