Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock files her papers with City Clerk Arne Simonsen as Campaign Treasurer Bill Chapman and friend Kristen Vistalli look on.

By Allen Payton

Two years into her first term on the Antioch City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock officially announced her campaign after filing her papers to run for Mayor, last week. She is one of three candidates to challenge Mayor Wade Harper who is seeking re-election to a second term.

Her ballot designation is Councilmember/Realtor because she can’t use her title of Mayor Pro Tem, according to City Clerk Arne Simonsen. He explained that Ogorchock, under the state Elections Code, can only use the term councilmember because that’s what she was elected to. She was appointed to the position of Mayor Pro Tem by a vote of the city council, which they are required to do by city ordinance, since she was the top vote-getter in the council race in 2014.

Ogorchock released the following statement about her campaign:

“I feel in my heart of hearts that I am the catalyst that can move our city forward in a productive and positive direction.  I have the will, desire, tenacity and the relationships to work with our sister cities to bring what is needed to our city.  I do not give up easily and will fight for the rights of us the citizens of Antioch.

My work schedule as a Realtor allows me the flexibility to meet the needs and demands of the community, to be present, which I am very proud to say, I am!

Community first: I want to spend time – real time – together. Time for conversation and interaction to deepen our sense of community. With your help, I’m here to grow and learn more. I feel most satisfied when I’ve truly affected another person positively and contributed to our community. We may have more than 100,000 residents in our city but it’s one community – our community. Let’s do this together – not divided but united.

Budget smart: Our city will thrive if we spend within our means. We have to be disciplined and responsible with our finances. Let’s make smart budget decisions. What we spend now will have a huge impact on the city’s future in the few years.

Measure C: Passed by the voters of Antioch, the money from this ballot measure are for police, code enforcement and community services officers. We need to be diligent in overseeing how these promised funds are utilized, that there is no leakage into a general fund or that these funds aren’t used as intended. Transparency on how we spend the bond is vital, along with clear communication to all how it’s being used.

Advocate for veterans: I’m working with the DAV and American Legion to create a program where veterans, who are hospitalized, have visits from fellow vets who truly understand their situation. My goal is to bring much-needed veteran services to Antioch, and have already begun to lay the foundation by reaching out to local politicians about the needs. It’s shameful and unbelievable the struggle veterans go through to get benefits they were promised. Those who fought to protect our freedom and country should not have to fight for medical coverage.

You will NOT find another man or woman that will dedicate their time and attention to YOU the citizens of Antioch as I will.

Antioch: My Home, My Community, My Life”

Ogorchock is a Realtor with Ralph Garrow Real Estate in Antioch. She is an Antioch High graduate, is married and has three grown children and one grandson.

The election will be held Tuesday, November 8. If Ogorchock wins, she will vacate her current council seat, and the new council will then decide how to fill the position for the remaining two years,  either by an appointment or calling a special election, for some time next spring. For more information on her campaign, visit her campaign Facebook page or website at  www.loriogorchockantiochmayor.com.

No challengers for City Clerk, Treasurer

By Allen Payton

The smell of blood is in the water and the sharks are circling. All incumbents have filed to run for re-election, in the eight local races for the November elections in Antioch, with six facing multiple challengers. Filing closed Friday, with Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen and City Treasurer Donna Conley  facing re-electing without opposition.

Mayor

In the race for Mayor, incumbent Wade Harper will face three challengers in his bid for re-election, including Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, local chiropractor and Antioch Chamber of Commerce CEO Dr. Sean Wright, and businessman Gilbert “Gil” Murillo.

Harper was first elected to the city council in 2010, after serving two years as an appointed member of the Antioch School Board. He was elected Mayor in 2012. He ran for County Supervisor in this June’s election, coming in fourth in the race of six candidates, and garnering the second highest number of votes in Antioch.

Ogorchock was the top vote-getter in the 2014 city council race, which earned her the title and position of Mayor Pro Tem, which is the same as vice mayor in other cities. Wright is a one-time unsuccessful candidate for the Antioch School Board and currently serves on the Antioch Economic Development Commission. This is Murillo’s first campaign for public office.

City Council – 2 Seats

Council Members Mary Rocha and Monica Wilson will face four challengers, including one-time council candidates Lamar Thorpe and Karl Dietzel, who both ran and lost in 2014, coming in fourth and a distant sixth respectively, as well as local business owner Ken Turnage II, and retired program manager Fred Rouse.

This will be Rocha’s fourth time running for election to the city council. She was first elected in 1986, lost in 1990, and was elected again in 1992. Rocha was then elected Mayor in 1996 and instead of running for re-election in 2000, chose to run for County Supervisor, losing to Federal Glover. She came back in 2008 and was elected to the council, again after having run unsuccessfully for County Supervisor against Glover, again, placing fourth in the June primary, that year. Prior to her service on the council, Rocha served on the Antioch School Board for 16 years.

This will be Wilson’s first bid for re-election. Like Harper, she also ran for County Supervisor in the June election, and placed fifth while garnering the fourth highest number of votes in Antioch.

Thorpe, a university administrator, is a former member of the Antioch Economic Development Commission, having been removed earlier this year by a vote of the city council, for leading the effort to pass Measure E which was funded by a Pacheco-based casino to prevent Kelly’s Restaurant and Card Room from reopening in Antioch. He was also removed as Wilson’s Alternate Council Member the same night.

Dietzel, who is retired, regularly attends council meetings and has been a critic of the current council. He helped lead the unsuccessful fight against Measure C, the half-cent sales tax for more police in 2013. Turnage serves on the Economic Development Commission and was honored as the 2015 Antioch Citizen of the Year. Rouse is serving for a second time on the City of Antioch Board for Administrative Appeals.

According to Simonsen, both Thorpe and Dietzel filed their nomination papers on Thursday, but his office is waiting for the County Elections Office to verify the signatures of those who signed. Candidates must submit at least 20 and no more than 30 valid signatures of registered voters who live within the city or district they’re running to represent, as nominators.

School Board – 3 Seats

Incumbent Diane Gibson-Gray will seek re-election for her third term, after an unsuccessful attempt for city council in 2014, coming in third. Appointed school board trustees Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry will both seek the public’s confirmation of their appointments to the board to fill vacancies created by the resignations of former trustees Barbara Cowan, last fall and Claire Smith, this spring.

Five of the challengers include former trustees Joy Motts and Gary Hack, who didn’t pull his required filing his papers until Wednesday. He filed them the same day. The other three are local news website publisher Mike Burkholder who ran unsuccessfully in 2014 for the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board in Oakley, and teacher Crystal White.

CORRECTION: James Beck pulled papers but did not file, as was previously stated.

The election is on Tuesday, November 8.

Gil Murillo

By Allen Payton

After announcing, last year his intention to run for Mayor of Antioch in this year’s election, Antioch resident Gil Murillo filed the required papers with Antioch’s City Clerk’s office, Wednesday morning. He is the fourth candidate to file and is one of three to challenge Wade Harper, who is seeking a second term.

“I want to bring forth our voice to the City of Antioch,” Murillo said in a campaign press release. “The problems that we face today are not new and we can bring other cities’ successful programs to Antioch. These programs have reduced crime, better schools, increased police staffing and make communities stronger.”

“I am not a politician but I will get things done with no excuses,” he continued. “I am entering this election for Mayor to bring our voices to City Hall and represent you with no ties or incentives from special interest groups or developers. You have the opportunity to elect someone with 20 plus years of corporate experience whose only goal is serve the elected role and not be obligated to outside political interests.”

Murillo then offered his campaign platform with a list of issues he commits to work on if elected.

“It is my plan to bring our City:

• Living wage job opportunities so you can work and live in the same city
• Form a committee to bring county, city, police, social services and schools together on issues that impact our youth
• Engage outside police agencies to assist in additional patrolling while we increase officer count
• Define government housing plan that is based on the needs of the city and community
• Ensure community services (e.g. fire, schools, police) are fully funded before new development starts
• Enhance downtown Antioch with positive family theme events
• Creative solutions to address the homeless challenge
• Engage adjoining cities for a joint vision of tomorrow”

Filing closes on tomorrow, Friday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. The other challengers in the race are Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock and local chiropractor and Antioch Chamber of Commerce CEO Dr. Sean Wright.

Murillo works as Manager of Application Programs for the staffing and consulting firm Robert Half. He and his wife Dulce have lived in Antioch for eight years and have five sons. For more information call him at (925) 219-1068 or visit Murillo’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/murilloformayor.

By Allen Payton, Publisher & Editor

There’s an old saying that goes “figures don’t lie but liars do figure”. That can be said of some elected officials and candidates for public office. Unfortunately, Americans have come to expect our public officials to lie to us – and some do. More often is the case that candidates make exaggerations during their campaigns. It’s the media’s job to verify the truth and accuracy of their claims.

So, much like the major media does with the presidential candidates and their claims during speeches and press conferences (when they hold them), I thought I’d do a Fact Check of my own on the claims made by Antioch Mayor Wade Harper in his recent re-election campaign announcement. (Please read the article containing it, here).  In it, he stated “Under my leadership as mayor of the city of Antioch we have become a safer and more prosperous city.”

Following is a chart of annual Part I crime statistics in Antioch, as provided on the City’s website which generally supports that claim. Click here to view the details of each year’s crime statistics.

Mostly True

As you can see, between 2012, the year Harper was elected Mayor, and 2015, Part I crimes were down in six of the eight categories which are reported to the FBI. However, during the same time period theft increased 5.5%, rapes increased 82.8%, and Adult Arrests were up 35.5%, and 37.7% compared to 2013. Juvenile arrests, on the other hand decreased by 31.7% between 2012 and 2015. For the latest statistics, comparing crimes during the same time periods, murder, robbery and arson have all increased in 2016 over 2015.

While most of the serious crime categories have experienced decreases, total arrests have increased during the period, leading one to assume that overall crime has increased in Antioch. One argument for that has been because of the additional officers on the Antioch Police force who are available to make more arrests. However, the City had only a net two additional officers by June, 2016 with 91 sworn over August, 2013 when the City had 89.

Therefore, what Harper claimed in his re-election campaign announcement regarding the reduction in crime is mostly true. For Part I crimes through 2015, I give it at best, a rating of 75% true, since six of the eight categories saw a reduction. That’s a grade of C on any test in school, which is a passing grade. But, for 2016 over 2015, I have to give Harper’s claim a rating of 62.5%, which is equivalent of a D, because the decrease has occurred in only five of the eight categories. If you add the increase in adult and total arrests, those ratings have to be decreased, since other, non-Part I crimes must have increased.

Zero Tolerance for Crime?

Comparing the annual and total crime statistics during his term as Mayor to his 2012 campaign slogan “Zero Tolerance for Crime” – while a great goal, was surprising for any candidate to ever offer, since it requires a 100% reduction in crime – Harper’s claim is woefully lacking. The 35 murders, 155 rapes, 1,117 robberies,  1,653 aggravated assaults, 3,897 robberies, 6,631 cases of theft and 3,770 car thefts that have occurred in Antioch during his term as Mayor, clearly undermine his claim of a zero tolerance for crime. While we unfortunately expect candidates for public office to make exaggerations, this is a clear case of over-promising and under-delivering.

4 of 22 Promised Police Officers

More importantly, comparing what he promised in 2013, when he signed the ballot argument in favor of the half-cent sales tax initiative, known as Measure C (view it here), to what has actually occurred, Harper falls seriously short. He and the rest of the City Council, at that time, which included Mary Rocha and Monica Wilson, who are also up for re-election, this year, promised 22 more officers in addition to the 89 the City had at the time, if voters passed Measure C.

Here’s what the ballot argument stated:

A Yes on Measure C will allow us to immediately hire 22 new police officers, decreasing the time it takes to respond to 911 calls. It will also provide funds to reduce the number of gang-related homicides, assaults and robberies. Our police force has dwindled from 126 officers four years ago to only 89 today.

To date, the City has 93 sworn police officers giving us just four of the 22 additional officers they promised. That means Harper, Rocha and Wilson, as well as Tiscareno (who isn’t up for re-election, this year) have fallen 81.8% short of fulfillment. It’s another clear case of over-promising and under-delivering.

In his campaign announcement, Harper also stated “We’ve had the most aggressive hiring practice, recruiting about 40 police officers since passage of Measure C.  That’s a promise kept. That’s effective leadership.” What he failed to mention is the fact that the City lost 36 officers during the same time period, due to retirement, and others who quit or were terminated, leaving a net four additional officers. Thus his claim of a “promise kept” is false and is actually a promise broken.

As for Harper’s claim of “effective leadership” that is a subjective statement which I’ll leave up to the voters to decide.

Mike Burkholder

Mike Burkholder, publisher of the local news website eastcountytoday.net, announced his candidacy Tuesday for a seat on the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees in the November 8th election.

He released the following statement:

I am running for Antioch Unified School Board because I am a concerned parent and taxpayer. My wife and I are excited that we will have two children in the District this year; but I recognize that the school district faces multiple challenges and needs leaders, not politicians to get it going in the right direction. Improving the community starts and ends with improving the schools.

One of my top priories is student and teacher safety. Not only should I have peace of mind while my children are at school, but the entire community should have that same peace of mind. We must find better ways to address high-risk youth while working to encourage them to go down the right path.

Equally important is improving the way the District communicates with the public. Given my background as publisher of www.eastcountytoday.net, I know public outreach is an area that will be addressed immediately and improved through improving outreach opportunities. Parents deserve to know what is going on in our schools regardless if it’s good, bad or ugly.

Finally, teachers and staff who are doing great work should be rewarded for their efforts, we must work on creative ways to improve district morale and incentivize staff to ensure we can retain and attract quality teachers.

As an East County leader, and a parent, I would like the opportunity to make a difference on the Antioch Unified School District Board and would appreciate your support.

The Antioch Unified School District includes all of Antioch and portions of both Oakley and Pittsburg.

This is Burkholder’s second run for public office, having run unsuccessfully for the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board in Oakley in 2012.

So far, he is one of seven candidates who have pulled the required filing papers to run, including incumbent Diane Gibson-Gray, appointed incumbents Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry, former school board member Joy Motts and two others, James Beck and Crystal Sawyer White. Only Burkholder, Gibson-Gray and Terry have filed their papers, as of Monday. Candidates have until this Friday, August 12, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. to file with the County Elections Office in Martinez. If one of the incumbents does not file, the filing period is extended five calendar days to Wednesday, August 17th.

For more information about Burkholder’s campaign visit www.facebook.com/burkforausd where his slogan is “A Voice For All” or email him at burk4ausd@gmail.com.

Today, East Bay Regional Park District Director Diane Burgis, candidate for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District Three, earned the enthusiastic endorsement of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Antioch Police Officers Association, Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston and District Attorney Mark Peterson, as well as the endorsement recommendation of the Executive Board of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230.

“We need tough, principled leadership to tackle the long-standing problem of inadequate fire protection coverage in the county,” said Vince Wells, President of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230. “Diane Burgis is the only candidate for District Three we can trust to get the job done. She’s not just another politician – she has the proven competence and know-how necessary to improve fire protection services for every East County resident.”

Fire and emergency resources in East County are inadequate, leading to longer response times and lower quality fire and emergency services. Multiple district firehouses have closed due to a lack of proper funding.

“Diane Burgis is uniquely qualified to tackle the challenges our county faces,” said Shawn Welch, President of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association. “Under her watch, Oakley was recognized as one of the safest cities in the state. As a city councilmember, she supported police so that they could do their jobs fighting crime. As a park director, she partnered with law enforcement to make sure every tax dollar was spent wisely.  I and my fellow deputies are proud to stand with her this November.”

The Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs Association is dedicated to the security and well-being of Contra Costa’s citizens and the protection of its 830+ employees. The United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230 includes over 450 firefighters from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, East Contra Costa County Fire District and various city fire departments. The Antioch Police Officers Association represents 120 police officers serving in the Antioch Police Department.

“Diane Burgis asks the right questions, listens closely to her constituents and then fights on their behalf,” said David Livingston, Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner. “I know I can count on her. She’s not one to pick political expediency over doing the right thing. She’s mastered the issues and demonstrated true skill as a leader, building coalitions and solving problems while putting a high priority on public safety.”

Diane Burgis currently serves as an East Bay Regional Parks District director and is the executive director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed. Previously, she served as an Oakley city councilmember and spent over ten years as a small business owner. She highlights four priorities for her candidacy: improving public safety, attracting economic development, ensuring fiscal accountability and preserving the delta for future generations.

“Diane will work hard to develop the resources our police, firefighters and prosecutors need to keep us safe,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson. “As a small business owner, nonprofit manager and public official, she has proven that she can balance a budget and defend taxpayers. I endorse her with no reservations – our county needs a real leader on the board.”

Diane Burgis is also endorsed by County Supervisor Mary Piepho, Assemblymember Joan Buchanan and a broad coalition of elected officials and leaders from every city and community in the district.

“I am honored by this extraordinary vote of confidence from our county’s bravest public servants,” said Diane Burgis, Candidate for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District Three. “I pledge to work collaboratively with our firefighters, sheriffs and every district resident to find effective solutions as we work together to improve public safety for all.”

Voters can learn more about her and her platform at www.dianeburgis.com.

Fred Rouse

In an announcement posted on his campaign Facebook page on Sunday, July 31, Antioch resident and retired businessman Fred Rouse officially announced he will run for Antioch City Council in this fall’s election.

Following is his complete announcement:

I am running for the Antioch City Council because I will listen to you. I will work for your needs. I will lend my experience with large corporate budgets and programs to improve the way Antioch manages the budget. Antioch can change for the better if we have leaders that better serve the people.

Our properties are not maintained and crime rates are high. We have a homeless problem and we need jobs and new business. Antioch needs more police officers and wants smart business growth and parks. Antioch needs to give our youth afterschool programs. I want the voters to know that I hear them. I know we all believe in change for the better, reduced crime, and a cleaner community. If elected, I commit to the voters that these issues will be my top priorities. Leaders of our City have let us down. People have lost trust and feel they are not listened to and not included in decisions. We must remind our leaders that they are Public Servants. Their job is to work for the community.

I came to this city with my wife 20 years ago because it was affordable, safe, growing and somewhat near my employment. I want that back. I think you do too. The first step begins with changing the board. If we can agree to do that, we can begin the rebirth of our City and restore what we have lost. Please join me in November. I ask for your vote.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/forantioch.

Harper from his Facebook page.

By Allen Payton

In a post on his campaign’s Facebook page, Antioch Mayor Wade Harper announced his campaign for re-election, on Friday, August 5, 2016.

“Under my leadership as mayor of the city of Antioch we have become a safer and more prosperous city.  Our sound Strategic Management Plan is working to reduce crime, improve economic development and remove blight & graffiti city-wide.  That’s a promise kept.  That’s effective leadership!

As a former police lieutenant of the 2nd safest city in California and now mayor, I refused to layoff police officers.  Instead, I asked Antioch tax payers to fund more cops on the streets, you did!  We’ve had the most aggressive hiring practice, recruiting about 40 police officers since passage of Measure C.  That’s a promise kept.  That’s effective leadership!”

Harper is referring to his time working for the City of Tracy, before retiring after being elected Mayor in 2012. The City currently has a net four additional sworn police officers since the City Council placed Measure C on the ballot in August, 2013 due to officers retiring, quitting the force or being terminated.

Harper first served in public office when he was appointed to the Antioch School Board in January, 2009 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Joyce Seelinger. He was then elected to the Antioch City Council in 2010, before running for Mayor.

With Harper running for reelection, candidates for Mayor have until Friday, August 12th at 5:00 p.m. to file their required papers. The election is on Tuesday, November 8. So far he is expected to face three challengers, should those who have pulled papers complete the filing process.