Due Sept. 24; Academy begins Oct. 13

By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

District Attorney Diana Becton announced Tuesday, that the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will launch a fourth Community Academy class this October. The goal of the academy will be to strengthen community relations and provide residents a better understanding of our criminal justice system. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, this fall’s class will be limited, and social distancing measures will be followed. Participants will be required to wear a mask while participating during the academy.

The academy is free and is open to residents who live or work in Contra Costa County. Individuals must complete an application and background check when they apply. Residents can access an application on our website or residents may also apply in-person at one of our offices at the following locations:

• 900 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553
• 10 Douglas Drive Suite 130, Martinez, CA 94553
• 100 37th St. Room 220, Richmond, CA 94805

Residents can submit the applications to the attention of Scott Alonso. Applicants may also email DA-CommunityAcademy@contracostada.org with their completed application. The application period ends on September 24, 2021.

The Community Academy will be made up of at least 10 individuals for a 9-week course held at the DA’s Office in downtown Martinez, 900 Ward Street from 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday starting October 13, 2021. The Community Academy, which is similar to Citizens’ Academies hosted by many law enforcement agencies, is the only academy of its kind at a District Attorney’s Office in Northern California.

The academy helps underscore the office’s commitment to engaging and educating residents of Contra Costa County. Admitted applicants can expect to learn how cases are filed, the different types of crimes our office investigates and prosecutes, and the work we do not only prosecuting cases but also the community outreach efforts underway to prevent crime and to support children, parents and crime victims. The comprehensive overview by our office will allow residents to get an in-depth examination and review of the criminal justice system in our community.

To help local businesses impacted by crime

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce held a fundraising golf tournament over the summer to raise money to give back to Antioch businesses in a new program entitled “The Chamber Cares”.

As a Chamber that supports the community, we created a fund to help businesses during the most unfortunate and demoralizing times. Many of our small business owners work long hours and are worried how they can increase revenue to make payroll. Imagine at this point getting hit by criminal behavior that breaks the front window, steals vital tools, or causes unforeseen mayhem that pushes their entrepreneurial dreams to the edge of closing. The police get called but due to changes in state law property crimes are a low priority item and it seems that no one cares. The Antioch Chamber of Commerce and local Antioch businesses have pitched in to help and let you know that we care. We will show up with a check to help offset the cost of the deductible for all small businesses in Antioch- not just Chamber members.

Sean Wright, CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, and former Mayor of the City of Antioch, explained, “I was tired of showing up to places of business after a crime with sorry as my only offering. I wanted to do something more and so I asked the business community to donate. We were able to raise $15,000 and will be able to help 30 small businesses this year with checks of $500.”

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our lives, our families, our communities, and our businesses. We performed a survey this year of our business members to find out how they are doing and what we can do to help. We found out that 75% of our small businesses are drastically down in revenue with 20% likely to never reopen. Is it a surprise that their biggest need is financial help?

About the Chamber

Since 1938, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce has been providing services to local businesses to help them -and our city – succeed. The mission of the Chamber is to promote the Antioch Community, to represent and advocate for businesses with government, to help businesses to grow and to thrive through networking and educational opportunities, and to help create economic growth and jobs for our region.

For more information about the Chamber, its members and its services, visit www.antiochchamber.com

By Sgt. Josh Evans #5257, Field Services Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On September 6, 2021, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Antioch Police officers were dispatched to the report of a shooting in the area of Eagleridge Drive and Asilomar Drive. Initial information was that one adult male (18 years old) had been shot in the leg, however, when officers arrived on scene, they located an additional adult male (19 years old) and an adult female (19 years old) who also had gunshot wounds to their legs.

The three victims, all from Antioch, were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. The suspects in this incident, wanted for assault with a deadly weapon, were not located and the motive for the shooting remains unknown at this time. As of this writing, the case remains under active investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441 or you may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha and President Ellie Householder. Photos: AUSD

Requested by Trustee Rocha before last Thursday’s special meeting; won’t be their first clash; Services Agreement with private security firm Strategic Threat Management also on the agenda

By Allen Payton

Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha has requested a vote of the board to remove current president Ellie Householder during their regular meeting, tomorrow night, Wednesday, Sept. 8.

It follows the posting of a video of a police incident with a violent student at Antioch High School by Householder, prior to obtaining the details, and then her calling a special board meeting, originally to investigate the incident, last Thursday night, during which nothing was accomplished since both agenda items were tabled for up to 60 days. (See related articles, here, here and here)

The matter is item 10.E. under “Items for Information/Discussion/Action by Board”. (See complete meeting agenda)

“I requested it before last Thursday’s meeting,” Rocha said when reached for comment. “I was surprised how many calls came in calling for her removal.”

“Since Ellie became president, she has included (Area 4 Trustee Dr. Clyde) Lewis, as board vice president, in her meetings with the superintendent about each meeting agenda,” Rocha continued. “So, as a courtesy, I called Lewis and left him a voicemail message to let him know that it would be on tomorrow night’s agenda.”

When reached for comment Lewis confirmed that he attends agenda meetings and that he received Rocha’s message writing, “Yes, I’m in agenda meetings. But if there are other meetings, I’m not aware of them” and “Yes” in response to the second question.

Householder’s one-year, rotated term as board president ends in December and it is expected that Lewis, who is currently the board vice president, will be the next president. But that line of succession has not always occurred, as past boards have bypassed the vice president and voted in another trustee as president.

Rocha and Householder Have Clashed Before

This won’t be the first time that Rocha and Householder will have clashed. Rocha challenged her fellow trustee after Householder had posted some negative comments about Rocha on Twitter, in support of the protesters who broke into the school district headquarters during a board meeting, which was closed to just the trustees and staff due to COVID. Rocha was almost pushed to the ground. In response to that and Householder’s participation in a protest at then-Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts’ home, Rocha attempted to have Householder removed from the School-City Standing Committee but it failed on a 1-4 vote.  (See related articles, here and here)

An effort to reach Householder for comment was unsuccessful prior to publication time.

In addition, during the meeting, the Services Agreement with Strategic Threat Management, Inc., whose security guards were involved in the Antioch High incident and could be seen in the video restraining the student, is on the consent calendar. That could prove to be a lengthy discussion.

UPDATE: Succession and Replacement Process

Superintendent Stephanie Anello was asked, since there is no election item on the agenda, “if Ellie is removed as board president, tonight who becomes board president to at least run the rest of the meeting? Does Clyde automatically become acting board president and will the election for a permanent board president for the remainder of the year be held at the next meeting?

Anello responded, “I believe it would fall to the vice president to run the rest of tonight’s meeting. An item would need to be placed on the next agenda to elect a new president.”

Meeting Viewing and Public Comment Information

The meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/F-Dsas_w-s0. Persons wishing to make a general public comment or a comment on items on the agenda can submit their comments until 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments can be submitted via an online form at https://tinyurl.com/ausd-public-comment-card or by email to kelliecavallaro@antiochschools.net. Comments received by 4:00 p.m. will be read to the public during the meeting.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

By Allen Payton

Ron Bernal. Photo: City of Antioch

Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal has announced his intent to retire at the close of 2021, ending a 36-career in public service.  With single and combined roles that span 23 years in Antioch as Assistant City Engineer, Public Works Director, City Engineer, Assistant City Manager and City Manager, Mr. Bernal will depart with great appreciation for the organization, the community and how pursuits larger than oneself are a collective achievement.

“I’m living proof that opportunity lives in Antioch. I’m proud to call Antioch my home and want to see it continue to be a place where everyone can live a life of purpose and opportunity in peace, safety and community,” stated Ron Bernal.

He shared his plans with the organization late last week, noting “if I could do it all over again, I’d choose Antioch.”

His departure was expected following his hiring of Rosanna Bayon Moore, last year, for the Assistant City Manager position which had gone vacant for several years.

Mayor Lamar Thorpe shared his thoughts on Bernal’s retirement saying, “Ron is an impeccable human being, filled with compassion, understanding, and love. This has been demonstrated time after time in his relentless support and desire to house our unhoused neighbors, provide Antioch youth with new paths filled with opportunity, and much, much more.  Ron has been a friend, confidant, and advisor.  While Ron will be missed in his capacity as city manager, he and his wife will continue to be Antioch residents and neighbors to many of us.”

District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica posted on his official Facebook page, last Thursday, the day of Bernal’s announcement, “Another BIG LOSS for the City of Antioch. Ron Bernal, the City Manager has announced his retirement. Ron, you really will be missed.”

District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock offered her thoughts on Bernal’s retirement writing, “Mr. Bernal has given our beautiful city 36 years. He thought outside the box, such as with our desalination plant and so many other ideas. It takes a very dedicated individual such as Ron to be able to accomplish all that he has. Ron will be missed as the city manager, but not as a life-long friend. Thank you to the Bernal family for sharing Ron.”

Ogorchock expects that Bernal will remain living in Antioch. “Oh, he’s not going anywhere,” she added.

According to his bio on the city’s website, “Ron has a degree in Civil Engineering from UC Davis and is a registered Civil Engineer in California. Before his role as City Manager, Ron served as the City of Antioch Assistant City Manager since 2016, Public Works Director since 2009 and Assistant City Engineer since 1998. When not at City Hall, Ron enjoys spending time with his fantastic wife, Irma, their children, two incredible grandsons Jaxon and Isaiah and granddaughter Kinsley.”

The Antioch City Council will consider its transition plans in the coming weeks, whether to have a search for a new city manager or hire Bayon Moore.

Efforts to reach Bernal, asking if that gives him enough time to be the one to hire a new police chief and if he plans to remain living in Antioch, and the other two councilmembers for comment prior to publication were unsuccessful. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Rolando Bonilla, PIO, City of Antioch contributed to this report.