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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 22, No. 4
January 24, 2020
Citizen, Business of the Year named Financially Fit In 2020 by Deanna Gordon Staff Writer
The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce has announced its annual list of award winners who will be recognized for commitment, dedication and contributions to the community at a gala event Friday, March 6. Citizen of the Year: Michael Rucker “I was so surprised and blown away,” said Rucker, an 11-year veteran of the Brentwood Police Department who works as a youth liaison officer and executive director of Brentwood Police Activities League. “I did not expect it at all; it’s completely surreal.” According to Lynn Gursky, organizer of the gala, Rucker was the top vote getter in nominations submitted to the chamber this year and is being honored for his work with the youth of Brentwood and his commitment to the Brentwood Police Activities League. Business of the Year: Del Sol Energy “We are extremely grateful for the commusee Citizen page 26A
This week’s special edition offers advice for getting the most out of your money this year. Page 1B
A Unique Performance
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Brentwood Police Officer Michael Rucker, youth liaison officer and executive director of Brentwood Police Activites League, has been chosen as Citizen of the Year.
New tunnel project is déjà vu all over again by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Citing a need to protect the state’s water supply from climate change and seismic threats, the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) plan to construct a single tunnel through the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta took a major step forward with the Jan. 15 publication of the project’s notice of preparation (NOP), and its release drew swift reactions from both sides of the metaphorical aisle. “The health of the Delta — both its communities and the environment — depends on freshwater flows through the Delta from the Sacramento River,” wrote representatives of the Delta Counties Coalition in a press release. “The tunnel proposal would remove a signifi-
“ A single tunnel could still divert up to nearly half of the average flow of the Sacramento River and make conditions in the Delta worse, not better.
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Delta Counties Coalition cant amount of those freshwater flows from their natural course through the Delta. A single tunnel could still divert up to nearly half of the average flow of the Sacramento River and make conditions in the Delta worse, not better. Today’s announcement is a missed opportunity to get past the old conflict-ridden rivalries and pursue different and more fruitful approaches that would actually increase statewide water supplies. Instead, it’s more of the same divisive top-down approach pursued
SAVE NOW
by past administrations.” The Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), as the initiative is now known, is DWR’s latest version of a plan to draw water from the northern reaches of the Delta and move it to pumps approximately 40 miles south. From there the water will enter the network of State Water Project (SWP) canals, and begin its journey to farms, homes and businesses of the Central Valley and Southern California. DCP supplants the twin-tunnel design called WaterFix that was can-
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celed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last April, after 13 years of planning, legal wrangling and hardfought opposition. “Governor Newsom directed state agencies to pursue a single-tunnel solution to modernize our water infrastructure, and when combined with the broader, statewide portfolio approach, this project would help safeguard a vital source of affordable water for millions of Californians,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This water supply is critical to the health of local communities, the future of the Delta ecosystem and the success of our state’s economy.” The NOP initiates an environmental impact report for the proposed project, which is the first step to ensure its compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a critisee Tunnel page 26A
USDA Guidelines www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Two proposals are in the works to make school lunches more appealing, healthy.
Performer Unique Derique brings his special brand of comedy, music and fun to the library. Page 9A
Patriots Bball Stays Strong
Heritage boys’, girls’ basketball down Freedom and remain undefeated in league play. Page 16A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................22A Cop Logs.............................25A Entertainment.................... 9A Food....................................... 8A Health & Beauty...............15A Milestones.........................12A Opinion...............................11A Adopt a Pet........................14A Sports..................................16A
New Director
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First Five Contra Costa welcomes new director to organization.