PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
December 26, 2003
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The road was paved with good intentions BY JILL BEDECARRE Clayton Pioneer
More than 50 Clayton residents came to last week’s city council meeting full of fire and brimstone armed with petitions, objections and documents. They left with sighs of relief and smiles on their faces, even a few “Merry Christmas” wishes were heard among the crowd. In a unanimous vote, the Clayton City Council put a potentially volatile issue to bed by voting against a proposal to re-stripe Marsh Creek Road, making it a one lane-road between Clayton Road at Diablo View Middle School and Diablo Parkway. On a positive note, they agreed to monitor traffic at three key points throughout the city, including Marsh Creek Road and Pine Lane, and to consider the installation of a metering light in front of Rodie’s. The re-striping proposal was the brainchild of Council member Mayor Pete Laurence who expressed concerns over Marsh Creek Road becoming a thoroughfare for East County residents who drive through town during commute hours to con-
nect to Ygnacio Valley Road. The proposal also called for creating additional 90 parallel parking spaces along the onelane section with right turn safety pockets and relocation of existing bike lanes. “It was my brainchild, but not a very good one,” Laurence admitted at the council meeting. But he says he still has concerns about East County residents using Marsh Creek as a “favorite shortcut.” “It’s been my personal view for years that choking the half mile section down (between Clayton Road and Diablo Parkway) was a good idea.” He sited ABAG figures indicating that East County’s population will increase by more than 78,000 people in 30 years forcing more cars on the road and creating a “sound bowl of noise” through Clayton. Although most of the council members admitted they were not convinced that the re-striping was a good idea, they decided to call a special council session on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 a.m. to perform a “test”. Cones were used to create one lane westbound on the halfmile stretch of road during the early morning commute. It was a bitter cold morning that quick-
ly heated up as council members, donning orange striped Jill Bedecarre / Clayton Pioneer v e s t s , BAD COMMUTE DAY? It was for hundreds of East County and Clayton residents on December 11 at paraded a l o n g 7:30 a.m. when the City Council performed a “test,” creating one lane from Diablo Parkway to Clayton M a r s h Road at Diablo View Middle School. Creek Road to witness the traffic impact. ning when the light turned ing were ready for a fight, but tonight,” chuckled Council Within minutes of the experi- green. Parents taking their chil- their hostility and anxiety were member Dave Shuey. Safety ment, cars backed up, tempers dren to school were angry over short lived. Before they had an concerns, especially with the opportunity to vent, the council parallel parking on Marsh flared and several council mem- the delays. If the early morning test members, one by one, took the Creek, were an important issue bers were subjected to hand gestures and verbal abuse. wasn’t enough to convince the wind from their sails. Mayor for Council member Bill Laurence described the test as a council this was not a popular Pierce’s announcement not to Walcutt. Vice Mayor Gregg idea, 17 negative emails were support the proposal drew Manning was a little more “ 35-minute window of hell.” A few residents came to the sent to the council and only one applause from the audience. The abrupt. “It was a dumb idea. special morning session with was favorable. “It wasn’t Pete’s, rest of the council members “We’ve made mistakes in the their own objections and threats I checked,” laughed Mayor Julie quickly followed suit. “We hear past, and then we’ve had to take to start a petition. Clayton resi- Pierce. Residents who attended you loud and clear. Save some them back. This time we tested dent Dan Walsh was most con- the December 16 council meet- of your vitriol if you brought it it first.” cerned about cars cutting through his neighborhood on Regency Drive, creating safety and speed issues. “There was more frustration in the air (that morning) than normal,” stated And they say nothing ever happens in Clayton? Don’t believe it. Morgan Territory Sheri Neilsen who also lives off burned, wild pigs chowed down on the park, the new gym opened, closed and opened Regency. Commuters were again and Clayton got a new newspaper. Read on for “the rest of the stories.” forced to deal with the bumper Friday, June 27 was a fright- and won. In a 4-0 decision by allow him to vote on any matter to bumper traffic until they ening day for Clayton residents the Planning Commission on that he might have a financial reached Diablo View Middle School where they revved their as a grass fire on Morgan July 8, construction of a 4,175 stake in. In a 3-1 vote, the City engines and took off like light- Territory quickly grew from a square foot, two-story resi- Council upheld the Planning small brush fire to over 120 dence at 256 Bigelow Street Commission’s decision to acres. Since there were no other was approved. The former sin- allow the two-story residence major fires burning in the area gle-story, 2200 square foot res- with a three-car garage to be that day, plenty of resources idence was destroyed by fire in constructed. came to the aid of residents February. Bigelow Neighbors including the California led by Nik and Karen Heisinger CLAYTON’S GYM AND THE Department of Forestry, the appealed the decision stating YMCA MAKE THEIR DEBUT East Contra Costa Fire that the proposed plans did not Two exciting debuts this Protection District, as well as reasonably maintain the priva- year enhanced the lifestyle of engines from surrounding fire cy and view of the adjacent Clayton residents. The Clayton departments as far away as properties, and that, because of Community Gym opened and the state continually reduces Marin. The fire was fought its size, it was not architectural- was christened by the 2003 (some say, steals) the VLF dol- aggressively with 15 engines, ly compatible with existing eighth grade graduating class at lars due Clayton for basic city seven hand crews, three bull- homes in the neighborhood. Diablo View Middle School. dozers, three helicopters, three Councilmember Dave Shuey, The middle school has access services. VLF revenues are the pri- fixed wing aircraft, two air who had been in support of the to the gym during school hours mary revenue source for tankers and an air attack ship. Heisinger’s appeal, was forced and the City of Clayton uses the Clayton. Over 40 percent of the The fire was started by a vehi- to abstain because his home gym for recreational activities registration fee for every car cle traveling off road in the dry was within 500 feet of the See Headlines owned by a Clayton resident grass and was contained by 5 Bigelow residence. The Fair Page 3 comes back to the City to pay for p.m. As the cold, wet weather Political Practices Act does not critical services including law settles in, Councilmember Pete enforcement, street and park Laurence warns that it’s not the maintenance and City Hall oper- time to become complacent ations. In comparison, the City about the real fire danger to Mt. only gets 4.34 percent of the Diablo and the foothills. In a November 6 letter to the new property tax revenues. Clayton is entitled to, and governor, he placed the state of has balanced its budget on, California on notice demanding $662,000 of the Vehicle a response to the no”grazing” License Fees collected for this policy initiated in the early year. This number represents 1990’s which has left the entire 22% of the city’s entire general area of Mt. Diablo a spark away fund budget and averages out to from a major disaster an income stream of $55,000 per month. The check received “M ONSTER HOUSE ” from the state on Dec. 10 was GETS GO AHEAD DESPITE $11,600. What happened to the Photo courtesy of Cheryl Morgan other $43,400? “The check’s in PROTESTS IN JUNE, AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE sparked a fast movBigelow Street neighbors See Services fought, appealed and lost. ing fire and prompted an aggressive multi-agency response Page 11 Seeno construction fought back on Morgan Territory Road.
Critical city services seriously threatened “The system is broken...constitutionally protected revenues for local governments are brazenly usurped by state government and its leaders.” The issue is not new. Local tax revenues, whether coming
GARY NAPPER BY TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Clayton city officials are “mad as hell and they aren’t going to take it anymore.” On Dec, 16, the City Council passed, “unanimously, and with vigor,” a statewide ballot initiative that would require the state to get voter approval before reducing or diverting revenues earmarked for cities and counties. In a report to the council, City Manager Gary Napper, said,
“I’ve been a city manager for 20 years and I have never seen the depths of frustration and fear that this situation has caused.” GARY NAPPER
Clayton City Manager
from property taxes, redevelopment money or Vehicle License Fees (VLF) have been continually eroded for over a decade. But, the issue has picked up steam over the past several months as
Headline stories 2003