YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 7, No. 47
Including Surrounding Communities
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November 20, 2009
Director selection may go to Supes by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
The CSD Board this week was expected to approve a letter to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors notifying it of an impasse over the appointment of two new directors. Under the advisement of town attorney John Stovall, Discovery Bay General Manager Virgil Koehne drafted the letter for consideration by the CSD Board to determine how the process should move ahead. The CSD Board’s inability to appoint two new directors despite holding two meetings to discuss and vote on the appointments effectively places the decision in the hands of the supervisors. The deadline for the CSD to either make an appointment or call for an election to fill the seat vacated by Shannon Murphy was Tuesday, and next Wednesday for the seat left open by Dave Dove. At a special meeting held last Wednesday, board members could not fill the two empty seats vacant since September. Because a full CSD Board is comprised of five members, it takes three votes to pass a motion, which means the current diminished board must vote unanimously. Despite various attempts to break the deadlock, President Ray Tetreault, Vice President Mark Simon and Director David Piepho were divided during a meeting that was contentious from the beginning and grew more so during the
THIS WEEK
The past personified Photo by Richard Wisdom
CSD President Ray Tetreault listens to a comment from Director David Piepho during last week’s special meeting. course of the half-hour session. Tetreault began by suggesting the nomination process be reopened. Simon seconded the motion and Piepho rejected it. At the Nov. 4 meeting, the CSD Board directors had narrowed the field to three applicants: Kevin Graves, nominated by Simon; Brian Dawson, nominated by Piepho; and Michael McCleery, nominated by Tetreault. McCleery withdrew as a candidate the following day, saying he didn’t feel he was familiar enough with the issues. Tetreault then tried nominating candidates
one at a time, despite Piepho’s declaration at the last meeting that he would support voting only for a slate of two. Piepho rejected the one-at-atime concept again at the special meeting, voting against each in turn. “It’s not a ‘no’ for the candidate; it’s a ‘no’ for the process,” he said. “There is a process (voting by slate) and we’re following it.” Simon made a motion to call for a special election rather than face another deadlock and see Selection page 26A
A local history museum will soon be displaying artifacts from the legendary Donner family.
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Bell takes its toll on Lions
DCSI: Filling needs throughout the year by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
For many in East County, the holidays are a time of celebration and joy, but for those hard hit during these tough economic times, the season can be a source of sadness and despair. But in Brentwood there’s a nonprofit agency that’s especially aware of residents’ needs, not only during the holidays but throughout the year. For many, according to Felicitas Ochoa, executive secretary for Delta Community Services Inc. (DCSI), the need for help is great – and ongoing. “We take on projects as they are needed, and they are needed all year,” said Ochoa. “We see requests for everything from baby strollers and groceries to healthcare and washers and dryers. A lot of people
Photo courtesy of Delta Community Services Inc.
One of the many outreach programs of Delta Community Services Inc. (DCSI) is an annual adopt-a-family holiday fundraiser. DCSI Executive Secretary Felicitas Ochoa, left, poses with Veronica Perea, center, one of the recipients from last year’s drive, along with Alice Castillo, who provided gifts for the Perea family. are feeling the pinch.” Located in the Brentwood Women’s Club at 730 Third St.,
DCSI is an information and referral service with deep roots in the community. Originally established
in the mid-1970s by a group of volunteers who applied for a federal grant to help bring county services to Brentwood, the grass-roots organization, despite a number of different locations, has continued to serve the community in a variety of venues, including human resources, community outreach and emergency services. In the past few months, DCSI has collected and donated Tri Delta bus passes to residents, worked with local organizations to assist low-income residents and seniors with their utility and rent obligations, partnered with the Lions Club to provide eyeglasses and hearing aids to the public, and provided clothing and housing essentials to local families. Each year DCSI also works with the public to provide holiday see DCSI page 26A
Fast finds! Search the business directory. Shopping, dining ... anything you need. Find it in the business directory at www.thepress.net. See page 22A.
A tough Bell Game loss forced Liberty to wait till next season for redemption.
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INSIDE Business ...........................22A Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................14B Cop Logs ..........................19A Entertainment .................. 9B Food .................................12B Health & Beauty ............... 8B Milestones .......................24A Opinion ...........................18A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A