YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 43
READ NEWS YOU CAN TRUST AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Rounding up Measure L
Search for the Great Pumpkin
October 25, 2019
Team Hulken Battling Back
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
As decision day for Brentwood’s Measure L draws closer, The Press is taking a comprehensive look at the decisive issues that could determine the initiative’s fate. The measure – spearheaded by a group of local developers, including longtime Brentwood farmer and developer Ron Nunn – would move the mark at which urban development must stop, clearing the way for a proposed 815acre project of up to 2,400 residential units (at least 80% age-restricted, active adult-specific), along with other elements, situated north of Balfour Road, east of Deer Valley Road and west of the Shadow Lakes and Brentwood Hills neighborhoods. The special election is set for Nov. 5. Fire service East Contra Costa Fire Protection District leaders confirmed in September that the project’s effect on the already resource-stretched district will be mitigated through an $11 million memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the development group and district, which includes funding for a new fire station, equipment see Measure L page 30A
Colten Guerra, 9, is fighting the recurrence of cancer, and the community is rallying in support. Page 4A
Spirited Tours Spooky Sights Photo by Tony Kukulich
E
verett Shaeffer, 20 months, looked excited to search for a pumpkin during a recent visit to Three Nunns Farm in Brentwood. With 35 varieties of pumpkins, a corn maze and U-pick vegetables, Everett had plenty to keep him busy. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
Oakley seniors protest rent increases by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
A passionate group of angry seniors lined the sidewalk in front of Oakley’s Summer Creek Place this week to decry what they feel are unfair rent increases. Carrying homemade signs with phrases such as “Save our seniors,” “We need help,” “Unfair rent increases,” and “Senior abuse,” the estimated 40-member group — some using walkers, canes or motorized scooters — chanted peacefully at passing motorists, or anyone who would listen. “We want to roll our rent back to what it was in March, which is $150 to $180 less than it is now,” said one senior who identified herself as Margaret F. “That would relieve a lot of people and make it possible for them to stay.”
Photo by Kyle Szymanski
Residents of Oakley’s Summer Creek Place, many in their 70s, 80s or 90s, are protesting what they say are unfair rent hikes. Residents, many in their 70s, 80s or 90s, say rent at the 80-unit, one- and two-bedroom complex on Empire Avenue has steadily risen from around $770 last year, to $970 this month for one-bedroom units,
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and from the mid-$700s to $1,095 for two-bedroom spaces. The facility is part of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which
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restricts tenant income and rent. The facility’s monthly rent — dictated by the county’s average median income — can be as high as $1,302 for a studio apartment, $1,395 for a one-bedroom space and $1,674 for a two-bedroom establishment, said Bill Ainsworth of the California State Treasurer’s Office. But the vocal seniors say those figures are way too high. “They are really grouching us,” said another resident, who identified herself as Juanita. In a written statement provided to The Press earlier this month, Infinity Management and Investment LLC, the company employed by Summer Creek Associates to manage the property, said the property owners try to keep rent as afsee Rent page 30A
BART App
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BART is expanding its pay-by-app carpool program to make it easier for riders to pay.
Press reporter discovers firsthand there are plenty of things that go bump in the night. Page 6A
Lions Fall To Pittsburg
Liberty Lions lose an epic clash of football titans in overtime homecoming game. Page 18A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................27A Cop Logs.............................26A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Health & Beauty...............23A Milestones.........................24A Opinion...............................12A Pets......................................14A Sports..................................18A
PG&E Outage
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During PG&E’s recent outage, wind gusts exceeded 40 mph in 22 counties.