“Honor, Respect and Remembrance”

By Allen Payton, Publisher

On a sunny day with a cool breeze, under a cloudy sky, Antioch and East County officials and residents gathered at the

Oak View Memorial Park to honor those who fought and died for our freedom during the annual Memorial Day ceremonies.

Labeled the Antioch Memorial Thunder, official ceremonies began with the roaring arrival of a 100 motorcycle procession of military veterans escorted by Antioch Police from Antioch City Hall.

Officials in attendance were Antioch Mayor Jim Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Wade Harper, Councilman Gary Agopian, Antioch School Board Trustee Walter Ruehlig and Oakley Mayor Jim Frazier.

It included a 45-minute musical tribute by the Temple Hill Choir and ended with a rare, in public, flag retirement ceremony, with the proper disposal of a tattered flag by burning, and a 21-gun salute.

Led and coordinated by Mayor Davis with the help of members of the local veterans organizations, this year marked the 12^th year in a row that residents gathered at Oak View on East 18^th Street in Antioch.

“We started with 12 of us standing around the flagpole,” Davis said. “This year we have about 600 [people in attendance].”

The invocation was offered by American Legion Chaplain Michael Geltz followed by bagpiper Bryan Reynolds playing “When the Battle’s O’re.”

The day featured a variety of speaker, with VFW 6435 Post Commander Henri Veilieux focusing on recent events.

“It took us 10 years to get Bin Laden,” Veilieux stated. “But we got him” to the cheers of the audience, dressed in patriotic attire.

The next speaker was the most inspirational, former Navy man Chuck Kohler, a Pearl

Harbor survivor. He gave “honor, respect and remembrance to all those through the years who have sacrificed for our freedom and liberties.”

He quoted the book of John, chapter 14 verse 13 from the Bible, “Greater love hath

no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Kohler spoke of the “most drastic event in the history of the U.S. Navy,” the attack on Pearl Harbor.

“It is my privilege to pay honor and respect to the 2,405 individuals who because of that event were not able to be with us for over 69 years past,” he stated. “And another 80,000 who survived that event but have since passed on.”

He spoke of the 1,177 sailor that went down with the U.S.S. Arizona and encouraged the audience, when in Honolulu, to visit the memorial, there.

“If you listen not with your ears, but with your heart, you will hear the voices of all who are still entombed in that ship at the bottom of the harbor as they speak in one voice ‘remember us, remember us.’”

The next speake was Lt. Colonel McLaughlin of the U.S. Army Reserve 483^rd Transportation Battalion, which Antioch has adopted as its own. He thanked those who served and are currently serving in the military.

Another speaker was Operation Iraqi Freedom war veteran Maurice Dellmer, a representative from Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla’s office. He spoke of his experiences with PTSD – post traumatic stress disorder and the help he received from the VA in his transition back to civilian life.

The Wall of Honor, replicas of the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials in Washington, D.C. wereuncovered by veterans Terry Andreasen, Duane Colvin and Dick Lamb, followed by the beautifully sung “America the Beautiful” by 13-year-old Brynna Autumn Finley, of Vallejo, who opened the ceremony with the National Anthem. She is the niece of Antioch residents Joe and Lesli Reano.

Mayor Davis was then joined by Major Eldon Strand and the Honor

Guard of the Army Reserve 483^rd Transportation Battalion, in the placing of a rose on the 9-11 Monument and laying a wreath on the Veterans Memorial at the park. The procession was led by bagpiper Reynolds playing “Amazing Grace.”

That was followed by the dove release, then the retirement of the flag that covered a casket of a World War II veteran. The flag had flown in his family’s yard for years, but had become tattered and U.S. Code requires the proper treatment and respect of our flag, and that includes disposal by burning. The crowd stood and gave the Pledge of Allegiance to the old flag, then quietly watched as members of Boy Scouts Pack 251 led the solemn ceremony.

Two buglers concluded the ceremonies with the playing of Taps.

By Mayor Jim Davis

Publisher’s Note: Apologies for the late posting but, we just received this information, this morning and the time of the event, late last night.

Remembering those who have died to provide Americans freedom is what Memorial Day is all about. In Antioch, the observances set for Monday May 30, 2011 are about providing a way for grateful residents to say thank you.

There are a lot of people who are looking for a way to say thanks; this is one way you can do it.

Now over a dozen years old and still growing, the name of this year’s observance is appropriately dubbed Antioch Memorial Thunder. It will begin with the arrival of one hundred plus riders from patriotic motorcycle groups. The ceremony will feature many local musicians, speakers, a 21-gun salute, a dove release and other traditional activities.

We’d like to invite all the public to join us in paying tribute to those who fought for our liberty and are no longer here.

In addition to VFW Post 6435, participating sponsors of this year’s event include the City of Antioch, Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery, and the Army’ Reserve 483rd Transportation Battalion, American Legion Post 161, the Boy and Cub Scouts of America, and the Patriot Sentinel Riders.

Memorial Day Tribute begins at 10am, with a 45 minute performance by the Temple Hill Choir, made up of members from as far away as Gilroy to Santa Rosa.

Followed by the traditional Memorial Day Ceremony:

Place: Oak View Cemetery  East 18th Antioch

Arrival of the 100 + Motorcycle Procession from Antioch City Hall escorted by Antioch PD

Flag Salute

Guest Speakers

Musical Numbers

21 Gun Salute

Dove release and more…

Followed by the BSA -flag retirement ceremony.

Nonprofit agencies and government entities that seek grants from the Keller Canyon Mitigation Trust Fund can begin applying today. The Board of Supervisors approved on May 24 new procedures that will make the grants more competitive and focuses the services and programs for the benefit of a primary and secondary mitigation areas.

“The changes were spurred by the auditor’s report done last year,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, who has been charged by the board to manage the fund. “The fund had never been audited since it began 20 years ago so it time. I was not surprised that the auditor saw a need for increased monitoring and to improve the application process. I welcome the recommendations.”

The primary area includes Bay Point, most of Pittsburg and parts of Concord. The secondary area includes Antioch and the rest of Pittsburg.

The grants are mostly from $500 to $10,000. Generally, applications that fall into the following categories will receive additional consideration:
Youth Services, Code Enforcement, Public Safety, Community Beautification and Community Services.

Applicants must have registered nonprofit status. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a bidders’ conference on May 31, 2011 at 9 a.m. at the Pittsburg Senior Center, 200 Presidio Lane, Pittsburg. Staff will provide general grant information and some general technical assistance on the
submittal requirements, as well as the review and award process. Attendance is not mandatory.

Applications are available on the supervisor’s website: www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover. For further information, call Supervisor Glover’s office, (925) 427-8138.

The mission of the Antioch Sports Legends Program under the auspices of the Antioch Historical Society is preserving local sports history, honoring sports achievement excellence, and connecting local generations.

Adult volunteers interested in assisting with this program are invited to attend the Antioch Sports Legends Committee’s regular monthly meetings. These meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Antioch Historical Society Museum located at 1500 West 4th Street in Antioch. The next meeting will be on Wed., June 1st at 6:30 p.m.

For further information, visit Antioch Sports Legends.com or contact Eddie Beaudin (925.383.4979) or Tom Menasco (925.325.3255).

The Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the 24th installment of the Neighborhood Cleanup Program. This is a collaborative community effort which involves active participation from United Citizens for Better Neighborhoods (UCBN), community volunteers, and the Antioch Police Department Crime Prevention Commission; Neighborhood Watch Program, and the Public Works Department.

Collectively, “We,” everyone who works and lives in the City of Antioch, can make a difference and improve the quality of life. It’s our community and it’s our chance to make a difference.

The City of Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup program is not just for residential neighborhoods. It is a program that will change venues on a monthly basis and it will include business and commercial areas as well. Neighborhoods that are free of trash and refuse are inviting, and a clean community instills a sense of community pride.

The 24th Neighborhood Cleanup event will occur on Saturday, June 4th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers should report to the Mira Vista Park located at the corner of Hacienda Way and S. Francisco Way. Curb parking is available. Volunteers will receive instructions and the equipment necessary to accomplish the goal. The targeted area is within walking distance.

Excluding inclement weather, future Neighborhood Cleanup events are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month and the locations will be announced in advance. Remember, cleaning up your neighborhood can make life better for your family, your neighbors and your community!

Come join Interim Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando on Saturday, June 18th from 9:00-11:00 A.M. in a casual setting to discuss public safety issues, crime statistics, etc. You will also receive information about youth crime prevention from Mickie Marchetti; the Executive Director of the REACH Project, Inc. Open communication about community issues is encouraged.

The location for this casual Coffee with the Cops workshop will be held in the Antioch Police Department Community Room located at 300 L Street. Members of the Antioch Crime Prevention Commission will be in attendance, and make themselves available to answer questions with a focus on enhancing Neighborhood Watch programs for Antioch residents.

The Coffee with the Cops concept is a pilot program implemented by the Antioch Police Department in an effort to improve communication between the Police Department and the citizens they serve. These meetings will consist of a one-on-one type format with a member of the police command staff and members of the community. The format of these meetings has been designed to be informative.

The Antioch Police Department is dedicated to promoting the quality of life in Antioch in partnership with our community, by proactively reducing crime with integrity and commitment to excellence.

Life should always have such ‘problems.’ After the dust was settled on the recent Antioch Community Center build out at Prewett Park, 1.7 million dollars is left in the kitty. For that, thank the competitive bidding process in a moribund construction climate. $26 million was allocated but only $24 million spent. Next step, then, what to do with the windfall? For sure, we will work diligently to try and leverage the remainder with grants and matching corporate funds.

Count Antioch, by the way, as historically having hit bingo twice on Mello Roos construction. The bond payoff was originally projected to end by roughly 2026, but the first phase, the completion of Deer Valley High, Dallas Ranch and Black Diamond Middle, and five elementary schools met with both better than expected interest rates and likewise favorable state matching funds. Dallas Ranch, for example, a $29 million construction project, received 9.2 million dollars back from the state.

I am proud to say that I and the Board majority stuck to our fiscally prudent guns. It voted to use that manna from heaven returned for the schools not to do additional city projects at Prewett but, instead, to pay down the debt early, leaving a 2016 date. The question, with some, then arises as to why we don’t use this latest boon to even further accelerate the Bond payoff. Legalities and voter commitments step into the picture, though, and inhibit our overriding a mandate.

In 1989 the voters agreed to tax themselves on this special property tax.The commitment was to build the eight schools and to spend 50 million dollars on city capital improvement at Prewett. The City had a Master Plan that envisioned a water park, library, hiking trails, community center and so forth. It is the City Council decision what to build; the Mello-Roos Citizen Advisory Board merely has oversight over the allocated budget expenditures.

So where do we now sit? Unarguably, we’ve got 8 gorgeous schools, a water park and now the recent amphitheatre, city hall kiosk, community room, gymnasium, library annex, preschool classrooms, technology center, police substation, and burrowing owl habitat.

For perspective, let me share last week’s tour of a film crew from CBS-Channel 5. I am pleased to say the reception was enthusiastic. The reporter remarked on the natural beauty of the facility, which sublimely blends into the hills, and a liveliness which she expressed that she rarely sees at other community centers.

Indeed, Prewett was abuzz with activity that day and is already proving itself a valued community hub. As the real estate market starts to rebound, it is our hope that this civic touchstone will attract buyers to the area and positively affect prices.

Fact is, we have most of what was originally schemed. Granted, there is no lake or garden walking trails; nor is there, yet, the grand 30,000 square-foot library we hoped for. That, though, may be a blessing as staffing such a facility would have been a pickle given current times. As offset, we have built the facility so that potential add-on will be easy. When the state gets back on its feet they will invariably restart long deferred library construction, which, historically, they pay 2/3 costs of. Remember, we lost sponsoring by a hair’s breadth and should be next in line for funding come future go around.

Though we can’t dictate what to do with the money, the Mello-Roos Board eagerly wants to share citizen input with the City Fathers. To date, some ideas circulated include athletic turf fields, a BMX Park, doggie park, expanded library extension, electronic marquee, lazy river pool feature, and nature trails.

We intend to structure varied public feedback opportunities and welcome you to our next meeting July 11th, 7 p.m., at 510 G Street. You can also drop a note by City Hall or the Community Center or e-mail me at walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.

The Community Center adds another crown jewel to Antioch, alongside the likes of the Black Diamond Mines, San Joaquin River, El Campanil Theatre, and the Antioch Historical Museum. The next jewel in the tiara will be an occasion to further rejoice.

Walter Ruehlig
President, Antioch Mello Roos Citizen’s Advisory Board

Come Sunday, May 29th to 3351 Contra Loma Blvd., Antioch and join the St. Ignatius Antioch Church Fil-Am Society in celebrating the colorful Santacruzan. This most famous of Filipino festivals honors the Blessed Mother Mary and re-enacts the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena.

Celebrate a splendid Mass at 3 p.m., a grand procession at 4:15, followed by free and delicious cultural food and spirited entertainment. For information contact Clarita Perez at (925) 759-4488.