YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 29
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City council approves rec center design by Kyle Szymanski
July 21, 2017
Arrest Made In Murder
Staff Writer
The Oakley City Council recently approved the design of the city’s new recreation center, despite some opposition from residents over the project’s planning. The 9,000-square-foot building is to be built at the site of the current recreation buildings on O’Hara Avenue, south of O’Hara Middle School and North of the Contra Costa Canal and De Anza Trail. It’s set to be completed by the summer of 2019. The design approval of the multipurpose building – expected to include a 4,152-square-foot community room; 1,239-squarefoot lobby; 1,117-square-foot commercial kitchen; and a conference room and stage – came minutes after two city residents urged the council to halt the project. The objection claimed that residents haven’t had a say in the project and that a past council illegally moved plans forward without adding the
Photo courtesy of the City of Oakley
The Oakley City Council recently approved the design of the Oakley Recreation Center, slated be completed by the summer of 2019. item to the agenda during a 2015 strategic planning session. “This is all well and good and the architects did a lovely job with this design, but this process needs to be halted in its tracks here and now,” said resident Liz Elias. Fellow resident Paul Segar said he’d like to see the project stopped and the endeavor brought forward during a public meeting to give residents a say and address potential untold and undisclosed impacts of the project, including
traffic congestion, speeding, pollution from traffic and idling cars and increased crime. “This plan was thrown together by an Oakley planning commission that genuinely cared what the public thought, so they held these meetings, but that was 20 years ago,” he said. “The population has grown so much since then. The idea is still there and that is good, but the details were the part that they needed to hone in on and get people excited about spending our
tax money on.” City officials dispute the illegal vote and claim that city and community organizations have been collecting public opinion on the topic for over 20 years through research by subcommittees and surveys conducted by the chamber of commerce and Delta YMCA. The project is also mentioned in the city’s parks and recreation facilities’ master plan and has been see Rec Center page 34
Toxins found in blue-green algae blooms Algae blooms are seen here in the water near Windward Point in Discovery Bay. The area has received a danger advisory from the county following toxicity tests late last month.
by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
County health officials have confirmed the presence of toxic blue-green algae blooms in parts of Discovery Bay, and residents and pets are urged to avoid contact with local bodies of water until further notice. “We are advising residents to stay out of the water and keep their pets out of the water in the southwestern portion of Discovery Bay,” said Dr. Marilyn Underwood, director of the Contra Costa Environmental Health Division (CCEH). “However, water circulates throughout the community, so the algae can also move and spread, and therefore, it is prudent to be cautious and to stay out of the water if you see scum or algae blooms.” Only recreational waters have been affected, according to the CCEH. Tap water is safe for drinking and bathing. So far this season, the CCEH has received six reports of sightings of algae in the
Photo by Tony Kukulich
waters of Discover Bay, mostly in the southwest part of town. According to the CCEH, the toxic hot spots are currently along Newport and Windward drives. Since the areas are on private property, the CCEH cannot post signage, but the division has put its message on local Nextdoor
social-media sites. Discovery Bay General Manager Mike Davies has been posting the CCEH’s updated reports on the town’s website, and signage at the entrance to town points residents to the link for updates on the
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see Algae page 34
Road Work
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County public works is repairing Marsh Creek Road from Deer Valley Road to Gill Drive.
A teen suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of local resident Allie Sweitzer. Page 9
Bringing Awareness
Famous author, autism expert Temple Grandin speaking at Campos event. Page 4
Gymnast Back On Track
Olympic hopeful Ruben Padilla is back training after a series of debilitating injuries. Page 23 Calendar................................35 Classifieds.............................30 Cop Logs................................33 Education................................8 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................21 Milestones............................13 Pets.........................................17 Sports.....................................23
School Supplies
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Local school supply lists are now available online at www. teacherlists.com.