Visit Your Hometown Website www.thepress.net
ward Winning News al A pa
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 10, No. 1
DA: CSD followed Brown Act
January 6, 2012
Money is no object
Parade pals
by Ruth Roberts
When asked what changes they’d make to the community, your neighbors didn’t pull any punches. Page 1B
Staff Writer
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s office has ruled that a closed session meeting held in November by the Discovery Bay CSD was in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, despite allegations from a local resident that the board violated the spirit of the law. In a letter to District Attorney Mark Peterson dated Nov. 29, Discovery Bay resident Bill Richardson said he believed the CSD had violated the Brown Act by not disclosing, on the board’s Nov.16 closed session agenda, the name and circumstances of one of the topics discussed. The item was listed only as “Conference with legal counsel – anticipated litigation.” “The Town of Discovery Bay Community Services District has been violating the Brown Act and abusing the requirements for closed sessions on many
rs
Na t
pe
ion
Admin admired Photo by Jan Schults
f you saw this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade, you might have spotted this floral stallion, part of the Kiwanis International float, decorated with help from some far East County locals. Above from the left are Berdie Forsythe, Key Club advisor for Liberty High School, along with Brentwood Kiwanians Jeff Schults, Kay Wisdom and Richard Wisdom standing in front of the Kiwanis float at the 2012 Rose Parade decorating pavilion. Jeff’s wife Jan was there, too, taking the picture.
I
Local school adminstrators earned national awards for their exemplary commitment to education. Page 6A
Courting the carats
see DA page 15A
Officials fume over fire report “ They say our operation is adequate because
by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
A grand jury report stating that fire protection in far East County is “adequate” – despite last year’s closure of two stations – is drawing criticism from local fire officials and residents. “They consider the service adequate, but I don’t know where you can find anyone in the district who thinks that,” said East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Chief Hugh Henderson. “I haven’t heard that in any of our community meetings.” Due to plummeting property tax revenue and a tax-sharing structure established when fire service in far East County was
no one has died.
”
ECCFPD Board President Kevin Romick provided mostly by volunteers, the ECCFPD is currently operating at a $2 million annual deficit. The reserves now being used to keep the district afloat will run out in about six months. The district is considering placing a $197-per-parcel property tax on the ballot in June to stave off insolvency. In addition to the two station closures last year, the district has virtually no equipment replacement fund, operates at least two stations with
Online now! WebExtras! press releases videos
Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your smart phone.
www. thepress.net Your Hometown Website
inadequate crew quarters (Station 95 in Bethel Island has been condemned for toxic mold), and runs two of its six engines with two firefighters instead of the industry standard three. According to the report, however, “The Grand Jury has validated that the level of service provided with the current operating structure meets the needs of the residents of the District. There has been no loss of life or property directly attributable
First impressions go to news/WebExtras!
A recent job fair sharpened Liberty students’ interview and resumé skills.
to the service levels provided through the current operating structure. … From a quality of service point of view, the current operating structure is adequate.” “They say our operation is adequate because no one has died,” said ECCFPD Board President Kevin Romick. “This is a politically motivated witch hunt to prove the property tax wasn’t necessary. Why don’t they rely on previous (2008) Grand Jury findings, or the county’s Municipal Service Review, or the 2006 Citigate report?” Romick said. Each of those reports examined the ECCFPD and concluded that staff levels were too low see Fire page 15A
Disposal day
go to news/press releases Residents can recycle holiday cooking fats, oils and grease at a special event.
Brentwood basketball sparkled in the Diamond Division of the statewide West Coast Jamboree. Page 18A Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 9B Cop Logs ............................ 14B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 6B Food ...................................... 7B Milestones ........................10A Opinion ..............................14A Sports .................................18A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Wish list
go to multimedia/videos If you had a bazillion bucks, what would you spend on your community?