The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has one (1) vacant Community seat open to applicants. The successful candidate must reside within Contra Costa County and have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. except for holidays.

The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Contracting Programs and serves as an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The Council reviews the Equal Employment Opportunities Program and recommends actions to facilitate the attainment of the County’s goals for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, and race/ethnicity.

The Board of Supervisors established the ACEEO on July 9, 1991. The Council has thirteen (13) seats representing the following groups:  4 Community seats; 2 Labor seats; 2 Management seats; 1 Educational seat; 1 Disability seat; 1 Business seat; 1 Veteran seat; and 1 Labor/Trade seat.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418.  Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews on June 7, 2021. Due to COVID-19, interviews will be conducted via Zoom.  For further information about the ACEEO, please contact Antoine Wilson at antoine.wilson@riskm.cccounty.us or (925) 335-1455. You can also visit the web page at www.contracosta.ca.gov/4503/Advisory-Council-on-Equal-Employment-Opp.

 

“it’s been great having them, here” – Park Middle School Principal John Jimno

By Allen Payton

As of Tuesday, April 27 Learning Centers have opened at the middle and high schools in the Antioch Unified School District giving students the opportunity to return to the classroom and receive help with their online classes. The school board voted in March to open the Learning Centers instead of reopening Antioch schools fully or using a hybrid model in response to over 60% of parents surveyed not wanting their students to return to class. (See related article)

Antioch School Board Vice President Dr. Clyde Lewis and this reporter were provided tours of the Learning Centers at both Antioch High School and Park Middle School. The other middle and high schools in the district have opened one, as well. Learning Centers at the district’s elementary schools opened the previous week. (See related article)

The students participate in regular classes with their teachers, like their classmates who are distance learning from home. But they’re in a classroom with support from on-site substitute teachers and aids.

Antioch High School Tour

At Antioch High School there are six classrooms, four regular ed and two special ed for a total of 160 students, Principal Louie Rocha shared during the tour of his campus.

“Here they can use the WiFi and have support. Some are having trouble at home without private space,” he explained. “We have a Tuesday and Wednesday A group and students on Thursday and Friday in the B group. Special ed students are able to attend Tuesday through Friday.”

Like the elementary schools, the middle and high schools also have a process for students to enter the campus which includes having their temperature checked by a thermographic scanner.

“It can scan five people at a time,” Rocha stated. “This is something we’re going to do when we open in the fall.”

If a student has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more, they aren’t allowed to stay for the day.

Lynn Bailey, Site Safety Coordinator continued as the tour guide, explaining that “the day starts at 7:45 for those with Zero Period. Otherwise, they start at 8:30 and stay until 1:30. All students attend all six of their classes. One day they’re in classes 0-3 and the second day they’re in classes 0-6. The kids get meals for the day and breakfast for the following morning.”

“Each student is assigned a classroom and no talking in the classes,” she continued. “There are substitute teachers in each.”

“I think it’s running really well. The kids seem to like it,” Bailey shared. “We have a lot of freshman who had never been on campus, yet. All of our aids are back, and we’ve put them in the classrooms with the substitutes.”

The classrooms are located in the 400 Wing which was recently renovated using Measure B funds.

“If we have more students we will probably open another hallway. We have the capacity,” she added.

Park Middle School Tour

Principal John Jimno led the tour of the Learning Center at Park Middle School.

“We have five rooms, total going right now and a waiting list for another room which we are trying to get open in the next week,” he said. “Two days on and two days off. We have one full day room four days a week for the special needs students. There are 20 students per classroom. We’re getting more coming each day.”

The students are divided alphabetically by last name and then by grade.

“I wanted to have some normalcy for the students, so it’s been great having them, here,” Jimno continued.
A student named Malachi said he was happy to be back in school to see some of his friends.

“I’m getting so many emails from parents saying their student came home like a different kid,” Jimno stated. “It’s been a fun week being with the kids. Hopefully we will get a few more students so we can fill it up.

“For P.E., the kids walk the track and play basketball. I’m the PE teacher this week,” he added.

Location to be announced.

Receives “the biggest contract ever for an undrafted rookie corner”

By Allen Payton

With Najee Harris getting all the attention, this past week, as the Antioch High grad, national champion and top college running back while at Alabama was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburg Steelers, another former Panthers football player went a bit unnoticed. A May 1st post on the Antioch High School Facebook page announced, “More fantastic news! 2017 AHS grad Isaiah Dunn was signed by the New York Jets. The 6-foot, 193-pounder earned a full ride to Oregon State. The defensive back had a superb career for the Beavers starting in 26 of the 33 games he played. He had 115 career tackles, 16 pass deflections and a forced fumble in 31 games. He was also a two-time PAC-12 All-Academic selection. Big congrats and applause to Isaiah! We can’t wait to watch you play.”

According to Heavy.com, the Antioch native was one of 12 undrafted free agent signings with this year, and according to a tweet by NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Jets struck a “big deal with priority free agent Isaiah Dunn (Oregon State), the biggest contract ever for an undrafted rookie corner, per a league source: $185,000 total guaranteed, including $160,000 of his base salary is guaranteed, plus a $25,000 signing bonus.”

“For (Jets General Manager Joe) Douglas to fork over that much dough he must’ve really wanted Dunn on the Jets,” the Heavy article added.

According to the Oregon State Beavers website, during his high school playing days, Dunn was rated among the top 100 cornerbacks in the country and in the top 25 at the position in the West; recorded 18.9 yards per reception for his career as a wide receiver; scored eight total touchdowns as a senior, seven as a receiver; was a standout kick returner; had a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as a senior in a nationally broadcasted game vs. De La Salle; he also played quarterback as a prep; the San Francisco Chronicle reported just three passes were completed against him all season in 2016; he was selected to the Chronicle’s Second Team All-Metro Team and San Jose Mercury News Second Team; and Dunn was also a sprinter on the track and field team.

On Saturday, May 1st, Antioch High Football Head Coach John Lucido wrote on his Facebook page, “Congratulations to Isaiah Dunn signing with the New York Jets.” Assistant Coach Bret Dudley wrote on his Facebook page, “Former Antioch CB Isaiah Dunn just signed with the New York Jets! So proud of you.”

The son of Jamia Dunn, Isaiah has two brothers, Jomarlon and Malik, and a sister, Temia.

Stockton, Calif – Eddie Lira has been appointed to the executive team of locally-owned BAC Community Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Business Development Officer.  Eddie is a commercial banking professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership, portfolio management, and business development.

Most recently, Eddie worked for a large national bank, overseeing a team of business professionals across the Central Valley. This team was focused on providing business lending, cash management, and deposit solutions for customers under their care.  Eddie’s past responsibilities include serving as Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer for six years at BAC Community Bank.

“We welcome Eddie back to BAC, and we are excited to see him in this new role,” said BAC’s Chief Executive Officer Dana Bockstahler. “His business banking expertise and years of delivering exceptional service and solutions will be of great value to our customers.”

As a member of the bank’s executive team, Eddie will be working directly with Dana Bockstahler, Chief Executive Officer; Janet Jenkins, Chief Credit Officer; Paul Haley, Chief Lending Officer; and Jackie Verkuyl, Chief Administrative Officer.

Committed and invested in the local community, Eddie volunteers for local non-profit organizations and currently serves as a board member of the San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Eddie can be reached at (209) 473-6827 or eddie.lira@bankbac.com.

About BAC Community Bank

BAC Community Bank, first headquartered in Brentwood, California, now operates 11 branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties including in Antioch at 3448 Deer Valley Road, and is identified as “one of the strongest financial institutions in the nation” by BauerFinancial, Inc.

The bank is now centrally headquartered in Stockton, California and is continuously recognized for banking excellence through local awards and banking industry accolades.

BAC Community Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is an Equal Housing Lender. More information available online at www.bankbac.com.

 

Get your tickets, now!

By Allen Payton

Under new ownership, the Antioch Speedway is back and open for spectators with races each week. This week, on Wednesday, May 5th, owners Chad and Tina Chadwick will be hosting the IMCA Speed Week Night #5.

Located at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch, the speedway will feature races including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

Spectator Gate Opens at 4:00 p.m.

Tickets available at the Ticket Booth and on MyRacePass.com

Adult Ticket: $20.00

Child Ticket (Under 12): $15.00

Senior Ticket (60 and over): $15.00

Military Ticket: $15.00

Children 5 and under: Free

(Please remember that any time we are out of our seats, we must be wearing masks and follow the social distancing guidelines.)

The Mother’s Day race will be held this Saturday, May 8 and will feature Mini Vans, Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Stock Cars and Dwarf Cars.

View the entire season’s race schedule and watch past races on AntiochSpeedwayTV.

Antioch Speedway – Where Action is the Attraction!

 

By Antioch Police Department

On Friday, April 30, 2021 at around 2:52 pm, APD Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call reporting an aggravated assault with a motor vehicle in the area of Wilbur Avenue and Cavallo Road. A male was reportedly ramming his Honda into another car occupied by a female. While responding, the caller reported the male was chasing the other car in his Honda. Officer Hughes located the involved vehicles on West 10th and G Streets. He attempted a traffic stop on the Honda, but instead, the driver began fleeing and tried to ram another police vehicle in the area. Officers pursued the Honda onto westbound Highway 4 and requested assistance from the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Air Unit STARR3, who immediately launched from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord. APD dispatchers coordinated with STARR3 to take over the pursuit from the air, which allowed our officers to back out. (See pursuit video).

STARR3 followed the vehicle into Berkeley and contacted the Berkeley Police Department, who had members of their Bike Force in the area. Once the suspect abandoned his vehicle, deputies radioed his location to BPD Bike Force officers, who swooped in for the arrest. Instead of giving up, he decided to start hopping fences, but was NO match for the much faster BPD officers. Just before being detained, the suspect tossed a loaded firearm, which was found to have a scratched-off serial number. The suspect was arrested by Berkeley PD officers and APD will be working with them on prosecution.

APD would like to thank the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Air Unit, California Highway Patrol, and Berkeley Police Department for their assistance with this incident. This is a classic example of police agencies working together across city and county borders to keep our communities safe. STARR3 is an invaluable service to the communities of Contra Costa County and we are VERY fortunate to have them.

(Video courtesy of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, radio audio courtesy of Berkeley PD)

The Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office recognizes that COVID-19 restrictions may have severely impacted many businesses and commercial property owners and may have led to a reduction in property values.  In order to provide assessment relief to those who may have been impacted, the Assessor’s Office is legally required to have qualitative evidence to support a reduction in value.

Not all businesses and commercial properties have been affected, but if you believe the value of your business or commercial property has dropped below the current assessed value due to COVID-19, Assessor, Gus Kramer, urges you to please visit our website at the link below for guidance on what information and documentation to submit to our office for a FREE review of your assessed value.

For information and forms to request a 2021-2022 value review, please visit the link to the Assessor’s webpage “Review Your Value” at: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6919/Review-Your-Value.