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IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
February 13, 2004
925.672.0500
And the survey says...45
Tamara Steiner / Clayton Pioneer
40 MPH ZONE between Regency Drive and Pine Lane will be raised to 45 mph BY TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The city council voted reluctantly last week to comply with state law and introduced a resolution to raise the posted speed limit from 40-mph to 45mph on the stretch of Marsh Creek Road between Regency Drive and Pine Lane. This decision comes as a result of a state mandated traffic survey conducted in April of last year, which showed that 85 percent
of all drivers on that stretch of road traveled at 45 mph. With the exception of residential and school zones of 25 mph, speed limits are set by the speed of the 85th percentile of all drivers traveling through an area. This is based on the presumption that the majority of drivers will drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions. Traffic surveys must be conducted within strict guidelines. The surveyor must be in plain clothes in an unmarked car,
preferably out of site. There must be a minimum of 100 cars passing in each direction and the speed of each car must be recorded with a radar gun. The city cannot engage in any activity, such as increasing citations or law enforcement presence prior to the survey that would artificially influence the outcome. In the survey conducted last April, the city engineers determined that 85 percent of the cars were traveling at 45 mph
as they entered town at Pine Lane, or left town at Regency Drive. Based on the survey findings, the Police Chief Pete Peterson recommended that the speed limit be raised. At a city council meeting last June, residents of Regency Meadows, and along the affected stretch of Marsh Creek Road, spoke convincingly against raising the limit at that time, citing cross traffic, driveways, pedestrians and the bicycle lane as safety risks. The council agreed with the residents and voted to keep the limit at 40. The city notified the Contra Costa County Traffic Court of their decision and continued to enforce the 40-mph limit. In December, however, a driver challenged a speeding ticket he received in the 40mph zone. In reviewing the case, Superior Court Traffic Commissioner, Stephen Houghton, disagreed with the city council’s reasoning that there were enough safety risks to warrant the lower speed limit. He determined that the traffic survey done by the city in April was “insufficient” and that, because radar is used to enforce it, a 40- mph speed limit was “presumptively, a speed trap.” The commissioner threw the ticket out, and since then, there has been virtually no traffic law enforcement at that end of town.
Council sets goals for 2004 JULIE PIERCE CLAYTON'S MAYOR The Council met on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to outline goals for 2004. Of primary importance to the council is to maintain city services to our residents without adding cost. Recognizing the severe financial constraints resulting from the state’s deficit and the funding take-aways from local government, this will be a challenge, but one we intend to meet. We have identified some priorities we want to pursue using restricted fund sources that are not available for general use. We are pursuing dedicated park grant funds from the state to build the downtown park. If our application is successful, the park may likely be
built in phases, with the “hardscape” and the gazebo, donated by CBCA, going in first and much of the landscaping waiting until we have a secure funding source for operation and maintenance. Other projects include upgrades to the Tot Lot at the Community Park using park dedication funds, and possible installation of bocce ball courts, using private donations only. There will likely be no new projects from the unrestricted general fund that is now at the lowest per capita levels since 1994-95. Many residents have expressed concern over the level of landscape maintenance on our public streets and trails. This maintenance is funded by our current landscape
See Mayor, page 18
ARF rescues animals and people
See survey, page 18
Presidents’ Day Essay Contest The Pioneer is proud to present the winners of the Presidents’ Day Essay Contest: “If I Were President For A Year.” The first place winners receive a check for $100 payable to their school to spend as the student directs. The essays were judged by Dan Ashley of ABC7 and the Pioneer staff. We congratulate the winners and thank all the students who entered.
First Place
First Place
CVHS Matt Jonathan
Mt. Diablo Elementary Horizon Home School Sarah Rosen Kayla Elwy
First Place
Jill Bedecarre / Clayton Pioneer
4th grade
1st grade
Everyone seems to have a different view on how things in the U.S.A should be done. Different ideas, different feelings, and different beliefs all tie into what people believe is right and what is just in our beloved country. From how money should be used, to the war in Iraq, different views on political issues stem back and forth until a final decision is made. You can always hear people talking about what they would do if they were in charge. Constantly hearing different ways of handling terrorists, or the economy, or how much money to give to schools. But what if you were President for a year? What if you could have a major
If I were president for a year, I would do many amazing things for our country. As my first attempt, I would make sure that all homeless families had homes, toys, clothing, food, and any other things that they needed. After that is settled, I would request that no war is to come from all of the country, but only use it as self defense because of the frightening things that take place during war. When children’s parents go to war to fight, things can happen like one of them could die Maybe even both parents can, and the child could become an orphan.
If I were President of the United States for one year there would be some things that I would want to change and fix. I am worried about the rainforests being cut down. Koala bears and birds need to find new homes and also the eucalyptus trees are being cut down and koala bears will starve to death. I would like to work with the people who are killing whales and try to get them to stop killing the whales. And the rivers in America are being polluted and that leads to farm lakes. The animals that drink from them will get a disease or die. Fish are being killed from
See Jonathan page 17
See Rosen page 17
See Elwy page 17
10th grade
Spend your money in PIONEER TERRITORY Look inside for the coupons or special offers by our advertisers: Acme Auto Repair, AJ Landscaping, Concord, Feed/Arena Feed, Candy Bouquet, Christina Mason. D.D.S., Clayton Hair Works, Clayton Mind and Body Connection, Diablo Ford, Hair Systems, Nu Image, Mazzei, Monte Vista Veterinary Hospital, Regina’s All Breed pet Grooming, Rocco’s, Shop and Go Convenience store
Take advantage of these great deals and support the Pioneer advertisers
CLAYTON RESIDENT PEGGY EYRES and her dog, Ginger. Eyres volunteers at ARF every Saturday. BY JILL BEDECARRE Clayton Pioneer
If you’re an animal lover, it’s not easy to stroll through Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Concord (ARF) without more than a few emotional tugs at the heart. At any given time, you’ll find a Woody, Thelma, Pierre, Nanette, Yvonne or Cassidy, some with bandages and scars, others with energy to spare, but they all have something in common. They were scheduled for death because there was no more room for them at their shelter. And, they are homeless; hoping the next face at the window is their ticket to a family
and permanent place to live. But ARF isn’t just about cute canines and cuddly kittens. It’s a rescue mission and more often than not, it’s the animals doing the rescuing. Marketing director Elena Bicker relates story after story of people wanting to help ARF by adopting a pet, only to call back to say how their new animal friend changed their life. ARF’s $16 million, 38,000 square foot facility on Mitchell Drive off Oak Grove Road is a state-of-the-art facility with modern amenities and animal friendly accommodations.
See ARF, page 18
It’s time to win! Read the ads carefully. Hidden in three different ads is a tiny version of the Clayton Pioneer logo(see above) and a code. Find the clock and be the first to call or e-mail the Pioneer with the code and the name of the ad, and win $10 cash for each clock found! E-mail clock@claytonpioneer.com, or mail, P.O. Box 1246, Clayton, CA 94517 Kimberly Grunert is the winner from the last issue finding our clock in the Concord Feed/Arena Feed, Mazzei Pontiac and Clayton Fitness and Tanning ads.