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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 14, No. 50
Fire expert A parade of fun offers D ECCFPD fix by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
As East County officials continue to seek ways to strengthen the struggling East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD), one retired fire chief believes he has a solution. Pat Coughlin, a retired Kansas and Minnesota fire chief and international speaker on community fire risk, thinks the district could benefit from hiring college-student firefighters at a savings of between 20 and 50 percent. “They are full-time firefighters, work nine shifts or ten shifts a month, have the same training and meet the same physical conditions,” said Coughlin, who served as executive director of the nonprofit Residential Fire Safety Institute, a public interest group created in 1982 to promote fire-safe homes. “The only difference is they are see Fire page 30
Bring On The Holidays
iscovery Bay’s 14thannual Parade of Lights made its way through town last weekend amid an array of glamour, glitz and holiday cheer. The ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!’ theme brought dozens of parade participants and one-of-a-kind floats to the popular event. A list of the night’s winners was not available at press time.
Look no further for a complete list of local holiday concerts, festivals and fun. Page 10
Awarded For Excellence
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Fencing academy advances on town by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Sergey Schindler has spent his life facing opponents at the end of a blade. As a lifelong fencing competitor and professional instructor, he knows the competitive fencing world, inside and out. He is now bringing his passion and expertise to his own community. “We’ve been living here in Discovery Bay for about 24 years, so as a resident, I always wanted to do something here, locally,” Schindler said. “Last month, I opened the Discovery Fencing Academy. I enjoy teaching my students to take what they learn in an individual lesson and use it in a competitive environment.” Schindler has plenty of experience in competitive environ-
“ Sergy is one of the best fencers in the
world. He was at the very top of the soviet pyramid.
”
Paul Soter, head coach, Golden Gate Fencing Center ments. He is a veteran competitor of both individual and team events at the U.S. Fencing Association’s (USFA) National Championships, the Pacific Coast Sectional Championships and the NorCal Open Championships. Often ranking in the top ten, Schindler has brought home multiple medals. He has also spent time coaching at the University of Stanford and various fencing clubs and spent a week working in a supportive coaching capacity to the 2004 U.S. Olympic team as they
December 9, 2016
prepared for Athens. When his busy job as a global solutions architect for Dell began to slow down, he knew exactly how to fill his schedule. “I found myself recently with a little more time on my hands,” Schindler said. “I thought that I could offer some of my passion and experience to both children and adults here in Discovery Bay. So, I opened my academy. It is recognized by the USFA, and I have all the accreditation and safe-training
certifications. As a professional member of the USFA, I am covered by their liability insurance. I want my students to feel safe when they take a lesson.” As a fencer, Schindler’s ability is well respected by his peers. Paul Soter, head coach of the Golden Gate Fencing Center, has been impressed by Schindler’s skill since he arrived on the U.S. fencing scene in 1991. As a former coach of both national and Olympic champions, Soter knows talent when he sees it. “Sergey is one of the best fencers in the world,” Soter said. “He was at the very top of the soviet pyramid, which was the strongest, largest fencing pyramid in the world at the time. (When he arrived in the states,) he was competing against see Fencing page 30
Brentwood resident Rachael Ortiz receives Technician Achievement Award for 2016. Page 8
Tough Loss For Freedom
Freedom football team falls to De La Salle in NCS championship game. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................15 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................19 Sports.....................................21
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Contra Costa explores possible community choice energy (CCE) programs.
CONNECTING PARKS TO PEOPLE www.ebparks.org/features/rin
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