Discovery Bay Press_10.08.10

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 8, No. 41

DBPOA debate settled – for now by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

The ballots are in, the votes have been counted, and for some members of Discovery Bay’s beleaguered property owners association, it’s all over but the crying. On Sept. 29, three new Discovery Bay Property Association (DBPOA) members were elected to the association board, but the atmosphere of contention and controversy leading up to the election by two factions – each claiming to be the true DBPOA board – remains palpable. “It would be an easier loss to swallow if we felt the election was aboveboard,” said Frank Visintin, one of the candidates who claims the election committee violated civil code by not sealing and retaining proper custody of the ballots prior to the count. “But we’ll continue our efforts to make sure laws aren’t being violated and that the homeowners are being treated equally and fairly.” The DBPOA ballots were tallied during a public vote count

Photo by Richard Wisdom

DBPOA vote counters, from left, Paul Amthuer, (Election Chairman) Fred Traverner, John Lopt and Mel Skinner tally the ballots during a public meeting on Sept. 29 as DBPOA members await the results. meeting on Sept. 29, when three of the six seats were filled. The candidates were Stuart Humphreys, Dave Ciruli, Bob White, Bruce McKay, Derrick Potter and Visintin. The top vote-getters were Humphreys, Ciruli and White. Of the 1,389 ballots mailed to association members

in good standing, only 124 votes separated the top vote-getter (Humphreys) from the lowest (Visintin). “As you can see, we lost, but certainly not by a landslide,” said McKay in an e-mail to the Press. “As expected, the election process was severely compromised and the

chain of custody of the ballots was not maintained as required by law. (But) the election board volunteers and election chairman Fred Taverner did an excellent job with the election procedure given to them by the DBPOA.” The three board seats became available last May when, bowing to pressure from a petition submitted in February to recall the entire DBPOA board – except Secretary Bobbi Nugent – board members Dominic Carano, Jack Parker, Davie Ciruli and Omar Hindiyeh submitted their resignations. The outgoing board then appointed – at the same meeting – White, Larry Green, Ward Messersmith, Lowell Onstad and Peter Baylacq, to replace them. But because the agenda of the May meeting listed plans to appoint replacements for two of the board’s directors who had previously resigned, not five, then-board secretary Bobbi Nugent believed the appointment was illegal. In response, Nugent – who was not named

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October 8, 2010

This Week Geometry of healing

The ancient spiritual practice of the labyrinth walk is alive and well in Byron. Page 3A

Skimpy scrutiny Low turnout at a candidates forum became a topic of discussion on its own. Page 12A

Lions pick up a ringer

see DBPOA page 22A

Residents to be polled on fire issues by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District will soon ask residents what kind of fire service they want, how much they’re willing to pay, and how that money should be collected. The ECCFPD Board of Directors this week voted to spend $40,000 on a poll to help give it direction in dealing with chronic under-funding that could see the 250-square-mile district run out of money by late 2011. Board Chairman Erick Stonebarger said the poll will probably be conducted after the November election, but in time to analyze the data and put a possible tax measure on the ballot next June.

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“ It’s not just about how much we can get passed. It’s about finding out what kind of service people want and then putting a package together to get them what they want.

ECCFPD Chairman Erick Stonebarger “It has to be all-encompassing,” Stonebarger said, adding that he wants it to answer questions such as whether residents want paramedics on the engines, are in favor of two levels of service – suburban in some areas, rural in others – and what type of tax they would prefer, if any. “We need a snapshot of what the community wants in the way of service,” he said. “It’s not just about how much we can get passed. It’s

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about finding out what kind of service people want and then putting a package together to get them what they want.” The poll is expected to take about 15 minutes to complete. The questions will be brought to the board for “reviewing and tweaking, if we deem it necessary,” prior to the poll going forward, Stonebarger said. Stonebarger said that if the district chooses to put a tax measure on

Magnificent Muir go to news/WebExtras!

Towering trees mark one of the world’s great sanctuaries for the spirit.

the ballot in June, he wants voters to also have a chance to begin directly electing board members. “If we’re going to go ask for more money, then you have to let the people elect the people who are going to be spending that money,” he said. The current board was appointed and consists of four Brentwood City Council members, three Oakley council members and two representatives from the unincorporated areas of the district. The full board has yet to address the question, Stonebarger added, so no discussion has occurred as to whether all nine representatives might be up for election initially or whether the elections would be staggered. To comment, visit www.thepress. net.

Take a seat

go to news/press releases The county’s Aviation Advisory Committee is looking for a crew member.

A player from Southern California, where volleyball reigns supreme, is a welcome addition to Liberty’s team. Page 4B

Plus: Business .............................21A Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 15B Cop Logs ............................17A Entertainment ................. 11B Food .................................... 12B Health & Beauty ................ 8B Milestones ........................ 10B Opinion ..............................16A Outdoors ............................. 6A Sports ................................... 1B

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Troop Fest

go to multimedia/videos A car and bike show highlighted a bash thrown in support of vets and their families.


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