By James Ott

City leaders are fighting to maintain some control over redevelopment in Antioch, despite the State’s mostly successful attempt at eliminating California redevelopment agencies. City Council members voted unanimously on January 24 to become the “successor housing agency” to the now defunct Antioch Development Agency.

The successor agency is really only a skeletal husk of the city’s previous development agency. Whereas the now defunct Antioch Development Agency provided the city most of its resources for economic development, infrastructure improvements, elimination of blight and affordable housing projects, the successor agency will not be allowed any funds to create any of those things unless they find some other funding source.

That’s because the new successor agency will not be allowed to keep any funds. The former redevelopment agency’s fund balance will be transferred to the county where it will be redistributed to schools and special districts. According to Community Development Director Tina Wehrmeister, the only real function the successor agency will have at this point is administrative control over outstanding loans and obligations.

The council also voted to re-adopt an amended enforceable payment schedule to continue to make payments on existing projects such as Antioch’s Vista Diablo low-income housing. Back in August of 2011, the Antioch Redevelopment Agency adopted an enforceable payment schedule so that the city could continue to meet its financial obligations during the challenge in the Supreme Court.

As a result of the dissolution act that followed the Supreme Court’s decision, the city is now required to review the payment schedule, make any necessary changes and then re-adopt it. Wehrmeister said that this will allow the city after February 1 to pay only those payments from the former redevelopment agency that are listed in the new payment schedule.

But even making redevelopment payments may not be so easy because the payment schedule has to be reviewed by an oversight committee, the state department of finance and the auditor controller.

“Any of the obligations listed could be called into question or potentially be revoked by any of those that review the list of obligations,” said Wehrmeister.

The city sought outside counsel to help review the new legislation because it was complicated and unclear. Despite the lack of clarity in the law, the outside counsel found enough clear reasons to become the successor agency and adopt the payment schedule.

Wehrmeister said, for example, that the council believes that it’s possible the city can keep future loan repayments and recoup administrative costs because the legislation says that successor agencies are allowed an “administrative cost allowance.” But she also warns that because the law is unclear on some issues the city could take a financial hit to its general fund if future laws happen to deny the city those sources of income.

Despite the risk, city staff felt that the benefits of potentially being able to help those in need outweighed the risks.

“These really are uncharted waters. And not only are they uncharted, but they were unanticipated when the governor and the legislature acted,“ said Council Member Gary Agopian. “The vast uncertainty this creates for the 149 people that live at Vista Diablo, to the other 102,000 people that live in the community who’ve come to rely on these things.”

Some hope on the horizon may come in the form of proposed state legislation that would keep the redevelopment fund balances with the successor agencies as well as other potentially helpful bills, according to Wehrmeister. So far however, no final action by the state legislation has been taken.

Also at the meeting:

A State Route 4 Widening Project update was given by Susan Miller at the council meeting. “This is what we’re calling our billion dollar corridor,” said Miller. “It’s an extremely large project – about $500 million dollars (each) between the freeway improvements and eBART.”

Miller said that the massive project is divided into five construction “packages” or segments as it’s being built along Highway 4. These are the contractors’ current schedules:

• Loveridge segment: June 2011 -December 2013.
• Somersville segment: March 2011 – September 2013.
• Segment 2: the contract has been awarded, some construction beginning now but the main project starts in March 2012 – March 2015.
• Segment 3a or the A Street/Lone Tree Segment: July 2012 – July 2015.
• Segment 3b or the Hillcrest Segment: Late 2012 – Fall 2015.

A final landscaping package will be completed after all the segments have been constructed, although the landscape plans are still about a year away.

CCISCO and the PICO National Network released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement last night to launch a joint investigation into the mortgage crisis:

As clergy and faith leaders on the front lines of what has come to feel like a never-ending housing crisis, we applaud President Obama’s announcement last night that he will be launching a federal investigation into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the crisis.

This is a positive development for the millions of families whose lives have been affected by the reckless conduct of the nation’s largest banks, and for the thousands of everyday people who organized and fought to make last night’s announcement happen. We commend the leadership and courage of Attorneys General Schneiderman, Harris, Biden and others who have continued to demand a stronger settlement and launched their own investigations into the banks.

We will continue to organize to make sure that this investigation holds those responsible for the economic crisis accountable and provides meaningful relief for homeowners commensurate with the scale of the misconduct.

This is the first step towards reaching the broader goal of $300 billion in principal reduction and an additional $50 billion in restitution for those who have lost their homes, especially targeted to the hardest-hit communities. We also need the President to act immediately to make sure that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stop standing in the way of reducing underwater mortgage debt. Only with these pieces in place will we begin to see the housing market, our economy, and our communities make a lasting recovery.

###
The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, 7 different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network and the New Bottom Line Campaign (www.newbottomline.com)

PICO National Network is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. PICO works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through a network of 48 member federations and 10 state networks. More information at www.piconetwork.org.

CCISCO
202 G St., Suite 1 – Mailing: P. O. Box 883
Antioch, CA 94509
P: (925) 779-9302
F: (925) 779-9303
www.ccisco.org

Three or four possible shooters being sought by police

By Lt. Scott Willeford, Antioch Police Department

On Saturday night, January 21, 2012 at 10:36 p.m. Antioch police officers responded to the 5000 block of Wilmont Court, off Judsonville Drive and Golf Course Road in Antioch, for a subject who had been shot. While officers were en-route, police received several other calls of 70 to 80 subjects at the residence with many of them running away. On arrival officers found a total of six gunshot victims at the scene.

Numerous emergency personnel were on scene to triage the multiple victims. The victims were transported to various hospitals in the area by ground and air ambulances. At least one was taken by helicopter from Hansen Park on Nortonville Way and Hansen Drive, according to neighbors of the park.

Due to the large number of subjects and injured parties involved, Antioch Police received assistance from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department and Brentwood Police Department to help the injured, secure the scene and identify the parties involved.

The preliminary investigation revealed the residents were having a large sweet 16 party for their daughter. An argument broke out in the garage area between two groups of subjects; there were approximately 30 to 40 party goers in the garage. Weapons were brandished and numerous shots were fired from multiple guns hitting the subjects listed below.

· 13 year old male Antioch resident

· 21 year old female Antioch resident

· 18 year old male Antioch resident

· 16 year old male Antioch resident

· 16 year old male Antioch resident

· 18 year old male Brentwood resident

The victims’ injuries range from superficial graze wounds to a possible fractured leg and abdomen wound. Some of the victims have been released from the hospital while others are currently in surgery.

The Antioch police are still actively investigating the case and following up on all leads.

This preliminary information is made available by the Field Services Bureau. Anyone with information please call the Antioch Police Department at 778-2441.

Dissolves Redevelopment Agency

By James Ott

An emotional flood of support from residents will keep the Fulton Shipyard open for the foreseeable future.

City Council members voted unanimously to keep the boat ramp open, after business owners, boaters and long-time patrons rallied to fight the closure of the Fulton Shipyard boat ramp at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Although city council members said they were keeping an open mind, the tide seemed turned against the boat ramp after a previous staff report had all but condemned the 53-year-old facility.

In the report, Antioch Police Capt. Stephen J. McConnell said that police were called to the boat ramp 298 times over the last five years to deal with vandalism, stolen vehicles, drug dealing, drug use and assaults, among other crimes.

The same staff report went onto claim that the ramp is a potential pollution hazard because Antioch’s fresh water intake pipe is right next to ramp. Staff said that phone booths, shopping carts, porta potties and cars have all been sunk into the river nearby, potentially leaking hazardous waste into the city’s water supply.

As if it wasn’t looking bad enough for the ramp, the report also said that the old facility is a threat to the income potential of Antioch’s new Marina ramp, which currently charges a $5 fee for boat launches – something the Fulton Shipyard boat ramp does for free.

Despite the bad publicity caused by the staff report, the public outcry at that previous meeting was enough to postpone the closure until more public opinion was gathered. There were plenty of opinions at last Tuesday’s meeting – not one in favor of closing the ramp.

“I’m down there every single day,” said resident Charles Andrew Waters. “This stuff about these drugs and all this bull—- – it’s a bunch of lies. And as far as the maintenance: you guys don’t come down there and paint and replace the bench tops. It’s the citizens who replaced the bench tops and clean the boat ramp. If you would pay attention, you guys would know that. All I ever see is someone taking out the garbage and leaving.”

While not everyone was as strongly worded as Waters, the city council really responded to the speakers – particularly those that offered potential solutions to some of the issues brought up in the staff report.

“Make it a park,” suggested resident Rick Robinson. “We’ve got a beautiful spot. I’d love to go out there and take my grandkids and have lunch and just hang out. That’s what we grew up doing”

Other suggestions included charging the same $5 boat launch fee for the Fulton boat ramp that is charged in the new marina, closing the boat ramp at night to reduce crime, having a volunteer committee to clean up and police the area, and seeking new grant money to improve the aging facility.

Everyone that spoke seemed to volunteer their time and effort towards any activity that would save the ramp. Business owners in the area, such as Red Caboose restaurant owner, Sheila White, said that they are eager to do all that they can because the ramp’s closure could mean the end of their livelihoods.

“I’m here to talk about my business,” said White. “I’ve been there nine years. My husband and I made a pledge that we would keep our business clean, that we would contribute to our community and that we would keep our [business] area clean. I employ 12 people. Six of them live in Antioch and have no other job. If I can’t generate new customers, I can’t maintain my business. I care about this town – my children live here and my grandchildren go to school here. I want to stay in business – it’s important to my family.”

Many spoke about long-held community ties and fond memories of the Fulton boat ramp. Resident and business owner Bill Morel’s story in particular made an impression on the crowd and the council.

“In 1960 my girlfriend then, my wife now of 50 years, we’re watching the moon dance across the waves when Officer Mandervilt came down with his flashlight tapping on my Chevy, wanting to know what we were doing down there.” he said. “I said fishing but…”

In the end city council members were thoroughly convinced that despite a staff report that gave no reason to keep the ramp open, there were in fact, plenty of reasons to do just that.

“Your passion and your concern is obvious,” said council member Gary Agopian. “I think Antioch benefits from having as many ways to access the Delta as possible. There’s people here who are willing and they’re already doing the work – I’ve seen them picking up the trash and painting the graffiti. The more boaters that get on the river from Antioch the better for us.

“Even though we have evidence of crime, I’m not sure how this breaks down. Since it’s free, I’d encourage people to use the new launch as well but … I’m in favor of … working with the citizens who want to maintain it and ensure the area.”

The council voted unanimously to keep the Fulton Shipyard boat ramp open and to have the city manager create a subcommittee within the next 60 days to handle the boat ramp policies and procedures of operation going forward.

In other business…

In response to the State Supreme Court decision to allow the state to disband redevelopment agencies and use the funds for other state obligations, the council voted to dissolve the Antioch Development Agency, the city’s redevelopment agency and suspend all redevelopment activities with the exception of scheduled payments and current obligations, from previously issued bonds.  Staff pointed out that additional actions will be required of the council in the coming months to comply with the court decision, including deciding whether or not the city will serve as the Successor Agency to manage the winding down of responsibilities of the disbanded agency at the council’s January 24th meeting.

The council also voted to eliminate earthquake insurance for both city hall and the police station, saving the city approximately $124,000 in this year’s budget, because it could not find a policy on the open market from a reputable company at a reasonable cost.

The council voted in support of transferring the State Route 4 Bypass to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to be part of State Route 4 and included in the State Highway system, instead of a locally maintained road as it is currently classified. This was the plan from the beginning, and requires the approval of the Cities of Oakley and Brentwood, as well as the State Route 4 Bypass Authority and Caltrans. In addition, part of the agreement with Caltrans includes that agency turning over control to the cities of the current State Route 4, known as Main Street in Oakley and Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood.

City of Antioch Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, 2012

Keynote Address

by Rev. Keith Archuleta

Good afternoon. It is my honor to be before you this afternoon as we commemorate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you were to visit Memphis – and go to the site where Dr. King was assassinated – on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, you would find there not a statue, but a simple plaque, quoting the brothers of Joseph, written in the Book of Genesis Chapter 37:verses 19-20, stating:

Here comes the dreamer. Come now, let us kill him…and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

For there were those who said of King, “Let us kill the dreamer…and see what becomes of his dreams. But, though they may kill the dreamer, they couldn’t kill the dream.

In 1954, in Montgomery, Alabama, King, just 25 years old, began serving as the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, a little church in the heart of the Jim Crow south, as segregation laws were being challenged.

In 1955, a courageous Black woman named Rosa Parks refused to sit in the rear of a public bus, violating Montgomery’s segregation laws and affirming her own dignity. She stood up for justice by sitting down in the front of the bus, the section reserved for whites only. It is in this context that King emerged as a leader of the civil rights movement.

Note that 1955 was still less than 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation and the close of the Civil War. But even though slavery ended, Black people in the south would be free citizens for only a period of less than 15 years.

In 1865, there those who wanted to kill the dream.

Dream killers like the Ku Klux Klan, the first home-grown terrorist group in the US, emerged after Blacks were freed from slavery, and they joined with the aristocracy of the former confederacy to take the south back, back to the days when Black people were a subjugated people.

By the 1880’s, through terrorism and legislation, southern states began to forge apartheid, called Jim Crow, and it impacted the psyche of all America.

Robert Kennedy described the impact of this element of American history in this way:

“When you teach a man to hate and fear his brother, when you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color or his beliefs, when you teach that those who differ from you threaten your freedom or your job or your family, then you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens but as enemies.

We learn, at the last, to look at our brothers as aliens, men with whom we share a city, but not a community; men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in common effort. We learn to share only a common fear, only a common desire to retreat from each other, only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force.”

During Jim Crow, not just in the South, but throughout the US, Black people were relegated to second class citizenship, openly lynched, denied the right to vote, confined to the most dilapidated schools, more likely to be accused of crimes and convicted, denied equal pay, denied access to employment, housing, and public accommodations and eating establishments.

So, when we thought we’d won our freedom

Twasn’t long ‘fore we found out

That right here in America

Freedom and democracy had been sold out

Though we’d fought for Reconstruction

And worked for forty acres and a mule

Through the use of terrorist violence

The Klan soon brought back white rule

Oh children ‘twas a terrible time

Throughout the South you see

Jim Crow took away our land, our vote

And Black life was hung upon a tree

So again the struggle started

Ah, but you shouldn’t be surprised

And inspired by Garvey, Robeson, Dubois

folks were on the rise!

Jim Crow laws they started breakin’

from Greensboro to Little Rock

They joined in organized action to put

U.S. apartheid into shock

And from Newark to Detroit and Watts

They were dancin’ in the streets

From Montgomery to Mozambique

They were movin’ to a brand new beat

And so to folks like Fannie Lou, the Panthers, and SNCC

King, Malcolm, Cabral

To the everyday people fighting for power,

For peace and justice for us all

And to those who sang “you can make it if you try”

“keep on pushin” to “higher ground”

And those who said, “It’s nation time!”

And “I’m Black and I’m proud!,” we sing:

Thank you for lettin’ me be myself again!

Thank you for lettin’ me be myself again!

Thank you for lettin’ me be myself again!

Thank you for lettin’ me be myself again! ¹

Even though there are dream killers, there are also people of vision.

The efforts of civil rights activists culminated with the milestone passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

But King’s outspoken criticism of the Vietnam War and for the plight of the poor caused him to be a target of the CIA and Hoover FBI counter-intelligence program, Cointelpro, to discredit King and other civil rights and anti-war leaders. The dream killers hoped to kill the dream.

Yet King continued on, remaining steadfast to his ideals of non-violence and his call for a better, more just society.

The Poor People’s campaign of 1967 would prove to be King’s last major effort. In 1968, he traveled to Memphis, Tennessee in support of striking sanitation workers, where he gave what would be his final speech. The next day, April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

Let us kill the dreamer…and see what becomes of his dreams.

We know that there is no freedom without sacrifice. In reality, we all stand in the footsteps of countless, courageous unheralded leaders and followers of the civil rights movement in America. We stand on the shoulders of giants, King and countless others who sweat, bled and died to make real the promises of our democracy, so that all American children could have an equal shot to make it in this nation.

Yet, the dream of our democracy is still not yet fully achieved. We still have yet to become a nation with, “liberty and justice for all.”

Still in America, too many do not have access to decent, safe housing, adequate health care, and a thorough education. Too many still face painfully persistent poverty. Too many live in the grip of gun violence.

Too many have given up hope and too many languish in despair and confusion, and sadly, far too many suffer from short-sighted vision, or a lack of maturity or a lack of understanding of personal responsibility.

Too many in this country are filled with fear and bound by the shackles of hatred and anger and ignorance and prejudice. Too many seek only self or the opiate of fame or are consumed with greed and power.

King’s question of where do we go from here, chaos or community, is still unanswered. The story is not yet finished…

So, I say, to truly celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., we must understand the cause for which he died. More importantly, I say, we must commit to the ideals for which he lived.

This generation must keep the dream alive. Let us not be lulled into a state of inactive agitation, where we are very upset about the state of our nation, but we fail to get up and work together to do something about it.

And let us not allow our inability to do everything, undermine our determination to do something.

We are reminded of what Everett Edward Hale said: “I am only one, I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”

It is time for daring, determined dreamers and doers to rise again.

The change we seek must come from neighborhoods, communities and individuals all across our city, our nation and the world. It must come from us in the church, the synagogue and the mosque, on the playground and in the work place, in the classroom and in the boardroom.

King gave his life working for what he called the beloved community. My wife and I feel that to carry on the legacy of King we must work to build beloved communities, which we call, high performing communities.

Antioch can be a beloved community, it can be a healthy, caring community, it can be a prosperous community with safe streets and schools that graduate students ready for college and career.

We are one city, let us be one community.

Each day, my wife and I pray for every family and every situation here in East County, and we continuously pray for all of our young people and that we do not lose even one more of them to gangs, violence, abuse or drugs.

It is time to redefine our relationships in this community, with one another, to the Earth and to the world; to redefine the meaning of community; to feed hope, and not nurture despair; to find the courage to love and care for the peoples of the world as we love and care for our own families. It is time that each of us becomes the change we want to see in the world.

Because it:

Seems like so long since Rosa Parks just said “NO!”

and King walked down that freedom road

To remind America of the fierce urgency of the moment…

Dr. King said, “I have a dream.”

But more than that

Dr. King said, “The problem is that through our scientific genius we’ve made the world a neighborhood, but through our moral and spiritual genius,

We’ve failed to make it a brotherhood…

Tell them Dr. King

“The hour is late and the clock of destiny is ticking out…

Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.

Now is the time, to make justice a reality for all of God’s children….

For, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere…

We are are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.”

Heal them Dr. King

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom

by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

Many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone and we cannot turn back…

When evil men plot, good men must plan…

When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind…

When evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo,

good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice…

Teach them Dr. King

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that…

I believe that unarmed truth & unconditional love will have the final word…

That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant…

So, let us not wallow in the valley of despair;

I say to you today my friends that in spite of all the difficulties

and the frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream!

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’ I have a dream

That my four little children, will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!”

We share your dream Dr. King

This is our hope, this is the faith that moves within us…

With this faith, we will be able to transform

the jangling discords of our nation

into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood and sisterhood

With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together,

to struggle together, to go to jail together,

to stand up for freedom together…”

Knowing that our cause is just

And through our struggles, through our suffering, through our sacrifices

We will be able to make real the dream of democracy, peace, and justice

“And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city…

…this will be the day when all of God’s children

Black, Brown, and White; Jews and Gentiles; Protestants and Catholics

Will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual,

Free at last, free at last

Thank God Almighty

We are free at last!” ²

1. Thank You

©1991 Keith Archuleta

2. Black Liberation Suite

©1986 Keith Archuleta

• Including compilation of quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have A Dream” speech delivered in August 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., his “Mountaintop” speech, delivered in April 1968 in Memphis Tennessee his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” written April 1963 to challenge the inaction of local clergy and from his books, including Strength to Love, Why We Can’t Wait, Stride Toward Freedom, and Where Do We Go from Here? From Chaos to Community.

  Reprinted with permission.

By Dave Roberts

Like a giant octopus grabbing helpless humans in a horror movie, a new bureaucracy is squeezing the Bay Area.

One Bay Area is a plan to push Bay Area residents out of their cars and jam them into pack-and-stack high rises in the coming decades. The goal: cut greenhouse gas emissions and supposedly help save the planet from global warming.

One Bay Area is mandated by SB 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008. It was passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed into law by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican. SB 375 is not as well known as AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. But SB 375 well could affect Californians’ lives more directly.

One Bay Area is supported by the Bay Area’s liberal politicians, planning bureaucrats, environmentalists, social justice advocates and other elites. The plan is scheduled to be approved by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in spring 2013.

Click here to read the rest of this article: http://www.calwatchdog.com/2012/01/16/bureaucratic-octopus-grabs-bay-area/

BART “Freedom” trains will once again carry riders from throughout the Bay Area on Monday, Jan. 16, to Northern California’s largest celebration honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“As in past years, BART is providing 5,000 special 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. BART flash passes to the event Organizing Committee to distribute free to groups or individuals who make reservations,” BART Board President John McPartland said.

This year’s events incorporate the theme ”Renewing the Dream,” and will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco from 10 am – 5 pm on Monday. BART riders attending the event can go to the Powell Street or Montgomery Street stations, and then take a short walk to the Yerba Buena Center. BART will operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday, January 16 with service beginning at 6:00 am.

BART COMMUNITY EVENTS

In addition, BART is cosponsoring the 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Musical Tribute at the Oakland Paramount starring Mavis Staples, PopLyfe, Oakland’s Interfaith Choir and more on Sunday January 15. For tickets and more information on the Oakland event, visit www.mlktribute.com.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee will be honoring Dr. King at noon in the Kaiser Auditorium (2nd floor). The honorable Willie Brown will be the keynote speaker and BART Board member Lynette Sweet will act as Mistress of Ceremonies. This program is free and features spoken word by local youth and a performance by the Afoutayi Dance and Drum Company.

How to Get a Free Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Train Flash Pass
· Go online at www.norcalmlk.co.cc/
· Check your email for a confirmation email
· The email confirmation will advise you the station to go to for your pass
· MLK volunteers will be stationed at select BART stations during the hours of 8:30 am – 10:30 am on Monday, Jan. 16, to distribute reserved passes.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced the seventh grant of the 2011-12 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Antioch Police Department.

The Antioch Police Department will purchase a dual purpose canine, trained in patrol procedures and narcotics detection, so that an 11-year-old veteran canine can retire.

Antioch Chief of Police Allan Cantando said, “We are truly honored to have been selected by the Foundation as a grant recipient and are excited about the long-term benefits this grant will allow our canine unit, the Antioch Police Department and the City of Antioch to enjoy for the years to come.” Cantando added, “These grant funds will be used to purchase a new dual purpose canine to ensure the continued success of the unit.”

During the 2011-12 NFL season, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers.

The Foundation will also distribute several grants to the Pittsburgh area and will consider grants to any two cities in the United States if the Steelers make the playoffs. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

This marks the fifth season that the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation seeks to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA.

In commenting on why the mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, “We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”

For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Stephanie Sandler or visit www.bigben7.com or www.givingback.org.

About Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger is in his eighth season as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and already has secured his place in the record books. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he is aptly referred to as Big Ben, and has become known for big performances and a humble approach. Roethlisberger is one of only 10 starting quarterbacks to win two or more Super Bowls. In 2009, he led the Steelers to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa with a thrilling touchdown pass in the final seconds. In 2006, Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Detroit. Roethlisberger was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2007, and already holds most of the passing records for the Steelers. He is the only quarterback to lead his team to the conference championship game in each of his first two seasons. He was the unanimous Rookie of the Year in 2004, breaking Dan Marino’s rookie records for completion percentage and passer rating, and was the first quarterback in NFL history to compile a 13-0 regular season record as a rookie.
Roethlisberger was raised in Findlay, OH and was a three-sport star at Findlay High School. He went on to set nearly every quarterback record at Miami University (Ohio) prior to foregoing his senior season and becoming the 11th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 NFL Draft. Roethlisberger resides near Pittsburgh with his wife Ashley and his two dogs, Zeus and Hercules.

About The Giving Back Fund
The Giving Back Fund (GBF) is a national public charity that creates and professionally manages charitable foundations and other philanthropic programs for athletes, entertainers, business entrepreneurs, and corporations. Since our founding in 1997, GBF has created an important niche in expanding and diversifying philanthropy, particularly among young people, women and people of color. Our unique structure allows donors to direct more of their charitable dollars to causes they care about and less to administrative overhead. To date, The Giving Back Fund has provided philanthropic consulting, management and programming to more than 200 athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and other high net worth individuals. GBF has overseen the distribution of more than $30,000,000 in charitable grants within the United States and other countries, and has developed dozens of unique scholarship, mentoring, medical, arts, and other philanthropic programs. For additional information, please visit www.givingback.org.