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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 29
Development director to step down by Samie Hartley Staff Writer
The Oakley City Council and city staff affectionately refer to themselves as Team Oakley, but the team will soon be down one member, as Community Development Director Rebecca Willis plans to depart at the end of the month. Willis has accepted the position of Calaveras County planning director. Her last day on the job in Oakley is July 30. Willis has been with Team Oakley for six years and has played a part of many key projects in the development of the young city, including annexation of the East Cypress Corridor, certification of the 2007-2014 Housing Element, adoption of the Downtown Specific Plan and most
recently, groundbreaking of the Oakley Generating Station. “It has been my pleasure to be Oakley’s Community Development Director for the past six years and to be part of an amazing transformation of a newly incorporated city to a magnificent place for families in the heart of the Delta,” Willis wrote in her resignation letter. “During my tenure, I have had the privilege of working with many dedicated elected and appointed officials, and many, many colleagues in public and private employment at all levels and in all disciplines.” City Manager Bryan Montgomery announced the news of Willis’ impending departure at the July 12 council meeting, at which time council members took a moment to say goodbye
WILLIS and offer wishes of good luck and success in the future. “We’re going to miss you,” said Councilmember Carol Rios. “You’ve been with us through some crazy times. You helped keep us sane. You walked us
through the process and we appreciate that. Calaveras County is getting one of Oakley’s gems, and I hope they really appreciate you.” As Willis was one of Mayor Jim Frazier’s mentors when he first joined the planning commission, he also offered her a heartfelt farewell, thanking her for her guidance throughout the years. As Willis prepares to depart, the task of finding a replacement has become a priority for Montgomery, who said Willis has been wonderful to work with over the years. “We have her position budgeted, but haven’t decided exactly how to fill it,” Montgomery wrote in an e-mail. “We are restructuring some and always look for savings as we have opportunities.”
Politicians pleased with highway progress by Justin Lafferty Staff Writer
Photo by Justin Lafferty
During a Monday tour of Highway 4 and its Bypass, Oakley Mayor Jim Frazier expressed his belief that the proposed connecting ramp to Highway 160 will help Oakley.
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Several prominent local politicians gathered this week for a tour of Highway 4 and its Bypass, expressing excitement about the future of jobs and commerce that the improvements will likely bring to East County. The all-star cast of dignitaries to survey the freeway included Congressman Jerry McNerney, assemblywomen Susan Bonilla and Joan Buchanan, Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, representatives for Congressman John Garamendi and Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho, mayors Jim Frazier of Oakley and Bob Taylor of Brentwood. The politicians gathered at the corner of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road, where an interchange will be built within the next couple of
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You’re invited to count butterflies at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.
years, much to the delight of Taylor. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this project was going to happen,” he said. “Today is a great day to be mayor.” The officials spoke excitedly about the creation of jobs, as local transportation districts are spending roughly $1 billion on the Highway 4 corridor from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station through Sand Creek Road – $500 million to widen the freeway to four lanes in each direction and another $500 million for the planned eBART station at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch. “It’s a great economic stimulus,” said Randell Iwasaki, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), who led the bus tour along the Bypass and freeway. Transportation officials are banking on savings from the
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July 22, 2011
U-Pick a winner
Next up in our seasonal cavalcade of palate-pleasing produce are peaches fresh off the branch. Page 1B
Daring deliverance Despite his uneasiness in the water, a local kid dove into the rescue of an injured surfer. Page 3A
Focused on the prize
Corrective eye surgery has helped an Antioch High grad and MLB journeyman blossom into a big-league star. Page 19A Business ............................... 9B Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 8B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 6B Food ...................................... 7B Health & Beauty ................ 5B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................19A ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
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The Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex gives its lifeguards serious training.