By Allen Payton

Some voters, including this writer, are wondering why we don’t have our copy of the State Voter Information Guide, yet, since absentee ballots are being mailed, beginning this week, and we already have a copy of the county voter information guide. (Yes, I know that was a run-on sentence. So, apologies to my high school English teacher, Jo Fyfe).

According to the California Secretary of State’s Elections Division, mailing of the State Voter Information Guides started on September 29th and ends on October 18th.

The Secretary of State’s office mails the state guides to voters who are registered before the 60-day cut off. After that the counties mail them out.

If you don’t receive one by October 18th, call 1-800-345-VOTE to get a hard copy mailed to you. In the meantime, you can read or listen to the information in the guide online at http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/alt-versions/.

Editor:

As a Brentwood farmer, I have watched Steve Barr work through many East County issues, and his thoroughness and balance has always impressed me. Steve has always had the ability to see the greater picture, and make decisions which will work most effectively for the community at large. Steve’s decisions have helped East County’s quality of life through his long-time support of the establishment of agriculture conservation easements which will help ensure the future of agriculture in the East County.

Steve has also voiced strong support for value-added agricultural enterprises such as wineries, farmers’ markets, fruit stands and u-picks. These enterprises will help the local farm economy develop their own markets and increase sustainability. Steve’s volunteer work as lead organizer of the Brentwood Cornfest helped cement his relationship between the ag community and the urban city.

Steve’s experience as an independent businessman has given him an understanding and perspective of the greater community’s relationship between business, jobs and government. As Contra Costa County Supervisor, Steve Barr will use his experience and his insightfulness to make decisions which will be best for the entire community now and in the long run.

Mark Dwelley

Partner, Dwelley Famly Farms

Brentwood

Candidates running for County Supervisor in District 5 and Contra Costa Community College District Ward 5, both of which include all or a portion of Antioch will debate in a forum in Pittsburg, Thursday night, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

By Raymond Odunlami

Nine candidates running for various offices in East County received the recommendation from a coalition of African-American faith based leaders in the East County. The need for the coalition and subsequent recommendation was brought about by the necessity to address the highly contentious state of race relations. That, coupled with what has been called the most divisive political campaign season in the history of this country the coalition felt the need to act.

The coalition conducted interviews over a two period where all candidates who attended were asked their opinion on several issues. At the conclusion of the interviews deliberations were held by the faith leaders, after which it was decided to urge the East County electorate to support the following candidates who have promised to best support the community:

Federal Glover for Supervisor District 5
Dianne Burgis for Supervisor District 3
Sean Wright for Mayor of Antioch
Monica Wilson for City of Antioch City Council
Lamar Thorpe for City of Antioch City Council
Jelani Killings for City of Pittsburg City Council
Juan Banales for City of Pittsburg City Council
Laura Canciamilla for Pittsburg Unified School District Trustee
In addition to the recommendation above, the coalition also decided to urge all East County residents to support Hillary Clinton for President of the United States of America.

The coalition as a unit is not affiliated with any particular organization, religious or otherwise. It is a non-binding association of religious leaders who live and serve in East Contra Costa County. For more information or questions, contact Odessa Lefrancois at otmcgahee@comcast.net.

Residents can save postage and time with this expanding vote-by-mail program

By Paul Burgarino, Community Education and Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa County Elections Division

Contra Costa residents will find it easier to vote in the upcoming November 8th Election, as the Contra Costa Elections Office once again partners with local agencies to provide convenient “CoCo Vote-N-Go” drop off locations, prior to and on Election Day.

There are six new drop-off locations in Contra Costa County for the November 2016 Election; the Discovery Bay Community Center, the Kensington Library, the El Sobrante Library, the Crockett Library, the Ygnacio Valley Library and the Dougherty Station Library.

Starting the week of October 10th, voters will find the drop-off boxes at these new locations, in addition to all Contra Costa city halls and the County Administration Building, located at 651 Pine St. in Martinez.

“We are excited to expand the CoCo Vote-N-Go program into some of Contra Costa’s local library branches for voters to safely drop off their vote-by-mail envelopes,” said Joe Canciamilla, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters.  “We urge voters to take advantage of this service.”

“The drop off locations at our libraries stretch into the deep parts of the county,” said County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “We are thrilled to take part in this program and provide an additional service to our communities.”

Contra Costa voters can drop their ballots at any location, regardless of where they live. The distinguishable boxes will be available during the location’s normal business hours.

The postage for vote-by-mail envelopes this election is 68 cents; however, the drop-box service eliminates the need for those stamps. Staff members will have the popular “I Voted” stickers available for those who drop off their ballots.

For more information about voting by mail, call 925-335-7800 or visit the Elections Office website at www.cocovote.us.

By Allen Payton

Candidate for County Supervisor in District Three, Diane Burgis filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) on Tuesday, against her opponent, Steve Barr, alleging his campaign failed to publicly disclose $19,457 in large donor contributions within the required 24-hour reporting period. burgis-complaint-v-barr

The FPPC is the enforcement agency for the California Political Reform Act. The Act covers campaign finance and lobbying reporting, campaign advertising disclosure, and conflicts of interest laws regarding public officials. The financial disclosure rules state that all campaigns must report monetary contributions of $1,000 or more within 24 hours of receipt, or within 48 hours for non-monetary, in-kind contributions beginning 90 days before an election using a 497 form. That period began on August 10th, this year.  fppc-reporting-rules

The complaint alleges the Steve Barr for Supervisor 2016 campaign failed to file the 497 reports on time, on at least ten occasions, only reporting the contributions on its first required campaign report, which he filed on September 28, 2016. Those contributions and dates they were received are as follows:

•  $1,150 on August 18 from Richland Real Estate Fund, LLC of Irvine, CA (41 days past due)
•  $1,000 on August 24 from Bloomfield Vineyards of Brentwood, CA (34 days past due)
• $1,500 on August 28 from the Aloha Club of Byron, CA (29 days past due)
•  $1,675 on September 8 from Balfour Properties (19 days past due)
•  $1,675 on September 12 from the Committee to Re-Elect Robert Taylor of Brentwood, CA (15 days past due)
•  $5,000 on September 12 from CREPAC-C.A.R. of Los Angeles, CA (15 days past due)
•  $1,675 on September 14 from Premier Floor Care, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA (13 days past due)
•  $1,000 on September 22 from ASM Investment Properties, LLC of Oakley, (5 days past due)
• $2,000 on September 23 from Build Jobs PAC of Walnut Creek, CA 9 (2 days past due)
• $2,782 on September 24 from Pacific Union of Danville, CA (1 day past due)

If the state confirms misreporting, penalties could equal $10 per day plus up to $5,000 per violation, a potential penalty of up to $51,730, more than the value of all contributions combined, Burgis’ campaign stated in a Wednesday press release.

If a fine is levied, more likely the maximum amount would be $1,740 for the 174 cumulative days past due at $10 per day, since each of the contributions have been reported.

“We were disappointed to find such significant financial mismanagement on the part of Mr. Barr,” said Rebecca Barrett, Burgis’ campaign manager. “He built his candidacy on his fiscal know-how and ability to follow the rules, yet it appears he’s been unable to meet his obligation to inform voters about who funds his campaign. It should make us wonder if Mr. Barr is truly ready for the job.”

When reached for comment, Barr offered the following statement:

“I received the complaint and have attempted to contact the FPPC and we are awaiting a response. It appears we made a mistake in our reporting deadlines. I take full responsibility for that mistake. We will work with the FPPC on any amendments and accept any remedies that they see fit.”

“What we don’t know is whether or not we still need to file the forms after the fact, since the contributions have already been reported,” he continued. “We have filed the 497’s for two contributions received since the last reporting period, including one, just yesterday.”

When reached for comment, County Clerk Joe Canciamilla was asked if Barr has to still file the 497’s if all the contributions in dispute have been reported on his latest 460 form all the contributions and who levies any fine that might be assessed.

“The forms are to be filed with us, since it’s a local office,” he said. “It’s sort of a moot point at this stage, since they were disclosed but not within the time frame of the 24-hour reporting.”

“We’ve never fined anybody,” he continued. “We have to do some research to talk about whether we have the authority to levy the fine or the FPPC and if it’s discretionary. Until we get a formal complaint here, we’ll have to deal with it when we get it.”

A call and email to the FPPC garnered the following response:

“If people file a complaint with us, we can release a copy of the complaint five days after we receive it,” said Jay Wieringa, Communications Director for the FPPC. “The Commission made a decision to give people a chance to find out about a complaint against them before they read it in your paper, especially during non-campaign season.”

“But, during campaign season sometimes campaigns file complaints against another and then inform the media,” he continued. “We frown on it. We don’t like it. But we recognize it happens.”

Canciamilla later provided additional information.

“We did get an email about three weeks ago from the FPPC that any of these complaints be referred to them, to the Enforcement Division,” he said. “So that’s where it will go. It would be the FPPC or the District Attorney who would levy any fines.”

When asked again if Barr still had to file a 497 form for the contributions since they’ve already been reported on the 460 form, Canciamilla responded, “Retroactively? No. I’m not sure what the value would be to go back and file the 497’s, now.”

A letter was sent by the FPPC’s Enforcement Division, yesterday, to Barr, his campaign and his wife Kathy, who serves as his campaign treasurer, informing them of the complaint. The letter states the agency will inform Burgis within 14 days if they intend to investigate the complaint, refer the complaint to another agency, take no action either because the Commission doesn’t have the authority or the allegations do not warrant any further action. fppc-letter-to-barrs

Gil Murillo

Gil Murillo, candidate for Mayor announced today he is suspending his campaign and will be supporting Dr. Sean Wright.

“After reviewing recent online poll numbers, I see that all candidates are in a tight position to win. It is important for Antioch to have a new voice in City Hall,” Murillo stated in a press release, Wednesday morning. “I would hate to see the community robbed of their voice due to votes being divided. We saw this happen in 2012 and it should not be repeated in 2016.”

Sean and I have sat down and discussed the differences in our platforms,” he continued. “We align in many areas and he ensures me he will:

• Develop a jobs program to bring well-paying jobs to Antioch
• Form a committee to bring county, city, police, social services and schools together on issues that impact our youth
• Ensure community services (e.g. fire, schools, police, city services) are fully funded before new planning (e.g. rezoning) or development starts
• Enhance downtown Antioch with positive family theme events
• Support Charter School program that provides Antioch families with options
• Creative solutions to address the homeless challenge
• Engage adjoining cities for a joint vision of tomorrow

Dr. Sean Wright

“It is important for Antioch to have a leader that understands business and can have a realistic outlook for tomorrow. I plan to be available to Sean and support him in his quest to make Antioch a safer and more productive city.

I encourage those that support me to support and vote Sean Wright for mayor of Antioch. I appreciate everyone’s support during this time and the friends and relations I have made over the months I will hold close to heart. I plan to continue in supporting the community through other channels. Thank you and God Bless.”

“I appreciate Gil’s support and look forward to working with him to make our vision for Antioch a reality,” Wright said, when reached for comment. “He and I see a lot of things alike.”

No deal was cut regarding appointing Gil to any commission if Wright is elected. Only the issues that they agreed upon, he explained.

The election is November 8th and voting begins this week as absentee ballots were mailed to voters on Tuesday.

By Allen Payton

More large contribution reports, known as 496 and 497 reports, have been received by the Antioch City Clerk’s Office since the last filing reports were due. A 496 report is required of an organization spending money on behalf of or against a candidate or ballot measure. A 497 report is required from a campaign for contributions of $1,000 or more. Both reports are due within 24 hours after the expenditure is made or the contribution is received.

The only 496 filed since the last reporting period ended on September 24th, was from the Realtor’s Political Action Committee (PAC) for $8,859.24 to pay for a mailer in support of Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock. She is both a Realtor and sits on the Board of Directors of the Delta Association of Realtors.

Among the 497’s received in the race for Mayor of Antioch, a total of $6,330 was received by Dr. Sean Wright, including $2,500 from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California Chapter PAC, another $1,830 from Antioch attorney Matthew Hart, bringing his total contributions to the campaign to $2,310 for the year; $1,000 each from the Lincoln Club of Northern California and Balfour Properties, LLC of Danville.

Mayor Wade Harper’s campaign received another $1,000 from Republic Services, the city’s garbage service.

In the council race, incumbent Councilwoman Monica Wilson reported a $1,000 contribution from the Antioch Police Officers Assocation.

10/12/16 UPDATE: On Tuesday, October 11th, Lamar Thorpe’s campaign for city council received a contribution of $1,500 from the United Association, Local 342 P.A.C. Fund, the union representing plumbers, fitters, welders and service techs.

See the reports, below. The next reporting period ends on October 22 and the reports are due on the 27th. The election is November 8th.

ogorchock-realtors-496-10-7-16

wright-497-10-3-16

wright-497-10-11-16

harper-497-9-30-16

wilson-497-apoa-9-30-16

thorpe-497-ua-10-11-16