PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpioneer.com
July 16, 2004
4th of July in Clayton Country
Committee takes landscape questions to public
The City of Clayton again celebrat- by the Blue Star Moms, dozens of kids ed its small town spirit with the theme, on bikes, community floats, spiffy vin"Honoring our Past - Celebrating our tage cars, Scout groups, swim club, Future," in recognition of Clayton’s community groups and local politicians 40th Birthday as an incorin convertibles. porated City. A young couple visitThe morning began ing from Chattanooga, with a pancake breakfast Tennessee gave the crowd cooked and served by the a special treat with a surClayton Valley/Concord prise marriage proposal Sunrise Rotary Club at from the top of a vintage Endeavor Hall. fire truck owned by Rod The parade, attended by and Dale Hendrickson of an estimated 7000, started Clayton. off with the National As the parade drew to Anthem sung by Clayton a close under perfect Photo courtesy of Patti Baas sunny skies, Clayton resiresident Natalie Pelletier, with the colors carried by SHAWN MONTEITH dent Peggy Bidondo (right) surprised sweetVFW Post 1525 and local heart Kim Nash and the summed it all up. “Do we armed forces. Then came crowd with a marriage live in Clayton country, or the Clayton Police and Fire proposal during the what?” Laura Hoffmeister contributed to this article Station 11 trucks, followed parade.
This is the second article in a series which will probe and evaluate Clayton’s landscape issues. DAN RICHARDSON LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE CHAIR Special to the Clayton Pioneer
During this past 4th of July celebration, members of the Blue Ribbon Landscape Maintenance Committee circulated through both the pancake breakfast and parade route, soliciting participation in an informal survey regarding the City's landscape maintenance district. On behalf of the Committee, I want to thank everyone who took a few minutes to answer our questionnaire. The questions included: How do you rate the condition of the landscaping? How often do you use the trails, dog park, open space or walkways? Would you like to see the Clayton Fountain operated more frequently? We also asked for suggestions for improving the landscaping. Although we are in the process of compiling the results of the 212 surveys received, we have some preliminary indications. When ranking the condition of the landscaping on a scale of one to 10,
See Landscape, page 13
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CLAYTON PIONEER 4TH OF JULY PHOTO CONTEST FIRST PLACE WINNERS
Top photo is the first place winner in the adult category and was taken by Bill Ross who wins a $75 gift certificate for La Veranda Café in Clayton. Photo at right is the first place winner in the 12 and under category and was taken by Christine Senavsky, 12. Christine wins a $50 gift certificate for Toys, Games and More in the Clayton Station. Turn to page 20 to see the rest of the winners.
Vandalism sprees damage dozens of vehicles TAMARA STEINER Clayton Pioneer
Vandals have damaged more than 30 vehicles in neighborhoods all over Clayton in at least three separate crime sprees over the past month. Police began receiving reports of the damage on June 13, when the windows on seven vehicles were smashed out with rocks and items were stolen from the car. One vehicle was reported stolen. The spree continued over the next
couple of days. Witnesses have reported seeing two 1820 year old white males in a late model gold extended cab Chevrolet pickup truck in the area where the vehicles were damaged. One victim from Yolanda Circle who asked not to be named, had over $2800 in body damage to his vehicle during the spree. "They were taking river rock from the neighbors' landscaping. The rocks missed my windows, but hit the body. They threw a rock so hard through my
neighbor's car that it smashed out the rear window and flew all the way through the front windshield,” he said. Police have been chasing the vandals from one crime spree to another. Around 11 p.m. on June 14, the suspects were spotted in Peacock Creek. While police were responding to this call, another report came in from Eagle Peak - vandals in the gold truck had just thrown a rock through the window of a car. As police were taking this report, yet another call came
in - the vandals were hitting the Dana Hills area. All of this occurred between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. The vandals hit again on July 6 in a late night slash and smash frenzy. According to Sergeant Jason Russo of the Clayton Police, eleven vehicles had their tires slashed, a vehicle was sprayed with a fire extinguisher and another vehicle had the windows smashed. Reports began coming into the police department around 6 a.m. on July 7. The vandalism has not
been limited to any one neighborhood. Police report damage from Mountaire Parkway, Keller Ridge, Eagle Peak, Ohlone Heights, Kelok, Gamay, Roundhill, Falcon, Joscolo and lower Easley as well as Yolanda Circle. Police are fairly certain that the men in the gold pickup are responsible for all of the incidents. So far, the only lead is the sketchy description of the suspects and the vehicle. Police are asking all residents to report any sightings of the gold pick-up or any
other suspicious vehicles or activity in their neighborhood. "If everyone is especially vigilant and reports suspicious activity right away, we may have a chance of catching them," said Russo. In a separate act over last weekend, thieves stole seventeen of the American flags from the downtown 4th of July decorations. The flags had been donated to the city last year and are valued at approximately $500, reported City Manager Gary Napper.
Young parade watchers tell why Independence Day is special
Makenzie Reynolds, 11
Zac Henney, 13
Darcy Smith, 13
Ygnacio Mutio, 10
Jeremy Gunder, 10
Independence Day is special to me because of all the people that are proud of America and for all the soldiers in the war. It's a day to have fun and be with my family.
Because it's the day our country became free and it's a day to remember all the men and women who fought and continue to fight for our freedom, like my grandfather who fought in World War II.
Independence Day is special to me because it's a time to be together with family and friends and it's a chance for the community to celebrate together.
Because we celebrate the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of a new nation. It's a chance to celebrate a good day for the nation.
Its special because it's America's birthday! It makes me feel safe when I see the flag and the military. I also like the parade and candy.
Emily and Sarah Berglund, 10 It's our country's birthday. It's fun to see the horses. When I see someone in uniform, it reminds me that they save our country.