Discovery Bay Press_4.24.09

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa

Vol. 7, No. 17

Including Surrounding Communities

CSD looks for online upgrade

www.thepress.net

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April 24, 2009

THIS WEEK

Life’s a circus

Lowdown on spiffing up

by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer An updated town Web site is on the top of the to-do list for the Town of Discovery Bay this year, and the CSD Board has unanimously voted to direct town staff to begin the job of collecting wish-list items for the town’s site. “This is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while now,” said CSD President Ray Tetreault of the board’s decision. “I think we’re looking for something more professional and easier for staff to use and update. I hope to have some information soon.” Director Shannon Murphy-Teixeira agreed that a new and improved Web site will be invaluable. “Updating the site is a great idea,” she said. “More people are on the Internet via

Our spring Home & Garden Guide is bursting with ideas on how to enhance your environs.

Page 1B Photo by Pat Anderson

autical enthusiasts made clowns of themselves – but all in good fun – at last weekend’s Discovery Bay Opening Day Parade. Peter and Luanne Hills’ Delta Breeze, above, took second place in the Large Boat category. For a complete listing of the winners, see Page 26A.

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their phones and the old-fashioned way, the computer. Therefore we should have a site that’s updated, user-friendly and interesting enough for folks to go on from time to time.” General Manager Virgil Koehne said

he has already begun looking at Web site options, and hopes to make some suggestions to the board at the CSD meeting on May 6.

by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

Photo by Ruth Roberts

The Contra Costa County Grand Jury has recommended the closure of the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Center, above, after nearly 50 years. The grand jury estimates the county will save $5 million annually by shutting down the 50-acre facility in Byron. out mattresses and what jurors say is a lack of rehabilitation of the youths and inadequate

treatment programs. “Members of the jury went out to the ranch (in September)

Speak up!

A local sculptor is in high demand after creating some highprofile masterpieces.

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see CSD page 26A

County advised to pull plug on Ranch The Contra Costa County Grand Jury has recommended the closure of the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Center – known as the Bryon Boys Ranch – citing neglect and lack of rehabilitation as the primary reasons for shutting down the nearly 50-year-old facility. The report, entitled “County Youth Rehabilitation Center on Life Support: It’s Time To Pull the Plug,” outlines the jury’s investigation into the running of the ranch that sits on 50 acres off Bixler Road. The report highlights deficiencies found by the jury such as rusted kitchen sinks, broken equipment and debris around the property, worn-

Carving solid reputation

to do a routine inspection and they found it in such deplorable shape that we sent another team out a few days later for a closer look,” said grand jury foreperson Leslie Lea. “Because many of the programs in the (center’s) handbook were also not operational, we came to the conclusion that it would save the county $5 million if it were to close.” Boys ranch founder Orin Allen said he hasn’t enjoyed a good night’s sleep since the report came out. Calling it “brutal” and “lacking consideration of the human element,” Allen said he was stunned by the report and hopes the ranch will be saved. “The thing of it all is that there was not one positive word see Ranch page 26A

Installed in the Hall

Their old uniforms might not fit anymore, but their accomplishments are tailor-made for immortality.

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INSIDE Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................17B Cop Logs ..........................17A Entertainment ................12B Food .................................14B Health & Beauty .............10B Milestones .......................15B Opinion ...........................16A Sports ...............................19A

Let your voice be heard.

Start an open discussion or expression of ideas with a forum at www.thepress.net.

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A


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