Need for civic-minded citizens to help throughout the county in June and November

Kelly Davis and her fellow Contra Costa volunteers have an early wake-up call on Election Day, but most of them don’t mind the long hours.

Each of them has their own unique reasons for being poll workers. And the Contra Costa County Elections Division is looking for civic-minded men and women to consider joining them.

Davis, of Orinda, is motivated to get out of bed on Election Day and stay energized during the day to raise money for foster children.

Monnie Segelke of Danville and Maude DeVictor of Richmond both find fulfillment in helping voters and enjoy seeing neighbors and familiar faces at their polling places.

Like many volunteers, Julie Southern of Antioch grew up in a family who emphasized civic participation.

No prior experience is necessary and training is provided.  Poll workers receive a stipend for their service, which includes attending mandatory training and being present from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on Election Day.

In an effort to make it as easy as possible for Contra Costans to volunteer, the Elections Division now allows applicants to email eo@vote.cccounty.us or send a text message if they are interested. No cumbersome, time-consuming hand-written forms.

There are two chances for Contra Costa residents to work in 2016: June 7 and November 8. This is an historic year, as a new President and U.S. Senator will be elected.

“I enjoy being involved in the democratic process, and there’s no better way than being a poll worker because you’re involved in the nitty-gritty,” Southern said. “I can say I’m a part of history.”

Participants are awarded special election pin denoting their service.

Bilingual citizens are strongly encouraged to volunteer. County and State employees, as well as high school students who are at least 16, should also consider applying.

For more information, visit www.cocovote.us.

In keeping with his opposition to BART strikes, and what he claims is financial mismanagement and security lapses, State Senator Steve Glazer was joined by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and local elected officials at a news conference on Wednesday, February 3 at the Walnut Creek BART station, to announce their potential opposition to any new BART taxes – including BART’s multi-billion dollar bond proposal – until it takes specific action steps.

Glazer and Baker were joined by mayors and council members representing 11 cities in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, leaders who have signed the appeal to BART management and unions.

“BART has a lot of work to do before it can earn the trust of voters in November to pay for new taxes,” Glazer said. “We do need to invest in our worn down transportation system so it can serve the hundreds of thousands who depend on it for work, school and recreational pursuits.”

“But we cannot reward bad behavior with more and more taxes. BART has eight months until the election to restore the public trust,” he continued. “There is a pathway to a successful reinvestment in the BART system. But it will require thoughtful leadership from BART management and their unions. Time is running out.”

The letter, which can be seen in its entirety, below, stated:

“We, the undersigned, have serious concerns about a potential multi-billion dollar BART bond that we understand the BART Board of Directors is considering for the November 2016 ballot. Convincing two-thirds of Bay Area voters to agree to a tax increase is already an uphill fight. But the 2013 strike, drawn-out contract negotiations, and wage concessions for workers and management also severely damaged voters’ trust in BART.

To regain that trust and the voters’ support of new taxes, we implore you to negotiate – before the 2016 elections – a new contract that takes into account the dire fiscal needs of the system and ensures that trains keep running on schedule.”

No member of the Antioch City Council signed the letter.

Antioch City Council Member Monica Wilson announced, today, Monday, February 1, 2016, she will run for the open Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisor’s seat in District 3, currently held by Mary Piepho.

In a news release from her campaign, Wilson stated “In my time on the Antioch City Council, I have worked to bring jobs back to our community and to make sure that every resident has the opportunity to succeed in our economy. I want to bring these type of results to the rest of Contra Costa County and I’m going to fight to make sure we get results.”

The announcement further states “Wilson’s passion for serving her community began after being affected by the economic crash of 2007. Right after buying a home in Antioch to be closer to her parents, Monica was laid off from her job. The housing crisis forced Monica to deplete her life’s savings to pay off her new mortgage and barely stay afloat. Being in the same financial position as many East Contra Costa County Residents, Monica understood the feeling of helplessness over the economic strain caused by the financial crisis.

Monica wanted to give back to her neighbors and she started volunteering in the community [and] working at Mills College to help guide students towards their goals. After that, Monica began working to bring funds to support programs for youth in the community, creating opportunities for the next generation.”

According to Wilson’s list of Experience on her LinkedIn page, her position at Mills College in Oakland was  Special Projects/Executive Assistant to the Dean of Student Life from February 2009 to July 2014; then she worked as Interim Dean of Economic and Workforce Development for the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District – Workforce Institute from July, 2014 to October, 2014, where one of the people she appointed to be her standby council members, and an Antioch Economic Development Commission Member, Lamar Thorpe works as Chief Advancement Officer. Wilson was then was unemployed for about six months until securing her current position, last April, as Workforce Service Specialist for the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County in Pleasant Hill. If elected, she would have to give up that position.

In her news release, it claims, “First running for office in 2012, Wilson’s tenure on the City Council has been marked by significant achievements for the City of Antioch. She used her experience from her time in the private sector to help grow local businesses and also made sure that public services continued to improve to better serve Antioch residents. During her tenure, Monica made public safety a top priority, securing local measures to hire and support more police officers, and during her time on the council, Antioch was able to expand public services in a fiscally responsible way; the city increased its rainy day reserves from 15% to 24%.

Wilson’s successes include bringing back a five-day workweek for city employees and closing the gap on the city’s financial obligations. She also strives to serve the underrepresented, bringing a new local grocery store to an underserved neighborhood whose residents previously had to drive the inconvenient long distance to the closest grocery store.”

The news release also states that “Wilson brings her strong history of creating opportunities for all residents and improving community resources to her service for East Contra Costa County. Monica has attended hundreds of community meetings in East County. Having met thousands of constituents, Monica maintains strong relationships with many stakeholders throughout the county. Monica is running for Supervisor to continue her work fighting for East County and to continue to expand opportunities for every resident. As a current Antioch councilmember, Monica Wilson has already had success on the citywide ballot; Antioch has the most likely primary voters of any of the cities in the third supervisorial district.

Wilson has worked to put the City back on financial track. The third supervisorial district, which includes Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay, is represented by Supervisor Mary Piepho who is retiring. The primary election is June 7, 2016.”

Before being elected to the City Council, Wilson served on the Antioch Economic Development Commission from May, 2011 to November, 2012, served as Vice Chair for the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County from August, 2010 to June, 2012 and from 2010 to 2011 she served as Program Member for Emerge California, an organization self-described on their website as “the premier training program for Democratic women…to increase the number of Democratic women in public office.”

According to her LinkedIn profile, she is Vice Chair, California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus and Policy Issues Chair California State Delegate, 11th Assembly District; she earned a B.S. degree in Fashion Merchandising from Howard University, in 1991 and an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2005.

For more information visit Wilson’s campaign website at www.monicawilsonforsupervisor.com.

Wilson is the fifth candidate to enter the race, including Oakley City Councilman Doug Hardcastle, NAACP East County Branch President Odessa Lefrancois, East Bay Regional Parks District Board Member Diane Burgis and Antioch Mayor Wade Harper. If no candidate receives a majority of votes in the June Primary, the top two vote-getters will face each other in a run-off during the General Election in November. The district also includes Diablo, Blackhawk and Camino Tassajara in the San Ramon Valley.

By Allen Payton

This week, Joy Motts, one of the leaders of an effort to turn the old Antioch Lumber Company lot into a park and event center, in downtown, known as “Save The Yard,” filed the necessary papers for an initiative to help make that a possibility.

Entitled “An Ordinance of the People of the City of Antioch Designating the Old Beede Lumberyard Site as a Town Square,” the initiative pre-empts the expected action by the City Council to sell the parcel to a developer who could build up to 18 housing units per acre on the 2.5 acre site, instead of waiting for the vote and filing a referendum.

Last June, a majority of council members, including Mayor Wade Harper, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock and Council Member Mary Rocha, indicated that they would support allowing the group of Antioch residents to move forward on a possible park and event center on the property, and the council voted 5-0 to give it the designation of mixed-use which would allow for it. It would also allow for retail, commercial and residential uses on the property.

But, then during a closed session on August 25^th, the Council voted 4-1, with Ogorchock dissenting, to direct City Manager Steve Duran to negotiate with a developer to sell that parcel and eight others the city owns in downtown. (See article, here).

Created with the help of an attorney, according to Motts, the ordinance, if passed, states the park and event center would include “a large gazebo or similar amenity along the river, or with a view of the river, which…could be the site of summer concerts and other performances.”

Known as “The Rivertown Town Square Ordinance,” it further states that the “general plan designation (of ‘Rivertown/Urban Waterfront’) also encourages recreational uses such as bocce ball and lawn bowling courts; provision for family activities for all ages; and an emphasis on historical recognition.”

Planned for the November, 2016 election, the supporters will need to get signatures of 10% of the registered voters in Antioch, which is about 4,600, according to Motts.

“But we’re hoping to get about 6,000 signatures to make sure we have enough valid ones,”  “We don’t want to come up short. So that’s our goal.”

According to Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, “They will have 180 days from the day I approve their petition” to gather the required signatures.

Other proponents of the initiative, according to Motts, are Antioch downtown businessman Jim Lanter and Wayne Harrison, President of Celebrate Antioch Foundation, which has organized the annual Antioch July 4th Celebrations since 2013.

“We have a lot of citizens and business owners from all over the Antioch community on our committee,” Motts shared. “We’re asking people to donate to support the effort.”

For more information on the plans for the park and event center, as well as the initiative effort visit www.savetheyard.com.

Click here to read the ordinance. Final Initiative Ordinance

Following is the complete text of the Notice of Intent to Circulate, prior to submission to the City Clerk:

Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition

Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9202

 Notice is hereby given by the person whose name appears hereon of their intention to circulate the petition within the City of Antioch for the purpose of giving the voters a chance to adopt the attached ordinance to designate the Old Beede Lumberyard Site as a Town Square. A statement of the reasons for the proposed action contemplated in the petition is as follows:

The City of Antioch has embarked on an effort to revitalize its original core downtown-known as Rivertown-through a Rivertown Specific Plan. Prior to this, in a separate action that did not include public input, the city designated several city owned parcels within Rivertown for sale to a developer through an RFP or Request for Proposals process as a way to bring more residents, foot traffic and business to the area. The largest of these parcels is the Old Beede Lumberyard.

This site sits within one block of the founding place of Antioch, is the  focal point entering historic  Rivertown from A Street and Southeast Antioch, and provides unparalleled panoramic views of the Delta. Because of its historic location and proximity to Rivertown businesses, we believe its highest and best use to be as an event center, town square, and multi-use park that will fulfill Antioch’s General Plan request for development of such a venue.

By adopting this ordinance, the City of Antioch will forever provide its citizens with a link to its history, a connection to its Delta environment, the people needed to revitalize Rivertown’s economy, and an unsurpassed location for gathering and celebrations.

NOTE: The proposed ordinance is attached and the $200 refundable fee enclosed as required by Elections Code Section 9202.

Dated:__________                ____________________

                                                          Initiative Proponent

Today, Mayor of Oakley, Kevin Romick endorsed fellow Oakley Council Member and small business owner Doug Hardcastle for County Supervisor in District 3.

“Possessed with the values inherited from his family and those he picked up being a long time Oakley and East Contra Costa resident Doug Hardcastle will bring with him a straight talking, tell it as it is approach to the Board of Supervisors,” Romick stated. “The job requires a commitment to purpose that Doug has demonstrated in his current and previous elected positions.”

“I am sure that Doug will serve the citizens of District III with distinction,” he continued. “I am proud to endorse Doug Hardcastle for Supervisor.”

Romick is the Data Center Manager at USS Posco in Pittsburg where he has worked for nearly 28 years. He serves as a Member of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and was Oakley Citizen of the Year in 2007.

“I appreciate the support of my colleague on the Oakley City Council, Kevin Romick,” Hardcastle shared. “I’m committed to continuing to work with him on solutions for our county, especially on transportation issues, creating local, well-paying jobs, and the safety and well being of all we represent.”

Romick’s endorsement adds to the growing list of community leaders supporting Doug Hardcastle for County Supervisor.

Doug Hardcastle was elected to the Oakley City Council in 2012 and just completed a year as Mayor. From 2000 to 2012 he served as a Director on the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board, for which he served as President in 2010-2011. He currently serves on both the Transplan Committee and the Tri Delta Transit Board of Directors. Doug and his wife Lyn own Hardcastle’s RV in Oakley. Doug was selected Oakley Business Person of the Year in 2006. He’s a life-long resident of Contra Costa County. For more information visit www.doughardcastle.com.

Supervisor District 3 includes Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Blackhawk, Diablo, Camino Tassajara, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and part of Antioch. The election is on June 7, 2016.

On sixth anniversary of Citizens United

By Allen Payton

On Wednesday, January 21, the sixth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09) called for what he believes are “long-overdue fixes to our broken campaign finance system.” McNerney is advocating for H.J.Res.31, a constitutional amendment to limit campaign contributions to individuals and prevent heavily-financed special interests from influencing our elections. It is a change to a similar bill, also labeled H.J.Res.31, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-28) in 2013.

McNerney’s amendment would also allow for financing of campaigns with public, taxpayer funds.

“This bill specifies individual citizens or public election financing or voter education systems as the only sources of funding to directly or indirectly support or oppose campaigns for election to public office or state ballot measures,” the resolution states.

“Citizens United made an already broken campaign finance system much worse. Over the past six years we’ve seen its damaging effects, with excessive amounts of dark money from hidden donors, corporations, and special interests flowing into electoral campaigns while crushing the voice of individual voters,” said McNerney. “This corrosive influence drives much of the partisan gridlock in Washington and many state capitals, making it exceedingly difficult to tackle some of our country’s most complex and pressing issues. This is why I’m advocating for significant changes that will overhaul our broken campaign finance system to remove the destructive influence of unlimited dark money contributions, and restore the health of our democracy.”

In Citizens United v. FEC, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the same free speech rights as people, allowing highly-financed special interest to use their money to fund campaigns for public elective office and ballot initiatives.

Since the Citizens United decision, a majority of campaign spending now comes from undisclosed and unregulated sources. A report from Center for Responsive Politics (CFRP) illustrates that while federal elections are becoming more expensive, fewer people are making contributions.

In 2012, CFRP also found that spending from outside entities required to disclose contributions (that is, not candidates or parties) totaled over $1 billion. That pales in comparison to the amount of so-called “dark money” from SuperPACs and groups that aren’t required to disclose their donors, estimated at over $300 billion.

McNerney’s legislation specifies individual citizens or public election financing or voter education systems as the only sources of funding to directly or indirectly support or oppose campaigns for election to public office or state ballot measures.

He claims that “a majority of Americans say fundamental changes need to be made to our campaign finance system,” and cites a 2015 NY Times/CBS poll found that 84 percent of Americans say money has too much influence in politics, and 85 percent of those surveyed said the campaign-finance system should be either completely rebuilt or fundamentally changed.

However, during the 2016 presidential campaign, the influence of SuperPAC’s has been diminished according to a December, 2015 article in The Atlantic, having little to no effect on the Republican presidential campaign.

“Super PACs have spent millions in the 2016 presidential race, but so far there’s been little to show for it,” the article states. “The deep coffers of some super PACs seem to have done little to help candidates gain traction.”

McNerney has repeatedly advocated for campaign finance reform to remove the influence of money in our elections and restore the voice of the voters.

McNerney  serves the constituents of California’s 9^th Congressional District that includes portions of Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Sacramento Countie, including part of Antioch. For more information on McNerney follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.

For job growth and reduction in commute traffic

Oakley City Councilman and candidate for District 3 County Supervisor Doug Hardcastle is calling for State Route 239, the route between Brentwood and Tracy, and connectors to the Byron Airport to be included in the Transportation Plan for Our Future, being developed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA).

State Route 239 has been on the state’s plans for over 50 years and is finally in the planning stages. As Chair of Transplan, the Eastern Contra Costa transportation planning committee, and Vice Chair of Tri Delta Transit, Hardcastle supports the construction of the road as part of the proposed Tri-Link project, which includes a four-lane highway and two lines of transit.

“In order to secure the future of job creation and economic development for East County, we need Route 239 between Brentwood and Tracy to connect our region to Interstate-5,” Hardcastle said.

At last week’s county transportation Authority meeting, a presentation was made by a coalition of “Environmental, Labor, Transportation, Housing, Social Justice, Faith, Civic and other Public Interest Groups” asking the authority board to prohibit Route 239, labeling it “sprawl-inducing.”

“Route 239 will help us have jobs in East County, so people who already live here can work here,” Hardcastle responded. “That will mean people can get out of the commute and no longer be forced to go to jobs out of the area.”

Plans for the Byron Airport include extension of the runway and locating a Fixed Base Operation (FBO), serving commercial pilots who bring their clients into the area for business appointments and pleasure trips. Two connectors are needed, one to the proposed Route 239 and another to Vasco Road, to provide better access to the airport.

“In addition to Route 239, the Byron Airport offers great potential for job creation in East County,” Hardcastle stated. “We need to make sure expansion plans for the airport and better access to it are included in the proposed county transportation plan. That will make the airport more economically viable and no longer require a taxpayer subsidy of $500,000 per year. It needs to be self-funding.”

“But, we need to give it the tools to do so,” he added

Ron Reagan, Chair of the county’s Aviation Advisory Committee and a member of the Contra Costa Land Use Commission, agrees with Hardcastle on the need for better access to the Byron Airport.

“We need better access to the Byron Airport from both sides,” Reagan said. “We need Doug Hardcastle’s leadership in transportation issues, to ensure the Tri-Link project and expansion of the airport are accomplished.”

“I encourage all residents in District 3 to speak out in favor of both Route 239 and improvements to the Byron Airport at the next CCTA Board meeting on January 20^th,” Hardcastle added. “If you can’t attend you can contact the them by email at info@ccta.net or phone call at (925) 256-4700.

For more information on Route 239 and the proposed Tri-Link Project, visit www.trilink239.org. For more information on the Byron Airport visit www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/3802/Byron-Airport-C83. To learn more about the CCTA’s Transportation for Our Future planning process visit www.ccta.net/funding/our_future.

Doug Hardcastle was elected to the Oakley City Council in 2012 and just completed a year as Mayor. From 2000 to 2012 he served as a Director on the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board, for which he served as President in 2010-2011. He currently serves on both the Transplan Committee and the Tri Delta Transit Board of Directors. He and his wife Lyn own Hardcastle’s RV in Oakley. He’s a life-long resident of Contra Costa County. For more information visit www.doughardcastle.com.

Supervisor District 3 includes Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Blackhawk, Diablo, Camino Tassajara, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and part of Antioch. The election is on June 7, 2016.

By Allen Payton

In an email, on Wednesday, candidate for Congress Kathryn Nance, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Jerry McNerney in the 9th District, responded to his State of the District address, released on Tuesday.

“It was obvious the Congressman was not going to address terrorism and American security due to his past associations with anti-military groups who fund his campaigns  At the same time, McNerney has been a puppet for a socialist agenda on health care, agriculture and energy; all areas that directly affect our local economy. His votes continue to hurt working men and women and those trying to find work,” said Nance.  “The claims he makes about being bipartisan after the vicious negative campaigns he has run in the past are almost as sad as his record of taking millions from special interests to keep his job.  He has accomplished little and all the YouTube videos in the world won’t change that.”

Nance is a police Sergeant and serves as President of the Stockton Police Officers Association. This is her first run for public office. For more information visit www.nance2016.com.

The 9th Congressional District includes most of Antioch, Eastern Contra Costa County, Stockton and most of San Joaquin County, and Galt in Sacramento County.