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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 31
Fire district to propose new tax by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is gearing up to go to the voters in June for a parcel tax of about $187-per-year designed to save and improve fire service in far East County. The plan, worked up by the board’s Ad Hoc Committee, would eliminate the district’s $3-plus million annual operating deficit, increase staffing to three firefighters in all district stations (two stations are currently staffed by only two people), increase the number of stations back to the eight that existed prior to last year’s closure of two, and place a paramedic on each of the engines. Paramedic services in the district are currently provided by American Medical Response as
“ My goal for the Sept. 12 meeting is for them to say yes, we are putting it on the ballot, and here’s the date.
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Fire Chief Hugh Henderson part of the company’s contract with Contra Costa County. The total price tag for the plan would be $16.7 million, twice the $8.2 million the district currently brings in. The district’s share of property taxes was established when fire service in the area was provided largely by volunteers. Plummeting property values have also severely impacted revenue. The district currently spends about $12 million per year. The difference is now made up by re-
serves, but those will run out by the middle of next year. Fire Chief Hugh Henderson hopes to finalize the precise numbers before the board meets again. “My goal for the Sept. 12 meeting is for them to say yes, we are putting it on the ballot, and here’s the date,” Henderson said. “I’m hoping we can keep the (tax amount) under $200, and then work hard to inform the community and get those services in place as soon as possible.” The board also received a re-
port from its Executive Committee (EC) showing just how bad things could be if the new tax, which will require a two-thirds majority, doesn’t pass. That committee found that, based only on the money the district now receives, fire service would be drastically impacted. Staffing would drop from 48 personnel to 23, only four stations with two firefighters each would remain open to serve the 250-square mile district, and response times could increase to 10 to 12 minutes from the current eight. That scenario, decried as unworkable by virtually everyone, would probably result in higher fire insurance rates or possibly the cancellation of some policies. A number of speakers at Monday’s see Fire page 15A
Back-to-school time in East County
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August 5, 2011
History takes the helm
One special stop on the Delta Discovery Cruise itinerary provides a brush with some venerable vessels. Page 1B
Deep subject Two town officials delve into whether or not Discovery Bay residents should fund a new water well. Page 16A
Loading the lanes
by Samie Hartley Staff Writer Back-to-school went off without a hitch in far East County this week as thousands of students returned to the classroom. Students, teachers and school officials in the Brentwood Union, Byron Union, Liberty Union High and Oakley Union Elementary school districts started the month of August back on campus for the 2011-12 school year, and superintendents through the districts couldn’t be happier with the turnout. “Back-to-school is always an exciting time for our district,” said Ken Jacopetti, superintendent of the Byron district. “The children are excited to be back in the classrooms. It’s especially fun to watch our incoming kindergarteners as they step onto campus for the first time. They hit the ground running, ready to learn.”
Harvest Park Bowl participates tomorrow in a nationwide effort to post a record roll. Page 19A
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Teens at Liberty High School in Brentwood use a new signal-controlled crossing installed as part of the city’s streetscape improvements. Jacopetti said the district was fortunate enough to have funds to re-hire several teachers who were pinkslipped earlier this year, and with the return of Resource Officer Deputy David Allain, morale at the
district’s three schools is soaring. Liberty Superintendent Eric Volta spent the first day of school touring the district’s five campuses, including the new La Paloma campus, and was content with what he
Red-tape trial
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Read part one of columnist Slim Randles’ saga of bothersome bureaucracy.
saw. One of the most exciting things for Volta was the addition of a new signal and crosswalk in front of Liberty High School, which provides see School page 15A
Plucky petition
go to news/press releases The city v. state battle over redevelopment bucks is about to hit the streets.
Business ............................. 10B Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 18B Cop Logs ............................17A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 7A Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty .............. 11B Milestones ........................ 15B Opinion ..............................16A Outdoors ............................. 4B Sports .................................19A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Flash dance
go to multimedia/videos Shoppers were treated to a Zumba flash mob that came out of nowhere.