Plus a few observations

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Some candidates for Antioch city council and school board have formed alliances during this election. In addition, there have been some interesting claims made by various candidates running to represent Antioch in different levels of government.

Alliances and Endorsements

First you have Councilwoman Mary Rocha, who is running for reelection, endorsing fellow candidate, and newcomer Monica Wilson. But nowhere does it say Wilson is endorsing Rocha.

Then there’s Wilson and Antioch School Board candidate Synitha Walker running joint automated phone calls (robo-calls) to voters asking them to vote for both of them. They have endorsed each other, as well. Plus Walker has been endorsed by Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and Mayoral candidate Wade Harper.

Wilson and Rocha have been endorsed by Public Employees Union Local One, which makes me wonder to whom they’ll be beholden when the time comes for contract negotiations. Not usually a good thing for taxpayers.

The Antioch Police Officers Association (the cops’ union, not the Antioch Police Department) has endorsed Don Freitas for Mayor. But that’s not surprising since he gave them the very generous and expensive 3% at 50 retirement benefit, as well as the expensive, six-year contract in 2007, which the current council had to buy their way out of – and which has prevented the city from affording all the police we need. Instead we’re down a net 30 sworn police officers, right now. The APOA has also endorsed current Mayor Jim Davis, who voted for the same things Freitas gave them. The difference is, Davis learned the error of his ways and supported the new contract, this year, which reduces city costs for police pensions and pay.

Partisan politics in Antioch, race-based endorsements by the Dems?

The county Democrat Party has endorsed both Rocha and Wilson for Antioch City Council and Synitha Walker and Deborah Vinson for School Board – all of them minority women, as well as Wade Harper for Mayor – instead of any white Dem man or woman for Mayor, Council or School Board, to the consternation of some of their white, Democrat opponents.

Plus the Dems endorsed the 21-year-old, African-American, recent college graduate, De’shawn Woolridge, for College Board, over the more experienced (and white) Dems Daniel Borsuk and Greg Enholm, who have each served in public office.

A further complaint, by some of the white Democratic candidates, is that on the county Democratic Central Committee’s October 18 meeting agenda (Updated 11/3/12) all but one were minority candidates under item #8,:“Other campaign help needed Monica, De’Shawn, Deborah, Argentina, Sarah, Jael, Maria, Cecilia and other endorsed candidates.”

(Updated 11/3/12) That information is being emailed around as well as that by a statistician who claims if the endorsements were a random decision it would happen only once in every 120 elections.

(Updated 11/3/12) Read the response to this issue by the CCDCC’s Endorsement Chair, by clicking here.

Regardless of the racial aspect, my question is why is the Democratic Party injecting itself into local, what are supposed to be, non-partisan races? Then again, the Republicans are, too for the first time in this writer’s memory. They have a door hanger that volunteers are distributing to homes of Republican voters with a list of all their candidates for local, state and federal office.

Also on the Republican side, the county Central Committee voted to oppose Measure B in Antioch and included it on the door hanger. But after local Republican leaders in Antioch said they were supporting it, the party said go ahead and change the flyers.

Baseless attacks

There have been relatively few attacks in any of the local elections, this year. But, in the Mayor’s race, during the Contra Costa Times/League of Women Voters candidate forum, which can be seen on the Times website, Harper attacked Freitas for the growth that happened during his two terms as Mayor. One problem, almost all the new growth that has happened in Antioch was approved in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, long before Freitas was elected to the City Council in 1998.

Update 10/31/12: I was reminded by a reader, yesterday, that Freitas did in fact approve growth, when he voted to extend the expiring development agreements during his terms on the council. The proof is the implementation of the Residential Development Allocation (RDA) program fee on those new homes, which generated funds that the council spent on various things, such as the six, bluish grey “City of Antioch” signs around town.

Then in the Antioch Chamber of Commerce debate, Freitas attacked Gary Agopian and took a swipe at the entire current City Council for voting to hire additional police officers using a federal grant for three years, claiming it was playing politics. Doesn’t Don realize that if he’s elected, he’ll be working with at least two and as many as four of the current council members? Not a good way to offer leadership.

Where was Wade?

Harper missed both the Chamber debate and the Take Back Antioch candidates forum. Harper works swing shift in Tracy as a police Lieutenant, and has to take vacation time to attend City Council meetings. The Chamber debate was on a Thursday evening when he was working. But, why did he miss Take Back’s Saturday morning forum? Earlier this year he said he couldn’t attend a special meeting to discuss placing a police tax on the ballot, if it were held. If he doesn’t have the time to attend council meetings and candidate forums, how does he think he’ll have enough time to be Mayor, which takes much more time? Perhaps he should just wait until after he retires in two years.

Word on the street is $150,000 will be spent to help elect Harper as Mayor and that he’s backed by the Seenos, Garaventas and the unions. I’m only aware of one mailer that has been sent out supporting Harper. So unless all that money is going to be spent this week – which I seriously doubt – that probably just isn’t true.

Honesty is such a lonely word

The most interesting thing stated in this campaign was by Woolridge who is using the word “Experience” on his campaign signs, which is a bit humorous, if not just plain dishonest. What experience? He just graduated from college in May and is 21 years old. The ones with experience in the race are Borsuk with eight years as an elected member of the County Board of Education and Enholm with four years as an elected member of the Ambrose Recreation and Park District Board. Woolridge has only served in appointed positions, except for being elected student body president while in college.

Woolridge told me he currently works three jobs. How will he find the time to serve in an elected position?

Woolridge also states on his campaign website “Native of the District” but he was born in Oakland, according to the Success Story about him on the Los Medanos College website before it was removed in October. He was raised in Pittsburg, but that doesn’t make him a native. (Perhaps we need to see his long form birth certificate. LOL)

Plus, Woolridge has gone a bit over the top by posting a graphic on his Facebook page which includes a photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the words “I have a dream,” a photo of President Obama with the words “I’m living that dream,” then a photo of himself with the words “I want to keep the dream alive.” Clever. But, perhaps he should think about King’s other statement about “the content of their character.” Honesty is the most important character trait we need in our elected officials.

The most interesting endorsement

Then there’s the most interesting endorsement of any candidate in Antioch. That’s the one by Willie Brown, the controversial former Speaker of the California State Assembly and Mayor of San Francisco for Noel Pinto, who has it on his website. Huh? Why would anyone in Antioch want the influence of Willie Brown in our city? The only local endorsement Pinto claims is former Councilman and current candidate for City Clerk, Arne Simonsen.

As for Simonsen he also endorsed Don Freitas for Mayor, with whom he formed a coalition immediately following the 2008 election, which they both lost, called the Friday Morning Breakfast Club. Interestingly, Simsonsen states “I do not accept endorsements from elected officials or political parties” and “The city clerk must be nonpartisan in all aspects.” Then why is he endorsing other candidates whose elections he’ll be overseeing, if he’s elected City Clerk?

The other candidate in the Clerk’s race, Argentina Davila-Luevano lists her occupation as “Social Worker” but she isn’t. She used to be and has a degree in it. But, in her ballot statement she says “I am president and CEO of California LULAC Institute a nonprofit organization designed to provide services and programs in Education, Health, Housing Social Cultural and Economic Development throughout California.” LULAC stands for League of United Latin American Citizens. She told me she does social work when helping people through that organization, but that doesn’t make her one, currently.

Stuff that makes you go hmmmm

Davila-Luevano’s “Top Priorities if Elected” are Women in Positions – Fifty/Fifty by 2020, Ending Violence Against Women – Globally, and Equal Pay for Equal Work. What does any of that have to do with being City Clerk? Nada. (Nothing). Perhaps she’s viewing City Clerk as a stepping stone to higher office where she can pursue those priorities.

The oldest candidate photos

Two winners in this category. Freitas used a photo that’s at least 10 to 15 years old in his campaign materials. It shows him with all brown hair, but he’s got a little touch of grey, now. One of his friends and supporters told me he jokingly told him, “Don, it’s nice to see your senior picture from high school.” Then there’s Ruehlig who used one that’s got to be at least 5 to 10 years old in some of his materials and on his website. No hat on, though.

Free publicity

Both Woolridge and Harper are graduates of LMC and there was a success story on each of them on the LMC website, until this writer discovered the one for Woolridge and questioned the college’s new president and College District’s leadership about it. I wasn’t aware of the one about Harper. But both were removed two days later and will be down until after the election. (see article by clicking here)

Then there’s the article with photos of Ruehlig, entitled “That Guy Beneath the Hat,” in the new magazine, Delta Living, being published by Deer Valley High journalism teacher, Charleen Earley. The article was written by one of her ROP Journalism students, Latori Shepherd, for the DVHS student newspaper. So Earley used it in her magazine, just in time for the election. (to read the article, click here)

Statements by candidates

Pinto has made some statements during the campaign of things he will do to meet with businesses to attract them to town and about other things he wants to do if elected. But, how will he have the time when he works in Berkeley in charge of that city’s parking enforcement? (He recently switched jobs from the City of Oakland). Will he be able to take time off work to be in Antioch during the day or meet for breakfast before going in late for work? It’s possible, since he’s in a management position.

Then there are the statements by Wilson on economic development, which sound good. But that’s it, since she hasn’t accomplished or proposed anything as a member of the city’s Economic Development Commission, according to fellow commissioners. She may have degrees in merchandising and marketing, but she works as an Executive Assistant for one of the deans at Mills College in Oakland. How will she have the time to be in Antioch during the day to meet with business owners and representatives we want to attract to town? Plus, she says her greatest accomplishment is helping with city clean ups. That’s nice and her words are great. But, as my mom always says, “actions speak louder than words.”

Davis also works out of town, in Walnut Creek, but he’s in a management position at a bank and has demonstrated the ability to be in town during the day for city-related matters and make up work during the evening and on Saturdays, when necessary.

Wilson stated during a candidates’ forum, that she “hopes to create a strategic economic plan that would cultivate existing business and bring in new business.” That plan has already been done for Antioch and most of it has yet to be implemented. All she has to do is go get a copy of it from City Hall. It’s the 1996 Antioch Economic Development Plan. I would assume every Economic Development Commissioner would have a copy of it.

Then she said “Once people have jobs, you’ll see crime go down.” She has that backwards. Wilson should know that the businesses with their jobs won’t come to Antioch until after the crime is down.

The most over-the-top, partisan campaign mailer

Wilson put out the most partisan mailer for local office in Antioch that this writer has ever seen. On one side it shows a photo of President Obama and states “Fired Up for Obama – Biden” and “Don’t Stop There” at the top, then “Move Antioch forward by electing Monica Wilson to the Antioch City Council” at the bottom. Then on the other side it states “Add to your Democratic Team” and “Monica Wilson for Antioch City Council – #1 on ballot” at the top of the other side. It provides a list of endorsements of Democrat politicians and organizations. Then it lists her experience of being on the Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee and Policy Issues Chair for the Women’s Caucus of the California Democratic Party, at the bottom, in addition to Economic Development Commissioner. However, Wilson only lists one accomplishment – again, helping with city clean ups, yet says nothing of what she will do if elected. Also at the bottom it states “Ready to Make A Difference.” Then why hasn’t she done so in the position she already holds on the commission? It makes you wonder why she’s really running for the City Council instead of some partisan office. Oh, that’s right, all the partisan seats are held by Democrats and she wouldn’t run against one of them – they’re all backing her. She needs to understand local office is non-partisan and you need to accomplish something before seeking one of the highest offices in our city.

The most interesting campaign ads

Walter Ruehlig wins that award with two ads in the Herald, both dominated by photos of him and some supporters. The first one got him in a little trouble with the priest at his church, St. Ignatius Catholic church, who claimed (unfairly) that it appeared Ruehlig was implying an endorsement by the church and the Fil-Am Society, based there. All the photo showed was Walter and two Filipino-American supporters standing in front of a grotto with a statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It didn’t say where it was located, just that the grotto was donated by the Fil-Am Society. The priest sent a scathing letter to this newspaper, which is posted on our website. But, things have been smoothed over and the priest apologized for his over-the-top letter.

Rocha’s ads stating “Bring Back Cooperation, Compassion, Commitment” are interesting. I didn’t know they’d gone away. The commitment part I can understand which differentiates her from a couple of the other candidates who haven’t done much of anything for Antioch, before deciding to run for council. Especially since this is Mary’s 28th year in public office in Antioch. She has said this will be her final campaign, win or lose.

A little humor

If you’re running to improve education, you should probably make sure you spell things correctly. On Synitha Walker’s website it says “Upcomimg Events.” As for one of her events, I have a complaint. She held her campaign kick-off outside of the district at the Straw Hat Pizza in Brentwood. Come on, Synitha, shop Antioch!

I like acronyms. I once promoted H.O.P.E. in one of my campaigns, for Homes, Opportunity, Protection and Education. Walker wins the prize this year with her “Vote S.M.A.R.T.” which stands for “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, Timely.” I assume she’s referring to educational goals and programs.

On Wilson’s materials and website she uses a bridge as her logo. With her lack of experience and accomplishments in Antioch, I’m afraid that might be a “bridge to nowhere.”

Foxes watching the hen house?

Walker is endorsed by the California Schools Employees Association. The Antioch teachers union is backing three other candidates for School Board, (all white women): incumbent Diane Gibson Gray, newcomer and former principal Barbara Cowan, and former district nurse and teacher’s union rep Linda Anderson (her endorsement is no surprise).

The union mailed a flyer to 10,000 Antioch homes, and Cowan and Anderson have been passing out more of them in front of Antioch schools. The flyer also states endorsements against Prop. 32 (paycheck protection for union members), and in favor of both Prop 30 (tax the rich) and Measure B (Antioch High improvements). There’s already one former teachers’ union rep on the school board in Gary Hack. Does Antioch need another one? If Anderson wins, the teachers will have control of 40% of the board.

There are currently no racial minority members on the Antioch School Board, even though blacks make up over 17% and Hispanics almost 32% of Antioch’s population. That will change if either Walker or Vinson are elected.

Best candidate name

Also running for the school board is John F. “Jack” Yeager, Jr. Now that sounds like a good mixture of names – a President, John F. “Jack” Kennedy, and a famous jet test pilot, Chuck Yeager who was the first to break the sound barrier. And yes, Chuck and Jack Yeager are related. They’re cousins. So, I guess that means Jack has “the right stuff.”

Campaigning on school property?

I’ve seen two signs about Measure B on school property. One is a Vote Yes on B sign on the fence at Prospects High on 2nd Street, which is inappropriate. The other one is a diagram of the improvements to the Antioch High sports fields if Measure B passes, on the school’s fence at the corner of 18th and L Streets. That one’s probably fine, since it’s just information and doesn’t take a position on the Measure. But the other one needs to come down.

Disregard for private property rights?

Any candidate who places a sign on private property without permission is trespassing. Would they want someone putting anything on their property without their permission? Of course not. Come on, candidates. Show some respect and don’t be so desperate to win and PLEASE be responsible and take them down within 10 days after the election. After that they’re just visual pollution and frankly, littering.

It will be interesting to see what happens next Tuesday at all levels of government. Remember to vote and vote smart. In fact that’s a good place to go to get more information about the candidates. Click on http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/cc/ Then choose either city or school for local races. It’s the League of Women Voters’ election website, in which candidates post their own information. Some of the candidates have done so and have shared links to their websites there, as well.

Good luck to all the candidates and if you lose, don’t just disappear like so many others have done in the past. Get and stay involved. You don’t have to hold elected office to make a difference in our city or schools.

Update 11/5/12: Now, let’s get something, straight. I’m being accused of injecting race into the elections in Antioch. Let’s be clear. I was not the one who put out the emails about the issue. I received them and spoke with a few of the white Democratic candidates for office in Antioch about the issue and shared that information in my commentary. They chose to share it with me on condition of anonymity. If people are upset, so be it. No issue is too sensitive to discuss it if it’s of concern to candidates running for office or the voters. But don’t shoot the messenger or even try to read into anything I wrote. You need to take it on its face value. Debate and discuss the issue don’t attack the one who brought it out of the shadows. If those candidates who have the concern wish to remain anonymous, that’s their choice. But it would be good if they would step forward and share their concerns, publicly and challenge their own party.

This is America where we have freedom of speech. Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak out when you feel an injustice has occurred – no matter who it might be against.

Dear Editor:

Please join us in voting for Walter Ruehlig for Antioch City Councilman on November 6^th . We worked with Walter on the committee to bring the July 4^th 2012 celebration back to Antioch.

We have found Walter to be a man of integrity and good will who can bring together a diverse group of citizens to work together amicably toward a common goal. Walter is currently a board member of the Antioch Unified School District. During his tenure, the District overcame a budget deficit and expanded the District to include the Dozier-Libby Medical High School and helped advance the concept of career-based learning academies in our high schools. Also, API scores have improved consistently during his tenure.

Google Walter’s name on the internet to learn more about his accomplishments in education, music appreciation and his efforts for worldwide peace. We are truly fortunate to have a man of Walter’s caliber running for a seat on the Antioch City Council.

Wayne and Carole Harrison, Antioch

In November, Antioch voters will get the opportunity to seat a new mayor, two council members and a new, part-time city clerk. Both Harper and Agopian have safe council seats. They were elected to council in 2010. Davis and Rocha are not safe.

Candidates for the Mayor’s seat are Gary Agopian, (Council member and former AUSD board trustee), Wade Harper (Council member and former appointed AUSD board trustee), Don Freitas (Antioch’s mayor from 2000 to 2008, former CC Water District Board member and retired director of the CCC Flood Control and Water Conservation District who conducted the failed Clean Water ballot election earlier this year) and Michael Leon, a neighborhood activist.

City Council candidates include Mary Rocha (council incumbent), Jim Davis (current Antioch Mayor), Walter Ruehlig (AUSD board trustee), Monica Wilson (member of the city’s Economic Development Commission) and Noel Pinto (Berkeley city traffic enforcement and Board Member of his homeowners association).

Candidates for the city clerk’s seat are Arne Simonsen (former council member) and Argentina Davila-Luevano, whose ballot designation is social worker, although her job is CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Institute.

Many of these names may be familiar to you but frankly that shouldn’t give them a leg up in the race for office. Study their record and note who are their campaign supporters.

Candidates for Mayor:

Don Freitas – In 1998, three fellow CCWD board members charged Freitas with having misrepresented the board’s position by campaigning against the Garavanta dump site proposal. In 2001 was fined by the Antioch City Clerk for filing his campaign finance statement two months past the deadline. Pro labor, Don (and Mary Rocha) on a 3-2 vote voted to impose a “stop work” on the McBail Sand Creek Ranch housing and commercial project because one of McBail’s subcontractors (Thomas Plumbing) hired an apprentice who had not graduated from a state-approved training program. The “McBail mandate” was ultimately was torpedoed by Judge Spellberg.

Don later endorsed Reggie Moore, saying he needed a 3rd vote on council who supported project labor agreements. (Winco sold its property across from Wal-Mart due to Freita’s position on labor issues.) His 2002 State of the City address touted “bulldozing” rundown houses along Highway 4 in favor of 3- to 5-story buildings and supported rezoning the 11+ acre medium density residential parcel at Lone Tree Way and Blue Rock to “office use” and high density residential (a 240 unit apartment complex.) In 2007 Don wanted an additional $12 million spent on the Prewett Park community center by extending the projected payoff date of the Mello Roos bonds. Don is known to be “thin skinned” and a micromanager with a hot temper. He currently holds a sizeable campaign fundraising lead over the other candidates. He has the endorsement of APOA, having voted for the 3% at age 50 retirement package, as well as a six-year contract in 2007 (the subject of recent council negotiations with APOA) and Republic Services, a subsidiary of Allied Waste, having voted to extend their contract with the city to 2025. (Davis voted against it.)

Gary Agopian: He’s willing to consider a property tax for additional police funding, as do the other candidates. As a member of the school board, I assume he’s supported AUSD’s bond measures which causes me concern. However, I give him kudos because, as a new AUSD board member in 2004 when the district was dealing with financial problems, he supported a strong fiscal recovery plan. Plus he opposed the half-cent sales tax measure on the 2010 ballot that would have hurt Antioch business. Gary, who ran for County Supervisor in 2004, has a admirable business background and a long history of service to the community e.g. a member of the Deer Valley Plaza Crime Task Force, a member of the city’s Economic Development Commission and a member of the Mello-Roos tax Board. He feels it’s vital to annex the area on Antioch’s northeast because it has deep water access rail access and would attract 21st century jobs.

Wade Harper: Although I like his plan to lower crime and he’s personable, his job as a full time police lieutenant often keeps him away from meetings, including the Chamber’s debate for Mayoral candidates, making him a poor candidate for the Mayor’s position which requires a considerable dedication of time to fulfill all the duties of the office. Additionally, I’m concerned about his connections with the Seenos and Garaventa. He reclused himself on a recent vote regarding possible litigation against Discovery Builders, owned by Albert Seeno, in regard to the Markley Creek Culvert Crossing Project, part of the long awaited Buchanan Bypass claiming that since Seeno donated to his campaign he had a conflict of interest.

Michael Leon: Don’t know much about him but like his background and his refusal to seek or take endorsements. I wish he had decided to run for council rather than trying to just jump into the mayor’s seat. I’m like to see him on the next election ballot.

Now for a look at council candidates:

Jim Davis: Toppled Mayor Don Freitas by 489 votes in 2008 and became mayor, a seat he unexpectedly decided not to run for again, instead opting to apply for the council position being vacated by Brian Kalinowski. Jim was a former council member, a Neighborhood Watch organizer, a Police Commission and a member of the Mello-Roos board, supporting the homeowners right to vote on tax increases. If you want to know where Jim stands on any issue, just ask him, he’ll tell you.

Mary Rocha – Her mission statement this time around is “bring back Cooperation, Compassion, and Commitment. I’ll give her commitment, she spent 8 years on council and 4 years as Mayor, cooperation (she follows along) and compassion for child care. Finances aren’t Mary’s strong suit. She voted for the San Diego ferry boat as well as city’s ill advised decision to borrow $6.3M in loans from the state’s Dept. of Boating and Waterways to develop and construct a 285 birth marina with an accompanying privately owned restaurant and public fishing pier, then deciding to defer replaying the loan during construction and during the first few years of operation. purchase. A pro labor advocate, she supported the McBail stop work order. In 1988 she advocated for the construction of the GWF plant saying it would bring more jobs to Antioch. (Only 13 employees were hired and one was Mary’s husband). Mary was on council in 1997 when council, upset that residents rejected a $3.2 million landscape and lighting district plan, had city crews hang signs on city parks that read “Enter at your own risk”. When mayor in 2000 she received a letter from Attorney General Bill Lockyer chiding the city for not complying with the mandate to update its general plan every 10 years.

Walter Ruehlig – has never seen a school bond measure he didn’t like but despite our disputes over former Superintendent Deborah Sims, whose dismissal I urged, student discipline measures and the district’s real estate portfolio, hats off to Walter (who often wears one) for his willingness to communicate at all times.

Monica Wilson – Admittedly I don’t know much about her other than she’s a college dean assistant and member of the Antioch Economic Development Commission but her list of Democratic party supporters are longer than her list of accomplishments. Frankly, I’d prefer someone less partisan.

Noel Pinto – Great resume as an administrator and someone committed to getting Antioch back on track. His goals are to “ ensure a balanced annual City budget, make Police funding priority 1, fill police vacancies, no more layoffs, promote business development and local job creation, market Antioch and what it offers to the outside world, commit to the revitalization of downtown Antioch, create funding initiatives to maintain an acceptable qualify of life for the residents.” What counts as much as his impressive background, is that he’s a great communicator and would be a transparent and responsive councilman.

City Clerk’s position:

Arne Simonsen – has a long history as a dedicated council member (2000 to 2008) and lost his last race for office by a hair. Arne has stated his intent to run an open office, making more materials available for residents to scrutinize and putting more information on the city website to keep citizens informed and updated. He was an open and responsive councilman which assures me he not only will run the city clerk’s office in the same manner but will make it even more assessable to the public.

Argentina Davila-Luevano – ran unsuccessfully for council in 2002 and sees the position as a stepping stone for a future run for council. Argentina was formerly deputy state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens of California. According to a Huffington Post article, she endorsed, on behalf of the LULAC, Proposition 19, a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana usage, causing the National Executive Director of LULAC to issue an official statement that she did not have the authority to make an endorsement on behalf of LULAC. Not a resume I admire.

Dear Editor,

We need to elect Jack Yeager on the Antioch school board.  He is the only candidate that’s declaring to be a conservative, someone to put the lid on spending.  He will review all the educational programs and their sources of income to determine if they are financially sound

As a business man, the only business man running, Jack can bring a business and financial prospective in our uncertain economic environment.  He will help develop classes that will promote an entrepreneurial atmosphere for our students.

Denise Johnson

Antioch

If Dems take State Senate expect taxes to go up

Did you know that it takesa 2/3rds vote by the legislature to raise your taxes? Did you know that the Democratic Party only needs to pick up two seats in the California Senate and they will have the 2/3rds that they need? Did you know that based upon realignment of the California Senate districts, the Democratic Party can very easily pick up the two additional seats that they need?

If you do not think that the Democratic Party will raise your taxes if they have 2/3rds of the Senate, just take one look at your ballot. Have you seen how many propositions there are that seek to raise the amount of taxes you pay? We all understand that the revenues in this state have declined drastically.

Rather than raise taxes, the California legislature needs to make the tough decisions to reduce the size of government.

The elections will be here before you know it. Can you make a financial contribution today to help us preserve your pocket-book? Meuser is in a close race with Senator Mark DeSaulnier who has the worst record in this state of raising your taxes over the last three years.

Do You Believe in Big Government – DeSaulnier Does.

Did you know that DeSaulnier voted for the Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act? This act was to establish a new bureaucracy in California and give that bureaucracy unlimited fee authority over manufacturers of mattresses. Lucky for the state of California, there were not enough liberal democrats who were willing to vote for this new bureaucracy and the bill failed on the last day of session.

This bill not only created an unlimited fee upon manufactures of mattresses, but it also created a mandate that required expensive statewide recycling programs.

This bill expressly stated that the cost of this program was to add no additional cost to both the retailer and the consumer. Do you really think that the big mattress companies are going to just eat this unlimited fee by a California bureaucracy? Whether you love or hate big business, big business is in existence to make money for their shareholders. Big business will simply pass fees and new costs onto the consumer by raising the wholesale price which means that you will be paying more for your next mattress.

At a time when businesses are leaving our state in record numbers and 20.3% of Californians are unemployed/underemployed, this is not the time to be creating new taxes on manufacturers that will be passed onto consumers. More expensive mattresses will mean that people will simply hold onto their older mattresses longer before they replace them.

At a time when the state of California has close to a $500 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, this is not the time to be creating new bureaucracies which create more state employees which creates more future pension liabilities.

If you believe government should be bigger and that you should be taxed more, then vote for Mark DeSaulnier. However, if you believe that government should be smaller and you should keep more of the money you earn, then vote for Mark Meuser.

Please help us ensure that the Democratic Party is not able to raise your taxes whenever they want.

Mark Meuser

Candidate for State Senate

It could “fundamentally transform California”

From the Cal Watchdog

Oct. 16, 2012

By Dave Roberts

“To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

– Thomas Jefferson

Propositions come and propositions go, with many amounting to little more than bumps on California’s road to oblivion. But Proposition 32 has the potential to fundamentally transform California, ending the union stranglehold on state government that has led to perennial multi-billion-dollar deficits and the worst business climate in the country.

To read the complete commentary, click here.

Dear Editor,

As residents of Brentwood, we support the proposal of a 110-acre community college campus at Laurel Road between Antioch and Oakley. The college district’s current proposal of a small, 17-acre campus at the southernmost end of Brentwood in a gated-resort/retirement community, i.e. Trilogy, does not permit for future expansion and is poorly located.

We strongly favor a 110-acre/Laurel campus because it is much better suited for students and residents of Brentwood as well as for students of East Contra Costa County (www.citizensforbrentwood.com).

We also strongly support electing Professor Greg Enholm as the College Board’s Ward 5 Trustee on November 6th because he has pledged to work to make a 110-acre/Laurel campus a reality (Go to Facebook page “Far East County Deserves a 110-acre Community College”).

A 110-acre/Laurel college campus will also address another important issue: eBART. Ultimately, we want full BART not eBART for Far East County. We propose that there be an eBART station at the 110-acre/Laurel campus with a parking garage that can be utilized for students as well as eBART patrons so that students/patrons and their vehicles can be protected by College District police. BART police will not be present at eBART stations. Eventually, we will petition BART (and our local elected officials) to upgrade eBART to full BART prior to extending service through Brentwood.

We also favor small, conveniently-located Park & Ride parking lots throughout Brentwood with a quality shuttle bus to take people to the Laurel Road eBART and/or Pittsburg BART stations.

Yildiz Karaibrahimoglu, Brentwood

Mark Begin and Cong Begin,Brentwood

David Redding and Gloria Redding,Brentwood

Charlene Straub, Brentwood

By Barbara Zivica

Worried about paying bills, losing your job, holding onto your home? Politicians don’t worry about budget deficits they‘re responsible for. They’ve got a simple solution….. raising OUR taxes to pay for THEIR fiscal mismanagement!

Here’s my analysis on some of the ballot measures that will appear on the November ballot. If all pass, consider the TOTAL hit to your budget and the warning notice below.

MEASURE A – the Contra Costa Community District Parcel tax ($11 for six years, 2/3 voter approval required) to provide Diablo Valley College, Contra Costa College, Los Medanos College, and the Brentwood and San Ramon Centers with “funds that cannot be taken by the state, maintain high quality education, support course offerings and instruction programs, including healthcare, technology and public safety, increase access to support services and prepare students for university transfer.” This ballot measure includes everything but the kitchen sink! NOTE: In September, Los Medanos College put out a legal notice inviting pre-qualified contractors to bid on a $10 to $15 million student services remodel, project subject to a Project Stability Agreement (PSA) between the college district and the CCC Building and Construction Trades Council. Such agreements are discriminatory because they exclude non union workers and can raise the cost of a project by 12 to 18%.

MEASURE Q – the Contra Costa County Fire Department’s proposed seven year $75 parcel tax (2/3 voter approval required) . The parcel tax, which has been said to equate to a $1.44 daily cup of McDonald’s coffee, would merely, according to the county civil grand jury, be a short term fix. Without the tax the District projects a budget deficit of $13 million next year and with the tax a $2 million deficit in budget year 2015/16. NOTE: The Grand Jury recommended the county’s fire districts consolidate, lowering operational costs, abandon outdated delivery models and address rising labor costs and pension liabilities.

Measure B – Antioch School Facilities Improvement District #1 – a $56.5M bond measure (55% voter approval required) . This is the third go around at the ballot box for the AUSD. Voters passed Measure C, the $61,600,000 June 2008 school facilities improvement bond measure, but Measure G, the June 2012 $59.5 million bond measure, bulk of the funds going to Antioch High’s modernization, failed by a narrow margin at the ballot box. Measure B is a repeat of Measure J but with all the funds going to modernize Antioch High. (The latest release of API scores shows Antioch High coming in with a score of 681, Deer Valley High 737; the state’s goal is an API value of 800. Renovation Antioch High is unlikely to improve test scores.)

Problem is taxpayers in the School Improvement Facilities Improvement District already pay about $50 for every $100,000 of assessed value due to Measure C, although the district used only approximately $40 million of the $61 million before closing the bond down. If Measure B passes, tax bills to retire school bonds will basically double, going from about $56 per $100,00 to about $106 in 2014 and reach $125 by 2023, For a home assessed at a current average $141,500, that $177 a year!

Incidentally, the district is currently setting aside 3% toward maintenance but are putting the state funding for deferred maintenance (generally for replacement) into their Capital Facilities improvement account for deferred maintenance needs. The district is currently not funding their Irrevocable Trust for Post Retirement Benefits, but are not drawing against it and allowing the fund to grow for future Post-Retirement requirements.

The district has a $31 million ending fund balance but states that if Prop. 30 and 38 are defeated, will be at $7 million plus yearly deficit and can only receive a positive certification based on 3 years projection with 3% reserves.

PROPOSITION 30: Governor Jerry Brown’s sales and income tax initiative, a constitutional amendment, entitled “Temporary taxes to fund education, guaranteed local public safety funding: The measure would up the California sales tax from 7.25 to 7.5% for 4 years, hurting those with lower incomes (the bottom fifth of earners who spend 82% of their income on taxable purchases) and raise income taxes for 7 years on the more affluent who currently pay about 40% of the state’s personal income taxes, making our top income tax rate the highest in the nation. (One of it’s provisions would end state reimbursement to local governments for costs resulting from certain provisions of the Brown Act, such as the requirement to prepare and post agendas for public meetings.

NOTE California’s school accountability system has been based on the Academic Performance Index (API) which measures the performance of schools and the achievement of students. The API is based on student scores on state tests. This bill will change the way API is calculated, as of 2016 test results will constitute no more than 60% of the API for secondary schools, for elementary and middle schools, at least 60% of the API will be based on test scores. Options to take the receding place of student test scores are troubling e.g. locally convened panels to visit schools, observe teachers, interview pupils and examine pupil work. Prop. 30 doesn’t provide measurement yardsticks for these highly subjective school review panels and evaluations could have little relationship to student proficiency in core subjects.
Proposition 38 is a 12 year tax initiative to fund education and early childhood programs. It would increase personal income tax rates on annual earnings over $7,316, using a sliding scale from .04% for lower individual earners to 2.2% for individuals earning over $2.5 million, for twelve years.

WARNING NOTICE: Beginning with the 2012 tax year (the tax that is due April 15 of 2013) not all items on your property tax bill will be deductible. The state is going to require a breakdown between deductible and nondeductible items from your property tax bills. State law follows Federal in that you are only allowed to deduct the portion of real estate taxes that is based on the assessed value of your property with some limited exceptions. Big dollar exemptions could be eliminated e.g. Mello Roos fees. It also means that parcel taxes, sewer changes, and items like the Mosquito and Vector amounts will not be deductible.

A sample property tax bill showing deductible vs. nondeductible items can be found at www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/Real_Estate_Tax