Editor:

Open letter to our Antioch community

First, the Committee to Recall Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe would like to thank those that have come out to sign, volunteered and who have donated towards the Recall Initiative. Our community is a beautiful diverse community and it’s been such an honor for us to be able to meet and speak with so many who have reached out to us and have expressed there own reasons for supporting our efforts to reclaim our city and bring back dignity and decorum to City Hall. We are all striving to Make Antioch Better.

With that said, here is the Recall Update:

We have 8,000 Signatures and 9,511 is what is required to put the initiative on the ballot. Our goal is 10,000 signatures. So, 2,000 more signatures are needed with a little less than 3 weeks to go!! Our Pro Signers as well as Volunteers are still working hard throughout the city to get us to our goal. So please now is the time get out and sign!!

Fundraising is so important as we need to purchase validated signatures from the Pro Signers, who have been instrumental in getting us to our goal.

Please consider donating to help us gather more needed signatures!!! We are hoping we can count on your support and appreciate any help you are able to provide.

(See Donation Link Below)

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2DSTXTBRWRH8L&fbclid=IwAR3sSyyVKjB7nnCCB4iT6LfDv-pbdR55tr5HqSjSAR5dCGCeb1buvl7CTk0

Thank You,

Kathy Cabrera

The Committee to Recall Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe (FPPC ID# Pending)

City Clerk Householder said he didn’t have to; FPPC filing schedule shows it was due on January 31. He could face $5,000 penalty; complaints filed by Antioch residents

“it is the responsibility of any and every public official to know their filing requirements and to fulfill them” – Jay Wierenga, Communications Director, California Fair Political Practices Commission

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe is possibly in violation of state campaign finance laws for not filing the required semi-annual report for his recall committee which was due January 31. City Clerk Ellie Householder, who is also facing possible recall, has said he didn’t have to. However, according to the California Fair Political Practices Commission that’s incorrect.

The latest report, known as a 460 form, is supposed to show all of a campaign’s contributions, loans and expenses for the period of July 1 through Dec. 31, 201.  2021_07_LCL_Officeholders_Not_on_Ballot

Thorpe formed his committee to beat the recall by submitting his 410 form on Dec. 9, 2021. That form is not required to be filed until a campaign has raised or spent at least $2,000. Thorpe 410 from SOS_001

Thorpe has boasted on social media that he’s raised $84,000 to beat the recall. But without the report his contributors have not been disclosed to the public.

An emailed request was made to Householder for copies of Thorpe’s semi-annual 460 campaign finance reports, through Dec. 31, 2021, for both his 2020 mayoral committee and his committee to beat the recall. Neither had been posted on the city’s website as of Friday, March 11.

At a community event the next day, Householder told this reporter, “we have them. We just haven’t posted them, yet.” She was asked to provide copies by the following Monday. But they were not.

A call was then made to Deputy City Clerk Christina Garcia asking for copies of the reports.

“Ellie said she has them. They were submitted to her,” Garcia said. “I have not seen them. I was off a couple of days. So, if she received them, it may have happened while I was out. She has them with her. I don’t know where. I don’t have them, here in my office. I can have access to them. But for now, she’s handling all the FPPC stuff for the office. I’m handling all the other day-to-day. She has to learn the software and teach people how to learn the software. There’s been a glitch which is getting worked out.”

As of Friday, March 18, the forms were still not on the city clerk’s website. Subsequently, an email was sent to Householder, Thorpe and Garcia with the following: “as of today, they are still not on the city’s website – City of Antioch Electronic Filing System (netfile.com) nor have I received copies of them via email. Now, today I’m told that Lamar’s campaign treasurer hasn’t completed them, yet and he hasn’t submitted them to your office. Which is true? Do you have them? If so, please email me copies, today and upload them to the website, today. Or if necessary, I can pick up hard copies, today.”

Thorpe was asked in the same email,” if you haven’t yet submitted your 460’s for both committees, why not? When will you?”

No responses were received.

On Monday, March 21 another email was sent to all three with the following: “Please see below the questions I sent you on Friday afternoon, because Lamar’s 460’s for both his 2020 mayoral campaign committee and beat the recall committee, nor his 410 for the latter committee are on the city’s website are still not there, as of today.

If they have been submitted to the City Clerk’s Office, I want copies of them, today, please. No more delays. If you don’t yet have them, Lamar when will you or your campaign treasurer, if it’s someone other than you, submit them?”

Householder responded via email the next day with copies of Thorpe’s 410 form for his recall committee and 460 for his 2020 Mayor’s campaign committee. But the latter form shows no contributions or loans received or expenditures made between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2021. Thorpe for Mayor 2020_460_7121 to 123121

“I appreciate your patience while I resolved technical issues with NetFile; both the 410 and 460 are viewable/downloadable. For convenience, I have also attached them to this email,” she wrote. “Please note there is no 460 for the ‘Stop the #KAREN Recall of Lamar Thorpe 2022’ because one is not due yet.”

In response, an email was sent to Householder and Garcia asking, “since his recall committee was formed on Dec. 9, 2021, shouldn’t his 460 report for any activity prior to Dec. 31, 2021 have been due on Jan. 31, 2022?”

Householder responded that same day writing, “No. You can find the filing schedule for all campaign committees here: https://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/campaign-rules/where-and-when-to-file-campaign-statements/when-to-file-campaign-statements-state-local-filing-schedules.html”

A search of that website shows multiple campaign finance report filing schedules. As a result an email was sent to both Householder and Garcia that same evening with the following:

“This looks like the correct one under the 2021 Filing Schedules since there was no election in 2021, Lamar formed his committee and filed his 410 in 2021 and it required a report by Jan. 31, 2022

Local Candidates and Officeholders (Including Superior Court Judges) Not Being Voted Upon in 2021

www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/TAD/Filing%20Schedules/2021/2021_07_LCL_Officeholders_Not_on_Ballot.pdf

That reads:

Jan 31, 2022 Semi-Annual 7/1/21 – 12/31/21 460 • All committees must file this report • Exception: Officeholders whose salaries are less than $200/month and judges do not have to file this semi-annual statement if no contributions were received or expenditures were made during the period.

It further reads:

Form 460: Candidates who have raised/spent $2,000 or more file the Form 460. The Form 410 (Statement of Organization) must also be filed once $2,000 or more has been raised/spent.

Why would Lamar form his committee and file his 410 on Dec. 9 if he hadn’t already raised or spent a least $2,000 by then?

If that’s not the correct schedule which one is that you are following for Lamar’s recall, please?”

No response was received. That email was resent on Friday, March 25 with, “I’m resending that last email since you didn’t respond and answer my question about which reporting schedule you are following for Lamar Thorpe’s recall committee. I don’t see any others that apply other than the one I read and shared.”

Still no response was received.

Householder was then asked in person which reporting schedule she is following. She replied, “that’s for you to research.”

Fair Political Practices Commission Spokesman Says 460 Report Due Jan. 31 for Committee Formed Before Dec. 31, 2021

According to information provided by Jay Wierenga, Communications Director for the state Fair Political Practices Commission, the city clerk is wrong based on the filing schedule that applies.

Questions were sent to him on Wed., April 6 asking, “which schedule on that page is the correct one for a council member facing possible recall and formed his committee to raise funds to beat it prior to the end of last year? Also, if she is wrong about this and hasn’t required him to file in a timely manner, what consequences are there for each of them? Finally, if so, can the oversight of his recall election process be removed from her and be given to the Deputy City Clerk, as is being done with Householder’s recall election process?”

Wierenga responded the next day writing, “I will get back to you to try to determine the proper filing schedule. One thing I can say it is the responsibility of any and every public official to know their filing requirements and to fulfill them. Any violation of the Political Reform Act can result in a penalty of up to $5,000 per violation. Committee treasurers are also responsible for the committees they serve as treasurers.”

Later that same day he wrote, “I/we are not going to comment on any one, specific person/group/situation. I want to make that very clear that this is not a comment on any one person or group. Generally speaking, and for anyone who qualified as a committee before 12/31/21, then a Form 460 was required to be filed by 1/31/22.”

For clarification Wierenga was then asked, “Since what you wrote is ‘generally speaking’ are there any exceptions other than what is written on that filing schedule? – ‘Officeholders whose salaries are less than $200/month and judges do not have to file this semi-annual statement if no contributions were received or expenditures were made during the period.’ If so, what are those exceptions, please?”

He responded, “the words on the schedule are… the words on the schedule. As for me saying ‘generally speaking’, it is because I/we are doing just that. We are not commenting on any one person or group or specific situation.”

Thorpe and each of the council members are paid $1,600 per month by the city in their positions.

4/21/22 UPDATE: To further clarify the FPPC’s position, on Thursday, April 21, Wierenga wrote, “I, we (the FPPC) are not accusing anyone publicly (or even privately) of violating the law. ONLY an investigation by the proper investigative agency (which is the FPPC Enforcement Division, which investigates complaints, alleged violations, etc. or occasionally a District Attorney or the Attorney General’s Office, both of which also have jurisdiction under the Political Reform Act as it is State law) can legally determine a violation.”

Questions for Thorpe, Householder Go Unanswered, Still No Report Posted

On Monday, April 18 at 5:51 p.m. Wieringa’s emails were forward to Thorpe and Householder. They were asked, “Have you filed it, yet? As of today, it’s not on the city’s website. Just the 410 form. Campaign Finance Statements – City of Antioch, California (antiochca.gov) If so, and it’s just not yet uploaded, can one of you please provide me a copy?”

Thorpe was asked specifically, “If not, when will you be filing it?”

No responses were received as of Tuesday, April 19 at 5:45 PM. As of that time Thorpe’s recall committee form 460 was still not on the city clerk’s campaign finance statements page of the city’s website.

4/25/22 UPDATE: According to a resident who chose to remain anonymous, at least two and possibly three complaints have been filed with the FPPC Enforcement Division. One was filed on April 11 with ID# COM-04112022-01033 and another on April 16 with ID# COM-04172022-01087. To file a complaint visit https://fppc.ca.gov/enforcement/electronic-complaint-system.html.

 

By Mike Burkholder & Ken Turnage II, WTF California Podcast Hosts

When one looks at the city of Antioch does one think of Opportunity Lives Here? Or do you think about the mayor who received a DUI? A councilmember who performed a foul-mouth rant against the police department and never apologized? Maybe it’s an understaffed police department? Perhaps a community that is so divided it’s hard to find common ground.

No matter what you may think, failed leadership is a common theme and that starts with Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe and why we urge every Antioch resident to sign his recall papers.

Since being elected in 2016, Thorpe has gone from someone seeking to bridge the community to someone intentionally dividing it all in the name of political wins and problem profiteering. The last time the community was actually unified, was back in 2012 and that was to increase public safety.

Think back to 2012 when the City of Antioch was in the news almost every day for some sort of crime. Shootings, stabbings, robbery and assaults. That was caused by police layoffs that took the police department down from more than 124 officers to the low 80’s—and for a short time, even the mid-70’s. The community came together and passed three tax measures beginning in 2012 with a single goal of improving public safety and improving services in Antioch.

Fast forward to May of 2020, the Antioch Police Department was fully staffed for the first time since 2004 at 115 officers with a line of officers wanting to come here. Including the “overage”, Antioch Police were able to hire 120 officers just one short of the 121 allowed.

Sadly, years of rebuilding an obliterated police force has been undone in less than seven months since former Police Chief Tammany Brooks retired due to two years of attacks and false propaganda during Thorpe’s rule as mayor.  Today, Antioch Police stand at 102 sworn officers on the books with several more on their way out in the coming weeks.

Thorpe has created this mass exodus by both participating and enabling a hostile work environment for Antioch Police Officers. Rather than working with police, he has chosen to be their adversary by withholding equipment such as body cameras, tasers and vehicle purchases, to undermining the police chief and officers through micromanaging policy, to flat out lying about incidents while grandstanding at the expense of officers.

Although we support Antioch police, we acknowledge that Antioch Police Officers are not perfect and when they screw up, there should be consequences – get rid of bad and corrupt cops. I think we can all agree with that.

But what Thorpe has done is inexcusable and has crossed a line all in the name of playing politics at the community’s expense. This is now impacting the community’s safety, city revenue as businesses suffer, property values will soon go down. The only thing gained under the leadership of Thorpe is Antioch has built a reputation of where people and businesses should avoid.

We understand some people are focused on how the mayor behaves on social media, calling recall proponents “Karens”, to focusing on his Napoleon complex as a dictator, that is all worthy of a debate and rather annoying to see, but the reason for recalling him comes down to a failure to protect the city against crime, addressing blight, lying to the public as he speaks in half-truths and creating a negative environment that has divided a community.

Leaders build bridges, they don’t tear them down while throwing out the race card and attacking others they disagree with. For that, we believe it’s time for those people who have not signed the petition to place Lamar Thorpe’s recall on the November ballot, should do so.

We have compiled a list of more than 50 reasons why one should sign it. Here are our Top 10 followed by, in chronological order, the 50 reasons with links to past stories.

10: Police Reform Proposals

While we agree reform is good, Thorpe has, however, used it as a political tool where he accused Antioch police of many wrongdoings even after he had the facts. This began back when it was shared six of the Eight Can’t Wait Items were already in place – beginning with the previous police chief, Allan Cantando. Thorpe continues to utilize half-truths and omissions of facts to push national rhetoric which does not apply to Antioch. Again, police reform is good, but the way Thorpe went about it was wrong and has undermined the community.

9: Abusing Ad-Hoc Committees

This was done to remove the take city business that should be done in public and moved to backroom discussion, skirting open meeting laws and record keeping. Items from these committees were not reported out to the full council and goes against any form of transparency. By creating ad-hoc committees, it took the discussions away from the dais and moved them into shadow government removing ,all transparency.

8: Overstepping Mayoral Bounds

Prior to being elected, Thorpe had bashed the “good ol’ boys’ network”. Then doubled down on the practice by first giving then-city manager Ron Bernal a sham review only to hire an under-qualified friend in a high paying position. He continued this practice through the hiring of consultants, non-profits and other staff positions. Thorpe appears to have orchestrated this by forgoing proper background checks and hiring processes before hiring his friends.

7: Rescinded School Resource Officer Grant

Thorpe’s first move was to rescind this grant, under the previous city council, even after violence at AUSD schools was increasing. The new council majority did this to fit the national rhetoric which did not take into consideration the safety of students and community. This was a decision based on rhetoric and not facts. The council gave away a $750,000 grant from the US DOJ as well, as split costs from AUSD. This was an inexcusable reversal from the previous council and highlighted the rift between the school district and the city.

6: Mayor has Grandstanded and Lied about Residents Who Died

From the beginning, Thorpe lied about being notified of the death of a resident. Email communications have proved this after Thorpe claimed he was notified a month later. Thorpe continued with the lie of knee to neck by police even after a press conference by the chief and a coroner’s inquest report. Even after, Thorpe continues to misrepresent what occurred.

5: Blaming Businesses for Crime

At this press conference, not only did the mayor blindside the county with a probation partnership at Sycamore Square (by the way, it’s still not there), he blamed businesses for crime while threatening imminent domain. A clear lack of understanding of the law, an overstep of his position as mayor and just one highlight of his anti-business mentality.

4: Lack of Leadership in the Tamisha Torres-Walker Incidents

Where do we begin? A 9-minute anti-Antioch Police rant which the mayor personally downplayed. Even after gunshots and interfering with police at her house during a party, the mayor took no action to censure or remove Torres-Walker from committees.

3: Muzzling the Police Communications, Withholding Crime Stats and Reduced Transparency

This is a guy who preaches #TransparentAntioch. Since becoming mayor, the exact opposite has occurred after he has ordered the police department to not speak to the media, ordered department heads not to respond to the public which has reduced all open lines of communication. Furthermore, Thorpe has not allowed the police department to provide its 2020 and 2021 crime statistics. Failure to release body camera footage has occurred even when they could release them. Those that disagree with him, get shut out.

2: Manufactured Outrage

Thorpe has a history of manufacturing outrage in the community with phony propaganda. This became clear after emails regarding an incident at Antioch High School was exposed. Thorpe had asked AUSD Trustee, then- Board President and Antioch City Clerk Ellie Householder to begin collecting letters from parents on the incident even though AUSD received no complaints. Thorpe has continued to do this several times during his term as mayor and has been caught in half-truths – examples include grandstanding on the death of a 12-year-old girl, entering and then releasing crime scene photos, and he has held multiple press conferences where he made bizarre statements not backed up by facts.

1: Withheld Police Equipment until it Fit Political Needs

The mayor rewrote his own history in terms of body cameras when he intentionally withheld placing the item on the agenda per the request of the police chief. He held the item for months all so he could place the it before the council during his self-proclaimed Police Reform Month. The council majority also rejected tasers and failed to approve police dash cams as a package deal. That was a mistake as it would have saved taxpayers money if they had packaged the items together. Other items from vehicles to community cameras continue to be delayed. The mayor has also refused to place hiring more police officers on the agenda even though it’s been requested by three councilmembers.

Honorable Mention:

• Mayor Thorpe’s DUI
• Childish behavior on social media from blocking residents, deleting comments and unprofessional TikTok videos – filmed inside the Council Chambers
• Search Warrant reveals Thorpe and City Clerk Ellie Householder possibly engaged in criminal conduct.

For these reasons outlined above, we encourage every registered voter within the City of Antioch to sign the recall petition and get Mayor Lamar Thorpe on the November Ballot.

References

1. Dec 20, 2020: Antioch Mayor Elect Lamar Thorpe Announces Transition Team
   this was start of ad-hocs, special meetings to skirt open meeting laws and records of meetings. Ad-hocs and special meeting have been used as a tool to limit public records and public participation.  
2. Dec 17, 2020: Antioch City Council Votes to Rescind School Resource Officer Grant
   One of the first actions as Mayor was to rescind school resource officers
3.  Dec 30, 2021: Foul-Mouthed City Councilwoman Blasts Antioch Police Department
   No leadership from the Mayor or other city councilmembers. Allowed to push anti-Antioch Police narrative and create a hostile work environment. Later, it would come out that Walker donated $500 the same day her sons felony reduced to misdemeanor.
4. Jan 4, 2021: Mayor Downplays Councilwomans Foul Mouthed Rant Against Antioch Police
   Mayor Thorpe showed no leadership nor support of the Antioch PD
5. Jan 25, 2021: Antioch Police Chief Tells City Council Officer Mellone is Qualified to Work Anywhere in California
6. Feb 5, 2021: Editorial: City Hall Needs to Remove the Muzzle from the Antioch Police Department
7. Feb 11, 2021: Antioch Councilwoman Has “No Intention of Apologizing” For Anti-Police Rant
   This demonstrates no leadership from Mayor and no integrity for city workers or the community.
8. Feb 22, 2021: Antioch Mayor Unveils Police Reform Proposals
9. Feb 25, 2021: Antioch Mayor Seeks to Expedite Police Reform After Second In-Custody Death
   Without facts and completed investigation, mayor began lying to the public. He also fibbed on email notification regarding in custody deaths
10. Feb 26, 2021: Antioch City Council to Move Forward with RFP for Bridge Housing for Homeless
    These were a bogus set of meetings with limited participation, a report that was misleading and participants even highlighted the report was false because items stated did not happen or were stated incorrectly.
11. Feb 26, 2021: Antioch City Council Set for Special Meeting to Discuss Police Reform
12. March 1, 2021: Antioch City Council Moves Forward With Police Reform Measures
13. March 2, 2021: Antioch Police Chief Holds Press Conference on Death of Angelo Quinto
    Given the rhetoric by the Antioch Mayor and the lies, it forced chief brooks to hold a press conference, play the 9-1-1 calls and give full description of what transpired. Even after this, Thorpe has continue to push a false narrative of what transpired.
14. May 9, 2021: Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe Talks Recent Shootings During City Council Meeting
15.  March 10, 2021: Antioch City Council Unanimously Approves Police Worn Body Cameras
    This came months after it had been requested. Thorpe grandstanding by withholding vote until his police reform vote. Also voted against this while a councilmember.
16. March 10, 2021: Antioch Mayor: “We Are Thugs Who Want to Defund the Police”
17. March 21, 2021: Antioch City Council Set to Receive Final Report for Bridging The Gap Series
18. March 24, 2021: Antioch City Council Votes 4-1 to Prohibit Police From Receiving Military Equipment
19. March 24, 2021: Antioch City Council Approves Community Camera System at A Street and 18th Street
20. April 14, 2021: Antioch Mayor Seeks to Create Chinatown District, Apologize for City’s History
21. April 28, 2021: Antioch City Council Approve Three More Police Reform Items
22. May 13, 2021: UPDATE: 12-Year-Old Shot and Killed Wednesday Night in Antioch
    Mayor Thorpe showed up on scene of this incident
23. June 9, 2021: Antioch City Council Votes 3-2 to Reject Police Taser Replacement and Upgrades
    This move actually cost taxpayers money and made no sense.
24. June 16, 2021: Updated: Antioch Mayor Holds Press Conference Declaring City a “No Side Show Zone”
    The irony here is a fellow councilmember attended a sideshow to show support.  Torres-Walker even filed a complaint to avoid releasing emails about her son planning a “ride out”
25. June 21, 2021: Antioch Mayor Proposes Naming Water Fountain Black Lives Matter Freedom Fountain
26. July 18, 2021: Antioch Councilwoman Torres-Walker Posts Video Calling for Hiring 4 More Police Officers
    Mayor never brought this up for a discussion
27. July 19, 2021: Antioch Councilman to Propose Increasing Police Department by 2.5% Each Year Until 170 Officers
    Mayor never brought this up for discussion
28.  July 25, 2021: Editorial: Self-Promoting Antioch Mayor Uses Sycamore Crime to Get More TV Time
29. July 26, 2021: Video: Antioch Mayor Announces Hiring Program, Probation’s Partnership and Puts Property Owners on Notice
    Blamed local business for crime while threatening eminent domain, blindsided county with announcement (still no probation partnership in Sycamore Square) and said they would hire criminals while bypassing hiring process.
30. July 28, 2021: Antioch City Council Approves Police Body Camera Policy
    This policy was created in a separate committee with limited public view and access and was hidden unless public was truly looking to participate.
31. Aug. 9, 2021: Editorial: Residents Must Begin to Standup to Micromanaging Antioch City Council
32. Aug 10, 2021: Antioch Search Warrants Reveal Mayor and City Clerk Engaged in Possible Criminal Conduct
33. Aug 24, 2021: Antioch City Council to Look at “Restraint” Policy for Police Holds
34. Sept. 9, 2021: Antioch Announces Retirement of Tammany Brooks as Police Chief
35. Sept. 15, 2021: Emails Reveal Antioch School Board Trustees and Mayor Manufactured Outrage in Antioch High Incident
36. Sept. 18, 2021: Three Protesters Arrested After Interrupting Antioch Police Chief Going Away Party
    Multiple protesters who support the Mayor showed up to cause a scene.
37. Oct. 4, 2021: Antioch to Reopen Investigation into Torres-Walker Complaint Against Antioch Police
38. Oct. 4,2021: Ogorchock Calls on Antioch Councilwoman Torres-Walker to Resign from Police Oversight Commission
    Mayor Thorpe again showed failed leadership by simply removing Torres-Walker as chair, rather than removing her entirely from the committee.
39. Oct. 5, 2021: Antioch Police 2020 Crime Data Provided
    Transparency in Antioch dead, Thorpe prevented this data from reaching the public. He did this for political reasons.
40. Oct. 21, 2021: Antioch Police Department Announces Partnership With DOJ
    Thorpe attempted to take credit for something a year or so in the works after finding out about this grand just days before the press conference.
41. Oct. 28, 2021: Antioch City Council Seeks to Have Final Say in Police Chief Hiring
    The hiring of the police chief is typically at the selection of the City Manager
42. Nov. 2, 2021: Antioch City Council Agree to Hear Presentation for Beede Lumber Yard Town Square Proposal
    Mayor Thorpe rewrites history
43. Nov. 5, 2021: Antioch Set to Hire Former San Francisco Police Captain as Interim City Manager
    This fiasco still to this day has not clarified Johnsons credentials or how open the process was.
44. Nov. 10, 2021: Antioch City Council Agrees to Hire Cornelius Johnson as Interim City Manager in 3-2 Vote
    The council hired an unqualified city manager without a real process and illegitimate background check
45. Nov. 29, 2021: Antioch City Council Votes Down Ad-Hoc Committee for City Manager Recruitment
46. Dec 12, 2021: Antioch Mayor May Not Have Been Authorized to Enter or Photograph Active Crime Scene
    Thorpe entered crime scene while area closed off to public & media and grandstanding with posting photographs that were not allowed to take as scene was still active.
47. Dec 15, 2021: Antioch City Council Agrees to Spend $284k for 15-Rooms to Combat Homelessness
48. Dec 16, 2021: Antioch Mayor Announces Hiring of Interim City Manager
49. Jan 26, 2022: Antioch City Council Agrees to Apply for State Grant to Help Reduce Gun Violence
50. Feb 8, 2022: Antioch Seeks to Boot Congressman McNerney from Community Center Office
51. Feb 22, 2022: Antioch Set to Create Transitional Housing Overlay District for Executive Inn
52. March 12, 2022: Antioch City Council Selects District Map, Ogorchock to Run Against Wilson
53. March 19, 2022: Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe Arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
54. March 23, 2022: Emails Show Antioch Interim City Manager Fires Police Chief, Then Retracts Hour Later
55. April 4, 2022: Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe Proposes $40k Hiring Bonus for New Cops, Down-payment Assistance

Organizers offer status update and signing locations

In a post on the Recall Lamar Thorpe Facebook page on Monday, April 11, 2022, organizers provided the following update to the effort to remove the mayor from office:

ITS CRUNCH TIME PEOPLE!

We have exactly 1 month to go to meet the 5/11/22 deadline. We have 7,500 signatures to date which is 75% – so your involvement either thru signing or donating is needed now more than ever!! Your signature can be what gets us to our goal. Please come sign the Recall Initiative. We are running out of time so NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN

SIGNING LOCATIONS:

RiverTown Sweets

615 W 2nd St in Antioch

Wed – Sat 11am to 4pm

Rivertown Treasure Chest

306 G St in Antioch

Thur-Sun 11am to 5pm

Delta Bowl

3300 Delta Fair Blvd in Antioch

Mon -Fri 9am to 11pm

Sat & Sun 10am to 11pm

K2GC

309 E 18th St in Antioch

Mon – Fri 7am to 5pm

Tony’s Beer Garden

809 W 2nd St in Antioch

Mon – Sat 11am to 8pm

East County Insurance

2738 W Tregallas Rd Unit B in Antioch

Mon – Fri 8am to 4pm

If you prefer to speak to some of the volunteers we are at:

Lucky’s Parking Lot

Friday’s 2:00pm-5:30pm

Bluerock Center Parking Lot near Starbucks

Sunday 9:00am-2:00pm

(NO SIGNING EVENT – Sunday 4/17/22 due to the Easter Holiday)

Also Professional Circulators are at locations through out the city!!

MONETARY DONATIONS:

Make Checks Payable to:

Committee to Recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe

And can me mailed to:

K2GC

C/O Recall Lamar Thope

309 E 18th St, Antioch, CA 94509

If you need us to pick up check or cash donations – let us know!!

Donations of $99 or less – donors can remain anonymous.

FPPC PENDING

—————-

For more information visit www.RecallLamarThorpe.com.

Organizers say paid petitioners gathered 1,500 signatures on both Householder and Thorpe recalls in first two days

By Allen D. Payton

In a Facebook post on the Recall Ellie Householder Facebook page on Thursday, proponent Lindsey Amezcua announced the end of the effort to remove the Antioch School Board Trustee from her position. However, signature gathering for Householder’s recall to remove her as Antioch City Clerk continues. (See related article)

Amezcua wrote, “The Recall Initiative for Ellie Householder, AUSD School Board Trustee has ended and will not move forward.

Please note:  The Recall Initiative for Ellie Householder, Antioch City Clerk is still active and gathering signatures!!

The following quote was provided on behalf of the proponents of the Recall for Ellie Householder, AUSD School Board Trustee:

‘We opted not to turn in the signatures that we collected.  When we missed the deadline to be able to put the recall initiative on the June Primary ballot; we decided that it was not in the best interest of our school district to pursue a special election when Ms. Householder’s term is over in November.

Collectively, we are all pleased with the results.  Our goal was always, to restore peace and collaboration for the Board of Education and we saw a noticeable shift once we began this process.

We woke residents up to the dysfunction that was occurring and we are happy with the impact our attempt had.’”

According to former Antioch School Board Trustee and President Diane Gibson-Gray in a comment below the Facebook post, “The signature gathers collected more signatures than voted for her.”

“Unfortunately, she continues to display her lack of understanding of her elected position,” Gibson-Gray’s comment continued. “The day after the signature due date, she reached out to her favorite news anchor at KTVU Fox 2 with the message, ‘I’m still here….’. Her message should have been, I’ve learned from this experience and will do better to represent all AUSD constituents.”

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Householder came under fire for how she was conducting school board meetings as president, including preventing Superintendent Stephanie Anello from speaking, telling her “you’re not recognized”, as well as violating Robert’s Rules of Order and the state’s Brown Act open meeting law among other reasons. (See related articles here and here)

The dual officeholder currently serves in a citywide seat on the school board, but she moved into Area 1 which is currently represented by Antonio Hernandez whose seat isn’t up for election until 2024. So, unless Householder moves into either Areas 2, where Trustee Mary Rocha lives and whose seat is also up for election, this year or Area 5, she will be unable to run for re-election in November.

Paid Signature Gatherers Hired

The recall effort against both Mayor Lamar Thorpe and City Clerk Householder recently hired paid signature gatherers who obtained 1,500 signatures in just their first two days, Amezcua and Kathy Cabrera, another recall leader, shared.

The deadline for gathering the required signatures for Thorpe is May 11. For Householder’s city clerk recall the deadline is June 6, since hers started later. For more information on the recalls visit www.recallelliehouseholder.com and www.recalllamarthorpe.com.

Announced oath of office ceremony three hours before special election ended

Given committee assignments Thursday morning; will represent Antioch and Far East County until end of the year

By Allen D. Payton

Assemblywoman-elect Lori Wilson is the clear winner of Tuesday’s Special Election race for the 11th State Assembly District to fill the vacancy created when Jim Frazier resigned at the end of December with one year left in his term. Wilson was the only candidate on the ballot, but she faced an official write-in candidate, Erik Elness of Brentwood. The unofficial results show Wilson garnering 97% of the vote. But the election won’t be certified until Wednesday, April 14. She already had an office in the Capitol, according to the Assembly Daily File and an official Assembly website as of Wednesday evening.

Wilson also received her committee assignments Thursday morning.

Tuesday night at 5:12 p.m. her campaign sent out a press release announcing her oath of office the next day. Asked if that was premature since the polls didn’t close until 8:00 p.m. that night no response was received.

Oath of Office Announcement

The following press release had the date of April 6 but included the words, “For Immediate Release”:

Lori D. Wilson to Be Sworn In as the 11th District’s New Assemblymember

Sacramento, CA – Lori D. Wilson will be sworn in today as the Assemblymember for the 11th Assembly District. The newly elected Assemblymember will be representing parts of Contra Costa, Sacramento and Solano Counties.

“Thank you to the voters of Assembly District 11 for your confidence and trust. I am deeply humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve our communities in the State Assembly,” expressed Assemblymember Wilson. “From constituents who need help with state services, to challenges like rising homelessness, climate change, and keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe, I promise to work every day to deliver results for our communities, and to be a relentless advocate for every person who lives in our district.”

The program will go as follows. Please see below for biographies of the program participants.

Prayer led by Dr. Claybon Lea

National Anthem sung by SSGT Godson Ryder

Pledge of Allegiance led by Madison Avila

Remarks by Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon

Remarks by Pastor Aritha Tomlinson

Oath of Office

Remarks by Assemblymember Lori Wilson

Dr. Claybon Lea is the Senior Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield and Suisun City, CA where he has served since 1999. A widely known and highly sought after preacher, teacher, lecturer, and leader, Dr. Lea has been blessed to travel the world sharing his gifts to the glory of God. Additionally, he wrote his PhD dissertation on the “Hermeneutics of Archbishop Desmond Tutu” and is the author of the recently released book “Giant Lessons from David: Managing the Journey of Success”.

SSGT Godson Ryder was born in Florida, but raised in Saudi Arabia. He spent 8 years in the Air Force as an active duty member and the last 4 years in the Air Force reserves at Travis AFB, CA, where he is currently stationed. SSGT Ryder serves the great city of El Cerrito as a Peace Officer. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Erin, for 10 years.  They have two children, and God willing a third on the way.

Madison Avila is a Senior at Freedom High School in Oakley, CA and the current ASB President. She has participated in leadership all four years of her High School experience holding high positions as well as achieving a great GPA. Madison plans on attending a four-year University with a career goal of becoming an Anesthetist Nurse.

Pastor Aritha Tomlinson is a former Associate Pastor at Liberty Christian Center in Fairfield, CA. She oversaw Women’s Ministry, provided mentorship to women ministers, and was a part of the Pastoral Counseling team.  She is now enjoying retired life in Dallas, TX, spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, and staying fit.”

Sworn in at 11 AM Wednesday

Asked Wednesday evening if she was sworn in, general campaign manager Michael Terris, of Clean Sweep Campaigns, said, “she was sworn in. They did the swearing in ceremony at 11 am this morning. She has committee assignments and she’s off.

“Technically, I don’t know how that works. I think the speaker felt she would win,” he added.

Write-In Opponent Surprised

Asked for his thoughts about it, Elness responded, “Seems like there should be something illegal about that, before all the votes are even counted! What a disdain for the voice of the people! And truly, neither County knows how many votes there actually are because if a bunch of people voted and mailed their votes to be postmarked yesterday, those might not have even arrived yet. How do they know there aren’t several thousand more votes coming in?”

Wilson Explains Reason for Wednesday’s Oath of Office

Asked how she could be given her oath of office before the election will be certified next Wednesday, Wilson said, “I don’t know the rules. So, I’ll give you the laymen’s. They called, shortly…at some point after I was the only candidate, this was definitely before the write-in candidate. They said, ‘since you’re the only candidate, we can get started with stuff, earlier in terms of getting you on-board,” Wilson explained. “They had given two dates, the 18th and the 6th, because they were on spring recess the 11th. They originally said the 18th at the beginning of the call, and they said they were concerned about the 18th because the 18th starts a series of a lots of legislation coming and just the timing of the season. It goes into six-weeks of very busyiness, lots of bills and you won’t have time, really to on-board with your staff nor do the trainings, because there’s a whole set of trainings you can do.”

“They said the other option is to get sworn in the 6th, because then we go straight into spring recess and then you can start hiring staff…you can actually be prepared to do all the votes that you’re going to have to do,” she added. “As they prepare for the May Revise (of the budget). I guess the 18th starts a six-week, non-stop bill period and so, they wanted me to be informed.”

“So, during spring recess, I’ll be training,” Wilson added with a laugh.

Asked what committee assignments she received, Wilson said, Accounting and Administrative Review, Appropriations and Finance, and Privacy and Consumer Protection. You’re the first to know. I just got the text.”

“I’m so thankful to the voters for sending me, here,” Wilson stated. “I’m thankful to be able to be here at such a transitional time, I think for California and make sure that I’m working really hard on behalf of District 11, which of course means all of that will lead to the betterment of the entire state.”

“So, just excited for the opportunity and glad the voters saw fit to send me, here,” she added.

“I’ve got round two coming up,” Wilson continued referring to the race for the new Assembly District 11 on the June Primary Election ballot.

Wednesday News Release Announcing Oath of Office

In a news release on her official Assembly website posted Wednesday, it reads, “Today, Lori Wilson was sworn in as the Assemblymember for the 11th Assembly District. The newly elected Assemblymember will be representing parts of Contra Costa, Sacramento and Solano Counties.

“Thank you to the voters of Assembly District 11 for your confidence and trust. I am deeply humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve our communities in the State Assembly,” expressed Assemblymember Wilson. “From constituents who need help with state services, to challenges like rising homelessness, climate change, and keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe, I promise to work every day to deliver results for our communities, and to be a relentless advocate for every person who lives in our district.”

Assembly Speaker’s Office Explains Rules, Constitution Allows It

According to a staff member in Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s office, Wilson was certified through the Chief Clerk’s Office. Also, according to Katie Talbot, Speaker Rendon’s Deputy Director of Communications, the California Constitution allows early pre-certification oaths of office.

“There’s a section of the constitution that addresses this,” she shared. “Article IV, Section 5 (a)(1) of the Constitution provides the Legislature with the authority to judge the qualifications and elections of its Members. So, there have been occasional times in recent history when we’ve sworn in the Member pre-certification. It happens sometimes in cases like this, when there’s only one name on the ballot and the results are not close.”

Full-Term Assembly Election

Wilson does have an opponent, Jennie Callison, whose name will appear on the ballot in the June Primary Election for the full, two-year term in the newly drawn Assembly District 11. It no longer includes Antioch and Brentwood in the Contra Costa County portion of the district. Callison is a Vacaville resident and works in the State Assembly.

Including of people signing petitions, underage grocery store worker; police called

Dear Editor:

It’s no secret that politics have been a contentious battleground over the last several years in the city of Antioch. The city has moved in a direction where leadership is more focused on being right while losing sight of doing what is right.  This has especially weighed heavily on my mind the past few months and it came to a head Friday as we are in the home stretch of the Antioch recalls.

On Friday, the harassment and bullying going on went too far. It is impossible to ignore, and something must be done after one of the mayor’s very vocal supporters crossed a line.

This person appeared at a signing table with a bullhorn and a video recorder, something that has happened many times now during this recall.  This person was aggressively insulting the people gathering signatures, recording them without their permission, and harassing customers at the store. Truthfully, we have been subjected to this before. However, all are adults and can handle it.

Sadly, however, this supporter of the mayor took it to a whole other level when they began harassing a minor. This is a minor that is employed by the location the event was being held. The minor was recorded without consent, was called a bully, a racist, and the aggressor refused to stop even when the minor revealed the fact that they are underage. The harassment was so out of line that customers, unrelated to the recall attempt, called the Antioch Police Department to assist the minor.

I cannot fathom the fear and embarrassment this young person felt.  To have an adult abuse them in such a way is unconscionable.  In a time when the mental health of our youth is at a catastrophic level, we cannot put them into situations that might damage the very fabric of their relatively limited worlds and put them into a crisis in which some may not be able to recover.

The fear of being labeled a racist has driven teens to take drastic, and permanent, actions before.  They felt their whole lives were ruined when such allegations went public.  For a grown woman to treat a youth in our city in this manor cannot and should not be ignored.

This is a woman whom the mayor has supported with his clapping and his smiles.  He has allowed the false rhetoric to be perpetrated to save himself from recall, and now his supporters are abusing our youth, as well.  Bullying is never acceptable.  We need better from our elected officials and their supporters if we are ever going to come together as a city

I am not so naïve to not understand politics can and do divide a community and get the best of people. But I hope that the vast majority would look beyond the surface and ignore the false rhetoric.

For example, it came as no surprise that the proponents were labeled racists and that many individuals ignored the fact that nearly half of the original 20 proponents are minorities. However, I was wholly unprepared for the level of hate and vitriol I both witnessed and received during this process.

Because I became involved in these efforts to better the community in which I live, I was immediately labeled a racist, called a bully, and was harassed on more than one occasion. Admittedly, I somewhat expected this to happen because I knew I was making a bold choice that some do not understand, and many are unwilling to learn the motives behind. 

What I was unprepared for was the hate that I saw spewed at others, hate from the mayor and his supporters.  I saw an African American woman called a racial slur, another told she was not black enough, and yet another told she was “acting white.” An Afro-Latina neighbor was told she was not a real person of color, a Mexican American man was told he needs to learn to think for himself.  I’ve been publicly called a “Karen”, a Klan’s member, and a bully by both the mayor and his supporters.

The mayor has even tried to intimidate me, both with his own actions and the actions he has condoned.  At a recent city council meeting all the proponents were called the Ku Klux Karen’s, a comment in which the mayor applauded.

I do not write these things to garner support or sympathy.  I’m a grown woman that put myself into the line of fire for supporting the recall of our mayor and city clerk and have thus far dealt with these attacks quietly. But it crossed a line Friday. Verbally attacking a youth should be rejected by everyone whether you support or disagree with a recall.

I had no intention of ever speaking of these events publicly over the past year because that is not the type of petty politics in which I want to involve myself. But I ask the public to please leave the children out of it and to tone down the false rhetoric and name calling

Respectfully,

Lindsey Amezcua

Antioch

 

Supports cutting gas taxes, opposes facemask mandates for school children, announces endorsements; district includes all of Antioch

Erik Elness, a 25-year Brentwood resident and business owner, filed paperwork with the Contra Costa County Elections Department on Friday, March 18, 2022, and was certified as an official ‘Write-In Candidate’ for the April 5, 2022 Assembly District 11 Special Election. The AD-11 seat was vacated when former Assemblyman Jim Frazier resigned on December 31st.

“I decided to run as a write-in candidate, because I wanted to give the hard-working voters of our Contra Costa and Solano district a choice of who they want to vote for in this special election,” Elness stated. “Government has grown bigger and more controlling, and individual liberty has been gradually taken from us.”

A Republican, he is challenging Democrat Suisun City Mayor Lori Wilson who is the only candidate to file in the race. While her name will appear on the ballot, voters must write in Elness’ name to vote for him.  The winner will serve out the remainder of the term through the end of the year, in the current district which includes Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and portions of Pittsburg in the Contra Costa County part of the district.

Within several days of announcing his candidacy, Elness was unanimously endorsed by the Solano County Republican Central Committee and endorsed by CD-8 Congressional Candidate, Major Rudy Recile (U.S. Army, retired), former CD-9 Congressional candidate Antonio Amador, and former AD-11 Assembly candidate Dave Miller. In addition, former AD-11 candidate Lisa Romero has endorsed him, as well.

Elness said he was shocked to learn the Assembly Democrats recently voted against temporarily suspending 50 cents per gallon off the state gasoline taxes. He agreed with the bill to cut state gas prices, adding, “the people of California need relief, now from increasing gas prices, impacting their budgets and our economy. That bill was one simple way to help accomplish that.”

Elness also stated, “I’m ‘pro-choice’ when it comes to COVID vaccines and masks. I don’t believe our children should be forced to wear masks at school.”

“Sacramento politicians are out of touch with the needs of the people who live and work in our neighborhoods. I worked corporate jobs for 23 years and I’ve been a small business owner for nearly 13 years, running a successful family business with my wife,” Elness shared. “We deserve a representative in Sacramento in tune with the issues, concerns, and challenges facing families in our community.”

“I support equal opportunity in education, with every child in every neighborhood receiving a quality education,” he stated. “I applaud successful public schools (my kids had a lot of great teachers in public schools.) But I believe families should have choices when it comes to home school, private or charter schools.’

“I strongly support the U.S. Constitution and I will strongly oppose any new State laws that infringe on our Civil Rights, including our Second Amendment right to bear arms,” Elness continued. “I support our firefighters, local law enforcement officers and deputy district attorneys who work tirelessly to protect our Constitutional liberty and keep our neighborhoods safe.”

To learn more follow his campaign on Facebook at Erik Elness for CA Assembly, District 11 and Instagram at erikelnessforassembly.

To vote for Elness in the April 5 Special Election, simply fill in the ‘bubble’ in the write in section and neatly print his name, “Erik Elness” on the write in line.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.