YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 16
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New bills offer immigrants hope by Aly Brown Staff Writer
With termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 200,000 refugees from El Salvador set for September 2019, impacted Contra Costa County families – along with those across the nation – are working tirelessly to garner support for bills that could provide a pathway to residency. “The type of legislation we need is for folks who have been here for over two decades the right to become a legal resident,” said Yanira Alias, Alianza Americas national campaigns manager and TPS holder from El Salvador. On a local level, TPS holders and allies in Contra Costa are standing behind a handful of bills on the table – some of which would provide a path to naturalization after an individual obtains status of lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LPR). Of the
Yanira Alias is a Contra Costa County resident and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holder from El Salvador. She currently serves as the national campaigns manager for Alianza Americas, a group advocating for a pathway to citizenship for TPS holders.
Photo by Aly Brown
bills, the American Promise Act of 2017 (HR 4253) has gathered the most support from co-sponsors and would provide TPS holders the opportunity to apply for naturalization five years after adjusting to LPR status along with deportation relief while the application process is pending. San Francisco-based immigrant advocacy group CARECEN SF, under the umbrella of Alianza Americas, organizes ongoing efforts to speak with elected officials and will soon bring concerns surrounding immigration to the capitol in Sacramento, May 14. “(Citizens who wish to show support) can contact elected officials, join or organize their own movements,” said Alias. “We don’t have voices coming out of some states – elected officials can make a difference.” For Vanessa Velasco, an East County resident and TPS holder see Hope page 30
Residents offer input on city’s future by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Oakley residents, city staff and town leaders converged this week to help shape the municipality’s priorities and direction for the next two years. The event, hosted at Freedom High School, was attended by about 140 residents and gave them the opportunity to learn about and provide input on plans for public safety, community growth, parks and many other topics. The feedback will be used by city leaders to develop the city’s two-year strategic plan, scheduled for city council adoption in May. “It’s great to see folks who want to participate,” said City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “What’s important too is we’ll
“ It’s great to see folks who want to participate. What’s important too, is we’ll probably get five or 10 emails tomorrow morning.
probably get five or 10 emails tomorrow morning. The process of sending input never ends, really, until we develop the full, final document.” Residents were able to attend three of about six available 20-minute breakout sessions, gathering insight, asking questions and giving feedback. Workshops were also available for Spanish-speaking attendees. Four of the most heavily attended groups centered on public www.thepress.net/ marketplace BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery
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safety; planned, quality growth; business and job growth; and downtown and Main Street revitalization and enhancement. During one presentation on business and job growth, attention quickly turned to two major projects: development of the former DuPont manufacturing facility and prospects for a Safeway. The former DuPont property, north of Main Street and along Bridgehead Road, includes approximately 150 acres for develop-
ment and is believed to be the city’s top future job-producing area. Planning Manager Joshua McMurray, who noted the site should be cleaned up by 2020, acknowledged that the city routinely meets with the site’s owners, and that developers are interested in the land that is ripe for industrial and office development. “We are working with them to help them identify a user that can buy that land and turn it into an industrial office park,” said Economic Development Director Dwayne Dalman. Safeway is also moving closer to building a store on the northeast corner of Laurel Road and O’Hara Avenue, said City Councilman Kevin Romick, who noted see Future page 30
Realtor Awards www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Weichert, Realtors - HH and Associates announce 2017 Office Award Winners.
April 20, 2018
Clearing Out The Camp
Residents of Antioch homeless camp evicted after city receives numerous complaints. Page 5
Keeping The Ghostlight On
New theater company is dedicated to East County performing arts. Page 10
Dominating On The Links
Heritage boys’ golf team on a 27-win streak against league opponents. Page 19 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................25 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................10 Food........................................11 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................18 Opinion..................................23 Pets.........................................15 Sports.....................................19
Special Praise
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Assemblymember Jim Frazier recognizes the Special Olympics.