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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 21
Cities discuss fire options by Rick Lemyre and Samie Hartley Staff Writers
In meetings at opposite ends of the beleaguered East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Tuesday, the Oakley and Brentwood city councils struggled separately with what to do about their common problem. The severely under-funded district, operating on a $2.5 million annual deficit, serves 250 square miles of East Contra Costa and stands to run out of money by the middle of 2012. Since taking over from the County Board of Supervisors in January of 2010, the district has been run by a nine-member board that includes four Brentwood city councilmen, three Oakley council members and two members from the unincorporated
areas of the district. Earlier this month, the ECCFPD Board unanimously rejected as “legally indefensible” an engineer’s report that was to have been the basis for a $98-per-year, per-parcel benefit assessment that could have kept the ECCFPD afloat. The rejection of the report means no new revenue will come to the district this year, and the timeline for crafting another revenue measure will bring the district perilously close to insolvency before another solution can be implemented. As a result, the Brentwood City Council at its May 10 meeting directed city staff to begin the work necessary to apply to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to form its
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May 27, 2011
Summer stratagems
Primed to play? Our Summer Fun section is brimming with ideas to make the season sizzle. Page 1B
Photo by Richard Wisdom
emorial Day weekend marks the official opening of East County’s summer produce season. Above, Phil Kelley of Clayton selects some of the juicy red orbs on an outing this week with daughter Kathleen Trent of Oakley at Papini Farms in Brentwood. For a complete listing of Harvest Time’s more than 40 local growers, including locations, maps and U-Pick farms, visit www.harvest4you.com.
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see Fire page 15A
In memory of the fallen Flags will be unfurled and gratitude unveiled at our local Memorial Day observances. Page 3A
Crucible of competition
Officials optimistic about Bypass money by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Improvements to the intersection of Sand Creek Road and the Highway 4 Bypass could come sooner rather than later, as local officials are optimistic that the project to improve that troubled traffic zone is in line to receive up to $33 million from the state. Currently, the three-way intersection of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road in Brentwood is moderated by traffic lights, causing gridlock in the morning and afternoon. Money from the California Department of Transportation’s Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) would turn the intersection into an interchange, much like the Bypass exits for Laurel Road and Lone Tree Way. The funds would also extend the highway to four lanes – two in each direction – south to the intersection at
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East County track and field stars are warming up for the Memorial weekend’s Meet of Champions. Page 19A
Photo by Richard Wisdom
A project that would turn the Sand Creek Road and Highway 4 Bypass intersection, above, into an interchange, much like the exits at Lone Tree Way and Laurel Road, is high on the list to receive money from the state. Balfour Road. The project stands a good chance of receiving the thumbs-up from the state. According to a letter from Bimla Rhinehart, the Department of Transportation’s executive director, the Sand Creek Road interchange is on the top of the list of Tier 1 projects submitted from
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around Northern California for CMIA money. Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor noted that if the department OKs the Bypass improvements, the project could be put out to bid as early as July. Construction might start as early as October and take 24 to 36 months to finish.
Aquatic aid
go to news/WebExtras! A Recycled Water Master Plan got a big boost from the Department of the Interior.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that we’ll remain high on their list,” said Dale Dennis, program manager for the State Route 4 Bypass Authority. “We think this will help tremendously because there’s so much traffic that gets off at Sand Creek. see Bypass page 15A
Layoffs opposed go to news/press releases Unions fear that inspector layoffs will put communities at risk.
Arts ....................................... 6A Business ............................. 18B Calendar ............................ 27B Classifieds ......................... 21B Cop Logs ............................17A Entertainment ................. 16B Food .................................... 14B Health & Beauty .............. 11B Milestones ........................ 17B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A Summer Fun ....................... 1B ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Leading Lion
go to multimedia/videos The Mr. Liberty event featured acts ranging from the goofy to the grandiose.