By Allen Payton, Publisher

The Antioch Unified School District’s ballot measure to provide funding to improve Antioch High School failed by about 40 votes.

The parcel tax needed a 55% majority vote to pass and 4,597 yes votes or 54.4% in favor versus 3,854 no votes or 45.6% opposed.

Prior to the vote being certified, School Board Members Walter Ruehlig and Joy Motts said they weren’t sure if the district would seek another ballot measure on the November ballot, if Measure J failed.

Discussions by the full board will take place at their meeting following certification of the election.

The measure would have approved $59.5 million in new bonds for the district. Most of the funds were planned for improvements to Antioch High. However, some of the funds were slated for improvements to Antioch Middle School.

No campaign was run, following the advice of the bond counsel, according to Ruehlig and Motts. That was, they said, because the last bond measure passed without a campaign, either.

One key factor in its defeat could have been the neutral position taken by the teachers union, due to their opposition to the district wanting to relocate their offices to where Prospect High School is located, now.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Filing for the November elections for local office opens on Monday, July 16 and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 10, unless an incumbent fails to file for re-election. In that case, the filing period is extended until Wednesday, August 15.

In Antioch, now that Measures L and M both failed, the positions up for election in the City are Mayor, the council seats of Council Members Brian Kalinowski and Mary Rocha, as well as City Clerk and City Treasurer.

Rumor has it that Kalinowski will not seek reelection, but Rocha will be running, again. She will have served 32 years in office in Antioch, both on the school board and council at the end of this year.

Three candidates have been discussed for the Mayor’s race, including the incumbent Jim Davis, Councilman Gary Agopian and former Mayor Don Freitas, who after losing to Davis in 2008 might be making a comeback. But, Davis may opt to run for Council, instead.

The question is where is Don? He hasn’t been seen at any public events, lately, including the July 4^th festivities.

For council, School Board Trustee Walter Ruehlig has announced he will be running for City Council instead of re-election. One other candidate, who has already launched his campaign website, is newcomer Noel Pinto, the Director of Parking and Enforcement for the City of Oakland. Other names being bandied about are former Councilman Arne Simonsen and another newcomer, Monica Wilson who works for Mills College as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Student Life, is a member of the Antioch Economic Development Commission, Vice Chair of the Contra Costa County Democratic Party Central Committee, is the Treasurer for the California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus, and serves as the staff adviser to the Feminist Democrats (Fem Dems), the Mills College Democratic Club.

As of Monday, July 9, two more candidates for city council have stepped forward. First is Jonathan Hernandez, a self-described “lifelong Bail Agent, ” according to his website (although his campaign Facebook page states “I am a financial advisor by profession”), who announced his candidacy in an email to local business owners. His issues are crime, budget and education. In addition to the Facebook page, he has set up an informational and fundraising website at http://www.indiegogo.com/concernedcitizensforantioch offering a campaign T-shirt, bumper sticker and/or pen for contributions ranging from $500 to $5,000, and another campaign website featuring the skyline of San Diego at http://concernedcitizensforantioch.weebly.com and a donation page with amounts ranging from$1.00 to $1,200 using the City of Antioch Police badge icon next to each contribution choice.

Then, in an email to the Herald from a Dr. Douglas Quinn, dated Monday, July 9, 2012, he shared his intention to run for city council, as well. He has “created a little web page to chronicle the process at facebook.com/drdouglasquinn.”

“I’ll be running a rather low-key candidacy, as this will be my first attempt at running for office,” Quinn stated. “However, low-key should not be confused with non-serious. I fully intend to give Noel Pinto, Arne Simonsen and Monica Wilson a good race. If there’s one thing my background gives me legs for, it’s talking up a storm in public venues.”

On the school board, the positions held by Trustees Walter Ruehlig, Claire Smith and Diane Gibson-Gray are up. Both Smith and Gibson-Gray have said they are running. But because Ruehlig will not be seeking reelection, the filing period for school board will be extended five more calendar days.

Also, this year, the City Clerk and City Treasurer positions are up for election. Appointed incumbent Denise Skaggs told me she won’t be running for the position. Treasurer Donna Conley is expected to run for re-election, although she supported Measure L and wanted the position to be appointed.

For more information and filing forms, check with the City Clerk’s office at 779-7009 or the County Clerk’s office at 646-4166 and ask for Candidate Services.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Walter Ruehlig

In an email message, today, Antioch School Board Trustee Walter Ruehlig announced he will be running for the Antioch City Council in the November election.

Following is the full text of his email:

After requisite soul-searching and vigorous discussions with my better half, I have decided to run for Antioch City Council. It was a tough decision.

Firstly, I respect and like my colleagues on the School Board. I will sorely miss them and the transformational work we’ve undertaken.

Secondly, challenging times as they are for education, city governance is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Thirdly, I buck conventional wisdom which says to run in mid term with no held office at stake.

Why, then, run?  Well, the School Board seems on pretty firm footing governance wise. It boasts district-wide  academic performance increases (API) in seven of the last eight years and is a state trailblazer on small career based learning academies.

On the other hand, the Council is losing three term Brian Kalinowski.  It could conceivably lose yet another member, contingent upon the Mayor’s race. Given a shortage of some 30 sworn police officers, a budget down from 47 to 34 million dollars, and a tattered image as the capital of smoke shops the city is at a crossroads. It can’t afford a leadership misstep.

I think I offer a blend of tested governance skills, balanced temperment and fresh, independent perspective. I get along without always going along and seamlessly work with all stripes. Civilly stirring the pot with questions and imagination comes naturally.

Importantly, my wife and I also live by the motto, without fear or favor; not bullied or bought. What you see is what you get; I run on my own merits and bow to no political machines or agendas.

Why announce now? Frankly, I want to give plenty of notice for those interested in possibly replacing me on the Board.

I started my public service 44 years ago teaching English for the Peace Corps in an electricity-less village in Turkey. I have  traditional core values and appreciate a smaller, more hospitable Antioch but realize we can’t turn back the clock. We need vision and a cosmopolitan approach of modeling best practices from other towns that have navigated explosive growth.

My approach is fundamentals. I want to see Antioch once again a destination and not a departure point. My motivation comes from growing up in Great Neck, Long Island where people would drop a note at your door asking you to call them if you ever moved. Getting a home there was that desirable.

My agenda will be reduced crime, particularly runaway burglaries; revitalizing a demoralized business climate and city services and regulating rentals and blight.

We have so many blessings, from our myriad good citizens to our notable community center, El Campanil, Historical Museum, churches, schools, parks, adjacent river, mountain, undulating streets and hills. Yes, we have had some severe bumps on our road but Antioch’s journey holds such promise.

Call me at 756-7628 or e-mail me at walter.ruehlig@gmail.com with your ideas.

I accept this challenge with gusto and would be honored by your support in my quest for the Antioch we all dream of.

Walter Ruehlig

Antioch

Following is the information that candidates provided to SmartVoter.org, a project of the League of Women Voters, and gathered from the internet.

The June Primary will be the first time that Proposition 14 will be in effect, statewide, allowing any voter to vote for any candidate. Plus only the top two candidates in each race will run against each other in the General Election in November.

First is their name, then their party affiliation followed by their ballot designation and occupation and contact information.

All campaigns were contacted and offered the opportunity to advertise with us.

Local Elections – with the Antioch Herald’s Recommendations

Three Measures in Antioch will Change from Electing to Appointing Mayor, City Clerk and City Treasurer, and for Antioch High Improvements

Measure J – Antioch School Bonds – No recommendation

55% approval required

www.antioch.k12.ca.us/MeasureJ

Measure L – Change City Clerk and Treasurer to Appointed – NO

Majority approval required

Measure M – Change Elected Mayor to Appointed – YES

Majority approval required

Federal Elections

Two Challengers for McNerney in New District

Gerald “Jerry” McNerney

Democratic

United States Congressman/Engineer

info@jerrymcnerney.org

209-910-4172

www.JerryMcNerney.org

Ranjit “Ricky” Gill

Republican

Law School Student/Small Businessman/Farmer

info@rickygill.com

209-222-8208

www.RickyGill.com

John McDonald

Republican

High Technology Executive

john@johnmcdonald2012.com

209-229-5224

www.JohnMcDonald2012.com

Two Democrats, One Republican Challenge Miller in Reelection Bid

John Fitzgerald

Democratic

Contractor

925-383-9927

www.JohnFitzgeraldforCongress.com

Cheryl Sudduth

Democratic

Contracts Compliance Director

www.CherylSudduth.com

George Miller

Democratic

Congressman

dave@georgemillerforcongress.com

925-948-5165

www.GeorgeMillerforCongress.com

Virginia Fuller

Republican

Registered Nurse

vf@fullerforcongress.org

510-758-5854

www.FullerforCongress.org

23 Candidates Run to Challenge Dianne Feinstein for U.S. Senate

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic

United States Senator

202-224-9650

www.DianneFeinstein2012.com

Elizabeth Emken

Republican

Businesswoman/Nonprofit Executive

elizabeth@emken2012.com

925-395-4475

www.Emken2012.com

Al Ramirez

Republican

Businessman

2012@alramirez.com

Phone:202-455-0560

www.AlRamirez.com

Orly Taitz

Republican

Doctor/Attorney/Businesswoman

dr_taitz@yahoo.com

www.OrlyTaitzforUSSenate2012.com

John Boruff

Republican

Businessman

john@johnboruff.com

858-215-4872

www.JohnBoruff.com

Robert Lauten

Republican

info@robertlautenforussenate2012.com

714-202-2625

RobertLautenforUSSenate2012.com

Colleen Shea Fernald

Democratic

Mother/Consultant/Artist

infinite_c@yahoo.com

707-829-2243

www.CampaignforPeace.org

Marsha Feinland

Peace and Freedom

Retired Teacher

feinlandforsenate@gmail.com

510-845-4360

www.FeinlandforSenate.org

Dirk Allen Konopik

Republican

MBA Student

campaign@konopikforca2012.com

909-293-9225

www.KonopikforCA2012.com

Kabiruddin Karim Ali

Peace and Freedom

Businessman

business.hotels@yahoo.com

818-257-2743

www.Twitter.com/AliKabir786

Nachum Shifren

Republican

Educator/Author/Businessman

rabbi.shifren@gmail.com

rns.nationbuilder.com

Rogelio T. Gloria

Republican

Graduate Student/Businessman

r.gloria40@gmail.com

Phone:619-267-5334

gloriaforcongress.weebly.com

David Alex Levitt

Democratic

Computer Scientist/Engineer

david@levitt2012.org

Phone:707-515-7828

www.Levitt2012.org

Nak Shah

Democratic

Environmental Health Consultant

nickshah34@yahoo.com

Phone:224-622-2573

Nakshar.webstarts.com

Donald Krampe

Republican

Retired Administration Director

krampeforsenate@gmail.com

www.KrampeforSenate.com

Oscar Alejandro Braun

Republican

Businessman/Rancher

WaterForFighting@gmail.com

650-867-5779

www.OscarforUSSenate.com

Mike Strimling

Democratic

Occupation: Consumer Rights Attorney

ms@taxtherich2012.org

510-325-7722

www.TaxTheRich2012.org

Dennis Jackson

Republican

Aerospace General Manager

jacksonussenate@gmail.com

951-734-4823

www.JacksonUSSenate.com

Diane Stewart

Democratic

Businesswoman/Finance Manager

diane@dianestewart4us.org

Discovery Bay resident

510-705-2078

www.DianeStewart4Us.org

Rick Williams

Republican

Business Attorney

rickwilliamsforsenate@aol.com

www.RickWilliamsforSenate.com

Greg Conlon

Republican

Businessman/CPA

gregconlonforsenate@yahoo.com

650-315-4956

www.GregConlon.com

Gail K. Lightfoot

Libertarian

Retired Nurse

sosvotelp@aol.com

www.GailKLightfoot.com

Don J. Grundmann

American Independent

Doctor of Chiropractic

stoptheirs@hotmail.com

510-895-6789

www.TruthUSA.org

Dan Hughes

Republican

Small Business Owner

john@pacificpolitical.com

760-260-4511

www.DanHughes2012.org

State Elections

Six Vie for New, Open Assembly Seat

Patricia Hernández

Democratic

Chief Negotiator

phernandez11th@gmail.com

707-718-6632

www.PHernandez.com

Jim Frazier

Democratic

Oakley Councilmember/Business Owner

925-250-6831

jimfrazier@jimfrazierforassembly.com

www.JimFrazierforAssembly.com

Len Augustine

No Party Preference

Retired USAF Colonel

lenaug@pacbell.net

707-446-0986

www.LenAugustine.com

Charles Kingeter

Democratic

Programmer/Artist

charleskingeter@gmail.com

707-422-4695

Mike Hudson

Republican

Vice-Mayor of Suisun City/Business Owner

mike@mikehudson2012.com

707-372-8389

www.MikeHudson2012.com

Gene Gantt

Democratic

Retired Fire Chief

genegantt@comcast.net

707-590-3446

www.GeneGantt.com

DeSaulnier Faces Opposition in Re-election Bid for Final Term as State Senator

Mark P. Meuser

Republican

Counselor at Law

mpm@markmeuser.com

Phone:415-577-2850

www.MarkMeuser.com

Mark DeSaulnier

Democratic

State Senator/Businessman

mark@markdesaulnier.com

925-957-1123

www.MarkDeSaulnier.com

Two State Propositions on Ballot – One to Change Term Limits, the Other to Increase Tobacco Tax

Proposition 28

Contact FOR Proposition 28:

Doug Herman Californians for a Fresh Start

790 E. Colorado Blvd., Ste 506 Pasadena, 91101 (626) 535-0710

info@cafreshstart.com

www.cafreshstart.com

Contact AGAINST Proposition 28:

Anita Anderson Californians for Term Limits

1161 Rhode Island Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 309-0939

info@28no.org

www.28No.org

Proposition 29

Contact FOR Proposition 29:

Tim Gibbs American Cancer Society

980 9th Street, Suite 2550

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 397-4618

Info@CaliforniansForACure.org

www.CaliforniansForACure.org

Contact AGAINST Proposition 29:

No on 29—Californians Against Out-of-Control Taxes and Spending, a coalition of taxpayers, small businesses, law enforcement and labor

(866) 662-7016

Info@NoOn29.com

www.NoOn29.com

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Below is the email sent out detailing the results of the recent election for the Clean Water Initiative, in which property owners could cast their vote and mail-in their ballots.

The entire process cost approximately $1.43 million, the largest portion of which was $444,092.40 spent on campaigning, labeled as “educational outreach” by county staff, as well as $346,800 on printing and mailing the ballots. Almost $435,000 was spent on analysis, research, the Engineer’s Report and action plan prior to the election.

The result is each city, the county and the County Flood Control District will have to determine how to pay for the requirements for complying with the new clean water regulations.

From: Don Freitas

To:

Contra County County Board of Supervisors

City/Town Mayors

City/Town Councilmembers

City/Town Managers

Contra Costa Clean Water Program Management Committee Members & Alternates

Cities/County Attorneys’ Association Ad Hoc Committee

Cities/County Engineering Advisory Committee

SCI Consulting Group, Inc. and sub-consultants

Media

Dear Interested Parties:

The purpose of this email is to inform you of the final election results for the “2012 Community Clean Water Initiative”. Contrary to recent press articles, Monday, May 7^th has always been designated as the deadline to receive this information. Passage of the Initiative required fifty percent (50%) plus one of those casting a vote which included all property owners in Contra Costa County. The results are as follows:

Mailed Ballots                –  339,586

Received Valid Ballots  –  100,768

“Yes” Ballots   –     40,924

“No”  Ballots    –    59,844

Invalid Ballots                 –       1,355

Based on the aforementioned results, the Initiative failed by approximately a 60% to a 40% margin. As was stated many times during this process,  the defeat of the Initiative does NOT negate the need for all twenty-one affected jurisdictions in Contra Costa County from the regulatory mandates of the Federal Clean Water Act and California’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act. Each entity needs to immediately determine how the necessary funding will now be generated in order to implement the regulatory mandates or be found to be in noncompliance and subject to fines which could run into the thousands or millions of dollars.

The election results can and will be interpreted in many ways, but suffice it to say, the methodology outlined in the voter approved 1996 Proposition 218 ( California Constitution XIII ) had great challenges even though the Program followed its provisions religiously. Courts in California have said the legal nexus between urban runoff and property is valid, but the requirements of Proposition 218 became suspect in the voter’s mind and the press. It’s very easy for the press to condemn actions of local government; but rarely if ever, do they suggest valid alternatives. The election result has worsened local government’s ability to finance Federal and/or State mandates when it is done with no local financing. If the general fund becomes the only alternative to finance the regulatory mandates than the public debate will be simplified between “clean water vs. hiring police officers and other vital community services.”

Donald P. Freitas

Project Manager

Contra Costa Clean Water Program

On a 4-1 vote the Antioch School Board decided to not support the 2012 Clean Water Initiative at their meeting on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.  Trustees Diane Gibson-Gray, Gary Hack, Walter Ruehlig and Claire Smith voted no and Trustee Joy Motts gave the sole affirmative vote.

If passed will place a $12 per year assessment on property tax bills in Antioch. Cynthia Ruehlig, speaking as a citizen, gave public comment claiming that the entire county was being asked to pick up the burden for a few cities that suffer inadequate sewage release during heavy downpours.

There are some serious problems with the proposed Clean Water tax (they call it a fee, but any time government takes our money it’s a tax) and the election being run to get it passed.

First, the election ballots have the property owners name on them, so it’s not a secret ballot. Those compiling the results of the election get to know how someone voted. That goes against the American way of elections.

Second, foreigners can vote. Since it’s a Proposition 218 election, in which only property owners get to vote – which I don’t have a problem with, since they’re the ones who will be paying the additional “fee” included in their property tax bill. But, many properties in California are owned by foreigners and/or foreign companies. That means they get to vote. That’s not the American way of elections, either!

Third, the campaign being waged to pass the tax is being run by the county’s Clean Water Program, and the mailings to promote it are funded by our tax dollars! Tax-dollar funded campaigning to pass another tax? Really? The craziest part – although to be fair, Clean Water Program Manager Don Freitas stated it was a mistake by a staffer at the company that was hired to print and mail the campaign material – the first mailing hit the homes on the day of the vote by the county Board of Supervisors, when they decided whether or not to allow the vote to go forward. (The election was going to happen anyway, since there wasn’t enough protest votes to stop it).

Fourth, ballots will be counted by a certified public accounting firm, Carol Keane & Associates, based in Walnut Creek and not the County Elections Division of the County Clerk’s Office. So, how can there be any accountability or public oversight when the ballots are counted, like other elections?

Fifth, and the most important part, is the tax really necessary? While if it passes, it will generate about $8 million a year, that’ s only a third of the estimated $25 million a year that’s claimed to be needed to clean up the water ways in the county. While I agree there’s a need, since it’s such a high priority, why doesn’t the county budget for the entire $25 million in their budget of $1.2 billion?

With all the flaws in this election this proposed tax should be rejected and the Board of Supervisors should just reprioritize their spending for 2012-13 and include the $25 million cost for the clean water program in next year’s budget when they adopt it in June.  Your ballot must be received by 5:00 p.m. on April 6, 2012, which means you need to mail it a few days before.

In addition, it’s clear some new state legislation is needed to clean up the Proposition 218 election ballot process, eliminating the name on the ballot of the voter to keep it a secret ballot and eliminate the right of foreign property owners from voting in American elections.

Allen Payton, Publisher

P.S. Just got this additional problem from a reader –  “Another problem is that the list of property owners is not current and I have personal knowledge of a property foreclosed last January and the ballot was still sent to the foreclosed property owner.” So, now some renter or renter can vote that ballot and mail it in.

By Walter Ruehlig

After a lively discussion at the March 21 meeting of the Contra Costa County Board of Education, the board voted against supporting the 2012 Clean Water Initiative. Board President Cynthia Ruehlig, a vocal critic of the proposed tax, and Trustees Richard Asadoorian and Daniel Gomes voted no, while Trustee Pam Mirabella voted to abstain. Trustee Ellen Elster was absent.

If it passes, the parcel tax for the County Office of Education is estimated at $2,000 per year. The three ballots received for facilities owned by the Office of Education located in Pleasant Hill, Brentwood and Concord will all be marked “no”. Ballots for the county-wide mail-in Proposition 218 election must be received by 5:00 p.m., April 6, 2012.

One interesting aspect of the election is that the process is being conducted and monitored by a private organization, Carol Keane and Associates a certified public accounting firm located in Walnut Creek, and not by the County Clerk’s Election Division.