YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 44
Including Nearby Communities
www.thepress.net
Candidates debate from left to right
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October 30, 2009
THIS WEEK
by Dave Roberts Staff Writer
The five candidates seeking to represent the 10th Congressional District break down into a group of three on the left and two on the right as revealed in a forum at Saint Mary’s College Monday night. Ranging from political left to right are: self-described socialist Mary McIlroy of the Peace and Freedom Party, Jeremy Cloward of the Green Party, liberal Democrat John Garamendi, conservative Republican David Harmer and libertarian Jerry Denham, representing the American Independent Party. State Lt. Gov. Garamendi is the presumed front-runner in Tuesday’s election to replace Ellen Tauscher, who resigned in June to take a job in the U.S. State Department. The career politician has the best name recognition due to his three decades in state politics and is running in a district in which Democrats outnumber Republicans 47 to
Be sure to set your clocks back Saturday night and grab an extra hour of sleep. Standard time takes effect at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1. Photo by Dave Roberts
The candidates for the 10th Congressional District discussing the issues on Monday are, from left, Mary McIlroy, Jerry Denham, John Garamendi, Jeremy Cloward and David Harmer. 29 percent. Although both McIlroy and Cloward said they are running because neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have addressed the problems facing the country, both were in agreement with Garamendi on just about every issue discussed during the 1½-hour forum. Garamendi joined with Mc-
Ilroy and Cloward in supporting the proposed government-run health care plan now making its way through Congress. “The public option is necessary,” said Garamendi. “We need not be frightened about it. Every senior is involved in a public option that works well – it’s called Medicare.” Harmer opposes govern-
ment-run health care, saying it would replace insurance companies’ privately run bureaucracies “with one mammoth government bureaucracy.” He supports increasing competition by allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines, favors reducing lawsuits for medical see Debate page 18A
Gateway to controversy The proposed 2-Gates project drew flak from skeptical – and vocal – Discovery Bay residents.
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Iron-willed winners
Skating icon inspires sisters in cancer fight by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
They came together for an afternoon of friendship and support, women of all ages and backgrounds united by a pink ribbon of hope and solidarity of purpose. “I’m here today because a niece of mine has had breast cancer,” said Kathy Fitzpatrick. “I came because I think it’s a nice event.” Janet Rose, a cancer researcher, came to show her support for a cure. She also came to see keynote speaker Peggy Fleming. “Peggy is definitely a bonus,” laughed Rose. Rose wasn’t alone. Olympic gold medalist and breast cancer survivor Fleming drew a sold-out crowd to last weekend’s Save a Life Sister (SALS) champagne luncheon and fashion show at Humphrey’s on the Delta in Antioch. The event, hosted by the Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation, spotlighted a fashion show by JC Penney featuring models comprised of local breast cancer survivors, and a raffle for gift baskets filled with everything from pampering spa potions to Oakland A’s tickets. Fleming, a figure skating icon and San Jose native who won the gold medal at the
Deer Valley ran its league match streak to 48 straight and put a hook on the team trophy at the league championship shootout.
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INSIDE Photo by Sal Castaneda
Olympic figure skater and breast cancer survivor Peggy Fleming was the keynote speaker at the Save a Life Sister event on Oct. 25 at Humphrey’s on the Delta in Antioch. 1968 winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, shared her experiences – on and off the ice – with the audience of mostly women, many survivors themselves. “Cancer doesn’t care who we are or what we do,” said Fleming. “It’s a devastating disease that can strike anyone … When I was diagnosed with breast cancer (in l998), my focus shifted from my career to my health.
My life became a blur of biopsies, surgeons and appointments. I had always tried to keep my public and private lives separate, but when this happened to me I wanted people to know what my attitude was going to be, and how I would be dealing with this.” Sue Graham wanted to know too, but see Cancer page 18A
Calendar ..........................27B Classifieds ........................17B Cop Logs ..........................14A Entertainment ................13B Food .................................14B Health & Beauty .............10B Milestones ......................... 9B Opinion ...........................13A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A