YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 11, No. 9
Including Surrounding Communities
www.brentwoodpress.com
Bypass to be named for pioneer by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
He’s had creeks and parks named after him and trusts established in his memory. Now the man who cut a deep, historic swath across California will add another distinction to his resumé. The John Marsh Heritage Highway – the new name of the Highway 4 Bypass – will boast two 76-foot signs along the 12½ -mile stretch beginning south of Antioch and ending north of the intersection of Vasco and Marsh Creek roads. The naming of the commemorative highway is the result of years of lobbying by the John Marsh Historic Trust, local mayors and county supervisors. The highway will commemorate Marsh’s unique presence and contribution to the area, and will run directly by his fabled Stone House and surrounding property in Brentwood. The Marsh house is part of a designated 4,000acre state historic park – the largest of its kind in California. The park site is currently pending the completion of its general plan, and will eventually be open to the public. “I’m just thrilled,” said Kathy Leighton, a director of the John Marsh Historic Trust. “This is a great thing, and what is really nice about the recognition for John Marsh on the highway is that thousands of people every day will see them (the signs), and that is certainly something we at the
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February 27, 2009
THIS WEEK
Disability is no deterrent
A troupe of special-needs performers is breaking barriers and coming to town.
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Photo by Kevin Bartram
Traffic moves along the newest section of the Highway 4 Bypass south of Balfour Road this week. The Bypass will be renamed the John Marsh Heritage Highway in honor of Contra Costa County’s first settler, inset. foundation are excited about.” Paid for by the John Marsh Historic Trust at a cost of $3,500, including installation, the signs will be posted by the California Bypass Authority in conjunction with Caltrans. According to Caltrans Engineer Nancy Wein, the familiar green signs are expected to go up within the next few weeks
– designating the stretch as an official state highway. Local historian Carol Jensen, also a director of the John Marsh Historic Trust, feels that the wording of the highway is especially significant. “The reason ‘heritage’ see Bypass page 18A
Erring on side of safety Local officials met the recent salmonella threat with overwhelming force.
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Patriots tough it out
Students get inside look at governing by Samie Hartley Staff Writer
It isn’t standard procedure to end the night in song, but Tuesday’s Brentwood City Council meeting came to a close with a cheerful rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The unusual serenade marked the end of the second annual Youth in Government program, sponsored by the Brentwood Lions Club, in which birthday girl Sierra Formen, a Liberty student who was mentored by Vice Mayor Erick Stonebarger, was one of 34 seniors from Liberty and Heritage high schools who shadowed members of city government for the day. As part of the program, students spent the day with their mentors learning about how city officials work together to run Brentwood. After getting a taste of what their mentors do for a
Photo courtesy of Barbie Gary
Liberty senior Brianne Finn, left, spent the day learning about the city of Brentwood with her Youth in Government mentor Parks and Recreation Services Manager Poldina Scherff. living, the students attended the council meeting, where they sat with the individuals they shadowed for the day. To the surprise of many of the local youth, more goes into
running the city than meets the eye. “I didn’t know so much went into the little city of Brentwood,” said Liberty student Vanessa Rodriguez. “Well, we’re not so little anymore – 50,000 people. We
have 55 city parks, and there are plans for 70 more. I had no idea so much goes on around here.” Rodriguez, who plans to study law in college, shadowed assistant city attorney Karen Murphy. Rodriguez said she appreciated the opportunity to meet with Murphy to get a new perspective on the various occupations that can be pursued with a law degree. Barbie Gary, parks and recreation supervisor in charge of the event, said students were paired with members of city government based on their interests and career aspirations. However, some students couldn’t be paired with a mentor in their desired career field if there wasn’t a city equivalent. That was the case for Alma Talavera, a Liberty student who wants to be a doctor. Since there see Students page 18A
Clutch shooting and dogged defense propelled Heritage past Freedom.
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INSIDE Calendar ..........................19B Classifieds ........................14B Cop Logs ..........................16A Education ..........................8A Entertainment ................18B Food .................................10B Health & Beauty ............... 9B Milestones ......................... 7B Opinion ...........................15A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A