On Friday, April 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM, Frank Estigoy followed a proud tradition dating back to a period older than the country itself to become a Postmaster. Although the style of shoes are different, Estigoy steps into similar shoes worn by Benjamin Franklin who served as Postmaster General before the Declaration of Independence was created.

Estigoy took his official Oath of Office as the new Postmaster of Antioch at 10:00 AM at the Antioch Post Office, 2730 W. Tregallas Road, administered by Manager Post Officer Operations, Crystal Jones.

Before the being sworn in, Estigoy displayed one of his talents by playing the ukulele with a small group of local postal workers that performed “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo`ole.

“It is the most prestigious position in the organization. It is the highest federal government official in each city in the U.S. unless a congress member resides in that city,” said Aron Jones, Executive Postmaster, San Jose, CA.

He then offered his thoughts about what it means to be a postmaster and about Estigoy.

“He cares about his people and develops his people,” Jones shared. “Frank being around asking how things are, how their family is. It’s not about numbers it’s about people. Frank walks in those footsteps. Frank is an excellent leader.”

Estigoy was presented with a certificate of Congressional Recognition by a representative from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s office and a proclamation by Antioch Mayor Sean Wright. Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts and Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock were also in attendance at the ceremonies.

Estigoy then shared his thoughts.

“Real leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about caring for those of whom you are in charge,” he said.

Estigoy shared two quotes he has framed in both his office and in the break room from two of his superiors in the Post Office: “Stay focused and always lead people with integrity and support those you lead,” by Aaron Jones, and “Stay positive, the team will respond to your leadership just stay the course,” by Robert Reynosa, Bay Valley District Manager who was also in attendance at the ceremony.

The purpose of the Post Office is “to bind the nation together. The Post Office has always been there for the community, for the nation. For people to send letters, for loved ones to send notes,” Estigoy stated.

Estigoy began as a letter carrier in Orinda in 1988. A few years later he joined the management ranks as a supervisor at the Fremont Post Office. He was the station manager of the Blossom Hill Post Office in San Jose prior to his selection as Postmaster.

Estigoy is a numbers guy, studying mathematics and statistics at Hayward and San Francisco State University; and he is steeped in the belief that learning never ends and that building strong relationships with people is what matters most.

Jones offered some closing remarks to conclude the ceremony.

“I do appreciate your leadership. You do have this great, engaging personality. Whenever I come here your staff is friendly and engaged,” she said. “I know you will provide great leadership to the people of Antioch.”

As Postmaster of Antioch, Estigoy oversees 121 employees, 50 city routes, 26 rural routes with over 30,000 delivery points (addresses) to a population of 111,64.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Lieutenant Powell Meads #3917, Antioch Police Field Services

On April 25, 2019 at approximately 1:59 PM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to the Most Holy Rosary Church at 1313 A Street in Antioch, for reports of a nude male inside the small chapel. As the first officer arrived on scene, he observed a fully nude adult male running through the parking lot. This male was later positively identified as 28-year-old Pedro Mares. Mares was acting erratically and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Mares briefly ran to a vehicle in the parking lot and then back into the chapel.

Additional officers were arriving on scene to assist and they entered the chapel in order to locate Mares. Mares was contacted inside the chapel. Mares continued to act erratically and ignored the officers’ commands. A violent struggle ensued as officers attempted to detain Mares, who was exhibiting extreme strength and no apparent reaction to pain. Three officers were eventually able to overpower Mares and place him into handcuffs. Two of the officers sustained minor to moderate injuries during the struggle.

After being treated at a local hospital, Mares will be booked at County Jail for PC 69 – Resisting arrest by violence and HS 11550(a) – Being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)7782441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Allen Payton

Antioch resident Julie Carlson has been on a mission since she discovered there are billions of dollars owed to California residents that the state has been holding on to in various funds. She began doing research and found agency after agency with money in fund balances owed to thousands of individuals.

Michael Finney of ABC7 TV’s did a news report about Carlson’s efforts and it aired Tuesday night, April 23rd.

Part of the problem is the names of individuals and even cities are misspelled in the state’s records and it doesn’t appear anyone is responsible for correcting the mistakes or finding to whom the money is owed.

“The sad thing…is that California’s State Controller told Michael Finney that there was a law that prohibited them from correcting misspelled city names or any other errors found in property records and this is a down right lie. There is no such law that prohibit the State from making corrections to records that were received from another party. Of course, you save an original copy of the record, but once you have done that, you should be free to make any changes that are required in order to make that record reflect truthful or accurate information,” Carlson wrote in a Facebook post about the ABC7 segment.

“This department has been using that same sorry and lazy excuse for years just so they can continue to prevent people from finding money that belongs to them,” she continued. “People need to stand up to our state government and force them to present accurate information to us. It should not matter if a third party misspelled a city name, California should correct the spelling and be done with it!!! The state is preventing 1.6 million property records valued at over $365 million dollars from showing up in search results simply because the person’s property record contains a misspelled city name.”

“There are plenty of other more complex errors found throughout millions of their property records, at least, fixing a misspelled city name would be fairly easy to fix,” Carlson added.

If you or someone you know needs help finding property, send an email to HiddenMoney@att.net.

By Allen Payton

Not long after Antioch Real Estate Broker Rick Fuller started dating his wife Jennifer, she lost her only son, Deon to meningitis in 1998 at the age of four. The couple donated Deon’s organs which saved the lives of four others. A two-year-old girl named Malysa was the recipient of Deon’s heart. Now, 21 years later, that heart is failing and Malysa is need of another transplant.

The Fullers weren’t supposed to know who received their son’s heart. But, a year later Jennifer met Malysa. Then eight years later, Jennifer felt her son’s heart beating in Malysa’s chest. Now, having learned of her need for another heart, since transplants usually only last for three to 10 years, the Fullers have launched an effort to help raise the $100,000 needed to cover Malysa’s medical care.

Now, having learned of her need for another heart, since transplants usually only last for three to 10 years, the Fullers have launched an effort to help raise the $100,000 needed to cover Malysa’s medical care.

In order to be listed for a second transplant, her family must raise the required funds needed to pay all expenses not covered by insurance. The largest expense being the requirement to relocate Malysa Logan and a full-time caregiver to the Stanford area for an unknown period of time following the transplant.

“I gave life to my Sweet Boy Deon 26 years ago today and I would be amiss if I did not share that we have been working on giving life once again,” Jennifer posted on Rick’s Facebook on April 24. “Through Malysa, Deon’s heart has beat these last 21 years and now she is in need of another heart transplant.”

“Over $53,000 has come in, in less than two months,” Rick shared. “She told us in February that the heart she received from Deon was failing. When she was a child there were several grants that covered the costs. But now that she’s an adult there are no funds for her. That’s when we stepped up and launched our effort in March.”

A donation website has been set up at www.malysasheart.com.

In addition, a fundraiser, hosted by the Rotary of the Delta-Antioch, will be held this Saturday, April 27 at Afrique Restaurant in Antioch. The “Have a Heart” event will run from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and the restaurant is located in the Orchard Square at 2370 Buchanan Road. (See flyer above) Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

“We’re real appreciative about people in our community, coming along side and helping. So, we’re super excited to be a part of that,” Jennifer said.

To learn more about Malysa, her first transplant, her current donor and her need for a new transplant by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/malysasheart/. You may also contact Rick Fuller at info@rickfuller.com.

To see more, watch the NBC Bay Area TV news report about the Fuller’s efforts to help Malysa and the video the couple posted on Jennifer’s Facebook page, on Tuesday night.

Requires two armed security guards on-site during business hours

By Allen Payton

Following a few comments by only two members of the public and discussion by council members Tuesday night, April 23, and a vote in favor by the Antioch Planning Commission, the City Council voted 4-1 to approve the city’s first recreational marijuana retail store. Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock was the only dissenting vote.

The vote grants the company, One Plant, a Use Permit to locate a “cannabis dispensary with delivery at 2701 West 10th Street”. That’s the current location of the Goodwill Store at the corner of Verne Roberts Circle.

One Plant is the first applicant to go through the approval process since the Council adopted two “overlay districts” for cannabis-related businesses in Antioch, last year. One district is in the Verne Roberts Circle area near Costco and the other is along the Wilbur Avenue corridor in the northwest part of the city.

According to the city staff report, “The retails sales will be conducted in an approximately 2,500 square foot sales area. All customers must enter the lobby, first and present a valid identification to a security guard prior to entering the sales area.”

The business also plans to “sell vape pens, vape pen batteries, and chargers which are used to administer cannabis concentrates. They do not intend to sell rolling papers, pipes, bongs, etc.” The city’s “cannabis guidelines prohibit the sale of…paraphernalia unless explicitly authorized through the use permit.”

One Plant also “plans to begin delivery operations…during the same hours as the retail business hours” using one vehicle. They “may increase the number of delivery vehicles based on demand” but can “not have any marking or other indications on the exterior of the vehicle that may indicate the delivery employee is carrying cannabis goods.”

The Antioch Police Department is required “to conduct a site inspection to assess the security of the site prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued.”

In addition, the conditions of approval require “no fewer than two uniformed and armed security guards” on-site during business hours.

One Plant is required to have an online submission forum on their website or by using a comment drop box located at the dispensary, in which residents

They will also be hosting an ongoing series of public information meetings with residents about issues surrounding cannabis.

The business is also required to mitigate potential off-site impacts, such as odor “that demonstrates the measures they will take to ensure that cannabis odors will not be detected at or beyond the site.”

The city’s conditions of approval also prohibit the smoking or ingesting of cannabis products on-site.

According to other news reports, One Plant, “is an adult-use cannabis retail operation led by members of the Serruya Family, including Aaron Serruya, the president of (Canada-based) International Franchise Corp., which has over 4,500 franchise locations in over 50 countries” including ice cream shops Pinkberry and Swensen’s.

Antioch resident Dr. Jeffrey Klinger was one of only two members of the public who spoke on the item, sharing concerns about the sales of vaping products, which are being used by young people.

The council then took up the issue, asking questions of Chris Hester, Security Director for One Plant Antioch.

“I think everyone’s going to know my comment. A 600-foot separation from this spot to the (Babe Ruth) fields,” Ogorchock said.

In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, Hester spoke of supporting local, community organizations.

“The additional space, what do you plan on doing with it?” Councilman Lamar Thorpe asked.

“In the future we might incorporate manufacturing or a distribution center,” Hester said. “On that lot size we could put another building there. In a similar size location in San Diego, we have 350 employees.”

He also spoke of expanding their delivery service and plans to employ 20 to 30 people.

Asked about revenue projections, Hester estimated $4-5 million and up to $10 million, annually.

Thorpe asked about the issue of equity and the war on drugs.

“We can have starter programs for equity participants. We understand, basically that there was a plight on certain communities in the war on drugs, and we like to give those people opportunity in the business we thrive in,” Hester stated.

“Is it going to be safe, is there going to be blight?” asked Councilwoman Monica Wilson.

“My first answer to a lot of this, you wouldn’t know what we were doing if we didn’t have to go through this process,” Hester responded. “We go above and beyond what is required. We’re in it for the long-term. It’s an industrial park area.”

Mayor Sean Wright said, “I appreciate some of the things that are in here, the on-site security at all times…you’ve included all the items that the police department has given to you. No tinting. You’re not going to hide the front door.”

“What are you going to do to that front corner…the entrance to Antioch?” he asked. “You’re not going to write, ‘cannabis sold here.’”

“We’re kind of a destination. We really don’t have to advertise. It’s an online platform,” Hester stated. “We don’t need a bright, yellow sign that says, ‘come purchase your marijuana, here.’”

“In other areas we’ve done murals on walls, so it looks cool,” he continued. “We like to do whatever we can to make sure the building is presentable…set ourselves apart from dispensaries of five to seven years ago.”

“I’ve read online that of the dispensaries out there you are one of the highest class out there,” Wright said.

Ogorchock attempted to insert language in the ordinance to make sure it is 600 feet away from the Babe Ruth baseball fields.

Forrest Ebbs, Community Development Director stated that the location is 2,450 feet away from the baseball fields.

The council then voted 4-1 to approve the use permit for the One Plant cannabis dispensary with Ogorchock still voting no.

Plus, Splash & Spray Saturday

Zumba, Dancing, Kayaking….Skateboarding, Swimming, and Art…all activities that promote healthy, active living. And with a 15% discount on class and program fees, the Annual Get Active Antioch! Recreation and Health Expo Event is a great way to start your summer! The City of Antioch Recreation Department is hosting this free event at the Antioch Community Center and Antioch Water Park, Saturday, May 11 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. This community event will be a full day, jam packed with fun for all ages! There will be program demonstrations from Antioch’s highly trained specialized instrcutors including MAX Martial Arts, and Zumba Fitness with Karina Dugand. Kathy Bunton from Delta Kayaking Adventures will demo at the Water Park and Rob’s Skate Academy will be boarding and coaching at the Skatepark.

The Expo includes a Health Fair Vendor Hall from 10:00am – 12:30pm as well as a Preschool Open House and Mother’s Day Celebration. Visitors can enjoy preformances from the Antioch High School Black, Powerful & Educated African Dance Team, guided facility tours, Senior Hula Dancers and more!

Bring your entire family to the free Music Festival in our Grand Plaza all day. Headliners are Blue Mountain Quartet, Ben Benkert and PTK The Band! Music is good for mental health, and while adults enjoy the free concert children can color on the giant Monster Mural, munch on free popcorn, and get their face painted. The Foodie Crew will participate and provide excellent food truck services. The Antioch Community Foundation provided funding to support the Expo and Antioch Unified School District is a partner in the Health Fair.

Families can end the day with Splash and Spray Saturday at the Antioch Water Park from 12:30 – 4:00 pm! Free swimming and Water Park seasonal information will be available. All in one day, Antioch residents can enjoy everything the Recreation Department has to offer and more. Remember, the 15% discount is on May 11, 2019 only. Let Antioch Recreation Staff help you plan your best summer ever! For general information call 925-776-3050.