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January 16, 2015
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Station 11 is back in action Community celebration planned Jan. 31 DAVE SHUEY
PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
MAYOR’S CORNER
Recycling numbers down; aim higher No news is good news. I have been wracking my brain trying to come up with some news and information to impart and it is difficult because, gosh darn, we are one of the safest and best run cities in California! But here we go anyway. Recycling. It does baffle me that in 2015 we as a country, state and city do not recycle as well as we should. Does anyone Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
See Mayor, page 8
CCCFPD STATION 11 IN CLAYTON HAS BEEN VIRTUALLY CLOSED DOWN FOR TWO YEARS, one of seven stations closed across the county, caualties of massive budget cuts following the 2008 recession. A federal grant and an improving economy will bring full staff back to Station 11 beginning 16; the only one of the seven to reopen.
2014 Year in Review PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
Clayton may seem like a sleepy little town, but the news and events of 2014 showed a vibrant, sometimes divided community that reflected the spirit and passion of its residents. It was the year a little white ball called a pallino brought the community together, despite a fissure caused by unrest at the local acclaimed
Kent Ipsen throws out first pallino at Bocce Park opening
high school. It was also the year the town celebrated a milestone birthday, and a young girl named Katie-Grace stole our hearts while getting a new one for herself. Here is a glimpse at 2014’s top local stories. Bocce, anyone? Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Clayton Business and Community Association and the generosity of the Skipolini family and others, four bocce courts were installed downtown adjacent to the remodeled Skipolini’s restaurant. The Clayton Bocce League was born, and between the popular summer and fall leagues, more than 800 players participated. Next year, the league will add teams, with the possibility of 1,400 players. CVCHS’ Great Divide. Last fall’s five-year charter extension, a football team that played for the state championship, an appearance by the executive director before Congress — not to mention sterling academic achievements — should be the stories at Clayton Valley Charter High School for
5th Annual CBCA Rib Cook Off has become a town tradition
2014. But instead, a simmering feud between a popular Clayton Valley Charter High School teacher and the school’s administration resulted in the ouster of Pat Middendorf, one of the leaders of the original charter movement, and created a divide among the usually close-knit school community. Many in the community called for the firing of Executive Director David Linzey, and several members of the board resigned in protest. Much of the turmoil has been played out on local blogs and social media sites. Amazing Grace. The Clayton community was awed by the courage of 11-year old KatieGrace Groebner, who on June 21 underwent a rare heart and double lung transplant. The family was buoyed by the support of the locals, who stepped up to help with fundraising and awareness. Her surgery went “great, without a hitch and no complications,” dad John said. “Better than expected, and the best Father’s Day ever.” After a tough but “remarkable” recovery, Katie Grace, who was born with pulmonary hypertension, an incurable disease, finally returned home from Stanford’s Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in October. Happy Birthday, Clayton. On March 3, 1964, 80 percent of Clayton’s registered voters had voted to incorporate as a city. Two weeks later, on March 18, the first city council met in Endeavor Hall under the
See 2014 Review, pg 3
Clayton residents have good reason to get fired up — but in a good way. When they wake up the morning of Jan. 16, they can be comfortable knowing that fire safety is back to normal, thanks to the reopening, full-time, of local Station 11. Following the graduation of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Academy 47 on Thursday, Jan. 15, the local firehouse — which has been down to minimal use for the past two years — was again fully staffed with three full-time firefighters, 24/7, said Battalion Chief Lon Goetsch.
See Station 11, page 8
Benevolence Program has a Clayton family at each end
MIKE’S AUTO BODY FOUNDER, MIKE ROSE (left) with daughter Regan, wife Laurie and son Brennan, began the company’s car give-away program 14 years ago.
From the day Mike Rose graduated from Clayton Valley High School in 1972 he has been on a mission to make the world a better place. His first entrepreneurial effort began modestly with five employees in a 3,000-square-foot facility. Today it has grown to become a corporation with 13 locations in the Bay Area. While this level of success would be enough to satisfy almost anyone, the Rose family and their employees have created an institution out of their See Benevolence, page 4
Western themed wedding makes history at museum TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
The Joel Clayton home saw history in the making last month when curator Renee Wing and Jeff Crady were married in the parlor at the museum on Main Street.. Some 40 friends and family packed the tiny house for the ceremony officiated by Janet Easton and Charmetta Mann, long-time members of the Clayton Historical Society and friends of the couple. Both musicians, Renee and
See Wedding, page 2
CLAYTON MUSEUM CURATOR, RENEE WING, and Jeff Crady exchanged vows in a small ceremony at the Clayton Museum on Dec 13.
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