By Allen Payton

A special fundraiser, in which prize drawing tickets were sold at $100 for two, to benefit Antioch’s An Elderly Wish Foundation (AEWF), resulted in raising $7,000 for the charity and giving away $2,000 to three lucky participants.

The “Fund A Wish Drawing” winners were chosen during a reception at Cypress Meadows Assisted Living in Antioch, last Thursday, October 1^st . The AEWF Board Members, who sold the tickets this last month, joined about 75 guests at the reception, hoping to win the big prize. Those in attendance were treated to appetizers catered by Rita Caruso and her sister Charleen Early, and wine from Oakridge Winery, thanks to Denise Stanley.

The $1,000 was won by Amanda Stockford, the daughter of Board Member Julie St. Andre. The $750 was won by Executive Director Mary Chapman’s sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Mike Taylor, of Fair Oaks. The $250 prize was won by Jack Monroe, a former Board Member.

“Many more senior wishes will be granted with the money raised from this event,” Chapman stated. “Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraiser.”

For more information, visit the AEWF website at www.elderlywish.org.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

This Wednesday evening, October 7, the Antioch Planning Commission will provide a preliminary review of a 1,667 home development, proposed for the property across Deer Valley Road from the Kaiser hospital.

While homes have long been proposed for the area, this development would allow more of the same size lots and homes as we currently have in the southeast part of our city.

When I was on the City Council, the plan was as the city developed further south, we would approve larger homes on larger lots until we got to Roddy Ranch, where there would have been $1- to $2 million homes on half-acre lots.

But, the Ranch Project, as proposed by Richland Communities, would allow “lot sizes under 5,000 square feet, between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet, and 7,000 to 10,200 square feet,” according to the staff report for the item on the Commission’s agenda. The report also states “The majority of the proposed project is developed at a residential density of 7-8.0 units/acre” which would result in lot sizes of between 5,500 and 6,300 square feet.

We already have more than enough of that type of housing in Antioch. While the 5,000 square foot designation was intended for lots adjacent to the golf course, it is no longer included in the plan.

If the 5,000 to 7,000 square foot lots were included as part of a senior community, that would be one thing. But, the senior community, also in the original plan, is not in the Ranch Project plan, either.

Fortunately, city staff recommends a minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet, and hillside estate lots of 20,000 square feet minimum, be included in the plan.

They also recommend an alternative open space program in place of the previously planned golf course.

New Housing Types Needed

At this point in our city’s history, we need to add two different types of housing to our housing mix, specifically senior housing communities, as well as gated communities with upscale housing, like those in Brentwood, and what staff is recommending.

Residents of senior housing communities don’t impact schools or commute traffic, in general, and spend their money at restaurants and businesses, in town, during the day, helping grow our local economy.

Gated communities, with upscale housing, will attract executives, professionals and business owners who will bring their companies to our city and employ our people.

Antioch doesn’t need more of the same type of housing that we already have. The Planning Commissioners should heed the staff recommendations, send that message to the project proponents and ask them to try again.

The Commission meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the City Council Chambers, located between West Second and Third Streets in downtown Antioch.

From Antioch City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report, dated 10/2/15, as provided by Police Chief Allan Cantando:

– Due to the recent large scale fire, a Mutual Aid request was made by Lake County for assistance with police services. Several Antioch Police Officers were sent to assist on various shifts during the week. Their efforts were focused on providing high profile patrols in an effort to deter looting and provide security to residents who were being allowed to return to their homes.

– On 10/1/2015 at 4:57 a.m., officers responded to a report from a 911 caller of hearing sounds as if someone was attempting to cut metal on the property at 725 Fulton Shipyard Rd. Officers approached on foot and found 46 year old Mitchell Lockwood was on the property. Lockwood had blue paint all over his legs and when questioned, he claimed he was on his way fishing. A check of the property and the surrounding area resulted in officers locating pipe with a blue coating that Lockwood had stolen and tossed over a perimeter fence. He was arrested and later released on a promise to appear for the charges of trespassing and theft.

– On 9/30/2015 at 10:43 p.m., officers responded to Starbucks at 1896 “A” St. regarding a 911 caller reporting a male down on the sidewalk with his body partially in the street. Officers arrived and located 38 year old Ricky Earl. It was determined he was intoxicated. A records check revealed he was a registered sex offender out of the State of Nevada. Officers were able to establish Earl had been in California since 9/10/2015 and had not registered in this state. He was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender and being drunk in public. He was booked at the county jail.

– On 9/30/2015 at 1:20 p.m., 38 year old Taekwondo Maxwell arrived at the police department to update his sex offender registration. A routine records check revealed he had an outstanding arrest warrant with a $65,000 bail on the charge of burglary. He was taken into custody without incident and later booked at the county jail.

– On 9/30/2015 at 10:56 a.m., officers responded to several reports of a submerged vehicle at the marina boat ramp at 10 Marina Pl. The vehicle was completely submerged. Witnesses advised there was no one in the passenger compartment. A tow service responded and recovered the vehicle from the water. It was confirmed to be unoccupied. Registration checks indicated it was registered in Utah. Officers followed up with Utah authorities in an effort to determine if the vehicle was stolen or involved in other crimes. At approximately 6:20 p.m., a subject arrived at the police department and identified himself as the driver of the submerged vehicle. He explained to officers he was unfamiliar with the area and accidentally drove the vehicle down the ramp and into the river. He panicked and fled from the area.

– On 9/30/2015 at 5:14 a.m., officers responded to a suspicious circumstance at the Sinclair Fuel Mart at 3720 Lone Tree Way. When they arrived they contacted 29 year old Jeffrey Harrison. A records check revealed Harrison had warrants for robbery and petty theft. He was arrested without incident and later booked at the county jail.

– On 9/29/2015 at 12:37 p.m., officers responded to the Valero Gas station at 2310 “A” St. after employees reported a suspicious person yelling at people and jumping up and down on the roof of the neighboring store. Officers found Jarred McCoy, 35 years old, jumping up and down on the roof while making animal sounds. McCoy was convinced to climb down and he was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and booked at the county jail.

– On 9/30/2015 at 12:35 a.m., an officer saw a vehicle backed into a parking stall in the parking lot of Jack in the Box at 2505 “A” St. There was a male and a female in and about the vehicle. A check of the license plate revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen. The officer made contact with the subjects, 23 year old Jessica Mercado and her brother, 24 year old Arron Mercado. Both were arrested without incident. Jessica was also in possession of methamphetamine. Arron was later released pending further investigation. Jessica was booked at the county jail.

– On 9/29/2015 at 11:34 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Hillcrest Avenue and E. 18th St. on a report of a vehicle swerving on the road. An officer saw the vehicle and performed an enforcement stop. The driver, 56 year old Lindell Abercrombie, was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. Abercrombie blew into a PAS device which indicated a blood alcohol content of .126%. Abercrombie was arrested without incident and booked at the county jail.

– On 9/29/2015 at 7:58 a.m., officers were dispatched to Hillside Rd. and Roosevelt Ln. regarding a request for a welfare check of a man on the ground that appeared to be having difficulty standing up. The man was next to a running vehicle. Officers arrived and found 35 year old John Oliphant attempting to drive away from the area in his car. He was clearly under the influence of a controlled substance and is on felony probation for narcotics sales. He was contacted and found to be in possession of heroin in a syringe. Oliphant was arrested and booked at the county jail.

– On 9/27/2015 at 4:29 a.m., an officer stopped an older Honda with dealer plates at W. Madill and “G” Street. The officer observed the driver, 39 year old Areill Hernandez, remove a house key from the ignition. A records check revealed that on 9/17/2015 the Honda was reported stolen in Antioch. Hernandez and two occupants were arrested without incident. Hernandez and one of the passengers, 39 year old Benjamin Jimenez, were booked at the county jail on auto theft charges. The remaining passenger, a 33 year old male, was released pending further investigation.

– On 9/26/2015 at 6:02 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a pickup displaying Arizona license plates. He had observed the vehicle run the stop sign at W. 2nd Street and “I” Street. The vehicle yielded and the officer made contact with the driver, 47 year old Shawna Hudson-Strock. A records check revealed that the pickup was reported stolen. Later when interviewed, Hudson-Strock claimed she borrowed the vehicle and was unaware it was reported stolen. All of the vehicle decals had been removed. Hudson-Strock had prior convictions for auto theft. She was booked at the county jail.

– On 9/26/2015 at 8:06 a.m., an Antioch Animal Control Officer observed 24 year old Nathan Freeman in the 800 block of W. 2nd St. harassing wild turkeys. The officer asked him to stop and Freeman told her that he would “blast” her and reached near his waistband as if he had a firearm. Police officers responded and attempted to detain Freeman. He was uncooperative and refused to comply with officers orders. Freeman was forced to the ground and placed under arrest. Freeman was also found to be on probation. Freeman was booked at the county jail for making threats against an animal control officer and violation of probation.

– On 9/25/2015 at 11:52 p.m., officers responded to a call of a man with a gun in the 200 block of Wilbur Ave. A male was seen placing a gun on the hood of the SUV and was in the company of another person. When officers arrived, they saw the SUV leaving the apartment complex. Officers attempted to stop the SUV but the driver, later identified as 28 year old Andrew Yeager, failed to yield. Officers pursued the SUV until it collided with a vehicle at the intersection of SR HWY 4 and “A” Street. Yeager fled from the vehicle while a passenger, 40 year old Kavita Johnopolous, remained inside. Yeager was apprehended a short distance away and found to have numerous outstanding arrest warrants issued in Alameda County for burglary and weapons violations. An extensive search was conducted but no gun was located in the car. The driver of the vehicle struck by the SUV was transported to the hospital and later treated and released for minor injuries. Johnopolous was found to be in possession of a firearm, which was a .22 cal. pistol. He was also transported to the hospital for treatment. Yeager was booked at the county jail on his warrants, violation of probation and failing to yield for a police vehicle.

– On 9/25/2015 at 11:07 p.m., officers responded to 1214 Sycamore Dr. regarding several calls of a vehicle striking the building. When officers arrived, they located a vehicle that had struck a PG&E box but did not actually strike the building. The vehicle was unoccupied and the collision caused a power outage in the area. Due to an exposed transformer, the area was cordoned off. Within a few minutes the transformer exploded. PG&E responded and police impounded the vehicle. The hit and run investigation identified a suspect who is still outstanding.

– On 9/25/2015 at 11:00 p.m., 43 year old Monica Esquivel was contacted at the Valero Gas Station at 2310 “A” St. A records check revealed she had an outstanding arrest warrant with a bail of $80,000 for failing to appear on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. She was booked at the county jail.

– On 9/25/2015 at 3:04 p.m., officers contacted 31 year old Floyd Andrews during a traffic stop as he left a house on Bryan Ave. Andrews had an outstanding arrest warrant for a robbery he committed in Antioch in 2013. Andrews was arrested without incident and later booked at the county jail.

– On 9/25/2015 at 1:02 p.m., officers responded to Deer Valley High School at 4700 Lone Tree Way to investigate the report of a student in possession of a high capacity pistol magazine. The investigation determined a 15 year old student brought the unloaded Glock pistol magazine to school. No firearm was located during the investigation. The student was issued a citation and released to his parents.

– On 9/25/2015 at 3:46 a.m., officers responded to a solo vehicle accident at Deer Valley Road and Asilomar Drive. The investigation revealed 19 year old Jonathan Sokoya was driving southbound on Deer Valley Road when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree in the center median. The tree was knocked down and public works personnel had to respond. Sokoya’s car sustained major damage, but he was uninjured. He was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol. Sokoya was arrested for DUI. He was later issued a promise to appear and released.

– On 9/24/2015 at 6:13 p.m., an officer observed 49 year old Timothy Jones behind the Chevron gas station at 3201 Delta Fair Blvd. The officer could see him holding a spoon and placing a brown object onto it. When Jones saw the officer, he threw the substance in a nearby planter box. Jones was detained and the substance was recovered and determined to be heroin. Jones was also exhibiting symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and booked at the county jail for possession of heroin and being drunk in public.

– On 9/24/2015 at 3:13 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Valero Gas Station at “A” Street and Rossi Ave. on the report of a male passed out in a vehicle. Upon their arrival, officers located 33 year old Paul Brennan still sitting in a car. He was in fact asleep and found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for DUI. He was booked at the county jail.

– On 9/24/2015 at 8:10 a.m., a concerned citizen called dispatch to report a male searching through the garbage cans on Jarosite Ct. A suspect description was provided by the caller and when officers arrived they located 28 year old Jared Jeffrey searching in cans on the street. A warrant check was conducted and Jeffrey was found to have a $5,000.00 dollar arrest warrant for failure to comply with the terms of his probation. Jeffrey was arrested and booked at the county jail.

– During the 9/24/2015 dayshift, a special detail was conducted in order to focus on traffic related issues in the city. The team issued a total of 118 traffic citations; made 6 attempts to serve DUI arrest warrants; issued 4 loitering/panhandler citations; made 1 felony DUI arrest; investigated 1 injury collision and impounded a vehicle for 30 days due to the driver having a suspended drivers’ license.

Service Calls and Arrest Data:                                      Time Period: 09/24/2015 00:00:00 – 09/30/15 23:59:59
Number of Calls for Service:	1,639
Number of Case Reports:	288
Number of Arrests:	66
Felony:	22
Misdemeanor:	44
Infraction:	0
Arrests with DUI charge:	3
The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

 

Dear Editor:

The Antioch School Board will soon announce its application procedure for appointment to the Trusteeship position generated by Barbara Cowan’s move to Oregon. The Board, as a whole, will decide on the tactical selection process particulars. Speaking, then, only for myself, kindly allow for some ruminations on a Trustee’s ideal constitution.

I’ve been asked how much an educational background benefits a Board Trustee. Truth be, it sometimes helps, often hurts. One can know too much, which can lead to micro-managing. By contrast, an enlightened trustee hires the best Superintendent possible, sets a clear vision with accountable benchmarks, and then gets out of the way.

The best Trustees simply have strong communication and bridge-building skills, and a seasoned touch. They can seamlessly switch from publicly praising to, when needed, privately and diplomatically prodding. Being transparent, accountable, fiscally sober and hard-working can not be overstated, as well.

For my two cents, Trustees also need good-old fashioned common sense, with an appreciation of tough love. Yes, we need adopt creative, positive behavioral interventions but we can’t abandon fair but strict, no-nonsense, behavioral standards if our schools and society are not going to go to hell in a hand basket. If we don’t curb systemic behavioral outbursts, and all the attendant distraction, we will continually spin our wheel on attaining academic improvement.

School Board is the retail world of politics and governance; it’s up close and personal. As such, it’s not for the thin-skinned or faint of heart. It calls for unending give and take with the sometimes clashing interests of students, parents, teachers, Superintendent, administrators, community leaders and colleagues.

As you can guess, though nobody has to go along, in this hurly-burly arena it helps to get along. Pure ideology simply counts for naught if nothing tangible gets done in the crucible of compromise and pursuit of the Golden Mean.

Superintendents, administrators, union leaders and fellow trustees come and go with elections, retirements and moves. By freely adapting to each new configuration you can maximize complimentary strengths and leverage mutual goals. We quickly learn that there are no permanent alliances, just permanent interests. It’s inevitable that we fall to the short end of some 3-2 or 4-1 votes, but we endure. Cycles come and go and even a dissenting voice has some resounding long-term value.

Fact is, not everyone will be on our preferred dance card, philosophically or temperamentally. We must, though, tango with the partners we have.

I, for one, wish we could harken back to a more civil political climate typified by Democrat Majority Whip Hubert Humphrey and Republican Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen retiring from a day’s vigorous debates to congenially tipping a few cold beers together.

Contrast this to the bitter enmity and hardened partisan divisiveness choking the corridors of power today.

Of late, the word loyalty surfaced. I welcome the discussion because loyalty is one of the enduring themes of man’s perennial philosophy. Nevertheless, I caution against blind loyalty at the expense of overarching principle or managing the collective good.

The three dicta of wise governance remain; balance, balance, balance. School Board cries for the amicable, not angry; the consensus builder, not partisan; the results-driven principled, not ideologue.

Granted, a tall order, but it can’t hurt to hope we get King Solomon, or an aspiring Solomon, to, pray tell, apply for the appointment.

Walter Ruehlig

Trustee, Antioch Unified School District

FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES:

There are no full freeway closures planned for this week.

HIGHWAY LANE CLOSURES:

State Route 4:

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of State Route 4 between Railroad Avenue and Loveridge Road on Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

There will be highway lane closures in the eastbound direction of State Route 4 between Bailey Road and Loveridge Road on Monday through Friday from 4:00 am to 12:00 pm.

There will be highway lane closures in the westbound direction of State Route 4 between Hillcrest Avenue and Contra Loma Boulevard/ L Street on Monday through Friday evenings from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am.

State Route 160:

There are no highway lane closures of State Route 160 planned for this week.

RAMP CLOSURES:

There are no ramp closures planned for this week.

LOCAL STREET CLOSURES:

There will be lane closures in the northbound and southbound directions of Contra Loma Boulevard/L Street between Lemon Tree Way and Saint Francis Drive on Monday through Friday evening from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Cavallo Road will be closed in all directions between E. Tregallas Road and Sunset Drive starting on Saturday morning at 7:00 am and ending on Sunday evening at 8:00 pm. For questions or comments please send e-mail to info@4eastcounty.org

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 64th 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 64th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, October 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Village East Park on Gentrytown Drive. Please park in the circle of Pear and Cherry Streets.

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.

By Antioch Chief of Police Allan Cantando

The Antioch Police Department is happy to report our most recent Part 1 crime numbers. Our Part 1 violent crime has dropped 11.5% and our Part 1 property crime has dropped 12.4%. Combined, our total Part 1 crime has dropped 12.3%. In addition, our total arrests are up 19.9%. These numbers are compared to our stats from last year for the same time period through the month of August.

We have been doing weekly proactive details, focusing on violent crime, drug activity, blight, and traffic enforcement. Additionally, our Neighborhood Watch Groups have been very active in our community, reporting suspicious and criminal activity as it is occurring. There is still work ahead of us and improvement to be made, but together we are making a difference.

Gives bipartisan reform bill enough votes to pass House

Washington, DC – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) became the 218th cosponsor of the bipartisan “Biennial Budgeting and Enhanced Oversight Act” (H.R. 1610), introduced by Congressmen Ribble (WI-08) and Schrader (OR-05). The bill now enjoys bipartisan support from the majority of Members of the House of Representatives, which guarantees its passage should Speaker Boehner bring it to the floor for a vote. Under the biennial budgeting process, Congress would complete its budget resolution and appropriations bills in the first year of each Congress, and conduct much needed oversight of federal programs in the second year. This process would result in a more comprehensive review of federal spending, and would allow for a greater focus on performance budgeting and good governance.

“There is no question our current budgeting process is broken. It is long past the time for Congress to end the cycle of yearly funding crises and short-term budget extensions. This bill provides the stability our government agencies need, and the accountability our taxpayers deserve. I am proud to help this strong bipartisan bill reach the majority needed to pass the House, and I urge Speaker Boehner to immediately bring it to the floor for a vote,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.

“America is a tremendous economic engine, and our federal budget needs consistency, reliability, and thorough oversight to function efficiently. I introduced the Biennial Budgeting and Enhanced Oversight Act to takebudgeting out of election years and force Congress to conduct better oversight of federal agencies, and I am proud to have Representative DeSaulnier on the bill as our 218thcosponsor,”said Congressman Ribble (WI-08).

“When I chaired the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the Oregon Legislature, we operated with a biennial budget system, and it worked very well. There is no reason we should not be doing the same in this body,” said Congressman Schrader (OR-05). “We’re facing budget crisis after budget crisis and by adopting this bill we would able to avoid stress and uncertainty, not only for our government, but for the American people who expect us to do our jobs.”

Biennial budgeting is a practical reform that has already been implemented by fifteen states. It has strong bipartisan and bicameral support. The bipartisan Senate companion legislation, the Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act (S. 150), is led by Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and currently has 25 additional cosponsors. Congressman DeSaulnier introduced and passed a similar bill when he served in the California State Senate, which was signed into law by Governor Brown.