Dear Antioch voters:

As your Councilwoman, my biggest strengths are that I’m big hearted and solution-minded. I have a big heart and genuinely care about people; and once I set my mind to doing something, I won’t give up. Your trust in me has enabled us to accomplish many things together.

• COVID-19 Assistance for Seniors – Whether it’s delivering meals, providing resource information, or leading a team of volunteers to clean/repair seniors’ homes … We must continue to help/protect Antioch’s elderly citizens.
• More Police, not Less – Since being elected, we’ve hired 20 additional police officers. Crime is down. Chokeholds are banned, but we need to do better. I support body cams for every officer, NOT “defunding the police.” I’m proud to be supported by our Antioch Police Officers.
• Helping Victims of Domestic Abuse – Together we celebrated the opening of Antioch’s Family Justice Center, where victims of domestic violence, elderly abuse and human trafficking can get hands-on help/support.
• First to Stand Up – I marched with Black Lives Matter, organized Antioch’s first women’s march for equality, and brought the first Veterans’ Memorial Banners to Antioch to honor our fallen servicemembers.
• Protecting Our Open Spaces and Hillsides – I support the Urban Limit Line and preserving our beautiful open spaces from development.

We are living in challenging times. We can get through this together by remaining compassionate toward others and staying focused on creating meaningful solutions. I am here to serve you and am honored to be working on your behalf.

Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock

Ogorchock@comcast.net

Cell (925) 628-7764

Dear Antioch,

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share some of my thoughts on how I can serve Antioch.

My family moved to Antioch in 1988 where they purchased our first family home. I attended Antioch schools starting with Sutter Elementary, Park Middle School and eventually Antioch High School where I played softball for four years. My love for softball started on our Antioch Little League fields which sparked a love for the game that would eventually lead to lifelong friendships, the foundation for my work ethic and the love for my community.

Over the last 10-years I have worked in nonprofit finance administration working for various organizations in Northern California.

Growing up in a family that owned a small business and I experienced and observed the challenges that family businesses face. Small businesses play a key role in our local economy. As we continue to deal with COVID-19, we need to start thinking about a post-COVID-19 future. Developing solutions that will help our businesses here in Antioch remain open and to keep their employees employed. I support expanding our current small business grant program, developing tax incentives for small businesses to hire employees from Antioch, and building engagement with the city to help our local businesses prosper.

In addition to the importance of small business growth I am a firm believer in taxpayer accountability. The residents of Antioch have the right to have access to easily digestible financials, for transparency, accountability and to promote a more informed community. The taxpayers of Antioch want to see a return on investment for their tax dollars.

The recently approved ballot measures (C and W) called for: cleaner streets, a restoration of police officers patrolling streets, job opportunities, and a plan to attract small businesses. Our tax dollars should be spent responsibly, transparently, and with cost consciousness to improve the livability in Antioch for all its residents.

I am a firm believer that building engagement between our residents and the police department improves trust and strengthens our community. We have an opportunity to be the model for how policing is done in communities like ours by reviewing our existing policing practices and looking for ways to evolve as necessary. Continuing to evolve our policing will empower our police department and protect our residents. I do not support defunding police. The voters in Antioch voted to support Measure C and W to increase police services.

Blight is another issue that plagues our community. I plan to attack blight by developing blight initiatives such as the one passed by the Brentwood City Council that fines neglectful owners that don’t maintain their vacant properties. We need to provide our code enforcement the tools that they need to enforce our codes on illegal dumping and littering. And developing codes that will punish the illegal dumpers further than they are today.

Sadly, homelessness is plaguing our community as well as California and the nation as a whole.

We should approach the unhoused individuals and families with a compassionate lens that provides resources for those seeking help. At the same time, we need to continue to support our businesses and neighborhoods, by preventing homeless encampments near their storefronts and within neighborhood side streets.  Antioch is not equipped financially to solve homelessness alone.

Reducing homelessness will need to be a regional effort. We need to collaborate with our neighboring Delta cities on how to resolve an issue that impacts all our communities. Taking a regional approach will prevent Antioch from having to absorb the financial burden alone and allows more collaboration and opportunity to develop an impactful strategy for those seeking assistance.

I care deeply about our community. This is my home. I grew up playing in our parks, playing ball on our diamonds, swimming at the water park, hiking in our hills, going to the Big Little Game (Go Panthers), and boating in our Delta. I am a parishioner & parent of a child at Holy Rosary Church, volunteer in Antioch Little League and Chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission. This is where I chose to raise my daughters and build my community.

My campaign team is made up of friends and family that grew up here in Antioch. These friends have donated their talent and time because they care about Antioch as much as I do. These are unprecedented times and it is more important now than ever to shut down the divisiveness and come together as a community to promote forward thinking, new solutions and to do the right thing. I personally understand the hardships that some families are experiencing at this time. I want to be your candidate. I want to help.

If you want to know more about me, please visit www.mariearce.com or ‘like’ my campaign Facebook page to get the latest news and information from our campaign. Reach out if you would like to connect and be part of the change Antioch needs and deserves.

I am Marie Arce and I am fighting for a better Antioch for our families and for our future. I look forward to connecting with you online or around town.

I hope to earn your trust and your vote.

Marie Arce

Candidate for Antioch City Council District 3

www.mariearce.com

 

 

 

Moved back to Antioch two months ago, but has lived in the city for over half her life.

By Allen Payton

Questions have arisen about the possible conflict of interest of the candidate for Antioch City Treasurer, Lauren Posada, who is challenging appointed incumbent Jim Davis in the November election, because she works in the City of Antioch Finance Department. But City Attorney Thomas Smith says there isn’t a conflict of interest and she can run.

When asked to verify that, she responded, “yes, I work for the finance department in (the) City of Antioch. I’ll been there five years next month and have received all approvals to run for treasurer, including the City Attorney. I got the green light last Friday (July 31).”

Questions were sent to City Attorney Smith and City Finance Director Dawn Merchant asking for confirmation of what Posada shared and the relationship the City Treasurer has with the department.

In response Smith wrote, “The City Treasurer is an elected office, and under the law, any resident of Antioch who is registered to vote in the city may run for that office, including an employee of the City.  The duties of the City Treasurer are set forth in the California Government Code and include ensuring that city funds are properly deposited and invested, sign warrants and submit monthly reports.  On the other hand, the duties of the City Finance Department are much broader in range, including preparation of the City budget, utility billing and collection of fees, issuance of business licenses, and general fiscal operations, etc.  If Ms. Posada is elected City Treasurer, the City Council may consider whether the compensation and/or benefits for the City Treasurer position should be adjusted.”

Davis shared that he as City Treasurer, is the custodian of the field checks each month and “those checks come back through Lauren’s accounts payable to pay them, including bills for the various departments.”

An email was then sent to Merchant asking about Posada’s duties and if there would be any overlap with the responsibilities of the City Treasurer.

The following questions were asked: “How much and in what ways do you and your department work with the City Treasurer?” and “is Mrs. Posada a full-time employee?”

Merchant responded with, “Ms. Posada is a full-time employee.  Ms. Posada does not pay the Field Checks.  Field Checks are manual/hand checks written by various authorized City employees to pay vendors for goods or services under $200.00.  A carbon copy of those checks are returned by employees to our accounting department for review of account accuracy and adequate documentation.  Ms. Posada then enters the field check data into the City’s General Ledger after accountant review so that they are properly recorded and accounted for.  As far as the various bills of the City, all invoices are first reviewed by whatever department purchased the good or service.  They are then approved by the authorized supervisor, manager or department head.  Ms. Posada then enters those approved payments into the accounts payable system for processing.  Her batches are then reviewed by the accountants before final payment can be made.”

Davis also broached the subject about Posada’s residency, claiming she’s only lived in Antioch for two months. When asked if that was true, if she moved away and recently moved back and how long she lived outside of Antioch, Posada responded, “yes, that’s correct. I’ve lived in Antioch for roughly 16 years throughout the course of my life, which is over half. My parents occasionally moved away but we always came back to Antioch.”

She then also shared, “I was born in Antioch (literally at Walnut Creek Kaiser), until I was around two-years-old, moved back from 2nd-10th grade, moved back in 2013 and my husband and I sold our home in 2015. Moved back in 2020. So, it’s been five years.”

On her campaign Facebook page earlier this week, Posada wrote, “Hello Residents of Antioch! This is just the beginning of my page and I look forward to sharing my heart with you concerning Antioch and why I made the decision to run for Treasurer.” She is married to Will and they have two children.

Davis was appointed City Treasurer by the city council in 2018 filling the vacancy left by former City Treasurer Donna Conley, and this is his first time running for election to the position. He is a former Antioch Mayor and Councilman. This would be Posada’s first time in elected office should she win. The election is on November 3.

Thorpe qualifies for mayor making it four challengers for Wright

By Allen Payton

According to Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, two candidates had less than 20 valid signatures and failed to qualify for their races in Antioch. La Donna Norman failed to qualify to run for City Council in District 1 and Beverley Beckman failed to qualify to run for Mayor. That leaves three candidates remaining in the District 1 race and four challengers in the mayor’s race, including Antioch Councilman Lamar Thorpe who qualified, as of today, Monday, August 10, 2020 and will face incumbent Mayor Sean Wright in the November election.

After switching from running for re-election, on his city council Facebook page on Friday, Thorpe posted a video of his candidate’s oath of office and wrote, “At City Hall taking oath of candidacy for my campaign for Mayor of Antioch. Been taking the oath to defend the US Constitution since I first joined the US NAVY in 2000!”

On his campaign Facebook page on August 4, Wright wrote, “So honored to turn in my official papers today to file for re-election as your Mayor. We have many challenges ahead, including this pandemic. I am ready, with your support, to move Antioch forward.”’

Antioch Councilwoman Joy Motts now faces just two challengers in her race for re-election, former Antioch Mayor Pro Tem and current Planning Commissioner, Manny Soliz and non-profit executive Tamisha Walker. On her city council Facebook page on August 5, she wrote, “My friends, I’m excited to announce I have officially filed to run for re-election to the City Council in District 1. Campaigning during COVID will be interesting. Please let me know if I can count on your support!”

In the District 3 council race, homeless advocate Nichole Gardner qualified, as did Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Marie Arce.

The focus of Gardner’s campaign will be on homelessness in Antioch. On campaign Facebook page on Friday she wrote:

Today was an exciting day for me. I pulled my nomination papers to run for Antioch City Council District 3. I have so many reasons why I wanted to join this race but over the last year and a half I have not only been advocating for our homeless brothers and sisters on our streets but for the community members who have been affected by homelessness every single day. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that simply feeding people and giving them necessities such as toiletries, blankets, etc. isn’t enough. I have been advocating at city council meetings for a year and a half. Not missing a single meeting. Since my advocacy started, I participated and gathered members in the community to come together for the Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness to discuss issues surrounding homelessness, I have worked with Public works, the city manager and council members to assist my organization with encampment clean-ups and cleanups in our shopping centers, and have also worked with business owners and listened to their pleas about how garbage and our unhoused in front of their buildings have negatively affected their businesses. I have worked and done my research for years to bring our community together and break many of those stereotypes that some have about homelessness.

The city initially told the advocates that they didn’t have anything to do with homeless services (that it was a County issue.) I never gave up. I kept showing up. The city has since put over $500,000 towards homeless services, $150,000 for a homeless coordinator, they worked with us to put dumpsters and porta potties around the city to deal with garbage and to give the homeless on our streets dignity by having a place to use the restroom, and they are currently working on leasing a motel in the city for homeless families.

Homelessness is a major problem in our city. I am doing this for every single person who has cried on my shoulder after having everything they own taken from them. I’m doing this for our brothers and sisters who have died on our streets in the cold. I am doing this for those who think there is no way out and just need a helping hand to get back on their feet. I’m doing this for those who have said they need mental health, job opportunities and access to rehab for their issues. I’m doing this for those who I have had to pass on the streets in the pouring rain, feeling hopeless because there was nowhere for them to go. I’m doing this for the veterans, the over 300 kids in our school system, for the families, disabled and elderly people on our streets. I love each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, THIS FIGHT IS FOR YOU!

Gardner works as an Administrative Assistant for the Los Medanos Community Healthcare District in Pittsburg, where Thorpe is Executive Director, but her ballot designation according to the report by the Contra Costa Elections office,  she lists herself as a Nonprofit Executive Director, referring to Facing Homelessness, which she formed in 2016 and obtained its non-profit status in 2018. It has the same name as an organization in Seattle, but is not affiliated. Gardner’s local organization has a Facebook page entitled Facing Homelessness in Antioch.

Gardner was elected to the Contra Costa County Democratic Central Committee in March and is running for the non-partisan council seat in that role according to her campaign logo posted on Facebook. During protests in Antioch, this year, Gardner has also advocated for defunding the police and re-allocating some of the budget spent on police to other programs, such as for youth.

She opposes placing sworn police officers as School Resource Officers on Antioch school campuses. In a July 25 post on her campaign Facebook page Gardner wrote, “This is crazy to me as a mom of two boys in AUSD. City/School Board leaders are proposing adding cops to our school campuses at a cost of $3 million dollars. We can’t afford to give students laptops, but we can afford to hire cops for empty campuses? Tell city council to vote NO on Agenda item 4!!!”

Then, in a post on her campaign Facebook page on Sunday Gardner wrote, “Students held a rally for ‘counselors, not cops’ on Friday after the City Council and School board voted to spend close to $1 million annually to reinstate cops on school campuses. This comes after the school board made $1.8 million (incl. 28 positions) in cuts. I am so proud of our youth. They have been organizing and demonstrating all over the city for what they believe in. As a mother of 2 boys in AUSD, I’m encouraged by our youth using their voices at city council and school board meetings to champion change. Whether we agree with them or not (in this case I do agree with the), it is important for us to nourish their civic participation and lift up their voices.”

According to Simonsen’s final report, issued today, Monday, August 10, 2020, the following Antioch residents have qualified and will appear on the November 3rd ballot. The Secretary of State’s randomized alphabet drawing for ballot placement will take place on August 13th.

Mayor

Sean Wright

Julio Mendez

Rakesh Kumar Christian

Gabriel Makinano

Lamar Thorpe

Council District 1

Joyann Motts

Manuel Soliz

Tamisha Walker

Council District 2

Tony Tiscareno

Michael Barbanica

Council District 3

Lori Ogorchock

Antwon Webster

Marie Arce

Nichole Gardner

Council District 4

Sandra White

Monica Wilson

Alex Astorga

City Treasurer

James Davis

Lauren Posada

City Clerk

Arne Simonsen

Ellie Householder

Dwayne Eubanks

To see the final list of candidates for all city and Antioch School Board races visit the Antioch Herald Election 2020 website page.

 

By Allen Payton

More candidates entered the race, filed or qualified to run for the 10 Antioch city and school board offices in the November election on Friday, the deadline for filing to run. Mayor Sean Wright will for sure face three challengers and most likely five, assuming both newcomer and unknown Beverly Beckman and Councilman Lamar Thorpe, who are awaiting signature verification, qualify. Gabriel Makinano qualified to run for mayor on Friday. Manuel Sidrian didn’t file, nor did Kenny Turnage who chose to run for school board in Area 3, instead.

In the City Council races, both Manny Soliz and Tamisha Walker qualified to run while La Donna Norman filed her Nomination papers for District 1 to take on Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, by Friday’s deadline. But Fernando Navarette didn’t file.

According to her candidate statement, Norman has lived in Antioch and specifically in District 1 for the past 16 years. She earned a degree in Social Science, with a Minor in African American Studies at Cal State Chico in 2004 and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy at Argosy University in 2011. According to her LinkedIn profile Norman earned her Ph.D. in Psychology, Cognition and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in 2016. A video was posted of Norman taking her candidate’s oath off office was posted on her Instagram page.

She has worked in the behavioral health and human services profession for over 14 years, and currently manages five outpatient behavioral health programs serving children and transitional-age youth in Stanislaus County with the title of Children’s System of Care Manager-II. According to an internet search Norman previously worked in private practice as a mental health counselor in Rio Vista. According to her Instagram page, Norman’s nickname is “LD”.

In District 2, it will be a two-man race between former Councilman Tony Tiscareno, and Real Estate Broker and retired police lieutenant Mike Barbanica.

In District 3, Nichole Gardener filed her papers on Friday. She and Marie Arce are awaiting verification of their nomination signatures. As was announced earlier, today Wayne Steffen withdrew from the race and threw his support behind Antwon Webster, who will join the two ladies in challenging Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock who is running for re-election. (See related article)

Finally, in District 4 Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson, having pulled out of the mayor’s race earlier this week, qualified to fun for re-election, while Alex Astorga filed his papers on Friday. His ballot designation is Businessowner/IT Engineer and he will join Sandra White in challenging Wilson who is seeking her third term on the council. No other information nor any photos could be found for Astorga from an internet search other than he’s 60 years old.

Candidates in Districts 1 and 4 will be running for a two-year term and will have to run again in 2022, while those in District 2 and 3 will be running for full, four-year terms.

In the City Treasurer’s race, Lauren Posada, an accounts payable clerk in the City of Antioch Finance Department, filed to challenge incumbent Jim Davis who is seeking his first full term in the position. He was appointed by the council 2018 to fill the vacancy left by former City Treasurer Donna Conley.

Posada recently moved back to Antioch two months ago, and said she was cleared to run by the City Attorney having no legal conflict of interest holding the position should she win. (More about that in a follow-up article). However, Posada said she’s lived in Antioch for a total of 16 years during her life. Ruben Rocha did not file in the Treasurer’s race, but announced last week that he would not run.

In the final city race, incumbent City Clerk Arne Simonsen will face two challengers, including Ellie Householder, who is running in the middle of her term as an Antioch School Board Trustee, and Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner Dwayne Eubanks who qualified to run on Friday.

Antioch School Board Races

In the races for Antioch School Board, according to Friday’s County Elections office report, Trustee Gary Hack faces no challengers in the Area 4 race, and unless someone runs a successful write-in campaign against him, will win re-election to his third term on the board.

In the Area 1 race, Alexis Medina filed on the last day possible to join Antonio Hernandez and George Young, III in their efforts to unseat Board President Diane Gibson-Gray, who is seeking her fourth term as a trustee. No information could be found on Medina from internet searches.

In the Area 3 race it will be Dr. Clyde Lewis and Kenny Turnage challenging Trustee Crystal Sawyer-White who is running for re-election for her second term on the board.

According to City Clerk Simonsen, the following Antioch residents have Qualified, Withdrawn, or Did not File as of the 5:00 p.m. Filing Deadline on August 7th, for the following City offices. All candidate names who have qualified to run are as they will appear on the ballot:

Mayor

Sean Wright (I) – Qualified on 8/4/20

Julio Jesse Mendez – Qualified on 7/31/20

Rakesh Kumar Christian – Qualified on 7/22/20

Gabriel Visaya Makinano – Qualified on 8/7/20

Beverley Beckman – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Lamar Thorpe – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Elizabeth Householder – Withdrawn 8/3/20

Monica Wilson – Withdrawn 8/4/20

Wade Harper – Withdrawn 7/31/20

Kenneth Turnage II – Did not File

Manuel Sidrian – Did not file

Council District 1

Joy Motts – Qualified on 8/5/20

Manuel Louis Soliz, Jr. – Qualified 8/7/20

Tamisha Walker – Qualified on 8/7/20

La Donna Norman – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Fernando Navarrete – Did not file

Council District 2

Tony G. Tiscareno – Qualified on 7/30/20

Michael Barbanica – Qualified on 8/4/20

Council District 3

Lori Ogorchock – Qualified on 8/6/20

Antwon R. Webster, Sr. – Qualified on 8/5/20

Marie Arce – Filed on 8/5/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Nichole Gardner – Filed on 8/7/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Wayne Steffen – Withdrawn on 8/7/20

Lamar Thorpe – Withdrawn 8/5/20

Council District 4

Sandra Gail White – Qualified on 8/3/20

Monica E. Wilson – Qualified on 8/7/20

Alex John Astorga – Qualified on 8/7/20

City Treasurer

James Davis (I) – Qualified on 8/6/20

Lauren Posada – Qualified on 8/7/20

Ruben Rocha – Did not file

City Clerk

Arne Simonsen (I) – Qualified on 8/4/20

Ellie Householder – Qualified on 8/5/20

Dwayne Donald Eubanks – Qualified on 8/7/20

ANTIOCH SCHOOL BOARD

Area 1

Diane Gibson-Gray – Filed 7/31/20

Antonio Hernandez – Filed 8/5/20

George Young III – Filed 8/6/20

Area 3

Crystal Sawyer-White – Filed 7/24/20, Withdrew, Filed again 8/3/20

Clyde Lewis – Filed 8/6/20

Kenny Turnage – Filed 8/6/20

This list will be updated when the candidates who have filed but awaiting verification of signatures become Qualified for the various city races. To see the final list of candidates for all 10 races in Antioch visit www.antiochherald.com/election-2020.

Will offer music, videos and giveaways

The Census 2020 Caravan will make stops in Antioch and Pittsburg this Sunday to help residents complete the census questionnaire to be counted and will offer music, videos and giveaways.

The decennial census determines how many Members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives each state is allocated, which will occur during reapportionment next year, and determines the redrawing of all other elected office district lines, as well. In addition, the population figures from the Census determines the allocation of government funds for various programs. All of them are affected for the following 10 years.

If you’re unable to attend one of the events you can complete the survey online at U.S. Census Bureau.

Date: Sunday, August 9th, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Meet at: 11 a.m. at Antioch Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

12 p.m. at Pittsburg Century Plaza Shopping Center, 4405 Somersville Road & Highway 4, Pittsburg

Officials available on site: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Contra Costa County Supervisors Diane Burgis and Federal D. Glover, Pittsburg Mayor Jelani Killings, Pittsburg City Council Members Holland Barrett White and Shanelle Scales-Preston, Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, Antioch City Council Member Lori Ogorchock, Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha

Activities: Festively decorated cars, driving through hard-to-count communities to promote a complete count. The CA Census 2020 mobile truck will be on hand with music, videos and giveaways.

More information: Matthew Lardner, Matthew.Lardner@cao.cccounty.us   Mona Zarrinkelk monaz@kaanunmehr.org, Velma Wilson blessedbydesgn09@gmail.com

Sponsors and partners: Contra Costa County Complete Count Committee, City of Pittsburg, City of Antioch, Kaanur Mehr, EAH Housing

 

Former Antioch Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Wayne Steffen announced today, Friday, August 7, 2020, he is withdrawing from the race for the Antioch City Council in District 3 and will instead endorse Antwon Webster in his campaign to unseat Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock. (See related article)

Steffen considered running for city council to promote more reasonable solutions for the issues of public safety, quality of life for families, and local jobs and economic development.  He considered running for office to offer an alternative to the two incumbents in District 3 who have failed to address these issues.  Steffen gave this decision serious consideration and prayed for guidance.  He has a strong desire to serve the citizens of Antioch but also understands the burden on his family of the time and cost to conduct a successful campaign and then serve as an effective council person.

While making this decision, he became familiar with one of the other candidates for this position, Antwon Webster.  According to Mr. Webster’s campaign website, his main goals are:

• Keep Antioch Family Friendly
• Decrease Crime
• Protect Property Values
• Balance Budgets
• Make Efficient Use of Taxpayer’s Money

Wayne met with Antwon on multiple occasions and became convinced that he is interested in tackling the same issues that were his priorities.  Antwon Webster has only lived in Antioch for a few years, but he made a conscious decision in choosing Antioch to raise his family and has a desire to make our community a better place for everyone.   He currently serves on the City of Antioch Board of Administrative Appeals.  He is a military veteran and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Wayne is impressed by Antwon’s intelligence, his passion, and his reasonableness.  He has his head in the right place and he has his heart in the right place.

These are a few of the reasons why Wayne Steffen decided to withdraw from seeking election for this office and instead, to whole-heartedly support Antwon Webster for Antioch City Council, District 3.  It is time to bring in some new blood, new ideas, and new energy to our city.

Webster will, so far, face both Ogorchock and current Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Marie Arce in the District 3 race, as the only other candidates to file their Nomination Papers. One other candidate, homeless advocate Nichole Gardner took out papers but as of Thursday at 5:00 p.m. had yet to file them. The deadline is 5:00 p.m., today.

In response to Steffen’s withdrawal from the race and endorsement, Webster wrote, “I am glad to have the support of Wayne.  Having the support of Wayne and many other Antioch residents only strengthens my voice as I strive tp represent all Antioch residents.

“Wayne Steffen, a former Antioch Citizen of the Year, your support and acknowledgement of my background and abilities is greatly appreciated,” Webster continued. “I plan to continue collaborating with Wayne and partnering with Antioch residents. As a leader, I plan to lead them and stand side by side with the residents and their concerns. So, Antioch, let’s move forward together in ‘Unity’.”

“As Wayne stated in his message, ‘It is time to bring in some new blood, new ideas, and new energy to our city’.  That new blood, fresh idea thinker and new energy is me, Antwon Webster,” he concluded.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.