By Teresa Klein

Birthdays are a time to celebrate. While everyone has one each year, there are a few that are considered “milestones.” A child’s first birthday is, of course, something to celebrate. Hitting double digits at age 10, and then the parent-dreaded teens at 13. Teenagers get excited when they become “adults” at age 18 and in college their 21st birthday is often a blow-out celebration. As we age, though, adults seem to space their big celebrations further apart, often in 10-year increments–30, 40, the big 5-0! What about the BIG 1-0-0? Not many have the chance to hit this centurian milestone. Yet, here in Antioch there are a few.

One such woman – Crenna Boyd – not only celebrated 100, but has surpassed that by five years, once again celebrating each year as a milestone.

Born March 6, 1910, Crenna is a witty, spry 105 year old who is in really good health and still washes the dishes and takes care of herself. While her middle child, daughter Margaret Dossey now lives with her, Crenna takes each day as it comes and enjoys a life filled with family.  She lives in the house her late husband Roy built in 1962 on Texas street, back when their neighborhood was an almond orchard and highway 4 was a small-town road.

Born in Oklahoma to farmers, she was the oldest of six. Her family moved often between Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Antioch. When she was 19, she married Roy (d. 1991) and they had three children, Margaret, her older sister Dolores Sugarman, and her younger brother Don. Crenna also has 12 grandchildren, 19 great, great grandchildren and 25 great, great, great grandchildren.

Living in Antioch when the city was smaller and slower paced, Crenna started working at the steel mill turning tin during World War II and continued until she retired in 1963. After retirement, Crenna decided she wanted to have some fun. Hse decided to travel the world and try things she never had until that point. Cruises with family, Jamaica with her granddaughters, the Cayman Islands, and England a few times were just some of her outings.

But her most adventurous – and some would say dangerous – trip was from 10,000 feet when she went skydiving. Talk about celebrating a milestone birthday in a big way! When Crenna turned 95 – yes only 10 years ago – she got the OK from her doctor, went out to Byron and met her skydiving instructor.

“It had been something she had been talking about for awhile,” said Margaret. “When she was talking with her granddaughter, she said ‘If I don’t like the guy [that I will jump with], I’m not going.’”  

But Crenna liked what she saw (she said he “looked good”) and he was very nice and helpful, so the jump was a go. When asked if she had been afraid to jump, she said “Heck no! He wanted to get down to the ground safely as much as I did, so I knew I could trust him.”

With her family looking on, turning 95 became a birthday she’d never forget.

That was the only time Crenna jumped – once was enough, she said – and her adventures slowed down after that, but she still likes to travel – mostly to her summer home in Sequim, Washington. Margaret and Crenna head north to get out of the Antioch heat, and Crenna says it is her favorite place. “You can look up at the tall trees forever.”

Situated not far from Port Angeles, her Sequim home is isolated among the forest at the base of the Olympic Mountains and by the Dungeness River. Crenna enjoys spending the day sitting outside listening to the flowing water and the singing birds, and watching the scampering black squirrels.

Margaret says they usually spend June-September in Washington, but last summer extended all the way until February, 2015. “She likes it so much she didn’t want to leave,” said Margaret.

They did return to Antioch in time to celebrate her 105th birthday in March with 43 people and a white cake.

“Chocolate cake is too rich,” says Crenna, but adds still loves chocolate. At 105, her doctor says she can eat whatever she wants.

When Crenna turned 100, the family asked that no one bring gifts but instead bring 100 of something for fun. She received 100 pennies, 100 marbles, and even 100 packets of Taco Bell hot sauce. At that party Crenna told everyone “I’ll see you in five years,” and she did.

Now, after her big, big, big milestone of 105, she said “I’ll see you next year.” Smiling, she admits that one–year increments are long enough. As she reads her birthday poster she laughs because it says “Born 1910: many, many, many, many, many years ago! 105 and counting!”

Please fee free to download the flyers in English or Spanish and distribute to those who might benefit by this event. white pony flier english  white pony flier spanish  Bilingual care and share faire flyer-1

By Allen Payton

This summer, you can have fun while and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Antioch Water Park and conserve water, at the same time, during the drought.

How? By playing in the water at the park, instead of the sprinklers, at home.

The city-owned facility opened in 1995 and was paid for with taxpayer funds through the Mello-Roos assessment district. So, we own it and it’s run by the city’s Parks & Recreation Department.

In fact, the City of Antioch has gone further in its water conservation measures at the park, by upgrading the chemical and filtration system, saving 100’s of gallons and money, each month.

The water park’s season began on May 23 and runs through Monday, September 7 and it is now open seven days a week.

They employ 150 people, mostly teenagers, each summer, and about 70 of the employees are new for this season, according to Antioch Parks & Recreation Department Director Nancy Kaiser.

“For almost all of them, it’s their first job,” she added.

The water park also offers a seven-week Junior Lifeguard Camp for kids ages 11-15, as well as Coyote Hills Summer Day Camp from June 15 to July 31.

You can create a recreation account on-line and do business with the water park and the rest of the Parks & Recreation department

Get your season pass to the Antioch Water Park, at www.activenet.active.com/antiochrecreation. Then, into the water!

Dear Editor:

Have you noticed anything lately?

“Believe we’re gliding down the highway

When in fact we’re slip slidin’ away

Slip slidin’ away

Slip slidin’ away

You know the nearer your destination

The more you’re slip slidin’ away…”

Paul Simon, Slip Slidin’ Away lyrics

It has been the progressive spirit of the age wearing down the true masculine and feminine roles in family and society. But no one seems to care. We’re all just “slip slidin’ away.”

Today, decades of progressivism has paved the way for breakneck speeds down the slippery slopes of immorality and relativism (relativism: the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute). Politics are so filled with lies and compromise that true Statesmen, whether black, white or Hispanic are assassinated by innuendos and miss-characterizations and boldface lies.

The foundation of civilization, which is the family unit, has been dismantled, reinvented and co-opted (co-opt: to divert to or use in a role different from the usual or original one) that marriage to anything or anyone will constitute a legitimate family. The word love has lost its meaning and significance, and Christianity is just as guilty with the abuse of the word “love” and its true and authentic meaning.

God has been relegated (relegated: consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position), to the single attribute of love. God, has been singularly redefined or overly stated as “love,” which diminishes his Holiness, his Justice, his Righteousness and Wrath.

If God is singularly loving, then there is no need for a Savior and there is no difference between sin and holiness. For why would you need to be saved from a loving God? Christ became our substitute sacrifice, thus taking upon himself all of God’s wrath. Therefore, without belief and obedience in Christ, people remain under the wrath of God. True compassion is to warn people about God’s wrath and not to cheapen God’s holiness, and justice by offering God’s love apart from Christ’s sacrifice!

Mainstream Christianity has been infiltrated with the progressive spirit of the age. We have forgotten Jesus’ warning about the leaven of the Pharisee and especially the leaven of Herod. Both the religious and political spirits of our time has seized control and influence of many pulpits, church boards and Christian colleges.

Our families, marriages, children, police forces, law and order; our educational systems, transportation, freedom of speech and the right to self-protection are under tremendous stress and attack. Even the bees are under attack!

The CDC and the world’s scientists have a name for what’s been happening to the global bee population, it’s called “CCD,” or “Colony Collapse Disorder.” Wow, how ironic! Even more so is the cause for the colony collapse. 1. The lack of adult bees in the hive, which protects the hive from invaders. 2. The nonexistence of the Queen bee. 3. Insufficient workforce to maintain the brood that is present. 4. The workforce is made up of too many young adult bees. 5. The colony members are reluctant to consume feed, such as sugar syrup and protein supplements.

This is no joke folks. This bee phenomena is much like our own cities, communities and neighborhoods and very similar to the breakup and breakdown of many families. Think about it! Check out the link to the Wikipedia article about Colony Collapse Disorder and read for yourselves:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder

Even nature is trying to warn us that our human colony may also soon collapse!  Did you know that without the bee crops, plants and trees will suffer? Bees are a $200 billion dollar per year global business! Did you know that beekeepers rent out their bees to farmers and nurseries?

It has recently been reported that a deadly avian flu virus has infected more than 33 million turkeys, chickens and ducks in more than a dozen states since December of 2014. And this epidemic is still spreading from state to state. Price of eggs? How about the price of chicken and turkeys?

Oh, and how about the apocalyptic drought in the Western United States? It is reported that some neighbors are actually stealing water from one another! Worried about your lawn? How about agriculture and the price of groceries? Maybe the up and coming summer blockbuster Mad Max Fury Road is more prophetic than action-packed entertainment.

Yet, as long as we have our goodies and gadgets, we will sell our liberty and freedoms for comfort and convenience. The world and nature is going to hell in a hand basket and we’re more concerned whether to buy an Apple or Samsung smart phone. God help us!

“For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NKJV)

It’s not the fault of unbelievers, nor the fault of secularist for the condition of our Nation, but the fault of every believer who has sold their birthright as a Light Bearer and Salt Preserver for the warm stew of carnality.

Nothing short of the Church repenting and turning back to God and away from worldliness will this Nation’s disaster be averted. God has removed his blessing of this Great Nation because His people have removed God and His whole counsel from their homes, churches and businesses.

It is not because the unrighteous practice unrighteousness, but because the righteous practice sin that God’s judgment is upon us!

Inasmuch as the “race card” is ruining race relations, so also is the “love card,” ruining the image of the One True and Living God and the impact of His eternal Truth and Salvation. The “love card” depicts a benevolent god that requires no urgency to obey and no consequence for sin. This trend is synonymous with the Nicolaitans of the early Church.

The Nicolaitans were one of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at Ephesus and at Pergamum, according to Revelation 2:6, 15. The Nicolaitans taught that God is permissive, merciful, or tolerant of sin. As people subscribed to their teaching, they became subdued and conquered by this double standard lifestyle.

The first part of the name “Nicos” in Greek, means to conquer or to subdue, and the second part of this name “laitans” in Greek, means laos, or people. This heretical group’s teachings were conquering and subduing God’s people away from His Truth and making a mockery of His Grace. The love card has created a similar environment as the teachings of the Nicolaitans, and so many people have been duped into living double lives of sin for grace, and then falling into the loving arms of a “love god.” Is God love? Absolutely! But God’s love does not trump or nullify his other attributes, and this is where a great deal of Christianity has fallen into error.

The influence of Christianity has not been stolen, but given away. Its message has been diluted and cultural influence weakened. We have exchanged our place of an expanding Kingdom with the Gospel Mandate for a 501-(3) (C) status, and so the Church has become an apologist for Statism and has abrogated its moral authority to bureaucrats! (Statism: the belief in the primacy of the State over the rights of the individual).

Pay attention and check your oil, as the days are growing darker, and if you have no oil in your lamps, its total darkness forever!

Read Matthew 25: 1-13 for more important details.

Thomas Koester

Copperopolis, CA

By John Crowder

The mother of a man, killed in April by a hit-and-run driver, expressed her frustration with speeding and reckless drivers on the street where she lives, and made an emotional plea for the Antioch City Council to take action to prevent further deaths at their May 26, 2015 meeting.

Linda Hudson, the mother of Timothy Hudson, recently deceased, was visibly upset from the outset of her statement. She began by saying, “Two minutes isn’t enough time for me to tell you what I’ve experienced in the last two weeks.” (Due to the large volume of speaker cards submitted, Mayor Wade Harper had reduced the time available for public comments to two minutes per person from the three minutes typically allowed for members of the public to address the council on items not listed on the agenda.)

Hudson went on to relate that, on the 11th of April, a little after 5:00 p.m., and upon hearing a commotion, she went outside to find her son laying in the street.

“This is the second son I’ve buried, out of four children,” she said.

Hudson said, “We’ve called the City to have speed bumps put in,” but staff responded that they couldn’t afford it. She also said, “We’ve called the police department,” and asked them to send someone out to deal with commuter traffic “racing down 11^th street [at] 60 to 65 miles an hour,” but was told they were short-handed and couldn’t deal with it.

As she continued to relate the events of that day, on which she said a nineteen year old driver, who was “making donuts in front of my house, a sideshow,” ran over and killed her son, her time to speak ran out. “May I have somebody’s two minutes, please?” she asked.

“No, you can’t do that,” Harper responded.

Hudson was not to be deterred, however, and continued to speak about the incident, while directly addressing council member Mary Rocha, telling her, “Think about it Mary, it could be your kids…” leading to an exchange between her and Harper in which the mayor continued to intervene by telling her, “thank you,” advising that her time was up, and banging his gavel.

Finally, after relating her son’s last words, she moved away from the microphone. At this point, with the audience erupting in loud applause in support of her statement, Harper said, “Thank you, thank you very much, it’s heartfelt, passionate.”

Harper then said, “The request is to take a look at speed bumps, and it’s going to be forwarded to the city manager.”

Relatives and neighbors of Hudson also addressed the council, all lamenting the speeding traffic on 11^th street, and asking that speed bumps be installed.

Coincidentally, residents living in the vicinity of Bluerock Drive and Rockford Drive addressed the council with a similar request.

Patrick Shire, a resident of Rockford Drive, requested the City place an all-way stop at the intersection of Bluerock Drive and Rockford Drive because of the traffic that, “has greatly increased.” He said that, “numerous crashes have occurred.” Shire submitted a petition to the council requesting they take action to deal with the matter.

Other residents of the area concurred with Shire’s request, one saying, “The excessive speeds have gotten way out of hand.”

Kid’s Club

Several speakers also addressed the council members regarding the expiration of a lease for Kid’s Club Preschool. This time, the speakers were asking that the City provide them with vacant land on which they could establish a new facility.

Many talked about how much Kid’s Club had meant to them, some relating stories of being able to complete their education only because Kid’s Club was available, providing free child care, allowing them to continue to go to school.

In addition to speaking in support of the program, one speaker, Ariana Santos, submitted a stack of, “over 1000 letters” on behalf of Kid’s Club.

Mark Mokski, Executive Director of the program, began his remarks by saying, “I’m here once again because this community has a problem. We have 300 low-income families that are losing their preschool, their social services.”

After noting that the money to pay for the preschool came from the federal and state government, Mokski said, “We have requested land from the city. We have requested land from the [school] District.”

Mokski then said, “I should not be having conversations with other mayors and other school districts to relocate this program. I do not want to, this is an Antioch program, it needs to stay in Antioch. If it does have to move, these other communities will put a restriction on there that no people from this community can come in. And that’s wrong.”

Mokski concluded, “We can secure portable buildings, we can secure modular buildings, we need help with facility space. Empty land. The City has it. Several parcels. The District has it. Several parcels. Something needs to happen here, very quickly, otherwise the lives of 300 of your most vulnerable population is going to be disrupted.” His last statement was, “We ask for empty land.”

Master Fee Schedule

In regular City business, a public hearing was held on proposed updates to the Master Fee Schedule, with changes to take effect on July 1, 2015. According to the staff report, the strategic purpose falls under the Strategic Plan Long Term Goal of achieving and maintaining financial stability and transparency. “This is achieved through the specific short term objective of reviewing and increasing as many fees as possible annually to ensure maximum cost recovery is obtained,” according to the report.

No member of the public spoke during the hearing on the matter. However, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock asked why no changes had taken place with respect to fees associated with animal services. In response, Antioch Chief of Police, Allan Cantando, explained that keeping fees flat would help with animal adoptions, as residents would be more likely to adopt animals out of the shelter, rather than see them euthanized.

Council Member Rocha asked about the bicycle registration fee. She asked for the justification for the fee, given that, “nobody registers bikes anymore.” City Finance Director Dawn Merchant replied that, “The police department isn’t currently collecting this fee.” Rocha then said she would like to see the fee removed from the schedule.

Council member Monica Wilson asked about park fees, prompting a discussion about people showing up early in the morning at parks, camping out to hold spots when nobody has reserved them.

Following the council discussion, the new fee schedule was adopted on a 5-0 vote.

Budget Actions

Another order of business involved action taken on budget items brought back by staff for direction.

The council voted 4-1, with Ogorchock opposing, to reinstate earthquake insurance for City Hall and the police Facility. City Manager Steve Duran explained that the cost for the insurance would be between $71,500 and $81,500 on facilities with a total value of over $38 million.

The council voted 5-0 not to fund additional library hours, but to have city staff continue to meet with Antioch’s County Board of Supervisors representatives in order to obtain County funding for increased hours of operation. Council member Monica Wilson expressed concern that if Antioch funded the library, it would lead to a “slippery slope” of the County pushing more expenses onto the City.

Finally, two Water and Sewer Fund positions were approved by the Council on a 3-2 vote, with Harper and Council member Tony Tiscareno voting against. Council members in favor expressed concern that not funding the positions might leave the City exposed to fines should an accident occur. City Engineer Ron Bernal emphasized this fear, saying that, “related to the water (and the drought)…the fines could be up to $10,000 per day if we’re found to be not in compliance with, best efforts to accomplish that program.” Bernal also stated, “Regarding the sewer side of the house, if we were to overflow into the river, the fines can be in the millions.” “Both programs are in need of the oversight,” he said.

Wilson wanted to know if one person would be sufficient to handle the recommended jobs, but Bernal assured her that there was enough work for two positions.

Still, both Harper and Tiscareno expressed concern with the timing of the matter. Tiscareno said, “We’re talking about a timing issue at this point. Regardless of where these particular funds are coming from, we want to make sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to be, as far as being financially responsible.” He said bringing it back in three or four months would be “a better time.” “I just want to make sure that everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing before we start moving on to new positions.”

On close questioning by Tiscareno, Bernal affirmed that the City is currently in compliance.

Bernal also said it would take a year to hire the staff for the positions, “if approved today.”

Tiscareno asked if they would be able to stay in compliance during that time.

Bernal said he would be, “much more confident” with the positions now.

Harper said, “I don’t want to approve these two positions with contract negotiations still open. I think it sends a bad message. The groups are reviewing our finances…and we’re talking about the financial status of the city, and here we are, possibly approving two brand new positions. I think it sends a bad message.”

After a failed motion to table the matter until a later date, supported only by Harper and Tiscareno, Rocha put forward the motion, which ultimately passed, to hire the two positions. The total cost of the two positions, annually, will be approximately $262,000, according to the staff report.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m. Meetings take place in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 200 H Street.

By Felicia D. Purcell

The Antioch Herald

The wait is over and the Golden State Warriors can officially put a “W” in the win column for Game 1 of the NBA Finals winning in OT over the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-100. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points and Klay Thompson wasn’t far behind with 21. LeBron James carried his Cleveland Cavaliers team on his back scoring 44 points.

“It was a slow start for all of us,” said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr at the post game press conference. “You know, I just felt like the quarter we looked nervous.”

With the two rookie head coaches in Dave Blatt and Kerr, making their debuts they coached their teams in a duel of the ages and Cleveland jumped off to a head start in the first quarter 29-19. The Cavs led by as much as 14 points, during the game, but it would be the depth of the Warriors bench and the lack of a strong supporting cast that would hurt James’ team in the end.

“It’s great, it’s so much fun,” said Kerr following the 132nd consecutive sell-out crowd of 19,596 at ORACLE. “This is what we all dream of in the NBA, to play in The Finals, to coach in The Finals, to be a part of all of this, two great teams.”

The victory extended the Warriors winning record at home to 47-3 for the season.

Golden State‘s bench has been one of the deepest in the league all year with, everyone scoring baskets combining for 34 points led by veteran Andre Iguodala who led the bench in scoring with 15 points and 2-of-3 from the three-point line, versus the Cavs’ nine points from the bench.

“Andre has been huge this whole playoffs,” said Warriors center Andrew Bogut. “People just noticed it tonight because he scored. But he does a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. His defense on LeBron at the end of regulation was huge. But he was scoring tonight, he was aggressive, he had a couple of dunks, he hit some three’s. He looked like the Andre from Philly.”

In his sixth straight Finals game, James gave ORACLE fans a sigh of relief when his jumper hit the rim to send the game into overtime. Fans know all too well of his game ending shockers as recently as last February while, as a member of the Miami Heat, he sank a 3-pointer to win the game with 0.1 seconds left on the shot clock.

“We were lucky to get overtime,” said Kerr, “It’s always a game of runs. Our team, we like to play fast. We try to rely on our defense to get stops so we can get out and run.”

The Warriors did just that going on a run in the second half 24-7 eventually sending the game into overtime, knocking down shots, and outscoring the Cavs 10 to 2. Cleveland lost their rhythm when their second best player, Kyrie Irving, left the game with a left knee injury with two-minutes left in overtime. The Cavs would get their only basket in OT with a lay-up by James with 9.5 seconds left.

“I’ve been in the league 11-years and it’s always something interesting,” said Iguodala of the anticipation and excitement of going up against James. “My years in Philly, I always had to guard the best players and then I had to try to create on offense as well.”

Game 2 will be held at ORACLE on Sunday, June 7th at 5 p.m. and televised on ABC.

SIDE NOTES:

• Warriors head coach Steve Kerr became the first rookie head coach to win Game 1 of an NBA Finals since Mike Dunleavy, and Kerr along with Cavaliers head coach David Blatt became the second pair of NBA rookie coaches to meet in The Finals. The first duo dates back to the league’s first year in 1947.

• Warriors’ Klay Thompson joined his dad, two-time NBA champion Mychal Thompson as the seventh father/son combo to appear in The NBA Finals according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

• Former Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, now doing color commentary for ESPN/ABC, called the game.

• Cleveland’s two points in OT tied all-time Finals low for an overtime period in the shot clock era (since 1954-55).

• An MRI was done Friday on Cavs guard Kyrie Irving to see if there’s a tear in his left knee. He left the ORACLE Arena on crutches. Another news report stated he will undergo season ending surgery.

Follow Felicia on Twitter @sportsinthebay_

By Allen Payton

Antioch City Manager Steve Duran and Mayor Wade Harper shared some surprising news at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City luncheon, Friday, May 29, 2015.

The City has come into some unexpected money and will not be running a deficit, starting July 1st, this year, but a small surplus, instead. They also project a surplus for the 2016-17 fiscal year, as well.

That was just part of the positive message shared by them and Police Chief Allan Cantando, at the well-attended event, held at the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Park.

Duran was the first to address the audience.

“There are now, over 108,000 people in Antioch,” he stated. “We surpassed Richmond, last year, as the second largest city in the county.”

“We’re starting to get our sea legs, again. Things are getting better, but not great, yet,” Duran shared. “They [the city council] weathered the storm. We have a double-A rating by Standard & Poor’s.”

He then mentioned the budget surplus, then offered his vision for the city.

“We want to position Antioch as the family friendly, business friendly place,” he said. “Everything is coming our way. The business community needs to have their voice heard.”

He encouraged those in the audience to attend the Downtown Specific Plan Update meeting on June 2 and the General Plan Update meeting to be held on June 17.

Chamber CEO, Dr. Sean Wright, in introducing Cantando, shared a story of his daughter and he greeting some prospective home buyers, recently. He shared how that one type of action can make a difference in attracting people to Antioch and changing the perception people have about our city.

“It’s our job to not hide out in our homes and be scared,” he stated.

Cantando then took the podium and offered a slide show of crime statistics. He spoke of the hostage standoff with the carjacking suspect, just two days prior.

“The narrative should be the Antioch Police Department stepped up and took a scary situation and everyone came out safe,” he implored.

“This whole issue about perception of crime in Antioch, they’re not looking at the numbers,” Cantando stated. “People in this community are making a difference. That’s the perception I have.”

He then shared some of the statistics.

“In the first quarter of 2015, compared to 2014, there’s been over a 13% reduction in violent crime, a 6% reduction in property crimes and a 7.7% reduction in Part I crimes, overall,” he shared. “They call us Little Oakland, Little Richmond. The city to our west had nine homicided in one year. We’ve had one.”

“I didn’t create the stats,” Cantando said defending the numbers. “A crime analyst did.”

“Adult arrests are up 30%. How can that be if crime is down?” he asked. “We may arrest more than one person in a crime.”

He went to share about a “56.8% increase in officer-on-view…officers being pro-active” and “Priority 1 response time is dropping.”

Cantando then mentioned the EBRCS communication system the city recently purchased.

“We are the only city in the county who doesn’t have it,” he stated. “We’ll be online with that system by Thanksgiving.”
He then mentioned the addition of license plate readers in all police cars and body cameras.
“We’re going to be able to protect ourselves better in lawsuits,” said Cantando.

He mentioned all the things being done for youth through the Police Activities League, including “starting a Junior Giants program in partnership with Bank of America; free baseball for eight weeks for kids, in conjunction with the Leo Fontana Foundation; bowling, skating, an after school program, and etiquette classes.”

Cantando also spoke about the new Antioch Police Citizens Police Academy starting later this month.

“The reality is the staff cares,” he said. “We’re talking about how we can work smarter and get the job done. We have a wonderful community.”

“The city manager cares,” Cantando shared. “He understands economic development. Mr. Duran has us living within our budget, within our means.”

“The city council cares,” he stated. “They choose to let staff do their jobs. Each are involved in a different way,” which he delineated.

Then Harper spoke last, offering his words of what sounded like a reelection speech.

“I’m always excited aobut providing the State of the City address,” he said. “I always introduce Antioch as ‘the great city of Antioch.’”

He stated that he teaches two law enforcement classes in Antioch schools.

Harper then spoke about vision and quoted Habakuk 2:2. “Write the vision, and make it plain on tables, that he may run that reads it.”

“We have already developed a vision,” he stated.

He spoke of having good communication with the citizens and the police department.

“Officer complaints are down. We authorized the aggressive hiring of police officers to get to 102 and three more CSO’s [Community Service Officers], thanks to the citizens who approved two tax increases,” Harper added.

He then touched on a list of other things the city is doing, including obtaining a grant for more police officers, “dispatch has been handling calls for service for both Antioch and Brentwood,” he said. “Kudos to Public Works for 726 days without an accident.”

“We want to improve our downtown area,” said Harper. “It won’t happen over night.”

“We will be launching something like a Youth Commission,” he shared. “We want to hear from our youth.”

He mentioned the new Antioch Community Foundation, and being able to make “grants for local programs that benefit our youth” through a partnership with NRG, the power company with a plant on Wilbur Avenue on Antioch’s northeast water front.

Harper also mentioned the water park, and that the “improvements begin, this year, with an all-abilities play area.”

He then spoke about business and economic development.

“Antioch, we are a frienly and welcoming city to business and developers,” Harper said. “We will have to remove the red tape and roll out the red carpet. We have to remain a business friendly and welcoming community.”

“We have a new Smart & Final and Hobby Lobby,” he shared. “Let’s figure out how to kee our Uno’s and Schooner’s…retaining our Lowe’s and auto dealerships.”

“We celebrate being Antiochians with our parades, events, celebrations and ceremonies,” Harper said in conclusion. “Lets’ make it the greatest place to live, work, play and worship. God bless the great city of Antioch.”

Wright concluded the event with a comment of his own about job creation.

“We have a half job for every household,” he shared. “That needs to change. Antioch truly can be the best place to live.”

Poisoning, accidental death and impacts on water quality are some of the negative consequences facing local communities due to the improper storage and disposal of medicines. As the lead agency for the Delta Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, Delta Diablo Sanitation District has joined with other local environmental stewards, law enforcement agencies and public health advocates exploring opportunities to increase medicine disposal opportunities in East Contra Costa County.

Please help our efforts by completing a brief, five minute survey with questions about the guidance, if any, you have received from prescribers, current disposal practices, and what disposal locations would be most convenient for your family. Responses will be kept confidential and pooled with other East Contra Costa residents.

Click here for the survey. Thank you.