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Vol. 19, No. 16
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Future of A reptilian fashion statement fire still P unsettled by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
A week after the Brentwood City Council moved closer to finalizing a plan to pay for a portion of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s fourth station for three years, the Oakley City Council and Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors have left the door open to the possibility of providing money for the effort. On Tuesday, the board of supervisors tentatively agreed to provide about $200,000 over the next two years, if the City of Oakley contributes funds and the agreement between Brentwood and the district is cancelled. Hours later, however, the Oakley City Council decided it needed more time to mull over the issue.
ython Ron shows 4-yearold Zehra Sheikh how to wear a ball python as a belt during his Reptile Show this week. Python Ron, aka Ron McGee, brought his traveling menagerie of reptiles, spiders, snakes and more to the Discovery Bay Community Center, courtesy of the Friends of the Brentwood Library and the Discovery Bay Lions.
Looking Out For The Owls
Daisy Troop #33666 spreads the word about the decline of local burrowing owls. Page 6
Photo by Tony Kukulich
New motocross park ready to ride Staff Writer
Reopening the old Sand Hill Ranch Motocross Park in unincorporated Brentwood was a bumpy ride for its new owners, but the facility’s future appears to be on solid ground. After two years of infighting with nearby neighbors, who opposed the project, the park is finally reopening its doors, starting with small groups on an appointment basis. “We just want to be very careful with this, so we don’t upset the community,” said John Ramirez, one of the owners of the facility, which is now named Diablo MX Ranch. The park, which is located at 50 Camino Diablo Road and
“ We just want to be very careful with this, so we don’t upset the community.
”
John Ramirez, co-owner has operated off and on since the early ‘70s, closed in 2012. It was occasionally used for motorcycle classes until the property was sold to the Ramirez family in 2014. Shortly after the sale, nearby neighbors grew concerned about potential noise from the facility and hired an attorney in an attempt to stop the reopening. The saga came to a head during two Contra Costa Board of Supervisors meetings in late 2016, when the supervisors voted to allow the park to reopen, as long as it follows a series of stipulations – in-
cluding limiting 24-hour ambient noise levels to 75 decibels, restricting the number of riders to 45 riders on the main track and 25 on the other, notifying neighbors of racing and nighttime events two months in advance and undergoing compliance reviews after one, three, five, eight and 12 years. Opponents of the park, however, still believe the park will be a nuisance. “We haven’t yet experienced the motocross facility at full operation, but it is loud even if only a few motorcycles are out riding,”
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Procuring The Perfect Plate
Dawn Bass and Tony Loinab produce perfect portions at Plates Eclectic Cuisine. Page 10
see Fire page 30
by Kyle Szymanski
April 21, 2017
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said Attorney David Trotter, who represents the opponents of the park. “Folks can’t even hear themselves talk, and when 30 (or more) bikes rev up all at once, it will destroy the neighbors’ right to quiet enjoyment of their homes and property.” Since the approval, Ramirez and his family have worked feverishly to renovate the facility, and they hope to steadily win over the divided community. “We are all about keeping our business in the City of Brentwood and being a part of the community, but we just have to play our cards correctly,” Ramirez said. The 43-acre property is now cleaned up, with a renovated motocross track and new oval flat see Motocross page 30
Furry Friends
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Fido Alert and Furry Friends Food Relief Program, host a CHIP-athon on May 21.
Bigger Fish To Fry At Tourny
Fishermen reel in loads of fish at Dan’s Delta Outdoors Black Bass Series Tournament. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Meet The Beat........................7 Milestones..............................9 Pets.........................................13 Sports.....................................21
Wells Fargo
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Wells Fargo and local nonprofits host a free home-preservation workshop.