Archive for December, 2013

Former Antioch Mayor, Joel Keller elected BART Board President

Friday, December 27th, 2013

First action is to propose ban on labor strikes

Newly elected Board President Joel Keller will seek changes to BART’s labor negotiations process during his term as Board leader. Director Keller was elected Board President on Thursday, December 19, by a unanimous vote, the third time his fellow Board members have chosen him to lead the Board since he was first elected to represent District 2, which includes all of Antioch and most of East County, in 1994.

Keller will appoint a new Board committee to investigate labor negotiation policies and practices and to make recommendations to the Board and General Manager.

This committee will be charged with examining our labor negotiations process from top to bottom,” Keller said. “We need to look at every aspect of how we negotiate contracts, including the system of checks and balances to ensure we never repeat the mistakes of 2013. Our riders and the taxpayers deserve nothing less than our best effort.”

Keller also announced that he will undertake a 60-day process to draft an advisory measure that will require future binding arbitration and ban strikes for BART transit workers if the District and its unions cannot agree on a contract by the June 30 deadline.

Keller said he will bring language forward for the measure, and ask his colleagues to place the advisory measure on the ballot for November 2014 in the three-county BART area.

We cannot put the Bay Area through another acrimonious bargaining season like the one that we had this year,” said President Keller. “If we cannot agree – then we leave it to an independent arbitrator to sort it out for the Bay Area and not subject this region to more paralysis.”

Director Keller has been instrumental in the effort to extend BART service to eastern Contra Costa County. Keller retired as a Probation Manager for Contra Costa County in 2003 and as a Chief Deputy Probation Officer for Solano County in 2008.  Voters also elected him to be the Mayor for the City of Antioch in 1984 and re-elected in 1988 and 1992. Visit www.bart.gov/board for more information about Keller’s career.

Thomas Blalock Elected Vice President

The Board also unanimously elected Director Tom Blalock, of Alameda County, as the Board Vice President.

Both Keller and Blalock also intend to address BART’s critical state of good repair needs.

Keller served on the Antioch City Council and as Mayor from 1984-94.

City Council makes it official, hires new city manager

Friday, December 27th, 2013

Discusses Citizens Oversight Board for Measure C sales tax

By John Crowder

At the December 10th meeting the Antioch City Council unanimously approved a contract for and expressing confidence in current City Manager Jim Jakel’s successor, Steve Duran, currently the city manager of Hercules.

Steve Duran

Steve Duran

In brief remarks before leaving for the Hercules City Council meeting that same night, Duran praised the City of Antioch and the City Council.

The City Council has good chemistry,” he said. “They seem to work well together and truly put the city’s interests first.”

Duran’s compensation package includes an annual salary of $230,000, which will be discounted to $207,000 until city furloughs are discontinued, and a one-year severance package. He is slated to officially begin his assignment with the city of Antioch on January 7th.

The five council members, along with Supervisor Mary Piepho and a representative of State Senator DeSaulnier extolled the virtues of outgoing Jakel, thanking him for his leadership and service to the city during difficult financial times.

In other action, the Council approved an ordinance amending the zoning code to allow fortunetellers permission to operate in certan commercial zoning districts. Councilman Agopian cast the lone vote against the ordinance.

The Council also made progress in implementing the Measure C sales tax ordinance. Mayor Harper emphasized his desire to see the funds used solely for police, code enforcement, and similar programs. The Council then discussed the requirements for the Citizens Oversight Board, specifically the length of terms to be served on the board and a proposal that at least one member of the board have a financial background.

Later in the meeting, the Council discussed the problem of aggressive panhandling, and the need for an ordinance prohibiting it. Calling it a quality of life issue, Mayor Harper noted that action may be needed on this issue in order “to make people safer.”

Hundreds participate in 37th Holiday Run and Walk for Health

Friday, December 27th, 2013
Holiday Run 3-mile

Racers take off at the start of the 3-mile run during the annual Holiday Run & Walk for Health at Contra Loma Reservoir on Saturday, December 14, 2013.

By Allen Payton

Hundreds of people from the Bay Area and beyond participated in the Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch’s 37th Annual Holiday Run & Walk for Health, around the Contra Loma Reservoir, on Saturday, December 14.

The event is a fundraiser for local causes, including the Antioch library. Co-founded and still co-sponsored by Antioch’s own Tom Torlakson, the current State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the day included 10K, 3-mile and 1-mile races, with overall winners for each race, as well as based on age categories.

While Jennifer Derego, age 34 of Brentwood won the 10K race with a time of 41 minutes 28.61 seconds, four Antioch runners placed in the top ten: J

A happy Stephen Caufield, age 12 of Antioch, crosses the finish of the 3-mile run, in 45th place overall and 5th place in the Boys age 10-12 Division with a time of26:35.44 or 8:49 per mile. - photo by Dr. Brandon Roberts.

A happy Stephen Caufield, age 12 of Antioch, crosses the finish of the 3-mile run, in 45th place overall and 5th place in the Boys age 10-12 Division with a time of 26:35.44 or 8:49 per mile. – photo by Dr. Brandon Roberts.

arrod Aghily, age 17 placed 6th, Arkady Sanderson, age 16 placed 7th, William Pace, age 20 placed 8th and Itai Mordo, age 28, placed 10th.

The youngest runner to win in an age category was Antioch’s Isabella Laspina, age 10, finishing 20th overall, with a time of 58:30.78 in the Females 13 & Under and Ben Elies, age 13 also of Antioch, who finished 15th overall, with a time of 56:52.83 in the Male 13 & Under category.

In the 3-Mile Run and Walk, Brentwood’s Eric Morford, age 20 with a time of 16:20.40. Antioch’s William Berger, age 27 took 3rd.

The youngest winner for the Boys 9 & Under was Jaylin Cobbs, age 9 of Antioch and Girls 9 & Under was Mariela Torres, age 6 also of Antioch.

For complete results, visit www.holidayrun.org/results.

Second man shot in Antioch on Christmas

Friday, December 27th, 2013

ByCorporal J McMurry, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., a 26-year old man was walking in the 400 block of West 19th Street when he was confronted by unknown subjects in a vehicle.

The victim was shot once in the lower leg area. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The suspect(s) fled the area in an unknown type vehicle.

If anyone has information related to this incident, they are encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department, non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. They may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH in the body of the text.

Antioch man shot during attempted robbery on Christmas

Friday, December 27th, 2013

By Corporal J McMurry, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at 1:44 p.m., at 19-year old male was walking in the 4300 Block of Rock Island Drive, with two other friends, when they were confronted by three male suspects that drove up on them in a vehicle.

The suspects exited the vehicle and one of them demanded some jewelry that was being worn. The victim intervened to prevent the jewelry from being taken and the suspect produced a weapon.

The victim was shot once in the upper chest area. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The suspects fled the area in an unknown type vehicle.

If anyone has information related to this incident, they are encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department, non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. They may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH in the body of the text.

Vallejo man killed by Pittsburg man during fight at Delta Bowl in Antioch, Friday night

Saturday, December 21st, 2013

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, December 20, 2013 at approximately 6:08 PM, the Antioch Police Department received a report of a fight inside the bar area at Delta Bowl located at 3300 Delta Fair Blvd. Officers arrived to find the adult male victim down and unresponsive. The victim, a 41-year old Vallejo resident was transported to a local area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The suspect, identified as a 24-year oldmale Pittsburg resident, turned himself in to the Antioch Police Department several hours ago. This suspect has been arrested and will be sent to the Martinez Detention Facility on homicide charges. We will not be releasing any additional information at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Stenger with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6894. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch police arrest three men for narcotics, weapons, vehicle theft and stolen property, Wednesday morning

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Runaway girl found at same location

Fremont Elementary temporarily locked down

By Sergeant Santiago Castillo, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at approximately 8:19 a.m., Antioch Police began receiving calls of shots fired in the area of F Street at West 13th Street. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting at that location. Witnesses assisted officers in locating the residence where the suspect had fled, in the 500 block of West 14th Street.

Officers were able to make contact with six occupants of the house. As a result of further investigation, three people were arrested for various charges including narcotics violations, weapons violation, vehicle theft and possession of stolen property.

During this incident, Fremont Elementary School briefly and voluntarily locked down as a safety precaution for the students and staff.

One of the subjects arrested was identified by witnesses as the shooter and a firearm was recovered from inside the house.

A reported runaway juvenile was also located in the house and subsequently turned over to Children and Family Services.

No victims of the original shooting have been located at the time of this writing.

Names and/or photographs are not being released at this time as the investigation is currently ongoing.

If anyone has any information related to this incident, they are encouraged to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. They may also text an anonymous tip to 274637(CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH in the body of the text.

MaxMuscle to hold free holiday eating seminar Sat., Dec. 21

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

CONQUER YOUR

HOLIDAY EATING!

Wishing you health and happiness this Holiday Season

and prosperity in the New Year!

YOUR FRIENDS @MAXMUSCLEANTIOCH

Grab a friend & join us for FREE sampling too!!!