By Allen Payton

Alison Lazzerini is more than a survivor. Now, only 11 years old and a sixth grader, she’s in her eighth year since the discovery and removal of a brain tumor the size of a baseball in the back of her head.

The youngest of three children of Maria Lazzerini, a supervisor at Antioch’s Deer Valley Safeway, Alison was just four years old, in 2008, when the slow-growing tumor, which she was probably born with, was discovered.

She had what is known as a Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma.

“They discovered it on Friday and they sent her in for surgery on Monday,” her mother Maria shared. “It was resting on her brain stem.”

Fortunately, she didn’t have to undergo any chemotherapy or radiation for the benign tumor. But, it could come back. So, Alison gets an MRI once each year, and so far, they’ve all been clear.

“There was a possibility Alison wouldn’t be able to walk, talk, ride a bike or play any sports,” Maria said. “But, today, she’s playing competitive soccer and she’s been on the honor roll since she’s been in school.”

“We thank God for Alison’s strength and health,” she added.

Alison’s school principal had only glowing remarks about her.

“Amazing achievement,” Didi Del Chiaro said in describing her student. “Social, academic, athletic and wholistically. The things she’s been able to accomplish are amazing, when I think of where she started. It’s like being able to witness a miracle. Someone able to overcome so much.”

Alison is “the kind of kid who gives 100%. She’s a dedicated student and a flat out soccer player,” Del Chiaro continued.

They play a game in which Alison has to tell her something she’s learned, that day, whether it be a new word or a physical accomplishment.

“She never stops striving to improve in all aspects of her being,” Del Chiaro stated. “She’s very humble and will be embarrassed about what I’ve said. But she deserves that kind of acknowledgment.”

To celebrate Alison’s seven years being tumor free, the Lazzerinis are hosting a fundraiser at Skipolini’s in Antioch, on March 3, from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. to benefit Camp Attitude, for special needs children and their families.

To participate, simply download the flyer, here: Alisonsurviverflyer1, print it out and bring it with you to Skipolini’s that day and a portion of your bill will be donated. Be sure to wear grey to support Brain Tumor Awareness.

By Allen Payton

UPDATED: Saturday, February 7, 2015

At next Tuesday night’s meeting, the Antioch City Council is being asked by staff to make formal the process Mayor Wade Harper has been following to prevent council members from placing items on the agenda for discussion, without the support of two other council members.

This is in response to my recent Payton Perspective editorial, dated January 27, 2015, (which can be viewed here) criticizing the fact that Harper has been acting unilaterally, without council approval in implementing the practice.

As my previous column pointed out, he stated in an email to me on Friday, January 23 that it’s “not required.”

Yet, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the resolution, to make it a requirement, based on what they claim is a survey they conducted of 25 cities and special district boards throughout the state. In their report, staff says, without providing the details of the survey in the Agenda, under Item 8 (which can be viewed here) – which is also at the end of the meeting, when most residents have either gone home or changed the channel – “The most common response was that it takes a majority of the Council/Board members to request a future agenda item. In a few cases, some agencies require the consensus of only two (2) Council/Board members. A rare few provided for a single Council/Board member to place an item on a future agenda. A couple also provided for the Mayor to have full authority whether or not an item was placed on the agenda.”

What staff also didn’t share is how many of those were cities versus boards, and how many of the cities are General Law versus Charter cities, which operate differently under state law.

I find it interesting that staff didn’t offer the Council, under Agenda Item 8, the choice to completely eliminate the practice, which Harper has been following without approval, and go back to the way it was in Antioch prior to his term as Mayor.

It’s not required

What staff is saying, is that they want the current practice to continue – even though Harper’s been following it without a council vote, in the first place – but to now require a formal motion, second and vote of at least three council members to place an item on the agenda, instead of the recent practice of just the nodding of three heads.

Perhaps staff didn’t read the email from Harper to me, on which he copied City Manager Steve Duran and City Attorney Lynn Nerland, in which he wrote “A consensus is great, but not required.”

Done to save staff time

They say this started – but still don’t say when – to save time, due to the reduction in staff. But, the economic downturn happened in 2008 and the staff cutbacks began in 2009, when Don Freitas was Mayor, and before Harper was even elected to the City Council in 2010.

Prior to Harper being elected Mayor in 2012, the practice in Antioch for at least the prior 28 years, according to previous mayors and council members, with whom I spoke, before and since the publication of my editorial, was that any one council member could request an item be placed on the agenda and that the mayor, in consultation with the city manager, would determine when to place it on the agenda.

So, it appears a reduced city staff handled things, under the normal practice, for three years without any issue. Plus, now they’re back to full time, five days a week, following the elimination of Furlough Fridays, as of January 11, anyway. So, having each council member request agenda items shouldn’t be a problem.

One agenda item meetings

Some Antioch Council meeting agendas have only one or two main items on them, like last meeting, which had one non-Consent Calendar item, which was for approving the lease of copiers for City Hall. Big deal. The meeting was over before 9 p.m. So, there was time and room to discuss at least one more item, such as Ogorchock’s proposal of funding three more Community Service Officers using Measure O funds, to help alleviate the workload of sworn police officers, thus improving their ability to fight crime, which the mayor and all council members were elected to do.

Besides, how do the other council members even know if they think an item proposed by one member is worth discussing or if the public wants it discussed, if it’s not first placed on a council agenda? They’re just going to make an arbitrary decision to not even hear about it? That’s not effectively representing the people who elected them.

One current example is the effort by former Antioch School Board President Joy Motts and other downtown residents to meet with Duran, about their idea for an event center, possibly on the open lot where the lumber yard used to be. So far he has refused to, because he doesn’t have to, since he hasn’t been given direction by council to do so. Yet, how does Duran know, if no council member has been able to even have the idea placed on the agenda for consideration and council direction given him to meet with Motts’ group? I don’t agree with it being placed on that lot, but do agree council should consider it and staff should meet with them, to perhaps find another, better location for it. If that’s how the mayor and city manager treat another community leader – this started while she was in office – what kind of message does that send to the average Antioch resident about having their concerns or ideas heard?

Forces private, closed door meetings, instead

Should the council formalize this policy Tuesday night, they will be forcing any individual, company or group, in order to line up three votes, to have separate meetings with each of the council members, behind closed doors, in private meetings, instead of in public view during a council meeting, to even have their idea, project or proposal heard, in the first place. That’s ridiculous and an unnecessary additional level of bureaucracy to get something done in Antioch.

And we wonder why businesses go to Brentwood, Pittsburg or Oakley, first, before coming to our city?

Again, the result of this practice severely limits the ability of each individual council member from effectively representing the people of Antioch, who elected them individually.

If a council member is asking for some ridiculous item be placed on the agenda for discussion by both the council and the public, then that will reflect poorly on them. If it becomes a repeated offense, then “we the people” whose government it is, will get tired of it and shut that council member down, one way or another.

Possible Brown Act open meeting law violation?

This proposed practice also brings up the question of violating the state’s Brown Act open meeting law, as former Antioch City Councilman Jim Conley pointed out to me. How can the council vote on an item that’s not already on the agenda without violating that law? Isn’t the vote to place an item on a future agenda an actual item on the current meeting agenda, that requires prior notice to the public, at least 48 or 72 hours before? As Conley stated, and I concur, only urgency items can be placed on a current council meeting agenda, which requires the vote of four out of the five council members. The placing of an item on a future agenda is not an urgency item.

Isn’t it ironic?

After speaking with Antioch residents, as well as current and former leaders about this, today (2/7/15) it hit me that what the mayor did by placing this item on the agenda, was to do so without a consensus of council members. Does anyone else remember this agenda item being discussed at the last council meeting to obtain approval of three council members to be placed on a future agenda? I don’t. Harper violated his own practice, one that staff is recommending be continued, which is rather ironic. Furthermore, Harper placed this on the agenda – or was it staff? – but still hasn’t placed Ogorchock’s idea on the agenda, even after he specifically stated a consensus of council members was not required to do so.

How did Items 3-7 get placed on the next agenda?

Another thing I realized, today (2/7/15), is that staff has been able to place whatever they and Harper have wanted to place on the agenda, since he was elected Mayor, without a consensus of council members. Otherwise, how did Items 3-7 also get placed on the next council meeting agenda? That means staff has had more power than any one of their bosses on the city council for the past two-plus years. As has Harper, who, as a separately elected mayor in a General Law city in California, only has three powers that the other council members don’t have, and denying them the opportunity to place items on the agenda isn’t one of them.

Who cares what other cities do?

I don’t care what they do in other cities or on other boards. Although, I would like to see the detailed results of the survey and ask for one of all the other 18 cities in Contra Costa County. Regardless of the results of the staff’s unscientific survey, we want and expect our council members to each properly represent the people, both individually and collectively.

If any of our council members want to abdicate their responsibility and limit their own ability to fully and properly represent the public, and in effect politically emasculate themselves, so be it. Then, I guess those council members who vote for this don’t need to be on the council nor receive the public’s vote when it’s time for their reelection.

The Council should table this agenda item and just tell the mayor, in his own words, it’s “not required” the next time he says they need a consensus of members to place an item on the agenda. If they want to formalize it, then table the item until the choice for eliminating the practice is included, and if they do the council members need to tell the mayor to knock it off and quit preventing them from doing their job and fully representing the people who elected them. 

To voice your opinion, either attend Tuesday night’s council meeting, which starts at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, between Second and Third Streets in downtown, and speak during the public comments segment on Agenda Item 8, or email or call the mayor and council members:

Mayor Wade Harper – Email: wharper@ci.antioch.ca.us Tel (925) 437-4300

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock – Email: logorchock@ci.antioch.ca.us Tel (925) 628-7764

Council Member Mary Rocha – Email: mrocha@ci.antioch.ca.us Tel (925) 207-7220

Council Member Monica E. Wilson – Email: mwilson@ci.antioch.ca.us Tel: (925) 628-0749

Council Member Tony G. Tiscareno – Email: ttiscareno@ci.antioch.ca.us Tel (925) 234-3639

Also, if you will copy City Clerk Arne Simonsen on your email, then he will provide it to Mayor Harper for it to be read into the record at Tuesday night’s council meeting, if you’re unable to attend. asimonsen@ci.antioch.ca.us.

 

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Click here for full job description.  Send salary requirements and resume to rloya@mowsos.org.   No phone calls please.

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department

The autopsy into the death of Dewayne Ward took place this morning. The cause of death is listed as multiple gunshot wounds of chest and abdomen. Toxicology tests are pending.

Detectives from the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office, Office of the Sheriff and Antioch Police Department continue to investigate the officer involved shooting that occurred in Antioch.

At about 12:40 PM on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, Deputy Sheriffs from the Civil Unit went to an apartment complex on the one thousand block of Claudia Ct. in Antioch to carry out a Domestic Violence Restraining Order/Criminal Protective Order, which included a move out order.

Deputies contacted the occupant, 29-year-old Ward, who had prior law enforcement contacts. Ward had a no bail probation warrant. During the contact, Ward did not obey verbal commands from the deputies and resisted. Deputies then deployed force options that included pepper spray, a police K-9 and a Taser. They did not appear to have any effect on him. Ward continued to resist and charged at a deputy with a knife (see attached photo). The deputy fired his duty weapon striking the armed man. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The deputy sheriff that shot Ward is Scott Pliler, who has been with the Office of the Sheriff for 13 years. He is currently a K-9 Deputy assigned to Patrol Division.

If anyone has any information on this case, Detectives can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup event scheduled for this Saturday, February 7th,has been canceled due to the impending storm.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 59th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from The Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program; Volunteers in Police Service; community volunteers and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 59th Neighborhood Cleanup event will instead occur on Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Canada Valley/Laurel Road neighborhoods. Volunteers should report to Kushner Way off Canada Valley Road for parking.

Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance. Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES:

There are no full freeway closures planned for this week.

HIGHWAY LANE CLOSURES:

State Route 160 (SR160):

As part of the Highway 4 (State Route 4) and Highway 160 connector ramp construction, there will be highway lane closures in the northbound direction of State Route 160 between the SR4/SR160 connector ramp and Main Street on Thursday, February 5, from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

State Route 4 (SR4):

There will be highway lane closures in the eastbound direction of SR4 between Bailey Road and Loveridge Road on Wednesday and Thursday evenings starting at 7:00 pm and ending at 1:00 pm on the following day.

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of SR4 between California Avenue/Harbor Street and Bailey Road on Wednesday and Thursday starting at 10:00 am and ending at 5:00 am on the following day.

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of SR4 between Contra Loma Boulevard and California Avenue/Harbor Street on Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 6:00 pm and 5:00 am.

RAMP CLOSURES:

There are no ramp closures planned for this week.

LOCAL STREET CLOSURES:

There will be single lane closures in the southbound direction of Contra Loma Boulevard between Buchannan Road and St. Francis Drive Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Lone Tree Way/A Street will be closed between the SR4 on and off ramps on Saturday evening from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am and again on Monday through Friday evenings from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am.

There will be single lane closures on Lone Tree Way/A Street in both directions between the SR4 on and off ramps Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

There will be single lane closures on Lone Tree Way in both directions between Canada Valley Road and Jeffery Way Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

To see the detour map for the A Street closure, click here: Highway & Street Closures 1/31-2/6/15.

For questions or comments please send e-mail to info@4eastcounty.org.

By Corporal R. Martin #3343, Antioch Police Department

On Tuesday, February 03, 2015, at approximately 7:52 PM, Antioch Police Department Officers responded to a motorcycle vs. vehicle traffic collision in the area of E. 13th St. and Simmons St. Antioch Police Officers and Fire Department personnel arrived and located the 29 year old male motorcycle driver with major injuries. The male was transported to John Muir Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441 or Corporal R. Martin at 925-779-6900 ext.83343. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Luke Johnson

After last year’s upset, Black Diamond Middle School won first place once again and regained bragging rights in the Antioch Unified School District Eighth Grade Girls’ Volleyball Tournament Saturday, Jan 24. at its own gym.

The Miners had earned first place for five straight seasons, spanning from 2009 through 2013, but lost last year to Dallas Ranch Middle School, who took home second place those previous five season.

‘It feels awesome to bring a trophy back to where it belongs,” first-year head coach and Vice Principal Denise Pesmark said. “I’m happy to be a Miner this year, and glad we could do this for our school.”

In the round robin portion of the tournament, the Aviators had gone undefeated (Black Diamond 2-1, Park Middle School 2-0 and Orchard Park Middle School 2-0) and looked as though they were going to become champions for a consecutive year. But in the championship match, Black Diamond was victorious, 2-0 (25-10, 25-19)

“With good spirit and a little bit of good coaching, we were able to pull it together for the second round,” Pesmark said. “We put a lot of hard work into our season, and it’s nice to have it finally pay off.”

The Miners’ win was boosted by a huge rally sparked in the first set that consisted of a 15-point streak, led by server Priscilla Self.

“I’m just amazed that we pulled through and we won,” Self said. “I feel really excited. We are bringing back a trophy to our home.”