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Vol. 18, No. 30
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
July 22, 2016
Aging levees not up to standards by Corey Hunt Correspondent
A recent study has concluded that some of the most significant flood-defense mechanisms in Contra Costa County appear to be deteriorating to a point where the mash-up of agencies responsible for their performance need to consider a policy overhaul. Authored by a civil grand jury and accepted by a superior court judge in Martinez, the report provides evidence suggesting the county’s many levees are not up to the modern standards that ensure they can hold back the waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Fearing the levees could collapse like dominoes, if even just one should breach, jurors stated boldly that no one should be taking chances, since more than a quarter of the county’s population and property rely on them.
Press takes home national awards The Brentwood Press & Publishing Corporation recently won seven awards in the National Newspaper Association’s 2015 Better Newspapers Competition. Sports writer and Associate Editor Kyle Szymanski took home a second-place award for best sports story for his cov- erage of the Pittsburg Diamonds. The Press also won a first-place award for best classified section; a second-place award for best advertising idea; a second-place award for best small-page ad; a second-place award for best use of ad color; a third-place award for best multiple advertiser section; and a third-place award for best sales promotion section or edition.
“The Delta levees form a critical bulwark against flooding that could have disastrous consequences for the county and even the state,” the report said. “Many of these levees are fragile and subject to degradation from natural forces and from the effects of human activities.” Further, the report highlights that most of the nearly 140 miles of levees in the county were built more than a century ago and erected by private landowners, who did not forecast the future role of their labor in the intricate Delta network that now disperses some two-thirds of California’s water supplies. Altogether, the report says that only about 13 percent of this long stretch of county levees meets the standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with most of those being in or near urban areas like the city of Oakley. see Levees page 34
A ceremony signaled the completion of the Highway 4 widening projects. Page 8
Deliveries In Distress Photo by Corey Hunt
A levee runs along Dutch Slough Road on the outskirts of Oakley. While a small segment of mostly urban levees in Contra Costa County are said to be meeting or exceeding acceptable standards, a report says others require additional upkeep.
by Corey Hunt Correspondent
Support for the implementation of a countywide, half-cent sales tax has reached a key threshold after the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors opted to unanimously back the proposed measure, which will replenish infrastructure funds. The board’s move follows approvals in all 19 of the county’s municipalities, which were also unanimous, and clears the way for the matter to be placed on the ballot in November. “The bottom line is that this is about keeping people moving and making sure that they aren’t stuck in their cars,” said District II Supervisor Candace Andersen, explaining that current tax dollars are declining at a time when populations are growing. “We are finding that we don’t have the revenue to do what we need to do
“ The bottom line is that this is about
keeping people moving and making sure they aren’t stuck in their cars … we don’t have the revenue to do what we need to do to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Competition
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District II Supervisor Candace Andersen to make sure that doesn’t happen.” If approved, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) would see nearly $3 billion in revenue generated over the next three decades, with about a quarter passed down to local governments. This means that cities would have more cash on hand to fix and expand their roads and follow through on individualized transportation plans, while broader funds would be used for important projects that benefit all com-
muters across the county. These critical undertakings will include moves like improving Vasco Road and the Byron Highway, linking Antioch and Brentwood with eBART and maintaining Highway 4. According to Andersen, there is something in the proposal for everyone. Cities will get a significant boost in revenue annually, while each geographical area will be able to tend to see Tax page 34
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Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services is in need of drivers. Page 6
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Brentwood Blast team turns heads at Cooperstown All-Star Village Tournament. Page 23 Calendar................................33 Classifieds.............................28 Cop Logs................................32 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................27 Opinion..................................22 Pets.........................................15 Sports.....................................23
District Refund
go to news/press releases Refunding for local school district saves taxpayers millions in interest costs.