YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 33
Including Nearby Communities
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Mirant to kick in $1.7M if plant OK’d by Dave Roberts Staff Writer An energy company’s plan to build a new power plant on Wilbur Avenue might also energize the recreational activities at the Antioch Community Center, which is due to open a year from now in Prewett Park. Mirant Corporation has agreed to give the City of Antioch $1.7 million for community benefits in exchange for city officials’ support for its plan to build the Marsh Landing Generating Station next to its existing Contra Costa Power Plant on Wilbur Avenue (the one with the giant smokestack). Ironically, the plant site is not in Antioch – it’s under county control. But city officials hope to annex the Wilbur Avenue area into Antioch in the future. Some or most of the $1.7 million, most of which would be doled out in the first few years of the plant’s operation, could be used to help pay for the operation and maintenance of the Antioch Community Center, Economic Development Director Guy Bjerke told the City Council at its July 28 meeting. Currently, with
the city in the throes of a severe budget crisis, there’s a chance that the community center could open in August of 2010 without much money to provide staffing for programs and activities. Councilman Brian Kalinowski said he appreciates the offer of $1.7 million but believes it’s inadequate compensation for a plant that could be in operation for 50 years on Wilbur Avenue. “I’m not trying to say, ‘Shame on you for $1.7 million,’” he said. “But if we polled everybody in the audience, they would say, ‘For 30 to 50 years, that’s a hell of a bargain.’” Kalinowski asked Mirant California President John Chillemi to commit to increasing that amount. Chillemi responded that he doesn’t have the authority to make that commitment on his own, but added, “We have an existing business here and we have shown a corporate commitment. But with this type of investment … I would anticipate stepping up to the community even more so.” Councilman Reggie Moore encouraged him to follow through on that, saying it would help ensure see Mirant page 22A
THIS WEEK
Species not endangered
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Seniority hits a snag Columnist Vicki McKenna found – to her dismay – that turning 50 is all it’s cracked up to be.
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Photo by Dave Roberts
No frills, lots of thrills
Mirant Corporation is proposing to build a new 930-megawatt power plant next to its existing plant, seen here, on Wilbur Avenue.
by Dave Roberts Staff Writer
The Democratic candidates to represent the 10th Congressional District, from left, are: John Garamendi, Anthony Woods, Adriel Hampton, Joan Buchanan and Mark DeSaulnier.
August 14, 2009
Two Scouts received plaques – and Eagle wings – for their service to the community.
Political contrasts at candidate forum
Photo by Dave Roberts
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There is little philosophical difference between the five Democrats seeking to represent the 10th Congressional District, which includes Antioch and Oakley. And there’s little philosophical difference between the six Republicans who are also seeking to fill the congressional seat vacated when Ellen Tauscher recently took a job in the U.S. State Department. But there’s a chasm the size of the Grand Canyon be-
Weigh in!
tween the philosophies of the two parties on issues such as energy, immigration, health care and foreign policy, as revealed in a candidate forum at St. Mary’s College Tuesday night. The only issue all of the candidates agreed on is the need for more fiscal responsibility in government spending. The top vote getters from each party in the Sept. 1 special primary election will face off in the general election in November – unless one candidate wins see Candidates page 22A
The Gladiators’ shoestring budget didn’t prevent them from taking the silver at a recent national tournament.
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