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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 22, No. 1
Planning commission seats filled
Ringing in the new year Dispensary Opens
by Kyle Szymanski
Antioch’s CoCo Farms recreational cannibis dispensary opens to the public. Page 5
Staff Writer
The Brentwood City Council recently gifted the planning commission with a new member and the reappointment of another. Longtime planning commissioner Dirk Zeigler was reappointed to a new two-year term along with newcomer Anita Roberts. “We had a great group of candidates,” said Mayor Bob Taylor. “It was a really hard decision.” Nine undisclosed applicants applied for the two seats, with eight ultimately choosing to go through interviews with Vice Mayor Joel Bryant and Taylor, who recommended Roberts and Zeigler before the pair were formally approved by the full council. The commission is ordinarily tasked with maksee Commission page 18
New Year, New Laws Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
he Brentwood Library celebrated New Year’s Eve early with storytime for toddlers including 3-year-old Avery Pittle, Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Fire board reelects president, vice president by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board has reelected President Brian Oftedal and Vice President Stephen Smith to their officer positions for another one-year term. The unanimous vote was made during the board’s last meeting of the year, held on Dec. 11. “As the fire chief, I have had the privilege to work with President Oftedal and Vice President Smith for the past two years,” said ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick. “It’s good to see they both have the continued support from the other board members to maintain their positions as president and vice president. I believe with their leadership, the district will continue to advance as we
“ As the fire chief, I have had the privilege to work with President Oftedal and Vice President Smith for the past two years. It’s good to see they both have the continued support from the other board members to maintain their positions as president and vice president.
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ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick work to address our revenue and service level challenges.” Measure N, passed in November 2016, shifted the board’s composition from nine appointed members to the current makeup of five elected members. Only five candidates filed papers for the board’s first election that was scheduled for November 2018. All
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five were appointed to the board negating the need for an election. “I am humbled and honored to once again be nominated, to serve as the East Contra Costa Fire Protection Board president,” Oftedal said. “I appreciate the trust and confidence that my fellow elected directors have placed in me. We have made some tre-
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mendous progress over this last year and it is exciting to start seeing some of the fruits of our labor. I am excited to continue working to improve public safety in East Contra Costa.” Securing an additional revenue stream for the perpetually underfunded district will likely be the board’s biggest challenge in the upcoming year. The district operates three stations to provide fire, rescue and emergency medical services for approximately 115,000 residents spread over 249 square miles of East Contra Costa County including Brentwood,Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Morgan Territory. However, the district’s strategic plan, completed one year ago
2020 is ushering in some notable new laws dealing with rent, employment and more. Page 4
Jamboree Gold Winners
Heritage girls basketball wins West Coast Jamboree gold for second straight year. Page 11
see Board page 18
Calendar................................19 Classifieds.............................14 Cop Logs..................................9 Health & Beauty....................6 Legals ....................................15 Milestones..............................8 Adopt a Pet.............................7 Sports.....................................11
Service Day
Vasco Roadwork
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City of Antioch is offering Day of Service options for Martin Luther King Day.
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County Public Works will be working on Vasco and Camino Diablo roads.