By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…Following the successful opening of the 2022 season, the crew at Antioch Speedway is busy making preparations for the coming weekend. The speedway will be active from now through the end of November in what is the 62nd consecutive championship season at the Antioch Fairgrounds facility.

Roughly 70 competitors checked in for the four division program last weekend, which proved to be a thriller from start to finish. For those who stuck it out to the end of the night as the evening got just a little bit chilly, they witnessed Fred Ryland backing up his IMCA Sport Modified win with an impressive drive to victory in the IMCA Stock Cars.

For Ryland, this is the latest division in which he’s picked up a win. He’s won in Hobby Stocks and is a champion in that division. He’s won in Super Stocks and even Four Bangers. To date, nobody has won more IMCA Sport Modified features than Ryland at Antioch Speedway. His closest rival, Trevor Clymens, has moved up to the IMCA Modifieds this year. Ryland is the reigning IMCA Sport Modified champion, and it’s possible he could compete for both that title and the Stock Car title this year.

The Stock Car division is sort of an in-between class for the Modified and Sport Modified drivers. Though IMCA rules don’t allow a driver to compete in both Modified classes for points, you can compete in one of those classes and the Stock Cars.

Therefore, you’ve got Ryland, Andrew Pearce and Scott Foster representing both Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, while Troy Foulger is competing in both the Modified and Stock Car ranks. Last weekend, Kellen Chadwick drove the Rich Quadrelli Stock Car to a Top 5 finish after doing the same in a Modified.

IMCA which is the oldest sanctioning body in the United States, it’s probably better known for the Modified divisions. However, they sanction several other Stock Car classes and even a Sprint Car division. The sanctioning body not only offers point funds and contingencies for track championships, there are also State, Regional and National points that offer similar prizes.

The IMCA Stock Car class closed the program last week, and while Ryland held as much as a half-lap lead at one point, Foulger, Chadwick, Anthony Giuliani and Jason Jennings were thrilling the fans with their side by side battles behind him. Speedway management is excited about the prospects of this division growing and possibly even doubling in car count by the end of the season.

The competition level in the IMCA Modifieds remains fierce. Nick DeCarlo reminded everybody that he is still a force to be reckoned with. DeCarlo is the only Modified driver who has won championships in this class at Antioch, Petaluma and Watsonville, but he hadn’t won a race at Antioch in two years.

These days, he’s enjoying the fact that he is racing with his 80 year old father Terry DeCarlo Sr and older brother Terry DeCarlo Jr.  The elder DeCarlo started his career racing Hardtops at Vallejo Speedway in the 1970s and has driven just about everything.

With drivers like reigning champion Jim Pettit II, five-time champion Troy Foulger and past champion Kellen Chadwick in the field, Nick DeCarlo knows he has to work for any wins he earns.

Pettit did his best to salvage a pair of Top 5 finishes last weekend, which included the race at Watsonville. This came despite motor problems for the reigning State champion that threatened to derail his whole weekend.

The Delta Dwarf Cars kick off their season this Saturday night. Kevin Miraglio became a two-time champion after an impressive performance last season. He battled two-time champion Danny Wagner and up-and-coming star Devan Kammermann to grab the glory. A field that could reach into the 20s is anticipated in that class this weekend.

The gates are scheduled to open at 4:00 pm, and this gives the fans a good opportunity to grab their favorite seat before racing starts at 6:00 pm. The track strives to get done by 10:00 pm on any given race night.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $15 for military, senior (60 and over) and children (under 11) with children five and under free.

For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or look for the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

Fred Ryland’s What & When

What: Dirt track auto racing

Where: Antioch Speedway

When: Saturday night, March 19th

Who: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Delta Dwarf Cars.

Who’s Hot: Fred Ryland won both of his Main Events last week, and other winners were Nick DeCarlo and Misty Welborn.

Gate Times: Gates Open 4:00pm, First Race 6:00pm, usually finished by 10:00pm.

Admission: $20 for adults, $15 for military, senior (60 and over) and children (under 11) with children five and under free.

Occurred on 680 in Concord; apologizes in video, claims to have only had one drink; won’t answer questions; Ogorchock says Thorpe not “being a good example to our youth”

By Allen D. Payton

Embattled Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who is facing a possible recall, was arrested for driving under the influence at 1:27 AM this morning, Saturday, March 19, according to the Arrest Report / Unusual Incident – Press Release issued by CHP Public Information Officer Andrew Barclay. “It happened on 680 in Concord,” Barclay said. (See Arrest Report: Chp288B.THORPE)

The report reads, “On 3/19/22 at 1:15 am, CHP Contra Costa conducted an enforcement stop on a gray Volvo traveling on northbound I-680 near Monument Blvd.  The driver and only occupant of the Volvo was identified as Lamar Thorpe (4/6/1981).  The officers conducted a DUI investigation and Thorpe was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.  Thorpe was cited for violations 23152(a) VC and 23152(b) VC and released from custody at 3:35am.”

“As officers were investigating this incident there was an injury collision being investigated in the same area. These two incidents are completely unrelated.”

Barbanica First to Confirm Incident With CHP

Earlier Saturday, in response to reports of Thorpe’s arrest and rumors that he had an underage female passenger with him and that he was in the Martinez Detention Facility, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica contacted the CHP for verification and to determine if he had to step into the role of acting mayor.

“I just spoke with ranking CHP personnel who confirmed that an arrest was made of Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe for DUI who was cite released,” Barbanica informed the Herald. “There was no crash. There was no 17-year-old passenger. It was a standard enforcement stop. CHP will be issuing a press release later.”

Asked when it occurred and where, and what the Blood Alcohol Content was, Barbanica said he did not have that information. Asked for information on any other passenger Barbanica said, “I have no knowledge of any other passengers. But I was told specifically by a CHP administrator that the rumor of a 17-year-old passenger being in the car was incorrect.”

Barbanica later shared, “According to a CHP spokesman, Thorpe was arrested for 23152 (a) Misdemeanor DUI Under the Influence and 23152 (b) Blood Alcohol Content over a .08 and pursuant to their policy was cite released.”

Thorpe Not Booked, But Cited and Released to a “Responsible Party”, Car Towed

Asked if he was allowed to drive home, Barbanica, a retired Pittsburg Police Watch Commander/Lieutenant, said, “CHP usually releases them into someone’s custody.”

Asked if Thorpe was allowed to drive himself home, since he was released two hours after his arrest, CHP’s Barclay said, “We would never allow an impaired individual to drive themself home. They are released to a responsible party to drive the individual home.”

Asked if Thorpe was still with the CHP Officer on the side of the road at the time of his release or from where he was released, where he was booked, if Thorpe was taken to county jail, and if his car was impounded and towed from the scene, Barclay responded, “There was no booking. People we cite and release are not booked into county jail. He was transported to our office in Martinez for the chemical test and was released from there. The vehicle was towed from the scene. To be clear, that is not an impound, but a storage.”

Barbanica then stated that “it was common practice for the CHP to take a DUI suspect to their office or a nearby agency to administer a chemical test, either breath or blood. It was common practice when I was working as a Watch Commander.”

Asked which test, Barclay added Thorpe was administered a breath test.

Thorpe Apologizes in Facebook Video, Claims He Had Only One Drink

At about noon, today, Thorpe posted a video on his official mayor’s Facebook page about the arrest. While apparently reading from notes off-camera he said, “Good morning, Antioch. I wanted to come before you, today because I wanted to share some personal news with you. Last night, after having dinner with a friend, I was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol and cited for driving under the influence. For that I take full responsibility. Upon advice of counsel, I am limited in what I can share with you, but I felt it was important to be open and direct with you. Although I never felt inhibited by the drink I had with my dinner, I’m deeply sorry for the lapse in judgement, and I hope that you can forgive me. Being your mayor is one of the greatest honors of life and I am sorry if I have embarrassed you in any way. You have my full commitment that I will grow and learn from this moment and continue to work diligently on behalf of the residents of Antioch. Thank you for listening. Have a wonderful day.”

Most Questions for Thorpe Go Unanswered

The following questions were emailed to Thorpe at 10:32 AM Saturday, prior to the release of the arrest report, Barbanica’s information or the video: “Was it for alcohol or drugs? If it was for drinking what was your blood alcohol level? If for drugs, was it a prescription medication? If not, what was the drug or drugs you consumed? When and where did your arrest occur?

Did you remember telling the CHP Officer who arrested you that you’re the mayor of Antioch?

From and to where were you traveling at that time? Before getting in your car was anyone else with you who saw you inebriated and try to take your keys and prevent you from driving? Did anyone attempt to get you to use Uber or Lyft, instead?

Did you return home or go somewhere else following the arrest? How did you get there?

Will you be self-submitting to a DUI program and/or substance abuse counseling?

Do you have any comments you would like to provide in response? Would you like to make a public apology?”

At 11:42 AM Thorpe was asked about Barbanica calling on him to resign as mayor and if he had any response to it. Thorpe did not respond to either email, or to an attempt to reach him by phone as of 3:00 PM.

Barbanica Calls for Thorpe to Resign

In rspons to Thorpe’s arrest, Barbanica is calling on him to resign as mayor.

“What I feel, at this time is that we have serious business in the City of Antioch to deal with and we don’t need to be distracted by a DUI investigation of the mayor,” the mayor pro tem stated. “I do wish him the very best in dealing with this legal issue and anything else he’s dealing with, and I mean that. My hope is that he will step down and allow the rest of the council to focus on the issues of the city. I feel that he and everybody else has the right to due process. But I do believe he should deal with this issue separate from the city.”

Ogorchock Says Thorpe Not “Being a Good Example to Our Youth”

While not calling for Thorpe’s resignation, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said he’s not being a good example for the city’s youth.

“It’s unfortunate that Mayor Lamar Thorpe chose to drink and drive putting himself and others at risk. It shows a lapse in decision making, self-control and leadership,” she said. “He speaks to young people, wants them to follow him and participate in the city’s youth programs. An example is the Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program for youth that he’s introducing during the council meeting on Tuesday.”

“By his actions, I don’t believe Lamar is being a good example for our youth” Ogorchock added.

More Questions for Thorpe About Video Statements

Following review of Thorpe’s video, additional questions were emailed to him at 1:58 PM asking, “Were you really having dinner just prior to 1:27 AM when you were arrested? What time did you get to the restaurant? Did you really only have one drink in all that time that you were there? Is there anything you want to change about what you said in your video? Are there any other comments you want to add?”

He had not responded by publication time at 3:00 p.m.

Please check back later for any answers from Thorpe and any other updates to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

Following the Antioch City Council finalizing their redistricting process on Friday, March 11, with a majority of members voting to adopt a politically drawn, gerrymandered map of council districts, Antioch resident and business owner Mark Jordan sent a letter to the council members demanding they rescind their decisions and send the process to the Superior Court and threatening a lawsuit if they don’t. (See related article)

Following is a copy of Jordan’s letter:

March 15, 2022

City of Antioch

Mayor and Council Members

200 H Street

Antioch, CA  94509

RE:  NOTICE OF POTENTIAL LITIGATION

Redistricting / Map Selection / City of Antioch

Mayor and Council Members,

This NOTICE will serve to inform you that as a resident and citizen of the City of Antioch I challenge the process you have conducted to select the Redistricting Map for the City of Antioch in 2022.

I challenge Maps selected by the Council commonly known as; Map A Draft and Map A Draft Modified.  I state and claim you are in violation of your Oaths of Office, the California Government Code and the California Elections Code.

DEMAND IS MADE AS FOLLOWS:

1. You AGENDA the Rescission of both selections of Map A Draft and Map A Draft Modified at the next Council meeting not later than March 22, 2022.
2. VOTE to rescind approval of both gerrymandered maps which you have selected, which exist approved by the Council in conflict with each other.
3. You MOVE to deliver the entire process of the selection of the Antioch Redistricting Map to the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Contra Costa notifying the Court that the City of Antioch is unable to complete the process of redistricting in a manner that is not gerrymandered. This DEMAND of delivery to the Superior Court is made pursuant to Elections Code Section 21609.

RATIONALE FOR DEMAND:

1. On January 25, 2022 the Council decided on two final maps (Map B and Map 91) stating to the public that one of the two would be the Final Redistricting Map.
2. On February 8, 2022 the Council rejected both Maps they had decided were the two final Maps and there was no vote to rescind the previous selection of the final maps.
3. On February 22, 2022 the Council returned Map A Draft to consideration without a motion.
4. On February 22, 2022 members of the Council including the Mayor actively modified Map A Draft in a gerrymandered manner to create Map A Draft Modified.
5. On March 8, 2022 the Council selected Map A Draft, a gerrymandered map.
6. On March 11, 2022 the Council selected Map A Draft Modified without a motion to rescind Map A Draft. Map A Draft Modified is a gerrymandered map.

You have moved off the two final maps selected January 25, 2022 without properly voting to reconsider rejected maps.  You have currently approved two conflicting Maps without rescinding a previous action; the selection of Map A Draft on March 8, 2022.

The Council has and remains in violation of Elections Code Section 21601, subsections 1 through 4 inclusive, by selections of both Map A Draft and Map A Draft Modified because neither map meets the requirements of the Elections Code and both are gerrymandered.

If you fail to take the aforementioned DEMANDED ACTIONS I will move to seek immediate judicial relief including but not limited to a stay of your decisions concerning redistricting, a revocation of any Map you have selected along with seeking any attorney’s fees and costs for your violations of the Government Code and Elections Code.  I will further request any other relief the Court may choose to award.

Your immediate attention to this MATTER and DEMAND of action is required.

Sincerely,

Mark Jordan

Cc:  City Attorney, City Clerk

Via:  USPS and email

—————-

Next Tuesday’s council meeting agenda released on Friday, March 18 does not include the action demanded by Jordan.

Dear Editor:

As one of the proponents for the recall of “best friends” who “have each other’s backs”, as they say in one of their childish TikTok videos, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe and City Clerk Ellie Householder, I want registered Antioch voters to know that if they sign the recall petitions their names and information are private, remain private and those two can never know who signed the petitions.

That needs to be said because at signing events some residents have said they’re afraid to sign Lamar’s because they don’t want to be labeled a racist, as he’s attempting to do by calling it the “Karen’s recall” claiming it’s only because he’s African-American that we are attempting to recall him and it’s only racist, middle-aged white women who support the attempt, which are both blatant lies.

Many people who voted for him, including some of the lead volunteers, now want him out.  The supporters of the recall represent all demographics, including African-Americans, Latinos and Asians, and all ages of both men and women.  Our signing events are a melting pot, just like our city.

So, people have no reason to be afraid to express their opinion and take the action that’s necessary to get him out of the position that most voters didn’t want him in, as Thorpe didn’t get a majority of the vote in 2020.  He just got the plurality of votes among the five candidates running. We can’t afford to have him continue to ruin our city. The same for Householder, who has been playing games in her position protecting Thorpe by first delaying his recall and now by not publishing his campaign finance reports on the city’s website when they were supposed to be submitted at the beginning of February.

Just like your vote on either a mail-in ballot or in the voting booth at your polling place is sacred and private, so is your signature on a recall petition. Also, contributions to the campaigns to support their recalls of $99 and less are not reportable, so personal information of donors in those amounts remain private, too.

For more information of when and where to sign a petition and how to help gather the rest of the needed signatures by May 11, visit www.recalllamarthorpe.com and www.recallelliehouseholder.com.

Sincerely,

David Amezcua

Antioch, CA

Send letter to County Supervisors claiming, “Sheriff’s unwavering support for deputy who killed two people raises serious questions about his commitment to safety and accountability”

Instead of six years in prison for Andrew Hall “official Probation Department report recommended probation.”

“Contra Costa is not San Francisco or Los Angeles” – Sheriff Livingston

By Allen D. Payton

During campaign season, as both are facing re-election, an email was sent by Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston to his department staff on Friday, March 4, 2022, criticizing District Attorney Diana Becton and the judge for sentencing of former Deputy Andrew Hall to six years in prison for the shooting death of Laudemer Arboleda in 2018. (See related article)

In response, Becton and three other DA’s in the state who formed the Prosecutors Alliance of California are asking the County Supervisors “to increase external oversight of departmental misconduct” and for an audit of the sheriff’s department’s disciplinary practices. Formed in 2020, the Alliance is made up of four members, including the DA’s of San Francisco and L.A. Counties who are both currently facing possible recalls, and funded by Tides Advocacy, a social justice and welfare organization.

Sheriff Livingston’s email:

“Today is a sad day for the Sheriff’s Office, the community we serve, and law enforcement in general.  This morning superior court judge Terri Mockler sentenced Andrew Hall to six years in state prison. This is an unusually long sentence by any measure especially since the official Probation Department report recommended probation.  Since this is a felony conviction, California law requires that he no longer serve as a peace officer.  We are compelled to give him a reluctant farewell.

During his years of service, he served with honor and distinction.  He handled thousands of calls for service, as many of you have, and was well received by the citizens of our county.   After an extensive internal investigation, he was found to be within departmental policy when he was forced to use deadly force to protect himself and others on that fateful day.  I was proud to support him publicly and privately after the events of November 3, 2018, and I support him today.

For our district attorney to charge a deputy sheriff, or any peace officer, for a crime based on a split-second tactical decision is abhorrent.  It is even more abhorrent for that same district attorney to later repost photos on her reelection campaign social media that show her smiling and proclaiming that she “charged the officer.”

Despite these odd times, please remember I appreciate the work all of you do; I respect your sacrifice and commitment to the community we serve, and most importantly, I have your back.  I may not be able to impact the decisions of other elected officials, or the courts, but I definitely can impact what happens in our organization.  Do your job with honor, follow department policies, and obey the law.  If you do that, I will proudly stand with you – regardless of your job assignment, your rank, or your duties.  Never forget that and never doubt that.

I’m proud to be your Sheriff, and I thank you all.

David Livingston

Sheriff-Coroner”

Prosecutors Alliance Chides Livingston, Asks Supervisors for Oversight, Audit

On Monday, March 14, in a letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, the Prosecutors Alliance of California asked for an audit of the disciplinary practices in Sheriff Livingston’s department and to increase external oversight of departmental misconduct. Recent remarks made by Sheriff David Livingston suggest he believes his deputies are above the law, raising serious concerns over the legitimacy of an Internal Affairs investigation into former Deputy Andrew Hall and how the Sheriff is disciplining officers who abuse their authority.

“Sheriff Livingston’s comments are abhorrent and indicate his belief that deputies who kill are above the law,” said Cristine Soto DeBerry, Founder and Executive Director of the Prosecutors Alliance of California. “Police have wide latitude to use force, but when they unnecessarily kill they must be held accountable just like anyone else in our community.  When we do not hold police accountable, people do not trust the legal system to protect them. That makes the job of policing more difficult and dangerous, and it makes it far less likely that crimes will be reported. That, in turn, poses a threat to everyone’s safety.

“District Attorney Diana Becton’s willingness to hold law enforcement accountable is the only check on an agency whose leader would otherwise grant his deputies unbridled power to kill with impunity. Sheriff Livingston took an oath to seek equal justice under the law and his remarks are an affront to that sworn commitment. These are not the words of a law enforcement leader, they’re the words of a man that believes accountability does not extend to police.”

Last week, a judge sentenced Deputy Andrew Hall to state prison after a jury convicted him for the 2018 shooting and killing of Laudemer Arboleda, an unarmed man having a mental health episode. This was not Hall’s only killing – he shot and killed Tyrell Wilson in 2021. Contra Costa County has paid $9.4 million to settle claims regarding former Sheriff’s deputy Andrew Hall. The County agreed to a $4.9 million settlement with Arboleda’s family last October in addition to a $4.5 million settlement with Tryell Wilson’s family.

In response to the verdict, Sheriff Livinston sent a department wide letter saying former Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Hall served with “honor and distinction,” that Hall “was forced to use deadly force to protect himself that day,” and noted that an internal affairs investigation had cleared Hall. Livingston called DA Becton’s decision to charge former Deputy Hall “abhorrent,” and told his deputies, “I have your back.”

In an email to the Board of Supervisors today, Cristine DeBerry sounded the alarm, noting that, “the fact that [Internal Affairs] cleared former Deputy Hall is concerning.  If Department policy allows Sheriff’s Deputies to use force in contravention of the law, that would set up a situation wherein Deputies are being trained to use force in a manner that conflicts with criminal law. That presents serious issues for law enforcement officers, public safety, and county liability.  Alternatively, if the Sheriff is clearing deputies in cases where their use of force was criminal, that too raises serious questions about the Sheriff’s commitment to public safety and accountability.”

The Board of Supervisors can help restore trust by increasing oversight over the Sheriff’s Department, and by auditing the department’s disciplinary policies. These are critical steps to help the public understand the scope of law enforcement misconduct and to develop policies to increase accountability.

“DA Becton courageously charged Officer Hall with the death of Mr. Arboleda, a jury convicted him, and a judge sentenced him to prison,” said Cristine DeBerry. “Sheriff Livingston should accept the jury’s verdict and look at ways to reduce the use of unnecessary force by his deputies rather than question the prosecutor’s decision to bring charges and defiantly proclaim to ‘have the back’ of officers where a jury has determined the force to be criminal.”

A question was sent Thursday evening to the Alliance’s media contact asking if they had received any response, yet from the Board of Supervisors.

Livingston Responds to Alliance Letter

“The so-called ‘Prosecutors Alliance’ committee is made up of only four of the 58 DAs in the state,” Livingston responded. “Contra Costa is not San Francisco or Los Angeles where two of their far-leftwing founding members serve. Instead of playing politics here, they should do their job and prosecute offenders and start caring about crime victims for once.”

Both Livingston is facing one opponent in the June Primary Election, while Becton is facing two. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, then the top two candidates will face off in the November General Election.

Please check back for any updates to this report.

Dude, that’s an island!

By Antioch Police Department

Shortly after 8:00 pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Antioch Police Officer Marques and Sergeant Rose attempted to stop a stolen vehicle on Highway 4, but the driver decided to test his luck with our powerful radios and a CHP helicopter.

We passed this chase off to CHP near Willow Pass Road, and our speed demon auto thief decided to continue driving all the way to the City of Alameda. Thanks to amazing work by CHP – specifically the crew of Helicopter 32 (H32) – officers were able to pull back on the ground and wait for the car to stop, at which point they swooped in for the arrest.

We are happy to report there were no crashes or injuries, and a grateful vehicle owner will be getting their car back. APD will be coordinating with CHP to book the driver for a list of charges including felony evading and auto theft.

We are grateful for the assistance provided to us time and again by CHP – Golden Gate Division Air Operations. We would also like to thank CHP officers from CHP – Contra Costa and CHP – Oakland. This is a great example of law enforcement agencies working together, coordinating, and using resources to minimize risk to the public we serve.

EL CAMPANIL THEATRE PRESENTS:

ANTIOCH SESQUICENTENNIAL CONCERT

SATURDAY, APRIL 16th at 2:00 PM

ADMISSION: FREE (Tickets still required for entry)

The City of Antioch is 150 years young and deserving of a celebration! Join us for this free concert featuring some of the finest talent in East County! Featuring Antioch native Toree McGee, blues legends Frankie G and Tia Carroll, the Antioch High Jazz Band, Black Diamond Ballet, El Campanil Theatre Academy, and more!

Help us celebrate this landmark anniversary with an afternoon of entertainment you won’t soon forget!

El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. 2nd Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. For tickets visit www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

To learn more about Antioch’s Sesquicentennial of Cityhood which occurred on Incorporation Day, February 6, 1872 and see all of this year’s events and activities click here and here.