The owners of Limitless Kitchen & Bath in Antioch, Lou and Vanessa Hellman and their staff, invite you to stop by their booth, at the Contra Costa Fall Home & Garden Show at the Concord Pavilion, this weekend.

Show hours are Friday from Noon to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

General Admission is $6 and kids get in free.  But, for free tickets, stop by Limitless’ showroom at 1201 Auto Center Drive in Antioch.

The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road. For more information visit www.capitalshowcase.com/contra.html.

Contribute $1,500 to Turnage in Council race

By Allen Payton

The National Association of Realtors reported, last week, that they have spent an additional $6,600 to help Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, in her campaign for Mayor. She is a Realtor and sits on the Board of Directors for the Delta Association of Realtors. The latest expenditure shown on a 496 form for independent expenditures (see below) is for online advertising.

To date that brings the total the organization has spent on her behalf to $15,459.24, which is more than Ogorchock’s own campaign committee had collected and spent, as of the last reporting period which ended on September 24.

The amount is also the most spent by any organization in support of one of the candidates for Mayor of Antioch in the November election.

In addition, Ogorchock reported receiving another large contribution of $1,000, this one from a retired couple in Antioch. (See below)

Her strongest opponent, when it comes to fundraising, Dr. Sean Wright also reported an additional contribution of $600 from Antioch-based consultant Iris Archuleta, bringing her total support for his campaign to $1,000.

Even with the help from the Realtors, as of September 24, Wright had raised and spent more money than what has been raised and spent by or for Ogorchock. (See previous article on their campaign finances, here).

Council Race

In the Antioch City Council race, Kenny Turnage II’s campaign submitted another 497 form showing a $1,500 contribution, also from the Realtors. But, this one came from the local California Association of Realtors.

Both 496 and 497 forms must be submitted within 24 hours of the expenditure or receipt of funds, for the 90 days before the election. That reporting period began on August 10th, this year.

The next reporting period ends this Saturday, October 22nd and the last pre-election campaign disclosure reports, known as 460 forms, are due in the Antioch City Clerk’s Office at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 27th.

The election is Tuesday, November 8th.

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Editor:

On Thursday June 23, 2016 I attended an event at the Antioch Senior Center. Upon arrival, I was

approached by one of the mayoral candidates and was asked to support them. Unbeknownst to this person, I had decided to support a different candidate earlier in the month – Sean Wright.

I explained that I had worked closely with Sean for six years. That his experience, and leadership were desperately needed by the Antioch community. I also shared that I would be willing to listen, and with an open mind, to anything this candidate wanted to share.

Their reply? “That’s ok. You don’t live here. Your vote doesn’t matter.”

They were right – I don’t live in Antioch, and therefore cannot vote in the local election. I do, however, own a business in Antioch, and have for quite some time. I donate countless hours in the community, and thousands of dollars annually to our schools, service clubs, foster youth, and homeless outreach, among other programs. I have nearly 3,000 clients of whom two thirds are Antioch residents. So, while my personal vote doesn’t “count” I don’t believe the candidate’s reply was fair or accurate.

Sean Wright, on the other hand, has been supportive of my business since the day we met. He doesn’t care that I don’t live in Antioch. He sees the potential that I could one day move here. He

recognizes the economic impact my business has on the Antioch community. Sean is not concerned about my vote, he’s concerned about my business, and all other regional businesses. He recognizes the economic impact a business in the region can have on the residents of Antioch. He cares that my business employs Antioch residents, that my business shops locally – almost exclusively – and that my business gives back to the Antioch community. It’s called vision, and of the three mayoral candidates, Sean Wright is the only one that has one.

Richard Pagano

Antioch Small Business Owner

The new East Bay Chaplains display their certificates. Top Row: Pastor Will Byrns from His Praise in Antioch, Pastor Charles Salter, John Foster, Jeffery Robinson. Second Row: Rudy Hernandez, Tim Vaughn, Reverend Austin Miles, Major General Dan Helix. Third Row: Salena Boatner-Miller and her husband Pastor George Miller, Pat Martin, Bill Swenson and his wife Julie Swenson, Felicia Purcell, Angrett Davies, Dusty Salazar, Karen Manuel, Laura Collin, Jose Chavez. Seated: Kermese Harrell, Segura, Chaplain Priscilla Martinez and Olga Chavez. Photo by Jane Vaughn

By Rev. Austin Miles

In a colorful ceremony complete with pageantry, on Tuesday, September 25th, 21 chaplains were certified for duty in the East Bay area of Northern California. The sacred and joyful event began with this writer (who founded the East Bay Chaplains and trained them), starting the ceremony with a brief talk and opening prayer, then introduced Priscilla Martinez who had been appointed as the new Chaplain Instructor.

Following her informative address, Priscilla next introduced the graduates. General Dan Helix and Colonel Timothy Vaughn, both in dress uniforms, led the processional. After each was standing in place, the certificates were presented.

General Helix gave the keynote address which was interrupted several times with appreciative applause.  Then, in a totally unexpected move, The General called this writer up, “Front and Center.” to present an award certificate and medal-of-honor for having organized and taught the original chaplain classes.

From L to R: Colonel Timothy Vaughn, Rev. Austin Miles,Chaplain Trainer Priscilla Martinez, Felicia Purcell, General Dan Helix. Photo by Jane Vaughn

Pastor Felix Golden, who graciously hosted this event in his church, His Presence Christian Worship Center, the home church of Chaplain Priscilla and 17 of the new chaplains, wrapped it up with a brief but very meaningful talk. And the entire event packed with action, went exactly one hour. Two other churches were represented, as well, including His Praise in Antioch and the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in Oakley.

The East Bay Chaplains play a vital role in Contra Costa County. Their motto is: Stand Ready, Be Prayed Up, and Keep the Vessel Clean.

Several have already received assignments. New chaplain Felicia Purcell, dressed in colorful African apparel, is being asked to be the chaplain for the wives and family members the Golden State Warriors basketball team.

Joan Segura is already officially the Chaplain for El Pueblo low-income housing in Pittsburg. Christian Rap Artist George Miller and his wife, Salena Boatner-Miller will be chaplains for their concerts while Bill and Julie Swenson who both were certified, work as a team to broaden their ministry to the homeless and addicts.

Olga Chavez and her husband Jose Chavez are looking to take their ministry back to their homeland Peru when Jose retires. Jeffery Robinson is interested in serving in a prison ministry. John Foster plans to work with addicts. Tim Vaughn works with veterans and holds a position with East Bay Chaplains. Pat Martin will use her new position as part of her counseling ministry. Karen Manuel has been working with Visions Beyond Borders helping where needed and will be taking her ministry to Southeast Asia, Thailand, Nepal, Burma, India Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and Romania. Kermese Harrell, who is 80-years-old mentors young women.

All others will be placed, some with Instructor Priscilla, who is chaplain of Shepherd’s Gate, a home for battered women and children. And this is just the beginning.

At the end of the service there was a long standing ovation. The chaplain’s motto is: “To serve others at their time and place of need.”

It is a totally devoted ministry where they willingly give up all rights to themselves to always be available to others. There is no such thing as convenience for chaplains. They are there for the convenience of others who need them, often at a split second notice. It is a totally unselfish endeavor that places all others before themselves.

This new class is an example of diversity at its best, with graduates coming from all backgrounds and a couple from different countries. Each one would be a welcome addition to any community.

“I am looking forward to see these new chaplains ministries grow and helping them along the way,” said Chaplain Priscilla Martinez. “I feel so honored to know each one of them.”

Priscilla Martinez contributed to this article.