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

Editor:

After extensive discussion and review, these three groups have endorsed the following candidates for the Antioch Unified School District board of trustees for the Nov. 8, 2016, election:

Antioch Management Executive Board endorses candidates Mike Burkholder, Diane Gibson-Gray, Gary Hack, and Joy Motts.

Both the Antioch Education Association and the California School Employees Associations executive boards endorse candidates Gibson-Gray, Hack and Motts.

All three employee groups have unanimously endorsed Gibson-Gray, Hack and Motts.

Scott Bergerhouse

President

Antioch Management Association

Dear Editor:

Fiscal responsibility are nice buzzwords for most politicians. Unfortunately, few practice what they preach during election season.  Council Member Steve Barr has proven with his voting record at the City of Brentwood that fiscal responsibility is a belief versus a talking point.

Fiscal sustainability is a primary pillar of being fiscally responsible. Without sustainability the public entity can’t allocate the resources to where they’re needed most, such as public safety and maintaining a great quality of life.  As we slowly came out of the recession Steve was instrumental in adjusting the budget to allow us to hire more police officers that can be sustained during challenged times.

To the community’s detriment, most politicians view public finance through the short-term lens of ‘What can I do during my term?’ or ‘How will I achieve my campaign promises?’  Steve has shown his ability to view finance in the only way to sustain a great quality of life in a community, through long term conservative budgeting such as the 10 year fiscal model which he helps direct as part of the finance sub committee on the Brentwood City Council.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Steve to help position Brentwood to build a new library, hire more police officers and most important to improve the quality of life in Brentwood for our residents.  I have no doubt his proven record will end in similar results for the residents of East Contra Costa County.

Sincerely,

Erick Stonebarger

Council Member

City of Brentwood

The videos of the three forums for candidates in the races for Antioch City Council, Mayor of Antioch, and Antioch School Board hosted by the Antioch Herald, are now available to watch on the Antioch Herald YouTube Channel.

Following are the links to the forums:

2016 Antioch City Council Candidates Forum – held Tuesday, September 20th

2016 Mayor of Antioch Candidates Forum – held Tuesday, September 20th

2016 Antioch School Board Candidates Forum – held Friday, September 23rd

Editor:

This year, we are voting to decide the future of our nation and state.  California is headed down the wrong path, with our legislature following under the Liberal direction of Governor Jerry Brown.  California’s 11th Assembly District elected Democrat Jim Frazier in the last several elections.  Frazier’s votes on key bills have devastated our State and our children’s futures.  As a citizen in this district watching Jim Frazier’s vote on bill after bill, I have been deeply troubled and shocked by his actions in the name of our district.  Check out his votes on the following bills and see if you agree with my opinion that he does not represent the values of our district:

*AB 1266:  Jim Frazier voted ‘yes’, in favor of transgender access to whatever bathroom they feel like using that day.  If a boy ‘feels transgender’ that day, ‘he’ is now entitled to shower or change clothes with your daughters in their school gym or locker room.

*AB 1461: Jim Frazier voted ‘yes’ in favor of automatically registering people to vote in their DMV renewal.  The intent of this bill was to deliberately register illegals to vote Democrat, fraudulently subverting CA’s electoral process.

*AB 1732: Jim Frazier voted in favor of ending designated ‘men’s’/’women’s’ bathrooms in California.

*AB 1322: Jim Frazier voted to decriminalize child prostitution, by making it harder to take teen prostitutes out of the web of oppression they face, returning them to the control of their pimps.

*AB 1671: Jim Frazier voted to criminalize undercover journalists, like the ones who revealed the Planned Parenthood ‘profits for baby parts’ ghastly horror brokering scheme.  Message conveyed by Jim Frazier and Jerry Brown: mess with Liberal causes, and they hunt you down and punish you.

*SB 443: Jim Frazier voted against this bill designed to limit asset seizure.  Jim apparently felt you should have to give up your assets to the government, whether you’re found guilty of a crime or not.

*ACA 4: Jim Frazier proposed reducing the % of votes needed to change Proposition 13 from 2/3’s, down to just 55%.  This would allow a Democrat controlled legislature to weaken Prop 13 protections for poor, middle class and elderly, likely resulting in dramatically increased property taxes paid to the State.  Jim Frazier was listed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Assn as one of the biggest threats to Prop 13 in CA History.

*AB 1176 Jim Frazier abstained from voting on this bill, which made theft of a firearm ‘Grand Theft’, punishable as a Felony with State Prison time.

Several of Jim Frazier’s other ‘great ideas’:  Jim recently co-authored a bill to raise the gas tax by .17 cents a gallon for regular gas, and .30 cents a gallon for diesel, with unlimited, annual upward readjustments without voter input.  Jim just bumped up his Chief of Staff’s pay $18,000 to a ‘modest’ $120,000 a year (even more than Jim Frazier makes).

Jim Frazier has refused to debate Republican Challenger Dave Miller.  With a record like Jim’s, is it hard to see why?  What has Jim Frazier done to lower taxes or encourage business/job growth in Solano or Contra Costa Counties?  At every turn, Jim Frazier’s votes show he supports raising taxes, crushing liberty, and expanding Big Government at the expense of transparency and accountability to the taxpayers.  Jim Frazier says ‘People Over Politics’.  His voting record shows just the opposite; he’s all about politics over people.

Dave Miller stands for a much smaller, less intrusive State Government; one where personal liberty and small businesses can thrive and California Dreamin’ can once again become a reality.  Dave’s priority is to bring common sense back to Sacramento, in a way that makes California better for generations to come.

The choice is very clear this year.  Join me in supporting Dave Miller for CA’s 11th Assembly District.

Erik Elness

Brentwood