By Corporal R. Martin #3343, Antioch Police

On Monday, May 11, 2015, at approximately 5:39 PM, Antioch Police officers responded to the intersection of Medanos and W. 11th Streets on a report of a hit and run collision involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival a 47-year-old male Antioch resident was located in the street with major injuries. Witnesses provided a description of the responsible vehicle and driver. The vehicle was located abandoned. The 19-year-old male driver of the vehicle, also an Antioch resident, was located a short time later and placed under arrest. The pedestrian was transported to John Muir Hospital where he had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The responsible driver was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on various charges.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Antioch Police at (925) 778-2441 or Corporal R. Martin at 925-779-6900 ext.83343. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

Bonilla rally at Concord BART Yard, Shift No. 1. photos courtesy of Glazer for Senate campaign.

By Allen Payton

During a press conference at BART headquarters in Oakland, today, State Senate candidate Steve Glazer condemned the illegal electioneering on public property by the BART unions and management, and called for a swift crackdown on the use of BART facilities for campaign activities. In a letter to BART Board Chair Thomas Blalock, Glazer wrote, “During the same week that BART experienced major breakdowns, inconveniencing thousands of Bay Area commuters, BART workers were holding illegal Susan Bonilla for Senate rallies at BART facilities throughout the Bay Area. Some of these activities occurred openly with management personnel nearby.”

Union leaders during member training session about Senate District 7 race, Shift No. 1, BART Hayward Yard.

“This is an outrageous abuse of public property for campaign activities,” Glazer added. “I know there is resentment by BART unions and management for my criticism of their involvement in the eight days of strikes in 2013. These actions by the union and management resulted in exorbitant pay raises in an agency that claims that it has no money for train, station and technology upgrades. But that is no excuse for allowing this illegal conduct at numerous BART facilities.”

“I am calling on the BART Board of Directors to initiate an immediate investigation into these violations. This inquiry needs to be conducted by an independent party to ensure the fairness of the review. The BART Board should also take steps now to prevent these abuses from happening again.”

The attached photos show maintenance personnel rallying for Senate candidate Susan Bonilla at facilities in Concord, Hayward and Richmond. These events were not just held in private rooms but were in open spaces in clear view of management. In one case, union leaders are showing television coverage of a recent Glazer and Bonilla debate using BART audiovisual equipment.

In response to Glazer’s complaint, Assemblywoman Bonilla issued a statement calling on Glazer, BART workers and Bill Bloomfield, who has been funding an independent expenditure campaign to support Glazer, to stop campaigning on BART property.

Photos of Glazer at BART stations, used in his campaign materials and on his website.

“I am appalled that BART platforms and BART property have been used for electioneering by Steve Glazer, Los Angeles billionaire Bill Bloomfield (who has spent $2 million on Steve Glazer campaign advertising), and by BART employees who were holding my campaign signs – these parties should immediately stop using BART property for electioneering, including candidate Steve Glazer who has repeatedly used internal BART property for self advertising,” Bonilla stated.

Bonilla’s campaign also provided examples of dozens of uses by Glazer and his backers, including use of BART platforms and internal BART property for electioneering and promoting his political campaign, including campaign photo shoots, use of those photos in campaign advertising, direct mail and on his website, and displaying Glazer campaign signs and materials at BART stations.

Visit SteveGlazerFacts.com, to see examples of Glazer’s usage of BART property for his campaign advertising.

It is illegal for BART workers to use BART facilities to oppose or promote a candidate during work hours. They can campaign on their own time, but only at BART stations in public areas. It’s also against BART’s code of conduct to campaign at BART facilities, other than stations, any time. 

However, candidates can campaign at BART stations and have been doing so for years. BART has a permit system and Glazer says he has the necessary permits to campaign.

“I have the right, I have a permit and I’m not an employee on the premises,” he stated in a brief interview, today. “I’m talking about their [the BART employees’] place of work.”

Rally for Susan Bonilla at BART Richmond Yard during Shift No. 1.

According to Director Joel Keller who represents Antioch and East County on the BART Board, “It is a violation of BART’s code of conduct for all employees. The short answer is it is not allowed at BART.”

He further stated, “Anyone can campaign at the non-paid areas of BART stations on their own time at any time. Directors, management and employee groups may not use district property to campaign at any time.”

As of the time of publication of this article, Bonilla had yet to respond to why she’s calling on Glazer and his supporters to stop campaigning at BART stations when it’s legal for them to do so.

Glazer is Mayor of Orinda and a Trustee of the California State Universities. He was the top vote getter in the primary, leading Bonilla, who finished second, by more than 10,000 votes. The 7th Senate District includes most of central and eastern Contra Costa County, including all of Antioch, as well as the cities of Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin in Alameda County.

Bonilla is serving in her final of three terms in the State Assembly. For more information, visit www.glazerforsenate.com or www.susanbonilla.com. The election is Tuesday, May 19.

By John Crowder

For the second time in as many weeks, Antioch resident and real estate broker, Mark Jordan proposed to the Antioch City Council the idea of converting the city from a general law to a charter city as a way to increase city revenue and to deal with unfunded retirement obligations. At the April 28, 2015 council meeting, Jordan addressed the members during public comments.

Referring to the budget discussion taking place during a special session, that night, he began his remarks by saying, “Unfortunately, in three or four years, there won’t be any money for anybody. The funds that would be generated [by converting to a charter city], while they would generally go to the General Fund, the only way I could really support a transition to a charter city would be if all the money goes to pay the unfunded retirement obligations. That is really the gigantic elephant standing in the room.”

“I would also want to see an overhaul of the retirement system for the city,” Jordan continued. “We need to move to a defined retirement contribution program, so that we’re not constantly looking at budgets six years down the road with twenty, thirty-million dollar deficits, or empty city hall and no services being provided.”

At the previous council meeting, on April 14, Jordan had explained that converting to a charter city would generate additional revenue by allowing the city to increase the real estate transfer tax. At that meeting, he stated that increasing the rate from the current $1.10 per $1,000 to $13 per $1,000 would have generated additional revenue of about $81 million over approximately ten years. On a $300,000 home sale, that would increase the transfer tax from $330 to $3,900.

Antioch City Manager Steve Duran, in response to an email request, wrote of Jordan’s proposal, “It’s an idea worth considering. Staff is going to do some research as to the pros and cons and report back to the City Council this fall to get their direction on the matter.”

Mayor Wade Harper, who was also contacted via email by Antioch Herald staff, provided his thoughts on the issue.

“I appreciate Mr. Jordan bringing the idea forward regarding making Antioch a charter city,” he wrote. “We have to continue to look for good ideas. As we are researching and vetting the process I must always be able to answer the question, ‘How does this make Antioch better?’ At this point, I don’t have a position on the matter, as I would have to weigh how the community feels about a charter city. We do have a strategic plan in place. Conversion to a charter city is not listed in the current strategic plan.”

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. The council will hold a public hearing on water use restrictions due to the drought. Meetings take place in the City Council Chambers, located at 200 H Street or can be viewed on Comcast Channel 24 or via live stream video on the city’s website at www.ci.antioch.ca.us.

2014-2015 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. Stephen Curry, holds his trophy during the MVP ceremony. He is the first MVP on the Warriors since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960. Photo by F.D. Purcell

By F.D. Purcell

Antioch Herald

“Still on a high,” were the words of Regina Jackson the day after receiving a new vehicle for her community center. The President, CEO and Executive Director of the East Oakland Youth Development Center in Oakland for the past 13 years, she and her staff have been using an older, beat-up van to carry students to various programs.

On Tuesday, after he was presented with the 2014-2015 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, Golden State Warriors Guard Stephen Curry walked over to the black 2016 Kia Sorento LX CUV and handed over the keys to Jackson and her excited staff.

“I got a message around 10:30 pm last night and told that I had been chosen to receive the car,” said Jackson.

“I called up a couple of parents and told them that I needed to borrow their kids for a couple of hours the next day,” she said with a laugh.

As part of its support of the Kia NBA MVP Award, Kia Motors America donated the vehicle on behalf of Curry who finished balloting with 100 first place votes.

“It’s very important to give back. Four wheels can do a lot of good,” said Curry. “It’s important for athletes to explore outside of their bubble and impact the life of others.”

The face of the league, Curry has made it his mission to give back not only nationally, but globally as an ambassador for Nothing But Nets, a grassroots program that raises awareness about malaria. Earlier this year, he spoke at the White House about the number one killer in Africa and how it can be prevented.

The two-time All-Star has also been vocal about his faith, which he credits for all that he does on the court. While most may think he’s beating on his chest out of passion for the game when he makes a great play, that’s just part of it. It’s actually because of his faith.

“I do a little sign on the court every time I make a shot or good pass, and I pound my chest and point to the sky, and that symbolizes that I have a heart for God,” Curry said.

He also said he and his mom Sonya came up with the signal while he was in college.

While strolling the streets of New York with good friend and college roommate, Bryant Barr during the All-Star Weekend in February, Curry came upon a large group of young African-American men. According to Barr he then took the group into a nearby store and bought them all a pair of his signature Curry Ones – Charged by Belief basketball shoes, just because.

“That’s just the type of guy he is,” said Barr.

During a time when claiming faith is a sensitive issue and an athlete’s arrest record is more common than the score of the game, it’s refreshing to see a man of faith like Curry. Driven by his faith, passion, drive and will, Curry’s profile is listed as a believer, husband, father and son to his two million Twitter followers.

“I am just blessed and thankful to be where I am,” Curry said during his MVP press conference.

The Bay Area is blessed and thankful that you’re a representation of a class act on and off the court.

For more on Nothing But Nets visit: www.nothingbutnets.net.

Follow F.D. Purcell @sportsinthebay_

Video contest includes $10,000 Grant, Local Spotlight Feature and Business-building Packages

Nominations are open for the inaugural Umpqua Bank (NASDAQ:UMPQ) Made to Grow Grant campaign, which will recognize small businesses that are helping to inspire thriving communities. This effort kicks off during National Small Business Week, May 4-8, 2015, and brings to life Umpqua’s ongoing commitment to help small businesses grow.  

Starting today, small business owners can enter to win Umpqua’s Made to Grow Grant grand prize by visiting facebook.com/umpquabank and sharing a short video on how $10,000 can grow their business and local community. In addition to the $10,000 prize, the winning business will also be featured in Umpqua’s Local Spotlight program, which features the products of local vendors for sale in select Umpqua stores. 

“At Umpqua, we recognize the important impact small businesses have in our communities,” said Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Bank. “More than half of all Americans either own or work for a small business, which create nearly two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Umpqua’s Made to Grow Grant campaign is an opportunity for us to celebrate and give back to small businesses in the communities we serve.”

In addition to the grand prize grant winner, five contest participants will receive their choice of a business-building package developed to address some of the issues small business owners confront most often. They include: 

• Umpqua Bank Financial Counseling: Financial advice on all things small business. 

• Social Media Specialist: Expert assistance on a company’s social media presence. 

• Digital Review: A review of digital and print assets from a creative professional. 

• Storefront Facelift: A refresh of a company’s digital or physical storefront. 

• Logo Redesign: Hand-crafted redesign of the company’s logo.

Small businesses are an essential part of the country’s economic vitality, accounting for between 60 and 80 percent of jobs in the US, according to several sources. Umpqua Bank’s Made to Grow Grant campaign is one of multiple programs the company has developed to support the growth of small businesses. Others include Local Spotlight, as well as a comprehensive selection of business banking and lending products and services. 

Submissions for the Made to Grow Grant are due by May 20. Entries must be within Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho and Nevada to qualify. Finalists will be announced on May 27 and the winner selected by popular vote. Umpqua will announce the recipients of the grant and business-building tools on June 8. 

For more information on the Made to Grow Grant campaign or to submit your video, visit facebook.com/umpquabank. For inspiration to help your small business grow, visit umpquabank.tumblr.com.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the tenth consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to small businesses.

Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments, Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua’s Wealth Management Division serves high net worth individuals and nonprofits by providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit www.umpquabank.com.

By Matthew Hart, J.D.

Greetings readers, my name is Matthew Hart and I am starting a monthly column in the Antioch Herald talking about all things regarding Wills, Trusts, Probate and the Law. I will take the opportunity in this first column to introduce myself and offer a little background about who I am.

I am an Antioch native. I have been married to my lovely wife Dr. Theresa Hart for almost 25 years and we have one daughter, Rebekah, who is 20. 

Although I have lived in Antioch my whole life, I commuted to San Francisco for 20 years, for the first part of my career.  In 2008, I was blessed to be able to open my own law practice here, in Antioch.

I am a Certified Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialist by the State Bar of California. This specialization is distinguished by the fact that out of 182,000 active attorneys in California, only 984 are currently Certified Legal Specialists in the area of Estate Law.

Over the next several months, I will be writing a series of columns to cover the different areas of Estate Planning. Join me, next month to begin learning what you need to know in order to protect you and your family.

Matthew Hart is a California Licensed Attorney who is an Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Specialist certified by the State Bar of California.  He has offices in Antioch and Walnut Creek and can be reached at either 925-754-2000 or www.MatthewHartLaw.com.

Antioch City Manager Steve Duran announced today that Forrest Ebbs has accepted the position of Community Development Director for the City of Antioch. Forrest currently works for the City of Stockton as the Deputy Community Development Director. He will begin his new position in Antioch on June 1^st.

Mr. Ebbs holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Analysis from the University of California at Davis and brings over 14 years of community development experience to Antioch. He worked for the cities of Watsonville, Seaside and Monterey before going to Stockton in 2012.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the professional arm of the American Planning Association, providing recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice.

“Forrest has the technical knowledge and real world experience we need to continue to move Antioch forward.” said Antioch City Manager Steve Duran. “He understands the financial challenges that cities face, as well as the balance between economic development, sound planning practices, and the need to fund city infrastructure and services. He is a great addition to our team.”