YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! JANUARY 15
Vol. 18, No. 2
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Thousands facing deportation Policy shift threatens local family
January 12, 2018
Lending A Helping Hand
by Aly Brown Staff Writer
For over a year, Brentwood residents Enrique and Vanessa Velasco have hoped against hope that the current administration would extend existing protections for the over 200,000 Salvadorans like themselves living in the U.S. This week their hopes were dashed. With Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s decision Monday to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for legal U.S. residents from El Salvador, the Velasco’s – parents to three children born in America – now face a hard deadline. They have 18 months to pack up the home they’ve had for nearly two desee Deportation page 22A
St. Vincent de Paul will open a new thrift shop on Brentwood Boulevard. Page 5A
Iconic Bar Shuttered Photo by Tony Kukulich
The end of the Temporary Protected Status program for Salvadorans may force the breakup of an East County family. The Velascos are seen here from left: Arianna, Vanessa, Enrique, Dayana and Andres.
Fire district hires public-affairs firm by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board has hired a public-affairs firm to help stabilize the organization’s future. Fire Chief Brian Helmick is hopeful that Townsend Public Affairs Inc. can act as an ambassador for the district, improving communication with local and state officials and assisting in identifying alternate revenue and growth options. The contract, unanimously approved by the board this week, calls for the district to pay the Sacramento-based firm $60,000 a year for up to three years. Board members Cheryl Morgan and Adam Langro were absent. “I am very excited to be able to work with them as an extension of the staff,” said Helmick.
“ This is something that is well overdue and will be a catalyst for defining future opportunities to allow the district to continue to grow and identify potential additional revenue.
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ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick “I think this is something that is well overdue and will be a catalyst for defining future opportunities to allow the district to continue to grow and identify potential additional revenue. In addition, they have grant-writing abilities.” The ECCFPD’s long-term budget is sound but allows only three stations to be staffed to serve over 114,000 residents and 249 square miles. A revenue-generating parcel tax, a benefit assessment and a utility-user tax have all been proposed but rejected by voters in
recent years. “We know we need additional revenue, but how we get it is still to be explored,” Helmick said. Townsend Public Affairs Inc., which launched in 1998, touts its ability to work with its clients to craft and execute an agenda focused on finding legislative solutions and securing public sector funding for legacy projects at all levels of government. Its client list includes special districts, nonprofits and private companies as well as counties and
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cities including Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward, Half Moon Bay and Emeryville. The firm, which has a strong understanding of the fire service and its challenges, has representatives at the state and national level, along with an everyday presence in the state capital that extends to working with Assemblymember Jim Frazier, State Senator Steve Glazer and the California Association of Professional Firefighters, said Helmick. District officials hope this can translate into improved communication with legislative leaders and community groups in addition to an opportunity for experts to wade through a variety of ideas on how best to move the district forward. “It was very clear that the resources and experience that
Sonja’s Country Inn owner says goodbye to popular Knightsen watering hole. Page 4A
Falcons Shut Out Arroyo
Freedom boys’ soccer team ends preseason with 4-0 win over Arroyo High School. Page 17A
see Fire page 22A
Breaking News ..................8A Calendar............................. 23A Classifieds.......................... 20A Cop Logs............................. 16A Food....................................... 9A Milestones......................... 14A Pets...................................... 12A Sports.................................. 17A
EBRPD Job Fair
Banking Honors
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The East Bay Regional Park District’s annual youth job fairs are scheduled.
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BAC Community Bank has been named one of the top banks in the U.S.