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December 20, 2013
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Concord residence offers temporary lodging for special-needs adults JOHN JACKSON Clayton Pioneer
HANK STRATFORD
For families with adults that have developmental disabilities, life is busy and often overwhelming. Basic household chores, local errands and other necessities can get neglected as they care for their precious loved ones. This was the case for Diane, a single parent who was caring for her adult daughter with a disability. Diane’s father was nearing the end of his life, but he lived on the east coast. She needed to visit him, but she needed help. Diane’s plight is an example of why Concord’s Respite Inn was started in 1989. The idea behind the Respite Inn is to allow families to bring their loved ones for a given period to provide rest to the caregiver and to allow an experience of relaxation and fun for the guest. “We’re here to keep families together,” says the Inn’s Director Maureen Wright. “When the families need a break, they bring their (loved one) to us, and it
MAYOR’S CORNER
New mayor seeks input from you Hello Clayton! This is my first column as your new mayor, and I would like to start it by honoring my predecessor. We are fortunate to have Julie Pierce in our city. She has served Clayton well as mayor five different times over the years, including this past year. Thank you, Julie, for all of the time and energy you devote to Clayton and our region. I am honored to serve as
See Mayor page 2
Morgan Fire, Station 11 closing top list of 2013 stories
Rochelle Douglas / rochellezphotography.webs.com
THE RESPITE INN IN CONCORD PROVIDES SHORT TERM CARE FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISADVANTAGED ADULTS, giving their caregivers a welcome break and the guests some relaxation time. From left: Executive Director Maureen Wright, guests Mike and Natascha and staff member Ellee Coleman.
Council names Stratford mayor for 2014
PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
As this is the last issue of the Clayton Pioneer for this calendar year, we decided to look back on the top stories that impacted our community in 2013. From fires to music to sports to theater, these issues are the ones that made residents stand up and take notice. 1) FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN A scary fire sparked by a target shooter and flamed by high, hot winds raged on Mt. Diablo for three days in September, scorching 3,111 acres, causing the evacuation of 100 homes and ultimately caused $5.3 million in damage. Still, the community support from local residents and businesses, as well as the efforts of Cal Fire, were the real story of the Morgan fire, as Clayton neighbors rallied to help those affected by evacuations and road closures, donated to Red cross efforts, and even helped find temporary homes for animals affected by the blaze. No charges were filed against the target shooter whose sport led to the Sept. 8 blaze. 2) STATION 11 CLOSES Fire safety has been a concern all year, as Clayton residents
See Review, page 7
AT THE DEC. 2 CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION, Julie Pierce passes the gavel to Hank Stratford, who will serve as mayor for the second time in his council career. Dave Shuey was elected vice-mayor. From left Howard Geller, Julie Pierce, Mayor Hank Stratford, Vice-mayor Dave Shuey and Jim Diaz.
The Clayton City Council’s annual reorganization at the Dec. 3 meeting handed the 2014 mayor’s gavel to Hank Stratford and put David “Shoe” Shuey in the vice-mayor’s seat. Stratford was first elected to the council in 2006 and served as mayor in 2010. He was instrumental in bringing the Do the Right Thing character building program to the schools in 2010 and wants to see the program extend into the broader commu-
nity in 2014. Stratford’s 2014 focus will include working to ensure a seamless transition at City Hall as the city heads into the year with two new key staff members. Kevin Mizuno replaces retiring finance director Merry Pelletier. City Clerk Laci Jackson Kolc resigned in December and Janet Brown will serve as interim city clerk as the city searches for a replacement. Keeping the city on sound financial ground and facilitating
See City
Council page 4
Tree Lighting starts countdown to Christmas The townsfolk bundled up in scarves, jackets and mittens and braved the frigid night air for the annual Clayton Tree Lighting festivities on Dec. 7. The evening started with horse-drawn carriage rides through town before the crowds gathered in The Grove for holiday greetings from the mayor and a short concert by an exuberant Mt. Diablo Elementary School Choir. Then, Santa, who arrived in Clayton’s vintage police car driven by Chief Thorsen, leads the “parade” down Main Street to the official tree. After an off-key
verse or two of Jingle Bells, the enthusiastic crowd counts down, Santa pulls the switch and the skies light up. Then, it’s a quick stop for cider and socializing at the Clayton Community Church before heading home. The Tree Lighting is sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association. The carriage rides, sponsored by Stephanie Lopez, Leigh Klock, the Moresi Family and the P2C Foundation, have become a staple in this tradition-loving town. Turn to page 3 for more Clayton Christmas photos.
What’s Inside
Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Community Calendar . . . . .16 Concord City Beat . . . . . . . .9 Design and Décor . . . . . . . .15 Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5 Fashion over 50 . . . . . . . . .15 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Church News . . . . . . . . . . .17 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Rochelle Douglass/Rochellezphotography.webs.com
See Respite
City confirms 10 more years for Pavilion, Live Nation JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
The outdoor performing arts center on Kirker Pass Road will begin its 40th season in the spring just as it did its first in 1975, as the Concord Pavilion. Earlier this month the Concord City Council approved a new 10-year management agreement with Live Nation, the world’s largest live entertainment company, to continue operating the venue, which they have done since 2000. With the expiration of the current Live Nation contract at the end of this year the City was seeking an arrangement that would see the venue, which opened in May 1975, more utilized than in recent years when there have been fewer than a dozen concerts each season. The new agreement with Live Nation mandates 75 concerts drawing a minimum of 3000 attendance over each five-year period (including a potential five-year extension from 2024-28). That works out to 15 concerts annually, a slight increase over recent years.
THE MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY CHORUS kicked off the annual tree lighting celebration with a concert at the gazebo.
Get Up & Get Out . . . . . . . .15 Holiday Shopping Guide . . .18 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . .5 Northgate Reporter . . . . . . . .8 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .19 Pine Hollow Reporter . . . . . .8
Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .13 Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Teen Reads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Inn page 9
See Pavilion page 4
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