YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 21, No. 7
READ FAMILY-FRIENDLY NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Council to pick voting districts
More cold, more snow
February 15, 2019
Guide To Wedded Bliss
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Brentwood City Council this week inched forward in the mandated process to alter how its future members are selected. The plan would replace the current at-large election process with a system in which council members are elected by a district that each would represent. The mayor would still be elected at-large. The move comes amid Walnut Creek attorney Scott Rafferty’s lawsuit threats alleging that Brentwood’s current voting system violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) by fostering an arrangement that dilutes the Latino vote. The CVRA, signed into law in 2002, bans at-large election methods that impair a protected class’ ability to elect its selected candidates or influence an election outcome. see Voting page 18A
This week’s special edition highlights all the ways to make the Big Day one to remember. Page 1B
A Lesson On Inclusiveness Photo by Tony Kukulich
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or the second time in less than a week, snow coats Mt. Diablo as seen from Brentwood, Sunday, Feb. 10. The recent cold weather has treated residents to an extended view of their favorite mountain covered in snow. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
The changing face of downtown by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Over the last several months, a significant number of downtown businesses have closed their doors, but a group of property owners, business owners and city officials are attempting to take advantage of the opportunity to reinvigorate this critical part of the city. “Businesses will come and go,” said Brentwood City Manager Gus Vina. “I think a good sign of what we’re seeing is yes, we have vacancies. But immediately we have others coming in to plug the hole, which is very different than if we see things remain vacant for too long. I think those are two important pieces to the criteria. One is the turnover and the other is how long before they get filled.” Among the businesses that
“ I think a good sign of what we’re seeing is yes, we have vacancies. But immediately we have others coming in to plug the hole …
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Brentwood City Manager Gus Vina have shuttered in recent months are The Game Sports Pub N Pizza, Weathervane’s Denim House, J. James Bridal and the Brentwood Patio Store. While those businesses were longtime tenants, Blue Saigon opened and closed in matter of months. Brentwood Senior Analyst Peggy Berglund admitted that concern started to rise in city hall when shops began closing. But before long, new leases were being signed. “There has been much turnover in recent months,” wrote Josh Aldrich, president of the Down-
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town Brentwood Coalition, in an email to The Press. “ … For new businesses coming in, the increased inventory of downtown spaces is an exciting development. This means new faces and new businesses to compliment the downtown community of businesses.” According to Berglund, the owner of Boards ‘N More recently purchased the Sun ‘N Stuff building at 320 Oak Street, and is moving into that space. A new owner now has possession of the space that Boards ‘N More vacated at
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306 Oak Street and a restaurant is being sought for that location. The owners of Rubiano’s, an Italian restaurant, are preparing their new location at 235 Oak Street, the former site of The Game Sports Pub N Pizza. They are targeting a March opening. Sip-n-Scoop is slated to move into Blue Saigon’s space at 234 Oak Street Suite B. The space previously occupied by J. James Bridal is still available. “We are very interested in working very hard on the downtown because downtowns are special,” said Vina. “I think that it’s only a matter of time before we see some big changes to accommodate the demand from the public for fun things to do. People are constantly looking for some place to go . . . They’re looking for it in see Downtown page 18A
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Library hosts Drag Queen Storytime event at Brentwood Community Center. Page 5A
Liberty Falls in NCS Opener
It was a heartbreaking end to a strong season for Liberty boys’ basketball. Page 11A Calendar.............................17A Classifieds..........................14A Food.......................................9A Health & Beauty.................4A Milestones.........................19A Pets........................................8A Sports..................................11A
Humane Gesture www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
The Delta Humane Society is encouraging donations to their cause.