Lovable new mascot will bring fun, fresh ideas and a helping hand to Safeway shoppers, stores and community events

By Kent Streeb, Director of Public Affairs & Communications, Safeway Northern California Division

PLEASANTON, Calif. – There’s a fuzzy new face zipping through Safeway aisles that shoppers will soon be seeing often. Safeway Northern California Market introduced Scoot™, the market’s lovable new mascot and goodwill ambassador. Fun, furry and always ready to help, Scoot will guide shoppers toward great savings, fresh finds and family-friendly fun at Safeway stores and community events throughout Northern California, Northern Nevada and Hawaii.

With bright red fur, a leafy green sprout, signature Safeway visor, and red sneakers, Scoot is easy to spot and hard to forget. Scoot loves kids, people and lending a helping hand. Scoot will appear at community events, support hunger-relief initiatives, champion charitable causes and create memorable experiences for children and families. Whether Scoot is pointing shoppers toward a can’t-miss deal, sharing a healthy fresh dinner idea, or greeting families at a neighborhood celebration, Scoot’s mission is simple: make shopping more helpful, more rewarding and a whole lot more fun.

“Scoot may be new, but what Scoot represents has been a part of Safeway for generations: helping people save money, serving neighborhoods and making quality, fresh food and products easier to find,” said Kelly Mullin, Regional President of Marketing and Merchandising for Albertsons Companies California Region. “Scoot brings that spirit to life in a joyful new way. We believe Scoot will quickly become a familiar and beloved friend to children, families and shoppers throughout the communities we serve.”

Your Shortcut to Savings & Fresh Finds

Scoot will serve as a friendly guide at Safeway, helping shoppers discover:

• Special savings and featured promotions
• Peak-season produce and fresh food favorites
• Freshest dinner ideas
• New products and unexpected finds
• Opportunities to support local communities and important causes

Shoppers will encounter Scoot in Safeway advertising, on social media, at pop-ins to stores, and at special events.  Scoot will help point customers toward featured offers, digital coupons and some of Safeway’s biggest deals.

Showing Up for the Community

Like Safeway, Scoot’s role will extend well beyond the grocery aisle. In 2025, Safeway in Northern California donated $55 million in food and financial support to charitable organizations serving local communities. From food drives and charitable campaigns, to store celebrations and family events, Scoot will bring energy, smiles and a spirit of service to community appearances that will reinforce Safeway’s longstanding commitment to supporting local organizations and helping our neighbors in need. To celebrate Scoot’s arrival, Safeway will donate $5,000 to a local nonprofit.

Follow Scoot’s Adventures

Follow Scoot on Instagram and TikTok at @safewaysscoot for savings tips, fresh discoveries, community appearances and behind-the-scenes fun.

Scoot^TM word and design trademarks are owned by subsidiaries of Albertsons Companies, Inc.

About Safeway

Safeway is one of the most well-recognized grocery retail brands with a long-standing reputation for quality and service, proudly serving Northern California since 1926. Today, the company operates over 283 stores across Northern California, Nevada and Hawaii, under various banners, including Andronico’s, Safeway, and Pak N’ Save.

Safeway’s Antioch store is located at 3365 Deer Valley Road in the Crossings Shopping Center.

Community meeting gets heated after pastor, congregants invited in; false accusations made of carrying guns; claim of a police report filed

Protest march to City Hall proposed; City staff looking for possible clause in original 2003 purchase agreement

By Allen D. Payton

Following public outcry after learning a church has purchased the 98-year-old building that houses the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown, the current owner shared his reasons for selling. In addition, a community meeting held there, Tuesday night, got heated between residents and the pastor and some members of his Legendary Movement Church who attended unexpectedly.

Sold Because Theater Was Going to Close, Then on Month-to-Month Lease

When reached with questions about his sale of the El Campanil Theatre building, current owner Tung Bui, who lives in Washington state, offered his reasons.

“I bought the theater for the purpose of the arts. I have friends who live in Danville and we go to shows nearby. I am a consultant to Rick on the business side in wireless operations,” he shared, referring to the foundation’s former executive director, Rick Carraher who led the effort to raise the funds to buy and renovate the building, and then led that effort, as well. He and his wife, Janis, were the original owners of Rick’s on Second restaurant that was located across the street from the theater. Rick Carraher served as the theater’s executive director until he resigned in 2021 when the couple moved out of state but remained on the board of directors. He is no longer has a role with the theater or board.

“Since then, they have brought in three different chairs and Sharon is the latest, and have had a lot of staff changes,” Bui said. Sharon Sobel Idul is the current president of the Board of Directors of the El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation which leases most of the building and operates the theater.

“Last year I spoke with the foundation board,” he continued. “They’re the ones who said they didn’t have the funds to operate until the end of the year.”

Last October, the theater board began another fundraising campaign to cover the costs of operations without sharing the amount they needed. The board then announced a progress report in March that they had exceeded their $50,000 goal writing, “As of March 25, 2026, a total of $65,190 has been raised from 411 gifts.” They kept going with a “City of Stars – A Dance Gala to Keep the Arts Thriving in Antioch,” in collaboration with Black Diamond Ballet on April 18th. They’re still raising funds through the theater’s website, today.

But the board never informed the public the building was for sale nor held a fundraising campaign to purchase it, to the dismay of members of the public who expressed it during Tuesday night’s meeting and on social media.

“We’re on a month-to-month lease. I don’t want to own a property where the theater isn’t going to be,” Bui stated. “Who runs a commercial building on a month-to-month basis?”

“I gave them free rent for the first year and then gave them a sweetheart deal because I wanted them to recover,” he shared. “I didn’t raise rents for a certain period of time.”

“They told me they were going to shut down by the end of the year,” Bui reiterated.

Asked about the church buying the building he said, “We had several buyers. I turned down a ton of buyers. I didn’t want someone to buy it and tear it down. I wanted a buyer to have a consistent use of the property. The church wanted to keep it the way it is. They’re going to use it for Sunday mornings and Wednesday night Bible study.”

“As a matter of courtesy, I discussed this with Sharon before I accepted the offer. She knew about it,” said Bui.

“I put it on the market with an agent, Michael Temby. I don’t want to own it,” Bui shared. “My agent approached the City early on.”

“Then they (the board) came back to me at the end (of the fundraising effort) and said they can operate it and asked if I would go on a month-to-month. That’s a death sentence,” he stated. “Even if I could back out (of offering it for sale), I couldn’t because I had a contract with a listing for a certain duration.”

Asked if he owned other commercial properties, Bui said, “Not at all. This would be the first and only property I own. I’m not a commercial guy. I only bought it because of my relationship with Rick. I’m an electrical engineer.” 

He then suggested this reporter speak with Temby. However, in response to efforts to speak with the Discovery Bay-based Realtor, he said, “I have no comments at this time while we’re in escrow. Happy to answer any questions after escrow closes.” According to Herrera, that will be on Sept. 29th.

El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation Shares Community Update on Potential Sale

UPDATE 2: On August 20th, Sobel Idul emailed a press release about the potential sale of the theater building (which the Herald unfortunately missed until Thursday, Sept. 3rd).

She wrote, “The El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation (ECTPF) would like to provide some clarity to our community regarding recent conversations about the future of the El Campanil Theatre property.

“ECTPF is a tenant of the theatre property, which is owned by an out-of-state landlord. We are aware of the potential sale of the property and of fundraising efforts being circulated online by a potential buyer. Those efforts are independent of ECTPF and do not reflect the mission of our organization and it is unlikely that we would be able to continue to provide theatre programming at El Campanil Theatre if they acquire the space. 

“El Campanil Theatre has been part of this community for nearly a century and we understand how deeply people care about its future. We share that commitment. El Campanil Theatre is a historic gem that should remain as an arts and cultural hub. We hope the city, our community, and artists alike can come together to help maintain our mission, if not we will no longer be able to continue our arts management in this space.  

“For now, our focus remains on operating the theatre, welcoming audiences and community organizations, supporting the artists and renters who bring this stage to life, and continuing to be a gathering place for Antioch and the surrounding region.

“Please view a list of our upcoming events here: www.ElCampanilTheatre.com.”

Community Conversation Becomes Confrontation with Congregation

After Tuesday night’s “Save our Stage: A Community Conversation”, Rivertown business owner Mike Gabrielson, a former Board President of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, shared a comment about the meeting on the Antioch Herald’s Facebook page, below the post of Tuesday’s article that broke the news the building had sold. He wrote, “I was at the meeting tonight put on by the El Campanil and and it was going great. People were sharing old stories, how much the El Campanil meant to them, sharing how we need to keep the arts alive in our city. Suddenly when the news crew left, the Pastor Eli Herrera from Legendary Church showed up with about 50 people. They barged in and he shared his vision for the El Campanil Theatre which didn’t really include current El Campanil Programing or as he put it ” Legendary plans on putting on it’s own shows and performances and hopes that the El Campanil will stay on as a tenant as long as they can work around their programming…. it’s pretty clear what that means. This is super sad for our community and a final nail in the coffin to our Downtown Economy. Please join us Tuesday Sept 8th 6pm for a friendly protest in front of El Campanil Theatre and a March to City Hall to ask our Council and Mayor to support Saving the El Campanil.. Save Our Stage!”

One person who attended said Jose Cordón, Antioch’s poet laureate tried to prevent the pastor and church members from entering the meeting and they pushed past him and the pastor was acting like he was going to be the savior of Rivertown. Another person who owns a business in Antioch and attended but chose not to be identified said, Cordón was being interviewed by the media outside and invited the pastor into the meeting. That person also said someone came at the pastor and another person in attendance complained that one of the pastor’s men had a gun, that Cordón ended up taking over the meeting and tried to de-escalate things.

In a post on the page of the Facebook group Antioch Rants and Raves, another Rivertown business owner, Erin Green-Astone wrote, “I don’t have any words right now. I’m angry that it evolved the way it did. The church members and pastor showed up late to the meeting and shifted the tone greatly. We have passionate folks in Antioch. I hate that it devolved into what it did. I hate more that they brought concealed weapons into the theater and potentially put others at risk. I’m not sure how to heal this community after seeing that.”

Pastor Responds

However, the pastor and the leader of the Downtown Antioch Association who attended Tuesday night’s meeting refuted most of that information, while Cordón confirmed some of it.

Herrera, who said on Tuesday he wasn’t going to attend the community meeting, said Wednesday morning in an audio file sent by text to the Herald, “I’m sure you’re seeing all the news buzzing all over Facebook and online in regards to me and…well, our church goes and prays every Tuesday outside (the theater). I got basically asked and begged to go into that meeting and I said I would do it in a peaceful way. I go in there and it wasn’t peaceful. A guy, named Mr. Cordón, turns the whole audience on me. Very, very misleading. Then in the middle of that, a woman tries to come forward and come at me, physically. Then another man that I found out, named Frank Sterling, comes at me trying to attack me from my back and my men that I had with me. Not only men. I had families, my wife and children were there, all of our families were there. We were there praying outside, and my men stepped up and guarded me. There was no guns. There was no weapons. We have everything recorded.”

“So, I just wanted to share that with you because you’re going to see a lot of stuff buzzing all over the Antioch Rants and all this stuff, which is all lies,” Herrera continued.

“I heard they made a police report after we left. Not sure why they did that. They’re the ones who were attacking us,” he said with a chuckle.

“This is getting out of hand. I wanted to work with the theater operations people. They just, they don’t seem friendly enough to work with,” Herrera stated. “And so, this is very sad.”

Asked about the claims that he and his church members “barged in” and about someone coming at him and that one of his men had a gun, Herrera said, “It was a gentleman who stormed at me. But I just seen he did an apology on Facebook. Frank Sterling.”

“Nobody had a gun,” he emphasized. “We didn’t barge in. We were outside praying and they said, ‘hey, we would love for you to speak.’ So, I got invited into the building. And the 50 people were – we didn’t barge in – it was families. We had kids, mothers, strollers. So, it wasn’t like we barged in to fight. We walked in as family and as a church. It was unfortunate, the whole thing.”

The pastor then reiterated, “For the record, we were invited in by, I believe his name is Jose Cordón, he is a poet, I believe for the city. He is the one that invited us in and said he would love for me to talk and address the crowd and that’s exactly what I did. And then I got attacked and so, then we walked out. We left. We weren’t there to fight. We have footage to prove it. The gentleman came at me, and all our people did was protect their pastor.”

Downtown Antioch Association Leader Offers Her Perspective on Meeting

Asked her perspective on what occurred, Debbie Blaisure, leader of the Downtown Antioch Association, who attended the community meeting at the theater said, “Jose was de-escalating and the pastor came in with members of his congregation. He had his wife and children with him. He was very articulate and very respectful. He was not cocky. He said I am a businessman and a man of God. As a tenant if I have church on Sunday and a performance is on Sunday the church will have priority.”

“I was right there in the front row,” she continued. “He was standing in front of the stage. There was a woman from the audience who said she hadn’t been in the building for 45 years who came at him. That’s what started the whole thing. Some of the pastor’s men from the church stepped in to protect him and then Frank Sterling came from the other side. The congregation circled the pastor. Frank was on the other side. The pastor was the one who was almost attacked. There’s an entire video of the whole thing.”

Asked about others who attended Blaisure shared, “It was a lot of longtime residents telling stories of their experiences with the theater. Someone asked, ‘are they going to shoot old people?’ It was asinine. There was no one with any guns.” 

About the proposed protest march she said, “The City has nothing to do with this.”

Regarding the foundation board’s efforts to raise funds for operations that began last year Blaisure said, “I tried to help them. The DAA gave them $3,000 from the fashion show and I told them I could use it to challenge the other businesses to help raise the rest. The theater needed $350,000. The Historical Society raised $150,000 for the (Unity) Bell. So, we could have raised the money. “ Actually, the amount raised in cash was $85,000 and the total, including in-kind donations, was about $106,000.

“But Sharon didn’t want to scare the public, so the board didn’t want to tell the truth. That would have been an opportunity for fundraising and they didn’t use it,” she stated.

“I’m hoping that the theater and the downtown businesses can work with the new owner and, in collaboration, be included in our new efforts for downtown Rivertown restoration. The pastor said he was going to,” Blaisure added.

Antioch’s Poet Laureate Confirms He Invited in Pastor, “Just a Few” Church Members, Tried to De-Escalate

When reached to verify the information said about him, Cordón said, “I did invite the pastor in for the Community Conversation. I think people should hear his story and what to do. But I also said is I didn’t think all of his members there should have come in. Just a few members. I also did try to de-escalate it.”

“Unfortunately, it became confrontational rather than productive, a conversation and an open dialogue,” he added.

Asked if he thought anything good came out of last night Cordón said, “I think that it can. I think if we sit down and get past it for the benefit of Antioch. If we can demonstrate we can still work together, I think that’s positive. I’m open to continue the conversation to make Antioch.”

“One of the first things that Sharon did was apologize. She recognizes the theater made mistakes. Having some recognition of that is good,” he continued. “What I would love to do is to continue the conversation and figure out how to work together. Whatever is best for Rivertown and Antioch.”

He hosted two shows at the theater, “completely free to the public,” Cordón shared. “I flew in people from out of town. I got them hotel stays at the hotel by Auto Center Drive. ‘Poetic Experience’ was the name of the show.”

Regular Council Commenter Apologizes for Behavior

In a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Sterling, who regularly speaks during public comments at city council meetings, wrote, “I lost my cool at the meeting last night.. My apologies to everyone. That is not how we should all interact. Whatever/However you see the situation leading up to this moment. It is not the way to handle it. My apologies again.”

Other Comments from Community Members Who Attended Meeting

When reached for comment, former councilwoman and current District 1 council candidate Joy Motts who also attended Tuesday night’s meeting said, “I would have been screaming from the rafters if I knew it was for sale. How did we get here? Why did we not know? Why didn’t the Council talk about this to let us know what was happening here? Nobody knew.”

“There were people crying,” she said about some of those in attendance.

“This is a tragedy for downtown,” Motts continued. “I have nothing against this church. There are so many other vacant, empty buildings in town, than to take away this arts and cultural venue that means so much to so many.”

“People are upset that they didn’t know. I’m upset that I didn’t know,” she stated.

Regarding the building’s seller notifying the foundation’s board chair, Motts asked rhetorically, “Did he give her a chance? Let them know he had an offer to give them the opportunity?”

In a post on her Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon, Rivertown business owner and Antioch Historical Society member, Carla Baker Marymee wrote, “I generally don’t rant on Facebook. This time is an exception.

“Last night’s ‘Community Conversation’ at El Campanil Theatre was supposed to be about saving one of Antioch’s most cherished historic landmarks — a nearly 100‑year‑old symbol of culture, community, and riverfront pride. Instead, it became something none of us expected.

“The Antioch Herald reported that a church has already raised $306.500 toward the $1.5 million purchase price, and that the sale is in escrow, closing Sept. 29, 2026. That alone shocked many of us. But what happened inside the theatre was worse.

“Patrons, artists, renters, business owners, and neighbors showed up to ask questions and stand together for the arts in Antioch. We came in good faith. We came to protect a landmark that belongs to the community.

“Then the discussion was interrupted.

“The pastor — the reported buyer — arrived with roughly two dozen members of his congregation. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Tension rose. A confrontation broke out in front of the stage between the pastor, several congregants, and residents. It was chaotic, frightening, and deeply upsetting. I left because I felt unsafe.

“This theatre never should have been sold in the first place.

“El Campanil was purchased in 2003 by the El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation with a $500,000 Calpine grant, $750,000 in City redevelopment funds, and $1 million raised under the leadership of Rick Carraher. It was a community triumph — a promise that this building would remain a cultural anchor for Antioch.

“But after COVID, financial struggles led to a quiet sale to an out‑of‑state buyer. Almost no one knew. And now we’re watching a second sale unfold that feels rushed, opaque, and completely out of alignment with what the community wants.

“Let’s be clear: This is not about being ‘against churches’. It’s about protecting a historic cultural space that has served Antioch for nearly a century. There are countless other locations for a church to thrive. This theatre is unique, irreplaceable, and central to Rivertown’s identity.

“A $1.5 million price tag for a building of this significance? That’s not an opportunity — it’s a giveaway.

“If the buyer truly ‘loved Antioch,’ he would understand that forcing this sale through — especially after last night’s confrontation — will leave a permanent scar. The community will not forget what happened. And the building will never be embraced as a church. Because this isn’t about faith. It’s about a real‑estate investment.

“I am praying — truly praying — that local investors step in immediately to save El Campanil and return it to the community that built it, funded it, and loves it.

“Antioch deserves better. Our history deserves better. And this theatre deserves to remain what it has always been: the cultural heart of Rivertown.”

No Seller Carry-Back Financing

While the church has raised the necessary 20 percent downpayment of $306,500, it was reported by the Antioch business owner in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting that someone expressed the belief that the sale can be stopped because it includes seller carry-back financing for the balance of the approximate $1.5 million purchase price.  However, when asked about that, Herrera said, “The seller is not carrying the balance. We got a loan.”

Willing to Sell Back Building to Foundation if Church Outgrows Theater Space in Future

Asked if, in a few years, the church outgrows the theater building what are the plans Herrera said, “We’ll have to find a bigger space.”

Asked would the church then be willing to sell the building back to the foundation to once again own and operate it as the theater he said, “If in the future the Lord allows that to happen it could be a possibility.”

City’s Role

While some people in the community would like the City to somehow step in and prevent the sale, as previously reported, the City can’t stop the church from buying the building or locating there based on federal law, known as RLUIPA, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. That protects “individuals, houses of worship, and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and landmarking laws.”

Yet, since Antioch’s current Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas was instrumental in securing the $500,000 donation from the Calpine energy company to purchase the building back in 2003 when he was mayor, as well as the $750,000 from the City’s redevelopment agency to help renovate the theater, he was asked about the agreement with the foundation’s board. Some people are looking to that as a possible way to nullify the sale, as they, like Marymee, claim the foundation shouldn’t have sold the building to a private party three years ago.

On the History page of the theater’s website it shows, “In July 2002, El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation was incorporated as a charitable, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. In early 2003, Calpine Corporation and the City of Antioch entered into an agreement whereby the Foundation received a grant to acquire the Theatre.”

Freitas was asked if he remembers if in that agreement there was a clause that required the foundation to sell the building to the City in some kind of right-of-first-refusal?

“I don’t recall that specific detail (but it certainly would be like me to require it in the agreement),” he responded. “Acting City Manager Ana Cortez told me she understands that may be correct and has been endeavoring to ascertain if it is true. I would suggest you directly contact her regarding this matter.”

Questions were emailed Wednesday night to both Cortez and City Attorney Lori Asuncion asking if such a clause in the agreement exists or if there was anything else in the agreement that gave some form of rights to the City since redevelopment funds were used for the building’s renovation after it was purchased.

Yet, whether or not such a clause exists or rights were retained, the sale of the building by the foundation to a private owner in 2023 might have severed that portion of the agreement.

Efforts to reach Board Chair Sobel Idul for a response to what Bui and others said, were unsuccessful prior to publication time. A call to one member of the Board of Directors, Ron Yarolimek, was also unsuccessful. A voicemail message was left for him requesting a return call, for Sobel Idul’s phone number or for him to pass on this reporter’s phone number to her to call.

UPDATE 1: Yarolimek responded Thursday morning with, “I passed on the information to Sharon. She’s making all public comments for El Campanil” and provided her theater foundation email address.

An email was sent late Wednesday morning to Sobel Idul asking for comment and with questions.

Please check back later for any additional updates to this report.

Adults age 65 and older lost almost $70,000

By Alma Galvan, Regional Marketing & Communications Director, Better Business Bureau San Francisco Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about an alleged cryptocurrency investment operation involving BG Wealth Sharing LTD and the DSJ Exchange platform.

Since May 2026 BBB has received several Scam Tracker reports from local Bay Area consumers who reported losing a combined $69,706.60. All reports were submitted by adults age 65 or older from Alameda and San Francisco counties.

According to the reports, consumers were introduced to the opportunity through relatives, friends, or local recruiters. Four consumers reported attending presentations at a Denny’s restaurant in Hayward, where participants were shown how to open and fund accounts and use trading “signals” or codes on the DSJ Exchange platform.

Consumers reported initially depositing between $2,000 and $5,000 through cash or cryptocurrency. Some said they gave cash to another participant or intermediary who converted it to cryptocurrency and funded their DSJ account.

The consumers described seeing their account balances increase as they copied and pasted trading codes provided through an online group. Some reported being promised daily returns, bonuses, or additional trading signals for recruiting new participants.

When consumers attempted to withdraw their earnings, however, they reported that withdrawals were frozen or unavailable. Several said they were instructed to pay an additional “tax” equal to 12% of the total balance displayed in their account before their funds could be released.

One consumer reported that a $5,000 initial deposit appeared to grow to more than $24,600. The consumer was then instructed to pay nearly $3,000 more before attempting a withdrawal. The consumer refused to pay and reported being unable to access the displayed balance.

“Consumers should never have to send additional money or cryptocurrency to pay a supposed tax before withdrawing their own funds,” said Alma Galvan, Regional Marketing and Communications Director for BBB SF Bay Area. “A growing balance displayed on an investment platform does not necessarily mean that the money exists or can be withdrawn. Be especially cautious when an opportunity relies on recruiting friends and family or promises unusually consistent returns.”

The reports received by BBB are consistent with concerns raised by securities regulators in several states. The Texas State Securities Board issued an emergency cease-and-desist order involving BG Wealth Sharing and DSJ Exchange, alleging an operation that used recruitment incentives, misleading account dashboards, withdrawal restrictions, and demands for an additional 12% “exit tax” or “compliance fee.”

The State of Hawaii also issued a preliminary cease-and-desist order alleging that BG Wealth Sharing and certain promoters solicited and offered unregistered securities. Securities regulators in Utah and Washington have issued investor warnings regarding BG Wealth Sharing and DSJ Exchange.

BBB cautions that this warning concerns BG Wealth Sharing LTD and the DSJ Exchange platform described in the reports and regulatory actions. It should not be confused with unrelated businesses that use similar names.

BBB recommends the following precautions:

• Verify the investment and seller are properly registered.
• Be skeptical of guaranteed or unusually consistent returns.
• Research opportunities independently, even when recommended by someone you trust.
• Avoid investments that reward recruitment.
• Never give cash to someone to invest on your behalf.
• Do not pay additional taxes or fees to withdraw funds.
• Be cautious of unfamiliar platforms; displayed profits may be fabricated.

Consumers who believe they have lost money should immediately stop sending funds and contact their bank, cryptocurrency exchange, or payment provider. Preserve screenshots, messages, transaction records, wallet addresses, receipts, and information about anyone involved. BBB encourages consumers to submit scram reports to:

• BBB Scam Tracker: BBB.org/ScamTracker
• Local law enforcement
• California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation: dfpi.ca.gov
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: IC3.gov
• Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• California Attorney General: oag.ca.gov/consumers

Victims should also be alert for recovery scams. Individuals claiming that they can hack a blockchain, retrieve cryptocurrency, or recover lost funds in exchange for an upfront payment may be attempting to victimize them a second time.

ABOUT BBB: Better Business Bureau‘s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust by setting standards for ethical business behavior, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models, calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior, and creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities.

Willow Park Mercantile is located at 205 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For more information visit Willow Park Mercantile or call 925-732-3877.

^{Paid advertisement.}

Under new ownership and management; renovated 101-year-old building, kept same menu

“A labor of love. I did this for my grandchildren,” – co-owner, Joe Martinez

“This is an opportunity for Jamie and me to get one of the last historic places in Antioch,” – co-owner Ron Harrison

By Allen D. Payton

After closing in June 2025 and following the purchase late last year and renovations this year, the new owners and operators of Mac’s Old House will hold a Grand Opening of Antioch’s iconic restaurant Saturday, August 15 at 4:00 p.m. The new owners are Ron and Jamie Harrison and Joe and Desiree Martinez. Sheri Vallero, who also runs Mel’s Diner in Antioch, and daughter, Terriane Reed and son, Roger Born, are the operators.

Locally famous for their dine-in, family-style prime rib and pasta dinners, “The story of Mac’s stretches back to 1925 when Floyd ‘Mac’ McKinney built the house with his father. In 1956 he began to operate a bar out of a converted part of the home. He operated it for 17 years before selling it and retiring,” according to a report by onlyinyourstate.com. “The restaurant changed hands a few times after Mac, but (the previous) owner bought it in 1983.”

During a soft opening dinner for friends on Tuesday, Aug. 4, Ron and Joe shared their thoughts and excitement about the restaurant.

“Joe and I are friends, and I work with him a lot,” Ron Harrison said. “We started talking about it and said, ‘why don’t we buy it?’ To us it’s an historical place.”

Harrison’s other business partner, “Sean (McCauley) and I have so many places out here. This is an opportunity for Jamie and me to get one of the last historic places in Antioch,” he continued.

“We lease the restaurant to Sheri and required her to keep the same name and menu,” Harrison stated. “We added 15 feet to the back for a bigger kitchen. More parking stalls. Two new beautiful bathrooms.”

“We got all the smoke off the walls and added all new lighting picked out by Desiree,” he shared. “We kept the bar. We wrapped all the beams. We tried to keep it as original as possible. The building is 101 years old.”

“We worked with the City staff and leaned on them as much as possible,” Harrison added.

“This is my first venture together with Ron,” Martinez said. “I bought the property and brought Ron in. I knew I wanted this project. I met with (former owners) Gary and Sue Noe and worked things out.”

“Starting in November I’ve been working on this every day since. A labor of love. It turned out good,” he continued. “We did a complete restoration. I told Gary and Sue, my goal is to honor the legacy of Mac and the family and continue it.”

“I put my heart, soul and love into it,” Martinez shared. “My wife and I picked out all the finishes.”

“The plan is to keep it for the next 40 years, the next generation,” he stated. “Nobody else was going to do it with all the cost involved. I put in my sweat equity. Ron took care of all the City stuff and laid out the plumbing and kitchen. I did all the construction. I’m happy it’s done.”

“I did this for my grandchildren as a family trust,” Martinez added.

See a video by the Harrisons showing a tour of the restaurant and announcing the Grand Opening, here.

For now, the restaurant is open daily for dinner from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, Mac’s will open for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They now accept debit and credit cards for payment.

The restaurant is located at 3100 E. 18th Street in Antioch. For more information visit them on Facebook and Instagram.

Postpones, will study resuming security services for downtown

“This is one thing that unites people that don’t usually get together.” – resident Frank Sterling about support for the proposed downtown park

“We do not have $250,000 to spend to maintain this park. If we do, every other park is going to have a reduced level of maintenance.” – Mayor Ron Bernal

Freitas envisions a hotel with conference center on the former Beede Lumber Yard site

By Allen D. Payton

In spite of impassioned comments from a broad spectrum of residents in favor of using state funds for a new park on the site of the former Beede Lumber Yard in downtown, to their chagrin, during the regular meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Antioch City Council voted 4-1 to apply for the grant to benefit City Park. Only District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha voted against the motion. Most of the public speakers spoke in favor of the proposed, new downtown park, including representatives of two groups of residents, one wearing blue shirts with the message, “Rivertown Square Yes!” printed on them and the other from Rising Juntos wearing green shirts, and others who aren’t usually allied on the same side of major issues. (See related article)

During Council deliberations on the matter, both Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker, in whose District 1 both sites are located, and Don Freitas hemmed and hawed in their willingness to support the Rivertown Square project before ultimately voting to pursue the funds for City Park, instead.

Public Comments

Before the vote on item #8 on the agenda, members of the public spoke mainly in favor of using the state grant funds for the Rivertown Square.

“I’ve watched cities that have grown their downtowns…and I think, ‘why not us? Why not Antioch?’” said one downtown resident. “Downtown once had a green space at Barbara Price Marina Park and we were promised a replacement.”

“Please choose the Yard,” she added.

“This is our neighborhood. I have been fighting for The Yard…this is one of the longest fights I’ve been doing,” said resident Frank Sterling. “This is one thing that unites people that don’t usually get together. I feel like you all should be bold. I’m in favor of The Yard being our downtown…community space.”

Resident Michael Simpson, wearing one of the blue shirts compared it to Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza, Oakley’s Civic Center and Brentwood’s downtown City Park, as well as Pittsburg’s Old Town park.

“We should…create something for future generations,” he stated.

Barbara Price Marina Park was six acres, and the Beede Lumber Lot is just under two acres, one third the size, so, the maintenance costs will be less, another resident pointed out.

“We have waited long enough. This community has spoken. Please don’t let maintenance be the issue. Please honor the commitment. Please apply for the grant to be at the Rivertown Square,” she concluded.

“Antioch shouldn’t be the city people drive through but the city people drive to,” another resident wearing one of the blue shirts in support of the Rivertown Square stated.  

Former Planning Commissioner Kerry Motts, also wearing a blue shirt in support of the project for which his sister, former councilwoman and current District 1 council candidate, Joy Motts has helped lead the effort, said, it “would provide for enhanced economic vitality of Rivertown. This has been a stated goal…for 40 years.”

A leader of Rising Juntos East spoke “in support of developing the Beed Lumber Yard park.”

“Please vote yes for the families of north Antioch,” she added.

“Children and families need safe spaces to thrive,” another representative of Rising Juntos said in support of the Rivertown Square. “We envision not just a park but a cultural hub.”

“Why is it taking so long?” she asked. “Making the lot a park would make the downtown more walkable and enjoyable. It’s right across the street from the Senior Center. They could enjoy it.”

Another member of Rising Juntos said, “City Park needs investment and our community absolutely needs to see it improved. But one park should not be sacrificed at the expense of another.”

Alexander Broom, Vice Chair of the Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission, said, “I think it should be Beede Lumber Yard or bust. I believe we should put all of our eggs in this basket.

District 4 Council candidate and local homeless advocate Andrew Becker spoke last with a completely different idea saying, “My concern is that the intent of Prop. 4 is to…preserve or create open space for individuals and I keep hearing, tonight it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. In the 1940’s, homes were built along Cavallo (Road). There’s still no parks within a-half a mile.”

Council Discussion & Decision for City Park

During council discussion Acting Community Development Director Steve Scudero was asked by Mayor Ron Bernal about the vacant downtown lot, “How is that property zoned?”

“Mixed use which allows for commercial residential and public spaces,” Scudero responded.

“If we wanted to sell that property as a surplus property…” Bernal began.

“We would have to make it available to an affordable housing builder…giving a sixty-day notice of availability… before selling the property,” Scudero stated.

District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha spoke next saying, “Both parks are important. I believe City Park does need investment. But we have a downtown area that many of us…for enrichment would see where people could come together and bring some economic development.”

“It’s unfortunate we have to pick just one. It looks like both projects meet the criteria for the process,” he continued. “Whatever we decide tonight won’t determine what would happen to the other.”

“Probably the one thing I’ve been most impressed with…over the years I’ve heard about The Yard, the Town Square,” Rocha stated. “I’m inclined to support The Yard because of the engagement that’s bringing people together. This may be four years down the road even if we get the funding.”

“I understand the value of bringing people together. I could support both. But I’m going to support the Beede Lumber Yard because of all the engagement,” he added. “I don’t think there’ll be a problem with getting the people behind you.”

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson said, “Both are good. But I want to put one in that’s most competitive and going to get the dollars.”

Alex Gibbs, Grants Director of Townsend Public Affairs, the City’s consultant on the grant process, said, “There will be a lengthy process…that will include site visits from the state…most likely in April next year. You’re looking at really a difference of five or six points. There are fewer people living near the Yard…given the location of the lot near the river. But the state takes that into consideration. That’s the reality we’re living in. I’m confident that either case…we can write a very competitive application. The only thing you’re going to lose out on is the number of people living in poverty and nearby park land.”

Wilson asked about the Cavallo Road area saying, “That space we don’t own. It’s not a park,” referring to an empty, privately-owned lot on the southeast corner of Cavallo Road and E. 18th Street.

“I’m not aware of any land we own in that area,” Scudero stated.

District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, participating remotely from a resort and spa in Santa Cruz, then said, “I keep saying, don’t put housing there. I also don’t agree that housing should be the priority for this site.” She then said, “I keep hearing, it’s been 15 years they’ve had the commitment to replace the Barbara Price park that they lost. That seems to be a theme I continue to hear…that people have been waiting…for something.”

“I definitely want us to award whatever can bring revenue to the City of Antioch and I’m hearing the Beede Lumber Yard could bring revenue and even cover its maintenance costs,” Torres-Walker continued. “This is potentially an $8 million grant. We could submit one application or two applications.”

“Anything is possible,” said Recreation Department Director Shahad Wright. “Whatever money we have…we’ll make sure the contingency fund will be enough to cover.”

“It will be a city park not a neighborhood park so it would include restrooms,” Torres-Walker stated.

“That will be part of the design process,” Wright responded.

“If Beede Lumber lot is selected tonight, there will be a design phase, a community engagement phase, restrooms. What would be the follow up for City Park?” she asked.

“I will pivot and figure out how to fix the rest of the parks in the city,” Wright stated. “You have up to four years to spend the grant funds.”

The councilwoman then mentioned “downtown business owners” dealing with “parking issues and unhoused folks who actually live along the waterfront” and giving enough time for the City to deal with those issues.

District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said, “We’ve talked a lot about history. Some of us have intimate knowledge of history. I want to go back to 1978 and 1979. I was the Executive Director of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and most of our members were in downtown. Because at that time it was still one of the economic hubs of the community.”

“I told them, ‘the downtown could survive if we had residents moving into the downtown and…sustained economic development,’” he continued.

“We needed to improve the circulation pattern in the downtown area. As mayor…from 2000-2008, whe number one project was to finally connect A Street to Second Street,” Freitas stated. “That was probably one of my greatest achievements as mayor. Because downtown finally had circulation.”

“So, on the issue of the Beede Lumber Yard…and this has been an issue for over 40 years, my vision for Beede Lumber was that we need to make downtown a destination, and we needed to generate revenue,” he explained. “I’ve seen many people say on social media that Freitas wants to build apartments. Freitas has never been for building apartments” on the vacant lot.

“My vision was to build a Sheraton Inn like in Concord…that Antioch would own the property and reach out to owners of hotels…two to three stories with a rooftop garden,” Freitas shared. “I wanted to have a situation where we would have a 35-year lease. I never wanted to sell that property…and each and every year we would generate revenue.”

“We have more than 118,000 people in this town. There is no hotel in this town for us to offer conferences or seminars or anything. So, part of my argument was, let’s build one,” he continued. “If you’re there for two to three days, what are you going to do? You’re going to walk up the street. We could have a jazz lounge. We would have restaurants there.”

“You say you’ve been disappointed for 15 years. I’ve been disappointed for over 50 to 60 years,” Freitas exclaimed. “You say this is going to produce revenue. To do that you’d have to be using this facility every day. That’s not going to happen. Excluding the 4th of July, you’re going to get a couple hundred people. Very few people come out of District 3 to the downtown because there’s nothing there for them.”

“We have Williamson (Park). What’s the problem? There’s no parking,” he asked and answered. “If Beede goes through, the problem is going to be parking.”

“I have seen your schematics. Very interesting. But it’s not going to sustain itself,” Freitas stated. “But you’ve done a very good job coming together and advocating. I think I can count the votes. I think we’re going to probably engage Beede. But be under no delusion. The best bet is not Beede. The best bet in my opinion is City Park.”

“But I’m going to challenge every single one of you here. There’s going to be community meetings. You’ve said, ‘we can raise money through non-profits…through other means.’ Don’t wait,” he said. “That’s been the problem with this city. I challenge you, start figuring out how to pay for this on a long-term basis.”

“We are in a deficit. We’ve reduced it dramatically,” Freitas pointed out. “Your organization is great…you have another part of the job. Don’t abandon us. Stay with us. I challenge you. Where are all these other monies going to come in? Because the city doesn’t have it.”

Mayor Ron Bernal spoke next reiterating Freitas’ last point saying, “The Council chose to remove this project from the Capital Improvement process because we didn’t have the funds for maintenance. If this goes through, we still won’t have the money for maintenance. We do not have $250,000 to spend to maintain this park. If we do, every other park is going to have a reduced level of maintenance.”

“We have deferred maintenance coming out of our ears,” he stated. “I am not in favor of adding another expense…as much as people would love to have this park built in downtown,” he continued.

“We’re talking about one point being the difference in getting this funding. We don’t have five points,” Bernal explained. “And that (City) park won’t be improved and we won’t have Beede, either.”

“The new areas are fully paying for the maintenance of their parks. The downtown area parks, the General Fund is paying for their maintenance,” he continued.

“We do need to improve our downtown…have places for people to gather. I’m for all of that,” Bernal said. “This is an example of everyone coming together. But we don’t have the…wiggle room in this process. So, I’m going to be in favor of City Park.”

Torres-Walker than said, “I didn’t hear that we only had to submit one application. I heard we could do two applications. Was that correct?”

Gibbs of Townsend said, “That is correct. There is no limit to the number of applications the City can submit.”

“Would the Council be against submitting two?” she asked.

“I would be opposed to that,” Freitas said. “I think Townsend has made the case not to do that.”

“I think there would be a staff issue in running two processes. How well would you be able to run two processes?” Bernal asked.

“It’s a heavy lift,” Director Wright said. “We’re already understaffed and two facilities down. How well can we do in this small timeframe?”

Freitas asked, “What is in the best interest of Antioch?” then said, “I’m going to move that we do apply for this grant for City Park.”

Bernal seconded the motion.

Torres-Walker than stated, “For Townsend said, ‘this takes a while to bring this process around.’ I’ve been for bringing grants to the City. Do you see there will be opportunities in the future…can there be a commitment to pursue grant funding for parks?”

“I can commit to purse the best grant application as possible…I commit to not leaving any stone unturned…be it state, federal or other,” Gibbs said.

The motion then passed on a vote of 4-1 with Rocha voting against.

In response, one member of the audience could be heard yelling out, “There are elections coming up.”

Postpones Resuming Downtown Security Services Until September to Study Issue

Two residents spoke during public comments on the item, #9 on the agenda, local homeless advocate and District 4 Council candidate Andrew Becker said, “I managed a private security company…for years. I think…the biggest question is…what’s very alarming is staff puts out the report that includes the security logs. But there’s no results. ‘We as staff are doing a good job…that the work should continue in downtown.’ It’s staff’s responsibility to monitor and maintain contracts.”

“I went through all of the security logs,” he continued. “It speaks to a high volume of emergency calls…I think you see four or five very low instances in the hundreds of logs put out. The contract is for City-owned parking lots. If that’s the case, then why are the photos…of properties the City doesn’t own in downtown? Or pictures of properties that aren’t even in downtown….a shopping center in a newer development? Where are these guards and who are we paying and what is the relationship of this company to the City?”

Keith Butler, CEO and Founder of Elite Defense Security Solutions said he had, “ties to prior law enforcement. I’m a retired law enforcement officer of 18 years.”

“Without getting into the particulars of the current company…it’s not who’s providing the security, it’s what does the security look like. You need to look at what that security can do,” he continued.

“I have to agree with the previous speaker,” Butler stated. “There were a lot of items on there that don’t look to be parking lots.”

He then offered to help the City draft a new RFQ (request for quote).

Council Discussion & Decision to Postpone After Meeting with Downtown Businesses, City Staff

During Council discussion, Freitas spoke first saying, “I think that when we initially did this, we did focus on the City-owned property. If we want to put together a work group…we didn’t receive any input from the Police Department…Code Enforcement, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Antioch Association. We need to ask questions…be proactive rather than reactive.”

Rocha then said, “One key strategy identified…is to act as a visible deterrent…and properly report incidents to the Antioch Police Department. When you read the comments from the survey…the key strategy is to be visible when people don’t even know they’re there. Maybe this is misleading the way the key was written.”

“I think the merchants and restaurant owners are wanting to have a relationship…that didn’t happen with this particular vender,” he continued. “I do think we need to have community members meet together. I think there needs to be dialogue. I’m not prepared to approve this contract.”

Wilson then said, “We didn’t include any measurables…around patrol hours…how to communicate with the police. I think if we have this committee we figure out the performance measures. That’s the problem with the RFQ. I think we really missed it on this one.”

Finance Director Dawn Merchant, serving in the role of acting city manager for the meeting (or Acting Acting City Manager she jokingly said) then shared, “One of the difficulties I do recall being discussed was how can the City pay for extra security for businesses in downtown when they don’t for another challenged area in the City. That’s why it was focused on the City-owned parking lots. That’s how this evolved.”

Torres-Walker mentioned, “the businesses saying, ‘we need more support from the City.’ The police saying, ‘we can’t just commit officers to downtown’. We couldn’t justify doing it for the businesses. We asked if there were other City-owned parking lots throughout the city.”

“What is being often overlooked is…it just provided patrol for City-owned parking lots in downtown not the businesses,” she continued. “When I looked at this report…at least one property outlined in here that is way over by Deer Valley. How did they end up all the way over in District 4?”

“The survey was completed by seven respondents…out of fifty or more in downtown,” Torres-Walker stated. “You have 71% of the respondents said they would support the City continuing security services in downtown. It is very telling. The majority of businesses that responded felt like security services were needed for weekdays and the evenings and special events.”

“Asked how often they see security services downtown it was pretty spread out. You never had ‘never or occasionally.’ Although you had one outlier say they had seen the security company several times a week,” the councilwoman shared.

She then mentioned the only cannabis retail location in downtown and that, “they’re supposed to have 24-hour armed security.”

“I do want to add patrolling for downtown businesses,” Torres-Walker stated. “Most municipalities have a downtown overlay district where the businesses pay for additional police patrols” and mentioned using “CSO’s (Community Service Officers) driving around in marked cars.”

She concluded by suggesting forming a “police district in the waterfront.”

“This could be a collaborative effort of the City and downtown businesses that they pay for this,” Freitas said. “I think it’s in their best interest. I just think we should try to get them together…with the City Attorney. It’s an idea to move forward. Because we don’t have the services right now, the question to the police department is, are there other personnel that can be used such as VIPS. I think we need to be a little creative.”

Rocha agreed with using CSO’s.

Antioch Police Captain Matt Koch jokingly said, “In the words of Director Wright, ‘anything is possible.’”

“We’ve already increased our presence over there with officers and CSO’s during all hours of the day and night that are scheduled,” he stated. “I went 42 days before and 42 days after and there’s been a 23% increase in calls for service to the police department. It’s about three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half calls for service per day. I think having them there…with the lights flashing is a deterrence. It is a great service and a force multiplier for us.”

“There are some residences besides the businesses that are affected there,” Koch continued. “At my request they were taking pictures and providing them to the department.

“So, you see the security as a benefit overall,” Bernal asked.

“Overall, yes,” Koch responded.

“As they’re driving different routes between the parking lots there’s nothing that precludes them from making calls if they see something,” Bernal said.

“Yes,” Koch stated.

“I would like to see something done in the month of August,” Bernal stated. “I just think we need to do something quickly.”

“I do think we need to pursue another request for qualifications,” Torres-Walker added.

There will be a DAA meeting on the 19th at El Campanil Theatre,” the mayor stated. Torres-Walker said she will be attending that meeting.

Rocha said he will speak with the Chamber of Commerce. Bernal suggested Freitas do so, as well.

The council members agreed to have representatives from the Antioch Police Department, Code Enforcement meet and downtown business owners to discuss the needs for private security.

Watch council meeting video.

Mentions opportunity to negotiate new franchise agreement

Company’s attorney refutes City staff’s portrayal of continued operation during litigation

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the Antioch City Council voted 4-0 to deny the Encroachment Permit Appeal of California Resources Pipeline Company, LLC (CRPC), owner of the low-pressure, natural gas pipeline that runs under the city and has been shut off since 2021. (See related articles here, here and here)

In introducing the public hearing on the matter, under item #6 on the agenda, Antioch Public Works Director and City Engineer Scott Buenting said, “An Encroachment Permit is not the appropriate process.”

Dean Persinger,Vice President of Operations and Ester Brawley, VP of Technical Operations for California Resources Pipeline Company (CPRC) provided the company’s presentation.

He said the company applied for the Encroachment Permit “to maintain the right-of-way.”

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger spoke on behalf of the City saying, “The City requests the city council denies the appeal and uphold the decision of the City Engineer.”

“An encroach permit is not the appropriate approach for this long-term encroachment…for a project of this magnitude. It’s normally used for a short time and limited scope,” he explained. “They wanted to continue to pump gas…when before in order to do that they had to through the franchise agreement process.”

Kundinger also pointed out the company continued to operate the pipeline although the city council majority in 2021

“Even if you were to find the process is appropriate, CRPC failed to comply with the code,” Kundinger added. “This was an end route around” the council’s decision to not renew the franchise agreement, he stated.

Public Comments

During public comments, resident Harry Thurston spoke of his concerns about safety as the pipeline runs near homes and Sutter Delta Medical Center.

Bob Brown spoke next “on behalf of the Western States Petroleum Association” about the “safety and jobs” and that “The pipeline is safe and well-maintained. “Safe and reliable energy are essential” and asked the council to allow it to resume operations.

Resident Mark Jordan said, “This is a situation where both sides are right and both sides are wrong. The last council and a group of people decided we didn’t want petrochemicals running through our city. If it’s not organic, it’s not stone…it has petrochemicals in it. To believe that we don’t need pipelines is wrong.

“We’ve been told that they ran gas through that pipeline after they were denied. That’s disconcerting,” he continued.

“Where you are is, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. You’ve been in court running up bills,” Jordan stated. “You want it solved? You put them in a room with a representative from the city and mediator. I’ll do it.”

“They’re going to have to pay a penalty for using that pipeline after they no longer had a franchise agreement,” he continued. “I support giving them a franchise agreement. The way to go is ‘what’s in it for us’? They’ll pay, because they want it and because they make $3 billion a day (as an industry). We need petrochemicals and they need their pipeline. They can just load up a thousand trucks and run them down our street and there’s nothing you can do to stop them? What’s the better way to move the petrochemicals?”

“He wants to cut a deal. Let’s do it,” Jordan concluded.

Timothy Jeffries spoke on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers saying, “I’m here as a worker…maintaining this infrastructure. It supports high-quality jobs, family-supporting wages…right here in this city.”

Resident Jan Warren said, “I want to support Harry Thurston’s comments. I hear these same stories at the Air District, the legislature bill sessions. I don’t believe any job is being created here in Antioch by that 8.5-mile pipeline.”

“Thank you, City Attorney and City Manager for saying, ‘no’ when they didn’t follow the rules,” she continued. “They’re trying to work their way around. It’s time to deny…this appeal.”

Former Councilman Ralph Hernandez said, “I’m with the City, the appeal should be denied” claiming it’s “a very dangerous transportation of natural gas. Don’t let a big corporation come here and basically bribe you with what they want. I don’t know what the potential danger these pipelines create. Think of the city and its safety and whether it’s a good thing or not.”

Mark Hughes said by Zoom (which is now allowed by state law), “I’m the Executive Director of the Industrial Association…in the Bay Area…in support of the encroachment permit.” He also mentioned, “California has the strictest…regulations in the nation and the world.”

“It actually results in an overall increase in greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.

Resident Frank Sterling, also speaking via Zoom, said, “I’m going to speak out against the pipeline.” He referred to the explosion of the pipeline in San Bruno.  “I’m just against it.”

APOC Vice Chair Devin Williams said, “I’m against this pipeline, as well. I actually live in District 4 and there’s a pipeline running through my community.”

Resident Andrew Becker spoke last during comments saying, “I’ve lived next to this pipeline for the past 30 years…and what I really think about is…the only thing I’ve really seen changed is the sidewalks lift and cracked, yet there’s yellow stakes telling us there’s a pipeline undergound. I can assume it’s being maintained.”

He mentioned his appliances being gas powered and said, “Should this pipeline go away and other pipelines go away, my bill’s just going to go higher and higher.”

“Somebody in this city is not negotiating properly. Along with maintaining the pipeline, maybe they can plant some flowers,” Becker concluded.

CRPC Attorney Refutes City Staff’s Comments on Continued Use of Pipeline

The proponent had five minutes for a rebuttal comment in which their attorney used it to explain the company’s continued use of the pipeline after the council denied the renewal of the franchise agreement for its use in 2021.

Michael Mills, outside counsel to CRPC mentioned “a letter sent to staff and council, yesterday. Most importantly, it’s been now, almost five years, that the prior council decided to reject the franchise agreement. Since then, there’s been litigation.”

“The company negotiated a series of extensions to continue to operate the pipeline,” he explained. “The judge invited the City to enjoin the company from operating the pipeline during the legal challenge, but it did not do so.”

“Up until the point the company lost the legal challenge to the denial the company operated the pipeline. It wasn’t correctly stated in the staff report,” Mills pointed out.

“The company very much wants to work out something with the City,” the company’s attorney stated. “That’s the entire reason we’re here asking you for this permit.”

Council Discussion and Decision to Uphold Staff Denial

During council discussion, District 3 Councilman Don Freitas said, “The issue for the council is on the recommended action. Is an Encroachment Permit appropriate? The answer is ‘no’.”

“It’s simply about whether an Encroachment Permit is the proper process,” Kundinger said.

“I do think it’s creative,” Freitas stated. “Let’s not make it difficult. Let’s not bring in these other issues.”

“The company is not precluded from asking the city to sit down and discuss a franchise agreement,” he continued.

“The company has not been operating the pipeline for several years,” Freitas stated.

“I cannot confirm or deny if they have been using it. I have no personal knowledge,” Kundinger responded.

“How much in mitigation fees would we get?” District 4 Councilwoman Wilson asked.

“I believe the original was $75,000,” Kundinger said. That was from 2016-21. “Those were amounts fixed by agreement.”

“If a franchise agreement were in place, then an encroachment permit would be appropriate?” Mayor Ron Bernal asked.

“Permission could be given through a franchise agreement, yes,” Kundinger responded.

The motion by Freitas to uphold the city staff denial of the encroachment permit passed 4-0.