Antioch Press_07.22.11

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 11, No. 29

Brainstorming the city’s future by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer

As Antioch’s financial picture darkens, city leaders feel that some outside-the-box thinking must be done in order to keep the city afloat. Antioch’s City Council met Tuesday night for a special budget study session – a think tank where council members discussed what could be done to bolster the city’s coffers, staffing level and image. City Finance Director Dawn Merchant informed city officials that after the state took away $370,000 of motor vehicle license fees, what was thought to be breathing room in the budget became nil. Merchant estimated that with other reductions from the state office, Antioch is looking at a $1.4 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. That could snowball into a $3.2 million deficit in the following fiscal year. “We’re not going to be able to run the clock out in two or three years and everything’s going to get better,” City Manager Jim Jakel said. “We need to initiate change and we need to have a plan to do that.” Jakel noted the true financial hardship Antioch has faced in recent years. Before the economic recession, the city was taking in roughly

Photo by Justin Lafferty

Antioch City Councilmember Gary Agopian speaks during a budget study session on Tuesday. Agopian would like to see the city capitalize on its water rights. $47 million annually. That figure has shriveled to $32 million and helped create 145 vacant positions throughout the city. More than a third of

the original staffing has been eliminated or vacated. As many residents and city employees wonder how Antioch can start to hire back more people, especially on the police force, Jakel said $15 million is needed to get the city back to full staffing. “The current status quo is not acceptable,” Jakel said. “We’re providing minimal levels of service now that are commensurate with our fiscal ability, but I don’t think anybody in this room believes that this is the level of service going forward in the long term that the city of Antioch should be providing to our residents.” City employees and Antioch City Council members at the Tuesday meeting expressed the desire to do some different thinking about how to generate money rather than rely on property taxes. Councilman Gary Agopian spoke excitedly about one thing to which Antioch does have exclusive rights: water. Though he didn’t propose specific solutions, Agopian said the city should look into capitalizing on its long-held water rights, seeing who needs water or the space Ansee Future page 15A

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July 22, 2011

U-Pick a winner

Next up in our seasonal cavalcade of palate-pleasing produce are peaches fresh off the branch. Page 1B

In praise of patriots The city’s Fourth of July celebration didn’t officially conclude until parade awards were conferred. Page 10A

Focused on the prize

Politicians pleased with highway progress by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer

Photo by Justin Lafferty

Congressman Jerry McNerney, one of many politicians who attended a Monday tour of Highway 4 and its Bypass, speaks about the benefits it will bring to East County.

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Several prominent local politicians gathered this week for a tour of Highway 4 and its Bypass, expressing excitement about the future of jobs and commerce that the improvements will likely bring to East County. The all-star cast of dignitaries to survey the freeway included Congressman Jerry McNerney, assemblywomen Susan Bonilla and Joan Buchanan, Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, representatives for Congressman John Garamendi and Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho, mayors Jim Frazier of Oakley and Bob Taylor of Brentwood. The politicians gathered at the corner of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road, where an interchange will be built within the next

Winged wonders go to news/WebExtras!

You’re invited to count butterflies at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.

couple of years, much to the delight of Taylor. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this project was going to happen,” he said. “Today is a great day to be mayor.” The officials spoke excitedly about the creation of jobs, as local transportation districts are spending roughly $1 billion on the Highway 4 corridor from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station through Sand Creek Road – $500 million to widen the freeway to four lanes in each direction and another $500 million for the planned eBART station at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch. “It’s a great economic stimulus,” said Randell Iwasaki, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), who led the bus tour along the Bypass and freeway.

Corrective eye surgery has helped an Antioch High grad and MLB journeyman blossom into a big-league star. Page 19A Business ............................... 9B Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 8B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 6B Food ...................................... 7B Health & Beauty ................ 5B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +

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see Highway page 15A

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Valiance vote

Splash specialists

go to news/press releases The Red Cross invites you to nominate an everyday community hero.

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The Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex gives its lifeguards serious training.


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