Mayors will gain tools and training from the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, Bloomberg Philanthropies, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School to set strategic priorities and build an effective city hall organization through the first 100 days in office.

The new class hails from 12 states and represents more than 5 million residents nationwide.

By Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts – (December 4, 2024) – This week, Mayor-elect Ron Bernal of Antioch, CA, is participating in the First 100 Days program at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Kennedy School. This program assists mayors in gaining the tools and training to help them set strategic priorities and build an effective city hall organization through the first 100 days in office. This year’s program is taking place from December 4–December 6, 2024.

In this year’s class, 24 new mayors from 11 states across the country will come together to receive world-class training from Harvard faculty, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors on how to deliver for residents. Thanks to a generous gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies, participation for mayors is fully funded, including tuition, accommodation, most meals, and airfare.

“The Bloomberg Center for Cities Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days equips newly elected U.S. mayors with the tools and techniques they need to lead as they begin their transition from campaigning to governing,” said James Anderson, who serves as the head of Government Innovation Programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “You only get to be the new kid on the block once — and this program helps ensure these mayors have ready access to insights from seasoned mayors, evidence about what works in leadership and public management, and connections to a peer group that is going through the same things. Alongside the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, our team at Bloomberg Philanthropies together with the Institute of Politics and the U.S. Conference of Mayors support these new mayors in building effective, talented teams, forging citywide coalitions, and injecting their city hall organization with a culture of innovation so that in their critical, early days in office, they can set ambitious priorities and deliver.”  

As new mayors prepare to take the reins in city halls across the country, 24 newly-elected U.S. mayors have been selected for the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University’s Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days, delivered in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, The U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.

Cities increasingly confront complex global challenges at the community level. The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Program for New Mayors is designed to maximize mayors’ potential for innovation and problem-solving, equipping newly-elected leaders with the skills to make the most of their roles and improve residents’ quality of life. Through the program, mayors will receive training from Harvard faculty, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors on how to set strategic citywide priorities, build effective city hall organizations, foster collaboration across departments and sectors, and deliver for residents—establishing a strong foundation for their administrations during their critical early days in office.

To kick off participation, the newly-elected U.S. mayors—collectively representing 11 states and over 5 million residents—will convene for a two-day immersive classroom experience at Harvard University. In addition to the core coursework and connection with peers, the Program for New Mayors provides opportunities for new mayors to share strategies with other mayors through the Bloomberg Center for Cities’ vast mayoral leadership network and learn about interventions that are already working effectively to better resident lives in other cities.

Program alumni have deployed the program’s learnings to lead their communities through unexpected crises, establish working coalitions with diverse stakeholders, and set ambitious goals to meet complex challenges — from tackling homelessness to improving housing access, critical water infrastructure, or government performance — in order to better serve residents’ needs.

The Program for New Mayors is housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, which serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Center is part of Michael R. Bloomberg’s commitment to the University to help bolster the capabilities of mayors and their teams.  The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The Center is designed to have a widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world.

The Program for New Mayors builds on the longstanding tradition of a seminar for new mayors that originated at Harvard’s Institute of Politics in 1975.

Members of the Third Class of the Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days

1. Ron Bernal – Antioch, CA
2. Raj Salwan – Fremont, CA
3. Adena Ishii – Berkeley, CA
4. Kevin McCarty – Sacramento, CA
5. Dan Lurie – San Francisco, CA
6. Christina Fugazi – Stockton, CA
7. Andrea Sorce – Vallejo, CA
8. Alyia Gaskins – Alexandria, VA
9. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak – Burlington, VT
10. Bruce Rector – Clearwater, FL
11. Kaarin Knudson – Eugene, OR
12. David LaGrand – Grand Rapids, MI
13. Jimmy Gray – Hampton, VA
14. Beach Pace – Hillsboro, OR
15. Patrick Farrell – Huntington, WV
16. Michael Zarosinski – Medford, OR
17. Mark Freeman – Mesa, AZ
18. Janet Cowell – Raleigh, NC
19. Danny Avula – Richmond, VA
20. Julie Hoy – Salem, OR
21. Lisa Borowsky – Scottsdale, AZ
22. Jake Anderson – St. Cloud, MN
23. Dustin Yates – St. George, LA
24. Kevin Sartor – Surprise, AZ

Read more about the Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen D. Payton

After the latest results were provided on Friday afternoon, Nov. 15 by the Contra Costa County Elections office, candidate for Antioch School Board Area 3 Trustee Scott Bergerhouse conceded to and congratulated his opponent, Dee Brown and thanked those who voted for him.

In a post on his campaign Facebook page on Sunday, Nov. 17, which he added to later, the former district administrator, high school principal and first-time candidate wrote, “Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, showed up to events, volunteered, and cast your vote. Although the results were not what we hoped for, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with our community and share a vision for putting students first.

I want to congratulate Dee Brown and Olga Comos-Smith and offer my best wishes as they step into this role. Our schools, students and families deserve a strong advocate, and I am hopeful for the future of our district.

Thank you again for your support, encouragement, and commitment to our schools. This journey may be ending, but my dedication to our community and to the success of every student in Antioch remains as strong as ever.”

The latest unofficial election results update show Brown continuing to lead Bergherhouse by 594 votes. She has 4,675 votes of 53.39% to his 4,081 votes or 46.61% of the vote.

The Elections Division of the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office also shared the following information about the remaining ballots to be processed in the county:

Ballots voted at a voting location – 0

Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 0

Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 600

Provisional ballots – 5,000

Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 5,000

Other (In Review, Damaged) – 4,000

Total – 14,600

Next Results Expected: Friday, 11/22/2024, 4:00PM.

———————-

Brown and Area 4 Trustee-Elect Olga Comos-Smith are expected to be sworn in at the school board’s next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, inside the AUSD District Office Board Room at 510 G Street.

Lewis announces scholarships for 2 students, grants for 2 staff members from personal funds

By Allen D. Payton

During the regular meeting of the Antioch School Board on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, Area 3 Trustee Dr. Clyde Lewis and Area 4 Trustee Gary Hack offered farewell remarks as the next meeting will be for the new board members to be seated. That will be Olga Comos-Smith in Area 4 who defeated Hack in his run for a fourth term on the board and is expected to be Dee Brown who continues to lead Scott Bergerhouse in Area 3, replacing Lewis.

Lewis was elected in 2020 in his second run for the board. At one point Lewis was considered a possible candidate for Mayor of Antioch or city council. He also chose not to seek either of those positions. Hack previously served from 2010-14, then lost for re-election and came back in 2016 and won two consecutive terms.

In a post on Lewis’ official Facebook page Wednesday night he wrote, “Tonight is bittersweet. While I decided not run for re-election, I am saddened by the realization that I will no longer be a school board member. The past 4 years have been filled with many ups and downs, joys and stresses. I have lost a lot, but have learned a great deal. I want to thank the community who believed in me enough to elect me, and I hope my service lived up to your expectations. I look forward to continuing to work with the school district and am excited for the future of our community.” He tagged it with #TrusteeLewis  #AntiochUnifiedSchoolDistrict  #loveofcommunity

About Hack, Acting Superintendent Dr. Rob Martinez said, “He has served as president three times. He has brought tremendous years of service to the district and we’re very grateful for his time on the board, for the work that he has done for the children of this community.”

Martinez said about Lewis, “We’re also recognizing Dr. Clyde Lewis. He has served as president for one time and as vice president for one time and, again has made a focus of working to expand opportunities for many of our students in relation to their technical skills, career and technical, having opportunities to grow.”

“We thank you both your tremendous leadership,” the superintendent added. “We would all like to thank you and appreciate your service to the board.”

Each were then presented with their official photos that hung on the wall inside the District offices.

Hernandez said, “If there’s one thing that I respect more than anything about both of these people up here, it’s that they’re both up here doing the work. It really does take an extra step of leadership to step into the area and try to do what’s best for students.”

“So, I appreciate you being up here,” he continued. “I appreciate all the years that you’ve given to the school district, to our students, here. I appreciate the ideas you brought forth, the perspective that you bring and I hope you continue to share that with the community.”

Board Vice President and Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha spoke next saying while looking at Lewis, “One of things I find amazing is your knowledge and what I’ve always said to him, ‘you should be a professor.’ He should be at the college level. He just has that ability and knowledge. And I look forward to the ROTC because you brought it forward and I think that’s a wonderful thing for our district. I admire you and I thank you very much. It’s nice to get to know your fellow person because. I’m happy to have known you and to be with you and I don’t want to lose track of you.”

“And then Gary, over there, we go back so many years,” she continued having mentioned Hack was a teacher at Sutter Elementary where her son attended. “A lot of you don’t know but he’s my deacon at my church. So, he has so many hats that he wears. It’s just one of those things where we built a relationship and we don’t have to say much to each other because we already know. Thank you very much, Gary.”

Area 2 Trustee Dr. Jag Lathan spoke about her colleagues last saying, “I just want to thank you all, both Trustee Hack and Trustee Dr. Lewis for your work. This not easy work at all. But it’s really good work and I hope that you both have some really good time off and you can enjoy in other ways service to our students. So, thank you.”

Hack’s Parting Comments

Trustee Hack was the first of the two departing board members to speak saying, “Actually, it surprises me that as time goes by I came to Antioch when I was in my mid-twenties. I had hair and a beard. And I moved to this brand new elementary school called Sutter. That’s where I spent a lot of my life. I just loved teaching. I love that age of kids.”
Pointing toward Rocha he said, “Mary’s one of the first parents I ever ran into not that I’ve known her this long. But it’s this experience. I did the union stuff, I did the bargaining stuff. I got into all that stuff. But the reality is just the kids.”

“I still love going to activities at schools and seeing the kids do spelling bees or play football, or do whatever they do,” Hack continued. “I said, ‘you know? Education. Fantastic.’ And I’m just lucky to be in that situation for so many years.”

Lewis Offers Farewell Speech

During his public comments at the beginning of the Board meeting Lewis said, “I have a prepared speech because I’m kind of a nerd that way. “He then said, “Good evening, everyone. This is my final school board meeting, and I want to take a moment to reflect on my time serving this community.

When I initially ran for this position eight years ago (actually he ran six years), I did so to be a voice for students, teachers, staff, and families. I wanted to ensure our schools had the resources and support they needed to provide an excellent education for all. Looking back, I am proud to say we have made great strides in achieving that vision.

Together, we have increased funding for classroom supplies, upgraded technology in our schools, and expanded mental health resources for students. We have also worked hard to strengthen relationships with our teachers’ union, custodial staff, and administration – recognizing that a collaborative approach benefits everyone.

Most importantly, we’ve kept students at the center of every decision. Their success has been and will always be the driving force behind the work we do.

As a final gesture, I’m honored to announce that a few scholarships are being awarded today. As I have mentioned, I lost a close personal friend in my senior year of high school. This friend had everything needed to make it. He was smart and had interpersonal skills and ambition. He did not get the chance to receive this type of scholarship, so I would like to honor his legacy by supporting a young person whose teachers believe he would use these funds as a springboard to a bright future. While I recognize these funds will not eliminate all college costs, I hope they can help. Also, during my board tenure, I lost my mother. The second scholarship to be in her honor. She worked tirelessly as a campus security during her career, in addition to all the effort she put into raising my siblings and me. To honor her legacy, I am giving a small scholarship to our hard-working staff. Lastly, I would like to give a small scholarship to our hard-working teachers, who develop the minds of our young people, which is noble beyond words. In sum, the scholarship breakdown will be:

• Two (2) $200 scholarships for graduating seniors
• A $100 scholarship for an outstanding teacher
• A $100 scholarship for a deserving member of our custodial staff

These scholarships are a small way to recognize the incredible contributions of our students, educators, and support staff. They are the lifeblood of our district, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside all of you.

Thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of Antioch’s youth. I know the district will continue to thrive under the incoming board’s leadership. It has been a privilege to be part of this journey, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

God bless Antioch Unified School District, and may we continue to shape the next generation of leaders.”

Details on Scholarships

On Thursday, Nov. 14, Lewis posted again providing more details about the scholarships, two in honor of a friend who died while they were in high school and his mother, who passed during his term on the school board.

He wrote, “As I mentioned last night, as a final gesture, I’m honored to be in position to offer a few final scholarships. When I was a senior in high school, I lost a close personal friend. This friend had everything needed to make it. He was smart, had interpersonal skills and ambition. He did not get the chance to receive this type of scholarship, so I would like to honor Tracey Kareem Smith’s legacy by supporting a young person that their teachers believe would use these funds as a springboard to a bright future. While I recognize these funds will not eliminate all college costs, I hope they can help.

“Also, during my board tenure, I lost my mother. I would like the second scholarship to be in her honor. She worked tirelessly as a campus security during her career, in addition to all the effort she put into raising my siblings and me. So, to honor the legacy of Jamesetta Watson, I would like to provide a small scholarship to our hard-working staff.
“Lastly, I would like to provide a small scholarship to our hardworking teachers, who aid in the development of our young people, which is noble beyond words.”

At the end of the meeting Lewis said he plans to distribute the scholarships at the end of the school year.

Asked later if the funds were left over from his campaign account, Lewis said, “they’ll be out of my own pocket.”

Final Comments

“I’m still going to continue to do the work and be in the community. So, thank you all for having me these last four years,” he added.

“It’s been fun. Six decades since I entered this district,” Hack stated. “I’m still here and next board meeting I may be out there watching you.”

Board President Antonio Hernandez, who was re-elected with no opposition to the Trustee Area 1 seat in the Nov. 5th election, then offered final coments about his departing colleagues, “I want to end my comments by saying how important school boards are and how underappreciated they can be. I know there’s a lot of work and time spent.”

“We make a lot of really important decisions here and over the past four years, Trustee Lewis, Trustee Hack you all helped make really, really, very valuable decisions and again, very often so overlooked,” he continued. “But there’s a lot of power, there’s a lot of trust, a lot of responsibility to the community, there.”

“So, again appreciate the time you all served here, on the board,” Hernandez added.

Hack is a retired teacher from the district and the former president of the Antioch Education Association, the local teachers’ union. Dr. Clyde Henry Lewis, Jr. will continue working as an Executive Coach through his business, Onessis International, and as a part-time Faculty Lecturer at U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

“the APOA is excited to work with the incoming council members”

The Antioch Police Officers Association would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the members of the City Council who are departing their positions. As we transition to a new chapter in our local government, we acknowledge their hard work and efforts.

Looking ahead, the APOA is excited to work with the incoming council members. We are optimistic about the new leadership and their commitment to prioritizing public safety in our city.

Given the findings of the recent Grand Jury report and the serious allegations of sexual harassment, it is clear that Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe’s tenure has been marked by controversial behavior that has negatively impacted our community. The APOA looks forward to a future under Mayor Ron Bernal, who we believe will bring a renewed focus on transparency, accountability and effective governance.

The APOA is dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance public safety, improve community relations, and ensure that our officers have the resources they need to effectively serve the public. We look forward to collaborating with the new council to implement strategies that will contribute to the overall safety and quality of life in Antioch.

We encourage the community to engage with their new representatives and participate in discussions that shape the future of our city. Together, we can build a stronger, safer Antioch for everyone.

APOA Board

Brown, Cobos-Smith, Rojas, Jr., and Scales-Preston appear to all be headed for victory

No changes in Antioch mayor, city council races

84,200 unprocessed ballots remain, but ballots can still arrive until next Tuesday

“I feel very validated. I’m really excited. The one thing we should all be able to coalesce around is our children. They’re our future.” – Olga Cobos-Smith

By Allen D. Payton

As of Friday, November 8, 2024, at 3:25:03 p.m., with 84,200 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in the county the Contra Costa Elections Division released the latest results update. It shows the leaders on Tuesday night in the races for Antioch School Board Areas 3 and 4, City Treasurer and District 5 County Supervisor have expanded their leads over their respective rivals. In addition, the leaders in the races for Mayor of Antioch and City Council Districts 2 and 3 remain comfortably ahead of their opponents.

Antioch School Board

In the Antioch School Board Area 3 race, newcomer Dee Brown expanded her lead over former AUSD district leader and principal Scott Bergerhouse to 415 votes, with 3,869 or 52.83% of the vote to his 3,454 or 47.17%. In the Area 4 race, another newcomer, Olga Cobos-Smith, expanded her lead over incumbent Gary Hack, who didn’t appear to have done any campaigning, to 1,174 votes, with 3,923 or 58.8% to his 2,749 votes or 41.2% of the vote. If the numbers hold, they will join Area 1 Trustee Antonio Hernandez who ran unopposed for his second term on the board.

When reached for comment, Cobos-Smith said about her expected victory, “I feel very validated. I’ve been watching the board for a long time and been very dismayed, since my granddaughter was in second grade. At that time, I was still working full-time and I didn’t have the time to give. She’s in ninth grade, now.”

“I found the residents in Area 4 are equally as frustrated with how things are going and are on board with some of the things I want to remedy,” the first-time candidate shared. “The teachers are also on board. I’m really excited.”

Cobos-Smith said during the campaign she was asked which political side in Antioch she’s on and if she was supported by the mayor.

“I found it very offensive. It didn’t allow me to stand on my own,” she stated. “The one thing we should all be able to coalesce around is our children. They’re our future.”

About hiring a new, permanent district superintendent Cobos-Smith said, “I’m really looking forward to getting started. When working in San Francisco we had a system which gathered input from stakeholders. I am very hopeful that we can create a similar system where we can have the community, teachers and stakeholders give their input in hiring the next superintendent. That includes the voters, but especially, the teachers.”

Cobos-Smith said she grew up all over California and moved to Antioch from San Francisco where her only daughter attended college and is now a pharmacist at Walgreens. Following her daughter and family’s move a few years earlier, she moved to Antioch in 2018.

“Thank you, Area 4. I’m ready for change and I believe you are, too. You voted for me,” Cobos-Smith added.

An effort to reach Brown was unsuccessful prior to publication time.

City Treasurer

In the closest multi-candidate race in Antioch, for City Treasurer, to replace the outgoing incumbent Lauren Posada, newcomer Jorge Rojas, Jr. expanded his lead to 1,736 votes over his closest opponent, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, and to 1,801 votes over former mayor Jim Davis. So far, Rojas has 11,878 votes or 37.01%, Ogorchock has 10,142 or 31.6% and Davis trails slightly behind with 10,077 votes or 31.4% of the vote.

County Supervisor District 5

In what was the closest race affecting Antioch, to replace incumbent District 5 Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, who chose not to run for a sixth term, Pittsburg Councilwoman Shanelle Scales-Preston expanded her lead over Antioch District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica to 1,843 votes, after he had closed a 700+ vote gap on Election Night to just 67 votes early Wednesday morning. She now has 33,610 votes or 51.41% to his 31,767 votes or 48.59% of the vote.

Mayor

In the race for Mayor of Antioch, challenger Ron Bernal continues expanding his dominating lead over incumbent Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe to 11,127 votes, with 21,578 or 62.77% to the current mayor’s 10,381 votes or 30.3%. Second-time mayoral candidate Rakesh Christian remains in a distant third place with 2,377 votes or 6.94% of the vote.

The incumbent gave his concession speech on Tuesday night. Bernal announced his victory Thursday afternoon. (See related articles here and here)

City Council

In the race for District 2 City Council, to fill the seat of Barbanica who chose to run for higher office, former Antioch High principal Louie Rocha maintains his strong lead over Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Dominique King to 1,369 votes with 4,472 or 59.04% to her 3,103 votes or 40.96% of the vote. Finally, in the only other multi-candidate race in Antioch, for District 3 City Council, to replace the gerrymandered out Ogorchock, former mayor Don Freitas continues to lead his two opponents with more votes than theirs combined. His closest rival, newcomer Adddison Peterson, is 1,104 votes behind and Board of Administrative Appeals Vice Chair and second time council candidate, Antwon Webster remains in third place 1,791 votes behind the leader. Freitas currently has 4,821 votes or 50.39%, Peterson has 2,717 or 28.4% and Webster has 2,030 votes or 21.22% of the vote.

Estimated Number of Unprocessed Ballots in County

Following are the ballot statistics from the Contra Costa County Elections Division of the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, also as of Friday, November 8, 2024, at 3:25:03 p.m. that are unprocessed and remain to be counted:

Ballots voted at a voting location – 200

Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 60,000

Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 10,000

Provisional ballots – 5,000

Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 5,000

Other (In Review, Damaged) – 4,000

Total – 84,200

However, according to Melissa Hickok, Executive Assistant to Registrar of Voters Kristen Connelly, that total will change.

“We’re still receiving ballots that were postmarked by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day through next Tuesday, Nov. 12th,” she shared. Hickok also said the Elections office staff will be taking off for the three-day holiday weekend, due to Veterans Day on Monday. Ballot processing will resume on Tuesday.

The next results update is expected on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. The Elections office has 28 days to complete the process to certify the election.

“This victory belongs to our entire community, and I am committed to working tirelessly to create a safer, more prosperous, and united Antioch for all of us.” – Mayor-elect Ron Bernal in declaring victory

“I want to bring back the pride for the residents of our community,” – Louie Rocha

“The citizens…have had enough.” – Don Freitas

191,700 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted in Contra Costa as of 12:43 p.m. Wednesday

By Allen D. Payton

With the processing of as many as 90,000 ballots remaining in the county, the elections of the new Antioch mayor and council members appear to be secure, with the sizeable leads they’ve amassed over their opponents. As such, Ron Bernal’s campaign declared victory, while both Districts 2 and 3 council candidates, Louie Rocha and Don Freitas, shared their appreciation and thoughts about the future.

Bernal Declares Victory in Mayor’s Race

When reached for comment Bernal said, “I just want to thank the Antioch voters and community for their overwhelming support, and I look forward to working together for a better Antioch.”

 “I am truly honored by the overwhelming support from the people of Antioch,” he continued. “This victory belongs to our entire community, and I am committed to working to create a safer, more prosperous, and united Antioch for all of us. Thank you to everyone who put their trust in me—now, let’s get to work and make Antioch the city we know it can be. I look forward to collaborating with our residents, community leaders, and businesses to bring positive change to our city.”

With the slogan, “Change Starts Today,” Bernal focused his campaign on the need for change and addressed key issues impacting the community, including the crime and homelessness crises, economic revitalization, community unity, and an end to divisiveness.

In its endorsement of the former Antioch city manager the Herald said, “Bernal offers a calm, mature, respectful, responsible alternative with decades of leadership experience inside City Hall to help guide Antioch in the top position on the city council. Bernal will help lead Antioch away from the impending double-digit deficits projected for the next three fiscal years.”

“Antioch residents deserve a mayor who will put the city’s interest ahead of personal political ambitions and self-promotion,” said the San Jose Mercury News/East Bay Times in its endorsement of Bernal. “He would work to staff-up Antioch’s badly depleted police force.”

“This election was a loud statement from Antioch residents that they are ready for positive change,” Bernal said. “I’m committed to fostering transparency, rebuilding trust in our local government, and creating opportunities for everyone in our city. I’m excited to roll up my sleeves, get to work, and make progress on the issues that matter most to our community.”

Rocha Feeling Confident with Results Says “Voters…Have Spoken”

When reached for comment about the election results, Rocha said, “I know votes are still coming in so, it’s not over yet. But I’m feeling good about my position with the percentage and number of votes in District 2.”

“I’m excited and motivated and hopeful we can make a difference for all of Antioch, as change agents,” he continued. “I think the voters, not only in District 2 but across the city, have spoken that they want a change in leadership. That was the vibe in the overall message I received from residents.”

“The biggest complaint was from people who couldn’t vote for me,” Rocha stated. “They didn’t like the district process and still wanted a sign to show their support.”

“We just had our 45th reunion (for the Antioch High Class of 1978). There were a number of alumni who offered their support. It was amazing how many classmates knew I was running,” he shared. “They said, ‘I wish I could vote for you, brother. It hurts when we hear the negative information about Antioch’ and they want to have it a place we can be proud of, again.”

“I grew up here and I’m still proud to be from here and I want to bring back the pride for the residents of our community,” Rocha added.

Freitas Offers Thanks, Wants to Immediately Work on City Budget

“I just want to thank the Antioch voters and community for their overwhelming support, and I look forward to working together for a better Antioch,” Freitas said when reached for comment.

“I’m thinking the voters of Antioch dramatically indicated they don’t like the policies of Lamar Thorpe and the other two council members,” the former mayor continued. “Each one of us won more than two to one. It’s extraordinary. The citizens, very quiet citizens, have had enough. They’re expecting us to perform to turn this horrible situation around and I think we’re up for the challenge.”

About Bernal, Freitas said, “He has a good solid background. He has good instincts. He’s one of the most qualified council members or mayors we’ve had. He knows how government works. That’s what all three of us have to offer.” “Were heading for bankruptcy and poor Dawn Merchant (the City’s Finance Director) has been telling the council that for years,” he continued. “We have got to focus page by page, item by item on the budget. We have to be fiscally responsible and make sure the funding is there forever. The problem is it’s all backed by ARPA (federal COVID-relief) money. The Opportunity Village homeless hotel is a mess. I am an advocate for transitional housing and wrap-around services. But they’re spending millions and there’s no plan to finance it in the future. I hope Ron and the city council are willing to look at the budget like that.”

“Lamar said, ‘we’re never going back’,” Freitas stated. “But we were fiscally responsible, and we were accountable. We worked collaboratively. We had community meetings on a Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at El Campanil Theatre. We filled up the whole place with several hundred people and when people asked questions, at the next meeting we provided the answers.”

“I don’t want to debate the past. We were elected to find solutions and move forward in a positive fashion. That’s the expectation of the community,” he added.

Estimated Number of Unprocessed Ballots in County

Although, according to the Contra Costa Elections office, the estimated number of unprocessed ballots as of 12:43 p.m. on Thursday, total 191,700, those in Antioch are not expected to change the outcomes in the races for mayor and city council.

Ballots voted at a voting location – 200

Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 170,000

Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 6,500

Provisional ballots – 6,000

Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 6,000

Other (In Review, Damaged) – 3,000

Total – 191,700.

That’s over 101,000 more ballots than the estimated unprocessed ballots figure provided earlier Wednesday.

The next results update is expected at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The Elections office has 28 days to certify the election. Then at the following council meeting on either the first or second Tuesday in December, the change in leadership will occur with the new officials being sworn in.

SACRAMENTO, CA – On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, the California State Parks Foundation released the following statement reacting to the passage of Proposition 4 –The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The passage of Prop 4 authorizes up to $10 billion in bonds to help the state become more climate resilient. The investments in state parks will include $175 million in deferred maintenance, $50 million in sea level rise adaptation projects, and $200 million to build parks and recreational facilities in local communities.

“While there are many votes still left to count, we are optimistic that voters passed Prop 4 by a wide margin,” saidRachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We thank California voters for choosing to supply California’s state park system with desperately needed resources to make our state parks more resilient to extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfires, and other impacts driven by climate change. These funds will also update state park infrastructure, help California acquire new parklands, and create recreation opportunities in local communities.

“As California’s economic fortunes have changed the past few years, and budget surpluses became budget deficits, state parks have faced steep cuts. The passage of Prop 4 is an important step in reversing the budget reductions that cut the deepest.”

ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION

California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter/X (@calparks).

11/7/24 UPDATE: As of 12:43 p.m. the County Elections office claims 191,700 unprocessed ballots remaining to be counted

As of Wednesday; no breakdowns by city; could affect outcomes in Antioch School Board Area 3 Trustee race and District 5 Board of Supervisors election

By Allen D. Payton

According to Dawn Kruger, Media Outreach Coordinator for the Elections Division of the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, as of Wednesday morning there were still as many as 90,000 ballots remaining to be counted in the county.

“We had tallied 291,000 ballots as of Election Day. All the ballots received at the polling places, those were counted on Election Night, except for the Vote By Mail ballots submitted in their sealed envelopes at polling places,” she stated.

Those are part of “the upwards of 90,000 ballots we received included from Drop Boxes which were picked up last on Tuesday afternoon. Those still have to be processed with signature verification, then extraction, then tally,” Kruger explained.

Asked about the additional ballots from the Drop Boxes she said, “The boxes were locked at 8:00 p.m. and the ballots were picked up the following morning.”

“We expect to add all those ballots to the results on Friday’s update,” Kruger stated. “But we continue to receive ballots placed in the mail on Election Day which can be received up to seven days following, which is Tuesday, the 12th.

“We’ll have a better understanding this afternoon.” Kruger added. “By tomorrow afternoon at end of the day, we’ll have more of an exact count up on our website.”

She also shared they do not have a breakdown by city of remaining ballots to be counted.

The additional ballots could affect the outcome in close races such as in the Antioch School Board Area 3 Trustee race in which Dee Brown is leading Scott Bergerhouse by 204 votes. It could also change the results in the Board of Supervisors District 5 race in which Pittsburg Councilwoman Shanelle Scales-Preston and Antioch Councilman Mike Barbanica are separated by just 67 votes.

11/7/24 UPDATE: Estimated Number of Unprocessed Ballots in County

According to the Contra Costa Elections office, the estimated number of unprocessed ballots as of 12:43 p.m. on Thursday, total 191,700:

Ballots voted at a voting location – 200

Vote-by-mail ballots received on or before Election Day – 170,000

Vote-by-mail ballots received after Election Day – 6,500

Provisional ballots – 6,000

Conditional Voter Registration Provisional ballots – 6,000

Other (In Review, Damaged) – 3,000

Total – 191,700.

That’s over 101,000 more ballots than the estimated unprocessed ballots figure provided earlier in the day.

The next results update is expected at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The Elections office has 28 days to certify the election.