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Vol. 18, No. 8
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Groups working to uproot algae by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
If you live in Discovery Bay or the surrounding Delta area, harmful algae blooms (HAB) are a well-known and unwelcome presence each summer, but several local organizations are hard at work, actively searching for a solution to the pernicious water weeds. Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta (RTD) — an organization that serves as a watchdog agency in defense of the Delta — said two things need to happen before control of the algal blooms can be obtained. “We have to do the kind of outreach we are doing through the youth program, so we can track in real time what is happening, so that we can get to solutions,” she said. “And then
Press file photo
Local organizations, including the Discovery Bay Foundation, Save the California Delta Alliance and Restore the Delta, continue to work to eradicate the Delta’s harmful algae blooms. we also have to advocate for solutions through other projects that we do to complement the
science, like youth journalism, youth performance and advocating for good water policies.”
Currently, RTD is accepting registrations for its fifth annual H2O Hackathon, an event centered around building an app capable of tracking algal blooms and uploading data through a smartphone to the State Water Board. RTD partners with the San Francisco Estuary Institute and the State Water Board for this event, which has already drawn over 150 applicants from middle school to college. HAB have been a hotly debated topic in Discovery Bay each summer for the past five years. While fast-water areas where boaters and water-skiers congregate aren’t affected, residents who enjoy a swim off their dock will have to check their water for the trademark green, white or brown foam or scum indicative of algae blooms before see Algae page 22A
February 21, 2020
Living Your Best At 50 Plus
The Press shines a spotlight on living well, eating healthy and getting the most out of life. Page 1B
Preserving Our Ag Land
Protection advocates will convene in Sacramento next month for Ag Day at the Capitol. Page 5A
Translation services on docket for county Patriots Pull “ by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is exploring ways to translate its meetings and associated packets for nonEnglish-speaking audiences and readers. The endeavor, still in the exploratory phase, could include formal translation of board meeting packets and interpretation services for live meetings, likely through headphones. “By obtaining both the equipment and a contract for oncall interpreters, this will enable the board of supervisors meetings to provide additional requested services to the public of Contra Costa County,” said District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen, who, along with District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis, is exploring options as part of the supervisors’ Internal
This is very important. There are thousands and thousands of people who will appreciate the efforts.
Operations Committee. Early indications are that the county will contract with offsite translators, whose services would be available to anyone present in the board chambers, provided they give 72 hours notice of the need. It’s unclear which languages will be offered as part of the translation service, and it’s unlikely that such services would be rolled out until after a new county administration building opens later this year. But the prospects of such a development excites immigrant-
SAVE NOW
rights advocates. County documents point out that most Bay Area cities and counties explored have limited experience with translation services. “This is a way for the constituents to get more involved, and if they see they are reaching out with the language access, they will trust (the supervisors) more, they will participate more,” said Linda Olvera, a representative of the Contra Costa County United Latino Voices organization. Dick Offerman, a representative of the Contra Costa Immi-
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grant Rights Alliance, agrees. “This is very important,” he said. “There are thousands and thousands of people who will appreciate the efforts.” In addition to translation services for meetings, the supervisors are also exploring a cost-effective way to translate into Spanish its meeting agendas, which are often 26 pages, and as many as 7,800 words. One estimate puts written translation costs as high as $0.19 per word, totaling $1,482. “We are not ready to roll it out, but those are the issues we are looking at,” Anderson said. The full board of supervisors plans to revisit the issue at a future meeting with finalized associated expenses likely mulled over as part of the 2020-2021 county budget process. For more information on the proposed endeavor, visit bit. ly/2SGbbAl.
Kiddie Academy www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Kiddie Academy invites families to a STEM open house in Oakley, Feb. 22.
Off Upset
Heritage boys’ basketball wins stunning first round playoff game against Clayton Valley. Page 12A Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................19A Cop Logs.............................17A Entertainment.................... 9A Food....................................... 8A Milestones.........................11A Opinion...............................18A Adopt a Pet.......................... 6A Sports..................................12A
Fly Fishing Fun
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Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show this weekend, Feb. 21 to 23, at fairgrounds.