The pledge would reject any new, renewed public investments in gas or oil infrastructure in the city

“It does result in something if any of that comes about.” – Hernandez-Thorpe

Claims current atmospheric river storm is due to climate change caused by fossil fuel use

By Allen D. Payton

Today, Thursday, February 7, 2024, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe made a world-leading commitment to reject public investments in new, renewed, fossil fuel infrastructure in Antioch and steer the city toward timely climate mitigation and resilience. 

“I’ve promised to address climate change head on,” saidHernadez-Thorpe. “We’ve ended oil and gas drilling in Antioch and, today, following a historic atmospheric river caused by climate change that has wreaked havoc across California, I have committed to end investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure. Moving away from fossil fuels will protect the health of our community, our air and water and leave a liveable planet for the next generation.”

Following the mayor’s press conference held earlier in the day, a press release on the matter was issue. It reads, “The pledge is a commitment to reject public investments in new, renewed or expanded fossil fuel infrastructure in the city of Antioch, CA. Fossil fuels are harming our families and communities. The average global temperature on Earth has irreversibly risen by at least 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with most of this increase occurring since 1975. Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas, are the largest contributor to global warming, accounting for 75% global greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.” 

“We applaud the city of Antioch’s first-ever commitment to rejecting new fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Dawny’all Heydari, Climate Campaign Manager, Advocacy for Pacific Environment, which works to protect people, wildlife and ecosystems around the Pacific Rim and the authors of the pledge. “The warnings from the international scientific community and recent catastrophic weather in California make clear that there is no time to waste in moving to a zero emissions world. We call on mayors across the United States and globally to follow Hernandez-Thorpe’s lead and say no to new fossil fuel buildouts.”

The press release further claims, “As a result of fossil-fueled global warming, Antioch will continue to experience longer, hotter and more common heatwaves, and increased flooding from increased chances of extreme precipitation and sea level rise.

In the last week, a historic atmospheric river made worse by the effects of the climate emergency has wreaked havoc on communities across California, causing at least 875,000 power outages, four deaths, record-breaking rain and flooding, and $11 billion in damages to homes and other property.”

PLEDGE BACKGROUND

By signing the pledge, the Mayor of the City of Antioch has committed to:

1. Mitigate Climate Change: We will prioritize the adoption of clean energy solutions, such as renewable energy generation, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable transportation systems, to significantly reduce carbon emissions and promote a low-carbon future.
2. Protect Public Health: By rejecting new fossil fuel infrastructure, we will improve air quality, reduce respiratory diseases, and promote a cleaner and safer environment for all, prioritizing the health and well-being of our residents.
3. Foster Sustainable Economic Growth: We will stimulate economic growth and create new employment opportunities by investing in renewable energy projects, energy-efficient buildings, and innovative sustainable technologies, supporting local businesses and attracting green investments.
4. Lead by Example: As city leaders, we commit to lead by example, demonstrating our commitment to climate action, inspiring other cities to follow suit, and contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.

Pacific Environment Rep, Hernandez-Thorpe Clarify His Pledge

Hernandez-Thorpe was asked what public investments and fossil fuel buildouts he is referring to, and if it’s the City’s gas pump used by the city-owned vehicles. Gwen Dobbs of Pacific Environment was asked the same question and passed them along to Heydari.

In response, the Climate Campaign Manager shared, “The mayor is committing to reject new, renewed or expanded public investments in the following fossil fuel infrastructure: oil and natural gas wells and drilling, coal mining, petroleum gas stations, bunkering facilities for ships and planes, power plants (including coal, oil, and natural gas), pipelines, oil refineries, transport terminals, natural gas processing plants, petrochemical plants and gas connections to new buildings.”

But while the city council can vote to approve or deny all those things, the City of Antioch has never invested in them, except for perhaps, possibly gas connections to new buildings that the city builds and owns. Hernandez-Thorpe, Heydari and Dobbs were then asked to further clarify the matter that if, by signing the pledge, the mayor is committing he will not vote to approve another home or commercial building in Antioch that has a connection to natural gas and that all new construction in Antioch must be all electric.

The mayor was also asked to further clarify what he’s committed to not doing and how far and wide the commitment reaches. Specifically, he was asked regarding “transport terminals” if he is also committing to not vote for a deepwater port along the Antioch shoreline if the ships that dock there use fossil fuels.

Challenged with the statement that the pledge really doesn’t mean anything in Antioch since the city doesn’t invest in the items listed, Hernandez-Thorpe provided clarity explaining, “It does result in something if any of that comes about. I would not support something like that. It doesn’t mean it can’t happen in Antioch.”

Speaking specifically about the City’s gas pump in the Maintenance Department’s yard he said, “We wouldn’t want to expand that. But we are working to expand to more charging stations and converting the city’s fleet to all electric. That’s the most obvious example. Our best option was to purchase hybrid vehicles for now, because the supply chain was preventing going all electric, which are matters beyond our control. We have to live in reality.”

Regarding the transport terminals, Hernandez-Thorpe said, “This wouldn’t preclude a deepwater port. What the pledge states is that there are fueling stations for ships. But we’re not stopping a deepwater port from being approved.”

“Our goal is to transition from this but not leave workers behind. There needs to be a balance,” he added.

Follows Other Actions Opposed to Oil and Gas Issues in Antioch

Today’s actions follow two others he has supported to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In 2021, the mayor, following the lead of current Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and joined by District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, voted, in a split council action, to not renew the franchise agreement with the company that owns the natural gas pipeline that runs beneath the city. As a result, the pipeline owner, California Resources Production Corporation is suing the city costing thousands in fees to contract attorneys. CALIFORNIA RESOURCES PRODUCTION CORPORATION vs CITY OF ANTIOCH

In 2022, the council voted unanimously to ban future oil and gas drilling in the city, which does not prevent the only person who currently owns drilling rights in Antioch from doing so.

Creates new position of Community Engagement Coordinator, plus recruiting new City PIO

Offering new CM $251-$305K per year; woman-owned Illinois-based firm hired for executive search; council majority continues to expand size of city government

Barbanica wants transparent process, says council might need to wait until after Nov. elections

By Allen D. Payton

After over 10 months with an interim city manager and following two closed session meetings by the Antioch City Council to discuss the hiring process, a search began on Tuesday, Jan. 30, to fill the position. A post on the City’s Facebook page on Thursday, Feb. 1 reads, “The City of Antioch has initiated an open recruitment process for the position of City Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in guiding the future of our community. Interested candidates can apply at antiochca.gov/city-manager-recruitment.”

This time the council opted to hire a search firm and conduct a nationwide search, unlike in September 2022 when the council majority simply promoted their friend, Con Johnson, from Acting City Manager to the permanent position. But no press release was issued to announce the current hiring process nor inform the public that a search firm was hired to recruit for the position.

The city manager is one of only two positions hired by the city council. Once a new city manager has been hired, then that person can hire for the positions currently filled with other city employees including Acting Assistant City Manager, Acting Police Chief, Acting Community Development Director and Acting Public Works Director.

According to District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, who was absent for the meeting, the council made the decision to hire an executive search firm during their closed session meeting on Nov. 14, 2023, under the agenda item entitled, “PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT – Recruitment of City Manager”. But City Attorney Thomas L. Smith merely reported out that night, “Direction was provided to the human resources director and city attorney.” Another closed session meeting was held before the regular council meeting on Jan. 9th in which the “Recruitment of City Manager” was discussed. But again, Smith merely reported out that, “the city council gave direction to the city attorney and human resources director.”

The post on the City’s website shows the position includes an annual salary of $251,328 to $305,460 depending on qualifications, with benefits including: “Cafeteria Plan (City of Antioch pays 100% of Kaiser rate, up to family tier), Retirement: CalPERS Classic Members 2.7% @ 55, New PEPRA Members 2% @ 62, 457 Deferred Compensation: 5% of Base Salary (Executive Management), Life Insurance: 2X The employee’s base salary (max of $250,000) and a $450 monthly car allowance.

All applications must include a cover letter, resume, and five professional references (who will not be contacted without prior notice). For questions, call Ryan Cotton 847-380-3240, Ext 114. Applications are confidential until permission is given and the application deadline is February 28, 2024.”

Questions for City Staff, Council

Questions were emailed Friday afternoon to Antioch Human Resources Director Ana Cortez, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, City Attorney Smith, as well as the mayor and council members asking if an executive search firm was hired to assist in the effort, and if so, who it is. They were also asked if multiple firms were interviewed before selecting one and if so, why wasn’t it done in open session of the council. Finally, they were asked how much the firm is being paid for their work.

Barbanica Told Search Firm He Wants Transparency

District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said he had requested during a council meeting last fall that all the recruiting process for the city manager be done in open session. But that did not occur.

“I also want an interview with the public being able to view it and the public being involved, some way because I want the transparency,” he stated.

Asked if the council should wait until after the November election to hire a new city manager Barbanica said, “If we get close to the time of the election, then my stance would most likely be to wait for a new council. But we’re 10 months away. It just depends how long this process takes. If it takes an extended period of time, then the new council should make the decision. But if it takes a few months, then yes, the current council should make the decision. We don’t want to go through it twice plus, pay a severance which would be expensive. It really depends on how quickly we get a list of qualified candidates.”

“I told the recruiting firm, what I’m looking for is transparency to council members, but to the public, too,” Barbanica continued. “I’m looking for someone who is a strong leader, someone who has experience and is not afraid to make tough decisions. That’s what I’m looking for in a city manager.”

“I don’t want to see the new administration coming in stonewalling the council members and stonewalling the press. The public has a right to know what is occurring in the city,” he stated. “Everything is a secret in this city and that’s what I’ve been banging my head against the wall about. It’s ridiculous.”

“We need very open dialogue between the staff, between the council, between the mayor and the public. That’s what I’m looking for in this position. If that’s not what they’re going to do coming into this position they won’t have my support,” Barbanica added.

Woman-Owned Illinois Search Firm Hired

Both Reed and Barbanica shared that the firm hired for the search is GovHR USA MGT. According to the Illinois-based company’s website, “GovHRUSA is a certified woman-owned business that provides comprehensive executive recruitment, interim staffing, human resources consulting and organizational analysis consulting services for local governments, intergovernmental organizations, school districts as well as other governmental and non-profit entities.”

In addition, the website reads, “GovHR and GovTemps have combined with MGT! This combination allows us to expand and enhance our ability to provide executive recruitment, interim staffing, human resources consulting, and organizational analysis to our government clients across the country.”

According to MGT Consulting’s LinkedIn profile, it “is a public sector consulting firm.”

Other City Positions Open

In addition to the recruitment for a permanent city manager, the same Antioch webpage on governmentjobs.com shows several other positions the City has available. They include the new Community Engagement Coordinator with an annual salary of$87,780 to $106,692; Assistant City Attorney with an annual salary of $177,000 to $215,136; a Public Information/Communications Officer with an annual salary of $107,388 to $130,524; part-time Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with hourly pay of $78.81 – $95.80; a part-time Animal Care Attendant with an annual salary of $35,484.80 – $44,366.40; and several police positions.

New Community Engagement Coordinator Position

The Community Engagement Coordinator will be part of the aforementioned Public Safety and Community Resources Department, which does not include the Police Department, that the city council majority created last year, as part of their repeated actions that has increased the size and scope of the city government.

The information about the new position on the governmentjobs.com website reads as follows:

The City of Antioch is currently accepting applications for the Community Engagement Coordinator  position located within the Public Safety and Community Resources Department’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Division. The…duties may include promoting and coordinating specific activities within Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs and/or Social Justice Programs; promoting and collaborating in Community-Based Organizations such as juvenile justice agencies; coordination of program events, and creating the marketing materials including news releases, flyers, schedules of events, pamphlets and brochures; budget management; staff and volunteer supervision and training.

Competitive Compensation Package:

Monthly Salary DOO/E: $7,315 – $8,891  (Next Salary Increase of 3% Scheduled for October 2024)  | Collective Bargaining Unit Representation: Confidential BU | Tentative Agreement  | Benefits 

• Benefits: Cafeteria Plan (City of Antioch pays 100% of Kaiser rate, up to family tier)
• Retirement: CalPERS Classic Members 2.7% @ 55, New PEPRA Members 2% @ 62
• 457 Deferred Compensation Option
• Life Insurance

Under general supervision, to plan, organize, promote, facilitate and coordinate various community engagement, social, cultural, and youth activities. May exercise technical/functional supervision of subordinate and volunteer staff.  Perform related work as required.

Examples of Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Plan, organize, promote, facilitate and coordinate regularly scheduled activities, special events and services.
2. Train and provide technical/functional supervision for subordinate and volunteer staff.
3. Prepare and maintain records and reports on activities.
4. Evaluate program effectiveness and provides recommendations for improvement or modification.
5. Assist in the development and implementation of the Division’s goals and objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
6. Act as City staff liaison to outside boards, groups and committees, and the public regarding program offerings and coordination of services. May hold community meetings and organize outreach events to increase engagement with programs and initiatives.  
7. Promote and coordinate specific activities within violence intervention and prevention programs; prepare program events and facility marketing material including news releases, flyers, schedules of events, pamphlets and brochures; promote communication with the community about crisis intervention resources.
8. Promote participation and collaboration in violence intervention and prevention efforts from local stakeholders including City departments, Community-Based Organizations (CBO), juvenile justice agencies, and faith-based organizations.
9. Participate in the preparation and administration of the Public Safety and Community Resources program budget for assigned area; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures; oversee and monitor grant programs and subcontracted services.
10. Participate in the selection of staff for assigned area; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
11. Respond to inquiries and concerns regarding programs and activities; research and resolve conflicts as required.
12. Effective engagement and interaction with the community, youth, City’s personnel, partner organizations and allied agencies.
13. Maintain records and develop reports concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; maintain and file assigned programs, records and reports; prepare statistical reports as required.
14. Cultivate relationships across diverse communities to provide resources and new opportunities for community members.  
15. Assist with the writing, editing, and review of program development and implementation documents.
16. Facilitate meetings with service providers and community groups related to coordination of services within the jurisdiction, identification of needs and priorities for new or expanded services, and other items pertinent to assisting with management of the City’s response to violence intervention and prevention.
17. Provide updates on programs and activities to the community, City Council, Community Based Organizations, and state and federal agencies; and prepare and submit progress reports for grant programs. 
18. Perform related duties as required.

No responses were received about the process for hiring the search firm nor how much the City paying them prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

To be discussed Tuesday night January 30, 204

Plus, 7 other items including Wilson’s gas station moratorium, repealing city cruising ban due to new state law; presentations on homeless services, Community Response Team

By Allen D. Payton

During a special meeting Tuesday night, Jan. 30, 2024, the Antioch City Council will receive three presentations including one on Unhoused Resident Services and discuss eight items requested by council members including a possible ballot measure for infrastructure and/or programs under agenda Item 5. requested by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, and a moratorium on new gas stations, proposed by Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and be held at the Nick Rodriguez Center, 213 F Street in Rivertown.

The other two presentations will be on the City’s Youth Services Network and on the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CALVIP), the City’s Community Response Team and raising awareness against domestic violence.

On the gas station moratorium discussion under agenda Item. 10, city staff offers basic options that the Council could consider including: a temporary moratorium on approval of new gas stations or a ban on new gas stations. In addition, the City could consider a ban on the expansion of new pumps at existing gas stations.

The other six items requested by council members for discussion and possible placement on a future council meeting agenda for votes include the following items:

4. Discussion on the Antioch Alert System requested by District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica.

6. The Contra Costa County A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center requested by District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker.

According to the staff report, A3 is the county’s approach to providing behavioral health crisis services to anyone, anywhere, at anytime in the county. Annual Measure X sales tax revenue supports the center, mobile response teams and connection to follow-up care for those in crisis. A3 has grown from a pilot project in 2021 to now operating 24/7. Currently, A3 responds to about 200 calls and dispatches 30 mobile teams per week. They helped over 2,900 callers in 2022 and expect that number to grow to more than 4,500 people this year.

7. Hiring incentives for city employees requested by Hernandez-Thorpe.

8. Permits for landlords renting to family members requested by Barbanica.

9. Discussion on the City’s official poet laureate program requested by Torres-Walker.

11. Repealing the City’s ban on cruising. According to the brief description of the agenda item, staff is recommending that the City Council direct staff to prepare an ordinance to repeal the City’s local ban on cruising, set forth in Section 4-5.1009 of the Antioch Municipal Code (AMC), which is now preempted by State law effective January 1, 2024.

Cruising Now Legal in California

According to the city staff report by City Attorney Thomas L. Smith, “On October 13, 2023, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 436, which amends Section 21100 by removing subdivision (k) “Regulating cruising” from the traffic matters that local agencies may regulate. Effective January 1, 2024, cruising bans adopted by cities are no longer authorized under State law. Therefore, cruising is a legal activity within the State of California. Existing City bans are now preempted by State law.”

State Senator Steve Glazer was absent for the vote but State Assemblyman Tim Grayson, who is running for Glazer’s seat, voted for the bill.

Community Response Team Report Details

According to the Community Response Team report, since Oct. 2022, they have responded to 1,600 Dispatch calls of which they had 51 accompanied the Antioch Police Department, 573 Welfare Checks and 293 for Mental Health Related Services. In addition, most of the calls were made during the hours of 6am-11pm, with 12pm-5pm being the peak hours of conducted services.

No votes will be made during the meeting just direction to staff. See complete meeting agenda.

Vineyard Crossing Preliminary Development Plan includes 71 homes, 70 ADU’s

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, the Antioch City Council will consider a new type of residential development consisting of 71 single-family residences (SFRs) and 70 accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on 71 residential lots. The 14.6-acre project site is located north of Oakley Road and west of Phillips Lane. ADU’s, formerly referred to as “in-law units” or “granny units” have become a significant form of in-fill development in the past two years following approval of new state legislation.

According to Selna Partners law firm, “In 1982, California allowed the construction of ADUs statewide, but gave local governments control over where to locate and how to regulate them. That changed in 2016 when the State Legislature approved bills requiring cities and counties to allow ADUs on most residential lots, preempting local zoning. More than 24,000 ADUs were permitted in 2022, up from 1,000 in 2016. State data indicates that currently 20% of the housing units built annually in California are ADUs, which is the equivalent of 20,000 new homes.”

Furthermore, “in 2022, the Legislature passed yet another round of bills to combat local resistance. The most impactful were those that enabled ‘mandatory’ ADUs: structures that met specific, basic criteria essentially could not be denied by a local government. 2022 bills, AB 2221 and SB 897 resulted in amendments to the California Government Code dictating that an ADU with the following characteristics, must be approved by the local planning and building department(s) with no discretion from a zoning board or planning commission:

• A detached structure that does not exceed four-foot side and rear-yard setbacks for a lot with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling.
•  800 square foot floor area limit.
• 18-foot height limit, plus two feet for a single family residential zoned parcel to accommodate a roof pitch aligned with the pitch of the existing house.”

According to the City staff report on the agenda item #, “The proposed unit mix includes three different SFR floor plans that range in size from 1,492 to 1,697 square feet (sf) and two different ADU floor plans that range in size from 603 to 750 sf. Each SFR included in the proposed project would have an attached two-car garage with a driveway and each ADU would include a driveway for one vehicle parking space.”

Also according to the City staff report, “The Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) the council will review is a non-entitlement action and does not require environmental review. The future project application review would require compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The purpose of a PDP is to gather feedback from the Planning Commission and others in order for the applicant to become aware of concerns and/or issues prior to final development plan and tentative map submittal. As standard practice, preliminary plans are not conditioned; rather a list of needed items, information, and issues to be addressed is compiled for the applicant to address prior to submitting an entitlement application.”

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers inside City Hall at 200 H Street following a 5:30 p.m. Closed Session on four legal matters. See the complete meeting agenda. The meeting can be viewed online via livestream on the City’s website or on Comcast local cable channel 24 or AT&T U-verse channel 99.

By Allen D. Payton

After discussing the matter with Rivertown business and building owners for the past two years and with at least 35 officers still on paid leave due to the text scandal, during their first meeting of this year on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2023, the Antioch City Council agreed to hire a private security firm to patrol city parking lots in the historic downtown.

According to the city staff report, the contract with Brentwood-based Shield Protection & Public Safety, Inc., DBA Spearhead Protection, for private security services of City-owned assets and parking lots in the Rivertown area for an amount not to exceed $50,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 (ending June 30th) and $100,000 in fiscal year 2024-25.

The company has worked with public and private clients throughout the state. The provided security service will include seven hours of security between 5pm and midnight, seven (7) days a week including holidays. Spearhead Protection will provide one uniformed security guard that will patrol the Rivertown area in a marked security vehicle performing checks at nine locations in the area.

Background: Over the past 18-24 months, Rivertown business owners and their customers have experienced an increase in criminal activities either on or near city-owned public parking lots. In late 2022, a group of business owners began working with City staff on identifying viable solutions to improve the safety of the Rivertown area. In addition to several of the businesses hiring their own private security, one proposed solution consisted of the City hiring a private security firm to monitor City-owned assets and parking lots. The security service provider would function as a visual deterrent and would have the ability to identify potential safety issues and report those issues to Antioch Police.

At their December 13, 2022, Council Meeting, the Antioch City Council gave direction to the staff to issue a request for qualifications (“RFQ”) for private security services. Unfortunately, a series of staff changes resulted in the RFQ being issued a total of three times. Thus, it wasn’t until September 22, 2023, that eight private security companies submitted their qualifications for consideration. Staff determined the best qualified company for this effort to be Spearhead Protection.

The council approved the contract on a 5-0 vote.

By Allen D. Payton

During Mayor Lamar Thorpe’s Unity and Healing Service held Thursday night, Nov. 30, five Antioch residents were awarded the Key to the City, Antioch’s highest honor.

Thorpe honored them “as symbols of unity in Antioch for others to emulate as we navigate a challenging period in our history.”

Held at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Family Park, remarks were offered by the Rev. Kwang-il Kim of the Antioch United Methodist Church, Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid of Chabad of the Delta, and Instisar Malhi of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the mayor.

About the event and honorees Thorpe shared, “It’s not a secret that it’s been a tough year for Antioch and sadly it’s not over. However, as we navigate through the challenges, I’m guided by the belief that if we’re open-minded, moments from this past year will make our community better and stronger in the long run. I know this because every day, quiet voices in our city work to unite people around the idea of healing members of our community who are hurting. Right now, our city is hurting and as such it’s important that we stand in unity to begin the healing of our city.”

He listed and described the recipients and their contributions to Antioch as follows:

Ricka Davis-Sheard

Ricka is the founder of SHARE Community an organization that brings showers and toilets on wheels to our neighbors without houses. Her efforts promote unity in our community and help heal individuals who are often denied dignity and compassion. 

Flori Paniagua

Flori is the founder of Team Jesus Outreach Ministries an organization that brings groceries to struggling families. Her organization is now the largest food distribution center in East Contra Costa County.

Gerald “JR” Wilson Jr.

JR is the founder of Delta Veterans Group (DVG), an organization that supports military veterans. His efforts promote unity in our community and help heal veterans who are in need through events like Stand Down on the Delta. 

Cassandra Quinto Collins 

Cassandra is the mother of Angelo Quinto, who died in police custody in 2020 and is the founder of the Angelo Quinto Foundation. The foundation works to reform police policies throughout California. Her advocacy efforts have led to changes in local and state policy including the banning of the use of the term “excited delirium” by medical examiners and law enforcement personnel. 

William and Mary Chapman

Mary is the co-founder and executive director of An Elderly Wish Foundation, an organization that enriches the final days of an elderly person who is terminally ill by making a life-long wish come true. Bill has been by Mary’s side helping realize these requests as a long-time board member of the organization. 

See more by viewing the event video.

The event seeks to support local families feeling the economic pressures caused by inflation

With families throughout the Bay Area feeling the economic pressures caused by high food and rent costs, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, Deeply Rooted and Makin Moves are proud to host the 4th Annual Turkey & Groceries Giveaway for Antioch residents on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.

The turkey giveaway started during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the economic impact on families. However, as inflation continues to impact working families the mayor and his partners decided to continue the turkey giveaway for families during the holiday season.

According to the information on the eventbrite page, the event is already sold out.

What: Thanksgiving Turkey and Groceries Giveaway

When: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm Grocery Prep 

           4:00 – 7:00 pm Dive Up Turkey/Grocery Giveaway

Where: 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA

About the City of Antioch: Antioch is located on the banks of the San Joaquin River in Northern California, just off of Highway 4 in Contra Costa County. With a population of over 120,000 people, Antioch has become the heart of Eastern Contra Costa County, offering a variety of employment, shopping, and vast recreational activities. The pace of development in Antioch has spurred activity for financial and insurance institutions, contractors, and other service-oriented businesses. Increased development has expanded job opportunities in schools, hospitals, and other local service sectors. Antioch is poised to capitalize on its location, skilled workforce, and fiscal strength.

Mayor Thorpe to host service in lieu of his annual State of the City address.

By Lamar Thorpe, Mayor of Antioch

Earlier this year Antioch was rocked by revelations of racism, federal indictments, and state investigations. Many members of the community were both shocked and hurt by the news. The revelations also brought about threats of violence. As a result, Mayor Thorpe postponed the annual State of the City address.

In lieu of the State of the City, Mayor Lamar Thorpe cordially invites residents to a Unity and Healing Service in collaboration with Rev. Kwang-il Kim of the Antioch United Methodist Church, Rabbi Peretz Goldshmid of Chabad of the Delta, and Intisar Malhi of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

As part of the event, Mayor Thorpe will be honoring several community members who represent the spirit of unity and healing with the Key to the City, Antioch’s highest honor. Award recipients will be announced a week before the event.

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Doors Open

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Unity and Healing Program

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Post Event Reception

RSVP at eventbrite.