“Between a relative of one of the suspects and a resident of the house”

By Allen Payton

At a press conference, Tuesday afternoon, Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando announced the arrest of two suspects in the hate crime that occurred in the city, early last Wednesday morning, September 7, 2016. In custody are Roy Charles Sorvari, age 27 of Antioch and Christyne Gail McDaniel, age 25 from Brentwood. They were arrested last Thursday, September 8 and are being held on $1.29 million bail.

The District Attorney charged them with multiple crimes, today, including attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, assault with intent for great bodily injury and with an enhancement for hate crime. The pair was also charged with arson of an inhabited dwelling.

“This was between a relative of McDaniel and a resident of the house,” Cantando stated. “It was not a random incident.”

Joined by Mayor Wade Harper, all four council members, he thanked the council for public for their help.

“Information from the tip-soft aided in the investigation,” Cantando added.

Asked why it was a hate crime, he responded, “based on the evidence, it’s very evident this was a hate crime.”

Asked if the surveillance video was helpful in apprehending the suspects, Cantando said “that will play a part in the prosecution of the case.”

He also shared that “information we received from involved parties in this case and the two individuals, helped contribute to this case.”

“Any time something like this happens in our community, we’re shocked,” the chief said. “This community should feel safe.”

“We had a lot more to do after that, with interviewing people and collecting evidence is why we kept it out of the media to protect the integrity of the investigation,” Cantado stated later, regarding why the arrests weren’t announced until Tuesday.

Check back for additional details and photos of the suspects, later once the press release is received from the Antioch Police Department.

By Nick Goodrich

During its meeting on Tuesday, August 23rd, the Antioch City Council discussed topics ranging from Antioch’s Animal Services and Shelter to the proposed Waldie Plaza Renovation and Redesign plans.

Antioch Shelter Volunteers Speak Out

During the public comments , Antioch Animal Shelter volunteers showed up to the meeting in force, and spoke out against the ongoing criticism of the shelter.

Amanda Jimenez, an Antioch citizen, described the successful adoption of a shelter dog named Alexandra, highlighted by activities such as frequent walks and bonding activities with humans, during the dog’s 160-day stay at the shelter.

“The staff and the volunteers work tirelessly to figure out ways to expand our resources, giving our animals better lives while they are with us,” she said.

Shelly Harding, a two-year volunteer of the shelter, became emotional when describing the love and care that she says every shelter animal receives.

“It saddens me to see all of the lies that are being directed toward the shelter,” Harding said. “I have not once seen anything bad happen to an animal of any nature.”

Other volunteers described more successful adoption and rehabilitation stories, describing the treatment that each animal received and how the shelter was able to find them good homes despite the often horrible conditions they were rescued from.

Barbara Sobalvarro, president of Friends of Animal Services, announced that the organization had voted to help fund the adoptions of dogs and cats to the amount of $150 all through the month of September. But even Sobalvarro deplored the lack of funding the shelter receives from the city.

Those comments and others were in response to the ongoing discussion of the condition of the shelter, with critics saying that animals may not be getting the treatment they need due to overcrowding, staffing shortages, and funding issues. In keeping with recent city council meetings, those critics also showed up in force, creating somewhat of a back-and-forth between the two groups.

“I don’t see it as ‘there is this side and that.’ We are all trying to do the same thing,” said Antioch resident Holly Kusich, who has volunteered at the shelter in the past.

“We will come together to find a solution,” said Mayor Wade Harper to close comments. He then said he would place the matter on the council agenda in January, 2017.

Waldie Plaza Downtown Event Center Renovation

Criticism of the council’s decision to use the historic Antioch Lumber Company yard for new townhomes rather than a park and event center continued at the meeting. However, the City is preparing to move forward with its plan to renovate Waldie Plaza instead, Antioch’s current event center.

Proponents of the “Save the Yard” movement claim that Waldie Plaza is much too small to accommodate a city of Antioch’s size. It is a T-shaped strip of park on the waterfront, across from City Hall.

But, City Manager Steve Duran, in his presentation, cited some current advantages of Waldie Plaza. One of those is the large amount of parking available to residents during events, most of which is close and easily accessible. The water view, Duran said, is also a big plus.

Safety concerns loom over the plaza, and the railroad tracks are immediately adjacent. The city plans to address those issues with improved lighting and security cameras.

Other plans for the plaza include terracing the hill in front of the event stage, removing parts of the hedges to increase accessibility, and perhaps add a play structure for children.

City staff will continue moving forward with the renovation and redesign plans, and it remains to be seen if the final draft will satisfy Save the Yard supporters. For now, however, it is clear that the movement will continue to fight for the event center to be sited at the former Antioch Lumber Company yard.

A town square initiative that would allow citizens to vote on the event center’s location is still pending. Rick Stadlander, one of several speaking on behalf of the movement, told the council: “Please, once and for all, make a bold decision that lets the community decide what they want or need from a town square or event center, and where they want that place to be.”

Downtown Specific Plan

The council also heard an update on the City’s Downtown Specific Plan, which aims to implement city policies that encourage the growth and development of downtown Antioch. As a result of a Strategic Growth Council Grant, provided by the state to Antioch in 2015, the Downtown Specific Plan was set into motion last June. A revised draft of the plan was provided to Council on Tuesday’s meeting.

The draft provides information to both Council and Antioch residents on the downtown development plans, brings together the many layers of the city’s efforts into one document, including land use, infrastructure, environmental quality, and more. These plans aim to improve just about everything about downtown Antioch, from pedestrian and car traffic to commercial businesses in the area.

The final draft of the plan is expected to appear before the Antioch Planning Commission and City Council in October or November of this year.

The next Antioch City Council meeting will be held Tuesday night, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street between West 2nd and 3rd Streets, in downtown. To see the meeting agenda, click here. The meeting can also be viewed from the comfort of your home or office on Comcast Channel 24 or on your electronic device via live stream video on the City’s website at http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/citycouncilmeetings.htm.

By Supervisor Federal Glover

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, the United States suffered the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. 9/11 has become a date that will live in infamy. It is our generation’s equivalent to December 7, 1941. Who can ever forget the jetliners crashing into the New York skyscrapers, bursting into flames, people jumping from the upper stories, the last calls of those trapped inside.

Who can forget the office workers fleeing the burning floors above them and the firemen  dragging their hoses with them, going up the stairs towards the flames.

Who can forget the towers toppling down on workers and the heroic first responders? The mayhem, the dust-covered office workers?

Who can forget other firefighters, policemen and other rescue workers going through the debris to find survivors?

Who can forget the people from all across the nation, including some from Contra Costa County, who dropped what they were doing and rushed to New York to help in the rescue efforts?

Who can forget Flight 93’s heroic passengers, including residents of the Bay Area, who fought the terrorists to prevent the jetliner crashing into the White House or Congress even though it meant their certain death?

The deaths of those 3000 people on 9/11 are seared into our collective memories. We will always remember what we were doing and where we were on that fateful morning.

But there is another memory I’ll always keep with me. I’ll remember the American people rallying around the towers, around New York, around the Pentagon and Flight 93 – that was perhaps among the finest hours of America. We didn’t think about the race of the victims or their rescuers. We didn’t ask if they were Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative, rich or poor. For those few hours, those few weeks, after the horrible acts of terror; we were united as a country, we were all Americans.

That is what I’ll remember.

Glover represents District 5 on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

By Allen Payton

The rumble in Rivertown continued with round two, following the council candidates’ forum, Tuesday night, with the four candidates for mayor squaring off before an audience of about 100 residents. Like the earlier forum that night, it was also sponsored by the Friday Morning Breakfast Club, chaired by former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas and moderated by Ann Flynn of the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley.

Opening Statements – The Battle Begins

Each candidate was given 90 seconds for an opening statement, and chosen to speak in random order. Businessman Gil Murillo went first, wasting no time in taking on his rivals.

“My opponents have been in positions of authority in our city for the last four years,” he said. “I’ve lived here for eight years.”

“Stop being the arm chair quarterback and step up,” Murillo stated.

He then spoke of how he’s “the only candidate here who commutes an hour and a half to work.”

Antioch Chamber CEO and local chiropractor Dr. Sean Wright was next, sharing his experience in leading the business organization.

“When I got involved with the Chamber we were one week away from bankruptcy,” he stated. “I said ‘we’re going to turn this around.’”

One year later the chamber was solvent, Wright explained.

He then shared why he’s running and what he believes Antioch needs.

“Leadership, jobs, crime to be solved,” he said. “If you’re happy with the status quo, then vote for one of my opponents.”

Incumbent Mayor Wade Harper spoke next, getting a bit philosophical.

“The road to success is not always a straight road,” he said.

Then Harper spoke of the need of more police officers, and how he’d asked the public to vote for Measure C, to help pay for them.

“We have a net gain of 12,” he stated. “Under my leadership we are a full service city.”

“We now have a Downtown Specific Plan,” Harper added.

However, the net gain figure is incorrect. The Antioch Police Department currently has 93 sworn officers, according to Chief Allan Cantando. Using the figure of 89 sworn officers at the time Harper and the rest of the city council signed the ballot argument in favor of Measure C, and promised an additional 22 officers, the net gain has been four officers. Harper is trying to use the figure the city council chose to adopt, of 82 sworn officers, which is how many there were in October, 2013 at the end of the Measure C campaign, just prior to its passing.

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock offered her opening statement, last.

“In my heart of hearts I believe I am the catalyst that can move the city forward,” she said. “I have the will, desire and tenacity to work with our sister cities. I don’t give up.”

“My work schedule as a Realtor allows me the flexibility,” Ogorchock added.

Vision for the Future

In sharing his vision for Antioch’s future, Harper spoke of his time as a police lieutenant with the City of Tracy, which he referred to as “the second safest city in Northern California.”

“We developed a Strategic Plan which is guiding our city,” he said about Antioch.

“We need to be a city friendly to jobs,” Harper continued. “We just sold the Four Points property on Wilbur. We just formed ACT, the Antioch Council of Teens. We’re looking at a ferry terminal in downtown.”

Later he clarified after the forum that “the 108 acre property was sold. The City did not own it.”

Murillo pointed out some of the challenges Antioch is facing and spoke about education.

“Do you see blight?” he asked. Referring to the City’s Strategic Plan, he said. “Community plan. I don’t remember seeing a copy of it.”

“We have a disparity of incomes,” Murillo continued. “We have one of the lowest school rankings. We need to establish a good education program. We won’t be able to establish a good economy without good schools and with crime.”

Ogorchock said “I look forward to the good jobs,” then had a Rick Perry moment.

“I’m sorry. My mind just went blank,” she said. “I apologize.”

“We have to develop the homes by Kaiser,” Ogorchock stated, after she resumed her comments.

Wright said “students aren’t proud to call themselves from Antioch” and that when they compete at events in other cities they say they’re from other cities, such as Richmond.

He said he wants “Twenty-first century jobs. Light manufacturing jobs. So they can be home in nine minutes and coach their children’s Little League team, like I was able to do.”

“I’m tired of people saying ‘can’t we have a downtown like Pittsburg?’” Wright complained.

“Antioch can be a place we’re proud of,” he concluded. “That’s the vision I see.”

Harper used one of his rebuttals to respond to Murillo’s and Wright’s comments.

“I would expect people running for council to read a copy of the Strategic Plan,” he said. “People are proud to be in Antioch. We need to be cheerleaders.”

Murillo used his first rebuttal to respond to the Mayor’s rebuttal and Ogorchock’s comments.

“To clarify, you said the entire city gave you input,” on the Strategic Plan.

“I am proud of our city,” he continued. “FUA-1 [Sand Creek area, approved and planned for new housing] is very close to me. I’m going against that development. We don’t have the services.”

Back-Up Plan for Measure C Police Funding

Murillo said we need to “build a crime reduction plan. The county is receiving money not the city.”

He then spoke about education, again.

“By improving our schools we increase tax revenue from our property values going up” Murillo stated. “They can go up $100,000 in four years.”

Then he went down a different tangent, mentioning police officers can “work overtime at the malls.”

Ogorchock proposed high-rise development, as the solution for more city revenue.

“Over off Buchanan we can go up to six stories,” she said. “We can get the property tax revenue there.”

“We can ask the people to extend Measure C,” Ogorchock added.

Wright questioned the city’s handling of Measure C funds.

“The fear was that Measure C shell games would be played,” he said. “After the first year, $2.5 million was spent and we got five officers for it.”

Then Wright mentioned “the citywide administration fund” receiving “$200,000 in year one” from the police budget, and “$700,000 is geared in year two.”

Harper responded to Wright’s comments.

“The police department can’t have their own Human Resources,” he said. “We are hiring police officers.”

“Measure C has to work,” Harper continued. “We put our careers on it.”

Wright used his first rebuttal to respond.

He once again mentioned the $200,000 in citywide administration funds “to oversee five cops” and that there’s “too much citywide administration to fund 12 cops,” using Harper’s figure from his earlier comment.

Then he spoke of how the city reduced the base budget for the police department by $1 million before applying the funds from Measure C, saying if that happened, then “that $1 million means the first funds from Measure C gets you back to that $29.5 million.”

Top Priorities

Next the candidates were asked to list in priority order the following four issues: hiring police and code enforcement officers, economic development, better communication and start the search for a new city manager. That last part of the question elicited a strong, supportive response from the audience. But, Harper didn’t appreciate it.

“I thought we weren’t going to berate anybody,” he said, referring to the ground rules laid out at the beginning of the forum by Flynn, of no personal attacks between the candidates.

Wright spoke of his efforts in the area of economic development.

“We started the EC Squared to promote economic development in East County,” he shared. “Now we are seeing the sale of property on Wilbur due to the marketing.”

However, Wright stated, “hiring police is number one.”

Then he spoke about communication and that residents “come and they speak and they’re unheard.”

Ogorchock said “hiring police officers, code enforcement and CSO’s (Community Service Officers)” was her top priority.

“We are at hiring of 41 officers. Not 10. But 41,” she stated, referring to the total number of new sworn officers the city has hired since the passage of Measure C. However, during that same time, the city has lost 37 sworn officers to retirement, some who quit and some who were terminated.

Harper shared his displeasure of the fourth item on the list, saying “I take issue at the hiring of the city manager.”

“First of all, communication,” Harper said. “That’s why we put together the Strategic Plan. We listened to the community. Communication is always number one.”

“Hiring police officers should be ongoing,” he continued. “Second is economic development.”

“I’m surprised EC Squared is taking credit for the sale of these properties,” Harper stated.

When asked about that after the forum, Wright said he and the Chamber had been working on “marketing the area through the Waterfront Initiative, even before EC Squared was formed.” He was referring to the county’s Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative which stretches from Hercules to Oakley, which has the goal of attracting and creating 18,000 jobs to the area in the advanced transportation fuels, bio-tech/bio-medical, diverse manufacturing, food processing, and clean tech industries by 2035.

Murillo spoke about “coms,” a term he uses at his job.

“Communication,” he said. “We have no one here on this council taking accountability.”

Then he made the first promise of the campaign of any of the candidates.

“In my first six months, I will bring in 100 IT (information technology) jobs,” Murillo claimed and that it was his “goal over four years to bring in 2,000 jobs” to Antioch.

“We’re not here about HR (human resources) but about Mayor,” he added, referring to an earlier comment by Harper.

Hosting Community Forums

Asked if they were open to hosting community forums, as was done by previous councils, when Freitas and Jim Davis served as Mayor, three of the candidates said they were.

“Yes,” Wright responded, then took another jab at the incumbents. “We have a staff and council that is unable to hear and unable to react.”

“We have parking issues downtown and we have a city that is completely ignoring them,” he continued. “We need to be proactive.”

Harper said “Community forums are great. But we use modern technology.”

Then he mentioned email and voicemail.

“We can forward them. When I’m up at 2:00 in the morning I may return an email,” Harper stated.

“I’ve held community forums,” he said.

“Just give us a phone call, an email. Even you, Mr. Wright,” Harper said with a smile, turning to his challenger who was sitting next to him.

Murillo answered with another shot at Harper, saying “One thing that does not happen is the transparency.”

“Is your issue being resolved?” he asked. “Things go into a vacuum. Why does it go through constant cycles to get things done?”

Ogorchock was supportive, saying “I like the idea of community forums.”

“I asked Don Freitas to moderate them,” she continued. “Everybody should be heard.”

She said there needs to be an “open line of communication.”

“They don’t just want to come up and not know they’re not being heard,” Ogorchock added.

City’s Role in Ending Poverty

When asked what the city’s role should be in ending poverty, the candidates softened their tone. Ogorchock responded, “I don’t know that can happen.”

“We have a huge amount of homeless in Antioch,” she continued, then suggested “working with the faith-based community.”

“I don’t know how we can ever end anything,” Ogorchock stated and spoke of “working with the county” and “CDBG (community development block grants).”

“There was nobody here to share how to spend those grant dollars,” she complained, referring to the council meeting when the distribution of CDBG funds was decided.

Murillo said “That’s a $10,000 question, right there.”

“It has to be a community issue, not just a council issue” he stated. “There are 200 homeless kids in Antioch schools.”

“Mayor Harper, through your church, I know you do a lot and through Holy Rosary,” Murillo added.

Wright said “there’s no simple solution.”

“In the book Ending Suburban Poverty, Antioch is chapter one, page one,” he stated. “The Chamber started a program called the Suburban Poverty [Task Force].”

He then complained about the lack of resources for the homeless in Antioch.

“We don’t have the infrastructure to support them,” Wright added.

Harper was complementary of Wright.

“Dr. Wright definitely worked with the Suburban Poverty Task Force,” he said. “I read a book, too,” and then he quoted a Bible verse about helping those in need.

“I don’t think a veteran should ever be homeless,” Harper continued. “There are benefits for veterans.”

“This is not a political issue. It’s a human rights issue,” he added. “I’ve had to take in people who are homeless. We must help the vulnerable in our society.”

Keeping the Next Generation in Town

On the topic of what can the city do to give a reason for our children to stay or come back after college, Ogorchock said “They do come back.”

“Look at Anthony Ferrante doing a movie, Aaron Miles, baseball players, football players,” she continued. “Share your passion. Kids always want to come back home.”

Wright thanked the “Antioch Historical Society Museum and Sports Legends that highlight” the positive things about Antioch’s history.

“People want to leave Antioch,” he complained, then spoke about one of his reasons for running.

“This is about my five kids,” Wright shared, getting a bit choked up. “I want them to come back here. We need jobs for them to come back here. We have to create the environment for them to be here.”

Harper spoke of the newest generation in his family, and becoming a first-time grandfather, recently.
“I was sitting in Kaiser hospital and I accepted a new position of grandpa,” he stated.

Then Harper spoke about Dozier-Libbey Medical High School.

“We’re creating pathways for our students to create jobs,” he continued.

Then, he again mentioned “the sale of property on Wilbur.”

Murillo referred to Harper becoming a grandfather, saying “I hope it’s another 10 to 15 years before that happens to me,” to laughter from the audience.

“I don’t want to see one of my sons saying ‘I’m moving to Dallas because there’s jobs there. I’m tired of taking BART every day,’” he shared.

“I’m just a guy, here trying to make a difference,” Murillo added.

The Yard – Downtown Event Center

When asked about the downtown event center proposed for the former Antioch Lumber Company yard, now referred to as “The Yard,” Harper said it had been a “big topic of discussion.”

“We’ve had several community meetings, joint council-commission meetings,” he explained.

Then he slipped and appeared to give a promotion to one of his challengers, but no one seemed to catch it.

“I supported Mayor Ogorchock’s motion to make that space mixed use,” Harper said.

“I asked for a plan to pay for it,” he stated. “I brought that up but it was rejected.”

Ogorchock commented while ignoring the possible prediction of a promotion, but disagreed with Harper.

“I love the concept of The Yard,” she stated. “I think they have a right to share their concept. I don’t feel that they had that opportunity.”

“I’ve asked for it to be on the agenda,” Ogorchock continued. “Hopefully it won’t be another six months.”

One challenge she faces is that the council by a 4-1 vote, with Ogorchock opposed, gave City Manager Steve Duran the exclusive right to negotiate the sale of The Yard, which is owned by the city, as well as eight other city-owned parcels. So, until those negotiations are complete, it’s doubtful the council can discuss it, publicly.

Murillo was also supportive of the citizen group’s effort.

“I am for The Yard,” he stated. “If you ask 20 of my neighbors, maybe two of them go downtown.”

“The tax revenue from the mixed use will not be as much as a center,” Murillo said. “This has been going on for years. Let it go to a vote.”

Wright said that “never have all the parties been brought together.”

“I will listen and negotiate in good faith and with an open mind, with respect,” he stated. “This council and staff has never negotiated in good faith.”

Harper used one of his rebuttals to correct his earlier statement and respond to Wright’s comments.

“When I say I brought the matter up, it was a conversation not in the form of a motion,” he said. “I disagree with Mr. Wright. We do negotiate in good faith.”

Closing Statements

Ogorchock reiterated her campaign theme, saying “Antioch is my home, my community.”

Harper said “I want to be the next mayor. I believe this is a sacred office.”

“We are doing more with less,” he continued. “Antioch is a good place to live, work, play and worship.”

Wright hit hard in his final comments.

“The reasons we are discussing these issues is because we have a council and mayor who have failed,” he exclaimed. “Failed to act and failed to lead.”

“If you’re happy with the status quo, then vote for more of the same,” Wright added. “It’s not about looking backward but looking forward.”

Murillo ended the evening with a bit of humor, while taking some parting shots.

“Next time I’m going to wear boots,” he said. “I hear about commitment to work. But someone has run for another office” referring to Harper who ran for County Supervisor in the June primary.

“You can’t just talk,” Murillo added. “I don’t talk the B.S. I bring it across.”

The next forum for the candidates for Mayor of Antioch will be hosted by the Antioch Herald and also be held in the City Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 20th at 8:15 p.m. The candidates will have opportunities to not only offer rebuttals to the statements of their opponents, but ask each other questions, as well.

KTVU Fox 2 will be profiling the unsolved 1980 killing of 14-year-old Suzanne Bombardier at 10 p.m. Sunday, September 11 in the latest “Bay Area Unsolved” segment. Henry Lee, Crime Reporter for KTVU Fox 2, conducted the investigative segment.

Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley) on Thursday, released the following statement concerning the hate crime that occurred in Antioch on Wednesday:

“The strength of our nation and state comes from the diversity of our people. We have had a terrible and reprehensible act occur in Antioch. As your State Assemblymember, I join you as we stand in absolute opposition to this racist and cowardly act. Let’s make sure the message is clear – We will not tolerate this behavior in our community. We will do everything in our power to make sure, those who commit injustices like this, are swiftly dealt with and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. As one East County community, by standing together tonight, we show that we must honor, respect and celebrate Californians of all backgrounds, faiths and beliefs.

It is through our diversity that we have strength, and fulfill the American promise that all people are created equal.

I stand ready and willing to assist our local leaders and law enforcement officials in any way possible.”

To contact Assemblymember Jim Frazier please visit his website or call his District Offices at (925) 513-0411. Follow Assemblymember Jim Frazier on Facebook and “Like” him for updates on events and happenings in the 11th AD.