Happy
Special Section:
y a D s ’ r e Fath
Living Well See page 10
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
June 10, 2011
925.672.0500
MDES campaign raises more than $6,200 for leukemia research Students and community rally to support stricken classmate
DAVE SHUEY
MAYOR’S CORNER Sometimes, humble pie tastes great . . .
DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
We all sometimes think we have it all together and we are the cat’s meow. When that feeling becomes too all encompassing, it is excellent to get a dose of reality. Such a day should occur for all of us on Memorial Day. As we always do, Clayton and the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars
See Mayor, page 8
Supes, residents tackle the tricky issue of redistricting Public can submit their own suggested maps through June PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
Contra Costa County Supervisors last week wrapped up public workshops on what will probably be the most important policymaking of their terms: the puzzle that is known as redistricting. The 2010 Census dictated that changes need to be made in the current boundaries so that populations are equal .
See Redistricting, page 22
MIKE DUNN/CLAYTON PIONEER
MDES STUDENTS RALLIED TO THE AID OF FELLOW CLASSMATE KATE AMOS and raised more than all but two other participating schools in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients campaign. Pictured are Brooke Halliday, Kate’s sister Bess Amos and Ally Spitzer at the celebration pizza party last week.
The numbers read like a fifth grade math quiz: What do you get when you add together 55,274 pennies, 9,199 nickels, 13,357 dimes, 8,804 quarters, 14 half dollars, and $1,671 in additional donations? The answer is love. Students at Mt. Diablo Elementary School recently demonstrated the power of a community working together to lend support to a family in need. Kate Amos was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Jan. 6, 2011, just a few weeks before she turned 11. Confetti and party favors were soon replaced with drugs, hospital stays – and the knowledge that her friends and loved ones were gathering to support her through the struggle.
See Pennies, page 6
First public hearing on church project looks at EIR TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The Planning Commission meeting on May 24 gave the public its first opportunity to weigh in on the proposed 42,000 square foot church complex on 2.3 acres
in downtown Clayton. More than 110 people packed into the meeting room at the library. About a dozen spoke. The hearing was limited to comments on the completeness and accuracy of the draft Environmental Impact Report.
Sue Brothers tapped to lead CV High
Questions and concerns mostly centered on parking and traffic issues which the report shows will have a significant impact on the downtown if the complex is built as proposed without substantial mitigation measures. The controversial project will require amendments to the General Plan and the Town Center Specific Plan to allow for religious assembly use and to lower on-site parking requirements. The project requires 222 park-
ing spaces. The proposed plan provides 54 on-site parking spaces. The church is asking the city to waive current requirements and allow them to use existing public parking and shared parking with nearby businesses for the other 168. The church already has a shared parking agreement with KinderCare Preschool next door. Planning Commissioner Tuija Catalano questioned how the city would force surrounding businesses to share their parking if they were reluctant.
Library Foundation President Joyce Atkinson is worried about church use of the library parking lot. She questioned if would impact any potential extension of library hours and availability of staff parking on Sundays. Others questioned what happens to community events like Art and Wine, Oktoberfest and the July 4 parade. The city typically closes and fences off Main Street for the festivals.
See Church EIR, page 4
DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
Look for this Activity Guide in today’s Pioneer
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
New principal takes over at a time of change at the school
TAMARA STEINER/CLAYTON PIONEER
SUE BROTHERS
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Car Tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Sue Brothers, named recently as the new principal of Clayton Valley High School, has her work cut out for her. The school is the third highest performing high school in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, according to State API scores, with a population of nearly 2,000 students. Nevertheless, parents, teachers, and Board of Education members all agree that the school is in need of what Board
See Principal, page 16 Community Calendar . . . .17 Directory of Advertisers . . . .5 Earth Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Estate Planning . . . . . . . . . .8 For the Books . . . . . . . . . .19
TAMARA STEINER/CLAYTON PIONEER
“STORY POLES” MARK THE HEIGHT AND MASS of a proposed four-building church complex on Main Street. The first public hearing on the project on May 24, was limited to questions about the draft Environmental Impact Report and were mainly focused on parking and congestion concerns. The next public hearing will be in the fall and will consider all issues including the needed changes to parking and zoning requirements and the economic impact report.
From the Chief . . . . . . . . . .6 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Letters to the Editor . . . . . .6 Living Well (New) . . . . . .10 Mind Matters . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Pet Pals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Police Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Real Answers . . . . . . . . . . .9 School News . . . . . . . . . .20
Senior Moments . . . . . . . . .9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Time to Go . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Weather Words . . . . . . . . .12