What to expect: Come and help us celebrate the life of Ron “Mo” Molina. We will have guest speakers and singing from Alumni. After the Celebration there will be a reception in the cafeteria where you can gather and swap stories and meet up with longtime friends. (See his In Memoriam)
In the meantime, those interested can donate to the Ron Molina Memorial Scholarship. Checks may be sent to Antioch High, 700 West 18th St., Antioch, CA 94509.
The City of Antioch’s new organizational structure following implementation of new ordinance expected on December 12.
“Do I want you to become a pseudo-police chief? No. You failed,” – Former Councilman Ralph Hernandez
“Residents like you have allowed the council to get away with murder, absolute murder, because of a lack of oversight,” – Mayor Lamar Thorpe to Hernandez, the main opponent of the change.
“I do not want the police department to become a political arm of the council. I would prefer a buffer.” – Councilman Mike Barbanica
By Allen D. Payton
During their meeting Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the Antioch City Council, on two split votes of 3-2, approved directly hiring and oversight of the police chief. During council discussion, an upset Mayor Lamar Thorpe accused past councils of allowing Antioch cops to get away with “absolute murder”. Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker also falsely accused officers of murdering Angelo Quinto. A former councilman, speaking as the main opponent of the change, also accuses officers of three murders. Implementation of ordinance later delayed for 90 days. (See council meeting video)
Council Approves Direct Hire, Oversight of Police Chief
The council twice voted 3-2 to directly hire the police chief, and delayed implementation of the ordinance for 90 days so Acting City Manager Kwame Reed can complete the process of hiring an interim chief. District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock opposed the change. Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker proposed a time limit of possibly one year before the authority would revert back to the city manager which was supported by District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson. But that was not included in the motion the council adopted.
During the public hearing but before public comments, City Attorney Thomas L. Smith explained to the council that directly hiring would also include “supervision and performance evaluation of the chief of police. Another consideration would be the additional amount of work…and time allocated for it.”
The public comments allowed for one proponent and one opponent to each speak for 10 minutes,
“We have been brainwashed we need a lot of police,” Julia Emegokwae said as the main proponent. “They’ve had the green light to terrorize us.”
Mayor Lamar Thorpe interrupted her saying. “I want to remind you, Julia to stay on topic.”
She then spoke of officers “sitting there drinking coffee, eating donuts. They have no interest in us.”
“Julia, I’m just going to remind you again this item is about changing the reporting structure,” Thorpe interrupted her, again.
“Yes. Yes. This is related to it,” she responded and continued speaking.
Ogorchock made a point of order saying, “she’s off topic, Mr. Mayor. You’ve told her twice.”
“We want that funding to go more into safety net programs,”
Mayor Lamar Thorpe interrupted her saying. “I want to remind you, Julia to stay on topic.”
“We want that funding to go more into safety net programs,” Emegokwae continued. “I applaud the city that’s going to have more control of APD.”
Former Antioch Councilman Ralph Hernandez, the main opponent, said, “With the exception of Councilman Barbanica, I don’t think any of you are qualified to discipline and run the department. You need to have some kind of law enforcement background. The city manager, generally…would have more of it than you have. You guys have said you’re too busy and need secretaries to help you. Now, you’re wanting to add more responsibilities to your duties.”
“What you need to do is put it to a vote of the public,” Hernandez continued. “I met with you in June 2020 at your home and Monica Wilson was on speakerphone. I told you about…a group of six officers…and the police chief who blew it off.”
“I asked to meet with you in closed session…to enlighten you. It never came to pass,” he continued. “This was when you were a councilman before you became mayor. Monica you were a councilperson.”
“I need you to stay on topic,” Thorpe said interrupting Hernandez.
“In your packet, the duties of the police chief…that includes looking out for our community, safety. It is part of what we’re here to discuss,” Hernandez responded. “Your history already shows you did not do anything about those things that were affecting our community. So, do I want you to become a pseudo-policechief? No. You failed. I came before you with crimes, felony crimes that were committed. What did you guys do? Now, you want to become a substitute police chief, effectively? No. You can’t do it.”
“Do any of you have law enforcement backgrounds? You don’t. In the newspapers, in your press conferences, I haven’t heard you say, ‘you know Ralph Hernandez came here and told us about this sh*t,'” he continued.
Hernandez then spoke of the residents who Antioch officers are accused of violating their rights and said he read in the media, “Black, Black, Black” and mentioned someone of a different ethnicity that officers are accused of harming.
People in the audience started calling out.
“Hold on, we’re not doing this,” Thorpe said to stop it. “Mr. Hernandez, please finish your last minute-and-a-half.”
“In the meantime, you have failed,” Hernandez continued. “I want you to look inside yourself and ask, ‘have we done the right job?’”
“You’re still missing the two reported murders of our citizens of Antioch and a reported third by Antioch officers where they hid the body. I don’t know why you didn’t want to hear from me. I have the background…the professional training. The City Manager as you currently have it is the appropriate avenue.”
Thorpe responded by saying, “What he was asking was for us to do something illegal. Going into the closed session to discuss personnel matters is against the law. I do believe you filed that with the District Attorney’s Office. We’re not investigators up here.” However, the mayor was incorrect as it is in closed session when personnel matters are discussed. But they have no authority to hire, discipline or fire any city employee other than the city manager, city attorney and soon, the police chief.
All but one of the other speakers supported the change but with caveats.
“I don’t have faith in our council, as a whole to do the job. I don’t necessarily trust a former cop (referring to Barbanica). I do believe it should be your job as the head of Antioch,” said one woman while looking at the mayor.
“You guys represent us and our voices. The council, the mayor and the city manager should decide,” another woman said.
“I think the city manager should be included in the oversight of this,” said another speaker. “Some people back the blue. They could have a bias.”
Resident Tikki Flow said, “I agree with transferring the job to the city council. For 150 years nothing has changed. I’m for reimagining things. The city council is supposed to represent the people. If it’s added more work, then…they must feel they can do the job. I feel like you guys are well qualified.”
Robert Collins spoke next saying, “Angelo Quinto called me ‘dad’. We’ve had a police department with no accountability. To have the police chief only being accountable to the city council…I don’t know if that’s the right approach. If you can’t do a commission, then you should take on that role. We do know the previous structure did not work.”
The only member of the public who spoke against the change was David George who said, “I’m very disappointed in the way you’ve run this city. I think you’ve had a big hand in the problems, here. I don’t think you’re qualified.”
Lisa Elekwachi then said, “I don’t understand why the chief needs all of you as his boss. We don’t need a whole crew of people. Honestly, I think you should be his boss, the mayor. A lot of these problems with the police department stem from upper management. Hiring the best is what’s important.”
“If we can get it right, I would love for you to be in charge of the police chief,” she continued while looking at Thorpe. “You have a political career in front of you. We can hold you accountable at the state level, too. Who we hire should not be involved in cronyism.”
“Hiring a police chief is a heavy responsibility and involves a lot,” said resident Andrew Becker. “Resources start with our first responders. I think there’s a variety of ways the council can go about this. You should be unique that works for the community. The council majority can…put out an application. But you can have retired chiefs…community members to sit on that panel. They can be a part of the selection process. It’s about bringing those voices together. Looking at old processes I don’t think work for our community. I encourage the council to be diverse in that selection process. That single individual will be paramount for that department. That reporting…obviously will involve the city manager. The council does need to be a part of that decision. We do have to appreciate that we do have that diversity. If we just have noise on one side that’s not a conversation. I do hope we can bring in regional experts.”
Mayor Lamar Thorpe points at a member of the audience during his raised voice rant about changing the hiring and oversight of the police chief from the city manager to the council during the meeting on Tuesday, August. 22, 2023. Video screenshot
Thorpe Gets Heated During Council Discussion
Thorpe then said, “this is one of the reforms we initiated in 2021 after the death of Angelo Quinto. What we decided was an open process. We wanted public involvement in the process. We also wanted some level of accountability. It was becoming apparent to me the city manager’s role…is taking us for granted.”
He said people have been asking, “’You’re going to now run the police department?’ We provide oversight for all of our departments.”
“What has happened in our city…residents like them and city councils in the past have failed to provide oversight of the police department,” Thorpe continued as he raised his voice. (See 1:16:00 mark of council meeting video)
“Ralph Hernandez was a member of the city council. He failed to provide oversight of the Antioch Police Department because this was decades in the making,” he shouted, raising his voice louder. (Hernandez served on the city council from 1992 to 1995).
“Who was the mayor when you got beat up?” Thorpe asked a member of the audience. “Don Freitas was the mayor. He failed to provide oversight of the police department.” (Freitas was elected to the city council in 1998 and served as mayor from 2000-2008).
“So, you can come in here and point the finger all you want. I don’t give a damn,” Thorpe continued with a raised voice. “Because the residents of this community have demanded the change we’re making, here today if the council continues in this direction. Because for decades residents like you have allowed the council to get away with murder, absolute murder, in failure to provide oversight.”
“The city attorney said, ‘you either have a chief of police report directly to you or report to the city manager’,” he stated. “There’s no hybrid process. This is the option that we have.”
“We have done little talking about gun violence in this community,” Torres-Walker stated, speaking next. “We can’t fool ourselves about violence and harm in our community. So, no matter what direction this council takes on this item, tonight it’s important we come together. Reform can continue but it shouldn’t continue the way it has in the past.”
“I’m for governmental destruction. It hasn’t worked, mainly for colored people in the past,” she continued. “We have to do things radically. It is the council’s responsibility when a police department harms the community. In their duty to protect public safety they actually put public safety in jeopardy.”
“I’m a governmental radically deconstructionist,” Torres-Walker stated.
“I want to thank Mr. Hernandez for making my mind up for me,” she said. “He asked, ‘who has been held accountable…in the past? Nobody.’ We have had council members who sit here and have acknowledged they did nothing. Crimes against the community have occurred under the current structure. So, what would you have us do?”
“If the council decides to move forward…is there a way to modify this recommendation to a term?” Torres-Walker asked the city attorney.
“To a specified period of time? Would it lapse back to the municipal code?” he asked in response. “Yes. You could do something like that. You would have to put in a definite period of time.”
“Like until a permanent city manager is hired?” she asked. “Could it be for a term of 12 months?”
“Yes. You would effectively be defining the powers of the acting city manager,” Smith responded. “When the time period lapses it could fall back to the municipal code. Both would be triggering affects.”
“I do want to recruit the strongest city manager we can…who is strong enough to manage the police chief,” Torres-Walker stated. “I would support this…if we can trigger it to go back to the city manager at some point.”
Barbanica spoke next saying, “My concern with this is I do not want the police department to become a political arm of the council. I would prefer a buffer. If we as council…have done a bad job in the past as far as holding people accountable, and I’m talking historically, then we need to change that.”
“I do not believe we should get into creating a political arm of the council. Should we hold officers accountable? Absolutely. Should we hold the police chief accountable? Absolutely,”
“I have to admit I was really on the fence on this because I could see both sides,” Wilson said. “What I’m really interested in is what I’ve heard from you the public. I am interested in creating a term. I know if this goes through it’s going to come back, not only for more council discussion but community. I’m not against. I just want to hear more so I can flush this out.”
“Just to be clear, I was not talking about not moving forward tonight,” said Torres-Walker. “I appreciate the process Oakland is going through. They’re going through a public process. We don’t need to slow this down. We’ve been going through a public process for the past 18 months since we found out Angelo Quinto was murdered in his family’s house.”
However, her statement is incorrect as it was reported by the county coroner’s that Quinto died three days later in the hospital from excited delirium due to the drugs in his system, while not in police custody. (See related article)
“I too have done a lot of research on this,” Ogorchock then stated. “I, too, do not want the police department to become a political arm. So, I’m not for this, tonight. I do believe the city manager should hire the police chief.”
Thorpe then explained, “The California League of Cities…this is where we get trained…in it’s resource guide it describes the relationship between the city council and the police department.”
“The police department exists within a political arena,” he said quoting the section.
“Listen, 2020 was about police reform. The previous mayor was running from the press because he didn’t want to answer questions about police officers,” Thorpe continued mentioning one officer by name, Lt. Michael Mellone.
“At the end of that process we got a new mayor,” he continued. “The city manager kept his job. The police chief kept his job. But there was no accountability for these officers that sparked these protests. We already have oversight of the police department.”
“The question is whether there should be a buffer…because of the actions of the police chief or the lack thereof,” Thorpe stated. “I am personally still for this because I am frustrated…we have been kept in the dark about the FBI investigation…and how many officers are actually on paid leave. Because there is a buffer between the police department and the elected body. I’m not for it.”
Torres-Walker then said, “I still agree with moving forward, tonight. But I still believe in checks and balances” and “returning authority to the city manager, as Mr. Hernandez properly stated.”
But she then made a motion to change the hiring, oversight and discipline of the police chief and that the chief serves at the pleasure of the city council without any time limit. It was seconded by Wilson.
“You can always come back and amend this ordinance,” City Attorney Smith said in response to a question by Torres-Walker.
The motion passed 3-2 with Barbanica and Ogorchock voting against.
“So, this will take place 30 days after its second reading. OK,” Thorpe then stated.
Council Majority Changes Motion to Delay Implementation for 90 Days
Following a break in the meeting, Thorpe then said, “I’d like to make a motion to reconsider our previous motion.”
Torres-Walker seconded the motion to reconsider.
“The city manager is in the process of hiring an interim chief. So, in that process, this would get in the way of that. I would ask you consider adding 90 days,” Thorpe stated.
“So, what we just did kind of negates what he’s doing?” Wilson asked.
“Mayor Thorpe is proposing the effective date be 90 days after the adoption,” Attorney Smith said.
“We’re looking at up to two, three months for a background check. I wanted to be respectful of his authority, now,” Thorpe responded.
Torres-Walker then made a new motion with the 90-day extension included.
Before the vote Barbanica stated, “I’m probably as shocked as you are that we are a week away from hiring an interim chief. I did not know that.”
The new motion passed, again on a 3-2 vote with Barbanica and Ogorchock voting against.
Trevor Clymens #2c kept his IMCA Sport Modified title hopes alive with his first win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Davis also winner
By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…August 19…Trevor Clymens of Brentwood won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The first win of the season for Clymens kept his championship hopes alive.
Dylan Connelly of Antioch set the early pace ahead of Clymens and Billy Garner of Antioch. Kenny Shrader of Pacheco slipped past Garner for third with an inside pass on Lap 5, and Garner spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 7 yellow flag. Connelly led the restart with Shrader slipping past Clymens for second. An inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 10 put incoming point leader Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley into third. The intense battle for second saw Clymens get past Shrader on Lap 14, but Shrader made an inside pass on Clymens on Lap 15 to reclaim second.
Undaunted, Clymens went around the outside and made a big move to take the lead from Connelly in Turn 4 on Lap 17. Clymens maintained a good pace and ran smoothly down the stretch to claim the much needed victory. Connelly settled for second ahead of Shrader, Tanner Thomas of Turlock and Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley.
Troy Foulger #49 collected his fourth IMCA Modified feature win as he closes in on the division championship. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Troy Foulger of Oakley won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the current point leader aboard the Bowers Motorsports owned entry.
Josh Combs of Roseville set the early pace ahead of Andrew Pearce of Oakley, but an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 3 put Foulger into second. Foulger slowly reeled in Combs and made an inside pass on the front stretch of the ninth lap to take the lead. Pearce was next to run down Combs, finally making an inside pass on the front stretch on Lap 18 to claim the runner-up spot. However, nobody was stopping Foulger as he won ahead of Pearce, Combs, Chris Sieweke of Santa Rosa and Terry DeCarlo, Sr. of Martinez.
Tom Davis #75 (center) closes in on the Print Club Mini Stock title with his seventh win of the season. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Tom Davis of Los Molinos won his seventh Print Club Mini Stock Main Event. This was the Mini Stock Mayhem race with purse money greatly increased for the occasion thanks to a fundraising effort by Laina Bales. Point leader Davis was piloting the Delbert Rios owned entry.
The race had to be restarted after Kelly Campanile spun on the front straightaway and was hit by Wyatt Lakin of Diamond Springs. Davis led Rick Berry of Modesto after that. Daniel Bond of Oakdale settled into third and made an inside pass on Berry for second on a Lap 8 restart. The leaders caught slower traffic, which proved to be the undoing of Bond when Brycen Bragg of Placerville spun in Turn 4 on Lap 15 and collected him for a yellow flag.
Davis led Berry and Tyler Applebaum of Antioch on the restart. However, Patrick Kelley of Clovis slipped past Applebaum for third on Lap 18. Tony Quinonez of Corning made a late surge from an earlier yellow flag. Davis pulled away to victory with Quinonez crossing the line second ahead of Berry, Kelly and Applebaum.
Reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner #11dd returned and won their Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Danny Wagner of Bay Point won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. It made a clean sweep weekend for the reigning champion, who won at Watsonville the night before.
Wagner led fiance Ellie Russo of Bay Point on the start with Pete Piantanida of Discovery Bay running third. Piantanida made a Turn 4 pass on Russo for second on Lap 2 with Dublin’s Devan Kammermann making an inside pass on Turn 4 for third on Lap 3. Russo came back strong on the outside in Turn 2 a lap later, but the tenacious Kammermann made another inside pass in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to reclaim third. A yellow flag waved for a Turn 4 tangle between Russo and Chris Durden of Hollister on Lap 8.
Wagner led Piantanida and Kammermann on the restart. Championship contenders Kammermann and Chance Russell of Antioch battled fiercely for the third position. However, Kammermann began to pull away as the race wore on. Barrett Gooch III of Anderson spun on the back stretch for a Lap 19 yellow flag. Wagner led Piantanida and Kammermann on the restart and they finished in that order with Russell and Gooch completing the Top 5.
Nick DeCarlo #17 won a close battle for the IMCA Stock Car feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss
Nick DeCarlo of Martinez won the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car Main Event ahead of Raymond Noland of Porterville. DeCarlo led most of the way until Noland made an inside move with two laps to go. DeCarlo came back strong on the inside on the final lap and won a photo finish against Noland.
Racing resumes next Saturday night with the second round of the Triple Threat Series for the BCRA Midgets. BCRA Lightning Sprints and Vintage Midgets will also be in action along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, West Coast Sport Compacts, Delta Dwarf Cars and Hardtops. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Antioch Speedway Race Results
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Kenny Shrader, Dylan Connelly. Main Event (20 laps)-Trevor Clymens, Dylan Connelly, Kenny Shrader, Tanner Thomas, Jacob Mallet Jr, Joseph Pato, Billy Garner, Jason Ryan Jr, Mark Garner, Dutch Jantz.
IMCA Modifieds
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Buddy Kniss. Main Event (25 laps)-Troy Foulger, Andrew Pearce, Josh Combs, Chris Sieweke, Terry DeCarlo Sr., Buddy Kniss.
Delta Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Danny Wagner, Pete Piantanida. Main Event (20 laps)-Danny Wagner, Pete Piantanida, Devan Kammermann, Chance Russell, Barrett Gooch III, David Rosa, Justin Bingman, Joe LeDuc, Ellie Russo, Chris Durden.
Print Club Mini Stocks
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Rick Berry, Tom Davis. Trophy Dash (4 laps)-Tom Davis. Main Event (20 laps)-Tom Davis, Tony Quinonez, Rick Berry, Patrick Kelley, Josh Applebaum, Daniel Bond, Logan Lakin, William Fogle, Brycen Bragg, David Carson.
IMCA Stock Cars
Heat Winner (8 laps)-Raymond Noland. Main Event (20 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Raymond Noland, Andrew Pearce DNS.
Has history of arrests by multiple agencies; group committed more than 100 thefts in 7 counties
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and officials with the California State Lottery announced Friday, August 18, 2023, that Ryan Anderson plead guilty to nine felony charges as the ringleader of a sophisticated organized retail theft ring.
The 32-year-old Antioch resident (born 1/18/91) was the mastermind behind a group responsible for committing more than 100 organized retail crime thefts from stores authorized to sell California Lottery Scratchers and redeem winning Scratcher tickets for prize money. Anderson, and other associated with him, targeted convenience and grocery stores throughout the counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Stanislaus.
“Organized retail crime is serious a crime that will not be tolerated in our communities,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “We will continue to work with our retailers and all of our state and local justice partners to hold these offenders accountable with arrest, prosecution, conviction, incarceration, and full restitution.”
By early 2022, the California State Lottery investigators — working with multiple law enforcement agencies and Contra Costa DA’s Major Financial Crimes division — identified Anderson as the ringleader of a group responsible for 71 separate thefts of lottery tickets valued at a total of $95,565.00 and an additional $59,105.00 in prize money stolen from 65 retail locations across 7 Northern California counties between March 27th, 2022, and October 25, 2022. The retail crime spree stopped when Contra Costa prosecutors were able to keep Anderson in custody.
Under state laws, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute Anderson for all his crimes, even though they occurred in multiple counties. This is because state laws allow a single county to prosecute offenses if a crime — or the effects of a crime — crosses county lines.
During a court hearing in Martinez today, the California State Lottery made a victim impact statement noting that “tens of thousands of dollars” Anderson and others stole victimized not only the California State Lottery, but also its retail partners, many of which are “small, independently owned businesses that rely on the sale of Lottery games to thrive.” Moreover, lottery players were victims who lost out on the opportunity to win, and “public school students who have been robbed of additional funds to support important programs and enriching learning environments.”
The terms of the plea mean that Anderson will spend three years in state prison, admit probation violations, and pay full restitution to the California State Lottery. In court, Anderson presented a letter of apology to the victims of the crimes he committed saying, in part, that he wants to make an “honest living” so he will be able to “pay back any money [that] is owed.”
The lengthy investigation into these incidents was favorable due to the partnerships between the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, the Contra Costa Probation Department, the Security/Law Enforcement Division of the California State Lottery, and the collaborative efforts of dozens of local law enforcement agencies.
According to localcrimenews.com, Anderson, a 5’11”, 170 lb. Black male, has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Antioch PD, Concord PD, Walnut Creek PD, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and Sacramento Sheriff’s Office for a variety of crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, vandalism, vehicle theft, attempted robbery, petty theft, DUI and while license suspended, and burglary.
Case No. 04-22-01154 | The People of the State of California v. Anderson, Ryan
Case No. 04-203281-1| The People of the State of California v. Anderson, Ryan
How the City’s organizational structure would be if the council votes to directly hire the police chief.
Nothing on agenda about search for new city manager; expected to finalize tenant anti-retaliation, harassment ordinance; spend $1.2 million more for City electric vehicle charging stations; another performance evaluation for city attorney
By Allen D. Payton
Under Item 6 on the Tuesday, August 22, 2023 meeting agenda, the Antioch City Council will consider directly hiring and overseeing the police chief, removing it from the responsibility of the city manager. The council will also consider hiring retired officers to supplement the current depleted force due to the 16 current vacancies and two investigations. In addition, the council, for the third time, attempt to finalize their decision on the tenant anti-retaliation and harassment ordinance. During closed session the council will again provide the performance evaluation for the city attorney. Finally, the council will consider spending an additional $1.2 million on electric vehicle charging stations for the City’s fleet.
No City Manager Hiring Process on Agenda
But there’s no item on the agenda regarding hiring a search firm for a new city manager. As previously reported, during the closed session before their regular meeting Tuesday, July 25, 2023, the Antioch City Council voted to give direction to the City’s Human Resources Director Ana Cortez regarding recruiting a new, permanent city manager. But no other details were provided. Mayor Lamar Thorpe said he wanted to wait and hold a press conference on the city manager recruiting process until after Acting City Manager chooses a new acting police chief. That occurred on Monday, August 7. Thorpe has not held a press conference about the matter since.
Hiring, Overseeing Police Chief Directly by Council
The staff report for Item 6. Reads “It is recommended that the City Council introduce by title only and waive further reading of the ordinance (1) amending section 2- 2.06(B)(2) of the Antioch Municipal Code removing the Chief of Police from the City Manager’s appointment, discipline, and removal power, and (2) adding a new Article 4 to Chapter 3 of Title 2 of the Antioch Municipal Code, so that the Chief is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council, and setting out some general duties and responsibilities of the Police Chief.”
Under Item 2., the council will discuss District 3 Councilmember Mike Barbanica’s proposal to hire retired police officers to supplement the force.
Under Item 5, the council will for the third time, “introduce by title only and waive further reading of the Ordinance adding Chapters 4 and 5 of Title 11 of the Antioch Municipal Code prohibiting retaliation and harassment of residential tenants.” The council first voted to pass the ordinance 3-1-1 with District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock voting against and Barbanica abstaining, as he owns a property management company in Antioch. Then, during their last meeting, with District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson absent, upon advice of the acting city attorney that a simple majority vote of those who were in attendance would serve as the first reading, the item with amendments was continued on a 2-1 vote, with Ogorchock opposing it, again. However, on Tuesday’s agenda is the first reading, again.
$1.2 Million More for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
For the final item on the agenda, the council will consider City Council adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Operating Budget to increase the funding from the General Fund for the Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Project by $1,226,760 for a total amount of $1,361,814 for electric vehicle charging stations at various locations for the City’s fleet.
Another City Attorney Performance Evaluation
Prior to the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., during closed session beginning at 6:15 p.m., the council will once again give City Attorney Thomas Lloyd Smith his performance evaluation. The item has been on multiple council meeting agendas over the year.
Public Comments
If you wish to speak about an item, you must do so in person. If the item is not on the agenda, the “Public Comments” section of the agenda is for you. Unagendized comments are provided until no later than 7:30 p.m. when the City Council moves on to agenda items. There is another opportunity for public comments at the end of the meeting.
To speak about an item on the agenda fill out a Speaker Request form, located at the entrance of the Council Chambers and place it in the tray near the City Clerk.
If you wish to provide a written public comment, you may email the City Clerk’s Department at cityclerk@antiochca.gov, by 3:00 p.m. the day of the City Council Meeting. PLEASE NOTE: Written public comments received by 3:00 p.m. the day of the City Council Meeting will be shared with the City Council before the meeting; entered into the public record; retained on file by the City Clerk’s Office; and available to the public upon request. Written public comments will not be read during the City Council Meeting.
Antioch City Council meetings are televised live on Comcast channel 24, AT&T U-verse channel 99, and streamed on the City’s website.
Urges voters, taxpayers to call the Capitol to protect Prop 13, see committee members phone numbers below
ACA 1 would make it easier to raise local special taxes by removing the Prop. 13 taxpayer protection of the two-thirds vote of the electorate required to pass
ACA 13 was just introduced last week as a devious attempt to stop the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act from passing when it’s on the ballot in Nov. 2024.
By Jon Coupal
Prior to the successful passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, Howard Jarvis tried several times to bring property tax relief to beleaguered California homeowners. While coming close, it wasn’t until 1978 when voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 13 over the opposition of virtually every political institution and newspaper in California.
As they say, timing is everything. What changed the political dynamic so abruptly in 1978 was the fact that thousands of California homeowners were being taxed out of their homes. That also explains why, to this day, Proposition 13 retains its popularity even as the state has become more “progressive.”
Last week there were two competing press events over Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (ACA 1), a proposal that would erase part of Proposition 13. As the head of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, I was joined at a news conference on the Capitol’s west steps on Wednesday by several legislators who have unequivocally expressed their continued support for Proposition 13 and opposition to ACA 1. Also present were several representatives of other taxpayer groups as well as business organizations suffering under California’s excessive tax burdens.
ACA 1 is a direct attack on Proposition 13 because it would cut the vote threshold needed to pass local special taxes, dropping it from the current two-thirds vote required by Proposition 13 to only 55%. That change would make it easier for local governments to raise taxes.
Since Proposition 13 was enacted in 1978, voters have continued to support the important two-thirds vote protection. That support was reaffirmed with the passage of pro-taxpayer initiatives in 1986, 1996 and 2010.
Many people may not know that the two-thirds vote requirement did not originate in 1978. It has been in the California Constitution since 1879! For more than a century, local property owners have been protected against excessive bond debt by the requirement that local bonds – repaid only by property owners – need a two-thirds vote of the local electorate.
ACA 1 repeals the two-thirds vote protection for tax increases to support “infrastructure,” a term so expansive that local governments would be able to raise taxes for almost any purpose with a vote of just 55% of the electorate. This is a hatchet that chops away at the taxpayer protections in Proposition 13.
ACA 1 proponents are aware of Prop. 13’s enduring popularity, so not once in their over one-hour press event did they mention Proposition 13 by name. Instead, they talked about “protecting democracy,” “local control,” and taking on “right-wing interests.” (Are Californians “right wing” for wanting to keep their home instead of being taxed out of it?) Nor did the supporters of ACA 1 provide any specific example of exactly what lowering the two-thirds vote would purchase, other than to claim that it was essential to address California’s dual crises of housing and homelessness.
Opponents of ACA 1 have noted that making it easier to raise taxes makes no sense in one of the highest taxed states in America. No other state comes close to California’s 13.3% top marginal income tax rate, and we also have the highest state sales tax in America as well as the highest gas tax, not to mention gas prices. And even with Prop. 13, we rank 14th out of 50 states in per capita property tax collections. Californians pay enough.
This is a critical time. As of this writing, ACA 1 has cleared one legislative committee and may be heard by the full Assembly as early as this week. However, its main proponent, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, admitted at her press conference that she didn’t quite have the votes yet. For that reason, the time is now for all defenders of Proposition 13 and advocates for limited taxation to contact their Assembly representatives and let them know that a vote for ACA 1 is a vote against Proposition 13.
This issue is so important to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association that we will withhold our endorsement from any current legislator who fails to vote no on ACA 1.
Committee Hearings this Week, Taxpayers Urged to Call the Capitol
Your immediate help is needed to fight against two proposed constitutional amendments moving fast through the state Assembly. Both of these measures are attacks on PROPOSITION 13. We’re asking all HJTA members and supporters to please call the members of two committees that will be hearing these bills on Wednesday. Please call as soon as possible! Here’s all the information:
NO on ACA 1 – Hearing date: Wednesday, 8/23, Assembly Appropriations Committee
ACA 1 is a direct attack on Proposition 13 that would remove the taxpayer protection of the two-thirds vote of the electorate required to pass local special taxes. If this measure is enacted, local taxes and bonds for “infrastructure” (nearly everything) and public housing projects would pass with just 55% of the vote instead of 66.67%. This makes it easier to raise taxes, and your taxes could go up after every election. Please call the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and urge a NO vote on ACA 1:
Chris Holden (Chair) – (916) 319-2041 Megan Dahle (Vice Chair) – (916) 319-2001 Isaac Bryan – (916) 319-2055 Lisa Calderon – (916) 319-2056 Wendy Carrillo – (916) 319-2052 Diane Dixon – (916) 319-2072 (Please thank Assemblywoman Dixon for opposing ACA 1) Mike Fong – (916) 319-2049 Gregg Hart – (916) 319-2037 Josh Lowenthal – (916) 319-2069 Devon Mathis – (916) 319-2033 (Please thank Assemblyman Mathis for opposing ACA 1) Diane Papan – (916) 319-2021 Gail Pellerin – (916) 319-2028 Kate A. Sanchez – (916) 319-2071 Esmeralda Soria – (916) 319-2027 Akilah Weber, M.D. – (916) 319-2079 Lori Wilson – (916) 319-2011 – Represents portions of Eastern Contra Costa County
NO on ACA13 – Hearing date: Wednesday, 8/23, Assembly Elections Committee
ACA 13 was just introduced last week as a devious attempt to stop the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act from passing when it’s on the ballot in November 2024. The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act is our initiative constitutional amendment that will restore the Proposition 13 protections that have been eroded by the courts.
Some of the measure’s key provisions include:
Require all new taxes passed by the Legislature to be approved by voters
Restore two-thirds voter approval for all new local special tax increases
Clearly define what is a tax or fee
Require truthful descriptions of new tax proposals
Hold politicians accountable by requiring them to clearly identify how revenue will be spent before any tax or fee is enacted
But ACA 13 would create special rules that make it harder to pass citizen initiatives like this one. If ACA 13 is enacted, the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act would require a two-thirds vote to pass, instead of the simple majority vote that has been required for all other constitutional amendments since 1849!
Please call the members of the Assembly Elections Committee and urge a NO vote on ACA 13:
Gail Pellerin (Chair) – (916) 319-2028 Tom Lackey (Vice Chair) – (916) 319-2034 Steve Bennett – (916) 319-2038 Bill Essayli – (916) 319-2063 Alex Lee – (916) 319-2024 Evan Low – (916) 319-2026 Blanca Rubio – (916) 319-2048
Please also call your own state representatives and urge them to vote NO on ACA 1 and NO on ACA 13. You can look up their names and contact information at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.
Thank you for your help in this critical fight to protect Proposition 13. We greatly appreciate you! Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Half marathon, 10K, 5k and 1-mile Family Fun Run fundraiser for Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation
By Patti Shaner
Runners and Volunteers are needed to participate in the 12th Annual Delta Harvest Run. 100% of the net proceeds goes to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates. Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay. It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception. In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County.
The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1 Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets. The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail. The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company. All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performance-shirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line. Back by popular demand the runners will receive a token for a free beer, an ice cream or a coffee. The DHR will also award age group metals as well as overall male and female trophies.
The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time. The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race.
For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at www.deltaharvestrun.com. You can also call the race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614.
Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December. Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application. The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community.
