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August 5, 2005
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Police Chief Peterson gets a sweet sendoff JILL BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
Over 100 friends, family and colleagues came to Oakhurst Country Club last Friday evening to toast him and to roast him. They came to say goodbye to their beloved police chief who retires after seven years as leader and mentor of the Clayton Police force and a career in law enforcement that spans some 35 years. The man known for his wry and dry sense of humor and his engaging smile, Pete Peterson, who shies away from the limelight, was the man of the hour. Peterson’s farewell dinner drew a diverse crowd of well wishers from city staff, police officer’s associations and dignitaries to former colleagues from the Oakland Police Department and police chiefs from nearby cities. Peterson’s sisters from Oregon and Vancouver flew in for the special occasion. Peterson was recognized for his many contributions to law enforcement and especially for helping mold the Clayton Police Department which now boasts a healthy balance of youthful energy and experience. The Chief was also praised for his community policing program which has gained national recognition. However, along with the praise came the zingers, one liners and a roasting that drew roars of laughter from guests and made the shy and low-keyed chief blush; like his transition from fighting crime and corruption on the streets of Oakland to one of his first assignments in Clayton –
See Peterson, page A3
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
CHIEF PETERSON, known far and wide for his sweet tooth is honored with a plate of Krispy Kreme donuts for dessert at his retirement dinner.
Clayton woman named League president TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
KARRIE CONNORS
What’s inside SECTION A Around Town . . . . . . . . . .A2 Mayor’s Corner . . . . . . . . . .A4 Directory of Advertisers . .A5 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . .A5 Letters to the Editor . . . . .A6 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .A7 Crossword Puzzle . . . . . . .A7 Music Notes . . . . . . . . . . . .A8 Sharing History . . . . . . . . .A9 Your Health . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Just My Opinion . . . . . . . .A10 Shape Up . . . . . . . . . . . . .A11 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . .A12 Church News . . . . . . . . . .A13 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . .A14 Food For Thought . . . . . .A15 SECTION B Hiker’s Haven . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5 Community Calendar . . . . .B6 Dining Around . . . . . . . . . .B7
Clayton’s Karrie Connors was recently named president of the Diablo Valley Chapter of the League of Women Voters. A lifelong political and social activist, Connors was drawn to membership in the League two years ago because they “advocate for issues that I’m passionate about, like affordable housing and homelessness.” “I went to one meeting and I was hooked,” said Connors. She
was impressed with the issues covered by the non-partisan organization and the overall quality of the information presented. The primary function of the LWV, explains Connors is education and advocacy. “They present both sides of an issue in a very balanced manner,” she said. “Then they get involved in advocacy, adjudicating issues that are important to the public.” Currently, the League is working with Contra Costa cities to support affordable housing measures and to
address some of the issues around homelessness. “You’d be surprised at how many homeless people there are in Contra Costa County, particularly in East County,” said Connors. In addition to her involvement in homelessness issues through the League, she also sits on the advisory board of the Homeless Summit, which, working through the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, administers a program to provide temporary shelter for homeless families and seniors
during the winter months. She also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. In 2000, Connors took a three-year sabbatical from work to reevaluate her personal and professional goals. She spent the time traveling and ramping up her volunteer and community service work, serving with Caring Hands, which provides community outreach to senior citizens, and as the chair of the St. Bonaventure’s Social Justice Committee. She also increased her work with organizations
addressing housing and homelessness. But this period was not all work and no play for this trim dynamo who spent one winter skiing in Switzerland and has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Connors is also an avid snowboarder and golfer. “Keeps me busy and out of trouble,” she says with a chuckle. In 2004, with her money running low and a brand new
See Connors, page A4
Affordable housing condo sets off media buzz TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Twice in as many months Clayton has hit the network news stations big time. First, the bocce ball issue provided some light fare for Bay Area news programs as well as a tongue in cheek “Trouble-T. It rhymes with B and that stands for Bocce” article in the San Francisco Chronicle. And just last week, a flyer sent out by the City of Clayton offering a 1,075 square foot, three bedroom, two bath home in Clayton for as low as $87,500 set off a media buzz that had city officials scrambling to answer over 600 calls in one day, jammed five phone lines in the city offices and landed Assistant to the City Manager
Laura Hoffmeister on KTVUTV and KCBS radio. The condo is the first of three affordable housing units required of Lemke Development as a condition of their 24 home Diablo Pointe subdivision on Seminary Hill. Lemke purchased the Marsh Creek Park Villa condo for about $500,000 and will sell it at a bargain price to a qualified low to moderate-income buyer in compliance with the city’s affordable housing mandate. The affordable housing law is not new. California enacted its Housing Element Law in 1969 and cities have been challenged to meet their affordable housing quotas ever since. So, why now
See Housing, page A4
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
MARGIE SHAFER OF KCBS RADIO QUIZZES LAURA HOFFMEISTER on the affordable housing unit while the KTVU-TV news truck waits in the background.