YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS
Vol. 23, No. 42
October 15, 2021
County vaccination mandate takes effect by Tony Kukulich Correspondent
REGIONAL As the latest wave of COVID-19 infections has slowed, a vaccination mandate more stringent than those issued by Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) took full effect in the county last week. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors issued a mandate on Aug. 27 requiring all county employees to prove they have received both COVID-19 vaccination shots by Oct. 4. The mandate has been referred to as a ‘vaccinate or terminate’ policy because, with few exceptions, employees were warned that failure to comply with the policy could result in disciplinary actions up to and including termination. “The COVID-19 pandemic remains a public emergency in our county, and we know that the most effective tool we have for reducing transmissions and hospital-
izations – and saving lives – is vaccination,” said Diane Burgis, Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor. “Contra Costa residents count on our employees every day for vital services, including people who are at high risk of serious illness if infected by COVID-19. Many of our employees frequently work in settings with an elevated risk of exposure to the virus. Given those facts, it is clear why the county has a mandatory vaccination policy for employees. It protects our workers and the residents they serve from a deadly but highly preventable disease, advances our mission to control the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and provides assurance to the public that Contra Costa
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County is doing all it can to keep everyone safe and healthy.” Just two weeks prior to the supervisors’ mandate, CCHS issued a health order requiring law enforcement officers, non-emergency ambulance crews, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who work in or may respond to emergency calls at high-risk facilities such as hospitals, jails, nursing and congregate care facilities to either get vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. That order took effect Sept. 17. Unlike the CCHS order, the supervisors’ mandate made no general accommodation for weekly testing as an alternative to receiving the vaccine. Only those who qualified for an exemption on either medical or religious grounds could opt for testing instead of receiving the vaccination. That distinction caused considerable consternation, particularly among the ranks of the Contra Costa County
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Brentwood names interim assistant city manager by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
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The measure drafted by the county would have put the library in the place where the former Sheriff’s Station currently stands.
Staff Writer
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e without notice. See our
erty because it is needed for local law enforcement and fire services. “But this really is the first step, as the building has become an attractive nui-
see Mandate page 18A
by Kaitlyn Gleeson
mit to a $400,000 demolition project of the former sheriff’s office delta substation and Contra Costa County reimburse 50% of those costs. Secondly, the city would keep a telecommunication tower intact and operating on the prop-
ions are subject to chang
BRENTWOOD Longtime Brentwood Police Chief Tom Hansen has been appointed acting assistant city manager as the city searches for a permanent replacement, City Manager Tim Ogden confirmed this week. Former Brentwood Assistant City Manager Terrence Grindall retired on Oct. 6. Ogden said Hansen, a nearly 27-year member of the police department, is expected to hold the interim position through the end of the year. Throughout his time with the city, Hansen has also served as a police officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, acting police chief and police chief. Current Brentwood Police captains Doug Silva and Tim Herbert will split time as acting police chief in Hansen’s absence. “Brentwood PD will be in capable hands, and Tom won’t be far away if needed,” Ogden said. “This will be a great opportunity for enhanced succession planning for the police department, and will provide Tom a new lens of opportunity to serve the city of Brentwood as he has for almost 27 years. Tom will resume serving as police chief when the new assistant city manager starts.” The city will use the national executive search firm Peckham & McKenney to find a permanent assistant city manager, who could start as soon as January, Ogden said. In the interim, Ogden said Hansen will help
Oakley Council rejects new library OAKLEY Oakley residents will have to continue waiting for a fully functioning library as the Oakley City Council failed to pass legislation in support of one. On Sept. 28, Interim City Manager Josh McMurray introduced a cooperative agreement between Contra Costa County and the City of Oakley that proposed the demolition of an old sheriff’s office and building of a new library in its place. As councilmember Aaron Meadows abstained from the discussion due to a conflict of interest, the motion needed at least three votes to pass. Consequently, it was a 2-2 decision that did not pass.. Had the motion passed, it would have meant that the City of Oakley com-
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