By Sgt. Tony Morefield #3320, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

At approximately 10:43 a.m., this morning, the Antioch Police Department responded to a bomb threat at Deer Valley High School.  Officers responded and conducted a thorough search of the campus with Deer Valley High staff. Nothing was located.  School staff made the decision to evacuate the campus while the search was being conducted, but the school has since resumed normal operations (as of 1:24 p.m.).  At this time, this case appears to be unrelated to the bomb threat called in yesterday; however, both incidents are still under investigation.

One parent of a student at the high school, who was visiting the campus for the Every 15 Minutes program, stated in an email to this paper, “school made some kind of  announcement today that if another bomb scare is reported that the school will be closed for w weeks and be made up at the end of the school year.”

UPDATE 4/24/13. 10:00 AM – According to Superintendent Don Gill, last night, know that there were no active or inactive bombs found on campus. But they did trace the call to a throw-away phone they found on campus. It’s a felony and considered a terrorist threat to make such a call. So the student who did so will be expelled and face charges.

In response to rumors that both inactive and active bombs were found by a bomb tech on campus, Dr. Gill responded.

“It’s not true that any active or inactive bombs found. I would have been called by Principal Ken Gardner or the police,” Gill stated. “We would never, ever withhold that kind of information. That needs to be out.”

“It’s a felony to make these kind of threats. It’s considered a terrorist threat under California law and extremely disruptive to the school,” Gill added. “If it’s a student they will be expelled and they will be turned over to the police. It’s serious stuff. It’s not a prank. We have to take the threat seriously.”

Police were able to trace the call back to the campus, but it came from an unidentified number, probably from a disposable cell phone.

Following is the automated phone message sent out to parents of students at Deer Valley High:

“This is an auto-dialer message sent Tuesday evening, April 23rd from Mr. Gardner, Principal of Deer Valley High School.

For the second day in row the school received a vague and anonymous bomb threat via telephone. We have reason to suspect that this may have been called in by a student believing this to be a simple prank. Please help us in communicating to your child that such calls are considered terrorist threats as defined under California Penal Code. A false threat is a serious crime and, if convicted, the individual will be liable for all costs incurred as a result of the threat. Additionally, the student will face mandatory expulsion per the California Education Code. Currently, we are working with the police to identify the caller or callers but, in the meantime, I wanted to make sure that all of our students are aware of the seriousness of making such a call. We will also be communicating this message with all students tomorrow via DVTV.

Before ending this call I want to sincerely thank our parent community for their outpouring of support during this difficult time. Overall parents were very understanding of our inability to release students prior to receiving the all clear from police and we have received a number of calls offering support. As always, please do not hesitate to call our office should you have any information, questions, or concerns.”

There is nothing further at this time.

Allen Payton contributed to this report

Obituary for Victor C. DeMartini

Victor Charles DeMartini, 88, of Auburn, California, passed away on Tuesday, April 9^th 2013.

He was born February 1925, in Brentwood, California, to Victor and Azelia DeMartini. Vic was a 1942 graduate of Liberty Union High School.

In 1944 he joined the US Army and served in Patton’s Army in Europe. After WWII he attended the University of the Pacific before moving to San Francisco and receiving his insurance license. He was married to Vivienne (Muffy) La Montagne from 1950 until her death in 1982, and had 4 children with her. They moved to Willows, California, where he joined a small insurance firm eventually becoming principal of the company.

In 1961 he and his family moved to Auburn, California, where he opened his own insurance agency, then later joined Placer Land Company. He was instrumental in the merger of 3 local insurance agencies forming Placer Insurance. After retiring from the insurance industry he pursued his other passion, Real Estate.

In 1984 he married Virginia (Ginger) Flaherty. They were married until her death in 2010. Vic cared about his community and was involved in many ways. He was an active member in the Auburn Chamber of Commerce where he was a Chamber Ambassador, and also a member of the Elks Lodge for over 60 years. He also belonged to the Navy League and to Shriners International.

Besides his two wives Vic was preceded in death by his brother, Donald DeMartini. He is survived by his sister and brother, May Schrader and Dewey DeMartini; his children Kirk DeMartini (Marianne), Doug DeMartini, Rex DeMartini (Jackie), Lisa DeMartini (Guy); 3 grandchildren (Kyra DeMartini, Ryan DeMartini, and Markus DeMartini). He is also survived by his step-son Patrick Flaherty, step-daughter Patricia Flaherty, his step-granddaughter, Tracie Cervetti (Ryan), and 2 great-grandchildren.

Vic will always be remembered for his kindness, gentle demeanor, sense of humor, and love of good food.

Instead of flowers remembrances can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children – Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, in Victor’s name.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Elk’s Lodge, 195 Pine Street, Auburn, CA, on Sunday, May 5, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Hills.

Please sign the online guestbook at auburnjournal.com.

 

 

 

By James Ott

City leaders have decided to restrict the opening of new social service centers in Antioch for recently released criminals until the city can research their potential impacts to nearby businesses and communities.

At the Tuesday, March 26 council meeting city council voted to require a conditional use permit for the social service centers and to restrict them to business and professional services zones in the city for at least the next 45 days.

The so called “community supervision programs” are a product of State Assembly Bill 109’s attempt to transfer the responsibility of supervising recently released low-level criminals from the state to the county. Private, public, non-profit and for-profit organizations can apply for over $4 million in state aid to provide services like employment and housing help, peer mentoring and other services to help recently released non-violent, non-serious offenders re-integrate into society.

Antioch staff brought the item to the attention of city council because it said that at least one such organization has already applied to open in Antioch.

According to Antioch Community Development Director Tina Wehrmeister, because the city does not yet have adequate ordinances and regulations in place to deal with these new centers that application almost went through and would have allowed the social services center to open across the street from the Nick Rodriguez Community Center which is frequented by seniors and children.

While the goal of the service centers is to reduce the odds of these low-level criminals from re-offending the program is brand new and so it’s effectiveness is untested, city council said. The city is worried about these programs concentrating parolees into cities like Antioch who already have a high crime rate and a reduced police force.

According to Antioch Police Captain Steve McConnell, Antioch has had 107 early release felons return to the city since AB 109 took effect – more than any other nearby city. That compares to Richmond who has 90, while Concord has 77, Pittsburg has 72, Martinez has 30 and Brentwood and Oakley both have 14.

“I understand that the horse is already out of the barn, that people are being released and they need help,” said council member Gary Agopian. “So if we’re going to allow these types of facilities in Antioch I think it’s prudent, considering the risk, to study the issue and make sure we’re putting these facilities in places that are not going to create problems.”

Agopian also pointed out that while those that are released from prison are considered non-violent, no-serious, non-sexual offenders that is only based on their most recent conviction so those using the community supervision programs could possibly still have a violent or serious criminal past.

It was information like this that led city council to vote unanimously, (with Mary Rocha abstaining), to enact the emergency ordinance restricting the service centers while city staff research more permanent solutions.

“I think we have a responsibility to allow these individuals to get the services they need to become responsible citizens,” said Mayor Wade Harper. “but I’m leaning toward certain restrictions… not near schools, not near parks, not near senior facilities but in a commercial area or near social service offices.”

Todd Billeci, the Director of Field Services for the Contra Costa County Probation Department said that Antioch has time on their side to make the necessary adjustments because the funding and contracts for East, West and Central county community service programs won’t be awarded until May 14.

Also At the Meeting

The City of Antioch will conduct a poll to asses what kind of tax measure it’s constituents might vote for in order to provide money to hire more police officers.

The poll will ask voters if they would favor a half-cent or a three-quarter-cent sales tax measure or if they would prefer taxing rental properties $200 to $250 dollars a year to raise the money.

City Manager Jim Jakel said that the poll’s fine details will be decided and it should go out to Antioch homes in about the next 45 days.

Antioch currently has 102 sworn and 26 non-sworn officers on it’s payroll and it’s costing the city just under $24 million a year.

At the Tuesday, March 26 council meeting Jakel said that the city would need at least $6.8 million from the tax measure to reach the 126 sworn officer and 50 non-sworn officers it is aiming for.

That would require voters adopting at least a three-quarter-cent sales tax Jakel said – which would raise just over $7 million to go towards the new police hires.

It looks like city council’s goal of eventually having 144 sworn officers might be a bit of a stretch right now as it would cost an additional $10.7 million to get to that level and even a one-cent sales tax would only generate an extra $9.4 million – a full $1.3 less than needed.

As a matter of fact, Jakel estimated that it would cost the city $34,645,00 for pay and benefits – which would be more than the city’s entire current budget.

It was also estimated that the city would need an additional $240,000 to provide vehicles and safety equipment for 126 sworn and 50 non-sworn officers.

That number would jump to $1.1 million to provide the same equipment for 144 sworn and 55 non-sworn officers.

By Barbara Zivica

I didn’t have a problem when, earlier this month, Council agreed to provide $77,000 in 20 year, no interest loans to help the Antioch Youth Sports Complex, Antioch Babe Ruth League and Antioch Historical Society to tap their own wells. However, because loans from an Enterprise find can NOT be forgiven, the non profits will need to fundraise or pursue grant money to repay the loans. I wish them luck.

On the other hand, I’m unhappy that Council, who recently amended signed contract agreements with the Antioch Police Officer Association etc. to restore more lucrative pension benefits and will soon will be asking voters to pass two revenue ballot measures, has decided to maintain the prioritization of the payment of the $5,080,000 ABAG loan due 7/1/31 by the Antioch Golf Corporation Board of Directors, Payment on the loan is about $250,000 annually. The Council continues to defer payments to the city for two construction loans e.g. a parking lot improvement loan in the amount of $222,165 and a clubhouse construction loan of $900,000 until after the ABAG loan payments are current and there are sufficient revenues available over operational expenses annually to pay the ABAG loan and the two construction loans to the City.

As for the Marina Boat Launching Facility, the City, who has had problems repaying the state’s Dept. of Boating and Waterways (DWB) $6.3 million loan since the get go, is again having problems completing improvements.

The original plans called for four launch lanes, restrooms, a bait shop, fish-cleaning facilities and a lighted walkway. When money ran short, the city debated limiting the project to just three lanes with no public restrooms but upon receiving a second grant of $495,000 in 2012 from DBW decided to complete the project as originally planned. However, when bids were received in February, two of the four received had to be rejected because they failed to meet the minimum work requirements of a General Contractor by not performing at least 50% of the contracted work with their own forces and an unexpected problem arose – the considerable cost associated with construction and installation of the restroom/bait shop.

Staff recommended that all bids be rejected and the project re-bid with the restroom/bait shop structure designated as a “Speciality Item” and its value not be included in the calculation of the General Contractors percentage of work. Staff additionally recommended Council unitize current funding for construction of the restroom facility and approve a resolution authorizing submission of another grant application to DBW for $245,000 to enable installation of a third boarding float.

Will this project ever be completed? Perhaps, when a new city manager is hired.

As for the new city manager search, I’m displeased that, although three written quotes are typically required when recruiting for a new city manager, proposals were only solicited from two firms – Peckham and McKenney and Roberts Consulting. Additionally, City Mgr. Jakel was given sole authorization to execute a contract with Peckham & McKenney because he stated he has had favorable experience with them in regard to other City Department Head recruitments. (The firm’s proposal states they have conducted more City Manager searches within the past few years than any of their competition, including the City of Moraga (only Contra Costa city listed) and the infamous City of Bell, CA.

The last time Antioch needed a city manager, Council selected the recruiter and when not pleased with the candidates chosen by the recruiting firm, Councilman Arne Simonsen brought up Jim Jakel’s name and said he might be available. Council asked Simonsen to call him ASAP. He came, he interviewed and was hired on an unanimous vote