YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER HAPPY
VETERANS DAY November 11, 2017
Vol. 15, No. 45
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A surge of Holding vigil expenses
November 10, 2017
The Spirit of Inclusion
by Aly Brown Staff Writer
Residents of Discovery Bay were recently hit with a swell of new expenses when a power surge destroyed numerous household appliances. On Oct. 26, a truck traveling south on Byron Highway crossed lanes and crashed into a power line along the northbound lane, causing a massive surge that shot bursts of high-voltage electricity through parts of Discovery Bay and Byron, destroying residents’ property. Several are now filing claims in hopes of recovering anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage. Residents John and Trisha Parker weren’t home at the time of the occurrence, for which they were grateful. “If we had been home, using our TV or our computers, we would have lost see Surge page 26
Special education students team up with high school athletes for a day of soccer, fun. Page 5
Ringing In The Season Photos by Tony Kukulich
F
riends, family and neighbors recently gathered for a candlelight vigil supporting the MacHugh family. Bradley MacHugh, a Discovery Bay resident and married father of two, was killed on Oct. 29, following an altercation with the occupant of a car speeding in MacHugh’s neighborhood. Family friend and neighbor Jeff Stowe organized the Nov. 2 vigil. “It’s a family here,” said Stowe. “Everyone is here to take care of everyone, and Brad was the protector. He meant so much to all of us. (The vigil) just fell in place. We just have to be there for the family.” To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/sideshows.
Town’s CSD board to receive recognition by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
The Town of Discovery Bay Community Services District (CSD) Board of Directors will be honored next week with the Special Districts Governance gold-level recognition from the California Special District Association (CSDA). This award, which has been presented to only six out of the 2,109 special districts in California, honors board members for completion of training and good governance practices. To qualify for this high level of recognition, all five board members and the town’s general manager had to complete the Special Districts Leadership Academy’s courses on leading a special district as well as 10 hours of continuing education. The board must also undergo regular audits and conform to all statutes and regulations. “This award recognizes that the board goes over and above the basics of leading a
“ This award recognizes that the board goes over and above the basics of leading a special district.
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Robert Leete CSD board president special district,” said CSD Board President Robert Leete. “It’s one thing to get elected to a position of leadership; it’s another thing to actually lead a multimillion dollar, multifaceted operation to serve a community with the best systems in place. It is imperative that the board and staff stay current on the best practices in the industry.” Board member Bill Mayer feels good about what this award is recognizing. “I think it proves to the us – to the community and to the board – that we all want to be the best we can be,” Mayer said. “Training
is important, and it’s a lifelong mission. We aren’t just sitting on our laurels; we are committed to continuing to do our best. We are on a very short list, and we are proud of that.” The CSDA website describes special districts as a form of local government created by a community to meet the specific needs of that community. Most special districts perform a single function, such as sewage or water. The Town of Discovery Bay is a Community Services District, meaning it performs multiple functions. The district oversees water, sewer, landscaping and recreation services for the town. The board can also advise the county on other issues affecting its residents. Having a CSD guarantees residents a strong voice in the types and level of services they receive. As both a Discovery Bay resident and board member, Leete is proud to be part of such a well-led district.
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A Pirate’s Life
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Gray’s Harbor Historical Seaport is looking for volunteers to sail the high seas.
Brentwood’s 35th annual holiday parade, downtown events kick off the season. Page 10
Liberty Takes Bell Game
Liberty Lions win the annual Bell Game against rivals Freedom High School. Page 17 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................23 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................12 Holiday Happenings............8 Milestones............................13 Breaking News.....................16 Pets.........................................21 Sports.....................................17
Wildfire Losses
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Insurance claims from the state’s wildfires topping over $3 billion.