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September 11, 2015
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Small town, big Relay PAT MIDDENDORF Special to the Pioneer
Tamara Steiner
We Remember On a quiet September morning 14 years ago, nearly 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in the worst terrorist attack in American history. As we look back on the events that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, it is important to remember the people we lost and to honor the heroic men and women who rushed to the scene as first responders and saved countless lives, even when it meant giving their own. Every year since 2002, the firefighters of Station 11 have set 343 small flags in the grass in front of the station to remember each of the firefighters and law enforcement officers lost in the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. The flags will be up through the weekend. The public is encouraged to visit the memorial and spend a few minutes in gratitude for the 343 Photo courtesy of Relay for Life first-responders who lost their lives A jubilant Nancy Salmon (center) announces that the Clayton Relay for Life met its fundraising goal. With that day. her are leadership team members Kathy DeBoever (left) and Sydney Alcock (right).
The luminarias may be out now, but that doesn’t mean that the light from the 2015 Clayton Relay for Life isn’t still burning bright. While the 24-hour walk-a-thon to help fund cancer research is significant in communities across the nation, there is something unique that happens here. What makes Relay for Life of Clayton, which ran Aug. 15 and 16, so successful, so magical, so meaningful and memorable for so many? Why does it have such an overwhelming impact on each participant? It may not be in strength of numbers, but in the passion of the local participants. “This awful disease has taken too many lives from me!” says Nancy Salmon, one of the tri-leads for the event. Clayton is one of the smallest towns in the Bay Area to participate in Relay for Life yet their fundraising dollars are double and even triple that of more affluent and even much larger cities in California. More than 60 survivors of cancer walked in the Clayton Relay this year. A mere 15 teams participated and about 300 people took on the 24-hour challenge. These are not huge numbers, statistically they may be even less than surrounding communities. Yet Clayton’s Relay raised more than $90,000.
See Big Relay, page 6
Two Clayton men die in Marsh Creek accidents PEGGY SPEAR Clayton Pioneer
The winding Marsh Creek Road east of Clayton proved doubly tragic last week as separate accidents claimed the lives of two local 21-year-old men. Early in the morning on Sunday, Aug. 30, Clayton resident Marcus Muskat was killed when his motorcycle veered off the road and crashed into a street sign just west of Morgan Territory Road. The following Thursday morning around 3:10 a.m., Clayton Valley Charter High School graduate and Clayton resident Jeremiah Corey died when the Mercury Mountaineer he was driving east on
Mayor Shuey is on hiatus this issue. He will be back on the frontpage in October. What’s Inside Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Community Calendar . . . . .13 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 School News . . . . . . . . . . .15
JEREMIAH COREY
Marsh Creek Road, just east of Morgan Territory Road, drifted into the westbound lane and off the roadway. He was pro-
crash, it was too early at press time to determine the cause of Corey’s crash, or if alcohol or drugs played a role in either of the accidents, said CHP Lt. Steve Perea. Still, most local drivers know that the two-lane roadway — used as a link between Central and East County — can be dangerous, especially at night as more wildlife roam. “Marsh Creek Road was never intended to become a MARCUS MUSKAT commute corridor, though we all know that over time it has nounced dead at the scene. become just that,” says Clayton While the California High- City Council member Julie way Patrol has determined that Pierce, President of the Assospeed was a factor in Muskat’s ciation of Bay Area Govern-
ments and a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “The completion of Highway 4 East through Brentwood should help to alleviate much of that traffic as the freeway will be a quicker route to destinations in the 680 corridor and beyond. That said, it is likely that Marsh Creek Road will always be a ‘shortcut’ for many. The road is designated as a two-lane scenic corridor and due to environmental constraints is highly unlikely to ever be widened beyond that.” She says that while no major safety improvements are currently planned by the coun-
ty, there may be a future funding opportunities for minor improvements such as left turn pockets. “As with any other road, people need to slow down and pay attention while driving that route,” she said. Perea echoes that sentiment. “Drivers have to be cautious on that road,” he said. While there are some straight sight-lines, there are also blind curves, and it is important to pay attention, he said. Any distraction could cause a driver to veer off the road, or into oncoming traffic.
See Accidents, page 6
Rotary Club pledges $300,000 to fuel CV auto shop JOHN T. MILLER Clayton Pioneer
Things are revving up at Clayton Valley Charter High School’s auto shop, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Clayton Valley. Club president Dave Kemnitz, who owns D & H Auto Repair with two shops in Concord, recognized that the state of auto repair instruction was broken at the high school level. “With no new blood coming into the industry, we find ourselves in a position where the average age of a shop owner or journey level technician is 56 years old,” said Kemnitz. “With more than 60,000 jobs available, we see
the need to put fire in the bellies of young people. It’s become necessary to grow our own help.” The beneficiary of the upgrade, CVCHS shop teacher John Ouimet, is understandably excited: “There have been very little updates to the program since the early 1960s,” he said. “For example, we can’t even service many of the tires on newer vehicles.” Ouimet, who came to teach at Clayton 10 years ago after a career in engineering, sees the upgrades as a way for his students to get a leg up on further training and employment. “Our program, even with
Tamara Steiner
See Auto Shop, page 3
CVCHS STUDENTS KADEN NIEPRASCHK, STEPHANIE DERICKSON, teacher John Ouimet, Allyn Moise and Jerron Miller gear up for new auto shop gear, thanks to a Rotary Club grant
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