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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 10, No. 43
ward Winning News al A pa
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October 22, 2010
This Week Firefighter of the Year honored Election 2010 by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer Firefighter Jaymes Laughlin was all set: Engine 93 in Oakley was ready to whisk him away to a dinner in his honor at Brentwood’s Veterans Hall, where he was to be honored as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Firefighter of the Year. More than a dozen members of the Warrior Watch Riders motorcycle group were there, too, ready to provide one of their signature escorts. Suddenly, everything changed. An emergency medical call came in, and Laughlin and his comrades, decked out in jackets and ties, hurriedly left the caravan parked quietly in front of the station and headed out to help. “It was crazy,” Laughlin said. “I was in the back of the engine, tearing off my tie
Photo by Spike Schau
Firefighter Jaymes Laughlin was named Firefighter of the Year by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10789 in Brentwood, but he needed to be a quick-change artist on the night he was honored. and jacket and trying to put station) and I was tearing off on my gear. When we were my gear, trying to put on my done, we headed back (to the tie …”
In the end, Laughlin and his escort made it to Brentwood, where VFW Commander Steve Todd emphasized importance of honoring firefighters. “These guys put their lives on the line every single day, saving people,” he said. “They need to be recognized and honored by the community for what they do.” “In the station, his energy and enthusiasm are absolutely contagious,” said ECCFPD Chief Hugh Henderson of Laughlin. “He is the kind of person that can motivate by his actions, from the newest firefighter to a salty old chief officer. Jaymes raises the bar to be the best and provide the best service to the district and the citizens we service.” “It’s humbling just to be nominated, and to win it is
Come Nov. 2, take a stroll to the poll as an informed voter. Our election coverage begins on Page 14A.
Get it in gear Looking to get a door ding or engine ping repaired? Our Fall Auto Care Guide will put you in the fast lane. Page 1B
Falcons amass net gains
see Firefighter page 30A
Liberty trustee candidates look ahead by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
The three open seats on the five-member Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) Board has inspired two incumbents, a well-known face and two lesser-known newcomers to run the race. The candidates are Steve White, Roy Ghiggeri, Joanne Byer, Daron Odell Spears and Yolanda Pena-Mendrek. Project manager Steve White is running for the LUHSD board in an effort to rally support from parents and families, and to solicit their involvement in the school board and district issues. “I have a personal concern over the welfare of our kids. I have three children and eight grandchil-
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dren and I know how important the public school system is,” said first-time candidate White. “I would like to see a little more parental involvement in their children’s educations. I have spoken with a number of teachers who say their parent nights are poorly attended. I am also concerned about the growing class sizes. “Another thing I’m worried about is the proposed future site of our fourth high
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school (on the corner Sellers Avenue and Delta Road). I haven’t been privy to what our other options are but I know it’s a community concern. If elected, I would look to address that issue a little more openly and with a little more transparency.” Longtime resident and active community volunteer Roy Ghiggeri has served as a teacher, coach and administrator in the LUSD for more than 36 years. The former farmer and recently re-
Crisis care
go to news/WebExtras! The Bay Area Crisis Nursery got a big boost from the Antioch MOMS Club.
tired district administrator believes his wealth of experience in the Liberty district makes him uniquely qualified to serve on the school board. “I have lived all my life in this area and am a proud graduate of Liberty High School,” said Ghiggeri in his candidate statement. “I have been actively involved in the various communities of East Contra Costa County and have served on a number of committees and organizations … serving in all of these positions has allowed me to understand what is important to students, parents, staff and community members.” In her 25 years of service on the LUHSD board, Joanne Byer has watched the district’s see Liberty page 30A
Make your bid
go to news/press releases Baskets and blankets will be auctioned to help those in need over the holidays.
Freedom’s No. 1 singles and doubles players failed – but the team prevailed. Page 12B
Plus: Auto Care Guide................ 1B Calendar ............................ 23B Classifieds ......................... 17B Cop Logs ............................21A Election 2010....................14A Entertainment ................. 13B Food .................................... 14B Health & Beauty ..............26A Milestones ........................29A Opinion ..............................20A Outdoors ............................. 6A Sports ................................... 9B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Get squashed
go to multimedia/videos A pumpkin festival at Smith Family Farm promises seasonal fun.