YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 20
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District, union still at odds by Ruth Roberts
May 19, 2017
Cheering For Cherries
Staff Writer
As school-district officials prepare to return to the bargaining table over the Oakley Union Teachers Association (OUTA) contract negotiations, members of the association continue to protest what they say is Oakley’s unwillingness to give their teachers a fair raise. “We have worked really hard to improve the contract language and have made some real progress with that in partnership with the district,” said OUTA negotiator Rick King. “But our sticking point is salary. Currently, the district is not offering anything we can support and our membership cannot vote for.” According to Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) Superintendent Greg Hetrick, OUTA representatives originally asked for a 9 percent increase. The school district countered with 1 percent off the schedule, which means it would be a onetime raise, not ongoing. The union came back see Union page 34
It’s time to grab a basket or bag and head to your nearest farm or roadside stand. Page 10
Arson Suspect Apprehended Photo by Tony Kukulich
Anastasia Billings, Suanne Schlotman, Haily Jenson and Marian Bushman join other members of the Oakley Union Teachers Association to protest the contract offered by the school board. Approximately 50 teachers participate in the recent protest, which took place near the intersection of Laurel and Mercedes roads.
Contra Costa Fire Protection District arrests suspect in string of county vehicle fires. Page 6
Vote for Best Thousands of homes planned Golf Season Wraps Up for southeast Antioch of Oakley
D
o you have a favorite business OAKLEY PRESS in Oakley or OA KLEY Bethel Island? Cast your ballot in The Press’ Best of Oakley magazine. Online voting begins Friday, May 26. BOO ballots will be in the print version of the Oakley Press on June 2. Categories include best shops and retail services, best eats and drinks, best professional services and best lifestyles. Vote now, and you will be automatically entered into a random drawing for a gift certificate to a local eatery. To vote, visit http://www. thepress.net/boo_ballot.
2017
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
This week, The Press continues to explore plans for the 2,712 acres in southeast Antioch and 431 acres – 285 of which are undeveloped – in northwest Brentwood. These areas are expected to be connected by the proposed future extension of Brentwood’s Sand Creek Road, west into Antioch to Deer Valley Road and eventually to the southern end of Dallas Ranch Road. Antioch leaders are updating an element of the city’s general plan related to 2,712 acres of undeveloped land in southern Antioch, which are bound by Black Diamond Mines Re-
gional Preserve to the west, city limits to the south and the city of Brentwood to the east. The revision aims to edit 14-year-old land-use policies and create a clearer path forward for current city leaders and future developers. “It became pretty apparent to staff there wasn’t consensus, either from the development community or the city council that the current policies were appropriate for development out there,” said Forrest Ebbs, Antioch’s community development director. “They called for very large lots, a golf course and a number of things that will probably never come to fruition.” The reworked directions,
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expected to go before the city’s planning commission and council for approval in midsummer, intend to strike a balance between protecting open space and allowing for development, Ebbs said. It’s expected the guidelines will call for 4,000 homes to be built, while also establishing policies to maintain swaths of open space. “Because it is so far from the bypass, and because we already have so much commercial on Lone Tree Way, the city council – back in 2003 and even today – never envisioned a lot of nonresidential use out there,” Ebbs said. Previous councils have apsee Homes page 34
Transit Center
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BART Board supports Brentwood Transit Center and Mokelumne Trail Bridge.
The season ends for Heritage’s golf team at North Coast Section Championship. Page 23 Calendar................................33 Classifieds.............................30 Cop Logs................................32 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................17 Milestones............................35 Opinion..................................22 Pets.........................................13 Sports.....................................23
EMS Week
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Contra Costa County celebrates 40 Years of paramedic service.