By Allen D. Payton, Publisher

While I usually focus on matters in Antioch and Contra Costa County, on this 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, I’m compelled to share my thoughts and views.

That’s because, for all of my life, the government has been lying to us about his assassination on November 22, 1963, and it angers me to this day that we, the American people, still don’t know everything about it, the facts and truth. I was born just five-and-a-half months before and I’ve always felt a connection to him, even though as a baby I knew nothing about JFK, his presidency, policies or life, I’ve taken it upon myself to read and learn about him and that fateful day in American history.

I’m angered by JFK’s assassination, which was clearly a conspiracy, as well as the ensuing coverup and whitewash of the Warren Commission Report. They’ve tried to tell us there was a single gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald had acted alone, and a single, pristine bullet tore through both Kennedy and Governor John Connally’s bodies. But the testimony of so many eyewitnesses, many of whom were ignored by the commission and excluded from its report, has told us otherwise.

A few years ago, my mother and I flew to Dallas to attend my youngest niece’s wedding, and the day before I made it a point, for the first time, to visit Dealey Plaza, the site of the horrible event, as well as the Sixth Floor Museum inside the Texas School Book Depository building. I toured, saw the displays, watched and listened to the videos and found it most interesting that the southwest corner windows were covered with black shades preventing people from looking down upon the infamous grassy knoll. It’s as if they don’t want folks to question the official narrative. So, my mom and I went upstairs to the seventh floor where events are held, walk to the corner and lift the shades to look down upon the place where it’s clear the kill shot was taken.

While there, I also stood in the middle of Elm Street on the second X on the ground marking the location where Kennedy was riding in the presidential limousine when he was struck in the head by gunfire. I looked up at both the corner of the Sixth Floor perch of at least one gunman, and over to the grassy knoll and fence above it that still stands to this day.

I walked to the back of the fence that so many people, including a few police officers, ran towards, after at least four shots were fired – including one that struck the front window of the limousine. That fence is the location where people said they saw a puff of smoke rise under the trees and at least one witness said he saw a man take apart a rifle and hand it off to another man in a suit who quickly walked away. As I stood there, as one of my sisters and my eldest niece, who had arrived and joined me in Dealey Plaza, stood nearby, I was moved by emotion realizing that was the place where our president’s life was taken with the fatal headshot. That emotion turned to anger.

Whose president do the powers that be think he was? Whose government do they think this is? We the people, that’s who! For too long, too many have sat idly by and allowed them to lie to us, cover up their evil deeds and hope we’ll all just go on with our lives – which is what has happened – and maybe even forget. But I won’t. Many people won’t. While I applaud former President Trump for releasing most of the remaining JFK Assassination records, he failed to fulfill his promise to release them all.

As a November 21, 2018 report on History.com reads, “…despite the 25-year deadline established by the 1992 JFK Records Collection Act, not everything came out. Citing national security concerns, President Trump then elected to halt the release of some of the remaining classified files for an additional six months. Now that deadline has passed, and it’s still unclear how many records (or portions of the records) still remain under wraps, whether they will be ever released in full, and what—if any—new information they may contain.”

At that time, sources estimated “some 21,980 documents, totaling more than 368,000 pages, are still being withheld in full or in part” and “through a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the (National) Archives itself put the total number at 22,933 documents (or 442,606 pages).

Since then, President Biden released over 1,000 records in 2021 and earlier this year he “declared that he has made his ‘final certification’ of files to be released, even though 4,684 documents remain withheld in whole or in part. Going forward, agencies will decide any future disclosures that may be warranted by the passage of time. Of roughly 320,000 documents reviewed since the law passed, 99 percent have been disclosed, according to the National Archives and Records Administration. But 2,140 documents remain fully or partially withheld as a result of Mr. Biden’s action…” (See JFK Assassination Records)

But the fact is many of the records “were partially or mostly redacted”. So, we the people still don’t know what’s in them.

Who after 60 years could they possibly be trying to protect? Some of our federal government institutions? We’ve already learned we can’t completely trust them. Powerful individuals or their reputations? I say too bad. We have a right to know all the facts and see all the documents related to the events and individuals leading up to, involved in Kennedy’s assassination, and who participated in the cover up after the fact. No more soft-pedaling, no more waiting. The next president must issue an Executive Order and release the remaining documents and we the people need to make it an issue in next year’s campaign.

It’s long past time for the lies and coverup to end. It’s time we the people get to know all the facts and truth, and if some of the people are still alive, bring them to justice because there are no statutes of limitation for capital murder – and should never be for the murder of our president.

Paid for primarily by federal stimulus funds, and taxpayer-supported Measure J county sales tax and bridge toll increases

This month, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) commemorates Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore’s 10 years of service alleviating congestion on Highway 24. Caldecott’s award-winning fourth bore was constructed on time and under budget at a cost of $417 million and finally allowed two permanently dedicated tunnels to service traffic in each direction. The passage was opened to traffic on November 15, 2013, successfully reducing travel times, enhancing safety for Caltrans maintenance workers, and improving mobility for those driving from east Contra Costa County to Oakland and San Francisco. 

At the time of the groundbreaking on January 22, 2010, the shovel-ready Fourth Bore was the largest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 stimulus funding in the nation of $194.3 million, a testament to the regional importance of the project and the hard work of the project team. Contra Costa County’s Measure J provided $125 million, the Bay Area Regional Measure 2 Bridge Toll increase provided $44.8 million, and the state provided $19.9 million.

“Ten years ago, we opened the fourth bore with much anticipated fanfare,” CCTA Chair Federal Glover said. “Many drivers today don’t remember when Caltrans workers had to shift the middle bore direction at least twice a day to provide lanes for peak commuters.  On some weekdays the direction of the middle bore could change up to six times, which was so inefficient for the 160,000 daily drivers who used the Caldecott each day and unsafe for the workers who were responsible for changing lanes.” 

Prior to the tunnel opening, Caltrans reported westbound motorists experienced 52,585 vehicle hours of delay a month. After the fourth bore opened in 2013, the vehicle hours of delay dropped to 12,020 – a 77 percent improvement. CCTA 2023 data shows a continued reduction in delays compared to 2013 data compiled before the tunnel opened. Eastbound delays show a 42 percent reduction of vehicle hours of delay, while westbound delays show an 80 percent improvement – meaning fewer hours drivers waste sitting in traffic. (See Fourth Bore Project Fact Sheet)

“The Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore is a remarkable project that has served Bay Area drivers well since 2013,” CCTA Executive Director Timothy Haile said. “CCTA’s landmark project will continue to be a legacy for decades to come.”

About the Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation  Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage  the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation  planning efforts. With a staff of twenty people managing a multi-billion-dollar suite of  projects and programs, CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering  transportation infrastructure projects and programs throughout the County. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to manage traffic levels. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.  

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Over 100 people and contractors helped and contributed to the $325,000 project

Will be used for tours by school children, can be rented for small parties

By Allen D. Payton

After being donated and relocated in April from its former restaurant location to the grounds of the Antioch Historical Museum, the Red Caboose was dedicated by as the Boccio family, friends and supporters who gathered for a special ceremony Saturday afternoon, November 18, 2023. (See related videos of the move here, here, here and here)

“This is a great day for the City of Antioch,” said former Mayor and former Historical Society President Don Freitas who served as the MC.

“You’re going to actually be able to rent space in the caboose for parties,” he shared. “It can hold 14-16 people. It will be a heck of a place to come and have a party.”

“This is a great opportunity for the Historical Society to work with the school district to bring kids out and talk about trains and the unique role of the caboose itself,” Freitas continued.

“When I get up at night…I can still hear the train whistles and it brings back great memories,” he reminisced.

“Jim and Phyllis Boccio owned this, and it was connected to the restaurant on Fulton Shipyard Road,” Freitas explained. “I would bring people to it for meetings, and we’d have lunch inside the caboose, and they didn’t want to leave. It was wonderful.”

“We’re very excited about this project. It’s taken a long, long time. There were more than 117 individuals who contributed,” he added.

Current Antioch Historical Society President Dwayne Eubanks spoke next saying, “I want to thank the Boccio family. I had no belief that a project like this could happen. This project has infused some enthusiasm into the Historical Society.”

Jim “Mac” Martin then sang the national anthem followed by the invocation offered by Rev. Gene Davis.

Dr. James Boccio, representing the family, shared about his parents, who have both passed away in the last few years.

“They came to Antioch during the Great Depression,” he said. 

His father grew up in Antioch near where the Red Caboose Restaurant was located.

“He always had a deep feeling for the railroad,” Boccio said. “In 1982 he told me ‘I’m buying a caboose…I’m going to connect it to the restaurant and bar.’ I told him, ‘that’s a swamp. It’s going to sink into the ground’.”

“He bought it in Selma,” the younger Boccio continued. “I went by there in the morning to see how far it had sunk and he already had built a pad and that a big crane placed it on.”

He said when speaking with his mom she could think of eight restaurant operators through the years, some of whom were in attendance at the ceremony.

“My mom was never a big caboose fan,” Boccio revealed. “She kind of felt it was my dad’s fifth, illegitimate child.”

He shared how his parents’ house that they lived in on E. 18th Street his father “had moved from Walnut Creek with the Trosts. So, I wasn’t surprised he could have the caboose moved.”

“In 2022, there was a fire that burned the back half (of the restaurant). But nothing happened to the caboose,” Boccio stated. “There was smoke damage and soot that was cleaned up.” (See related article)

“The family got together with my mom and my sister Norma suggested we get it over to the Historical Society. My mom said, ‘Call Tom Menasco’,” he continued.

“He’s a bulldog they let out of the cage,” Boccio said to laughter from the audience.

Menasco then led the effort to relocate the caboose.

“We actually sold the caboose and the property to Drill Tech with the deal he donate the caboose, which he did,” Boccio added.

He described the move saying, “it was like an orchestra.”

“We really want this to be an educational facility for young children who maybe have never been on a train other than BART,” Boccio concluded.

Doug Debs, Lead Docent of the Niles Canyon Railway then shared the importance for and explanation of the purpose of a train’s caboose. It’s where the engineer and “eyes and ears of the crew” could see the train. The cabin on top is called the cupola and was where the freight cars could be viewed and the windows could be slid open so the crew could lean way out and see around curves, he explained.

Freitas then recognized three individuals who were key to the project.

“There were a lot of volunteers, a lot of help,” he said and then mentioned Project Superintendent “David Brink. He was the engineer. He put in a tremendous amount of time.”

Freitas then mentioned Display Designer Laura Enea Jacques, who took on the project once the caboose arrived at the museum. Finally, he mentioned Project Coordinator and Fundraiser Tom Menasco about whom he said, “is really one of the most dedicated residents in Antioch. He raised about $325,000 to do this project.”

Freitas showed appreciation by presenting Menasco with a plaque.

“What’s most important to me is we made a wish become a reality,” Menasco stated. “Nineteen months ago, it was April 1, 2022, we jumped on a train with this caboose and took a long ride. We didn’t have to ask, people just handed me money. We collected $200,000 in donations from local developers and contractors.”

“I’d like to thank all the contractors who are standing in the back,” he added.

Those in attendance were then provided with brief tours of the Red Caboose and shown a video by Ronn Carter about its history and relocation. See a brief tour video, here.

The Caboose Project Team included Tom Menasco, Dave Brink, Laura Jacques, Project Advisor Don Freitas, Supervising Engineer Stan Davis and Project Advisor Eddie Beaudin. The Historical Society offered a “heartfelt thank you” to the Jim and Phyllis Boccio Family Trust who transferred ownership of the 1929 caboose to the museum and contributed financially for the construction of the display.

The Antioch Historical Museum is located at 1500 W. 4th Street at the end of Auto Center Drive and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information visit www.antiochhistoricalmuseum.org.

During Annual Veterans Day Celebration

By Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis

Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors honors Veterans & their families at the Annual Veterans Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez.

This year, the ceremony will feature a special recognition for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

Watch online at www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels: Comcast Channel 27, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and Astound Channels 32 and 1027.

Join us for a journey through the history of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Antioch has been rescheduled for this Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at 9:30 AM. (See related article)

We will gather at the Antioch Historical Society Museum, 1500 West 4th Street, to embark on a fun and educational bus tour.

Discover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define the Mid-Century Modern era in Antioch.

Our knowledgeable guides will provide fascinating insights into the architectural styles, design principles, and cultural influences that shaped this period.

During the tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Mid-Century Modern commercial buildings and public spaces.

Marvel at the clean lines, innovative materials, and functional designs that epitomize this architectural movement.

Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the unique character of Mid-Century Modern design, this event is perfect for you.

Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Antioch!

See related article.

Join us for a journey through the history of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Antioch on Saturday, October 14th, 2023, at 9:30 AM.

We will gather at the Antioch Historical Society Museum, 1500 West 4th Street, to embark on a fun and educational bus tour.

Discover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define the Mid-Century Modern era in Antioch.

Our knowledgeable guides will provide fascinating insights into the architectural styles, design principles, and cultural influences that shaped this period.

During the tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Mid-Century Modern commercial buildings and public spaces.

Marvel at the clean lines, innovative materials, and functional designs that epitomize this architectural movement.

Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the unique character of Mid-Century Modern design, this event is perfect for you.

Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Antioch!

To commemorate this event, a local artist created this design. Can you name any of the local buildings in the tatoos?

Regular Ticket Prices

·      Adults – $20.00 (Ages 13-64)

·      Students – $10.00 (Ages 12 & below)

·      Seniors – $15.00 (Ages 65)

Contact: Claire at 415-948-7763 or Linda at 925-628-6028 to make reservations,

Online Prices (Eventbrite includes $3.00 ticket fee)

·      Adults – $23.00 (Ages 13-64)

·      Students – $13.00 (Ages 12 & below)

·      Seniors – $18.00 (Ages 65)

Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bus-tour-mid-century-modern-antioch-tickets-721691999197?aff=oddtdtcreator

By Allen D. Payton

After the donation and relocation of the Red Caboose from the former restaurant of the same name, by the family of the late owners, Jim and Phyllis Boccio, to the Antioch Historical Museum, earlier this year, work continues on the old rail car to prepare it for public use.

Painting was done last month by Steve Corpuz of Redwood Painting Company in Pittsburg

“The next steps will be an ADA lift coming from Canada, plus the porch and fencing around it, TV’s inside showing railroad history and videos of the relocation from Fulton Shipyard Road,” said project coordinator Tom Menasco.

Once the work is completed, it will be available for “tours for school kids, and possible rentals including children’s birthday parties, business meetings and special occasions,” he added.

To date, contractors have donated and provided discounted services to the tune of over $200,000,” Menasco shared. “We’ve raised about $87,000, so far. It will be a $300-$350,000 project by the time it’s done.”

The dedication is expected sometime in early November. To donate to the effort visit www.antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/donations/. The museum is located at 1500 W. Fourth Street and is open for visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information call (925) 757-1326.