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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
March 14, 2014
Obituaries
Christine Diane Harris March 28, 1964 – March 5, 2014
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Christine Diane Harris died Wednesday, March 5, 2014, after a 16 month struggle with cancer. She was born March 28, 1964 (a long held secret) in Los Angeles, California to David G. and Marcene Munson. In 1969 the family moved to Littleton, Colorado, where they lived for 10 years before returning to California to live in Concord. Christy graduated from Concord High School (1982) and Golden Gate University. She worked briefly at JC Penney and then for about seven years at Chevron USA in Concord and San Ramon. From 2007 to 2010 Christy owned and managed Clayton Books. She was active in clubs, school activities, and several volunteer organizations. In 1990, Christy married Joel A. Harris in a beautiful ceremony at Treasure Island, and in 1993 they welcomed their first child, Andrew David Harris, joined in 1996 by daughter Amy Janilee Harris. In 2004 they welcomed Christy’s sister’s child, Carter Munson-Ring, into their family. Christy and Joel especially enjoyed entertaining friends and family at their home in Clayton. They loved family vacations to
Mayor, from page 1 When current School Board President Barbara Oaks reached out to schedule a meeting we were grateful and excited for the opportunity to meet. Along with President Oaks, board members Linda Mayo and Cheryl Hansen (a Clayton resident) met with the Clayton City Council in our meeting room at the Clayton Library. MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer gave a presentation on the new Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and new Local Control Funding Formulas (LCFF.) The state is changing the way it funds our schools and the way our schools are being held accountable. Details are still being worked out but the district seems enthusiastic about the changes. We shared what we have been doing as a community to promote good character with our Do the Right Thing program. The Board provided information on enrollment, student achievement, the new Common Core standards and improvement projects. Police Chief Chris Thorsen, talked about the ongoing challenges at Mt. Diablo Elementary School around traffic safety. The meeting ended with a mutual appreciation for the opportunity to exchange information and to have an open dialogue. We sincerely appreciate Barbara Oaks, Cheryl Hansen and Linda Mayo, along with Dr. Nellie Meyer and the other district employees who were in attendance, for taking the time to meet with us. The two governing bodies expressed the desire to meet again, possibly on an annual basis. We hope that what started off as a historical meeting turns into a regular occurrence. Email your questions or comments to hstratford@ci.clayton.ca.us
Tahoe, Disneyland, Florida, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska and Mexico. Recent trips to Africa and Norway were special highlights. Christy and her family could regularly be found at Giants games in their seats in section 115, cheering on their son Andy as he served as a batboy for the visiting teams. In December 2012, Christy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. In the following months, she underwent numerous surgeries and procedures at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek and at UCSF Hospitals in San Francisco. She continued to maintain her hope for a cure and more time to spend with her family until the cancer returned. She died peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Christy was a gregarious person who loved fun and valued friendship highly. She nourished friendships with so many over the years, from high school friends, her moms’
groups, neighbors, authors and bookstore clients, everyone she met. Those friends rallied around her in amazing ways during her illness, and her family is so grateful for all the support offered. In 2013, Christy and her family spearheaded Team Christy in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser, and raised an amazing $40,000 for cancer research, with the help of the Clayton community, friends and family. Christy would love nothing more than to be remembered through Team Christy returning for Relay for Life 2014 to be held on August 16 in Clayton. Please sign up for Team Christy and donate through the Clayton Relay for Life website. Christy will be much missed but her courage and selflessness serve all of us as a wonderful example of how to meet adversity and her love of life inspires us to treasure each day we have. Christy is survived by her husband, Joel, son Andrew, daughter Amy, son Carter Munson-Ring, and her parents; along with aunts Donna Kieffer, Joanne Keefe, Carol Person (Peter), Julie Bothun, and Rebecca Ask (Paul); uncle Lee Peterson (Mary); many cousins and their families; in-laws, Norman and Esther Harris, sister-in-law Marlene Common (Doug). She was preceded in death by her sister, Cat Helen Munson, her uncle Alan Peterson, her grandparents, Clifford Munson and Gwendolyn Dague and Alton and Helen Peterson; and cousins Erick Person, Peter Chiglo III, and Jesse Peterson. Funeral services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4000 Clayton Road in Concord on March 15 at 2 p.m. Per Christy, Team Christy shirts are appropriate attire. Please donate to Relay for Life Team Christy and sign up for the team's event on Aug. 18 at Relayforlife.org.
Leslie Ann Castro December 13, 1954 – February 1, 2014 Leslie Ann Castro, a 25-year resident of Clayton, died on February 1. She was a native Californian, raised in Walnut Creek. She loved to cook and entertain. Camping and traveling to historic sites were favorite pastimes. She enjoyed music and classic TV shows and movies. Leslie loved her Bay Area sports teams and was always cheering for the A’s and 49ers. She was a dog lover and always had a soft spot in her heart for all animals. There will be a memorial service on March 15 at Unity of Walnut Creek, 1871 Geary Rd., Walnut Creek, CA 94597
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In a story by Northgate Reporter Ivar Laanen in the Jan. 17 issue of the Pioneer (“Bad blood ignites melee between Northgate and College Park”), a showdown between rivals Northgate and College Park basketball (Clayton Pioneer, Jan. 17, 2014) received some negative attention. It was said that a “nearriot was averted. The game that took place at Northgate a month ago brought out both schools’ 6th Man as well as many fans. College Park recently revamped their 6th Man and has tight controls over any chants, complete with weekly meetings with the principal and student leaders …
(According to student leaders) “6th man is meant to uphold a positive and competitive atmosphere in order to motivate and support our team, not to create a hostile environment directing offensive remarks toward the opposite team.” During the game, fans could hear the NG 6th Man chanting profane and vulgar remarks, including a poster regarding a recent transfer from NG to CP with an offensive message. CP had strong administrator supervision during the game, and their 6th man remained in positive form. Post game, there was some shouting between CP and NG, but no fights occurred. NG did follow through with not allowing their 6th man to
attend the following game at CP. There were no issues at the CP game. If administrators demonstrate effective leadership by simply having separate entrances and exits, strong administrator presence, and allowing only appropriate chants, problems can be averted. Changing games times to avoid potential conflicts is unnecessary and punishes players, students and parents. There are many healthy rivalries in existence, and they should remain that way. Christine Crosno
Favors sales tax hike CCCFPD I received a call last night from a survey company regarding a new proposed sales tax increase that the Contra Costa Transportation Commission is considering for an upcoming ballot. A half cent
sales tax already goes to the CCTC. They want to double it… I would rather spend (that) added half penny sales tax to assist our fire districts…I want to propose a solution to help (CCCFPD) by (directing) the other half a penny to them. I would vote yes in a heartbeat for the half cent for fire protection services in Contra Costa. Everyone has heard that the fire districts in this county are having serious financial problems. It also appears that parcel tax measures are not popular and have and will fail…I would be willing to pay one half of one penny on sales tax because … it would create about $75 million for our fire districts. So contact your representatives, politicians, mayors, and let’s get this critically important fire suppression and EMT/Paramedic delivery under control. John A Gonzales Knightsen