and e m o H ide e 12 u G n Pag Garde
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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
April 24, 2009
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Kidney donor gives friend new life ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
After four years of dialysis, Concord resident Chuck Graham now has a new lease on life thanks to the generosity of a friend. Major Pam Gardner who, along with husband Major Clay Gardner, heads the Concord Salvation Army, donated a kidney to Graham, a friend and fellow Clayton/Concord Sunrise Rotarian in an operation that was successfully performed at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco in mid-March. “I watched a “Today Show” story about a lady who worked at a Starbucks and donated a kidney to one of her customers,” Pam said. “We observed Chuck’s health declining and a big difference in his energy levels. When I talked with my husband, he said he would have donated his kidney if he could have.” Pam knew she could do something, so she did.
JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER New PD roles point to the future In the last Pioneer, you read about the wonderful job our Clayton Police Department does to keep the community safe. I want to add my personal congratulations to Clayton Police Officers Rich Enea and Richard McEachin for their assignments to police corporal positions. During the past two years, two sergeants have retired from the department. The positions were filled by Clayton officers who successfully competed in an open recruitment process that included qualified candidates from outside the department. As a testament to the quality of our officers, Chief Dan Lawrence suggested that with the latest sergeant’s retirement, we leave the position unfilled for 12 months and instead use two temporary new corporal positions. The corporals will provide immediate assistance to the sergeants, maintain necessary department supervision, reduce personnel salary costs and lead to the potential promotion of an existing Clayton officer to the rank of sergeant. This training program to develop future leaders from within also improves department morale.
See Mayor, page 24
André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer
AFTER WATCHING HER FRIEND’S STEADY DECLINE, Pam Gardner (right) was moved to donate the kidney that restored health to Chuck Graham. The two are shown here four weeks after the transplant surgery.
See Transplant, page 10
Clayton patrol cars will soon be black and white TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The familiar white Clayton police car will soon be a thing of the past. The City Council approved a request by the Clayton Police Officers Association (POA) to convert the cars from the familiar all white to a black and white
color scheme more typical of law enforcement. The POA will cover the cost of repainting, estimated at $400-500 per car. No city funds will be used. Nearby cities of Concord, Walnut Creek and Pittsburg all have black and white cars, said POA president Richard McEachin. “Black and white patrol vehicles are more visibly
Todd Sorrell brings lifelong commitment to new job ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
Six weeks into his new job with Clayton’s finest, Officer Todd Sorrell is halfway through his training – covering each of the duties under the watchful eyes of three trainers who scrutinize his every move so that he gets it completely right. Sorrell doesn’t mind. “I feel confident in my abilities,” he said. Married to Tanya, with sons aged 13 and 11, Sorrell came over from the jail at the Concord Police Department. There, he handled bookings and other aspects related to the correctional facility. “I was hired at age 19 as a reserve officer for the city of Pinole,” Sorrell said of the position he held for five years. “Back then, like now, cities were not hiring more officers.” So he jumped at the opportunity to work at the jail, where he met Sgt. Scott Danzi – who suggested he look at making the move to Clayton. André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer
OFFICER TODD SORRELL
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
See Officer, page 21
Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . .19 Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . .5
identified as police vehicles,” McEachin noted. With Clayton’s cars in the same colors as the surrounding cities, “this gives the impression that there are more patrol vehicles on duty at any given time.” “It’s a force multiplier,” said Police Chief Dan Lawrence,
See Patrol Cars, page 17
How great is your Mom? Enter the Pioneer Mother’s Day essay contest and
Make your mom “Queen for a Day” Mom . . . she’s your biggest cheerleader and your staunchest supporter. She’s always there, orchestrating the day, getting dinner, finding lost socks, heading off disaster – often against some pretty tough odds. And in between, she can always find time for a laugh and a snuggle. Here is your chance to tell the world (or ers Winn 5 0 d 0 at least n 2 a y Tammerly C l a y t on) b Kim ti just how u r r e C great your mom is. Write the winning essay telling us why your mom should be crowned the Clayton
Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Home and Garden Guide . . . . . .12 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
P i o n e e r ’ s 200 “Queen for a Mary7aWinners nd Heid i Day” and Ashworth treat her to a giant gift package including dinner out, theater tickets, beauty products and spa days – everything she needs to feel pampered, pretty and appreciated. See page 6 for contest details and a complete list of prizes. The winning essay and a photo of you and your mom will appear in the May 8 issue of the Pioneer.
Deadline to enter is 5 p.m., April 27.
Police Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Safety Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Senior Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Tax Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Time to Go (New) . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Trails and Landscape . . . . . . . . . .7 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .3