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July 2011
VOL 16, NO 7
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SPOTLIGHT
Summit Ranch Equine Center rides on By Dana Guzzetti
Bob Marx and his friends love to ride horses. When Marx's horses, Woody and Jag, and his Arabian companions were about to lose their home at Summit Ranch, Bob Marx and his wife Joan felt compelled to preserve the ranch that has been the epitome of life in Alamo for more than 40 years. Bob and Joan Marx bought it to save it for their horses and
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See SUMMIT RANCH page 6
Don’t miss the Danville Hot summer Nights Hot Rod and Classic Car Show happening on Thursday July 21st and again on Thursday August 18th. This annual tradition is in its 17th year of wowing viewers with some of the most beautiful hot rods and classic automobiles from around country. There will be bands, food and dancing in the street! A portion of the proceeds will be donated this year to the rebuilding of the new Veterans Hall at 400 Hartz Ave., and also to the One Hundred Club of Contra Costa County. For more information visit www.danvillehotsummernightscarshow.com.
Redistricting decision remains elusive By Dana Guzzetti
Alamo’s redistricting fate remains uncertain, but the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors did whittle its collection of 14 map proposals down to three at a three-hour, June 28 meeting. County staff was asked to re-make, analyze and amend versions of concept map numbers 6, 9, and 12. At the next meeting, scheduled for July 12 at 11:15am at 651 Pine Street, Martinez, a decision on boundaries for County Supervisorial Districts could be reached. Between now and then, board chairperson Gayle Uilkema encouraged stakeholders to make their opinions about the final three plans known to the board, preferably in writing
or through the board website (www.ccredistricting.org). Their choice of the three plans occurred after about 15 speakers, which included mayors and council members from numerous cities. There was uniform opposition to cities being divided. Clayton Mayor Julie Pierce explained that Clayton has many overlapping services and common interests with Concord. And Clayton prefers to be in the same district as Concord. Each board member explained their views on the plans and disclosed their personally preferred map configuration. Uilkema said she favors
gradual change as opposed to radical change, “evolution” over “revolution.” She favors consistency, even though the existing map has been highly criticized for allowing the numbers of people represented in each district to vary more widely. Supervisor John Gioia (District 1) clearly has a different view. He and District 5’s Federal Glover homed in on the notion of regions and subregions with common interests. For example, Glover liked the idea of combining waterfront, industrialized areas. Mary Phiepho was the only board member to unequivocally oppose dividing cities. “My view is no splits,” Phiepho asserted.
She suggested that Gayle Uilkema’s plan No. 9, which adds Alamo and Brentwood to District 3 and makes sure that Contra Costa Centre remains in District 4, could be adapted to meet all of the criteria. Gioia countered, “It’s what we want, not what the cities want.” The most striking comments about divided cities came from Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Silva. Ten years ago, Walnut Creek was divided into three districts in what was an acknowledged exhibition of gerrymandering. Gioia, Glover and Uilkema were on the board at that time. Gioia admitted the old lines were not perfect. “Elected officials are allowed to admit we made See REDISTRICTING page 4
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Pets and Pet Services Senior Services page 7
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