Get Fit in 2010 See Page 16
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
February 5, 2010
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Clayton college student seeks help for Haitian orphanage TAYLOR TOVREA Special to the Pioneer
HANK STRATFORD
MAYOR’S CORNER Stratford provides the state of the city It plays like a broken record, because we hear it everywhere, but Clayton’s biggest challenge in 2010 will again be the economy. Due to prudent management of our limited revenues, we have weathered this economic storm better than most cities. We have not taken on projects or programs with recurring expenses that we cannot afford. In order for the city to balance its budget this fiscal year, city employees took a pay cut of a little more than 4 percent. The employees understood the situation and handled the pay cut admirably.
See Mayor, page 6
State rejects Clayton’s affordable housing plan TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton needs more lowincome housing, says the state Housing and Community Development Department. To meet the state-mandated requirements, the city must add 84 affordable housing units to a city that is essentially built out. The only way is to find parcels of land that can be rezoned to allow at least 20 units per acre. The city’s housing allocations are set by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) as part of a regional plan to assure enough housing to meet the needs of low- and extremely low-income families. Cities must include a housing element in their general plans
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
See Housing, page 4
ALTHOUGH THE ORPHANAGE IN HAITI where Laila Shad spent last summer was spared serious damage in the recent earthquake, it has been overwhelmed by the needs of children displaced from orphanages that were destroyed in the quake. Resources are scarce and Shad is appealing for local help. This photo was taken last summer.
Home invasion suspect identified The two men who entered the Oakhurst home on Dec. 14 while the occupants were sleeping had been in the house before, says Clayton Police Chief Dan Lawrence. The men knew the layout of the home and were obviously there to steal items from the safe. About 1 a.m., the woman occupant was awakened by the suspect, who had his hand on
In the summer of 2009, Clayton resident Laila Shad flew to Haiti to volunteer at God’s Littlest Angels orphanage. After returning to the United States, Shad kept in touch via blogs, Facebook and fellow volunteers. These contacts proved vital in confirming the fate of God’s Littlest Angels when the 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti on Jan. 12. The orphanage survived the catastrophe intact and with no casualties, unlike so much of Haiti. However, the orphanage is being flooded with new children, and the non-profit is desperately in need of funds. Shad has made it her mission to raise awareness for the lucky survivors who have already experienced so much in their short lives. “They need help now, so that they do not have to continue to suffer or even die because nobody could care for them,” she said.
See Haiti, page 3
Heritage oak felled by storm barely misses Almond Glen home
her shoulder and said he was a police officer. He told her to stay in bed. She could see a second man kneeling in front of the safe in the closet. When she realized the men had no weapons, she screamed for her husband – who was in another room. The robbers fled, but not without leaving
See Suspect, page 3
Pioneer hires new display ad executive The Pioneer is pleased to welcome Display Advertising Manager Randy Wenger to the staff. Randy recently moved to California from Kansas City bringing with him a strong sales background in radio and TV advertising. He has worked for both local independent stations and network affiliates. Randy lives in Oakhurst with his wife Julie, a marketing executive with McDonald's, and their daughter Lily, 5. Although fairly new to Clayton, Randy is already an active volunteer with Save Mt. Diablo. He and his family are huge fans of Mount Diablo State Park and the area's hiking trails.
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . .14
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
TERRI SIMEONA LAMENTS THE LOSS of the stately oak that stood over the backyard of her home. The 120-year-old tree came down during a heavy storm in late January. TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
A 120-year-old oak tree came crashing down across Terri and Joe Simeona’s back fence late last month, forever changing their Cardinet Drive backyard and leaving dozens of squirrels and at least one hawk homeless. About midnight on Jan. 20,
Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .5 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
after a series of storms had pounded the area with rain and high winds, the creek bank under the tree gave way and the 88-foot tall behemoth fell toward their house – crushing pool equipment and damaging the landscaping. It narrowly missed the bedroom where they were sleeping. “We really didn’t hear anything,” said Terri Simeona. “But
Parenting Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Pioneer Photo Album . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Police Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Special Fitness Section . . . . . . . . .16 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
my husband has a kind of sense about things and he got up to look outside. All he said was, ‘Honey, oh my God.’ ” Huge branches had landed 12 inches from their bedroom door. “It’s like losing a family member,” said Terri. “This is where I centered myself; this is
See Oak, page 4
Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Theatre Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Time to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Weather Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 What Really Matters . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Your Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6