THE PIONEER Covering the East Bay community since 1961
California State University, East Bay
News, Art, & Culture for the East Bay
THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2015
www.thepioneeronline.com
Thousands remember slain officer
Summer 2015 Issue 7
High school grad killed in shooting
SEE OPINION PAGE 2
IS THE NFL TOO LENIENT ON PUNISHMENT?
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HUSD
By Shannon Stroud
SEE NEWS PAGE 3
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ENDING VIOLENCE STARTS WITH THE YOUTH
SEE FEATURES PAGE 4
CITY OF OAKLAND HOLDS 15TH ART + SOUL FESTIVAL
Local fire chief goes unscathed By Bryan Cordova MANAGING EDITOR Hayward City Manager Fran David slapped Fire Department Chief Garret Contreras on the wrist for drinking while on duty, failing to respond to a “significant fire” and committing a fourth act of driving a city vehicle under the influence. Contreras served a one-month suspension without pay, was forced to take a 9.3 percent salary cut, is barred from driving a city vehicle within eight hours of consuming alcohol, and is not allowed to drink at city events, according to a disciplinary letter issued to him by David. According to the letter written by David, “This conduct is not what I expect from a Chief. The sustained allegations from the recent investigation clearly warrants your removal as Chief.” However the City Manager let him off with the conditions stated because of his “cooperation” throughout the investigation. The investigation document reports four counts of Contreras driving city vehicles under the influence, in March, April, July, and September of 2014. It also revealed that he was reported to have behaved inappropriately during the Stonebrae Golf Tournament late September, and David states, “These 2014 events are not the first time you have engaged in extremely unprofessional behavior.” The end of the letter stated that in 2013 that if he was found to intimidate or threaten any City employee he would be terminated as Fire Chief. The investigation reported he was found to have engaged in a “verbal interaction with a subordinate including physically striking said employee.” “This incident took place 16 months ago and I’ve had that period of time to reflect on my actions when this took place and made considerable changes,” Contreras said in an interview with NBC on Tuesday.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYWARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
SEE FEATURES PAGE 6
Water rates to rise
As San Francisco water costs rise, so do Hayward’s.
Hayward’s 4th Annual Garage Sale By Bryan Cordova MANAGING EDITOR
GRAPHIC BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
By Ian James Vitaga CONTRIBUTOR Last month, San Francisco raised water rates by 28 percent. And since Hayward currently purchases all its water from San Francisco Public Utilities Commision, local Hayward rates will also rise. San Francisco gets water from the Hetch Hetchy water system in Yosemite National Park. At the July 21 Hayward City Council meeting, councilmembers proposed a 15 percent increase in rates for water and sewer services in 2016 and another 7 percent in 2017. There are a couple reasons why water rates will rise. San Francisco invested $4.8 billion for their Water System Improvement Program to improve its water infrastructure to better dispose, save, and disperse water, along with other improvements, according to the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Another reason for the rise in cost is that water consumption has significantly decreased in the Bay Area, according to Alex Ameri, Director of Utilities and Environmental Services. Why would
SEE FEATURES PAGE 3
As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Saturday, Aug. 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the City of Hayward will hold its fourth annual citywide garage sale. “We have over 150 sales throughout the City that offer a wide range of items, everything from toys to antiques,” said Brianne Elizarrey, an administrative assistant for the city of Hayward, who has helped put together the garage sale. The Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force created the event to promote the reuse and recycling of household items taking up space. Participants who wanted to host a garage sale or a block sale with neighbors were required to register by July 28. These participants will have their address listed on a map provided by the city of Hayward and were offered free advertising on the city’s website and social media outlets. Maps are now available for download on the city of Hayward’s website or print versions can be picked up from City Hall. “People really love the idea of getting together with friends and neighbors to organize sales,” Elizarrey said. After the event, garage sale participant who have leftover items that were not sold are encouraged to donate those items to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Items like books, magazines and movies can be donated to the Friends of the Hayward Public Library.
On Tuesday morning around 1:00 a.m. a 17-year-old male was shot and killed on Arf Avenue and Morningside Drive according to a press release from the Hayward Police department. Hayward Unified School District named the victim as Kionta Murphy but Hayward police have not confirmed his identity. Murphy was walking with his 17-yearold female friend when three males confronted them. After a brief exchange, one of the unidentified suspects shot Murphy and fled the scene in a silver SUV, according to the press release from Hayward PD. Although emergency care was administered, Murphy succumbed to his injuries at the scene. His friend was unharmed. Murphy has been in the Hayward Unified School District since the third grade. He attended Longwood Elementary school, Ochoa Middle School and graduated from Mount Eden High School. During his academic career he played football for two years and was on the wrestling team for three years. On Tuesday, family members and friends gathered at a morning vigil on Arf and Morningside Drive where Murphy was shot. “He was loved by teacher and staff. He was a selfless young man who loved school,” said HUSD Communications Coordinator Sabrina Aranda. “Today’s event is a tragedy for all young people in the city of Hayward. We honor the great work and the contributions of Kionte [Kionta] Murphy,” said Hayward Unified School District Superintendent Stan Dobbs in a statement to the press. The three suspects have been described in the press release as Hispanic males between 17-18 years old. The first suspect stood at 5 feet 7 inches tall with short black hair, the second suspect was 5 feet 9 inches tall and around 175-200 pounds, and the third was 5 feet 6 inches tall at around 150 pounds, said Sergeant Tasha Decosta . Murphy had no criminal record or history of gang involvement, Sergeant Decosta stated. Hayward police have no motive for the murder. If anyone has information on this incident they should call 510293-7034.
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