By John Crowder

The recent spate of shootings that have occurred in Antioch, along with media reports deriding the city as one of the most “stressed out” in California, took center stage at the July 22 meeting of the Antioch City Council.

The timing of the shooting incidents happened to coincide with the quarterly address on crime statistics usually given by Chief Cantando to the council. At Tuesday’s meeting the presentation was instead given by Captain Leonard Orman, filling in for Cantando who was recovering from surgery.

Orman began his presentation by relaying a message from the chief recognizing the “unwavering support” given to the police department by the council. He then moved to directly address recent media reports that have been highly critical of the crime situation in Antioch. He said the chief was, “Very concerned about the unfortunate perception we’ve had recently in the media, social media, and on the Internet, that we’ve suffered this upsurge in shootings in our community.”

Saying that he would be presenting facts that he claimed would, “hopefully aid the community’s perception of our true crime picture,” he noted that shooting incidents in Antioch stood at 50 for the year as of close of business the day before, as compared to 44 for the city of Richmond, to which Antioch has been compared in the media recently with regard to crime. He went on to say that, at the same time last year, there were 51 such incidents in Antioch, and that there were 57 at the same time in 2012. “So you can see, we haven’t had quite the surge in violence that is being perceived,” he stated.

Orman spoke to a slide presentation, showing statistics indicating that violent crime was down 15.7%, property crime was up 2.9%, and total crime down just under 1%.

Orman also addressed police staffing in his presentation. He said that Antioch was suffering from, “depleting police resources due to the recession,” and “unprecedented retirements and other separations from our police department,” while also indicating that the department was in the process of rebuilding and adding staff. According to the chart he presented, Antioch had 88 full-time positions filled, but of these, 3 were in field training, 14 were unavailable for full duty due to injury or medical condition, and two were on extended leave, allowing only 69 full duty sworn positions. Orman stated, however, that since the chart he was showing had been produced a week ago, there were now an additional 5 officers back on full duty.

Also addressed during the presentation was the slow rate at which new officers were being added to the Antioch police force. From January to June of this year, the Antioch Police Department (APD) has had 1557 applicants for police officers. Of these, 60 made it to the eligibility list, and 8 were hired, a rate that works out to just over ½% of applicants being hired. Orman said that since January 1^st 2013 the APD had hired 26 officers, but that this has only resulted in a net gain of 4 officers to date.

Following the crime statistic presentation, Mayor Wade Harper asked about the underlying reasons for the shootings, with Orman confirming that it was related to gang and drug activity, as stated in the presentation. Harper also noted that the city manager, Steve Duran, had authorized the APD to use whatever money is needed on overtime to “make up the gap until we can get more officers.”

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha suggested working with the school district to put together a grant to get some recreation around the Sycamore area. “I think what we need to do also, at the same time we’re trying to suppress, is try to do prevention, in trying to bring something down at Sycamore where we could have a recreational, something that changes the mind of kids and I think I’ll appeal to the school district again, that we get together and put a grant together, I’m sure that there’s availability, that’s number one.” She also requested that community members take down the license numbers of cars they don’t recognize in their neighborhoods.

Council Member Tony Tiscareno expressed concern that community members are not coming forward to report criminal activity. He blamed potential retaliation as a roadblock. Orman noted, in response, that Antioch has an anonymous tip line people can use to report crime, and that, when used, it had been very effective.

During public comments on the issue, several residents spoke out. Roberta Haynes said that the violent crime problem was not just restricted to Sycamore, but that the parking lots at both Raley’s and Walmart are unsafe. “There isn’t enough (police officers) to cover this area,” she said.

Will LeRoy expressed concern for what he said was, “Just a total disrespect for law in this town.” Attributing the crime problem to low-income housing, he asked the council to not, “build more of those types of communities,” which require a greater need for police services. He also stated that he understood Antioch had police pensions owing of between $50 million to $80 million, and that, “the public has a right to know if the city is going bankrupt paying these pensions, and how far these pensions are reaching into funds that we could use in other areas.”

Antioch businessman Ken Turnage pulled out bullets he said had been pried from stucco where shootings had occurred which the police never responded to. He went on to complain of prostitutes on 18^th Street at all times of the day, and said he witnessed an incident of a lady being accosted on the same street and a police officer driving by, witnessing the event, but not stopping to intervene.

William Dee, President of the Antioch Police Officer Association, addressed the issue of police staffing. He said Antioch is, “the fourth most dangerous city in California.” He went on to call for more police offices, noting that Richmond, a city with an almost identical population size to Antioch, has staffing levels of over 190 officers. “Authorized positions and actual boots on the ground is far different,” he stated, “Investigation and administrative staffing accounts for 29 of those 88 positions.” Dee pointed out that with six shifts, “Each shift has approximately seven officers to respond to calls for service.”

The next meeting of the Antioch City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7^th, at 7:00 pm. Meetings are held at City Hall.

By Allen Payton

According to a post on Facebook by his wife Robin, Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian passed away, at 1:00 a.m. Monday morning, July 28, 2014, following a 10-month battle with brain cancer. He was 57.

In her post, Robin said “Good Morning ~ Everyday the Lord provides us with the grace that we need. Today He will provide us with extra special grace because at 1:00 am the morning, Gary ~ my husband, best friend, and father to Heather, Corey, and Jason took his last breath. We have been blessed to have each and everyone of you share in this 10 month journey…you’ve shared your love through meals, gift cards, cards, phone calls, visits, housecleaning, prayers and so much more. We know that Gary is absent from the body but present with the Lord. We are so thankful for the love of Jesus!!!”

Agopian grew up in Covina, California and was a 1980 graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Business Administration.

He worked for Sears for 24 years. He and his family relocated from Prescott, Arizona to Antioch in 1995, when Gary was promoted from store manager to Human Resources Director for Northern California. He then changed careers and became a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Coon & McCreary Realtors, which later became Prudential California Realty.

He served on the Antioch Economic Development Commission from 2003 to 2006. Then, in 2004 he ran for and was elected to the Antioch School Board. The formation of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School is one of Agopian’s major accomplishments as a Trustee.

In 2008, he ran for County Supervisor to replace Federal Glover and came in third in the Primary election. Following the death of fellow candidate Erik Nunn, who had come in second in the Primary, Agopian became Glover’s challenger in the General election, that fall. He was unable to beat Glover in that race.

Then, in 2010, instead of running for reelection to the school board, Agopian ran for the Antioch City Council and was elected.

In 2011, he toyed with the idea of running for Congress, but later decided against it.

As councilman, Agopian helped lead efforts to clean up graffiti in Antioch and led the effort to renegotiate the city’s police contract, in 2012, that changed the retirement plan for new hires, saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

Later that year he decided to run for Mayor of Antioch, but came in second, behind Wade Harper.

Agopian was an active member of Golden Hills Community Church, where he served as a greeter on Sunday mornings. He had also been involved in the Youth Intervention Network as a family counselor.

Agopian leaves behind Robin, his daughter Heather, son-in-law Ryan Renard and their baby, and sons Corey and Jason, and Gary’s mother Nancy.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m., at Golden Hills Community Church, 2401 Shady Willow Lane off Lone Tree Way, in Brentwood.

 

Congressman Jerry McNerney will host an open house on Monday, July 21 from 4 to 5:30 pm at his Antioch District Office, located at 4703 Lone Tree Way, inside the Antioch Community Center.

The congressman and members of his staff will be on hand to provide information to residents of the Antioch area about the services and assistance his office can provide.

WHERE: Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, 94531

WHEN: Mon., Jul. 21, 2014, 4-5:30 pm

By John Crowder

At their June 24 meeting the Antioch City Council heard a presentation, and numerous citizen objections, on a proposed transit oriented residential development project for downtown Antioch.

City Manager Steve Duran provided the council with information supporting the authorization he was seeking to send out a “Request for Qualifications and Proposals to initiate the solicitation process for a development team to develop a residential transit oriented/infill project on sites owned by the City of Antioch.”

“The sites are located on the east end of Antioch’s historic downtown and the development proposal is to include the construction of a new 10,000 square foot Senior Center on a city owned site to be determined,” Duran stated

The proposal calls for the solicitation of a “highly qualified development team” to essentially construct townhouses or similar “medium-density residential” properties on the east end of downtown, immediately adjacent to the Rivertown Business District.

According to Duran, this is an “opportune time to move forward aggressively with what will be a catalyst project for downtown revitalization” because the city controls the sites in question and there is currently an upturn in the housing market.

Duran indicated that the Planning Commission considered rezoning the area to higher density at 20 units per acre, but wanted to see a development proposal prior to making such a recommendation.

Duran called the area in question, “the one opportunity for a catalyst project that can move forward quickly.” He cited, as support for this contention, the location of the area, adjacent to the Rivertown Business District and with great river views, the fact that the city owned the sites and could move the project forward without assembling parcels, and the currently favorable economy.

“If we want to get going on downtown revitalization, now is the time,” Duran added.

Members of the public speaking before the council on the matter, however, expressed opposition to the proposal. Fred Hoskins objected to the plan to tear down the current senior center in order to obtain more land for the project and to construct a new center elsewhere.

“I don’t find our senior center inadequate,” he said. “The only thing that I find at the senior center that needs improvement is the kitchen.”

Kerry Motts, President of the Rivertown Preservation Society also opposed the project.

“[It’s| time to consider the views and desires of the community,” he stated “That is the opposite of what has happened.”

He characterizing the parcel at the corner of 3^rd and E street, known as the old Antioch lumber company property, as, “arguably the most valuable piece of property in the city of Antioch.”

“It has a singularly unique view, and access to the river delta, as well as being within a block of Antioch’s founding site. It sits at the heart of every event that has ever occurred in Rivertown. This property deserves to be a shared property of all the citizens of Antioch, not just the lucky few who would be residents,” he added.

Instead of housing, Motts wanted to see a park built there.

Joette Bright, a member of the Arts and Cultural Foundation of Antioch, echoed Motts’ concerns and request for a park. She quoted extensively from sections of the General Plan regarding development of the downtown area.

“Housing is not a legacy anyone will remember you for,” she implored. “Set aside this parcel for posterity,”

Antioch School Board President Joy Motts, a lifelong resident of Antioch and Rivertown added her thoughts.

“I’m extremely concerned about the City of Antioch’s proposal for the development of both the senior center parcel and the adjacent vacant parcel located at 2^nd and E Street for the plans for high density housing,” she said.

She added that the RPS group had reached out to the city to talk abut downtown plans, but they were rebuffed.

“Not one person from the City of Antioch has reached out to the Rivertown community for any discussion about this development,” Motts stated.

With reference to the vacant lot at 2^nd and E Street, she noted the great view from the property.

“It is surrounded by homes that also have that wonderful view. Many of these homes that surround that parcel have been there for over 80 years. It is the wish of these homeowners and the Rivertown community that this view be protected, not only for ourselves, but for the citizens of Antioch,” Motts continued. “A park on this property could host community events.”

She name several such possibilities, from summer concerts to farmer’s markets. She stated that a park on the site would provide a reason for people to purchase homes in Rivertown.

Chris Valenta, with the best reference to classic European literature we’ve seen in a while, stated that developing the vacant lot east of E Street would be, “like selling your soul to the devil.” He called the parcel, “Antioch’s heritage,” and stated that it should be developed in a way that would, “be a tribute to our veterans.”

John Reynolds also objected to further housing development, commenting that there is “nothing to do” in the downtown area.

Following the community input, council members asked further questions of Duran. Mayor Wade Harper asked about meetings with the Rivertown group, Duran responded that he had met with them once.

“We can do all the outreach in the world, it’s not going to get the downtown revitalized,” he added.

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha was particularly concerned that the community have input into any proposed development. In response to questions raised by Rocha, Duran conceded that something the neighborhood could use might be included in the project, but remained adamant that the area being discussed was the wrong location for a park.

Council Member Monica Wilson asked if it was cost prohibitive to continue operating the senior center. Duran told her that, while it was expensive to operate, old, and could use some upgrades, he shared the real reason for including a new senior center.

“If the residential development came right up against the commercial space downtown, it would have more of an impact on the downtown in terms of people using the services downtown,” he said.

Rocha asked if the developer of the site would knock down the old senior center and build a new one.

“That is an unanswered question,” responded Duran, “If it’s not financially feasible, then no. We think it’s feasible, but we can’t know until we test the water.”

Council Member Tony Tiscareno added his views.

“I want us to work with the community,” he said. “But my biggest fear is we’re going to meet, and…there’s going to be no compromise.”

Duran responded that the council should seek more input rather than having just one group voicing their opinion.

“You should have a wide outreach to the entire community, because everybody in town is a stakeholder to the revitalization of this downtown,” he said.

“We want to make sure that all parties, and I’m not talking about the Rivertown community as a whole, but the entire community, has some input in what they want to see in their downtown community,” Tiscareno replied.

Harper moved the matter to conclusion, offering his thoughts.

“We’re got to do something about the downtown area,” he stated. “A lot of community members want to know what we’re going to do about the downtown area…I don’t want another plan to be put on the shelf that doesn’t get done. I think the community that’s here is not the entire community. We need to listen to the entire community, but we do need to maintain the character of this community. Does a park do it? Maybe, maybe not. We can definitely look into it. Nothing is set in stone today. But I think we should keep the dialogue open as we move forward. I want to be a doing council.”

“I don’t think that there’s any rush, but we do have to get things done,” he concluded.

Wilson then made a motion to approve Duran’s proposal, and with Rocha and Tiscareno assured that there would be community input, the council voted 4-0 in favor of moving forward in initiating the solicitation process.

With the cancellation of the July 8 council meeting, the next meeting is scheduled for July 22 at 7:00 p.m.

By John Crowder

At their June 25th meeting the Antioch School Board adopted a budget with about $6.5 million in deficit spending for the 2014-2015 school year and also approved a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) that had been the subject of considerable discussion by local community groups at previous board meetings.

Prior to board approval Tim Forrester, Associate Superintendent-Business and Operations and Mia Cancio, Director, Fiscal Services, provided the board with a power point presentation regarding details of the budget. According to Forrester, the deficit spending in the budget was continuing, “for a very good reason…there are programs we wanted to support.” He emphasized that the amount of deficit spending in the current budget was less than that of the previous year, and that it would continue to decline, reaching slightly over $10,000 in the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

Forrester also noted several challenges involved with putting the budget together, including the fact that student enrollment in the district was continuing to decline, the unpredictability of special education costs, potential increases in CalPERS and CalSTRS contributions and uncertainty concerning the impact of costs associated with the Affordable Care Act.

Following Forrester’s presentation, Cancio discussed the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) which, along with the LCAP, had been the focus of so much recent concern in the community. Several community groups had been requesting that the Supplemental and Concentration Funds, generated by the number of high-needs students in the district, be used solely to increase services for these students, and not for the population as a whole. In explaining the rationale for district spending, Cancio quoted from a portion of the education code.

“(A school district) may demonstrate it has increased or improved services for (high-needs students) by using funds to upgrade the entire educational program of…a school district…(when it has) an enrollment (of high-needs students) in excess of 55% of the district’s total enrollment,” she said.

The number of high-needs students in Antioch is over 67%. Cancio also presented a slide listing programs, including expenditures, that she said would benefit such students.

Board members, responding to community concerns, commented on the budget process, including the work involving the LCAP.

Board Member Barbara Cowan said that, although it was necessary to approve the LCAP because they were “on a deadline,” it was nonetheless a “living, breathing document.”

Board Member Claire Smith echoed her comments, noting, “the budget can always change.”

“The reality is, the process is going to continue,” Board Vice President Gary Hack added.

In other news, the board informed the community that Scott Bergerhouse had been appointed principal of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School (DLMHS), effective immediately. He replaces Nancie Castro, who had been the principal of the school since its inception eight years ago.

Two members of the public protested the change in DLMHS leadership during the meeting. Mimi Metu, a recent graduate who had also been the student representative from DLMHS to the board for the last year, told the board that it was wrong for Castro to be demoted. Edgar Osorio, past president of the DLMHS Parent-Student-Teacher Association (PTSA) told the board that the move, “sounds like retaliation to me.” DLMHS teachers have been engaged in a fierce struggle for control of the school since 23 of the school’s teachers, 88%, filed a petition to make it an independent charter school in February.

Cheryl Cooper, board president for RAAMP Charter School, noted that Monday would be the last day for that school to be in operation. She expressed concern that the district was back pedaling on their commitment to “ensure the emotional well-being of our students.”

Two other members of the public also spoke up about concerns regarding their children’s education. One spoke about trying to establish an IEP for her son for over a year, but being met with continuing delays, while the other stated that she had been assaulted by the mother of a teacher on the Lone Tree Elementary School campus, and that she had found it necessary to bring the police into the matter. In response to the latter comment, Board Member Diane Gibson-Gray asked that she leave her contact information with staff so that, it can be passed on to the next level.

The adjournment of the meeting brought to a conclusion board meetings for the current school year. The next scheduled board meeting, beginning the 2015-2016 school year, is scheduled for August 13. Meetings are held at the district office at 510 G Street, typically beginning at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

Melody’s Dancers perform for the crowd.

By Corporal J McMurry, Antioch Police Department

Our investigation into the shooting of an 11-year-old male on Thursday morning, July 3, 2014, has led to the identification and arrest of a 14-year-old male as the responsible party. The responsible was arrested Thursday night at approximately 11:45 PM. He was booked at the Antioch Police Department for the above listed charges and later transferred to Juvenile Hall.

The victim in this case remains hospitalized in stable condition, and it is unknown when he will be released.

We are continuing our investigation into this incident. If anyone has information related to this case, they can call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. Tips can also be sent anonymously via text message to CRIMES (274637), with the keyword ANTIOCH.

By Acting Sergeant Wisecarver, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 10:01 PM, Antioch Police Officers were driving through the area near the 1600 Block of Sycamore Drive, when they heard several gunshots coming from the alleyway. The Officers worked their way through a large crowd of people to find two gunshot victims on the ground. One victim is a 24 year old male. The second victim is a 30 year old male. Both victims suffered non-life threatening gunshot injuries. They were both transported to area hospitals for treatment.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact the Antioch Police Dept. at (925) 778-2441. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.