YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 49
Including Surrounding Communities
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Oakley native receives Bronze Star by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Marine Sgt. Maj. Anthony Mass, Jr. said he can’t remember all the details, and that’s understandable; he was pretty busy. They’re all listed, however, in an official summary of his actions between March and August of last year, and it all added up to the nation’s fourth-highest award for combat gallantry: the Bronze Star with a “V” device for Valor. According to the citation, 1st Sgt. Mass (his rank at the time), a former Oakley resident now living at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, showed “unfaltering, fearless leadership” during battles on April 29 and May 30, 2008 during an operation against an insurgent stronghold. “Traveling with the lead element and selflessly exposing himself, First Sgt. Mass encouraged Marines to press forward in the face of hostile fire, as young Marines experienced enemy action for the first time,” Mass’ medal citation reads. “During the 96-
hour fight, with repeated enemy counter-attacks using machine guns and mortars, his constant presence on the line emboldened the company’s Marines.” His “vigilance and aggressive action” saved the company’s headquarters element from one attack, and in the final assault on the stronghold, Mass again led the Marines at the front of the advance, demonstrating “zealous initiative, courageous actions and exponential dedication to duty.” For the soft-spoken 40-yearold married father of three and Liberty High graduate, the recognition is almost surreal. “I really don’t know what to say; I was really surprised and I still am,” said Mass. “It’s a great honor.” Mass says that while he can’t recall all the details of the battles, there are some specifics he remembers. “I had been there (the Middle East) before,” said Mass. “But it’s hard to explain everything I was feeling. I do remember thinking
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December 4, 2009
THIS WEEK
Help wanted: a wet winter
East County folk would be wise to include a torrential El Niño at the top of their Christmas wish list.
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December diversions Photo courtesy of Leanne Mass
Marine Sgt. Maj. Anthony Mass, Jr. received the Bronze Star last month following battles in Afghanistan. Mass is a former Oakley resident and Liberty High School graduate.
A spate of seasonal festivals, parades, films, shopping gigs and charitable events will keep you hopping this holiday.
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Home court Buchanan to campaign against water bond disadvantage see Bronze page 22A
by Dave Roberts Staff Writer
Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan will be actively campaigning to defeat the $11.1 billion water bond that will appear on the November, 2010 state ballot because less than half of the money will go for water storage and restoration of the Delta. The bond started out at $9.4 billion when first considered by state legislators on a Friday night. Of that total, $2.5 billion was targeted for Delta restoration and $3 billion would provide additional water storage to help supply California’s population as it increases to 50 million. “But when we went from Friday to when we finally passed (the bill, the bond) grew to $11.1 billion. When it grew, they took out $250 million for the Delta,” said Buchanan at a town meet-
Photo by Dave Roberts
Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan discusses state and local issues at a town meeting Wednesday morning at the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. ing at the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce this week. “So if this is about protecting the Delta and making the state less reliable on the Delta, the bond certainly
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didn’t do that. It was a disgrace.” While Delta restoration money was being cut from the bond, a variety of pork-laden projects were added, including $10 million
for the California Unity Center in Sacramento to teach student tolerance, which was inserted by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, who represents Sacramento. Hundreds of millions more dollars would go for a variety of water-related projects throughout the state. “Not that they all aren’t great, but they have nothing to do with restoring water and conserving the Delta,” said Buchanan. “I voted no on the entire package (of water legislation). I am going to campaign against the bond next year. My number-one job is to make sure we do all we can to protect our water supply and make sure we have clean water. If the bond fails, that goes a long way to keeping this (water legislation) from moving forward.” That might happen not only see Buchanan page 22A
In their season opener, the Falcons got outrun and outgunned by a tough James Logan lineup.
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INSIDE Calendar ..........................27B Classifieds ........................17B Cop Logs ..........................17A Entertainment ................12B Food .................................13B Health & Beauty ............... 9B Opinion ...........................16A Outdoors ...........................6A Sports ................................. 1B WebExtras! ....................... 1B
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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A