We all know that our State is in crisis and that our families are being affected by the impacts on education and unemployment.  I had a choice to make with my term on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors ending this year.  I could play it safe, sit tight, and run for reelection for a job that has no term limits and much more stability.  After all who is crazy enough to want to go to Sacramento?  However, I felt the stakes were too high to shrug my shoulders and give up on changes ever being made in our State government.  As a high school teacher, a mother of four daughters, and a grandmother of two, I believe that I can help bring accountability, collaboration, and our priorities to Sacramento.

I look at what I accomplished in our County government and it encourages me that significant change is possible. I came into office facing a 2.6 billion dollar unfunded liability for retiree health care and no funding plan in place. Many people thought it would be impossible to meet this challenge, however, working with our employees, we reduced our liability by more than half and have a complete funding plan in place. Employee health benefits have been significantly reduced, and retiree health coverage is no longer available to new hires.

Another goal I had was to increase accountability within the county to help break down the silo culture that has been persistent for years.  I discovered that many department directors reported directly to the Board, in effect having five “bosses” and had not had performance reviews for years.  Hiring our new County Administrator and then bringing all of our department directors under his direction has begun the shift to an integrated and much more accountable organization.

Serving for the last several years on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority has allowed me to vote for funding for the widening of Highway 4 and eBART.  I plan to continue my involvement in transportation in Sacramento to see these projects to completion.

Job creation and stability is another looming challenge we face.  I have spoken to many small business owners about the needs they have in this difficult economy and will continue to work with them through regular small business round tables to resolve their concerns.   In the County I created a student job program for our emancipating foster youth to give them work experience and to launch them towards self sufficiency. I also formed a center for Economic Opportunity in the most disadvantaged portion of my district that brings a number of different resources directly into the community.

Finally, I am committed to stop cuts to education and to bring leadership to rebuilding education in our State.  As a credentialed teacher, a parent of a high school senior, and the mother of a young teacher, I see the full range of challenges that we must address in education.  I have a passion to see children learn and succeed in life. I believe our children deserve more access to preschool, highly trained administrators, top quality teachers, and local school boards who have more control over finances.

I don’t think there are any quick fixes and I don’t underestimate the challenges of trying to impact the entrenched systems of Sacramento.  I do know that I want to take what I have learned and work hard to represent you and your family.  I would appreciate your vote on Tuesday.

Susan Bonilla

Candidate for California State Assembly, AD-11

www.susanbonilla.com

Starting a newspaper in this day and age and in this economy is not easy. But we feel that Antioch, a thriving city of more than 100,000 people, deserves its own newspaper that is of, for and about Antioch.

Because it is a financial challenge to launch a newspaper, we are starting off online initially. But our plan is to mail a newspaper to every residence and business in Antioch, first as a monthly and then twice a month. Whether we are able to achieve that goal will depend on support from advertisers and readers who support those advertisers.

In any case, we are here now online and plan to be around to chronicle the ups, downs, highs, lows and everything in between that goes on in this exciting, always interesting city. With a limited staff, we will depend on your help to do that. Please send us letters to the editor, news tips, articles, article ideas, photos, press releases, etc. If something interesting is going on in your neighborhood, school, church, workplace, club and elsewhere, let us and your fellow residents know. We’re here for you.

Send your items to editor@antiochherald.com.

Dave Roberts
Editor

The following is the ballot pamphlet argument supporting the proposed half-cent sales tax increase in Antioch.

Antioch is struggling to maintain the services that protect our quality of life and keep our city safe. State takeaways of local money, combined with declining home values and decreased consumer spending have seriously impacted the city’s main sources of revenue – property and sales taxes.

The city continues to look at other ways to increase revenue, including working with public employees to obtain further voluntary pay and benefit concessions. However, this financial crisis is severe. In the last two years the city has cut $13 million and still faces a $4 million deficit. Twenty-five percent of the workforce has been eliminated, remaining staff has voluntarily cut their pay and benefits by $2.8 million and city hall is closed on Fridays.

Positions at the police department are left unfilled and there are 20 fewer police officers on duty than there were two years ago.

If we are to preserve our safe neighborhoods, additional funding is needed to prevent further police layoffs and to maintain police patrols and 911 response times.

Other city services that contribute to our quality of life also need additional funding, including fixing potholes and maintaining local streets and sidewalks and enforcing city codes to clean up abandoned properties.

This measure will provide a stable source of funding for these vital services and not one dollar can be taken by the state.

This measure also has strong accountability provisions, including an annual audit and a citizen oversight committee, to ensure the money is being spent as promised. And the measure will expire in eight years.

This measure will bring stable revenue that cannot be taken away by the state, has strong citizen oversight of spending and an annual audit. In order to maintain our police services and emergency response times and keep our community safe, please vote Yes.

The following is the ballot pamphlet argument against the proposed half-cent sales tax increase in Antioch.

Vote NO to increasing Antioch sales tax beyond the current record levels.

The tax dollars would NOT be dedicated to police services and public safety, the number one priority among citizens, but go to the general fund. The tax would not add police but “hopefully” allow a break even next year. It will NOT solve the crisis.

The proposed oversight is not binding and cannot legally be modified at a later time.

While all Californians have seen many increases in service fees and taxes, Antioch leaders have:

• Raised water rates a total of 60 percent
• Raised sewer rates a total of 30 percent
• Allowed garbage rates to climb 26 percent this year.

Logic and history tells us a local sales tax would negatively impact Antioch businesses and still not produce the income projected. It’s wrong to ask for more tax dollars at a time when so many families and businesses are struggling financially.

Economic development, business retention, reducing the city business permit process, constant budget reviews, pension reforms and contracting out more city services will help solve our fiscal crisis.

Vote NO to this tax increase. It is the wrong solution at the wrong time.

Ruehlig was misrepresented by CCT

I haven’t written heretofore about my wife’s Area 5 County Board of Education campaign precisely because Cynthia Ruehlig is a resolutely independent personality standing on her own merits. I am compelled, though, to answer a denigrating misfact. Cynthia was accused in an October 20^th Times editorial of “misrepresenting” herself as a “Nonprofit Administrator.” Cynthia’s designation is transparent. She completed a two-year study in Nonprofit Management at the California State University East Bay and filed her credential with the County Elections Office.

My wife proudly acknowledged herself as a due diligence clerk (County Child Protective Services) in a June, 2010 letter to the editor; as a working class employee on her website, www.cynthiaruehlig.com, and as a clerk in her Times recorded interview. Why tabloid journalism?

The editorial conveniently ignores the election manual, which states a candidate may elect occupation or vocation. Webster defines vocation as a calling, pursuit, passion. Cynthia pointedly defines her vocation. Former computer teacher, businesswoman, church webmaster, five-time foster parent and co-founder of the Antioch Music Foundation, Cynthia writes grants resulting in thousands of dollars for school instruments, field trips and community concerts.

Unfazed by neither fear nor favor, Cynthia is owed an apology by the Times interviewer, Daniel Borenstein.

Walter Ruehlig

We need Parsons

We have always shown a deep love for our city and for the direction that it has been going in. Times are tough, money is short and many difficult decisions have been made concerning downsizing and change. We have voiced our opinions about our concerns to Martha Parsons via the e-mail. We can honestly say that she is the only council member to write us back with full explanations of the whys and wherefores and to also let us know that if she has any other information she will get back to us. And she has done that also! That to me, speaks highly of her dedication and tenacity. That is what this city needs: a voice! that listens to the people and works for them.

Being born in Antioch with all her children living here as well, she understands how important the vitality of our community is to the residents and business men and women who work here. Martha has served the City Council well for the past 22 months and she will continue to work and serve the best interests of all of Antioch, while working to improve the quality of life for all of our families.

Martha is a determined, hard working woman who is able to be a full time representative for her community. She has proven to us that she has excellent open communication skills and is diligent, honest, professional, and direct when is comes to responding back. She listens, evaluates, discusses, then makes decisions based on what is reasonable. This is what sound government is all about.

We need a Martha Parsons downtown. Her love of our community and her passion for service during her short  tenure has brought a positive influence to our city. This has become  evident with her involvement in such projects as Keep Antioch Beautiful, which she started and had over 900 volunteers help clean up our community by coming together around Earth Day 2010. The volunteer Graffiti Abatement Program was created and implemented with Martha as Co-Chair. She assisted the Delta Blues Festival and Hapgood Theatre in remaining viable by procuring sponsorship monies. She co-chaired the 4th of July Parade, which became an all-volunteer endeavor.

Her heart is definitely in our community. Vote for Martha Parsons this November. She will serve us well and prove to be a positive change in the city of Antioch.

Sandra and Edwin Stokes

Vote for experienced educator

My name is Richard Asadoorian and I am one of two candidates for the Contra Costa Board of Education Trustee Area 4. This area covers a great portion of Antioch (where I live), Pittsburg, San Ramon (where my opponent resides), Danville, parts of Walnut Creek and Clayton.

I am a retired school administrator. My experience in education includes teaching in elementary, middle and high school.  I have been a middle and high school counselor, a high school activities director and an alternative high school principal. Upon retirement, I was a director for two years of a summer youth employment program and served on two school board finance committees. Serving my country, I hold an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. For three years I was a domestic violence counselor. My wife is a elementary school teacher.

If elected, my priorities are student and parent needs, fiscal oversight and protection of the music and arts programs. I also believe that Special Education, Court Schools and Regional Occupation Programs are vital to our support.

Richard Asadoorian
County Board of Education, Area 4 candidate

Antioch is making progress

While Antioch has some great challenges, we live in a wonderful city and there are bright spots! One I am most proud of is the ferry. Because of my regional contacts, I was able to restart the ferry project this past spring. I see the ferry service as a catalyst to the redevelopment of our unique Rivertown District!

I believe the strength of a city is in the spirit of its citizens. Antioch’s spirit shined earlier this year with my “Keep Antioch Beautiful,” a volunteer event which many said would never happen. It not only happened, but over 900 volunteers joined me that day to help our city be cleaner and thus safer!

Another project I believe in is “Shop Antioch,” a way to help stabilize our budget and positively influence our quality of life by spending our dollars at our own Antioch businesses, thus adding to our revenue for police and city services and helping our local businesses prosper.

Antioch can overcome challenges if we work together to keep Antioch a city to be proud of. As a voice for all Antioch and your full-time representative, I am asking for your vote for Antioch City Council!

Martha Parsons