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24 arrests in huge gang bust
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From the desk of...
August 26, 2016
925.672.0500
PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
laUra HOFFMeiSTer
MAYOR
City projects must follow detailed path
Last month, I wrote about how such things as road repaving and park improvements get put into the city’s two-year capital budget. The analysis of priorities begins in March and concludes in June with public meetings and the City Council approving the budget. I want to share with you the next steps, so you
Photo courtesy Concord Police Department
DURING RAIDS THAT INVOLVED MULTIPLE CITIES AND POLICE ORGANIZATIONS, 24 suspected norteño gang members See Mayor, page 8 were arrested on aug. 3 in Contra Costa County. Twenty-one are shown here.
After four gang-related homicides rocked Concord last year, the Concord Police Department knew that something had to be done. So the department kicked up its efforts, allied itself with other regional agencies and hunkered down for a fight. The efforts culminated earlier this month with a huge gang bust in eastern and central Contra Costa County, nabbing 24 suspected Norteño gang members for a variety of crimes, including attempted murder, human trafficking and drug sales. Concord’s police department was at the heart of the efforts, but by no means does Chief Guy Swanger take all the credit. “This was a regional operation,”
See Gangs, page 9
City searches for solutions to rental housing crisis PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
Landlord or tenant, city leader or civic activist, there is one thing most residents agree upon: There is a housing crisis in Concord. Rising rental rates are at the heart of the matter, especially in the Monument area – where some tenants have seen rents increase a whopping 50 percent over just a few months. Another problem, according to city leaders and civic advocates alike, is a shortage of available housing in Contra Costa County’s largest city. But it was rent control that was on the minds of more than 200 people who filled the Con-
Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer
JOVANA FJARDO OF CONCORD was one of the protesters at a recent city council workshop on rent stabilization issues. Fajardo, her husband and baby share a rented room in a private home because they can’t afford Concord’s high rents.
Jeff Cable photo courtesy USa Synchro
2 local Olympians make their mark in Rio at summer games
CONCORD’S TWO ATHLETES AT THE SUMMER OLYMPICS didn’t bring back medals from rio in their second games representing the USa but they can be very proud of their strong showings. Synchronized swimmer Mariya Koroleva, right, with teammate anita alvarez had set a goal of getting her american duet to at least ninth place in the Olympic finals after finishing 11th in london and 12th last year in the World Championships. a final freestyle performance that the british commentators called “fantastic” and “terrific” placed the american pair ninth. This set a new starting point for american teams in the coming years in a sport that features subjective judging based on international reputations and previous results. De la Salle high grad Kristian ipsen competed in the individual three-meter springboard and worked his way through three rounds to become the top diver from the Western Hemisphere among the 12 finalists, finishing fifth overall. The 3M opening rounds were held in winds that reached upwards of 40 mph in the rio pool that disconcerted many divers, including the defending Olympic champion from russia who was last in the semi-finals trying to defend his title. ipsen’s million dollar smile after this 18th and final dive over two grueling days of competition says it all about his second Olympic journey.
cord Senior Center for a City Council workshop last month. A panel of experts talked about the history of rent control, why it is necessary in Concord and, conversely, why it isn’t good for the local economy. “This crisis is happening because there’s nothing stopping people from raising rents and there’s not enough housing,” said Leah Simon-Weisberg, legal director for Tenants Together, a renters’ rights organization. However, Joshua Howard, senior vice president with the California Apartment Association, said rent control reduces the supply of rental housing, fails to keep rents down and provides a disincentive for landlords to maintain their properties.
“It’s not a good long-term solution,” he said. Many people in the community see rent control ordinances as the only way to stop many of the rent hikes that have resulted in such things as “rent strikes” and the rally that preceded the meeting, which was organized by Tenants Together and other concerned residents. “There should be no doubt in the minds of Concord residents that currently there is a rental housing crisis in Concord,” George Fulmore said after the meeting. “If you don’t rent, then this may be an abstract concept. Most who own homes or condos have predictable
See Housing, page 9
Monument community shuttle launches free service
Carlyn Obringer
PLANNING COMMISSION
Rosa Luna is a senior who lives in Concord’s Monument Community but is not able to drive due to a disability. It’s a physical burden for her to walk long distances to get to medical appointments at La Clínica. Taking a taxi is out of the question, as Luna lives on a fixed income. Miguel is another Monument resident who must ride his bicycle to and from BART to commute to the Oakland restaurant where he works. However, he cannot take the most direct route, down Mon-
Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer
AFTER FOUR YEARS OF SERIOUS PLANNING, the free Monument community shuttle made its maiden run on aug. 15. Monument community residents David Pittman and rosa luna board for the first trip. Pittman, a community activist, was one of the driving forces behind the shuttle.
ument Boulevard, because traffic conditions are not safe for cyclists. Fortunately, a new, free public transportation resource is now available to Luna, Miguel and all Monument residents.
See Obringer, page 8
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