Antioch Police Department Civilian Employee of the Year Virginia Johnson and Officer of the Year James Colley.  photo courtesy of Antioch Police Department

James Colley is Antioch Police Officer of the Year

By John Crowder

On Thursday, May 15, the Antioch Police Department honored their outstanding employees, retirees, and citizens who had contributed to the success of the department at a ceremony held in City Hall.

Acting Captain Aguinaga (left), who was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, with Lt. Robin Kelley.  photo courtesy of APD

Captain Leonard Orman opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone, and later acknowledging the local dignitaries in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Acting Captain Diane Aguinaga, and an invocation was given by Reverend Robert Rien of Antioch’s St. Ignatius Church.

Chief Allan Cantando presented the awards during the ceremony. As each person being honored was called forward, he made a point of sharing a personal story and thanking them for their contributions. Officer James Colley was selected by his peers as the Officer of the Year, while Virginia Johnson was named the Civilian employee of the Year. Distinguished Service Awards went to Acting Captain Aguinaga and Sergeant Tarra Nissen, while Officer Ryan Andelin was recognized for 10 years of service.

Several officers received Meritorious Service Awards, including Officers Wardell Carter, Ted Chang, Rick Hofman, Martin Hynes, Christopher Kidd, Kristopher Kint, James Perkinson, and Police K9 “Bo.” Virginia Johnson was also recognized for her work in Support Services, while Frank Rupani was honored as Reserve Sergeant.

Chief Allan Cantando with retiring Sergeants Mitch Schwitters and Robert Quintero. photo courtesy of Antioch Police Department

Three officers and a civilian were recognized for acting to save lives, including Officers Meghan Miller, Shawn Morin, and Ryan McDonald, and citizen Kevin Brady. Brady and McDonald had worked together to save the life of Brady’s neighbor, Donald Cooper, after he suffered a heart attack last year at his residence.

Two people received Citizen Service Citations. Roxanna Ramirez Del Rio was honored for her role in helping Antioch police quickly locate a young girl who had been kidnapped earlier this year. Emphasizing how critical time is in such cases, Chief Cantando noted that Del Rio’s action had saved the girl’s life.

Hailey Hartrick, a 12-year-old Antioch girl, was also lauded for her efforts to raise money for ballistic vests for the K9 unit. Hartrick ended up raising close to $12,000 for the cause by hosting numerous fundraising events.

Reserve Officer Chris Ming retired after more than 29 years with the Antioch Police Department. photo courtesy of APD

Cantando also presented plaques to retirees. They included medical retirements for Sergeant Scott Freier and Officers Diane Freier, Preston Garcia, Chris Walters, and Joe Zanarini. Chris Ming retired as a Reserve Officer. Service retirements included Captain Steve McConnell, Lieutenant Pat Welch, Sergeants Steve Bias, Robert Quintero, and Mitch Schwitters, Officers Vince Augusta and Kevin Kollo and Lead Dispatchers Karen Rezentes and Maria Spainhower.

By John Crowder

At the May 13 meeting of the Antioch City Council, city staff asked for direction from the Council with respect to a citizen’s proposal for the implementation of a residential landlord rental tax. City Manager Steven Duran explained that the idea for the tax was put forward over a year ago, and an initiative proposal was now gathering signatures in support of the idea.

A group known as the Friday Morning Breakfast Club (FMBC) is currently spearheading the signature gathering effort in support of the tax. FMBC was founded in February, 2009, by three local political figures, Arne Simonsen (currently Antioch City Clerk), Don Freitas (former Mayor of Antioch), and Gary Gilbert. According to Simonsen, FMBC was founded as a kind of “think tank,” made up of people from all different political parties and ethnicity’s, but who could “disagree but not become disagreeable.” Their focus, was to consider “what is best for Antioch.” Since its inception, the group has grown to approximately sixty members, with about twenty showing up at any given meeting. Former Mayor Freitas usually chairs the meetings, which typically involve listening to invited speakers followed by open discussion of issues.

Several members of the FMBC came forward during Tuesday’s Council meeting in order to express support for a Rental Tax. Freitas spoke first, describing FMBC as a group of “civic-minded individuals.” He stated that they wanted to see a “stable, secure, source of revenue” for the city, and noted that Measure C is a temporary measure. “Rental units are a business,” he went on to say, “we always want to treat business in a fair and equitable manner.” He further commented that he thought it was wrong that those operating this type of business did not contribute financially to the city, and that the Rental Tax proposal would correct that inequity. “Nobody likes taxes and assessments, but everybody wants municipal services provided,” he continued.

Larry Harrison, a 45-year resident of Antioch spoke following Freitas. He told the Council that even though gathering signatures was, “out of his comfort zone,” as a consulting civil engineer, he considered the Rental Tax important enough for him to put forth effort to see it placed on the ballot in November.

Marty Fernandez then spoke in support of the measure, noting that he, also, had been out getting people to sign the petition for the Rental Tax. Marie Livingston noted that there were about 12,000 rental units in Antioch, that the fee would generate approximately $2.7 million in revenue, and that rental units in town generated a greater requirement for police services. Local real estate broker, Mark Jordan, said that, even though he owns rental property in Antioch, he supports the Rental Tax. He said that, as an Antioch resident, he was willing to pay more out of basic fairness.

After several others also spoke in favor of the Rental Tax, Council members commented on the issue. All spoke in support of the idea. Harper stated that he had, “made a commitment to support the tax.” Council Member Monica Wilson said, in reference to the idea being brought forth previously, “I supported it then, I support it now.” The rest of the Council, Rocha, Tiscareno and Agopian also expressed support.

Following their discussion, the Council voted 5-0 to direct the city manager to continue discussions with stakeholder groups, including FMBC, and to return with a staff recommendation for a tax initiative at the council’s next meeting on May 27^th.

Another potential tax change, presented by Duran, was to increase the Business License minimum tax from $25 to $100. Harper asked Duran if it would make passage of a measure more difficult by putting more than one thing on the ballot. “Yes,” he said, but noted that he did not think the increase was too substantial, given that the $25 fee had been established in the 1940’s. The staff report provided to the Council indicated that both Brentwood and Oakley already had minimum business license taxes of $100 in place.

There will be lots of positions to be filled!

WHAT: The Contra Costa County Fair will be holding a Job Fair and interviews on Saturday May 17th. Applications and interviews will take place for the 2014 Contra Costa Contra Costa County Fair which will be held Thursday May 29th – Sunday June 1st. Available positions include but are not limited to: parking and ticket sellers, ticket takers, parking attendants, customer service representatives, janitorial staff, maintenance staff, security guards and more.

Fair Management and Department Supervisors are looking for people with a strong work ethics and a high level of customer service who want to be part of the Contra Costa County Fair event. Interested applicants must bring their photo ID and a social security card to the Job Fair. Applications will be available to fill out on-site or are available on-line in advance at www.contracostafair.com.

WHEN: Saturday, May 17th from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Contra Costa County Fairgrounds Office, 1201 West 10th Street, Antioch, CA 94509

WHY: Each year the Contra Costa County Fair hires roughly 50 – 100 people to work at the annual event, not including the local employees hired directly by our individual food vendors, carnival providers and Livestock department.

We are looking for top-notch workers who believe in keeping the Contra Costa County Fair a place where families can expect superior customer service. The goal with the Job Fair is to create a greater level of awareness among Contra Costa County residents that these job opportunities exist at the Contra Costa County Fair. The fact that we are hiring hard working local residents creates a big opportunity for those looking for work.

By John Crowder

Judge Laurel Brady issued her decision, on Thursday, May 1, 2014, following a hearing last Monday in a case filed by the petitioner teachers of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School (DLMHS) against the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD). In it, she affirms her tentative decision issued last Friday, granting the injunction requested by teachers at the school to prevent AUSD, et. al, “from converting anything related to Dozier-Libbey Medical School to the Dozier-Libbey Medical School, a dependent charter school, during the pendency of the action.”

In her decision, Judge Brady acknowledges both the novelty and complexity of the case, saying, “This is a unique situation and series of events with little case law or legislative history that is helpful. It is also not only an analysis of the statutory and case law that applies, but requires a careful review and analysis of the actions taken by the parties.”

As previously reported, the issue of whether or not the action taken by AUSD involved the conversion of a school to a charter, or if it was a start-up, as AUSD contended, was critical to the analysis conducted by Judge Brady. She said, “…if Respondants [AUSD], although labeling it a start up charter school, in fact created a conversion charter school, they did not fulfill the requirements of the statute and the Petitioners [DLMHS teachers] (are) likely to prevail.”

Judge Brady went on to note five actions taken by AUSD that she used to determine that AUSD had, “although labeling it as a start up charter school, really created a conversion charter school.” Her opinion reads, “The court noted the following:

1. Respondants selected the same or very similar name for the new charter school as the existing school

2. The new charter school was to be located in the same location/campus as the existing school.

3. Respondants assigned the same school district code numbers for the school. (Logically, these codes would be different for a new start up school)

4. Respondants assigned the same API scores as the existing school (these API scores would not apply to a start up school)

5. The notice indicated that existing students would get preference at the new charter school (which is a requirement of a conversion school not a start up).”

Even with today’s ruling, however, the final dispensation of DLMHS is not yet settled. The teachers who filed the petition to convert DLMHS to an independent charter must still obtain approval for their proposal. It was rejected by the AUSD School Board on March 19th, and appealed to the Contra Costa County Board of Education following that action. The County Board will conduct a public hearing on the matter on May 7th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Middle School multipurpose room, 1 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill.

By John Crowder

Crime statistics for the city of Antioch during the first quarter of 2014 showed mixed results, with the total number of crimes reported rising from 1,243 in the same quarter last year to 1,278 from January to March of the current year. This represents an increase of 2.8% in total crimes reported.

Antioch Chief of Police Allan Cantando gave a presentation on crime statistics to the Antioch City Council at their meeting on Tuesday, April 22.

On the positive side, total violent crime (homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) decreased by 11.6%. All areas showed a reduction except rape, which increased by 200%. Chief Cantando explained that the increase in rape was attributable to redefining the crime, which resulted in incidents now being reportable which previously were not. According to the police report, total violent crimes for the quarter numbered 199. Cantando noted that the police had been focusing their efforts on reducing crimes against persons.

The increase in the number of crimes committed in Antioch was primarily attributable to an increase in property crimes. There were 1079 incidents of property crime (burglary, theft, and auto theft) during the first quarter, compared with 1018 in the first quarter of last year. Most of the increase was attributable to auto theft, which rose from 209 to 269 incidents, an increase of 28.7%. The statistics for burglary and theft almost offset each other, with burglaries rising by 11 and thefts falling by 10.

Police response time continued to improve. Cantando pointed to a decrease in Priority 1 response time, measuring the time elapsed from this type of call being received to police arriving on-scene. For the first quarter, response time averaged 10 minutes, 12 seconds, as compared to a response time of 10 minutes, 30 seconds for the year 2013 and 11 minutes, 4 seconds during 2012.

Cantando also provided the Council an update with respect to the number of sworn positions in the department. He provided statistics showing that 86 full-time positions are currently filled. However, 6 of those are in FTO, and another 8 are out on injury. This leaves Antioch with 72 sworn positions on full-duty.

In related news, speakers continue to come forward during the public comments periods of Council meetings to decry the criminal activity they say is taking place openly in and around Deer Valley Plaza. This has been particularly concerning because of the proximity of the shopping center to Deer Valley High School.

By John Crowder

Judge Laurel Brady has issued a tentative ruling in a case filed by the petitioner teachers of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School (DLMHS) against the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD). In it, she grants the injunction requested by teachers at the school to prevent AUSD, et. al, “from converting anything related to Dozier-Libbey Medical School to the Dozier-Libbey Medical School, a dependent charter school, during the pendency of the action.” A final ruling on the matter is expected this Friday.

AUSD personnel, in response to a majority of the teachers at DLMHS (88% of the certificated teaching staff) filing a petition to convert the school to a charter school, filed a petition with the AUSD School Board (Board) of their own. In it, they proposed what they referred to as a “dependent charter school” that would remain under the control of the district. Subsequently, the Board denied the teacher’s petition for a conversion charter school, and approved the district proposed dependent charter school at a packed meeting on March 19th.

One of the key issues in the case is whether or not the AUSD’s proposal was a start-up charter school, as district personnel claimed, or if it was in actuality a conversion of an existing school. This is an important issue to be decided, as the legal requirements differ when converting a school to a charter as opposed to starting a charter school. For example, the signature requirements differ between the two scenarios. In a conversion of an existing school to a charter school, a petition is required to have signatures of 50% of the existing teaching staff. As noted earlier, the conversion petition submitted by the teachers had signatures from 88% of the current teaching staff, while the petition submitted by the district does not have signatures of any current DLMHS teachers.

In her tentative ruling, Judge Brady stated, “Plaintiffs [DLMHS teachers] have shown that the Defendants [AUSD personnel] have performed a de facto conversion of DLMHS.”

In the analysis provided with her decision, Judge Brady notes that one of the factors that must be evaluated by the court with respect to whether a preliminary injunction should issue is the likelihood the plaintiff will prevail on the merits at trial. Judge Brady concludes that, “Because Plaintiffs’ underlying action is likely to succeed…Plaintiffs’ Application for an Injunction is granted.”

The complete text of the tentative ruling issued by Judge Brady can be found online at the Contra Costa Superior Court website. The case number is MSN14-0453, Dozier-Libbey vs. AUSD.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) are constructing two new connector ramps, one connecting westbound Highway 4 (aka the Bypass) to northbound SR-160, and one connecting southbound SR-160 to eastbound Highway 4. To enhance public safety during construction work, the contractor will be performing road repair on a section of Lane #1 of northbound SR-160. This will require the contractor to close Lane #1 of SR-160 in the northbound direction between SR-4 and the 18th Street/Main Street off-ramp on Thursday evening, April 24, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

The Highway 4 projects include improvements that will help revitalize eastern Contra Costa County. The projects expand Highway 4 from four to eight lanes between Loveridge Road and SR-160, add two connector ramps between Highway 4 and Highway 160, and add a BART extension from Pittsburg to Antioch (eBART). This will greatly improve transit accessibility for the region and help reduce traffic congestion and enhance the quality of life for the more than 250,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County. The projects have been carefully staged to keep 130,000 vehicles per day moving as major construction and demolition work continue, and include over $1.3 billion in State, Federal, Contra Costa Measure C & J sales tax, regional bridge tolls, and other local funds.

Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on all SR-4 corridor closures please visit our website at: http://4eastcounty.org.