PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
September 11, 2009
925.672.0500
A piece of Clayton history disappears as landmark home is destroyed by fire JULIE PIERCE
MAYOR’S CORNER Variety of solutions for our water woes In a recent conversation with Clayton resident Joe Campbell, president of the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) board, I learned several water-related things that should be shared. It is no secret that we are in a drought and our water usage has been limited by CCWD under a 15 percent reduced usage program (45 percent for outdoor city irrigation). What is not widely known is that districtwide, CCWD’s customers have reduced their usage by 19 percent. This is a great start and a testament to our community spirit. It’s been a challenge for some residents. Changing habits is not easy. Since Clayton is among the hottest areas in the district and our yards are bigger, our consumption is still higher than any other area and we need to stay vigilant. By cutting back on watering your yard and paying attention to water use inside your home, you can save a lot of
See Mayor, page 16
Photo courtesy of the Clayton Historical Society
The Yolanda Estate, shown here just after completion in 1919, was so well hidden in the trees at the end of Lydia Lane that few people even knew it was there. The house was completely destroyed by a suspected arson fire on Aug. 29. One of the two women in the photo is probably Juliette Alexander, daughter of shipping magnate Samuel Thomas Alexander, the property’s original owner. TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton waved a smoky farewell to an old friend as one of the town’s few vintage landmarks went up in flames the morning of Aug. 29 near Mt.
Diablo Creek. Preliminary investigation indicates that the house fire was “human-caused,” said Contra Costa Fire District Battalion Chief Steve Maiero. Caretakers on the property reported chasing several people off the property the previous night.
Neighbors said they knew that teenagers had been trespassing on the property frequently in recent months. A passing jogger reported smelling smoke about 7 a.m. but didn’t see anything. Flames erupted about 8:30 and the home was engulfed when fire-
fighters arrived at 8:47. The fire had first been reported as a grassfire, said Capt. Ben Smith of Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s Station 11 in Clayton. Smith called for structural units when he arrived on the scene. Further slowing efforts was the 1,400
feet between the fire and the nearest hydrant. SECOND FIRE IN THREE YEARS
The house sat on 13 acres owned by Richard Seeno. It was
See Landmark, page 18
CCC does it again with biggest Fire station flags mark yet Boxcar Derby and Car Show annual memorial of 9-11 ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer.
DERBY VOLUNTEER, DANNY SULLIVAN, PUSHES MATEO SANCHEZ, 9, in the Clayton Pioneer car up the starting ramp for his race in the annual CCC Labor Day Boxcar Derby. This is the third year for Mateo who always races against his twin brother, Andres. At the other end of town, more than 300 cars were on display in one of the East Bay’s largest Classic Car Shows. See full story page 14.
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The years have rolled on since Sept. 11, 2001, and with the exception of a single year, 2007, Clayton’s Fire Station No. 11 on Center Street has marked the event with a flag display commemorating each of the firefighters lost on that dark day. “The first year we had ceremonies,” said Capt. Ben Smith, “and just the flags were there. The second year, we had name tags. The third year, I found a tribute site with a bio of the guys who died.” The 2007 omission, due to changes within the station, was met by disappointment from residents who had come to expect the annual tribute. “The community let us know about it,” Smith reported. Several hundred people stop by during the week-long display. “One gentleman this morning was a San Jose firefighter who was a buddy to one of the firefighters on the flags,” Smith said. “People bring flowers and plants.” The station crew will plant the live plants. “We light it up at night,” he said, “and we can see the shadows of the people coming by.” The station also erects signs that read: “Never forget” and “Some gave all – all gave some.” “When I looked the names up and read their
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See Memorial, page 4
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
AS HE PLACES THE COMMEMORATIVE FLAGS, Ken Robb of Station 11 takes a moment to reflect on the life of each of the firefighters lost in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.
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