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December 14, 2018 From the desk of...
www.PioneerPublishers.com
Happy s y a d i l Ho
Concord Edition
‘Tis the season to be jolly
CArlyN OBrINgEr
MAYOR
New mayor sees a full year ahead
It was with great pride that I accepted the gavel and the title of “Mayor of the City of Concord” on Dec. 4. Thank you to my city council colleagues for the confidence they exhibited in me by unanimously electing me. And, thank you to the people of Concord who elected me to the city council in 2016 in the first place. In this new role, I will continue to strive each day to serve the people of Concord to the best of my ability. What an exciting time to be a Concordian and to serve in leadership here in the city of Concord. Yes, we share challenges faced by cities across the Bay Area including homelessness, the condition of our roads, the need to create more living wage jobs in our city, and the need to revitalize our aging shopping centers, to name a few. At the same time, Concord is blessed with a growing medical manufacturing industry, the popularity of the new Veranda shopping center, our blossoming gem of a downtown, our vibrant and diverse Monument Community, and the unrivaled opportunities possible with the
Tamara Steiner/The Pioneer
The holiday season officially arrived in Concord with the annual Tree lighting and Mayor’s Sing Along Dec. 1. House Blend, a local quartet, warmed up for the mayor with an informal program of traditional carols. The four men met at Concord United Methodist Church over 20 years ago and say they are just “Four guys. We sing.” From left Kent Parr, Bill De garmo, Doug Emigh and Jim Mcguire. Festivities included horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa and art projects for the kids.
Third grade honored outside the box
sented the Mayor’s Community Service Award to “all of Concord 3rd Grades.” In one of his last official The award is traditionally See Mayor, page 5 acts as mayor, Edi Birsan broke been given to a citizen or reswith traditiion when he pre- ident in recognition for their
See Dance, page 3
service and their hopes for the city. “I don’t go for tradition,” Birsan said. “I look for who will be the most important people,” he said. Those who will “continue, whatever we build on, to make it better” With that, he named Concord Third Graders as recipients of the Mayor’s Community Service Award. The third grade, he noted, is the most critical of all the grades. “It is here where you learn to break through on reading, mathmaticcs, critical thinking and being nice to one another.” Over this past year, Birsan has visited a number of elementary schools, making specific note to include the third grade class. “I’ve been very impressed with their willingness to learn, to accept one another and to try to live with respect, dignity honor and duty to their community and their families.” Receiving the honor on behalf of all Concord Third Graders were Mt. Diablo Uni-
fied Schools Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer and MDUSD school board president, Debra Mason with several school principals and four third graders.
February Butting heads over BART: State Assemblyman Tim Grayson of Concord announced in February that he was co-authoring a bill that would force cities to allow housing on BART-owned land. Concord city officials opposed the plan, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law on Sept. 30. Concord Mayor Edi Birsan said the law could greatly reduce the role of city government. “Land use regulation is a
constitutionally granted local government function of cities and counties,” he said. In the swim: Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin was on hand as Carondelet High School dedicated an Aquatics Center in her name. The center is part of a new Athletics Complex in the former ClubSport Valley Vista. “I am so happy to see that this new facility will result in greater equity for female athletes, and truly, for all current and future
students,” said Coughlin, a complaints,” said Aldrich Bautista, an associate civil engi2000 graduate. neer for the city. March Easy ridin’: On March 12, april Monitoring police response: Last the city’s Infrastructure and Franchise Committee reviewed spring, the Police Department a $27 million street repair plan. ordered 154 bodycams for The budget includes $4 million officers and 67 cameras for over five years for repair of police cars. The $1.5 million potholes and base failures, in system can record video and addition to maintenance audio evidence to review already performed by Public intense situations. “Any piece Works. “These potholes generSee Review, page 2 ate a significant number of
TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer
So you think you can dance? Concord police say sí BEV BRITTON The Pioneer
Photo from video
Concord Police and Monument Crisis Center partnered on a lip sync video to Enrique Iglesia’s “Bailando” recently. Scenes were shot in several locations around the city with several civilians jumping into the action.
“Bailando” means “dancing” – and that’s just what members of the Concord Police Department did in their new lip-sync video. Officers and other members of the department lipsynced to the Enrique Iglesias’ song in both English and Spanish, sashaying through complicated dance moves. Filming locations
Jennifer Ortega, City of Concord
MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer , fifth from left, and board president, Debra Mason, fourth from left, along with several school principals and four third grade students received the Mayor’s Community Service Award on behalf of “all Concord third graders.”
Meyer thanked the mayor and the council. “We’ve had a wonderful partnership with you and your fantastic team.” “Thanks for breaking tradition, Mr. Birsan.”
Year in review: from BART to blight, and beyond BEV BRITTON The Pioneer
The city’s 150th birthday party, complete with a new statue of Don Salvio Pacheco, was among the news highlights in Concord this past year. Here’s a look at the top stories from the pages of the Pioneer: January A decision on districts: To
comply with the California Voting Rights Act, the Concord City Council voted on Jan. 2 to make the switch to district election races. The council then approved a map of the districts on Feb. 27, with the new districts going into effect for the November council election. Going forward, the council will hold several “best practices” workshops on how to work together under the new format.