Dear Editor:

Steven Glazer is no environmentalist; I did some research. He’s an experienced pitchman who can help a developer distort a land grab by labeling it “creating open space.” A “communications expert” he helped turn a local forest into a golf course when he won approval of a luxury Novato housing project known as Black Point over objections of the Sierra Club. He opposed environmentalists again to defend a developer on the Humboldt Bay Waterfront. These aren’t the only times he helped a developer suppress public protests; ask Orinda residents where he’s mayor.

Glazer claims that his environmental leadership has been recognized by the Trust for Public Land and Save to Bay. Glazer was asked to advise on a finance handbook produced by the Trust. I suppose that could be seen as recognition of his leadership. He made a monetary contribution to Save the Bay that was recognized in the Annual Report. I couldn’t find proof that “Steve led efforts that raised hundreds of millions of dollars to permanently protect open space in California and 25 other states.”

He’s successfully repackaged land deals, propositions, and politicians. Now he’s selling himself the same way.

Carol Weed, Walnut Creek

By Allen Payton

The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) on Tuesday informed State Senate District 7 candidate Steve Glazer that they will not pursue his complaint against Working Families Against Glazer for Senate.

Glazer had alleged the committee had violated campaign reporting laws. But the FPPC said Working Families “has provided evidence that the mailer was already in production prior to the committee’s acquiring contributors of more than $50,000.”

The letter concluded with “The FPPC’s Enforcement Division will not pursue this matter further.”

“It’s unfortunate that he has wasted taxpayers’ resources for this publicity stunt,” said Steven Maviglio, spokesperson for Working Families Against Glazer for Senate.

A copy of the FPPC letter can be viewed here. FPPC Letter re Glazer complaint

Public invited to Join 215-mile tour of California watershed, with Organic Valley farmers and employees, April 19-25

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (April 8, 2015) – Organic Valley, the nation’s largest cooperative of organic farmers, will participate in the United Nations’ International Year of Soils by “Cycling for Sustainability” through California watersheds. From April 19-25, Organic Valley farmer-owners and employees will travel 215 miles from Auburn, California, to the Sonoma coast, learning from experts along the way about the impact of agriculture on water and soil in California.

Hailing from as far as Maine, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington state, the cyclists have diverse backgrounds and interests in the event. The public is invited to join them for any or all segments of the journey.

The events along the route are open to the public and include a meeting with the American River Parkway Foundation to learn about the coexistence of agriculture and environmental conservation along the parkway; a tour of Antioch Dunes Wildlife Refuge to understand a grazing initiative using cows to control invasive species; and an evening of food, drink and conversation at a Grass Up! event at the David Brower Center featuring guest speakers from Pesticide Action Network and Seed Matters. RSVP at ov.coop/GrassUpSOS.

The journey concludes with a visit to beautiful Ocean Breeze Dairy in Valley Ford, one of Organic Valley’s member-farms. Mark Kopecky, soil agronomist at Organic Valley, will join Ocean Breeze’s owner, Jarrid Bordessa, to share how Organic Valley farms are creating healthy soil and water systems.

“Soil is the foundation for all of agriculture,” says Kopecky, “and healthy soil is the first goal of organic agriculture. When we work with the amazing community of living beings in the soil, we can grow good crops of healthy food and feed while, at the same time, benefiting our water, air and landscape.”

View the complete Cycling for Sustainability Tour itinerary at rootstock.coop/environmental-sustainability/cycling-for-sustainability-tour-itinerary. Follow the cyclists as they blog at rootstock.coop/tag/cycling-for-sustainability.

Jake Wedeberg, a participating young farmer from Wisconsin who is a key member of Organic Valley’s On-Farm Sustainability Committee and Generation Organic Executive Committee, is specifically interested in learning from the California experts about how the cooperative can innovate and implement best practices for soil and water on member-farms across the nation.

“While we typically have ample amounts of rain in Wisconsin, past droughts have had lasting financial implications and effects on our farming practices. As young organic farmers across the country look to the future and climate change, issues involving natural resources like soil and water will be central to our challenges. Our entire generation needs to learn what we can do now to prepare for the future.”

Speaking from the point of view of an older farmer is George Siemon, Organic Valley’s CEIEIO and one of the co-op’s founding farmers, is pleased with the efforts of these farmers. “The daily, earth-healing work of Organic Valley is at the core of our mission. The continuous improvement of our business’s sustainability practices is our backbone.”

The public is invited to join the cyclists at any time during the Cycling for Sustainability Tour. View the itinerary here. They will be armed with video cameras to document their journey. Videos and images of the tour will post to Organic Valley’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and daily progress will be shared on Rootstock.coop, along with information about the cyclists and experts.

Organic Valley: Independent and Farmer-Owned

Organic Valley is America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents approximately1,800 farmers in 36 states. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, and produce, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. With its regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support our local economies. For further information visit www.organicvalley.coop. Organic Valley is also on Twitter @OrganicValley and Facebook, www.facebook.com/OrganicValley.

Starts July 15th – Applications accepted through April

By Diane Aguinaga, Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our very first Citizens Academy.

The Citizens Academy provides an opportunity for community members to meet the police officers who protect and serve our city. The intent is to educate the community on the duties, training, investigation techniques and situations police officers and other members of the police department may encounter.

Those who attend the academy will be given the opportunity to participate in some of the activities police officers perform as part of their every day duties. Hands on experiences include fingerprinting, defensive tactics, interacting with a K-9 and handler, and riding along with an officer.

Join us for a unique learning experience. The Antioch Police Department Citizens Academy affords “Knowledge through Exposure and Experience.”

– Applications will be accepted during the month of April.

– Class space is limited to 20 students.

– Classes start July 15th.

– Classes are Wednesday evenings and two Saturdays

QUALIFICATIONS

– Minimum age of 18 years old

– Resident of Antioch

– No felony convictions

– No misdemeanor convictions within 1 year of applying

– Must commit to attend all 10 sessions

To download the application, click here: Citizens-Academy-App

Dear Editor:

I’ve experienced break-ins. I’ve even had a car stolen off my driveway. This did not happen in Antioch, but at my previous home in Bay Point. Since the last letter writer has made brutal honesty the order of the day, I live in Antioch now because it looked like the nicest place not too far from work I could afford. Some high-walled paradise of absolute safety is a thing few of us can afford these days.

I’ve been over here a couple years, long enough for an election cycle. And I will take perhaps a more controversial position, a frankly socialist one. I am wary of candidates who lead their campaigns proposing brute force crackdowns on stranger-on-stranger crimes, the great majority of which are born of economic desperation. And I think we’ve seen enough this past year, from places far off to right in San Francisco, to know that quality of police officers is at least as important as quantity.

I for one am very heartened to see news of this working group on housing and community services, and look forward to seeing their work progress. Poverty objectively drives people violently mad, and the bite of our taxes to keep such petty thieves caged in advanced criminal training schools for years often turns out to be greater than what we’d lose just giving a fellow citizen some aid before the madness goes toxic.

There is no escape from the question of the people whose poverty leaves them with so little freedom to deal with their issues. That is why when the most recent letter writer spoke of moving to some tiny town in Montana, my first reaction was, “You mean a place with no police department, and a couple of hair-trigger deputies standing between you and a trailer park full of meth labs? Yes, do write back and tell us how that works out for you.”

Avery Ray Colter, Antioch

Carleton Booker, owner of East County-based 911 MYNONPROFIT, announced recently that they have successfully released a book to help non-profit organizations, entitled Things You Need To Know About Non-Profit – Making Sense of Non-Profit Status. It’s available now on Amazon and Kindle.

Many people want to serve the community and some of them want to start a non-profit to fulfill their dreams. However, all the paperwork required by the government can be annoying. Plus, people need to know it’s a business and how to run a non-profit like a real business. So, he’s written the book and provides a free e–book report on thecompany’s website www.911mynonprofit.com, plus 50 fund raising ideas, articles and much more.

Booker formed the company to help other non-profit organizations and charities find their way through the IRS application and incorporation process to obtain tax-exempt charity status.

They help their clients with the tedious necessities, and those whose non-profit that has been revoked by the IRS. 911 MYNONPROFIT takes customer satisfaction seriously and their ultimate goal is to earn the trust of their valued customers through consistently exceptional service.

The company is composed of experienced and knowledgeable professionals who have the ability to process more than five to ten applications a week. Their service associates know what works with the IRS. They know the way to fill in the correct details and submit the application properly, to guarantee IRS acceptance.

For those who want to file their application and incorporation for tax-exempt status, 911 MYNONPROFIT is the best choice to rely on, with a proven, 100 percent success rate. They have streamlined the application process to offer affordable, high quality and fast service to all f their customers.

They completely understand that any organization has unique issues and needs that must be immediately addressed accurately and 911 MYNONPROFIT guarantees clients prompt, personal service to ensure their IRS applications are filed successfully.

To learn more, pleasevisitwww.911mynonprofit.com. For inquiries, please contact Carleton Booker at 1-877-865-4445 or email info@911mynonprofit.com.

Carleton Booker

About Carleton Booker

Known across America for his passion and real world techniques, Carleton has earned the nick name “Business Intervention Specialist,” as an out-of-the-box thinker, and an independent, sounding board when you want to bring structure and clarity to your business andorganization.

He can help you identify core issues and make the complex simple, and will hold the space for you to create your own solutions.

In addition, as a professional speaker, branding and online marketing expert, and personal development coach, he captivates audiences with his energy, humor, and straight-forward style of motivation. Carleton’s expertise encompasses helping business leaders churches, nonprofits and entrepreneurs create powerful brands and teach them how to market their brand in a crowded marketplace.

As a cutting-edge entrepreneur and marketing guru, Booker doesn’t just talk business, he lives it. He has 20 years experience as a CEO and President of multiple businesses and is now owner of 911 MYNONPROFIT.

Carleton is the author of two other books, including Corporate Credit Makeover, to help business owners establish corporate credit, maintain financial relationships throughout the life of their business, and how to get $50,000 of credit for their business; and Increase Profits Through Incentive Marketing, which includes tips, tactics, techniques and strategies for growing a business through travel incentives, even in the toughest of economies.

Booker believes that we all have a God-given purpose which can be found in our dreams. His motto is “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”

Jacob Yano and Scott Lombardi show their third place certificates in front of their entry. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Lombardi

By John Crowder

Students from Antioch’s Holy Rosary School were among the approximately 300 who participated in the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair, on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Los Medanos College. Two of Holy Rosary’s students, Scott Lombardi and Jacob Yano, came away with a third place award for their project, entitled, “H2O: If Only It Were That Simple.” Their project was one of 262 entered in the competition from students throughout the county, and was entered in the junior division in the Environmental Category.

The fair, in its eleventh year, is an Intel-affiliated contest, meaning winners advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The prestigious Intel competition, the largest pre-college scientific research event in the world, brings together more than 1,500 students from about 70 countries and territories to compete for college scholarships, including one for $75,000.

The county fair was established when businesses in Contra Costa County joined together with K-12 educators in 2005. This year 130 judges, each reviewing multiple projects, worked all day and into the evening the Friday before the awards ceremony in order to complete the difficult task of selecting the winners from among the many outstanding projects entered into the local competition.

For their project, Jacob and Scott tested four different water samples: softened water, raw water, Delta water, and reverse osmosis water, for chemicals known as Trihalomethanes (THMs).

“My partner and I chose this project because we wanted to find out what was in our drinking water and see how safe it really is,” Scott said. “THMs are known carcinogens that appear in water both naturally and through treatment.”

Jacob added, “We learned that THMs evaporate before they get into the Delta, and that reverse osmosis takes out all THMs. Softened water will increase the count of THMs.”

Both young scientists expressed their appreciation for their parents, who helped with their presentation. They were also particularly appreciative of Jim Yano, Jacob’s father, who works at Agilent Technologies, and was able to provide them with access to the instruments needed in order to undertake the project.

Both Jacob and Scott are completing their 8^th grade year and planning to attend De La Salle High School in the fall. Each of them expressed a desire to continue entering science fair competitions while in high school.

Jacob and Scott had only good things to say about their experience with the science fair.

“We have learned a lot and feel that this experience will help us with future science fair projects in high school,” said Scott.

Jacob concurred with his lab partner.

“I thought being in the science fair was really fun,” he said. “I enjoy walking around and looking at all the other projects and learning about what they have discovered. I also like talking to the judges.”

The county’s science and engineering fair is a program of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership (CCEP), a nonprofit economic development organization of business, government, and education leaders dedicated to retaining and creating quality jobs in the East Bay. The science fair is open to junior high and senior high school students in Contra Costa County.

Many volunteers from the county come together each year, filling roles that range from judges to support staff, in order to ensure a successful program for the students who participate, and there are many roles that interested community members can fill. For more information about CCEP’s STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] Workforce Initiative, contact April Treece, ccep@cococo.org.

Police staffing is at 87 sworn officers

By John Crowder

At the March 24, 2015 meeting of the Antioch City Council a presentation was made by Hans Ho, Chairman of the Sales Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee, regarding receipts and disbursements of tax revenue generated by Measure C.

Ho, with other members of the committee at his side, began his remarks by providing background information on the committee and on Measure C.

The seven person committee, he said, was created on December 10, 2013. Their duties include reviewing information collected from City management data in order to review receipts and disbursements of Measure C funds.

Measure C is a temporary half-cent sales tax that was approved by the voters in the November, 2013 election, and is to remain in place for seven years from April 1, 2014. The city council directed that income received from the measure be used to fund public safety and code enforcement.

In the report, the first provided to the city council by the committee, it states, “We requested and obtained from management reports of all receipts and payments relating to Measure C.” Ho said that City staff had provided his committee with all information requested.

In a statement of findings, the report reads, “Based on our review and representations given to us by the City’s staff, we are not aware of any instance, during the period covered by this report, where Measure C funds were used for any purpose other than public safety and code enforcement.”

Ho said that his presentation covered two reporting periods, one from April 1 through June 30, 2014, and the other from July 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015. Over the course of the two reporting periods, Ho said the city received a total of $2.9 million in Measure C revenue. In the report, it is also stated that another $2.3 million is expected to be collected over the remainder of the fiscal year.

Expenditures from Measure C funds over the first period reported totaled $50,903 for the purchase of two police patrol vehicles. During the second reporting period, “a total of $41,047.52 was encumbered by the City for Code Enforcement expenditure,” according to the report.

In further remarks, the report states, “At this point, it appears that very little of the 2014/2015 Measure C monies will be used, if any.” It also states, “This would suggest that we will end up with about $3,000,000 carryover into 2015/2016 Fiscal Year.”

With respect to police staffing, the report states that eight new police officers have recently been hired, and at present, “Antioch has 87 Sworn Police Officers and one per diem Police Captain. This is 5 more officers than Antioch had in October of 2013 based on the information given to the committee. We were informed by the Chief of Police that hiring of qualified officers, as quickly as needed, is constrained by shortage of qualified officers and competitive demand by other cities. Attrition has been happening almost as fast as hiring.”

The report went on to say that if fifteen more officers were hired to reach the Police Department goal of 102 officers, “it would add about $2.4 million more in annual salary,” and, assuming a March 1 hire date, “would still keep us below our initial Measure C Budget…by about $2 million.”

Following his presentation, council members thanked Ho and his team for their work, and for their thorough presentation.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council will be held Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and can be viewed on the city’s website, www.ci.antioch.ca.us.