We invite you to join us as a community partner for the 3rd Annual Corn Hole Tournament for scholarships and community projects.
It has been possible to carry on this tradition of community support and scholarships through the generous support of sponsors and the tireless energy of volunteers. In the past years, sponsorships have benefited many of our local youth programs, senior citizens, and community projects. We hope that you and your organization will be a part of our dynamic team!
We would appreciate your consideration of a sponsorship by your organization for our 3rd Annual Corn Hole Tournament! The proceeds benefit high school graduates and service clubs. Please review the enclosed sponsorship information. We hope you will join in on the fun!
For more information about the event email Tournament Director Paula McEvoy at candpmac@sbcglobal.net. If you have questions or need additional information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Cathy Brannon at 5brannons@gmail.com. Please send your contribution by check, payable to the “Rotary Club of Delta-Antioch”, and mail to P.O. Box 423, Antioch, CA 94509. The Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch is a 501(c)(4), tax ID #68-0200106.
A Coast Guard helicopter searches river for man along Antioch waterfront Friday afternoon, July 21, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton
By Allen D. Payton
07/22/23 UPDATE #2: According to Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Director of Public Affairs, “On Friday, July 21, 2023, at about 1:51 PM, deputy sheriffs from the Marine Patrol Unit were dispatched to assist the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the United States Coast Guard with searching for a missing boater who was apparently trying to push his 20-foot vessel to shore near the Fulton Shipyard on the San Joaquin River. The U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Office drone team were also involved in the search. The missing boater, who is not being identified at this time, was not located. The Marine Patrol Unit will continue the search today.”
07/22/23 UPDATE #1: According to Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Schnabel, “We suspended the search after searching until around 7:30 pm. One man had fallen overboard from a recreational boat and the other man jumped in after him attempting to get him out of the water leaving the vessel unmanned. Neither had life jackets. One man was recovered by a Good Samaritan and taken to a local boat ramp.”
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A helicopter could be seen flying over the river and Waldie Plaza along the Antioch waterfront Friday afternoon. According to Con Fire PIO Steve Hill, “We responded in the noon hour to reports of a 55-year-old man in the water. In spite of searches by us, Sheriff’s Office Marine program and the Coast Guard we were unable to locate him. We are clearing at this hour, the Coast Guard remains on scene.”
As of 4:25 PM Coast Guard 11th District Public Affairs Specialist Hunter Schnabel said, “the search is ongoing for a male. We received a report from another male who was swimming with him after he got back to shore and called in a panic.”
A Coast Guard helicopter flies over Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown on Friday, July 21, 2023.
“We have Station Rio Vista and Air San Francisco’s MH65 Dolphins (helicopters) in the search,” he added.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Screenshot of KTVU Fox2 interview with the APOA’s attorney Mike Rains on Thursday, July 20, 2023 and Mayor Lamar Thorpe who responded Friday morning.
Rains says chief had “decision-making…taken away from him”; Thorpe calls it “completely laughable“, an “attempt to spin“; claims police officers have committed “moral crimes” before investigation is completed
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe sent a scathing letter on Friday, July 21, 2023, to attorney Mike Rains, the who represents the Antioch Police Officers Association, attacking him for comments he made blaming the mayor for Police Chief Steve Ford’s sudden retirement. Ford announced his departure on Wednesday, effective August 11th. Rains made his comments in an interview with KTVU Fox2 interview on Thursday. Thorpe posted a copy of his letter on his official Twitter feed and on his official Facebook page Friday morning.
During the news report Rains, of the law firm Rains Lucia Sterns St. Phalle and Silver, PC, told the reporter, “This department is in turmoil and he’s the one who could have brought it out of turmoil. It’s going to be hard to find somebody to do that, now.”
“These important decision-making things that any police chief should be making, having been taken away from him,” Rains stated. “I think he just got finally tired of not being able to make the decisions to guide both the investigation and the department the way he wanted to do.”
In that same report, Thorpe was also interviewed and said, “One individual or one role does not define the entire city. We have to deliver on the promises that we told people we would deliver on and part of that is building trust with the community and having a police department that serves all the people of our city.”
Thorpe’s Facebook post of letter to Rains on July 21, 2023.
In his Facebook post, Thorpe wrote, “This morning I had an encouraging conversation with Chief Steve Ford concerning his recent retirement announcement. While Chief Ford and I are in regular communication, I was traveling back from a transportation conference in Birmingham, Ala on Wednesday.
I thanked Chief Ford for his service and he reassured me that the reforms we’ve started have built a strong foundation for new leadership.
There will be local blogs and a paid lawyer for the officers involved in the racist text messaging scandal who try to politicize his retirement announcement.
Attached is my open-letter to said paid lawyer.”
Thorpe letter to Rains dated July 21, 2023. Source: Lamar Thorpe
Thorpe’s tweet of the letter reads, “Late [sic] from Mayor Thorpe to attorney for officers involved in racist text messaging scandal.”
Thorpe’s tweet on Twitter of his letter to Rains on July 21, 2023.
In his letter to Rains, Thorpe wrote, “Your attempt in the press to make Chief Steve Ford’s retirement about me is completely laughable, as it is clear you are seeking to make the Antioch Police Department’s current state of affairs about politics. It isn’t. It is about right and wrong.
As a paid representative to the racist [sic] that violated the public’s trust, I understand that your role is to protect them from the moral crimes that they committed against our residents. However, the moral crimes that your clients have committed are so egregious, and so outside of normalcy that it required a leader with internal fortitude to bring order to the Antioch Police Department.
To the city council, Chief Ford was that person. He came in with the belief that he would change the ‘hearts and minds’ of the members of the Antioch Police Department. However, racism is so entrenched within the halls of the Antioch Police Department that the Chief himself was freely labeled a ‘gorilla’ in text messages among officers (referring to the latest 128-pages of texts filed in court last week). Do you think this behavior is worth defending? A culture that is so toxic that they denigrate their leader in the most vile way by which a black man can be referenced.
For all of your attempt to spin in the press, keep in mind: I wasn’t the person that found the texts, nor was I the one that released the texts and the names of your clients. That honor goes to the FBI, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, and the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Are these agencies anti-police? Anti-law enforcement? Of course not, because they were doing the right thing and upholding their duty to the public.
In fact, the only people that seem to benefit from Antioch’s current moral crisis are people such as yourself who are paid handsomely to defend the indefensible. You hide behind policies and procedures without ever caring about how your actions hurt the residents of the city of Antioch, or the honest officers that have never violated the law whose names are being dragged in the mud because your clients lack the honor to take accountability. I’d say their lack of honor, and your protection of them is the most anti-police behavior I have ever witnessed.
That is one of the key differences between you and me. I do not get paid to serve as mayor. I serve because I love my community, and I will always fight to ensure that the residents of MY city are able to live in a city where they can prosper, and not feel marginalized by the very institutions their tax dollars uphold.
I am not writing this letter for a response from you as your words mean ABSOLUTELY nothing to me. I am writing it so that my community can hear the facts directly from me.
Respectfully,
Lamar A. Thorpe
Mayor, City of Antioch
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Rains’ Firm Represents Officers in Text Scandal Investigation, Not in Lawsuit
When reached for comment about Thorpe’s letter Rains said he is not representing the officers involved in the text scandal lawsuit.
In fact, the City through City Attorney Thomas L. Smith’s department, has hired and is paying for the attorneys representing and defending the current and two former police chiefs, and one former and five current officers named in the federal lawsuit.
But the attorneys in Rains’ office are with the officers during the interviews by the City-hired outside investigator for the text scandal investigation which is about possible violations of department policies and procedures.
Rains added, “Had the mayor left the chief alone he would have been able to do his job. I’m sorry to see him go. All of his discretionary powers were taken away.”
Thorpe Paid Stipend as Mayor
The mayor was incorrect in one of his comments toward the end as he and each councilmember receive a $1,600 per month stipend as well as benefits. Thorpe was challenged on that comment and asked if he would like to correct the record. He responded, “There’s no record to correct, I don’t get paid a salary, I get a stipend that is less than the annual salary of a minimum wage worker in California. Rains earns a salary, I do not.”
Thorpe was also asked to respond directly to Rains’ accusation that the mayor prevented Ford from doing his job. He was asked if anything Rains said is correct, and if at any time during Chief Ford’s tenure he attempted to exert any pressure on him or through the city manager regarding carrying out his duties for the department.
Thorpe responded, “My direct response to Rains is my letter, it speaks for itself.”
By Timothy Leong, Director of Communications and Community Relations
At their July 12, 2023, Governing Board meeting, the Contra Costa Community College District trustees announced their decision to move forward with the recruitment of a permanent Chancellor and provided staff with direction to proceed with the recruitment process. The Board is committed to conducting an equitable, inclusive, and transparent search that is consistent with Board policies and district procedures, and that will attract outstanding candidates for this opportunity.
The Board’s goal is to complete the search process and announce the new Chancellor by December 2023, with a start date of January 2024.
“We look forward to the recruitment of our permanent Chancellor,” said Board President Fernando Sandoval. “I join my fellow trustees in welcoming our students, constituency groups, and community’s involvement on choosing the District’s next leader who is equipped to carry on our legacy of affordable and high quality higher education.”
Executive Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology Mojdeh Mehdizadeh has been serving as acting chancellor.
Progress reports and updates will be posted on the District website at www.4cd.edu.
For more details about this search, contact Dr. Micaela Ochoa at mochoa@4cd.edu.
About 4CD
The Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The 4CD serves 1.2 million residents, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. 4CD is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College with campuses in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, and Los Medanos College with campuses in Pittsburg and Brentwood. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. Each college is individually accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. For more information visit http://www.4cd.edu.
Dean Rogers (left) is giving his business to employees José Calderon (right) and Octavio Rios. Photos by Allen D. Payton
Dean Rogers’ life changed by God, retiring after 30 years in business
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch resident Dean Rogers is giving his business, Rogers Roofing, to his two long-time employees, Octavio Rios and José Calderon. It follows his recovery from terminal cancer last year, which took his right lung, being cancer-free for eight months and getting remarried last month.
Rogers said he wasn’t answering his phone for over a year and yet Rogers Roofing was still voted the best roofing company in Antioch in the 2022 People’s Choice Awards.
At 61, after 30 years in business, he’s decided to retire and turn over the company to Rios and Calderon who have been with him for 20 years. Rogers will continue to advise from behind the scenes. The new owners have agreed to service the warranties of existing customers as they continue to grow the business with new ones.
“We built a reputation on quality, and it lasted. It does work,” Rogers stated.
He then shared of his experience with lung cancer.
“When I was facing cancer and possibly dying, I was never afraid,” Rogers shared. “Pastor Ron (Bowman) said that’s because ‘faith overcomes fear’. I always believed in God. But until I was faced with terminal cancer, I was forced to look at my relationship with God and I felt immediately the light come through There’s definitely a God. Jesus is my Savior.”
“Good people don’t go to heaven. Forgiven people do,” he stated. “So, I ended up witnessing every day to my nurses. I was reading little devotionals. When I was on the respirator, I would ask them to read to me.”
He was at UCSF Medical Center for 11 days. Rogers experienced four setbacks including sepsis and pneumonia. They removed his right lung, both chambers, he shared.
“Now, my mission is to spread the Good News. I never miss a chance to witness,” Rogers shared. “Love is a gift from God. God is good. God is love.”
“I’ve learned how to do everything including golfing, I just have to really monitor myself,” he explained. “
Kim and Dean Rogers celebrate after their wedding officiated by Pastor Ron Bowman on June 30, 2023, at the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center
As part of starting his new phase of life, Rogers just got remarried on June 30th after dating his fiancé, Kim Bloom for the past eight years.
“We met at a Brentwood park, where I was walking my dog,” he shared.
Calderon, from Oakley, and Rios, of Riverbank, will be partners under the new ownership for the company.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Calderon said. “It’s been something we’ve been thinking about for a long time. We look forward to taking over and making it what it used to be – good roofs and good work.”
Asked why he’s giving them his business instead of selling it Rogers said, “Because they helped me build the company and so my past customers can be taken care of and future customers.”
“The plan is to start slow keep on doing good work and see what the future brings,” Calderon stated. “We’re not looking to get too big.”
“As an owner operator you’re getting both the family-friendly service and experience,” Rogers added. “Quality is what we’ve been looking for from the beginning. It’s paid off. What lasted? Quality.”
“I’m proud of this community, I’ve contributed as I can and I’m not leaving. We’re a part of Antioch. Just like Jimmy Bean and Eddie Beaudin, who have been good examples to me.”
Customers can still call the company at (925) 706-9396.
The City of Antioch’s 2023 Summer Concert Series continues with Helios performing in Waldie Plaza in historic, downtown Rivertown this Saturday evening, July 22
Helios is a Northern California band with highly talented musicians playing an exciting variety of Top 40, Classic Rock and Country hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today. With a combined total of over 75 years of musical experience, Helios is one of the premier cover bands in the region and will be the perfect fit for your private or community event! www.heliosband.net.
Antioch Police Chief Dr. Steven A. Ford. Source: APD
“…with a heavy heart” his last day will be August 11th
By Allen D. Payton
With rumors beginning to circulate in the community Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford announced his retirement on Wednesday afternoon, July 19, 2023. His last day will be August 11th.
It is with a heavy heart that I forward this email to inform that I will be retiring as of August 11th. My time here has been both a tremendous opportunity and quite challenging. What is most meaningful to me are the relationships I have forged. I’m grateful for the way you embraced me and the changes we made.
I firmly believe with your help and determination this organization is poised to move forward in a very meaningful way and evolve where anyone would want to work.
It’s been my privilege to have worked with all of you.
Sincerely,
Steve”
Screenshot of Chief Ford’s resignation email sent Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Although he had just started his tenure as interim police chief following a grand oath of office ceremony on April 27, 2022, Ford is named in a federal lawsuit regarding the Antioch officers’ racist text scandal which covered a time period ending that month. He is also scheduled to testify at a hearing this Friday, July 21, in a murder case involving four defendants whose attorneys claim officers violated their civil rights.
In addition, during their meeting on April 11, 2023, the council majority moved forward with an effort to directly hire the police chief instead of leaving it up to the city manager, as is done with all other department heads.
It will leave the City with an acting city manager, no assistant city manager, an acting public works director, currently no acting community development director as of Monday afternoon due to the departure of Forrest Ebbs last Friday, and no assistant city attorney. Unless the city council takes action to change who appoints the police chief, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed will be tasked with appointing an acting or interim chief. Captain Tony Morefield filled that position after former Chief Tammany Brooks left for a new job in Boise, Idaho in October 2021, until Ford came on board.
UPDATE 1: When reached for comment District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said, “this took us all by surprise. I learned of it this evening. I’ve worked with the chief closely during the time he has been here. Now, that he has made his decision, what we need to do is regroup and talk about who to appoint as acting or interim chief. Kwame is going to need the support of the city council. We cannot be without a chief.”
UPDATE 2:Chief Ford Issues Statement to Community
The following press release was issued Wednesday night:
July 19, 2023 – Antioch, California
The Antioch Police Department announces the retirement of Chief Steven A. Ford effective August 11, 2023. The following is a statement from Chief Ford to the Antioch Community.
To the Antioch Community,
I am writing to inform you of my decision to retire from the Antioch Police Department as of August 11, 2023. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have served as your Chief. I have worked with some very talented and passionate people – it has been a great privilege to learn and grow from them.
I am proud of what we have accomplished and firmly believe the groundwork has been laid for organizational success. I know our work to align us with the tenants of Procedural Justice and Constitutional Policing will keep this Department headed in the right direction. I sincerely hope our engagement with the Community will continue and flourish.
I attribute our numerous accomplishments to support from the City Council, the tremendous Citizens of Antioch, and the talented members of this Police Department, who continue to embrace organizational changes with enthusiasm and dedication. Because of this, the Antioch Police Department has become more inclusive, equitable, and a better place to work.
Sincerely,
Steven A. Ford
Chief of Police
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Efforts to reach Ford for further comment and the other four council members for their responses were unsuccessful prior to publication Wednesday evening. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
