By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Friday, November 1, 2013 at approximately 6:01 PM, Antioch Police Department patrol officers responded to a residence on Ashford Court on a report of a marijuana grow. They arrived at the home and confirmed a large scale marijuana cultivation operation. Investigators were called in and ultimately seized approximately 442 marijuana plants from the home along with marijuana cultivation equipment. The case is still being investigated by the Antioch Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Mortimer with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6941. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

PITTSBURG: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Los Medanos College (LMC) a 5-year, NSF S-STEM grant of $625,611 to support the college’s efforts to establish an LMC STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Achievement) Scholars Program. This program will provide scholarships and support services for academically talented and low-income STEM students.

The LMC STEM Scholars Program will establish up to 116 scholarships, each between $3,000 and $5,000 annually, to approximately 50-65 individual full-time, academically talented and financially disadvantaged STEM students during years Two through Five of the grant. Year One of the grant will be dedicated to program start-up, such as development of resources, supplies, policies and procedures, and recruitment activities. In Years Two through Five, approximately 25 scholarships will be given awarded to students attending LMC. Additionally, in each of Years Three through Five, five scholarships will be awarded to STEM Scholars who transfer to four-year universities as STEM majors. The program will increase the numbers of traditionally underserved, low-income STEM students who obtain STEM degrees, transfer to four-year universities as STEM majors, and ultimately launch into successful STEM careers.

An LMC STEM student is defined as a student who is pursuing an Associate of Science degree or Bachelor of Science transfer path, majoring in one or more of the following calculus-based STEM programs: Biological Sciences, Computer Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences or Physical Sciences. While LMC’s existing MESA Program will provide the infrastructure for the STEM Scholars Program, awardees will retain a distinct identity as a community of learners, an identity fostered via the unique opportunities available to the STEM Scholars cohort.

The grant will help support some of LMC’s program objectives focusing on STEM major success, completion and transfer rates. These include:

1. Increase the proportion of Latino & African American STEM majors who meet their degree and transfer goals to more closely match the equivalent success rates of those ethnic populations across disciplines at LMC.
2. At least 75% of STEM Scholars will complete an Associate degree and/or transfer to a four-year university in a STEM field within three years.
3. Provide robust programmatic infrastructure to ensure increasing success rates within the STEM Scholars Cohort.
4. Expand and enrich learning and career placement opportunities by requiring STEM Scholars to participate in relationship-building activities with industry partners (career exploration, job shadowing, mentorships, internships, and research activities).

“Los Medanos College is gratified by NSF’s award to support the launch of our STEM Scholars Program”, explained LMC President Bob Kratochvil. “Each scholarship is intended to provide sufficient funds for students to attend school full-time without having to also work, enabling them to direct their talents and energy toward their educational goals.  We believe this grant will play a key role in meeting our program objectives related to completion and achievement rates for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math majors – all leading to student success and career opportunities for our STEM scholars.”

For more information about the STEM Scholars Program, visit www.losmedanos.edu/stem or contact Carol Hernandez at 925-439-2181 extension 3437.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, October 30, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act.  The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act provides tax credits for small businesses to hire people who were previously unemployed.  The bill also includes additional tax credits for small businesses located in high unemployment areas. 

“It is vital that we attract and retain small business owners in our community.  Small businesses are a leading job creator and provide stability to our local economy.  My bill will help these businesses to thrive and grow, especially in areas like the San Joaquin Valley that continue to be the hardest hit by the current economic climate,” said Congressman McNerney.

Small businesses serve as the backbone of our economy and are the leading American job growth engine.  They also play a vital role in hiring and training people in underserved communities all across the country.  There are many small businesses that want to grow and create jobs but find it challenging to accomplish those goals in the current lending climate. 

“In our community, far too many people remain out of work through no fault of their own.  We must do more to address high unemployment rates both in our region and across the country.  The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act will help to ensure that small businesses have the resources needed to succeed and expand,” said Congressman McNerney.  “I am committed to spurring economic growth in the Valley, and that starts with attracting new businesses as well as helping our current small businesses to thrive.”

Providing tax credits to these small businesses will help create job opportunities and grow the economy.

The specific provisions of the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act are:  

·A tax credit of 7.5 percent of wages earned by an employee in 2014, and five percent in 2015, applicable to the first $75,000 of an employee’s salary

·A tax credit of 15 percent in 2014, and 10 percent in 2015, as above, in counties with an unemployment rate higher than the national rate

For a small business to be eligible to receive these credits, they must meet the following criteria: 

·Revenue of $20 million or less or no more than 100 full-time employees

New hires for which small businesses would receive these tax credits must:

·Be full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week

·Have been certified as eligible for unemployment compensation during the previous year

The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act received the support of:

“It appears that this legislation is a real attempt to attack from two directions.  It will help small businesses prosper and at the same time to assist qualified workers in getting back into the workforce.” – Doug Wilhoit, CEO, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

“Thank you, Congressman McNerney, for introducing the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act and for always fighting to support small businesses. Small businesses need tax relief and this legislation will give tax incentives to small businesses for hiring unemployed workers. I welcome its passage.”  – Paulett Amous-Gross, President, African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County

“The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act has come at the right time. Small businesses are the innovators of job growth and providing them with tax incentives to employ workers can make a difference in our region.  Thank you, Congressman McNerney, for introducing this legislation.” – Dennis Lee, President, Central Valley Asian-American Chamber of Commerce   

“The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act is important for small business owners.  We need all the tax savings possible and this bill will help small business owners create more jobs.” – Dr. Derron Lee, owner of Midtown Optometry in Stockton

“The introduction of the Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act by Congressman McNerney is good news for small businesses and their employees. Legislation that incentivizes small employers with 100 employees or fewer to grow their businesses and create jobs will help strengthen our economy and move us further down the path to recovery. What’s more, this bill encourages small employers to hire workers who were previously unemployed, which will lower our unemployment rate, put more money in the pockets of consumers and bolster small employers’ bottom lines.” –  John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority

The Small Business Relief and Job Creation Act is cosponsored by Reps. Napolitano and McLeod.

By Allen Payton

The financial reports of the yes on Measure C campaign, officially known as Citizens for a Safe Antioch in Support of Measure C, campaigning to get voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase in Antioch, disclose that the $44,170 that’s been raised to date has predominantly come from outside of the community. The latest reports are dated October 19.

The largest contributions include $10,000 from the Building Industry Association of Northern California, $5,000 from Allied Waste, $5,000 from the California Association of Realtors PAC, and the most, $13,650 came from the California Apartment Association, which opposed the landlord fee the council majority chose to not put on the ballot.

Only $1,350 of reported contributions came from Antioch-based interests or individuals, including Roddy Ranch Golf Management and Gloria Martin

As for where the committee spent their money, they bought signs from a company in Oakdale, paid for someone in Chico to design the signs, printers in San Francisco and the consultant (the same one who ran Harper’s, Rocha’s and Tiscareno’s campaigns, last year), who is based in Concord. So much for shopping local.

Wade Harper signed the forms as the Principal Officer and Martha Parsons as the Committee Treasurer.

The campaign finance reports are public documents available for anyone to read and obtain a copy of at the Antioch City Clerk’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 3rd and H Streets.

No formal opposition has developed, although two men have made and displayed No on Measure C signs, including Fred Hoskins and Karl Dietzel.

This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that 7,800 support staff members are being furloughed at regional offices around the country. On Wednesday, October 9, 2013, VA Secretary Shinseki testified in a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing on how the current, temporary government cutback will affect claims processing.  There is already a severe backlog in the processing of claims at the VA regional offices.  Upon hearing the news of the furlough and after questioning Sec. Shinseki, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) introduced the Veterans Services Support Act to ensure that Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion can continue to work alongside VA employees at VA regional offices during the shutdown, providing invaluable assistance to the Nation’s veterans.

“The furloughing of nearly 8,000 staff members at the VA is only making a bad situation worse.  Veterans depend on being able to call their regional office to check on their claims, and with the support staff missing, many of these calls may go unanswered.  VSOs provide a critical role in helping veterans develop claims, assisting VA employees, and making sure veterans have all of the information they need to submit their claims,” said Congressman McNerney.  “My bill is a commonsense solution to make sure these volunteers can continue their work with our veterans and help their claims to be processed despite the government shutdown.”

VSOs provide valuable volunteer assistance to veterans and their families throughout the country, helping veterans maneuver the VA system and navigate the complex claims application process.  VSO representatives often work in VA regional offices, acting as liaisons between veterans and VA employees and providing guidance and expertise to claims processors.  VSOs are an essential component of the VA and provide invaluable assistance to our nation’s veterans.  Unfortunately, the government cutback has prevented VSOs from providing their expert volunteer service at VA regional offices, despite the fact that these are completely volunteer organizations, operating at no expense to the federal government.

The halt in funding for the VA has already led to claims processing delays for 1,400 veterans per day.  Before the shutdown, employees who process benefits claims had been working overtime to help reduce the backlog of claims, but the government shutdown has led to overtime being eliminated.  Without action, the already large backlog of disability claims stands to increase dramatically.

“The brave men and women who have served our country deserve to receive the benefits they have earned.  They have sacrificed to protect our way of life, and it is our responsibility to take action to make sure that we honor their service.  The Veterans Services Support Act will ensure that VSOs can continue to do the good work they do for our veterans,” said Congressman McNerney.

The Veterans Services Support Act is cosponsored by Rep. Walter Jones, Rep. Corrine Brown, Rep. Mike Thompson, and Rep. Rush Holt.

“On behalf of the 2.4 million members of The American Legion, I would like to express support for the Veterans Service Support Act. VSOs provide valuable volunteer assistance to veterans and their families throughout the country, helping veterans maneuver the VA system and navigate the complex claims application process.   Unfortunately, the government shutdown has prevented VSOs from providing their expert volunteer service to veterans at VA regional offices.  Your legislation would ensure those VSOs continue to provide their critical service, even as disruptions in government funding stymie the regular operation of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  This critical lifeline of aid is vital, and your bill has the vision to see past partisan politics and make sure those best able to help America’s veterans are able to do so. Again, The American Legion supports passage of this legislation, and applauds your leadership in addressing this critical issue facing our nation’s service members and veterans.” – Daniel M. Dellinger, National Commander, American Legion

“Veterans’ claims are time-sensitive. This legislation will ensure that the veterans are not penalized because of closed VA offices. This legislation will keep the pipeline open for claims by veterans and their dependents and help protect their date of claim, and this bill will ensure that VSOs will continue to have access to help veterans with their claims.” – Ron Green, San Joaquin County Veterans’ Services Officer

“As the commander of American Legion District 11, I want to thank Congressman McNerney for all his support for veterans and keeping our concerns and welfare a priority. It is critical that during this government shutdown the veterans of our region still have access to their VSOs to help them with the claims process.” – Tino Adame, Commander of American Legion District 11

You can view the video of Congressman McNerney questioning Sec. Shinseki at Wednesday’s hearing here.

Only 18% of the federal government workers are currently on furlough and 82% are still at work during what some are calling the government “shutdown.”

Frazier, DeSaulnier support another anti-family bill by a San Francisco legislator

Commentary by Allen Payton

Once again, California’s Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that undermines the family and morality in our state.

This time he signed into law a bill, SB 274, by Democrat Senator Mark Leno from San Francisco, allowing children to legally have more than two parents. Brown vetoed a similar bill, last year.

According to a press release from Leno’s office, “Senate Bill 274 allows courts to recognize the rights and responsibilities of each parent if recognizing only two parents would be detrimental to the child.”

It was sponsored by the Children’s Advocacy Institute and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

SB 274 becomes state law on January 1, 2014.

Also, once again, Antioch’s representatives in Sacramento, State Assemblyman Jim Frazier and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier have both voted for this type of legislation, allowing San Francisco morals to permeate our state. (See vote info here)

Earlier this year they voted for what I call the gender-bender bathroom bill for school children (AB 1266 by San Francisco Democrat Assemblyman Tom Ammiano), allowing kids to determine what sex they and then use the bathrooms and locker rooms of the opposite sex, as well as the bill (AB 154) making it easier to get an abortion, by allowing non-doctors to perform the medical procedure. (See vote info here and here)

Why do the Democrats in Sacramento do this? Because they coalesce with the LGBT community, which is one of their bases of support during elections.

Fortunately, a referendum effort is in process on

I’m pretty sure that voters of Contra Costa, Eastern Alameda and Solano Counties didn’t elect either Frazier, a self-proclaimed Catholic nor the Jesuit-educated DeSaulnier, to approve of such legislation. We sent them to Sacramento to solve our economic and budget problems. And that’s what they should be focusing on and resisting this type of legislation. It’s time they both grew backbones and stood up to the extreme elements in their party and legislators in our capital and voted against them and their anti-family bills.

If you’d like to help gather signatures to put the referendum on the ballot to repeal AB 1266, visit http://privacyforallstudents.com/.

AB 417 Will Significantly Improve Bicycle Transportation in Cities and Counties

Sacramento, CA – Today Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 417 authored by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Oakley) that streamlines the CEQA process for bicycle transportation plans. “AB 417 is a common sense approach to a much needed change,” said Frazier.

AB 417 will provide a narrow exemption for bicycle transportation plans in urbanized areas and will ensure public participation and address traffic and safety impacts.

“This bill corrects the unanticipated consequences of CEQA,” said Dave Snyder from the California Bicycle Coalition, “and will allow cities to calm their traffic, install bicycle lanes, and improve bike parking and signage without enduring millions of dollars in expense and incurring years of delay.”

Biking has become a common mode of transportation for the daily commuter and is a proactive way for the public to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emission and improve personal health. These streamlined plans will significantly improve biking conditions and expand transportation networks in cities and counties.

“Transportation is my number one priority,” said Frazier. “AB 417 is just a start to what I hope to accomplish for transportation projects in California because a quality transportation network is essential to economic growth.”

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) is seeking nominations from the community to recognize Unsung Heroes for their little-known, unique and/or aspiring contributions that he/she has made for students.  Awards will be given out in eight categories: Faculty, Classified Staff, Manager, Student, Alumni, Retiree, Volunteer and Community Partner, at the District’s 65th anniversary showcase event on Saturday, December 7, 2013.

“The public can nominate someone from any of these categories they feel has contributed to the District and has made a difference in the lives of students,” says Unsung Heroes coordinator Michele Jackson.  “Our success depends on the contribution of many people, organizations, and community partners, and this recognition gives us the opportunity to thank them for their support.”

To nominate an Unsung Hero, complete the application by visiting the District’s 65^th Anniversary website at www.4cd.edu and click on “Unsung Hero Nomination Form”.  A selection committee will review the applications, select the awardees, and make the presentations at the District’s 65^th anniversary showcase event scheduled at the Universal Sports Academy, 330, Ferry Street, Martinez, beginning at Noon.  Deadline for nominations is Thursday, October 31, 2013.

The showcase event will feature programs and services offered by the District through its colleges – Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and the San Ramon Campus, and Los Medanos College and the Brentwood Center.  Live entertainment and family fun will be provided, and attendees can learn more about the educational resources and community partnerships the District enjoys.

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.