Sawyer-White withdraws from school board race, then pulls and files nomination papers again, reveals write-in campaign for Congress in March; said she would not run and back Lewis, but changed her mind

By Allen Payton

Antioch School Board Trustee Ellie Householder has changed her mind, withdrew from the mayor’s race on Monday and instead pulled nomination papers to run against incumbent Arne Simonsen for City Clerk. In addition, another candidate, Lauren Posada, has pulled Nomination Papers to run for City Treasurer against incumbent Jim Davis and another challenger, Ruben Rocha. (A message was sent through the Facebook account of someone with that same name in Antioch to get more information about the candidate. Please check back later for more details about her and updates to this report.)

Mike Barbanica filed his papers on Monday to run for City Council in District 2 and is awaiting verification of his nomination signatures. If qualified, he will face former Antioch City Councilman Tony Tiscareno. Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission Chairman Sandra White was qualified on Monday to run for city council in District 3. Julio Mendez qualified on Friday, July 31 to run for mayor but nothing definitive about the candidate could be found, yet on the internet.

Also, according to the latest report from the Contra Costa Elections office, Antioch School Board Trustee Crystal Sawyer-White filed her nomination papers on Friday, July 24 but then withdrew from the race. Then on Monday, August 3 she pulled and filed her papers, again.

Asked why she responded, “because I wanted to submit a candidate’s statement. They said, ‘you have to withdraw and resubmit’. Last time I won, but I didn’t have a candidate’s statement.”

Asked about her agreement with Clyde Lewis to not run for re-election and support him in the District 3 school board race, Sawyer-White shared the following.

“I ran for Congress in March against McNerney. I never hear from him. He doesn’t represent Antioch to me. It was a scare tactic. I was a write-in for Congress,” she stated. “There was an African American ‘She Ready’ event and said there were 100 seats open and they were really going to back us up. Jim Frazier runs unopposed every year. But I didn’t get enough write-in votes but not enough to make it to the November ballot. That’s when Clyde said he was going to run for school board.”

“Crystal said if I was going to run for school board, she would run for something else and support me. That was our agreement,” Lewis said when reached for comment. “Then I heard through a mutual friend that she had decided to run for school board, again.”

Sawyer-White said she changed her mind after Lewis had said he was going to run for city council, and people asked her to run, again.

“I announced on FB (Facebook) months ago…officially. Clyde told me he was running for city council a few months ago,” she said.

However, Lewis said he had been asked by some people to run for city council and he told them he would consider it.

“But it isn’t what I know. It’s not where I have the relationships,” he explained. “So, I continued in my plan to run for school board.”

“I am truly passionate about education,” Sawyer-White shared on July 23. “My term has been a living hell, but I believe another term with new trustees we can improve the district. I established a East Bay Parent Advisory Committee and I am on the CCCSBA (Contra Costa County School Boards Association) now, as well. I believe in transparency is key. Ellie and I work well together. It has been a pleasure!”

“You need someone experienced in there. I just can’t sit here and have my son in the district. It was a horrible semester,” she shared, today.

UPDATE: In a post on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Householder wrote,

Posted on Householder’s Facebook page on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for mayor. I did not make this decision lightly. After meeting with local leaders, the reality is our community needs to rally around a Democratic candidate for mayor. The last thing any of us want to be is a Ralph Nader (even though I love him but that’s besides the point).

I have the utmost respect for individuals like Council Member Monica Wilson, former Mayor Wade Harper or anyone who wishes to run for mayor (or any office for that matter).

During this meeting I was asked why am I running. For me it was simple, the flagrant disregard of our youth in Antioch. The City Council meeting on SROs exemplified that. We should not brush off 100+ concerns from youth about cops on their school campuses, we should be celebrating and ENCOURAGING it.

So I have decided to run instead for City Clerk – a position that will allow me to engage our young people in the democratic process, just as I have been doing for years.

In the age of Trump, we should be expanding access to the ballot box, not limiting it.

I am excited to work with the community in building an effective 21st-century Clerk’s office that engages everyone in the democratic process. I hope you will join me.”

In addition, according to Monday’s report by City Clerk Simonsen, the following candidates for city offices filed their nomination papers or qualified for the November ballot:

Mayor

Sean Wright (I) – Mayor of Antioch

Julio Mendez – Qualified on 7/31/20

Rakesh Kumar Christian – Qualified on 7/22/20

Kenneth Turnage II – former Antioch Planning Commission Chair

Monica Wilson – Antioch City Councilwoman

Wade Harper – Withdrawn 7/31/20

Gabriel Makinano

Elizabeth Householder – Withdrawn 8/3/20

Council District 2

Tony Tiscareno – former Antioch City Councilman – Qualified on 7/30/20

Michael Barbanica – Filed 8/3/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Council District 4

Alex Astorga

Sandra White – Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission Chairman – Qualified on 8/3/20

City Treasurer

James Davis (I) – Antioch City Clerk

Ruben Rocha

Lauren Posada

City Clerk

Arne Simonsen (I) – Antioch City Clerk

Dwayne Eubanks – Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner

Ellie Householder – Antioch School Board Trustee

ANTIOCH SCHOOL BOARD

District 1

Antonio Hernandez

Diane Gibson-Gray – Antioch School Board President – Filed Papers 7/31/20

District 3

Clyde Lewis – Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner

Crystal Sawyer-White – Antioch School Board Trustee – Filed Papers 7/24/20, Withdrew, Pulled & Filed Papers, again 8/3/20

There were no changes in any of the other city or school board races. This list will be updated when additional registered Antioch voters take out Nomination Papers, withdraw or become Qualified for the various city or school board races. To see the latest list of candidates for all 10 races visit www.antiochherald.com/elections-2020.

One more candidate files nomination papers

By Allen Payton

In a post on Facebook, Thursday night former Antioch Mayor Wade Harper announced he had changed his mind and will not make a comeback effort and run for mayor, this year. Instead he will “focus on ministry, family, bike riding and other retiree stuff.”

In a Facebook Live video on Monday, July 20, which has since been removed, Harper said, “Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am standing here in front of Antioch City Hall. I just pulled my papers to run for re-election for Mayor of the City of Antioch. I believe I did a great job as mayor bringing economic development, more funding for law enforcement and cleaning up blight and graffiti, and just being the point guard or the team.”

“It is in my heart to serve this city. Before I went in and pulled my papers, I anointed my hands for this great work that’s before me. I anointed my mind so that I can contemplate on the wonderful things that we want to do for the city of Antioch. I anointed my heart because I believe my heart is in the right place to serve this city. And I believe this is a calling for me and I understand as a former pastor if you don’t love them you can’t lead them, and I love this city,” he continued. “We’re going to do some great things. I am the mayor that helped to bring the city of Antioch out of the great recession and it’s my desire, my goal to move this city forward out of the recession that we’re currently in. So, be on the look out for me. Pray for me, I need your prayers. I need your support. You’ll see me on the ballot. You’ll see me out in the community.”

However last night, Harper wrote the following:

“Friends, family, ladies and gentlemen: After much prayer and consideration I decided not to launch a campaign for re-election as mayor of the City of Antioch. While I have much to give and have a love for the people of Antioch I decided not to serve in the capacity of mayor. You don’t need a title to lead. During these difficult times Lisa and I participate with a counseling group that ministers to those who have lost loved-ones. We believe we are making a difference. I am also an elder at my local church. I plan to focus on ministry, family, bike riding and other retiree stuff. As a side note it was mentioned to me that in my previous comments I had too much of a focus on religion. With that said I want let all of my Facebook friends and family know that I Still Believe God! I believe Jesus Christ is Lord and He is our savior and healer. Love on your family during this pandemic and make sure you are assured of your salvation. God bless you!”

Harper was elected mayor in 2012 but lost for re-election to current Mayor Sean Wright by just 64 votes in a three-way race in 2016 that included Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock.

There is talk about a poll that was done about the mayor’s race with people in Antioch receiving calls. But that could not be confirmed before publication time or that it was the reason for Harper withdrawing from the race.

Remaining Candidates for Mayor, One More Files

Harper’s decision leaves six challengers for Wright, including Councilwoman Monica Wilson and former Antioch Planning Commission Chair Ken Turnage II. According to the Thursday report by Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, one more candidate, Julio Mendez has filed his papers to run for mayor. But his signatures are being verified before the clerk’s office can determine that h is qualified. No definitive information can be found on Mendez from internet searches.

He is the second candidate to file papers in the race including 2014 candidate for California governor, Rakesh Kumar Christian.

For more information about local city and school board races see the Antioch Herald Elections 2020 page.

Eubanks changes his mind; Tiscareno files papers for District 2 council seat

By Allen Payton

Two more candidates have jumped into the fray of Antioch politics, as Police Crime Prevention Commission Members Dr. Clyde Lewis, Jr. and Dwayne Eubanks have pulled their Nomination Papers to run for Antioch School Board in District 3 and city clerk, respectively.

According to the County Elections Office Wednesday afternoon report, Lewis will be challenging current Trustee Crystal Sawyer-White who is running for re-election to her second term on the board, after having said she wouldn’t run and would support Lewis.

This is his second attempt, having run for school board in 2018, placing fourth behind Mary Rocha, Ellie Householder and Jim Davis.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Lewis is the founder, and since 2014 has worked as Principal Consultant and Grant Specialist of ONESSIS International, LLC, and is currently leading the structuring of a program designed to support the re-entry of formerly incarcerated youth. He has previously worked in education, first as a lecturer at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Keio University, as well as for Overseas Broadcasting, OBC in Tokyo, Japan. Then as a Graduate Research Assistant for San Francisco State, as well as for Skyline College. Lewis also worked for Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and in job training and development including developing the Career Training and Employment Center (CTEC) Career Pathways program for Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (BOSS) as the Director of Workforce Development.

He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree with emphasis in Ethnic Studies, as well as his master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision with Higher Education emphasis from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Lewis earned his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, Social Justice and Matriculation from San Francisco State in 2016.

He is the president of the Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch and also serves on the District Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee for the Contra Costa Community College District.

Eubanks, changed his mind after announcing on his Facebook page last July that he was running for City Council in District 2. The map of the city council districts and his comment, “Running For Antioch Council Second District” still appears on his page, as of today. He will instead take on incumbent City Clerk Arne Simonsen, who is seeking his third term in the currently, part-time position.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Eubanks is a Senior Business Analyst for the Judicial Council of California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Sociology from Linfield College in 1975 and did some coursework toward an MBA at J.F.K. University in 2002 and 2003. Eubanks is active with the Antioch Historical Society and is an avid runner.

Simonsen faced no opponent four years ago and defeated Argentina Davila-Luevano in his first campaign for City Clerk in 2012. He previously served on the Antioch City Council having first been elected in 2000, placing second out of five candidates behind Brian Kalinowski, and re-elected in 2004 placing second out of seven candidates, again behind Kalinowski, but beating incumbents Reggie Moore and Manny Soliz. Simonsen lost his bid for re-election to his third term on the council in 2008 placing third out of three candidates behind Mary Rocha and Kalinowski.

In addition, former Antioch Councilman Tony Tiscareno filed his papers to run in District 2 and according to the daily report from Simonsen, is awaiting verification of signatures. Each candidate must submit the valid signatures of at least 20 registered voters in the district in which they plan to run.

The following Antioch residents have taken out Nomination Papers as of 5 p.m., July 24th or Qualified for the following City offices:

ANTIOCH CITY OFFICES

Council District 2

Tony Tiscareno – Former Antioch Councilman – Filed on 7/28/20 (awaiting signature verification)

Michael Barbanica

City Clerk

Arne Simonsen (I)

Dwayne Eubanks – Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner

ANTIOCH SCHOOL BOARD

District 3

Crystal Sawyer-White – Antioch School Board Trustee

Clyde Lewis – Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commissioner

There were no other candidates to pull or file their Nomination Papers for any of the other city offices or school board seats. This list will be updated when additional registered Antioch voters take out Nomination Papers or become Qualified. To see the complete list of candidates for city offices and school board, and to see the 2020 election district maps visit www.antiochherald.com/election-2020.

Editor’s Note: If not provided by the candidates, the photos of them used by the Herald are the best and most recent photos available on the internet, usually from their social media pages. All candidates are encouraged to email their bio/resume/curriculum vitae and most recent photo to editor@antiochherald.com. Thank you.

“This blatant manipulation of the ballot label as well as the title and summary is in direct contravention of the Attorney General’s fiduciary duty to prepare impartial ballot material,” said Jon Coupal, President of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Today, July 29, 2020, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association filed a lawsuit against California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for his abject failure to produce impartial ballot material related to Proposition 15, the “split roll” attack that seeks the partial repeal of Proposition 13.

Past criticism of Becerra’s bias has been vocal but has now reached a crescendo. Just this past week, editorial boards and columnists have lambasted Becerra. In fact, the specific deficiencies of Prop 15’s ballot label as well as the title and summary are well identified in the media reports themselves:

• ​ ​“The ballot title on Prop. 15 begins by stating that it ‘increases funding sources for public schools, community colleges and local government services.’ It would do so, it states, by ‘changing tax assessment – not raisingtaxes-on commercial and industrial property.” (John Diaz, California attorney general loads language on 2 November measures, The S.F. Chronicle, July 26, 2020, https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/diaz/article/California-attorney-general-loads-language-on-2-15434094.php, emphasis in original.)
• ​ ​“The title and summary of Proposition 15 are not only tilted toward one side,​ ​they are less than fully accurate. Property in California is not taxed on ‘purchase price.’ It’s taxed on fair market value at the time of purchase, adjusted annually, for inflation with increases capped at 2 percent per year… To say property is currently taxed on ‘purchase price’ conveys an impression that property taxes do not rise at all, which is misleading in a way that favors the measure’s proponents who seek to raise taxes. It’s also misleading, if not completely false, to state that​ ​Proposition 15 ‘increases funding sources.’ It doesn’t add new sources, it increases taxes on existing sources: businesses in California.” (The Editorial Board, Editorial: Biased ballot measure titles and summaries distort our democracy, Southern California News Group + Bay Area News Group, July 22, 2020, https://www.ocregister.com/2020/07/22/biased-ballot-measure-titles​-​and-summaries-distort-our-democracy/.)
• ​  ​“California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has once again written a biased ballot title and summary, which deliberately misleads voters about Prop. 15…” “The attorney general contorts the English language to avoid using the word ‘tax.’ Unfortunately, he can’t call Prop 15 a revenue increase, since, as the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says, some rural governments could lose money if Prop 15 passes.” (Katy Grimes, Prop. 15: Messy Title, Feud With Signer, and Ironic Zuckerberg Contributions, California Globe, July 27, 2020, https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/prop-15-messy-title-feud-with-signer-and-ironic-zuckerberg-contributions/.)
• ​  ​“Rather than simply describe Proposition 15 for what it does, Becerra’s official title summarizes it this way: ‘Increases funding for public schools, community colleges, and local government services by changing tax assessment of commercial and industrial property.'” (Dan Walters, Becerra slants two ballot measure titles, CALmatters, July 27, 2020, “https://calmatters.org/commentary/dan-walters/2020/07/california-becerra-partisan-ballot-measure-titles/.)

“This blatant manipulation of the ballot label as well as the title and summary is in direct contravention of the Attorney General’s fiduciary duty to prepare impartial ballot material,” said Jon Coupal, President of Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

California voters are entitled by law to “a true and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure in such language that the ballot title and summary shall neither be an argument, nor be likely to create prejudice, for or against the proposed measure.” Instead, Attorney General Becerra has bowed to the political power of special interests who seek to hide from the voters that the measure they have put on the ballot is the biggest property tax increase in California history.

 

Says “We can do better, and with new leadership we will do better, because we are stronger together.”

To the Residents of Antioch,

Hello! I’m Antwon Webster, and am running for Antioch City Council in District 3.  Who is this guy, you may ask? Let me formally introduce myself. I am a husband, father, public servant as I serve on the Antioch Board of Administrative Appeals, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, a caring homeowner and most of all a proud resident of Antioch. I work as the Logistics Manager for the South Pacific Region of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and have a master’s degree in Public Administration and bachelor’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management.

As a servant leader, I am committed to putting the needs of others before my own.  Doing for others has been an everlasting joy for me.  Within me is a drive for positive change, unity and a forward-thinking approach through educated and informed actions.  It is my life’s dream to uphold the voice of the people and to assure our voices are heard.

The City of Antioch has adopted the slogan “Opportunity Lives Here”.  My goal is to make that statement come true by truly highlighting the beauty of our city, support Economic Development within the city and unify the residents.  Antioch continues to lose big businesses like: K-Mart: Nov. 2018, Staples: Aug 2019, Sears: Oct. 2019, Macy’s: Jan. 2020, I strive to pursue bringing and maintaining big businesses like the aforementioned and support our small businesses throughout Antioch.

If elected for Antioch City Council, District 3, I plan to use my background in Business, Governmental Accounting, Non-Profit Organizations, Community Development, and an overall passion for people to lead by example. Leading a city is about the people and not politics and I plan to put people first not government politics.

My primary areas of focus are:

Public Safety, Economic Development, and Financial Accountability.

I plan to run a campaign built on honesty, professionalism, and integrity.  With that being said, I do not appreciate, nor will I tolerate any further political threats or disrespect towards me and my family from any incumbent or candidate within my district.  “We the people”, the residents of Antioch, deserve better than that.  Elections are about getting into a position in order to do what is best for the needs of the City. Let’s worry about our own campaigns and bridging the gaps within our community instead of building barriers and creating enemies.

One last thing…the youth of Antioch deserve better.  The city council and school board have broken relationship that lacks communication between them.  How can we as a city function as two separated entities that depend on each other, but fail to work together?

We can do better, and with new leadership we will do better, because we are stronger together.

Please feel free to contact me at (925) 204-5482 or at antwon@antownwebster.com.

Respectfully,

Antwon Webster

Candidate for Antioch City Council District 3, 2020

FPPC ID# 1422383

Website: https://antwonwebster.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AntwonWebster/

By Jon Coupal and Ernest Dronenburg

Come November, Proposition 13 faces its biggest political battle at the ballot box. It is instructive to ask whether that iconic tax affordability measure remains good tax policy for California.

As the just-released property tax assessments rolls from several California counties reveal, Proposition 13 is working exceedingly well at keeping homeowners and small business owners from losing their properties to skyrocketing property taxes, while delivering government a reliable source of revenue. Voters would be foolish to repeal one of its major protections this November.

Take San Diego County, for example. The assessed value of all taxable property increased to a record high $604.75 billion, more than a five percent increase over last year. Because the state-set “lien date” is January 1st, any potential impact from COVID-19 won’t show up in this year’s numbers. Nonetheless, there is little to suggest that the county will see any major downturn in the real estate market, notwithstanding the pandemic.

San Diego’s experience with Proposition 13, as with most California counties, should lay to rest the notion that Proposition 13 has starved local government of revenue. Since 1978, increases in property tax revenue for local governments have far exceeded population and inflation. And while California now has the highest income tax rate, gas tax and sales tax rate in America, we remain in the top third (17th out of 50) in per capita property tax revenue. In short, we are not a low property tax state.

Hardly an outlier, San Diego County’s benefits from Prop. 13 are evident in the other counties that just reported their assessment rolls. These eleven counties all enjoyed big increases in taxable value that produced more revenue for schools and governments, including Fresno (up 5.5 percent), Marin (4.5 percent) and Orange (4.72 percent).

So how is it possible that, over the course of 41 years of history, Prop. 13 continues to work so well? Prop. 13 is an implicit contract with government that says property owners agree to pay a maximum property tax rate of 1 percent for as long as they own the property and agree to an annual increase of that taxable value up to 2 percent. When the property changes owners, it is reassessed at the market value and the new owner gets the benefit of a transparent and predictable tax they can afford. Prior to Prop. 13, every year was a guessing game as to whether you could afford your property taxes.

But now, far-left progressives and tax-hungry public sector labor interests want to strip away that protection from business and industrial properties in order to seize what they believe to be between $6 billion to $12 billion annually in taxes. Even their estimate of revenue has huge volatility.

Their Proposition 15 proposal on the November ballot would require continuous reassessment of business properties by removing the two percent cap on annual increases.

There are many reasons to reject Prop. 15. But as the 58 counties release their assessment rolls, it’s more evident than ever that Prop. 13 has delivered affordability for property owners and a stable and growing revenue source for schools and local governments. We shouldn’t abandon a system that’s working.

We should reject Proposition 15 in November. It’s obvious that it will have a negative impact on revenue stability for our schools and on stability for taxpayers. We will see businesses closing not because of the pandemic, but because they cannot afford to pay their property taxes.

Jon Coupal is the president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and Ernest J. Dronenburg, Jr. is the elected San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk and former 20-year member of the California Board of Equalization and Chairman of its Property Tax Committee.

 

Former mayor’s grandson pulls papers to run for City Treasurer

By Allen Payton

The race for the Antioch City Council District 3 just got more crowded as Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Marie Arce pulled papers on Friday. That brings the field of candidates to five. She will challenge two incumbent council members, a former commissioner and a current city board member.

According to her personal Facebook page, Arce is an Accounting Bookkeeper for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, but more specifically she said she works for the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing, and is studying Public Administration at Golden Gate University. According to her LinkedIn profile, Arce is the Business Manager/Analyst for the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek, as well as owner of Marie Arce Photography.

“Time to get excited for the bright future in our community. I’m excited to announce I’ll be running for Antioch City Council District 3. I hope to earn your support and vote!” she wrote on her campaign Facebook page Friday night.

The 2003 Antioch High School graduate also serves in Business Finance at the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California, which advocates for defunding police according to the organization’s Facebook page, and as the Finance Liaison at Winter Nights Family Shelter in Contra Costa County, located in Pleasant Hill.

Arce announced her campaign by posting the video above, and the following on her personal Facebook page, Friday afternoon:

“You do not recover from your child passing, only mend pieces of you back, but you’re different.

Many of you have experienced and seen my love for Caitlin (her late daughter) shown in 4eversunshine Designs and through my work as Chair of the City of Antioch Parks and Recreation, but now it’s time to grow that love for my girls and my town even further.

Today, I picked up my papers for intent to run for Antioch City Council District 3!

The love and support that I have received from my community has been humbling, and I am grateful for the community that I chose to raise my family.

Go now and like my page Marie Arce for Antioch City Council District 3, where I will keep you in the loop on what we are doing in the community and have the opportunity for Q & A’s!

If you want change, you must be that change, so here I go!

I would love your support and energy not only during the election, but after November when we together, can begin to build a bridge to the future of the city that I love!”

City Treasurer Race

In addition, Ruben Rocha is attempting to be the third generation of his family to serve in leadership for the Antioch community by pulling papers to run for City Treasurer. He will face incumbent Jim Davis who is seeking his second term in the part-time position. Rocha is the grandson of former Antioch Mayor and current Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha, and one of the twin sons of Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha.

According to his Facebook page, Ruben works as a Substitute Site Safety Assistant for the Antioch Unified School District. To announce his campaign, on Thursday Rocha wrote, “I pulled papers today to run for City Treasurer of Antioch! God is so good!”

According to City Clerk Arne Simonsen, the following Antioch residents have taken out Nomination Papers as of 5 p.m. July 24th or Qualified for the following City offices:

Council District 3

Lori Ogorchock – Antioch Councilwoman

Lamar Thorpe – Antioch Councilman

Wayne Steffen – former Antioch Parks & Recreation Commission Member

Antwon Webster – Antioch Board of Administrative Appeals Member

Marie Arce – Antioch Parks & Recreation Commission Chair

City Treasurer

James Davis (I) – City Treasurer

Ruben Rocha

No other candidates pulled or filed their papers for any other city office or the Antioch School Board on Friday. This list will be updated when additional registered Antioch voters take out Nomination Papers or become Qualified. To see the complete list of candidates for Antioch City offices and the Antioch School Board, visit www.antiochherald.com/election-2020.

Officially announces campaign for Antioch City Council in District 2

Residents of Antioch District 2:

I’m a retired police lieutenant, a local small business owner and a lifelong resident of Antioch, where my wife, Kristine, and I raised our three children. I’ve never before run for office. This is my formal announcement of my intention to run to represent District 2 on the Antioch City Council.

I am asking for your vote for two reasons: First, we need new blood on the city council – individuals who can investigate out-of-the-box solutions to our many challenges. Second, our city needs leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up and initiate change to Get Antioch Back on Track.

In this COVID-19 era, and in general, Antioch has substantial challenges around public safety, dilapidated properties, the homeless, the need for jobs for our residents, saving small businesses, etc. I am not going to use this announcement to make promises around our challenges, as many politicians often do.

Instead, I’d like to announce a solution we’ve recently accomplished together as a community, addressing a problem we’ve been having in District 2 – the proliferation of sideshows. Sometimes

there are as many as 20 instances a day of cars racing and spinning donuts on our streets, while being filmed by the participants. Residents in District 2 can hear them and sometimes they occur at 3 AM, waking the neighborhood.

Community members have been sending me videos of these sideshows, which I’ve been forwarding to the City. Finally, we took things into our own hands, and with the assistance of our neighbors, we drafted up a plan to prevent sideshows at Somersville Road and the entrance to Black Diamond Mines. This plan includes a raised barrier within the turnaround and speed humps

leading up to the turnaround to stop cars from racing through this area.

After presenting this plan to the Antioch Police Department and the City Public Works Department, we received word, Monday that our plan has been approved and the City will move forward with going out to bid to construct these barriers.

That is what city leaders are supposed to do: Listen to the residents they represent and look for real-life solutions to problems that affect people’s lives. If elected as your District 2 City Council

representative, that is the kind of action-oriented leadership you can demand and expect of me.

We need to Get Antioch Back on Track so our residents can be proud of the city in which we live. I am ready and able to take on this task and would be honored to have you join me.

Mike Barbanica

mikebarbanica@gmail.com

Cell (925) 584-8121