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Fall BACK Vol. 18, No. 44
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City supports Putting out fires homeless funding plan
November 2, 2018
I’m Just Here For The Pie
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The cities of Oakley and Brentwood recently put their support behind Contra Costa County’s attempts to secure grant funding to assist the area’s homeless but stopped short of declaring homeless crises in their own jurisdictions. County officials had asked all 19 incorporated Contra Costa County cities to adopt a formal resolution declaring a homeless crisis in their municipalities to show support for and receive a portion of the county’s estimated $7,196,770, expected to be handed down by the state through its Homeless Emergency Aid Program. The Oakley City Council adopted a resolution with amended language to acknowledge that a countywide crisis exists but without specifically mentioning Oakley. Brentwood decided not to adopt a resolution, instead opting to sign a letter of support for the county and any cities seeking funds. Brentwood’s decision came in part as one 2017 home-
Residents compete for bragging rights at Hot Rods 4 Paws’ pieeating contest. Page 8A
Planting The Next Chapter Photo by Tony Kukulich
S
ofia Marie Lopez, a 7-year-old Oakley resident, tried her hand at working a fire hose with the help of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) firefighter Sam Somerhalder during an open house at ECCFPD Station 53 in Oakley, Saturday, Oct. 27. A steady stream of costumed kids came through the station to learn about fire safety, sit inside the fire engines and an ambulance and play in an inflatable jump house. To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
see Homeless page 22A
WaterFix debated in public hearings by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
Last week opponents and proponents of the California WaterFix Project squared off against one another again, this time during three days of hearings and public comments as the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) attempted to determine if WaterFix, aka the Delta tunnels project, is consistent with the Delta Plan. By the end of the hearings, WaterFix opponents delineated a number of perceived shortcomings in the plan while proponents argued that it’s based on proven science and economics and is necessary to secure reliable water for a significant portion of the state’s population. Required by the 2009 Delta Reform Act, the Delta Plan is a
“ The Delta is more than a conduit in a
plumbing system ... this Delta Stewardship Council is charged, in large part with protecting (the Delta). Please deny DWR’s request to affirm its consistency determination.
”
Attorney Tom Keeling comprehensive, long-term management plan for the Delta adopted by the DSC in 2013. It contains 14 regulatory policies that are legally enforceable through the Delta Reform Act that requires state and local agencies be consistent with the Delta Plan. At the heart of the plan is a requirement that the Delta be managed for the co-equal goals of providing a more reliable water sup-
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ply for California while protecting, restoring and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. These goals must, according to the plan, be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place. For WaterFix to continue down the path toward breaking ground, DSC needs to certify that the project is consistent with the
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Delta Plan. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the agency tasked with implementing WaterFix, filed for a certification of consistency with the DSC on July 27. In August, nine appellant groups representing more than 20 different agencies and organizations submitted appeals asserting that WaterFix is inconsistent with the Delta Plan. “The Delta Reform Act gives the (Delta Stewardship) Council two options: to uphold an appeal and remand the project at issue to the project proponent, or to deny an appeal and allow the project to proceed,” explained Brittany Young, DSC information officer. Before the hearings got underway, three of the seven DSC counsee WaterFix page 22A
BART Updates
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BART is moving ahead with plans for 800 new parking spaces Antioch station.
Geraldine Stanton of Flowers by Gerry retires after 45 years as East County’s florist. Page 4A
Bowl Game Blowout
Liberty takes down Heritage 49-0 in annual Brentwood Bowl football game. Page 1B Calendar..............................11B Classifieds.............................5B Cop Logs................................9B Entertainment.................... 9A Food..................................... 10A Health & Beauty................10B Milestones......................... 21A Opinion............................... 17A Pets...................................... 19A Sports.....................................1B
Tri Delta Hiring
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First Transit is accepting applications to become a Tri Delta Transit bus driver.