IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
December 23, 2011
925.672.0500
Clayton Post Office hopes to weather impending program cuts Postmaster says closure of the town’s one office is unlikely.
HOWARD GELLER
MAYOR’S CORNER
New year, new mayor but same great town
PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
When I bought my first home in Dana Ridge in 1975 and moved to Clayton, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would become mayor of our city. Fate has a strange way of directing you and I am a strong believer that the karma you create will guide your destiny. Being appointed mayor by your peer council is an honor that I will take seriously. I want to thank Dave Shuey, our outgoing
See Mayor, page 4
DVMS teacher arrested on sex charges DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
In a scene from any parent’s worst nightmare, Diablo View Middle School teacher Andrew Cottrell was arrested on Dec. 8 by Clayton and Walnut Creek police on charges related to sex with a former student. The 19 felony and one misdemeanor charges include unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 16, and lewd acts with a victim who is 14 or 15 years old. “We have corroborating evidence as to the allegations in this case,” said Chad Mahalich,
See Arrest, page 6
Ray Casso’s killer declared legally insane
POSTAL WORKERS IN THE CLAYTON PO are working the hours necessary to deliver holiday packages as well regular mail to local residents. “They’ll deliver in a timely manner, right down to the last truck on Dec. 24,” Johnnie Johnson, postmaster, says. Johnson (kneeling, third from left) celebrated 32 years with the Postal Service in November and is just days away from retirement. Dec. 30 is his last day working with fellow employees, most of whom are pictured here.
County Board to rule on charter in January DENISEN HARTLOVE Clayton Pioneer
The movement to make Clayton Valley High School a charter school moved into a new arena earlier this month when the Contra Costa Board of Education held the first of two scheduled meetings on the appeal of the charter, which was denied by Mt. Diablo Unified School District trustees in November. More than 100 people
crowded into the Pleasant Hill Elementary School multi-use room for the meeting, with charter proponents in their trademark bright blue t-shirts squeezed in alongside students from other district schools bearing signs against the petition. Meanwhile, a sole, understandably nervous Pleasant Hill police officer kept watch from the back of the room for signs of trouble. With the exception of a brief shouting match that erupted
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Nearly three years ago, on the morning of March 7, 2009, Ray Casso, 73, stopped at the Clayton Post Office to pick up his mail. He never left. Shannon Bradley Moore, now 39, also stopped at the post office that day. He wanted to change some postage stamps for cash. But, it was against regulations and he was turned away.
See Casso, page 6
Mike Dunn
CHARTER SCHOOL ORGANIZERS APPEALED to the County Board of Education last week after MDUSD denied the application to convert Clayton Valley High. More than 100 people packed the hearing. The County has 60 days to rule.
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between audience members when Pat Middendorf questioned the district’s willingness to take marching band instruments and uniforms from the school should the appeal be granted, however, both sides remained civil. The charter steering committee filed its appeal with the Contra Costa County Board of Education on November 15, a week after MDUSD denied the petition. According to State law, the County Board has 60 days from the date of filing to approve or deny the appeal. Despite seemingly critical questioning of both sides by County Board members at the meeting, representatives of both the charter and MDUSD felt they were getting a fair hearing. “I got that the County Board actually had a dialogue with the people that are trying to get the charter school put together,” said Clayton Mayor Howard Geller. “I think they’re listening to us,” said Gary Eberhart, President of the MDUSD Board of Education, who voted against approving the petition. “At the
See Charter, page 4 Fashion Over 50 . . . . . . . . .18 Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . .13 Fit with Levity . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” reads the unofficial saying inscribed at a post office in New York. But perhaps not on Saturday in another two years. That is the threat facing post offices from Manhattan to Clayton, if Congress ultimately approves the U.S. Postal Service’s Five-Day Delivery Plan to offset a projected $238 billion shortfall by 2020. Although Congress delayed chopping Saturday delivery for at least the next two years, the Postal Service will continue to request the Five-Day Delivery Plan, said Augustine Ruiz, Jr.,
See Post Office page 17
Molly’s blood drive starts the new year right
Molly Avilez (left) continues to “Pay It Forward” with her third annual blood drive on Jan. 5. The Clayton teen was critically injured as a baby and credits donated blood for saving her life. She is pictured with her mother Monica Fraga.
PAMELA WIESENDANGER Clayton Pioneer
Just one blood donation can save up to three lives. Clayton residents can continue the gift of giving beyond this holiday season at a blood drive on Jan. 5 at Diablo Valley Middle School – and maybe gain bragging rights throughout the Bay Area. Clayton will need to collect more than 172 units of blood, the unofficial “record” held by
Holiday Guide . . . . . . . . . .16 Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . .4 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Pioneer Photo Album . . . . . . .7 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Livermore. Cheering the community along is a very vibrant 15-yearold named Molly Avilez, the honoree of the drive known for three years now as “Molly’s ‘Pay It Forward’” blood drive. Molly initiated the first drive as part of a leadership program at DVMS. She continues her mission to lead Clayton in filling blood banks with donations.
See Molly, page 14
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