Angelina Perez and Caitlin Rice watching the Giants vs. the Washington Nationals during Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

By Allen Payton

Antioch businesses are benefiting from the Giants making into the playoffs.

Caitlin Rice and Angelina Perez both 22 from Oakley, watched Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Tailgaters on Tuesday night, October 7.

As to why they decided to watch the game in Antioch, Caitlin said, “This is a newer tailgaters and we’ve never been here, before.”

Bill Lohr, manager of Tailgaters in Antioch, when asked if the playoffs were good for business he said, “Absolutely! I wish they A’s were in the playoffs, too.”

Tailgaters offers sports-related specials.

“We have a victory toast for all of our local, Bay Area professional sports teams,” Lorh said. “When they win, 10 minutes after regulation, it’s half-off prices on all drinks.”

At the improved Schooner’s, with new owner Mike LaCross, business has picked up during the playoff games, as well.

Besides their usual Happy Hour specials, Schooner’s offers a free pool during all Sunday, Monday and Thursday night football games. The winner gets a gift certificate equal to the score in dollars and cents. So if the score is 24-14, the winner gets a gift certificate for $24.14 to use any time at Schooner’s.

Enjoy the rest of the playoffs and go Giants!

An SST-45 capsule boat races on the river in Antioch on Sunday, October 5, 2014 as part of the Delta Thunder V competition.

By Allen Payton

Antioch residents enjoyed watching the Delta Thunder V speed races on the Antioch waterfront on Sunday, October 5, 2014.

Unfortunately, the races couldn’t be held on Saturday, due to too much debris in the water. By that night, the big boats had left. So, the only ones left to race on Sunday afternoon were the SST-45 capsule speed boats.

But, a good turn-out by competitors and spectators helped the event turn out well. The races were held in memory of the late Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian and his widow Robin was on hand to receive a plaque honoring him, Sunday morning.

The event, organized by Frank Lozano of Inland Marine in Antioch, was a benefit for the Rivertown Jamboree non-profit organization working to bring that event back to Antioch’s downtown, next year.

For more information visit www.rivertownjamboree.com.

Editor:

In June, the Antioch City Council authorized placing a measure on the November ballot to recognize the business of renting or leasing of residential property as a business subject to taxation. Landlords of single family dwellings have never paid a business license fee and apartment complex owners have not paid appropriate fees since the 1960’s in the City of Antioch.

The cities of Pittsburg, Oakley and Brentwood all require business license fees on the renting of residential property.

In 2007, the City of Antioch took severe actions to reduce costs and avoid bankruptcy, resulting in the loss or reduction of essential community services. As noted in a recent East County Times editorial, “Financial projections show a $3.4 million budget deficit in just two years that would be cut in half if voters approve a tax on rental units”.

The income from this tax will help stabilize the City’s finances. This income is sustainable, ongoing revenue, unlike the sales tax from Measure C which expires in 7 years.

We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to access the revenue generated by adding the renting of residential property to the Business License Tax ordinance. It’s only fair that these business owners pay their fair share. Our future depends on it.

For more information about Measure ‘O’, visit www.ci.antioch.ca.us or call 925-779-7011.

Carole Harrison, Antioch

Editor:

The voters of Antioch have an important issue to decide in this election.

Measure “O” seeks to close a loophole that has some business owners paying a business license fee while other business owners pay nothing.

The owners of residential rental units do not pay anything to the city for the right to do business here. Large budget deficits are projected for fiscal year 2016/2017, so closing this loophole will help Antioch avoid potential bankruptcy.

Before you vote, ask yourself this. “Is it fair that some businesses pay their fees and other businesses do not?”

Please vote yes on Measure “O”.

John Tiernan

Joseph E. Canciamilla, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, announces that Monday, October 20, 2014 is the voter registration deadline for the November 4, 2014 Gubernatorial General Election. New voters, anyone who has moved, or has had a name change must register.

Voters may register online at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/register-to-vote. Voters may also obtain registration forms at government offices including City, County Offices, and DMV locations. The completed form must be delivered to the Contra Costa County Elections Office at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez no later than 5:00 pm on October 20, 2014, or be postmarked by October 20, 2014.

To be eligible to vote, a person must be a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years old by November 4, 2014 and not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony. Anyone who becomes a newly naturalized citizen after the October 20, 2014 deadline may register and vote between October 21 and November 4, 2014. New citizens may register at the Contra Costa County Elections Office at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez and must present his or her Certificate of Naturalization.

The election is just a month away, but there is still time for those interested in serving their community and making $125 in the process to sign up to work at a local voter precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

Contra Costa County is in need of civic-minded men and women ages 16 and older to be poll workers in all areas of the county. Poll workers are urgently needed in San Ramon and Danville. Elections officials also say that bilingual poll workers (English/Spanish, English/Japanese, English/Korean, English/Tagalog, English/Chinese, English/Vietnamese and English/Hindi) are especially needed.

“There is no better way to serve your community, nor a more important part you can play on Election Day than being a poll worker,” said Joe Canciamilla, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “It is our poll workers who serve to keep our voting process open, accessible and fair.”

No prior experience is necessary and training is provided. Poll workers receive a stipend for their service, which includes attending a two-hour required training and working 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day. They will receive a special pin denoting their service. Serving as a poll worker does not have any bearing on Social Security or unemployment status, according to State law.

Poll workers don’t have to be politically active or belong to a political party, Contra Costa County Election officials said. Poll workers are required to remain neutral while working on Election Day.

County and State employees are encouraged to apply.

High School students who are at least 16 and have a grade point average of 2.5 or above may serve as poll workers. Student poll workers will receive a stipend and may fulfill community service requirements.

Those interested in being a poll worker must be registered to vote in California, or a permanent resident in the United States, according to state election law.

For more information, visit www.cocovote.us. To apply, email eo@vote.cccounty.us or call the Elections Division at (925) 335-7873.

Contra Costa residents will find it a little easier to vote this upcoming election, as the County Elections Office is teaming up with City Clerks to provide several convenient “CoCo Vote-N-Go” drop off locations prior to and on Election Day.

Brentwood, Antioch, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Orinda, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Richmond, San Pablo, Hercules, and Pinole are among the cities who are participating in this effort. The secure, steel drop-off boxes will be in place at those city halls starting the week of Oct. 13 – one week after permanent vote-by-mail and absentee voters receive ballots. Days and hours of availability will vary by city.

“We are excited to join with our City partners in offering this option for our fast growing number of vote by mail voters,” said County Registrar of Voters Joe Canciamilla in announcing the new service. “In the future, voters should expect to have an even wider range of drop locations in their local communities.”

The distinguishable red boxes will be available during normal city business hours. City staff members will also have the popular “I Voted” stickers upon request for those who drop off their ballots.

County elections officials will regularly pick up collected ballots.

Ballots may also be dropped off 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the County Elections Office in Martinez, located at 555 Escobar St., or at any polling place on Election Day.

For more information about voting by mail, call 925-335-7800 or visit the County Elections Website at www.cocovote.us.

Editor:

The Contra Costa Community College District, as with every educational agency, is mandated to provide educational equity, ensuring every student equal access to tools and programs necessary to succeed in career and in life.

The current land area by Marsh Creek Road chosen by the Board to locate a new community college facility does not have the public works framework in place for disability access or public transportation.

How will the physically challenged be served?  Many students of Far East Contra Costa (known as the stepchild of the county) are minorities, English language learners or poor.  How will the socio-economically disadvantaged, dependent on the bus or train for mobility, be served?

Speaking as a private citizen and not for the CCC Board of Education for which I am the elected Trustee for Area 5 (Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Clyde, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Oakley and Pittsburg), I believe exploring the possibility of a land swap (for a more conveniently located and development ready area) is an exercise in good governance, responsive to the needs of the community.

Cynthia Ruehlig

Antioch

Ruehlig represents part of Antioch and other parts of East County on the Contra Costa Board of Education