YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 7, No. 6
Including Surrounding Communities
www.discoverybaypress.com
County says police money to be shared by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
The Contra Costa County Counsel has determined that P-6 zone funds generated by residents in the Discovery Bay West section of town for enhanced police services must be shared throughout the community. That was the word handed down by Lt. Mike Burton this week during a special CSD meeting held at Timber Point Elementary School. The purpose of the public forum was to formulate input from the community on the sheriff’s current proposal for nearly half a million dollars worth of accumulated P-6 zone monies. The purpose, however, took a temporary backseat to the news of the counsel’s recent decision, which came as a surprise to many in attendance who believed the issue of where the zone dollars can go was still up for debate. “County counsel wrote an opinion that they (P-6 zone dollars) should be returned to Dis-
covery Bay as a whole,” said Burton, who added that the decision was final and would not be revisited during the evening’s meeting. “I don’t see Discovery Bay proper or not, I see a community … that horse is not going to be run again tonight.” Resident Bob Mankin disagreed. “The reality is that on a purely legal basis we get to decide if we want to share with the community,” said Mankin. “We’re going to have to revisit the question of return to source. That’s the reality.” The P-6 zone plan proposed by Sheriff Warren Rupf, who also attended the meeting, calls for the implementation of two resident deputies, a crime specialist, a new patrol car and community surveillance cameras. “The Board of Supervisors has asked the CSD to provide input,” said Rupf. “From there it goes back to the Board of Supervisors, and I assume they will put that (input) in balance with what
Staff Writer
The tiny Knightsen School District, known for its small-town appeal and quality education, is facing some not-so-tiny financial straits. The potential hardships are so severe that Knightsen’s superintendent has opened merger talks with the larger and more financially solvent Brentwood Union School District. Facing a district shortfall of approximately 15 to 20 percent of the district’s $4.5 million annual operating budget, Knightsen Superintendent Vickey Rinehart
Kids given cozy comfort
Some nimble-fingered volunteers believe that “security blanket” can be more than a metaphor.
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East County gets juiced Photo by Ruth Roberts
Commander Scott Daly, left, explains the philosophy behind P-6 zones during this week’s community meeting as Sheriff Warren Rupf looks on. we have proposed based on what they think is legal and proper. They (Board of Supervisors) are the decision-makers.” During the 90-minute meeting, residents argued for and against a number of issues, including the formation of an oversight committee to monitor and provide input on the P-6 program.
“It’s scary and it’s sad but it’s also hopeful. In the long term, I have to do what’s best for the children and I believe this is it.
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Knightsen Superintendent Vickey Rinehart says that unless some decisions are made, and made soon, the district could be facing bankruptcy. “This is a difficult decision and one many school districts throughout the state are facing on some level,” said Rinehart, “but there is no piggy-bank lying around here and I felt I had
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February 6, 2009
THIS WEEK
Supervisor Mary Piepho, who was at the meeting, said the community discussion was a reasonable first step. “I think it was valuable (meeting) for everyone,” she said. “Now let’s move forward and listen to community and figure out how to work together and bring this timely asset to good use.”
School districts begin merger talks by Ruth Roberts
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to make some decisions that were in the best interests of the district and the students. It’s a bittersweet decision, and new territory for both (Knightsen and Brentwood) of us. We have a long way to go before we make any decisions, but I do feel our philosophies and curriculums are similar and it has
the potential to be a good marriage. We’ll see what develops.” Talks between Brentwood Union School District (BUSD) Superintendent Merrill Grant and Rinehart started late last year when Rinehart began exploring possible options for her district’s financial shortfall. Thanks to the now infamous state budget cuts and the likelihood of additional cuts next year, Rinehart said she believed the time for action was sooner rather than later. A looming $3.3 million loan outstanding see Districts page 21A
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Our grape growers keep winning awards, and our longawaited first winery is about to open its doors.
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Discouraged by a draw
The mighty Lions didn’t lose to the underdog Panthers. But they sure didn’t win.
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INSIDE Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................18B Cop Logs ..........................17A Education ..........................8A Entertainment ................14B Food .................................12B Health & Beauty ............... 7B Milestones .......................11B Opinion ...........................16A Outdoors ...........................6A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras ......................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A