We have a new look
Same paper, new name Two sections, more color
November 23, 2018 From the desk of...
The Pioneer, it’s still your paper
Concord Edition
www.PioneerPublishers.com
Hoffmeister, Aliano, McGallian elected in first by-district race TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer
EDI BIRSAN
MAYOR
On laws, sausage and power
The recurring theme of strict interpretation of written local laws or the Constitution, with an occasional reference to what the author intended, reminds me of what was said in the 19th century: You never really want to know how either laws or sausages were made. The argument of intent has resurfaced in the “birthright” citizenship debate that is being used to divide the country nowadays, much like the long tedious argument about the 2nd Amendment and how it should be applied to today’s shoulderTamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer held, anti-aircraft rockets or From left Dominic Aliano (District 3), Laura Hoffmeister (District 1), Patti Barsotti (City Treasurer) and Tim McGallian (District flame throwers. People only go back to the 5) celebrate almost certain victory for Aliano and Hoffmeister on election night. Barsotti and McGallian ran unopposed. argument of “what the author intended” when it reinforces their position. When it comes to legislation, what the author intended – or what those who voted on it thought they were voting on (assuming there was any thought at all) – is not even a close second to what was “When that beacon light is advocates for veterans in also is a VFW member. “I BEV BRITTON applied at the time or what was turned on, that’s a tribute to numerous ways. He is a mem- think one of the important The Pioneer interpreted by the bureaucrat, a those individuals that lost their ber of the American Legion parts about a veterans’ group is No matter the war. No lives at Pearl Harbor,” said and Korean War Veterans for vets to meet others like Association as well as volun- them.” See Mayor, page 6 matter the military branch. No Kohler. John Dreisbach of Conteering every Monday at the Steve Barton calls the VFW matter the generation. These cord is disabled due to sarin Veterans Administration clinic local veterans are steadfastly gas exposure during Desert in Martinez. proud of their efforts. “Any veterans in the area And they’re still fighting to Storm, yet the Army vet proclaims: “I will continue to try who have a problem, we help keep the focus on those who to do what I can to help other them,” he said. “I just can’t died in battle – and the battles veterans.” thank the people of Concord still fought by those returning He joined the Jerry and Clayton enough. They are home today. Novakovich Post 1575 Veterso good to give donations. I’ve Pearl Harbor survivor E.J. ans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to never had anybody give us any “Chuck” Kohler has made it find others who could relate to static – they just seem to be his mission to commemorate combat duty. “Even though we helpful.” the World War II attack and WWII vet Wilfred Wilcox the people who died there. served in different locations and experienced different founded the Mount Diablo Each year, the Navy vet speaks things, the commonalities of Marine Corps League in 1996. at the Mount Diablo beacon war are constant,” he said. “We’re involved in community lighting ceremony as part of Former VFW Post 1575 activities, burial ceremonies, BEV BRITTON Pearl Harbor Remembrance commander Pete Loechner parades,” said Wilcox, who Day. The Pioneer
In Concord’s first election since switching to district voting, Laura Hoffmeister defeated Ron Leone and Judith Herman with 40 percent of the vote. In District 3, which covers most of the Monument corridor, voters chose Dominic Aliano by a wide margin over Kenji Yamada. Tim McGallian ran unopposed from District 5. Hoffmeister will be returning to the council for a sixth term and McGallian for a second. Aliano currently serves on the Planning Commission. Only Districts 1, 3 and 5 held elections this year. Carlyn Obringer and Edi Birsan will face the voters in Districts 2 and 4 respectively in 2020. In the meantime, they serve as at-large members of the council. The challenge in the coming year will be how best to balance the needs of their
See Election, page 12
Veterans pay it forward with continued service
Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6 Community . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Hearts and Hands . . . . . . . .2 Senior Living . . . . . . . . . . .8-9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Clayton Worsdell
The Mount Diablo beacon shines each Dec. 7 to honor those who died at Pearl Harbor.
See CNWS, page 5 Concord VFW Commander Mark Steinberg, left, WWII vet Wilfred Wilcox, Korean vet Pete
What’s Inside
See Veterans, page 5
Mount Diablo’s Beacon of Hope
City looks at CNWS cleanup efforts
In the wake of fraudulent soil samples at Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard, the Concord City Council held a study session about the cleanup process at the Concord Naval Weapons site. “This is a really important health and safety conversation that I know the community has been wanting to have for some time,” said Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer. Earlier this year, two employees at Tetra Tech EC pled guilty to falsifying soil records when they were contracted as part of the Navy’s cleanup of the San Francisco shipyard. The issue came to
“one of the premiere organizations for supporting veterans.” He became a member after the group was instrumental in the
Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
Loechner and Desert Storm vet John Dreisbach came together at the Clayton veterans memorial. The poppies are among the ways they raise money to help today’s veterans.
Charles Lindbergh originally lit the beacon atop Mount Diablo in 1928 to assist in the early days of commercial aviation. The light beamed each night until Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It wasn’t relit until 1964 and now shines only one night each year. This year’s lighting ceremony begins at 3:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Cal State East Bay Concord, with the lighting at 5 p.m. If weather permits, there will be a flyover by Vietnam helicopters carrying WWII vets. In his poem “A Tour of Remembrance,” Pearl Harbor survivor Chuck Kohler closes with: Our seasons pass, the time draws nearer, the last survivor will have faded from sight. Then, comes each following 7th of December, will there always be those who will care enough, not only to remember, But to remember, and then – come here, to the top of Mt. Diablo, on that night, and light The Light.
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