Re-Elect
Laura
Hoffmeister Experienced Leadership
City Council District 1
IT’S YOUR PAPER
Fall brings new concert series
www.concordpioneer.com
From the desk of...
September 21, 2018
925.672.0500
TAMARA STEINER Concord Pioneer
EDi BiRSAn
MAYOR
The debate on cannabis comes home
On Saturday Sept. 8, I experienced a forum on cannabis. There were expert speakers and presentation on the various aspects of the products including a political panel with the Mayor of Walnut Creek, three candidates for the Concord and Walnut Creek city councils as well as myself, Mayor of Concord. They presented facts and ideas around all the objections in allowing dispensaries,
See Mayor, page 9
Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer
Bay Area party band Pride and Joy headlined the second Vibes at the Veranda fall concert Sept. 12. The series continues every Wednesday through Oct. 24 and includes popular Bay Area bands.
If you think the free concert season ended with the close of the Music and Market series at Todos Santos last week, think again. This fall, the beat goes on with a new eightconcert series at The Veranda in Concord. The concerts, sponsored by Andeavor Refinery and Visit Concord, are drawing big audiences. The bands were selected for their large local following. The concerts are held in the fountain plaza area, which includes ample space for dancing. At the Sept. 12 concert, the high-octane soul and funk band Pride and Joy had dancers on their feet from the opening bars. Veranda General Manager, Ashton Simmons, chose the fall for the free concerts so as
See Concert, page 4
Changes in store for Blue Devils’ 2019 season JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Just a month after finishing second at the DCI World Championships in both the World and Open classes, the Concord Blue Devils announced two major changes for the organization as it begins preparations for the 2019 drum corps season. First, came an announcement with their friendly rivals, Santa Clara Vanguard, that the two powerhouse Bay Area corps, who have won 10 of the last 11 Open Class World Championships, will not be competing at the 2019 Worlds. Instead, both groups will restrict their B Corps season to California competitions. Then last week, Blue Devils
CEO Justin Heimbecker announced that he and his wife Kelly are moving back to the East Coast where they have lived most of their lives. Heimbecker joined the Blue Devils in early 2016 from Pennsylvania, replacing long-time CEO Dave Gibbs, who became a senior advisor. Heimbecker posted on Facebook, “I’ll continue to work and support the BD organization remotely in a variety of ways. I’ll continue most immediately as the Western Bands Association executive director. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work so closely with and learn from David Gibbs over the past several years; it is clear why this organization is the very best in the world, and his leadership for the organization and activity are
unparalleled.” Blue Devils board president Rosa Lee Harden told the Pioneer last weekend, “We are deeply grateful to Dave for stepping back in [as CEO] to help us while we take some time to sort out the next iteration of leadership for our organization.” Harden has been board president of the 18-time world champion Blue Devils for three years. Reflecting membership of the world-renowned Blue Devils A Corps, the board includes members from Southern California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina (Harden) and Dubai, besides local members. The Blue Devils B Corps (comprised mainly of high school age performers) has toured the US and competed at
the World Championships annually since 2006, finishing first or second for the past 11 years. Prior to 2005, BDB were at the Open Class Worlds five times. Last week, the local organization announced, “Each year BD Performing Arts evaluates all aspects of our organization in order to meet our standards of excellence and vision. The objectives of the Blue Devils B Corps are to provide a positive member experience, quality student education, a healthy and safe environment, and strong community involvement. “In order to achieve these objectives, we have decided to travel and compete only in California for the 2019 season. This is a very difficult decision and we make it with much deliberation and careful
thought.” Santa Clara issued a similar statement the same day. In 2018, Blue Devils B, including recent Clayton Valley Charter High School grads Steve
Yamada. Tim McGallian is running unopposed in District 5. In response to questions from the Pioneer, the candidates in the two contested races dig deeper into some of city’s top issues.
position conflicts with the needs of the whole city? Herman: From talking to voters, housing is a top priority. We need to look at expanding the availability of affordable and workforce housing in Concord. The whole city needs housing solutions, not just District 1. Concord, like the rest of the Bay Area, has fallen behind in addressing housing availability and affordability. I plan to bring
more voices to the table to solve this problem in both the short and long-term. Hoffmeister: Adding police officers and improving 911 response times, increasing services for victims of domestic violence, maintaining streets and repairing potholes, revitalizing older commercial areas and reducing cutthrough traffic in neighborhoods are top priorities. I have an excellent working relationship with my fellow council members. While I will be a strong advocate for the citizens of District 1, I have and will continue to develop solutions for all of Concord. Leone: 1. Public safety 2. Economic development (jobs) 3. Development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station. 4. Bringing a four-year public university to Concord. A city council member should only do what is best for the city as a whole. Aliano: Top priorities for District 3 are renter protections and parking within the Monument neighborhoods. I
support rent control and just cause eviction and believe that ensuring every renter in Concord is protected from unexpected, extreme rent increases or sudden eviction is needed regardless of where you live in Concord. As a planning commissioner and member of several non-profit boards, I have proven to be a consensus builder and am able to work with colleagues to find solutions to common problems. Yamada: The top priority is housing. It is a citywide need. Coming to an agreement with a majority of council members will require a combination of good-faith reasoning and political organizing. I have experience with both.
Potter and Ethan Puckett, competed in late July and early August in Ohio, Michigan, Maryland and Iowa in preparation for Worlds in Indiana.
Ryan Cross photo courtesy Blue Devils
Blue Devils B Corps toured this summer performing “The Other Side” program.
Council candidates share positions on city issues PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
The housing crisis, sales taxes and a vital business community are among the top priorities for most candidates running for the Concord City Council. District 1 has three candidates, Judith Herman, Laura Hoffmeister and Ron Leone, while District 3 has two: Dominic Aliano and Kenji
Q: What do you see as the top priority in your district and how will you address it? What if other council members feel your
Two council candidates forums planned Concord residents will have a chance to check out who will next run their city at two candidates’ forums planned in the next two weeks.
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Candidates’ Forum Monday, Sept. 24 6-8 p.m. City Council Chambers Concord Civic Center 1950 Parkside, Dr., Concord
Monument Impact District 3 Forum Wednesday, Oct. 10 First Presbyterian Church 1965 Colfax St., Concord
REGISTER NOW. A link to the registration form is posted on The Concord Pioneer Facebook page. Register in advance. Space is limited.
Q: Some city residents and officials are concerned with urban blight in the city. Are there areas in your district that would be considered blighted? If so, how do you propose dealing with this issue?
Herman: While I don’t see blight in District 1, I see areas in which people have unmet needs. There are some homeless camps and some rental properties that need renewal. Throughout Concord, some retail areas need revitalization and reinvestment. The best way to address unmet needs is to look to the business owners and residents for answers. An ordinance fines commercial properties not adequately maintained. The fines should be balanced with recognition for properties that are well maintained.
See Candidates, page 6
Inside
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Community . . . . . . . . . . .4 From the desk of . . . . . .9 Hearts and Hands . . . . .2 Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Senior Living . . . . . . . .19 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 The Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .16