Dear Editor:

In yesterday’s mail I received an attempt at a smear ad for one of our local candidates for County Supervisor, Diane Burgis. The claim, in bold red font, states that she intends to draw a salary and benefits for that position, paid for by the taxpayers. Does candidate Steve Barr, therefore, intend to forfeit his salary and benefits if elected?

Further, it attempts to slam her for drawing a salary as Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW). She can’t be chastised for drawing a salary for that work, as she is paid with grant funding to organize and mobilize volunteers, engage in community outreach, run successful creek cleanups of our local watershed, and support academy internships for local students. FOMCW saves the County money, especially with the trash cleanups. She has done a fine job linking people of all ages to their local environment and to the scientific community.

I find the ad misleading, lacking integrity, and unprofessional. I hope fellow community members see through the lame attempt by big oil and so-called “criminal prosecutors” to discredit a person who has fought for improved health of our local environment. I doubt these folks from Sacramento have ever organized a community volunteer force like Diane Burgis has.

I’m going to donate more money to FOMCW out of spite for this negative political ad. The community organization has done a fantastic job over the fifteen years I’ve been familiar with it, and it is an honor to continue to support FOMCW as well as Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.

Sincerely,

Spencer Holmes

Brentwood

By Allen Payton

Antioch School Board candidates Crystal Sawyer-White and Fernando Navarro, an appointed Board Trustee, filed complaints with the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), on Friday, against the Antioch Education Association (AEA) for not filing the required financial disclosure forms. Sawyer-White also filed a complaint for Board President Diane Gibson-Gray not filing her reports properly,

Complaints Against AEA

As a result of a Herald article about the campaign finances in the school board race for next Tuesday’s election, published on Thursday, in which it was revealed the AEA had not filed any financial forms for this election as required by state law, Sawyer-White complained to the agency, which oversees enforcement of the Political Reform Act.

Navarro filed a separate complaint with the FPPC about the AEA’s lack of financial disclosure.

The Antioch teachers union did not file required forms for either their contribution to former school board member Joy Motts’ campaign in the amount of $2,003, as reported in her 460 form, nor for the expenditure for a mailer supporting Motts, Gibson-Gray and former school board member Gary Hack.

Calls to Robert Strickler, President of the AEA asking him why the forms weren’t filed, or if they were, where were they filed and requesting a copy, as well as comments on the complaints, on Friday afternoon, were not returned by publication time.

Complaint Against Motts is Moot

Navarro also filed a complaint against Motts for not filing her required form 460 report for the period ending on October 22nd, which was due on October 27th. Attempts to reach both Motts and her campaign treasurer, former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas, on Thursday, asking if the report had been filed, if not why not and requesting a copy, if it had been, were unsuccessful.

When reached for comment, Navarro stated he filed the complaints “because she hasn’t reported and I’d be interested what her donations would look like.”

“It’s about transparency,” he added. “Hopefully they’re not dragging their feet and playing out the clock right before the election.”

Navarro said in his complaint against the teachers union he wrote “that they’re not reporting their donations and for the mailer.”

“I would be interested in seeing how much they spent and the amounts they contributed to the candidates they endorsed multiple, multiple times,” he continued. “The public has a right to know.”

“If a check for $125 to my campaign makes a scandal and is such an outrage, I would like to see what amounts the others received,” Navarro added. “It’s the epitome of hypocrisy. At least I was being honest reporting the contributions I received.”

Just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Motts’ campaign manager, Cliff Glickman called and said that her 460 form was filed on time and then provide a copy of it for the Herald to post. He also said they don’t know why it hasn’t been posted on the county’s website.

When reached for comment about this latest information, Navarro responded by asking “Is it online? I’d like to see it. I’d like to see her donations. It’s only fair.”

Asked if once he saw a copy of Motts’ report, would he rescind his complaint, Navarro said, “Of course. I’m just making sure we’re all being transparent.”

Please see a copy of her report, here: motts-460-102216

County Clerk Explains

When reached for comment about why Motts’ 460 form was not on the County Elections office website, and if they were having a problem with the website, County Clerk Joe Canciamilla responded, “No.”

“Number one there’s nothing that requires us to post the reports on our website,” he explained. “We do that as a matter of convenience. They are available to see in our office. We’re trying to get everyone to file electronically.”

“I was actually in the lobby when she (Motts) and Diane Gibson-Gray came in to file and they were filing by paper, because their treasurers were having trouble filing online,” Canciamilla stated. “We’re just behind in scanning in the reports, because everyone is on election duty, right now.”

“We’ve been transitioning over to all electronic, so when people submit by paper, we have to go through a whole process to get them uploaded to the website,” he added. “We’re hoping to have them all up on the website, this weekend.”

Motts’ latest report was still not on the County Elections office website as of 7:00 p.m. Friday. Search the campaign finance disclosure portion of their website by clicking, here.

Complaint Against Gibson-Gray

The complaint Sawyer-White filed against Gibson-Gray was a result of the same Herald article. In that article it was revealed the school board president had improperly reported her expenditures, by either paying her husband Ken Gray, which is illegal, or reimbursing him in amounts more than $500 without disclosing who was actually the recipient of the campaign funds, as required by state law.

Gibson-Gray refused to answer questions emailed to her on Thursday asking if the expenditures were payments to her husband or reimbursements, and who was the recipient of the two expenditures over $500. A call to her campaign treasurer, Bob Martin asking the same questions on Friday, was not returned before publication time. She also did not respond to attempts to reach her for a comment on this article on Friday afternoon.

11/05/16 7:30 AM UPDATE: In a comment on this article, last night at 9:52 PM, Martin wrote, “The financial information listed on Gibson-Gray’s reports are correct to the best of my knowledge. Expenditures to Ken Gray were for reimbursement for actual expenses and not payment for any services. The two expense in excess of $500.00. One in the amount of $1,105.05 is itemized as follows: $485.05 to Bellici Designs for yard signs, $600.00 for an internet ad to ETC and $20.00 for zip ties. The second one in the amount of $650.00 was for print ads in the Bay Area News Group. I neglected to include Bellici Designs and Bay Area News Group as a sub-vendor. An amended report has been submitted.”

Attempts to reach Sawyer-White for comment were also unsuccessful.

According to Navarro, all four complaints were filed on the FPPC’s website. An email was sent to the FPPC after 5:00 p.m. on Friday asking for any information they can provide about the complaints. Calls will be made to the FPPC on Monday when they’re offices are open, again.

Check back later for updates to this report.

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) Governing Board held a special public meeting on Friday, November 4, 2016, to announce they reached a unanimous decision to select Dr. Fred E. Wood as the next chancellor.

“All three finalists demonstrated strong leadership skills,” said Governing Board President Vicki Gordon.  “In the end, Dr. Wood was chosen because of his focus on student success, building programs and services to help community college students successfully transfer to a four-year institution, experience working collaboratively with business on career technical education, and successful fundraising abilities.”

The announcement was made following a nationwide search, that began in May 2016.  Potential candidates were reviewed and three finalists were selected to participate in public forums and final interviews this week.

Governing Board President Vicki Gordon recognized the dedication and work conducted by the Search Committee.

“In addition, we were also very pleased and want to thank the faculty, staff, managers, and community leaders who attended the public forums and provided input on the candidates.  Their feedback was important in making our decision.”

The District will begin negotiating the contract with Dr. Wood with the goal of placing the item on the December 14, 2016, Governing Board meeting agenda for review and approval.

“As a Diablo Valley College (DVC) alumni, I am humbled and extremely honored to be selected to serve as the next chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District,” says Dr. Wood.  “My DVC experience changed my life, and I am living proof of the power and impact community colleges can make.  I am excited to work with my colleagues throughout the District to transform the lives of all our students who strive to achieve their higher educational goals with us.”

Wood presently serves as Chancellor at the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC). UMC, which was a two-year technical college beginning in 1966 and transitioned to a baccalaureate granting institution in 1993, is a work-force focused campus of the U of M system of which half of the degree seeking students are on-campus students and the other half are on-line. UMC offers an experiential learning based curriculum where on-campus students are required to complete an internship and currently offers 14 degrees fully on-line.

Chancellor Wood joined UMC after a 26-year career at the University of California, Davis, where he served as vice chancellor of student affairs from 2007 to 2012, leading one of the largest student affairs portfolios in the nation. His career at UC Davis included other leadership positions, as well, such as interim vice provost for undergraduate studies and associate dean of the College of Letters and Science, while concurrently serving as a faculty member in chemistry.

He began both his college education and professional career at the community college. Prior to UC Davis, Dr. Wood was a faculty member at North Idaho College and his first teaching assignment during graduate school was at Diablo Valley College.

A first-generation college graduate, Chancellor Wood earned an A.A from Diablo Valley College, and B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from UC Davis. He is married and has three grown children. He enjoys hiking, biking and skiing with his family.

Wood will oversee the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), which is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.

Rocha, Thorpe close behind; Rocha fined $1,510 for late report filing

By Allen Payton

The latest campaign financial reports, submitted by candidates in the Antioch City Council race, and due on Thursday, October 27, shows Councilwoman Monica Wilson leading in both fundraising and spending. However, because she transferred over $5,000 and spent it on her campaign for Supervisor, earlier this year, the finance battle with challengers Kenny Turnage II, Councilwoman Mary Rocha and Lamar Thorpe is actually closer.

Wilson

As in her campaign for County Supervisor, earlier this year, almost all of Wilson’s contributions were from outside of Antioch, and most of her expenditures were, as well. She raised $7,545 during the reporting period and a total of $14,442.09 for her re-election campaign, so far this year. But, she formed her committed in 2014 and with the amounts received that year and in 2014, her total amount received is $20,072.09 for her campaign. $1,967.43

While she spent $7,424.52 during the period, Wilson’s report shows she has spent a total of $17,276.81 during her campaign, this year. Her total expenditures for her campaign are $19,244.24. However, in February she transferred $5,209.54 to her Supervisor campaign committee. So, Wilson has only spent $14,034.70 on her re-election campaign, giving her a slight lead over Kenny Turnage.

During the period, her largest contributions were $1,000 each from the Antioch Police Officers Association and the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC; $500 each from Contra Costa United Working Families, Richland Investments LLC, the developers of The Ranch project in Antioch’s Sand Creek focus area, Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund United Association, Local No. 159, American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 57 PAC, and Benicia-based attorney Dana Dean.

Wilson’s expenditures include $5,116.82 to JB Services in Martinez for literature; $1,610 to Message Framer in Richmond; $1,568.52 to AABCO printing in Concord, $851.44 at a restaurant in Lafayette; and $500 to Message Framer in Richmond, also for literature.

She has an ending cash balance of $1,247.73.

Turnage

The latest 460 report shows Turnage raised $5,049 putting him in third place for the period. That brings his total contributions to $17,494, including a loan of $2,000 from himself, placing him second for the campaign in total contributions.

Turnage’s largest contributions for the period include $1,500 from the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC; $1,000 each from Richard Turnage of Oakley and Gabriel Chiu of Pleasanton, who is retired; and $500 each from Richland Investments, LLC and Build Jobs PAC in Walnut Creek.

His campaign report shows he has spent a total of $13,599 as of the end of the reporting period, putting him in third place for the campaign and had an ending cash balance of $3,895. However, then he spent another $1,100 on an ad in the Herald bringing his total expenditures to at least $14,699 to date.

His only reportable expenses, which are for $100 or more, for the period were $2,000 to Mike Burkholder for advertising on eastcountytoday.net and another $350 for advertising in the Herald.

Rocha

Councilwoman Mary Rocha’s latest report shows she received $10,500 for the period, including $3,200 in loans from her husband. She repaid $500 of the loan, bringing her total net contributions to $16,560 for the year. But, she started off the year with $1,233 in the bank giving her a total of $17,783 to spend on her campaign.

Her largest contributions for the period include $2,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers International Local #104; $1,500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 302 PAC; $1,000 each from the Antioch Police Officers Association and Republic Services, bringing the garbage company’s total contributions to $3,500 to her campaign; $500 each from owner and developer of the Zeka Ranch (formerly Higgins Ranch), Louisa Zee Kao of Hillsborough, Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund Local 159, and Richland Investments, LLC.

She spent $10,540 for the period for a total of $15,937 on her re-election campaign, which she says will be her last, putting her in second place for spending. Rocha’s largest expenditures for the period were $8,067.72 to JB Services in Martinez for a mailing and $2,147.30 to ABCO Printing in Concord.

She had with an ending cash balance for the reporting period of $1,856.

Rocha Fined

Rocha submitted her latest report five days late, due to her husband being in the hospital, she explained. City Clerk Arne Simonsen said had to impose a fine on her campaign. The fine is $10 per day per report.

In an email message on Tuesday, November 1st, he wrote “I will be assessing fines for late filing of Rocha’s Form 460 2nd Pre-election report as well as for the late filings of some of the Form 497’s that I will be emailing you one at a time.”

“On November 1st she submitted her latest 460 form five days late, and seven 497 forms dating as far back a September 12th, when they should have been submitted within 24 hours,” Simonsen said in an interview on Friday. “Her fine will be $1,510 which includes the previous fine, for a late contribution from Republic Services of $2,500 on August 17th, which she reported nine days late.”

Thorpe

In third place for fundraising during the reporting period is Lamar Thorpe with $5,945.52. But he is in second place for the campaign for cash contributions, but fourth place for total contributions, with $15,519.85. He’s also in third place for spending, at $10,897.99. But, he had the largest ending cash balance with $4,621.86 in the bank.

His largest contributions for the period were $1,500 from United Association Local 342 and $500 from the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC.

His largest contributions for the period were $1,500 from United Association Local 342 and $500 each from the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC.

Thorpe’s largest expenses for the period were $2,723.19; and $365.52 to Facebook and $200 to Google for online advertising.

Rouse & Dietzel

Fred Rouse and Karl Dietzel each submitted a form 470 declaring they will receive and spend less than $2,000 in their campaigns.

Please see below the finance reports for the latest period from each of the candidates. Please check back for the 497 reports for late, large contributions from Rocha.

wilson-460-102216

turnage-460-102216

rocha-460-102216

thorpe-460-102216

rocha-497-3-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-4-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-5-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-6-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-7-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-8-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-9-rcvd-11-1-16

But, help from Realtors has made Ogorchock’s campaign financially competitive

By Allen Payton

Antioch chiropractor and Chamber of Commerce CEO, Dr. Sean Wright continues to lead in finances in the race for Mayor of Antioch, having raised more in total contributions than his two remaining rivals combined. His latest campaign finance report, known as a 460 form and was due with all other candidates’ reports, on Thursday, October 27, shows $14,225 raised for the reporting period which ended on the October 22nd. That brings Wright’s total amount raised to $38,615 in cash contributions for the campaign. Add in the $6,888 in non-monetary contributions his campaign has received and his total contributions are $45,503.

Wright’s latest large contributions include $4,500 from Somersville Towne Center; $2,500 from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California and $1,000 each from Lincoln Club of Northern California and Balfour Properties LLC in Danville; $750 from Giacalone Design Services in Pleasanton; another $600 from Antioch-based consultant Iris Archuleta, bringing her total to $1,000 she’s contributed to his campaign; and $500 each from Build Jobs PAC, DK Consluting in Walnut Creek and Richland Investments LLC, the owner and developer of The Ranch project in Antioch’s Sand Creek focus area.

He spent $7,758 during the period and his largest expenditures were $4,500 to Praetorian Public Relations for Google ads and a production of a video for Facebook; $2,558 also to Praetorian for political consulting, and more ads on Google and Facebook; as well as $700 to the Herald for advertising. That brings his total expenditures that he reported to $34,013. However, since the end of the reporting period Wright’s campaign also spent $2,500 for a four-page advertising wrap in the November issue of the Herald bringing his total to at least $36,513.

Wright had an ending cash balance of $11,409 on his latest report.

Harper

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper received a total of $4,250 in monetary contributions during the reporting period and a total of $12,400, this year, for his re-election campaign. However, he formed his campaign committee in 2015 and received $10,075 and spent $9,089.11 last year.

In addition, Harper reported a large contribution on a required form 497 of $1,000 from the Iron Workers Union Local #378, that wasn’t included in his latest form 460 report. So that brings his total to $23,475 total in contributions received for the campaign, putting him in a distant second place.

Harper’s largest contributions for the period were $1,000 each from the District Council of Iron Workers Political Action League and Republic Services; $750 from Contra Costa United Working Families; and $500 each from Richland Investments, LLC, the owners and developers of The Ranch project in the Sand Creek area, Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund United Association Local No. 159, and the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council.

Harper spent $7,326.27 during the reporting period, for a total of $12,032.38 this year. He’s spent a total of $21,121.49 during the campaign, including $5,000 to J.B. Services in Martinez for campaign literature, and $1,120 to the City of Antioch for the fine imposed by the City Clerk’s office for filing his some of his form 497’s late, during the latest period.

He had an ending cash balance of $1,467.51

Ogorchock

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock was close behind Wright, raising $12,145 during the reporting period, bringing her total monetary contributions to $20,135 for the campaign, putting her in a close third place behind Harper. She spent $3,406 during the period and a total of $9,844 on her campaign.

However, Ogorchock received a large boost from independent expenditures by the National Association of Realtors of $23,504 mailers and online advertising. That’s in addition to the $5,000 contribution she received from the California Association of Realtors’ (CAR) California Real Estate Political Action Committee.

That brings the total amount spent by and for her campaign to $32,594.24 as of the end of the period.

Most of Ogorchock’s contributions were also from within Antioch. The largest contributions for the latest period include the $5,000 from the CAR PAC; $4,500 from Somersville Towne Center; and $1,000 from Antioch residents Pat and Nora Von Ubin bringing their total to $1,100 contributed to her campaign; and $500 from MM&A, Inc. the owners of IHOP restaurant in Pittsburg.

Ogorchock’s largest expenditures for the period included $1,050 to the Bay Area News Group for newspaper advertising, $900 to Plates Eclectic Cuisine restaurant for a fundraiser, and $770 to Little Owl Design. She had an ending cash balance of $10,291.

Murillo

Former candidate Gil Murillo, who suspended his campaign in October to support Wright, shows $538.55 in total contributions for the latest period, all from himself, bringing his total contributions to his campaign to $2,557.41. He spent a total of $408.55 for the period in small amounts of less then $200 each to Facebook, Staples and Smart & Final. That brings his total expenditures to $2,327.41 for the campaign.

In an email received from Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen on Friday afternoon, November 4, regarding Murillo’s most recent finance report, he wrote, “This is a late filing. I have attached the envelope that contained his Form 460. I will be assessing the appropriate fine for a late filing.” The envelope shows a postmark of November 2,

The fine is $10 per day per report, Simonsen added. He also pointed out the Murillo will have to submit an amended 460 report because it doesn’t show any year-to-date totals.

Please see below the latest financial reports for each of the candidates for Mayor of Antioch in next Tuesday’s November election, and a copy of the envelope that contained Murillo’s report, showing the postmark after the deadline date of October 27th.

wright-460-102216

harper-460-102216

ogorchock-460-102216

 

Adoption fee waivers for veterans

Antioch Animal Services will be expressing their gratitude to the men and women who have served our country by honoring them in the Antioch Veteran’s Day Parade, Friday, November 11th, in Antioch. Several Shelter Staff & Volunteers, many who are Veterans themselves, will march in the parade accompanied by dogs available for adoption from Antioch Animal Services.

The Celebration of Thanks continues on Saturday, November 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the facility located at 300 L St in Antioch, where Antioch Animal Services will be waiving the Adoption Fee on any pet adopted by a Current or Former Member of the Military or Qualified Dependent. The waived Adoption Fee includes: spay/neuter, microchip and shots. Proof of military service must be presented in the form of Military ID, Veterans Administration ID, Military Dependent ID or DD214.

Available pets can be viewed at the facility or on-line at: shelterme.com/antiochanimalservices. The staff and volunteers at Antioch Animal Services are grateful to those who have given so freely of themselves by serving our great nation.

At the October 19^th Board Meeting, the board approved a resolution to recognize and raise awareness of the issue of youth homelessness.  The goal of the resolution is to highlight the issue of youth homelessness within the county and our schools. Currently, Contra Costa County has over 3,000 children and youth living in homeless situations, as reported by the county school districts, charter schools and the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness. This includes children ages 0-5 and students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

In California, more than 298,000 youth up to the age of 18 experience homelessness each year. During November all students, schools and community members are encouraged to engage in discussions on this topic to raise awareness.

Below are some suggested activities for school sites:

• Send a flyer home with students or create a display to inform students and families of homeless education rights and resources available at your school and in Contra Costa County.
• Make a presentation to school teachers, staff and board members to raise awareness of homelessness in your community or school district.
• Organize a food drive and donate to the local food bank or pantry.
• Make a donation or volunteer at a local shelter.
• Participate in Contra Costa Community Donation Day on November 19^th.

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program) coordinates the following:

• Provides technical assistance regarding the proper identification, enrollment, and service needs of homeless students and their families.
• Conducts professional development trainings for school personnel and community agencies regarding the rights and responsibilities of homeless students.
• Educates students, parents and guardians on their educational rights, and promotes their participation in school-related activities.
• Facilitates the school enrollment process to ensure equal access to educational services, free-or-reduced price meals, tutoring or other programs.
• Assists unaccompanied youth with enrollment procedures, school placement options, and retrieval of records.
• Provides assistance with transportation, backpacks, school supplies and clothing.
• Provides medical, dental, and mental health referrals, in addition to other school/community services.
• Provides assistance to specialized populations of homeless students, including pre-schoolers, homeless teen parents, children with special needs, and unaccompanied youth.

For more information, contact CCCOE’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program at (925) 942-3300.

Dear Editor:

When I made the difficult decision to not seek reelection to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, my choice was made easier by the fact that Diane Burgis would make an extraordinary County Supervisor. She is a smart and dedicated public servant, and I have been proud to work with her for many years.

I wanted to take a moment to cut through some of the smear tactics and tell you about the Diane Burgis that I know and trust.

I was surprised to see the recent hit pieces mailed by real estate developers and “Big Oil”/petroleum interests that support Diane’s opponent and attack Diane Burgis. These ridiculous mail pieces accuse Diane of “climbing the ladder.”

Well, – that’s what capable people do – when opportunities arise they move up to greater positions of responsibility and governance. Talented people, such as Diane Burgis, are recruited by the community, and by those leaving office, to carry on the work that must be done in the publics’ best interests.

That is why I asked Diane to run for County Supervisor. She has proven to be a thoughtful, regional leader, one who brings people together to find workable  solutions.

The campaign process is well known as “silly season”. It is to be expected. However, I believe we are beyond the point of telling one of our most respected female leaders that she should stay put and know her place.

I believe Diane will make an excellent County Supervisor. She is talented, compassionate and hardworking. She will work every day to improve our community by reducing traffic, boosting public safety and defending our precious Delta.

Please don’t fall for the dirty tricks. Join me, Sheriff Livingston, District Attorney Mark Peterson, local Firefighters, Deputy Sheriffs and many other community leaders in voting for Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.

Mary Nejedly Piepho

County Supervisor

Discovery Bay