By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa Elections Division

Election and law enforcement officials in Contra Costa County are taking steps to make the safety and security of the 2024 election paramount on multiple levels.

“Contra Costa County voters have several safe and convenient ways to vote in the November 5, 2024, General Election,” said Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Kristin B. Connelly. “Specific information on different options can be found in our Voter Information Guide that went out to all registered voters the last week of September, or on our website, www.contracostavote.gov. Our Elections team has prepared diligently to ensure every valid ballot is counted and that our county residents’ voices are heard.”

AB 2642, the Protecting Elections from Armed Coercion and Extremism – Peace Act, went into effect September 24, 2024, creating protections for California voters and the workers who administer our elections in all 58 counties. Of note the Peace Act protects voters and election officials by explicitly prohibiting intimidation and threats. There are also legal protections that make the presence of a firearm – or even a replica of one – at a polling place unlawful intimidation. Moreover, the Peace Act will provide voters, election officials, and election workers with civil legal recourse against intimidation and coercion.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “My office and local law enforcement will work in concert to protect our fundamental right to vote in Contra Costa County. Any threats, intentional disruptions, or intimidating acts designed to stop a citizen from legally voting or officials from administering an election will be held accountable.”

According to a September 27th Memorandum addressed to “All County Clerks/Registrars of Voters” in the state from Robbie Anderson, Elections Counsel in the California Secretary of State’s Office, “The purpose of the Act is to supplement, and not limit or replace existing statutes that prohibit the intimidation of voters and others in the election process and the carrying of firearms where votes are cast and counted.”

“Our focus is on the safety and security of election workers, voters, and the election process,” said Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston. “Additional arrangements will be put in place and we encourage anyone to report suspicious activity or crimes by calling 9-1-1 or their local law enforcement agency.”

County officials are collaborating to ensure that the 2024 General Election in Contra Costa County is safe, secure, and free from threats and intimidation.

For more information on how or where to vote, visit the Contra Costa County Elections website.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

County reports show 74.8% increase in Households Who Lost Their Housing, 81.1% increase in homelessness in Antioch

By Allen D. Payton

In a text for his campaign for Mayor of Antioch received on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, former city manager Ron Bernal is claiming, “Antioch’s Homelessness Crisis has increased 74% in the last four years!”
The text message reads further, “This is Ron Bernal, candidate to be Antioch’s Next mayor and I have a plan to tackle this crisis!

As your next mayor, we will:

• Expand mental health & addiction services
• Partner with nonprofits & faith groups for real solutions
• Build affordable, sustainable housing
  It’s time for change in Antioch!”

Antioch Households Who Lost Housing Increased 74.8% from 2022-23

To verify the accuracy of Bernal’s claims, a review of the reports by Contra Costa County Continuum of Care (CoC) and for the annual Point-In-Time homeless count was conducted. According to the 2022 CoC report 1,096 Antioch households lost their housing.

The 2023 CoC report shows 1,916 Antioch households lost their housing, a 74.8 percent increase over the previous year, supporting the first-time candidate’s claim.

Point-In-Time Counts Show 81.1% Increase in Antioch Homelessness

The County’s Point-In-Time (PIT) Count report for 2023 shows there were 334 homeless residents in Antioch compared to 228 in 2022, which was only a 40.3 percent increase. However, the 2024 PIT Count report shows there were 413 homeless residents in Antioch, a 23.7 percent increase over the previous year and an 81.1 percent increase since 2020 more than supporting Bernal’s campaign claim.

Bernal is challenging incumbent Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe who also face the third candidate in the race, Rakesh Christian who is running for the City’s top job for a second time.

The election is Tuesday, November 5th.

In coordination with Genesis Church and Word of God/Palabra de Dios Christian Church.

UPDATE: The event has been cancelled due to the mayor having a scheduling conflict with a previous commitment to attend the Islamic Center of the Bay Area’s event the same night, and Ron Bernal was also committed to attending the other event. The third candidate in the race, Rakesh Christian also attended the Islamic Center event. More details later.

City ran deficits three out of four years he’s been mayor and are projected to increase

By Allen D. Payton

In the slate mailer entitled, “Budget Watchdogs Newsletter” received by voters this past week, which Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe’s campaign paid for him to appear on, he claims to be “A fighter for fiscal responsibility” and “has delivered balanced budgets over the last four years and helped build a rainy day fund of over $63 million.”

The first claim has been determined to be false while the second is considered accurate. The mayor was twice asked about both of his claims, but he did not respond.

Rainy Day Fund – Accurate
According to the City staff report for the General Fund Budget Stabilization Fund in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-25 Budget adopted by the council on June 13, 2023, “In fiscal year 2018, the City established a Budget Stabilization Fund to set aside monies for future budget variances, unexpected occurrences, emergencies and the like. General Fund reserves over 20% of unassigned fund balance were used to establish the fund and future General Fund unassigned reserves over 20% can be moved into this fund. Per City Council direction, beginning in fiscal year 2020, these funds will be used to pay the difference in the full Actuarial Determined Contribution for OPEB payments from the pay as you go costs currently made by the City to address the unfunded liability for OPEB.”

OPEB refers to Other Post-Employee Benefits for retirees.

When asked about the claim of the “rainy day fund” without mentioning who made it, City Finance Director Dawn Merchant responded, “I am not sure about the claim as we do not have a $63M rainy day fund. I can only assume that claim is adding the Stabilization Fund and General Fund reserves, however, again, I am not sure.”

She also shared, “As of 7/1/24, the Budget Stabilization Fund balance is $37,627,378.” On that same date, the General Fund reserves balance was $32,555,999. So, by adding the two the total was $70,183,377 which supports the mayor’s claim as accurate.

UPDATE: Later, Merchant shared, “The $32,555,999 beginning fund balance is based on the revised FY24 budget, so that is not an actual, that is a projected based on the FY24 budget. Once the books for 6/30 are wrapped up, we will have the actual ending 6/30/24 fund balance.”

Balanced Budgets Claim – False
However, Hernandez-Thorpe’s claim he “has delivered balanced budgets over the last four years” is false. Because the budgets approved by the City Council for the current and past two of the four years during his term as mayor, have spent or are spending more than the City has been or is receiving in sales, property and other tax revenues. The budgets include the following deficits:
$3,995,625 in FY2022-23.
$5,343,928 in FY 2023-24; and
$4,617,143 projected for the current, FY 2024-25.

That last amount is being covered by the Budget Stabilization Fund.

City Budget Projects Increasing Deficits
In addition, according to the General Fund Projections for 2023-2028 presented to the city council on June 11, 2024, the General Fund is projected to run the following deficits:
$12,995,259 in FY 2025-26;
$13,561,074 in FY 2026-27; and
$14,855,649 in FY 2027-28.

The first two are expected to be covered by transfers from the Budget Stabilization Fund, but it will only cover $1,253,902 in the third year of what could be Hernandez-Thorpe’s second term as mayor if he’s re-elected because that Fund will be depleted in FY 2028. That would result in a projected net deficit for the City of $13,601,748 by June 30, 2028, which would be covered by the General Fund reserve leaving it with an Ending Balance of just $17.4 million or 17.06% in reserves versus over 31% and 32% for the previous fiscal years.

The mayor faces two challengers in the campaign, former Antioch city manager, Ron Bernal and second-time candidate for mayor, Rakesh Christian.

The election is November 5th.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Claims Jovita Mendoza won’t respond to request to “revoke the flyer”; ally of Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson

Editor,

I am writing to clarify the situation of a political flyer that has been distributed including a photograph of Jovita Mendoza and myself.  In my position as a Priest of the Diocese of Oakland, the Pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish of Antioch, and the Lead Chaplain for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, I am not allowed to support or endorse any candidate for public office nor give the impression that I do so.  The flyer in question gives the impression that I do support Jovita Mendoza for public office, and it is not true.  My consent and permission to make use of my photograph for that flyer was never sought or given.

More than a week ago, I sent her an email requesting that she revoke the flyer and clarify that she used my photograph with her fraudulently to suggest that as the fire chaplain (and possibly a priest) that I do in fact endorse and support her effort to win a seat on the Brentwood City Council.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  I write to you today to make sure that my parishioners, the members of our diocese, and the citizens of East County that I have not

violated the directives given to me by both my Bishop and the Fire Chief.  My hope is that this incident would give the citizens of Brentwood pause as to who this person really is and her disregard for ethics, professionalism, morality, and fitness for the position she seeks.

Father Robert Rien

Pastor

St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish

and

Lead Chaplain, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

As mail-in ballots have now arrived at voters’ homes, I felt it was important to voice why I strongly support Fernando Sandoval for re-election as Board Trustee for the Contra Costa Community College District, Ward 5.

His area of the district includes the communities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Bay Point, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Clyde and Clayton and Brentwood where I lived for 43 years. I am also a professor of World Languages at Los Medanos College where I have been teaching for nearly 40 years which is the primary campus in Trustee Sandoval’s district along with the Brentwood campus. I personally know the challenges students face in striving to reach their educational goals, as well as the opportunities an education provides in advancing their futures. 

I first met Fernando Sandoval in 2016 in the East County community. I was impressed with his commitment to cultural awareness, student success, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. I also appreciated his understanding of how the college campus, students’ families and the community at large need to work together to ensure that students achieve their goals.

In past years, the district has dealt with budgetary challenges, faculty contract disputes, district leadership turnover and the decrease in student enrollment numbers, to name a few. When Trustee Sandoval was elected in 2020, he brought a high level of visionary leadership, positive collaboration, commitment, integrity and a strong work ethic needed to help guide the District in a proactive pathway.

Fernando also brought over 25 years of professional expertise in the banking, finance and technology industries to cooperatively address the budget deficit issues facing the District, including with members of the Board of Trustees. Through most of his four-year tenure, his financial knowledge and leadership have been extremely valuable in helping to guide budgetary and policy decisions, particularly during the unprecedented impact of Covid-19.

Trustee Sandoval has been open to listening to faculty leadership and classified staff in understanding our key priorities so a supportive learning environment can be created for students. But just as importantly, he has been accessible to students to listen to their concerns and suggestions for improving issues and engaging students in the Board’s policy-making process.  I have met many civic leaders and community residents who have said how refreshing it is to have a college board leader who is so visible and engaged in meeting and listening to their thoughts at neighborhood meetings and community events.

His commitment to ensuring the college district and the community is reflective in his solution- based decision-making and is why he was honored for his public service with the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service presented by Los Medanos College.

Trustee Fernando Sandoval “walks his talk!” He is totally committed to a “student for success” approach! These past four years he has shown to be a leader we can respect and count on!  He brings strong leadership with an innovative vision for solutions for the students and residents of Contra Costa County.

I encourage my fellow voters to re-elect Fernando Sandoval as Board Trustee of the Contra Costa Community College District on November 5th!

Dr. Laurie Huffman Leyva

Faculty, Los Medanos College

Resident, Brentwood

Over $30K raised so far

By Allen D. Payton

With one month remaining in the battle for the bucks for the Antioch City Council District 3 race on the November ballot, as of Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Don Freitas has raised significantly more than his two opponents combined. The former mayor and councilman has raised $30,184.68 compared to $11,190.09 raised by second-time council candidate Antwon Webster and $10,209.83 by newcomer Addison Peterson.

Freitas’ Finances

During the reporting period, Freitas’ fundraising resulted in $22,172 plus, an additional $2,000 received since Sept. 21st using a required Form 497, for a total of $30,184.68 received during the campaign, including $1,012.68 in Nonmonetary Contributions.

Freitas’ largest contributions were $5,000 from SR Ventures LLC in Brentwood, owned by businessman and Antioch commercial property owner Sean McCauley, $2,500 each from Republic Services, Antioch’s garbage company, and GBN Partners, LLC of Danville, developers of the approved Promenade new home projects in the Sand Creek Area, $2,000 each from I.B.E.W. 302 Community Candidates PAC in Martinez and Michael Hurd of Antioch, listed as Principal, Commercial Real Estate Consulting, $1,100 from Linda Terranova of Antioch, listed as retired, $1,000 each from Melody Weintraub of Lafayette, listed as retired and Guy Bjerke of Concord, the City of Concord Director of Economic Development, a peculiar $900 contribution amount from County Assessor Gus Kramer of Martinez (who was obviously too cheap to make it a grand), $500 each from County Fair Board Member Richard Hobin of Antioch, attorney with Hobin & Hobin LLP also in Antioch, Arnold Linscheid of Danville, the CEO of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, Earlene Lanter of Antioch, listed as retired and Martin Fernandez of Antioch, also retired. Freitas also received $250 from City Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s 2022 re-election campaign committee and $150 from the councilwoman.

Freitas spent $10,899.10 for the period for a total of $13,016.30 spent through Sept. 21st. His campaign’s largest expenditure was for $5,057.30 to The Tucker Group of Antioch for consulting, $1,500 to Carla Marymee of Antioch for website design, $900 to Political Data Intelligence of Long Beach for campaign software, $859 to Election Digest of Torrance for a Voter Guide slate mailer to Democrats and $549 to the City of Antioch for filing fees.

The former mayor and councilman had an Ending Cash Balance of $15,168.38, plus, the $2,000 received after the filing period for a total of $17,168.38 remaining to be spent on his campaign. See Freitas’ Form 460 0701-092124 and Form 497 092824.

Webster’s Wealth Works

In a distant second place in fundraising, Webster’s report shows he raised $7,779.09 during the period for a total of $12,690.09 for the campaign. Those amounts include loans from himself of $5,441.26 for the period and $8,792.26 total for the campaign.

His largest contributions were $2,500 from Quincy and Mitchell Hardin of Antioch, owners of Hi-Lite Janitorial, and the most unique contribution of the campaign, $465.83 from Nigerian American Public Affairs in Los Angeles.

Webster spent $5,352.27 during the period for a total of $8,752.07 for the campaign. His largest expenditures include $1,750 to The Wright Social Spot of Antioch for a comedy fundraising event, $1,250 to Precision Politics of Marina Del Rey, CA for literature, $758.65 to Vista Print of Waltham, MA for literature and $500.98 to Young’s Consulting LLC of Antioch for campaign consulting.

Webster had an Ending Cash Balance of $3,441.02 left to spend on his campaign. See Webster’s Form 460 0701-092124

Peterson’s Proceeds & Payments

Peterson’s finance reports show he’s received $5,765.32 during the period including another $1,500 in a nonmonetary contribution from his wife for campaign website design, for a total of $6,209.83 for the campaign. But his Form 460 shows he forgave $454.58 in loans from himself, reducing the total received for the period to a net $5,310.74. Also, the Calendar Year to Date column is missing the previous $1,500 nonmonetary contribution from his wife for campaign website design received in the previous reporting period ending on June 30th. So, the total amount received for the campaign should be $7,709.83, plus $2,500 after Sept. 21st for a total of $10,209.83 received for the campaign.

He was his campaign’s largest contributor with a total of $2,974.58 in contributions and loans for the period including the forgiven loan amount. Peterson received the $2,500 from Sander Straus of Lafayette, listed as retired, but according to InfluenceWatch.org, he is a “mathematician and financial investment consultant who is a major donor to Democratic Party candidates and…a major contributor to progressive-left immigration, social policy, and environmental organizations.”

Peterson spent $4,879.27 during the period of which $3,379.27 was in the form of cash payments for a total of $5,351.48 or $6,851.48 when including the additional $1,500 for website design. His largest expenditures were $813.27 to Signs on the Cheap in Austin, TX, $549 to the City of Antioch for filing fees and $541 to the Antioch Recreation Department for room rental for an event.

While most of the missing information in Peterson’s first Form 460 campaign finance report for the first six months of the year appeared on his latest report, his totals are off by $60. On Aug. 30th Peterson responded to questions about the report for the period of Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024, with, “I am reaching out to the Antioch City Clerk’s office to fix the issues with my 460 shortly.” However, as of Oct. 15th, he had not yet submitted an Amended 460 Report.

Peterson had an Ending Cash Balance of $858.35 for the period. Adding the $2,500 received after Sept. 21st, it left his campaign with $3,358.35 remaining to be spent. See Peterson’s Form 460 0701-092124 and Form 497 100124

Next Reports Due Oct. 24th

According to the California Secretary of State, the next reporting period ends on Oct. 19th and the candidates’ campaign committees must submit another Form 460 by Oct. 24th. All the campaign finance reports for mayor and city council candidates can be found on the City of Antioch Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure.

The election is November 5th.

My Promise to You

I love America.  I believe that if we do not change this course that we are on, we could very well lose her and all that we hold dear.  We have each been given a legacy, an inheritance, and aside from that gift of America, our most precious treasure is our children and grandchildren.  Our inheritance to our children should not be a concern for a monetary enrichment, but one for a gift called FREEDOM.  We are in a battle for that Freedom.   As a mother of four and a grandmother of five, they are worth fighting for.  So, I stand before you today.

This is our chance Fellow Americans to restore what has been taken from us. Come rise and join with me as a Stateswoman, not a politician.  I stand outside of the establishment, but I stand inside the very heart of all our issues and I will stand for you. My voice will be one of TRUTH and FREEDOM and I will strongly support closed borders, our police, veterans, farmers.

I will fight for traditional education and our personal, financial, national and border security.

I will vote for laws that protect our children from groomers, predators and biological males in girls’ sports. We will covet their precious minds and innocence.  Our taxpayer money belongs solely to us and not to any foreign countries.

My “Yes” will be “Yes” and my “No” will be an unwavering “No”. I pledge to Putting the People First.

God Bless America.

Katherine Piccinini

Congress District 10