Although we were very much looking forward to meeting our community members and hosting a fun-filled Community Open House and BBQ, we have unfortunately decided the best course of action is to postpone the event. We did not want this great opportunity to connect with our community members to be overshadowed or impacted by current events surrounding APD; this is a sensitive time for everyone. We apologize for the change of plans, but we hope to see you when we reschedule.
Antioch’s $110 million Brackish Water Desalination plant project is currently under construction. Herald file photo from August 2022.
Cost is now $50 million more than original budget
“In 24 years of fighting PLAs I have never seen a PLA come in this far over budget. Ever. Congrats.” – Eric Christen, Executive Director, Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction
By Allen D. Payton
In a letter to the Antioch City Council on Monday, April 17, 2023, Eric Christen, Executive Director of the Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction complained about the $50 million cost increase for the city’s brackish water desalination plant, which he blames on the union-only hire project labor agreement (PLA) and because the project is now behind schedule.
Following is his letter sent via email:
Councilmembers,
While this email will not be as embarrassing as seeing the video of Mayor go viral for losing his mind towards a citizen it will, nevertheless, still be humiliating assuming that is a trait any of the council still possess.
Background
When the Antioch City Council placed, on a 3-2 vote, a discriminatory and costly Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on the Brackish Desalinization Plant in 2018 we warned you not only what it would do to discriminate against local construction workers, 80% of whom are union-free, but what it would do to increase costs for regional ratepayers. Judging by the manner in which you snuck the approval for the contract to build it through in 2020 on the night before Christmas so as to avoid public input, you obviously did not want to be reminded let alone be held to account. At that meeting, a meeting that was noticed to the public 24 hours previous, the Council voted 5-0 to award the contract to build the project. Why the last minute, dark of night “special meeting”? Simple: A project that staff had estimated would cost $60 million before the PLA was now awarded for more than $86 million. But there was also a 5% contingency of more than $4 million in case of “unforeseen costs” (count on it) for a total of more than $91 million. But there is more. In addition, the Council authorized city staff to increase the total budget for the desalination project to $110 million! In 24 years of fighting PLAs I have never seen a PLA come in this far over budget. Ever. Congrats.
For those not on the Council at the time here is an explanation of the bigotry the Antioch City Council approved of in the form of the PLA back in 2018: This monopoly “agreement” was crafted by and for local construction union bosses. It forces all workers to pay union dues, pay into union pensions they will never vest in (that’s wage theft) and explicitly discriminates against young men and women in state approved non-union apprentice programs by banning them from working at all. Any union-free contractor who works on the job is only allowed a few of their own employees, period, with all others coming from union hiring halls. The result? Reduced bidders and increased costs. Why? 80% of the local workforce is, again, union-free, as is the state’s construction workforce. That number holds true for the local contractor base as well. These companies simply do not bid work with PLAs on it, so the results are higher bids from those who do, as every major study conducted proves and as Antioch just learned firsthand.
Now we see the project is behind schedule as well and not set to be completed until Spring of 2024, a full year behind schedule.
As we see yet again, PLA proponents over promise and under perform.
A group of elected officials who took their fiduciary responsibility to ratepayers seriously would have rebid this project without a PLA and compared costs but this Council’s canine affection for big labor special interests would not allow for this. So here we are.
PLA proponents will wax on about how a PLA will help with “local hire” but of course nothing in the PLA mandates local workers be hired and, again, even if it did the PLA just made that more difficult as most construction workers in the region are non-union.
We will continue to monitor this debacle and make sure citizens are kept updated because at the end of the day this type of fiscally irresponsible and morally egregious behavior needs to be accounted for by voters.
Eric Christen, Executive Director, Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction
—————
Question for Councilmembers
The council members were asked if they had any response to Christen’s letter. Only District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica responded.
“I spoke to the project manager over the past couple months informally that there’s potentially overages,” he said. “But I haven’t seen anything formal, yet. I will be provided a tour and I will pursue it, then.”
This started in 2018 before I was elected,” he added.
College board president, Antioch and Brentwood educators, Brentwood non-profit leader to be honored
By Juliet V. Casey, Direct of Marketing, Los Medanos College
Los Medanos College (LMC) is proud to announce the return of its annual awards to honor the legacy of César Chávez. The event had been on hiatus to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will be in person once again.
This community event celebrates the life of the labor leader and human rights activist. The celebration also recognizes East Contra Costa County community members who embody Chávez’s great tradition of voluntary service, civic activism, and non-violent social change.
The festivities, which are free and open to the public, will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 21 in the Student Union Conference Center, Pittsburg Campus, 2700 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg.
This year’s honorees:
César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service Recipient
Fernando Sandoval, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board president, for work as president of Latino Voices of East Contra Costa County Chapter; community activist and education advocate; author; veteran; and Pittsburg resident.
East County Educator Award Recipient
Violeta Orozco, Jack London Elementary school counselor, for her work as head counselor at Antioch High School (AHS); and leadership for Puente at Antioch High School.
Chávez Spirit Award Co-Recipients
Diana Hidalgo for volunteer work at One Day at a Time (ODAT) and as president of ODAT Leadership Council.
Norma Guadalupe Zamora Arreguin, a human trafficking case specialist and certified investigator, for work as a paraprofessional at Garin Elementary School special education program (Brentwood); her own afterschool program for children with special needs; and as a part-time student at LMC.
The César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service, established in 1995, is presented to local residents who represent the core values modeled by César Chávez: “Service to Others, Sacrifice, A Preference to Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation.”
The East County Educator Award honors members of the educational community who demonstrate a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for students of color and those from low-income families.
The Chávez Spirit Award recognizes up-and-coming leaders who have made a difference in the local community through advocacy and social justice.
LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.
In response to the letter from the Contra Costa Public Defender Ellen McDonnell to DA Diana Becton on Friday, requesting all cases brought by the Antioch Police Department be dismissed and all inmates be released, due to the racist text scandal, a meeting was held Monday afternoon to discuss the matter. (See related articles here, here and here)
DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo sent the following statement “about the meeting that happened at 1 pm today at the DA’s Office”:
“Today, District Attorney Diana Becton, Public Defender Ellen McDonnell, Betty Barker from the Alternate Defender Office, and the Director of the Contra Costa Conflict Program, Oksana Tsykova met to discuss the creation of a process to address cases affected by the disclosure of cruel, racially insulting, and hostile text messages written or received by members of the Antioch Police Department.
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is working to identify cases that are potentially compromised by the text messages. Once we’ve identified those cases – and any overlapping conflicts — we will initiate a detailed review process for potential dismissal, resentencing, or the preservation of convictions.
The DA’s Office is working to ensure that public safety and serving the interest of justice are priorities in this process.”
The scandal involves as many as 45 Antioch cops, focusing on 14 and one in particular, with many of them on paid leave during the police department’s own investigation.
McDonnell was asked if she had any comments about the meeting but did not respond prior to publication time.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Possible violation of officers’ rights, could undermine investigation; officers’ attorney considering “massive” lawsuit against DA’s Office
By Allen D. Payton
In the initial redacted version of the report on the racist and other offensive texts by Antioch Police Officers by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office revealed those officers’ cell phone numbers and the names of the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Officers under investigation by the FBI since March 2022, plus the list of their alleged “crimes of moral turpitude” that are supposed to be under court protective order. That version was leaked and posted by someone on social media Thursday morning, April 13, 2023. The result has been a firestorm because it violated the court order and possibly the police officers’ rights and could undermine the investigation. It could also result in a “massive class action lawsuit” against the DA’s Office according to the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA). (See related article)
The DA’s office incorrectly redacted the document before releasing it. Because the leaked redacted version of the report allows for copying of the information beneath the black blocks revealing the sensitive information. NOTE: The PDF of that version was not shared by the Herald. Only the PDF of the further redacted version by the DA’s Office.
It was this newspaper that revealed the mistake to the CCDA’s Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo on Thursday, who said it was an Adobe software issue. He said the information was under court protective order, thanked this reporter and said the office would be changing how they create PDF’s which they did for the final redacted copy the office issued that afternoon.
Officers Receiving Angry Calls
When asked about the matter, Mike Rains, the APOA’s attorney said, “We’re aware of it. Some of the officers have been getting angry calls.”
Asked if the DA’s Office violated the officers’ rights and if it could undermine the FBI’s and DA’s investigation of those officers, Rains said, “I think it does. I believe it will result in a massive class action lawsuit. The DA’s Office screwed up.”
He also shared that the officers were obtaining new cell phone numbers.
“It was Deputy DA Simon O’Connell who did the redacting,” Rains stated. “I called Becton and told her they screwed up.”
Questions were sent to DA Becton, O’Connell and Asregadoo, Thursday night asking if it was O’Connell who redacted the initial version of the report and if so, will there be some form of discipline of him for doing so. They were also asked if the revelation of the phone numbers of the 14 officers on the list of those accused of sending the offensive texts and more importantly, the officers names, phone numbers and information from the investigation by the DA’s office and the FBI, undermine that investigation and does it violate those officers’ rights.
Asregadoo responded Friday morning, copying Becton and O’Connell, “The joint CCCDAO and FBI investigation is ongoing, so we really don’t have anything to comment on at this time.”
Becton later responded simply, “Ok, thanks for the update.”
Revealed Information About FBI Investigation
The information now in the public domain, some of which was previously reported by the East Bay Times, includes the names of the Antioch and Pittsburg Officers under investigation by the FBI and DA’s Office, plus the alleged crimes they committed. They were described as “crimes of moral turpitude” which is defined as “conduct that shocks the public conscience, or which does not fall within the moral standards held by the community” for buying and selling controlled substances believed to be steroids among themselves. (See related articles here and here)
Pages from the initial redacted PDF version of the 21-page report by the Contra Costa DA’s Office on the racist texts by Antioch Police Officers with the officers’ phone numbers and sections about the FBI investigation that were supposed to be unreadable.
The portion of the report that was supposed to be redacted and out of public view reads as follows:
“The FBI is currently investigating the police officers for violations of the following federal offenses; Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(A), distribution, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; Section 843(b) illegal use of the mail in furtherance of narcotic trafficking; Title 18, USC, 1503 Obstruction of Justice; Section 846, attempt and conspiracy to commit the foregoing offenses; Section 241, Conspiracy for two or more persons to agree to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in the United States in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege; and Section 242, a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. The CCCDAO is investigating these officers for assault under the color of authority, bribery, embezzlement, possession of controlled substances (steroids) for sale, knowing or offering any false or forged instruments, possession, and sales of assault weapons, and attempt and conspiracy to commit the foregoing offenses. The CCCDAO is also reviewing whether any of the above listed individuals have violated Penal Code (PC) section 745, the Racial Justice Act, which prohibits the use of race, ethnicity, or national origin by a law enforcement officer in pursuit of a conviction or sentence.
On 03/22/2022, the Honorable Presiding Judge Rebecca C. Hardie, Judge of the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County, signed a search warrant under seal authored by CCCDAO Senior Inspector Larry J. Wallace for the seizure and search of the following cellular telephones: Pittsburg Police Officer Willie Glasper, (redacted phone number); Pittsburg Police Officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa, (redacted phone number); Pittsburg Police Officer Ernesto Juan Mejia-Orozco, (redacted phone number); Pittsburg Police Officer James Robert Anderson, (redacted phone number); Antioch Police Officer Ben C. Padilla, (redacted phone number); Antioch Police Officer Eric Rombough, (redacted phone number); Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger, (redacted phone number); and Antioch Police Officer Andrea Rodriguez, (redacted phone number). The search warrants and affidavits were signed under seal and filed with the Martinez Superior Court.
On 03/22/22, the Honorable Laurel Beeler, United States Magistrate, Northern District of California, signed a federal search warrant under seal authored by FBI Special Agent (SA) Thuy Zoback for the seizure of the following cellular telephones: Pittsburg Police Officer Armando Montalvo; Pittsburg Police Officer Patrick Berhan; Antioch Police Officer Timothy Manly Williams; Antioch Police Officer Morteza Amiri, Antioch Police Officer Nicholas Shipilov; Antioch Police Officer Eric Rombough; Antioch Police Officer Daniel Harris; and Antioch Police Officer Calvin Prieto. The purpose of the search warrants were to seize electronic communications; such as, but not limited to the following: records and communications indicating the possession, use, purchase, sale, distribution, transfer, theft, and/or concealment of controlled substances, including books, receipts, notes, ledgers, pay and owe sheets, correspondence, records noting price, quantity, date and times when controlled substances were purchased, possessed, transferred, distributed, sold or concealed.
On 03/23/2022, sworn law enforcement members of the CCCDAO and the FBI retrieved the above listed cellular telephones from the above listed sworn law enforcement members of the Pittsburg and Antioch Police Departments. Law enforcement members from the CCCDAO and the FBI downloaded/extracted electronic cellular data communications from the above listed cellular telephones. A thorough review of the electronic cellular data communications took place for the past year.”
APOA Attorney Exploring Legal Options, Damages to Officers
“I am exploring legal options including a possible lawsuit related to our grave concerns about the way in which this report was ordered released by the court to begin with, when I was supposed to be given the opportunity on behalf of the officers to seek a protective order,” Rains stated on Monday. “Plus, the release by the DA’s Office when they told me, the judge told me to tell Chief Assistant DA Simon O’Connell to not release the report until I had the opportunity to be heard. We tried to set up dates with the defense attorneys on Monday, after the morning appearance I made. Then I received an email from O’Connell on Tuesday that the judge ordered the report released. I feel betrayed by both the judge and by the DA’s Office.”
“I’m exploring the damages done to the officers due to the actions by the DA’s Office,” he added.
Says it’s “known as…the most corrupt police department in Contra Costa County”; wants officers in jail
It has taken me more than two days of reading through the vile, malicious texts written by 20% of the Antioch Police Officers. Citizens are appalled by Officers who were sworn to protect and serve the residents of Antioch.
These Police Officers are under investigation on paid administrative leave, this is unacceptable. Residents are paying for moderate salaries to the Police Officers with funds from Measure C and W. These officers should be proud they have risen above the corruption of the Oakland Riders.
Antioch PD has a known reputation in the Bay Area as the most corrupt police department in Contra Costa County. The NAACP has reported numerous complaints about the policing practices of the Antioch Police Department. While trying to retrieve information from the department, there was always the blue wall of stonewalling done, even with the Chief of Police Tammany Brooks.
We have a district attorney who has heard the pleas of residents of police brutality by this Police Department. Many thanks to the DA and FBI unit for coming to the aid of these victims.
No apologies from the Police Department, City Manager, Chief of Police or the City Council of Antioch will ever return the lives of a child or loved one to their families or return the life loss of an innocently incarcerated resident.
Citizen expectations are transparency in the investigative process. We are asking for indictments, convictions, and prison time suitable for the crime committed to those who were injured or injuries resulting in death.
Our request would be no possibility of “Pass Go and collect generous pensions”. We are no longer accepting light sentences; we want police officers who commit such heinous crimes to go directly to jail. These officers should never have the opportunity of returning to any aspect of law enforcement again.
East County NAACP is requesting Federal Oversight of the Antioch Police Department immediately.
This year, National Volunteer Week is April 16-22, and the American Red Cross of the Bay Area is recognizing the work of the selfless individuals who generously give their valuable time to support people in need.
Across the country, more than 275,000 Red Cross volunteers serve their communities by responding to thousands of disasters of all sizes; supporting the collection of blood to help patients receive the critical care they need; supporting members of the military and their families; helping communities prepare for emergencies around the globe and much more.
Last year, Red Cross Bay Area Chapter volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to 968 local families who faced emergency situations. They trained 29,912 people in lifesaving skills and provided 1,740 services to military members, veterans and their families.
“National Volunteer Week is a time to honor these community heroes for their constant service and support,” said Jonathan Bernier, Regional Volunteer Services Officer. “They are the true heart of the Red Cross.”
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are more critical than ever as the climate crisis worsens and the need for shelter, hot meals, health services, and emotional support grows. The Red Cross launches nearly twice as many relief operations for major disasters today compared with a decade ago, and with the 2023 hurricane and wildfire seasons on the horizon, we have a critical need to fill vital volunteer positions.
Disaster Action Team Member: As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can be a source of refuge and support when it’s needed most. From home fires to storms, unexpected emergencies happen every day, but you can help as a Red Cross volunteer.
Shelter Services: Support the day-to-day activities within an emergency shelter by helping with reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter. Free online training will be provided.
Disaster Health Services:These valuable volunteers use their professional skills as licensed healthcare providers to deliver hands-on care to people in shelters. There is also a need for Mental Health Services volunteers.
Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started today. Training is free but the hope you provide as a Red Cross volunteer to people in need is priceless. Join us at a virtual volunteer information session on Tuesday, April 18 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. PT, to learn more about our most-needed volunteer positions and talk with a Red Cross representative. Register today.
PLEASE GIVE BLOOD The Red Cross invites the public to sign up to become a volunteer blood or platelet donor. To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, people can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
With local offices in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; collects lifesaving blood and platelets; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or call us at (415) 427-8000. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Semana Nacional del Voluntario: Estos héroes comunitarios son el verdadero corazón de la Cruz Roja Americana
Por favor, ayude: conviértase en voluntario de la Cruz Roja hoy
Es la Semana Nacional del Voluntariado y la Cruz Roja Americana del Área de la Bahía está reconociendo el trabajo de las personas que generosamente dan su valioso tiempo para apoyar a las personas necesitadas.
En todo el país, más de 275.000 voluntarios de la Cruz Roja sirven a sus comunidades respondiendo a miles de desastres de todos los tamaños; colaboran con la recolección de sangre para ayudar a los pacientes a recibir la atención crítica que necesitan; apoyan a los miembros de las fuerzas armadas y sus familias; ayudan a las comunidades a prepararse para emergencias en todo el mundo y mucho más.
El año pasado, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja del Área de la Bahía proporcionaron alimentos, refugio, consuelo y esperanza a 968 familias locales que enfrentaban situaciones de emergencia. Capacitaron a 29,912 personas en habilidades para salvar vidas y proporcionaron 1,749 servicios a miembros militares, veteranos y sus familias.
“La Semana Nacional del Voluntariado es un tiempo para honrar a estos héroes comunitarios por su constante servicio y apoyo”, dijo Jonathan Bernier, Oficial Regional de Servicios de Voluntarios. “Ellos son el verdadero corazón de la Cruz Roja”.
NECESIDAD DE VOLUNTARIOS Los voluntarios son más críticos que nunca a medida que la crisis climática empeora y crece la necesidad de refugio, comidas calientes, servicios de salud y apoyo emocional. La Cruz Roja lanza ahora casi el doble de operaciones de socorro para desastres mayores que hace una década, y con la temporada 2023 de huracanes e incendios forestales en el horizonte, tenemos una necesidad crítica de llenar puestos vitales de voluntarios.
Miembro del Equipo de Acción contra Desastres: Como voluntario del Equipo de Acción contra Desastres (en inglés), puede ser una fuente de refugio y apoyo cuando más se necesita. Desde incendios domésticos hasta tormentas, las emergencias inesperadas ocurren todos los días, pero usted puede ayudar como voluntario de la Cruz Roja.
Servicios de refugio: Apoye las actividades diarias dentro de un refugio de emergencia ayudando con la recepción, registro, alimentación, dormitorio, información u otras áreas dentro de un refugio. Se proporcionará capacitación gratuita en línea.
Servicios de salud por desastre: Estos valiosos voluntarios (en inglés) utilizan sus habilidades profesionales como proveedores de atención médica con licencia para brindar atención práctica a las personas en refugios. También hay una necesidad de voluntarios de Servicios de Salud Mental.
Visite redcross.org/volunteertoday (en inglés) para comenzar hoy. La capacitación es gratuita, pero la esperanza que brinda como voluntario de la Cruz Roja a las personas necesitadas no tiene precio. Únase a nosotros en una sesión informativa virtual de voluntarios el martes 18 de abril de 12.00 a 1:30 p.m. PT, para obtener más información sobre nuestros puestos de voluntariado más necesarios y hablar con un representante de la Cruz Roja. Regístrese hoy.
POR FAVOR DONE SANGRE La Cruz Roja invita al público a inscribirse para convertirse en donante voluntario de sangre o plaquetas. Para programar una cita para donar sangre o plaquetas, las personas pueden descargar la aplicación gratuita de donantes de sangre de la Cruz Roja, visitar redcrossblood.org o llamar al 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
