YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 18, No. 3
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City sets priorities
It In Flying past the competition Bend Brentwood
F
reedom High School senior Jabbar Wade (3) sails by the Deer Valley defense as the Falcons defeated the Wolverines 7263 on the opening night of league play in Antioch last week. Freedom travels to Antioch for its next game on Friday, Jan. 19. For a complete recap of the Falcons’ win over Deer Valley, see page 17.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The City of Oakley is gearing up to create a strategic plan dictating the municipality’s priorities and direction for the next two years. The multistep process, encompassing widespread community involvement, will focus on 10 key topics including business and job growth, community infrastructure, public safety, fiscal stability and sustainability, and community outreach, communication and participation. The four-month effort will encourage residents to complete an online satisfaction survey in January and February and then attend a few meetings in anticipation of the city council’s adoption of the plan in late May. “The development of each two-year strategic plan has always been a communitydriven process in which we solicit resident input and create various opportunities to al-
Photo by Tony Kukulich
see Plan page 26
Fire chief gets five-year contract by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board recently approved a five-year contract with Fire Chief Brian Helmick. Helmick will earn $15,750 a month ($189,000 a year) for about the next year and a half, and will be eligible for 5 percent raises each July, beginning 2019, contingent upon him receiving satisfactory performance reviews. If the raises are granted, Helmick will earn $229,746 a year at the height of the contract, beginning July 2022. He had been receiving $11,758.07 a month, plus benefits, since being named interim chief in March. He took over the permanent position in October. Former Chief Hugh Henderson was earning $11,637 a month when he retired in early 2017 after 12 years with the district. “I am excited that the district has decided to invest in me as the next fire chief,” Helmick said. “I am the fifth fire chief of East Contra
“ I am the fifth fire chief of
East Contra Costa, and I do not take this opportunity or privilege lightly.
”
Fire Chief Brian Helmick Costa, and I do not take this opportunity or privilege lightly … Obviously, it’s a huge honor and privilege, but it comes with a ton of responsibility.” Joe Young, chair of the district board’s finance subcommittee, said that even with Helmick’s salary increase, his pay is currently only the 10th highest among 15 agencies in and out of the county, according to a recent fire chief salary survey. The salaries ranged from $13,737 to $20,417 a month, Young said. “This does represent a good salary increase,” Young said. “However, we are nowhere near the top of the 15 agencies … Chief
Helmick is very deserving of this, based on the excellent performance he has offered us since he took over as chief.” Helmick will guide the organization during a precarious time. The district’s long-term budget is sound, but it allows only three stations serving over 114,000 residents over 249 square miles to be staffed. An independent 2016 deployment performance and headquarters staffing adequacy study recommended the district have nine stations. Despite the staffing shortage, Helmick has moved the district forward since he took the reins of the department in April. He’s helped uncover $6.2 million in an account that was erroneously left behind when the district transferred its funds and financial operations from the county to the district; he jump-started an effort to complete 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 budget audits and other actuarial studies; he rolled out a new district website;
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January 19, 2018
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see Contract page 26
Seismic Zones
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The California Geological Survey has released the first seismic hazard zone maps.
Manchester United game ball makes its way to Brentwood and one local fan. Page 4
Local Artists Honored
Brentwood Theater Company artists recognized at Shellie Awards gala. Page 11
Tipping Off BVAL Season
Start of league play results in split wins for Freedom and Heritage basketball teams. Page 17 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................21 Cop Logs................................25 Entertainment.....................11 Health & Beauty....................7 Milestones............................13 Opinion..................................16 Pets.........................................10 Sports.....................................17
Ending Abuse
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Alliance to End Abuse, is helping with campaign focused on human trafficking.