Marie Arce

My name is Marie Arce and I am running for Antioch City Council District 3.

My priority for Antioch is to improve the quality of life in our community. We can accomplish this through growing our small business community, supporting Antioch Police to reduce crime, ensuring taxpayer accountability, and cleaning up our dirty streets.

We need to grow our small business community through approaches such as:

• Expanding our small business grant program to include home-based businesses
• Develop a database to collect data points on the types of business, number of jobs, and success rates of businesses located in Antioch. This data can be used to attract the right mix of businesses.
• Work with the Chamber of Commerce to be a resource for our business community by providing support services and a complimentary introductory membership.

In addition to my small business platform I want to ensure that our community feels safe. I support fully funding our police to ensure that we have the number of officers that Chief Brooks has recommended. I want to work with the Chief to invest in the latest law enforcement technologies such as body cameras to improve the safety for both our officers and community.

We need to ensure that “Measure W” is used for police services and business growth as the voters intended. For blight the city will need to take a tougher stance on those who trash our city.

Antioch is my hometown. I was raised here went to school here and restoring Antioch pride is personal to me. I hope that I earn your vote.

Contact me: Facebook @Marie Arce for Antioch City Council District 3 | Instagram @MarieArceCityCouncil | http://www.mariearce.com

PLEASE JOIN US.

Supervisor Federal Glover was there for our firefighters and our residents during the massive fires we experienced the last couple of years. We wholeheartedly support Supervisor Glover’s re-election and look forward to working closely with him for another term.

Antioch City Treasurer Jim Davis.

It is my desire to continue as Antioch City Treasurer based on my wide and diverse experience and training. I have a firm working knowledge and understanding of the numerous duties and responsibilities of this vital position and its required functions. Having managed people and departments for over 30 years and served in public office for 14 years, including Mayor, I have a rich appreciation for all and can relate to all diverse backgrounds.

Given my banking background I have a strong analytical aptitude to understand financial issues and budgets.  I  have extrapolated my experience in reviewing and adopting guidelines for the Statement of Investment Policy in compliance with state law, control of wire transfers, field check custodian, processing requests for paying off Assessment District 26 and 27/31 debt, processing travel claims, reviewing paid warrants, preparing the Treasurer’s Report to the Council and managing the Certificate of Deposits and all other required duties as set forth in the Government and Municipal Codes all within and under the set office budget.

Antioch’s investment portfolio of $120,000,000 is well diversified and properly invested in highly performing companies and government securities with appropriate high credit ratings.

During these times of economic, political, social uncertainly and unrest it is critical to maintain financial continuity and stewardship with an experienced Treasurer, I have a proven track record of achievements. Now is not the time to change this continuity in leadership.

Please vote for James “Jim” Davis for Antioch City Treasurer.

Email: Jd4antioch@aol.com

Cell: (925) 890-4503

Facebook: @Elect-Jim-Davis-Antioch-City-Treasurer-106313474551119/

From Wright’s email message on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020.

Two differences between him and Thorpe on council votes are clear, the other issues and comparisons aren’t so clear.

By Allen Payton

In an email on Thursday, Antioch Mayor Sean Wright’s campaign issued a message with a graphic about his positions on public safety issues and compared them to those of his opponents, entitled “Where I stand on public safety issues.” However, the graphic provided with the email doesn’t mention his other opponents by name. It mentions two votes taken by the city council, one about the School Resource Officers which one of his opponents, Councilman Lamar Thorpe voted against, while Wright voted for it. The other council vote mentioned was for spending up to $1 million to take over a motel on E. 18th Street to house the homeless, which Wright voted against and Thorpe voted for. (See related articles, here and here)

On the issue of defunding the police, the graphic reads under Wright’s name “No to Defunding” and under the words “Other Candidates” it has a check mark next to the word “YES” in large, green letters and reads, “Movement happening now to defund the Antioch Police so there are fewer officers.” However, Thorpe has never stated publicly that he supports defunding the police only that he wants to implement 13 reforms, including those from the 8 Can’t Wait national effort (see related article). On Gabriel Makinano’s campaign website it reads, “Hire More Police using Measure W funds as the people voted for to get to 1.2 Officers per 1,000 Population.” In Rakesh Kumar Christian’s statement and ad in the September issue of the Antioch Herald it reads “No Defunding Police”, but it also reads “No Hiring More Police.” On Julio Jesse Mendez’ campaign website he doesn’t mention anything about police, but under the issue of Education, it reads #endschooltoprison, #counselorsnotcops.

The final issue mentioned in the Wright campaign graphic is District Attorney Diana Becton’s policy decision regarding looting, from earlier this year (See related article). Under Wright’s name it shows the word “NO” large and in red, while under “Other Candidates” it reads “Opponents are silent on this issue,” which is accurate because no other candidate for Mayor of Antioch has publicly mentioned any concerns for the DA’s policy. But, the statement continues with “being supporters of DA Becton’s re-election campaign” and includes her campaign website endorsement page. where Thorpe’s name is listed, along with Councilmembers Monica Wilson and Lori Ogorchock, and former Councilmember Tony Tiscareno. However, those endorsements were for her election campaign in 2018, because it lists Thorpe as Mayor Pro Tem and Tiscareno as Councilmember, which they both were at the time.

Endorsements for Diana Becton’s first campaign for Contra Costa District Attorney in 2018 from her campaign website.

Following is Wright’s email message:

Antioch Neighbors,

Here’s a quick look at where I stand on important public safety issues in our community. As you can see, my opponents’ vision for Antioch future differs greatly from mine. If you should have any questions or would like to share your opinions about what we need to do to keep residents safe, please email me by CLICKING HERE. Thank you.

Dr. Sean Wright – Antioch Mayor/Chiropractor

MayorSeanWright.com

Dear Editor:

This is not the time for promoting hate by any candidate. Do we not see what is going on in this country. Is there nowhere that peace and dignity reigns during this time? People are dying. Racism and division rules.

What is all this really about and is it worth it? I guess unity and respect for one another has digressed.
No candidate is all good and none are all bad. Can we come together in a non-political environment and spend time talking about how we will rebuild community for real, and just talk about it?

I want to love people the way Christ has shown us. Whether you believe in Christ or not, I believe most of us in this community believe in unity and care. I’m not going to lie. Love is a struggle right now. Will people who want to love one another come together?

Iris Archuleta

Antioch

Lauren Posada.

Lauren Posada

Office Seeking: Antioch City Treasurer

Current Position: City of Antioch – Accounting Technician

Top Priorities:

• Increasing transparency regarding City finances and budget processes
• Provide easy to understand and accessible financial data to the Community
• Advocating for greater community engagement and involvement
• Recommend strong fiscal policies to ensure long-term sustainability and excellence in City services

Accomplishments:

• Part of implementing a green initiative filing system. Converted solely from paper to all documents being stored online to allow quick accessibility that overall saves time and money.
• Conducted City wide training of new financial software and scheduling of various departments to increase transparency and understanding.
• Leader of a local ministry that is involved in various outreaches within the community including but not limited to focuses on human trafficking awareness and food distribution to those in need.

www.laurenposadafortreasurer.com

Facebook: hLps://N.me/transparenLreasurer

transparent-treasurer@outlook.com

(925) 303-3334

In an email sent out to Antioch voters on Tuesday, by the Antioch Police Officers Association, they explain why they won’t support Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson in her re-election bid for a third term.

“It’s unusual for the Antioch Police Officers’ Association, comprising 118 sworn officers, to NOT ENDORSE AN INCUMBENT councilmember. We CANNOT SUPPORT Councilmember Monica Wilson. We’d like to tell you why. Simply put, Ms. Wilson supports policies that will lead to INCREASED CRIME in Antioch.

First, Ms. Wilson publicly defends the District Attorney’s policies to NOT CHARGE shoplifters, looters or individuals in possession of heroin, cocaine or methamphetamines. There is no doubt this new policy, just announced, will increase crime in Antioch.

Ms. Wilson is also an advocate of Lamar Thorpe’s homeless motel – which would turn the Executive Inn on E. 18th and Cavallo into a permanent residence for the homeless. This location is near homes, 1/4 mile from four schools and is ALREADY a sensitive crime area.

With regard to accepting a tax-free $750,000 a year grant from the Department of Justice to bring back School Resource Officers in six Antioch schools, Ms. Wilson voted NO. We don’t understand her reasoning here.

Antioch is at a fork in the road. Are we going to control crime or are we going to elect leaders whose policies will just encourage more of the same? We ask you to think about Monica Wilson’s record before you vote on or before November 3rd.

Thank you for reading this message.”

Antioch Police Officers’ Association

Working to Protect the Citizens of Antioch

Screenshot of Alexis Medina post on her now deleted campaign Facebook page on Oct. 5, 2020. Provided by Antonio Hernandez.

By Allen Payton

Candidate for Antioch School Board in Area 1, Alexis Medina, announced on her now deleted campaign Facebook page on October 5, that she was dropping out of the race and endorsing her former opponent, Antonio Hernandez, instead. The Herald learned of the announcement in an email from Hernandez sent on Oct. 6 but not viewed until Tuesday. Medina did not contact the Herald to inform us of her decision.

In her Facebook post, Medina wrote, “During this unprecedented era of COVID-19 we have all struggled with our new normal. For me that means realizing that running a campaign and participating in distance learning, while also maintaining a balanced and healthy family life is a task to difficult to sustain. Therefore, I have decided to no longer actively seek the office of Antioch Unified School Board Trustee.

I am delighted to throw my support for Antioch Unified School Board Area 1 to Antonio Hernandez.

Thank you all for reaching out and supporting our campaign.

Best,

Alexis Medina”

“I’m excited and proud to have the support of Alexis Medina,” Hernandez stated when reached for comment. “Her campaign, like mine, was fighting for equity and community inclusion. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Alexis’ leadership in the future.”

An effort to contact Medina to verify her announcement was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check later for any updates to this report.

Medina’s name will still appear on the ballot and she can still receive votes, and even win the election. Her withdrawal from the race leaves Hernandez, fellow challenger George Young and incumbent Trustee Diane Gibson-Gray remaining in the race. Voting has already begun and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.