O pini O n Let’s foster home-grown pot dispensaries

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 64 in 2016, which legalized adult use of recreational cannabis. Ever since, only 56 percent of the state’s counties have licensed cannabis dispensaries. City politicians and officials in Oakley and Brentwood have steadfastly refused to allow any retail sales within their borders.

Editorial

A 2021 county application from Diablo Valley Farms owner Bob Nunn for a cultivation permit in unincorporated Brentwood drew strong opposition from some who said it was too close to the nearby Sunset Park Athletic Complex.

The proposed non-cash facility was intended to be a microplant nursery, using two existing 10,000-square-foot greenhouses. The county zoning administrator approved the proposed Sellers Avenue facility, but the city of Brentwood appealed that decision to the county’s planning commission. That commission voted to halt the endeavor because it’s located just 170 feet east of the Brentwood park,

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but it was appealed to the county Board of Supervisors, which then voted unanimously for approval. The project has yet to move forward.

Now, another family-owned farm, this time in Oakley, is seeking approval to build and operate a cannabis production facility encompassing cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, packaging and distribution. The Continente Ranch has deep roots in the community and runs a successful nuts and fruit farm and vineyard.

The multi-million dollar project would bring new jobs and sales taxes to a small city struggling to attract businesses and new economic development.

Meanwhile, the neighboring city of Antioch has two thriving cannabis dispensaries that are pouring tax revenues into the city’s budget.

Those same dispensaries are daily making legal cannabis deliveries throughout Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay and Byron.

Residents of these communities have no shortage of liquor sales sites. Why force them to drive out of town to purchase their cannabis products? It’s about economic development and services to your residents. All of your residents.

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Franklin Leon Griffith

Franklin Leon Griffith was born on Oct. 4, 1943 in Stockton, California. He was the second child of Fred and Mary Griffith. He was raised in the Bay Area with his older brother Fred and a younger sister Linda. Frank placed his faith in Christ as a young boy. He often said he was exposed to the gospel through his mother, Mary. She showed him what it meant to be a follower of Jesus through her faith, love, and willingness to serve others.

Johanna Ellis Davies

Jan. 21, 1934 – Feb. 19, 2023

Our dear mother, Johanna Davies, sadly passed away at the age of 89 on Feb. 19, 2023 at the University Retirement Community in Davis, Calif.

Johanna was born on Jan. 21, 1934, and grew up in New York, New York. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a BA in Journalism and began work as a columnist at the Oakland Tribune.

In 1955, Johanna married the love of her life, Rulon Davies, and they had three children: Michael, Jeffrey, and

Obituaries

Frank graduated from West Coast Bible College in Clovis, Calif, in 1961. He went on to attend Western Bible College in El Cerrito, Calif, and graduated in June of 1963. He then attended Talbot Theological Seminary in Amerada, Calif, where he graduated in 1980 with Honors. In 1994, Frank began his doctorate program with Westminster Seminary.

Frank worked with his father at FM Motor sales in Berkeley, Calif., until he was ordained on May 18, 1980. He went on to serve at Valley Bible Church as an associate pastor (1981-1986), Grace Bible Fellowship as pastor (1986-1996), then founded Calvary Community Church as senior pastor (1997-2021). He also served as the dean of Grace School of Theology

Daryl. In the 1960s, Johanna went to work at the State Unemployment office in Oakland and in the ‘80s retired to travel the world with Rulon, a Bechtel engineer.

After years of travel, both settled down to live their life on the Delta waterfront in Discovery Bay, Calif. They loved boating on the Delta and spending time with family and their lifelong friends, Walter and Anita Ossenberg.

Johanna was predeceased by Rulon, who passed away in 2006, and son Daryl who died in 2011. She is survived by her sons Michael and Jeffrey, her daughters-in-law Peggy and Cindy, three grandchildren, and eight greatgrandchildren.

Her wit, elegance, and sense of humor will be greatly missed.