Brentwood Press_11.26.10

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 12, No. 48

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November 26, 2010

Aaron makes it Rain-deer for a day home for holidays by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

After the miracle of their son’s double organ transplant and recent return home, “grateful” is something Mark and Elizabeth Tanner have gotten good at. And when the extended family gathered this week for the first time in nearly two years, Thanksgiving took on a whole new meaning. “We are so looking forward to having everyone under one roof this year and being able to have all the cousins together,” said Elizabeth Tanner. “All that matters to us is having the kids together and happy. That’s the reality.” Reality has taken more

than a few twists and turns for Elizabeth and husband Mark since 5-year-old son Aaron was placed on an organ donor list last summer. Over the years, the preschooler has undergone seven surgeries in an effort to fix a heart that functioned on only one side. But last year, when it was discovered that renal failure was putting too much pressure on Aaron’s heart, doctors placed him placed at the top of the organ donor list. In August a donor was found, and Aaron received his new heart and kidney. For the past three months, Aaron and Elizabeth have lived in an apartment near UCLA

From all of us at

The Press This Week Let there be lights Photo by Richard Wisdom

anta’s reindeer – also known as Junior Girl Scout Troop 31624 – make their way along the route during the rain-soaked Holiday Parade at The Streets of Brentwood last weekend. The inclement weather put a damper on the proceedings, which will return to downtown Brentwood next year once the civic center construction is finished.

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see Aaron page 22A

Rinehart secures seat on cemetery board by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has approved the appointment of former Knightsen School Superintendent Vickey Rinehart to the Byron-Brentwood-Knightsen Union Cemetery District board, but an angry Supervisor Mary Piepho – whose husband David was originally recommended for the post – says the selection process was tainted. “I believe this process was fundamentally flawed, and is one that has been obviously corrupted and politicized,” said Piepho. “I will oppose the recommendation.” Rinehart was recommended by an independent panel earlier this month after public complaints and charges of nepotism were launched against David Piepho’s poten-

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tial appointment. Piepho currently serves on the Discovery Bay Community Services District (CSD) board as well as the county’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which oversees land boundary and annexation issues. His term on the CSD expires in December, and unless he secures another position with a special district, he’ll be forced to give up his seat on LAFCO. “I really felt victimized by this process and believe it was flawed from the very start,” said David Piepho at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “I would ask that you put off making a decision.” When asked to comment on his LAFCO position, Piepho said only that “This isn’t about me; it’s about East County losing its (LAFCO) representation.” Piepho claims the appoint-

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An outdoor Chanukah Festival will climax in the lighting of a monumental menorah. Page 6A

Patriots upset Pirates

The Pittsburg defense found the 345-yard Heritage ground assault a real grind. Page 1B

Plus: RINEHART

PIEPHO

ment process was flawed because the informational packet provided to the independent panel included highly negative letters from his political detractors containing erroneous information. The packet also included letters supporting Piepho. Piepho also believes the

supervisors’ order to form the independent panel specified that it be made up of trustees, and it ultimately included one trustee and two managers. After reviewing the transcript of that session, Board of Supervisors Chairman John Gioia said

Holiday history go to news/WebExtras!

Read the Lincoln proclamation that pinpointed the day we hold Thanksgiving.

see Cemetery page 22A

Tough talker

go to news/press releases A traveling preacher is taking aim on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Business .............................20A Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 16B Entertainment ................. 14B Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty .............. 10B Milestones .......................... 9B Opinion ..............................16A Sports ................................... 1B

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Robot rave

go to multimedia/videos Ingenious contraptions rattled the rafters of the Heritage gymnasium.


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