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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 16, No. 44
Multi-use trail a future possiblity
Getting out the vote
Correspondent
Recreational enthusiasts may soon have a multi-use trail to traverse between the cities of Brentwood and Clayton. Although few details are set in stone, several East County agencies have agreed to explore the possibility of building a 15-mile trail through the Marsh Creek Corridor on or near Marsh Creek Road – possibly connecting Concord to Mount Diablo straight through to the Delta Shoreline in Oakley. “One of the objectives of this trail is it would be a trail that is multipurpose, from pedestrians to bicyclists to equestrians to any type of nonmotorized travel, so people who would like to commute from
Relax, Enjoy And UnWined
Photo by Steve Nosanchuk
T
he Oakley Youth Advisory Council hosted a recent Pizza and Politics night at the Oakley City Hall for the public to ask questions of the eight candidates running for city council. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8; don’t forget to vote!
see Trail page 30A
BBID detachment to benefit fire district Staff Writer
Additional funds will soon begin flowing into the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD), but that’s not necessarily good news for agricultural-water users. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recently decided to detach portions of Discovery Bay from the Byron Bethany Irrigation District (BBID), freeing up property-tax funds for the fire district. Until now, the BBID overlapped six tax zones in Discovery Bay, with the district receiving about $700,000 annually from the town, despite not providing any service. The detachment agreement, which was finalized
“ … the transfer will provide the struggling
fire district the additional revenue that is crucial to preserving fire suppression.
”
Julie DiMaggio Enea, deputy county administrator on Oct. 18, allows the board to transfer $730,000 in property taxes to the struggling fire district annually, beginning in fiscal year 2017 to 2018. The district, which was eight stations strong in 2008, is now down to only four stations serving 105,000 residents over almost 250 square miles. “The transfer will have no net impact on the county’s fees
or services, because the county is just passing the property tax from BBID to the fire district,” said Senior Deputy County Administrator Julie DiMaggio Enea. “However, the transfer will provide the struggling fire district the additional revenue crucial to preserving fire suppression and investigation services for East County residents and businesses.”
In response to the detachment, the BBID, which serves parts of Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties across 47 square miles and 30,000 acres, recently increased their agricultural water usage rates for the first time in more than two decades. The rates increased from $20 per acre-foot – or 326,000 gallons – to $65 per acre-foot. “The agricultural rates were tripled due to the detachment,” said BBID General Manager Rick Gilmore. Fire Chief Hugh Henderson said while the additional funds will benefit his district, it’s unfortunate it had to be at the detriment of the irrigation district. He envisions the new funds will see BBID page 30A
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Treat Your Vehicle Right
This week’s special edition has plenty of advice on keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape. Page 1B
by Kyle Szymanski
by Kyle Szymanski
October 28, 2016
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Contra Costa event participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
New owners are making popular Discovery Bay wine bar a go-to place for a good time. Page 6A
Falcons Soar Over Patriots
Freedom High School takes a commanding lead against Heritage at 48-14. Page 21A Business..............................15A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................26A Cop Logs............................. 15B Entertainment..................10A Health & Beauty...............12A Milestones.........................25A Opinion...............................18A Pets......................................13A Sports..................................21A
Sciences Expo
go to news/press releases The Plasma Sciences Expo Student Days will be taking place on Nov. 3 and 4.