YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 16, No. 15
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Otters splash into fifth season by Dawnmarie Fehr
April 13, 2018
Ideas For The Home, Garden
Correspondent
The Discovery Bay River Otters (DBRO) swim team is gearing up for another year of swimming for the gold. Now in its fifth season, the team has begun practices in preparation for a busy season. “We are very excited about this season,” said Rick Pierce, DBRO president. “We have a great coaching staff in place and are currently participating in our second season in the Mid Valley Swim League.” Rick Pierce and his wife Melissa began the team five years ago, when they decided that their water-based town needed its own swim league. “We approached the Town of Discovery Bay about starting a team,” Pierce said. “The following spring, the River Otters started with 80 swimmers.”
Check out this week’s tips and trends in The Press’ Home & Garden section. Page 1B
Giving Up The Grapes Photo by Tony Kukulich
Sophia Castellon makes her way down the lane during the Discovery Bay Otter’s first practice of the season this week. The team is gearing up for its fifth season of competition. To lead the team, Pierce called on Haley Young, who was excited about the opportunity to lead a brand-new swim team. “Rick and Melissa had a vision for the River Otters to
have fun while learning correct swimming technique,” Young explained. “Since I share the same philosophy, becoming the head coach was an easy decision.” Born and raised in East
County, Young began her swim career on the Brentwood Dolphins swim team at the age of 4. By her freshman year of high see Splash page 26A
ECCFPD outlines plan for elected board “ We are going to be moving toward the
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Over 90 percent of voters approved the measure to reduce the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board from nine to five, according to a postelection report released by the agency this week. Just over 18 percent of registered voters went to the polls on March 6, with 90.5 percent of them voting to reduce the number of board members. A total of 11,772 ballots were cast. “We are going to be moving toward the elected board at a Nov. 6 election,” said Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “We will find out those results near Nov. 8, and the new elected board will be taking their seats on Dec. 7.”
elected board at a Nov. 6 election. We will find out those results near Nov. 8 and the new elected board will be taking their seats on Dec. 7.
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Fire Chief Brian Helmick Board members have historically been assigned: four selected by the Brentwood City Council; three by the Oakley City Council; and two by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Now, however, the board will be reduced to five members, with the seats filled using an at-large format. Prospective candidates for the new board may reside anywhere in the 249-squaremile district, which covers
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the cities of Brentwood and Oakley along with the unincorporated areas of Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Marsh Creek and Morgan Territory. Official candidate forms will be available at the county elections office on July 16 and must be returned no later than Aug. 10. The current board is expected to decide in May, when election costs will hopefully be announced, if the
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district will pay for candidates to submit their statements of qualifications printed in preelection documents. “Many agencies decide to do that (pay for candidates to submit their statements), and some decide not to do that, but usually it’s driven by cost,” Helmick said. Current board members indicated this week they do not believe the district should cover the candidate statement costs. “I wasn’t even aware the district could pay for it,” said board member Susan Morgan. “That comes as a surprise to me. I do not support the district paying for those candidates.” Fellow board member Joe
Two Oakley brothers are selling their generations-old vineyard and saying goodbye to a way of life. Page 5A
Off To A Good Start
The Heritage girls’ softball family has won the last seven out of nine games. Page 18A
see ECCFPD page 26A
Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................21A Cop Logs.............................25A Entertainment..................12A Food.....................................13A Health & Beauty...............17A Milestones.........................11A Opinion...............................16A Pets........................................ 9A Sports..................................18A
Musical Lineup
4-H Fun
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Star-studded concerts on the way for Alameda County Fair.
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Tractor Supply in Brentwood kicks off semi-annual 4-H fundraiser.