YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018
Vol. 16, No. 45
READ BREAKING NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET!
November 9, 2018
Byron superintendent resigns
Honoring Our Veterans
by Aly Brown Staff Writer
Byron Union School District (BUSD) Superintendent Dr. Debbie Gold has stepped down. At the Nov. 1 board meeting, Gold announced her retirement, effective Jan. 1 next year. “Last night, the board made some difficult decisions in an effort to stabilize the district budget. These cuts along with March layoffs will bring the budget to a qualified position and possibly a positive budget. Either way, it will no longer be negative,” Gold stated during the meeting, though she declined to comment further. “The last year has taken me as far away as possible from
Press file photo
After five years at the helm of the Byron Union School District, Superintendent Debbie Gold is retiring, effective Jan. 1. every single reason I went into education, and I am ready to work in that capacity again –
with people, not numbers, and with positivity, not negativity.” BUSD Board President
David Turner said the only reason Gold stayed as long as she did was to ensure the district was on track to make necessary cuts to rectify the budget. “She saw that we had done so and asked for her retirement to be approved … The shortterm plans are to continue making the cuts necessary to make sure we maintain local control of the district,” Turner said. “We will be meeting on (Nov.) 15 to finalize those cuts.” For a small district hit hard by declining enrollment, state budget cuts, increased penchant and special education costs and what many have criticized as blatant mismanagement of funds, the announcement was met with mixed
Town of Discovery Bay Community Services District (Three sets available) Two incumbents and one newcomer will fill three seats on the town board. Current president Kevin Graves took home the most votes with 2,209, followed closely by board member Robert Leete at 2,105. Local real estate agent Bryon Gutow will join the board with 1,540 votes. “I am humbled once again by the honor and responsibility bestowed upon me by the citizens of Discovery Bay,” said Graves. “I appreciate the vote of confidence … I will continue to work diligently to maintain a high quality of living within Discovery Bay.”
Brentwood City Council (Two seats available)
“ I am humbled once
Antioch City Council (Two seats available)
again by the honor and responsibility bestowed upon me by the citizens of Discovery Bay.
”
Kevin Graves, CSD In the race for city council, incumbent Joel Bryant and newcomer Johnny Rodriguez were the top vote-getters at 5,169 and 5,034, respectively. They beat Mike Jones, John Fink and Olga Vidriales for the seats. “I’m very excited to be able to continue to serve our community, my neighbors and the city,” Bryant. “There are a lot of things that are coming in the next two years that are really important decisions and things that are going to be happening for Brentwood. I’m really happy and excited to work with our community to make sure we continue to go in the direction that we want to go in as a community.”
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The city council race was full with six contenders and two available seats. Joy Motts and incumbent Lori Ogorchock were the winners with Motts garnering 7,048 votes and Ogorchock 6,010. A total of 25,322 votes were cast for the city council candidates.
In the City of Oakley where two seats were available in the 20-precinct district, the incumbents took the night with Sue Higgins winning the top spot at 3,257 and Randy Pope with 3,101. Opponents Mike Dupray and Dezi Pina took the third and fourth place spots. “My sense of duty in public service has been buoyed by the overwhelming voter support in (the Nov. 6) election,” said Pope. “After eight years of service, I am truly humbled to be selected to continue my service to our city and residents.”
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East County’s favorite triplets, Skyla, Gemma and Ellihanna Allen, turn 2. Page 7A
Serving Up A Champion
Oakley City Council (Two seats available)
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see Resigns page 30A
Graves top vote-getter in CSD race Voters across the country cast their ballots in the Nov. 6 midterm elections, and here at home, they turned out in record numbers to have a say. The following is a look at the local races with 100 percent of the precincts reported.
This week’s special edition honors the men and women who served. Page 1B
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see Race page 30A
Millionth Rider www.thepress.net/news/webextras
BART to Antioch reaches millionthrider milestone on Halloween.
Freedom’s Alexis Matabuena wins third consecutive league tennis championship. Page 21A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................25A Cop Logs.............................29A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................20A Opinion...............................13A Pets........................................ 8A Sports..................................21A
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BAC Community Bank has been named one of the top banks in the U.S.