Happy 100th Birthday to Antioch Sports Legends Co-Founder Leo Fontana. Leo has been an Antioch public servant for nearly seventy years. He has served on the boards of several local charities and organizations and was elected to the Antioch City Council from 1982-1986.
As a sports community leader, Leo participated in the creation of the Antioch Hornets football team, Lob Ball League, Antioch Softball League and Antioch Babe Ruth Baseball, for which he served as its first president.
Leo was committee chairman to create the Antioch Municipal Golf Course, helped found the Antioch Bocce Ball League and in 2006 Leo was a Co-Founder of the Antioch Sports Legends.
Leo was also a long-time member of the Antioch Rotary Club.
Celebrate Antioch Foundation is proud to announce our annual Mother’s Day weekend Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire May 13, 2023 12pm – 4pm. This free, fun, family friendly event features 40+ art and handmade vendors from local artisans, Live music featuring Project 4 Band performing amazing R&B and Dance Tunes. Dine at one of our 10 downtown restaurants and explore our shops.
To participate in the Wine Walk the fee is $20 in advance and $25 at the door “subject to availability” to sample up to 12 great local wines. To participate in the Wine Walk you must be at least 21 years of age and present a valid ID. This event makes a great Mother’s Day gift and you can shop for her gift while enjoying a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
Prayers for Our Nation, State, County, City, Churches, Families & Youth, Military & Veterans and First Responders
A 2023 National Day of Prayer Luncheon will be held in Antioch this Thursday, May 4 from Noon – 1:30 PM at the Solid Rock Café – Home of Q’s Cajun Kitchen, 422 W. 2nd Street, Rivertown, Antioch.
This year’s national theme verse is James 5:16B – “Pray fervently in righteousness and avail much.”
Prayers will be offered for our Nation, State, County, City, Churches, Families & Youth, Military & Veterans, First Responders and Businesses.
Tickets are $24 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite here. Seating is limited to 90 people.
Delta Learning Center staff and volunteers joined in receiving the honor on March 24, 2023. (L-R) Sonia Manuel Immediate past Board Members Sonia and Vincent Manuel, Supervisor Diane Burgis (standing between them), tutor Lynne Wheelock, Chamber Board Member and Gala Chair Michelle Copeland, 90-year-old tutor Ben Fong, DLC Board President Martha Goralka, tutor Michael Meyer, DLC Executive Director & Board Member Kimberly Ahumada, tutor Melissa Olson, Board Member Laura Glass, former tutor Gilda Lezam and Board Vice President Gary Olson. Photo by Allen D. Payton
At the annual Antioch Chamber of Commerce Gala on Friday, March 24, 2023, Executive Director read the following about the 2022 Antioch Non-Profit of the Year: “Delta Learning Center offers tutoring in Antioch. It assists many students in achieving academic excellence while providing assurance to families that their children are given a professional and valuable educational experience. They also work with placement in colleges and universities and aid adults with employment or advancement testing.
It is to our city’s benefit that we continue to offer quality tutoring and educational services to students who will later be the future leaders in this area. Their success becomes our success!
As a community, we gladly thank you tonight for all you have done over the years.”
“On behalf of the Delta Learning Center I would like to thank all of our donors. We would not be here without them,” said Executive Director Kimberly Ahumada who was joined by board and staff members as well as volunteer tutors. “A big part of our tutoring, of course, is our tutors. We would not be here without them.”
“Our board members put in a lot of work…to keep DLC afloat during the pandemic. I would really like to thank Martha (Goralka). She has given numerous hours. We owe a big thank you to her for all of her help. We are honored to have this award,”
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report which first appeared in our April/May print edition.
Mateo Castro (in lavender vest) was joined on Friday night, March 24, 2023 by his parents to his right, as well as (L-R) Past Chamber Chair Ana Walker, Chamber Board Member Michelle Copeland, Supervisor Diane Burgis and Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha. Photo by Allen D. Payton
During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala on Friday, March 24, Executive Director Daniel Sohn read the following about the 2022 Antioch Youth of the Year Mateo Castro: “He may not be an Antioch native, but Mateo Castro has certainly made this city his beloved home. The Antioch High School senior grew up in San Francisco and moved with his family as a seventh grader attending Park Middle for two years before making his way (with a big impact) to Panther Country.
A key member of AHS student government, Mateo is Antioch High’s Student Body president. In this position, he helps direct all student-hosted activities…and there are a lot of them! The long list includes a variety of events from freshmen orientation and homecoming spirit week to assisting with graduation. For Mateo, it also includes nearly everything in-between.
He said sometimes having such a busy schedule is stressful, “but in the end, it always pays off. Helping people drives me. I love helping those in need any way I can.”
Mr. Wisely, the lead activities instructor, states that Mateo is a phenomenal kid. He pours his heart and soul into Antioch High. He has a unique ability to be a leader and a selfless helper. He always goes the extra mile for our school. I wish we could clone him because he will be hard to replace.”
Principal John Jimno also admires Mateo. “He is a leader, who stands up for what he believes in and is considerate of his school community. He maintains a level head while courageously championing his peers through student government.”
After graduation, Mateo plans to attend a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field.
“We’re so proud of him. This is an example of…the future of the city,” said Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha.
“I’m extremely grateful to be honored as this year’s Youth of the Year,” Castro said, “I have to say a big thank you to Mr. Wisely. Him in combination with Miss Trine Gallegos. She has been the coordinator for all of my events.”
He also thanked his teachers and “my best friend Billy Pisco who has always pushed me out of my comfort zone. I want to thank my parents…for always being my biggest supporters. Thank you, mama and papa.”
Castro received a $1,000 scholarship with $500 each from the Antioch Rotary and Delta-Antioch Rotary Clubs.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report which first appeared in the April/May print edition.
Grace Closet Food Pantry & Clothing Closet will host a Community Resource & Health Fair on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 11am to 3pm. All ages are welcome and there are resources that everyone could use.
For the award presentation (L-R) Chamber Board Member Michelle Copeland and Supervisor Diane Burgis joined with TreVista staff: Erika Mendez, Elena Patchin, Ana Munoz, Executive Director Alberto Maldonado, Tamsen Meirdierck, Teresa Glenn, Jeanette Marquez and Ifrana Nisha. Back row: Past Chamber Chair Ana Walker during the Gala on Friday night, March 24, 2023. Photo by Allen D. Payton
During the annual Gala on Friday, March 24, Antioch Chamber Executive Director Daniel Sohn read the following about the 2022 Antioch Corporate Business of the Year: “TreVista Senior Living houses seniors of all needs and backgrounds. They are participants in the community at large via community events such as local car shows, blood drives, etc.
TreVista supports the Antioch Chamber of Commerce as a Chairman Circle cash sponsor and supports the Annual Gala. Teresa Glenn has not only served as Chief Ambassador, but now serves as a Chamber board member.
Other organizations TreVista serves as a beacon of support are: Elderly Wish Foundation, various donations throughout the year to support wish grant efforts, the Alzheimer’s Association, Bedford Center and Changing in Ages.They are also set up to serve as participants in the Red Cross Blood Drive.
TreVista has partnered on many different occasions with other groups, supporting the elderly and hosting workshops that inform their seniors about the importance of fraud and scams, grief and depression and so much more. They have also held events at the Antioch Senior Center and for older adults in the community.
We thank and honor you for all that you do for our seniors and their families. We stand here tonight and recognize all that TreVista does to make this a better community for all of our elderly that have serious needs that are so unexpected.”
“Thank you to the Chamber. It is tremendously great we have such a relationship with them,” said Executive Director Alberto Maldonado. “We’re just so blessed to get this honor, tonight for something we love to do.”
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report that first appeared in the April/May issue of our print edition.
Thorpe, Torres-Walker, Wilson claim they voted to hire legal counselafter being told not to by city attorney three times according to Barbanica; Ogorchock claims no formal action was taken; mayor says she’s “playing games”
Then, during the Consent Calendar portion of the agenda, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock requested Items C, M and O be pulled and voted on separately. The council removed those three items and approved the other items on a 5-0 vote.
The only matter of contention during the meeting was Item O on the Consent Calendar, regarding paying fees totaling almost $39,000 to an outside attorney hired on a procedurally invalid contract by City Manager Con Johnson. (See related articles here and here)
Resident Andrew Becker was the only member of the public to speak on the item. He said, “I don’t understand why the mayor is having communications with outside counsel, outside these chambers. There are no report outs.”
Mayor Lamar Thorpe laughed in response saying, “Mostly inaccurate, Andrew. But thank you.”
District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica said, “I’ve gotten a lot of calls about this. I can’t talk about personnel matters. This is titled an invalid contract. I want to make it crystal clear. I have not supported this contract. I don’t support this contract. The city attorney has warned us three times we can’t support this invalid contract. But this is why we ended up where we are.”
“I too did not vote on this,” Ogorchock stated. “There was no formal council action on this. I, too, do not believe in this contract.”
“I just want to let the public know I did vote on this, and we are supposed to have legal counsel to notify what we can or can’t do,” Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker said. “Who is watching over the people who are watching over the people?”
“I too voted for this because we needed outside oversight,” District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson said.
“I can only say ‘ditto’ to what the two council members said,” Thorpe said. “Not asking questions is how we got to where we are.”
“Our city manager and city attorney work for this body. Period. They are not our veto power. They don’t tell us what to do. We tell them what to do,” he continued. “Was there maybe something procedurally done, here? I don’t give a damn. We’re going to do what we need to do to ensure we have accountability in this city. It doesn’t matter who it is…if it’s the city attorney. We’re going to fix this and bring back a proper process.”
Ogorchock said, “I’d like to know what that meeting was about…and the half hour meeting.”
“I know the game you’re trying to play, Councilwoman Ogorchock…I get the little games. We’re not playing the games,” Thorpe shot back.
“It was to brief us on the very packet that was put on the agenda. I included Mayor Pro Tem Torres-Walker because I was in and out because of my father,” Thorpe responded.
The second one, the conversation had to do with personnel matters so I’m not going to discuss it,” he added.
“There are people who believe in accountability and there are those who don’t. We do,” Thorpe stated.
The motion passed 3-2 with Barbanica and Ogorchock voting no.
