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Vol. 14, No. 44
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
BUSD honors A BOOville good time drama queen Correspondent
The Byron Union School District (BUSD) recently honored Kathy Tickner, the queen of drama at Excelsior Middle School (EMS), for her 30 years of work as a teacher of the arts. Last week, the school board voted to name the EMS theater after Tickner. “I was in shock, and I didn’t know what to say,” said Tickner. “To have your name on a building is just – wow. I’m honored, and I’m humbled, but I just love my job and love my kids. I love what I do, I’m passionate about the arts and I will continue to do that as long as I’m healthy.” Tickner, who has lived in town since 1980 with her husband, Olympic-skating medalist Charlie Tickner, didn’t start out looking for a job as an art teacher. “My husband and I were professional figure skaters in the Ice Capades,” said Tickner. “In 1986, we quit. One day, I was out walking my dog, when I just walked into the office at Discovery Bay Elementary and asked if I could volunteer.” Tickner’s offer was accepted, and the rest, as they say, is history. She earned her teaching credential over the next three
Photo by Richard Wisdom
see Teacher page 30A
BBID detachment to aid fire district Staff Writer
Additional funds will soon begin flowing into the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD), but that’s not necessarily good news for agricultural-water users. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recently decided to detach portions of Discovery Bay from the Byron Bethany Irrigation District (BBID), freeing up propertytax funds for the fire district. Until now, the BBID overlapped six tax zones in Discovery Bay, with the district receiving about $700,000 annually from the town, despite not providing any service. The detachment agreement, which
“ … the transfer will provide the struggling
fire district the additional revenue that is crucial to preserving fire suppression.
”
Julie DiMaggio Enea, deputy county administrator was finalized on Oct. 18, allows the board to transfer $730,000 in property taxes to the struggling fire district annually, beginning in fiscal year 2017 to 2018. The district, which was eight stations strong in 2008, is now down to only four stations serving 105,000 residents over almost 250 square miles. “The transfer will have no net impact on the county’s fees or services, because the county
is just passing the property tax from BBID to the fire district,” said Senior Deputy County Administrator Julie DiMaggio Enea. “However, the transfer will provide the struggling fire district the additional revenue crucial to preserving fire suppression and investigation services for East County residents and businesses.” In response to the detachment, the BBID, which serves parts of Alameda, Contra
Costa and San Joaquin counties across 47 square miles and 30,000 acres, recently increased their agricultural water usage rates for the first time in more than two decades. The rates increased from $20 per acre-foot – or 326,000 gallons – to $65 per acre-foot. “The agricultural rates were tripled due to the detachment,” said BBID General Manager Rick Gilmore. Fire Chief Hugh Henderson said while the additional funds will benefit his district, it’s unfortunate it had to be at the detriment of the irrigation district. He envisions the new funds will be used to support district services. see BBID page 30A
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Treat Your Vehicle Right
C
laire Golda, 8, dressed for the occasion at last week’s BOOville event held at Discovery Bay Elementary School. The annual school fundraiser included costume and pumpkindecorating contests, a DJ, games, cakewalks and plenty of delicious food.
by Dawnmarie Fehr
by Kyle Szymanski
October 28, 2016
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Contra Costa event participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This week’s special edition has plenty of advice on keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape. Page 1B
Relax, Enjoy And UnWined
New owners are making popular Discovery Bay wine bar a go-to place for a good time. Page 6A
Falcons Soar Over Patriots
Freedom High School takes a commanding lead against Heritage at 48-14. Page 21A Business..............................15A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................26A Cop Logs............................. 15B Entertainment..................10A Health & Beauty...............12A Milestones.........................25A Opinion...............................18A Pets......................................13A Sports..................................21A
Sciences Expo
go to news/press releases The Plasma Sciences Expo Student Days will be taking place on Nov. 3 and 4.