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August 14, 2015
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Plaque honors The Grove’s place in Clayton history
County report on CVCHS sparks more questions than it answers
DAVE SHUEY JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
MAYOR’S CORNER Interim Police Chief Koford takes over As the second safest city in California, Clayton has benefitted from a seamless transition with the hiring of an interim police chief during our search for a permanent hire. Interim Police Chief Doug Koford was enjoying retirement but was happy to come help us. Chief Koford was the twice-elected Napa County Sheriff from 2007 until his retirement in 2012. Prior to that he was the Police Chief of American Canyon for five years and has been in law enforcement since 1985. As you read this, Chief Koford will have already been a judge for the Clayton Business and Community Association’s Rib Cook-off and has been ensuring we remain safe in our little haven. Unfortunately the chief has indicated that there has been a rash of vehicle burglaries in Clayton and other cities and urges everyone to keep their vehicles locked and valuables hidden. The deadline for applications for a permanent chief run-through the middle of August and then we will go through an interview process and hope to have a new permanent hire in short order. Lighting up Clayton: We also have some of the best darn streets in California and we hope that many of you saw that our 2015 Neighborhood Street Repaving Project was completed in July using dedicated funds and not dipping into our General Fund. Lighting those streets has become less costly and more environmentally friendly as both PG&E and the city (through PG&E) have been and will continue to retrofit street lights to LED. We are doing it right. Good money news: How about some sound fiscal management to round out the good news? Recently, Gary Napper, our great city manager, and his staff were able to conclude negotiations with the State of California of disputed monies regarding the dissolution of our Redevelopment Agency. There is a lot of bureaucracy involved in wrapping up these agencies throughout the state
See Mayor, page 7
What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Community Calendar . . . . .14 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 School News . . . . . . . . . . . .9
A STONE MONUMENT AND BRASS PLAQUE RECOGNIZING THE GROVE AS A CLAYTON HISTORICAL MONUMENT will be dedicated at the Saturday night concert on Aug. 29. The monument was constructed by the ‘Clampers’ of E Clampus Vitus Joaquin Murrieta chapter 13. Pictured above are Eric Sorensen, Tyson Freeman, Travis Denten, Jack Brown and Jason Arther. E Vitus Clampus is a non-profit organization dedicated to historical preservation. PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
What would Clayton do without The Grove Park? Thanks to the actions of some city leaders and forefathers, residents won’t ever need to find out. A stone monument and bronze plaque recognizing this figurative “heart of the city” as a historic site by the Clayton Historical Society will take place on Saturday, Aug. 29,, just prior to the Saturday night concert. The timing is appropriate, as The Grove has been hosting events like concerts and other activities for decades. “The Grove Park is a rallying point for the city,” says longtime resident Dick Ellis, co-chair of the CHS’s Historic Marker Committee, the group that has installed nine other markers across town in the past 20 years. But the Grove has been ground zero for activities in the small bustling community of Clayton for more than 100 years. In 1878 W.G. Scammon
horse acts and more for a downtown parade that closed the streets. “There weren’t as many cities offering up their own celebrations back then, so people flocked to Clayton,” Ellis says. After the parade people would flock to The Grove for an afternoon of old-fashioned fun and games, including tug-o-war, three-legged races, gunny sack races and the ever-popular egg toss. Children were also able to try and capture greased pigs in an enclosed pit, and young swains would try and impress their lady friends by climbing a greased flagpole. Even earlier, Ellis says, the fun and games included nailLONG HISTORY OF ing spikes into railroad ties, CELEBRATIONS horseback rides and a very Back in the early days of popular go-cart course. Clayton’s cityhood in the 1960s and 70s, and even LEGACY CONTINUES before, Clayton’s IndepenThese days, of course, The dence Day celebrations were Grove is used for many comlegendary across the East Bay, munity events put on by as many community organiza- organizations such as scouts tions brought floats, cars, working on award projects, marching bands, drill teams, and the well-attended Con-
planted a park-like grove of eucalyptus trees on lots that he owned. Because of the drought strain in the 1970s and again in the 1980s, these 38, 120-foot tall, 114-year old trees were removed in 1992 for safety reasons, Ellis says. The Grove also avoided development by a private equity firm to turn it into a small shopping center. On Oct. 7 1999, the City of Clayton purchased this property which was dedicated as “The Grove” on Jan. 12 2008. But throughout the years, it has been home to many community-wide functions and events, including the popular Fourth of July celebrations.
certs in the Park on Thursdays and Saturdays during the summer months featuring local bands. “Recently we had more than 4,000 people attend a concert here,” Ellis says. “It was a lot of fun.” The Historic Site Preservation Committee was formed in 1994 with three Clayton City Council members and eight CHS members. Over the years nine other historic sites have been recognized with a stone monument and bronze plaque: The two-room school house (1995), Endeavor Hall (2000), Clayton Post Office (2001), the museum garden (2001), The Clayton Museum (2002), The Clayton Club (2002), LaCocotte (2003), DeMartini Winery (2004) and Black Diamond Way (2005). “I am so glad that we are continuing this program to memorialize the significant places in our community’s history,” says city council member Julie Pierce, a member of the
A long-awaited report to the Contra Costa County Office of Education concerning charges made against Clayton Valley Charter High School’s administration and governing board was released publicly last week, and rather than bringing long-standing issues to a conclusion, the report seems to have created more controversy. The report, which hit the week before students settled in for the new school year, had both critics of the school and the CVCHS administration claiming victory. While critics of the school say the report validates their complaints, CVCHS administrators say the report did not fully investigate the allegations and didn’t seek information from the school to rebut the accusations of wrongdoing. “In assuming the validity of each and every complaint made, the report presents CVCHS in the worst possible light and in a fashion of ‘guilty until proven innocent by specific written documentation’ – biasing the investigation and report in the favor of the complainants,” Executive Director David Linzey said in a statement after the report was published last Thursday. The full-service education
See Charter, page 7
See Plaque, page 3
Annual derby offers more than cars TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Rev your engines, Clayton. The 12th annual Clayton Community Church Labor Day Derby and Car Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 5. But besides the exciting races, the derby will also feature an opportunity for residents to help needy children in Africa and Syria race to finish line in school, too. All derby and car show participants are invited to join in the World Vision “Promise Pack” Drive, providing needed backpacks filled with school supplies, basic hygiene items and insectrepelling blankets for impoverished children in Africa and Syria. “Around the world, millions of children are unable to attend
school simply because their families are too poor to provide the basic school supplies they need,” says Shawn Robinson of the Clayton Community Church. "These children, particularly girls, are at greater risk for exploitation and a life defined by crushing poverty. In the same way, lack of access to the most basic hygiene supplies, and the risk of insect-borne illnesses like malaria can rob a child of their health, happiness and a hope for the future." Robinson says they hope to provide at least 1,000 backpacks for children in need. Derbygoers can stop by the Promise Pack booth and for $22, help assemble a pack. They should expect a good turnout, as the free derby and car show is one of the more popular events in Clayton, taking
place on Main Street and surrounding streets. There will be a “soap-boxlike derby” for the children, ages 7 to 14. No driving experience is necessary. The racing cars will be provided as well as some quick drivers’ training. The course is a straight shot down Main Street, down a seven-foot ramp at the clock at Marsh Creek Road, ending at the finish line right in front of the church’s office at Diablo Street. Each racer will run twice, with the average of the two determining their overall time. Free tee-shirts will be given to all who compete, with trophies awarded to the winning racers in each of the three age categories. More than 30 derby cars are sponsored by local merchants. Racers must pre-register online to at www.claytoncc.com. At the same time, a Classic
Car Show will be held at the even a few police cars on display. other end of Main Street. There A Trophy Parade will be held will be more than 270 classic, restored, muscle, Hot Rods and See Derby, page 4
SYRIAN REFUGEE CHILDREN will be the focus of a backpack effort mounted by the Clayton Community Church as part of this year’s Labor Day Derby Sept. 5.
Postal Customer ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190