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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 6
No sunset on fire tax – for now by Rick Lemyre
“ We know there will be an $11 million
Staff Writer
A proposed $197 parcel tax aimed at solving the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s financial woes will probably not include a sunset clause, according to a decision this week by the district’s board. After discussing feedback the district has received in a series of meetings to inform the public about the details of the measure proposed for the June ballot, the board chose not to include an automatic end of the tax, an element mentioned by several members of the public. In a 6-3 straw poll vote at its Monday meeting, the board decided to emphasize the annual review already built into the tax rather than add a sunset clause that could leave the district in the
deficit in year 11 if the tax goes away. We’ll be right back in the same position we are now, and that’s not viable.
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ECCFPD Director Steve Barr same financial shape it is now. Directors Jim Frazier and Kevin Romick of Oakley were joined by Clayton’s Cheryl Morgan in saying they preferred the sunset clause because they’re concerned the tax would not pass without it. Directors Pat Anderson (Oakley), Joel Bryant, Steve Barr, Erick Stonebarger and Bob Brockman (Brentwood) and Robert Kenny (Bethel Island) opposed the sunset clause. “We know there will be an
$11 million deficit in year 11 if the tax goes away,” said Director Steve Barr of Brentwood. “We’ll be right back in the same position we are now, and that’s not viable.” Frazier, however, believes that should the tax not pass, the viability deficiency would kick in when district reserves are exhausted in June. He said the sunset clause had been a priority for attendees at the two Oakley community meetings he had attended,
and doubted that an open-ended tax would garner the two-thirds majority needed for passage. He preferred that the tax automatically end after 10 years, and that the district go back to the voters to either extend or retract the levy. Romick agreed, saying, “If we (the district board) are doing our jobs, the public will be able to see that.” The decision came as the board modified the tax plan according to additional input gathered at community meetings. The tax will now increase annually by a maximum of 3 percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower (it had been at 5 percent). The board also examined the district’s finances through a 10-year see Sunset page 26A
Trench collapse victim goes home by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
Photo by Rick Lemyre
East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Chief Hugh Henderson briefs reporters on the effort to rescue a man buried in a collapsed trench last Wednesday. The man was released from the hospital on Tuesday.
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A man pulled from a collapsed trench in Brentwood was released from the hospital Tuesday after a three-hour effort to rescue him last week. Rescuers arrived at a house in the 1500 block of Dawnview Drive about 5:30 p.m. last Wednesday to find the 50-yearold Oakland man buried almost up to his armpits in a 10-footdeep trench whose sides had collapsed. East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Chief Hugh Henderson said there was no shoring in the trench, which had been hand-dug to repair a broken sewer pipe. It was unclear whether the worker, one of three at the scene when the accident occurred, was a contractor, a friend of the homeowner or both, Henderson said. After determining the man
could breathe, first-arriving crews used wood from the home’s fence to immediately begin bracing the walls of the trench. It took three hours to shore the trench and dig the man out by the hand and bucketful. The man was given oxygen and administered fluids intravenously while rescuers worked to free him. He was conscious and responsive to questions during his entire ordeal. Thirty-five firefighters and 15 other emergency workers responded to the incident, including trench rescue specialists from the Contra Costa Consolidated and Moraga fire districts. “Rescues like this are a very lengthy, meticulous process,” Henderson said. “We greatly appreciate the assistance of the other agencies who helped ensure a positive outcome for this see Trench page 26A
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February 10, 2012
Wealth watch
Our Money Matters section offers insights on how to cultivate and keep your hardearned cash. Page 1B
New hat in the ring A man with a robust resumé has announced his candidacy for a seat on the City Council. Page 18A
Lions grab the broom
Liberty’s season sweep of Heritage featured hard-nosed defense and hard-won buckets. Page 19A Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 17B Cop Logs ............................ 22B Entertainment ................. 23B Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty ..............16A Milestones ........................12A Money Matters .................. 1B Opinion ..............................18A Sports .................................19A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Cookie monsters Winning wardrobe Heart’s content go to news/WebExtras!
The Girl Scouts are celebrating their 100th birthday with a new treat.
go to news/press releases A clothing drive will help women receive professional business attire.
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Zumbamaniacs broke a sweat and boosted funds for women’s health.