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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 28
There’s a new chief in town by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
If it’s true that you can’t go home again, this week Lt. Alan Johnson proved it’s at least possible to visit. Johnson is Discovery Bay’s new chief of police – taking the reins from Lt. Mike Burton. And for the seasoned lawman, the fresh assignment is reminiscent of a previous beat. “I was out here as a deputy years ago when Discovery Bay was still being built,” said Johnson. “So to be out here now in this position feels like coming home again.” Serving as Blackhawk’s police chief for the past six years, the Walnut Creek native comes to the Discovery Bay patrol with a wealth of experience and a feel for the uniqueness of the
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Lt. Alan Johnson is Discovery Bay’s new chief of police. Johnson is the former police chief of Blackhawk. Delta community. “My time in Blackhawk will serve me well coming into
Discovery Bay,” said Johnson, who is married and has a teenage daughter. “The communi-
ties are, of course, very different, but they have some similarities as well, especially in the gated communities.” Johnson also comes to the job with an interesting background. A languages major at UC Santa Barbara – he’s fluent in Russian and French – Johnson first became interested in law enforcement as a campus security officer during college. When he later became a member of the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Office, he was involved in a property dispute between a divorced couple arguing over restraining orders and land rights. Unable to speak knowledgeably to their attorneys regarding the law, Johnson decided he would get his law degree – and never feel uncomfortable in that situsee Chief page 15A
Fire district developing options
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July 15, 2011
Back to the blackboard
From immunization rules to new campuses, our Back-to-School section gets you ready for the first bell. Page 1B
Input invited Residents are encouraged to respond to an online survey about the future community center. Page 3A
Compatible competitors
by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
A pair of committees is now looking at possible futures for the cash-strapped East Contra Costa Fire Protection District that serves Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay and unincorporated far East County. The district board held a special workshop Monday to discuss a plan offered by fire board directors Pat Anderson of Oakley and Steve Barr of Brentwood. That plan, created with the help of representatives from Citigate, the consulting firm that put together a now-outdated plan for the district 10 years ago, could see the district divided into coverage zones based on population concentrations rather than city limits. Under the plan, each zone would receive the same baseline service, based on what the district can afford now. The district now spends nearly $12 million per year, but declines in property tax revenue see Fire page 15A
Online Now!
Two racers’ passion for each other hasn’t impeded their passion for success at the Speedway. Page 19A
Photo by Rick Lemyre
At this week’s fire board meeting, Oakley police Chief Bani Kollo, center, presented ECCFPD Captain Jeremy Copple, left, and Engineer Kalani Dillon with a Certificate of Valor for pulling a gunshot victim to safety at the height of a hostage crisis in Oakley in February.
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Corn-ucopia
go to news/WebExtras! Check out the kernels of culinary genius in our Corn Recipe Contest.
Wide berth
go to news/press releases A campaign called Move Over aims to protect highway workers and cops.
Business ............................... 6B Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 12B Cop Logs ............................17A Back-to-School ................... 1B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 8B Milestones .......................... 7B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
BMX blowout
go to multimedia/videos Top BMX stars set Brentwood’s Sunset Plaza ablaze with sick tricks.