Third time a female African American trustee was passed over for the position. Racism raised by Householder.

Gibson-Gray elected president on 3-2 vote.

Rocha elected vice president also on 3-2 vote after Sawyer-White declines the position, again and Householder’s nomination fails on 2-2 vote after she chooses to not vote for herself.

By Allen Payton

For a second year in a row the Antioch School Board majority chose to bypass fellow trustee, Crystal Sawyer-White in their election for board president at their meeting on Wed., Dec. 11. Instead, Diane Gibson-Gray was elected president on a split vote with Sawyer-White and Trustee Ellie Householder voting against. Trustee Mary Rocha was elected board vice president, also on the same split vote. (Watch the meeting on YouTube, beginning at the 1:41:00 mark)

Last year Gibson-Gray’s reasoning for not electing then board vice president Sawyer-White to be president was that she didn’t have the necessary experience or knowledge to handle the job. Instead trustee Gary Hack was elected board president, with the support of both Gibson-Gray and trustee Mary Rocha. (See related article) Sawyer-White was offered the position of vice president, again. But she declined. Instead Gibson-Gray was elected board vice president.

This year, the reason given by Gibson-Gray for bypassing Sawyer-White for president was because she hadn’t served as board vice president, even though she had.

This was the third time a female African American member of the Antioch School Board was passed over for the presidency. In 2017, former trustee and then-board vice president Debra Vinson was not elected president in her final year on the school board. (See related article) Instead of running for reelection in 2018, she ran for county school board but was unsuccessful.

The positions of president and vice president are usually rotated among the trustees each year, with each member being given the opportunity to serve first as vice president, then as president during their four-year term. The same occurs on 14 of the 19 city councils in the county with the positions of vice mayor and mayor. However, sometimes power play politics and personal agendas get in the way and school board trustees or council members get passed over.

Gibson-Gray Elected President, Offers Sawyer-White Vice Presidency, Mentoring

Following approval of the consent calendar on the meeting’s agenda and without comment, Rocha nominated Gibson-Gray to be board “chair”. Board President Hack seconded the motion.

Trustee Householder was first to comment.

“I just think that at this point I would prefer that trustee Sawyer-White become the board president, just based on the fact that she hasn’t gotten to be the board president at all, and in the last year she has gone to a ton of different trainings and I’ve seen a huge growth in her knowledge of what’s current in the district, in terms of what’s going on in the state and what’s going on in the county,” she said. “Out of fairness it’s time to give someone else a shot at being in the leadership on this board.”

Householder attempted to make another motion to nominate Sawyer-White, but the current one hadn’t been voted on yet.

“I just thought there would be some consideration. But, I’m not surprised,” Sawyer-White said. “I would at least like Ellie, to nominate her for V.P…. to give someone else the opportunity.”

Gibson-Gray responded.

“Well, last year, in our meeting, I wanted you to be vice president, Crystal, before you left the meeting, because I wanted you to spend a year growing,” she stated. “And I agree with Ellie, you have grown. But there’s a difference. It’s difficult to run the meetings if you haven’t been the vice president. You see that I help Gary all the time. I would like you to be vice president, this year and I would like to mentor you for the presidency, if you’re willing. That’s what I wanted to do, last year.”

“Again, you know, other districts it’s a rotated basis. I’ve been vice president,” responded Sawyer-White. “I hear what you’re saying, Trustee Gibson-Gray. But we’re in the 21st century and I’ve put a lot into this position. It just would be a new direction. People are watching this on YouTube. I’m not surprised. Last year was a little different and I just have a little more chutzpa. That is my suggestion. Ellie, I think she should be vice president.”

“I get the idea that you be the vice president, then you get to be the president,” Householder said. “But…she’s been the V.P. at one point. She’s also completed the governance training and she’s also very, very active in advocating for AUSD at the state level, at the county level. She’s constantly trying to learn. She’s constantly bringing in that new, fresh perspective. I think that she’s extremely qualified to be the president. To say it’s gotta to be next year, well, who’s to say she’s going to run again? Then, she’s not even to have the opportunity because she’s going to term out, next year. I don’t see why we don’t give everyone a fair shot in this district”

“The fact we have a high African American student population, here. I think it would be amazing to have a strong Black woman in this position of leadership for our district,” Householder continued. “We all help each other out so why not just give someone else a chance to be in this position?”

“I’m going to go back to last year,” Gibson-Gray responded. “I wanted Crystal to be the vice president. But she was upset, and she walked out of the meeting. If she had stayed that’s what it would have been. She would have stayed in the vice presidency for one more year and then she would have been moving up. I’m the vice president and you say ‘you should move up.’ I would like Crystal to be vice president. That’s all I’m saying. End of discussion for me.”

Then things got a bit heated.

Householder Injects Racism Into Discussion

“To have one bad day and we’re judging somebody based on one bad day,” Householder responded. “I mean, could you imagine feeling like you’re being attacked for the way that you were born and the amount of melanin in your skin? I can understand why somebody would…”

“I take offense at that,” Gibson-Gray shot back, cutting her off.

“I object to that, Mr. Chair. I object to that statement,” Rocha stated.

“No, I’m saying that’s how she felt and that’s why she left,” Householder responded.

“OK. We have a motion on the table,” Gibson-Gray stated.

“Call for the motion,” said Rocha.

Hack asked for the vote on the “motion for Diane Gibson-Gray to be president for the incoming year” and it passed 3-2 with Householder and Sawyer-White voting no.

Sawyer-White Nominated for Vice President Again, Declines Again

“With that I’d like to nominate Crystal Sawyer-White for the office of vice president,” Gibson-Gray said. Rocha seconded the motion.

“How do you feel about it, Crystal?” Householder asked.

“I think you should have the opportunity,” Sawyer-White said. She then attempted to nominate Household to be vice president, but the other motion hadn’t yet been voted on.

“Again, this is not about leadership. This is about the students,” Sawyer-White said. “I just think once they look at, you know leadership has changed. This really empowers the students. I’m wishing for our graduates, students of color to come back and teach in the district. I have many visions and it’s not about me. So, yes, I’m nominating Ellie Householder.”

“Are you willing to be vice president?” Gibson-Gray asked.

“No, I decline,” Sawyer-White responded.

“The motion dies because she’s not going to do it,” Gibson-Gray said.

Householder Nominated V.P. But Chooses To Not Vote For Herself

Sawyer-White then nominated Householder to be vice president and Hack seconded the motion. Hack and Sawyer-White voted in favor but Householder wouldn’t vote for herself.

“I just figured I would abstain since it had to do with me,” she said. “I’m uncomfortable.”

“It’s OK to vote for yourself,” Superintendent Stephanie Anello shared.

“It makes me uncomfortable,” Householder replied.

With Gibson-Grey and Rocha voting no, the motion failed on a 2-2-1 vote.

Rocha Elected Vice President

“With that I’d like to make a motion for Mary Rocha to be vice president,” Gibson-Grey said. “She has 40 years of experience which includes running meetings of the school board, Roberts Rules of Order, the Brown Act, etc.”

“I give myself a second, I can do that,” Rocha said.

The motion passed on a 3-2 vote with Sawyer-White and Householder again, voting no.

By Daniel Borsuk

The number of cannabis businesses seeking Contra Costa County land use permits to legally operate retail or commercial cultivation operations became a bit more crystal clear after the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday selected four retail applicants and seven cultivation applicants to proceed in the demanding planning process.

The supervisors’ 5-0 action means applicants in the competition will need to satisfy a series of requirements including filing and receiving State and County cannabis licenses and complying with Conservation and Development Department (CDD) land use permit requirements.

The Supervisors’ action in narrowing down the field of appropriate cannabis retail and commercial cultivate operators comes nearly three years after California voters passed Proposition 64 that paved the way for the legal possession and use of cannabis for persons 21 years old or more in the Golden State. Prop. 64 opened the door to the legal sale, manufacture and distribution of cannabis in California.

Supervisors are expected to revisit the status of the nine applicants’ permit compliance in March when land use permits could be granted to applicants who successfully meet CDD requirements.

Supervisors followed the recommendations presented by the 10-member Cannabis Proposal Review Panel that had scored the 21 business candidates vying for Retail Storefront Land Use Permits and 18 candidates competing for Commercial Cultivation Land Use Permits.

County representatives from CDD, the Health Services Department, Department of Agriculture, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District served on the Cannabis Proposal Review Panel earlier this year that scored each applicant based on location, business and operation plan, security plan, community benefit, and equitable geographic distribution.

Supervisors voted to permit four of the 20 initial Retail Storefront applicants to proceed in the permit process. Those applicants were Authentic 925 at South Pacheco with 1,155 total Cannabis Proposal Review Panel points, The Artist Tree in El Sobrante with 1,140 points, Embarc Contra Costa at North Pacheco with 1,130 points, and Garden of Eden for South Pacheco with 1,105 points.

Getting the green light to proceed among Commercial Cultivation candidates were: Lifted Spirit with its Brentwood proposal that garnered 1,175 points from the Cannabis Review Panel; 703 Chesley, LLC with 1,125 points placed second; Element 7- Chestnut Street of Brentwood placed third with 1,120 points; Element 7- Willow Way in Byron with 1,090 points placed fourth; Casa Resta Farms of Brentwood and Diablo Valley Farms of Brentwood each collected 1,080 points and tied for fifth place, and Diablo Valley Farms placed sixth with its Brentwood proposal that collected 1,080 points.   Magic Flower Gardens, LLC with 1,055 points placed seventh for its Richmond plan.

Supervisors heard a number of complaints from Brentwood residents who protested that permitting marijuana cultivation operations in an agricultural area known for its pumpkins, corn, nuts, and cherry production will be spoiled by the introduction of cannabis operations that could attract crime, devalue property values, and trigger an array of other negative environmental impacts.

“The Element 7 – Chestnut Street development will bring down our home values,” protested Rubin Garcia Scott who lives on Chestnut Street nearby the proposed Brentwood cultivation development. “It will bring crime. Already we have had homes broken into.”

Chestnut Street farm owner Shelley McMahon protested, “Now I’m going to wake up to the stench of cannabis. I am not really happy about this. Who is going to buy my farm? We are known for growing corn, cherries, and alfalfa, not cannabis.”

Supervisors heard from several speakers supporting retailer Elemental Wellness’s application that placed eighth in the Cannabis Proposal Review Panel scoring with 1,075 points. Pittsburg resident Jack Frank, who uses cannabis products for medicinal purposes, said having a store in Pacheco would mean he would not have to travel to an Oakland store for reliable product advice from store personnel who are “knowledgeable about their products.”

Supervisors were also advised that the county ordinance would have be revised to address the transferability of cannabis land use permits or changes in owners of cannabis businesses.

“If a cannabis permit terminates because a change in ownership results in one or more new persons owning a total of 20 percent or more of the business, the business may not operate until a new permit is obtained,” CDD Director John Kopchik wrote in a statement to supervisors.

Read additional details and more maps from the meeting’s agenda item, here and here.

Formation of Police Tax Zones Approved

Contra Costa residents in planned new subdivisions were granted the opportunity to tax themselves for additional police protection provided by the Sheriff’s Office. Supervisors approved three requests for the formation of proposed County Service Area P-6 – Police Services – for subdivisions in unincorporated areas of the county. Property owners in the newly created Police Zones will vote in a February 11, 2020 election to either pass or reject the police tax measure that will fund the enhanced police services.

Supervisors approved the formation of Police Zones for eight property owners along Center Avenue in Pacheco, for a five-lot El Sobrante development by Pandher Subdivision, and for a four-lot development on Gloria Terrace in unincorporated Lafayette.

Bail set at $1.3 million

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On December 12, 2019, the case of the Brentwood woman driving her car into a barbershop owner on Dec. 4 was reviewed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Ruby Delgadillo was charged with attempted murder with a great bodily injury enhancement, felony hit and run and child endangerment. Delgadillo’s bail was set at $1.3 million dollars and she is currently in custody at the Contra Costa County Jail. (See related articles, here and here).

No further information will be released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tom Smith at (925) 779-6876, or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On December 11, 2019, 26-year-old Demario Brown came to the Antioch Police Department after he learned of the SWAT operations that were conducted regarding the case of the shooting murder in Antioch on Wednesday, December 4. Brown was arrested on a probable cause warrant for this murder and later booked into the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez. (See related article)

On December 12, 2019, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Brown with Garrison’s murder along with a firearms enhancement.

Louisville and Brown are both being held in the Contra Costa County Jail and both have a bail set at two million dollars.

No further information will be released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brogdon at 925-779-6895, or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations Bureau)

On December 4, 2019 at 11:40 PM, APD dispatch received several calls about shots being fired in the 2100 block of Peppertree Way and a male down on the sidewalk. Officers arrived on scene and found a 35-Year-Old male on the sidewalk suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau responded and took over the investigation. (See related article)

On Wed., Dec. 11, the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office identified the victim in this shooting murder as 35-year-old Joseph Garrison.

Antioch Police Department Detectives were able to identify 45-Year-Old Vernon Louisville as a suspect in case within a few hours of the shooting. On December 5, 2019, Antioch Police Department detectives tracked Vernon Louisville to a residence in the 600 block of Daniels Street in Vallejo California. During surveillance, Louisville was seen getting into a vehicle and when Antioch Police Department detectives and patrol officers attempted to contact Louisville a short vehicle pursuit ensued. Louisville intentionally rammed a police vehicle in his attempt to escape. Louisville attempted to flee on foot at the end of the pursuit and was apprehended by Antioch Officer Amiri and his police K-9 Purcy.

On December 9, 2019, this case was presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and Louisville was charged with Garrison’s murder along with a firearms enhancement.

On December 11, 2019, the Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police Department SWAT teams successfully conducted two high-risk search warrants for evidence related to this case. The Antioch SWAT team conducted a search at a residence in the 2900 block of Honeynut Street in Antioch. The Pittsburg SWAT team conducted a search at a residence in the 400 block of 12th Street in Pittsburg.

No further information will be released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brogdon at 925-779-6895, or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant James Stenger #3604, Antioch Police Violent Crimes Unit (Investigations)

On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, Ruby Delgadillo, the suspect in the felony hit-and-run of an Antioch barber shop owner on Dec.  4, turned herself in with an attorney to Detective Tom Smith. Delgadillo, a Brentwood resident, refused to provide a statement and was booked into the County Jail in Martinez.

The case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office tomorrow Dec. 12. (See related article). 

No further information will be released regarding this case at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tom Smith at 925-779-6876, or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Firearm never recovered after Super Bowl Sunday shooting

By Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – David Leigh Cook was sentenced Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2019 to 41 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable James Donato, U.S. District Judge.

Cook, 51, of Antioch, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on July 17, 2019. According to the plea agreement, Cook admitted that at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2019, he was in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Antioch, Calif., when he became involved in a dispute with another person. The dispute escalated, and the defendant fired his gun at the other man, striking him at least once. The defendant walked away, returned to his vehicle, and drove off. The defendant was arrested the next day. At the time of his arrest, the defendant did not possess a firearm; the firearm used in the Super Bowl Sunday shooting has never been recovered. The defendant acknowledged that at the time of the Super Bowl Sunday shooting, he knew he previously had been convicted of felonies in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014, and therefore was not eligible to possess a firearm or ammunition.

A federal grand jury indicted Cook on April 11, 2019. He was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

The investigation began when emergency medical personnel responded to the scene of the Super Bowl Sunday shooting and rendered emergency medical treatment to stem the victim’s life-threatening blood loss. Emergency medical personnel and responding law enforcement officers observed spent ammunition casings in close proximity to the victim’s location.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Donato sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release. After today’s sentencing hearing, the defendant was returned to state custody where he faces additional charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez Gonzalez and Kathleen Turner. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Antioch Police Department.

 

By Antioch Unified School District 

On Monday, two young heroes surfaced at Antioch High School.

As Dorismar Cervantes was about to exit the restroom in the 1100 hall, she saw that a fellow student looked ill and about to pass out. She was right.

The student, Daniela, was getting weaker despite her friends holding her up.

Dorismar quickly asked one of the friends to get help from nearby teacher Rebecca Quinones, who instructed her AP Spanish student Chris Garcia to assist while she called for help.
Since Chris is a trained lifeguard, he knew what to do. As he approached Daniela, he checked on several aspects, including that her airway was clear.

While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Dorismar and Chris kept vigil over the ill student, who was in and out of consciousness. They kept her in a safe, comfortable and proper position and checked her pulse several times as they knelt near her on the ground.

About 15 minutes later, the paramedics arrived and took over. It turns out the ill student is prone to fainting, especially when extremely stressed or anxious. She recovered by that night and was back at school on Wednesday.

While she doesn’t have official training, Dorismar received some basics from her mother and recently learned some first-aid skills at Los Medanos College.

Quite impressed by these fast-acting and caring students, Principal Louie Rocha and Vice Principal Jose Hernandez presented the dynamic duo with a certificate of appreciation and commemorative Panther Citizen pin. Teachers Edwin Matabuena and Shira Sweitzer suggested and applauded the idea.

“I was really impressed to hear about what you two did,” said Mr. Rocha. “It showed bravery and a willingness to step up. Some people might have just walked away. Thank you for taking care of our student.”

The two seniors reflected on the unusual school day they shared.

Chris said he felt “very proud being able to help and use my skills and knowledge. I felt responsible and calm handling this situation knowing I was able to help someone who is an every day student just like me going through their high school journey.” His family was naturally proud to hear that “I did an awesome deed for a fellow classmate.”

“I’m glad I was there to help her and make sure she didn’t get injured, and my family was happy I did something to help another person,” Dorismar said.

“My mom was glad I paid attention to her and at LMC – that’s why she wants me to become a nurse but I want to have kids and animals,” she added humbly.