By Allen Payton

After announcing, last year his intention to run for Mayor of Antioch in this year’s election, Antioch resident Gil Murillo filed the required papers with Antioch’s City Clerk’s office, Wednesday morning. He is the fourth candidate to file and is one of three to challenge Wade Harper, who is seeking a second term.

“I want to bring forth our voice to the City of Antioch,” Murillo said in a campaign press release. “The problems that we face today are not new and we can bring other cities’ successful programs to Antioch. These programs have reduced crime, better schools, increased police staffing and make communities stronger.”

“I am not a politician but I will get things done with no excuses,” he continued. “I am entering this election for Mayor to bring our voices to City Hall and represent you with no ties or incentives from special interest groups or developers. You have the opportunity to elect someone with 20 plus years of corporate experience whose only goal is serve the elected role and not be obligated to outside political interests.”

Murillo then offered his campaign platform with a list of issues he commits to work on if elected.

“It is my plan to bring our City:

• Living wage job opportunities so you can work and live in the same city
• Form a committee to bring county, city, police, social services and schools together on issues that impact our youth
• Engage outside police agencies to assist in additional patrolling while we increase officer count
• Define government housing plan that is based on the needs of the city and community
• Ensure community services (e.g. fire, schools, police) are fully funded before new development starts
• Enhance downtown Antioch with positive family theme events
• Creative solutions to address the homeless challenge
• Engage adjoining cities for a joint vision of tomorrow”

Filing closes on tomorrow, Friday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. The other challengers in the race are Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock and local chiropractor and Antioch Chamber of Commerce CEO Dr. Sean Wright.

Murillo works as Manager of Application Programs for the staffing and consulting firm Robert Half. He and his wife Dulce have lived in Antioch for eight years and have five sons. For more information call him at (925) 219-1068 or visit Murillo’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/murilloformayor.

Mike Burkholder, publisher of the local news website eastcountytoday.net, announced his candidacy Tuesday for a seat on the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees in the November 8th election.

He released the following statement:

I am running for Antioch Unified School Board because I am a concerned parent and taxpayer. My wife and I are excited that we will have two children in the District this year; but I recognize that the school district faces multiple challenges and needs leaders, not politicians to get it going in the right direction. Improving the community starts and ends with improving the schools.

One of my top priories is student and teacher safety. Not only should I have peace of mind while my children are at school, but the entire community should have that same peace of mind. We must find better ways to address high-risk youth while working to encourage them to go down the right path.

Equally important is improving the way the District communicates with the public. Given my background as publisher of www.eastcountytoday.net, I know public outreach is an area that will be addressed immediately and improved through improving outreach opportunities. Parents deserve to know what is going on in our schools regardless if it’s good, bad or ugly.

Finally, teachers and staff who are doing great work should be rewarded for their efforts, we must work on creative ways to improve district morale and incentivize staff to ensure we can retain and attract quality teachers.

As an East County leader, and a parent, I would like the opportunity to make a difference on the Antioch Unified School District Board and would appreciate your support.

The Antioch Unified School District includes all of Antioch and portions of both Oakley and Pittsburg.

This is Burkholder’s second run for public office, having run unsuccessfully for the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board in Oakley in 2012.

So far, he is one of seven candidates who have pulled the required filing papers to run, including incumbent Diane Gibson-Gray, appointed incumbents Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry, former school board member Joy Motts and two others, James Beck and Crystal Sawyer White. Only Burkholder, Gibson-Gray and Terry have filed their papers, as of Monday. Candidates have until this Friday, August 12, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. to file with the County Elections Office in Martinez. If one of the incumbents does not file, the filing period is extended five calendar days to Wednesday, August 17th.

For more information about Burkholder’s campaign visit www.facebook.com/burkforausd where his slogan is “A Voice For All” or email him at burk4ausd@gmail.com.

Today, East Bay Regional Park District Director Diane Burgis, candidate for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District Three, earned the enthusiastic endorsement of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Antioch Police Officers Association, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston and District Attorney Mark Peterson, as well as the endorsement recommendation of the Executive Board of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230.

“We need tough, principled leadership to tackle the long-standing problem of inadequate fire protection coverage in the county,” said Vince Wells, President of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230. “Diane Burgis is the only candidate for District Three we can trust to get the job done. She’s not just another politician – she has the proven competence and know-how necessary to improve fire protection services for every East County resident.”

Fire and emergency resources in East County are inadequate, leading to longer response times and lower quality fire and emergency services. Multiple district firehouses have closed due to a lack of proper funding.

“Diane Burgis is uniquely qualified to tackle the challenges our county faces,” said Shawn Welch, President of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association. “Under her watch, Oakley was recognized as one of the safest cities in the state. As a city councilmember, she supported police so that they could do their jobs fighting crime. As a park director, she partnered with law enforcement to make sure every tax dollar was spent wisely.  I and my fellow deputies are proud to stand with her this November.”

The Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs Association is dedicated to the security and well-being of Contra Costa’s citizens and the protection of its 830+ employees. The United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230 includes over 450 firefighters from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, East Contra Costa County Fire District and various city fire departments. The Antioch Police Officers Association represents 120 police officers serving in the Antioch Police Department.

“Diane Burgis asks the right questions, listens closely to her constituents and then fights on their behalf,” said David Livingston, Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner. “I know I can count on her. She’s not one to pick political expediency over doing the right thing. She’s mastered the issues and demonstrated true skill as a leader, building coalitions and solving problems while putting a high priority on public safety.”

Diane Burgis currently serves as an East Bay Regional Parks District director and is the executive director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed. Previously, she served as an Oakley city councilmember and spent over ten years as a small business owner. She highlights four priorities for her candidacy: improving public safety, attracting economic development, ensuring fiscal accountability and preserving the delta for future generations.

“Diane will work hard to develop the resources our police, firefighters and prosecutors need to keep us safe,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson. “As a small business owner, nonprofit manager and public official, she has proven that she can balance a budget and defend taxpayers. I endorse her with no reservations – our county needs a real leader on the board.”

Diane Burgis is also endorsed by County Supervisor Mary Piepho, Assemblymember Joan Buchanan and a broad coalition of elected officials and leaders from every city and community in the district.

“I am honored by this extraordinary vote of confidence from our county’s bravest public servants,” said Diane Burgis, Candidate for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District Three. “I pledge to work collaboratively with our firefighters, sheriffs and every district resident to find effective solutions as we work together to improve public safety for all.”

Voters can learn more about her and her platform at www.dianeburgis.com.

By Nick Goodrich

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 26th, the Antioch City Council received its Mid-Year Police Report from Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando, and heard from the public on the issues of Antioch’s Animal Services and the ongoing discussion of the city’s use of the former Antioch Lumber Company lot in downtown Antioch.

More Antioch Animal Services Complaints

During public comments, Antioch residents revisited several topics of concern over the past several months, including the state of Antioch’s Animal Services and the proposed development of the downtown, former Antioch Lumber Company lot known as “The Yard”, into town homes.

Antioch’s animal shelter, located at the Antioch Police Facility, is the only city-run shelter in Contra Costa County; all other cities rely on the county shelter. The uniqueness of Antioch’s shelter poses problems, however, such as staff shortages and the lack of properly trained veterinary technicians.

Suggestions to correct what many of the speakers saw as the mismanagement of the Antioch shelter were common, during the meeting. Many of them also spoke of recent shelter visits that highlighted the need for changes to be made.

Stephanie Peterson, an Antioch resident, broke down in front of the audience as she described seeing several dead or injured animals in their cages while looking for her lost cat. Lindsey Right, an Oakland resident and longtime animal advocacy activist, recounted a story of a dog that languished in the shelter for over two months with a broken neck, before finally being euthanized.

Magella Smith suggested forming an advisory committee in order to find solutions to the shelter’s current problems, and to better deal with any future issues.

“We can surely devote more time, more energy, more money” to the shelter, said Antioch resident Jeanine Silvas.

Tracy Kittel told Council, “What I witnessed there was appalling, and there definitely needs to be some changes there.”

Kittel suggested looking into finding an outside agency to run the shelter in order to better meet the animals’ needs, and was greeted with a round of applause from the audience.

Lumber Company Lot

The fight for the lumber company lot, formerly owned by Beede family members, in downtown Antioch also continued during the meeting, as nearly a dozen residents once again gathered to voice their disapproval of the city’s plan to develop the yard into town homes.

The “Save the Yard” movement has been advocating for months for the city to convert the parcel into a downtown park and event center. The current event center used by the City, Waldie Plaza, is not nearly big enough to accommodate a city of 112,000 people, they say.

A recent town square initiative, aimed at putting the issue on the next ballot in order for Antioch’s citizens to make the decision, failed by only a handful of the needed signatures. Antonio Hernandez, an Antioch resident since two years old and a member of Dozier Libbey Medical High School’s first graduating class, spoke passionately on the initiative’s failure and on the wishes of Antioch’s residents.

“We have plenty of places to build affordable housing, but only one place for a waterfront attraction,” said Hernandez. A Stanford University graduate, he cited several advantages the proposed park would bring, including increased property values and a revitalization for downtown Antioch.

While the recent town square initiative has failed, Save the Yard will continue its battle to bring a waterfront event center to downtown Antioch. Joette Bright, reading a statement by Antioch resident Joy Motts, told the Council, “What you need to know is we are not going away. We are going to continue to fight for a different plan for the historic Beede Lumber parcel.”

Mid-Year Police Report

Police Chief Allan Cantando presented Antioch’s Mid-Year Police Report to the Council at the meeting, noting both victories and areas in need of improvement, compared to previous years.

From January to June of this year, the Antioch Police Department recorded 7 total homicides in the city, a 250% increase from last year, when Antioch saw only 2 homicides in that period. In addition, Antioch has experienced a slight increase in robberies, to the tune of 30 more than it had by this time in 2015. However, other violent crimes, such as rape and aggravated assault, fell slightly.

Property crimes, like burglaries, thefts, and car thefts, have also seen a slight decrease in 2016. The APD has seen 175 less of these crimes than this time last year.

“Hopefully we’ll keep this number trending,” said Cantando.

He reported that the APD has seized 2,311 marijuana plants this year so far, a number slightly higher than Antioch has seen in the past. Marijuana growers in Antioch are experiencing the effects of a Council decision in January of this year that prohibited the growing of marijuana within city limits for any purpose, including medical ones.

“That is usually our biggest drug seizure, because marijuana is very prevalent,” he told the Council. “These are very latent in our community, but I assure you that all communities have these.”

Cantando also spoke on the issue of Antioch’s Animal Services, hoping to alleviate some of the concerns presented earlier in the meeting. He said that Council Member Monica Wilson has been working to help bring additional staffing to the Antioch shelter, which would result in a cleaner facility and more smoothly run day-to-day operations.

The next council meeting will be tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Antioch City Council Chambers at City Hall, 3rd and H Streets in downtown. To review the agenda, click here.

In an announcement posted on his campaign Facebook page on Sunday, July 31, Antioch resident and retired businessman Fred Rouse officially announced he will run for Antioch City Council in this fall’s election.

Following is his complete announcement:

I am running for the Antioch City Council because I will listen to you. I will work for your needs. I will lend my experience with large corporate budgets and programs to improve the way Antioch manages the budget. Antioch can change for the better if we have leaders that better serve the people.

Our properties are not maintained and crime rates are high. We have a homeless problem and we need jobs and new business. Antioch needs more police officers and wants smart business growth and parks. Antioch needs to give our youth afterschool programs. I want the voters to know that I hear them. I know we all believe in change for the better, reduced crime, and a cleaner community. If elected, I commit to the voters that these issues will be my top priorities. Leaders of our City have let us down. People have lost trust and feel they are not listened to and not included in decisions. We must remind our leaders that they are Public Servants. Their job is to work for the community.

I came to this city with my wife 20 years ago because it was affordable, safe, growing and somewhat near my employment. I want that back. I think you do too. The first step begins with changing the board. If we can agree to do that, we can begin the rebirth of our City and restore what we have lost. Please join me in November. I ask for your vote.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/forantioch.

Following are the Antioch Police calls for service highlights as published in City Manager Steve Duran’s Weekly Report dated August 5, 2016 and provided by Chief of Police Allan Cantando.

Calls for Service & Arrest Data Summary:

Time Period: 07/28/16 00:00:00 – 08/03/16 23:59:59

Number of Calls for Service: 1,697

Number of Case Reports: 292

Number of Arrests: 74

Felony: 37

Misdemeanor: 37

Arrests with DUI charge: 3

The data is based upon unaudited CAD/RMS data at time of report generation.

• ·On 8/4/16 at 4:16 am, a resident in the 2500 block of Desrys Blvd. was awakened by a loud noise and found three unknown males inside her house. She screamed and they fled out the back door and over the fence into Turner Elementary. The loss is unknown, but it appears they entered through an open back door. An extensive search and police K-9 track brought negative results.
• ·On 8/3/16 at 9:32 pm, an officer was driving through the 7-11 lot at 2700 Hillcrest Ave. when he was flagged down regarding a theft that just occurred. The clerk pointed out 46 year old Leontuan Ward, who was sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot, and stated he had just entered the store and placed several items into his pants pockets. Ward was contacted and found to be on probation for theft and had a warrant for his arrest. During a search of his person, several stolen items were recovered from his pants pockets. Officers attempted to contact the owner of the vehicle Ward was driving, who lives in Vallejo. Vallejo PD was contacted and coincidentally, VPD was at the vehicle’s owner’s residence taking a missing persons report. Vallejo PD was notified that Antioch PD would be arresting Ward and that Ward could not provide any information as to the whereabouts of the vehicle’s owner other than downtown Antioch. The vehicle was towed and stored and all information was passed onto Vallejo PD. Ward was booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/3/16 at 5:00 am, the Antioch Police Department SWAT team and Gang Unit assisted the Safe Streets Task Force in serving two search warrants in the City of Antioch. One was in the 2000 block of Sugar Pine St. and the other was in the 1400 block of Viera Ave. The Safe Streets Task Force served search warrants at 20 different locations in the county regarding an investigation of the Norteño criminal street gang. Over 20 known gang members were taken into custody.
• ·On 8/3/16 at 12:37 am, officers pulled behind a gold Mazda with no license plates. They conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of E St. and W. 6^th St. As the officers were making the stop, another officer advised over the radio that a similar vehicle had been stolen earlier in the day. A records check on the VIN confirmed the vehicle was indeed reported stolen out of Antioch this same day. Officers contacted the driver of the Mazda, 20 year old Marianna Eagle, who stated she just bought the car today. However, she could not provide any information as to whom she had bought it from, where she bought it, or any contact information on the seller. The vehicle’s owner was contacted and stated he did not know Eagle. Eagle was arrested and booked into county jail for auto theft.
• ·On 8/3/16 at 12:12 am, an adult male called dispatch stating he was being followed by someone that was armed with a stick. Dispatch could hear the caller yelling for someone to stop and then choking sounds. Officers found the caller down on the sidewalk in the area of Country Hills Dr. and Whitetail Dr. The caller appeared to be having a seizure. While officers were waiting for an ambulance to arrive, the caller had a second seizure. Due to the seizures, he was unable to give a statement regarding what happened to him. Officers circulated the area and no other persons were located. The caller was transported to the hospital and was found to have no physical injuries and no recollection of what occurred. An informational report was taken.
• ·On 8/2/16 at 11:52 pm, a vehicle occupied by four adult males was stopped for expired registration in the area of Wilbur Ave. and Marie Ave. Officers noticed a short barrel rifle in plain view in the rear seat. All four subjects were Norteño gang members and arrested without incident.
• ·On 8/2/16 at 9:31 pm, officers contacted the occupant of a suspicious vehicle at East Madill St. and A St. The occupant, 41 year old Johnny Ramirez and was found to have a parole violation warrant. Ramirez was arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/2/16 at 1:34 pm, officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call in the area of Mahogany Way and Spanos St. They contacted 54 year old Michael Jiles who was found to have a warrant for his arrest for various theft and drug charges. During a search of Jiles, the officer located approximately 1/2 ounce of methamphetamine in his armband. He was booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/2/16 at 7:26 am, an officer was in the area of W 19^th and D St. when he located an occupied stolen F350 pickup. He followed the vehicle to westbound Hwy 4 where another officer joined him at Contra Loma Blvd. The driver failed to yield and fled westbound. The pursuit was terminated near Bailey Rd. due to speeds and traffic conditions.
• ·On 8/1/16 at 10:11 pm, two vehicles were possibly racing each other south bound on Hillcrest Ave. at Golden Bear Drive when they both lost control of their respective vehicles and crashed causing damage to city owned trees. Two occupants of one vehicle were transported by ambulance to the hospital for non life threatening injuries.
• ·On 8/1/16 at 9:50 pm, during a pedestrian contact at Joe’s Liquors, 1911 D St., officers located methamphetamine in the possession of 48 year old Edward Ferogiaro. He was issued a citation for the possession and released at the scene.
• ·On 8/1/16 at 2:06 pm, officers were dispatched to a complaint of transients setting up camp near the 2800 block of Valencia Lane 33 year old Jamal McClinton was contacted at the camp and found to have three no-cite warrants. McClinton was arrested and booked into county jail.
• ·On 8/1/16 at 1:47 pm, officers responded to the area of E 18^th St. and Cavallo Rd. for a report of shots fired. Nothing was immediately located in the area, but a victim was eventually contact in the 2700 block of Patricia Ave. The victim stated he’s had an on-going dispute with a male who is known to him. Today, the male shot at the victim as he drove home on Cavallo Rd. The victim’s vehicle was struck several times, but there were no injuries. While searching the area for the suspect’s vehicle, officers contacted 32 year old Deandre Brewer in the area of 13th St. and D St. It was determined that Brewer was not involved with the shooting, but had a warrant for his arrest. Brewer was booked into county jail. The shooting investigation is on-going.
• ·On 7/31/16 at 10:00 pm, an officer contacted 35 year old John Sanborn at the Executive Inn located at 515 E. 18^th St. Sanborn is on probation for narcotics convictions consented to a search of his person. During the search, the officer located suspected methamphetamine along with shaved keys. Sanborn was arrested without incident and later booked into county jail.
• ·On 7/31/16 at 9:00 pm, an officer observed a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed through the intersection of W18th St. and A St. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, 26 year old Mario Farias, who displayed signs and symptoms of intoxication. As the officer attempted to have Farias exit the vehicle, he tried to start the engine. A brief struggle ensued and Farias was taken into custody. During a search of the vehicle a loaded .45 caliber revolver was found underneath the driver’s seat. Farias was arrested without further incident and booked into county jail for DUI, resisting arrest, and the loaded firearm.
• ·On 7/31/16 at 7:03 pm, officers responded to the 2100 block of Aspen Way on a report of a male riding a dirt bike who lost control while doing a wheelie, and crashed into the residence. As officers arrived, the male fled on foot. A perimeter was quickly established and the suspect, 22 year old Michael Salt, was found hiding in the bushes in the In-Shape gym parking lot. Salt was extremely intoxicated and had moderate visible injuries. A computer check revealed Salt had a warrant for his arrest, however due to injuries sustained during the collision, he was transported and later admitted into the hospital. Salt was arrested and released pending further investigation due to his injuries at this time.
• ·On 7/31/16 at 9:48 am, two neighbors in the 2900 block of Almondridge Dr. began arguing over a disputed debt. One neighbor pulled a knife and attempted to open it while the other neighbor tackled him and knocked the knife from his hand. The two fell to the ground where they began fighting. When officers arrived, the neighbor who started the fight was arrested without incident and booked in county jail on a felony and two misdemeanors. The knife was recovered near the location of the fight.
• ·On 7/30/16 at 11:28 PM, Officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Jefferson Way on a report of shots fired with approximately 50 vehicles leaving the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered a nearby residence was having a large party. The resident advised a group of unwanted guests arrived. When told to leave, he heard approximately 4-5 shots from down the street. Officers drove to the end of Jefferson Way and located five 9mm casings in the roadway.No victims or witnesses were located in the area.
• ·On 7/30/16 at 9:06 pm, 50 year old Tonya Jace was contacted in the Jack’s Carwash on Fitzuren Rd. She was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant and booked into county jail.
• ·On 7/30/16 at 8:21 pm, 45 year old Justin Wojkowski was contacted during a security check of the shopping center at the old Food 4 Less on Delta Faire Blvd. He was cite released on an outstanding warrant for narcotics violation and admonished about camping or loitering on the property.
• ·On 7/30/16 at 2:23 pm, mall security from Somersville Towne Center called to report that 26 year old Tyree West was trespassing at the mall again. This was the 30^th call for service and 10^th case file drawn regarding West trespassing at the mall this month. West was arrested and transported to county jail. Mall staff was advised to seek a restraining order against West because of the high level of calls for service.
• ·On 7/30/16 at 2:14 pm, the victim was in the parking lot in front of Jerry’s Hot Dog in the 3000 block of Delta Fair Blvd. when an unknown male grabbed the victim’s cell phone from her hand. She resisted the male and fell to the ground. The responsible was able to take the victim’s phone and flee the scene in a burgundy colored Toyota Scion. The victim declined medical attention.
• ·On 7/30/16 at 9:24 am, an officer saw 35 year old Michael Kyle walking near the Wells Fargo Bank on A St. and knew he had a felony warrant for his arrest. Kyle saw the officer and attempted to cut through the inside of the bank to avoid being captured. Kyle exited the bank and the officer caught up with him in the parking lot. Kyle stopped running and was taken into custody and sent to county jail.
• ·On 7/29/16 at 7:08 am, the victim called dispatch to report a male, 25 year old Theodore Johansen, just stole his Ford F250 truck from in front of his residence. At 7:36 am, dispatch received a call regarding Johansen burglarizing a vehicle on the corner of Putnam St. and Gentrytown Dr. At 7:39 am hours dispatch received a call regarding Johansen burglarizing a vehicle in the 3300 block of Meadowbrook Rd. Responding officers located the stolen truck driving on G St. near Putnam St. As officers were attempting to catch up to the stolen truck, Johansen ran a stop sign at G St. and Putnam St. and struck a vehicle travelling through the intersection, causing minor damage to the other vehicle. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the stolen truck and Johansen refused to stop. The officers pursued the vehicle onto Hwy 4 and into the City of Pittsburg. The vehicle pursuit continued on surface streets in the City of Pittsburg until the Johansen drove onto Piedmont Way which was a dead end street. There, Johansen struck a stop sign, knocking it over and then attempted to drive through a fence into a field. The stolen truck got stuck in some loose gravel and became inoperable. An Antioch officer deployed his police K-9 when Johansen refused to follow commands to exit the vehicle and attempted to free the vehicle by accelerating the engine. Johansen was transported to the hospital and was medically cleared. He was later booked into the county jail for numerous felonies with a bail totaling $169,000.
• ·On 7/28/16 at 8:10 pm, the victim was on the corner of West 10th St. and L St. when 26 year old Charlton Waters approached him asking for a cigarette. When the victim told Waters he did not have any, Waters began assaulting him. During the assault, Waters took the victim’s cell phone and fled. The phone was recovered by an unknown third party and returned to the victim. Waters was located near Antioch High School and detained. He was identified and taken into custody without incident. Waters was booked into county jail.
• ·On 7/28/16 at 6:20 pm, officers conducted a traffic stop on a gold Honda Civic for having no front license plate in the area of Sunset Dr. and Devpar Ct. A records check showed the Honda Civic was reported stolen out of Antioch on 7/16/16. They verified the VIN on the vehicle and confirmed it was in fact the stolen vehicle. 25 year old Austin Hagmann was the driver of the vehicle and advised he obtained the vehicle from a friend. The vehicle was operated by using a house key. The registered owner of the vehicle responded and advised she did not know who  Austin Hagmann was and he had no permission to drive or possess her car. Austin was arrested and sent to county jail for auto theft. 29 year old Michael Welch, the passenger, was released pending further investigation.
• ·On 7/28/16 at 1:15 pm, APD received calls regarding a shooting in the 2100 block of Dogwood Way. Officers learned that a white vehicle pulled over on Sycamore Dr. and three males got out. The males shot multiple rounds at a home on Dogwood Way striking the residence and a car parked in the driveway. The victims were contacted at the residence and were less than cooperative, stating they did not know who or why the house was shot at. Gang members are known to frequent the residence. Multiple shell casings from three different guns were located at the scene. The area hospitals were notified and at the time of this writing it appears no one was hit by the gunfire.
• ·On 7/28/16 at 8:43 am, an unknown person struck a fire hydrant on Somersville Road at James Donlon Boulevard knocking it over. City Public Works responded and repaired the hydrant. There are no suspects or leads at this time.
• ·On 7/28/16 at 7:46 am, officers responded to 2299 Renwick Lane for suspicious subjects near the pool area of the complex. 32 year old Amy Fiasconaro and 29 year old Adam Renfroe were contacted. Fiasconaro was found to have a warrant for burglary. She was arrested and sent to county jail. Renfro was not charged with a crime and was released at the scene.

By Allen Payton

In a post on his campaign’s Facebook page, Antioch Mayor Wade Harper announced his campaign for re-election, on Friday, August 5, 2016.

“Under my leadership as mayor of the city of Antioch we have become a safer and more prosperous city.  Our sound Strategic Management Plan is working to reduce crime, improve economic development and remove blight & graffiti city-wide.  That’s a promise kept.  That’s effective leadership!

As a former police lieutenant of the 2nd safest city in California and now mayor, I refused to layoff police officers.  Instead, I asked Antioch tax payers to fund more cops on the streets, you did!  We’ve had the most aggressive hiring practice, recruiting about 40 police officers since passage of Measure C.  That’s a promise kept.  That’s effective leadership!”

Harper is referring to his time working for the City of Tracy, before retiring after being elected Mayor in 2012. The City currently has a net four additional sworn police officers since the City Council placed Measure C on the ballot in August, 2013 due to officers retiring, quitting the force or being terminated.

Harper first served in public office when he was appointed to the Antioch School Board in January, 2009 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Joyce Seelinger. He was then elected to the Antioch City Council in 2010, before running for Mayor.

With Harper running for reelection, candidates for Mayor have until Friday, August 12th at 5:00 p.m. to file their required papers. The election is on Tuesday, November 8. So far he is expected to face three challengers, should those who have pulled papers complete the filing process.

By Allen Payton

In a press release issued Thursday, August 4, 2016, the Antioch residents who support a park and event center on the old lumber company lot in Antioch’s downtown, announced a second effort after their first initiative failed to get enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

They are “testing the adage that ‘you can’t fight city hall’” the release states and are calling the historical Antioch Lumber Company yard site “ground zero” in that fight. The 1.25 acre parcel is situated between E Street, West 2nd and West 3rd Streets, in Antioch’s downtown, also known as Rivertown. Overlooking the San Joaquin River, the vacant parcel was utilized as a lumberyard for decades. It is one of nine city-owned parcels the council is considering selling and gave direction to City Manager Steve Duran to negotiate with developer City Ventures in a closed session, in August, 2015. (See the related article, here).

Since the early 1990’s, the release continues, citizens have advanced various park-like proposals for this parcel, the most current envisioning a town square suitable for 4th of July celebrations, car shows, summer concerts in the park, farmers’ markets, Holiday De-Lites, Rivertown Jamboree, movie nights, dog shows and other community events including farm-to-fork, wine tasting, and multicultural affairs, the press release explained.

In February, 2015, Rivertown residents met with Duran, to share their vision for this parcel.

“To their shock and surprise, Duran having listened for only a short time, responded that this parcel would never be used as a park,” according to the release. “He explained that instead, it would be utilized as high density housing, notwithstanding there are already 840 residences within one-quarter mile of the Rivertown business center, that the city’s own consulting firm said the proposed residential project was infeasible, and that there is precious little space for community events.  People in attendance were stunned.”

“Since that meeting, interested citizens have attempted to meet with city officials to explore options, to no avail,” the release claims. “When these overtures fell on deaf ears and Antioch city officials began meeting with City Ventures, a developer, to discuss construction of high density housing, the ‘Save Our Yard’ movement was born.  This movement eventually spawned the Town Square Initiative which was a proposed ballot measure intended to allow the citizens of Antioch to determine how this site will be used.”

Duran Responds

In an email response, Duran stated, “I don’t think I was quite so blunt; but I recollect that I tried to explain why I think the site was zoned residential under the 2003 General Plan and why no staff or consultant has ever recommended the City build an event center three blocks from an event center on the City’s best housing site.”

“Yesterday’s press release to which you refer also asserted that the City wouldn’t meet with her to discuss the proposal dated 10/28/14 for a park & event center that on the old lumber yard site,” Duran continued. “In fact, our real estate consultant and I met with Joy Motts and Wayne Harrison on Friday, February 20th to review and discuss their proposal for the vacant dirt lot that was once the site of the Antioch Lumber Company yard and warehouse.  At that meeting, we requested additional information from them, which they never provided and I subsequently offered to meet with them again.  They never responded to that request either.  Mayor Harper and I had met with representatives from their group previously in this regard.”

In the press release the group claims that “the Town Square Initiative has met with unprecedented opposition by city officials” and specifically accuse Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, the city’s election official, of being “a vocal critic of the Town Square Initiative,” and creating “one obstacle after another in his apparent attempt to keep this initiative off of the ballot.”

They stated “first, he rejected the petition itself because the language of the city attorney’s summary was modified at the proponents’ request, even though the city attorney had agreed to the modifications.  Second, he gave the proponents the wrong information concerning when the initiative had to be turned in.  Third, he refused to accept forty or fifty voter registration affidavits from initiative proponents on behalf of people who had signed their petition, effectively nullifying these otherwise valid signatures.”

Simonsen Responds

“I handled their initiative petition the same professional way I handled the one from Lamar Thorpe for the card room initiative,” he stated. “When I received the notice of intent to circulate, from proponent Jim Lanter, I immediately got it to then-interim City Attorney Derek Cole. He has up to 15 days to get it back to me. He took almost the entire time. When he gave me his summary, I got it to Jim Lanter. Then their next step was to publish it in a newspaper of general circulation. Once it was published they had 10 days to bring into me proof of publication. When they brought it in, I sat down and compared what I was given by the city attorney with what they published in the newspaper. They were not the same. So when I saw they were not the same, I called Derek Cole and said “hey, I have a problem.” He said, “well I got a call from Dave LarsEn, who wasn’t happy with some of the verbiage in the title and summary that Derek had submitted to me. Between the two of them, Cole agreed to some changes which he gave to Dave Larsen, and that’s what was published. There’s only one problem. According to the elections code, there’s only one way to change the title and summary once it’s been submitted by the City Attorney to the City Clerk. They have 10 days to submit to the court a writ of mandate to seek changes in the title and summary.

Derek Cole wanted me to allow the change. I told him “you were speaking with the proponents’ attorney on a side bar and didn’t include me in the conversation.”

“I contacted some master municipal clerks and asked them what to do,” Simonsen continued. “They told me, the only way to change it was the writ of mandate, because the notice of intent was not the same and that terminates their initiative process, because they did not go through the proper state Elections Code procedure.”

“Both attorneys failed to follow the Elections Code,” he stated.

As to the second accusation, Simonsen provided an explanation.

“They have 180 days from the publication of their notice of intent,” he said. “That would have brought them into early September. Then it would be on a following General Election. But they wanted to make this year’s General Election in November. So they had a shortened time frame of four months instead of six months to gather their signatures.”

“Normally, the County Elections Office takes less than 28 days to do the signature verification, which is what I told them,” Simonsen continued. “But, the Elections Code says they have up to 30 business days to perform the verification.”

“Dave Larsen, their attorney, saw that,” he stated. “I gave him a hard copy of the section of the Elections Code with all that in it. Why didn’t he look that up and advise them?”

Regarding the claim that Simonsen rejected voter registration forms, he said “I didn’t reject them. I told them I cannot accept them. The voter registration forms must be mailed or delivered to the County Elections office.”

Elections Code section 2102 states “the affidavit of registration shall be mailed or delivered to the County Elections official.”

“I didn’t look at the voter registration forms,” Simonsen continued. “They were supposed to be mailed or delivered within three days. Why, when I told them I couldn’t accept them, didn’t they deliver them to the County Elections Office?”

What actually caused the initiative effort to fail to make the November ballot, was that the County Elections Office determined there weren’t enough valid signatures submitted, after performing a sampling process. (Please see the related article here).

When reached for comment, initiative proponent Jim Lanter referred comments to Larsen and another leader of the effort, Joy Motts.

Larsen, who worked as a city attorney for 30 years, responded to Simonsen’s accusations.

“When you look [at the Elections Code], the definition of county elections officer it includes city clerks,” Larsen continued.

In response to Simonen’s statement that the attorneys didn’t follow the law regarding the ballot summary language, Larsen disagreed.

“The two seasoned city attorneys agreed, that since the city attorney is tasked with writing the summary and title, the city attorney can change his mind,” he stated. “When the proponents’ attorney calls and asks to make changes…it’s ridiculous to say the city attorney can’t change the ballot summary. We can certainly do that short of a writ of mandate. You only go to court when the two parties can’t agree on something.”

“You always error on the side of allowing the citizens to be heard,” Larsen added. “The idea that you have to go to court if the two parties are agreeable is ridiculous.”

Motts Claims Obstruction

When reached for comment Motts shared her experience and perspective of what occurred.

“I think it’s important for people to know of the obstructions we ran into along the way,” she stated. “We had an expectation that Arne works for the people and that he would provide us with accurate information, because he’s our elections officer. He doesn’t really work for the city.”

When asked if she approved the press release before Larsen sent it out, she said, “Yes.”

She also shared what County Clerk Joe Canciamilla told her.

“Joe told us that Arne should have accepted those forms,” she said. “He explained that many times initiative petitions come in with voter registrations forms.”

“Arne is an elections officer. Per the law he is obligated to accept those,” Motts stated. “The same day we turned in the petitions, we also picked up the registration cards from the signature gatherers. They handed 30 or 40 originals, plus 75 to 100 copies. They said ‘turn those in with the petitions’ because they’ll accept those.”

“Arne said he wouldn’t accept them and made some comment about if they weren’t registered the day they signed, they weren’t valid. But, that’s not true,” Motts stated. “If they signed the day they filled out their voter registration card, they’re valid.”

When asked what happened to the registration forms, she responded, “We immediately left [Simonsen’s office] and mailed the voter registration forms to the County Elections Office. The originals for the 75 to 100 copies had already been mailed in, but we didn’t know when.”

“Arne inserted himself in the process and made us stop the process and pay another $200,” Motts added. “The deadline [Arne gave us] probably messed us up more than anything.”

The count took less than either the 30 business days allowed or 28 calendar days, as estimated by Simonsen.

Motts said the information Simonsen provided the group didn’t show anything about the 30 business days the County Elections Office could take to count the signatures.

In a May 24th email from Simonsen to Motts, he wrote “you would have to submit your papers by mid July,” and attached a form showing the key dates for the November election. However, the form does not explain the 30 business days that the County Elections Office had to count the signatures.

“The way I found out was I just happened to call the county with questions about the validation process,” she continued. “This was toward the end of June. This guy said we have 12 initiatives in front of you. That’s when we went into a panic.”

That’s when Larsen sent his letter the new Antioch City Attorney. Ltr to City Atty re Petition

“That cost us $250 an hour, a whole bunch of money,” said Motts. “We reached out to Supervisor Federal Glover and Joe Canciamilla, to help expedite the process.”

Motts admitted that even had Simonsen accepted the additional voter registration forms that they might not have had enough valid signatures for the measure to qualify for the ballot.

“Joe also told us that based on the random sampling that even if we had those registration forms, that the probability would have been that we would have failed to have the required signatures,” she continued. “So I don’t know.”

Canciamilla Responds

When asked about the claims by the group regarding Simonsen not accepting the voter registration forms, Canciamilla offered an explanation.

“We’ve had 10 petitions from various cities. Every city clerk has turned in voter registration forms with those petitions except Antioch,” Canciamilla state. “I’m not saying what Arne did was wrong, but that’s what we get normally when they send along the petitions.”

“Arne is the elections official for Antioch,” he continued. “As I told the proponents, we aren’t the arbitrator. Unless we’re asked for advice, we don’t proffer it. Local measures are the city clerks’ call. I advised the proponents that the proper place for challenging is with the superior court. They take up a writ and put it before a judge. That is the mechanism for challenging.”

“We’re Not Going Away”

Asked why they were making this a personal thing and attacking Simonsen, Motts responded.

“We don’t have time to go after Arne, but we’re not going away,” she said. “We just want people to know there was obstruction all along the way. It cost all of us money and heartache, and maybe the ability to get it done.”

Nevertheless, the group’s press release states “The fight has only just begun.”  They also have committed that “a new petition will be circulated shortly; a special election will be sought; and in the meantime, proponents will be tracking the legality of each step the city takes.”

“In short, the verdict may be out concerning whether one can really fight city hall, but in this case, every effort is being made to do exactly that,” the release concludes.

For more information on the group’s effort, visit www.savetheyard.com.