We’ve seen the news. Pittsburg is seeing fifty-year lows in crime. Brentwood reported zero homicides last year. Then there is the Antioch story, but no need recounting the grim tale. From both ends, housing boom and bust, Antioch suffered a tailspin that will take years of correction. Perhaps it’s the New Yorker in me that reveled in Rudy Giulianii turning the city around after decades of free fall. To think, it all started with graffiti and jaywalking.

Supervisor Federal Glover, who represents the communities of Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and Bethel Island, raised more money for the Food Bank than any of his fellow supervisors. “My district is not the richest,” said Glover, “but District V’s residents have the biggest hearts.”

The supervisor’s office raised $15,405 in the County Cares Food Fight that pits Contra Costa County employees against Solano County workers to see which county could raise the most money per employee to benefit the Contra Costa/Solano County Food Bank.

Lisa Sherrill, community relations manager for the food bank, explained that “each county’s workers try to outdo each other’s county by raising money for the food bank.
The supervisors’ offices and other departments also compete among themselves to see which office can raise the most funds.”

It is the first time Glover won the Little Apple award, given annually to the Contra Costa supervisor who raises the most funds for the competition. Glover’s campaign was
boosted by a $10,000 donation from Calpine Corporation, which operates two power plants in District V.

The $113,000 raised by Contra Costa employees added to the $29,956 raised by Solano will pay for 285,912 meals through the Food Bank.

Antioch City Manager Jim Jakel, with input from the City Council and residents, will be deciding whether to hire a new police chief from inside the department or whether to hire a search firm to look outside for the best candidates.

My answer is – search for a new police chief. By doing so we’d be assured of having a chief who has no alliances with current personnel and who brings a completely objective outlook to the job. Our recent Chief, Jim Hyde, brought to the table many new ideas, including the highly successful CAT team.

Back in 1991 Antioch was looking for a police chief. A city brochure asked for the following qualifications. (Regrettably, the city didn’t end up hiring from outside, choosing not only to promote from within but selecting for chief someone with no college degree and someone APOA was opposed to.)

Qualifications: Any combination of experience and education equivalent to 5 years of professional police experience with at least 3 years at command level and a Bachelor’s degree in police science, public administration or related field; Advanced Post Certificate, Post Management and/or Executive Certificate. Master’s degree desirable.

Ideal characteristics: A people-oriented leader who can establish sound working relationships with the City Council, Manager, staff and community and impart a sense of responsiveness and sensitivity, an effective manager who delegates both authority and responsibility appropriately and holds the organization accountable, a strategic rather than tactical thinker, one who is visionary, progressive and has exceptional long-range planning skills.

Competencies and Personal Characteristics: an effective listener, communicator/negotiator and team builder, accessible to the community, Council and employees, decisive once input has been received and viewpoints known and understood, a creative thinker, able to bring NEW solutions to traditional law enforcement problems, calm under pressure, good sense of humor, fair, unbiased, compassionate, utilizes non sworn personnel to provide support services to department, possesses a strong sense of professional and personal ethics and is adaptable to changes in community needs and issues.

Palo Alto was also seeking a Police Chief at the same time, using the search team Hughes, Heiss & Associations, Management Consultants. In addition to listing the qualifications and characteristics desired, they listed the following issues as needs to be addressed: How to increase department. morale (lower than desired due to various conditions), how to deal with the community’s changing demographics, how to approach the different crime and service needs which exist within the limited resources available.

Seems appropriate to note that Antioch has similar issues at this time, issues which are pertinent in the selection of a new Antioch Police Chief.  Select one from the outside please.

On Thursday, February 17^th members of the Antioch Police Department along with a Special Olympics Athlete and her mother, volunteered as Celebrity Waiters at Chili’s located at 5809 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.

General Manager Sherie Farwell, Managers Rachael Harding and Jeff Henley and the remainder of the hard working Chili’s staff are deserving of praise for their welcoming spirit and patience in working with the Celebrity Waiters. 

The Chili’s Special Olympics Tip-A-Cop event was a huge success.  As a result of the tremendous community support and gracious donations from many community members, City employees and dignitaries who donated to this worthwhile cause, the fundraising efforts raised $1,686.00.

The outpouring of support during these difficult economic times is a testament to the caring and nurturing nature of our community. The amount of money donated this year exceeded our totals from last year and also exceeded the totals of eight other agencies who participated in Chili’s Tip-A-Cop events in their respective cities. Everyone should be proud of what was accomplished!

The gracious donations are appreciated.  The money we help raise will assist individuals with developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential.  Just know that the charitable donations received will help shape and enrich the lives of the Special Olympic Athletes. The Antioch Police Department thanks you and so do the Special Olympic Athletes!

Hapgood Theatre continues its 2010-11 season with a rip-roaring comedy by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. An irreverent, fastpaced romp through the Bard’s works, The Compleat Works of W!m Shkspr (Abridged) is London’s longest running comedy. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Tragedies and Histories in 97 minutes!

It is a wild ride that is sure to leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. The Hapgood is also very pleased to announce its first collaboration with the Willows Theatre Company, who has invited the East County company to bring Compleat Works out to the Campbell Theatre in Martinez for a week-long extension.

The Compleat Works of W!m Shkspr (Abridged) plays at the Nick Rodriguez Theater in Antioch, March 4 – 20, 2011, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm; then at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez March 23 – 27, 2011, Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Cast: Daniel Bakken, Robert Richardson and Rob Seitelman
Creative Team: The Reduced Shakespeare Company (Book), Jason Miller (Director), Robert Haycock (Scenic Design), Mitchell Weisbrod (Lighting Designer), Josy Miller (Artistic Director), Nicole Langley (Stage Manager), Lucas Donart (Properties Design), Sierra Young (Costume Design)
Press Quotes:
“The funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime.” —THE MONTREAL
GAZETTE
“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this
show!” —THE TODAY SHOW
“Stupendous, anchorless joy!” – THE LONDON TIMES

Tickets: $15 – $35. Tickets are available by calling the box offices at (925) 219-8545 or at www.hapgoodtheatre.org or Josy Miller, Artistic Director at jmiller@hapgoodtheatre.org.

The contractor for the widening of Highway 4 has tentative plans to close a single lane in both directions of Highway 4 between Harbor Street and Somersville Road from 11 pm to 5 am on Thursday and Friday nights.

RAMP CLOSURES: The contractor plans to close the on ramp from north bound Loveridge Road to east bound highway 4 on Wednesday and Thursday between 5 am and 11 am.

CITY STREET CLOSURES: The contractor will be closing a single lane in the northbound and southbound directions of Loveridge Road at various times during the week. These lane closures will be during the day between 9 am and 2:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Please note: All closures are weather dependent so check www.widensr4.org frequently for updates. For the most current information on lane closures and ramp closures please visit the Caltrans lane closure web site at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/dtm/ApprovedClosures.pdf

The March 5th cleanup will target the Jacobsen Park area.

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 22nd installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods (UCBN), community volunteers, and the Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program, and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We”, everyone who works and lives in the City Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 22nd Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Volunteers should report  to the Jacobsen Park located at 1600 Jacobsen Street. Curb side parking should be plentiful. Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance.  Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance.

Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!