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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 13, No. 41
City to discuss big-box stores by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
The Brentwood City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the possible impacts of big-box stores and where they could be located in the city. No date has yet been set for the meeting, which was called by Mayor Bob Taylor in response to growing concern over the possibility that a Walmart store could be headed for the Sciortino Ranch property on Brentwood Boulevard at Sand Creek Road. No application has yet been received by the city, but discussions have been held between the mega-retailer, the city and the property owner, New Urban Community Partners. Representatives of the
“ If they want a Walmart, fine. Build it in Shadow Lakes.
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Business owner Madlynn Krebs property owner could not be reached for comment on this story. One of the largest remaining undeveloped parcels in the city, the 65-acre Sciortino Ranch was zoned for a mix of commercial, residential, office and park uses as part of the Brentwood Boulevard Specific Plan adopted in 2005. The zoning and the city’s General Plan were amended in 2009, increasing the square footage allowable for commercial development, among other changes. Previously restricted to stores
of less than 75,000 square feet, the new zoning could accommodate more than 200,000 square feet of retail, enough for a Super Walmart or other retail giant. But a growing number of residents and businesspeople are opposed to locating any big-box on the property, saying such a store would kill off many of the smaller, mom-andpop establishments, especially in the downtown area about a mile away. Those businesses help give the city its small-town charm, they say, so they have
begun the process of placing a referendum on the ballot seeking to return the property to its 2005 zoning. “We’d rather bring it back to the council and change it there than spend $75,000 on an election,” said Sayra Flores, who’s helping organize the potential referendum. Flores said the group believes a full-scale environmental impact report should have been done at the time of the rezone to address traffic concerns associated with big-box retailers, as well as possible “urban decay” caused by a giant, discount retailer such as Walmart. On Monday, about two dozen members of the rapidly growing group gathered at a losee Big-boxes page 22A
Opportunity Junction spells success by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer It wasn’t long ago that Erika Robbins was a single mom living on welfare, struggling to make ends meet, with no real prospects for the future. But then she found Opportunity Junction. “I desperately needed a job but I had no real-life knowledge about computers and office skills needed in today’s market,” said Robbins. “But Opportunity Junction changed all that; they literally changed my life.” Robbins is one of countless success stories whose lives have been transformed through the Antioch-based nonprofit organization that trains and places participants in sustainable jobs. Opportunity Junction reaches out to those lacking the educa-
tion, job skills and self-esteem to compete in today’s job market, and equips them with the training to support themselves and their families. In addition to job training and placement, the Junction provides technology support and paid internship. “Our mission is to help people reach self-sufficiency,” said Development Manager Brianna Burkman. “The idea that there are people who want to work but who may not have the skills or access to make it happen is something that sits badly with everyone. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed.” And succeed they have. Since 2009, 90 percent of participants who’ve completed the job training and internship program found work within six see Junction page 22A
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Their uniforms are out of style, but these athletes’ accomplishments are the stuff of immortality. Page 1B
Creep-out calendar You’re sure to find our lineup of East County Halloween events a real scream. Page 4A
Changing of the guard
Business ............................. 12B Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 14B Cop Logs ............................15A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Milestones .......................... 8B Opinion ..............................14A Sports .................................17A Photo courtesy of Brianna Burkman
Shaunette Buchanan is one of countless county residents who have succeeded through the job placement training at Opportunity Junction.
Legal lift
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October 14, 2011
Deer Valley’s traditional volleyball dominance is being challenged by a Heritage program on the rise. Page 17A
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An agency’s new Antioch office provides low-cost legal immigration services.
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