YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 23
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No name change for fire district
June 9, 2017
Purses With A Purpose
Turning the tassle
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board has extinguished the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ recommendation of a name change to avoid confusion with neighboring Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The recommendation was one in a series attached to the board of supervisors’ 2015 pledge of nearly $312,000 to help the district reopen a fourth station. The fire board unanimously agreed not to alter the name – largely to save the estimated $77,000 that the change would cost. “There are a lot of places where we could use these funds,” said Board President Joel Bryant, who believes the change could have merit in the future. The funds given to the district have since been burned up to keep Knightsen’s Station 94 open, and see Name page 34
Kindergarten teacher starts company to blend fashion with philanthropy. Page 5
Starting A New Chapter Photo by Tony Kukulich
R
ebecca Carroll enjoys the moment during her graduation from Independence High School, on Tuesday, June 6. Congratulations to the class of 2017! To view a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia.
Future of two golf courses in limbo by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The nationwide decline of interest in golf has struck Brentwood, and local residents are upset about plans for potential new development on nearby courses. SunCoast Golf Inc. owners and managers of Deer Ridge and Shadow Lakes Golf Clubs since 2005, revealed the courses are struggling, and dramatic steps are needed if golfing is to continue on the two properties. “The current operation of the golf courses is unsustainable,” said consultant Joe Dahlstrom, who noted the two courses owe close to $10 million in loans and $400,000 in accrued and delinquent real-estate tax, losing a total of $893,781 a year. According to Dahlstrom, the most suitable option is to consolidate the courses – currently a combined 36 holes – into one 18-hole course. Management would explore the construction of senior housing complexes at one location on each course to alleviate the outstanding debt,
“ One of the major challenges that courses face is the challenge from too few rounds … The basic fact is Brentwood just has too much inventory as far as golf is concerned.
” Joe Dahlstrom, consultant
using the remaining consolidated land for open space, walking trails, bike paths, vineyards or play areas. Under such a plan, the potential future senior housing residents would pay an assessment to subsidize the golf operation and the landscaping and maintenance of the open-space areas. That proposal, however, is not sitting well with the close to 2,000 homeowners in the Shadow Lakes and Deer Ridge communities, some of whom have backyards that face the golf course.
The residents, who were invited to a series of meetings with golf-course officials, expressed a wide range of concerns, including loss of the unobstructed view of the golf course some had paid a premium for and fear other development beyond senior housing would follow. They also expressed reservations about the success of senior housing and a wide variety of other concerns. A Change.org petition to stop the rezoning has garnered several hundred signatures already. . “This rezoning change will greatly impact our community with reduced property values, aesthetic issues, strain on already limited EMS services and road infrastructure due to increased traffic,” said resident Ramin Mirshah, who launched the petition. Fellow resident Wayne Francis said he paid a premium for an unobstructed view of the golf course, not a vineyard, public access or highdensity area.
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see Golf page 34
Beloved local educators reflect on their careers as they step into retirement. Page 6
Bowling For The Win
Amleto Monacelli faces down adversity at PBA50 Northern California Classic. Page 23 Calendar................................35 Classifieds.............................31 Cop Logs................................33 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................17 Milestones............................20 Opinion..................................22 Pets.........................................13 Sports.....................................23
Bills Advance
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Discovery Bay) passes bill package to Senate.
CONNECTING PARKS TO PEOPLE www.ebparks.org/features/rin
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