YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 7, No. 10
Including Surrounding Communities
www.discoverybaypress.com
Veolia pounces on sewage spill by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
An estimated 5,000- to 8,000gallon sewage overflow occurred on Monday in Discovery Bay’s Lakes development, but the good news is that this time around, the only mess that needed cleaning up was the one already on the ground. According to General Manager Virgil Koehne, Discovery Bay’s new contractor, Veolia Water, arrived on the scene immediately following a call from a Lakeshore resident who reported a sewage backup in her backyard. The source of the spill was located at a sewer manhole near the intersection of Oasis Drive and South Lakefront Loop at the Lakes’ Village Three. The cause of the spill is believed to be a manufacturing defect on a PVC pipe, which broke loose at a nearby sewer force main clean-out site. A series of spills, including one of nearly 100,000 gallons, occurred last year under the watch of the town’s previous contractor, SouthWest Water, leading to public outcry over SouthWest’s response.
This time, the spill “was all handled very well,” said Koehne. “Veolia responded very quickly and evaluated the situation, shut down the pumps, brought in our vac trucks and got to work.” Within a couple of hours, said Koehne, the clean-out was fixed, signs and safety cones were posted around the area at the Lakes, and the proper state agencies had been notified. Local resident Chris Finetti, who happened upon the scene, said that the situation appeared to be well in hand. “From my perspective, it seemed that Virgil and Veolia Water took charge and took immediate action to both assess and resolve the spill,” Finetti said in an e-mail to the Press. “While it’s unfortunate to have another spill, these situations do occur, and based on what I saw, I felt confident that the CSD and town staff appropriated all the proper procedures to ensure the public safety.” All in all, said CSD President Ray Tetrault – who arrived on the scene soon after the spill – the event
Photo by Chris Finetti
Workers from Veolia Water, Discovery Bay’s new water and sewage vendor, clean up a spill caused by a ruptured pipe in the Lakes development Monday. Town officials said they are pleased by the response to the incident. was really a non-event. And that, he says, is a welcome relief. “I was pleased with the way things were handled so quickly and efficiently,” he said. “It was much different than
Staff Writer
W
THIS WEEK
Thunderous homecoming
Page 6A
by Ruth Roberts
orkers unload food to be stockpiled for this weekend’s Day of Compassion, in which anyone who asks will be given free food, haircuts and health services. To find out who’s doing it, why, where to go for services or how to help, see the story on 21A.
March 6, 2009
Meet a Navy man who hopped onto his bike and joined the caravan of patriots escorting him home from duty.
situations in the past and I was happy to see that it was not an operator error. see Spill page 21A
Day of Compassion DBPOA shifts gears
Photo by Ruth Roberts
rs
Na t
pe
ion
The president and treasurer of the Discovery Bay Property Owners Association (DBPOA) have abruptly resigned, citing personal and professional reasons for their departures from the organization. But as remaining board members scramble to fill the two vacant seats, supporters and critics alike expressed hope that the change in leadership will usher in a new era of cooperation. “I think this might be a nice opportunity to start anew,” said new DBPOA President Dominic Carano. “I know I’m walking into a hornet’s nest, but what it comes down to is that I believe we are working for the members of this community, and if we keep to a standard of doing business, we will be OK.” According to DBPOA Secre-
tary Vicky Laganowsky, President Mark Lee and Treasurer Chris Provencher filed their official letters of resignation with the board on Feb. 3 and 4, respectively. Lee said that while he was sorry to leave the board, his other commitments needed to come first. “I did this for personal reasons,” said Lee, an architect. “I have my rhymes and reasons and I feel that I need to be there for my family right now. Also, the economy stinks right now and I need to focus on my business. It was time.” Provencher echoed Lee’s sentiment. “I’ve served five volunteer years (on the board) and that’s enough,” said Provencher, a selfemployed tax accountant. “I need to take care of my own house, and with me coming into my busiest business season, I have to say I’m a
LOOK here first!
see DBPOA page 21A
What is going on? Check the community calendar! Having an event? Post it for free!
Lawmen to get laid off Budget cuts are likely to affect police services. But the public has something to say about it.
Page 3A
Beneficial beginning
The Lions pounced back from a one-run deficit to win their leadoff game of the season.
Page 1B
INSIDE Calendar ..........................19B Classifieds ........................14B Cop Logs ..........................17A Education ..........................7A Entertainment ................12B Food .................................10B Health & Beauty ............... 9B Milestones ......................... 8B Opinion ...........................16A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A