YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 50
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Alaura named city’s new mayor by Kyle Szymanski
December 14, 2018
The ABCs of Christmas
Staff Writer
Oakley’s new mayor Claire Alaura may be new to the position, but she’s hardly new to the community. Alaura, elected to the council in 2016 and serving as vice mayor in 2018, was tapped by her fellow councilmembers this week to guide the city into its 20th year of cityhood. “Ever since my husband and I made Oakley home, its people, places and events have become an integral part of my life and our family’s life, and I am proud and honored to guide our city into the future,” she said. Alaura takes over for Randy Pope in the city’s rotating mayor system, where councilmembers are selected yearly to serve as mayor and vice mayor. Doug Hardcastle was selected to serve as vice mayor in 2019. Alaura, an 18-year city resident, wasted no time proclaiming her goals for her upcoming term. She strives to advocate for residents, see Mayor page 34A
Check out great last-minute gift ideas and more in this week’s special edition. Page 1B
Fire Called Suspicious
Photo by Steve Nosanchuk
Claire Alaura and Doug Hardcastle were sworn in as Oakley’s next mayor and vice mayor this week. The pair will serve for one year.
WaterFix dealt a significant blow by Toy Kukulich Staff Writer
In a stunning development, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) withdrew its Certificate of Consistency for the California WaterFix project all but ensuring that construction of the tunnels will not begin under the Brown administration. DWR notified the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) of its decision in a letter dated Dec. 7 and signed by DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “While DWR firmly believes the timing of filing the certification of consistency for WaterFix was appropriate based on the thorough record that had been prepared
“ This is a big setback for the governor’s water tunnels.
”
Michael Brodsky, attorney for Save the California Delta Alliance for the project and that this record more than adequately supports the findings that WaterFix is consistent with Delta Plan policies, DWR appreciates that there are unresolved issues related to interpretation of the requirements of the Delta Reform Act and Delta Plan policies,” wrote Nemeth. “Therefore, DWR is hereby withdrawing the Certification of Consistency for California Water Fix that was filed on
SAVE NOW
July 27, 2018.” Obtaining a Certificate of Consistency is a regulatory requirement for development projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The certificate asserts the construction and operation of a project is consistent with the Delta Plan – a comprehensive, long-term strategy for managing Delta resources. DWR’s action is being counted as a victory by WaterFix opponents.
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“This is a big setback for the governor’s water tunnels,” said Michael Brodsky, attorney for Discovery Bay-based Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA). DWR is the agency responsible for implementing WaterFix and the submission of their in July certificate was appealed by nine groups representing more than 20 agencies who opposed DWR’s action. Three days of testimony and public comments in which proponents and opponents of the project argued their cases were held by the DSC in October and the outcome of those hearings was a draft recommendation issued by the DSC staff. A see WaterFix page 34A
BART Raises
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New BART police contract to boost officer retention and recruitment.
Officials are calling an early morning houseboat fire at Cruiser Haven suspicious. Page 5A
Playing For State Title
Liberty High football team takes CIF NorCal title and heads to first-ever title game. Page 25A Calendar.............................35A Classifieds..........................30A Cop Logs.............................33A Education.............................5A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Milestones.........................22A Opinion...............................24A Pets......................................12A Sports..................................25A
Tax Help
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United Way needs volunteers to help staff Income Tax Assistance Program.