Visit: antiochca.gov/recreation or email hpacheco@antiochca.gov.

Patricia Robles wins Mother’s Day Mini Van race

By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…May 7...Kellen Chadwick won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the second win of the season for the 2006 champion. The night was also a salute to mothers with several things taking place, including a Mother’s Day Mini Van race and lucky ride alongs in Hobby Stocks for the mothers.

Sean Wilson led the opening lap ahead of Bobby Motts Jr before a yellow flag waved. On the restart, Terry DeCarlo, Jr. made an impressive maneuver on the outside of Turn 2 to gain the lead with point leader and brother Nick DeCarlo following him into second. Debris fell in turn two for a Lap 3 yellow flag. Terry DeCarlo, Jr. led his younger brother on the restart with Chadwick settling into third. Following a yellow flag for Eric Berendsen on the front straightaway, DeCarlo, Jr. continued to lead with Chadwick moving into second on the Lap 6 restart. DeCarlo, Jr. was doing a good job of leading the way when another yellow flag waved for Wilson and Jeffrey Partain in Turn 1 on Lap 11. DeCarlo, Jr. led Chadwick on the restart, but Chadwick made an inside move on the backstretch on Lap 17 to take over. Motts started pressuring DeCarlo a little bit for the second position as Chadwick pulled away. A yellow flag for a Berendsen crash on the front straightaway on Lap 19 bunched the field and set up a one lap shootout, but Chadwick would prevail ahead of Terry DeCarlo, Jr., Motts, Trevor Clymens and Gary Hylton.

Tommy Fraser won his second-straight IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The 2019 champion benefited from traffic in making his winning pass. Dylan Connelly jumped into the early lead ahead of Jake Bentancourt. Fraser went low in Turn 4 on Lap 3 to take second, and a yellow flag waved for Nick Caughman Jr on Lap 6. Dylan Connelly continued to lead Fraser and Kenny Shrader on the restart. During this lengthy green flag run, Connelly was doing a good job of holding off Fraser. The leaders caught traffic around Lap 13. One little mistake going through Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 16 allowed Fraser to make a move on the inside down the front straightaway as they worked through traffic. A lap later, Caughman brought out a yellow flag once again. Without the traffic to deal with, Fraser maintained his lead on the restart and brought it home to victory. Connelly faded as Shrader ended up second ahead of Chester Kniss, Mark Garner and Fred Ryland.

Jason Robles kept his IMCA Stock Car championship hopes strong with his second 20 lap Main Event win. Despite a short field of entries, this race provided plenty of excitement as it closed the evening’s activities. Andrew Pearce jumped into the lead from the start ahead of Robles and Kellen Chadwick. Point leader Travis Dutra went low in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to gain third, but he was a bit behind the lead duo by then. As Dutra began to close in on Robles, Pearce ducked into the infield with problems on Lap 16. Robles had his hands full over the five final five circuits in his quest for victory, but he held off Dutra to the checkered flag. Chadwick settled for third, followed by Jason Jennings and Jeff Bentancourt.

Patricia Robles bested Kayte East to win the three Mother’s Day Mini Van races. East was piloting a van painted like the Mystery Machine of Scooby Doo cartoon fame. The two ladies competed for $100 in sponsored prize money in the final race with Robles winning ahead of East.

The Contra Costa County Fair happens this Saturday night, but the track will be offering its first Destruction Derby in many years. Fans will need to come in through the Fair entrance. The next oval track race happens on May 21st, featuring The Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results Antioch Speedway

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Nick DeCarlo, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps) – Kellen Chadwick, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Bobby Motts Jr, Trevor Clymens, Gary Hylton, Eric Berendsen, Jeffrey Partain, Kenneth Robles, Sean Wilson, Nick DeCarlo.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 laps) – Tommy Fraser, Jason Ryan Jr, Kenny Shrader. Main Event (20 laps) – Tommy Fraser, Kenny Shrader, Chester Kniss, Mark Garner, Fred Ryland, Andrew Pearce, Chuck Golden, Jason Ryan Jr, Dylan Connelly, Jacob Mallet, Jr.

IMCA Stock Cars

Heat Winner (8 laps) – Andrew Pearce. Main Event (20 laps) – Jason Robles, Travis Dutra, Kellen Chadwick, Jason Jennings, Jeff Bentancourt, Joe Gallaher, Andrew Pearce.

 

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the hiring of our new President and Chief Executive Officer. Daniel H. Sohn is the current CEO of the Sonoma County Alliance, a business advocacy organization located in the North Bay Area, where he’s served since earlier this year. He will succeed outgoing Chamber CEO Sean Wright and assume the overall direction of the chamber’s operations in June.

“I am excited to turn the reigns of the Chamber over to our new CEO, Daniel Sohn. He has the experience that the Chamber needs, fresh ideas, and an outsider’s unique perspective, that will help to drive the future of Antioch business,” said outgoing Antioch Chamber CEO and former Mayor, Sean Wright “For the last ten years, I have dedicated my time and talents to helping make Antioch a better place for all of us. I have served as an Antioch business owner, chamber member, former mayor, and now the outgoing CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce. I’ve had the privilege of working with a great board to save the Chamber from bankruptcy, encourage the development of the downtown area, and bring in employers like Amazon. Leaving is bittersweet as service to the Antioch community has been my passion.”

The Chamber is planning to celebrate Sean and his work and dedication to the Chamber and the City of Antioch over the next couple of months. The event will also include a meet and greet opportunity for Daniel and the Antioch business community. Details will be shared soon as plans are finalized.

Previously, Daniel served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce where he was hired to lead the organization’s regionalization efforts. Most recently, he was nominated by California Governor Gavin Newsom and then appointed by President Biden to serve as a Local Board Member representing the State of California to the Nation’s Selective Service System. Before his appointment, Daniel was elected to the Haverhill, Florida Town Council where he served as an at-large city council member from 2018 to 2020. Other past roles include his time as CEO of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce and President/CEO at the South Florida Non-Profit Chamber of Commerce. According to his Facbook page, Sohn is Founder & Executive Director of the Florida Center For Civic Engagement, which his LinkedIn page shows was part-time through Feb. 2022.

Daniel remains the Managing Partner and Senior Lobbyist for the Floridian Group, LLC – D.B.A. Pacific Partners, a Florida-based consulting firm with operations on the West Coast. The firm specializes in government relations, advocacy, community affairs, grants management, and government procurement.

Antioch Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Ana Cosovic also says this is a bittersweet time for the Chamber.

“We are sad to see our CEO, Sean Wright step down, but are excited for him, his family, and their future,” she said. “The Chamber including Sean has meant a lot to my business, Service Pros Plumbers here in Antioch. When we joined the Chamber, Sean was one of the first people we met as business owners, and he greeted us with a smile and warm welcome. The connections, relationships, and assistance we received from the Chamber under Sean’s Leadership have been incredible and allowed us to grow personally and professionally. We will be forever grateful for Sean.”

“We are also excited to bring in Daniel Sohn as our new CEO,” Cosovic stated. “The Antioch Chamber truly cares about our community and supports our businesses. Daniel brings expertise that will help bring Chamber members fresh programs and services. After ten years of having a part-time CEO, Daniel Sohn is being hired full time which will allow a greater opportunity for the Chamber to influence policy on a local and statewide level. The future of the Chamber is truly bright.”

According to a Nov. 2021 article by The Desert Review posted on his LinkedIn page, on which Sohn lists his pronouns as He/Him, “Born in Bucharest, Romania under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, Sohn was later adopted by an American family.” According to a March 2021 article by the South Florida Gay News also posted on his LinkedIn page, “Sohn identifies as bisexual. He married his partner Kaitik Chan last February (2020) at a historic wedding inside the Florida capitol.”

Cosovic said Sohn started in his new position with the Chamber on Tuesday, May 10.  For more information about the Chamber visit www.AntiochChamber.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

C.L. “VERNE”’ LOOMIS

February 15, 1932 – September 22, 2021

Born near Jay, in Northeast Oklahoma on February 15th, 1932, to Clara and Clarence Loomis. C.L. “Verne” Loomis was the second oldest of five children. They moved to northern California in the early 1940’s and eventually settled in Antioch, CA.  Verne married Jennie Lucido of Pittsburg, CA in 1952. Together they raised four sons Garth, Bret, Kurt and Alan. Jennie passed away in 1994.

Verne married Juanita Wolven in 1996. They resettled near Branson, MO in 1997 until Juanita’s passing in 2012. Verne married Pauline Wartrous in 2012 and they remained in Kimberling City, MO until Verne’s death on September 22, 2021. Sadly, Pauline passed away in early April.

Verne worked in Antioch for Fibreboard Corp., the Lesher newspapers and owned and ran many appliance sales and repair shops in Contra Costa County. He spent the last 30 years in Antioch repairing sewing machines and vacuum cleaners in his home shop. He was a man of many talents and had a strong mechanical aptitude.  He even ran for mayor of Antioch, unsuccessfully. He was active with the Eastside Church of Christ on E. Tregallas Road in Antioch.

Verne is survived by his half-brother James Elkins of WA, his four sons, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

A private service was held, and the family requests donations be made to the Eastside Church of Christ in Antioch, CA or Kimberling City Church of Christ in Kimberling City, MO.

“the City cannot continue to support each department to meet the demands while continuing to add expenses that depletes revenues” – Lauren Posada

By Allen D. Payton

During public comments at the end of the Antioch City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 26, City Treasurer Lauren Posada spoke out against the council’s spending.

Earlier in the meeting the council discussed spending $12.3 million over five years for the motel on East 18th Street to serve as transitional housing for the homeless, and the associated “wrap-around” support services.

During council discussion on the item District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said, “I heard from Focus Strategies $12.3 million is conservative. When you look at the budget and transferring in from the state budget stabilization, 2025-26 there is no more money in the budget stabilization fund. So, our reserves will be depleted.”

Mayor Lamar Thorpe responded, “every budget assumption we get puts us in the red. We’ve been going bankrupt since the day we got here and 10 years later, we’re not bankrupt. Because these numbers don’t make all the assumptions that, as an example, generally our sales tax does better than we anticipate, so we get more money.”

“We don’t always factor in cannabis because we’re constantly getting new applications and we’re approving them, so that doesn’t take certain things into account,” he continued. “So, to look at this number as a fixed number is inaccurate. Because we never look at numbers like that because they’re assumptions, they’re not reality. They’re just assumptions so that we can plan for the future.”

A majority of council members supported the project, including Thorpe, and Councilwomen Tamisha Torres-Walker (District 1) and Monica Wilson (District 4). But Torres-Walker was not ready to move forward that night as she wanted additional information from staff and to consider other, additional locations in the city. So, combined with the opposition from Ogorchock and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica, a decision on spending $12.3 million on the motel program was postponed. (See related article) (The item is on the agenda for the council’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 10.)

Posada’s Comments (See video at 4:09:51 mark)

Asked if she had planned to share her thoughts before Thorpe made his comments that evening Posada said, “I did have a draft ready. But as the meeting went on, I did edit it. I was listening and I’m glad I waited.”

Reading from prepared remarks, Posada said, “Currently, at the City of Antioch we have under our umbrella – Administration offices, Animal Services, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, Information Systems, Police, Public Works, and Recreation with various departments underneath. I would like to point out that Animal Services, Water Park, Youth Services, Unhoused Services and the Marina are unique entities to us as a city that we operate. All these departments require resources in order to operate effectively. We have one budget that is adopted bi-annually that we should utilize as a guideline to determine our scope or work.

I understand that year after year since 2012 has been an improvement coming off the previous housing crisis, but it would be a disservice if we continued to go off the notion that our revenues will always exceed our expenditures. There are many factors that are contributed to the budget and closing out each fiscal year – as examples we are taking into consideration the salary savings from our police department this year and the housing market continues to rise that will contribute to our projected revenues for this fiscal year. Each year is unique, but I am asking Council to be mindful of the times that we are in and listen to the warnings when they come.

Throughout this agenda packet there are comments made that I would like to bring up that concerned me regarding the fiscal impact with new budget expenditures:

‘…ongoing operations for the remainder of the regulatory period will need to be identified.’

‘This expenditure is currently unbudgeted and is proposed to be funded through the General Fund.’

‘…the need for a budget amendment would be evaluated in conjunction with the budget process and subject to City Council’s direction to staff.’

‘…budget for the Public Safety and Community Resources Department is not under consideration at this meeting. The City Council will have the opportunity to consider the budget for new positions, office space, supplies, and equipment in its upcoming consideration of the fiscal year budget.’

I am not taking the stance that I am for or against any item, but my ask is this: If we are going to pivot what we have underneath our umbrella as a City then I request that we are willing to have the difficult conversations that may come as a result of that pivot and determine funding sources upfront — the City cannot continue to support each department to meet the demands while continuing to add expenses that depletes revenues — I understand budget will be coming up midyear but it is so important to determine what is our priority and clearly outline that to our residents throughout upcoming agenda packets to alleviate frustration or misinformation if possible and most importantly for residents to be confident in decisions being made that will ultimately impact the future wellbeing of our City.

Thank you.”

————–

Asked later about her comments Posada said, “I was trying to bring understanding in a professional way. When you look at the agenda packets there should always be a clear funding source.”

“How can we have these conversations so that they can make an educated decision?” she asked. “How does this $12.3 million affect us over the years? But that’s just one decision. We have to look at the big picture.”

“I’m striving to keep fiscal responsibility at the forefront of Council – big decisions are being made that will impact our city,” Posada added.

Posada was elected city treasurer in 2020 for a four-year term. To see the City’s financial reports, visit www.antiochca.gov/administration-department/city-treasurer/ and to contact the city treasurer call (925) 779-7005 or email her at citytreasurer@antiochca.gov.

By Allen D. Payton

According to Jay Wierenga, Public Information Officer for the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) in an email on Monday, May 2, 2022, “three, anonymous complaints were received regarding the Mayor of Antioch. This is all that is releasable at this time. I/we can’t and don’t comment on complaints or investigations, but my office can answer general, procedural questions.”

The complaints allege Lamar Thorpe has not filed campaign finance reports showing contributions to and expenditures by his Stop the #KAREN Recall of Lamar Thorpe committee.

“All complaints received by FPPC Enforcement Division are taken under review to determine whether to open an investigation,” Wierenga continued. “Fact-gathering during this process is not an investigation.” “All complaints are reviewed to determine their merit, if there is enough information, facts, evidence provided to indicate any potential (potential) violation of the Political Reform Act. If not, complaints are dismissed (and can be resubmitted if any new, additional, pertinent information is included). If so, then an investigation begins.

The review usually takes a few days to a few weeks, with an addition 14 days available as an extension if Enforcement so determines.”

The FPPC sent letters on April 26 to Thorpe and his campaign committee, for each of the three complaints giving them 14 days to respond. One of the letters was also addressed to Thorpe’s committee treasurer, Vicki Robinson.

The three complaints contain the following accusations:

FPPC Complaint No. COM-04112022-01033  COM-04112022-01033

Campaign Statements Not Filed; Not Filed Online (84605)

Lamar Thorpe claimed to have received $80,000 in contributions to fight a recall”

FPPC Complaint No. COM-04172022-01087  COM-04172022-01087

Campaign Statements Not Filed

No form 460 filed for contributions and he has claimed to have received $80k

FPPC Complaint No. COM-04262022-01154  COM-04262022-01154

Campaign Statements Not Filed

Semiannual Statements (84200)

The committee received a contribution in the amount of $2500 in December of

2021 and failed to file a form 460

One complaint included a copy of page from the Form 460 campaign finance report filed by the IBEW 302 Community Candidates PAC showing the previously reported contribution of $2,500 on Dec. 20, 2021. The other two complaints included a screenshot of Thorpe’s posting on his official Facebook page about raising over $80,000, also previously reported. (See related article)

Each of the letters include the following messages from the FPPC:

“The Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission enforces the provisions of the Political Reform Act (the “Act”).¹ The Enforcement Division received an anonymous complaint alleging that you may have violated the Act’s campaign disclosure provisions.

At this time, we have not made any determination about the allegations made in the complaint. We are requesting information, including documentation, about the allegations described above. Please submit your response in writing within 14 days from the date of this letter…”

The letters also include the reference at the bottom, “¹The Political Reform Act is contained in Government Code Sections 81000 through 91014.”

Questions for Thorpe, Householder Go Unanswered

Thorpe and City Clerk Ellie Householder were asked via email late Monday night if they had any comment about the complaints and what Wierenga wrote, and for copies of what he or his treasurer send to the FPPC in response.

Wierenga was then asked, “once a campaign committee has provided the FPPC with the requested documents are those available to the public/media?”

He responded, “No. Any correspondence within an investigation is not public until after a case is closed, when the case file then becomes public with the documents deemed to be releasable.”

“A subnote,” Wierenga continued. “Any documents filed with a filing officer are public through the filing officer/filing agency, just as they would be for anyone else at any time. Campaign finance documents are public documents and must be provided.”

In Antioch, the filing officer is the city clerk.

No response from either Thorpe or Householder was received as of Thursday night, May 5.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

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