Discovery Bay Press_04.16.10

Page 1

Your Hometown Web Site www.thepress.net

ward Winning News al A pa

YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 8, No. 16

Directors preview new Web site by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer A community alert system, online payment options and streamlined audio and video capabilities were just a few of the features presented to the CSD Board last week as directors – and the public – got their first peek at Discovery Bay’s new Web site. NIA Creative, the firm hired in September to revamp the town’s site, offered a glimpse of the new site at the regular CSD meeting on April 7. NIA Creative owners Jennifer and Chris Finetti identified some of the key elements of the new design, projected on a video screen for easier viewing. “Staff said that their most urgent need was to have something that is easy to use, and we think we have done that,” said Jennifer. “The new Web site is designed to be attractive, intuitive and easy to use and understand. The site upgrades the professionalism of the CSD Board and also appropriately reflects the beauty and experience of living in Discovery Bay. The site also adds a much better conduit of communication between the board and community, which is something that has been needed for a long time.” The new site’s features include:

A homepage screenshot of Discovery Bay’s new Web site. The site is expected to go live to the community within the next 30 days.

Photo courtesy of NIA Creative

• Community alerts. In the event of an emergency such as an earthquake, members of the community who have signed up in advance for the Web feature will receive an e-mail alert. Details such as where to pick up children from school or the location of nearby shelters will be included

in the e-mail alert. • Service requests. Online service forms will allow residents to request information on their water bills or report incidents such as broken

rs

Na t

pe

ion

April 16, 2010

This Week Sobering scenario

Drunk driving becomes more than an abstract concept when its deadly consequences are dramatized. Page 8A

Desperate for dollars Budgetary shortfalls threaten the county’s ability to provide human services. Page 3A

Lions pool their talent

see Web Site page 18A

High school property suit heads for trial by Dave Roberts Staff Writer A dispute between the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) and two landowners concerning the sale of their property for the site of a fourth high school has been scheduled for a jury trial August 30. John and Jerilee Geddes were paid a little more than $3 million for their 38 acres of land on Sellers Avenue near Delta Road. The price was based on the agricultural value of the land, which is currently in the county’s jurisdiction. But after signing a draft agreement to turn over the land title to the school district, and after getting the district’s help in clearing that title through an eminent-domain

Online Now!

“ By law, the public agency has to pay the value of the property at its highest and best use at the time they get the property. It’s agricultural right now. There’s a big difference between industrial and agricultural value.

LUHSD attorney Robert Thurbon action, the Geddeses hired a new attorney and are seeking a total of $13 million, based on the value of the land if it were annexed into the City of Brentwood with an industrial zoning. The dispute hinges on whether the value of a property taken for public use should be based on its

www.thepress.net Your Hometown Web Site

current value, such as the $82,500 per acre for undevelopable farmland outside the urban limit line in East County, or on its future speculative value, such as possible annexation into an industrial zoning and voter-approved inclusion inside the urban limit line to allow future business development on the

property. In mid-March a U.S. Superior Court judge ruled that the Geddeses would be allowed to present evidence to the jury of the property’s speculative value. But the lawyers for each side have different interpretations of the judge’s ruling. “By law, the public agency has to pay the value of the property at its highest and best use at the time they get the property,” said LUHSD attorney Robert Thurbon. “It’s agricultural right now. There’s a big difference between industrial and agricultural value. The property owner – if they want to submit evidence and ask the jury to assign a higher value – they have to meet certain standards. We see Suit page 18A

The Lions might not be the team to beat this season, but they’ll give competitors a swim for their money. Page 1B

Plus: Business ............................... 4A Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 15B Cop Logs ............................14A Entertainment ................. 11B Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty ................ 8B Milestones ........................ 10B Opinion ..............................13A Sports ................................... 1B

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Fragility defended Dubious disasters Diversity affirmed go to news/WebExtras!

PG&E is helping to save an endangered butterfly on its property.

go to news/press releases

The Internet can be an unreliable source for earthquake predictions.

go to multimedia/videos

The riches of our multicultural community took center stage at a gala event.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.