Archive for August, 2022

Antioch City Council passes Rent Stabilization Ordinance on split vote

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022

Former Antioch Councilman Ralph Hernandez speaks in favor of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance before a packed council chambers on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Video screenshot

Following tenant organizing across city by out-of-town organizations over rent hikes, evictions and alleged harassment

65 people including residents who claim to have received threats speak in support to prevent further homelessness from surging in the area

Only affects those in multi-family housing

By Allen D. Payton

In response to the inflation due to the overspending by Congress during the past two years and the shutdown of the economy leaving many residents unable to pay their rent, and following several actions this year by tenants living in Antioch apartments, the City Council voted 3-2 for a Rent Stabilization Ordinance on Tuesday, August 23. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica, who had argued for an alternative that wouldn’t hurt “mom and pop” landlords, and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock who offered different percentages, opposed the ordinance. Rent Stabilization Ordinance ACC082322

During the public hearing that was moved to the beginning of the meeting for the standing room only audience, a total of 65 people including renting families from across the city, spoke at the meeting to strongly urge city council members to:

  • cap rent increases at 60% of CPI or 3%, whichever is less
  • ensure affordable housing and specifically, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) buildings are covered
  • implement the measure retroactively to January 2022
  • include a rent board and tenant appeal process, and to
  • immediately freeze rent to avoid retaliation by landlords

This council meeting follows the January 25, 2022, meeting where the Antioch City Council voted to direct City staff to begin drafting Rent Stabilization, Tenant Anti-Harassment and Just-Cause for Eviction Ordinances – all three which they promised would be brought to a vote in a future meeting.

According to tenantlawcalifornia.com, “on October 8, 2019 a new statewide rent control law, AB1482 also known as the ‘Tenant Protection Act of 2019’ was passed that, among other things, limits the ability of landlords to raise rents and includes limitations on the ability of landlords to terminate leases commonly known as “just cause for evictions”.

The law requires a landlord have a “just cause” in order to terminate a tenancy and limits annual rent increases to no more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 10%, whichever is lower.

However, a loophole in the law allows a higher rent increase if the tenant is given a longer notice period than 60 days.

Organizers claim renters in apartments owned by Santa Monica-based Levy Affiliated LLC received rent increases between $200 and $700 per month threatening to displace them. An email was sent to Levy Affiliated Tuesday night, asking if that is true and isn’t it in violation of state law AB1482 which caps annual rent increases to 5% plus CPI or 10% whichever is less. They were also asked, if not, how much have rents increased in the units your company rents in Antioch.” No response was received as of Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. Please check back later for any responses from the company.

Only a few people, including a former rental property in Antioch, spoke against the matter.

“I am against the ordinance,” he said wanting flexibility to allow for some increases in rent to cover the costs of repairs.

The primary complaints were against the Delta Pines, Casa Blanca and Delta View apartment complexes. In addition, a rally and “Walk of Shame” march was held at the Twin Creeks Apartments on James Donlon Blvd. earlier this year. (See related article)

One speaker said there were 800 evictions in East County and only 33 in Central County this year, during the same time period.

Another lady said, “it’s a Black and Brown thing”, claiming people are making comments on Craigslist that the increase in rents is part of a plan to get Black and Hispanic families to move out of Antioch.

“This is the system that Oakland uses and soon, Richmond will use,” said an attorney for ACCE. It’s also what San Francisco and Berkeley use, he shared.

“Antioch is behind the times in tenant protections,” the attorney continued. “We know what’s legal and what’s not legal.”

Some of the speakers also asked for Tenant Anti-Harassment and Just-Cause for Eviction Ordinances but they were not on the agenda for discussion or a vote.

Joe Stokely also spoke against the proposed ordinance saying, “I believe their plight. But I think it’s limited to a few landlords. The majority of landlords are good people. I know there are laws in place. I don’t believe it’s in the best interest of people to pass new laws. There have been laws in place for decades. I don’t hear anything about the existing laws. My concern is that you’re going to cause a bigger problem for Antioch…you’re going to cause an unfair environment for people not to be in business.”

“What I hear over and over again is a few bad actors,” he continued. “The effort should be put into remedying that. Having an extra layer of bureaucracy and laws is not the answer.”

Another speaker in favor of the ordinance warned of making it too strict, as it could affect the non-profit housing providers in Antioch. “It could be a bad, unintended consequence.” She spoke of working with the council and city attorney, “to get it right the first time.”

“If you put rent control, here the renter’s will be happy,” said another speaker against the ordinance. “A lot more housing is the only way to decrease the price for a lot of people to live. Antioch has a lot of housing. With a 60% CPI who in their right mind will build in Antioch? Rent control is not an answer. We should just let the free market work and let people build more homes in Antioch.”

Joe Summers of the Contra Costa Central Labor Council responded to the comment that “the city simply needs to build more housing. I agree all cities should build more affordable housing. But Antioch can’t just build its way out of the problem. The city must act to protect the residents…to prevent a mass exodus from Antioch…pushing more people out of the area or out on the street.”

California Apartment Association representative said, “Antioch already has rent control…with AB1482. Governor Newsom said, ‘California already has the strongest renter protections…’”

“The concept of cost sharing is not something supported by property owners,” she continued and wanted the tenants to pay for any additional costs the city would pass through to the properties.

“Please look into the exemption…for the fair rate of return,” she stated. “Remember, most rental property owners are small, family owners.” She said the ordinance could force property owners

“No one should live in uninhabitable homes. CAA supports strong code enforcement. The city could engage in a robust education campaign”…and “a due process without assuming that one side is guilty…without harming one specific group. Don’t make providing housing more difficult…because according to the proponents, nothing is ever enough.”

A landlord with properties in Antioch named Mack, spoke last saying, “it’s heartbreaking to hear from some tenants. But it’s a targeted issue.”

“I would like to emphasize the supply and demand which is a basic economic principle. The supply and demand in Antioch is reasonably balanced. I’m afraid rent control in Antioch may break that balance…many mom and pop landlords…will be scared and walk away from their rental business. Several years later you will see a drop in rental properties.”

There are 45,000 units in San Francisco empty. You know why? Because such strong rental ordinance for years. Many of the mom and pop owners walked away from the rental business. It doesn’t mean they sold the house. They just left the property empty. I want the council members to pay attention to this very real issue.”

He then mentioned the high population of homeless in San Francisco.

“San Francisco has the highest rent in the nation,” Mack then said. “Do you know why? Because the rent control ordinance is so strict.”

“The fundamental solution is to build more housing, to provide more to have a balanced society to protect the tenants, the more vulnerable…” He was cut off because he had reached his five-minute time limit to speak.

Council Discussion & Split Vote

Following public comments, the council members took up the matter after a break, Mayor Lamar Thorpe shockingly said jokingly that he wanted to entertain a motion to postpone the item until next year. “I just want to get the blood pumping,” he stated while laughing.

District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker spoke first.

“I noticed all the opposition was online, today. They couldn’t be inconvenienced to show up, tonight,” she said. However, the first speaker against the ordinance spoke at the podium inside the council chambers.

About the vacant rentals in San Francisco she said, “I would say those units are empty because the filthy rich don’t want them, and the working poor can’t afford them.”

Torres-Walker wanted to take action now, “rather than do a slow crawl on the floor.”

“I’m just thankful that you’re all here, tonight,” District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock said speaking next briefly. “I’m going to go ahead because it’s getting late and let others speak on this.”

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson asked a question of a speaker named Leah about what housing services means.

“Housing services refer to…parking, having a refrigerator, do you have a microwave, access to pools,” she said. “If you don’t include those they can be taken away.”

“Because it was in the letter we received, yesterday and…“I want everything included, the retroactive back to January,” Wilson stated.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barbanica said, “raising somebody’s rent 30, 40, 50% is outrageous.” He said he asked for proof and was provided it.

“What we are looking at is corporate landlords,” he stated. “I know what you are going through. I personally reached out to that management, and they are in Texas. I’ve yet to get a call back. It’s ludicrous.”

“I don’t disagree with what anyone is saying here, at all,” Barbanica stated. “My concern is we will hurt the mom and pops. I want to meet in the middle to protect the mom and pops.”

“This ordinance is only for non-exempt properties,” he then asked the city attorney who directed him to the list of exemptions in the ordinance.

“The majority of properties in Antioch they are not going to apply…due to existing law,” Barbanica stated, mentioning “Costa Hawkins”.

According to costa-hawkins.com, “the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act is a California state law” passed in 1995 “that exempts certain kinds of residential rental units from rent control ordinances and allows landlords to reset the rental rate on rent-controlled rental units where they become vacant or where the last rent-controlled tenant no longer permanently resides at the unit (including where they move and leave behind subtenants).”

“They’re exempt if they’re newer than 1994 or if there is only one unit on the property like a single-family home or a duplex in which the owner is living in one of the units,” Barbanica later explained.

It was considered a “moderate approach to overturn extreme vacancy control ordinances [that] unduly and unfairly interfere with the free market”

In response to Thorpe asking for input from the council members, Wilson then offered the 3% cap and 60% of CPI that was requested by many speakers.

“I was looking at the 5 to 10%,” Ogorchock said to groans from the audience. “We have to start some place and I was looking at the Costa Hawkins and we have to look at some of those. I apologize if that doesn’t make some people happy. I don’t want to see these homes go up for sale. The owners can turn them into condos.”

Torres-Walker also supported the 3% cap and 60% of CPI saying, “this is where the ordinance needs to start from.”

“I’ve heard the same argument. Landlords are going to sell their properties,” Torres-Walker said. “It’s a business. I’ve yet to see a landlord take their property off the market because it’s bad for business not to make money.”

Barbanica then said, “I support us doing something. But I don’t support hurting…the moms and pops. I support closing the loopholes for 1482. That will stop the 30%, 40% increases…and we can do that locally.”

“What is a ‘mom and pop’ landlord?” Torres-Walker said.

“They’re not corporate. These are everyday folks who have saved up their money and buy one unit,” Barbanica, a real estate broker and property management company owner responded. “What we’re talking about is corporate landlords.”

“Thank you for that clarification,” the councilwoman responded. “I don’t think anyone who has talked, today are talking about mom and pops and they are trying to follow the rules…and I don’t think they will

“Following 1482 would not allow them to do that, not reducing it lower than that,” Barbanica responded. “Those folks experience inflation, too.”

“I know a lot of mom and pop renters and they remind me that they don’t raise the rents beyond a certain amount,” Thorpe stated. “So, I don’t know how this will affect mom and pops.”

“The mom and pop landlord, as their costs go up…they are increasing their rent accordingly,” Barbanica explained. “If they do they raise it less. But this allows them to stay within state law.”

“I used to work for First 5,” Thorpe stated, speaking of how they’ve been working on an ordinance in Concord for seven years.

“This is the first part of our tenant protection ordinances, rent control, which I’ve proposed,” he said then mentioned the Tenant Anti-Harassment and Just-Cause for Eviction Ordinances.

He then asked for a motion. Barbanica then moved that the limit on rental rate increases with AB1482 and follows the guidelines and closes the loopholes.” It died without a second.

Wilson then moved approval for an ordinance that, “sets a limit on rental rate increases at sixty percent (60%) of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Area published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics with a three percent (3%) cap. Torres-Walker seconded the motion and it passed on a vote of 3-2 with Barbanica and Ogorchock voting no.

Wilson then introduced the ordinance by title only and waived the first reading of the ordinance.

“We can have a discussion now on Attachment A, correct?” Ogorchock asked.

“We’re introducing the ordinance. This is it,” Thorpe explained.

“There’s a section on the landlords being charged a rate. They’re being charged Measure O, a rental tax ordinance and a business license tax. Can we waive that? Do we have to have that?”

“That’s how we fund the program,” City Attorney Thomas Smith said.

“Isn’t that the cost of doing business?” Torres-Walker asked.

“It is the cost of doing business,” Thorpe responded. “For the mom and pop it could be making it a little difficult. I am sympathetic about that and it’s something we can look at, at a later time.”

“I’m saying it’s something we can look at and take out,” Ogorchock said. “They’re paying different fees. I can’t find it, right now. We can come back to it, later.”

“These fees are not going to start, tomorrow,” Thorpe stated. But the taxes on rental properties are already in place and being collected by the city.

The motion also passed on a 3-2 vote with Barbanica and Ogorchock voting no, again.

“OK. Now, it’s official,” said Thorpe to cheers from the audience and shouts of “si, se puede” meaning “yes, we can.”

However, the request to make the ordinance retroactive to January 1, 2022. Antioch will be the only city in the state that implemented rent stabilization to not have a retroactive clause which means landlords can raise rents before the second reading of the ordinance at the next council meeting.

Coalition of Out-of-Town Organizations in Favor of Ordinance Offer More Examples of Antioch Tenant Challenges

According to a press release by a coalition of the East County Regional Group (ECRG), First 5 Contra Costa, The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action, and Concord-based Monument Impact:

“ECRG member Dulce Franco, is a single mother who has lived with her two children and elderly mother at Casa Blanca for 11 years. Dulce recently received a 33% rent increase of $381. While the notice was rescinded for insufficient noticing, she is afraid of receiving another similar increase in the future. Dulce recently lost her job and does not have a way to move. She barely stays afloat with the current rent. Dulce and her neighbors are like a family. She is afraid to be separated from her support network. Dulce is also concerned with significant habitability violations including mold, bugs, unrepaired floors and broken bathtub. Without rent control, Dulce and her family are at risk of another extreme rent increase and would have to move out of the area, separating her kids from their friends and their community at Casa Blanca.

ECRG member Rocheall Pierre is an Antioch resident and single mother who pays $1,800 for one bedroom apartment in a corporate owned building. Rocheall works two jobs to pay the rent and often has to make tough choices between paying the rent, putting gas in her car or buying food and clothes for her son. Rocheall has been displaced before and knows what it is to be homeless. She lives in constant fear of being evicted and displaced again as a result of unaffordable rents. Rocheall believes that citywide rent control will help her and other families like her be more secure in Antioch.

ACCE-Contra Costa member Della Currie is one of the many tenants impacted by negligence and high rent increases in Delta Pines. Three months ago, Della, her fiancé and three children were victims of a fire in their apartment building which destroyed many of her belongings in their two-bedroom apartment. As a result, management down-sized Della’s five-person family to a one-bedroom apartment and is now giving her a $300 rent increase to pay for her smaller unit. Della claims her current apartment is in terrible condition with mold, and that the outside of the apartment building has open asbestos which children can access.

The East County Regional Group’s recent housing assessment “Antioch CHANGE: A Community Housing Assessment of Needs, Gaps and  Equity in  Antioch, California”  on rising rents, evictions, and harassment concerns in Antioch, collected the housing needs and concerns of over 1,000 Antioch renters between April 2021 and June 2021. The assessment found that on average respondents paid 63 percent of their monthly income on rent, leaving little for food, medicine, childcare, and other basic necessities. The report shows that the biggest concern of Antioch renters is housing affordability. Low-income residents of color and families with young children are most housing insecure, reporting higher rent burden, fears of displacement, and habitability concerns. Among renters with young children, 83 percent worried about rent increases and 75 percent worried about being able to pay the rent at all. The report also highlights that Antioch residents support local housing policies such as rent control and just cause for evictions with at least 86% of respondents in support of both.

The city of Antioch has been the ground for the largest number of evictions within the Bay Area; a  March 2021 KQED investigative report found Antioch’s eviction rate to be 207.2 per 100,000 renter households, nearly double that of Richmond and approximately 50 times the rate of Oakland. Moreover, 60 percent of Antioch renters, who make up 40% of all Antioch residents, report paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent in 2021. According to a  recent homelessness numbers assessment Contra Costa saw the biggest rise in homelessness in the past four years where homelessness numbers jumped by 35 percent between 2019 and 2022.”

East County Regional Group is a volunteer, parent advocacy group working to make East Contra Costa healthier, safer, and more equitable for young children and families. The ECRG is sponsored by First 5 Contra Costa’s Community Engagement and Advocacy Program.

First 5 Contra Costa helps young children start school healthy, nurtured and ready to learn by investing in services and activities focused on children during their first five years—the most important time in children’s development.

The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action is a grassroots, member-led, statewide community organization working with more than 16,000 members across California. ACCE is dedicated to raising the voices of everyday Californians, neighborhood by neighborhood, to fight for the policies and programs we need to improve our communities and create a brighter future.

Monument Impact is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to building skills, resources and power within immigrant, refugee and low-income communities in Concord. Located in the Monument Corridor in Concord, one of the most densely populated communities in the Bay Area, and serving immigrants in Concord and East Contra Costa, community members are engaged in identifying solutions to the challenges and barriers they face to achieving economic prosperity. Its integrated programs focus on building workforce skills; promoting mental and physical health; and ensuring the community’s voice is heard on critical local issues impacting local immigrant families.

Championship racing heading to the wire at Antioch Speedway

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

Kellen Chadwick #83 moved to within four points of the IMCA Modified point lead with his third win last time out. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…After holding a practice night last weekend, Antioch Speedway returns to championship point racing this Saturday night. What some refer to as the “classic lineup” returns with IMCA Modifieds back in action along with IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks. There is just this race and the September 17th point finale for these divisions before special events take place in October and November.

The IMCA Modified battle has been a classic showdown between 2018 champion Nick DeCarlo and 2006 title winner Kellen Chadwick. DeCarlo tipped his hand as to his interest in winning this championship as he brought his car to practice last Saturday to fine tune things. Nick has four wins to his credit this season, keeping him just four points ahead of Chadwick in a very tight race. Chadwick was the winner of his third Main Event of the season last time out.

Past champion Bobby Motts, Jr. had been in this battle, but a series of unfortunate breaks finds him just 10 points ahead of Trevor Clymens and 12 over Terry DeCarlo, Jr. in the race for third. Clymens and DeCarlo also have a battle going for top rookie honors, and Clymens is coming off of back-to-back podium finishes, which enabled him to take the lead over DeCarlo. DeCarlo had a sixth-place finish last time out to keep the point damage to a minimum. Rather than come practice with his brother, he headed to Medford, Oregon for a big money event last weekend.

Andrew Pearce #15 suffered misfortune while leading last time as he fell further behind in the IMCA Sport Modified title chase. Photo by Katrina Kniss.

Two-time reigning IMCA Sport Modified champion and current point leader Fred Ryland was also in Medford, Oregon. In his case, he was picking up the $3,000 win in the 69 lap Dwayne Melvin Memorial race. Last time out, his championship rival Andrew Pearce was leading with a few laps to go when he had a mechanical failure send him pitward. Four-time feature winner Ryland leads Pearce by 13 markers and could take a step closer to the championship just by having a strong outing this week. State point leader Jacob Mallet Jr has a first and a second in his last two starts, keeping him just seven points behind Pearce for the runner-up spot.

Back in third is past champion KC Keller. He leads Chuck Golden by one marker, Kenny Shrader by 11 and Mark Garner by 14. Golden has been on a bit of a run lately after picking up his first Main Event win of the year in Quincy, California and then heading to Watsonville for a second-place finish last weekend. This is an interesting battle for Top 5 point positions that will go down to the final checkered flag on September 17th.

Jason Robles #78 was at practice last week as he tried to find some speed in pursuit of his third IMCA Stock Car win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Jason Robles brought his IMCA Stock Car to practice last time out. He’s been concerned with not moving forward in the pack enough in recent races, so he was making some laps trying to figure it out. Robles has two wins to his credit, but some bad finishes leave him 20 points behind reigning champion and current point leader Travis Dutra in the championship chase. Dutra has yet to win this season, but he’s racked up five second place finishes.

The consistent Jason Jennings has his eyes on third in the standings as well as top rookie honors. He leads Dave Hill in the third-place battle by 21 points. Hill was on hand for practice last week as he and chief mechanic Jim Reid were dialing a few things in. Two-time winner Fred Ryland still holds fifth in the standings by 22 points ahead of Jeff Bentanourt and 24 over Dan Gonderman. Gonderman has a new car and has picked up a pair of Top 3 finishes in his most recent starts.

Michaela Taylor #71a will be out to try to reclaim second in the Hobby Stock point standings this week. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Misty Welborn hit the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock championship race like a hurricane, winning three of the first four events. Unfortunately, she’s had trouble making a return to the Winner’s Circle, and just getting a Top 10 finish has been a solid night for her. She was at practice trying to find a little bit more speed. The red hot Jared Baugh has moved into second in the standings, trailing Welborn by 50 points and leading Michaela Taylor by 12. Taylor does have a podium finish this year, but she’s still in search of her first feature win. A few weeks back, she needed to win a B Main to make it into the show, and she’s had a bit of bad luck in recent races.

Top rookie Taylor DeCarlo leads the resurgent Grayson Baca by 20 points in the race for fourth with Jewel Crandall 30 points back. Baca had a feature win earlier this season and finished third last time out. DeCarlo has battled back from a couple of really bad nights and has managed to lead several Main Event laps as she tries to close in on her first career win.

This lineup of divisions should offer some great racing for the fans this Saturday night. The grandstands will open at 4:00pm with the first race starting at 6:00pm.

Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.

For further information, visit www.antiochspeedway.com.

Young man arrested in Antioch for loaded ghost gun, brass knuckles

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

Ghost gun, bullets and brass knuckles confiscated by Antioch Police on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Photo: APD

Also, arrested last year in SF for assault, battery with serious bodily injury and cruelty to a child

By Darryl Saffold, PIO, Antioch Police Department

Last Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 10:06 AM, Antioch Police Officer Milner was conducting a routine patrol when he made a traffic stop at W. 2nd and I Streets. After speaking to the driver, Carlos España-Quintanilla, age 20 of Antioch, the officer saw a pair of brass knuckles on the center console. For those who don’t know, brass knuckles are illegal to own or possess in California.

Moreover, a loaded, unserialized P-80 firearm, known as a ghost gun, was discovered during a search of the car.

In California, it is illegal to be in possession or conceal a loaded firearm (on your person or vehicle) without a concealed carry permit. Additionally, possessing a loaded gun and not being the registered owner is also unlawful.

After discussing the finer points of law, the driver was arrested, charged with PC 25850(c)(6) carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle or public, PC 25400(a)(1) carrying a Concealed firearm, PC 25850(a) carrying a loaded firearm in public or in a vehicle, and PC 21810 it is illegally making, importing, selling, giving, or possessing metal knuckles, or brass knuckles, and taken to the county jail.

According to localcrimenews.com, España-Quintanilla was also arrested last November by San Francisco Sheriff’s Deputies for 243(D) – battery with serious bodily injury, 245(A)(1) – assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, and 273A(B) – cruelty to a child by inflicting injury.

Asked if España-Quintanilla has already been released from jail, Saffold responded, “probably.”

Keep up the excellent work, Officer Milner; your exploits are becoming the stuff of legend.

If you have acquired an unregistered or unserialized firearm, you can complete and submit a Firearm Ownership Report (FOR) Application, which goes to the CA Department of Justice for review. For more info, please visit: https://www.oag.ca.gov/firearms/online-reporting#nr

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Hot August Cruise Night returns to Rivertown Saturday, August 27

Monday, August 22nd, 2022

Hometown Antioch filmmaker brings The Dark Fest Film Festival to El Campanil Theatre Sept. 17

Monday, August 22nd, 2022

Film submissions from other, local filmmakers still accepted until Sept. 5th

Jason D. Morris

Award winning filmmaker, Jason D. Morris is bringing his love for films to his hometown of Antioch with The Dark Fest on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Co-founder of the short film festival featuring genres of film noir, mystery, science fiction, horror, dark comedy and more, Morris grew up in Antioch, and as so many others who grew up here in the 80’s and 90’s, one of his best memories is watching films in the historically beautiful Stamm and El Campanil theaters. Those very experiences are ultimately what pushed him into filmmaking.

A graduate of Antioch High School and attendee of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco led to his career in film. After having produced and directed several feature films, including some in Antioch, he co-founded Resurrection Films with several other likeminded filmmakers which eventually led to the creation of The Dark Fest, after their experiences of taking their first film out on the festival circuit.

The first major production from Resurrection Films was a documentary based on Chris Carter’s (of The X-Files) television show Millennium, titled Millennium after the Millennium. Millennium starred film actor Lance Henriksen (The Right Stuff, Aliens) in one of his most enduring roles as Frank Black, an FBI profiler. Millennium paved the way for shows like Criminal Minds, Mindhunter and many others. The documentary screened in eight countries and garnered 21 awards during its festival run, including screenings at the LA Comic-Con, Monsterpalooza in Burbank and Horror Hound’s Horror Convention in Indianapolis. But festivals are expensive and far away for the average filmmaker, this can make getting your film seen expensively prohibitive.

Since Morris had already shot four films in Antioch, bringing Hollywood talent such as Academy nominated actor Eric Roberts, Ricco Ross and Henriksen to his productions, he thought “why not set up an event for other local filmmakers to have easier access to getting their films screened?” With such a creative hub of activity in Antioch and the surrounding areas many film productions go unnoticed and have little options for an audience. The Dark Fest aims to alleviate this issue for local filmmakers looking for a way to screen their films without the hefty expense of renting a theater or having to travel to far away locations. The members of Resurrection Films have hopes to continue the festival and expand it into a bigger event with more community involvement and celebration of local filmmakers.

Film Submissions

If you’re a filmmaker, submissions are still open until September 5th by visiting filmfreeway.com/thedarkfest  and email info@thedarkfest.com. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out at info@thedarkfest.com. As for the rest of you we hope to see you in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown on September 17 at El Campanil Theatre for a night of dark cinema.

About The Dark Fest:

Resurrection Films presents The Dark Fest, showcasing short films from the dark side of cinema with genres of film noir, mystery, science fiction, horror, dark comedy and more, as we celebrate local filmmakers from the bay area, and around the world. Join us at 5:30pm Sept. 17 at the El Campanil Theatre for musical pre-show entertainment by local musicians Matthew Gatsos on piano and Evan Morris on saxophone while enjoying concessions provided for purchase by the venue. Screening begins at 6pm and ends at 10pm.

Tickets

Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors & Youth.

THIS EVENT IS RATED R. NO ONE UNDER 17 WILL BE ADMITTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. To purchase tickets, visit elcampaniltheatre.com or click here.

El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. 2nd Street.

Book signing by author, wife of Pittsburg’s Olympic Gold Medalist Eddie Hart Saturday, Aug. 27

Friday, August 19th, 2022

“I Remember ‘72” offers her perspective of what happened to cause Fastest Human, World Record Holder to be disqualified

By Allen D. Payton

Following publication of the book “Disqualified” by Pittsburg resident Eddie Hart and longtime Bay Area sports reporter Dave Newhouse about Hart’s experience leading up to and at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, his wife, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Hart has penned her own book to offer her perspective. (See related article)

In her book entitled “I Remember ’72: The Road to Munich (My Voice)” Gwen, wife of the Olympic Gold Medalist, World’s Fastest Human at the time, and World Record Holder, speaks from a woman’s point of view. After 50 years of silence, she now voices her held in feelings of what happened to her then boyfriend, now husband on the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summer Olympics.

About The Book

As it has been said, behind every great man stands a strong woman. I Remember ’72, The Road to Munich (My Voice) tells that kind of story of love, admiration, anger and frustration through shared life experiences of a woman standing, not necessarily behind, but beside her man. It’s the perspective of a supportive girlfriend, then wife, of the life, tragedy experienced, and dignity displayed by the one-time, Fastest Man in the World and Olympic Gold Medalist, Eddie Hart. The book adds her own life experiences – telling the story of how they came to be, and her own reaction to that fateful day at the 1972 Olympic Summer Games – to the story Eddie tells in his own book, Disqualified.

It’s a fun, real-life, yet serious story, of two Godly people, working through the good times and tough times, enduring, and outlasting them both. The two books must be read together to fully understand what it is to be someone who rose to the pinnacle of his craft, to only have his dreams dashed, and for her, half a world away, not able to do much but watch, listen, pray and be there for him when he returned. It’s a story of enduring love with life lessons for us all to learn and apply to our own lives.

Get an autographed copy of Gwen Hart’s book and meet Eddie Hart on Saturday, August 27 at 1 p.m. at the Pittsburg Historical Society Museum located at 515 Railroad Avenue.

Book Purchase Information:

Cost: $23.00

Shp/Hld. $4.00

Payment Options:

Cash App: $ghbooks2music

By Check: Top Performance

640 Bailey Rd. #170

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Jack London Elementary locked down Wednesday due to report of Antioch man shooting at cars near campus

Friday, August 19th, 2022

Suspect has history of arrests dating back to 2014 for assault, robbery, vehicle theft and more

By Darryl Saffold, Public Information Officer, Antioch Police Department

On August 18, 2022, at approximately 12:46 PM, Antioch Police Dispatch began receiving numerous 911 calls regarding a man with a gun in the area of Country Hills Drive and Deerfield Drive. As officers were en route to the scene, additional callers indicated that the suspect was shooting at vehicles in the area.

With the help of several eyewitnesses, Antioch Police Officers detained 29-year-old suspect Felix Martinez Johnson. As the calls came in and the investigation continued, Jack London Elementary was requested to shelter in place.

According to Superintendent Stephanie Anello the following message was then sent to all staff and parents at Jack London.

“Currently Jack London has been ordered to lock down and shelter students in place by the Antioch Police Department due to police activity near campus.  Students will not be released, until the Antioch Police Departments determines it is safe to lift the lockdown.

Christine Ibarra, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services, Antioch Unified School District”

The shelter in place continued during the remainder of the investigation and for safety purposes. Once it was determined there was no danger to the public, the shelter in place was lifted. A police presence remained at the schools as an added measure of safety and security for the staff and students.

There were no reported injuries as a result of the shooting. Johnson was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility and booked for numerous firearms-related offenses.

According to localcrimenews.com, Johnson has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by the Hayward, Daly City and San Leandro Police Departments, and Sheriff’s Departments of San Mateo, San Francisco and Solano counties, for assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, vehicle theft, lying to police, petty theft, burglary, robbery, grand theft less than $950 (considered petty theft and punished as a misdemeanor), using a stolen identity, accessory after the fact, failure to appear, and for revocation of probation.

This is an ongoing and active investigation; no further information will be released at this time.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Multicultural Festival in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown Saturday

Thursday, August 18th, 2022

Sponsored by City, Hayward-based Fil-Am organization

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch with the Bay Area Background Movement will host a Multicultural Festival in Rivertown Saturday, August 20 from Noon to 7:00 p.m. in Waldie Plaza across W. 2nd Street from City Hall.

The Bay Area Backyard Movement is led by Klarize Bautista and is part of the Fil-Am Bay Area Pop Up organization based in Hayward that has already held two events in Antioch, last year.

“We first started off with Fil-Am Bay Area Pop-Up then we transitioned,” Bautista shared about her organization. “It’s still connected.”

According to their website the Fil-Am Bay Area Pop says, “We are a pop up market based in Hayward, CA and soon expanding to different cities! Giving small businesses a platform and be able to network. As well as bringing the community back together after the pandemic! Always community/collaboration, NEVER competition!”

Asked why they decided to come to Antioch she replied, “my sister-in-law lives there. We did two events, there last year. They were the Backyard Movement. The first one Mayor Lamar (Thorpe) was invited to and Joanne at the Mercantile.”

Asked where they were held, Bautista said, “It was in Tenacity Gym located on Wilbur Avenue. We did an event there in August, last year. The turnout was huge. Then we did another one and we collaborated with Mayor Thorpe and gave out pumpkins.”

Actually, it wasn’t a permitted event,” she stated. “Mayor Thorpe said he would help us find a better and larger location.”

“We kept in contact with Mayor Thorpe,” Bautista continued. “That’s how we met Brad.” (Helfenberger, the city’s Parks and Recreation Director).

“We’re all about diversity,” she said when asked what cultures will be represented. “We will have Thai food, we have Filipino vendors, we have a Mexican vendor, we have Hawai’ian, Samoan vendors.”

About the entertainment Bautista said, “the Chinese dragon will open up the stage for us and walking around with live drumming. Then we will have Tahitian Dancers.”

Asked if they will be from the Tahitian dance studio in Antioch she replied, “I believe they are from Concord. We called people in Antioch, but no one was answering their phones.”

“We will have Egyptian dancers, Filipino Culture dancers and we will also have Cambodian dancers,” Bautista continued.

“We try to highlight as many cultures as we can,” she added.

Helfenberger was asked why the event will include food trucks that will compete with restaurants in the city-designated, Rivertown Dining District, but he did not respond.

For more information visit BAY AREA BACKYARD MOVEMENT | Linktree.