The Press 03.29.2024

‘Your City Council in Brentwood is pissed’

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

The O’Hara Apartments project, located on the corner of Lone Tree Way and O’Hara Avenue, looks to be coming to Brentwood whether the City Council likes it or not thanks to a new state law, Assembly Bill 2011.

The 26-unit mixed-income, multifamily apartment complex is the first project in Brentwood associated with the bill, which took effect on July 1, 2023. The bill “Help create much-needed new housing units for low and middle income Californians by allowing housing to be built in underutilized commercial sites

currently zoned for retail, office, and parking uses,” according to a press release from Gov. Newsom’s office. However,

members of the City Council are dissatisfied with the bill, saying that it takes too much decision-making power away from

Construction of new park in Oakley starts this fall

By Hemananthani Sivanandam Correspondent

Construction on the new Enrico Cinquini Park in Oakley starts this fall.

With the design phase, which has been afoot since last year, nearing completion, the city is now in its final stages of allocating funding for the project.

The 4.5-acre park will be at the northwest corner of the Rose Avenue and Carpenter Road intersection. It is near the Stonewood Subdivision, which is a 262-lot residential project under construction. The developer of the Stonewood Subdivision was given the contract to build the Enrico Cinquini Park.

“The budget for this project is a combination of contribution from the developer of the Stonewood Subdivision and the City’s Park Impact Fee fund,” Oakley City Manager Joshua McMurray

said in an email to The Press.

According to Oakley’s 20232024 second-quarter report on

see Park page 18

local government regarding community development.

“The city has to follow the law,” Councilmember Jovita Mendoza commented on the city’s Facebook post about the apartment project. “The issue is the laws that are being passed in Sacramento – over 100 and so many more coming. Assemblymember Tim Grayson voted YES on this bill that is taking away valuable commercial space that would have generated tax revenue and created jobs.”

According to the staff report for the March 26 City Council meeting where the apartments were discussed, AB 2011 projects have a “ministerial, streamlined approval” process. Ministerial approval means that these projects are approved at an administrative or staff level, bypassing the need to be reviewed by the City Coun-

Oakley City Council adopts resolution to add police officer trainee classification

Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

The Oakley City Council approved a resolution, 5-0, to add police officer trainee classification to the salary schedule during Tuesday night’s meeting.

The city’s need for police officers and the department’s struggle with recruitment led to the resolution for the new classification.

“We

“ We recognize that from the start and we have little room for error in

This is a rendering of the O’Hara Apartments project, a 26-unit mixed-income, multi-family apartment complex coming to Assembly Bill.

Image courtesy of City of Brentwood

How a golf lifer is bringing golf culture to East County

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Fourteen years ago, Pittsburg native Brandon Johnson had an idea for a business.

There are three golf courses in East County: Brentwood Golf Club, Discovery Bay Golf Club and Country Club, and Lone Tree Golf and Event Center. But, at the time, there were no golf shops, especially when compared to the major golf courses used by the PGA Tour that have specific golf services available onsite.

So Johnson filled the need. He bought an old UPS truck and modified it into a mobile repair shop that was mainly at the now-closed Roddy Ranch Golf Club formerly in Antioch, Shadow Lakes and Brentwood Golf Courses.

Nearly a decade and a half later, what started with a repurposed UPS truck eventually turned into not just a golf store, but an expanding golf store and training center.

“I just saw that there was such a demand for a golf shop out here,” he said. “In the Brentwood-Oakley area, there was nothing. The closest golf shop to me right now would be in Pleasant Hill.”

Golfballin is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and now located at 4701 Main St. in Oakley off of the corner of Almondtree Lane. It is the third level of Johnson’s idea to not only bring golf equipment, shoes, and apparel to East County, but it opens up golf culture to the area to both experienced, long-time golfers along with new, younger generation golfers who are slowly

becoming more prominent in the sport’s scene now than ever before.

“We got all of these athletes and superstars golfing, and now we have the younger generation falling in love with it,” Johnson explained. “Now you can get Jordan golf shoes, all swagged out and stuff. I knew it was coming, and I’m happy we’re ahead of it. Now we’re here with golf taking off.”

Johnson grew up a golfer. His grandfather was the general manager of the Pittsburg golf course, so his father got to golf on the course for free. Essentially, Johnson got started on the greens because of his father.

Despite neither his grandfather nor his father coming from a traditional golf background compared to many other golfers, Johnson fell in love with it. After growing up getting ridiculed for liking a sport like golf

“I just saw that there was such a demand for a golf shop out here,”

Golfballin owner Brandon Johnson said of his shop.

“The closest golf shop to me right now would be in Pleasant Hill.”

that wasn’t as highly regarded – especially in lower-income neighborhoods and especially when compared to football and basketball -Johnson said that he’s excited to see the sport not only grow and open up to the masses, but for people to open up to it.

“It brings me so much joy,” he said. “Because for so many years, I knew that these people would love it, but they just didn’t give it a shot. People assumed they didn’t like golf because of its image, how it was perceived. Now that those walls are broken down, those floodgates are open and people are going out there and seeing how much this game is, how much it means, how much people can enjoy it, and how much networking you can do.”

He shares his love for golf and the store on the store’s Instagram account, @golfballin.

Golfballin is a full custom golf shop that specializes in name-brand use clubs at affordable prices. It offers everything from golf equipment like bags, gloves, clubs, divot tools and everything else golfers need on the course, including golf apparel. The store also offers golf lessons through its simulator rooms and is also in the process of building a private practice facility that will include two big putting greens, one shaded, and three bunkers. The incoming upgrade will also include six indoor hitting bats with simulators, along with a patio with games and flat-screen televisions to create an entire hangout golf-focused sports bar.

“It’s not TopGolf,” he said. “It’s more geared towards the serious golfer, but you could also just come and play around.”

“It’s huge because there’s really nowhere to practice out here,” he added. “There’s no way you can practice real efficiently. If you want to really work on your game, you’re going to be able to.”

The upcoming practice facility will be membership only, but will also offer day passes so potential members can try out the amenities before committing.

Johnson says that he’s aiming for the training facility upgrade to be ready by the end of April.

For more information, go to http:// golfballin57.com, or call 925-626-5590.

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

By Sean Tongson Correspondent

A local youth softball team is rallying to raise awareness and show support for a former teammate who is battling cancer.

Elliana Zeyela, 7, is like many kids close to her age. She likes things that a typical seven-year-old might enjoy; dolls, Barbies, making and playing with friends, and playing softball. Just last year, Elianna joined the Huskies of the Brentwood Pony youth softball organization. She was set to return to play this season in the spring. But in January, Elliana and her family were told she had been diagnosed with cancer. Now undergoing chemotherapy, Elliana’s former team and the community have rallied around to show support for their former teammate.

Alexis Muela, wife of Elliana’s softball coach Jesus Muela, says that support has been “overwhelming.”

“As most people would imagine, the financial burden on a family as far as trying to work around work schedules, along with gas and medical expenses,” Alexis Muela said. “Her parents have been so overwhelmed from teammates, friends, colleagues, and other parents. Toys, iPads, and gift and activity baskets have been donated. Some of the doctors have been in contact with the family. There has been a lot of support from the community.”

The Brentwood Pony is a local youth baseball and softball organization that hosts children ages 4-18 in 11 divisions for recreational, competition,

or instructional purposes, playing their games in Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, and Knightsen. Run by a volunteer s from all over the county, all managers, coaches, board members, and other personnel participate to ensure youths from all over East County have a worldclass baseball and softball experience, according to their website. Elliana’s former coach, Jesus, coached alongside Elliana’s dad Francisco, and Elliana also played with and befriended the Muelas’ daughter, Ava, where they were teammates and often hung out at the softball fields together.

“When we found out she was diagnosed with cancer, we talked about

putting patches on our jerseys and helmets,” Jesus Muela said. “I’m not sure if it was against the rules or not, but the league took it and ran with it. They were able to get some jerseys donated for the entire Pinto Junior Softball League, as well as her former team.”

In an effort to show support and raise awareness for Elliana, The Brentwood Pony dedicated the entire Jamboree weekend on March 16 and 17 to Elliana. On a weekend normally reserved for kicking off the start of the baseball and softball season, everyone coming to the ballpark was encouraged to wear pink, with some teams wearing pink socks, pink armbands, and pink headbands. Others made and hung signs showing their support.

Additionally, all Pinto junior teams, including her previous team, the Huskies, also wore special jerseys received from an anonymous donor. Adorning the jerseys was the silhouette of a Barbie doll on the front along with Elliana’s jersey number 21 on the back, along with “#ellianastrong” being displayed. Flyers were also handed out containing the family’s Venmo account, which was approved by the league, along with putting the Venmo on the league’s website as well.

“The family means a lot to us,” Alexis Muela said. “And we continue to pray for a positive outcome.”

More information, including a Venmo link to where people can donate for Elliana, can be found at bpbl.org.

Marseille album review: a French connection

Editor’s note: This is part of a monthly series of columns by jazz veteran Ted Turner. Turner is a native of the Bay Area, and has been involved in the jazz scene for over 50 years. Ted is considered to be a jazzologist by those who know him. He was founder of a local magazine BeBop and Beyond.

Welcome back. Hope you enjoyed the previous article. Again, it was truly a pleasure to talk about the upcoming young musicians in our schools.

I hopefully will be able to give you an overview of musical happenings in our community as they happen, as well as inform you of music venues throughout the Bay Area.

Since my primary focus will be on JAZZ, I will recommend CDs or music that you might want to access on streaming platforms. I will suggest various CDs you may want to purchase also to build a jazz collection.

So, let’s get started. Miles Davis said about Ahmad Jamal. “He knocked me out with his concept of space, his lightness of touch, and the way he phrases notes, chords, and passages.”

This is not surprising since Miles

playing over the years developed from the hard bop style to the more melodic, and harmonic. And then with the addition of Bill Evans to his second great quintet, he started not writing out music for his recordings but simply gave his band members sketches of what he wanted them to play (read my review of Kind Of Blue). By doing this, it gave them the freedom to solo for extended periods of time by sim ply filling in space.

This album unfortunately is the last trio album Ahmad Jamal released before his death at the age of 93.

The last trip that my wife Cheryl and I made to Europe was to visit her cousin who was teaching in France. After spending about four days in Paris, we took a side trip of four days to Monaco on the French Riveria. It is truly a beautiful city.

But after hearing this music, if I would have known Marseille was only 137 miles away, we would have visited. This music appears to be a tribute to a beautiful and romantic coastal French city.

The interesting concept of this album is that it gives you three different versions of the title tune “Marseille,” each one with its own special sound. The album opens with a beautiful percussion lead in of the title song, and flows into Jamal’s lightly flowing piano, with just the right spacing of note sounds and lightness to keep you intrigued. There is also a cover of the title of this album with a spoken word poem by French rapper Abd Al Malik, and later on you get the final interpretation of the title song sung in English and French by Mina Gossi.

The other tunes on the album Sometimes I Feel Like Motherless Child, and Autumn Leaves, are pure jazz standards, but the way he plays them have you in a musical trance.

It is important to note that there is repetition of his arrangements on this album with a lot of percussion playing simply to show his talent to use harmonic spacing. Ahmad’s playing holds you in awe on the tune I Came To See You/You Were Not There.This is definitely an album to add to your collection.

This is music that makes you want to just sit with that special person in your life, and enjoy what life has to offer. I guarantee it will transport you to a world of just pure love and joy, which you will want to visit repeatedly.

Until next time, remember the words of Ornette Coleman: “

Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after night but differently each time.”

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

Explorations in Jazz

tEd turnEr

Meet Dakota and Jackson Dakota (right) is playful and has beautiful green eyes. Jackson makes silly faces and loves a loose wrapper to play with. To meet these siblings,  email Samantha at swallie2021@gmail.com.

Brentwood Youth Commission to host multicultural faire

Annual event will be held on April 13 at City Park

By Jake Menez Staff Writer

The Brentwood Youth Commission has announced that their second annual multicultural faire will be at City Park on April 13.

The free event is from 2-5 p.m. Organizers want attendees to bring their own lawn chairs. It is set to feature food trucks as well as live music and other performances. There will also be booths and a fashion show that “showcases the culture of our youth in Brentwood,” according to event organizers. The City of Brentwood Youth Commis-

sion is an advisory body to the City Council that promotes the youth voice in local government. They held the inaugural version of this event in 2023 with the intent of showcasing the diversity of the city’s youth.

“We wanted to showcase every beautiful culture in this city,” Youth Commissioner Ian Cohen said in 2023 following that year’s event. “Everything in Brentwood is just so diverse and unique and we wanted to capture a snapshot of it.”

The performances and food trucks at the event are expected to highlight a number of cultures. Live musicians include Liberty High School’s mariachi band Grupo L. Other culture clubs from the local high schools will also put on performances, according to event organizers. Food trucks at the event will include Street Steam Bunz, Crazy Empanadas, and Hella Mas Tacos.

Vera’s Travel Tips

by Vera Martinez, Certified Travel Agent

Tips for Applying for a Passport

• Check processing times and submit your application early to avoid delays, especially if you need it urgently.

• Keep copies of all documents submitted.

• Follow up on your application, if needed, and renew your passport before its expiration date.

• First, make sure that you have

as birth certificates and identification ready.   Fill out the application accurately and double-check for errors.

• Obtain passport photos that meet specifications and provide necessary supporting documents.

• For minors, be aware of additional requirements such as parental consent.

Overall, thorough preparation, attention to detail, and timely submission are key to a smooth passport application process.

To Book Your Dream Vacation call me at 925-639-9194 or go to www.vmartinez. dreamvacations.com.

Calendar

For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.

This Week’s Events

Saturday, March 30

5th Annual Egg Hunt and Pet Event

Knightsen School at 1923 Delta Road in Knightsen hosts the Easter Egg hunt 10 a.m. – noon. This is a free event to all attendees, but only egg hunters need to register. The event will feature local rescues, local talent, the Easter bunny and live music, Brentwood and Knightsen 4H groups and prizes. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/ TheKnightsenBunny

Antioch Rotary 5K Bunny Hop

After a 3/4 mile warm-up hop (allow 20-30 minutes) from the Antioch Marina Parking Lot to the start line within the Corteva Agrisciences Wetlands, is followed by the 5K (3.1 miles) on flat packed dirt/ gravel track rain or shine. There will be water and snacks at the finish line along with a Fun Festival at the Antioch Marina. Sponsors will have booths and will be giving out goodies for the runners. Race starts at 9 a.m. Registration is $45 + $4.46 SignUp fee. There is also Bunny Hop Kids Kwick Dash. It’s free for kids younger than 5 years of age. This fun and fast race will be held at the Antioch Marina parking lot at 10:30 a.m. immediately before the Awards Ceremonies for the Antioch Bunny Hop 5K runners. To register, visit https://www.bikesignup. com/Race/Events/CA/Antioch/AntiochBunnyHop5

Easter Adoption Egg-Stravaganza event/pet rescue

Rhodie’s Rescue, Antioch Animal Services and Contra Costa Animal Services are hosting the Easter Adoption Egg-Stravaganza event. It includes music, food trucks, face painting, pictures with the Easter bunny, a doggy treat hunt and more at the PetSmart at 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 30-April 5

Oakley Science Week comes to Ironhouse Sanitary District

Oakley Science Week at Ironhouse Sanitary District starts on Saturday, March 30, when visitors can take a hayride tour and learn how Ironhouse Sanitary District turns dirty water into sustainable, clean

recycled water ready for reuse.

Toddlers to 12 years old can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. and make fun crafts. There will also be a chance to see the big trucks Ironhouse uses to keep our sewers clean and learn how to help conserve water and learn about how bats benefit the environment.

The district will be providing four hayride tours of the Water Recycling Facility at 10:15 a.m. After the hayride, visitors can look at some of the District’s big trucks and equipment to ensure the underground pipes and pumps stay free of debris and keep the environment in Oakley, Bethel Island, and the Delta safe and healthy.

The events will be held at the district offices at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive in Oakley. For more information, or to register for an Oakley Science Week event, see the city’s website at www.oakleyinfo.com. For more details on Ironhouse Sanitary District, see www.ironhousesanitarydistrict.com or email isdoutreach@isd.us.com.

Saturday, March 30 and

Sunday, March 31

Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch Annual Romano Marchetti Memorial

Tri Tip/Chicken Dinner

This event will take place at the Veterans of Foreign Wars at 815 Fulton Shipyard Road in Antioch from 5-9 p.m. Social hour starts at 5 with dinner at 6. Tri-Tip, chicken, beans and cole slaw will be served. Tickets are $25 for adult and $15 for children. All profits, opportunity drawing, and auction support of the Kiwanis community, youth charities, and music scholarships. For details and to get tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/753751279367?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Tuesday, April 2

Reception for Delta Dreamer award

Soroptimists of the Delta will host a reception at 5:30 p.m. for women being honored for the Delta Dreamer 2024 award. Their monthly meeting will follow. Guests are welcome.

Soroptimists is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. It meets the first Tuesday of each

Looking for more things to do?

Look at the many local events on

www.thepress.

month at 6 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. For details, contact president Sue Pretzer or at spretzer303@yahoo.com at 760-583-3058.

Thursday, April 4

Storytime at the Streets

Free children’s story time with activities and entertainment at The Streets of Brentwood, 2455 Sand Creek Road, at the Playhouse near the Children’s Play Area every Thursday (April 4-May 30) from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Follow them on social media for updates or visit https://shopstreetsofbrentwood. com/events.

On the Horizon

Friday, April 5

No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament

The Rotary Club of Brentwood presents its 14th annual No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St.. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner, then the tournament starts at 7. Cost is $75 per player, which includes buffet dinner, drink ticket and tournament play. Proceeds benefit the Brentwood Rotary Charitable Fund. First-place prize is $500, second place is $300, third place is $200 and fourth place is $100. For more information, call Steve Gursky at 925-584-8708 or email sgursky@sbcglobal.net.

Saturday, April 6

Child Wellness Fair and marketplace

The fair and marketplace at 3901 Walnut Blvd., Suite C, in Brentwood from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. focuses on child wellness with tools, resources, and guest speakers. Admission is free. For details, visit brentwooddance.com.

Museum Opening Day

East Contra Costa Historical Museum, 3890 Sellers Avenue Brentwood/Knightsen, has its opening day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. A free family-oriented day of old-fashioned fun with outdoor games of the 1800s, museum tours, petting zoo and quilts. Take a lesson in the one-room schoolhouse, sit on the fire engine. The Brentwood Lions and Rotary Club will host a pancake breakfast. Tickets are $10 for adults and $25 per family, with proceeds benefitting the museum. For details, visit http://www. eastcontracostahistory.org or contact Mary Black at ecchs@eastcontracostahistory.org or 925-206-5087.

Sunday, April 7

Brentwood Holi 2024

Enjoy the Holi - Festival Of Color from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Krey Elementary School, 190 Crawford Drive. Experience a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues, delectable food, refreshing drinks, and lively music. Tickets are $8; children younger than 5 are admitted free. Free color with each purchased ticket. For details, visit https://united-indian.org/event/ holi-2024/

Friday, April 12-Sunday, April 14

Ghostlight Theatre Presents Festival 10

A festival of 10-minute plays is presented at 7 p.m. Shows on April 12 and 14 are at 7 p.m. each day, and shows on April 13-14 at 2 p.m. each day at Brentwood Community Center, 150 City Park Way. There’s something for everyone in these 20 shows -- drama, comedy, romance, sci-fi. Performances will be at the Brentwood Community Center on April 12th-14th. You can purchase a single show ticket to see 10 plays, or a double header option for just $10 more to see all 20 plays.Tickets are $22 -$ 32. For details and to order tickets, visit https:// ghostlightte.org.

Saturday, April 13

DBYC Opening Day of Boating Season Parade

The Discovery Bay Yacht Club at 5871 Marina Road hosts its free annual boating season parade

from noon-4 p.m. It starts just off Newport Lane at Kellogg Creek. To register your boat or for details, visit http://DBYC.com or call 925-634-1210.

Multicultural Faire in Brentwood

The Brentwood Youth Commission presents its second annual multicultural faire at City Park in Brentwood for live music, food trucks, live performances, booths and a fashion show that showcases the culture of local youth from 2-5 p.m. For details, email ospishock@brentwoodca.gov.

Spring Rummage Sale

Looking to sell some items and support local veterans? This free event is from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. For details, contact the hall manager at brentwoodveteransbuilding@gmail.com.

Grand Collaborations and Prosperous Voyage

For its final concert of the 2023-2024 season, the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, led by Geoffrey Gallegos, Music Director, joins forces with the San Ramon Valley Chorale, with director Bruce Koliha in a program titled Grand Collaboration and Prosperous Voyage. The program features choral masterworks by Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven, including his Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 112. The orchestra will transport the audience to Scotland with Mendelssohn’s grand and picturesque Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 (“Scottish”) inspired by his many voyages and sojourns to the highland countryside. The program is from 2-3:30 p.m. at the El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd St., in Antioch. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors, $7 youth. For details, call 925-757-9500 or visit http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

Sunday, April 14

Volunteers sought for Mount Diablo State Park Dig Days April 14, May 4

The Mount Diablo Trails Alliance seeks volunteers for its Dig Days scheduled for April 14 and May 4. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. On April 14, it will be above the Devil’s Elbow/North Peak Trail junction. On May 4, it will be on the Lower Summit Trail on the Upper Dan Cook SIngletrack near South Gate Road. Volunteers will help maintain and improve trails on the mountain using proven techniques with a focus on safety, preservation and equitable access. For details, visit mountdiablotrailsalliance.org/dig-days.

Wednesday, April 17

Free Job Fair

The job fair is scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Shadow Lakes Golf & Event Center, 401 W. Country Club Drive, Brentwood. Register to attend at www. ImagineJobFairs.com. For more information, send an email to Info@ImagineJobFair.com.

Saturday, April 20

4th Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Immaculate Heart of Mary Court #2714 presents the 4th annual luncheon and Fashion Show from 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Day of event tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for 12 and under. Wear your favorite spring hat because there will be a prize for the best hat, plus basket raffles and more. For details, email Marina Khayat ihmcda2714@ gmail.com.

Living Better After 50

A day of learning with worshops on Tai Chi, laughter yoga, safe driving, scams and fraud safety, preventing falls, mindfulness, aging care decisions, fitness and nutrition and brain health. Workshops are $5 and are from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at Black Diamond High School, 1131 Stoneman Ave., in Pittsburg. Light breakfast, lunch and a raffle are included. For details, call the Pittsburg Adult Education Center at 925-473-2400.

O pini O n

April 2 is

World Autism Awareness Day

As president of Working Wonders, a Brentwood nonprofit that serves adults with developmental disabilities, I have had the pleasure of helping open doors for our clients in the work world. These individuals inspire me every day, especially as we enter April, National Autism Acceptance Month, and Tuesday, April 2 being World Autism Awareness Day.

People on the autism spectrum are just that, people. They share the same joys and sorrows, hopes and heartbreak that those with typical neurological development experience.

They’re gifted in so many ways.

Our growing, fast-paced program

Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.

has two locations in Brentwood, and draws active adults from all over East County. We started the nonprofit about seven years ago, motivated by my now21-year-old son’s diagnosis of autism at the age of 2. I have an extensive newspaper background as a sports writer and sports copy editor, but nothing has given me the satisfaction of being able to interact with our clients at Working Wonders. Today, I am excited to announce that virtually every client in the program is on the payroll, meaning they participate in our work program and earn a minimum wage.

Our two-person work crews, with staff support, are currently doing jobs at Brentwood Craft Beer & Cider, Brentwood Fine Meats, Dino’s Sandwiches, and Curious-ity antique store, and the list keeps growing.

Most of you are familiar with classic

traits of those on the autism spectrum: difficulty with communication and social interactions, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors. But these traits don’t define our group. Our clients are taught

to see tasks as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. Our clients can, and do, learn new skills. Employers quickly become impressed with just how efficient and hard-working they are.

I ask people who employ our clients to share insights with them about the business and how it’s run. Yes, we clean, but we also want to learn how to greet customers, input orders into the computer, price-mark products, and handle daily prep work at restaurants.

We also have a lot of fun at Working Wonders, doing artwork, playing basketball, bowling, and going to the movies. It’s an attractive package that our impressive clients deserve.

For details or to help, call 925- 6264750 or visit https://www.letsworkwonders.org.

– Matt Schwab is president of Working Wonders in Brentwood.

The following comments were made on Facebook and Instagram in response to the story ‘Oakley City Council approves The Village housing project,’ first published in the March 15 issue of The Press.

“Why. Why more houses. Take care of the tax paying people you already have here. We don’t need more people….”

– Sarah Ann

…

“Every city needs more homes. They need less buying of single family homes to make them rentals”

– Adam Bunch

…

“How ‘bout makin more roads and new routes through the

city 1st.. and enough with the dang stop lights.. stopping cars every 100 ft doesnt help traffic! Round-a-bouts would help.. but if as citizens, if we dont want it.. you gotts go to EVERY DAMN COUNCIL MEETING! they’ll just push down the road untill folks arent there to oppose it…”

– Instagram user @armored_art …

“You need more homes to assist in affordability. Less inventory doesn’t help anyone if you

aren’t a current homeowner.”

– Instagram user @cg6868

…

“Yet jobs continue to be out of the city. Just look at Highway four, Vasco Road, and even the local BART stations. I think we perhaps missed our window of opportunity just a short time ago. When there was the.com boom we should’ve been right down there speaking with these technology companies and offering them land, office, space, etc..”

– Instagram user @maryannr123

SCHWAB

Milestones

Winners honored at Antioch Chamber of Commerce gala

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards gala at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center on March 22. The sold-out event honored residents, nonprofits and businesses for their roles in the community.

Winners included:

Citizen of the Year

• Local veterans leader Gerald “JR” Wilson was named Citizen of the Year for Most Impact

• Former Mayor of Antioch Mary Rocha was named Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement Business of the Year

• Service Pros Plumbers was named Small Business of the Year

• Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring was named Large Business of the Year Youth of the Year

• Antioch High School junior Fifita Grewe was named Youth of the Year Non-Profit of the Year

• Soroptimist International of Antioch was named Non-Profit of the Year Veteran of the Year

• U.S. Air Force veteran Diane Ferguson was named Antioch Lifetime Veteran of the Year

• U.S. Air Force veteran Brenda Cato was named Veteran of the Year

For more photos and video of the event, visit thepress.net/. To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows

Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it! Email your information

East Bay Regional Parks District hosts bi-annual All Abilities Day at Big Break shoreline in Oakley

The East Bay Regional Park District hosted its spring “All Abilities Day” on Tuesday at the Big Break Shoreline in Oakley.

“It is focused on all abilities and inclusivity in our East Bay Regional Parks, so we serve many disabled folks in the East Bay and throughout the Bay Area,” said Wyatt Moore, supervising naturalist of Big Break. The event happens twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. At the free event, more than 450 guests enjoy walking, riding, and rolling along the paved trail from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. while learning about the plants and wildlife.

American sign language and Spanish-speaking interpreters are on site to help all hikers. A special 90th Anniversary presentation commemorating nine decades of East Bay Regional Parks was also conducted during the storytime program.

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Photo by Greg Robinson

Photo by Andrew Rulloda

Hometown SportS

Heritage softball enjoys momentum before starting BVAL play on April 2

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

The start of the 2024 season hasn’t been anything close to what Heritage softball has been used to in the past. However, at 2-3 following their big 12-2 win in five innings over Tracy’s Millennium High School in Brentwood on Tuesday, this young Patriots team is hoping that Tuesday’s victory will spark a strong run with league play starting on April 2 at Antioch.

“We’ve been playing better since the first two games,” Heritage head softball coach Ron Rivers said. “I have a lot of first timers, but the future’s bright and the young ones are getting better.”

For the first time in a long time, this Patriots softball team is young and inexperienced, now far removed from the seasons of more than 20 wins and the consecutive Bay Valley Athletic League titles.

Heritage’s youth showed early on. Heritage lost their first two matchups of the year against Kimball and College Park by a combined score of 21-6 to open the campaign before splitting results against Rancho Cotate (won 5-3) and Cardinal Newman (lost 4-1) in the Rancho Cotate tournament.

“We made errors,” Rivers said. “The

first two games, we made a ton of errors just because they’re super nervous. It’s common to the nerves. It’s called being young and asking more from different players.”

In Tuesday’s win, sophomore Kylie Garcia tossed four innings of no-hit ball, striking out eight. However, on the other side of that, Shyanne Aragon came into the game in relief of Garcia in the fifth and struggled, walking four and allowing both of Millennium’s runs before Garcia re-entered the game to help record the final out.

“That’s part of youth,” Rivers explained. “We’re working with her to try to get her (pitches) because she pitches pretty

well at practice. It’s just calming her nerves and letting her understand that she’s got a spot, so let’s just go to work and not overthrow and she’s gonna be fine.”

At the plate, Heritage senior Mikaela Mortimer went 2-for-3 with a triple and a stolen base, scoring three times and reaching first on an error at second. After experiencing the high times of Heritage softball, she’s embracing the program’s youth movement as, now, the elder stateswoman of the team.

“It’s been a change in roles,” she said. “Especially in the past years, I’ve been a follower. I’ve had a lot of people to look up to. And this year, I’m kind of trying to guide

them myself. It’s just a whole different role taking on from being quiet and watching to having to speak and show more.”

Despite the expected change to the youth and the slow start, Heritage is still expecting to push for the BVAL title and a berth in the North Coast Section postseason.

“We’re winners,” Mortimer said. “It’s what we do, regardless of age. I feel like we can win the league. Liberty and Freedom have just given us more competition, more room to grow and push ourselves because the last four years, it’s been a little bit of competition, but not a lot of push.”

With Arroyo coming to Heritage on Thursday before the Patriots’ league opener against Antioch, Rivers says that while the goal of the program is to still win league and reach the playoffs, they’re not looking too far ahead just yet.

“The goal is still the same: win league, get in the playoffs,” he said. “That’s always been the goal, that will always be the goal.”

Heritage (2-3) hosts Arroyo (4-6) on Thursday at 4 p.m. then opens its league calendar at the Antioch Panthers on Tuesday, April 2 at 4 p.m.

To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows

Liberty softball eager to play Freedom in BVAL opener

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

For the first time in a long time, the Liberty Lions are on top of the BVAL before their league opener against Freedom on Monday, April 1, a series that the team has been preparing for since they started their season nearly a month ago.

“We know what we’re capable of,” second-year Liberty head softball coach Brandi Macias said. “We’re going to continue growing one game at a time.”

Liberty enters their non-conference finale against Millennium on Thursday at 5-2, tied with Freedom for the top spot in the Bay Valley Athletic League. The Lions could go back ahead half-a-game over Freedom with a win over Millennium on Thursday in Brentwood. Millennium lost 12-2 in five innings at Heritage on Tuesday.

The Lions have won five in a row since their 0-2 start with impressive wins in back-to-back extra-inning games against strong playoff teams like Central Catholic and San Ramon Valley, part of a schedule that Macias says prepared them to make a strong run in BVAL play.

“If you play the best early on, then you know that you can accomplish anything,” Macias explained of the team’s tough non-conference schedule. “I wasn’t going to schedule lower-level teams as those wouldn’t make us better. Playing the best makes you the best, and we’re going to continue with that mindset.”

“I’m just so proud of them,” Macias added. “I knew coming in that they had some work ahead of them, but the talent has been here. Right now, they’re trusting each other and believing in each other. And as a coach to know what

I know that they’re capable of and they’re actually putting it forward is one of the greatest gifts I’ve been able to see.”

Of Liberty’s eight total non-conference matchups, seven were playoff teams in 2023.

Part of Liberty’s success entering next week’s BVAL opening series has been in the circle with the one-two punch of sophomores Kate Skinner and Kaitlyn Macias.

Skinner’s 1.46 ERA this season places her in the top-15 in ERA amongst qualifying pitchers in the NCS and also leads the BVAL in that category, according to MaxPreps.

“She is a very strong kid,” Macias said of Skinner. “When she’s confident, she’s unstoppable.”

“I’m just trusting my defense and trusting my coaches’ pitches that they’re calling,” Skinner said. “I feel like it’s so much better playing and having that trust with my catchers letting me get the frames and the calls that I want.”

Where Skinner brings power to the circle, fellow sophomore Kaitlyn Macias responds with movement in her pitches. Brandi Macias calls it a perfect balance between her two starters.

“It’s a treasure for a coach to have a staff,” Brandi Macias said. “I know our top two really complement each other in so many different ways.”

The lineup has also exploded throughout the team’s win streak. The Lions have scored double-digit runs in three of the five wins of the streak, including last Wednesday’s 11-5 win at Castro Valley, highlighted by Savannah Page’s 4-for-5, three-RBI day.

Page, along with freshman first baseman Jewel Cooper, are third and fourth in batting average (Cooper .526, Page .524) with freshman Taylor Jennings’s .444 average placing her fifth. Jennings and Cooper are tied for the top spot in home runs with Freedom’s Olivia Hurtado and Maya Soto with two home runs each as of Tuesday.

“We’ve improved a lot from last year,” Skinner said. “In the beginning of this season, we’ve been a lot more connected, and we’re just racking up runs.”

“I’m excited (to start league play), excited to start off with (Freedom). I think it’s going to be a good game and we’re going to battle. It’s going to be close.”

Both teams split the season series last year with Freedom winning at Liberty 8-0 then Liberty grabbing the win on the road 9-5 during the team’s late five-game win streak then.

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Heritage sophomore pitcher Kylie Garcia pitches in the circle in the Patriots’ game against Millennium Tuesday afternoon in Brentwood.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Liberty head softball coach Brandi Macias fist bumps her catcher during the team’s practice Tuesday afternoon in Brentwood.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Coach preaches sisterhood; players enjoy giving back

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

Macias has preached a theme of sisterhood as the program’s foundation.

Now, she and the program are extending that to the rest of the Brentwood community.

“Our baseball coach, Andrew Lonsdale, approached me a while ago and just asked if it was something we’d be interested in,” Macias explained. “I love impacting the community, so anytime we can have these young, little athletes come out and be impacted by our older girls is something I would jump at any day.”

The week-long camp from Monday, March 25 to Thursday, March 28, went from 8 a.m. to about noon each day and had the Lions players help coach the younger players age 5 to 14 through various games and drills like hitting, fielding,

and base-running.

“The environment’s just so much fun,” Liberty outfielder Taylor Jennings said of the camp. “It’s not necessarily about making them better, but it’s just to get them to love the sport and love being out here. So far, if you could ask the little kids, it’s a 10 out of 10. It’s a lot of fun.”

“It’s an opportunity for us to give back to the younger ages and teach them not just

fundamentals of the camp, but also life lessons,” Macias added. “What I tell (the young girls) is that our older girls were at that age at one time and they had people to look up to.

“The parents are just so thankful and they’ve wondered why this hasn’t happened before,” Macias said. She could not answer why the youth camp wasn’t held in previous years under the last coaching regime,

but is happy that she’s getting to run it now. She adds that not only is the program giving back to the community, but the camp is also giving her players a humble perspective of what they’re doing on the field.

“It’s incredible to see the smiles on both sides of the face,” Macias said. “I think it also allows the older girls to realize what they do now. It’s not just about the game, it’s about impacting these lives and the older girls being mentors for them. To be able to sit back and watch that transition happen is everything.”

“This sisterhood, it’s real,” Jennings said. “That’s what softball is all about. I made my best friend through softball and it’s just cool seeing that in these little kids.”

Macias says that she hopes to not only host the youth camp again next year in the second week of spring break, but to also expand the camp to a second session in the summer, similar to what Liberty baseball does with their youth camps.

“We weren’t sure what the need was,” she said. “To understand that there were so many that didn’t know about it and weren’t impacted. We want to open that up a lot more. If we can grow this, we would like to impact as many as we can.”

To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia

Young softball players attended Liberty’s spring youth softball camp and got a chance to swing for the fences on the varsity softball field this week.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

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5 tips to safely view the solar eclipse on April 8

For people in Brentwood and millions more nationwide, the upcoming solar eclipse offers a great opportunity to view a rare celestial event.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks any part of the sun. On April 8, virtually everyone across the country will have the chance (weather permitting) to see at least a partial solar eclipse, while more than 31 million people in a narrow path from Texas to Maine will have the opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse. In Brentwood, the eclipse coverage will reach a maximum of 34.2% at 11:13:38 a.m.

been reviewed by the International Organization for Standardization, and look out for fake viewers that may be sold. A list of vendors that sell certified solar eclipse glasses is available at eclipse.aas. org. Read and follow any instructions packaged with or printed on the glasses.

• Don’t add other devices. Even while wearing approved solar eclipse glasses, don’t look at the sun through a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Doing so may concentrate the solar rays and damage the filter, enter your eyes, and potentially cause serious injury.

While the solar eclipse is a fun and educational opportunity for everyone, there are precautions you should take to help maintain your eye health while safely viewing this spectacle. Looking at a solar eclipse without proper protection may cause serious eye damage, including blurry vision that can last months, or even permanent problems such as “eclipse blindness.”

To help avoid that, here are five tips from Prevent Blindness to help safely view the solar eclipse:

• Get protected. It is unsafe to look directly at the sun at any time and during a partial or total solar eclipse, other than if you are in the path of totality during the brief total phase. Proper eclipse viewing glasses, which are heavily tinted – much more so than regular sunglasses – can enable you to see the moon track across the orb of the sun until it creates a total eclipse, revealing the sun’s corona.

• Avoid fakes. Use certified solar eclipse glasses, specifically ones that have

• Use caution during the moment of totality. If you are planning to watch the eclipse from along the 13-state path of totality, eclipse glasses should be worn during the entirety of the partial eclipse phase and may be removed once the moon completely blocks the sun. Once the sun reappears, glasses should be replaced.

• Consider a comprehensive eye exam. If you or a loved one experience eye discomfort or vision problems following the solar eclipse, visit a local eye care professional for a comprehensive exam. Importantly, comprehensive eye exams may also identify vision problems while helping with the potential detection of other health issues, including diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

The upcoming solar eclipse can be a fun and educational opportunity, provided you take the necessary precautions to protect your eye health.

By Dr. Premilla Banwait, Vice President of Clinical Programs, UnitedHealthcare

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

News iN Brief

Brentwood man among six Bay Area men arrested, charged in child exploitation crimes

A Brentwood man is among six Bay Area men being charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with offenses related to child exploitation.

The arrests occurred after the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted Operation Broken Heart from Feb. 26-March 7, 2024. Six men were arrested – four of whom have been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney. Two cases are still being reviewed by prosecutors.

Among the men charged, Brady Allen Godsey-Lally, 27, of Brentwood arrived at an apartment complex in Danville on March 7 to meet a 13-year-old girl to engage in sex acts. Godsey was arrested and booked for felonies, including attempted lewd acts with a minor and arranging to meet a minor for sex. On March 11, Godsey-Lally was formally charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with those felonies.

The purpose of Operation Broken Heart was to identify individuals on the internet with the intent to travel to meet minors and engage in sex acts. The operation was run by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Danville Police Department in conjunction with multiple local, state, and federal agencies that make up the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes police departments in Brentwood and Oakley.

State seizes 1 million fentanyl pills at border

California National Guard-supported operations in February resulted in the seizure of over 1 million fentanyl pills in California — including more than 592,900 pills at the state’s ports of entry.

The seizures highlight the importance of counter-drug operations along the southern border and increased border security, according to a press release from Gov. Newsom’s office. The bipartisan border security deal, which is being blocked by Republicans in Congress, includes funding

and new mechanisms to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.

Despite this increase, Republicans in Congress continue to reject a bipartisan border security deal — at former President Trump’s urging — that would further boost law enforcement efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl including through new sanctions. The bipartisan deal would also fund over 4,300 asylum officers, 100 immigration judges, and local humanitarian efforts to support a safe and orderly process for people after they are released from federal custody so they may continue to their sponsors.

Cracking down on the smuggling of illegal drugs, Newsom last year increased the number of CalGuard service members deployed to interdict drugs at U.S. ports of entry along the border by approximately 50%. The operations CalGuard supported resulted in the record seizure of 62,224 pounds of fentanyl in 2023 — a 1,066% increase since 2021. CalGuard’s coordinated drug interdiction efforts in the state are funded in part by California’s $30 million investment to expand CalGuard’s work to prevent drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations. Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens.

Foul play not suspected in man’s death in Antioch

Antioch police have determined that the body found over the weekend to the rear of the 5700 block of Slatten Ranch Road was not the victim of a homicide, results of an autopsy revealed.

The exact cause of death remains undetermined pending a more thorough autopsy. However, foul play has been conclusively ruled out in this case.

On March 24, at 11:15 a.m. Antioch police responded to the rear of the 5700 block of Slatten Ranch Road for a reported body floating in the creek. Officers located a dead person submerged in the water.

The person’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, police said.

Applicants sought for county Juvenile Justice

Coordinating Council

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants interested

in serving on its 20-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC). Regular meetings of the Council and other standing committees are held at least quarterly based on a schedule adopted by the Council. That schedule may be changed or augmented as needed. Members have the option to serve on one subcommittee (Effective Prevention and Integrated Community Services Subcommittee). The following position is vacant and will be held for a two-year term: One community-based organization representative possessing a deep understanding of needs, challenges, and strengths residing or working within the county.

The JJCC is a multi-agency advisory body that contributes to the development and implementation of a countywide juvenile justice plan. It assessess law enforcement, probation, education, mental health, health, social services, drugs, alcohol, and youth services resources.

The JJCC will also coordinate the work of governmental and non-governmental organization activities designed to reduce juvenile crime and delinquency.

The JJCC also will develop better communications systems to coordinate data.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, May 17. All applicants who submit by the deadline will be invited to the public interview process conducted by the Public Protection Committee. This committee will then recommend a selection of applicants for the Board of Supervisors to appoint. Interviews with the Public Protection Committee will occur on June 3, and interviews with the Board of Supervisors will occur on July 9.

Applications can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418/. Completed applications should be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@ cob.cccounty.us or mailed to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

National Drug Take Back Day on April 27

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for April 27 from 10 a.m.2 p.m. Drop off unneeded prescription medications to one of these two locations:

Brentwood at the Brentwood Police Department at 9100 Brentwood Blvd.

Discovery Bay at the Sandy Cove Shopping Center at 14840 Highway 4 between CVS and Safeway.

Potential COVID nasal spray vaccine advances

Intravacc, a global leader in translational research and development of viral and bacterial vaccines, said it has positive preclinical results for its SARS-CoV-2 Outer Membrane Vesicle -based recombinant Spike protein (rSp) nose spray vaccine.

“Our focus is to develop an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine that can induce both a systemic and a mucosal immune response,” Dr. Dinja Oosterhoff, Director Program Management at Intravacc, said. “Mucosal immunity is the first line of defense for respiratory infections, and plays an important role in the prevention of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The preclinical data provides evidence supporting the efficacy potential of our (nasal vaccine).”

Dr. Jan Groen, Intravacc’s CEO, said, “We are very pleased with this pre-clinical data of our intranasal SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccine. This allows us to move quickly towards an in human combined phase I and II clinical trial.”

In the mice that received the CovOMVand CovOMVclick vaccines, respectively 30% and 90% virus neutralizing antibodies were detected. In all the hamsters, both candidate vaccines induced neutralizing antibodies, but the level of antibodies in hamsters that received CovOMVclick was slightly higher compared to the other group.

Search warrant yields 4 firearms, suspected illegal drugs in Brentwood

Four firearms and a large amount of suspected illegal drugs were recovered when Brentwood police used drones and the Armored Rescue Vehicle to execute a search warrant at a residence on the 100 block of Applewood Common on Tuesday at 7 a.m.

As a result of an ongoing investigation, two residents were detained, but no arrests were made, according to a press release.

The case will be forwarded to the Contra County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible charges.

property held in trust including but limiting to DNA, cDNA, cell lines, retna scans, fingerprints and all Debentures, Indentures, Accounts, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the pignus, hypotheca, hereditaments, res, the energy and all products derived therefrom nunc pro tunc, contracts, agreements, and signatures and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Straw-man’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #14814525, SSN/UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:457-77-2187; Exemption Identification Number:457772187, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered Harris County Cause #1817970, and #2412822 Agreement No. ACMJ-01051983-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. ACMJ-01051983-HHIA, Copyright under item no: ACMJ-01051983-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, Anthony-Craig: Mitchell Jr., is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as Texas, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions through the prescription of Law necessity with Applicable Law, Cardinal Orders, Ordinal Orders, and Commercial Standards. All Rights Retained And Reserved. Direct any rebuttal to: Anthony-Craig: Mitchell Jr., c/o 3702 Woodvalley Dr., Houston, Texas, Without-U.S. [77025] Antioch Press No. 06-1617

ANTHONY-KESHAUN: HARRISON TRUST in the Commercial Chamber under the necessity to secure the rights, title (S), interest and value therefrom, in and of the Root of Title from inception, as well as property held in trust including but limiting to DNA, cDNA, cell lines, retna scans, fingerprints and all Debentures, Indentures, Accounts, Writ of Possession, Warrants, Complaints, Citations, Bonds, Applications, Notes, Chattel Paper, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the pignus, hypotheca, hereditaments, res, the energy and all products derived therefrom nunc pro tunc, contracts, agreements, and signatures and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Straw-man’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #199434012284, SSN/UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:626-74-4816; Exemption Identification Number:626744816, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered: Placer County Cause# FSB19000938, $5,000,000.00 Private Surety Bond, Security Agreement No. AKH-08111994-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. AKH08111994-HHIA, Copyright under item no: AKH-08111994-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, Anthony-Keshaun: Harrison, is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as California, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions through the prescription of Law necessity with Applicable Law, Cardinal Orders, Ordinal Orders, and Commercial Standards. All rights Retained and Reserved Direct Any Rebuttal to: AnthonyKeshaun: Harrison Trust, c/o 480 Alta Rd., San Diego, California, Without-U.S. [92179]

Antioch Press No. 06-1617

Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE I, J.B., of the family Blacks, a livingbreathing man, Declare I am alive, and over the age of 18 years old, fully competent to handle my own Trust Estate without the United States. I am a U.S. National (Texas Republic), not a 14th Amendment Citizen of the United States. I DO NOT WISH TO CONTRACT WITH ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR GOVERMENT AGENCIES. This is the collateral by Trustee/Secured Party on behalf of the Trust/Estate; J.B.: BLACK TRUST in the Commercial Chamber under the necessity to secure the rights, title (S), interest and value therefrom, in and of the Root of Title from inception, as well as property held in trust including but limiting to DNA, cDNA, cell lines, retna scans, fingerprints and

all Debentures, Indentures, Accounts, Writ of Possession, Warrants, Complaints, Citations, Bonds, Applications, Notes, Chattel Paper, and all the pledges represented by the same included but not limited to the pignus, hypotheca, hereditaments, res, the energy and all products derived therefrom nunc pro tunc, contracts, agreements, and signatures and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Straw-man’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #100778-1968, SSN/ UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:465-41-1973; Exemption Identification Number:465411973, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered: Parcel #134-885-001-0001, Located at: 5810 Stratton Woods Dr., Spring, Texas [77389], Harris County Cause#1629964, and #1723527, 2018 Chevy Corvette VIN#1G1YU3D62G5601357, 2015 Mercedes Benz G Wagon VIN#WDCYC7DF9FX229594, Harris County Cause #1805055, $5,000,000.00 Private Surety Bond Recorded December, 2023, in Harris County, Security Agreement No. JBB-07231968-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. JBB-07231968-HHIA, Copyright under item no: JBB-07231968-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, J.B.: Black, is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as Texas, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions through the prescription of Law necessity with Applicable Law, Cardinal Orders, Ordinal Orders, and Commercial Standards. All rights Retained and Reserved Direct Any Rebuttal to: J.B.: Black Trust, c/o 5810 Stratton Woods Dr., Spring, Texas, Without-U.S. [77389] Antioch Press No. 06-1617 Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 2024

and all

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derived therefrom nunc

and

and/or endorsements, facsimiles, printed, typed or photocopied, of the owners name predicated on the ‘Straw-man’, Ens Legis/Trust Estate described as the debtor and all property is accepted for value and is Exempt from levy. Lien placed on debtor entities is for all outstanding property still owed but not yet returned to trust from entities such as municipalities, governments, and the like, not on trust entity itself. Trustee is not surety to any account by elicit reservation/indemnification. The following property is hereby registered and liened in the same: All certificates of Birth Document #0600343471, SSN/ UCC Contract Trust Account-Prepaid Account Number:459-97-5905; Exemption Identification Number:459975905, is herein liened and claimed at a sum certain $100,000,000.00, also registered: 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander VIN#JA4AD3A3XLJ000440, 2015 Chevy Tahoe VIN#1LNHM87A75Y646855, Harris County Cause #1805055, $5,000,000.00 Private Surety Bond Recorded November 7th, 2023, in Harris County, Security Agreement No. JRP-04241987-SA, Hold Harmless & Indemnity Agreement No. JRP-04241987HHIA, Copyright under item no: JRP04241987-CLC Adjustment of the filing is in accord with both public policy and the national Uniform Commercial Code. Trustee/Secured Party, Jeremy-Ray: Parks, is living flesh and blood sojourning upon the soil of the land known as Texas, and not within Fictional boundaries, territories nor jurisdiction of any fictional entity including fictional Federal geometric plane(s). Trespass by any agent(s) foreign or domestic, by such in any scheme or artifice to defraud. Full reverence by ALL AGENTS and CORPORATIONS is ambiguously demanded and required. Culpa est immiscere se rel ad se non pertienti. All property currently held or outstanding belongs to the Trust administered by Trust/Secured Party, Title 46 USC 31343 and Article 1 and 5 of the International Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages 1993, Held at the Palis Des Nations, Geneva, From April 19 to May 5, 1992, United Nations UN. This Maritime Lien is under safe harbor and sinking funds provisions

California. Date of Sale: 04/17/2024 at 1:30 PM Place of Sale: At the north side of the Pittsburg Civic Center near the grass located at 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg, CA 94565 Estimated amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $917,079.80 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 220 RAYE AVENUE, OAKLEY, CA 94561 A.P.N.: 033-040-035

The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The requirements of California Civil Code Section 2923.5(b)/2923.55(c) were fulfilled when the Notice of Default was recorded. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY

OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 714-7302727 or visit this internet website www. ndscorp.com/sales, using the file number assigned to this case 14-20498-SP-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT*: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” you may be able to purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder,” you may be able

trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 888-264-4010, or visit this internet website www.ndscorp.com, using the file number assigned to this case 14-20498-SP-CA to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as a “representative of all eligible tenant buyers” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase.

*Pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code, the potential rights described herein shall apply only to public auctions taking place on or after January

1, 2021, through December 31, 2025, unless later extended. Date: 03/05/2024

National Default Servicing Corporation c/o Tiffany and Bosco, P.A., its agent, 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 820 San Diego, CA 92108 Toll Free Phone: 888-264-4010

Sales Line 714-730-2727; Sales Website: www.ndscorp.com Connie Hernandez, Trustee Sales Representative A-4811429 03/15/2024, 03/22/2024, 03/29/2024 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 92320 Publish

Dates: March 15, 22, 29, 2024.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE

Trustee Sale No. : 00000009432774

Title Order No.: 220123017 FHA/VA/PMI No.: 198-1697914-703-203B YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 02/24/2021. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TREDER and WEISS, LLP, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 02/26/2021 as Instrument No. 20210059720 of official records in the office of the County Recorder of CONTRA COSTA County, State of CALIFORNIA. EXECUTED BY: GRAHAM MATTHEW BECK SR AND ALYSSA HANDLEY, HUSBAND AND WIFE, AND DONNA HARTSHORN BISHOP, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, AS JOINT TENANTS, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK/ CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by California Civil Code 2924h(b), (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States). DATE OF SALE: 04/08/2024 TIME OF SALE: 1:30 PM PLACE OF SALE: AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PITTSBURG CIVIC CENTER NEAR THE GRASS LOCATED AT 65 CIVIC AVENUE, PITTSBURG, CA 94565. STREET ADDRESS and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 295 COOLCREST DR, OAKLEY, CALIFORNIA 94561 APN#: 037-580-041 AKA 037580-041-4 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the

note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $748,328.32. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located.

NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO

PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 833-561-0243 for information regarding the trustee’s sale or visit this Internet Web site WWW.SALES.BDFGROUP.COM for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case 00000009432774. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.

NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code. If you are an “eligible tenant buyer,” you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. If you are an “eligible bidder”, you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction. There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase. First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call 833-561-0243, or visit this internet website WWW.SALES.BDFGROUP.COM using the file number assigned to this case 00000009432774 to find the date on which the trustee’s sale was held, the

amount of the last and highest bid, and the address of the trustee. Second, you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee’s sale. Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee’s sale. If you think you may qualify as an “eligible tenant buyer” or “eligible bidder,” you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase. FOR TRUSTEE SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: 833-561-0243 WWW. SALES.BDFGROUP.COM BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TREDER and WEISS, LLP IS ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

BARRETT DAFFIN FRAPPIER TREDER and WEISS, LLP as Trustee 3990 E. Concours Street, Suite 350 Ontario, CA 91764 (866) 795-1852 Dated: 03/01/2024 A-4811052 03/15/2024, 03/22/2024, 03/29/2024. Oakley Press No. 03-0477 92306 Publish

Dates: March 15, 22, 29, 2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

Press No. 02-1273

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Brentwood

Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2024-0001339 The name of the business(es): Aurora Glow Located at: 2440 Sand Creek Rd., Suite E-1 In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Ariana Susan Gonzalez. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Ariana Gonzalez, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/08/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/07/2029

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2024-0001296 The name of the business(es): Discovery Bay Tech Solutions Located at: 4500 Driftwood Ct In: Discovery Bay, CA 94505 is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Anthony Joseph George. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2024. Signature of registrant: Kristin B. Connelly, Deputy ClerkRecorder. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/06/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 03/05/2029 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2024-0001194 The name of the business(es): Black Pearl Engagements Located at: 2348 Loveridge Rd, Apt. 100 In: Pittsburg, CA 94565, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Qiana Brooks. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Qiana Brooks, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 03/01/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 02/28/2029 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2024-0001521 The name of the business(es): SADUS Located at: 2716 Rancho Canada Dr In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1. Darren Travis 2. Jon Allen This business is conducted by: Copartners. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Darren Travis, General Partner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on:

March 18, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires

March 17, 2029

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2024-0001093 The name of the business(es): Mountainside Mobile Physical Therapy, Inc. Located at: 114 Granite Way In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Mountainside Mobile Physical Therapy, Inc. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, State of Incorporation: CA. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2024.

Signature of registrant: Thisbe Coleman, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 02/27/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 02/26/2029

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2024-0000382 The name of the business(es):

1. Money Mindful Moms

2. Macaroni KID Brentwood Located at: 8365 Brookhaven Cir In: Discovery Bay, CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Krista Nicole Naldjian. This business is

Signature of registrant: Daniel OLeary, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: February 15, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 02/14/2029

Press No. 03-0477 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: March 8, 15, 22, 29, 2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

STATEMENT

No. F-2024-0000826 The name of the business(es): Delta E-Bikes Located at: 3027 Gateway Road In: Bethel Island CA 94511, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1. Jeffery S McThorn 2. Araceli L McThorn This business is conducted by: a Married Couple. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Jeffery McThorn, Party of Marriage. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 02/15/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 02/14/2029

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: March 8,

Pissed from page 1

cil or Planning Commission. The staff report for the item also notes that the item “cannot be denied or continued, as this would be in violation of the streamlined ministerial review process afforded by AB 2011.”

Residents expressed dissatisfaction with not just the apartment project, but the process that would allow the state to govern decisions about community development.

“We’re going to just keep seeing more and more of this and it’s getting worse and worse,” said Rod Flohr, a member of the city’s Planning Commission, during public comments. “We have to be willing to go out of our comfort zones. We have to be willing to fight back on projects like this.”

Other speakers echoed Flohr’s concerns, asking the council to push back against policies like AB 2011 and asking what they’ve done along those lines already.

Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer voiced her own frustrations, telling residents that the council members have been actively participating in conversations with state lawmakers.

“It’s very frustrating to think about our future and the future of any councils to make any decisions that are

Park from page 1

the Capital Improvement Program, the budget allocated for the park is $4.2 million, of which $2.1 million was contributed by Stonewood Subdivision as part of its Park Impact Fee obligation. However, that was insufficient to construct the park, and its facilities and features. As such, Oakley supplemented an additional City Impact Fee for the construction.

In early March, U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier said he secured $15.2 million for community projects across the Contra Costa and Alameda counties in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, where the funding will go to 15 projects.

“The community project funding of $850,000 that was secured by Congressman DeSaulnier’s office will go towards the construction of the park,” McMurray said.

Oakley Mayor Anissa Williams said

it’s just getting to a point where we’re not getting qualified lateral applicants anymore. We need to find other ways to find officers.”

Lateral officers are police officers in one geographic area who have the ability to get a job in another area.

The police officer trainee classification would enable the department to add a non-sworn officer to be hired as a trainee. The trainee would be an at-will employee with the potential of full-time employment depending on the trainee clearing all of the required testing to become a sworn police officer. They will be working full-time hours at the academy, not immediately on the streets.

The testing would be similar to that for lateral officers, including Livescan, Polygraph, a background investigation, POST medical clearance, psychological testing and POST academy graduation. Potential trainees have to clear background testing in order to qualify to be hired as a trainee and attend the academy.

Pay for the trainees would be $38 an hour and include full-time benefits as they would be working full-time hours. The funding would come from the money that was allocated to un-filled sworn po-

actually for the betterment and the quality of life for the people they’re serving,” she said. “Your City Council in Brentwood is pissed. We are. We are pissed. Each one of us is going to Sacramento, is taking part in policy committees and department officer meetings.”

Meyer also encouraged residents to stay informed of state politics and use their voting power to help get legislators who represented their interests elected rather than those who would continue to enact similarly overreaching policies.

Although the council could not vote to deny or postpone the project due to the law, they approved a procedure that would impact the way AB 2011 projects are handled in the future. Going forward, AB 2011-related projects will be posted on social media as well as the city’s website in a way that clearly notes for the public that they are related to the Assembly bill. Staff will also be expected to present the council with a report within 45 days of an AB 2011 submission. This would allow the City Council, in addition to staff, to look over AB 2011-related applications to be sure that they comply with that law and potentially kick back any that do not

the park meets the City’s Strategic Plan Open Space Goal and adds another outdoor area for people to enjoy.

“The City evaluates community needs and designs and builds parks with a wide range of amenities for all age groups, and each park is unique,” said Williams.

The park will feature a picnic area, shade structure, splash pad, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible restroom, playground, natural turf, and a parking lot. There will also be a half basketball court, a bocce ball court, and a cornhole court.

Kevin Rohani, Oakley’s Public Works Director and City Engineer, said the Public Works Department will manage the construction and ensure the plans are executed “properly and professionally with least inconvenience” to the public. The maintenance of this new park will be the respon-

meet the necessary requirements.

Other topics discussed included:

• A future agenda item request from Meyer to consider potential methods to restrict hate speech during public comments. The City Council had changed the procedure around public comments last year in response to an incident in which commenters on Zoom used the public comment portion of the meeting to espouse antisemitic comments. Meyer said she is seeking a solution that would allow the Council to cut off such remarks without curtailing the public’s ability to speak freely during meetings.

• The 5-0 approval of an ordinance that would allow developers to install pad-mounted transformers as part of their development projects. The municipal code requires utility distribution facilities to be placed underground as a part of private development projects, according to the staff report for the agenda item. The agenda also notes that the collection of $1.7 million in “near-term” fees for building projects would be delayed had the ordinance not been adopted.

The full meeting can be watched at https://bit. ly/3TWx7qR

sibility of the Public Works Department, and it is part of the operations budget for its maintenance.”

lice officer positions, and academy funding would come from the ARPA funding that’s allocated for recruitment.

“For the position that we have been in for the past eight years, we have not been an anomaly,” Oakley police Chief Paul Beard said. “It takes a while to get your feet under you to where you can support a brand new officer, a person who’s never been an officer before.”

Tejada added that the resolution was needed since the Oakley police department has not had a qualified applicant since November 2023, despite hiring incentives based on experience still being offered. Recruitment incentives are also being offered to employees to recruit

other officers.

Currently, according to Tejada, there’s one police officer vacancy with the department and five officers out on extended medical leave with some of their positions expected to be vacant before the 2024-25 fiscal year begins.

Oakley police are also anticipating one retirement this year with the potential to have 5-8 vacancies by June 2025.

Councilmember George Fuller compared the resolution to his time with the Los Angeles Police Department.

“I just want to congratulate the initiative to bring this about and see it come about,” he said. “Myself, retiring from LAPD, which had a lot more money and a

“We take pride in operating and maintaining all City parks to the highest standards,” Rohani added.

City parks have video security systems monitored by the police and Public Works Department, and this new park will also have a video security system installed as part of the project.

“City parks operations are from dawn to dusk and close at night. There is no lighting at night,” Rohani said.

Danielle Navarro, Oakley’s Assistant City Manager, said residents can contact the Public Works Department if they have any issues during the construction of the park, or they can submit a comment, complaint, or request through Oakley’s OnDemand system at https://www.ci.oakley. ca.us/ondemand-request-form/.

lot more staff to work with and their own academy, this is the way I went through but they had pretty good results.”

Recruitment opened on March 27 and closes on April 12 with the written exam scheduled for April 16. The oral interviews are set to take place on April 17 and 18 with the polygraph, background, medical, and psychological exams scheduled to take place toward the end of April into May. The final offer of employment for the trainee classification will be on May 30.

The Oakley police department is planning to hire two qualified candidates as trainees with the goals of them starting the academy in July. Tejada says with such little room for error, they will only move forward if they are confident they found a qualified candidate to become a trainee.

“Our proposed schedule is ambitious,” she explained. “We recognize that from the start and we have little room for error in all of this. We do have some Plan Bs and Cs in place, but we hope we don’t have to get there.

“We are going to make investments into applicants that we don’t know very well and we’re going to have to trust that we’re making the right choices.”

DESAULNIER

Oakley from page 1