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Vol. 16, No. 50
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
City frees up money for rec center
December 9, 2016
Bring On The Holidays
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Oakley City Council recently approved the sale of a new lease-revenue bond, which is expected to pay off past city debt and free up additional funds for construction at the city’s new recreation center. The $10.4 million bond will pay off the $6.4 million the city used in 2006 on construction of Civic Center Plaza, with the remaining funds (around $4 million) likely put toward the city’s new recreation center. “With interest rates at historically low rates, we have worked with our city financial advisor and assembled a finance team to refund these certificates of participation (a form of financing) and obtain additional funds to finance the first phase of the recreation center,” said Deborah Sultan, finance director. Repaying now should save the city about $680,000 on the remaining 2006 debt. The city’s annual debt payment will increase by about $80,000 a year to $650,000 for the additional funds. The payments will come via the city’s public facility impactfee program, derived from the $3,800 developers pay to the city for each house they build. The program see Money page 30
Look no further for a complete list of local holiday concerts, festivals and fun. Page 10
Awarded For Excellence
Filling the Boot
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Arnold Vasquez, with the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD), did his part last week in Oakley to collect donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Fill the Boot campaign. The annual event involves thousands of firefighters nationwide, hitting the streets to encourage the public to make a donation to the association. This year, the ECCFPD collected $9,820.22 for the cause.
Brentwood resident Rachael Ortiz receives Technician Achievement Award for 2016. Page 8
Tough Loss For Freedom
Good Samaritan spreads goodwill by Amy Schrader Correspondent
Six-year-old Micah Greenblatt’s parents have tried to discourage their son from one of his favorite hobbies – searching for loose change on the floor of their family-owned grocery store, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, in Oakley. But last Tuesday, the treasure hunter found more than loose change. When he came across a wedding band with a
personal inscription, he knew he found something precious and wanted to spread goodwill by reuniting it with its owner. “When he brought it to me, telling me he found something special, we put it in the safe at the store, hoping its owner would return for it,” said David Greenblatt, Micah’s father. According to Greenblatt, their customers often lose items in the store, but this was the see Goodwill page 30
Thanks to a Micah Greenblatt, a 6 year old filled with goodwill, Oakley resident Allison Fields was reunited with the wedding band she lost while running errands. Photo Courtesy of Allison Fields
Freedom football team falls to De La Salle in NCS championship game. Page 21 Calendar................................31 Classifieds.............................26 Cop Logs................................29 Entertainment.....................11 Food........................................10 Health & Beauty..................14 Milestones............................15 Opinion..................................20 Pets.........................................19 Sports.....................................21
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Contra Costa explores possible community choice energy (CCE) programs.
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