YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 4
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2018 Citizen, Business of the Year named by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood resident Kevin King has given back to the community for close to 25 years, and now the community has given back to him. King has been named the 2018 Citizen of the Year. “He contributes a lot more than most people will ever know,” said Kerri Fritsch, co-president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. “He’s very secretive and very private. For example, he just did an event for Heritage High School, and he’s not even connected with them.”
Other nominees for the award were Steve Todd, Fran Bowman, Vicky Little, Dana Eaton, Krista Mashore, Rod Linn, Fred Ginsler, Rick Lemyre, Tom Gregory and Fritsch. “There was a great selection of names this year, and I think it’s awesome that a lot of people thought outside of the box in their nominations,” Fritsch said. King is a former Brentwood police lieutenant and current general manager of Brentwood Outdoor Living, but on the side he holds a number of additional roles: co-president of the nonprofit Brentwood Regional Community Chest, which sup-
Kevin King, former Brentwood police lieutenant and current general manager of Brentwood Outdoor Living, is the 2018 Brentwood Citizen of the Year.
Photo by Tony Kukulich
plies food and toys to about 500 people during the holidays; a key contributor to the Network of Care, providing in-hospital meal bags for families keeping vigil over sick or injured children; a longtime member of the Rotary
Jan McCleery, president of the Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA), discussed allegations of improper contact between the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Board during California WaterFix hearings.
Correspondent
The California WaterFix project may be in jeopardy, thanks in large part to the Discovery Bay-based Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA), whose recent efforts have uncovered possible ex parte communications between the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California State Water Board. The DWR is petitioning the water board for a permit to build the tunnels and other operating mechanisms that comprise the WaterFix project, formerly known as the Delta tunnels project. The issuance of that permit by the State Water Board is a critical step in the implementation of the California WaterFix. A series of public hearings have taken place over the span of two years to discuss how implementa-
Photo byTony Kukulich
tion of the project could impact the environment, local economies, wildlife, recreation and other aspects of the Delta. Part II of these meetings was scheduled to begin Jan. 18. A petition filed by STCDA attorney Michael Brodsky re-
quested a 90-day delay in the start of the Part II hearings because, the STCDA alleges nine secret meetings were held over 13 months between the DWR and state board. That petition states that the meetings were about “preparing DWR’s evidence in
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Financial Wellness
Check out this week’s Money Matters section for financial tips in the new year. Page 1B
A Miracle On The Way
Club of Brentwood; and a consummate caretaker of rescued giant schnauzers. And according to community members, King is probably see Citizen page 22A
Alleged secret meetings delay WaterFix hearings by Tony Kukulich
January 26, 2018
a manner that would allow the petition to be approved by the board.” On Jan. 17, the water board announced that the start of the Part II hearings would be delayed two weeks while it investigates the allegations of the ex parte communications. Those hearings are now scheduled to begin Feb. 2. California State Assemblymember Jim Frazier has been a staunch opponent of the WaterFix project and issued the following statement: “If these allegations are true, it attests that DWR has been illegally manipulating the process in favor of the disastrous tunnels project and doing it behind closed doors. I’m appalled that the state water board would show such bias and not represent the whole state but only a portion of the state. see WaterFix page 22A
Mobility Matters www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Non-profit group helps seniors, the disabled and lowincome residents stay mobile.
Oakley’s Ally Jenkins has received approval for a rare third lung transplant. Page 5A
Crosstown Match-up
Liberty Lions boys’ basketball team falls to league rival Heritage. Page 16A Calendar.............................23A Classifieds..........................19A Education ............................4A Entertainment..................12A Food.....................................13A Milestones.........................10A Opinion...............................14A Pets......................................11A Sports..................................16A
Family Feud Time www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
The Family Feud is coming to San Francisco area for auditions in March.