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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 51
City council, mayor sworn in
December 16, 2016
The New Face Of Farming
Winery project gets underway, possibly signaling a shift in area farming practices. Page 4
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor promised a fourth term that will be different from the previous three at his swearing-in Tuesday night. “(My wife) is retired now,” Taylor said, jokingly. “She can start dressing me, and I’ll be on time everywhere.” Once the jokes subsided, the Brentwood City Council got down to business, ushering in Taylor and new city council members Karen Rarey and Claudette Staton, while saying farewell to outgoing members Erick Stonebarger and Gene Clare. Stonebarger, a fourth-genera-
Photo by Kyle Szymanski
Claudette Staton, Steve Barr, Bob Taylor, Joel Bryant and Karen Rarey at Tuesday night’s swearing-in ceremony. Staton and Rarey are the council’s new members. tion Brentwood farmer who has served on the council since 2006, said he hopes he’s lived up to voters’ expectations. “It’s an absolute honor to go through an election and get elected and that people want you up here to make decisions,” he said. “I tried to do it with honesty and in-
Little Letters For Santa
tegrity throughout the entire process.” Stonebarger is most proud of the community’s population increase from 43,000 in 2006 to 57,000 today, all while the city maintained its public safety, insee Sworn In page 26
Children brought their wish lists to The Press building for special delivery to Santa. Page 20
BOB is here! New gazebo location unclear Season Over The 2016 Best of Brentwood magazine is here, full of another year’s most popular businesses and establishments as voted by our Press readers. This year’s edition includes the best places to eat, get a manicure, get your car fixed or have your smile polished and much more. Look for its delivery this weekend. If you don’t receive a copy, contact The Press at 925-634-1441 or drop by our offices, at 248 Oak St., and pick up a copy.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood’s trademark gazebo will return to the city; where it will be constructed, however, remains in question, but city staff plans to explore putting the gazebo behind the farmer statue in City Park. The original gazebo, torn down when City Park was renovated in 2007, was slated to be rebuilt in the corner of the park between the barbeque area and water-play feature, but the city’s parks and recreation commission disagreed, concerned about reduced space for park events, park noise interfering with gazebo events and its Victorian facade clashing with the civic center’s modern Spanish style. City Councilman Steve Barr, who suggested the alternative site near the statue, said he considers this location ideal. The gazebo would be in a prime position for viewing park events, and the park’s rose garden would fit nicely into pictures as a backdrop. The surrounding trees could separate the gazebo from the civic center, alleviating
concerns about competing designs. “That is a spot that ... could still be utilized for weddings,” Barr argued. However, city staff said recently that Barr’s location might pose serious challenges. Bruce Mulder, the city’s parks and recreation director, believes the vintage piece may interfere with nearby irrigation valves and lateral lines. In addition, one small oak tree would need to be removed. Even then, it’s unclear if the structure could be squeezed between the two other trees planted there, one of which is the Hospice of the East Bay’s Tree of Lights. “The actual gazebo I think will fit,” Mulder said. “It’s just a matter of how close it comes to those other trees. It’s something we’ll look at.” Barr thinks the cost and impact will be minimal, with the removal of only one tree and the lateral lines. Sandra Myers, the parks and recreation commission chairperson, stated that the entire see Gazebo page 26
Foster Farms Bowl go to news/WebExtras!
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The Foster Farms Bowl has selected the finalists in the ‘Oh Say, Can You Sing?’ contest.
For Falcons
Freedom High School’s historic football season ends with a 4940 loss to St. Mary’s. Page 16 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................22 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................12 Sports.....................................16
Insurance Award go to news/press releases
Commissioner Dave Jones receives national consumer advocacy award.