With support from elected and community leaders, unions and faculty
Representing portions of Antioch, Pittsburgand Brentwood and other East County communities
“My goal is to drive student success for the jobs of the future.” – Fernando Sandoval
East County community leader Fernando Sandoval announces his re-election candidacy for the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees in Ward 5 with support from a strong list of elected officials, labor leaders and community members from throughout the district including: Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, Building and Construction Trades, Central Labor AFL-CIO and the United Faculty of the College District. They join a coalition of college faculty, staff, students, small business owners, civic leaders and community activists in support of Sandoval’s race.
Sandoval is completing his first term on the college board, after being elected in 2020 during his second and successful attempt to defeat then-incumbent Trustee Greg Enholm. Ward 5 includes portions of Antioch, Pittsburg and Brentwood and all of Oakley, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen. (See College District Wards map)
“Fernando Sandoval is a leader who has brought vision, bold leadership and a commitment to educational excellence and equity that will advance the academic opportunities for our students, said Yolanda Peña Mendrek, Liberty Union High School District Board President. She adds, in addition, his 30 years as a finance and banking consultant to top worldwide corporations will make him an experienced voice and strong ally with the Governing Board as it addresses the budget constraints by the State and the continued fiscal aftermath of the global pandemic.”
In 2022-23 Fernando served as President of the Governing Board. During his four-year tenure as Board Trustee, some of his accomplishments in this capacity included bringing in District leadership stability with the hiring of the permanent Chancellor, Mojdeh Mehdezadeh, and Presidents of Los Medanos College and Contra Costa College, restoring a relationship with John F. Kennedy-National University and leading DEI efforts most recently with an innovative model for enrollment with Diablo Valley College, Mount Diablo Unified School District and United Latino Voices.
Source: Contra Costa Community College District
He has also served as a past member of the Contra Costa Community College District Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee (DEEOAC) to advise on a districtwide commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities in accordance with California Education Code, Title 5. He also Chaired the Bond Oversight Committee for modernization of schools at Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD).
Sandoval’s community leadership also includes organizing mentoring, tutoring and motivational workshops for K-12 students and Los Medanos College students. He was recognized for his service by receiving the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service by Los Medanos College.
“I am running for the Contra Costa Community College District Board in my home region because I personally experienced the equity barriers and lack of mentorship for higher education access, particularly for underserved students which still exists today,” said Sandoval. “My goal is to drive student success for the jobs of the future. I want to bring my professional experiences, innovative spirit and commitment to educational excellence and equity to advance real solutions to these issues in collaboration with the Board and through community and philanthropic partnerships.”
The Ward 5 Trustee continued, “I am honored to have the support of educational leaders, local policy-makers and hard-working residents from throughout the East County community college district. We still face unprecedented challenges ahead due to the pandemic’s impact on the district’s budget combined with the long-term racial and social injustice issues facing our region and college district. It has never been more important to have experienced, principled, and responsive leadership now more than ever.”
Background
Sandoval was raised in East County by a hard-working immigrant family who sacrificed and encouraged education as a career pathway. Fernando is a veteran who served in the Vietnam War, where he maintained advanced computer systems on the USS Enterprise. Professionally he was recruited for information technology manager roles by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sperry Rand, Hughes Aircraft Corporation, and managed change at IBM and General Electric among others. He also provided management strategies and policy decisions for economic recovery as a finance consultant to top banking institutions worldwide.
According to campaign finance reports known as Form 460’s, as of June 30th, former Antioch mayor Don Freitas had raised the most money of the three candidates running for city council in District 3, with a total of $5,055. But an additional $2,500 received on August 11th brings his total to $7,555 raised with all but $55 in the form of monetary contributions.
His report for the period of Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024, shows he raised $5,000 in monetary contributions including $2,000 from himself, all from within Antioch, and an additional $55 in non-monetary, referred to as an in-kind contribution, which were for fees he paid out of pocket to form his campaign committee and to the bank where its account is located.
The other contributions received were $2,000 from Susan Kennedy of Antioch, a Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives and $1,000 from his campaign treasurer, Stephanie Bonham of Antioch, who is listed as retired.
Since the close of the reporting period, Freitas filed a Form 497 which shows he had received an additional $2,500 on Aug. 11 from GBN Partners of Danville, which stands for Ginocchio, Blackhawk, Nunn, land developers for the already approved Promenade projects north and south of Sand Creek Road. The Form 497 is required for state and local committees making or receiving contributions that total $1,000 or more in the 90 days before an election. It brings Freitas’ total to $7,500 raised for his campaign.
That compares to the $3,411 that second-time candidate Antwon Webster raised, which were all loans from himself, as previously reported, and $4,056.88 that was raised by the third candidate in the race, newcomer Addison Peterson. Of that amount $1,500 was an in-kind contribution from his wife for website design, $1,980 in loans, and $576.88 in monetary contributions. But Peterson did not provide details for the loans which were included in his Form 460 report for the period ending June 30th, as it appears there were received after. Questions about his campaign finance report were sent on Tuesday and await a response.
Freitas’ greatest expenditures were $1,500 to Carla Marymee of Antioch for website development and $450 to Mark Marymee of Fremont for photography. Asked why he didn’t use a photographer in Antioch, instead, the candidate responded, “He is Carla’s former husband, and they work together on the websites she develops. The business really is Carla’s, Rivertown Communications Marketing.”
Freitas’ original Form 460 showed a total of $2,063.18 in expenditures. But he submitted an Amended report a week later showing a corrected amount for total expenditures of $2,062.20, a reduction of $0.98 which was from a change in the cost for campaign checks paid to Travis Credit Union, where the committee’s account was opened. That left him with an Ending Cash Balance of $2,937.80 to spend on his campaign before the $2,500 contribution on August 11th. See Freitas’s Form 460 and Form 460 Amended.
The election is November 5th.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Announces endorsements of former State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Contra Costa County Building and Construction Trades Council, local unions
Uses “Educator” title in approved ballot designation without 4-year college degree, teaching credential or saying where she teaches
By Allen D. Payton
After unsuccessfully seeking a seat on the Antioch School Board in 2022, this year, current Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Dominique King has switched to running for the Antioch City Council in District 2, instead. She both formed her committee and based it in San Jose, where her treasurer is located, and filed her intent to run last September, then King began raising funds in November. Launching without a public announcement other than on her campaign’s Facebook page, she held a campaign kickoff in May. King’s ballot designation is Businesswoman, Educator, Consultant and the campaign theme is “Moving Antioch Forward Together”.
However, while she is a volunteer educational advocate for families, King doesn’t have a four-year college degree or teaching credential, which are required to be a teacher in California, nor will say where she teaches. King also won’t say to what position she currently holds that the title of “Consultant” refers.
Asked why she switched her focus from education to city issues, King said, “While the responsibilities of the school board and city council differ, my life experiences, deep community involvement, professional background, and widely available data reveal the intrinsic connection between challenges in our educational system and broader societal issues such as public safety, housing instability, economic disparity, infrastructure challenges and the erosion of community connectedness. Addressing these interconnected problems is central to my daily work within the community. I am running for Antioch City Council, District 2, to address these challenges through collaboration, budget-consciousness, transparency, and an inclusive approach to move Antioch forward together.”
On Friday, Aug. 16, King’s campaign issued the following announcement of her major endorsements as well as other information about the candidate:
“Since her campaign kickoff in May, Dominique King has garnered broad support from across the city and the county that includes elected officials, community leaders, working families, advocates, and small business owners. King has also raised almost $25,000. With growing support from all sides of Antioch and the county, Dominique King is honored to officially announce the endorsements of former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, former City of Antioch Chief of Police Steven Ford, Contra Costa County Building and Construction Trades Council, labor affiliates: IBEW Local 302, Boilermakers Local 549, Iron Workers Local 378, UA Plumbers, Steamfitters Local 159, SEIU-UHW and many more listed on her website.”
“I am pleased to endorse Dominique King for the Antioch City Council. She has a clear vision for our community combined with extensive positive energy,” said Torlakson. “She has a deep passion for public service and for helping our youth and families. Dominique’s leadership skills will help us greatly during these challenging times.”
The press release continued, “This endorsement from Torlakson, who started his public service on the dais of the Antioch City Council, shows the campaign is building strong momentum towards November.
“King’s priorities include public safety, economic growth, housing, infrastructure, and community engagement,” here announcement shared. “As a proactive and compassionate leader, she is committed to working tirelessly to create a safer, more equitable, and prosperous future for all members of the community.”
“Be a part of Moving Antioch Forward Together this November and join the movement!”
Community Service
“King currently serves as Chair of the Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission, where she has been busy taking on an array of issues, including working on the Rivertown Community Space, a project instrumental in beginning the efforts to revitalize the historic downtown area,” her campaign press release continued. “For the last seven years, King has volunteered and supported Antioch families through educational advocacy by helping families with children who need additional educational support, including children with special needs. She is also a board member for the Delta Learning Center in Antioch and established the first Antioch group of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.”
Education, Business and Work Experience, Family
Kenneth and Dominique King and children. Source: 6/16/24 post on King’s campaign Facebook page.
According to her LinkedIn profile, King earned an associate’s degree in psychology from Los Medanos College and since June 2022 has been Chief Information Officer for the Oscar Grant Foundation, the organization named for the young man shot and killed by BART Police on New Year’s Day 2009. King shared that she is his mother’s goddaughter. About the organization she shared, “The foundation operates in the East Bay and collaborates with other organizations throughout Contra Costa County.”
In addition, since 2019, King and her husband Kenneth, an Alameda County Deputy Sheriff, have owned Lean In With The Kings, in which their “mission is to educate couples and families on how to foster healthy relationships.” She also continues to write as a columnist for the Clayton and Concord Pioneer newspaper, which is how she lists herself on the campaign finance report. (See below)
King says she and her husband chose Antioch and its community to raise their three children including two currently in the Antioch Unified School District.
Questions Go Unanswered, Won’t Say How She’s Considered an Educator, Consultant
Kiing was asked how she is considered an educator, where she teaches without a four-year degree and a teaching credential, and where she performs the volunteer work mentioned in her campaign’s press release and if that’s done at the Delta Learning Center. She was also asked to which position on her LinkedIn profile does the title consultant refer.
Without answering the questions directly, King responded, “My ballot designation was reviewed and approved. I trust that if I had not met the necessary requirements during the local and county election review process, my designation would have been rejected. My role on the Delta Learning Center Board is distinct from my independent work as an educational advocate.”
King was asked again on Friday afternoon, Aug. 23, how she can be considered an “Educator” and where does she teach, since she doesn’t have a four-year degree nor a teaching credential, or if her teaching is done through the Lean in With the Kings business.
The dictionary definition was shared with her of, “a person who provides instruction or education; a teacher” and that the NEA has a Code of Ethics for Educators, which are for their members who are credentialed teachers. – Code of Ethics for Educators | NEA The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has Educator Rules of Conduct and Responsibilities. www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/rules-of-conduct
Finally, King was informed that according to EdSource.org to be a teacher in California and “To earn a preliminary teaching credential a teacher must have:
A bachelor’s degree.
Completed an accredited teacher preparation program.
Completed a course or passed a test on the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Earned a recommendation from their teacher preparation program.”
So, while the use of the term for her ballot designation may have been approved, if she hasn’t done what is listed above isn’t it misleading to the voters.
King was also asked again about the major for her Associates degree from LMC, if she you changed it from International Business, as was included in the article about her 2022 campaign, to Psychology, as it shows on her LinkedIn profile, and if so, when did she change it and when did she earn her AA.
Finally, King was asked again on Friday, August 23rd which position on her LinkedIn profile refers to her ballot designation title of “Consultant”, if it’s a paid or volunteer position, and does it apply to what was written in her press release: “For the last seven years, King has volunteered and supported Antioch families through educational advocacy by helping families with children who need additional educational support, including children with special needs.” She was given one more opportunity late Sunday night, Aug. 25th to respond by noon, today, Monday, August 26th. But she did not respond prior to publication time at 5:55 p.m.
Campaign Finances Show Help from Husband, One Union, Business Owners, Activists, Politicians
Although her campaign claims to have raised $25,000, King’s Form 460 finance reports show she raised $5,342 last year and $12,683 for a total of $18,025. King’s largest contributors include $5,000 from her husband, $2,000 from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 302 Community Candidates PAC; $1,000 from political campaign consultant Melody Howe Weintraub of Lafayette, listed as the consultant, owner of Winning Results; $700 from Gigi Crowder of Antioch, listed as the Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness Contra Costa and $500 from Best Consulting, LLC in Walnut Creek.
In addition, King received $350 from Antioch School Board Area 2 Trustee Dr. Jag Lathan, $250 from Brentwood Councilwoman Jovita Mendoza, $198 from Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner Harry Thurston, plus, $300 from Frank Sterling, $150 from Devin Williams and $125 from Patricia Granados all of whom speak regularly during public comments at most council meetings; and $100 each from Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson, former Antioch City Manager Cornelius “Con” Johnson and Antioch School Board Area 4 Trustee candidate Olga Smith. King also raised $2,535 in contributions of less than $100 and loaned her campaign $300.
Of the contributions of $100 or more, not including the funds from her husband and from the IBEW, totaling $8,160 as of June 30th, King received $3,836 or 47% from within Antioch and $4,324 or 53% from outside the city.
As of June 30th, King’s campaign had spent $7,893.84 leaving her with an Ending Cash Balance of $9,292.06. Most of her Payments Made were to businesses outside of Antioch and the largest expenses were $2,650 to Eldridge Political Partners in San Jose, of which President and Founder Jordan Eldridge is serving as her campaign treasurer; $2,500 to Iconic Strategies, Inc. of Hayward for consulting; $1,200 to Sumthing Antioch restaurant for a fundraiser, and $1,000 to Kingdom Graphix in Antioch.
Other than one minor mistake in the Per Election To Date total for the contributions from Jag Lathan, which doesn’t change the totals, King’s campaign finance reports are accurate and comply with legal disclosure requirements. She responded, “I will work with my campaign treasurer to review and either verify or correct the Per Election To Date total to accurately reflect a donor’s contribution.”
King was asked if she had raised an additional $7,000 since the end of June, if so, from whom were the major contributions received, if they were from some of the unions that have endorsed her, as well as for the amounts. Finally, she was asked to provide the names and amounts for contributions of $500 or more since June 30th.She responded, “Additional funds were raised, including contributions from personal funds, individual donors and endorsing unions.” See Form 460 reports for 0101-12312023 and 0101-063023.
As previously reported, King faces one opponent in the race, former Antioch High School principal Louie Rocha, whose mother is Antioch School Board Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha. The election is November 5th.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Transform’s leader calls it “a tragic missed opportunity” and “major setback for our climate and transportation goals”; labels opponents who successfully challenged measure, “extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists”
“RM4 barely polled 54% before we even had a chance to open our mouths about it. Are 46% of the citizens of the Bay Area ‘extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists’?” – 20 Billion Reasons campaign opposition leader Gus Mattammal
By Allen D. Payton
In an email to supporters and an announcement this week, Jenn Guitart,Executive Director of Transform decried the removal of the $20 billion Bay Area housing measure from the November ballot and demonized those who successfully challenged it. According to polling commissioned by the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority which placed the measure on the ballot, they found that only 54% of likely voters supported the bond. That’s much lower than the 66.7% support of voters required for it to pass. (See related articles here and here)
Labeled “What It Means for Our Movement” Guitart’s email and identical announcement on the Transform’s website read:
On Wednesday morning, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) unanimously voted to remove Regional Measure 4 from the 2024 ballot. The measure would have raised $20 billion to alleviate the Bay Area’s housing and homelessness crisis. Unfortunately, the measure was scuttled in response to a series of eleventh-hour challenges by extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists. This is a tragic missed opportunity for voters to say yes to urgently needed affordable housing and homelessness funding.
This decision is heartbreaking for Transform and other housing advocates, and, more importantly, for the hundreds of thousands of people in our region who now must wait longer for the affordable housing and homelessness solutions Bay Area residents need and deserve.
The decision is also a major setback for our climate and transportation goals. By funding the construction of over 40,000 new affordable homes near transit, the measure would have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over three million tons and spurred an additional five million transit trips per year.
While it is frustrating that a well-resourced group of naysayers halted progress on housing and homelessness this election, Transform and our partners will continue to build the necessary power to win big on these critical issues.
Looking Forward
All is not lost in the fight for affordable housing. Transform and our partners will be working hard to pass Prop 5 this November, which will lower the voter approval threshold for housing and public infrastructure bond measures (from a two-thirds vote) to 55%. This measure is critical to advancing future affordable housing bond measures across the state.
Beyond November, our region continues to face significant challenges, from the housing and homelessness crisis to a looming transit fiscal cliff. New regional funding measures for both transportation and affordable housing are urgently needed. Passing both measures in the coming years will take unprecedented collaboration, creativity, and courage.
Transform will play a leading role in both these efforts as we continue our work to empower communities of color, innovate solutions, and advocate for policies and funding — all with the aim of helping people thrive and averting climate disaster. And we will need supporters like you in this fight to build up the necessary resources, political will, and movement organizing to beat the anti-taxers in future election cycles.
In the meantime, get ready to vote yes on Prop 5 in November, and stay tuned for future calls to action in the fight for housing, transportation, and climate justice for our region.
Transform Executive Asked Why She Demonized Measure’s Opponents
Guitart was asked why she would demonize the opponents to the measure when it only polled at 54% support prior to it being placed on the ballot, which is much lower than the 2/3rds vote currently required and also less than the 55% threshold required for a future vote should Prop 5 pass. She was also asked if she’s claiming 46% of the public who opposed it in the poll are also “extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists” and isn’t she risking angering those who opposed the measure from the start, some of whose support will be needed for passage of a future ballot measure.
Guitart was then asked with such a low level of support, shouldn’t the measure have been revised before it was placed on the ballot in order to address some of the concerns of the opposition to ensure a better possibility of it passing.
She was also asked instead wouldn’t it be better if Transform worked with the opponents to try and find common ground or a ballot measure that will be less anathema to them for a possible future vote or to achieve her organization’s goals
Finally, Guitart was asked if she is willing to offer a public apology to the measure’s opponents, revise her public statement removing the swipes at them and tone down the divisive rhetoric.
However, in response Guitart shared that she is unable to respond right now due to a family issue but wrote, “I will pass your concerns on to our team.”
Ballot Measure Opponent Leader Responds
When asked about the swipes at the opponents made by Transform’s executive director, Gus Mattammal, the leader of the opposition campaign, 20 Billion Reasons, responded, “I have a couple of responses to that characterization:
1) 20 Billion Reasons comprised Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents – the entire political spectrum. And to be clear, Democrats were about half the group.
2) Almost everyone in the group has willingly voted for tax increases before, so it’s silly to label folks as ‘anti-tax’. If someone comes to you with an idea for a pizza with pickles, sardines, and mayonnaise, and you say ‘um, no thanks!’, does that make you anti-pizza? Or are you just anti- “this particular idea for pizza”?
No one in this group is against well-constructed policies to alleviate housing unaffordability. Unfortunately, nothing about Regional Measure 4 was ‘well-constructed policy’.
3) RM4 barely polled 54% before we even had a chance to open our mouths about it, and the polling was destined to only go down from there. That means 46% of the voters were against this from the beginning. Are 46% of the citizens of the Bay Area ‘extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists’? I’m a registered Republican, and I feel like our fortunes as a party would be very different here in the Bay Area if that were true.”
About Transform
Founded in 1997 as Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition (BATLUC), according to the organization’s website, Transform works “with organizations, advocates, and community members for improved transportation and housing policies and funding. Together, we can invest in climate and equity, promote innovative transportation, support transportation shifts, and address climate-related housing issues.”
The group claims to have moved “the Overton window”, which isan approach to identifying the ideas that define the spectrum of acceptability of governmental policies that says politicians can act only within the acceptable range, “steadily toward equity and climate resilience.”
They, “envision vibrant neighborhoods, transformed by excellent, sustainable mobility options and affordable housing, where those historically impacted by racist disinvestment now have power and voice.”
For more information about Transform visit www.TransFormCA.org or call (510) 740-3150.
Source: Antwon Webster for Antioch City Council campaign
In District 3; offers “A Vision for a Brighter Antioch”
By Allen D. Payton
Antwon Webster officially announced his campaign for Antioch City Council in District 3 on Monday, August 12, 2024 to replace incumbent Lori Ogorchock who can’t run again since she was gerrymandered out and into District 4 by the mayor and council majority during redistricting in 2022. This is Webster’s second run for the city council having placed fourth out of the four candidates in the race. He faces two candidates this year.
Although he’s just now officially announcing, Webster filed his intent to run last October and formed his campaign committee last November and began loaning and spending funds soon after.
Following is the press release from Webster’s campaign announcing his entry into the race:
“As we approach the Antioch City Council election, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of our community. Antwon Webster is that transformative leader ready to ignite a movement towards city improvements. With a background as a U.S. Air Force veteran and a dedicated public servant, Antwon embodies the hope and determination we need to create a better Antioch.”
His campaign offers a five-part platform:
“Thriving Local Economy – Antwon envisions bustling streets filled with thriving local businesses, where entrepreneurship flourishes and job opportunities abound. He is passionate about economic development and is dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs through job fairs and initiatives that connect residents to meaningful employment, revitalizing the economy and fostering pride in the community.
Empowered Youth- Antwon imagines a future where youth are not just participants but leaders in shaping their community. By expanding youth engagement programs, he aims to provide mentorship and resources that inspire creativity and resilience, creating community centers alive with activities that empower young people to chase their dreams.
A Safer Antioch – He envisions a community where families feel safe, children can play freely, and elders can walk with confidence. Antwon advocates for safety initiatives that build strong, trusting relationships between residents and law enforcement, fostering unity and shared responsibility through vibrant neighborhood watch programs and community events.
Modern Infrastructure – Antwon is passionate about infrastructure improvement, advocating for parks, transportation, and community facilities that enhance quality of life. He envisions Antioch as a clean, inviting, and vibrant place where families can gather and enjoy its beautiful landscapes and amenities.
Building a Community That Grows and Thrives”
Webster has demonstrated a “commitment to serving his country and his community” his campaign announcement states. “Through his campaign, he seeks to ensure that the voices of Antioch residents are heard, and that the community thrives.”
He “possesses the knowledge and skills necessary for effective governance and community development,” and Webster’s announcement speaks of “His diverse professional background” with experience as a “project manager, design engineer, accountant, and electrician” and “business owner.”
Community Service
“In addition to his military and professional achievements, Antwon has taken on leadership roles within the community,” the announcement states.
“He is committed to enhancing public safety, fostering economic growth, and supporting youth programs in Antioch,” his campaign states. “His experiences have fueled his passion for public service, inspiring him to run for the Antioch City Council in District 3. Antwon aims to bring positive change and address key issues facing the city.”
Military Service, Education, Career Experience
His full name is Antwon Ramón Webster, Sr. and he is a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served a tour in Iraq and another in the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2010, in the global war on terrorism. He has earned a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s in Global Supply Chain Management, both from DeVry University, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He owns 1st CLAS Manufacturing LLC based in Houston, TX. About the business Webster shared, “We’re focused on management consulting, engineering and general subcontracting.”
His campaign says, “Antwon possesses the knowledge and skills necessary for effective governance and community development” and his “extensive experience equips him to approach challenges with a well-rounded perspective and implement practical solutions” and “Antwon balances his professional aspirations with his roles as a husband” to Rika, who is serving as his campaign treasurer, “and father of five” children ages 6 to 21.
Discrepancies, Mistakes in Campaign Finances
Webster’s original campaign finance report Form 460 for the period Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024, shows he made personal loans to his committee totaling $3,320.46 and received $384 in Miscellaneous Increases to Cash of less than $100. He had $2,351.20 in campaign expenses. But the report also shows he started in the hole with a Beginning Cash Balance of negative $956.80. Yet, his original Form 460 for the 2024 campaign covering last year, shows he raised and spent no money.
Plus, Webster’s original final 460 report for his 2020 campaign, shows an Ending Cash Balance of $4,030.30, which should have been zero, as it was marked as the Termination Statement.
Also, the amounts on the Summary Page for this year’s 460 don’t match. Both columns for line 11 Total Expenditures Made and line 15 Cash Payments show three different amounts, but they should all match since it’s Webster’s first report of funds for this year’s campaign.
Webster Amends Reports
In response to questions about the discrepancies in his reports, Webster submitted Amended Form 460’s for the Termination Statement for his 2020 campaign and both of his reports for this year’s campaign, correcting the mistakes.
Webster’s Amended Form 460 Termination Statement for his 2020 campaign now shows he paid himself the remaining balance of $4,331.47 leaving an Ending Cash Balance of zero. His Amended report for last year now shows he loaned his campaign $1,500 and spent $1,093.66, leaving him with $406.34 to end the year and begin this year’s reporting. This year’s Amended report now shows a $60 contribution from himself and additional loans from Webster of $1,851 for a total of $3,531 that he’s loaned the campaign.
So far, he has spent $3,500.79 and his largest expense was for $956.80 to CA State in Long Beach for campaign mailers last year. This year Webster’s campaign paid $750 to Kingdom Graphix of Antioch for video ad service. As of June 30th, his campaign had an Ending Cash Balance of $394.20 to spend on his campaign.
Offers “A Vision for a Brighter Antioch”
“Together, we can move Antioch forward, creating a community that is proud of its homes, landscapes, businesses and leadership,” Webster stated. “Together let’s build a brighter Antioch—your voice matters, and your vote is the key to unlocking our community’s full potential!”
His campaign asks Antioch residents to “Join the Movement!” and claims “Antwon Webster is more than a candidate; he is a beacon of hope for Antioch. His unwavering commitment to listening to Antioch’s voices and addressing residents’ needs makes him the right choice for City Council.
Now is the time for Antioch residents to walk beside Antwon Webster. Let’s create a powerful wave of change that resonates throughout our neighborhoods, inspiring friends and neighbors to join us in building a safer, more vibrant, and prosperous community. Share Antwon’s vision, and let’s spread the message of hope and unity.”
One of Three Candidates in District 3
Webster will face two other candidates in the District 3 council race, including former Antioch Mayor and Councilman, and former Contra Costa Water District Board Member Don Freitas, and newcomer Addison Peterson. For more information about Webster’s campaign visit https://antwonwebster.com, email Antwon@AntwonWebster.com or call (925) 204-5482
Three each vie for mayor, treasurer, council District 3, two each for council District 2, Trustee Areas 3 and 4, only one each for clerk, Trustee Area 1
By Allen D. Payton
With filing closing for some races last Friday and the rest yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, the list of candidates for Antioch mayor, city treasurer, clerk and council, and school board has been finalized. There are three candidates each for mayor, city treasurer and council District 3, two for District 2, and only one for city clerk. In the races for school board there are two candidates each in Areas 3 and 4, including the incumbent, and no one running in Area 1 against incumbent and current school board president, Antonio Hernandez.
In the race for mayor, second-time candidate Rakesh Christian, who is listed as a Community Volunteer and placed fifth out of five in the 2020 race, was the first to file, on July 23rd, to run against incumbent, Lamar Hernández-Thorpe, who is running for a second term and listed simply as Mayor. He was the last to file on Friday, after challenger and former city manager Ron Bernal, listed as a Business Consultant and is a first-time candidate, filed the day before. (See related articles here, here, here and here)
City Treasurer
In the race for city treasurer, former Mayor, Councilman and appointed City Treasurer, Jim Davis, whose ballot designation is listed as Educator and Instructor Trainer and lost his election in 2022 to incumbent Lauren Posada by just 15 votes, will take on current District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock who is a real estate agent and listed as a Small Businessperson and can’t run for re-election (See Council District 3 below). They both face newcomer Jorge R. Rojas, Jr., listed as a Chief Financial Officer. But no company showing him in that position could be found through an internet search. An effort to reach him was unsuccessful prior to publication time. (See related articles here, here, here, here and here)
City Clerk
The only candidate to file for city clerk to replace incumbent Ellie Householder who chose to not run for re-election, is
Melissa Rhodes who is listed as a Deputy City Clerk. According to Transparent California, she held that position in Martinez in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and in San Pablo in 2020 and 2021. She faces no opponent unless someone enters the race and runs as a write-in candidate.
Council District 2
Although four people pulled papers to run for the District 2 City Council seat, only two filed. Retired Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha will face Dominique King, who is listed as a Businesswoman, Educator and Consultant, and ran unsuccessfully against Rocha’s mother Mary, for the Antioch School Board in Trustee Area 5 in 2022. Jose Aceves-Guzman pulled papers on July 15th and Haque N. Khan pulled papers on Tuesday, but neither filed them. (See related articles here, here, here, here and here)
Council District 3
Three candidates will face off for the open District 3 Council seat left vacant due to Ogorchock being gerrymandered into District 4 by the council majority during the redistricting process in 2022. Former Mayor, Councilman and Contra Costa Water Board Director Donald “Don” Freitas, listed as a Community Volunteer, will face second-time candidate Antwon Ramon Webster, listed as Chief of Logistics. He works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They will both face newcomer and first-time candidate, Addison Peterson, who is listed as a California Policy Manager.
As mentioned, incumbent Antonio Hernandez will face no opposition in the race for Area 1 Trustee, as he seeks his second term on the Antioch School Board. That is unless someone files to run as a write-in candidate. (See related article)
Trustee Area 3
With incumbent Trustee Dr. Clyde Lewis not seeking re-election, two candidates filed for run for the Area 3 seat on the board. They are Dee Brown, listed as an Educational Program Director, and Scott Bergerhouse, listed as a Retired School Administrator. He is the former co-principal for Deer Valley High School, former principal for Dozier-Libbey Medical High School, as well as administrator for other schools in the district, and former Director of Student Support Services for the Antioch Unified School District. (See related articles here and here)
Trustee Area 4
In the race for Area 4 Trustee, incumbent Gary Hack, listed simply as Incumbent, is running for his fourth term on the board, having been elected in 2010, then lost in 2014, elected again in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. He will face challenger Olga Cobos-Smith, listed as a Pediatric Nurse and Entrepreneur. (See related articles here and here)
Write-In Candidates
According to the Contra Costa County General Election Candidate Guide for November 5, 2024, Any person interested in filing as a write-in candidate may file for office between September 9 and October 22, 2024. Any person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have any votes cast for them reported shall file a Statement of Write-In Candidacy. Forms are available at the Elections Office between the following dates: Write-In Filing Period: September 9 – October 22, 2024. They must file the same forms required of other candidates who have filed during the regular filing period.
Cities, East Bay Regional Park District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District require nomination signatures to be collected for a valid write-in candidacy. Signers of nomination papers for write-in candidates shall be voters in the political subdivision in which the candidate is to be voted on.
For more details see page 13 of the Guide.
Read more details later on each of the candidates in the various contested races in future articles. The election is November 5th.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
High-density, high-rise housing construction would have been funded by the bond measure. Photo: BAHFA
Removed from all nine Bay Area counties after Contra Costa attorney opposed to measure filed lawsuit claiming ballot language was slanted, forced BAHFA to correct more than $240 million error
20 Billion Reasons opposition campaign responds
By Allen D. Payton
Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Chair Alfredo Pedroza and Belia Ramos, president of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)’s Executive Board today, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, issued a joint statement following BAHFA’s decision this morning to remove a $20 billion general obligation bond measure for the production and preservation of affordable housing from the November 5 general election ballot in all nine Bay Area counties:
“The BAHFA Board’s decision to withdraw the affordable housing bond measure from this November’s ballot is not one that was taken lightly. The Bay Area’s housing affordability crisis has been decades in the making and is far too big for any one city or county to solve on its own. This is the reason the state Legislature established BAHFA. A robust source of funding for safe and affordable housing across our diverse, nine-county region is essential to the Bay Area’s economic and environmental health and to its residents’ quality of life.
The decision followed the action of a group of Bay Area residents, known as Opportunity Now, who opposed the $20 billion regional housing bond measure and filed a court challenge on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, to Regional Measure 4’s (RM4) 75-word ballot question claiming it was slanted.
Source: Opportunity Now
Following is the press release from the group announcing the lawsuit, entitled “BAHFA blunders on ballot language for Bay Area tax measure” and “Gets busted for wildly lowballing cost to taxpayers”:
“Talk about misinformation. The discredited Bay Area Housing Finance Authority yesterday admitted that they’d misrepresented in ballot language the annual cost to taxpayers of the mammoth bond by (hold on) more than $240 million (you read that right) per year.
“The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA), a recently created regional agency, placed RM4 on the November 5 ballot. The unprecedented size of the bond measure has already drawn opposition.
The 20BillionReasons.com group helped pull together ballot arguments rebutting the claims for the measure. The lawsuit asserts that the ballot question is slanted to prejudice voters to vote in favor of the measure.
BAHFA conducted multiple polls to test various phrases in relation to the measure and picked the most popular ones. The lawsuit asserts that the ballot question contains a series of phrases that are not found in the language of the measure. The legal standard is that the ballot question must be an accurate synopsis.
Opponents’ Attorney Jason Bezis sent BAHFA a letter last Friday demanding a series of nine language changes to remove prejudicial language. Opponents assert that the true annual cost of the measure is nearly 36% higher than the amount shown in the ballot question.
The very name of the measure is deceptive: Bay Area Affordable Plan. This measure’s taxes will make the Bay Area even less affordable. In response, BAHFA held a special meeting of its Executive Committee this morning.
The lawsuit has already had success: The Committee adopted General Counsel Kathleen Kane’s recommendation “to correct the Ballot Question for Regional Measure 4 by deleting ‘$670,000,000’ from the Ballot Question and replacing it with ‘$910,976,423’.” No other changes to the ballot question were adopted today.
General Counsel Kane described this as a “mathematical error”. Plaintiff Marc Joffe retorted: “How can the public trust an agency that can’t do basic arithmetic with nearly $50 billion of its taxes? Ridiculous.”
“By law, Regional Measure 4 is coordinated by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, so the Santa Clara County Superior Court is where this challenge was filed. The final language of the RM4 ballot question will now be determined by the court. See www.NoOnRM4.com for further information.”
“This public body, MTC in the form BAHFA, they finally acknowledged the public is not willing to support more taxes. It’s completely new to them. They’ve never recognized it before. They exist in this world in which the public is there to give them all the resources they want to monkey around with,” said David Schonbrunn, paralegal for the lawsuit said after the measure was removed from the ballot. “The worst part is MTC, when it comes to their transportation decision making, they have a dismal record on outcomes. Their outcomes are horrible. What I see them doing is it’s all about political deal making and it’s not about delivering solutions to the public.”
The BAHFA statement continued, “The BAHFA Board has always understood that it would be a steep climb to establish this source of funding. Recent developments have led the Board to conclude that the wise choice is to look ahead to another election season for a regional housing measure when there is more certainty and the voters have weighed in affirmatively on Proposition 5.
“In the meantime, BAHFA will continue to work on increasing the production of housing at all income levels, to preserve existing affordable housing, and to protect current residents from displacement. This includes maintaining, refining and expanding pilot programs such as the online Doorway Housing portal that makes it easier for prospective tenants to find and apply for affordable housing throughout the region and easier for developers and property managers to lease up their apartments; working to move thousands of planned housing units through the predevelopment pipeline; and implementing innovative programs to preserve affordable housing and prevent homelessness.
“BAHFA’s commitment to a regional approach toward solving the Bay Area’s housing affordability problems is stronger than ever. When the climb toward passage of a regional revenue measure resumes, the Board looks forward to teaming with every one of the Bay Area’s nine counties and 101 cities; and with the hundreds of other public, private and nonprofit partners who already have invested so much energy into this effort. Their work to prepare for a November bond measure, and the relationships built along the way, have laid a strong foundation for future success. Each step brings us closer to the summit.”
BAHFA is jointly governed by the ABAG’s Executive Board and by the BAHFA Board, which is comprised of the same membership as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). BAHFA and MTC Chair Pedroza and ABAG Executive Board President Ramos both also serve as members of the Napa County Board of Supervisors.
20 Billion Reasons Campaign Responds
In response to the withdrawal of the measure from the ballot, the opposition campaign, 20 Billion Reasons, responded with their own statement on Wednesday, August 14, 2024:
“This morning, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) voted to pull Regional Measure 4, the $20 billion dollar regional bond measure, off the November ballot. Gus Mattammal, President of the 20 Billion Reasons campaign to defeat the bond measure in November, hailed the move.
Said Mattammal, “This decision is a win for Bay Area taxpayers, and a win for affordable housing. To address housing affordability in a meaningful way, we have to address root causes, not soak taxpayers for billions of dollars to pay bonds that would waste two thirds of their tax money on interest and overhead while barely making a dent in the issue.”
The 20 Billion Reasons campaign brought together Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents in a single campaign, a rarity in recent times, but a necessity.
“Actually, working on the root causes of the housing crisis in California – a crisis created by our legislature and the corporate interests to which they are beholden – is politically difficult. It’s much easier to simply raise taxes,” said Mattammal. “That’s why it’s so important for voters to say ‘no’ to deeply flawed proposals such as Regional Measure 4: every time we do say no, it helps create the political conditions to work on the problem in a meaningful way.”
Though Regional Measure 4 is off the ballot for November, many other expensive proposals remain on that ballot. The $20 Billion Reasons campaign team is excited to regroup and consider the best way forward to help ensure that Bay Area taxpayers are getting real solutions for the taxes they pay and that they have a real voice in what is done with their tax money.”
John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications, Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission contributed to this report.
In the City where “Opportunity Lives”, give the new council members the opportunity to make the decision
By Allen D. Payton
With less than 90 days until the election on November 5th when two new Antioch City Council members will be elected and a new mayor could be elected, it’s too late for the current council to make the decision to hire the new, permanent city manager.
District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica is running for county supervisor instead of re-election and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock can’t run for re-election because she was gerrymandered out of her district by the council majority in 2022. Plus, Mayor Lamar Hernández-Thorpe is running for re-election while facing a formidable challenger in former city manager, Ron Bernal who could very possibly win.
Why should those three council members help choose the city manager who the three new council members would be working with for the next four years? The answer simply is, they shouldn’t. Plus, both Barbanica and Ogorchock have stated they agree the next council should make the decision. He said on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, “That has always been my stance.”
What if the new council majority doesn’t click with the new city manager? They would be forced to work with the person or terminate the contract costing the City and wasting taxpayer funds by paying the severance, which is usually 12 to 18 months of a city manager’s salary.
The one good thing, this time, is the council hired a company to conduct a nationwide search. But they waited too long to get started, after the previous city manager, Con Johnson, who was hired without a nationwide search, was promoted from acting city manager on Oct. 26th immediately before the 2022 election, placed on administrative leave on March 17, 2023, and then resigned effective July 14, 2023. Part of the challenge and delay was the council could only find one search firm to submit a bid to take on the responsibility.
The mayor and council majority could argue the point that they need to make the decision, now to comply with the six-month deadline by the county’s Civil Grand Jury from their report issued in June. But it would be the height of arrogance for the current council to make such a decision impacting the two new council members and possibly three, including a new mayor, without their input. I’m pretty sure the Grand Jury would both understand and give the new council a little more time to comply, knowing that a change in leadership and direction of the city has occurred which won’t cause more of the same concerns to the jurors.
If Hernández-Thorpe is that confident he will be re-elected, then he’ll recognize the city will be fine for a few more months operating under the day-to-day leadership of Acting City Manager and Economic Development Director Kwame Reed and limping along with an interim police chief, two other acting department heads and an acting assistant city manager, and the mayor will wait. The other two council members, Mayor Pro Tem and District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker will still be involved in the decision even after the election. If the mayor is re-elected, he too will have a say, which can occur right after the council meeting in December when the new members are given their oaths of office.
But we’ll see what the three decide and hopefully they won’t repeat their past action when they appointed the previous city manager less than two weeks before the last council election. They must give the new council the opportunity – which the City’s slogan claims, “Lives Here” – to make the decision to hire a new city manager.
