By Nick Goodrich

At its April 26th meeting, the Antioch City Council heard complaints from residents about blight, especially on Delta Fair Boulevard. They also added an urgency item to the agenda in order to meet requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Continued Blight on Delta Fair Blvd

The discussion revolving around homeless on Delta Fair Boulevard dragged on, as Antioch residents once again lamented the blight that has plagued that area for some time.

Resident Anthony K., who did not provide his full name, told the council that he is a new homeowner in Antioch, on Gentrytown Drive. “The area has gotten so bad, even in the last year since I moved here,” he said, speaking specifically about the shopping center.

Anthony told the council that people camping by the retaining wall, human waste, and vandalism are recurring problems. Each time Code Enforcement arrives to clean up the area, the problem returns in a matter of days.

“I refuse to shop in that shopping center,” he said. “We need something more to be done,” complained Frank Chong, a representative of 1401 Broadway LLC – which had recently purchased property in the area. “We believe there’s a major, major problem. Customers, shoppers, and citizens aren’t feeling very safe in that area.”

Chong called on the city to take lasting action, noting that people shouldn’t have to feel threatened when they visit the area. The council, despite being obligated to remain silent about items  not on the regular agenda, was sympathetic.

Mayor Wade Harper called for the situation to be put on next meeting’s agenda, promising to stay on the issue.

“I talk about it every day, I look at it every day,” he said after the meeting.

Antioch residents, especially those who frequent the area, are hoping that the constant reminders to City Council about the Delta Fair blighting will translate to a successful solution, and soon.

Urgency Item: Water Rate Increase

Before the meeting kicked off, city staff made a last-minute addition to the council’s regular agenda. The Clean Water Act mandates that Antioch must adopt an extra $25 in taxes from each residential unit, with the purpose of maintaining storm water quality, for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The increased rate has been in effect in its current state since 2002, staff told the Council. The resolution presented to them was simply to re-establish the rates that Antioch has abided by for the last decade and half. It was flagged as an urgency addition because the deadline to establish it came on May 1st.

The staff report noted that any attempt to raise the rate from the maximum of $25 would have to be put to a vote under Proposition 218.

Approval of New Code Enforcement Manager

The approval of the new Code Enforcement Manager position was also made official on Tuesday, after being prepared and examined by staff and the council in previous meetings.

The new position is funded completely through Measure C, which is encouraging to some residents who have felt their contributions in Measure C taxes have been ineffective or possibly even ill-used.

“We will finally have a face of who’s going to handle the blight issue,” Harper stated.

The new Code Enforcement manager is expected to help in fighting blight throughout the city. Many residents, however, are hoping it starts at Delta Fair Boulevard.

By Lieutenant Anthony Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

In a 5:02 p.m. press release, the Antioch Police explained what occurred and released the names of the victims and suspect, in the Monday morning homicide at the QuikStop convenience store at the corner of West Tregallas and Lone Tree Way.

The victim in this case has been identified as Antioch resident, 27-year-old Cynthia Flores-Crose. Flores-Crose was in a previous relationship with suspect Thomas Williams, Jr. Williams had a heated exchange with Flores-Crose outside the Quik Stop before following her into the store and shooting her.

The store clerk, Thomas Payne, was also shot by Williams when he tried to intervene but is expected to survive his injuries. As stated earlier, Williams was arrested in front of the Police Department a short time later. He is currently being held in the Martinez Detention Facility for murder and attempted murder.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Jason Vanderpool with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Allen Payton

As of the close of the filing period on April 23, 2016, the California Grand Casino in Pacheco had contributed $165,000 more to the Antioch Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, the committee formed to support the passage of Measure E on the June ballot. The filing period covered January 1 through April 23, 2016.

That brings the casino’s total contributions to $310,100, which includes $145,100 in contributions made by the casino in October, which funded their signature gathering operation. Only $50 was contributed to the committee from any other source.

Of the funds received, the committee has spent an additional $99,791.88 with $72,470.08 of it on a consultant and another payment of $14,049 for signature gathering. That brings their total spent to date to $187,510.11 leaving an ending cash balance of $122,639.89. All the money has been spent outside of Antioch for consultants, printing, mailings, a phone bank and more.

There has been no committee formed to oppose measure E, yet. However, an ad ad in the May issue of the Antioch Herald newspaper was paid for by a group entitled Antioch Friends for Local Control and another group described as Antioch residents and businesses paid for a separate ad against Measure E in the same issue of the paper.

See the campaign finance reports for the Yes on E committee, below.

Yes on E committee Fin Rpt 7-1 to 12-31-15

Yes on E committee 1-1 to 4-23-2016

There will be lots of positions to be filled!

WHAT:           The Contra Costa County Fair will be holding a Job Fair and interviews on Saturday, May 7th.  Applications and interviews will take place for the 2016 Contra Costa Contra Costa County Fair which will be held Thursday June 2^nd – Sunday, June 5th.  Available positions include but are not limited to: parking and ticket sellers, ticket takers, parking attendants, customer service representatives, janitorial staff, maintenance staff, security guards and more.  Fair Management and Department Supervisors are looking for people with a strong work ethics and a high level of customer service who want to be part of the Contra Costa County Fair event.  Interested applicants must bring their photo ID and a social security card to the Job Fair.  Applications will be available to fill out on-site or are available on-line in advance under the “About Us” tab at www.contracostafair.com

WHEN:           Saturday, May 7th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Contra Costa County Fairgrounds Office, 1201 West 10^th Street, Antioch

WHY:             Each year the Contra Costa County Fair hires roughly 50 – 100 people to work at the annual event, not including the local employees hired directly by our individual food vendors, carnival providers and Livestock department. We are looking for top-notch workers who believe in keeping the Contra Costa County Fair a place where families can expect superior customer service.  The goal with the Job Fair is to create a greater level of awareness among Contra Costa County residents that these job opportunities exist at the Contra Costa County Fair.  The fact that we are hiring hard working local residents creates a big opportunity for those looking for work.

Diane Burgis, candidate for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District III, announced she had received the endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay.

“Diane Burgis is committed to standing up for a clean environment,” said Beth Gunston, President of the Board of Directors of the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay.  “As executive director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and a trustee of the East Bay Regional Park District, Diane has been fighting for clean water and open space throughout her personal and professional life.”

“I believe it is critical that we protect our natural resources for future generations to enjoy,” said Burgis.  “I am pleased that the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay has recognized my work to protect the Delta and ensure that our environment is healthy and open space is preserved.”

The mission of LCVEB is to further environmental and public health protections in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties by electing environmental leaders to local office.

Burgis has also earned the endorsement of retiring Supervisor Mary Piepho, former Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, and more than 30 locally elected officials and community leaders.  Recently, she was honored by the Contra Costa Women’s Hall of Fame with the Women Improving the Environment Award for her work with the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed.

For more information on the organization, visit www.lcveastbay.org.

By Allen Payton

On Monday morning, at approximately 7:11 AM, Antioch Police Officers responded to a report

of a shooting at the Quik Stop Market at 2760 W. Tregallas Road at the corner of Lone Tree Way. The officers arrived to find an adult female victim deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

A short time later, the male suspect in this case, a 34-year-old Antioch resident, was taken into custody without incident in front of the Antioch Police Department. According to a VIP who heard the police call, the suspect turned himself in and according to Mike Burkholder of eastcountoday.net, the suspect drove himself to the police facility. According to the team from Channel 2 News the car was a dark blue or grey Dodge Charger, being driven by a Hispanic or white male with a black semi-automatic weapon. Burkholder, who saw the car at the police facility, confirmed the suspect’s vehicle was grey.

As of 8:30 AM, the body of the 27-year-old Antioch victim was believed to still be inside the store.

A close friend of the store owner, who owns another convenience store in Antioch, showed up on scene and was told by the police that the employees are OK. But one clerk was shot in the arm. They also said the owner of the store, who was also on the scene at that time is OK.

According to a neighbor of the clerk, in an on-the scene Channel 2 TV News interview by Anchor/Reporter Brian Flores, it was a domestic dispute and he “stepped in to help the lady.”

“The woman was shot by her partner,” the neighbor also stated.

A second victim, a 27-year-old adult male Antioch resident, believed to be the clerk, was also on-scene, when police arrived, suffering from a gunshot wound. This second victim was transported to a local area hospital where he is currently being treated for his injuries.

This case is currently being investigated by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau. The police are in the preliminary stages of this case, and no further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Jason Vanderpool with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Lieutenant Anthony Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau contributed to this report.

Barr, Burgis, Wilson have large balances of unpaid bills

By Allen Payton

Campaign finance reports were due on Thursday, April 28 and all six candidates for District 3 County Supervisor submitted their reports required for any candidate who has raised or spent at least $2,000 in their campaign, this year. The reporting period was from January 1 through April 23, 2016.

Oakley Councilman Doug Hardcastle leads the pack with the most received at $37,511.16 and spent at $34,642.80. But, $15,500 was from loans he made to his campaign. The total also includes non-monetary contributions of $5,000. He had $2,868.36 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson raised the most in monetary contributions at $25,589.76 with $5,179 of that amount transferred from her 2016 City Council reelection campaign committee. But, she spent $26,046.19 and had $14,587.85 in unpaid bills, with an ending cash balance of $14,249.48. Most of Wilson’s contributions were from, and most of the money was spent outside of the district, with the majority of it spent out of state. UPDATE 05-02-16: Wilson’s finance reports from her 2016 City Council re-election campaign committee have been posted, below. They show $4,700 in itemized contributions of $100 or more, all of it from outside of both the City of Antioch and the Supervisor District 3.

East Bay Regional Parks District Board Member Diane Burgis is in second place for monetary contributions with $18,857 and Brentwood Councilman Steve Barr is in a close third at $18,685. But Barr is in second for total contributions at $28,335 which include a $5,000 loan from him and his wife, and $4,650 in non-monetary contributions. Two of Burgis’ largest contributions were received from Supervisors Mary Piepho and John Gioia at the maximum of $1,675 each. She has spent the second most at $26,568.86, had $15,271.21 in unpaid bills and an ending cash balance of $7,659.90. Barr spent $26,009, had $18,585 in unpaid bills, but $20,911 in cash on hand.

NAACP East County Branch President Odessa Lefrancois raised $11,885, with her largest contribution of $5,000 coming from Public Employees Union Local #1, of which she’s a member. Her campaign spent $9,277.80 and had $2,607.20 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period. Antioch Mayor Wade Harper’s campaign received $8,050, including his largest contribution of $2,000 from Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3. He spent $5,663.54 and had $2,386.46 cash on hand.

Hardcastle and Lefrancois were the only candidates to raise or spend at least $1,000 in 2015 and submitted campaign reports for the period July 1 through December 31, 2015.

See the complete financial reports for each of the candidates, with details of who has contributed more than $100 and to whom more than $100 was paid, here:

Barr Fin Rpt 0101-042316

Burgis Fin Rpt 0101-042316

Hardcastle Fin Rpt 0701-123115

Hardcastle 0101-042316

Harper Fin Rpt 0101-042316

Lefrancois Fin Rpt 0701-123115

Lefrancois Fin Rpt 0101-042316

Wilson Fin Rpt 0101-042316

Wilson ACC2016 0101-063015

Wilson ACC2016 0701-123115

NOTE: The two additional financial reports from Monica Wilson were for her 2016 City Council campaign committee report, since she transferred funds from that committee to her Supervisor campaign committee.

Publisher’s Note: For full disclosure and as explained in the March issue of the Antioch Herald, I, the writer of this article, am the paid consultant for Doug Hardcastle’s campaign for County Supervisor.