YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 35
WWW.THEPRESS.NET | FAMILY FRIENDLY NEWS!
Millions found in ECCFPD account
Vice Mayor Resigns
Jazzing it up
Brentwood Vice Mayor Steve Barr announces his resignation from city council. Page 4A
by Kyle Szymanski
A Grandin Event
Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District recently discovered a multimillion-dollar sum of money. Dating back to late 2014 and early 2015, an account that was erroneously left behind when the district transferred its funds and financial operations from the county to the district has now grown to $6.2 million. “Most of the district’s funds remained in the county treasury accounts, despite the understanding that only two accounting funds would remain for the purpose of receiving property tax revenues,” said interim Fire Chief Brian Helmick, who took over the job in April. “The remaining accounting funds were to be closed and balances
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Photo by Tony Kukulich
eff Tamelier, with Sunday Paper, performs at the Art, Wine & Jazz Festival on Saturday afternoon. To view additional photos of the event, see page 22A.
To view a slideshow and video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia.
see ECCFPD page 30A
Longtime police chief calls it a career by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
As former Brentwood Police Chief Mark Evenson settles into retirement, his days of chasing criminals are over. Now he just needs to chase down a hobby. “I still need to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life,” Evenson joked this week. “I probably need to get a hobby or two, but I will figure that out as we go.” Evenson, who has been Brentwood’s top cop since 2006 and spent 21 years with the Seattle Police Department prior to that, officially announced his retirement late last week, citing undisclosed lingering physical ailments and a desire to focus on other things and spend more time with his family.
He’s been on medical leave since April. “I’m 57. I can’t be doing this forever,” he said. Capt. Tom Hansen, who took over as acting chief in April, will continue in that position until city officials decide how to proceed, said City Manager Gus Vina. Evenson, known by many as a caring leader and consummate professional, guided the department through rapid growth with a beat on technological advancement and industry best practices. In his 10 years, the city’s population shot up by about 20,000, to around 60,000 residents, and the force grew by at least 10 officers, to a total of 62. But numbers don’t tell the whole story. Evenson managed the planning, consee Chief page 30A
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September 1, 2017
www.thepress.net /calendar
Autism advocate Temple Grandin draws hundreds to an event in East County. Page 6A
Solid Showing For Heritage
Heritage High School beats Tokay High School in exciting season opener. Page 1B
EVENSON
BART Changes
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BART directors to vote on new policies to the agency’s small business program.
Calendar............................... 7B Classifieds..........................26A Cop Logs............................... 6B Entertainment..................10A Food.....................................11A Health & Beauty...............18A Milestones.........................13A Pets......................................20A Sports.................................... 1B
Cleaner Air
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Contra Costa County is taking steps to make the environment healthier, cleaner.