Happy New Year East County!
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 53
NAMI makes Special Santa delivery progress in East County
December 30, 2016
Choosing The Right Wine
by Heather Brewer Staff Writer
When people in East County are impacted by their own mental health issues – or those of a loved one – and reach out for help, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is making sure they have a place to find support. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. What started as a small group of families, gathered around a kitchen table in 1979, has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, they are an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers, who work in their communities to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. “When people are having a hard time with family members who have mental illnesses, they can go to NAMI,” said Gigi Crowder, the county’s NAMI chapter faith net coorindator. “We strive to
Explore the differing varieties of champagne and sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve. Page 8
Hometown Heroes
Photo courtesy of Ray Witte
T
he students at Knightsen and Old River Elementary schools got a special Santa visit a few days before Christmas, when the Jolly Old Elf made his annual appearance – arriving in a police car – to wish everyone a happy holiday and distribute bags of fruit and candy to each student.
see NAMI page 22
Knightsen union, district reach impasse Teachers, administration call for state mediator by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
A year after starting contract negotiations, the Knightsen Teacher’s Association (KTA) and the Knightsen Elementary School District (KESD) have reached an impasse, and a state mediator will be sent to conclude the negotiations. Earlier this month, the KESD rescinded its offer of a 1 percent raise, retroactive to July 1, and the
“ Teachers here have lost confidence in this district, and (it has) failed to do the right thing and bargain in good faith to make our salaries more competitive.
”
Jamie Bennetts, president KTA KTA filed with the state for impasse. The district’s administration did not object. “Teachers here have lost confidence in this district, and (it has) failed to do the right thing and bargain in good faith to make our salaries more competitive,” said Jamie Bennetts, president of the KTA. “There is a lack of budget transparency here. We are appalled at the turn negotiations have taken and
that they have dragged on for this long.” Bennetts is accusing the board and administration of misconduct, inaccurate budget projections and violating the Brown Act by discussing public business behind closed doors. “The reason they are saying they don’t have any money to pay for the raise is there is a slight chance in the three-year projection they came up with that they won’t be able to
meet their obligations,” Bennetts said. “It’s a fallacy; they have accounted for zero enrollment in the next three years. I spoke with the board president, and I asked him to plan for some growth, which will create room (in the budget for the raise). So now, the mediator will come.” KESD Superintendent Theresa Estrada admits that budget mistakes were made, but feels Bennetts’ accusations are unfounded and unnecessary. “There were adjustments made to the budget for the first interim report due to new, unanticipated costs . . . as well as some known costs unintentionally missed during the budget-development see Knightsen page 22
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California Highway Patrol and PG&E urge safe driving this holiday season.
Get to know one of East County’s first responders in this week’s Meet the Beat. Page 7
Patriots Take Down Amador
Heritage defeats Amador Valley at the one-day West Coast Jamboree Challenge. Page 15 Calendar................................23 Classifieds.............................18 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Milestones............................11 Pets.........................................13 Sports.....................................15
Capital Fellows go to news/press releases
The Capital Fellows Programs, announces the availability of applications.