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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 46
Diehard weeds still flourish by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Proliferation of the ergia densa weed has been significantly reduced in the waters of Discovery Bay since the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) began efforts to eradicate the Delta pests late last spring. But in neighboring Bethel Island, where the weeds continue to run amok, the situation is less rosy. “We’re feeling a little neglected out here,” said Clark Fratus, who owns property on Dutch Slough. “And in the past six months it’s only gotten worse. The vines grow up from the bottom, crawl up the sides of the levies and wrap themselves around the boat props. It feels like a never-ending battle.”
Fratus is only one of an increasing number of frustrated Bethel Islanders struggling to keep the weeds – which include the egeria densa, water hyacinths and other persistent plants – at bay while lobbying to grab the attention of anyone who will listen. Last spring, Supervisor Mary Piepho held a town meeting on Bethel Island in which Fratus said she contended that the Department of Boating and Waterways would be tackling the weed situation, but only in the most needy locations. Those locations, according to Fratus, included only Discovery Bay. “When I asked Mrs. Piepho about Dutch Slough,” said Fratus in an e-mail to The Press, “she said, ‘Well, you should resee Weeds page 17A
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November 18, 2011
Magnetic personality
Brentwood’s downtown makeover is complete, and businesses are primed to attract serious traffic. Page 1B
Carved in stone Photo courtesy of Clark Fratus
Delta weeds such as these along a property owner’s dock on Dutch Slough are taking over portions of Bethel Island. Residents are lobbying to get the Department of Boating and Waterways and other local agencies to help eradicate the weeds, as was the case in Discovery Bay last spring.
A new book chronicles the life of East County’s storied coal mining community. Page 5A
Bell Game takes its toll
ADA changes cause service-animal dispute by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Jenny Kuban
Brentwood resident Jenny Kuban, shown here with her service dog, says her ADA rights were recently violated by local officials who were unaware of the new laws regarding service animals.
Service animals in public venues are common sights these days in restaurants, movie theaters and sporting events. But when one Brentwood resident recently brought her service dog to Heritage High School, the ordinary took an extraordinary turn. “I was sitting in the stands near the football field watching my boys practice,” said Jenny Kuban, who is hearing impaired. “When I was approached (by school staff) and told that there was a no-dog policy on campus, I explained that my dog was a service animal. He then asked me for her certificate and vest and I told him that I was not required to have this.” The conversation continued to escalate, the police arrived, district officials got involved and according to Kuban, she was told to leave the premises despite her insistence that she was legally in the right. ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) rules had changed, she said, and service animals are no longer required to wear identifying vests or be accompanied by certifications.
“I explained that they needed to check the ADA and that what they were doing was against the law and discriminatory,” said Kuban. It turns out she was right. In March of this year, the ADA issued new regulations pertaining to service animals and their owners’ rights. “The public may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal,” according to the ADA. Coincidentally, said LUHSD Superintendent Eric Volta, the district has recently been working on revisions to its own policies as they apply to the ADA, and those changes were expected to be presented to the board this week. As for Kuban’s situation, Volta doesn’t believe her rights were violated. “Obviously there was an exchange of words between the district and Ms. Kuban,” said Volta. “But we don’t believe she was discriminated against because she and her service animal were
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Two East County churches are celebrating the anniversary of their merger.
see Service-animal page 17A
The Lions fell on the field of battle, but the annual Bell Game festivities made for a memorable weekend. Page 24A Arts .....................................11A Business ............................... 8B Calendar ............................ 27B Classifieds ......................... 19B Cop Logs ............................ 26B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................. 12B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty .............. 14B Milestones ........................ 16B Opinion ..............................18A Sports .................................19A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Turkey retaliation Proud procession go to news/press releases
A fitness boot camp is offering free workouts that take off holiday pounds.
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Antioch’s Veterans Day parade showcased our nation’s heroes.