Dear Editor:

In an election year that has been notable more for wild hyperbole than substantive discussion, even our local races have not been immune from the kind of irresponsible and baseless rhetoric that has plagued those on the national stage.

One case in point. Last week an opinion article written under the byline Selina Button was posted by Mike Burkholder on his East County Today blog, and posted as a letter to the editor on the Antioch Herald news website. The article included false, defamatory, and possibly libelous statements about me, my wife, Argentina Davila-Luevano, and my friend, John Crowder.

The reason for her unwarranted attack? We were quoted in a press release by Rocketship Education as being in favor of their building a brand new, high-performing, elementary school in Antioch. Ms. Button characterized our positive comments as, “an effort to support their own personal financial gain.” She went on to ask, “Were they possibly promised a job by Rocketship?”

For the record, we have absolutely no gain, financial or otherwise, coming our way from Rocketship. Neither have we been offered jobs or anything else. In fact, the only thing we were promised was that people who want to maintain the failed status quo would likely try to smear anyone supporting their efforts…something I didn’t want to believe at the time.

Regardless, we stand by our support of Rocketship. As those who know us are aware, Argentina and I are long-time advocates for children, and particularly for children of color and/or those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. We see the addition of a Rocketship school as an important step in solving the problem of the horrifically underperforming schools in our city.

Unfortunately, It is clear that those who stand in the way of much-needed education reform in Antioch are willing to make false statements, to bully, and to try to mislead the public about a good organization, Rocketship, that truly has the best interests of our children at heart. They have shown that they are willing to use such unseemly tactics against Rocketship’s supporters, as well.

We’re not going to back down, though. We’ve fought for years for the rights of children. The right to a good education for all is too important for us to cave in. We urge everyone who realizes we need change to get the facts about Rocketship. Their model is working for students around the country. Let’s make sure they have the chance to bring this same success to Antioch’s students, as well.

Angel G. Luevano

Antioch

Dear Editor:

I just discovered and I am outraged this morning that the Antioch City Council intends to hold a council meeting next Tuesday, November 8th – election day.

My wife Tina and I do not suffer fools well. It is very ironic that not only is a meeting planned, but the agenda reflects an urgency item and two public hearings. I find it funny and convenient that these important matters are squeezed in at times when the public may not be fully available to attend.

I have not reviewed the 2015-2016 calendar completely, but it seems odd that major issues of importance seem to make it to the agenda around the time when citizens are least available.

I urge the City Council to cancel the meeting that is scheduled for November 8, 2016 and reschedule to a date and time that the community can be available.

Some will say that most voters in our county have voted early. But, considering how important and controversial our national election is this year, most will be glued to the news outlets covering the election.

So, in my view, they are attempting to sneak more decisions by us while we are looking the other way.  I am angry, as my wife and I expected the City to have greater consideration for the citizens of Antioch.

Fred Rouse

Antioch

Dear Editor:

In yesterday’s mail I received an attempt at a smear ad for one of our local candidates for County Supervisor, Diane Burgis. The claim, in bold red font, states that she intends to draw a salary and benefits for that position, paid for by the taxpayers. Does candidate Steve Barr, therefore, intend to forfeit his salary and benefits if elected?

Further, it attempts to slam her for drawing a salary as Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW). She can’t be chastised for drawing a salary for that work, as she is paid with grant funding to organize and mobilize volunteers, engage in community outreach, run successful creek cleanups of our local watershed, and support academy internships for local students. FOMCW saves the County money, especially with the trash cleanups. She has done a fine job linking people of all ages to their local environment and to the scientific community.

I find the ad misleading, lacking integrity, and unprofessional. I hope fellow community members see through the lame attempt by big oil and so-called “criminal prosecutors” to discredit a person who has fought for improved health of our local environment. I doubt these folks from Sacramento have ever organized a community volunteer force like Diane Burgis has.

I’m going to donate more money to FOMCW out of spite for this negative political ad. The community organization has done a fantastic job over the fifteen years I’ve been familiar with it, and it is an honor to continue to support FOMCW as well as Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.

Sincerely,

Spencer Holmes

Brentwood

By Allen Payton

Antioch School Board candidates Crystal Sawyer-White and Fernando Navarro, an appointed Board Trustee, filed complaints with the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), on Friday, against the Antioch Education Association (AEA) for not filing the required financial disclosure forms. Sawyer-White also filed a complaint for Board President Diane Gibson-Gray not filing her reports properly,

Complaints Against AEA

As a result of a Herald article about the campaign finances in the school board race for next Tuesday’s election, published on Thursday, in which it was revealed the AEA had not filed any financial forms for this election as required by state law, Sawyer-White complained to the agency, which oversees enforcement of the Political Reform Act.

Navarro filed a separate complaint with the FPPC about the AEA’s lack of financial disclosure.

The Antioch teachers union did not file required forms for either their contribution to former school board member Joy Motts’ campaign in the amount of $2,003, as reported in her 460 form, nor for the expenditure for a mailer supporting Motts, Gibson-Gray and former school board member Gary Hack.

Calls to Robert Strickler, President of the AEA asking him why the forms weren’t filed, or if they were, where were they filed and requesting a copy, as well as comments on the complaints, on Friday afternoon, were not returned by publication time.

Complaint Against Motts is Moot

Navarro also filed a complaint against Motts for not filing her required form 460 report for the period ending on October 22nd, which was due on October 27th. Attempts to reach both Motts and her campaign treasurer, former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas, on Thursday, asking if the report had been filed, if not why not and requesting a copy, if it had been, were unsuccessful.

When reached for comment, Navarro stated he filed the complaints “because she hasn’t reported and I’d be interested what her donations would look like.”

“It’s about transparency,” he added. “Hopefully they’re not dragging their feet and playing out the clock right before the election.”

Navarro said in his complaint against the teachers union he wrote “that they’re not reporting their donations and for the mailer.”

“I would be interested in seeing how much they spent and the amounts they contributed to the candidates they endorsed multiple, multiple times,” he continued. “The public has a right to know.”

“If a check for $125 to my campaign makes a scandal and is such an outrage, I would like to see what amounts the others received,” Navarro added. “It’s the epitome of hypocrisy. At least I was being honest reporting the contributions I received.”

Just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Motts’ campaign manager, Cliff Glickman called and said that her 460 form was filed on time and then provide a copy of it for the Herald to post. He also said they don’t know why it hasn’t been posted on the county’s website.

When reached for comment about this latest information, Navarro responded by asking “Is it online? I’d like to see it. I’d like to see her donations. It’s only fair.”

Asked if once he saw a copy of Motts’ report, would he rescind his complaint, Navarro said, “Of course. I’m just making sure we’re all being transparent.”

Please see a copy of her report, here: motts-460-102216

County Clerk Explains

When reached for comment about why Motts’ 460 form was not on the County Elections office website, and if they were having a problem with the website, County Clerk Joe Canciamilla responded, “No.”

“Number one there’s nothing that requires us to post the reports on our website,” he explained. “We do that as a matter of convenience. They are available to see in our office. We’re trying to get everyone to file electronically.”

“I was actually in the lobby when she (Motts) and Diane Gibson-Gray came in to file and they were filing by paper, because their treasurers were having trouble filing online,” Canciamilla stated. “We’re just behind in scanning in the reports, because everyone is on election duty, right now.”

“We’ve been transitioning over to all electronic, so when people submit by paper, we have to go through a whole process to get them uploaded to the website,” he added. “We’re hoping to have them all up on the website, this weekend.”

Motts’ latest report was still not on the County Elections office website as of 7:00 p.m. Friday. Search the campaign finance disclosure portion of their website by clicking, here.

Complaint Against Gibson-Gray

The complaint Sawyer-White filed against Gibson-Gray was a result of the same Herald article. In that article it was revealed the school board president had improperly reported her expenditures, by either paying her husband Ken Gray, which is illegal, or reimbursing him in amounts more than $500 without disclosing who was actually the recipient of the campaign funds, as required by state law.

Gibson-Gray refused to answer questions emailed to her on Thursday asking if the expenditures were payments to her husband or reimbursements, and who was the recipient of the two expenditures over $500. A call to her campaign treasurer, Bob Martin asking the same questions on Friday, was not returned before publication time. She also did not respond to attempts to reach her for a comment on this article on Friday afternoon.

11/05/16 7:30 AM UPDATE: In a comment on this article, last night at 9:52 PM, Martin wrote, “The financial information listed on Gibson-Gray’s reports are correct to the best of my knowledge. Expenditures to Ken Gray were for reimbursement for actual expenses and not payment for any services. The two expense in excess of $500.00. One in the amount of $1,105.05 is itemized as follows: $485.05 to Bellici Designs for yard signs, $600.00 for an internet ad to ETC and $20.00 for zip ties. The second one in the amount of $650.00 was for print ads in the Bay Area News Group. I neglected to include Bellici Designs and Bay Area News Group as a sub-vendor. An amended report has been submitted.”

Attempts to reach Sawyer-White for comment were also unsuccessful.

According to Navarro, all four complaints were filed on the FPPC’s website. An email was sent to the FPPC after 5:00 p.m. on Friday asking for any information they can provide about the complaints. Calls will be made to the FPPC on Monday when they’re offices are open, again.

Check back later for updates to this report.

Rocha, Thorpe close behind; Rocha fined $1,510 for late report filing

By Allen Payton

The latest campaign financial reports, submitted by candidates in the Antioch City Council race, and due on Thursday, October 27, shows Councilwoman Monica Wilson leading in both fundraising and spending. However, because she transferred over $5,000 and spent it on her campaign for Supervisor, earlier this year, the finance battle with challengers Kenny Turnage II, Councilwoman Mary Rocha and Lamar Thorpe is actually closer.

Wilson

As in her campaign for County Supervisor, earlier this year, almost all of Wilson’s contributions were from outside of Antioch, and most of her expenditures were, as well. She raised $7,545 during the reporting period and a total of $14,442.09 for her re-election campaign, so far this year. But, she formed her committed in 2014 and with the amounts received that year and in 2014, her total amount received is $20,072.09 for her campaign. $1,967.43

While she spent $7,424.52 during the period, Wilson’s report shows she has spent a total of $17,276.81 during her campaign, this year. Her total expenditures for her campaign are $19,244.24. However, in February she transferred $5,209.54 to her Supervisor campaign committee. So, Wilson has only spent $14,034.70 on her re-election campaign, giving her a slight lead over Kenny Turnage.

During the period, her largest contributions were $1,000 each from the Antioch Police Officers Association and the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC; $500 each from Contra Costa United Working Families, Richland Investments LLC, the developers of The Ranch project in Antioch’s Sand Creek focus area, Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund United Association, Local No. 159, American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 57 PAC, and Benicia-based attorney Dana Dean.

Wilson’s expenditures include $5,116.82 to JB Services in Martinez for literature; $1,610 to Message Framer in Richmond; $1,568.52 to AABCO printing in Concord, $851.44 at a restaurant in Lafayette; and $500 to Message Framer in Richmond, also for literature.

She has an ending cash balance of $1,247.73.

Turnage

The latest 460 report shows Turnage raised $5,049 putting him in third place for the period. That brings his total contributions to $17,494, including a loan of $2,000 from himself, placing him second for the campaign in total contributions.

Turnage’s largest contributions for the period include $1,500 from the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC; $1,000 each from Richard Turnage of Oakley and Gabriel Chiu of Pleasanton, who is retired; and $500 each from Richland Investments, LLC and Build Jobs PAC in Walnut Creek.

His campaign report shows he has spent a total of $13,599 as of the end of the reporting period, putting him in third place for the campaign and had an ending cash balance of $3,895. However, then he spent another $1,100 on an ad in the Herald bringing his total expenditures to at least $14,699 to date.

His only reportable expenses, which are for $100 or more, for the period were $2,000 to Mike Burkholder for advertising on eastcountytoday.net and another $350 for advertising in the Herald.

Rocha

Councilwoman Mary Rocha’s latest report shows she received $10,500 for the period, including $3,200 in loans from her husband. She repaid $500 of the loan, bringing her total net contributions to $16,560 for the year. But, she started off the year with $1,233 in the bank giving her a total of $17,783 to spend on her campaign.

Her largest contributions for the period include $2,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers International Local #104; $1,500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 302 PAC; $1,000 each from the Antioch Police Officers Association and Republic Services, bringing the garbage company’s total contributions to $3,500 to her campaign; $500 each from owner and developer of the Zeka Ranch (formerly Higgins Ranch), Louisa Zee Kao of Hillsborough, Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund Local 159, and Richland Investments, LLC.

She spent $10,540 for the period for a total of $15,937 on her re-election campaign, which she says will be her last, putting her in second place for spending. Rocha’s largest expenditures for the period were $8,067.72 to JB Services in Martinez for a mailing and $2,147.30 to ABCO Printing in Concord.

She had with an ending cash balance for the reporting period of $1,856.

Rocha Fined

Rocha submitted her latest report five days late, due to her husband being in the hospital, she explained. City Clerk Arne Simonsen said had to impose a fine on her campaign. The fine is $10 per day per report.

In an email message on Tuesday, November 1st, he wrote “I will be assessing fines for late filing of Rocha’s Form 460 2nd Pre-election report as well as for the late filings of some of the Form 497’s that I will be emailing you one at a time.”

“On November 1st she submitted her latest 460 form five days late, and seven 497 forms dating as far back a September 12th, when they should have been submitted within 24 hours,” Simonsen said in an interview on Friday. “Her fine will be $1,510 which includes the previous fine, for a late contribution from Republic Services of $2,500 on August 17th, which she reported nine days late.”

Thorpe

In third place for fundraising during the reporting period is Lamar Thorpe with $5,945.52. But he is in second place for the campaign for cash contributions, but fourth place for total contributions, with $15,519.85. He’s also in third place for spending, at $10,897.99. But, he had the largest ending cash balance with $4,621.86 in the bank.

His largest contributions for the period were $1,500 from United Association Local 342 and $500 from the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC.

His largest contributions for the period were $1,500 from United Association Local 342 and $500 each from the California Association of Realtors’ California Real Estate PAC.

Thorpe’s largest expenses for the period were $2,723.19; and $365.52 to Facebook and $200 to Google for online advertising.

Rouse & Dietzel

Fred Rouse and Karl Dietzel each submitted a form 470 declaring they will receive and spend less than $2,000 in their campaigns.

Please see below the finance reports for the latest period from each of the candidates. Please check back for the 497 reports for late, large contributions from Rocha.

wilson-460-102216

turnage-460-102216

rocha-460-102216

thorpe-460-102216

rocha-497-3-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-4-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-5-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-6-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-7-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-8-rcvd-11-1-16

form-497-rocha-report-9-rcvd-11-1-16

But, help from Realtors has made Ogorchock’s campaign financially competitive

By Allen Payton

Antioch chiropractor and Chamber of Commerce CEO, Dr. Sean Wright continues to lead in finances in the race for Mayor of Antioch, having raised more in total contributions than his two remaining rivals combined. His latest campaign finance report, known as a 460 form and was due with all other candidates’ reports, on Thursday, October 27, shows $14,225 raised for the reporting period which ended on the October 22nd. That brings Wright’s total amount raised to $38,615 in cash contributions for the campaign. Add in the $6,888 in non-monetary contributions his campaign has received and his total contributions are $45,503.

Wright’s latest large contributions include $4,500 from Somersville Towne Center; $2,500 from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California and $1,000 each from Lincoln Club of Northern California and Balfour Properties LLC in Danville; $750 from Giacalone Design Services in Pleasanton; another $600 from Antioch-based consultant Iris Archuleta, bringing her total to $1,000 she’s contributed to his campaign; and $500 each from Build Jobs PAC, DK Consluting in Walnut Creek and Richland Investments LLC, the owner and developer of The Ranch project in Antioch’s Sand Creek focus area.

He spent $7,758 during the period and his largest expenditures were $4,500 to Praetorian Public Relations for Google ads and a production of a video for Facebook; $2,558 also to Praetorian for political consulting, and more ads on Google and Facebook; as well as $700 to the Herald for advertising. That brings his total expenditures that he reported to $34,013. However, since the end of the reporting period Wright’s campaign also spent $2,500 for a four-page advertising wrap in the November issue of the Herald bringing his total to at least $36,513.

Wright had an ending cash balance of $11,409 on his latest report.

Harper

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper received a total of $4,250 in monetary contributions during the reporting period and a total of $12,400, this year, for his re-election campaign. However, he formed his campaign committee in 2015 and received $10,075 and spent $9,089.11 last year.

In addition, Harper reported a large contribution on a required form 497 of $1,000 from the Iron Workers Union Local #378, that wasn’t included in his latest form 460 report. So that brings his total to $23,475 total in contributions received for the campaign, putting him in a distant second place.

Harper’s largest contributions for the period were $1,000 each from the District Council of Iron Workers Political Action League and Republic Services; $750 from Contra Costa United Working Families; and $500 each from Richland Investments, LLC, the owners and developers of The Ranch project in the Sand Creek area, Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund United Association Local No. 159, and the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council.

Harper spent $7,326.27 during the reporting period, for a total of $12,032.38 this year. He’s spent a total of $21,121.49 during the campaign, including $5,000 to J.B. Services in Martinez for campaign literature, and $1,120 to the City of Antioch for the fine imposed by the City Clerk’s office for filing his some of his form 497’s late, during the latest period.

He had an ending cash balance of $1,467.51

Ogorchock

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock was close behind Wright, raising $12,145 during the reporting period, bringing her total monetary contributions to $20,135 for the campaign, putting her in a close third place behind Harper. She spent $3,406 during the period and a total of $9,844 on her campaign.

However, Ogorchock received a large boost from independent expenditures by the National Association of Realtors of $23,504 mailers and online advertising. That’s in addition to the $5,000 contribution she received from the California Association of Realtors’ (CAR) California Real Estate Political Action Committee.

That brings the total amount spent by and for her campaign to $32,594.24 as of the end of the period.

Most of Ogorchock’s contributions were also from within Antioch. The largest contributions for the latest period include the $5,000 from the CAR PAC; $4,500 from Somersville Towne Center; and $1,000 from Antioch residents Pat and Nora Von Ubin bringing their total to $1,100 contributed to her campaign; and $500 from MM&A, Inc. the owners of IHOP restaurant in Pittsburg.

Ogorchock’s largest expenditures for the period included $1,050 to the Bay Area News Group for newspaper advertising, $900 to Plates Eclectic Cuisine restaurant for a fundraiser, and $770 to Little Owl Design. She had an ending cash balance of $10,291.

Murillo

Former candidate Gil Murillo, who suspended his campaign in October to support Wright, shows $538.55 in total contributions for the latest period, all from himself, bringing his total contributions to his campaign to $2,557.41. He spent a total of $408.55 for the period in small amounts of less then $200 each to Facebook, Staples and Smart & Final. That brings his total expenditures to $2,327.41 for the campaign.

In an email received from Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen on Friday afternoon, November 4, regarding Murillo’s most recent finance report, he wrote, “This is a late filing. I have attached the envelope that contained his Form 460. I will be assessing the appropriate fine for a late filing.” The envelope shows a postmark of November 2,

The fine is $10 per day per report, Simonsen added. He also pointed out the Murillo will have to submit an amended 460 report because it doesn’t show any year-to-date totals.

Please see below the latest financial reports for each of the candidates for Mayor of Antioch in next Tuesday’s November election, and a copy of the envelope that contained Murillo’s report, showing the postmark after the deadline date of October 27th.

wright-460-102216

harper-460-102216

ogorchock-460-102216

 

Dear Editor:

When I made the difficult decision to not seek reelection to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, my choice was made easier by the fact that Diane Burgis would make an extraordinary County Supervisor. She is a smart and dedicated public servant, and I have been proud to work with her for many years.

I wanted to take a moment to cut through some of the smear tactics and tell you about the Diane Burgis that I know and trust.

I was surprised to see the recent hit pieces mailed by real estate developers and “Big Oil”/petroleum interests that support Diane’s opponent and attack Diane Burgis. These ridiculous mail pieces accuse Diane of “climbing the ladder.”

Well, – that’s what capable people do – when opportunities arise they move up to greater positions of responsibility and governance. Talented people, such as Diane Burgis, are recruited by the community, and by those leaving office, to carry on the work that must be done in the publics’ best interests.

That is why I asked Diane to run for County Supervisor. She has proven to be a thoughtful, regional leader, one who brings people together to find workable  solutions.

The campaign process is well known as “silly season”. It is to be expected. However, I believe we are beyond the point of telling one of our most respected female leaders that she should stay put and know her place.

I believe Diane will make an excellent County Supervisor. She is talented, compassionate and hardworking. She will work every day to improve our community by reducing traffic, boosting public safety and defending our precious Delta.

Please don’t fall for the dirty tricks. Join me, Sheriff Livingston, District Attorney Mark Peterson, local Firefighters, Deputy Sheriffs and many other community leaders in voting for Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.

Mary Nejedly Piepho

County Supervisor

Discovery Bay

Total union spending unknown; controversy over two $125 contributions by Rocketship board member; Motts continues lead in finances, 460 form turned in on-time; county website backlog

By Allen Payton

In the Antioch School Board race, in which only four candidates have raised and spent more than $2,000 on their campaigns, it’s been the California Charter Schools Association Advocates (CCSAA) and the local teachers’ union that have spent the most money.

Each side is supporting a slate of three candidates. The Charter Schools are supporting appointed Trustees Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry, and challenger Crystal Sawyer-White. The Antioch Education Association (AEA), the local teachers’ union is supporting Board President Diane Gibson-Gray and former school board members Joy Motts and Gary Hack.

Required campaign finance reports show the CCSAA has paid for mailers supporting their slate of candidates, spending $750 paid to a Chris Rylee on October 17th, $5,565.48 for printing also on the 17th, and $5,565.48 also for printing on October 21st. That brings their total reported expenditures to $11,880.96 for the race.

The total amount spent by the AEA’s Political Action Committee (ID# 1248555), has spent to support their slate of candidates is unknown at this time. The organization is identified as the one that paid for a mailer supporting Hack, Motts and Gibson-Gray, which arrived in mailboxes, this week. However, the California Secretary of State’s website shows no financial information for the AEA PAC for this year.

“This committee has not electronically filed a Form 460/461/450 for this election cycle,” is what is stated on the website.

All committees and campaigns are required to report contributions received or expenditures made of $1,000 or more within 24 hours of occurrence.

Candidate Finance Reports

Of the seven candidates in the race, only five have raised enough money to require they file a form 460 campaign finance report. Hack and Sawyer-White have not yet reached that threshold.

Motts

The AEA did contribute $2,003 directly to Joy Motts’ campaign according to a form 497 large contribution report she submitted. She also received a contribution of $1,000 from the Sheet Metals’ International Association Local No. 104.

11/04/16 8:30 PM UPDATE: There is no report on the County Elections office website for either the latest reporting period or the second half of last year. Attempts to reach both Motts and her campaign treasurer, former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas, on Thursday, asking if the report had been filed, if not why not and requesting a copy, if it had been, were unsuccessful.

However, just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4^th, Motts’ campaign manager, Cliff Glickman called and said that her 460 form was filed on time and then provided a copy of it for the Herald to post. He said they don’t know why it hasn’t been posted on the county’s website.

Motts’ latest report shows she received $4,004 during the period, bringing her total to $10,597 for the year. Since she started the year with $1,522.30 in the bank that gave her a total of $12,119.30 to spend on her campaign.

Her largest contributions during the period were $1,500 from the AEA, which was included in the $2,003 amount reported on her 497 form; and $500 each from the Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund United Assocation Local No. 159 and the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council.

Motts spent $4,216.90 during the period bringing her total expenditures to $11,131.47 for the campaign. Her largest expense was $2,500 for Cliff Glickman Communications in Walnut Creek and $844.75 for literature to Baseline Resources also in Walnut Creek. She had an ending cash balance of $987.83 at the end of the reporting period.

When reached for comment about Motts’ 460 form and why it isn’t on the county’s website, County Clerk Joe Canciamilla explained.

“I was actually in the lobby when she (Motts) and Diane Gibson-Gray came in to file and they were filing by paper, because their treasurers were having trouble filing online,” he stated. “We’re just behind in scanning in the reports, because everyone is on election duty, right now.”

“We’ve been transitioning over to all electronic, so when people submit by paper, we have to go through a whole process to get them uploaded to the website,” Canciamilla added. “We’re hoping to have them all up on the website, this weekend.”

Motts’ latest report was still not on the County Elections office website as of 7:00 p.m. Friday.

Gibson-Gray

The AEA also contributed $500 directly to Gibson-Gray’s campaign, which matched her largest contributions from Antioch resident Gloria Martin and former Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan of Alamo.

She is in second for total funds raised as of the end of the latest reporting period on Saturday, October 22 with $6,844 raised including a $4,000 loan from herself. She has spent $2,430.82 on her campaign. For the reporting period she shows $1,609.76 paid to her husband, Ken Gray, for campaign paraphernalia, literature and a fundraiser.

Her report also shows $821.07 in unpaid bills, all to her husband for campaign literature and printing, and an ending cash balance of $5,234.24.

11/03/16 8:15 P.M. UPDATE: However, what Gibson-Gray did with her campaign’s payments to her husband might be illegal and at least one of the payments is in violation of campaign finance law.

In response to questions about Gibson-Gray reimbursing or paying her husband for campaign expenses, Jay Weirenga, the Communications Director for the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), wrote, “A committee is allowed to reimburse others for certain campaign expenditures. When reporting the reimbursements, the payee is listed (the spouse would be deemed the payee here) and the subvendor would also be reported if the payment was $500 or more.  There is more information on this on page 5.2 of Manual 2 and reporting rules in Chapter 8. (under the ‘learn’ tab on our website, then campaign manuals)

The above is related to reimbursing others for campaign expenses they made directly. However, Government Code Section 84307.5 prohibits paying a spouse for these services.”

Gibson-Gray was emailed questions about the payments to her husband for all her reportable expenses and who the funds actually went to at 3:09 P.M. on Thursday. But as of this update, she has not responded.

11/05/16 7:35 AM UPDATE: In a comment on another Herald article, last night at 9:52 PM, Martin wrote the following: “The financial information listed on Gibson-Gray’s reports are correct to the best of my knowledge. Expenditures to Ken Gray were for reimbursement for actual expenses and not payment for any services.

The two expense in excess of $500.00. One in the amount of $1,105.05 is itemized as follows: $485.05 to Bellici Designs for yard signs, $600.00 for an internet ad to ETC and $20.00 for zip ties. The second one in the amount of $650.00 was for print ads in the Bay Area News Group. I neglected to include Bellici Designs and Bay Area News Group as a sub-vendor. An amended report has been submitted.”

The financial information from her previous report were not included in the article about campaign finances of the Antioch School Board candidates for the reporting period which ended on September 24th, because it was submitted after the September 29th due date.

Burkholder

Mike Burkholder is in third place in fundraising for the campaign. His required form 460 financial disclosure report shows $3,785 in total contributions received by his campaign. Of that amount Burkholder loaned himself $2,035. His largest contribution was $700 from Strategic Threat Management. His campaign has spent a total of $3,687.57. His largest expenditure was $1,612.11 to Belleci Designs in Pittsburg for signs and $1,492 on three slate mailers with companies in Folsom and southern California.

Navarro

Navarro’s campaign report shows he’s in a close fourth place, having raised a total of $3,450 so far, of which $3,000 was from his own pocket. He has spent $3,420.76 on his campaign. His largest expenditures for this reporting period were $700 for advertising in the Herald, $517.76 for Fast Signs in Antioch and $400 to The Print Club, also in Antioch.

Terry

Terry’s latest report shows a zero balance in every column for contributions and expenditures. However, his previous 460 report showed he had received a total of $3,286 in contributions and and spent $3,046.07 on his campaign.

Contribution Controversy

On their previous finance reports for September 24^th, both Navarro and Terry reported receiving a contribution of $125 each from Greg and Lisa Stanger, whose address on the checks is in Atherton, in San Mateo County. A controversy erupted on social media and in an article in another publication over the contributions, because it was discovered that Greg Stanger is a member of the Board of Directors for Rocketship Education, which has submitted a petition to locate a public charter school in Antioch.

A public hearing on the petition has been set for next Wednesday, November 9^th and a final vote for Wednesday, December 7^th. That means both Navarro and Terry will still be on the Board and be able to vote on the matter, regardless of the outcome of the elections, next Tuesday.

Terry Didn’t Know, Returned Money

“I didn’t know it was from Rocketship until Robert Strickland the teachers’ union president told me,” Terry said. “So, what I did was write a cashier’s check to the contributor and handed it to Robert and asked him to mail it back to him.”

That was done last Friday, October 28^th.

“I was so upset,” Terry continued. “I was never accused of anything like this before, questioning my integrity. It was a personal check. It wasn’t a corporate check or anything.”

“I did it for the principle of it, not because it was illegal,” Terry added about refunding the contribution.

“I was just glad to get anything. I wasn’t getting too much financial support,” he said with a chuckle. “If it was $1,000 or $10,000 I would have questioned who is sending me this much. But it was $125.”

On Terry’s 460 form he reported Stanger as Self Employed. Asked how he knew Stanger was self-employed, Terry said he can’t remember how he obtained that information for the report he submitted in September.

Navarro Didn’t Know Either, Won’t Refund Money

Fernando Navarro said he didn’t know who the contributor was, either.

“This check came from an area where I do business,” he explained. “So, I really thought it was an individual contribution from my customers or friends of customers, who I’ve been telling I’m running for school board. They gave me a lot of encouragement, saying ‘go for it. I can’t vote for you but I support you.’ They’ve known me for years.”

Navarro said he first heard of it, two weeks ago, “but I thought they were talking about the independent mailings and I said I hadn’t received a dime from them.”

On his 460 report, Navarro disclosed he requested Stanger provide the information state law requires of contributors for political campaigns of $100 or more. That includes the contributor’s name and street address, as well as their “occupation and the name of his or her employer. If the contributor is self-employed, provide the name of his or her business. If the contributor is not employed, enter ‘none,’” according to the Form 460 financial disclosure report.

However, since Stanger is only a board member for Rocketship, if he had provided the required information, it wouldn’t show any affiliation with the private, non-profit charter school network. Furthermore, there’s no list of members on the page showing photos of the Board of Directors for Rocketship. It requires touching the cursor on each photo to reveal the name of the director.. http://www.rsed.org/meet-us.cfm Running an internet search on the Stangers produces the name of their charitable foundation. It’s only when a search for his name on LinkedIn does it show Greg Stanger’s position with Rocketship.

Asked if, now that he knows who Stanger is, he too would be refunding the contribution, Navarro responded with the following statement:

“Although I was not aware of any affiliations that my donors had, I do not think that this is an issue.

My campaign is about a very different vision for Antioch schools that focuses on the needs of families and students. I am standing up to the well-funded and entrenched establishment that is failing our students and is extremely resistant to change. My message is that parents know what is best for their children, and that all children deserve high quality educational options.  I’m proud of that idea, and I’m glad to hear that people who think the same way, without having even met me, are joining this cause and supporting this effort.

I consider joining the democratic process a very noble cause and encourage more people to get involved – by voting, putting up yard signs, and talking to their neighbors. Of course, running for office takes money, and it is great that people are willing to contribute financially. It is no secret that I’m running against a slate of candidates that is heavily supported by union employees, who have an interest in electing candidates that will view them favorably as we enter a multi-million-dollar contract negotiation with them.  That doesn’t work to my benefit, but I certainly don’t begrudge individuals on the other side their right as Americans to participate in the political process in this way.  That would be hypocritical.

Ultimately, the voters benefit by being able to hear all sides of the arguments.  Hopefully, the ideas I’m expressing will resonate with those going to the polls, and we’ll be able to bring the change necessary to provide much better educational opportunities for our children.”

Sawyer-White Falsely Accused

According to Sawyer-White, she was falsely accused on another website, of receiving a check from Stanger, as well.

When asked if she had received any contributions from the San Jose area or peninsula or anyone affiliated with Rocketship, Sawyer-White said, “No. I’ve been using my own personal money, and some small contributions from friends and family. It was less than $1,000.”

Please see below the reports received for the latest reporting period. The election is Tuesday, November 8th.

motts-460-102216

motts-497-092816

motts-497-aea-101216

gibson-gray-460-092416

gibson-gray-460-102216

burkholder-460-102216

navarro-460-102216

terry-460-102216