By Allen Payton

UPDATE 3:30 PM, 11/5/14 – Antioch’s Measure O, which, if passed will implement a business license tax on residential rental property owners, is leading by a slim margin of just 180 votes out of a total 10,236 cast in Tuesday night’s election. Due to 95,000 ballots left to be counted in the county, as of Wednesday, November 5 at 1:30 P.M.

In spite of being outspent $173,000 by the No on Measure O committee to about $13,000, the Yes on O committee succeeded in passing what many of its members had worked on for almost two years.

Committee Chairman Don Freitas was excited about the lead, in early returns, Tuesday night. But wasn’t ready to make any victory comments.

The current numbers are 5,208 votes or 50.88% in favor to 5,028 votes or 49.12% opposed to the measure, which only required a simple majority to pass. The next update from the County Elections Office will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 7.

The tax is expected to generate $2.27 million a year for the city.

Check back for more updates to this story. For complete election results in Contra Costa County, visit www.cocovote.us.

By Allen Payton

UPDATE, 3:30 p.m., 11/5/14 – Both incumbents on the County School Board in Areas 4 and 5, which include parts of Antioch, appeared to be going to down to defeat in Tuesday night’s election.

Antioch resident Richard Asadoorian trails Mike Maxwell of Danville in Area 4 by 1,712 votes. Maxwell had 14,846 votes or 52.81% of the vote to Asadoorian’s 13,134 votes or 46.72%. There were also 134 write-in votes in the election.

In the Area 5 race, which featured two more Antioch residents, challenger Jeff Belle is leadingf incumbent Cynthia Ruehlig, beating her 9,129 votes or 50.95% to 8,665 votes or 48.36%. There were 122 write-in votes cast in the election.

However, 95,000 ballots are left to be counted in the county, which could affect the outcome of both races, especially the one in Area 5, since it’s so close. The next update from the County Elections Office will be provided on Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m.

Belle had faced questions about his past and education claims during the race, yet was able to overcome the negative news articles about him, to win the race. But, he ran a stronger, more aggressive campaign and was able to garner the endorsement of the California Teacher’s Association, a point Ruehlig made earlier in the evening.

It was a contentious election, starting with a lively candidates forum in September, and continuing with accusations, a confrontation, and an emailed threat of retaliatory campaigning by both Belle and his wife, Carmen, toward both Ruehlig and her husband Walter, who was running for and elected to the Antioch School Board, Tuesday night. The Belles allege Cynthia emailed to others information from Belle’s ex-wife about his past. Walter Ruehlig denied any involvement by Cynthia. But Carmen Belle claims she has proof, but has yet to provide it to Herald staff.

In comments on his Facebook page, following the final election results, Belle posted the following:

“Congratulations to my wife, my anchor in the victory!”

“Many thanks to my supporters and critics. To God be the Glory!”

“To God be the Glory who alone defines me and keeps me in His plan.”

Then, today, Belle said in an email “As far as I’m concerned it’s done. No more comments.”

Check back later for updates to this story. For more information on election results in Contra Costa County visit www.cocovote.us.

Walter Ruehlig talks with Bob Brooks, while Cynthia Ruehlig ponders the early election returns, at their home, Tuesday night.

By Allen Payton

Both incumbents in the Antioch School Board race, Joy Motts and Gary Hack, were defeated by challengers Walter Ruehlig and Debra Vinson, Tuesday night.  Ruehlig and Vinson led the other two from the first returns.

“I’m feeling a little nervous,” Vinson said after learning of the early returns. “It’s exciting. But I’m waiting.”

Earlier in the day, Vinson posted the following on her campaign’s Facebook page:

Today I am filled with gratitude. I appreciate all of the volunteers and those who contributed to my campaign to make it successful! It has been an unforgettable experience of sharing, listening, and an incredible opportunity to connect with parents, students and the community. Tomorrow a new chapter will begin and I accept the challenge. Education is the liberator for ALL students. As adults we must never give up on our students because they are the future. The zeitgeist is now!

Ruehlig, who ran for the Antioch City Council in 2012 instead of reelection, took first place in the race with 5,028 votes or 30.27%, with Debra Vinson taking the second of two seats up for election, this year, with 4,668 votes or 28.11%. Motts had 3,426 votes or 20.63% and Hack was close with 3,400 votes or 20.47%. There were 87 write-in votes, although there no officially qualified write-in candidates in the race.

Check back for updates to this story. For complete election results in Antioch and Contra Costa County, visit www.cocovote.us.

Lori Ogorchock, in white blouse, speaks with Earlene Lanter and other supporters at her Election Night Party at Straw Hat Pizza, Tuesday night.

By Allen Payton

As of the 11:03 p.m. update from the Contra Costa County Elections Office, Lori Ogorchock had pulled into the lead for the two seats for the Antioch City Council, ahead of appointed Councilman Tony Tiscareno, who she had trailed all night. They both were ahead of Antioch School Board Member Diane Gibson-Gray, who was in a strong third place all night, ahead of fourth place candidate Lamar Thorpe.

“I’m just in total suprise,” Ogorchock stated about moving into first place. “It was unexpected. I’m overwhelmed.”

With the votes from 27 of the 49 Antioch precincts counted, Ogorchock had 2,909 votes to Tiscareno’s 2,825, while Gibson-Gray had 2,628 votes and Thorpe trailed the top three with 2,099 votes.

Tiscareno said he would wait until morning to make a comment, since the race was still too close to call.

The other four candidates, Anthony Segovia, Jeffrey Hall-Cottrell, Karl Dietzel and Steven Bado, were far back in the pack.

RESULTS, as of the 12:17 A.M., Wednesday, November 5 update by the County Elections Office:

49 of 49 precincts reporting

Lori Ogorchock – 3,935 votes, 23.47%

Tony Tiscareno – 3,668 votes, 21.88%

Diane Gibson-Gray – 3,439 votes, 20.51%

Lamar Thorpe – 2,792 votes, 16.65%

Anthony Segovia – 1,304 votes, 7.78%

Karl Dietzel – 564 votes, 3.36%

Jeffrey Hall-Cottrell – 530 votes, 3.16%

Steven Bado – 439 votes, 2.62%

Write-In – 97 votes, 0.58%

If her first-place finish holds, Ogorchock will serve as the city’s Mayor Pro Tem for the next two years.

UPDATE 3:40 PM, 11/5/14 – However, as of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, the County Elections Office stated they still have 95,000 ballots left to count in the county. That could affect the outcome in this race. The next vote tally update will be provided at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7. For more details, please see the article, here.

Check back for updates. For the latest election results, visit www.cocovote.us.

Committee reports wrong company name

By Allen Payton

According to a required public disclosure financial report, the Sacramento-based No on Measure O committee received a last minute contribution of $5,000 on Monday, November 3 from Tod Spieker, the Property Manager of Spieker Properties, located in Palo Alto.

Spieker owns and manages apartment complexes in Southern California, but not in Antioch.

“The reason I gave that donation was because the California Apartment Association asked me to,” Spieker said in a brief interview, today. “I alott so much money per election cycle to the CAA and they just tell me where to go with it.”

However, the company name on the form was incorrect, as Tod Spieker owns Spieker Company. Spieker said his brother Ned’s company was Spieker Properties, but, he wasn’t aware if it had any real estate interests in Antioch. That company, which was sold in July, 2001, was involved in at least one commercial property in Antioch, specifically Deer Valley Plaza, in the past.

According to his company’s website, Warren E. “Ned” Spieker, Jr. “is the owner of Spieker Senior Development Partners as well as Managing Partner of Spieker Realty Investments. Until the company’s sale in July 2001, Mr. Spieker was Chairman of the Board of Spieker Properties, Inc., a publicly traded (NYSE) real estate investment trust (REIT) with assets in excess of $7.2 billion. Under his leadership, Spieker Properties became one of the largest REITs in the nation and the largest in the West, owning and operating over 42 million square feet of office and industrial space in California and the Pacific Northwest.”

In a brief conversation with David Bower, the committee’s treasurer, when the mistake was pointed out to him, he said he would amend the report, as he was not aware there were two different Spieker companies.

He also stated that the committee had raised $138,000 and also has a loan of $35,000 from the California Apartment Association.

That brings the total contributions and loans to the No on O committee to $173,000.

The election is today. If Measure O passes it will require residential investment property owners pay a business license tax of $125 per year for each multi-family unit or $240 per year for a single family home.

UPDATE: As of 10:25 AM, this morning, the No on Measure O committee had submitted their amended form, showing the correct company name for Tod Spieker.

For those who didn’t receive one in the mail, copies of the November, 2014 edition of the Antioch Herald with information about today’s elections are available at the following locations:

Celia’s Mexican Restaurant – corner of 10^th & G Streets

Mike’s Pastry Shop – in the Grocery Outlet shopping center, A & 18^th Streets

Antioch Produce – in the shopping center behind Wells Fargo & Rite Aid, A & 18^th Streets

Paradise Skate – 10^th & O Streets

Antioch Library – 18th Street

Little Mexico Restaurant – near the corner of 10th Street & Auto Center Drive

Go Vegan Restaurant – 2904 Delta Fair Blvd. near the old Food Max store

East County Veterans Thrift Furniture Store – corner of G & 2^nd Streets in downtown Rivertown

East County Veterans Thrift Clothing Store – 708 2^nd Street in downtown Rivertown
Wayne’s Barber Shop – corner of G & 2^nd Streets in downtown Rivertown

Burgers Plus – corner of 2^nd & I Streets in downtown Rivertown

Nuce Nuce Deli – 1^st Street and Waldie Plaza in downtown Rivertown

Rick’s on Second – 2^nd Street in downtown Rivertown

Antioch Chamber of Commerce office – 1^st Street and Waldie Plaza in downtown Rivertown

County Market – on Larkspur off Hillcrest

Schooner’s Grille & Brewery – corner of Lone Tree Way & Mokelumne, near AMC Theaters

Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash – East 18^th Street

Community Outreach Center – East 18^th Street, next to Dairy Queen

By Acting Sergeant John Fortner, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Sunday, November 2, 2014, at 11:43 AM, Antioch Police responded to the intersection of West 18th and A Streets on the report of several gunshots heard in the area. Upon arrival officers located an adult female who had in fact been shot.

Witnesses reported to officers that a group of males were seen shooting at another group of males at the southeast corner of the intersection. A female victim who was standing across the intersection from the group was struck by a single gunshot. The female victim did not appear to be a part of either group.

Witnesses reported that a group of males ran eastbound on East 18th Street as the other group ran southbound on A Street. An area search was conducted and officers contacted a group of male subjects a short distance away from the scene. This group was determined to be the targets of the suspects who fled eastbound on East 18th Street, and they did not sustain any injuries.

The investigation led officers to make a vehicle stop in the area of Sunset Lane and Davison Drive. Consequently, one 17-year-old juvenile and two adult male suspects, 19-year-old Daniel Washington of Bay Point and 18-year-old Karmani Ely of Antioch, were taken into custody.

The female victim was transported to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The investigation into this incident is on-going.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Vanderpool at (925) 779-6988. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

First numbers will be available shortly after 8 pm

Go easy on that “Refresh” button.

With the November 4th General Election just a week away, the Contra Costa County Elections Division is devising a strategy for handling and reporting results from the County’s estimated half-million registered voters.

Results of vote-by-mail ballots that are returned before November 1st will be available shortly after the polls close at 8 pm on Election Night.

Meanwhile, with ballots being collected from precincts throughout the County, the first update can be expected at about 9:30 pm, with results updated about every 30 minutes until all precincts report.

The availability of updated reports will be communicated via Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtag #CoCoVotes2014.  Changes to the reporting schedule will also be reported there.

The County Elections Division Twitter page is Twitter.com/CoCoElections. The Facebook page is Facebook.com/pages/Contra-Costa-County-Elections/361344510602519.

Results will be posted to the Elections’ Department website, www.cocovote.us, throughout the night and updated by 5 pm every Friday until the election is certified in late November. Statewide election results can be seen on the California Secretary of State’s website at http://vote.sos.ca.gov/.

Local election results will also be available throughout Election Night on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) beginning at 9 pm on Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32 and AT&T U-Verse channel 99.

Meanwhile, voting is already underway at the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorders-Elections Division, at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez.  Registered voters may drop in to vote or pick up a ballot until 8 pm on Election Day.

The Elections Division will be open for voting on Election Day from 7 am to 8 pm.

Polling place locations and directional maps, as well as information regarding sample ballots and candidates, are also available online.