YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018
Vol. 18, No. 45
READ BREAKING NEWS AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET!
Higgins, Pope hold onto seats Voters across the country cast their ballots in the Nov. 6 midterm elections, and here at home, they turned out in record numbers to have a say. The following is a look at the local races with 100 percent of the precincts reported.
Voters and poll workers John Hadley, Art Mijares, Craig Watts, Albert Ortega and Patti Smith pause for a photo at the Freedom High School polling location in Oakley, Tuesday, Nov. 6. Smith said voters were lined up when the polls opened and more than 60 voters had cast their ballots by 9 a.m.
Oakley City Council (Two seats available) In the City of Oakley where two seats were available in the 20-precinct district, the incumbents took the night with Sue Higgins winning the top spot at 3,257 and Randy Pope with 3,101. Opponents Mike Dupray and Dezi Pina took the third and fourth place spots. “My sense of duty in public service has been buoyed by the overwhelming voter support in (the Nov. 6) election,” said Pope. “After eight years of service, I am truly humbled to be selected to continue my service to our city and residents.”
Brentwood City Council (Two seats available) In the race for city council, incumbent Joel Bryant and newcomer Johnny Rodriguez were the top vote-getters at 5,169 and 5,034, respectively. They beat Mike Jones,
Staff Writer
When the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District transitions to an elected board in December, its members will get paid to attend meetings. The five representatives will receive $100 per appearance (up to $400 monthly) at full board or finance committee meetings. The current nine-member appointed body finalized the decision in a 5-3 vote this week, with Joe Young, Adam Langro and Sandra Strobel dissenting. Erick Stonebarger was absent. “Board service is a significant commitment with both economic and noneconomic costs, primarily related to time
John Fink and Olga Vidriales for the seats. “I’m very excited to be able to continue to serve our community, my neighbors and the city,” Bryant. “There are a lot of things that are coming in the next two years that are really important decisions and things that are going to be hap-
pening for Brentwood. I’m really happy and excited to work with our community to make sure we continue to go in the direction that we want to go in as a community.” see Seats page 30A
“ It’s a way to say to board members we
value and appreciate your service. It’s also standard practice (to compensate board representatives) across almost all agencies.
spent on district business,” said Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “In the future, board members will also bear campaign and election costs.” These stipulations are expected to cost the district between $10,000 and $15,000 a year. The state’s fire district law allows for directors to receive up to $100 each board meeting.
The district’s current appointed governing board hasn’t been compensated in its nearly nine-year history. “It’s a way to say to board members we value and appreciate your service,” said current board member Susan Morgan, who won’t serve on the elected board. “It’s also standard practice (to compensate board representatives) across almost all
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Honoring Our Veterans
This week’s special edition honors the men and women who served. Page 1B
Three Times The Cuteness
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Fire board members to be compensated by Kyle Szymanski
November 9, 2018
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agencies.” Current board members Brian Oftedal and Steve Smith, who will both transition to the elected board, approved the minimal compensation, citing meeting preparation time and projected future hours the board will spend on the 119,000-person district. “I am going to be more focused – I am going to have to go around meeting with people outside my immediate area to make sure I represent all areas of the district,” Smith said. “I think this is appropriate.” Oftedal cited the board’s 86-page November meeting packet and an associated 90-plus-page bylaws document see Fire page 30A
Millionth Rider www.thepress.net/news/webextras
BART to Antioch reaches millionthrider milestone on Halloween.
East County’s favorite triplets, Skyla, Gemma and Ellihanna Allen, turn 2. Page 7A
Serving Up A Champion
Freedom’s Alexis Matabuena wins third consecutive league tennis championship. Page 21A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................25A Cop Logs.............................29A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................20A Opinion...............................13A Pets........................................ 8A Sports..................................21A
Best Bank
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BAC Community Bank has been named one of the top banks in the U.S.